THE CONNECTION March-April 2019

United Lutheran Church, ELCA

21 Mesnard St., L’Anse, Michigan Ph: (906) 524-6484; Email: ulc_lanse40@yahoo.com

Website: www.unitedlutheranchurchlanse.org

Pastor: John Ansell; (906) 201-2864

Come and Worship! We celebrate with worship on

Sunday worship at 10 a.m. Sunday School at 10 a.m. and Mondays at 6 p.m.

OFFICE HOURS: Monday: 9 am – 12 noon

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

United Lutheran C

hurch, ELCA

21 Mesnard St. L’

Anse, MI 49946

Greetings Everyone, March and April are upon us and with them the seasons of Lent and Easter; a time to reflect on our faith and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. I feel Lent and Easter are folds in time when start by reflecting during a time of humility and end with great celebration. In fact, we are entering a season that is far more important to the identity of Christianity than any other church season of the year. Even greater than Advent and Christmas two more folds in time that prove to be more popular then Lent and Easter. Our identity as Christians is summed up during this time because it embodies the full nature of Christ and the impact which he has for the world. In looking through Luther’s Small Catechism, which I feel will become more of a basis for my articles; the explanation to section two of the Apostles’ Creed regarding Jesus has some great wisdom. “I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in eternity, and also a true human being, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned human being. He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.” For Luther the encapsulation of who is Christ is given in such a statement. This statement provides an even greater wisdom into the significance of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. As we enter into such a time, I wonder what does the significance of Christ life, death and resurrection mean for people? Christ is an important part in our faith and in our relationship to God. In his incarnation God’s word becomes flesh and enters into our world to not only teach us of God’s love and care but also to demonstrate it. Such love is especially

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS

We are a family UNITED … and what a great way to get to know each other better … over coffee!

But we need YOU to put on the coffee and be willing to clean up afterwards (and perhaps provide something to go with

the coffee). Check the sign-up sheet in the barrier-free entrance. Remember,

the focus is the fellowship … so keep the food simple.

All the monetary donations received during the Fellowship Hour

go toward World Hunger.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS

People are needed to serve coffee following worship.

Please check the Volunteer Wall to sign up to Serve Coffee.

Direct Deposit for Contributions

Did you know that even if you do not attend worship YOU CAN still give to your church? Go to your financial institution and tell them you want to set up a deposit to United Lutheran Church General Fund Account #900104257; SNB Routing #091101879 It is as easy as that! Thank you for supporting your church!

WINDOW FUND ENVELOPES

If you are interested in donating to the Window Fund to replace the windows in the education window, there are envelopes in the Barrier-free entrance.

demonstrated in Christ’s death which; despite the horror of such a death God acts in a way that gives us even more love. Such a sign of great love is then shown through Christ’s resurrection. For us as a community Christ is an important aspect of our faith because we believe that not only is he the embodiment of God but that he also displays the love of God which is given to the whole world. We gather to not only recognize such love but to celebrate it, learn more about it, and to give it all we encounter. The entirety of Christ’s life, death and resurrection is an important part of our faith and I encourage everyone to dwell on Christ during Lent and Easter so that you might find more meaning or significance in God’s love for the world. May God’s blessing be with us as we move forward into the months of March and April.

Pastor John Ansell

Ash Wednesday Worship

Ash Wednesday Worship will be on Wednesday, February 26th at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to

attend.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mid-week Lenten Worship

There will be Mid-week Lenten Worship services on Wednesday evenings beginning

on Wednesday, March 4th, at 6 p.m.

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP

Maundy Thursday Worship will be on Thursday, April 9th, at 6 p.m. The Fifth grade students will be receiving their First Communion and there will be cake and coffee following the worship service. Please join us for worship and fellowship!

Good Friday Worship will be on Friday, April 10th, at 6 p.m.

Easter Worship will be on Sunday, April 12th at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Monday Worship: There will not be worship on Mon., April 13th. Regular Monday worship will resume on Mon., April 20th.

Everyone is welcome to join us for any and all of these worship services!

Council Highlights

Ø Good Samaritan Fund: The council decided to deposit the Simple Gift change and the Coffee Hour donations directly into the Good Samaritan Fund. Pastor John has had quite a few requests for help in the past month or so.

Ø Substitute organist: Courtney Jones has agreed to help fill in as organist if needed.

Ø Updating sound system: We need to update our sound system. Will check with Todd Overbeek or Bruce Rundman.

Ø Food Pantry: Renee has decided to start a small food pantry. She is working on getting everything organized. Please remember that all congregation members are welcome to attend the council meetings. If you have any questions or concerns, please let a council member know.

Articles for Newsletter

Looking for ideas and articles for the newsletter. What would you like to see? Do you have information to be put in the newsletter? Remember that we are publishing the newsletter every other month… the newsletter deadline for the May-June Newsletter is the 10th of April. Please submit any information to the church office by that date to be included in the next month’s newsletter.

SHUT-INS

Please remember our shut-ins. Keep them in your prayers. If you have a moment, stop and visit them.

At Bayside: Barbara, DesLaurier, Joyce Taipalus. At home: Ellen Biekkola, At Mill Creek Assisted Living, Marquette, MI: Betty Ann Pyhtila.

… Barbara DesLaurier, Tom DesRochers, Ben Dorsky, Denise Giddings, Karen Hall, Jean Johnson, Roger Koski, Samantha Koski, Jim Lahti, Janel LaPlante, Steve, Lloyd,

Ellie Parmalee, Hunter Pelon, Peggy Robillard, Jennifer & Aspen Sauvola, Jean Schultz, Jean Smith, Alyna Tollefson, Barbara Walford,

Denise, Grandma G.

The Family and Friends of Norene Seavoy The Family and Friends of Dennis Koski The Family and Friends of Dylan Roberts

The Family and Friends of Chris Turpeinen The Family and Friends of Glenda Hiltunen The Family and Friends of Ruth Ann Niemi

.

Dear God,

I humbly ask that you heal us from any hurt, shame, sickness, and

guilt. Heal our hearts, O Lord God. Give us beauty for ashes, the

oil of joy for mourning, and let us wear the garment of praise

instead of the spirit of heaviness and burden.

I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

TURN CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR

It is time to turn your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday, March 7th before you go to sleep.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

Sarah Circle will meet on Tuesday, March 3rd and Tuesday, April 1st, at 9:30 a.m. at Dee Dee Soli’s house.

Martha Circle will meet on Tuesday, March 3rd and Tuesday, April 1st at 1 p.m.

World Day of Prayer Friday, March 6 — 1:00 pm

In keeping with tradition, United will once again be hosting the World Day of Prayer Service in Baraga County. This is an ecumenical service created so people around the world have an opportunity to gather in prayer. Pastor John will be leading the service and Courtney Jones will be providing special music.

Ladies Night Out —- coming in April. Plans are still in the developmental stages, but an evening out for the ladies will happen sometime after Easter. Watch the weekly bulletins or check the website for final details. All ladies and their friends are invited.

FOOD PANTRY

United Lutheran Church is starting a Food Pantry. We are asking for donations of non-perishable items. Please make sure that these items are not outdated.

The Food Pantry will be open during regular office hours (posted on the outside door). Also, on Sunday and Monday when the church is open for worship services.

The Food Pantry is located upstairs in the education wing next to the secretary’s office. There will be no eligibility guidelines. If you need food, please feel free to come and get something.

FORTUNE LAKE SUMMER CAMP

Fortune Lake online camp registration is now open. Early registration is from March 1st - April 1st. Check out the camp’s website www.fortunelake.org for dates and to register your child. Remember the Women of the Church pay for half of early registration.

6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Confirmation Class

Confirmation class will be on Sunday, March 15th, Sunday, April 5th, Sunday, April 19th, and Sunday, April 26th, following the 10 a.m.

Worship service.

If your child cannot attend Confirmation Class, please call Renee, or the church office.

8th grade students – It is time to finish up your Worship times and Service hours. Confirmation Sunday is May 17th.

Sunday School! Our Fifth Grade Sunday School students will be receiving

their First Communion on Thursday, April 9th during worship at 6 p.m.

There will be cake and coffee served following worship.

The Fifth grade students will be getting together to paint their chalices at a yet to be determined date. Please watch for a letter to come home with

more information.

There will be NO Sunday School on March 22nd. Sunday School will resume on March 29th

There will be NO Sunday School on April 12th. Sunday School will resume on April 19th.

Sunday School is open to all children ages 3 years old through 5th grade. 3rd – 5th Grade students need to bring their Bibles. All children will have Bible stories and fun-filled activities every Sunday. Come and join us!

Big Bear Award and Bread Basket Award

Nominations Form The World Hunger Committee is accepting nominations for the

2020 Big Bear Award which will be presented at the 2020 Synod Assembly. Please use the following guidelines to submit your

nomination:

v Nominees must be a group (committee, task force, team, etc.) of a Northern Great Lakes Synod congregation that

has made an exemplary effort in the area of hunger ministry.

v Complete the information and return to the Northern Great Lakes Synod by April 1st. Thank You!

The World Hunger Committee is accepting nominations for the 2020 Bread Basket Award which will be presented at the 2020 Synod Assembly. Please use the following guidelines to submit

your nomination:

v Nominees must be an individual of a Northern Great Lakes Synod congregation that has made an exemplary effort in the area of hunger ministry.

v Complete the information and return to the Northern Great Lakes Synod by April 1st. Thank You!

Go to this link to get the Nomination Form for the Big Bear Award and the Bread basket

Award: https://www.nglsynod.org/assembly/

WHAT IS THE GOOD SAMARITAN FUND? This is a discretionary fund that Pastor can use to help anyone in need of financial help.

SIMPLE GIFTS is a program that was started 20 years ago (January 2000). Simple Gifts is all of the loose coins in the offering plate. The council has decided at their last council meeting

to put all money donated to Simple Gifts into the Good Samaritan Fund at United Lutheran Church. Please remember to put some change in the offering plate.

COFFEE HOUR donations will also go into the Good Samaritan Fund beginning in January. Please sign up to serve coffee after worship. A wonderful time for fellowship and to help our community.

ADDRESS: If anyone would like to send a card to Jean Schultz the address is Cedarwood Villa Nursing Home, 1 S Oakes Ave., Red Lodge, MT 59068.

PRAYER LINE: It is time to update the prayer line. If you are interested in being on the prayer line, please contact Joanne Kemppainen, 524-6584.

My Savior Lives Kay Hoffman

I was not in the garden

In the early morning gloom

When the women came with spices

And found the empty tomb.

I did not see the risen Lord

Walk in the garden fair

Or hear Him speak with gentle voice

To Mary weeping there.

But I have seen a lily bloom

From sod yet cold and bleak,

And in the cooing of a dove

I hear His voice so sweet.

I was not in the garden,

And I did not play a part.

Yet still, I know my Saviour lives;

He lives within my heart.

Renewal Kay Hoffman

Weary of winter’s lingering day,

I walked along an old pathway.

Sullen and bare were the trees and sod;

There seemed so little here to laud.

The mid snowflakes, a lacy few,

I saw a crocus pushing through;

And in a treetop veiled with haze,

A robin sang his morning praise.

My thoughts turned to our caring God

Who puts the crocus in the sod

And lifts the small bird’s heart to sing

At the first faint hint of spring.

I brushed snowflakes from crocus there

And humbly bowed in praise and prayer;

God had sent His spring anew

And in my heart renewal too.