“40”

This may seem like a strange title for a newsletter article but then again it is the season of Lent. A lot of strange things happen in Lent. For instance we change our whole lives around to spend time to consider what Jesus’ life, death and resurrection has to do with us. We sing some pretty sad songs and spend time in prayer, and silence, and maybe we even fast for a while each week. None of that has anything to do with “40” . . . but some things do.

The most obvious thing is that Lenten is “40” days long. Which means that already we are almost a week into the Lenten season. And although it seems like a long time, it is surprisingly short. Already I am putting together the services for Holy Week. And again, please take notice that we will be needing your help with all the activities that are a part of Holy Week.

What else? I thought we would never ask. But if you remember just prior to Lent just after Jesus is baptized he is lead out into the wilderness for 40 days and nights and is tempted by Satan. It’s in the wilderness that Jesus seems to find clarity about what his mission is and it’s in the wilderness that he finds strength to go through with God’s plan. Not all the gospel writers see it that way, but that’s a discussion for another time. But again it is that number “40” that appears.

Oh! Here is another one. Or should I say another “40”. The story about how that Israelites wondered in the wilderness for “40” years after the exodus from Egypt. Personally I think that “40” years was just a multiplier of the “40” days of Lent. Which ironically is just a multiplier of the “400” years the Israelites were in captivity in Egypt. You get my point though. The number “40” plays a big part in the telling of the biblical story. What all this means I don’t know, but what I do know is this, when I give Lent the time of day my life is changed. “40” days to be exact. Then I seem to discover in a deeper way what God’s mission and will is for my life. No short cuts here! Actually “40” is not some magical number, but just a number that communicates that we need some time to reorient our lives. “40” days seems like a lot of time, but in the end it goes by very quickly. So fast that unless we pay some attention to it, it is gone before we know it. Or it passes without us really taking time to consider what God is trying to communicate to us.

What is God trying to tell us during Lent? Just this… that Jesus may be at the center of the Easter story, but then so are we. Jesus embodies the grace of God, making God’s grace something that is seen by us, and given to us, and inviting us to be in a relationship with him. A God who holds nothing back, and who in spite of us, promises to save and get involved with us. The cross here in this story is more than an instrument of torture and pain. It is that! But it can also be seen as an image of a bridge. A place where a holy God is still reaching out to a broken world with broken people.

We need a wilderness walk to fully embrace this season of Lent. A time to learn and ponder, even to doubt, and to more fully embrace the big “40”. So come along, and big “40” is the old “400”. Who would want to be enslaved for 400 years or be wandering for 40 years? Let’s get our act together and wander for a while; say about “40” days, and enjoy both the journey and the Easter joy that follows. So join the walk…, enjoy the views…, listen to the Spirit…, renew to conversation…, God is with us!

Blessings,

Pastor Jeff


COUNCIL MEETING - KENWOOD LUTHERAN CHURCH

January 11, 2018

Members Present: Joy Michalicek, Pastor Jeff Holter, Kathie Severson, Scott Goutermont, Barb Lucia, Nadine Moeller, Brad Kamphenkel, Martha Oswald, Mary Rasch, Diane Irving and Susan Muehlberger.

Guest: Theresa Williams

1. The meeting was called to order by President Joy Michalicek at 7:35 p.m. with devotions and prayer led by Susan Muehlberger.

2. Minutes from the meeting held on December 14, 2017, were approved as submitted.

3. Treasurer’s report = Memorial Fund balance =8550.00; Savings=4500.00; Trust Fund=3200.00.

4. Action Items:

  1. None.

5. Discussion Items:

a. Communication:

  • Capital Campaign-Steve Greenfield will lead the Capital Campaign. Would like others to join with him.
  • Lenten Worship and Soup Suppers-Sign-up sheet was passed to sign up to serve Soup Suppers during Lent.
  • Annual Meeting-Looking for a volunteer to take minutes for the Annual Meeting. Board/Tea Chairpersons were asked to inquire of their team if they will be staying on, and to see if there was anyone else who wants to be on a team.

6. Boards, Ministry Teams, Standing Committees:

a. Asset Management Board

  • Discussed set-up of Fireside Room; will begin in February.
  • Middle Office updating has begun, with new mailboxes. More updates to follow.
  • Worked on budget.
  • Heat & water issues-had frozen pipes; will leave faucet trickling in downstairs kitchen in cold weather. Had a heat pump go bad, and also a leak in the heater above rear door.
  • Plans being made for a sit-down dinner in February.

b. Mutual Ministry and Stewardship Board

  • No new report.

c. Personnel Support Board

  • No new report.

d. Christian Education Ministry Team

  • Sunday School has grown.
  • Christmas play went well.
  • Will be starting to have separate groups (by age) for education.

e. Community Ministry Team

  • A thank you card was received from the jail for the donation of cookies.
  • Working on initiative for World Hunger in February.
  • December coin offering total was $107.67. Total for 2017 was $761.76.

f. Fellowship Ministry Team

  • Planning “Invite A Friend to Sunday School to go Sledding” party in February.
  • Movie night planned for sometime in the spring.

g. Worship Ministry Team

  • Talked about Lent themes and decorating the sanctuary for Lent.

h. Youth Ministry Team

  • No new report.

7. Pastor’s Report:

  • Received thank-you card for flowers.
  • Will send thank-you card to Vinod Gupta for speaking last Sunday.
  • Discussed splitting up Time & Talent into smaller pieces a few times a year instead of one big piece once a year.

8. Pastor Jeff Holter and Theresa Williams excused from the meeting at 8:35 p.m., at which time a special session started to discuss compensation and budget.

9. Meeting closed with recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa Williams, acting Secretary



March 2018
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
1
9:00 AMQuilters
9:00 AM Tai Chi
4:30 PMKantele Choir / 2 / 3
4
8:45 AM Worship
9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality
10:45 AM United in Praise (UP!) Worship Service / 5
9:00 AMTai Chi / 6
8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
7:00 PM Harbormasters / 7
11:45 AMSenior Luncheon
5:30 PMA.A.
5:30 PMSoup Supper
6:30 PMLenten Worship Service / 8
9:00 AMQuilters
9:00 AM Tai Chi
4:30 PMKantele Choir
6:30 PMBoards and Teams
7:30 PMCouncil Meeting / 9 / 10
11
8:45 AM Worship
9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality
10:45 AM United in Praise (UP!) Worship Service / 12
9:00 AMTai Chi
6:00 PM Ladies of Kaleva / 13
8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
7:00 PM Harbormasters / 14
5:30 PMA.A.
5:30 PMSoup Supper
6:30 PMLenten Worship Service / 15
9:00 AMQuilters
9:00 AM Tai Chi
4:30 PMKantele Choir
5:00 PMSOTLCS Stone Soup / 16 / 17
18
Newsletter Deadline
8:45 AM Worship
9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality
9:45 AMChurch Book Club
10:45 AM United in Praise (UP!) Worship Service / 19
9:00 AMTai Chi / 20
8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
7:00 PM Harbormasters / 21
5:30 PMA.A.
5:30 PMSoup Supper
6:30 PMLenten Worship Service / 22
9:00 AMQuilters
9:00 AM Tai Chi
4:30 PMKantele Choir
Raise the Roof / 23 / 24
25
8:45 AM Worship
9:45 AM B.I.G. Hour/Hospitality
10:45 AM United in Praise (UP!) Worship Service / 26
9:00 AMTai Chi / 27
8:30 AM TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
7:00 PM Harbormasters / 28
5:30 PMA.A. / 29
9:00 AMQuilters
9:00 AM Tai Chi
4:30 PMKantele Choir / 30 / 31