CONFIRMATION DAY SET FOR SUNDAY, MAY 6TH
This year we have three confirmation students who will come before the congregations for the Rite of Affirmation of Baptism.
At the worship at TLC, 8:45 a.m., GARRETT LUKES will be presented for his Affirmation. Garrett is the son of Randy and Mona Lukes.
At the worship at HLC, 10:30 a.m., CAYLEE TENNIS and DAHNA WRIGHT will be presented for their Affirmations. Caylee is the daughter of Wes and Cammie Tennis. Dahna is the daughter of Bev Wright.
Please remember these confirmands in your prayers as they prepare for this special day.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS BEING CALLED FOR SUNDAY, MAY 13TH
The Congregation Councils for both Hayward Lutheran and Trondhjem Lutheran are calling their respective congregations for a special meeting on Sunday, May 13th, following their worship service. For Trondhjem, the meeting will be during the coffee hour, beginning at 9;45 a.m. For Hayward Lutheran, the meeting will begin after worship at about 11:30 a.m.
These meetings are for the purpose of reviewing and voting on a Letter of Agreement with the Oakland-Moscow Parish that will establish a procedure for cooperative ministry between our two parishes in the areas of (1 Youth and Family Ministry, and (2) Ministry to Senior Members.
By this agreement, the pastor to be called to the Oakland-Moscow Parish will have, with a duly formed committee of members from each parish, leadership in the area of Youth and Family Ministry. Pastor Malm,
along with another duly formed committee, will have leadership in the area of Ministry to Senior Members. This agreement is for a two-year period, at which point it will be reviewed and evaluated, and a decision will be made at that time whether or not to continue in the agreement.
Copies of the Letter Agreement will be on hand at the churches, or you may look at it online on our parish website, which is www.haywardlutheranchurch.org; or on
the website of Pastor Soli, the interim pastor at Oakland-Moscow: pastorsoli.com.
Discussions will be held during the coffee hours on April 29th and May 6th.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES TO BE RECOGNIZED
On Sunday, May 20TH the young people who will be graduating from high school will be recognized at the worship service.
Those from Hayward Lutheran who are graduating are:
MICHELLE LEARN, daughter of Frank and Faye Learn
LACY WRIGHT, daughter of Beverly Wright.
From Trondhjem Lutheran:
MATT REESE, son of Steve & Eileen Reese
DANIEL JAX, son of Mark & Debbie Brekke
We pray God’s blessings on these young people as they venture on to new paths in their lives. As members of our congregational families, we keep them in our prayers.
THE LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL UNTIL THIS FALL IS SUNDAY, MAY 20TH.
EARLY COMMUNION INSTRUCTION TO BEGIN
Pastor Malm asks that those parents and children who are interested in instruction for Holy Communion should let him know soon. Holy Communion is open to children, ages preschool on up, who have received instruction from both pastor and parents and are then certified to receive the sacrament. When we know who wishes to be a part of this instruction, we will arrange the times necessary.
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THE GOOD SHEPHERD
These past couple of weeks we have been made aware, once again, of those powers that we often refer to as “the world, sin, death and the devil,” and of the great chaos that they can unleash upon us. We hear and see of the mass killings of so many innocents on the campus of one of our larger Eastern universities. We hear and see from Minneapolis of two men who are robbed in an alley in the early morning hours and then told to kneel on the ground where they are both executed. And then we hear and see of a young teenager who is gunned down while riding on a city bus. And then, striking much closer to home, we hear and see of a young wife and daughter from our own neighborhood being senselessly murdered in her own Rochester home by one or more intruders, who then set the room on fire to try to cover up the evil deed.
The sense of chaos continues on and confronts us daily through the newspaper and through other media sources, and we are only hearing and seeing but a fraction of it all. And all of that does not even begin to touch that sense of chaos that we might feel going on within our own persons.
One of our members recently forwarded to me through e-mail a somewhat humorous article called “Recall Notice.” In part, it says: “The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, code names “Adam,” and “Eve,” resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed “Sub sequential Internal Non-Morality,” or more commonly referred to as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some symptoms include: (1) Loss of direction, (2) Foul vocal emissions, (3) Amnesia of origin, (4) Lack of peace and joy, (5) Selfish or violent behavior, (6) Depression or confusion in the mental component, (7) Fearfulness, (8) Idolatry, and (9) Rebellion.” Well, such “symptoms” certainly tell us that some of that chaos that we see and hear “out there” is also going on within each one of us.
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday in our season of Easter. Traditionally, it is called “Shepherd Sunday,” because the scripture texts are always a focus on God and his only Son as being “The Good Shepherd,” or “The Divine Shepherd.” This Sunday, we hear the words of the well-known 23rd Psalm, reminding us that, amid all this chaos around us, we can faithfully proclaim, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” This Shepherd is one who provides for our physical needs and also would restore our very souls, and would seek to lead us along right pathways. Even though we would walk through the darkest of valleys or alleys or hallways, amid all that chaos, we need fear no evil, for the Divine Shepherd is there for us. Those evil powers of the world, sin, death and the devil will not win the day for who would faithfully follow the Shepherd. This Good Shepherd has a promised banquet ready for us and a place for us, and an overflowing of goodness and mercy.
That theme is also picked up from a reading from the seventh chapter of the Revelation to John, where John shares that marvelous vision of this great, countless multitude that is made up of people from every tribe, nation and language, and all gathered around the throne of Christ the Lamb of God, and all voicing in word and song their prayer, praise and thanksgivings to God and the Lamb. In this vision, John hears an elder ask him who these countless people are who are worshipping God. John responds by saying, “You are the one who can tell me.” And the elder does: “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal.” These are those faithful people who have been “out there,” in the midst of all that chaos, and who, because of their faith and loyalty to God in Christ, had experienced great suffering, even unto death. Now they have been gathered up before God’s holy presence, to be safe and secure in God’s bright glory. No more S.I.N. no more defects; no more chaos.
We hear the gospel lesson from John, chapter ten, which is the Good Shepherd chapter. We hear Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lay claim to those who faithfully follow him and who thus know and hear his voice. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.”
In a biblical commentary on the Book of Revelation, Earl F. Palmer (Word Books, Publisher) puts it this way: “It is not a stranger who stands at the boundary of all human history but the same Lord Jesus Christ who stood at Galilee and Jordan and at the harsh hill near Jerusalem. This makes all the difference. The believer who lives in the harsh streets of a twentieth-century city or in the suffocating atmosphere of first-century Smyrna has a source of hope here and now that originates in the fact that Jesus Christ reigns at the end boundary just as He reigns at the beginning and at the middle. We live our lives in the present because of this living hope from the past, the hope that produces relevant ethical and interpersonal action in the present and real world of our daily twenty-four hour cycle….It is the living Jesus Christ who motivates us from the past as we remember His costly grace; from the present as He companions us by the Holy Spirit; and from the future as we look toward the vindication of truth, justice, love, and faith. This is the ethics of hope, and it has staying power that ideology and mysticism have never known.”
Pastor John
NEW WORSHIP SCHEDULE TO BEGIN
Beginning Sunday, May 27th, we will begin our summer worship schedule.
Trondhjem Lutheran Worship – 8:30 a.m.
Hayward Lutheran Worship – 10 a.m.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
THANK YOU RECEIVED FROM WALDORF COLLEGE
The following letter was received from Waldorf College.
“We would like to sincerely thank you and Hayward/Trondhjem Lutheran for hosting the St. Christopher Chorale last Sunday. Our students had a wonderful time. We appreciated how responsive and appreciative you were. Thank you for the warm reception.
“The potluck meal you provided was wonderful. Please pass along our gratitude to those who prepared and served it. Also, many thanks for the breakfast.
“We would also like to thank you for the collected gift of $287.30. The offering will go a long way in helping our ensemble with travel expenses. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to share a service of worship with you. Blessings to all.”
Sincerely,
(Signed) Nicole Robertson
Music Department Secretary
(Signed) Blair Buffington
Director of Choral Activities
THANK YOU FROM NEPAL SERVICE FUND
The following was received from Bev & Earl Lund.
“Thank you, Hayward and Trondhjem Churches for your donation to the Nepal Social Service Fund of $214.82. This amount of money will give adult literacy training to nine women. Literacy training for women changes lives for the whole area.”
Dr. E. S. and Bev Thompson
OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLY COMMUNION
May 6 Easter V (Confirmation)
May 27 Day of Pentecost (Memorial Weekend)
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF PARISH PROJECT COMING UP
First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea will host its spring Lutheran World Relief Parish project on SATURDAY ONLY, May 19, from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Please bring your donations of quilts, soap, layettes, health, school and sewing kits during these hours. NO CLOTHING WILL BE ACCEPTED. Use ONLY NEW ITEMS. Do not add or leave out items in the kits. SORT all donations and pack in SEPARATE, STRONG BOXES and secure with PACKAGING TAPE – NO DUCT TAPE OR CORD. LABEL boxes in LARGE, BLACK LETTERS. BOXES CANNOT EXCEED 40 POUNDS.
LENTEN INCOME-2007
Gross Income: $913.08
Expenses: $53.80
Net Income: $859.28
The monies were divided as follows:
Albert Lea Salvation Army $214.82
Austin Salvation Army $214.82
Nepal Services $214.82
World Hunger $214.82
WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILIES OF THE FOLLOWING:
RICHARD HYLAND, whose funeral was Saturday, April 14th
BETHYL (BETTE) GEORGE, whose funeral was Wednesday, April 18th
TRONDHJEM NEWS
MAY ASSIGNMENTS
Altar Guild
Shirley Kraushaar
Coffee Servers
May 6 Food Committee
May 13 Sunday School
May 20 John & Sandi Chapek
Lectors
May 6 Shirley Kraushaar
May 13 Lisa Kraushaar
May 20 Linda Kraushaar
May 27 Jill Krause
Communion Assistants
Mike Severtson & Mark Brekke
MAY ACOLYTE/USHERS
May 6 Cortney & Reed Thostenson
May 13 Garrett Lukes
May 20 Ethan Severtson
May 27 Matt Reese
MAY BIRTHDAYS
May 8 Linda Kraushaar
May 13 Reed Thostenson
May 20 Scott Kraushaar
May 26 Elaine Lukes
May 28 Ruth Lukes
May 28 Emily Brekke
May 30 Maxine Amacher
May 31 Elna Severtson
May 31 Ethan Severtson
MAY ANNIVERSARIES
May 18 Jim & Irene Benesh
May 26 Orin & Brenda Krause
MEMORIALS
GENERAL FUND
In memory of RUSSELL TABOR by Gilma Bothum
In memory of DAVID BREKKE by M/M Jim Benesh
In memory of BETTE GEORGE by M/M Sheldon Lukes
ALTAR GUILD
In memory of LESTER BOTHUM by Gilma Bothum
BUILDING FUND
In memory of DAVID BREKKE by M/M Roger Severtson, M/M Richard Kraushaar, M/M Emil Prantner
TRONDHJEM FINANCIAL REPORT
Starting Balance 2/28/07- $6,126.42
Income March, 2007 - $3,558.44
Expenses March., 2007 - $4,353.60
Balance 3//31/07 - $5,331.26
3/31/07 Breakdown of Accounts
Building Fund Balance - $6,053.01
Organ Fund Balance - $ 356.75
General Fund Balance – ($1,078.00)
DEADLINE FOR HEALTH KITS AND SEWING KITS
TLC members please bring your Health Kits and Sewing Kits to the church by May 6th so they can be packed up for delivery. Thank you!
KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED
Ken Benesh - Rochester
Bette George - Rochester
HAYWARD NEWS
MISSION STATEMENT
We the people of Hayward Lutheran Church confess the Triune God, and strive to follow the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.
VISION STATEMENT
As a community of faith in Jesus Christ, we will demonstrate care and compassion for one another and also to a world in much need. God’s Word and the Holy Sacraments are central to our life of faith. As we grow and are nourished by these, we will bring the good news of God’s forgiveness, life and salvation to those around us.
BUILDING FUND PLEDGE FORM
Members of Hayward Lutheran will find in this mailing a Building Fund Pledge Form. If you have not already done so, please fill out the form and return it to the church as soon as possible. We have received about 20% of our goal in pledges thus far. Thank you!
HAYWARD LUTHERAN
OUR STEWARDSHIP FOR 2007
Month Where we Where Total Should be We Are Expenses
(As of 4/25) (As of 4/25)
January $ 9,125.50 $5,546 $ 8,538
February $18,251 $14,219 $17,802
March $27,376.50 $21,887 $25,351
April $36,502 $32,905 $32,606
May $45,627.50
June $54,753
July $63,878.50
August $73,004
September $82,129.50
October $91,255
November $100,380.50
December $109,506
MAY ASSIGNMENTS
Altar Guild
Cammie Tennis & Carole Eggum
Coffee Servers
May 6 Todd & Cheryl Enderson/ Jim & JudyBecker
May 13 Paul & Barb Miller/Sandra Jimenez
May 20 Jim & Nancy Skaar/Steve & Kaye Tufte
May 27 Neal, Jean & Katherine Skaar
Ushers
*Paul & Barb Miller
James & Judy Becker
Steve Lundak
LeMoyne Eggum
Communion Assistants
Kendall Johnson & Faye Learn
Lectors
May 6 Phil Tennis
May 13 Neal Skaar
May 20 Sandra & Jalen Jimenez
May 27
MAY ACOLYTE/USHERS
May 6 Kadie Habana & Jalen Jimenez
May 13 Dahna Wright & Adison Wangen
May 20 Ashton Wangen & Logan Tufte
May 27 Mitchell Skaar & Caylee Tennis
MAY BIRTHDAYS
May 1 Jean Thisius
May 3 Mark Bolinger
May 5 Kaye Smith
May 5 Mike Larson
May 5 Richard Olson
May 8 Kim Woitas
May 12 Lowell Nelson
May 15 Jacob Berhow
May 21 Carolyn Matson
May 22 Barbara Schroeder
May 23 Cammie Tennis
May 25 Vern Frydenlund
May 27 Tristan Tufte
May 27 Laurel Heimsness
May 28 Anna Englin
May 29 Vickie Storlie
May 30 Doris Westland
May 30 Curt Larson, Jr.
May 30 Tammy Eggum
May 31 Thomas Westland
MAY ANNIVERSARIES
May 1 Jack & Jean Thisius
May 4 Paul & Diane Ladlie
May 5 Darrell & Vickie Storlie
May 9 Brian & Nancy Berhow
May 14 Scott & Kim Woitas
May 23 Dale & Millie Westland
MEMORIALS
GENERAL FUND
In honor of KEITH & JANET IVERSON by Sarah & Troy Wangler
In memory of MARGARET TENNIS by Lila Esse, Elinor Stotts, M/M Willis Pfeiffer, M/M Vern Nordaune, Clayton Peterson, M/M James Skaar, Julie Beaver
In memory of ELEANOR NELSON by M/M Kendall Johnson
In memory of RICHARD HYLAND by M/M Neil Spillane, M/M Earl Neist
ALTAR GUILD
In memory of MARGARET TENNIS by M/M Christen Skaar
BUILDING FUND
In memory of DAVID RAIMER by M/M Phil Tennis
In memory of MERLE ANDERSON by M/M Phil Tennis
In memory of ART SHERMAN by M/M Phil Tennis
In memory of MARGARET TENNIS by M/M Phil Tennis, M/M Neal Skaar, Camilla Frydenlund, M/M Ashle Skaar, M/M Steven Tennis, LaVonne Williams
In memory of NANCY MUMMERT & SARAH LUNDE by M/M Neal Skaar
In memory of JACK WRIGHT by M/M Dick Hanson (Roof Project)
In memory of HOWARD RINGHAM by M/M Neal Skaar
In memory of BOB BERTHELSON by M/M Neal Skaar
In memory of BETHYL GEORGE by M/M Dan Johnson (Roof Project)
CARPET FUND
In memory of SARAH LUNDE by M/M Paul Westland
CEMETERY FUND
In memory of RICHARD HYLAND by M/M Richard Kraushaar, Marjorie Stephenson, Jennifer Vanbeek, M/M Lowell Whiteis, Luana Whiteis
KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED:
Gary Broitzman at Albert Lea
Bob Armon in Rochester
THANK YOU to LOUIE LARSON for building a table for the chimes keyboard. The chimes are hanging up on the wall to the left of the chancel area. We hope to have them in working order in the near future.
----The HLC Church Family
THANK YOU to Ted Eggum for shining and polishing the candle lighters that are used by the acolytes.
THANK YOU to the Lucille Larson family for the new communion banner in memory of Curtis A. Larson and Robert E. Sill.
“A SINCERE THANK YOU to the Leah Circle gals for providing us all with a very special, fun evening called ‘Spring Fling’.”
Sincerely sent,
DeLores Wegner
THANK YOU FROM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
The following letter was received from the ELCA:
“Dear Hayward Lutheran Church:
“’Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered and sent for the sake of the world.’ ELCA Statement
“On behalf of Bishop Hanson, the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, thank you for your recent gift.
“Through your support of ELCA church wide ministries you are spreading the Gospel, building and nurturing the faith lives of others, reaching out to the unchurched, providing educational opportunities and much more. As the ELCA continues to reach beyond borders and life situations to share our gifts, it is no surprise that we are living in God’s amazing grace.
“Your witness and gifts are a marked example of your stewardship. Whether we are building churches, educating young people, or bringing hope to places where there was none, we have the assurance that God’s grace is sufficient.
“Blessings to you for your generosity and witness. Through partners like you we are making a difference in the world and making Christ known.”
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) Donald Hallberg
Executive Director for Development Services.
THANK YOU FROM SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD
The following letter was received from the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA:
“’God of abundance, you have poured out a large measure of earthly blessings: our table is richly furnished, our cup overflows, and we live in safety and security. Teach us to set our hearts on you and not these materials blessings. Keep us from becoming captivated by prosperity, and grant us wisdom to use your blessings to your glory and to the service of humankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’
Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, page 80
“Dear Friends in Christ,
“Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you shared in your giving this past year. Your giving supported the work of our Southeastern Minnesota Synod, the work of our Mission Partners and the work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Through your partnership, the gospel was shared, people’s lives were touched and congregations were supported and strengthened.
“We are reminded in this prayer that we do live in a world of abundance that is granted us by God. Some of those gifts are not all material but encompass the joy of sharing as Christ’s hands in the world.
“Once again – THANKS for all you do on Christ’s behalf within your congregation and beyond. May we all continue to be guided by wisdom as we make decisions about the use of our resources to God’s glory and in service to others.”
Yours in Christ,
(Signed) Larry Iverson, Synod Minister
Stewardship Advisor
Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
(Hayward Lutheran contributed $7,400 for church wide ministries and $1,021.10 for missionary support in 2006)
LIBRARY
A GREAT DAY WITH CHURCH LIBRARIANS
Edith Samuelson and DeLores Wegner attended the Librarian Meeting at Methodist Church on Thursday, March 29th at 1:30 p.m. in place of Bev Noland.
Tom Ferleman was our guest speaker. He told about his trip to Jamaica and why he chose to volunteer building churches. He feels he touches the lives of more people. He did build one home for a widow lady.
We had our meeting and Edith won a book called, You Are Mine written by Max LuCado and Delores also won a book titled, Mn Mysteries by Joann A. Grote.
We had a delicious lunch. The May 31st meeting will be a Salad Luncheon at Grace Lutheran. Hayward will host the meeting on Thursday, August 30th.
Edith Samuelson & DeLores Wegner
ALTAR GUILD
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE FRESH FLOWERS?
Fresh flowers for the altar are a beautiful addition to our worship service. If you wish to furnish flowers, all you need to do is call the Altar Guild president, Marlene Thompson (373-3895). The Guild will purchase and display the flowers for you, and if you wish, will put an acknowledgement in the Sunday bulletin. Cost of the flowers is usually about $20. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
WELCA NEWS
PURPOSE STATEMENT
As a community of women created in the image of god, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world.
THANK YOU to all the ladies who met at church to put together quilts. We made 89 quilts this year.
LADIES, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
The WELCA Circles are preparing Health Kits, School Kits and Sewing Kits for Lutheran World Relief. These items are badly needed. It would be greatly appreciated if those of you who are not a member of a Circle would also make one of these kits and bring it to church before April 30th.
The following are lists of items that are needed for each kit. ONLY NEW ITEMS, PLEASE. DO NOT LEAVE OUT ANY ITEMS OR ADD EXTRA ITEMS.
HEALTH KITS
1 Hand Towel 1 Wash Cloth
1 Bath-Size Soap 1 Toothbrush
1 Toothpaste, 5-7 oz. 1 Comb
1 Metal Nail File or Clippers 6 Band Aids, ½ or ¾ in.
with attached file
Wrap all the smaller items in the towel and tie securely with ribbons or yarn.
SCHOOL KITS
2 Pads ruled paper, 8 ½ by 11”, 100-150 sheets each
6 Pencils with erasers
1 Eraser, 2 – 2 ½ in.
12 Sheets assorted colored construction paper
1 (30 cm) ruler, or ruler with centimeters and inches
1 Box of crayons, 8, 16, 21
1 Pencil sharpener
1 Blunt scissors
1 Cloth bag, 12 x 14 with 1 cloth handle
Pack all items in the bag and fold handles over. Secure with two large rubber bands.
SEWING KITS
3 yards of cotton material
1 spool of matching thread
1 pkg. needles for hand sewing
1 card of matching buttons
Wrap notions inside fabric and tie with yarn or ribbon.
Thank you very much for your help!
HLC WELCA Officers
THIS ‘N’ THAT
PRAIRIE RIVER CAMP OFFERS SUMMER WEEKEND FAMILY CAMPS
The Youth for Christ program that also runs “THE ROCK” in Albert Lea has a summer camp facility north of Bricelyn, Minnesota called “Prairie River Camp.” It sits on 62 acres of wooded land along the shores of the South Fork of the Blue Earth River. In addition to the many youth opportunities the camp has for the summer, they also offer a Weekend Family Camp from Memorial weekend through the Labor Day weekend. This is for families that can bring their own tents or trailers for camping. The camp has a restroom/shower facility, meeting rooms, a kitchen/dining facility, along with trails and other outdoor activities. If you are interested in their summer programs, please contact Renae Groskreutz at “THE ROCK”. Phone is 373-1015 or 327-7047.
DID YOU KNOW?
I thought you might like to see what you would encounter if you were put into a village of 100 people with the composition of the earth’s population.
You would find:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere (North & South America)
8 Africans
52 Females, 48 Males
70 Non-white, 30 White
70 Non-Christians, 30 Christians
59% of the wealth would be in the hands of 6 people, and they would all be U.S. citizens
80 (out of 100) would live in sub-standard housing
70 would be illiterate
50 would be suffering from malnutrition
1 would be near death and one would be near birth
1 would have a college education
1 would own a computer (so much for e-mailing back home)
When you arrive at this village, you will have to interact with these people, their cultures and values, in order to do your job. ARE YOU PREPARED?
(Taken from the publication “Freeborn/Mower Habitat Hammerings”,)
HAVE YOU MISSED SOME “OPPORTUNITIES” LATELY?
This question recalls the old adage – “opportunity knocks but once” – which always implied to me that openings occur rapidly and we’d better be ready to grasp them or we lose their potential advantages quickly. You may know some persons, as I do, who are always able to see in every problem, not an occasion for trouble, but a “golden opportunity”. Look about your life right now and ask yourself, “What opportunities am I overlooking or missing?”
Easter, with its focus upon God’s raising Christ to newness of life, says to us that God is not content to simply shrug His heavenly shoulders and say to us, “Well, what could I have expected of such people?”
Rather, He chose a unique, new beginning which unleashed all manner of power and creative actions into this world. Once more, not a defeat, but an occasion for growth. This is the recurring theme of the New Testament. Just at the point when we think all is lost, nothing is going to improve; God surprises us with a new opportunity.
The key, of course, is our response. Shall we be like those who are always ready and willing to join the large ranks of scoffers and the “I told you so” crowds? Or shall we say, “I see here a chance to grow with God?” The tug of the “what-might-have-been-if-only” idea is strong, but must be overcome by a good, large dosage of “What new opportunities do I see in today’s world?”
I am certain that God is working within the events of today and that He is always gracious and giving to use us as we respond faithfully to Him. Like the proverbial bus, don’t worry, if you missed the last one. There will always be another coming along. Dear friend, see the excitement that God has built into your life and say a hearty “YES” to the occasions for joy and life and goodness God sets before you in the opportunities of this moment.
WHY DO I NEED A WILL?
An evening on Estate Planning and Wills with ELCA Foundation Representative Deborah Simonson Smith
Tuesday, May 22
6:30 p.m. – Complimentary Pie and Coffee
6:45 – 8 p.m. – Program
Salem Lutheran Church
115 N. Washington Ave.
Albert Lea
Sign up by May 18 by contacting your church office or calling Salem at 507-373-2184
d
Your temper is like a fire. It gets very destructive when it gets out of control.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28
JAKE’S PRAYER
By Brad Curtis
Jake, the rancher, went one day
To fix a distant fence.
The wind was cold and gusty
And the clouds rolled gray and dense.
As he pounded the last staples in
And gathered tools to go,
The temperature had fallen,
The wind and snow began to blow.
When he finally reached his pickup,
He felt a heavy heart.
From the sound of that ignition,
He knew it wouldn’t start.
So Jake did what most of us
Would do if we had been there.
He humbly bowed his balding head
And sent aloft a prayer.
As he turned the key for the last time,
He softly cursed his luck.
They found him three days later,
Frozen stiff in that old truck.
Now Jake had been around in life
And done his share of roaming.
But when he saw Heaven, he was shocked –
It looked just like Wyoming!
Of all the saints in Heaven,
His favorite was St. Peter.
(Now, this line ain’t needed
But it helps with rhyme and meter)
So they set and talked a minute or two,
Or maybe it was three.
Nobody was keeping score –
In Heaven time is free.
“I’ve always heard,” Jake said to Pete,
“That God will answer prayer,
But the one time I asked for help,
Well, He just plain wasn’t there.”
“Does God answer prayers of some,
And ignore the prayers of others?
That don’t seem exactly square –
I know all men are brothers.”
“Or does He randomly reply,
Without good rhyme or reason?
Maybe, it’s the time of day,
The weather or the season.”
“Now I ain’t trying to act smart,
It’s just the way I feel.
And I was wondering, could you tell me –
What the heck’s the deal?”
Peter listened very patiently
And when Jake was done,
There were smiles of recognition,
And he said, “So, you’re the one!!”
“That day your truck, it wouldn’t start,
And you sent your prayer a flying,
You gave us all a real bad time,
With hundreds of us trying.”
“A thousand angels rushed,
To check the status of your file,
But you know, Jake, we hadn’t heard
From you in quite a long while.”
“And though all prayers are answered,
And God ain’t got no quota,
You moved – God didn’t recognize your voice,
So, He started a truck in Minnesota.”
I AM A CHRISTIAN
By Maya Angelou
When I say..”I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin,”
I’m whispering “I was lost,
Now I’m found and forgiven.”
When I say..”I am a Christian”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
And need Christ to be my guide.
When I say..”I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say..”I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting that I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say..”I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say..”I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say..”I am a Christian”
I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner
Who received God’s grace, somehow.
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