March 2025 ~ Messenger

 

Psalm 139:17-24

 

How precious to me are your thoughts, Oh God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! Oh men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain!

 Do I not hate those that hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred, I count them my enemies.

Search me, Oh God, and know my heart! Try me, and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

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Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

 

Since ancient times, Christians have marked off certain days, weeks, and seasons to engage in increased prayer, worship, and meditation on the Holy Scriptures. Lent is one of those seasons. The six and a half weeks- 40 days, not counting the Sundays!- before Easter have long been a time to prepare the heart, mind, and body for the greatest event in history: the dying of Jesus Christ on the cross to save the world from the powers of sin, death, and Satan, and the glorious resurrection of Christ three days later on Easter morning, as the sign and proof that Christ has completely defeated the enemies of his people. 

 

Lent is a time to give serious thought to these things, to pause and reflect more deeply on them, to see in the hearing of the Scriptures, in hymns, in the Psalms, prayers and preaching of the season the great love with which Christ loved us and still loves us, as he selflessly laid down his life to save us and rises from the dead for our salvation.

 

To help with all of this, Lutherans have long held the tradition of having distinct Wednesday and Sunday services in Lent. The Wednesday services usual focus on a certain aspect of the Passion of our Lord, that is, the last few hours of his life from the events of Holy (Maundy) Thursday through his death and burial on Good Friday. Sometimes the Wednesday services may also focus on the Catechism or some other theme. This year our midweek services will be looking at the Seven Words of Jesus on the Cross: 

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“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” (Luke 23:34), 

“Truly, I say to you, today, you will be with me in paradise!” (Luke 23:43), 

“Woman, behold your son! Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27), “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), 

“I thirst!” (John 19:28), 

“It is finished!” (John 19:30), and 

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46).

 

The Sundays in Lent focus on our life in Christ, both the life we already have in him and the greater life that he is calling us into. The themes of Christ contending with the devil, the perseverance of faith in the face of trials and testing, and spiritual warfare are covered in the first three Sundays in Lent. Then comes the reminder that in midst of all these things our refreshment and strength is to be found in Christ alone, who not only fights for us and alongside us, but also tends to our every need of both body and soul, healing us and feeding us as only he can. 

 

What a great time to be found in church! Praying, singing, hearing the Word, giving serious thought to the work of our Lord, especially his dying and rising again for our salvation, as well as receiving from him the good things that he has to give us: life and forgiveness, joy and gladness, hope and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

A blessed Lent to you all!

Pastor Suehring     

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CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S GUILD AND LUTHERAN WOMEN’S LEAGUE, February 19, 2025

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Call to order: Sharon said “this is the day that the Lord has made” members answered with “let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Pastor Suehring led the opening devotions remembering the holy martyr, St Valentine. What is known is that he ended life confessing Christ to the last, around AD 270.

Pastor prayed for prayer concerns that were shared.

Secretary Barb Huebner took roll call which was answered by Presidents Day memory. There were 7 members and Pastor present. She also read the minutes from January which were approved.

Carol Lehman gave the treasurers Report.

Leah Lehman reported Sunshine started 1-1-25 with a balance of $213.27. In January and February, she sent 2 get well cards and 8 sympathy cards. 

Loah Horton is sending 2 birthday cards to congregation members who are 80 or older. She is also getting greeting cards that are available in the entry way of church.

LCFS thrift store, Leah will work of Monday March 3rd, and possible the 22nd and 29th if needed.

Correspondence was from American Bible Society, and Orphan Grain Train.

ANY OTHER BUS

SOUP SUPPER PLANS

We discussed helping the Sunday School with the soup suppers. The CWG will set the tables each week. We will also provide sandwiches and desserts.

They will split the cost of the food, and split the donations with Sunday School.

Birthdays

NEXT MEETING MARCH 19, 2025, AT 10:30 AM

LWML Pledge

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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WASH ME THOROUGHLY FROM MY INIQUITY, AND CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN! PSALMS 51:2

AS FOR YOU ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF MY COVENENT WITH YOU, I WILL SET YOUR PRISONER’S FREE FROM THE WATERLESS PIT. ZECHARAIRH 9:11

FOR CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB, HAS BEEN SACRIFICED. 1 CORINTHIANS 5:

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