VOLUME XXII ISSUE MARCH 2017

OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH WAYNE, NEBRASKA

PRESENTS:

God’s work. Our hands.

FROM OUR PASTOR…

Confirmation ministry is one of those tried and true practices of the church which has enormous potential of building faith in our youth which in turn guides them into a mature form of discipleship. Often congregations forget or neglect the importance of faith building and discipleship making in our youth people. I am so happy to say that this is not the case here at OSLC!

If ever confirmation becomes a rite of passage or an empty ritual that is performed once a year with no real substance involved then we would be doing our youth a big disservice. We would communicate to them that there is nothing special or spiritually beneficial in learning about our faith.

On the other hand if congregations see making confirmation a vital part of their ministry with young people then the result is amazing. Youth often think that we don’t see them as important and confirmation is a way to show them that we most certainly do think they are important!

We all know that our youth are stretched thin these days. Sports and school functions vie for each young person’s attention and energy. However I think that is exactly the reason why we need to keep making confirmation ministry as important as it is. It’s a way to ground our young people in faith at a very crucial developmental stage in their lives. If a teenage boy or girl doesn’t make that important basket at a game he or she might think of themselves as losers. However, our faith helps to hold them and ground them in the power of God’s Grace – they are never a loser, they are a loved child of God.

Thank you for helping to make confirmation at OSLC a truly catechetical and formational process. I know that it is hard work – it’s hard work on behalf of the guides who willingly give up their Wednesday evenings to teach, it’s hard work on behalf of the mentors who take on the role of teaching and mentoring a student, and it’s hard work on behalf of the students and parents who are stretched for time and pulled in so many directions in their lives. But you know what? Our youth are worth it. Here are some pictures (see page 3) of many of the students at OSLC this

year! We added a few more grades to the confirmation lineup this year! 3rd through 5th grades attend "pre" confirmation for 4 weeks 2x a year. They have asked for more - they love it! So we are revamping our lineup for next year to make our confirmation program even better.

Thanks for being such a wonderful congregation and I'll see you in worship!

☧Pastor Jeanne

MONTHLY The Mission of Our Savior: That all may know Christ, grow in Christ and joyfully go with Christ.

Ash WednesdayAsh WednesdayAsh WednesdayAsh Wednesday March 1

Worship: 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday MidWednesday MidWednesday MidWednesday Mid----Week ServicesWeek ServicesWeek ServicesWeek Services March 8,15,22,29 & April 5

Worship: 7:00 p.m.

Passion /Palm SundayPassion /Palm SundayPassion /Palm SundayPassion /Palm Sunday April 8 & 9

Worship: 5:30 p.m. &

10:00 a.m. (with A Touch of Brass)

Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday April 13

Worship: 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday Good Friday Good Friday Good Friday April 14

Worship: 7:00 p.m.

Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday April 15

Worship: 5:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday Easter Sunday Easter Sunday Easter Sunday April 16

Sunrise Service: 7:00 a.m.

Easter Breakfast: following Sunrise

worship until 9:30 a.m.

Festival Worship: 10:00 a.m.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

VOLUME XXII ISSUE 332 PAGE 2

FAITH BUILDERS WILL HOST

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES DURING LENT

A re you familiar with Spiritual Practices? If so, are you looking for opportunities to continue with

Spiritual Practices? If not, are you interested in learning about Spiritual Practices?

Spiritual Practices are simply ways of being in the presence of God in order to grow into a deeper relationship with Him, ourselves, and others. Spiritual Practices involve prayer. Prayer is meant to be dialog with God. That means that we should listen as well as ask. We benefit greatly from prayer. We are able to deepen our relationship with God.

The current Faith Builders class is sponsoring Spiritual Practice time before each Lenten Service beginning March 8. We will meet in the Prayer Room located upstairs in the Sunday School area at 6:40pm, prior to the 7pm Lenten Service. You are invited to join us to learn a spiritual practice, pray together, or have us pray for you. If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to contact Deb Hammer, Vera Hummel, Mary Mohl or anyone you may know taking the Faith Builders class. We hope to see you there!

(Information on Spiritual Practices and Prayer is taken from “Faith Builders Participant Workbook”, Prepared by Vera Hummel July, 2011 and Revised July, 2015).

LENTEN SERVICES AND SUPPERS

Ash Wednesday is March 1, 2017. An Ash Wednesday worship service will be held at Our Savior at 7pm. Midweek Lenten services will be held at 7pm each Wednesday evening March 8–April 5. Suppers will be served before the Midweek services from 5:45–6:45pm. There is no charge for the meal, but a freewill offering is taken with proceeds going to the group or organization providing the meal.

If your group or organization would like to take care of serving a supper, please contact the church office (375-2899 or kris@oslcwayne.org). Dates available are: March 8, 22 and 29.

LENTEN SERIES

S tepping Stones of Lent – We begin a journey of God’s people this Lenten season – a journey from sin

and death to life everlasting with our Savior! Come each Wednesday evening at 7pm as we stand at the foot of the cross looking deeply within ourselves, confessing our sins and then laying those sins down, all those things that separate us from our Savior – we will boldly leave those sins at the foot of the cross knowing that Christ will forgive us – and as a reminder to us to forgive ourselves. We take this journey together – all the way through Lent, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday until on Easter morning we will gladly shout “He is Risen” and know in our hearts that we are ALIVE in Christ!

NOON LENTEN SERVICES

Noon Lenten prayer services are being held on the first four Wednesdays of Lent. The services are hosted at a different area church each week and begin at 12:00pm; followed by a light lunch.

• The service is about 20 minutes—so anyone coming who only has an hour off for lunch will be able to attend the service and have lunch in under an hour.

• A free-will offering goes to WACAM (Wayne Association of Congregations and Ministries)

• All are welcome!

The order and location of the services is as follows:

March 8—Our Savior Lutheran Church March 15—St. Mary’s Catholic Church March 22—First Presbyterian Church April 5—First United Methodist Church

EASTER DOCUMENTARY

J oin the Fellowship Ministry Team on Sunday, March 26, following worship, for a timely documentary on the

Easter season entitled “European Easter” by Rick Steves. Rick Steves, guidebook author and travel TV host, is America's most respected authority on European travel. (For more information about the documentary and Rick Steves, please turn to page 7 or visit his website: ricksteves.com.)

Popcorn and bottled water will be provided during the viewing.

FUN FACT FOR OUR

500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

REFORMATION (from elca.org)

O n January 16, the nation observed the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Just as he is honored for his leadership in the civil rights movement, so he is also remembered for his inspiring “I have a dream speech” in Washington D.C. But not everyone knows why a boy named Michael King Jr became Martin Luther King Jr. It all goes back to King’s father, a minister, who visited

Germany in 1934. So moved was he by the message of Martin Luther that he changed his, and also his son’s, names. The boy became the activist, Martin Luther King, Jr. and in the famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” that set out his views on injustice, he referred to the Great Reformer: “Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God.” During 2017, the 500th anniversary year of the

Reformation, no country outside Germany is celebrating more than the U.S.A. After all, something like one in six Americans claims German ancestry. Many are Lutherans, whose forebears left Europe in the early 1700s for America, where they could make a better life and practice their religion freely. Soon there were so many Lutherans in the Colonies that

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was asked to leave LutherCity Halle (Saale) to formalize America’s first Lutheran church body. After arriving in Philadelphia in 1742, he set out to link dozens of small communities along the East Coast. But the Muhlenberg influence was not confined to the church. His sons had a considerable impact on U.S. history, too, serving in both the Continental Army and the U.S. Congress. And the name lives on at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA.

Martin Luther’s protest in 1517 has inspired, and continues

to inspire, Americans. Thousands are planning to visit LutherCountry in 2017, to walk in Luther’s footsteps. Those, who cannot travel to Germany in the celebration year, can still join in the commemorations in a very 21st century way: online. Throughout this Reformation anniversary year, Lutherans

in the U.S.A. and around the world are sharing stories about

their churches and their communities. They are uploading imaginative photos to a special website: www.celebrate-the-reformation.com. There are photos of young and old, choirs and youth groups and interiors and exteriors of churches. There is also a map of the world, showing where all these

communities are. So, churches can see who else from their town, their state and their country is also celebrating the Jubilee. The best photos will win prizes and all the photos that have been uploaded will be projected on to a public screen in the heart of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany as part of the celebrations. This is, of course, the town where Luther’s protest 500 years ago changed world history, influencing people down the centuries, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

PAGE 3 MONTHLY

CONFIRMATION

MINISTRY— Grades 3–7

(See Pr. Jeanne’s article on page 1.)

VOLUME XXII ISSUE 332 PAGE 4

Women of the ELCA

CIRCLE MEETINGS

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING

Tuesday, March 7, 10:00 a.m.

JOY CIRCLE

Wednesday, March 8, 2:00 p.m. Program: Lent Leader: Deb Hammer Hostess: Lynette Lentz Devotion: Deb Hammer

CHARITY CIRCLE

Wednesday, March 15, 7:00 p.m. Program: Lenten Supper Leaders: Kim Dunklau, Debbie Bargholz, Joan Baier

VISITATION

Wednesday, March 15, 1:00 p.m.

SEWING

Monday, March 27, 9:30 a.m.

ALTAR GUILD

Altar Guild workers for March: Joan Baier, Melia Hefti, Dorothy Wert, Joyce Sievers, Mary Stalling, Lynette Lentz, Vera Longe, Karen Zach, Denise Broders, Cynthia Miller, Nancy Jo Powers, Kelly Grone, Brenda Jones, Gena Puls, Martina Swanson, Sharon Fleer, Donna Lundin, Carolyn Vakoc, Jeannine Anderson. Please check your schedule for the date and time.

MARCH GREETINGS

The February 8 Joy Circle meeting was canceled due to the weather conditions so

we will have to wait for another opportunity to experience Phyllis’ “Choose Joy” program. Four Our Savior WELCA members attended the Valentine’s Luncheon at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norfolk on February 11. They thoroughly enjoyed the meal, entertainment and fellowship. Charity Circle met February 15 to clean our brass items prior to the start of the Lenten season. For those talented sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting

women of our church, the Tenth Triennial Gathering held in July in Minneapolis is asking for black and white plus one quilts and finger labyrinths—quilted, knitted or crocheted. The goal is to receive 5,000 labyrinths. Complete information with patterns is available at http://www.welcatg.org/get-involved. Take time to look over the interesting statistics on the poster,

“Where Did LWR Quilts and Kits Go in 2016?” located on the WELCA board in the social room. We can feel joy in knowing that the OSLC quilts, school and personal care kits are included in those figures. Wouldn’t it be great to know where ours were sent? We want to emphasize the information you read in the

February newsletter concerning the Northeast Conference Spring Gathering at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bloomfield on Saturday, April 29. Our own Trisha Peters is the conference coordinator this year! So, ladies, let’s support her with a good attendance from OSLC. There are registration forms available in the church office to send in with the $18 fee by April 22. We will plan to car pool from the church that morning. This will be an awesome day with other Christian women. There is always good food, interesting workshops and inspiring messages. Please consider registering! May each of you have a blessed Lenten journey.

Lynette Lentz

WELCA Vice-President

PAGE 5 MONTHLY

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR:

JANUARY, 2017 % of year January Budget Total Income and Other Support $40,710.44 9.3% Total Expenses* -32,862.79 6.6% Change in Unrestricted Net Assets $7,847.65

Year-to-Date Total Income and Other Support $40,710.44 9.3% Total Expenses* -32,862.79 6.6% Change in Unrestricted Net Assets $7,847.65

*Does not include Depreciation Expense End-of-January Balance of Unrestricted General Fund $30,810.36

If you have any questions about this report or other church finance matters, contact Sharon Garvin (402-375-4367).

“YOU VISITED ME…”

The Visitation Ministry Group meets to sign and send cards to church members and to share a visit with friends.

In February a Sympathy card was sent. Charity Circle sent Valentines

Please come and be a part of our Visitation Ministry Group. The next gathering will be Wednesday, March 15, at 1pm. For more information about this wonderful ministry, please call Virginia Backstrom (375-4489) or the church office (375-2899).

IN OUR PRAYERS…

We remember in prayer those who were hospitalized in the last month: Roy Gramlich, Ruby Hammer, Darrel Gilliland.

PASTORAL ACTS

� A private graveside service was held Wednesday, February 15, for Richard Longe. Dick died February 10, 2017.

HIGHLIGHTS

OF THE

T he Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, January 29, 2017 following the 10am worship service.

• President Doug Mohl called the meeting to order. Pr. Jeanne asked those assembled to join in singing a hymn and led the prayer printed on the back cover of the Annual Report.

• Elected to Church Council for three-year terms were Kelly Grone, Randy Larson and Jim Milliken. (Jim Milliken has declined serving at this time; Doug Mohl will serve a three-year term.)

• Elected to the Our Savior Foundation Board for a five-year term was Dave Baier.

• Elected to the Nominating Committee were Rhonda Blecke, Madge Bruflat, John Magnuson, Darrell Miller, Cheryl Roberts and Joyce Sievers.

• Steve McLagan gave a report from the Call Committee.

• The 2017 Budget was accepted.

• President Mohl thanked John Magnuson for his service on the Church Council.

• The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer and table prayer. A potluck dinner followed.

Outreach/Social Ministry Committee—The many warm and colorful donations of mittens and gloves, stocking caps, scarves, and socks made winter more comfortable for many people, young and old. Approximately 225 items (sets/singles) were delivered to the Coat Closet. What a generous congregation here at Our Savior Lutheran church!

VOLUME XXII ISSUE 332 PAGE 6

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

3 Dave Anderson, Ron Milliken 4 Eric Grone, Kevin Hammer, Connie Hanson 5 Tom Karch 7 Amy Bloomquist, Brooke Chamberlain,

Brenda Lubberstedt, Matt Nelson 8 Alyssa Bargholz, Genevieve Carmichael, Bruce Frevert,

Linda McCoy, Natasha Petersen, Larry Sievers, Wes Sievers

9 Merrill Baier, Carolyn Vakoc 10 Donna Lundin, Arlene Ostendorf, Jan Zeiss 12 Marion Baker, Carol Bauermeister, Lincoln Havranek, Lincoln Nelson, Weston Nelson, Janet Reeg, Kathy Rutenbeck 13 Deb Hammer 15 Jonah Brodersen, Mindy Heine, Glenda Reinert 16 Dennis Beckman, Adam Bentjen 19 Jeremy Vezner, Reagan Wiseman 20 Sydney Burke, Hadley Woehler 21 Tanya Heikes 22 Brent Sherman 23 Lori Hook, Bryan Reinhardt, Zachary Wacker 24 JoAnn Bondhus, Keanna Swanson 25 Jessie Piper 26 Noah Magnuson, Carissa Sokol 30 Jeff Piper, Matt Wachter 31 Ann Milliken

MARCH ANNIVERSARIES

2 Larry & Janet Sievers (49) 4 Richard & Janice Johnson (45) 5 Steve & Jan Dinsmore (49)

Joe & Annette Ping (23) 6 Les & Elaine Menke (68) 10 Dennis & Cindy Beckman (38) 16 Scott & Beth Sievers (15) 24 Kevin & Peg Erwin (10) Jeff & Peggy Triggs (16) 26 Joe & Glenda Reinert (34)

If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please accept our

apology and let the church office know.

Daylight savings time begins March 12th. Don’t forget to set your

clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday, March 11th.

2016 CHOICE DOLLARS® EXPIRE

ON MARCH 31, 2017

Don’t wait… direct your Choice Dollars before they expire!

If you’re an eligible Thrivent Financial member and have Choice Dollars® available to direct, please keep us in mind. There are two easy options for directing Choice Dollars:

1. Online at www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice. 2. Phone: 800-847-4836 and say "Thrivent Choice" at the

prompt. The Member Connection Center is open until 8 p.m. Central Time.

Questions? Please contact a representative from the Member

Connection Center at 800-847-4836 and say "Thrivent Choice" or email fraternal@thrivent.com. For faster service, have your member ID or contract number available. For more information on the Thrivent Choice® program,

please visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice.

The Thrivent Choice® charitable grant program engages Thrivent members and Thrivent Member Networks in providing grants that support charitable activities, furthering Thrivent's mission and its purposes under state law. All grants are made at the sole discretion of Thrivent. Directing Choice Dollars® is subject to the program's terms and conditions available at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice.

WAYNE FOOD TRUCK—Volunteers Needed! Our Savior will host the monthly Mobile Food Bank

distribution on Saturday, March 25th; We would like to have around 10 volunteers from our church; watch for more information regarding time and jobs to fill. Please consider helping with this worthwhile project. If you have any questions, please contact Linda McCoy at 913-223-2403 or lkemccoy@yahoo.com. A sign-up sheet will also available at the information desk. Thanks!!

PAGE 7 MONTHLY

This newsletter is published monthly as an

update on the life and activities of

Our Savior Lutheran Church 421 Pearl Street

(located at the corner of 5th & Main Street)

Wayne, Nebraska 68787

402/375-2899

Fax: 402/375-4876

Front Porch: 402/375-5676

Office E-Mail:

oslc@oslcwayne.org

jmadsen@oslcwayne.org

dhammer@oslcwayne.org

mkanitz@oslcwayne.org

kwoehler@oslcwayne.org

kris@oslcwayne.org

financial@oslcwayne.org

Website:

www.oslcwayne.org

A congregation of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Weekly Worship Opportunities:

Saturday Evening: 5:30 PM

Sunday Morning: 10:00 AM

G.I.F.T. Ministry, Adult Education

(school year) and Coffee Hour: 9:00 AM

Rev. Jeanne Madsen Pastor

Mark Kanitz

Director of Music

Deb Hammer

Director of Senior Ministry

Kara Woehler

Director of Children’s Ministry

Kris Robinson

Administrative Assistant

Steve McLagan

Financial Secretary

- Church Council -

Dave Olson President

Doug Mohl Vice President

Kelly Grone Secretary

Tyler Frevert Treasurer

Erika Fink Sharon Garvin

Tom Hansen Tanya Heikes

Randy Larson Marsha Roth

For the Weekend Bulletin:

by 11:00 a.m. each Thursday. For the Monthly Newsletter:

20th of the month. (Advance notice will be given of early deadlines.)

COUNCIL CORNER

As of January 1, 2017 approved council minutes will be posted on the kiosk which is located in the narthex. You'll also find copies available there as well and if none are left simply ask in the office.

MINISTRY TEAM MEETING NIGHT

----------------------------------------- Monday, March 6, 6 & 6:30 PM

Church Council --------------------- Monday, March 13, 7:00 PM

EASTER DOCUMENTARY—

Rick Steves' European Easter: Taking you on a spring journey through Spain, Slovenia, Switzerland, Italy,

and Greece, "Rick Steves' European Easter" celebrates this 2,000-year-old story in a variety of cultures. You'll feel the emotion of this special time as the Passion of Christ unfolds during Holy Week. We'll join Andalusians carrying parade floats, Greek priests tossing showers of flower petals, and villagers blessing olive branches, plus feasting, fireworks, and more. Exploring a rich and fascinating mix of traditions — from its pagan roots to its glorious finale — "Rick Steves' European Easter" sheds new light on this timeless holiday.

About Rick Steves: Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his

father, a piano importer. As an 18-year-old, Rick began traveling on his own, funding his trips by teaching piano lessons. In 1976, he started his business, Rick Steves' Europe, which has grown from a one-man operation to a company with a staff of 100 full-time, well-travelled employees at his headquarters in Washington state. There he produces more than 50 guidebooks on European travel, America's most popular travel series on public television, a weekly hour-long national public radio show, a weekly syndicated column, and free travel information available through his travel center and ricksteves.com. Rick Steves' Europe also runs a successful European tour program. Rick Steves lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington. His office window overlooks his old junior high school.

(ricksteves.com)

Our Savior Lutheran Church

5th & Main Street � Wayne, Nebraska 68787

402/375-2899

� A Stephen Ministry Congregation �

March 2017

OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH

421 Pearl Street

Wayne NE 68787

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Organization

Postage Paid

Wayne NE

Permit #7

Giving Thanks For:

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:12

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

Spring is coming! ☺

Happy March! I am getting excited for Spring! Warmer weather, flowers and sunshine!

Saturday, April 8th Saturday, April 8th Saturday, April 8th Saturday, April 8th Pastor Jeanne will be holding a 1st Communion class! Be looking for a letter to come in the mail this month with more information.

March means Lent and preparation for Easter! There will be Ash Wednesday service (March 1) and Lenten services each of the following Wednesdays in

March—and we encourage all families to attend! Faith Builders will be hosting a Prayer Time before the Wednesday evening Lenten services where anyone in the

congregation (young and old) can come and learn about ways to pray.

Interested in attending a Summer Camp at Carol Joy Holling? Be watching for posters in the Narthex with information on ‘Taste of Camp’ for younger children/

parents, ‘Grand Camp’ for younger children/grandparents and then week long camps for grades 4-6.

Mark your calendar! Sunday, April 30th Our Savior will be having a 10:00 am Youth-Lead worship service! More information to come…

All members of Our Savior are welcome to attend GIFT on Sunday mornings! ☺ GIFT is Sundays from 9:00 am—9:45 am

Blessings, Kara Woehler

Contact info: kwoehler@oslcwayne.org |(402) 369-2440

Upcoming events: Upcoming events: Upcoming events: Upcoming events: • Wednesday, March 1Wednesday, March 1Wednesday, March 1Wednesday, March 1—Ash Wednesday WorshipAsh Wednesday WorshipAsh Wednesday WorshipAsh Wednesday Worship–

7:00 pm

• Sunday, March 19Sunday, March 19Sunday, March 19Sunday, March 19----Mother/Daughter TeaMother/Daughter TeaMother/Daughter TeaMother/Daughter Tea–5:30pm—Social Hall

• Saturday, April 8thSaturday, April 8thSaturday, April 8thSaturday, April 8th—1st Communion Class–10:00 am–Social Hall

Our Savior Lutheran Church – Wayne, NE

Children’s Ministry

Children’s Ministry at Our Savior!! Children’s Ministry at Our Savior!! Children’s Ministry at Our Savior!! Children’s Ministry at Our Savior!!

WORSHIP SERVICES— at Careage of Wayne

& Brookdale

Ash Wednesday Worship with Communion—March 1

• Careage at 1:00pm

• Brookdale at 2:00pm

WACAM Worship Services

• March 12–Careage at 1:30pm

• March 15–Brookdale at 3:30pm

Worship & Music (with Mark Kanitz} is offered the third Tuesday of the month—March 21

• Brookdale at 3:30 pm.

GREAT BIBLE STORIES—

This gathering is held twice a month at Careage Campus of Care at 10:00am. Join them this month on March 10 & 24

OWL’S BIBLE STUDY—

Thursday, March16, 10am

The Greatest Story: Bible Introduction introduces key people, places and events of scripture from Genesis through Revelation.

For March the topic is: “Who Do You Say I Am?” History kneels at the foot of the cross and rejoices at the empty tomb.

This study, led by Deb Hammer, is held once monthly on the third Thursday at 10:00 am in the multi-purpose room.

BIBLE STUDIES— on Tuesday Morning

• 7:00 am at Tacos & More—The appointed Scripture readings for the following weekend worship are used for topic of study. It is open to all members and friends of the congregation. Please join them any time!

• 10:30 am at Brookdale—In March, we will continue to study Aging in the Grace of God: Christians are encouraged to accept aging as a vital and positive stage of our spiritual journey—a time in which God continues to fit us for his kingdom and develops within us the character of his Son. This is not a time to merely exist, but a time to grow and bloom, aging in grace.

The group meets in the Family Dining Room. Deb Hammer leads this weekly gathering. Please join them any time!

SENIORS SERVICE PROJECT— Sleeping Mat Ministry:

Sleeping mats are made from plastic shopping bags. This is a great way to recycle all those plastic grocery bags! (A basket is available in the narthex to collect CLEAN bags.) There are several steps to preparing the bags before the mats can be crocheted…so there are opportunities for all to participate!

Join us on Thursday, March 2 and Monday, March13 from 9–11am. (For more information, contact Deb Hammer or the church office.)

Deb Hammer, Director of Senior Ministry dhammer@oslcwayne.org |402-375-2899 |402-518-0423

Senior Adult Ministry OpportunitiesSenior Adult Ministry OpportunitiesSenior Adult Ministry OpportunitiesSenior Adult Ministry Opportunities

CARE AND SHARE

C aregiving takes lots of energy. Caring for the Caregiver takes lots of energy. Caring for yourself is something we care about and want to help you on your journey. You may no longer be a caregiver and feel lost. Your life may have changed due to life circumstances and you want a safe place to come and share with others. This group will support the life of the Caregiver as well as others who wish to bring their cares and share with our group about their journey. Please join us as Deb Hammer facilitates our time

together. The next Care meeting will be March 16 at 3:30 pm. Please join us and bring a friend.

JOIN US FOR A DAY TRIP!

Senior Ministry Day Trip

—Patsy Cline & Friends—

Monday, April 3, 2017—Orpheum Theatre, Sioux City, IA

Cost is $45 (includes lunch at Pizza Ranch and group rate for the show). We’ll carpool from the church parking lot–leaving at 10:30am–enjoy lunch at Pizza Ranch and see the show from 2–4pm. Please sign up at the information desk or call the church office and leave payment at the church office by March 20th.

HUNGER AWARENESS

By Deb Hammer

Why SNAP? Everything You Need to Know About America’s Largest Anti-Hunger Program February 7, 2017

Why do we need SNAP? SNAP, and other anti-hunger programs, are vital to ending hunger in America. Eighty years ago, Franklin D. Roosevelt found “one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.” In response, the first food-stamp program was created in 1939. Decades later, food stamps has become the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). We’ve made strides in feeding our neighbors since the Great Depression, but 1 in 8 Americans still struggle with hunger.

Who does SNAP help? SNAP is designed to help two kinds of people, those who can’t protect themselves and those who need a helping hand to pull themselves up. 64% of SNAP recipients are either children, the elderly or disabled adults. Two-thirds of the remaining recipients either work full-time, are caretakers of others, or are participating in a training program.

How does SNAP work? SNAP is available only to low-income Americans. Those who qualify for SNAP receive Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, loaded with benefits that are timely, targeted and temporary. Benefits are about $1.40 per meal, or around $126 per person per month. SNAP benefits can only be spent on food, and nothing else.

How does SNAP help the economy? A study from USDA found that for every $1 billion dollars increase in SNAP, between 8,900 and 17,900 jobs were created. The benefits are especially valuable for the agriculture and retail sectors of our economy, with money spent at local stores finding its way back into America’s farms.

What happens if SNAP gets cut? If SNAP gets cut low-income folks will lose access to meals. Repercussions wouldn’t be contained to SNAP recipients, one study found that proposed SNAP cuts would result in the destruction of 286,000 jobs.

SNAP needs our support in Congress. We know that when people contact their lawmakers, they listen. You could make the difference in funding for this critical programs: Tell Congress to not take food from struggling families »

# Hunger InTheNews www.feedingamerica.org

GIFT meets Sunday mornings at 9am

—all ages are welcome!

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH—PARISH NEWS

Worship at 8:15 AM Pastor Jeanne Madsen – jmadsen@oslcwayne.org

Deb Hammer, Director of Senior Ministry – dhammer@oslcwayne.org

St. Peter’s Church 402-396-3102 | Our Savior Office 402-375-2899

Worship Schedule:

Ushers/Greeters 05 Jack & Linda 12 Angie & Joe 19 Steve & Kathy 26 Keenan & Roxie Readers 05 Gene 12 Angie 19 Kathy 26 Roxie Power Point 05 Craigen 12 Becky 19 Jalayne 26 John

Refreshments 05 John & Marcene 12 Ray & Jonita 19 Kurt & Amy 26 Dustin & Becky Preaching 05 Pr. Jeanne 08 Deb Hammer 12 Pr. Jeanne 15 Deb Hammer 19 Pr. Jeanne 22 Deb Hammer 26 Pr. Jeanne 29 Deb Hammer If you are unable to serve on your scheduled date, please trade with someone!

Prayer Requests:

Lanny Petersen, Carol Topp, Leon Petersen, Donna & Andy Andersen, Velma Carstens, Glenda Hauf, Gene Willers, Pastor Dale Topp, Marge Arlt, Buck Gibson, Cindy Husmann, Barb Holdorf, Hank Heller, Ernie Glienke, Ramier Hauf, Georgia Nelson, Marty Schlautman, Lynette Straka, Johnny Vrba, Ben & Carol Straatmeyer, Brody Eidam, Shane Werner, Valorie Armstrong, Denise Heller, Mary Jo Gibson, Sheila Holstrum, Skylar Hauf and Matt Mattin. The families of Marge Schrage and Marion Hasebroock, those in nursing homes, home-bound, our Military and all whom we name in our hearts.

Please contact Amber or LeeAnn with prayer requests or items for the bulletin or newsletter. Amber: cagtrkg@hotmail.com Phone: 402-380-3914 LeeAnn: leeannwesterhaus54@gmail.com Phone: 402-649-1730

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 230 S MADISON ST PILGER NE 68768

Opportunities:

Lenten Series on the Book of Common Prayers

Each week’s service will include a prayer event related to the theme.

• March 8 – Baptism • March 15 – Apostles’ Creed

• March 22 – Lord’s Prayer • March 29 – Ten Commandments • April 5 – Holy Communion

ST. PETER’S LADIES GROUP will meet Thursday, March 2 at the church.

St Peter's Ladies' Group is sponsoring a Collection Box, in the Narthex, for CLEAN plastic shopping bags. Sleeping mats are made from plastic shopping bags…a great way to recycle all those plastic bags! The bags will be given to Our Savior Lutheran Church's Seniors Service Project where they will be reworked and crocheted into useful sleeping mats. ST. PETER’S COUNCIL will meet March 5 following church service.