03/19/2010
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
1) A Total of 34 attended worship this past Sunday. We had 3 visitors and even though we lost an hour of sleep with the time change, we had our largest attendance for our Adult Education to date. 20 showed up for Christian Education to hear Dr. Myron Fogde, speak on Early American Lutheran History especially the life and times of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. He begged us not to use old remedies in today’s unique situations, to find the needs of the community and address those needs. It was informative as well as challenging. We were also blessed with Special Music: Adam Gronewold performing a Tuba solo, “Tarentella” Composed by Harold L. Walters. Such talent we have at Lord of Love in our Youth.
2) The Fifth Sunday in Lent: The Lord helps us to pass, to make it through despair and death. Imagine that you are a busy type of person, always doing what is expected of you, or imagine that you are on the other end of the pendulum, you are more sociable, and one that skirts around what you are supposed to be doing, to be more personal. Now include that your brother had just died. Or, imagine that you are really sick with very little or no hope of getting better, matter of fact you are isolated so no one would catch your dreaded disease. Or, (last one) imagine you are totally on the opposite extreme, you are dead, literally. You are in the grave, no breath, no life, dead and buried, as you should be! These are the past experiences of those that surround Jesus in our Gospel text for today. He is at the home of the Simon the leper, and joined by Lazarus who had been dead and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. Now this group who had been in deepest despair is now doing just great. And what has brought about such a change, having Jesus in their lives. They surely could sing with new meaning, “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my heart!” Christ’s ability to speak to our lives and to change our predicaments even if we are dead, should produce in a faith similar to the Psalmist 1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
3) Bishop Gary Wollersheim has honored Lord of Love, again, this time by inviting us to the Northern Illinois Synod, 2010 Congregational Resourcing Event, “Becoming a Missional Church,”. The event is being held at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois, this Saturday, March 20, 2010, 8:30-3:30. Eight of us have signed up to go. We will have time to fellowship and to learn. Follow this link for more information:http://www.nisynod.org/cre/
4) Making Plans for Easter?
Wednesday: March 31 Way of the Cross Service: 7pm at St. Peter Lutheran Church 3200 Asbury,Dubuque, Iowa 52001. Gather first in the Sanctuary to share readings and songs. Then by groups be led through eight Stations of the Cross which will be portrayed in various locations throughout the church building. Responsive readings will be shared at each station. (Maybe we will have a caravan to go over?) Look for additional info later.
Thursday: April 1 “The Living Last Supper” Come out and see our first annual recreation of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper painting. Dynamic acting, realistic costumes, and special music will make this a memorable event. Time: 7:00PM Thursday, April 1st Location: Galena Middle School Auditorium. The Worship Committee: President Milan Blaho, Gloria Blaho, Judy Dixon, Shauna Hastings, Jane Holland and Mary Hill.
Friday: April 2 “Good Friday Service” The United Churches of Galena are presenting, “Faces at the Cross” with area High School Youth along with the combined church choirs. 7pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 400 Franklin St.
Sunday: April 4 “Sonrise Worship” At sunrise, 6:35am, Liz Mitchell will be our special speaker. “Complimentary Breakfast” right after Sonrise Worship. Easter Worship, at Ramada, 10am.
5)LESSONS: ‘Lutheran Education Sunday School on Non-Sundays’ The Youth are meeting every second and fourth Thursday at 6p.m., at the Midwest Medical Center. All young people and everyone who is interested in working with the youth are invited to attend. The next meeting is this Thursday, March 25. Any questions or suggestions concerning our Youth Group contact: Jane Holland, the Youth Leader or Shauna Hastings, Judy Cormack, Lori Murphy, or Jill Nack
6) Opportunities for Fellowship: March 20th, The TSCS Dinner and Auction. Dinner tickets are $12 for an excellent buffet style chicken dinner with all the “fixins” Silent auction starts at 5 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m., Live auction 7 p.m. People can come to the auction for free if they don’t want dinner. We would consider it a blessing for item donations — crafts, artwork, antiques, nice used furniture, gift items, gift baskets, gift certificates, piano lessons, etc.
7) We are now on YouTube! Check out our website: www.lord-of-love-galena.org. We are also onFacebook, Lord-of-Love-Lutheran-Church-Galena. And we have a Blog:http://revdhilllol.wordpress.com/
8) We are now meeting at the Ramada, 11383 W US HWY 20, Galena, IL. 61036. Adult Christian Education will be at 9am and Worship at 10am.
Lord of Love is a Synodically Approved Worshiping Community(SAWC) of the Northern Illinois Synod(NIS), of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America(ELCA). Lord of Love is a church for all believers in Christ. We worship on Sundays at 10 am. You will always be welcomed.
Prayer of the Day
Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it, and bring your saving love to fruition in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
