JOURNEY WITH JESUS
That’s really what “Holy Week” is all about. It’s an opportunity to walk with Jesus from the time he enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through his resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. In between, of course, are those most important and life-giving events for us: Maundy Thursday when Jesus gives us a new commandment to love one another (Maundy comes from an old word for commandment) and gives us Holy Communion, Good Friday when Jesus dies on the cross to redeem us from the power of sin and death, and the Easter Vigil when we wait with the early disciples for the dawn of Easter and remember God’s mighty acts of salvation, God’s acts of grace for sinful humanity. This is the most important time of the Christian year because it is during this week that we see the depth of God’s love for us - that God is willing to go to any length, including death, in order to bring us to life.
Take this journey with Jesus this year.
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LUTHERHAVEN LIAISON
If you love Lutherhaven, consider becoming a volunteer congregational liaison – official title: Lutherhaven Extended Staff. Become a walking infomercial for Lutherhaven, letting members of St. Peter know the what, where, when, how and why of the ministries of Lutherhaven through announcements, newsletter articles and notices on the bulletin board. Help Lutherhaven as well by getting suggestions from the congregation.
There are benefits as well!
* Servant of God: First and foremost, Extended Staff receive the satisfaction of knowing they are working for God by serving others and partnering in the exciting, vibrant and growing work of Lutherhaven Ministries.
* Information: Extended Staff receive first-hand information about Lutherhaven Ministries’ events and news.
* Training: There are periodic training events at Lutherhaven.
* DISCOUNTS!: Extended Staff receive a 50% discount on one Lutherhaven Ministries event such as summer camp, family weekends, youth retreats, and other programs.
* First Timer Discount Coupons: Extended Staff will receive 5 $20.00 Coupons to give to people in the congregation who are coming to camp for the first time.
The commitment runs from January to December and is renewed annually. Please contact Pastor Betty if you are interested in becoming a Lutherhaven Extended Staff person.
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YOUNG DISCIPLES CORNER
The Young Disciples will be visiting Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for their Easter worship service on April 18. Like our Easter Vigil, this service begins on Saturday night, but it begins at 11:30 pm! After worship, there is a meal and celebration.
Please let Kathleen know if you can attend this celebration. Please bring $10.00 for purchase of candles and the offering. Young Disciples will be picked up at their homes on Saturday night.
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SYNOD ASSEMBLY
MAY 1-3, 2009
The Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod Assembly will be held May 1-3 in Yakima. Pastor Betty and Don & Janine Jones will attend. The theme of the Assembly is “God’s Abundance Overflows.”
Here is the letter from Pastor Carol Nelson, chair of the Assembly:
Greetings from the Assembly Chair
"The harvest is plentiful ...ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers."
Dear Fellow Laborers,
In the midst of spring's evidence of God's abundance, the Synod Assembly Planning Committee looks forward to welcoming you to Yakima for the 2009 Synod Assembly!
This year considerable amount of business needs attention but there is more than just business. Food for body, mind and soul are part of the plan.
-- Keynote speaker, Diana Butler Bass, will share good news of active congregations and their discipleship to inspire us in the work of Great Commandment / Great Commission.
-- Bishop Wells will lead the Plenary Sessions as we thoughtfully and prayerfully attend to the work of the Synod.
-- Your body will be fully awake, ready for the day - if you choose to participate in our morning exercise offering.
-- We will worship daily. Sunday worship with sermon by Bishop Wells, special music and your voices raised in song, will send you on your way nourished and inspired.
-- The joy of fellowship, in plenary sessions, drinking coffee, sharing meals, worshiping, is the essence of who we are as "the body of Christ".
As you examine these materials decide which hearings and workshops to attend so your congregation receives the best and most information through you. The harvest is plentiful, join in doing this Great Commission / Great Commandment work.
Pastor Carol Nelson, Assembly Chair
Christ Lutheran ChurchYakima, WA
This year’s assembly will also consider 4 motions on the recently released ELCA human sexuality study. A copy of the study is available on the ELCA website (www.elca.org) (lower right under 2009 Assembly) or from Pastor Betty. The pre-assembly meeting will be held Sunday, April 19 at 2:00 pm at St. Luke. All are welcome to attend. If you can comments for your delegates, please contact Don, Janine or Pastor Betty.
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ASCENSION DAY
MAY 21, 2009
This year we have something really special for our celebration of Ascension Day, May 21. The choral group Riversong will give a short concert in conjunction with our worship service. Riversong has given concerts all over the city and we are very fortunate to have them come to St. Peter. In addition, our own Karen Zachau is a member of Riversong. Worship will begin at 6:30 pm. Please plan to attend.
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PENTECOST GERANIUMS
The festival of Pentecost will be celebrated on May 31. Pentecost is the day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church. The book of Acts (Acts 2:1-3) tells us that as the followers of Jesus were gathered together in one place, the Holy Spirit descended on them in the form of flames of fire. At St. Peter, we decorate our sanctuary with red geraniums and then plant them in the garden.
You can order a geranium this year for $4.75. If you would like to order a geranium, please copy and fill out the form below and return it to the church office by May 15.
Name: ____________________________________
Number of Geraniums at $4.75: ___________
Given in memory of: _____________________________
Amount enclosed: ________________
