March Madness

March madness, a phenomenon every year in the NCAA world of basketball. 68 teams compete for the prestige of being crowned the national champion – this occurs in both the men’s and women’s arena. This tournament lasts into April – very remindful of the season we are currently in.

March madness is an annual tournament that turns offices into betting meccas with pools created and studies show a significant drop in productivity. Excitement arises and talks around the water coolers replay the previous evenings events. And the build up to championship weekend in April is intense.

Unfortunately, the excitement of our Lenten season does not match that of March madness.

Services are sparsely attended and even the grand finale of our championship called Easter is not as jam packed. Tickets for the NCAA championships are hard to get and expensive as well. Seating at churches is easier to come by. Why is that? Some will tell you that the tournament only comes around once a year so it’s really important. Easter and the good news of Jesus’ resurrection only comes around once a year also – and its importance far outweighs any basketball championship by an immeasurable amount. 

My prayer for all of us is that we get excited for our March madness leading up to our championship Sunday of Easter. Talk about it around the water cooler – visit with friends at the café – and remember there is a sure bet for us. Christ died and rose again for our sins – he did all this because of his love for us – let us show our love for him with our March madness.

Just one of you in Christ - Ralph 

Welcome February

Here it is – already February the month we celebrate Valentine’s Day – the day made to show your love for someone special. Many have accused companies like Hallmark for making this a money maker for themselves, chocolate companies like Hershey’s and Ghirardelli, flower shops and growers. Isn’t it amazing we have to make a special day to show our love.

There is a Catholic priest in Canada who is known for linking pop culture in his sermons. And one of his recent ones caught my attention, probably because he used one of Taylor Swift’s new love songs about Travis. The song is “The fate of Ophelia” taking the Shakespearean tragedy of Ophelia losing her life after being rejected and scorned by love.

Taylor turns this into how someone saw her rejections and scorns and saved her.  She sings how if he never comes for her, she might drown in the melancholy – she says late one night you dug me out of my grave and saved her heart from the fate of Ophelia.

Father Mah tied this to how we have a God who comes for those of us who have been rejected, feel unloved, feeling alone and lost. He comes for us through His Son Jesus Christ and saves us from our fate with his everlasting love.

Let us not need a special day in February to show love for one another, let us take a page from our Father in heaven who shows His love for us every day, every week, every month, year in and year out.

Just one of you in Christ - Ralph

Scripture Readings for February

Sunday, February 1 -4th Sunday after Epiphany
First Reading: Micah 6:1-8
Psalm: 15
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

Sunday, February 8 - 5th Sunday after Epiphany
First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-9a[9b-12]
Psalm: 112:1-9 [10]
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12[13-16]
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20

Sunday, February 15 - Transfiguration of Our Lord
First Reading: Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm: 2 or 99
Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-21
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Sunday, February 22 - 1st Sunday in Lent
First Reading: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm: 32
Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

February Events

 

Lake Hanska: No meeting
Faith:Thursday, February 12th, 7:00 PM

Ruth Bible Study

Monday, February 16th
9:00 AM
Lake Crystal American Legion

Men’s Morning Out

Saturday, February 15th & 28th
8:30 AM
Dean Neumann’s

 

Thrivent Choice Dollars
need to be directed by March 31st

Church Councils

Faith
President: Lori Pietsch
Vice President: Randy Gustafson
Secretary: Stacy Reed
Financial Secretary: Randy Gustafson, Arlo Feder
Treasurer: Jane Piepgras, Kathy Guyer
Trustees: Pam Anderson, Stacy Reed, Ben Odegard, Chad Becker
Deacons: Lori Pietsch, Cindy Lehman, Sherri Gustafson, Mary Feder
Board of Education: Stephanie Odegard, Tammy Krebs, Julia Young, Patty Young

Lake Hanska
President: Melissa Engelhart
Vice President: Jim Lilleodden
Secretary: Cheryl Doe
Financial Secretary: Bonnie Lilleodden
Treasurer: Beth Kral
Trustees: Brian Kjelshus, Norman Skarphol
Deacons Pam Kjelshus, (Position Open)
Maintenance: Kevin Byro
WELCA Coordinator: Bonnie Lilleodden

BOLD NAMES = Joint Executive Board

Confirmation Corner ~ April

Confirmation Sunday is May 3rd with 6 students being confirmed

Service is at 10:30 am.

Happenings in the Parish last month

Funerals
12/6 Rachel Ann Paulson (LH)

Baptisms
12/14 Grayson William Blanchard (F)
1/18 Vera Marie Goblirsch (LH)