Sharon Lutheran Church: March 2008 Newsletter

The Wednesday morning study will now focus on some of the biblical stories of the Gospel of Luke, taking a special interest in the culture, geography, and customs of Jesus’ day. We will use a video re-source entitled “Jesus and His Times” as an aid in being able to visualize the world of Jesus’ day.

Everyone is welcome to join in the study (even if you weren’t part of a Wednesday study before). The hour-long study begins at 9:45 AM each Wednesday in the choir room. The coffee pot is always on and quite often snacks make their way into the room as well. Come and delve into the world of Jesus to get a greater appreciation of these biblical stories.

The Power of Prayer in Daily Life, a five-week bible study focusing on prayer, begins on Tuesday, April 8th 2008, at 7:00 pm in the Rose of Sharon Lounge.

The Power of Prayer in Daily Life will meet once a week for five weeks. We will be drawing from a variety of different resources to explore the practice of prayer as an integral part of our daily walk of faith.

There is no cost for this study. Please call Pastor David (772-3122) if you wish to have childcare provided at the church during this study. A sign up sheet will be located in the church office. Please sign up by March 31st so that we can plan for the correct number of participants.

During Lent you will not be meeting weekly in your small groups. It is expected that students along with a parent, guardian, or trusting adult attend weekly Lenten Worship – including Holy Week services on Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 6th Lenten worship is at 5:15 p.m. and 6:30p.m. Each Small group will serve as Ushers and Greeters at one Lenten Service.

There are also weekly Lenten suppers served from 5:00p.m. – 6:30p.m. These homemade meals are delicious, nutritious, and all meal proceeds benefit our Sharon Lutheran youth.

LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2008:

Wednesday, March 5th

Wednesday, March 12th

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE 2008:

Wednesday, March 19th

No Wednesday Worship

Maundy Thursday, March 20th

Worship at one of the following times: 12:00, 5:30, or 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday, March 21st

"Walk the Way of the Cross"

1st Communion Instruction began in Feb. All students should be receiving a direct mailing with additional information. Students and parents attend all sessions together. Please mark your calendar with the dates listed below. If you need additional information, please contact Rachael at the Church Office.

Sunday, March 9th 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. (This will be held in conjunction with CAFÉ.)

Your next mentor event is Sunday, March 2nd from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. This event will take place here at Sharon Lutheran Church. Students are expected to attend with their mentors. If your mentor is unable to attend, students are still expected to be at this event.

November & December Church School Offering: $714.00 dollars was donated to help with the LSS refugee resettlement program. The monies will help buy teaching resources and household supplies for the kitchen and homes of these families. Most refugees arrive here in Grand Forks with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Supply totes are given to families to help them with some basic supplies like pots, pans, dishes, and cleaning products.

Church School Offering March/April: 50% Of the Church School offering for the months of March and April will be donated directly to the Fritz Opp Fund. Fritz Opp is an 8th grader at Schroeder Middle School and has attended Church School and Confirmation here at Sharon Lutheran. Fritz was diagnosed with a rare, inoperable, malignant brain tumor. He has started Chemo that can only be done at the U of M every 21 days. At this time Fritz is unable to attend school as his immune system is too compromised. Fritz lives with his dad, Dave Opp, and his sister. We can only imagine the strain both emotionally and financially for this single father. Our Church School offering is just one way we can send our support to this family. Please also keep Fritz and his family in your Prayers. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

I recently returned from an outstanding conference held by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. This event was held in Anaheim, California, very close to my hometown. I was blessed to be able to gather with hundreds of other individuals working in ministry in congregations all over the United States. I also had the opportunity to share time with my mom and my grandparents. I am still in the process of unpacking all of the amazing workshops, speakers, and worship. I look forward to bringing many of the ideas, concepts, and work of the Spirit into our Education Ministries here at Sharon Lutheran. Thank you for the opportunity to attend such an event.

Sunday, March 30th, Wednesday, April 2nd. Upon the completion of the Gospel of Mark reading schedule, 4th Graders will be recognized in all worship services on both Sunday and Wednesday. Please worship together at the service that best fits for your family.

A special invitation is sent out to our 5th Graders and their families. We will have a great night of music, Bible learning, and share in a wonderful meal together. There is no need to register or pay for this event. Due to the generosity of the community of Sharon Lutheran Church this event is FREE to all participants.

** 5th Graders should have received a direct mailing of information for this event. If you have not received a postcard from Rachael and have a 5th Grader, please contact the education office. Thank you!


March 2008	Archived Newsletters June 2008 May 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 June 2007 April 2007 March 2007
General \| Christian Education \| Fellowship Events \| Women's Ministry \| Youth Ministry
Christian Education Bible Study Opportunities Confirmation 5th Grade Students & Parents 10th Grade Students Church School Church School Offerings ELCA Extravaganza Gospel of Mark Recognition CAFÉ	Bible Study Opportunities Wednesday Morning Bible Study The Wednesday morning study will now focus on some of the biblical stories of the Gospel of Luke, taking a special interest in the culture, geography, and customs of Jesus’ day. We will use a video re-source entitled “Jesus and His Times” as an aid in being able to visualize the world of Jesus’ day. Everyone is welcome to join in the study (even if you weren’t part of a Wednesday study before). The hour-long study begins at 9:45 AM each Wednesday in the choir room. The coffee pot is always on and quite often snacks make their way into the room as well. Come and delve into the world of Jesus to get a greater appreciation of these biblical stories. The Power of Prayer In Daily Life Bible Study The Power of Prayer In Daily Life Bible Study begins in April 2008. The Power of Prayer in Daily Life, a five-week bible study focusing on prayer, begins on Tuesday, April 8th 2008, at 7:00 pm in the Rose of Sharon Lounge. The Power of Prayer in Daily Life will meet once a week for five weeks. We will be drawing from a variety of different resources to explore the practice of prayer as an integral part of our daily walk of faith. There is no cost for this study. Please call Pastor David (772-3122) if you wish to have childcare provided at the church during this study. A sign up sheet will be located in the church office. Please sign up by March 31st so that we can plan for the correct number of participants. I hope to see you there! Pastor David Attention all 6th – 9th Grade Confirmation Students: During Lent you will not be meeting weekly in your small groups. It is expected that students along with a parent, guardian, or trusting adult attend weekly Lenten Worship – including Holy Week services on Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 6th Lenten worship is at 5:15 p.m. and 6:30p.m. Each Small group will serve as Ushers and Greeters at one Lenten Service. There are also weekly Lenten suppers served from 5:00p.m. – 6:30p.m. These homemade meals are delicious, nutritious, and all meal proceeds benefit our Sharon Lutheran youth. LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2008: Wednesday, March 5th Wednesday, March 12th HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE 2008: Wednesday, March 19th No Wednesday Worship Maundy Thursday, March 20th Worship at one of the following times: 12:00, 5:30, or 7:00 p.m. Good Friday, March 21st "Walk the Way of the Cross" 5th Grade Students & Parents 1st Communion Instruction began in Feb. All students should be receiving a direct mailing with additional information. Students and parents attend all sessions together. Please mark your calendar with the dates listed below. If you need additional information, please contact Rachael at the Church Office. Sunday, March 9th 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. (This will be held in conjunction with CAFÉ.) Attention 10th Grade Students Your next mentor event is Sunday, March 2nd from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. This event will take place here at Sharon Lutheran Church. Students are expected to attend with their mentors. If your mentor is unable to attend, students are still expected to be at this event. No Church School Easter Break: Wednesday, March 19th and Sunday, March 23rd. Church School Offerings November & December Church School Offering: $714.00 dollars was donated to help with the LSS refugee resettlement program. The monies will help buy teaching resources and household supplies for the kitchen and homes of these families. Most refugees arrive here in Grand Forks with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Supply totes are given to families to help them with some basic supplies like pots, pans, dishes, and cleaning products. Church School Offering March/April: 50% Of the Church School offering for the months of March and April will be donated directly to the Fritz Opp Fund. Fritz Opp is an 8th grader at Schroeder Middle School and has attended Church School and Confirmation here at Sharon Lutheran. Fritz was diagnosed with a rare, inoperable, malignant brain tumor. He has started Chemo that can only be done at the U of M every 21 days. At this time Fritz is unable to attend school as his immune system is too compromised. Fritz lives with his dad, Dave Opp, and his sister. We can only imagine the strain both emotionally and financially for this single father. Our Church School offering is just one way we can send our support to this family. Please also keep Fritz and his family in your Prayers. Thank you in advance for your generosity! ELCA Extravaganza I recently returned from an outstanding conference held by the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. This event was held in Anaheim, California, very close to my hometown. I was blessed to be able to gather with hundreds of other individuals working in ministry in congregations all over the United States. I also had the opportunity to share time with my mom and my grandparents. I am still in the process of unpacking all of the amazing workshops, speakers, and worship. I look forward to bringing many of the ideas, concepts, and work of the Spirit into our Education Ministries here at Sharon Lutheran. Thank you for the opportunity to attend such an event. Rachael Swatlowski, Director of Education Ministries. Gospel of Mark Recognition Sunday, March 30th, Wednesday, April 2nd. Upon the completion of the Gospel of Mark reading schedule, 4th Graders will be recognized in all worship services on both Sunday and Wednesday. Please worship together at the service that best fits for your family. CAFÉ A special invitation is sent out to our 5th Graders and their families. We will have a great night of music, Bible learning, and share in a wonderful meal together. There is no need to register or pay for this event. Due to the generosity of the community of Sharon Lutheran Church this event is FREE to all participants. ** 5th Graders should have received a direct mailing of information for this event. If you have not received a postcard from Rachael and have a 5th Grader, please contact the education office. Thank you!