MARCH Rays of Sonshine February 28, 2025
Dear Ones in Christ,
In a theological sense, our journey through Lent is a journey of saying ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ We say ‘yes’ to Christ and to new life while saying ‘no’ to the things which do not lead to life.
Historically the church has emphasized our ‘no,’ encouraging fasting and refraining from certain rich and happy foods. This is why Shrove Tuesday exists by the way, it was a big meal where we ate up the butter, oil, and sugar that made life sweet but would not store until Easter. We were to be somber and deeply self-reflective, searching our hearts for hidden sins. In a sense, we were all to go to spiritual therapy and correct the flaws in our character.
In later years, the church has turned to emphasizing the things we say ‘yes’ to, the beauty of the earth, the coming of spring, the blooms of new life that rise from the earth and in our hearts. Lenten disciplines have been more focused on starting a new habit or learning a new thing, on affirming our walk of faith.
Both approaches are of course within the bounds of what Christ has called us to become as people in the Church, and either can be indulged in overmuch to the detriment of our life of faith. Some people would eat barely anything for the 40 days of Lent or would take whips and beat themselves to drive out sin. Luther himself used to go to confession so often during Lent that he irritated his confessor.
All of which is a long way to remind us that Lent is a time of ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ It is a time to reflect on the teaching of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who warned us of the dangers of Cheap Grace, the kind of grace that is handed out willy nilly without discipleship, without the cross of suffering, and ultimately without Jesus Christ. Cheap Grace was the grace of proclaiming that “Jesus loves you just the way you are” and then declaring “don’t ever change” even though we desperately need to do just that.
Saying yes to Jesus means saying no to ourselves, to our habits, to our comfort. It means following Jesus even though that path will lead inevitably to the cross (remember, only one of Jesus’ disciples died in bed of old age). It means recognizing that saying ‘yes’ to Christ will require us to say ‘no’ to just bobbing along, doing our own thing and hoping that God will love us anyway.
What we need, Bonhoeffer said, was Costly Grace because “Costly Grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus, it comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken sprit and the contrite heart. It is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: ‘My yoke is easy and my burden is light.’”
May you seek and find that Costly Grace this Lent.
Pr. Stuart
Office Hours: Monday 1-4p & Wednesday 9a-12p
Second Tuesday Potluck, 5:30pm on March 11th in the parish hall. Bring a dish to share & join us!
Shrove Tuesday Aebleskiver Supper Tuesday, March 4 5:30p – 6:30p
Aebleskiver, Ham, Sausage, Strawberry Jam, Applesauce, Beverages all you can eat, $5.00 suggested donation, proceeds to Grandview University Choir.
Not open to the general public, but you can invite friends and family.
Contact Jean with number of people attending by March 1
WORSHIP at FAITH - March 5, 4:30p
Wednesdays (March 12-April 9) during Lent we will have short contemplative worships at 4:30p.
Women’s Group Quilt Raffle
We’re still selling raffle tickets on this quilt. Size: 64x64 Titled “Over the Rainbow” Tickets: $1 each or 6 for $5 Last day to buy tickets is Tuesday March 4 at the Aebleskiver Supper. Drawing to be held that evening.
March Readings
Sun. Mar 2 — Transfiguration of Our Lord
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12 — 4:2
Luke 9:28-43a
Wed. March 5 — Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51:1-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Sun. Mar. 9 — First Sunday in Lent
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
Sun. Mar. 16 — Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17—4:1
Luke 13:31-35
Sun. Mar. 23 — Third Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Sun. Mar. 30 — Fourth Sunday in Lent
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
JC Daughters of Norway (DofN) are sharing a presentation of local author BILL SULLIVAN with everyone. Sullivan spent sixteen years researching a series of historical novels about the Viking Age, matching archeological sites in Scandinavia with recorded sagas.
On March 15th, Sullivan will talk about his fourth and final book in the Viking Saga series, The Ship in the Ice.
The presentation is on Saturday, March 15, in the parish hall. The DofN will serve refreshments. Please share this with everyone! If you have questions, contact Kae Ellingsen kaeellingsen@gmail.com
About the author, Bill Sullivan
The author of eight novels and eighteen nonfiction books, Sullivan completed his B.A. degree in English at Cornell University under Alison Lurie, studied linguistics at Germany's Heidelberg University, and earned an M.A. in German at the University of Oregon. He speaks German, Danish, and English, reads in eight languages, plays the pipe organ, and enjoys backcountry ski expeditions.
Sullivan spent sixteen years researching a series of historical novels about the Viking Age, matching archeological sites in Scandinavia with recorded sagas. The books alternate chapters between excavations and the people who used the artifacts a thousand years ago, weaving a story that follows the Viking Age from its inception in Norway to the Danes who conquered England, the Swedes who founded Russia, and the Icelanders who explored
America.
At the Daughters of Norway on March 15th, Sullivan will talk about his fourth and final book in the Viking Saga series, The Ship in the Ice. Why did the Viking settlement in America fail?
One saga claims the problem was "uniped" monsters. The other says the Norse left because one of their women instigated the murder of an entire ship's crew. The Ship in the Ice weaves together the most credible of the sagas with findings from actual archeological sites, but because the book is historical fiction, it is free to tell a broader tale -- and to speculate about mysteries. The book alternates chapters between a Norse poet, Jorund, who has set out to learn what happened to his parents in Vinland, and Mette Gustmeyer, a modern archeologist investigating many of the same sites. Along the way they encounter Viking ghosts, Greenlandic shamans, and the crush of Arctic ice.
In the American West, Sullivan is widely known as the author who backpacked more than a thousand miles across Oregon's wilderness in 1985. His journal of that adventure, "Listening for Coyote," was chosen one of Oregon's "100 Books," the most significant books in state history.
In summer he writes at the log cabin that he and his wife Janell Sorensen built by hand in the wilds of Oregon’s Coast Range, more than a mile from roads, electricity, and telephones. The rest of the year they live in Eugene, Oregon, where he volunteers to promote libraries and literature.
10a-12p Living Lutheran Magazine
We heard you—and listened. We have found a way to bring back the magazine’s print publication in a quarterly fashion. Each issue will feature the stories you know and love, along with updates on the church and your ELCA community. The cost for one year will be $19.95.
Or you can receive free editions via email. Either way, www.livinglutheran.org/subscribe/
Questions? contact us at livinglutheran@elca.org or call us at 800-638-3522.
As a community we gather in Christ’s love to support one another in prayer:
• Theo Newberry, Jamie’s nephew w/ COVID
• The closure of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Eugene and its members.
For areas of the world impacted by ongoing war, conflict, or political instability, especially Ukraine,
Gaza, and Bangladesh…
For safety for all travelers, especially air travel…
For health care workers, researchers, environmental workers, educators, and all professions affected by political changes…
For the body of Christ in all of its diversity…
For Jesus’s Transfiguration and for all who seek to be seen and loved for who they truly are…
For Pope Francis, during his hospitalization and treatment…
For winter weather and those who live without home or shelter…
Norman Jones, Parker Ogburn, Scott Williams, Virginia Randle, Linde Wicklund, Carmen Meza, Ray Marik, Nancy & Ted Kryusman, Steve &
Janice Fender, Sharon Reaves, Joyce & Don Wilson, all others in our hearts.
The greatest gift we can give to each other is to pray for one another.
Ongoing concerns: Vic Nielsen, Lori & Scott Z
Luther Seminary invites you to use the 2025 Lent devotional, “There in God's Garden” for personal or congregational use this Lent.
If you are a God Pause subscriber, you will receive "There in God's Garden" in your email inbox each day of Lent. (Don’t have email? I will print it for you.)
Luther Seminary St. Paul MN educates leaders for Christian communities around the world.
Council abbreviated Minutes 2/11/2025
Attendees: Rosemary, Ed, Tami, Dorothy, Pr Stuart
TREASURER'S REPORT—JANUARY 2025
Operating Income: $10,746
Operating Expense: $21,576
We are meeting expenses. Several quarterly payments were made plus the pest control bill was paid and electrical work.
PASTORS REPORT:
• Visitations were made and reported on.
• Our Redeemer Church may retain Pr. For a while.
NEW BUSINESS:
• Ed, Mark Williams, Pastor will review required changes to the Constitution that was returned by the Synod.
• Boiler is having problems again; Marshalls will no longer work on it. Looking into other HVAC possibilities.
• Annual inspection of the parsonage. Main floor bathroom floor has problems. Check the siding at front door for possible dry rot. Pressure wash sidewalk areas. Remove or cut back the front yard tree. Water heater failed, Pastor had it fixed and paid for.
OLD BUSINESS:
• Good Earth has taken care of the church & parsonage pests. The bats at the hall will be remedied later in the year.
• Daughters of Norway are hosting a meet and greet Feb. 15.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 11, 3:30p.
Submitted, Dorothy Senchina
2025 Council: Ed Amundson, Tami McCormick, Gary Keller, Kandy Christiansen, Dorothy Senchina, Rosemary Gappa (Non-voting)
We are always in need of folks to help on Sundays or during the week with a variety of “duties”. If you haven’t gotten involved yet but are wanting to serve, this is the perfect time to do so. We need ushers, readers, altar guild (communion set up and cleanup), cleaners, etc. Just give us a shout and we’ll get you signed up.
Sharing our Talents Thank You for serving in whatever capacity you are able. We are all a part of the body of Christ. Contact Jean to sign up.
Date Reader Worship Altar Flowers Coffee Hour Custodian,
Asst Clean Church &v hall by this date
Mar 2 Scott Scott Judy Simpson Cynthia Marrs Rosemary, Tami, Dorothy
Mar 5
Ash Wed Cheryl No Flowers Lent/ N/A N/A
Mar 9 Nancy Scott /// Freezer(Judy,Lamae,Jean) Jean & Joe Larkin
Mar 16 Cynthia Cynthia /// Jean & Joe Larkin Jean & Joe
Mar 23 Scott Scott /// Rosemary Gappa Judy Simpson/Lamae Stout
Mar 30 Cynthia Cynthia /// Potluck at Faith w/ JCUMC Judy & Lamae
Apr 6 Sandy W Scott /// Sandy W & Nancy C
Apr 13
Palm Sun Nancy Cynthia Palms Sandy Garrett Kandy Christiansen Sandy & Nancy
March April
Ushers: McCormick’s & Larkin’s Ushers: OPEN
Altar Guild: Judy Loeffler & Judy Simpson Altar Guild: Ed Amundson
LWR QUILTING CORNER
Quilters meet from 9:30am to 4pm every Thursday, except for holidays. Everyone is welcome to come and
help! No sewing experience needed. Contact Nancy Clough, with questions.
Completed LWR quilts will be blessed April 27 and the ingathering is May 2-3. We are behind in tying quilts right now and could use some help. Of course, we always welcome help with any of the quilting processes. Nancy
Giving Opportunities “Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” —1 John 3:18
++Bunches of Lunches Leave your donations of fruit cups and/or applesauce cups in the blue tote in the hall. Or donate money to BOL. Make check out to Faith Lutheran and indicate the money is for BOL.
++Bring your empty egg cartons to the hall, Larry will deliver to Local Aid for use.
++Bring WARM SOCKS, HATS, AND GLOVES to be donated to Francis at HELP (Health Enrichment for
Low Income Pets). These items are distributed to people and their pets without housing. Francis also
distributes pet food and pet coats.’
Our bottle drop account has $746.72 as of 2/17/25! Keep up the good work people! Chat with Rosemary or Larry for more info or additional blue bags.
Viking Sal Senior Center needs volunteers for meal delivery. Questions? Judy Loeffler.
The 5th Sunday of March (30) the folks from JC United Methodist Church will be joining
us in worship at 10:30am at Faith. Potluck will follow, please bring a dish to share!