The King’s Herald
Christ the King Lutheran Church “Where We Are About God’s Grace For God’s People”
Special points of interest:
Lent Begins With Ash
Wednesday, March 1
Youth to Hold a Rueben
Sandwich Fundraiser
As a Congregation What
Can We Do to Fight
Drugs?
Ad Hoc Committee
Formed to Look at Some
Sanctuary Changes
Pastor’s Corner 2-3
Remembering the
Reformation
3
Youth News 4
Home Bible Study for
Lent
5
Offerings & Attend-
ance
6
Those Who Serve 10
Calendar 11
Inside this issue:
March 2017
Lenten Project Supports World Hunger
Faith Formation students and members of the Parish Life
Committee work together each year on a project for a certain out-
reach cause. We're taking our "quarters for hunger" to a whole
new level. Each congregation in the Northern Great Lakes Synod
is encouraged to bring a decorated cow
to the synod assembly in May along
with change for World Hunger. The
committee has come up with a number
of ways to collect coins while having a
little fun along the way. Our funds
raised from the Soup Suppers, Easter
Breakfast and Buck-A-Chick are all
being designated for this cause. A noisy offering will be taken the
second Sunday of March and April. You will find a milk can on
the office desk where you can deposit your loose change.
We recognize that hunger isn't a problem in far off lands but is
a very real issue in our own community as well. Therefore we are
encouraging your donations of non perishable foods for the local
Salvation Army food pantry. Soon you will see a display in the
narthex designated to receive your donations.
Beginning of Lent Schedule
Can you believe that Lent is here already? As always, Lent be-
gins officially on Ash Wednes-
day, March 1st. Worship with
Holy Communion and Imposi-
tion of the Ashes at 7 PM. Len-
ten Worship and Soup Suppers
begin the following week,
March 8th at 6 PM, and go until
April 5th. Palm Sunday is April
9th and the Easter celebration
is April 16th! Get ready!
Page 2 The King’s Herald
Joel 2:12-13 – “Yet even now,” declares the
Lord, “return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourn-
ing; and rend your hearts and not your gar-
ments.”
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious
and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in
steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Lent is here! Are you ready? There is some-
thing about Lent which we are never truly pre-
pared for no matter what we do during this ho-
ly time of year. This is both the gift and chal-
lenge of the Lenten
season. It is a gift be-
cause Lent is about
simplifying, it’s about
sanctification, it’s
about giving up luxu-
ry and surrendering
more and more to the
Lord. That also is why Lent remains a chal-
lenge for us 21st Century Americans. Giving up
meat on Friday, giving up sweets or chocolate,
giving up Facebook or internet usage for a few
weeks, turning off the television for the next 5
weeks – all things are just fine and good, pro-
vided we remember why we do them: To bring
us closer to God. To bring us nearer to the One
who created us, the One who saves us, the One
who will raise up our dead bodies from the
dust and the ashes to give resurrected life. All
those things to fast from are well and good,
provided we don’t then fill our time and amuse
ourselves with other useless activities. Like
the prophet Joel cries out: “Rend your hearts
and not your garments!” This essentially
means, don’t go through the motions, don’t put
on a pious charade if you aren’t serious about
the Lord. One could go an entire lifetime with-
out meat on Fridays or chocolate or alcohol for
40 days and still be lost eternally.
In an age of constant and consistent distrac-
tion, Lent brings us to think critically about
what our most cherished priorities are to see if
they are in line with God and His will and His
priorities. We can reevaluate any time of year
(or not at any time of year for the hard of
heart), but Lent especial-
ly heightens our con-
sciousness to things of
God. It is no surprise
then that the early
church precisely used
this time of year for their
“new members,” people
ready to be baptized in
God’s name – Father,
+Son, and Holy Spirit.
They were required to
fast, to study, to pray, to rely more and more
on the Lord and the people of God for all
things necessary for daily life.
It is my hope and prayer the Lord will chal-
lenge you this Lenten season to really get back
to the fundamentals of the faith: Worship, Bi-
ble, prayer, Christian fellowship, and so on. It
is my hope and prayer the Lord will bless you
deeply and richly as well as you surrender
more and more to the Lord, as you cling to Je-
sus for life, healing, and salvation. Refocused,
renewed, refreshed by God’s grace, love, and
mercy let us all return to the Lord our God
with all our heart.
Humbly yours in Christ,
Pastor Chris
Pastor’s Corner
Page 3 The King’s Herald
Spring Delta Conference
Join us for soup, sandwich and sweet treats on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. just before our Len-
ten Worship services which are at 7:00 p.m. Each week we will feature a variety of soups and
sandwiches. The last several years we have offered an outstanding meal worthy of encouraging
those in attendance to make a minimum donation of $3. There isn't a fast food place in town
that can give you as much for your money as we have to offer.
We have a sheet posted on the bulletin board in the narthex where you can sign up to make a
soup. Would you be available to make sandwiches? The church gets all the sandwich fixings
but could use someone to assemble them. Or maybe you might like to provide the sweets. Our
working together to make these suppers so awesome is all good but what is really rewarding is
the good that we do in helping to fight hunger.
Lenten Soup Suppers
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is fast approaching! Do you want to learn more
about Martin Luther, his writings, and their impact on Christianity? Do you want to reflect on
the ongoing impact of the Reformation today? Stop by our
Reformation 500 Bookstore to shop for engaging books on
the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests! Save
up to 50% plus receive free shipping on all Bookstore titles.
Stop by Christ the King during the weeks of March 19th
through April 2nd to place your order and purchase some
fascinating books on the Reformation for you and your family.
Our Bookstore is sponsored by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA. The
books will include bestselling biographies like Luther the Reformer as well as an atlas of the
European Reformations, a graphic novel for young readers, and primary sources from The An-
notated Luther series (more scholarly in focus).
Reformation 500 Bookstore!
Get those lungs warmed up and ready to
sing! For four Wednesdays, Beth Ann will be
leading our choir in practice to sing on Palm
Sunday and Easter (and maybe another time
too!). Choir practice will be on Wednesday
nights at 5:30 PM starting on March 22nd and
go through April 12th. Share the news, invite,
and help us sing a joyful song unto the Lord!
Lent/Easter Choir
Come and join us on Sunday, April 2nd at 4
PM to see what’s been going on in our confer-
ence and synod! We will talk about current and
future ministry ventures including getting
ready for the Bishop election in May and the
UP State Fair in August. The host congrega-
tion is Bethany Lutheran Church in Perkins.
Page 4 The King’s Herald
+Sunday Confirmation class begins @ 9 AM every weekend
+Summer 2017 Mission Trip Meeting: Sunday, April 9th after worship
Everyone who is going MUST attend!
+Mission Trip Fundraiser – Saturday, March 18th – St. Patrick’s Weekend Reubens!
+Midweek Lenten Dinners and Worship
Dates: Wednesdays, March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, and April 5th
Time: Soup/Sandwich dinners begin officially at 6 PM, worship begins at 7 PM. Confir-
mation Students on prep duty will need to be here around 5:45 PM. The other students
will help out in worship and clean up after dinner in a timely manner.
Faith Formation: Confirmation
Youth Trip – Summer 2017
This summer, July 16th to July 21st, a number of our confirmation students will be going to
the Quad Cities. Four cities in two states form the Quad Cities, located in the heart of the Mid-
west on the Mississippi River. Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, Moline/East Moline and Rock
Island in Illinois, and surrounding towns make up a bustling metropolitan area that maintains
a friendly, small-town feel. The four cities are located right on the Mississippi River at the only
place where the river flows East to West.
As in previous years, our mission trip will be through Youth Works whose purpose is this:
“We exist to connect teenagers to God, each other and communities through life-changing
Christ-centered mission trips.” We’ll be teaming up with them again this summer. Read more
about Youth Works here:
https://www.youthworks.com/about-us/core-purpose-and-values/
Youth Trip Reuben Fundraiser
Come and join us on Saturday March 18th for a St Patrick’s day dinner
that will benefit the youth going to the Quad Cities this July. The dinner
will consist of a Reuben sandwich, French Fries and dessert. Hot dogs
will also be available. The cost of the dinner will be $10. Come and have
a great meal and help out our youth!
Page 5
Our next Senior's Luncheon will be Tuesday, March 14th at 12:00 noon.
The menu will include: Saucy Meatloaf, Bake Potato, California Blend Veg-
etables, Coleslaw, Dessert and a Beverage. The cost is $7. Sign the back of
your worship response card or call the office to make a reservation. Join us
as we gather for good food and good fellowship.
Starting Sunday, March 5th at 7 PM, we will be beginning a discussion around the DVD se-
ries entitled, “He Chose Nails” by Max Lucado. Max Lucado is a preacher with a storyteller’s
gift — a pastor’s heart and a poet’s pen. His message is simple: God
loves you; let him. Each meeting begins with watching 15-20 minute
session on the theme for that day, all of them revolving around why
Jesus chose nails: To win our hearts.
We are most thankful for our hosts: Mike and Julie Smith. Julie
will help facilitate discussion as those gathered dive into why Jesus
chose the nails for us. Their home is 521 South 14th Street, Escanaba.
Space is limited to 6 people, so hurry and sign up before it’s full!
Here’s what will be focused on and when:
March 5th – “He Chose to Be One of Us” March 12th – “He Chose to Forgive Us”
March 19th – “He Chose to Invite us into His Presence”
March 26th – “He Chose to Love us Forever” April 2nd – “He Chose to Give us Victory”
Ad Hoc Committee Meets
Those present at this year’s annual meeting unanimously voted to create an ad hoc commit-
tee with the sole responsibility to look into making some changes in the sanctuary. Next year
we'll celebrate 50 years in our current building and as we all know after that many years it's
time to look at making improvements, do a little updating. The task of this committee will be
to discuss possible improvements, choose samples and submit their plan to the Finance Com-
mittee for funding. A recommendation will then be presented to the church council before be-
ing presented to the congregation for final approval. All who are interested and can be objec-
tive and open minded to change are invited to an initial meeting on Sunday, March 5th imme-
diately following worship.
Lenten Home Study
Senior Luncheon
Page 6 The King’s Herald
Date 5 P.M. 10:30 Total S.S. Confirmation
February 4/ 5 41 72 113 21 7
February 11/12 60 65 125 12 4
February 18/19 60 77 137 16 8
February 25/26 45 71 116 16 8
Average attendance for February: 123
February 5 $3,798.32
February 12 $2,090.32
February 19 $2,140.82
February 26 $2,339.32
Total Offerings for February $10,368.78
Total Offerings needed for February $13,590.76
Difference: - $3,221.98
YTD Needed: $30,579.21
YTD Received: $32,547.29
Difference: $1,968.08
Loan Balance: $4,935.90
Offerings & Worship Attendance For February
Offerings For February
If you need a convenient way to make recur-
ring contributions, are out of town and would
like to give, missed worship and still want to
give out of the generosity of your heart, we en-
courage you to check out our electronic giving
option. As we get back into the routine of
things, you may find electronic giving a most
welcome routine and an easy way to make con-
tributions.
To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit
us online at www.ctk-escanaba.org and locate
the Online Giving button on the right side of
the webpage. Or if it's easier, complete a paper
authorization form and return it to the church
office.
Thank you for your generosity and support
of God’s work through Christ the King!
Thankfulness: An Online Oppor-tunity to Give
March 5—1st Sunday in Lent
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Ps. 32; Romans
5::12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
March 12—2nd Sunday in Lent
Genesis 12:1-4a; Ps. 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-
17; John 3:1-17
March 19—3rd Sunday in Lent
Exodus 17:1-7; Ps. 95; Romans 5:1-11; John
4:5-42
March 26—4th Sunday in Lent
1 Samuel 16:1-13; Ps. 23; Ephesians 5:8-14;
John 9:1-41
Readings for March
Page 7 The King’s Herald
Thursday Theology – 2016/2017 Focus: C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christi-anity
C.S. Lewis, the Irish born professor of Mediaeval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge
University, has inspired millions of people over the past 7 decades. God used Lewis’ intellect
and writing ability powerfully his books. Over the next 3 months, we’ll continue focusing on
his most famous book, Mere Christianity, a book dedicated to focus on and
logically explain the essentials of the Christian faith. The book is based on
a series of radio broadcasts he had given during World War II. We’ll be
meeting at 11:30 AM the following Thursdays:
March 9th – Book Three, Chapters 9-12: “Charity,” “Hope,” and “Faith”
March 23rd – Book Four, Chapters 1-3: “Making and Begetting,” “The
Three-Personal God,” and “Time and Beyond Time”
This year we continue focusing on the challenging prophetic Scriptures. We hear warnings
of judgment and punishment; we hear promises of healing, restoration, and salvation. We
hear the call to care for the poor, the orphan, the widow, the alien; we hear the call from God
through the prophets that shakes religious complacency and indifference. Be challenged by
these ancient words and their relevance for today. Here’s what we’ll be focusing on and when
over the next few weeks:
March 8th – Joel “A Warning of Judgment”
March 15th – Obadiah “A Nation Judged for Mistreating God’s People”
March 22nd – Jonah “God’s Unimaginable Grace and Mercy”
March 29th – Micah 1-4 “Judgment Upon the Nations”
April 5th – Micah 5-7 “Leaders and People on Trial”
2017 Prophetic Books Bible Study
Buck-A-Chick
They're BAAAACK! Last year we chose to do
something different other than the chicks and
realized that it didn't
go over so well. So
we're bringing the
chicks back. For $1
you can purchase and
decorate a chick. Re-
turn your artwork to
the office and we will
hang it up along with
all the others. Stop by the office and pick one
up.
Eligible benefit members of Thrivent Finan-
cial for Lutherans have until March 31, 2017
to direct Choice Dollars from 2016. After that
date the unused Choice Dollars expire.
Choice Dollars can be directed among thou-
sand of 501 c nonprofit organizations includ-
ing Christ the King. You may easily take care
of this by going on-line, making a phone call
to Thrivent or calling the local office for their
assistance. Act soon, before these free monies
expire. If you would like to stop by the
church office we can also assist you with this.
Thrivent Choice Dollars
Page 8 The King’s Herald
On Tuesday, February 21st, I (Pastor) went to a drug conference held at the MTEC building
at Bay College. Here are some staggering statistics that you may (or may not) know about drugs
in Michigan and the UP:
68% Increase in heroin use since 2003
THC (found in marijuana) is the most abused drug in Michigan. With medical marijuana be-
coming more easily attainable and with restrictions on recreational use softening, an epi-
demic could be (or is already) brewing.
Prescription drug abuse remains a huge issue
Physical violence and drug/alcohol abuse are tightly con-
nected issues
Methadone drug arrests have gone up and because of the
police’s focus on this drug de jour, cocaine and
“crystal meth” use has been on the rise
Marquette General led the state in admitting drug af-
fected mothers and delivering drug affected babies
(340 in 2015)
Five babies a month spend at least 17 days in the neonatal ICU at Marquette General
About 1/3 of the babies born at OSF are affected by drugs
The statistics are staggering. What as a church can we do? Here were some things asked of
the churches in Escanaba:
Programs for families affected by drug abuse are few and far between
Housing for people recovering remains an issue
Providing a safe, forgiving community (read: CHURCH!) is essential for men/women recover-
ing from drug abuse
What can we do at Christ the King? What can you do to help bring freedom – in Christ’s
name – to those afflicted with addiction? Let’s talk about this and get serious about making a
difference with this huge problem in our neighborhoods.
How the Church Can Make a Difference: The Drug Problem in Escanaba
Lay School for Mission
One of the great gift and treasures of our synod is the Lay School for Mission. It's been up
and running for over 20 years now and continues to support, challenge, and grow the faith in
the people of God who participate. This year Christ the King will have three graduates from
this 2 1/2 year program: Mary Jo Johnson, Lance Lindstrom, and Lisa Temple. Be sure to con-
gratulate them on such a wonderful accomplishment! If you would like a little dose of Lay
School, be sure to drop by Tuesdays, anytime from 5:15-9:15 PM. On Saturday, April 1st at 10
AM there will be a live-streamed class devoted to Synod Polity taught by Bishop Skrenes. Give
Lay School a try!
Page 9 The King’s Herald
March 2: Lindsey Olson
March 3: Bill Gartland
March 4: Justin Cobb, John Hendrickson
March 5: Tanner McDonald
March 7: Beth Jacobson
March 8: Pat Wendrick
March 11: Rob Jensen
March 12: Tucker McDonald
March 13: Jodi Joncas, Jared Murray
March 14: Joey Kutzera
March 15: Kevin Boudreau
March 16: Krissa Gafner, LeRoy Sovey
March 17: Harold Strasler
March 19: Marlene Raedar
March 22: Tim McDonald
March 23: Matt Adams, Judy LaCasse, Leigh Schmidt
March 24: Vivian Frossard
March 26: Bella Lindstrom
March 28: Meagan Johnsen, Dutch Solis, Bob VanEffen
March 29: Geri Jo Berthaume
March 31: Mary Hovey, Corey Kang, Pete Schlenvogt, Shirley Smith
Let Us Pray For those Celebrating Birthdays On:
If you are at any of our Sunday morning prayer requests, you are more than likely going to
be praying for a furry critter. With this in mind, we chose to help out the Delta Animal Shel-
ter as our February service project. All of the Sunday School offerings for February will be do-
nated to the shelter and a needs list was distributed for those who wish to donate specific shel-
ter needs. We will continue to collect the items for the first two Sundays in March. Thank you
for your generosity!
As we enter the month of March we will also be entering into Lent. It has become a tradi-
tion tor Faith Formation to team up with Parish Life and come up with a fun and faith filled
Lenten fundraiser. This year our monies will go to ELCA World hunger and the local Salva-
tion Army. We will again host our Buck a Chick fundraiser so get your dollars ready! Be on
the lookout for other exciting events in the upcoming weeks.
A big THANK YOU to Corey Kang who has so graciously volunteered to step into Roland’s
shoes and lead our fourth and fifth graders. I have heard great reports from the kids – so glad
to have you on board Corey!
Please continue to keep our Faith Formation in your prayers – we are doing great work!!
Faith Formation News
Page 10
Readers
March 4/ 5— 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Lance Lindstrom
March 11/12— 5:00 Lin VanEffen 10:30 Lisa Temple
March 18/19— 5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom
March 25/26—5:00 Dawn Martin 10:30 Carrie Boudreau
Acolytes
March 4/ 5— 5:00 Isaac Berthaume 10:30 Elizabeth Brandel
March 11/12— 5:00 Ashton Moran 10:30 Brett Schlenvogt
March 18/19— 5:00 Mackenzie Jensen 10:30 Camree Bonifas
March 25/26—5:00 Ella Johnson 10:30 Caydence Carter
Altar Guild
March 4/ 5— Laverne Picard & Connie Schmidt
March 11/12— Julie Smith & Marlene & Tom Raeder
March 18/19— Sandy Jacobson & Judy Anderson
March 25/26—Mary Jo Johnson & Beth Jacobson
Assisting Minister
March 4/ 5— 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Lance Lindstrom
March 11/12— 5:00 Bob VanEffen 10:30 Julie Smith
March 18/19— 5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom
March 25/26—5:00 Nancy Norberg 10:30 Connie Schmidt
Communion Assistants
March 4/ 5— 5:00 Mary Jo Johnson 10:30 Lance Lindstrom
March 11/12— 5:00 Bob VanEffen 10:30 Mike & Julie Smith
March 18/19—5:00 Sam LaMarche 10:30 Lance Lindstrom
March 25/26—5:00 Nancy Norberg 10:30 Leigh & Connie Schmidt
Those Who Serve
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
9:00 Quilting
7:00 Ash Wednesday
Communion Service
2
10:00 Coffee with the
Staff
11:00 Property Mtg.
3
3:00 Funeral for
Patricia Picard
4
5:00 Communion
Service
5
9:00 Faith Formation
9:30 Coffee Hour
10:30 Communion
Service
11:45 Ad Hoc
Committee Mtg.
7:00 Home Group
6 7
1:00 Joy Book Club
5:15 Lay School
7:30 Dartball
8
9:00 Quilting
9:30 Bible Study
6:00 Soup Supper
7:00 Lenten Worship
9
10:00 Coffee with the
Staff
11:30 Thursday
Theology
10 11
5:00 Communion
Service
12
9:00 Faith Formation
9:30 Coffee Hour
9:30 Finance Mtg.
10:30 Communion
Service
12:00 Executive
Committee Mtg.
7:00 Home Group @
Smiths
13
10:00 Worship &
Music Committee Mtg.
14
12:00 Sr. Luncheon
1:00 Joy Book Club
5:15 Lay School
7:30 Dartball
15
9:00 Quilting
9:30 Bible Study
6:00 Soup Supper
7:00 Lenten Worship
16
10:00 Coffee with the
Staff
6:15 Church Council
Mtg.
17 18
5:00 Communion
Service
6:00 Reuben Mission
Trip Fundraiser
19
9:00 Faith Formation
9:30 Coffee Hour
10:30 Communion
Service
7:00 Home Group @
Smiths
20 21
1:00 Joy Book Club
5:15 Lay School
7:30 Dartball
22
9:00 Quilting
9:30 Bible Study
6:00 Soup Supper
7:00 Lenten Worship
23
10:00 Coffee with the
Staff
11:30 Thursday
Theology
24 25
5:00 Communion
Service
26
9:00 Faith Formation
9:30 Coffee Hour
10:30 Communion
Service
7:00 Home Group @
Smiths
27 28
1:00 Joy Book Club
5:15 Lay School
7:30 Dartball
29
9:00 Quilting
9:30 Bible Study
6:00 Soup Supper
7:00 Lenten Worship
30
10:00 Coffee with the
Staff
31
March 2017
1230 North 18th Street
Escanaba, Michigan 49829
CHURCH OFFICE ………………………..…………………………………..…………….…786-7400
PASTOR
Rev. Chris Johnson…………………………………………………………………………….786-7988
e-mail address: [email protected]
CHURCH OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Arlene Cody………………………………………………………………………….………....786-5949
e-mail address: [email protected] Website: www.ctk-escanaba.org
WORSHIP SCHEDULE:
Saturday—5:00 p.m. Worship
Sunday— 9:00 a.m. Youth Faith Formation; 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour; 10:30 Worship
Holy Communion is celebrated at every Saturday and Sunday service. At the 10:30 a.m.
service communion will be distributed using continuous communion.
Address Service Requested
Phone: (906) 786-7400
E-mail: [email protected]
KING’S HERALD March 2017
We’re on the Web!
www.ctk-escanaba.org
Non Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Bulk Permit No. 179
Escanaba, Michigan
This issue of the King’s
Herald is given in loving
memory of Eric Mattson
by Mike & Julie Smith
Christ the King
Lutheran Church