CALVARY LUTHERAN

TIDINGS 2016

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Good Friday Worship

Friday, March 25

7:30 p.m.

Tenebrae

‘Watch the Lamb”

Youth Service

Maundy Thursday Worship Thursday, March 24

6:30 p.m. with Holy Communion

Palm Sunday Worship

Saturday, March 19

5:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 20

10:00 a.m.

Easter Worship

Saturday, March 26 — 5:30 p.m.

Easter Vigil Service

Sunday, March 27

Easter Breakfast — 8:30 a.m.

Easter Egg Hunt — 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship — 10:00 a.m.

So, how is your Lent going? That may seem an odd question. Said that way it sounds like, “How’s your diet coming along?” Or maybe, “How’s it going at work, or with the new boy/girlfriend?” This question isn’t so far fetched if we understand Lent properly. Lent is supposed to be a time of questioning; questioning ourselves, our motives and our actions. It is a time to take stock and reflect on our walk as Christians. It is a time to ask ourselves,

“Am I truly being a disciple of Christ?”

So, how is your Lent going? Guided by the Spirit, Lent should be a time of renewing and regeneration. Just as winter gives way to the first Crocuses and Daffodils of Spring, so Lent should be a time of shedding those sins which so easily entangle us as the writer of Hebrews says. Lent should be a time of hopeful expectation of the promise of new life.

So, how is your Lent going? I hope it is going well. Our Lenten journeys don’t go well when we focus simply on how well we have kept our diets or how many times we have indeed set time aside to pray. Like so many New Year’s resolutions we start off in good form and then by the time Lent is over we simply say, “Well, I did pretty good.” A successful Lent comes when we set our eyes on Jesus to lead us through. That is the secret of a good Lent again as the writer of Hebrews says, “Setting our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith,…let us run the race with perseverance. Hebrews 12:3 So, how IS your Lent going?

Pastor Chris

DAYS OF GIVING IN LENT

The ELCA emphasis in Lent this year is World Hunger. We have made devotional material available for guiding you in this Lenten challenge. You may still pick up the 40 day daily reflections on the table in front of the Church office or in the Narthex. The Tuesday Bible Studies have devoted themselves to using the 40 Days of Giving Bible Study through Lent. Now comes an opportunity to contribute to World Hunger. On March 9

th the proceeds from the

Lenten Supper will be given to World Hunger as a part of the ELCA Lenten emphasis. Come enjoy fellowship, food and support Lutheran World Hunger and their important efforts to end hunger throughout the world including right here in the U.S. How are they doing this? Ask one of the Tuesday Bible Study attendees, or better yet, come join us.

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HOSPITALIZED? PLEASE LET US KNOW If you are hospitalized, please contact (or have a friend or family member contact) the church office and let us know so that we can visit and pray with you. Providing pastoral care is an important part of our ministry, however, we cannot visit if we don’t know, so please don’t hesitate to call or email the church office, so that we can be there for you. Thanks!

Pastors Sheryl and Chris

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COUNCIL MINUTES SUMMARY February. 8, 2016

Jack Martin welcomed new Board members Sherri Copsey as VP and Deb Brown as Secretary and

re-welcomed current members and gave a reminder that when there are co-chairs only one will be

able to vote if both attending meeting.

Pat Smith led the council in devotions. Grant Hinze is scheduled to do devotions in March

Finance Report –Balance as of 1.31.2016 is $5500.00, Received $3650.00 last Sunday for Loan

Repayment, total to date received is about 15,000.00. Shirley Schuldies asked that the memorial

monies from Fred’s memorial be used in repayment of loan. Loan repayment is at 10,500.00. Pas-

tor Sheryl went over the financials to help new board members become familiar with the financial

reports.

Brief Board/Committee Reports:

New Board Report Forms were handed out by Jack, would like to have these filled out before each

council meeting, forms will be available with Noni. As explained by Pastor Sheryl, this is a way

to help improve communication between Boards and Council plus if anyone has missed a board or

council meeting this will help keep everyone in the loop.

Social Ministry –Doing Lenten Meal 3.9.2016 with the Lakota Center. Lakota Center will be

cooking, board members will help with labor.

Youth Director – Angie Hinze –JaM & EPIC will be serving the dinner on Ash Wednesday

before the service. EPIC & JaM served the potato bar after the congregational annual meeting and

took in $502.00. Monies will be spent on local community service projects. OWLS – Mike Mora-

vec presented to OWLS in January in regards to safety in winter months and taking care of our

bodies. Craig Stirtz presented in February on Estate/Will planning. Confirmation – 7th and 8th grad-

ers continue to meet on Wednesday evenings. Confirmation is scheduled for April 24th for our 5

eighth graders. Next task is to organize a group for members who are too old for EpiC and too

young for OWLS!

Trustees –Sunday school room and babies room still in process of needing to be carpeted as well

as tile replaced in bathrooms. Contractor out for a few days due to kidney stones. Sunday School

Office stills needs to be painted. Received notice the church’s insurance – Brotherhood, has raised

its wind/hail deductible from $5000.00 to $15,000.00. Premium not going up, just the deductible.

Begun looking at other Insurance carriers.

Worship and Music – Lent and Easter are looking good, still working on Palm Sunday. Getting

new projector for sanctuary, Bill Huelle will install with help from Dennis. Have 3.2.16 open for

Lenten Dinner.

Old Business:

Quick Check – Congregational Vitality and Sustainability Assessment Results were handed

out at annual meeting-still receiving surveys back

New Business:

Pastors thanked council for their part in the pledge to help with the repayment of the loan.

Have a handful of people showing interest in becoming new members. New member classes to be

scheduled.

Meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer

Our Mission Project for March is the LAKOTA CENTER FOOD DRIVE. Cash donations will be used to help supplement the food ministry at the Lakota Lutheran Center. Meals are an important part of community at the center, and they reach a large number of people. Donations may be placed in the tan “Designated Giving” envelopes found in the pews. Please place your donation in the envelope and mark plainly WELCA project. Place envelope in the offering plate. Thank you for your support.

March Mission Project

Our March study is titled “Being of One Mind” and is based on Philippians 2:19-4:3 Meeting times are:

Ruth Study Group—Tuesday, March 1 @ 9:00 a.m.in Fellowship Hall

Priscilla Study Group—Tuesday, March 1 @ 7:30 p.m.- Angie Hinze’s home 615 Valley View Dr. Scottsbluff

Hannah Study Group—Monday, March 7 @ 7:00 p.m.– Diane Vandenberge’s 1110 E. 35th Street, Scottsbluff

Esther Study Group—Tuesday, March 8 @ 9:00 a.m.- Ruth Harris’ home 9 Brentwood Ct. Scottsbluff

ANOTHER BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITY Each Tuesday from Noon to 1:00 p.m. a group of women meet at the church to study scripture together. Each study may run anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the study. Please consider joining us for a study and some great conversations..

All ladies are invited to join any of these groups.

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TUESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY The Tuesday evening Bible Study meets at 7:00 p.m. The current study is “Renew Your Life: Discovering the Wellspring of God’s Energy” led by Pastor Sheryl. All are welcome to attend.

.

REMEMBER TO SAVE YOUR PANHANDLE CO-OP RECEIPTS—Please continue

to save those Co-Op receipts and drop them in the box in the narthex. For every

$100,000 worth of receipts we turn in, the Co-Op will give the SOEC $1000.!

Noni, our office manager, is assigning those people who have expressed a willingness in the past (or who express interest on the 2016 Time and Talent Sheets) to read lessons, be a communion assistant or usher, etc. If you have a preference for Sundays you would like to be scheduled (for example, you prefer to read the lessons on a Sunday the choir sings or assist with communion the same day that your child acolytes, etc.), then please be sure

to let Noni know that so she can schedule you accordingly.

Once the schedule is sent out, if you have a conflict with the date assigned, we would ask that you try to switch with someone else already scheduled and if unsuccessful contact the church office for assistance. Also, we ask for your patience and understanding as we seek to transition to a new way of scheduling worship assistants. Noni will continue to send out reminder cards, and you may also check the schedule in the Tidings, on the Church Website, on the Church Bulletin Board by the office or a week in advance in the Sunday Bulletin. Thank you for serving God’s church in this capacity.

NOTE: Noni IS NOT assigning Coffee Fellowship so please sign up for cookies/treats and for coffee set up on the sheet in the narthex.

OWLS (Older,Wiser Lutheran’s) LUNCHEON

Join us the first Wednesday of every month at noon

for lunch, fun and an informative program.

No prior reservations are needed!

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ANNUAL HIGH PLAINS CONFERENCE SPRING GATHERING The gathering will be held on March 19 in Cozad. The theme is “If You’re Happy in God’s Grace, Clap Your Hands”. Learn a new way of praying – Praying in Color. Any-one interested in attending talk with Joan Smith or Nancy Steele.

PAST SCHOLARS OF CALVARY LUTHERAN

Kristine Johnson 1974

Casey Hackman 1980

Doug Harris 1984

Andrew Steele 1988-1992

Cami Harris 1989-1993

Joe Brown Thunder 1991-1992

Naomi Carlson 1993-1997

Lori Vandenberge 1994-1998

Jodi Vandenberge 1996-2000

Adam Martin 1999-2002

Stephen Hunzeker 1999

Alex Holdt 2001

Krista Hein 2001-2005

Jordan Hein 2006-2008

Jane Voss 2013-

Jackson Hinze 2015 -

IT’S SCHOLARSHIP TIME! The Calvary Lutheran Scholarship Fund is

established with the intent to promote Christian education at a Protestant

college. If you are interested in attending a Protestant college next fall,

please stop by the church office and pick up an application form.

Criteria is as follows:

1. Attends Calvary Lutheran Church regularly and has had past record of

two (2) years attendance in Sunday School and/or church worship.

2. Is a voting member as defined in the Calvary Lutheran Church Constitution, Chapter 8, part

C8.02C.

3. Will be a full time student as defined y the college attending.

4. Has not received scholarships from Calvary for more than eight college semesters (limit 3).

Requests for scholarships exceeding the eight college semesters, will be reviewed by the

Scholarship Committee.

A Rough Wooden Cross

In the history of Calvary Lutheran Church, sometime in the later years of the

1960’s, a tree was planted. This Scotch Pine tree grew and provided beauty and

shade for many years. In 2015 the tree was diagnosed with some sort of disease.

After it was professionally felled, a group of volunteers came, cut it up and cleared

it from the area. Bill Huelle took the trunk of the tree and has made crosses for

remembrance.

The first crosses were given to our youth and sponsors who attended the 2015

Youth Gathering in Detroit. Also, each of our acolytes are wearing one of the

crosses as they help during worship.

As part of our fundraising efforts for the church, those who donate to the Loan Repayment Fund will have

an opportunity to pick out a rough wooden cross.

If interested, please see Bill or Mary Jo Huelle.

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Would you like to Simplify Your Giving?

Simply Giving” is an easier, simpler way to make your offerings to Calvary through automated giving. The “Simply Giving” program is designed to help you conven-iently, consistently and joyfully give financial gifts to Calvary’s ministry. When you participate, you can use electronic funds transfer to give your weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly offerings. For those who travel a lot or for those who dislike writing out checks, this is a very helpful way of keeping up with your offerings. To learn more or to sign up, please call and/or email the church office.

UNDERSTANDING THE GENERATIONS

These topic continues on Sundays through March 13th at 9:00 a.m.in our Adult Sunday School class led by George Schlothauer.

He will be showing a 4 part video by Chuck Underwood the author of The Generational Imperative. Developed as a marketing research approach understanding the basic tenets can help us be church together as five succinct generations working together to be the body of Christ. Come listen and add your thoughts to this opportunity. The forum is held in Fellowship Hall.

SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION

The Adult Education class meets during the Sunday School hour at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Understanding the Generations

(above) will be our focus through March 13 returning to our

focus on the gospel readings for each given Sunday.on March 20. Come get a deeper look at the Gospel lesson. This will be an

opportunity to ask questions about the reading for the day, explore possible themes for where a sermon might follow and, if the sermon for that day is on the gospel, prepare yourself for what will be proclaimed.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES CONTINUE , March 2nd

& 9th

, from 7 – 8 p.m. (following Wednesday night Lenten Services). Mark your calendars for these new members classes. In these sessions, we will explore the basics of what it means for us to be disciples of Jesus Christ and members

of the church, particularly the Lutheran Church. Come grow with us!

We ENCOURAGE every family of Calvary to support our area Food Pantry and Food programs. The pantries provide important services to those in need and can really help aid those families who are less fortunate.

This month’s Food Pantry item:

SAUCES (Spaghetti, etc.)

This month’s Backpack Program item: FRUIT CUPS

APRIL will be:

PANCAKE MIX MAC N CHEESE BOWLS

Thank you Calvary members and

Pastors Sheryl and Chris for your prayers, visits and cards. Also a special thanks to Marsha Bueide for the beautiful prayer

shawl and the card you all signed. Calvary is a truly loving church. I am doing well now, an

answer to prayer. In Christ’ love,

Lila Birch

Many thanks to everyone for the recognition that I received last

month thanking me for the tasks that I have completed here at

Calvary and for the tasks I will continue to do in the future. It was definitely a surprise, and was very much appreciated.

Mel Knoedler

Pastoral Care/Prayer Requests

Continued prayer for healing and a return to good health:

Regan Bartow, Fran Johnson, Aaron Boetcher, Sheila

Taylor, Donna Hackman, Nancy Fuhrman, Lila Birch,

Lillian Blehm, Kent Zweifel, Chris Bartow, Mark Chasek,

Joe Keefe.

Prayers of sympathy and comfort for the family and

friends of Mary Collins who died February 2, 2016.

Our military: pray for those serving in areas of terror

and violence and for those waiting for them at home.

If you have Prayer Requests, please contact Nancy Steele

through her e-mail—nancylsteele@embarqmail.com

Jamie Asmus 3/1 Kaitlyn Wilson 3/2

Brad Johnston 3/3 Nancy Steele 3/4

Elsie Williams 3/4 Ella Foote 3/5

Craig Bartel 3/5 Jennifer Schafer 3/6

Joe Lentz 3/7 Melissa Guerrero 3/7

Caleb Payne 3/8 Neal Blomenkamp 3/11

Marv Braaten 3/12 Mardi Larson 3/13

Michael Schuler 3/14 Syl Holdt 3/14

Andrea Miller 3/15 Kenneth Shriver 3/15

Brooke Blomenkamp 3/17 Mike Belguim 3/19

Roy Howell 3/19 Brian Christeleit 3/20

Derek Smith 3/23 Colleen Kelly 3/23

Larry Spomer 3/23 Randy Schafer 3/24

Bill Steele 3/25 Paul Bueide 3/26

Eric Dorn 3/27 Lila Birch 3/28

Mary Ann Finken 3/30

March

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CALVARY YOUTH NEWS -

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Calvary Hill Craft Project

March 9

“He Lives”

Tissue Paper Craft Project

March 16 March 23

Handprint Palm Leaf No JAM!

Project

March 25—Good Friday Youth Service

Please plan to participate in the Good Friday Youth Service.

This is a VERY important service, and I would like to have all of the JAM and

EPIC kids participate. More information will be coming you way later.

**During Lent, meals will be served at 5:30 p.m. with church

following at 6:30 p.m. and then we will have a JaM activity following the service

from 7:00—7:30 p.m. **

EPIC March 19: CatPack/Panhandle

Humane Society Service

Projects!

We will meet and pack the CatPacks at

the Presbyterian Church and then go to

the Panhandle Humane Society to walk

dogs for an hour. Two service projects in one day! We will go to lunch after-

wards and enjoy some fellowship!

March 25: Good Friday Youth Service! Please plan to participate.

March 27: Easter Service with Easter breakfast served by the youth!

Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt at 9:30 a.m.

JAM Wednesdays-6 p. m.

(4 yrs-6th grade)

MARCH 2

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“Prayer of a Stephen Minister”

God of grace and goodness, You have called me to be your servant, and I have said, “I will go,

send me.” You have called me, and you have sustained and inspired me. Fill me with your Holy

Spirit and empower me to love faithfully and serve obediently. Give me the graciousness to offer

encouragement and affirmation to those in need of a kind word or a listening ear. Keep me from

having a spirit of negativity, and restore to me the joy of your salvation and the privilege of minis-

tering in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. AMEN

Contact Marsha Bueide (635-1469) or Nancy Steele (632-7558) to connect you with an available

Stephen Minister from Calvary. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, you can con-

tact Nancy. You can also go to www.stephenministries.org/stories to hear people share their sto-

ries about what it has meant to receive care from a Stephen Minister.

Calvary’s Church Office Phone number: (308) 632-8023 or 632-8024

Contact the Office by E-mail at: Office@CalvaryELCA.org

Send physical mail / offerings to: 17 E. 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361.

Pastor Chris:Kester Beyer (402) 694-9189 pastorchriskb@gmail.com

Pastor Sheryl:Kester Beyer (402) 694-9182 pastorsherylkb@gmail.com

Pastors’ home phone: (308) 631-7656

Youth & Family Ministry Dir. Angie Hinze contact info: 631-2768 or call the Church office Angie@CalvaryELCA.org Nancy Steele, PMA 632-7558 nancylsteele@embarqmail.com

Deadline for weekly announcements is Wed. at 5 PM. Deadline for newsletter is the 20th of each month. Please send your items to Noni in the church office.

Find us on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/calvarylutheranscottsbluff

WEBSITE

www.calvarylutheranscottsbluff.org

WHEN YOU MISS WORSHIP: Its all online!

The worship bulletin, announcements as well as the ‘Taking Faith Home” inserts are all avail-able on our website. Worship podcasts from sermons by Pastors Sheryl and Chris are also available to listen to.

Just go to www.calvarylutheranscottsbluff.org and click on the worship tab.

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CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH

ELCA

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