Dear Church Family,
Those words. They’re easy to say. They’re harder to embrace.
“Not my will, Father, but your will be done.”
Jesus was as human as we are. Imagine the anguish he experienced in the garden knowing what he was about to face the next day on the cross. We see it in the sweat mixed with blood dripping from his face. We hear that anguish in the words he speaks, “Father, take this cup from me.” Yet, what follows is the miracle of love’s complete devotion: “Not my will, Father, but yours be done.” (cf. Luke 22:39-46)
Friends, I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday at church as we see how Jesus submitted to his Father’s will and what great comfort that gives you and me who often struggle to do the same.
ICYMI –Watch last week’s message on our YouTube channel. Part 2 of our series His Pain, Our Gain. Jesus always had compassion on his calendar!
Wednesday Lent Opportunities – March 27th we invite you and your family to join us for Lent supper in the high school commons at 6 pm. Since it is Spring Break for many families in our community, our supper will be a potluck surprise! If you can come, please bring some food to share. Whatever we have, we will eat together! Come and enjoy some fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ in your church family. Worship begins at 7:15 pm in the church.
Save the Date for upcoming events:
Journey to the Cross – On Sunday afternoon, April 14th from 3-7 pm we invite you to encounter the sights and sounds of Jesus’ journey to the cross together as a family. Next week the reservation link will open for you to reserve the “departure time” for your journey. All are invited!
Easter – We will celebrate Easter together as one church family in a bilingual service at 10:30 am in the high school gym, followed by an egg hunt for the kids and brunch for all. Please invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join you! More information regarding the details will be shared next week.
Marriage Retreat – Our marriage ministry team, along with your pastors are hosting Simply Marriage, a marriage retreat on Saturday, September 14th & Sunday, September 15th. Registration will open April 1st, with a discounted rate. This is open for all married or engaged couples to attend and will have a limit of only 25 couples in English and Spanish. Consider making your reservations early! All the details will be shared next week.
DSNursery: We are excited to offer you a Sunday morning Nursery for ages Newborn to 2 years old where your child will be in a safe and loving environment throughout the service. Please see registration table outside of church in order to register your child. Nursery doors will be open at 9:20 am for those that would like to drop their child off before the service begins or you are welcome to bring your child to the Nursery at any time during the service. Simply share with the ushers and they will walk you there.
Host Family Opportunity: The international program at Divine Savior Academy welcomes students from all over the world each year to attend our school, study, learn English, and hear God’s Word. One component of this program is housing the students with a loving host family. Up to this last year, we have worked with agencies that provide a stipend to the host families. However, we are increasingly getting requests from families that cannot afford to go through an agency and are asking if there would be someone within the church that would be willing to host for less than the normal amount. If you are interested in housing, either through an agency or without one involved, please email Erika Biesterfeld. We have a lot of unique requests coming through, including from Christian families in Asia with limited funds, and it would be wonderful if we could find a spot for them here at our DSA family.
Lenten Devotions: Click here to find some great devotional material produced by our sister churches in the WELS South Atlantic District.
Blood Drive – One Blood will be here on Sunday, March 31st after each worship service to collect blood donations. Consider this opportunity to serve the community and perhaps save a life!
Offerings = Average weekly for March: $8,847.57 | Needed Weekly: $8,374 / wk. Average weekly year-to-date: $8,294.86 | Needed Weekly: $8,374 / wk.
Note: All offerings received over and above our Needed Weekly will go toward our Building His House fund for the future Worship Arts Center.
Refreshment Schedule – Thank you for serving! If you have any questions or would like to help where needed, please contact Pam.
March 24. Kirchoff. Calil. Birkenstock.
March 31. Landwehr. Won. Biesterfeld.
Usher Schedule –
March 24. Tim Biesterfeld. Matt Willems.
March 31. Jason Schultz. Logan Schultz.
April 7. Peter Mathwig. Caleb Troge.
April 14. Phil Kurbis. Cameron Sullivan.
Sunday Playlist – “Lord, I Need You” | “Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray” CW472 | “May the Mind of Christ My Savior” CW 467 | “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
Changing Lives with Jesus,
Pastor Ben
