May 28, 2015
Finales
CELEBRATE
JOY
Fireworks were always a favorite of mine
Jesus Others Yourself
as I was growing up. One Fourth of July my aunt
“And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the
took us to the sleepy little village of Port Hope,
great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall
Michigan so my sister and I could watch the
love your neighbor as yourself.”
fireworks show over Lake Huron for it was the
Matthew 22:37-39
best one in the area at the time. I craved to see
the night sky be transformed into brilliant colors of reds, whites, and blues as the loud booms offered
another stroke of color on the black canvas over the glassy reflection. It was a time I could escape from
the confines of childhood and wade into a world where a beautiful picture of light created a sense of
freedom, if only for a short time. For when the light and the sound would become more intense and
everything seemed to move forward in a harmonious chaos as the flashes and booms interweaved its final
masterpiece I hesitantly knew the finale had come. It was the best of times and it was the worst of times
as Charles Dickens once wrote in his novel A Tale of Two Cities.
Finales seem to create a sense of tension within us. As we come to the end of another successful
school year at RLA, there is indeed joy by students, parents, and teachers alike. With no more homework,
no more tests, no more chaotic mornings to endure, and with no more papers to grade a sense of relief
soothes our well-being like aloe on a sunburn. But we also are sad as we say good bye to our teacher, our
students, our friends, and the one thing that keeps our children occupied long enough so that parents can
have a breather (we can be honest here)! But we are also sad to see our children grow up much too fast
and realize that someday we will miss this. Every day seems to be the best of times and the worst of times
as the school year finale can heighten the intensity of this reality momentarily.
As Christians we also have a tension within us between being a saint and a sinner at the same
time. We know through Christ we are saved, but every single day we struggle with this nemesis called sin.
And so we remember our Baptism daily. Our Baptism was not a finale. It is a continuation of who we are
every day of our earthly lives. We remember daily that our sins are washed away because Christ’s death
and resurrection makes us clean. This doesn’t happen once in one big finale. This happens every day.
Our earthly finale is death. But in Christ we have life-filled eternal finale. In our death it is the worst of
times for the loved ones we leave behind, but for us Christians it is the best of times as we leave this
earthly life.
In our tension we come to the Savior in worship. It is here He offers us His gifts of forgiveness
through His Word and His body and blood. Worship isn’t an obligation. It is a privilege for those who
believe to bask in his marvelous light. It’s a time to escape the confines of sin and allow His Word to
weave grace and mercy into the chaos of your life and give you freedom. I encourage you as you embark
on this summer break to make Christ a priority in your plans. I’m not pointing a finger. I’m not creating a
guilt trip. But I am the little boy who couldn’t wait to go to a fireworks show. Only this time God gives us
the opportunity to come and have our darkness be transformed by his grace and forgiveness into his
marvelous light.
At our Baptism Christ put His name on our hearts and foreheads. He promises our finale will be
one of joy in spite of who we are. Yes, He loves us that much. It’s why we grow by the cross. His final
masterpiece will be you in heaven with Him for all eternity. I pray that your summer will be restful and
filled with the peace of Christ our life.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Pastor Liss
Registration: We are now open for enrollment for new families. Take advantage of our new family referral program
and earn discounts on your own tuition. Call the office if you have questions or need an application or reregistration
sheet for your child. 574-272-2200
Pizza Day: We will be serving Marco’s Pizza as a hot lunch option on Tuesdays. All orders must be placed the
Monday before pizza day. We will be paying upon delivery so the $3.50 MUST be your family’s lunch account on
Monday to order. The week after break, the pizza choice will be cheese or sausage. This will be the last pizza
day of the year.
T-Shirt Friday: Children may wear an RLA t-shirt on Fridays. Uniform bottoms must still be worn.
Jean Fridays: Our Jean Day proceeds for May will be going to Homes for Heroes. This program provides realestate assistance to heroes including military personnel, firefighters, law enforcement officers and others who make
our communities a better place to live. This month’s charity was suggested in honor of Memorial Day. You MUST
bring $1 to wear jeans!
Box Tops: The girls won the Boxtop challenge with an ice cream sundae party and overall the school raised just
over $1000! Great job on all of your hard work!!!
Chapel: Our closing chapel service will be Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30am. Please come join us as we end a great
year!
Polish Dinner: Tomorrow is our Polish Style Dinner with an Open Buffet 5 pm - 7 pm in our school gym. Payment
can be made at the door by check payable to RLA or by cash. . Student volunteers may wear jeans or shorts, but
must wear an RLA t-shirt, sweatshirt, or polo. We are still in need of clean up volunteers from 6:30-8pm. We also
need cookies and cupcakes for dessert.
Hero 5K Run & Life Walk: St. Paul – Niles is gathering teams for the “Hero 5K Run” and “Life Walk” on Saturday,
June 20th. The race will begin at Niles High School at 8:30am and end at Riverfront Park just in time to enjoy the
festivities of the annual Life Walk. There will be live music, refreshments, and activities for the whole family. The
cost is $25 on or before 6/5 or $30 after. If you are interested in participating or have questions contact Ron & Sue
Kopke from St. Paul – Niles at 309-0930.
VBS - June: First English Lutheran Church in Mishawaka would like to welcome students in preschool – 6th grade to
their Jungle Safari Vacation Bible School. VBS will take place the week of June 22-26th from 9am noon. Call 574255-4234!
VBS – July: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in South Bend is hosting the Vacation Bible School program Everest
for potty-trained 3 year olds to students having completed 5th grade (older students and parents are welcome to
volunteer). VBS will take place the week of July 13-17th from 9-11:40am. Questions? Contact Krista Hunt at 3391040 or [email protected].
RLA Savings Cards: Unfortunately, we were not able to make our 400 card goal, so there are still many available in
the office. They are good until NEXT APRIL, so they will still be available for sale in the office.
2015-2016: The tentative start date for next school year is Tuesday, August 18th.
Snow Day Make Ups: We will be making up our remaining snow days at the end of the school year. Friday, May
29th, Monday, June 1st and Tuesday, June 2nd will be full school days. Our closing chapel service and awards will be
moved to Wednesday, June 3rd with dismissal following their conclusion.
Dates to Remember:
5/29
6/3
5-7pm Polish Dinner
@ RLA Gym
8:30am End of Year Chapel/Awards
Early Dismissal afterwards
6/4
End of Year Teacher Meeting
6/22-6/26
Vacation Bible School
@ First English Lutheran Church
7/13-7/17
Vacation Bible School
@ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
8/18
Start of the 2015-2016 school year
8/22
Annual Dale Timm Scholarship
Golf Outing