VOLUME 28, No. 3
M
arch is the third month
of the year in both the
Julian and Gregorian
calendars. It is one of seven
months that are 31 days long.
In the Northern Hemisphere,
the meteorological beginning
of spring occurs on the first
day of March. The March
equinox on the 20th or 21st
marks the astronomical
beginning of spring in the
Northern Hemisphere and
the beginning of autumn in
the Southern Hemisphere,
where September is the
seasonal equivalent of the
Northern Hemisphere’s
March. (WikipediA, The Free
Encyclopedia)
I don’t know about you
but, if I read this article from
Wikipedia too quickly, I come
away totally confused.
Of course, that’s just me.
You probably have little or no
problem with keeping this
information straight.
Shucks, I even have
trouble announcing the
number of the hymn while
MARCH, 2015
looking straight at it on the
hymn board.
For instance, I’ll look at
the number 570 and start to
say 750 because I seem to see
the middle number first
before the first number.
Again, that’s just me.
I find that I need to really
focus, that is, to concentrate
on such things as these so
that I can communicate the
correct information correctly.
During the Lenten Season
we are encouraged to set
aside time — better, to make
time — for the purpose of
increasing our understanding
of what Jesus went through
to pay for our’s and the
world’s punishment for sin.
(Pleas reread this paragraph
more than once so it will
make sense.)
make the exact payment for
sin. (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians
5:19)
The forty days (not
including Sundays) of the
Season of Lent gives us the
opportunity to really
appreciate — as best we
sinners are able — what God
has done for us.
It is really quite simple
after all.
We — sinners — need
forgiveness for our sin —
Jesus — suffers death and
pays for our sin — the Holy
Spirit creates faith to believe
that Jesus is our Savior — we
have forgiveness, new life, and
heaven is our final destination
— SIMPLE, SIMPLE,
SIMPLE!
FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS.
Simply put, God loved the
world so much that He sent
His Son, Jesus Christ, to
suffer and die in order to
In Jesus’ name,
Pastor Miller
MARCH 2015
Christ’s Messenger
is published monthly by
Christ Lutheran Church
64565 Pierson Blvd.
All Mail: P.O. Box 669
Desert Hot Springs, CA
92240
760-329-9292
ALL correspondence for
church & Messenger:
[email protected]
!!!
Messenger on the Web!
WEBSITE ADDRESS:
dhschristlutheran.org
Deadline for copy: All articles
are to be in the church office by the
15th of the month. Editor reserves
the right to edit for content and
space. The Aoril Messenger will be
assembled on Friday, March 27
at 9:00 a.m.
Page 2
Christ’s Messenger
BOOK REVIEW
I'm sure you all remember the author Lorena
McCourtney, who wrote the wonderfully funny detective series of the unflappable Grandma. Granted, it
has been several years since I did those reviews, but,
the books should be in the library. I don't remember
all the titles but one of them is Invisible. So be sure
and check that out.
This month, you might have already guessed, I have
another one of Lorena's books. This one is an E-book,
so I am unable to donate it to church, but, it is fairly
inexpensive and if you have a computer that is all you
need. This is another series called the Kate Kinkaid
Files Mysteries and All Dolled Up is book number
one.
Kate has been out of work and has ended up living
with her Aunt and Uncle. Her Uncle is a Private
Detective and Kate is trying her luck under his tutelage. Unfortunately, her Uncle has an accident and
Kate is left to do a simple job alone, but, this job is far
from being simple. Before she knows what happened
she is neck deep in a murder case and she is the only
one who can solve it. Along the way, she meets Mitch
who has a heart of gold and a habit of being a Knight
in Shining armor. That is a good thing because Kate
needs someone she can really count on in this business and someone who also shares in her beliefs.
This book is also available in book form as well as
electronic so I hope you'll check it out and let me
know what you think. I hope you enjoy it as much as
I did.
You know the human mind is always growing no
matter your age, so.........
…read a book cuz your brain is starving!
Dottie West
PLEASE COME TO HELP!
Editor: Karen Miller
[email protected]
Pastor: Paul E. Miller
[email protected]
Before you go to bed on
Saturday, March 7, set your
clocks ahead 1 hour!
MARCH 2015
Page 3
Christ’s Messenger
March 29
Jason & Marcy Goss
Rita Goss
The Grah Family
1
3
5
6
7
8
11
13
14
15
17
19
20
21
26
27
31
Patty Carter
Daniel Miró
Frank Tierney
Jillian Rainey
Ed Rauch
Amber Gondek
Solveig Peck
Alex Kuhr
Jim Hinman
Azucena (Susie) Miró
Mel Newman
*Halia Timberlake
Evelyn Price
Audrey Stencel
*Grace Anne Dewell
Betty Nyberg
Bettie Hunter
Georgia von Ravensberg
Perly Baynes
Terry Danne
*Youth under 18!
8
17
19
25
Forrest & Connie Skaggs
Jim & Lois Lundquist
Wayne & Jane Propst
Raul & Dorothy Sanchez
March 1
Bob & Karen Fletcher
Kari Flint
Rich & Ann Found
We cycle through our
roster and pray for 3
families each week in our
Sunday Service.
March 8
Russ & Ellen Fox
Mary Frank
Steve & Nancy Galford
March 15
Mike & Lorraine
George
Art & Linda Gercken
Jim & Sandra Giefer
March 22
George Glau
Michael Gnot
Pauline Gnot
CALL: Sarah
Rasmussen:
1-760-251-3505
or EMAIL:
[email protected]
or Church Office:
1-760-329-9292
GOOD ST. PATRICK
On March 17, many churches, especially those with a
large Irish population, will celebrate the life of St. Patrick.
He grew up in a Christian home in Britain, but wasn’t very
religious until a major event changed his life. As a teen, he
was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland, but escaped
to Gaul (France) after six years. The years of enslavement
strengthened his faith. He later wrote, “In that strange
land [Ireland], the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes.” He
was led by God’s voice to return to Ireland where he led
people to Christianity tribe by tribe.
Because Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, those who
celebrate St. Patrick’s Day will wear something green.
Some Christians will even color food or drink green. Many
Christians will also eat corned beef and cabbage and decorate tables with shamrocks. Shamrocks are actually threeleaf (not four-leaf) clover plants. Legend has it that St.
Patrick used the three leaves to teach about the Holy
Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
MARCH 2015
Page 4
Christ’s Messenger
(See Puzzle, page 12)
MARCH 2015
!
W
WO
Page 5
WOMEN IN MISSION
s I begin this newsletter
article it is always somewhat a puzzle to come up
with an introduction.
The special music by Jerry
Tonder and Jim Lindgren at
last Sundays worship service
lingers in my mind. Their
music was so beautiful as
they sang, “How Great Thou
Art,” a hymn I’ve loved since
the first time I heard it many
years ago.
We are currently in the
Lenten season and the third
verse of that hymn bears
emphasizing. The words are
as follows: “But when I
think that God, His Son not
sparing, sent Him to die, I
scarce can take it in — that
on the cross my burden
gladly bearing, He bled and
died to take away my sin;
Then sings my soul, my
Savior God to Thee, How
great thou art! How great
thou art!”
Jesus gave His life for us,
what should we do for Him?
Ephesians 5:2 tells us to
“Walk in love, just as Christ
also loved you and gave
Himself up for us.” Should
we not live in friendship and
fellowship with others?
That’s why the church, the
body of Christ, is very important, for there we are drawn
together in love and mutual
encouragement. We need to
take advantage of every
opportunity we can to gather
in the name of Jesus. Our
LWML activities and meetings are a way to do just that.
Our meetings are built
around Jesus — prayer,
praise, scripture, service,
missions, fellowship and
much more.
Here is your first opportunity: March 12th at 9:00
a.m. is LWML Workshop
Day! We straighten up and
replenish the pew supplies,
trim Campbell labels, cut
used greeting cards and
other tasks as needed. The
labels and cards are part of
our mission projects. Won’t
you come and lend a helping
hand?
March 14th at 8:30 a.m.
LWML Zone Meeting
Another opportunity:
March 19th at 10:00 a.m.
LWML Fellowship and
Regular Meeting. Bring a
sack lunch — dessert and
drinks will be served by our
hostesses. Sonnie Faga leads
†
Christ’s Messenger
LWML
our devotions. Our program
for this month will be presented by Nita Hallman and
Janet Cramer, who have
been very involved in
Bethesda/Good
Shepherd Communities.
This will be a chance to say
farewell to Nita as she is
moving out of the area.
Hostesses for the meeting
are Bettie Heitz and Helen
Lewis.
This is a great time to get to
know one another better and
learn of ways we can reach
out to others. Please join us.
If you need a ride, call the
church office and we’ll make
arrangements.
In closing I share with you
the first verse of our LWML
Theme Song: “Lutheran
women, one and all, we
have heard the Gospel call.
We by faith have seen our
Lord crucified and then
restored. We have seen Him
pay the price, for our sins a
sacrifice. Him we Lord and
Christ acclaim and unite to
praise His name.”
Let us “Serve the Lord
with gladness!”
Mary Bass, President
MARCH 2015
Page 6
Our Soup Suppers have
begun. We had three different
soups and assorted crackers
and yummy desserts. The fellowship was great.
Yes it is! I have to remind
myself daily that God provides
my days and I should be glad
in it. Sometimes I just get to
consumed by my work and
lose sight of all my blessings.
Here’s a great blessing:
Pastor and I have another
great-grandson, Kyle, born
February 7. Mother, Dad and
baby almost didn’t make it to
the hospital in time. Our family is close by and all are
healthy.some are newly in
love. Oh, my!
The storage area in the
south side of the church is
organized…a bit. We have
shelves that are almost filled.
The LWML Workday crew
cleaning up the room to the
left of the altar area. They
sorted music and banners.
Thank you to all ho helped.
Our new paraments have been
shipped and can hardly wait
until they get here. To my
knowledge, Christ Lutheran
has never had paraments.
They were possible with donations from members and a
church in Santa Ana. God is
good!
There is talk of a raffle
for a beautiful quilt made possible by Lois Bremer and Vi
Miller. Before Vi left for home
this last time, Lois gave her
the makings of a quilt. Well,
we received the finished product and it is wonderful. We
will be selling tickets soon.
You don’t have to be present
to win. Just think, $10 can
purchas a lovely homemade
quilt. Think about it.
We get people asking,
“You didn’t have all of these
faceted stained glass window
in the old church, did you!”
The answer is, yes. and no. We
had an extra one made for the
Fellowship Hall. It depicts
loaves and fish.
Claudel Palmer is now at
home for rehab. Sarah
Rasmussen now had her
foot out of the boot/shoe she
had been wearing. Jim and
Lois Lundquist still need
prayers for their health issues.
Christ’s Messenger
We lost another dear friend
last month also. Oddvard
Straumë made it out of
surgery, but went home with
his Lord a few days later.
Oddie was over 100 years old.
Snowbirds! We are so
glad to have you back! It’s
great to worship with you
again. Some of you folks
haven’t made it back yet! Are
you coming?
We miss our dear brothers
and sisters who are unable to
come to church: Bob Ellison,
Hulda Kreiss, Jim & Lois
Lundquist and Dottie
West. Continue to keep ALL
of these brothers and sisters in
Christ in your prayers.
Drop us a line, send an
email or come to DHS! It’s
been great to hear from you
while you are away. The
emails are always welcome.
It’s always great to know
you’re thinking of CLC in good
’ol DHS. Take care of each
other and give and get at least
one hug a day.
☺
the secatari ❣
Before
you go to
bed on
Saturday,
March 7,
set your
clocks
ahead
one
hour!
MARCH 2015
Page 7
Christ’s Messenger
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
MARCH 1
MARCH 15
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16
Romans 5:1–11
Mark 8:27–38
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Numbers 21:4_9
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14–21
MARCH 8
MARCH 22
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
Exodus 20:1–17
1 Corinthians 1:18–31
John 2:13–22 (23–25)
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Jeremiah 31:31–34
Hebrews 5:1–10
Mark 10:(32–34) 35–45
MARCH 29
PALM SUNDAAY
SUNDAY OF THE PASSION
Zechariah 9:9–12
Philippians 2:5–11
Mark 14:1–15:47
Pastor’s sermons are based
on these readings.
BIBLE QUIZ
In the 8th century B.C., a prophet
of God condemned the sinfulness of
many of Jerusalem’s citizens. On
behalf of God, he chastised anyone
who abused power, was unjust toward
the poor and used bribes and position
to gain money and status. He even
condemned prideful women who
walked “with outstretched necks,
glancing wantonly with their eyes,
mincing along as they go, tinkling
with their feet.” (He was referring to
little bells attached to women’s
ankles.)
Who was that prophet?
A. Isaiah
B. Amos
C. Hosea
D. Jeremiah
(See 3:16 ff,
NRSV, of the
book with
the prophet’s
name.)
(see quiz, page 12)
WE HAVE TOMORROW!
During the Korean conflict, Marguerite
Higgins, an award winning reporter covering the
war, asked a young soldier, “If I could give you
anything in the world you wanted, what would
you ask for?”
It was a freezing day. The soldier was eating out
of a tin can. His face was a bit muddy. He thought
about Miss Higgins’ question for a few seconds,
and then replied, “Give me tomorrow.”
Christians are people who not only have today,
but also have tomorrow. That is, because we are
people who believe in the resurrected Christ, we
believe that whatever comes, whatever happens to
us in this life, we will be victorious. The Bible proclaims that “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54, NRSV).
St. Paul put it this way: “Thanks be to God, who
gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57, NRSV). We who trust
in the God who raised Jesus from the dead have
tomorrow already assured.
MARCH 2015
Page 8
This outline is a devotional reading plan that
covers the entire Sacred Scriptures each
year. The average reading is three chapters daily. A seasonal canticle is
assigned for each month and is scheduled to replace the psalm on the first
and last days of the month. All of the
psalms are read twice a year. The lectionary is in accordance with Martin
Luther’s suggestions: “But let the entire
MARCH Bible Readings
11 Isaiah 64:1–9
Numbers16–18
2 Psalm 85
Numbers 19–21
3 Psalm 86
Numbers 22–24
4 Psalm 87
Numbers 25–27
5 Psalm 88
Numbers 28–30
6 Psalm 89
Numbers 31–33
7 Psalm 90
Numbers 34–36
8 Psalm 91
Deuteronomy 1–3
9 Psalm 92
Deuteronoomy 4–6
10 Psalm 93
Deuteronomy 7–9
11 Psalm 94
Deuteronomy 10–12
12 Psalm 95
Deuteronomy 13–15
13 Psalm 96
Deuteronomy 16–18
14 Psalm 97
Deuteronomy 19–21
15 Psalm 98
Deuteronomy 22–24
16 Psalm 99
Deuteronomy 25–27
17 Psalm 100
Deuteronomy 28–30
18 Psalm 101
Deuteronomy 31–34
19 Psalm 102
Luke 1
20 Psalm 103
Luke 2-3
21 Psalm 104
Luke 4–5
22 Psalm105
Luke 6–7
23 Psalm 106
Luke 8–9
24 Psalm 107
Luke 10–11
25 Psalm 108
Luke 12–13
26 Psalm 109
Luke 14–15
27 Psalm 110
Luke16–17
28 Psalm 111
Luke 18–19
29 Psalm 112
Luke 20-21
30 Psalm 113
Luke 22
31 Isaiah 64:1–9
Luke 23–24
†
Christ’s Messenger
Psalter, divided in parts, remain in use and
the entire Scriptures, divided
into lections, let this be preserved in the ears of the
church.”
Also: “After that
another book should be selected, and so on, until the entire
Bible has been read through,
and where one does not understand it, pass that by and glorify God.
APRIL Bible Readings
11 Isaiah 25:1–9
Romans 1—3
2 Psalm 114
Romans 4—6
3 Psalm 115
Romans 7—9
4 Psalm 116
Romans 10—13
5 Psalm 117
Romans 14—16
6 Psalm 118
1Corinthians 1—3
7 Psalm 119:1–8
1Corinthians 4—6
8 Psalm 119:9–16
1Corinthians 7—9
9 Psalm 119:17–24
1Corinthians 10—11
10 Psalm 119:25–32
1Corinthians 12—14
11 Psalm 119:33–40
1Corinthians 15—16
12 Psalm 119:41–48
2Corinthians 1—4
13 Psalm 119:49–56
2Corinthians 5—7
14 Psalm 119:57–64
2Corinthians 8—10
15 Psalm 119:65–72
2Corinthians11—13
16 Psalm 119:73–80
Galatians 1—3
17 Psalm 119:81–88
Galatians 4—6
18 Psalm 119:89–96
Ephesians 1—3
19 Psalm 119:97–104
Ephesians 4—6
20 Psalm 119:105–
112
Philippians 1—2
21 Psalm 119:113–
120
Philippians 3—4
22 Psalm 119:121–
128
Colossians 1—2
23 Psalm 119:129–
136
Colossians 3—4
24 Psalm 119:137–
144
1Thessalonians 1—3
25 Psalm 119:145–
152
1Thessalonians 4—5
26 Psalm 119:153–
160
MARCH 2015
1
SUNDAY
MITES
8:45 a.m.
Page 9
MONDAY
2
Pastor
&
Karen’s
Day of
Rest
3
TUES
4
Christ’s Messenger
WED
Soup
Supper
5:30 p.m.
Lent 3
7 p.m.
5
THURSDAY
9 a.m.
DHS
Ministerial/
Community
Meeting
3p.m. the Cove
8
8:45 a.m.
SS/Bible Class
Worship 10 a.m.
9
Pastor
&
Karen’s
Day of
Rest
10
Noon
Elders
7 p.m.
Church
Council
11
Soup
Supper
5:30 p.m.
16
8:45 a.m.
Pastor
SS/Bible Class
&
Karen’s
Day of
Rest
17
22
23
Pastor
&
Karen’s
Day of
Rest
24
29
30
Palm Sunday Pastor
&
8:45 a.m.
Karen’s
SS/Bible
Worship 10 a.m. Day of
Rest
27
8:45 a.m.
SS/Bible Class
Worship 10 a.m.
18
3p.m. the Cove
19
Soup
10 a.m.
Supper
Women’s
5:30 p.m. Fellowship
Lent 5
7 p.m.
Worship 10 a.m.
9 a.m.
LWML
Lent 4
7 p.m.
♥
15
12
LWML
Meeting
FRIDAY
6
9 a.m.
Secatari’s
Helpers
Noon
Choir
13
9 a.m.
Secatari’s
Helpers
SAT
7
Before
you go to
bed,set
your
clocks
ahead
one
hour!
14
Noon
Choir
20
21
1st Day
of Spring
9 a.m.
Secatari’s
Helpers
Noon
3p.m.the Cove Choir
26
27
28
25
9
a.m.
Soup
Assemble
Winkel at Messenger
Supper
Hemet
5:30 p.m.
9 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
Lent 6
Secatari’s
CERTS
7 p.m.
Helpers
Meeting/CLC
NOON
3p.m.the Cove Choir
31
February
April 2015
February 2015
2015
MARCH 2015
Page 10
Christ’s Messenger
THOSE WHO SERVE IN MARCH
If you cannot serve, please call:
!
Chet Panique @ 1-760-318-3152
or email: [email protected]
ACOLYTE
MARCH 1
MARCH 8
MARCH 15
MARCH 22
MARCH 29
Palm Sunday
Tyler Robinson
Owen Matas
Tyrell Robinson
Owen Matas
Tyler Robinson
Svend Lerche
Scott Matas
ALTAR
GUILD
Bettie Heitz
Lois Bremer
ELDER
Scott Matas
FLOWERS
Svend Lerche
Scott Matas
Please consider signing up for flowers!
Nathan & Karen
GREETERS
Johnson
USHERS
Bettie Heitz
Lois Bremer
Stan & Mary
Bass
Bettie Heitz
Jeanette Nunn
Sonnie Faga
LaVon Lindgren
Julie Wrankle
Bettie Heitz
Ken & Marcy
Griffin
Dick Willis
Dave Nunn
Cyrus & Jan
Robbins
Laura Roberts
Jim Lindren
Kim Robinson
Jean Van Beveran
SUNDAY SCHOOL STAFF
Mary Bass & Victoria Soderlind
LENTEN
MIDWEEK
MARCH 4
7 p.m.
MARCH 11
7 p.m.
MARCH 18
7 p.m.
MARCH 25
7 p.m.
ACOLYTE
Owen Matas
Tyrell Robinson
Tyrell Robinson
Owen Matas
Scott Matas
Ken & Marcy
Griffin
Jim Lindgren
Laura Roberts
Svend Lerche
George Glau
Cathy Campbell
Kim Robinson
Jean Van Beveran
Scott Matas
Sharon Willis
Nancy Sonnichsen
Dick Willis
Kim Robinson
Svend Lerche
Sonnie Faga
Jeanette Nunn
David Nunn
Jim Lindgren
ELDER
GREETERS
USHERS
A PRAYER REQUEST
In Dr. Burns’ Prescription for Happiness, comedian-actor George Burns wrote that after he
played “God” in a movie, he received a letter simply addressed to “God — Beverly Hills, California.”
It was from a 6-year-old boy who asked “God” to keep it from raining on the day of his baseball
team’s championship game. The boy ended by saying, “Don’t forget; it’s this Sunday.”
Burns said he guessed it didn’t rain that day because he later received another letter from the boy
that read, “Thanks, but we lost.”
(Page 4) PUZZLE ANSWER:
rain, eggs, chick, flowers, butterfly, mud
“Jesus said, ‘I am returning to my Father and
your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
(pg 8) QUIZ ANSWER: A. Isaiah
MARCH 2015
Page 11
Christ’s Messenger
More Pics from the Dedication!
“There is a…
season for every
activity under
heaven…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
…Our Season is NOW!
Christ Lutheran Church
64565 Pierson Blvd.
P.O. BOX 669
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
760-329-9292
This Newsletter taken to the DHS Post Office on 2/27/15
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
IN
THIS
I S S U E
Pastor’s Page
1
Book Review
2
God’s Family
3
Fun & Games
4
Women’s Page
5
Bits & Pieces
6
Bible Quiz
7
Bible in 1 year!
8
March Calendar
8
Those Who Serve
10
CLC in action!
11
w
e
N
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 26
Desert Hot Springs, CA
s!
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n
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n
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