Lord of Life will soon be observing Holy Week which begins on Palm Sunday.  On Palm Sunday we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem to begin the week of his Passion.  The story of the triumphal entry is recorded in Luke 19:29-38.  It is a day filled with joy.  Worshippers take palm branches and wave them in honor of our king just as the people of Jerusalem did so many years ago. Palm Sunday worship is at 8:30 and 10am on March 28.

On the evening of Palm Sunday at 5pm, Lord of Life will be hosting a Seder Dinner.  The Seder was the same meal Jesus observed on the night he was betrayed.  We might normally do this on Maundy Thursday, but for time consideration, it is more conveniently observed by families on a Sunday night.

Maundy Thursday is a strange name.  Maundy comes from the same word we get the word mandate.  The name references Jesus words on this night when he said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)  On this night we recall the events in the Upper Room when Jesus had his ‘last supper’ with his disciples and instituted the Lord’s Supper.  Maundy Thursday worship is at 7pm on April 1.

Good Friday is a service filled with darkness and sorrow.  We recognize that Jesus died for our sins.  Yet, we also call this day “good” because we know he died to win the forgiveness of our sins.  We also call it “good” because we know that Friday is not the end of the story.  Sunday is coming!  We leave this worship in silence and sorrow.  Yet, we leave in anticipation our Savior lives and reigns.  Good Friday worship is at 7pm on April 2.

Not According to Plan
Saturday March 6, 2010
8:00 am – 9:30 am

If you have been disappointed, discouraged and it seems like things just aren’t working the way you planned, what next? If you have faced Job Loss, Bills that don’t get paid, Marriage that struggles because of financial difficulty and a seemingly dead end. IF you have ever wondered what would happen if it all came down, come hear Jim Mozdren who has gone thru ten years that changed everything for him and his family.

You will hear:

• What happens when the bills start piling up
• How are decisions affected in tense and difficult times
• How relationships with friends, family and marriage suffers under pressure
• How Jesus will carry you in these days when you let him.
• When it all comes down, life goes on…it’s not over and in many ways it’s better.

Hear this moving story from a man who is learning not to lean on the arm of flesh. Dependence on the Spirit of God living in him carries him to this day. Invite someone who is in the middle of what must to them be the most difficult situations. People will be ministered to. We will pray for one another as the Spirit Leads. I promise you will be encouraged.

Not According to Plan
Find Hope – Share Hope

Here is the latest update from Lutheran Church Charities on the Haiti Relief Supply collection.  Keep praying for the supplies to reach those who need them the most.

• Jan 17 thru Jan 31 – Collection Sites received donations for Haiti relief
• Feb 1st and 2nd – Donations were picked up from the 22 Illinois Collection Sites. As full trucks arrived at the Itasca warehouse, the first shift of volunteers were there to unload, sort, box, pallet, band, and weigh the donations for shipping. 230 volunteers from 90 area congregation worked three shifts for two days and prepared 122 pallets for shipping. In total, over 43 tons of supplies will be shipped to Haiti from the Illinois area!!! Another 45 tons will be shipped from the out-of-state locations! What A Difference this will make to those in Haiti in need.
• Feb. 4th – all but four pallets were loaded into two 53-foot semis which left late that morning for the warehouse of Cross International in South Carolina.
• Early the morning of Feb. 5th – the two semis arrived in South Carolina at Cross International and were unloaded then loaded into shipping containers.
• Feb 13th – three more semis left Chicago for South Carolina with soup powder, baby ointment, rice milk and the final four pallets of food items from our warehouse. We also have a truck being sent up to South Carolina from New Orleans containing Creole beans and rice, and an additional 250 pallets (20,500 cases) of bottled water being sent by rail from California.
• The week of March 1st – in Rochester, NY the next containers bound for Haiti will be packed and picked up by Orphan Grain Train and shipped to Haiti.
• March 11th – LCC President Tim Hetzner and 14 other LCC volunteers from various congregation will fly down to Haiti. The team is made up of medical personnel who will serve in a medical clinic, and other volunteers who will operate a eyeglass clinic in conjunction with the medical clinic. Later that week the team members will conduct a VBS for the children of Jeremie. Tim and two other LCC volunteers will work with President Markey Kessa to distribute relief supplies through the Lutheran congregation in Haiti.