We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
Living Lent
Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a time to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. The faithful rededicated themselves to the Lord and converts were instructed in the faith. By observing the forty days of Lent, Christians re-member Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days and journey with Him through the tests and temptations of life to crucifixion, death, burial and glorious new life!
Reflect, Repent and Be Reconciled
God asked us through the prophet Joel, "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Together we’ll reflect, repent and look forward to the cross and empty tomb. Join us this Sunday, March 1 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions].
Nursery (infant to age 3)
A caring nursery is available for children infant – age 3 at any time during the worship service on Sundays in the Mother’s Room, to the left as you exit the worship area.
Movers & Shakers (ages 2-4)
Children ages 2-4 are invited to Movers & Shakers during the LifeLesson portion of worship after the children's talk for a fun learning time. Join us in the Mother's room, to the left as you exit the worship area. Interested in helping with Movers & Shakers? Contact Isabella White at 650-3166.
J.A.M. (ages 5-8)
Children ages 5-8 are invited to join us for J.A.M., our age appropriate worship/learning experience for children, just after the Children's message this Sunday! Interested in helping with J.A.M.? Contact David White at 650-3166.
Just for Tweens (ages 9-12)
Kids ages 9—12 are invited to be a part of Tweens, a group specially designed for them. Join them on Sunday during the LifeLesson portion of worship for this fun learning experience. Want to know more? Call David White at 650-3166.
Grace Prayer Team
Know the miraculous power of prayer. Word of Life has a team of prayer warriors ready to pray for you. The team meets on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. [map and directions] to pray for the morning worship and other needs. Also, prayer partners will be available to pray with you or for you after worship. Just come to the right side of the worship area.
If you would like the team to pray for you throughout the week, just let Pastor Ken know (566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com), and he will share your request with the team. Want to be on this exciting prayer team? Contact Betty Tolsma 659-8107 or bettytolsma@sbcglobal.net.
Building a Bigger Heaven in Brazil
In our prayers this week, we’re remembering missionary pastor André Dreher as he reaches out to people in Governador Valadares, Brazil. We support his work through our gifts to the Brazil Mission Society (BMS). Ten percent of our Sunday morning offerings are given to BMS.
LifeGroups
For Women—Evening
Join us for a study of Esther. Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Patti Mitschke’s home 1531 Jasmine Dr, Schertz
Questions? 566-1650
For Students
Students in 7th grade and up are invited to join us on Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. for a study of “The Beatitudes.”
Location: The Peterson's home 2839 Pond Apple Drive, Schertz
Questions? 945-7952
For Women—Daytime
Join us on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. for the Beth Moore study, “A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place.”
Location: Sherri Smith's home 3309 Dusty Crossing, Schertz
Questions? 659-2585
For Men
Start your workday off right with time in the Word and with other men of God. Join us on Fridays, 6:30 a.m.
Location: IHOP 17220 I-35, Schertz
Questions? 566-2237
The Time has Come to… Starve for Food!
Assuming it takes you two minutes to read this e-newsletter, 36 children under the age of five will have died by the time you have finished. 36 CHILDREN. And those deaths are from hunger, poverty, and hunger-related diseases – all completely preventable. The good news is that our youth group has decided to do something about it: World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. The problem is huge, but the solution is not. Just $30 a month –roughly $1 a day – can help feed and care for a child in most developing countries.
As students go 30 hours without food, they’ll get a taste of what it’s like to be hungry, all the while reaching out to others in need. And as they do that, their compassion will grow: for people around the world, and right here at home. Please help our youth group by:
Praying for the Famine participants, and for those they’re working to save.
Supporting Famine participants with a donation. It’s through your gifts that lives are changed forever.
Our 30 Hour Famine event will start by meeting at Sherlyn’s, 831 Fern Meadow Dr, Universal City this Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. First they’ll journey to Enchanted Rock, trek to the top and enjoy the Hill Country scenery. After a full day there, they’ll return to the Scott’s house for a Shrek-Fest before rolling out sleeping bags for some sleep. They’ll break the fast Sunday morning, March 8 at a local restaurant.
Bring $10 for Sunday morning breakfast, donations for World Vision, Bibles, backpack, comfortable shoes for hiking, pillow, sleeping bag and toiletries.
Easter Plans
It’s time to start thinking and planning our Word of Life Easter celebration. Easter is Sunday, April 12. Please plan to stay after worship on Sunday, March 8, to discuss our Easter plans. Start thinking now about visitor friendly Easter activities and be ready to share them with others! If you can’t be with us on March 8, but you would like to help with the Easter events, please contact Patti Mitschke at Patti@WordofLife4u.com
Women’s Seminar
All Word of Life women and their friends are invited to a one day seminar hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church in south Austin on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m.—2:30 p.m. The seminar speaker will be our own Patti Mitschke. Her theme—My True Identity, based on Isaiah 43:1, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.” The cost is $25 per person and includes a catered lunch. Childcare will be provided. For more information, contact Patti Mitschke, Patti@WordofLife4u.com.
Helpful Resources
We have a limited number of very helpful, bestselling books at great prices on our Resource Table in the lobby. There are copies of The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman which lists for $15 available for $6 and copies of The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey which lists for $25 available for $10. We provide these at our cost. Purchases are on the honor system. Just write “Resource Table” in the memo line of your check or place cash in a “Resource Table” envelope and place it in the offering box. If you’re in a financial crisis and would read The Total Money Makeover but can’t spare $10, a member has offered to cover the cost of your book, just let Pastor Ken know.
Chris Stemmermann has a few books she has found very helpful which she is making available on loan: Live Your Life for Half the Price by Mary Hunt, Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey, Debt-Free Living by Larry Burkett, Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom by Stephanie Nelson, Debt Proof Your Kids by Mary Hunt, Debt Proof Living by Mary Hunt, and Getting out of Debt Pocket Guide by Howard Dayton, Jr. Contact Chris: 566-1401
Love Won Out
Do you know someone who struggles with homosexuality? Focus on the Family cares and wants to help you respond in a Christ-like way. Nationally known Christian experts will address issues ranging from why some people struggle with same-sex attraction to the profound significance of God’s created intent for sexuality. You’ll also be better equipped to articulate God’s truth within your family and church.
The one-day conference, with sessions designed for teens, youth leaders, family members and others, will be held on Saturday, April 18 at Westover Hills Assembly of God. The registration fee is $50 in advance and $60 at the door. To register, call 1-800-AFAMILY or register online at lovewonout.com.
Online Calendar
You've read through the WordofLife4u. You sense what God wants you to do, but how do you keep track of events to invite your friends and neighbors to, groups where you can grow, and ministries where you can use your gifts to make a real difference? Check out our online calendar at: www.WordofLife4u.com/calendar.
Shortcuts to the Word of Life Website
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Listen Online to Worship at Word of Life
If you have a broadband internet connection, you can listen to audio streams of recent worship services at Word of Life, or you can download a recording of the service to your computer or mp3 player and listen whenever you'd like. Click here! and you'll be directed to our Worship at Word of Life page. Left-click on "Stream" to listen to a service right away or click on "Download" (some require a right-click) to download a service to your computer and/or connected mp3 player to listen to later. You can view, save or print a copy of the LifeLesson notes too.
"Better Life" Links
Jesus' Unanswered Prayers - "Even God's Son didn't get an instant reply..." [more]
The Beginning of Lent - "Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar..." [more]
Lent - Several articles and resources for Lent, Palm Sunday and Holy Week [more]
www.LentenDevotions.net - Read, listen to or download these devotions to enhance your observance of Lent throughout the week [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for taking on frail flesh and experiencing troubles and sorrows even more deeply than we, for drinking every last drop of the righteous wrath which would have been certain and eternal death for us, for winning the battle of Gethsemane while Your disciples slept, for winning the war of our salvation even when we were dead in our trespasses
for the safe return of Filip Malka from Iraq
for good or improving health
for our nation and our leaders, for standing guard over our troops and their families, and for those who have been wounded or who have sacrificed their lives defending us
for all the resources He has entrusted to our care, and we ask God to bless the gifts we offer Him today to help build a bigger heaven and better lives.
We Ask God…
to inspire and empower us to wake up, to pray, to resist temptation and to join Christ in His redemptive work of rescuing people from the road to hell and bringing them along with us to heaven
to bless missionary pastor Hiram Orea and the ministry of Centro Cristiano Luterano as they reach out to people in Dallas
to direct us to the piece of property which will best help us reach our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for resources to help us buy it
to comfort the victims of persecution, terrorism and disaster
to bless our leaders with godly wisdom and guidance that they may lead us according to His will
to bless Juan Pizarro with leave in May to be with Brittany during her surgery and graduation from college
to bless John Hunter as he goes through Marine boot camp and Josh Yates in Army school
to bless Ana Koester, Chuck Tolsma & Brad Moser with employment
to protect our troops abroad, especially David Jason Berkland, Dustin Osgood, and Nathan Zimmerman in Iraq
to protect Howard Leasure in Iraq
to comfort the family of Laura Laird (Mark Stemmermann’s sister, Art’s daughter) as they mourn her death and to comfort Pastor Jon Heiliger and family mourning his father’s death
to heal Shirley Goeke, John Bowden, Lisa Flowers, Debra Gutierrez, Art Stemmermann, Anni Rua, Dot Dacier, Katherine Knowles, Jordan Hernandez, Bea Bernthal and Erwin Michalk; to heal those battling cancer: Matthew Provencio, Manuel Coloura, Cindy, Todd Reineck, Zach Vangundy, Amanda Conniff, Brandon Landsbury, Ruie Pines, Natalie, Pam Smith, Ann Dube, Vonda Boerger, Kurt Bickel, Susan Doering and to comfort and strengthen their families
to empower us to make it easy for people to go to heaven.
Join us in prayer wherever you are! You may leave prayer requests at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Repentance Fun
The wages of sin is death. Repent before payday.
Just a Thought
Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved.
-Martin Luther
Pastor Ken Mitschke
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P.S. For past issues or to subscribe [WordofLife4u].
Word of Life Fellowship-LCMS
1531 Jasmine Dr
Schertz TX 78154-3738
www.WordofLife4u.com
210-566-2237
Ken@WordofLife4u.com
We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
Word of Life Fellowship LCMS
1531 Jasmine Dr
Schertz TX 78154-3738
Pastor Ken Mitschke
210-566-2237
Ken@WordofLife4u.com