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!
What Matters Most
God doesn't look at outward appearances. God looks at the heart. Do you know what he sees? Find out this Sunday, March 22 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 Texas
In our prayers this week, we lift up missionary pastor Mekru Bekele and his wife Mentewab as they reach out to Ethiopian immigrants in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area through Emmanuel Ethiopian Church. We support Pastor Bekele’s work with our gifts to Texas Partners in Mission (TPIM.) Ten percent of our Sunday morning offerings are donated to TPIM.
LifeGroups
NEW! For Women—Evening
Join us for a study of the passion of the Christ as recorded in the gospel of John. Mondays at 7:00 p.m. See the article below for a list of daily readings for this study.
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.
Location: The Peterson's home 2839 Pond Apple Drive, Schertz
Questions? 945-7952
NEW! For Women—Daytime
(We're having a fellowship event this Wednesday, March 25. See more information below.) Beginning April 1, we will be studying I & II Timothy, looking into the instructions Timothy received for church leadership, and the encouragement Paul gave him for his faith. Join us on Wednesdays, beginning April 1, at 9:00 a.m.
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
Passion of the Christ
The Monday night Women's Bible Study group is reading the story of Jesus' passion as recorded in the gospel of John. You can read along with them as they work through the story. Here are their readings for the upcoming week.
March 22 John 12:44 -47
March 23 John 12:46-50
March 24 John 13:1-11
March 25 John 13:12-15
March 26 John 13:16-20
March 27 John 13:21-30
Ladies—You’re Invited
All ladies are invited to go shopping and have lunch at Bracken Village on Wednesday, March 25. Meet at Sherri Smith's house (3309 Dusty Crossing, Schertz) at 9:00 a.m. for fellowship and then head out to Bracken at 10 a. m. Be sure to invite your female friends to join us! For more info, call Cheryl Gibson, 945-7915
Easter Plans
Our plans for Easter are shaping up! When you decide where you want to help, contact the team leaders listed below or sign up on the RSVP form at worship this Sunday.
Children’s Activity Team
Leader: Becky Peterson, 945-7952
This team will plan special Easter activities for the children which may include Easter Bingo, face painting, coloring, crafts, etc… Already on this team: Bingo—Ana Koester; Face painting/games—Maizey & Hayden Cardy, Hanna Weissmann; Color sheets—Jayme Edwards; Kites—Archie Wortham; Where needed—Mary Flowers, Cooper Osgood, Mick Molina, Ashley Kersten
Invitation Team
Leader: Sherlyn Scott, 566-2579
This team will assemble invitations and egg dye kits into door knob hanger bags. These will be available on Sunday, April 5 for you to distribute in your neighborhood. Volunteers will be needed that evening to distribute the remaining bags and then stuff eggs for the egg hunt and coordinate the hunt. Already on this team: Deliver invites—Fites, Leibles; Tyler Osgood, Stemmermanns, Worthams, Toby & Mick Molina, Cheryl Gibson
Worship Team
Leader: Ken Mitschke, 566-2237
This team will make our Easter celebration complete by greeting visitors and enhancing worship with special music and drama. Already on this team: Greeter—Betty Tolsma; Drama/Music—Moores, Jayme Edwards, Archie Wortham, Whites, Mitschkes, Mary Flowers, Tyler & Michelle Osgood, John Goeke
Decorations Team
Leader: Shirley Christiansen, 830-885-6437
This team will help beautify our celebration with their special touches! Already on this team: Shirley Steward, Weissmanns
Breakfast Team
Leader: Bob Gibson, 945-7915
This team will provide a delicious Easter breakfast for everyone at worship. Check the Info Table for a sign-up sheet for necessary items. Already on this team: David Koester, Patrick Fite, Osgoods, Stemmermanns, Molinas, David Scagliola, Chris Stemmermann
Easter Donations Needed
We need donations of various items to assist with our Easter celebration. There will be a box in the lobby this Sunday for donations of plastic eggs and individually wrapped candy for the egg hunt. You may also deposit prize donations in this box. We’ll give these away in our children’s activity area. Also, stop by the Info Table and sign up to bring items for the Easter breakfast.
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, 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.
Good Friday Tenebrae Service
Join us on Friday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. for this special worship experience at 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions]. The word ‘tenebrae’ is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events of Good Friday. The service is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until Easter Day. Invite your friends and family to join you for this moving worship experience.
Dear Friends,
I received a complete financial report from the LCMS World Mission. You are helping the mission of God in Kenya. THANK YOU, with God's blessing. My wife Lidia and I have worked for the last two years at the Uhuru Highway Lutheran Cathedral. We are just beginning our second term for two more years. Your support, added to the support of many other friends, is a blessing and allows us to be here. Check out http://pastorwinterle.blogspot.com for more about our vital work! Pastor Carlos & Lidia Winterle
Lutheran Inter-City Network Coalition (LINC) San Antonio
Area LCMS Lutherans are combining efforts and resources to intentionally reach the multi-cultural and urban people of the San Antonio area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They plan to equip and train servant leaders for ongoing ministry to care for the spiritual and physical needs of our neighbors. In the future, LINC will work to start new ministries in the area, support existing ministries and reach out to all cultures and ethnicities.
A planning task force has been formed and a ministry description has been written for a called Mission Developer. The Texas District has agree to help in this endeavor by providing a $50,000 matching grant. Now, the matching portion is needed through donations from local congregations and individuals. To find out more, pick up a LINC brochure from the Info Table this Sunday or talk to Pastor Mitschke.
Love Won Out
Do you have a family member, friend or acquaintance who is homosexual? 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. (Pastor Ken attended a training seminar led by the keynote speakers and recommends this conference.) You’ll also be better equipped to articulate God’s truth within your family, church and culture.
This one-day conference is only held five times a year. We’re blessed that it will be held in San Antonio this year on Saturday, April 18 at Westover Hills Assembly of God (9340 Westover Hills Blvd). The registration fee is $50 in advance and $60 at the door. To register, call 1-800-AFAMILY or register online at www.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.
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
Looks Don't Matter … Do They? - "What your appearance really means to your spouse..." [more]
Family Night Fun - "Have a blast learning more about God..." [more]
Never Thin Enough - "I'm surrounded by constant reminders: pictures of models, skinny friends, and jeans that are too tight..." [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 not looking at outward appearances like we do, for looking into the heart, for making Christ our righteousness and placing Him in our hearts
for rain
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 look at others as God looks at us, to look beyond outward appearance, intelligence, power and fame and instead look at the heart, to see ourselves and all people as those who are loved by Christ, who are pursued and treasured by Him
to bless missionary pastor Mekru Bekeleas and Emmanuel Ethiopian Church as they reach out to people in the Dallas, Fort Worth area
to direct us to a friend, neighbor, coworker, family members or acquaintance to invite to our Resurrection Celebration
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 Darius Stewart who wants to attend seminary
to bless Myles Wortham & Cam Szala with safety as they travel home from Turkey with their school
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, Mickey Molina, 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 Iraqto 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, Vonda Boerger, Kurt Bickel, Susan Doering and to comfort and strengthen their families
to empower us to make it hard for people to go to hell from our cities.
Join us in prayer wherever you are! You may leave prayer requests at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Hearty Fun
A four year old was at the pediatrician for a check up. As the doctor looked down her ears with an otoscope, he asked, "Do you think I'll find Big Bird in here?" The little girl stayed silent. Next, the doctor took a tongue depressor and looked down her throat. He asked, "Do you think I'll find the Cookie Monster down there?" Again, the little girl was silent. Then the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest. As he listened to her heart beat, he asked, "Do you think I'll hear Barney in there?" "Oh, no!" the little girl replied. "Jesus is in my heart. Barney's on my underpants."
Just a Thought
In 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do. After they expressed their desire to fund a memorial, Eliot impatiently said, "Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship." "We were thinking of something more substantial than that... perhaps a building," the woman replied. In a patronizing tone, Eliot brushed aside the idea as being too expensive and the couple departed. The next year, Eliot learned that this plain pair had gone elsewhere and established a $26 million memorial named Leland Stanford Junior University, better known today as Stanford!
- Today in the Word, June 11, 1992.
Pastor Ken Mitschke
<()><
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