Reconciler Almost Weekly Update

O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy:
you accepted the sacrifice of your Son,
who have himself up for the sake of all.
You train us by his teaching
and school us in his obedience,
that as we walk his way of sacrifice,
we may come to share in your glory.
For these and all your mercies, we praise you:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Blessed be God for ever!

The first two lines in thie prayer have been echoing through my head of late. Lent is a season that reminds me of my frailty. Fasting will do that to me sometimes. My hunger reminds me of how absolutely dependent I am upon the people around me...to give me work, to farm or herd, and to run the grocery stores. This is a mirror of our absolute dependence upon God. Indeed we should praise God for the many mercies we receive. And we should pray for those who are not as fortunate as we to have work, or food for the table. May God open our hearts and our borders so that we may give life to one another.

Peace and all Good Things,

Tripp Hudgins
Pastoral Team

Announcements:

Chronos or Kairos:
Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend. Be certain to change your clocks when you go to bed on Saturday evening ahead one hour. Spring forward!

Church Council:
We will have a Council Meeting this Thursday, March 15, 7:30pm at the 'Nidge. So, come one! Come all! The meetings at Reconciler are always fun!

Holy Week and Easter:
We are having joint worship services Holy Week and Easter Day with the Immanuel and St Elias Lutheran congregations. On Easter Sunday, we will not be having our regular evening service at 6:00 p.m., but will have a joint service with Immanuel at 10:30 a.m.

For Holy week, there will be a Maundy Thursday service at 7:30 p.m., a Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m., and an Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a festive reception following the Vigil. These are wonderful services, each with their own unique character and flavor. We hope you will join us for as many of them as you can.

If you are interested in taking part in lay leadership roles in any of the above services please talk with Laura, Larry or Tripp. Monte Johnson is asking for volunteers from all three congregations to read Scripture, help with artistic displays in the sanctuary and Founder's Hall (where part of the Vigil will take place and the post-Vigil reception will be held), and to help set up Founder's Hall for the Vigil and after the Vigil (for Easter Sunday). Also, if you would be interested in singing in the Immanuel Choir -- and are willing to attend at least two rehearsals, Wednedays at 7:30 at Immanuel -- let one of the pastors know. Thanks.

Bible Study:
Our Bible Study will conclude this Wednesday. Please read the last two chapters of Peterson's work. We will begin a new Bible study after Easter on April 18. More information is forthcoming.

Retreat:
Tripp has been unsuccessful in reaching the Guestmaster at the Benedictine monastery in Bridgeport. We may have some other options in place for those who might be interested. Again, more information is forthcoming.