Rejoice! The Fourth Sunday in Lent is “Laetare,” rejoice! The Gospel we’ll hear is St. John’s account of the feeding of the 5,000. Why is that reason for rejoicing? Because Jesus knew what He was going to do. His disciples had no clue. The people were just there and they needed to eat. Jesus already knew that they would need taking care of. He already intended that He would feed them. The rejoicing isn’t that Jesus fed the 5,000. It’s that He did it despite the unbelief of His own disciples and despite the great need of the crowd that didn’t seem to know they needed to eat or where they would get food. In other words, we rejoice because God knows before we do what we need and has already planned to take care of us. How much more that He knows we are sinners who can’t save ourselves! So from the foundation of the world the Lord had intended to become flesh and suffer and die for us to redeem us and give us life. If Jesus can fill the bellies of 5,000 hungry people, He can surely give His flesh as the life of the world and make it a bread which gives eternal life. Come feast on that bread this week, the Fourth Sunday in Lent!
REJOICE IN YOUR ROSE AND PINK!
Since it’s Laetare, the rose-colored Sunday, let’s rejoice by wearing our rose and pink to church! It’s a fun way to celebrate the joy of Laetare together!
NEW SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY BOOK
This Sunday we’re going to begin reading Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. It’s a book of the Bible that has tons of awesome good news! We’re starting a new book, it’s a great time to start joining us for Bible Study. Remember, you will never be called on to read aloud and there are no dumb questions. We want to learn and grow in God’s Word together!
HELP FOR UKRAINE
If you missed the bulletin insert last week about ways to donate for relief for the people of Ukraine, we have some extras available in the narthex. If you’d like to donate online through LCMS Mission Advancement, you can do that HERE.
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT
Take some extra time during this Lenten season to hear God’s Word and receive His gifts. Divine Service is each Wednesday at 7pm and will be a different service than Sunday, with an emphasis on the gifts of Baptism and Confession.
ADOPT A SHUT-IN
If you’ve adopted a shut-in, I hope you’ve reached out to them in some way to let them know the church remembers them. Let Pastor know how it’s going and thank you for taking on a little something extra for Lent that no doubt means a great deal to those brothers and sisters in Christ!
EASTER EGG HUNT!
A reminder that our Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, April 9, 10:00 AM. We’ll have music, the Easter Bunny, and the egg hunt! Children of all ages are welcome.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SCHEDULE
Here’s the schedule for Holy Week and Easter as you plan ahead.
Palm Sunday, April 10 – 9am Festival Divine Service with Palm Processional and St. Matthew’s Passion
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in Holy Week, April 11, 12, and 13 – 7pmDivine Services on the different Passion Readings.
Maundy Thursday, April 14 – 7pm Divine Service concluding with the Stripping of the Altar
Good Friday, April 15 – Noon Divine Service on the Seven Words from the Cross and 7pm Chief Divine Service with service of darkness.
Holy Saturday, April 16 – 6pm – The Awe-Inspiring Vigil of Easter
Easter Sunday, April 17 – 7:45 and 10:30am Festival Divine Service and 9am Easter Breakfast hosted by the Elders.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FOR 2022-23
Enrollment for next School Year begins this week! If you know anyone with children ages 3 years old through Second Grade, send them our way for more information on our Christ-centered academic excellence! UPDATE ON PETER POLLACK
Peter is now in a rehab facility. Please pray for his continued increase in strength in his lungs as he continues his long recovery. You can sends cards to the Pollacks here:
6490 Breece Rd
Mount Vernon, OH 43050 LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
You can watch live and find recorded services at the links below:
Our videos are also live and recorded on YOUTUBE HERE.
Jesus feeds the 5,000 so that they will learn there is a great bread: It’s Jesus, who is the Bread of Life. He gives His flesh for the life of the world. He gives us His flesh to eat with the bread and His blood with the wine so that we might be joined to Him and He to us and we will have the fulfillment of His promise that He will raise us from the dead and gives us everlasting life. Sounds like a reason to be at the Divine Service! See you there!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow
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