April 2018

First Lutheran Church Albert Lea, MN www.flcal.org

APRIL MESSENGER V OLUME LXVIIl+ N O .4

MARCH 22, 2018

HOLY WEEK AT FLC

First Lutheran Church + F.L.C. + For the Love of Christ

Palm Sunday, March 25— 8 am, 9:15 am and 10:30 am Holy Wednesday, March 28 — 12:15 pm Service Maundy Thursday, March 29— 7 pm Communion Good Friday, March 30— 7 pm Easter Vigil, March 31 — 7 pm Communion

Pastor John’s Letter

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Cash Cards

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What’s Happening at FLC?

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April Calendar

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Memorials

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Miscellaneous Information

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Musical Notes

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April 1, Easter Sunday— 8:00 am and 10:30 am Festival Holy Communion

Easter Egg Hunt April 1, 2018 —- Easter Sunday 11:45 A.M. in Central Park Bring your own Basket!

For ages Infant-6th Grade

The 2018 Paschal Candle is presented in loving memory of Juel, Bea & Charles Nelson given by Mike & Sue Jordan. Thank you.

THE MISSION OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH IS: TO GATHER, EQUIP, AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO JOYFULLY DO 1

CHRIST’S WORK.

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Rejoice in the Lord

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Dear Friends in Christ, The Pleasures of Life and the Resurrection There are many wholesome pleasures in life... a gentle spring breeze, a spectacular sunrise or sunset, the coo of a new baby, a hearty laugh, an old familiar hymn, an inspiring new praise song, a visit with a friend, sweet memories, a project completed, a good meal, when your team wins... Oh my, this list could go on and on!

Psalm 16:11 says: You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Did you catch that? “...joy in Your presence...” The greatest joys and pleasures are found in the Lord. It’s because God is the source of all the good, wholesome pleasures in life. As it says in James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

With all that’s negative, harmful, painful and wrong in the world, it’s good to know that God is good. All of our sins and mistakes can be forgiven. That’s because of the surpassing worth of the One who gave Himself for us on a cross about 1,985 years ago. Jesus died that we might be set free and live to enjoy His good and perfect gifts. The miracle of miracles and pleasure of pleasures is that Jesus rose from the dead! Sin and death came through the sin of Adam and the sin we continue. The message of Christ’s resurrection reminds us: For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (I Corinthians 15:22) Jesus came and conquered the worst in life so that we could have the sweetest of victories through faith in Him: But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57) But that’s not all. Now, it’s our good pleasure to serve Christ. Our service does not save us.

Jesus already has saved us. Our response is to trust in Him, to receive Him into our lives and to be found in Him. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Corinthians 5:17) Our pleasurable response is to serve God with joy by serving our families, co-workers, community, congregation, wherever we are called. Even when it’s hard we persevere by Christ’s strength. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

(Philippians 4:13) Our gatherings together in church are where God encourages us, and we encourage one another. We learn, grow and serve together. In this we live out the Resurrection. The great joy of the Resurrection is that the best in life comes with Jesus! The last verse of the great Resurrection chapter of the Bible reminds us: Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (I Corinthians 15:58) All said, the greatest pleasure is: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

See you in church.

In the Light of His love, Pastor

John F. Holt

P.S.—I encourage you to attend all of our Holy Week services: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings March 29, 30 & 31 at 7:00 pm. Together they tell the story of our Lord’s Passion and Resurrection. Then come Easter Sunday, April 1, at 8:00 or 10:30 am! He is risen, indeed!

Watch for a congregational meeting soon sharing Centennial & Long Range Planning updates.

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FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN (FLCW) APRIL PROGRAM

CARING AND SHARING APRIL 2018—ESTHER Judy Mullen 373-0026 Bonnie Trampel 373-1665

Co-chairs

Workers Janice Brandt

Marge LaFrance Brenda Ludtke

Rachel Christensen

Kristin Larson

Marilyn Sasser

Julie Johnson

Rosemary Vangen

Wednesday, April 11, 2018 1:15 p.m.

Program: Understanding the Current Student Demographics of the School District By: Diane Schultz and Mary Jo Dorman Circle Roll Call Devotions: Jo Hanson Offering Prayer: Jo Hanson

Cakes DeeAnn Bergland

Darcy Hauser

Judy Palmateer

Joni Cather

Belinda Krysan

Coral Ringoen

Shannon Cookle

Marilyn Light

Nancy Royce

Jean Eaton

Robyn Mattson

Holly Stevens

Doris Hagen

Barb Morfitt

Amber Stricker

Jane Hanson

Jody Nechanicky Tamera Wencl

MAY PROGRAM Wednesday, May 9, 2018 1:15 p.m.

Program: All American Tea Bring your favorite tea cup/saucer!

Please wear red, white and blue Devotions: TBD

Blue Earth River Conference Salem Lutheran Church, Albert Lea

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Central Freeborn Lutheran Church will be assisting with the event. Registration at 8 am, session from 9 - 11:30 am. There is no noon lunch. Registration is $7 and please make checks payable to SE MN WELCA. Keynote speaker is Tim O’Shields, Minister of Music, Worship and Arts at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Tim will be a senior at Luther Seminary in the fall of 2018 and will be sharing his “Growing Faith” experience.

Mother’s Day Specials Target $25—Herberger’s $25, $50 and $100—Applebee’s $25 Let your Mom do her own shopping by giving a cash card!

Graduation Specials Target $25—Amazon $25—Itunes $15 and $25 Give a graduating Senior the gift of a cash card to help them prepare for college!

Cash Cards are sold on Sunday in the Gathering space from 9-10:30 or can be bought in the First Lutheran Church office anytime!

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT FLC? Congregational Update April 22, 2018 at 11:30 in the Sanctuary You don’t want to miss this update. We will be giving an overview of our centennial teams and what they are hard at work on. Also, we will give an update on the Long Range Planning Team and what the goals and future holds for our Beautiful building!

Don’t Miss this chance to hear what First Lutheran has planned!!!

MN Adult & Teen Challenge Choir Will be here at FLC to give song and testimony at all 3 services.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

What a fantastic response we are getting to the cookbook.

Recently I was asked about special diet recipes, i.e. , diabetic, fat free, gluten free, low or no salt. Are these recipes wanted for the cookbook? ABSOLUTELY! This is your cookbook, so we want your recipes in it. Is your name missing from the recipe submissions? Remember, the goal is to include at least one recipe from every family unit. The deadline will be published before long. Please help us reach our 400 recipe target and submit your treasured recipe as soon as you can.

Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings will

be in our community on Friday, May 11, 2018 at First Lutheran Church. Ultrasound screenings to identify risk factors for Cardiovascular disease include: Carotid Artery (plaque buildup-a leading cause of stroke), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), Peripheral Arterial Disease (hardening of the arteries in the legs), a Heart Rhythm Screening (an EKG to detect Atrial Fibrillation-irregular heartbeat) and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for men and women.

Being proactive about your health by knowing your risks helps you and your doctor address problems early. Pricing is by tests performed.

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Mission Trip to Haiti Update 12 members from our community will be heading to Haiti April 2-9 for a short term mission trip!

Leading is our Church administrator Kara Heinemann, working in the mission field with her, Lori Ericksen, Jane Loge, Rachel Alberts, Jody Bakken, Brandi Hagen, Josh Bice, Bodie Bice, Elise Jenkover, Lisa Jenkover, Mollee Tscholl and Emily Golbuff.

babies, infants and kids that are seriously ill and dying. We will care for them, rock them, pray over them and sing to them.

While in Haiti we will visit 5 orphanages where we will spend time with the kids playing, doing Christian crafts, having conversations about Jesus and the love he has for all of us. We will spend a lot of time helping them grow in their faith.

We will also tour the nearby cities to learn about the country of Haiti and helping with job creation.

Worshiping at Grace Church with 300-400 Haitian kids and adults, and visit the mass grave site which is where over 150,000 people are buried from the earth quake that happened 10 years ago.

We will also be delivering clean drinking water to the poorest slums in Haiti 2 of the days we are there. We will haul water bucket by bucket to peoples “homes”. This is a very fun and eye opening day, as some of these people have not had clean drinking water in weeks!

Healing Haiti the organization we are going with cares for 25-30 Elders in city Soliel and we will get the opportunity to visit 4 of them. We bring them a hot meal, pray over them and just visit.

We have a very full week and we are all so excited to experience Haiti and all it has to offer us! We can’t wait to see how these experiences change our lives!

Please pray for our trip and for the people we will be visiting in Haiti and for God to bless them in One of the hardest but most rewarding days we will be visiting the home for sick and dying babies. ways we cannot imagine!

While we are there we will hold and care of Kara Heinemann

FLC YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS First Lutheran Church will be hosting a TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) Retreat the weekend of April 20-22.

TEC is an ecumenical Christian ministry that is not affiliated with a specific denomination. Their mission is to strive to enrich the lives of teenagers and encourage them to dig deeper into their faith through being active in their faith communities. TEC encourages teens to grow their faith through relationships, Bible studies, and being a leader in their church.

TEC #111 April 20—22 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea

Cost: $40 For youth in 9th –12th Grade To find out more contact Jordan (373-6424) or go to www.southerntec.org 5

April 2018 Sun 1

Easter Sunday

8 am-Easter Festival Worship-w/Comm.-S 10:30 am-Easter Festival Worship-w/Comm.-S

Mon 3

2 Easter Monday

8 am- Traditional Worship-S 9:15 am-Worship-C

9:15 am-Sunday School 9:15 am-Donut Hour-YR 9:15 am-Immersion-BH

10:30 am-Praise & Worship-S

2 pm-TEC Pre-Retreat meeting-BH

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8 am-Traditional w/Comm.-S 9:15 am-Worship w/Comm.-C

9:15 am-Sunday School 9:15 am-Donut Hour-YR 9:15 am-Immersion-BH

10:30 am-Praise & Worship w/Comm.-S

12 pm-Christian Solo’s meet 2 pm-TEC Pre-Retreat meeting-BH

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8 am- Traditional Worship-S 9:15 am-Worship-C

9:15 am-Sunday School 9:15 am-Donut Hour-YR 9:15 am-Immersion-BH

10:30 am-Praise & Worship-S

TEC Weekend Event–all day-whole building

Choir at all services

9:15 am-Sunday School 9:15 am-Donut Hour-YR 9:15 am-Immersion-BH 9:30 am-New Member Orientation-P

10:30 am-Praise & Worship-S 11:30 am-Congregational Update-S

3 pm-Thorne Crest -Grace

6:30 pm-Commissions-BH 7 pm-Narcotics Anonymous-MPR 7:30 pm-Spirit Express Band & Singers Rehearsal

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9 9 am-Holidays Ahead Crafting-BH

7 pm-Narcotics Anonymous-RR

8 am-Happiness Is a Blanket-MPR 9:30 am-Staff meeting-P 1 pm-St. John’s on Fountain Lake-Hayward 2:30 pm-Senior Towers-Hayward 7 pm-Narcotics Anonymous-MPR 7:30 pm-Spirit Express Band & Singers Rehearsal

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16 9 am-Holidays Ahead Crafting-BH 5:30 pm-Finance Committee-P 6:30 pm-Church Council meets-P 7 pm-Narcotics Anonymous-RR

8 am-Happiness Is a Blanket-MPR 9:30 am-Staff meeting-P 11 am-Library Board meets-L 7 pm-Narcotics Anonymous-MPR 7:30 pm-Spirit Express Band & Singers Rehearsal

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23 9 am-Holidays Ahead Crafting-BH 6 pm-MC #6-MPR 7 pm-Narcotics Anonymous-RR

29 MN Adult & Teen Challenge 30 8 am- Traditional Worship-S 9:15 am-Worship-C

8 am-Happiness Is a Blanket-MPR

Church Office & Building Closed 6 pm-Welcome Ministry Team-GS

11:45 am-Easter Egg Hunt-Central Park (infant through 6th grade)

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Tue

9 am-Holidays Ahead Crafting-BH

7 pm-Narcotics Anonymous-RR

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8 am-Happiness Is a Blanket-MPR 9:30 am-Staff meeting-P 5:30 pm-Sweet Hour of Prayer-C 7 pm-Narcotics Anonymous-MPR 7:30 pm-Spirit Express Band & Singers Rehearsal

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8 am-Prayer G 9 am-FLCW Boa 9 am- Staff me 9:30 am-Bible S 10:30 am-Good Communion-FL

3 pm-Oak Park ion-FLC

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8 am-Prayer 9:30 am-Bibl

1:15 pm-FLCW 5:30 pm-Bell 6:30 pm-Con 6:30 pm-FLC 7 pm-Eikon-Y

18 8 am-Prayer

9:30 am-Bibl

1:30 pm-MC 1:30 pm-MC 5:30 pm-Bell 6:30 pm-Con 6:30 pm-FLC 7 pm-Eikon-Y

25 8 am-Prayer

9:30 am-Bibl

12:30 pm-Me 5:30 pm-Bell 6:30 pm-Con 6:30 pm-FLC

Wed

Thu 5

roup-PR ard mtg.-P eeting-L Study-MPR d Samaritan LC

k Pl Commun-

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5:30 pm-Bell Choir Rehearsal 6:30 pm-Confirmation 6:30 pm-FLC Choir Rehearsal 1 & 5:15 pm-Tops-RR 3 pm-Yoga Calm Class-RR 7 pm-Eikon-YR 5:30 pm-Al-Anon-P 5:30 pm-Al-Anon kids-N 6 pm-Girl Scouts-MPR

Sat 7 10 am-Alcoholics Anonymous-MPR

1 pm-Hardanger-MPR

6:30 pm-Worship w/Comm.-C

r Group-PR le Study-MPR

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1 & 5:15 pm-Tops-RR 2:30 pm-St. John’s Comm.-Salem 3 pm-Yoga Calm Class-RR 5:30 pm-Al-Anon-P 5:30 pm-Al-Anon kids-N

1 pm-Hardanger-MPR

19 10:30 am-Prairie Senior

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14 10 am-Alcoholics Anonymous-MPR

W Program-BH l Choir Rehearsal nfirmation Choir Rehearsal YR

2 pm-SOH-Healthcare dinner and Silent Auction-BH

6:30 pm-Worship -C

r Group-PR le Study-MPR

Cottages Communion-FLC

r Group-PR le Study-MPR

TEC Weekend Event – all day-whole building

1 & 5:15 pm-Tops-RR 3 pm-Yoga Calm Class-RR 5:30 pm-Al-Anon-P 5:30 pm-Al-Anon kids-N TEC Weekend Event –all daywhole building

#12-MPR #31-P l Choir Rehearsal nfirmation Choir Rehearsal YR

1 pm-Hardanger-MPR

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TEC Weekend Event–all day-whole building 9:30 am-MC #20-P 10 am-Alcoholics Anonymous-MPR

6:30 pm-Worship w/Comm.-C

7 pm-Eikon-YR

essenger Crew l Choir Rehearsal nfirmation Choir Rehearsal

BH=Bethany Hall MPR=Multi-Purpose Room Room

Fri

S=Sanctuary

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1 & 5:15 pm-Tops-RR 3 pm-Yoga Calm Class-RR 5:30 pm-Al-Anon-P 5:30 pm-Al-Anon kids-N

1 pm-Hardanger-MPR

28 10 am-Alcoholics Anonymous-MPR

6:30 pm-Worship -C

C= Chapel N= Nursery

CR=Choir Room P =Parlor

SL=South Lot YR=Youth Room

MC= Mission Circle PR= Prayer Room

RR=Resource

w/Comm.=with Holy Communion 7

MEMORIALS, HONORS & SPECIAL GIFTS PEACE & POWER FUND In Memory Of: LaVerne Olson given by: Ben & Phyllis Fredrickson Joy Johnsrud given by: Judy Hellie, Wanda Dorman, Beverly Grotsun, Al & Tep Christensen, Monrad & Karen Mandsager, Ione Kelly, Dale & Dorothy Baldwin, Beulah Wiegand, Harriet Harne Larry King given by: Norman & Pat Bangert, Bob & Sharon Johnson Beverly Moen given by: Family & friends Victor “Vic” Nelson given by: Marge Moine, Darv & Marcia Habben, Millard & Phyllis Hamborg, Ronald Johnson, Sharon Lombard, Jim & MaryAlice Hanson, Fred Friedrichsen, Richard & Frieda Boelke Earl Thompson - father of Mark Thompson given by: Marge Moine, Phyllis Ulland, Duane & Eunice Hatleli, Marvyl Dahl, Grace Haukoos, Family & friends Sister-in-Law June Engebretson given by: Carlyle & Janet Engebretson Earl Thompson - neighbor & friend given by: Carlyle & Janet Engebretson Sheila Hanson given by: Sharon Wakefield, Bill & Ann Satre, Herbert & Karen Brand, Dennis & Carol Colstrup Sheila Hanson - Special friend of Lew Olson given by: John & Barb Cliff Friends - Elaine Johnson Jahns & Barb Lunning Wright given by: Dennis & Carol Colstrup Shirley Gunderson given by: Marvyl Dahl All my friends given by: Joy White Barbara Geesman given by: Ben & Phyllis Fredrickson Twylla Larson given by: Ben & Phyllis Fredrickson Gloria Hareid given by: Mary Lee Peterson Arliss Bachtle given by: Dennis & Carol Colstrup Clarence Beenken given by: Bev Nelson In Honor Of: Gerald Wangen for his 90th birthday given by: Millard & Phyllis Hamborg Gifts Given By: Norm & Joyce Fredin, Kitty Sandsmark, First Lutheran Church Women of Albert Lea, MN, Patricia Tallman, Janice Heusinkveld, Raymond & VaLane Tyler, Donald & Jennifer Grovdahl, West Freeborn

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Lutheran Church of Hartland, MN, Inge Rhiger, Colleen Politz, Leroy & Garnet Folie RADIO FUND In Memory Of: My aunt Dolores Fjeldberg for her March 19th birthday given by: Jane Maiden Gifts Given By: First Lutheran Church Women of Albert Lea, MN ORGAN FUND In Memory Of: Maury Anderson given by: Vern & Shirley Strand YOUTH CAMPERSHIPS FUND Gifts Given By: First Lutheran Church Women of Albert Lea, MN PRAYER SHAWL FUND Gifts Given By: First Lutheran Church Women of Albert Lea, MN SANCTUARY LIGHTING FUND In Honor Of: The Ushers of First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea, MN given by: Mary Nelson Gloria Hareid given by: Steve & Sandy Nesse Gifts Given By: David & Susan Olson HELPING FAMILIES FUND In Memory Of: Jerome Long—father of Pastor Sean Forde given by: Vern & Shirley Strand Easton LaFrance given by: Vern & Shirley Forde Joy Johnsrud given by: Hugh & Marie Webb, Stanley & Arvilla Johnson My nephew Bradley John Harshbarger who died unexpectedly on New Year’s Day at the age of 56 given by: Anne Marie Harshbarger My classmate Cheri Register given by: Janice & Larry Lestrud Gerald Bosacker brother of Diane Olson given by: Larry & Janice Lestrud HAPPINESS IS A BLANKET FUND Gifts Given By: First Lutheran Church Women of Albert Lea, MN DAVID & SUSAN OLSON ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory Of: Dennis L. Olson brother of David R. Olson given by: David & Susan Olson

MEMORIALS, HONORS & SPECIAL GIFTS (cont.)

TUCKPOINTING & STEEPLE REPAIR FUND In Memory Of: My dad Arnie Maiden & uncle Al Maiden for their April 28th birthdays given by: Jane Maiden

NURSERY FUND In Memory Of: Blake Ryan Adams great grandson of Carol Leschefske given by: Mission Circle #12 of First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea, MN

PRAYER REQUESTS Our Continued Prayers are requested for healing and wholeness for:

Betty Abben, Adeline Baker, Alan J. Christensen, Mary Ann Christian, Millard Hamborg, Gregg Hatleli, Breckyn Heinemann, Karen Houge, Marlene Jensen, Judy Madson, Tate Manahl, Luke Marcs, Fred (Fritz) Moran, Jim Olivero, Michael Olson, Colleen Politz, Steven Seeger, Betty Stolaas, Warren VanRiper, Christina Woodside and…safety for people serving in the Armed Forces, and their families.

PERSONAL VISITATION BY THE PASTORS To support people at the time of illness or injury we pastors do make personal visits in the hospital, homes or Care Centers. We occasionally check local hospital lists, but sometimes names do not show up on the list. So, please, call, if you want us to know. Do not hesitate to call the church [373-6424], if you have not seen a pastor and would like to request a visit. We try to be available in emergencies. ‘After hours’ the church phone system will automatically put your call through to the pastor ‘on call’ by keying #3. We ask permission before we include a name on our printed prayer list.

Please let us know if you want to be on the list or be visited.~ Your FLC Pastors

SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS SUPPORT GROUP Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group will meet Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 6:30 to 7:30pm. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide is welcome. We offer support and understanding to each other, helping individuals know they are not alone in suffering their tragic loss, especially during the holidays.. Friends and family are welcome! The group meets monthly, every 3rd Tuesday, for 1 hour, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 S. Washington Ave. Albert Lea, in Jacobsen Fellowship Hall. Those attending please enter through the door off of the parking lot. For more information or with questions you may call John or Jodi at 507/377-0332 or Judy at 507/373-2461.

Pastoral Records Baptism

Anders Lee Sather, March 18, 2018

Funerals

Gary Bush, March 3, 2018 Bernie Montgomery, March 20, 2018 9

MISCELLANEOUS FLC INFORMATION FIRST LUTHERAN MESSENGER (USPS196-560)

Periodicals postage paid at

Published by First Lutheran Church (Monthly)

Albert Lea, Minnesota 56007

301 West Clark Street, Albert Lea, MN Subscription price $1.00 per year (Postmaster send address correction to 301 W. Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007)

February 2018 Financial Reports - Year-to-Date FLC General Fund (G.F.) Actual Budget Offerings Other Income Total Income Expenses Surplus (Deficit) January 1, 2018 February 28, 2018

Radio Income Expense Net gain (loss)

$88,164 26,850 $115,014 $133,188 ($18,174) $150,868 $132,694

Over/(Under)

$120,022 ($31,858) 21,195 $5,655 $141,217 ($26,203) $141,217 8,029 -0($18,174) G.F. ‘Fund Balance’ G.F. ‘Fund Balance’

FLC Broadcast Ministries

Actual $715 2,244 ($1,529)

Peace & Power Income Expense Net gain (loss)

Actual $10,102 6,491 $3,611

STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION Our stewardship should reflect the joy we experience in sharing the gifts God so generously supplies. Giving is an act of joy; it is also a form of worship and an expression of thankfulness for all God gives us. As we prepare to commit our time, talent and monetary gifts, we should give thanks, ask for guidance, and rejoice as we give of ourselves and our resources. Jesus gave us a commission, spread the gospel to everyone, everywhere. How do you plan to share with the church, the community and others this year?

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OFFICE: Phone (507) 373-6424; E-mail: firstoffice@flcal.org; Fax 373-6330 Mailing address—301 W. Clark St., Albert Lea, MN 56007 Office Hours- Monday- Thursday: 8am-5pm; Friday: 8am-4:45pm Building Hours- Monday – Thursday: 7am-8:30pm; Friday: 8am-4:45pm Saturday: 8am-12pm; Sunday: 7am-12pm Other times by appointment or as meetings/events are scheduled Web site–www.flcal.org PASTORAL STAFF e-mails and emergency telephone numbers: Pastor John Holt, johnh@flcal.org (Cell–383-4750; Home–377-0046) Pastor Sean Forde sean@flcal.org (Cell 772-323-1778) 10

MUSICAL NOTES "I have seen the Lord!" Those are the words of Mary Magdalene in John 20:18, when she proclaims to the disciples that she has seen the risen Lord. She did not have a cell phone with a camera or video capability so she could capture the event--like we would today. It was pure. It was real.

God made sure that Mary was in the right place at the right time to lay her eyes personally on the Risen Jesus Christ. Yes--this woman, whom Jesus had healed and loved, was the first eye-witness of the risen Christ in John's Gospel. What did she do? She went to the disciples and "witnessed' to them, "I have seen the Lord!" It was her "witness" that confronted the grieving disciples and informed them that death could not hold their Lord. "I have seen the Lord!"

Today, we are still called to be those witnesses to the world to proclaim and shout, "I have seen the Lord!" The world we live in spins further and further out of control. More and more people are just not interested in hearing that we know the risen Lord and he is our Lord and Savior. That does not mean that we simply shout the message louder. It means that we never give up on SHARING the good news and LIVING the good news so that others see Christ in how we speak, act, and think. Peace to all, Tim ONGOING IN APRIL AND MAY— First Lutheran Church Choir--Open to ages youth through adult--Wednesday Rehearsals from 6:30 to 8 PM. You don't have to read music! We will work with you!

First Lutheran Church Hand Bell Choir--Open to ages youth through adult--Wednesday Rehearsals from 5:30 to 6:25 PM. We are looking for music readers for bells!

Spirit Express Band and Singers--Open to ages youth through adult--Tuesday Rehearsals from 7:15 to 8:45 PM. We are always looking for singers and band players!

SPECIAL THINGS Coming Up: Ascension Day Festival Holy Communion--Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 6:30 PM in First Lutheran Church Sanctuary Heavenly Harp Concert-Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 7 PM Thanks for your prayers and support.

Peace, Tim tim@flcal.org, 507-373-6424, 303-887-4513

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Come Worship With Us Meet New Friends Sunday Worship Schedule 8 am — Traditional Worship Service* 9:15 am — Worship in the Chapel* 9:15 am — Sunday School 9:15 am — Immersion in Bethany Hall 10:30 am — Praise & Worship* Thursday Worship Schedule: 6:30 pm—Worship Service in the Chapel * * Holy Communion: First & Third Sundays and Thursdays each month

First Lutheran Church 301 W Clark St. Albert Lea, MN 56007

Periodicals Postage Paid at Albert Lea, MN 56007

Sunday Worship Broadcasts 10:00 a.m. - Peace & Power-KAAL TV- Channel 6 (11:00 a.m. - KATE RADIO AM 1450

First Lutheran Church—F.L.C.—For the Love of Christ

[Address label here]

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