Risen Christ Lutheran Church

41 E Possum Road. Springfield, Oh 45502 (937) 323-3688 www.risenchristlcms.org

Revelation for Easter Morning

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

(Revelation 2:10c-11)

Easter is just around the corner! We will continue our journey through the remainder of Lent, focusing on the churches of Revelation and the lessons Jesus would have our congregation learn from each. A crown is what we focused on while at Smyrna during our first midweek service, and a crown is going to be our focus during our last service of this series. But this time the crown is yours! For I have the joy of proclaiming to you on the third day: life after death, resurrection for those whom believe in the Risen Christ, and a crown for those who endure!

Between now and then, though, so many other wonderful events are going to be happening.

Sunday, April 7 New couples and individuals formally are received into membership. Welcome Bob and LouAnn Shepherd, Fritz and Diane Jeanneret, Jeff and Caitlin Parks, David Zilz, and Bill Alexander to our Risen Christ family. A reception in their honor will be conducted between services.

Sunday, April 14 On Palm Sunday five 8th graders will deliver their sermonettes and undergo the Rite of Confirmation. A reception in the honor of Isabel Brown, Alex Ervin, Colin Linderman, Dakota Roy, and Kelsey Vollrath will be held at 9:30 am.

Maundy Thursday, April 18 We will receive the Lord’s body and blood together as we remember Jesus’ Last Supper. Our 7th graders will make up the first table as they receive their first communions together.

Good Friday, April 19 I will conduct the Chief Service at 12 noon and the Tenebrae (Service of Darkness) at 7 pm, which have us focus on Christ’s suffering for our sin. Both are very powerful services.

Easter Sunday, April 21 We will enter the sanctuary in jubilation, praising our Savior for bringing us victory over sin, death, and the devil. Services will be at their regular times. An Easter Breakfast will be served between (No Sunday School that day!).

Participate in as many of these services as you are able, and invite your friends to attend the Good Friday and Easter Sunday service with you. This is the time of year when many hearts are open to hearing the Gospel!

~ Pastor Rich

Church Office

Staff Pastor Richard Tursic Elders Randy Schwarz Rob Hunt Bob Craven Jamie McGuffey Philip Sears Office Manager Celeste Whitehead CrossTalk Publisher Celeste Whitehead

School Staff Administrator Rebecca Reid Director of Records Kathy Ackley Preschool Director Alivia Rucker Preschool Aide Karen Dunn Kindergarten Megan Ramsey 1st Grade Teacher Heidi Congleton 2nd Grade Teacher Deb Rutledge 3rd Grade Teacher Jeff Parks 4th, 5th & 6th Grade Teachers Caitlin Everhart Anna Schack Before Care Lillian Swain School Support Staff Betty Ward Lisa Mulkey

• Ed Berg for resetting the clocks after Daylight Savings Time. • Phil Hawkins for repairing narthex chair. • Scott Tursic for taking excess kitchen items to Camp Birch and Goodwill. • Randy Schwarz for sorting through music. • The 10 IFC volunteers • Bob Dahle for the database and Statistical Report assistance. • Paul Bok for arranging for cleaning of carpets.

1 Alex Ervin Jon Linderman

3 Gab Turner 5 Denna Johnson Noelle Wiebeck

8 Marcella Caskey Danny Click

9 Constance Ryman 11 Joe Baumgardner 16 David Arnold 17 Rich Davis 19 Bob Dahle 20 Bob Craven 22 Eliza Cassity 26 Bill Lambacher

2 Rob & Lindsey Koval Philip & Linda Sears Greg & Chandra Shrader

29 Jamie & Amy McGuffey 30 Gene & Jo Baumgardner

1 Kayla Hall 4 Aaron Buck 8 Sandi Click Danny Click

11 Howard Romaker 12 Randy Schwarz 13 Michaela Kaiser 14 Stephen Wiebeck 15 Charles McKee

Sydney Butcher Click 16 Johnny Bacevic III 19 Margie Kuziak 22 Jon Linderman 27 Michelle Dahle 28 Amy Windeknecht 29 Linda Kaiser 30 Celise McKee

Linda Sears

The trials and tribulations of being Christian in today's world seem to get more and more challenging as we go. As I am sure I am "preaching to the choir" on this one, I find myself thinking and awful lot. In conversation and actions recently, we have had some in depth conversations with our kids, on society issues and choices. I wont say exactly what, but as parents we had to really just put it in black and white. Our young minds were amazed in some aspects and disappointed in others. But the final thoughts, and results, to both situations was this. We are all human beings called to love the sinner but not the sin, and in my eyes all trying to get to the same place at the end of it all. I only hope I and everyone around me gets it right. Because when I get to the pearly gates, I want to see everyone I love, because I would not want to spend eternity without them. Continue to be faithful and loving to all, and god bless.

~Jamie McGuffey

Thanks to everyone who donated snacks for the March 14th International Friendship Center Open House at Concordia, Oakwood. Thanks, too, to those who donated their time by volunteering. The Open House had volunteers from all four congregations (Emmanuel, Concordia, Risen Christ, Bethlehem) plus over 15 International friends and their family members participated. Needs were assessed and weekly English classes have already begun for these new acquaintances (they are from the Middle East, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Columbia, India). Most of the weekly class volunteer needs are being filled by Concordia or Emmanuel members but if you’d like to volunteer, contact Kathy Tursic or Rev. Keuker. God willing, one day the POBLO missionary, Adreel George, can help our own congregation get a Center started. There are lots of international friends right here in Springfield waiting for opportunities to build relationships! It’s through relationships that the Holy Spirit can work mightily to bring the Gospel to hungry souls!

Fundraiser Celebating Life!

Sunday, May 12, 2019

We have two organizations to support, which help Mothers make pro-life decisions

THE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CLINIC exists to share Jesus Christ and His respect for life by providing trusted care, support, and resources to women experiencing unintended pregnancy. 95% of women who had an ultrasound at the PRC chose life! We will participate in Blessings in a Bottle by having their baby bottles available on Mother’s Day to fill with our coins, bills, or checks and collecting them on Father’s Day. RIGHT TO LIFE AND FAMILY YOUTH INITIATIVES (FYI) will have another Mother’s Day Flowers fundraiser. All proceeds go towards programs that support prolife decisions of moms and towards the FYI mentoring programs in local schools that is an effort to teach character lessons that create a more promising future for teens and young adults. Flowers will be delivered to Risen Christ on Mother’s Day. Order forms are in the Narthex. Make checks payable to FYI. Direct questions to Judy Lemmon at 323-0559.

Roses $2.00

Carnation Vases $8.00

Orchid Corsages (single) $7.00

Orchid Corsage (double) $9.00

Please come and enjoy craft and story stations to learn about the true meaning of Easter! This is a great outreach to school and community families. Come join the fun! Invitations/fliers are available on the old altar in the Narthex. Feel free to distribute to friends, neighbors, coworkers, family. If you can help the day of the event or prior to it, please contact Kathy Tursic. (kltursic@hotmail.com) In order to make this event spectacular, we need CANDY! Please donate bags of individually wrapped, small candy (that won’t melt) into the tub marked EGG HUNT in the Narthex. Thank you! Examples of small, non-melting candy that fit into the plastic eggs are: nerds, laffy taffy, starburst, snack size bags of

skittles, small tootsie rolls, brachs hard candies, jolly ranchers…

Please also bring any larger type of candy or toy to

be used as prizes for kids whose egg(s) might have a numbered ticket inside of it. Prize ideas would be new boxes of crayons, candy bars, sidewalk chalk, books.

LWML Miami Zone Spring Festival

Risen Christ Lutheran Church

41 E. Possum Road, Springfield Ohio 45502

Saturday, April 27th, 2019

Registration 9:30 a.m.

Light Breakfast & Luncheon provided - $8.00 donation

Speaker: Beth Bullock, CTP-C is the Founder and Executive Director of Brave Choices and the Director of Advocacy for Reach for Tomorrow. These organizations work to bring awareness, education, and support to individuals in active addiction and their families, provide trauma training, restoration counseling, and human trafficking awareness, education, and direct outreach services to victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.

Please RSVP before Monday, April 22nd to Gayle Roberts at cowgirlupte72@msn.com or (562) 980-6726. Please include your phone number if you need to leave a message.

Ingatherings:

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Disaster Relief Fund &

School supplies for Risen Christ School (see attached)

We will have a collection mission offerings (mites), a business offering and postage stamps.

Stand at the Crossroads and Look

Recently, we attended the Botswana Council of Churches (BCC) Triennial meeting. The BCC is an ecumenical group of mostly mainline churches who work together to promote peace and dignity in their communities. It was inspiring to see so many church leaders working together for the good of their communities, despite their theological differences. The theme of the meeting was “The Crossroads” based on Jeremiah 6:16. “This is what the Lord says; ‘stand at the crossroads and look; ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’”

The participants took this message to heart as they strategized how best to help their communities-take time to hold still and seek wisdom from previous generations (the ancient paths); ask around, do research and figure out what has worked for other communities (the good way), then start moving! The wisdom in this verse applies to so many areas of life. For us, as we strategize the best translation schedule and methods or scripture engagement practices, we need to slow down. We need to take time to ask what has worked well for previous Bible translation projects and to research and find out what’s working well now. Only then should we choose a path and start walking. Pray that we would slow down and take time for prayer and discernment as our translation projects continue to progress.

Coming Up

March will be a busy month for us. Our United Bible Societies translation consultant Gerrit will visit from the Netherlands. Translators from both projects will meet with him in Maun. Consultant checking is the final step before a book is approved for publication. The Shekgalagari

team plans to consultant check parts of John, Revelation, and Mark. The Shiyeyi team plans to check Matthew or Mark. Consultant visits are also a good time for the whole team to step back and see the big picture. It is an encouraging time for everyone.

LBT's regional director Jim will be visiting us in March as well. We'll get to have important meetings with the Bible Society while he's here. He'll also visit us in Maun. We love having Uncle Jim visit. The kids are so excited for one of his famous Joe Cool stories.

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these thing will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Shekgalagari: Bogolo bata pele bogoshi jhwa Morimo le tshiamo yawo, mbe o da go le naya bilo ze zothe. -Mathaio 6:33

Shiyeyi: Panga pakyo, ni shake amana akyo wushikati wu Urezha indji wuqhu-wubi wake. Paa izutu zinii nati zi weezwa. -Matayiwo 6:33

Prayer requests

Keep us in your prayers:

• Pray for a productive and encouraging week of consultant checking March 4-8. • Pray for Pontsho, Tshwaraganang, Keene, and Motswasele, our translators, as they continue to

draft and check their New Testament translation work. • Pray for us as a family to balance work, school, family time, and rest in a way that's honoring to

God and healthy for our minds, bodies, and spirits. • Pray for safe travels for us and for our colleagues.. • Pray that God would continue to provide for our ministry through partners like you.

Scriptures for April 2019

April 7 Fifth Sunday in Lent

1st Reading: Isaiah 43: 16-21 2nd Reading: Philippians 3:4b-14

Gospel: Luke 20:9-20 Psalm 126

April 14

Palm Sunday 1st Reading: Deuteronomy 32:36-39

2nd Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel: Luke: John 12:12-19

Psalm: 118:19-29

April 21 The Resurrection of Our Lord

1st Reading: Job 19:23-27 2nd Reading: Revelation 2:8-11

Gospel: Luke 24:1-12 Psalm 118:15-29

April 28

Second Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 5:12-32

2nd Reading: Revelations 1:4-18 Gospel: John 20:19-31

Psalm: 148

VERSE OF THE MONTH – April 2019

For I know that my redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.

Job 19: 25

April 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6

*HC Holy Communion

9:45 am Women’s

Bible Study

7:00 pm Elders Meeting

(rescheduled)

6 pm Lenten Meal 7 pm Lenten

Service

10 am

New Member Orientation

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 8 am Worship 9:30 am Bible Class 10:45 am HC Worship 6 pm Confirmation

6:30 am Men’s

Bible Study

9:45 am Women’s

Bible Study

5:00 pm School

Board

6 pm Lenten Meal 7 pm Lenten

Service

10 am

Easter Egg Hunt

Palm Sunday 14 15 16 17 Maundy Thursday 18 Good Friday 19 20 8 am HC Worship 9:30 am Bible Class 10:45 am Worship

9:45 am Women’s

Bible Study

12-2 pm Food

Pantry 7:00 pm Ministry

Team Leaders

8:30 am Preschool

Coffee

7:00 pm Communion

Service

12 pm Chief Service

7:00 pm Tenebrae Service

CrossTalk Articles

Due

Easter 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 8 am Worship 9:30 am Bible Class 10:45 am HC

Worship

6:30 am Men’s

Bible Study

9:45 am Women’s

Bible Study

Spring LWML Retreat

8 am-3 pm

28 29 30 8 am HC Worship 9:30 am Bible Class 10:45 am Worship

9:45 am Women’s

Bible Study

7:00 pm Elders

Meeting

Those serving us in the month of April 2019

8:00 a.m. SERVICE

Elder

Acolyte

Greeters

Ushers

Reader

Altar Care

Sound Board

4/7

Randy Schwarz

Kelsey Vollrath

Linn Silliman

Paul Bok Rich Silliman Philip Sears

Ben McKee

Scott Tursic

4/14

Jamie McGuffey

Stephen Wiebeck

Chandra Shrader

Steve Rutledge Dave Petersen Greg Shrader

Linda Sears

Jo Baumgardner

Steve Rutledge

4/21

Bob Craven

Jackson Windeknecht

Lynn Petersen

Chuck Bern Keith Vollrath

Ed Berg

Greg Shrader

Kole Vollrath

4/28

Philip Sears

Kaden McGuffey

Ed Berg Paul Bok

Dave Petersen Gene Baumgardner

Keith Vollrath

Deb Rutledge

Wiebecks

10:45 a.m. SERVICE

Elder

Acolyte

Greeter

Ushers

Reader

Altar Care

Sound Board

Counters

4/7

Randy Schwarz

Dakota Roy

Judy Lemmon

Homer Ryman Bob Craven

Denny Norden

Jim Perks

Deb Rutledge

Wiebecks

John Bacevic & Denna Johnson

4/14

Jamie McGuffey

Colin Linderman

Phil Hawkins

Phil Hawkins David Arnold Bob Craven

Randy Schwarz

Sarah Bussell & Bob Craven

Dave Thomas & Dave Petersen

4/21

Bob Craven

Joey Koval

David Arnold

Homer Ryman Denny Norden Phil Hawkins

Duane Wiebeck

Jo Baumgardner

Bob & Reed Dahle

Denny Norden & Beryl Boggess

4/28

Philip Sears

Isabel Brown

Patty Arnold David Arnold

Jim Bruggeman Bob Craven

Marti Brueggeman

Scott Tursic

Steve Rutledge & Deb Rutledge