From the Pastor
Christ has risen! After weeks of preparation with Lent, after Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, we made it to Easter Sunday. We celebrated in joy as Jesus did the unexpected and rose from the dead. It was indeed a holy week. So now what? Now that the big Easter Sunday has come and gone?
We live in seasons as a liturgical church. So, while the big Easter Sunday has passed, we have so many more Easter Sundays to come. Easter is celebrated for 50 days. After that, we remember receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. With 50 days of celebration, we are immersed in the resurrection, we walk though about 7 Holy weeks. We remember the resurrection, but even more importantly, we are called by God to live as resurrected people, and there is no better time to practice that than in this Easter season.
Resurrected people keep their eyes on Christ’s cross and empty tomb. We are called to live without fear, because Christ has defeated the death. What could happen if we spent this season living fearlessly? If we took seriously Christ’s commandments and Christ’s promises? We just might discover that God is right, we really don’t have anything to fear. And living without fear would lead to a life of deep love, for God and our neighbor. Because of the empty tomb we never have to be afraid of death anymore, because after death comes resurrection.
Make the most of these Holy Weeks. Be on the lookout for God to be at work. Jesus walked among his disciples after his resurrection, and Jesus is still walking among us. Keep your eyes peeled, because the risen Christ shows up in the unlikeliest of places, bring the love and peace of God.
Pastor Amy
From the Financial Officer
The average monthly amount budgeted for 2019 for Undesignated Donations to Ministry Investment (Anticipated Offerings) was $7,500. You donated $10,639 for March, which is $3,139 more than the budgeted monthly average. Thank you! However, since our giving for January and February were both short of the $7,500/month budgeted, the rolling average/month YTD is $23,389/3 months = $7,796; slightly above the monthly average budgeted. Thank you, again.
You donated $60.00 to mortgage reduction in March. (Since inception, a total of $88,127 has been donated of the Happy Hearts, Hopeful Future campaign.)
The 03.31.2019 Mortgage balance was $147,744.44.
From the President
April 16 Council Highlights:
+ Bonnie will be writing the Domestic Hunger Grant for 2019
+ Spring Clean-up day to be scheduled soon
+ Pastor Jacquie will be preaching on May 19
+ Joint Worship with St. James on June 9 at All Saints Lutheran Church
+ Multi-Generational VBS this summer…watch for details
+ Semi Annual meeting fast approaching. This is our meeting to elect new officers and ministry teams. How is your Heart calling you to serve?
Royal Ball Run – Autism Awareness – Donations
All Saints Lutheran Church has been listed on back of 1,500 t-shirts as a Royal Supporter for Royal Ball Run for Autism for the last several years because of your financial support! Anyone interested in donating this year can place your donation (checks written to All Saints and designate on the memo line Royal Ball) into the offering plate on Sunday mornings by the end of May. One check will be written from All Saints at the beginning of June to support this great non-profit. Thank you in advance for your donations!
Save the following dates:
Royal Ball for All Carnival and Fun Run will beFriday, June 21, 2019
Royal Ball for Autism Walk, 5K, and 5-mile run will be on Saturday, June 22, 2019
The Royal Ball Fundraiser will be on Saturday, November 2, 2019
All proceeds will support Royal Ball Run’s efforts to raise autism awareness as well as funds to support local autism programs. For more information about the Royal Ball events visit www.royalballrun.com.