April Happenings

Bible Study

Join Pastor Pokora for Bible Study this evening at 7 pm (via Zoom).

To join use Meeting ID  780 7661 6043 and Password S27cQa

Spring Cluster 6 Meeting

The Women of the ELCA will meet for the Spring Cluster 6 Meeting this Saturday, April 22, 2023 at The Vault Coffee & Café in Eldridge at 10 am. See the kiosk for more information.

Preparation for the Food Pantry & Clothing Closet

Volunteers are needed to help unload and put away the items from the River Bend Food Bank delivery at 9:15 am at All Saints Lutheran Church on Thursday, April 20th this week.

Volunteers are always needed during the week to prepare boxes, stock the shelves, and hang clothing.

Food Pantry & Clothing Closet

The Food Pantry & Clothing Closet are open every Saturday from 11 am – 1 pm, even holiday weekends. Volunteers should arrive no later than 10:45 am on Saturdays.

Sunday Schedule

All are welcome to join us for worship and fellowship time at All Saints Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 23rd, the 3rd Sunday of Easter.

Children’s Sunday school 9 am

Worship – 10 am (sanctuary)

Fellowship/Refreshments – after worship (gathering space)

Theme & Write Up for the Season of Easter

written by Matt Reece, Director of Music Ministries

God’s grace transforms our suffering into feasting

Christ is risen – he is risen indeed! The shadows over the sun have cleared, and we rejoice in the risen Savior’s victory over sin and death.

During the season of Lent, we wore the sackcloth and ashes of silence and introspection. We looked into the shadows of ourselves and discovered God waiting for us even there. Now, a new morning has dawned. The stone has been rolled away. Suffering has been transformed into feasting. Our ears ring with shouts of “Hosanna!” and “Alleluia!”

Christ shares our suffering, and shows us God’s grace by remaining present with us even on our most difficult journeys. The trials of our lives don’t allow us to just flip a switch from darkness to light: each day is a pathway through both suffering and feasting. No matter the stones and roots we encounter on the path, God is constantly creating us anew to be filled with his Spirit of love and compassion.

As we celebrate the resurrection throughout the season of Easter, may our hearts be filled with love and light, and may our suffering be transformed into feasting.

Introduction

In Sunday’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.

Scripture

Acts 2:14a, 36-41 – Receiving God’s promise through baptism

Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 – I will call on the name of the Lord. (Ps. 116:13)

1 Peter 1:17-23 – Born anew through the living word of God

Luke 24:13-35 – Eating with the risen Christ

Building Use

Did you know All Saints Lutheran Church has agreements with several outside companies that use our space during the week? Please keep this in mind when you are in and out of the building during the week.

QC Studio Z

Did you know that QC Studio Z offers Zumba classes in the fellowship hall three times a week? The class schedule is Mondays & Wednesdays 5:45 – 6:45 pm and Saturdays 9:30 – 10:30 am. For more information visit their website: https://www.qcstudioz.com/

Fit4Mom

Fit4Mom holds a Stroller Strides Class from 5:30 – 6:30 pm every Tuesday evening in the fellowship hall. For more information visit their website: https://quadcities.fit4mom.com/

West Music, Inc.

West Music – Music Therapy is once again offering the special needs choir “Sound Reach” in-person at All Saints Lutheran Church on Tuesday evenings. They will use the gathering space and sanctuary for rehearsal from 5:30-6:15 pm. For more information visit their website: https://musictherapy.westmusic.com/services/recreational-music/soundreach/