St. John’s Lutheran Church A Member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

980 West Fourth Street • P.O. Box 368 • Rush City, MN 55069

Karen Peterson, Church Secretary Pastor John E. Beck Church Phone/Fax: (320) 358-3623 Res. Phone: (320) 358-4906

stjohns@midco.net www.stjohnsrushcity.org stjohnspastor@midco.net

April 2016

"He Is in Prison" And the angel answered and said unto the woman, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, and see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:5-6

Rev. Ken Klaus relates his experience with a children’s message one Easter Sunday:

On a particular Resurrection Sunday, I spoke to the youngsters about the guards and the great stone and the sealed tomb guarding Jesus' grave. I told them about the women starting out in the darkness prepared to go to a funeral. Then, with the women approaching the tomb, I began to ask questions. "And do you know," I said, "what the angel said to the women who had come to say 'goodbye' to Jesus?"

A number of hands went up; a number of young voices eagerly called out, "I know! Pastor, I know." (Between you and me all the hands should have been up and all the voices should have been calling out. Not more than two minutes before we had read the resurrection narrative to them.) Although I had never seen her before, I pointed to one girl who had been listening most attentively.

She said, "The angels told the ladies, 'He is not here. He is in prison.'"

Certain I must have heard her wrongly, I asked the young lady to repeat her answer. She did: "He is not here. He is in prison." The reiteration of her answer gave me the time to figure out she had misheard the Gospel reading, and her mind had substituted the word "prison" for "risen." It was an honest mistake, but it made her response completely wrong.

Thankfully, the next few minutes managed to get things straightened out for her -- and for her parents, too. After their daughter's obvious mistake, they decided they had been remiss in their spiritual responsibilities for her, and they became faithful members of our congregation.

That Sunday's children's message was a microcosm of our world this, and every, Resurrection Sunday.

God's saved people are giving thanks that Jesus isn't in prison, and He isn't in an undiscovered grave. For us, Jesus' resurrection is visible, tangible proof that His work of saving us has been completed. Now, by His grace and the Holy Spirit's power, all who are brought to faith in the Christ are assured they, too, shall someday rise from the grave.

Yes, today the Christian world does what it has done for almost 2,000 years.

Once again our celebration tells a despondent and doubting world that the Light of Life is shining in the darkness. Our Resurrection Sunday greeting, "'He is risen," is the church's shout of victory, which proclaims the Savior's blood-bought triumph over the prison of death.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today there are many religions, doubters, and political leaders who would prefer You stayed in prison or in Your grave. Indeed, their denial of the resurrection reality is just giving voice to Satan's desire to push You back into that borrowed sepulcher. May we, empowered by the Holy Spirit, repeat to everyone the words of the angel: "He is not here. He is risen!" This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

[Used with permission: Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Rev. Ken Klaus, April 20, 2014]

From Pastor’s Study Christ is risen! (He is risen, indeed!) Alleluia!

What a blessing we shared in walking together with our Savior through the Lenten-Holy Week-Easter season. The beauty and power of this season of church year is that it leads us through God’s plan for the salvation of the world as it reaches a climax in our Lord’s passion and glorious resurrection. In our baptism we are united to Him in His death and resurrection. He shares His victory with us!

Now He wants us to share Him with others. So, without delay, go and tell others the Good News of Jesus!

Ordination/installation at Zimmerman

The members and friends of Faith Community Lutheran Church of Zimmerman cordially invite you to the Ordination and Installation of Jared Yogerst as their new pastor on Sunday, April 10 at 4:00pm. A reception and light supper will follow the service.

Pray for Sister Congregations

Faith Community-Zimmerman has the Ordination & Installation of Jared Yogerst on Sunday, April 10.

Joy-Cambridge has a Call meeting on Sunday, April 10.

Alive!-Monticello is considering a Call list in preparation for extending a Call.

St. John-Weber Mission Society members safely returned from a March mission trip to Texas and Mexico.

Emmanuel-Elk River is preparing to host a Servant Event –Hope for the Heartland—in July.

Delivery Service to Conference

Once again my vehicle will be used as a delivery service to the Pastors’ Conference in May. Elsewhere in this newsletter, you can read about two ingatherings at the Pastors’ Conference in May -- for Orphan Grain Train and Lutheran Island Camp.

Call Days at the Seminaries – April 26-27

In the last week of April, Spring placements for vicarages and internship and Pastoral Calls take place at our two LCMS seminaries.

Concordia Seminary, St Louis MO –Tuesday, April 26

3 pm CDT – Vicarages and Internships

7 pm CDT – Pastoral Calls

Live streamed at www.callday.csl.edu

On social media using hashtags:

#CallDay2016 and #CallDayWatchParty

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne IN

7 pm CDT on Tuesday– Vicarages and Internships

7 pm CDT on Wednesday – Pastoral Calls

Live streamed at www.ctsfw.edu.

BIBLESTICKS – MINISTRY TO TROOPS

As part of Armed Forces Sunday on May 22, members of the congregation will again be invited to share in a special military outreach through “Faith Comes by Hearing” called BibleSticks. Each BibleStick is an MP3 player with ear buds with an audio New Testament with selected psalms. They are freely distributed by military chaplains when requested by a deployed soldier, sailor, etc. Each soldier receiving a BibleStick can also request an additional Biblestick for a spouse and children at no additional cost. What a great tool for taking God’s Word for troops in the field and placing the Bible on the battlefield.

The evidence of how God’s Word supplies strength and support for deployed soldiers is demonstrated by the continuing requests to chaplains from deployed personnel.

On Armed Forces Sunday, May 22, you are invited to participate in a door offering to provide BibleSticks. The cost of each BibleStick is $25.

Changing Lives—one soldier at a time.

Don’t miss the Bible Study on Romans each Sunday morning at 10:20 a.m.

Mental Health Workshop – topic: NSSI

On Saturday, April 16 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Center, from 8:30am-3:15pm the Parish Nurse Ministry of the MN North District is sponsoring a seminar, “Who Am I? Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and the Differing Perceptions of the ‘Self’”.

The issue of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (self-harm, cutting, burning, self-mutilation) is one that is alarming and not easily understood. The awareness of NSSI in teens and young adults has given rise to a number of issues that should be addressed by the church.

Registration is $15 for individual or $25 for a couple. Lunch is included. 5 CEUs are available.

Copies of the book by the presenter, Rev. Dr. Joel Koepp, will be available for purchase at $17.50.

Registration forms are available from the church office or on District website http://mnndistrict.webplus.net in the March Intercom/E-news, page 8.

“Making Abortion Unthinkable” Seminar

On Saturday, April 16 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Esko MN, from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., The Minnesota North District is sponsoring a seminar entitled, “Making Abortion Unthinkable.”

"Making Abortion Unthinkable" is an easy-to-follow, well-reasoned, video-based seminar that will help you master the art of pro-life persuasion. In this all-day seminar, you will learn how to:

Restore meaning to the word "abortion" by properly using visual aids

Simplify the abortion issue by focusing on the one question that clarifies the debate

Use scientific evidence to offer a sound, reasonable, persuasive argument

Expose the four common flaws of pro-abortion rhetoric.

Cost: $10 per person - covers lunch and materials.

Registration forms are available from the church office or on District website at http://mnndistrict.webplus.net in the March Intercom/ E-news, page 5.

Or by phone: contact St. Matthew's at 218/879-3510 or the Minnesota North District Office at 218/829-1781. Register as soon as possible so that lunch plans can be accurate.

Hope for the Heartland -- Servant Event

The Hope for the Heartland Project sponsored by Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Elk River has received a Stand With Your Community grant partnered by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Thrivent Financial and Lutheran Church Extension Fund in the amount of $6,000.

Emmanuel’s Hope for the Heartland Project will be held July 10-17, 2016 and involves meaningful construction and repair of homes for the elderly, single parents and veterans. The congregation and event participants plan to do major projects such as roofing, wheel chair ramps, siding, window replacements and painting. The congregation has had many fund raising events in the recent months to assist them in funding this Project. Emmanuel members hope to build relationships with the home owners as well as others in the community. To participate in this Project you can find information on the LCMS website.

LWML Rum River Spring Rally-Saturday, April 23

Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church 25402 Itasca Ave., Forest Lake, MN

Registration at 8:30 am; Fee is $6.00

The theme is: “Lift Up Your Voice. Here Is Your God”

The guest speaker is Rev. Dean Swenson who will share his service story. When he was in college, he worked on a river boat. The boat workers were very rough and unchurched. While working on the boat, he had a fight with God. Soon after, he realized he had a calling to serve the Lord. This calling led him to becoming a pastor, a missionary and a Bible study leader. His wife and family traveled to Africa, Florida, Canada and Minnesota serving the Lord. Now, Dean continues to be involved in outreach work in the Twin Cities. The Bible verse that fits his life is: “You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift it up, do not be afraid: say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God.’” (Isaiah 40:9 NIV)

Ingathering: Bring any of the following items for newborn kits for Global Health Ministries of Minneapolis: Regular-size bath towels (not longer than 48”), Washcloths, Newborn cotton t-shirts (size 0 to 3 or newborn), Bath-size Ivory bar soap, Small Newborn stocking hat, Receiving Blankets (approx. 30” by 30”), Cloth diapers and/or diaper pins, (Gently used clothing items OK, too)

WORDS OF APPRECIATION are expressed to:

… those who serve weekly in worship: pastor, musicians (Cindy Wendorf, Katie Downing, Sue Haley), lay readers, ushers, greeters, PA technicians, elders, acolytes and altar guild.

… those who counted and posted the offerings.

… those who brought refreshments on Sunday mornings.

…those who provided meals before the Lenten Services in March: Les & Roxanne Orvis, Gladys Enzenauer, Carl & Bev Heinrich, Bart & Tracy McCoy, Kay Christensen, Mike Willert and Wendy Whittaker.

… Carl Heinrich or making the candle “hearse” for the seven candles used in the Tenebrae service on Good Friday.

…David Haley for constructing the large cross used in the Good Friday service.

… Judy Allen-Huston and Jessy Nelson for organizing the Easter Breakfast, and to all who donated food or money and to those who worked for the event.

… Jeanette Polzin for decorating the narthex for the Easter season.

… those who helped with prison ministry and the Golden Living Center services.

…those who contributed the food items and $210 in donations during MN Foodshare Month for the Rush City Food Shelf.

… East Central Sanitation who provides free refuse and recycling service for SJLC.

… those who helped to assemble this newsletter.

… our gracious God who makes all these things possible through the priceless gift of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

April Birthdays and Anniversaries

2 Bonnie Swanson 8 Jeff & Jill Erickson 16 Mason Palmer 17 Bill Aagaard 21 Judy Allen-Huston, Connie Heinrich 26 Jeremiah Skaj 27 Alexander Christenson 28 Arlene Dahlberg 29 Jill Erickson 30 Lee Nelson

Have a happy & blessed day!

Easter Garden 2016

Thank you to those who purchased flowers to beautify our sanctuary for our Easter Service.

In Loving Memory of:

Einar & Ann Beck and Lester Johnson by Pastor John & Judy Beck

Vern Dahlberg by Arlene Dahlberg

Our Parents by David & Sue Haley

Our Parents & Brothers by Carl & Beverly Heinrich

Lonnie, LaDonna and LaDean Larson by LeRoy & LouAnn Larson and families

Alden & Joyce Peterson, Wayne & Gary Peterson by Arlen, Karen & Abby Peterson

Steve Reiser by George & Marlene Reiser

Scheele Family by Dick Scheele

Paul & Hazel Swanson, Thomas Minke & Shirley Minke by Yvonne Swanson

Maria, Finn & Hope, Wendell Swanson Sr., and Ginene Swanson by Wendell & Bonnie Swanson

Virgil Kuhlman and Roy & Marlys Wendorf By Gary & Cindy Wendorf and family

In Honor of:

God’s Grace in our lives by Jeff & Jill Erickson the Glory of God by Gary & Susan Scheff the Glory of God by Les & Roxanne Orvis

Red Cross Blood Drive – Tuesday, April 5

There is a blood donation opportunity on Tuesday, April 5th in North Branch, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment.

Orphan Grain Train Collection of New Socks & Undies

All congregations in the Minnesota North District are invited to collect NEW socks and undies for Orphan Grain Train. These items will be sent to help meet the needs of

children in Haiti, Texas missions and other countries where new items are allowed. All sizes of undies and socks, (for men, women and children) are being collected, but

children’s socks (for ages 3 to 6th grade) are very much needed as children in Mexico cannot go to school without socks and shoes. These items may be brought to the church and pastor will bring them to the Pastors’ Conference May 9. Money to help with shipping costs is also welcome. Monetary donations may be mailed to: Orphan Grain Train, PO Box 61, Morris, MN 56267, or brought to the church prior to May 9. If you have any questions, please contact Gene Pasche—Chairman of MN North Branch Orphan Grain Train, at 320-589-2796.

Notes from The Island

Lutheran Island Camp 45011 230th Street

Henning, MN 56551 Website: www.islandcamp.org

Email: info@islandcamp.org Phone: 218-583-2905

2016 Summer Camps & Retreats at LIC

Summer 2016 is just around the corner and it will be filled with “Extraordinary Flying Things” that God created on Day 5 and to which He refers so often throughout scripture. This is the theme for this year’s camp and retreat season at Lutheran Island Camp. They will look at various creatures that come under that topic of flying things. They will also look at the physics and biology behind flight. They will also focus on God’s Word: “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26. The new brochures are available at the church. There are many opportunities to experience the “Extraordinary Flying Things”. Stop by and pick up your brochure.

Old Shoes For The Mission at LIC

It’s time for spring cleaning. Do you have any old, even worn out shoes, to dispose of? Save them for a gathering in May here at the church. (Please, don’t bring them yet!).

Lutheran Island Camp and Christ Serve Ranch have an ongoing fundraising project recycling old. Funds raised are used to support their Campership Fund and for special projects at Christ Serve Ranch. Pastor will take them to the Pastors’ Conference on May 9.

Here is what you can do to help!

1) Gather shoes of any kind (except flip-flops) 2) Make sure that you tie or rubber band them

together. They must be in pairs. 3) Watch the May newsletter for a time and place

to drop them off.

Quarterly Voters’ Assembly – April 24

The April quarterly voters’ assembly meets on Sunday, April 24 after worship (beginning approximately 10:20 a.m.) There will be no Bible Class on this day.

For the agenda, the church will be bringing a recommendation for redesignating the Building Fund to be available to meet operating expenses. Rationale: We have no extensive building plans in the near future and current offerings are not meeting our operating expenses. In 2015, the congregation operated with a monthly deficient of almost $2,000.

A “Drug” Problem

I had a "drug" problem when I was a young person and teenager.

I was "drug" to church on Sunday morning.

I was "drug" to youth activities on Sunday night.

I was "drug" to church for special midweek services.

I was "drug" to Sunday School every week.

I was "drug" to Vacation Bible School.

I was "drug" to the family altar to read the Bible and pray.

I was also "drug" to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents.

Those "drugs" are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack or heroin.

And if our children had this kind of "drug" problem, America would certainly be a better place.

The Lutheran Hour

Sundays at 6:05 am on WCCO 830 AM)

April 3 "Blessed Are Believers" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz By faith in Jesus, you are blessed-even as your struggles continue. (John 20:19-31)

April 10 "Breakfast with Jesus" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz Jesus shows up and shows us that God is close and God cares. (John 21:1-14)

April 17 "Confidence for Life" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz Jesus' miracles were signs of God breaking into a sinful world, but the religious leaders saw it as a threat to their kingdoms. (John 10:22-30)

April 24 "One-upmanship" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz Heaven will be more beautiful than we can imagine; it will rectify our problems and satisfy our most profound longings. (Revelation 21:1-7)

Social Security: Strategize to Maximize

You are invited to a special event hosted by Thrivent Financial. Turn retirement concerns into confidence. Get positive, professional guidance from a membership organization of Christians that has been helping our member-owners be wise with money and live generously for more than 100 years.

Thursday, April 14, 2016 6:30 pm

Chisago Lake Lutheran Church 1 Summit Avenue Center City, MN

Refreshments will be served at the event.

To reserve your place, please call Chisago Lake Lutheran Church at (651) 257-6300 or email craig.stockel@thrivent.com

A Measure of our Discipleship Together in Christ

Day of Worship Attendance Communed Offering Bible Hour Youth & Adult Class +

Staff

Monday Bible Class Longer Look

2-28-2016 47 ------- $3,570.00 17+1=18 3

3-2-16 Lenten Service

34 ------- $244.00 ------- -------

3-6-2016 49 45 $1,622.00 21+1=22 4

3-9-16 Lenten Service

29 ------- $265.00 ------- -------

3-13-2016 47 ------- $1,668.00 16+1=17 4

3-16-16 Lenten Service

29 ------- $301.00 ------- -------

3-20-16 57 46 $1,062.00 10+1=11 2

3-24-16 Maundy Thurs. Service

32 31 $726.00 ------- -------

3-25-16 Good Friday Service

32 ------- $340.00 ------- -------

3-27-16 Easter Sunday

88 65 $3,271.18 -------

A question for each of us: Is my example of discipleship strengthening and encouraging others in our life together in Christ?

“First, we live because of Christ.

Second, Christ died for us. Either of

these would be enough by itself to

put us in his debt, but taken together

our liability is overwhelming.”

[Chrysostom]