Pastor’s PageBy Rev. Hal Toenjes

Lenten Midweek 2017: Standing at the Cross

This Fall we will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the main event of the 16th century that saw Martin Luther work in many different ways to draw the Christian Church of his era back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a lead-in to that observance, our Lenten midweek series, Standing at the Cross, will highlight portions of sermons Luther actually preached during Lent and Holy Week in the parishes where he served. As we stand with Luther at the foot of the cross each week, we contemplate the ways in which we stand firm in the faith as followers of Christ during this holy season. Lenten midweek services are at 7:00 pm and begin with Ash Wednesday, March 1.For more information and to register for the conference, please go to www.cnh-lcms.org. The registration deadline is Wednesday, February 22, 2017.

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8001 Panorama DriveBakersfield, CA 93306Phone (661) 871-1289

Fax (661) 872-6302E-Mail: office@lcop.or g Website: www.lcop.org

February 2017Volume 17, Issue2

In this Issue

Pastor’s Page......................................1Birthdays & Anniversaries............2Pastor Cont..........................................3Board Articles.....................................4Announcements................................ 5Puzzles.................................................. 6Wonder Window..........................7/8

CalendarFebruary event calendarServing us in January

Newsletter Deadline!Thursday,

February 20, 2017

The Prayer Line

MEMBER NEWSMember changes or additions will be posted in this section

Cards, calls and prayers are much appreciated by our homebound members:

Ruth JonesCarol Kritsch

Norm & Margaret Snyder

LCoP Prayer ChainWhen you have any prayer concerns, please let our prayer chain pray for you by contacting Chuck Jordin at 661-873-9565 or email chuck.jordin@yahoo.com.

Online Calendar!Did you know that our event calendar is online so you can access it anytime, anywhere, from the internet? Check it out at www.lcop.org, click on Info Center and Calendar. This will also be updated during the month as events change or are added! To update, please email info@lcop.org.

Join Our Email List!Are you on our email list to have the newsletter and event reminders delivered to your inbox? Subscribe by sending an email to info@lcop.org.

In the Hospital?If you find yourself hospitalized, I would like to visit!

But rather than relying on the hospital to contact me, please give me or the church office a call with your information. I’d be happy to stop by, share a word of Scripture and prayer.

If you have a planned surgery, I’d be happy to visit before the procedure. Just let me know the specific hospital as well as the time you are supposed to check in

and the time of the procedure. I’ll do my best to be there in between those two times.

Thanks! – Pastor Toenjes

God’s blessings to everyone on your special occasion. If you don’t see your name, please call the office to make corrections or additions. We want to include everyone!

♥ FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES ♥

John & Teresa Wynn Tim & Diana Danforth Bill & Charla Herider Brian & Marilyn Henderson Bennie & Kathi Loudermilk Chuck & Tammy Poynor Chuck & Betty Jordin Craig & Nancy Perkins Michael & Sharon Jacobsen

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS Ava Andrews

Roxanne Espericueta-Bain Chuck Jordin Kate Zimmermann

Diana Danforth Laurie Hillis

Jennifer Raasch Frank Hedge

Frank Crookes Bonnie Grisso

We honor birthdays and anniversaries on the Second Sunday of every month. If you would like to help with refreshments for those who are celebrating, bring your treat to church that morning.

Love ever gives, forgives, outlives and ever stands with open hands.

And while it lives, it gives. For this is love’s prerogative —

to give, and give, and give.

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—John Oxenham

Continued from Pastor,

Missionary PeopleThe 2017 CNH District Missions Conference is fast approaching! It will be held on Saturday, March 4 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1635 Chester Drive, Tracy, California. It will also be live-streamed at several locations including at Lutheran Church of Prayer!In addition to the keynote speakers, Robert Newton, John Mehl, and Heather Davis, break-out session leaders include:

Vonnie Carlsen and Bev Daily: “90 Minutes Can Radically Change You, Your Church, and Your Community”;

Trinidad Castaneda: “El Roi—Hagar’s Name for God when He saw Her Affliction”;

Heather Choate Davis: “Long Live the Royal Priesthood!”;

Ted & Marty Hartman: “Cultivating a Missional Environment Through Prayer”;

Beth Hirsch Lange: “Ministers in Disguise”; John Mehl: “What Can Be Accomplished

Short-Term?” Aaron Putnam, Paul Henry Lauaki, and

Viliami (“V”) Finau: “SOYL - School of Young Leaders”

Dominic Rivkin: “Mission from the Inside Out: A Contemplative Approach to Connecting in Christ”

Alan Tong and Ashley Wong: “Young Adult Disciples – Mission Trip Impact”

Mike Zimmer: “Creating a Discipleship Culture in Your School” and “Disciple Making by Multiplication”

It’s Still Epiphany?? Many folks—even longtime Lutherans—

struggle to keep up with the changing of the seasons of the church year. Some years we go from the Christmas season and then proceed fairly quickly through the season of

Epiphany into Ash Wednesday and Lent. But not this year.

Since Easter Sunday is a bit later than normal this year (April 16), our Lenten preparation for Easter starts a bit later as well, leaving us with a few extra weeks of Epiphany! (I can sense your excitement even now! ) And that is a good thing.

The word epiphany, in case you haven’t used it in a sentence recently, means appearing, revealing or showing. In common usage you might say, “I’ve just had an epiphany!” which means, “Ah ha! NOW I get it!”

The Gospel readings for the Sundays in this season highlight how Jesus appeard to people in His ministry, give examples of His teaching (as in the Sermon on the Mount) and miracles thus revealing His true nature and power. They are basically trying to bring us to an “Ah-ha!” moment ourselves, so that through the Word, Jesus is revealed to us.

In our fast-paced, entertainment-driven, overstimulated world, the notion of observing a season like Epiphany may seem quaint and irrelevant. But the chance to hear God’s Word in the midst of our busy-ness and see Him for who He is, is really just the opposite.

Have you had an “Ah-ha!” moment about Jesus recently? Do you know His care for you? If not, then take the time to hear Him anew. Then who knows … maybe He’s got an epiphany waiting just for you!

Peace, Pastor Toenjes

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Wonder Window School Board The Wonder Window School Board ishappy to report that our enrollment isincreasing. We now have 52 childrenin preschool and 12 grammar school students who come to us after school. The applications for our Director position are coming in now and that process will close Feb. 28. Please continue praying for Wonder Window and the Director Search committee. The school will be closed for the President's Day holiday.

God's Blessings on you!Vivienne KusterWonder Window School Board

Properties BoardOur next properties board meeting will be on Monday, February 13th at 7pm. And our next work day will be Saturday, February 18th at 8am. Hope to see you. Pray for all Christians worldwide, pray for your Lutheran Synod and

our leaders, pray for our church, pastor and family. Pray for comfort and healing to all our members. Pray for our nation.Thanks to all of you who come out and help on work days.

God BlessDonald Votaw

Work Day February 18th. All helpers welcome!

SAM(Service and Activities Ministry)

The SAM group is up and running with a full calendar of upcoming fellowship and fun events! Some activities on the board will be cleaning up our library. We have many great books to share! The books will be sorted and offered to the congregation sometime in February. The annual Parking Lot sale will take place in March 18th. (Start cleaning out those closets!). A Bunco party is planned for Saturday, May 6th. The proceeds help with the freight cost on the Christmas Shoe Boxes. Also, think Celebration Time! This is Lutheran Church of Prayer 60th anniversary and Wonder Window Children’s Center 45th anniversary!! God is Good! Our church family is awesome and we want your ideas (and muscle) to make 2017 filled with fellowship and worship of our Lord all year! Our next meeting is Monday, February 27th @6:30pm. Linda Hartnett Blessings,The SAM Committee

Women’s Fellowship GuildWelcome all ladies to Fellowship in 2017. Our meetings will be held the 1st Tuesday each month at 11:00 a.m. in the Library. The door is open to join us and let’s see what’s in store as we discuss projects that support the Mission Outreach of LCoP. See you all February 7th and then lunch somewhere! Shirley Curran Secretary

Church Golfers, you need to come and join us Anyone

interested in golfing, we golf every Friday morning. For

information please call or text Tim Hartnett at 661-319-8469.

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A committee is forming to plan a LCoP 60th anniversary and combined Wonder Window 45th anniversary party to be scheduled. If you have some time and any ideas, please call Kathy at church 871-1289 or let a SAM member knew. We will get back to you! Let’s make this a fellowship time not to be forgotten!

Golf TournamentOur annual golf tournament is coming in April, on Sunday, the 30th

at 1:00 P.M. Mark your calendars if you are interested. If you want to help, please contact Mike Lehmann at 661-805-5258.

Vacation Bible School- planning Sat Feb 11 @ 10AM. Interested in helping out with VBS this summer? Join us for a brief informational meeting and discussion on themes, organization and possible dates for the summers big outreach event!

Thank you – The Rescue Mission of Kern really appreciated LCOP stepping up and helping with the Christmas Eve meal and gift boxes. A huge thanks goes to those who donated their time on December 24th; Gary & Kathy Adams, Ken & Lorraine Campbell, Linda Mumford, Bill Olcott, The Toenjes Family and Faye Yoho. A special thank you also to the Campbell's, Fosters, Fryes & Sturzs for their donations.

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PARKING LOT YARD SALE!Saturday, March ? (To be scheduled)

Clean out your Closets, Garage & Cupboards!RENT-YOUR-SPACE for only $10! (1 car = 1

space)Last year was a great success with lots of fun and

fellowship. Community, friends and family are also welcome to sign up.

A signup sheet will be in the Narthex. The Service and Activities Ministry (SAM) will be posting more information

in the future. Contact Kathy Vergon for more information.

St. Patrick’s Day TeaSaturday, March 11th, at 11am~2pm Adults ~ $15 Children ~ $10The Loudermilk Home: 1916 Glenbarr Ct.661-703-2441It is a great time, there will be delicious food scones, sandwiches, desserts and more.Also, don’t forget “Real Men Drink Tea, Too” Ha!!! Guys are welcome to come and it is encouraged!

God’s conversation heartsThose familiar conversation hearts that show up every February can be more than just trite romantic or friendly sayings. Use them to remind you — or to teach a child — of the greatest love of all: God’s love for us, which empowers our love for others. For example:

• TRUE LOVE: What love is truer than giving up one’s only Son so people might have everlasting life? (John 3:16). • MINE: Jesus knows us intimately, as a shepherd knows his sheep. No one can snatch us from him (John 10:27-29). • FOREVER: God loves us with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). • LOVE ME: The greatest commandment is to love God with our whole being (Luke 10:27). • TRUST ME: “Let not your hearts be troubled.” We can count on Jesus, now and for eternal life (John 14:1-3). • SWEET TALK: God’s words are sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103). • BE GOOD: We show our love for Christ by keeping his commands (John 14:15). • CALL ME: God longs to be in fellowship with us. We can talk to him anytime in prayer (Jeremiah 33:3). • FRIENDS: The greatest love involves laying down your life for your friends (John 15:13) — precisely what Jesus did. • #1: “We love because [God] first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

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Charla HeriderDirector

Dear Wonder Window and Lutheran Church of Prayer family,

The greatest act of love came to us when God sent Jesus to take away our sins. He sent Him knowing that He would die. KNOWING! Jesus loved us enough that he willingly went to His death, for us, taking on our sins. We are blessed that He has paved our way into His kingdom. We aren’t required to pay for our entry, we have simply to believe that He is our Savior, ask forgiveness for our wrong doing and follow Him, turning from our sinful past and accepting His perfect love.

Our overall theme this month is transportation. Whether it’s by land, sea, or air, we are going to explore how we get around. We all think about cars and planes…but we also have skateboards, horses and hot air balloons to get us from place to place. Have your child think of other ways we can move about our environment. In addition, we will celebrate Groundhog Day and Valentine’s Day. Be sure to look for a sign-up sheet in your child’s classroom. This month the numbers for the 2’s and 3’s will be 16-18. The colors are silver and pink. Our letters are P, Q and R and of course our shape is a heart. If your child is in Pre-K, please check the teacher’s information.

Chapel this month will show us more of the love that Jesus has for us. In our Bible lessons, Jesus will heal a paralyzed man and forgive

Zacchaeus. In addition, we will see how we should care for one another when we hear the story of the Good Samaritan. Pastor Toenjes continues to teach us new songs and we really enjoyed, “I Wanna Be a Sheep” last month. Ask your child to sing it to you…It’s

adorable. We can’t wait to see what fun songs we will learn this month.

The staff would like me to remind you that when you arrive with your children before 8:00 a.m., please bring your child’s jacket with them to the opening room. Unless it is actively raining, we will be going outdoors. Also, please remember to provide your child with a small blanket for his or her naptime. These will be returned to you on Fridays to be laundered and returned the following week. A change of clothes should also be in your child’s cubby. You never know when they might need them and having them here saves you the inconvenience of having to bring them while you’re at work.

While it is still quite a bit away, please “Save the Date” of Sunday, May 21st aside. Wonder Window will have our Spring Graduation program at 5:00 p.m. More details will follow as we get closer to the date.

In His love, Charla HeriderDirector

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Days to Remember: Monday, February 20th, We are closed for President’s Day Wednesday, March 1st, Ash Wednesday

Miss Vanessa’s Class

Happy February! This is the month of love. We will be talking about all the

ways Jesus loves us and why we should love others. We will be having our Valentine’s party on February 14th at 9:30 a.m. I have a party list out if you have not already signed up, please do so. I will be sending out a class list for the families who wish to send out cards. We have been busy learning new letters, numbers and shapes. I love watching the children grow. May you have a blessed month and see Jesus’ love in all things.

Rachel’s ClassFebruary is here and Spring is on its way! This month, our class topics will be transportation. We will discuss traveling by car, boat, train, and airplanes. Oh, what fun! In addition, we will learn new numbers, letters, colors and shapes. We stay busy in our classroom. My little owls are proud of themselves and should be! Let’s give a HOOT HOOT for our class!! We wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. Take care and God bless.

Miss Stephanie’sFebruary is here and Spring is on its way! This month, our class topics will be transportation. We will discuss traveling by car, boat, train, and airplanes. Oh, what fun! In addition, we will learn new numbers, letters, colors and shapes. We stay busy in our classroom. My little owls are proud of themselves and should be! Let’s give a HOOT HOOT for our class!! We wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. Take care and God bless.

Ms. Joyce’s Class

We love because God first loved us! (1 John 4:19) The month of February is a perfect month to focus on God’s love for us and to show that love to others. We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on the 14th. You’re invited to join us! There will be a sign-up sheet in the classroom for supplies and goodies. I will also be sending home a class list so that you can help your child fill out their valentines. We will also be having our Pajama Day this month. Look for details to come home on this special day! We will be finishing our phonics sounds with /qu/ and will spend the rest of the year building words with short vowels and reviewing our alphabet and sounds in many different ways to prepare us for Kindergarten! In math we will continue to work with numbers up to 20 and begin simple addition. We get to celebrate a lot again this month as four more of our classmates have birthdays! Happy birthday to Andrew (14th), Satori (15th), and Gabriel & Ella (18th)! God bless you and keep you!

Mr. Jacob’s ClassFebruary is a great month to remember how much God loves us and how we should love one

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Wonder Window is currently accepting applications to fill the Director’s position. The position is full time and year-round. If you have a desire to serve Christ in our ministry, a love for children, and are interested, please submit your application no later than March 1st. You must have at minimum: 15 semester units of Early Childhood Education (including 3 units of staff management and administration), and have taught at least 4 years in a preschool setting, be up to date on immunizations and be CPR/First Aid certified. Pick up an application in either the church or Wonder Window office.

Wonder Window is currentlyaccepting applications to fill the Director’s position. The position is full time and year-round. If you have a desire to serve Christ in our ministry, a love for children, and are interested, please submit your application no later than March 1st. You must have at minimum: 15 semester units of Early Childhood Education (including 3 units of staff management and administration), and have taught at least 4 years in a preschool setting, be up to date on immunizations and be CPR/First Aid certified. Pick up an application in either the church or Wonder Window office.

another. We will be celebrating Lexi’s 7th birthday on the 2nd. We will also have a Valentine’s day party on the 14th. The kids will also be doing Groundhog Day, Valentine’s day and heart crafts throughout the month. A great verse to remember this month is John 4:16, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him.” God bless you all.

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