311 South 4th Avenue   *   Castlewood, SD  57223  *  (605) 793-2444

Today, February 15

Monday, February 16

Tuesday, February 17

Wednesday, February 18

Sunday, February 15

Visitors, welcome! We rejoice that you are worshipping with us. Come back soon. Members, we are glad that you are here today.

Pray for our brothers and sisters who are or have been ill: Shelly Walder, Priscilla Sweeney, Joann Ries, Larry Dockter, John Heemeyer, and Leola Wenzlick. Pray for John and Bonnie Top at the death of John’s father, Ralph Top.

Lent begins on February 25 with Ash Wednesday Communion at 7:00 p.m. Plan to attend all of the Lenten Services this year so that you might truly be prepared to celebrate Easter. Not even Jesus could rise until he had suffered and died.

Today: Organist: Karen Lund. Reader: Roxanne Bass. Acolytes: Hannah Rhody and Jackie Shepherd. Recorder: Doug Strait.

Thank you to those serving us: This month: Ushers: **Jack & Barbi Schulte family, Scott & Solveig Gasner family, Dean & Vonnie Kalt family, Carmen Jankord family, Charles & Darlene Trenary, Dennis & Vicki Strait family.

Offerings received last Sunday totaled $1297.01 in the General Fund and $193.00 in the Building Fund , $7.00 in the Mission Fund. The balance in the General fund as of 2/9 is (159.80). This is a negative balance and there are still bills coming due to be paid before month end.

The Fellowship Offering today will help the Watertown Banquet which will be served by the Confirmation class on February 16^th at Grace Lutheran Church.

All confirmands are expected to serve at the Watertown Banquet Monday at Grace Lutheran Church unless they have an obligation to the rescheduled CHS girls basketball games. We also need other people to help set up beginning at 4:00 p.m. and workers to serve and clean up. We also need volunteers to bake a pan of bars. Please have them to church by 3:00 p.m. tomorrow (Monday) so they can be picked up and brought to Watertown. Come as early as you can & stay as late as you can. Thanks!

Vacation Bible School is around the corner. The Education Committee is looking for a volunteer or volunteers to coordinate VBS. We are also looking for teachers, helpers and craft coordinators. Please contact Dee Vetter at 793-2229 or Brenda McKee at 882-3130 if you are interested.

The Education committee is looking for a volunteer to teach 4^th and 5^thgrade Sunday School class for the remainder of the year. Please contact Brenda at 882-3130 or Lorie at 882-4424 if you can help us out.

Pastor John will facilitate a discussion of the ELCA study on Ordination of Practicing Gay and Lesbian persons and the Blessing of Same Sex Unions. All who are interested in participating are asked to meet briefly after worship on February 29 to set times & dates.

Angel Dean, an acoustal guitarist and singer with a solid Christian Message will be in concert at First Presbyterian Church, Castlewood on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. We encourage young people and young families to attend. Everyone is welcome. Confirmation students may attend this as an alternative to that night’s Lenten service.

You are invited to the next Faith Builders class, New Testament by Rev. Chris Croghan on Saturday, March 20, 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 21, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Augustana College, Sioux Falls. Cost is $50. Register soon with Jodi Hanson at 605-274-4011.

Pastor Bjoern Meinhardt of Colman-Midway Lutheran Churches is leading a tour to Luther sites in Germany, November 4-15. There is an information meeting on Sat., Feb. 28, 3:00 p.m. at Midway Lutheran. See Pastor for directions.

During Lent the confirmation classes begin at 5:45 p.m. and include the worship service at 7:00 p.m. Attendance is expected.

Would the gifts God has given you empower you to be our Care Team Coordinator(s) who will call those who’ve already volunteered to provide a meal or part of one to persons returning from the hospital or recovering from illness or tragedy, or our Hospitality Coordinator who will call members to seek housing for guest ministry groups like Captive Free & perhaps co-ordinate other hospitality needs, or our PR Person who will prepare newspaper articles, ads, put up posters for special events, etc. Or, maybe, someone wants to do all three or two of the three. Call Pastor John, Lynn Borer, or Lorie Janssen.

Pass the word. Our worship service is on television again! See it on ITC Cable TV in Castlewood on Channel 1 on Thursdays at 12:30 & 7 p.m. Tell your neighbors about the service on TV.

We have registered 11 children & youth for Lutheran Outdoors Bible Camp. This is terrific! Way to go parents & young people! Several camps still have openings so others can still register. Please encourage one another to go. Peer influence can work toward participation, too. To do so give your registration ASAP to Robin Gabur. See Robin for a form. If the expense is a problem, talk confidentially with the Pastor. We’ll try our very best to help you out, even with the initial registration of $75. We’ll also raise funds with you, and provide from the church budget.

Thank you to Larry & Dee Vetter, Jack & Barbi Schulte, and Geri Gantvoort for hosting the Captive Free Team. Thank you to Jacki Sandstrom and Dee Vetter for extra meals for the team. Thank you to everyone who attended the concert for your support.

We are re-doing the prayer chain-calling list. If you would like to be on the list, sign up on the sheets in the narthex until the middle of February.

Please check the ALCW booklets for any errors. Also check to see what committees you are on and follow through with joyful service. Thanks!

Steve Green will be in concert March 13, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Concert is at the Brookings Wesleyan Church , 1420 Orchard Drive, Brookings. Tickets are $12.00, ages 0-5 free, for more information or for tickets call 605-692-6671.

Thought for the day:

"Enthusiasm is a kind of faith that has been set on fire."

"A smile costs nothing but gives much. it takes but a moment, but the memory of is sometimes lasts forever.

Questions or Comments are Always Welcomed.   Send mail to: American Lutheran Church.

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Last updated: February 15, 2004.