April Newsletter

April 2, 2024

Spring has sprung

The grass has ris’

I wonder where the flower is

Pastor’s Corner

Right before Easter, we were saying the above because absolutely no one had Easter Lilies. Lacking faith we talked about what we could substitute that would look pretty and joyful. Then true to form, God had lilies all bloomed out, and at Publix about 5 days before Resurrection Sunday. The church looked beautiful and smelled great for the center of our faith. Jesus rising from the dead after He paid for our sins by His death on the Cross. There were many new people in worship on Easter Sunday and we have been blessed by God with others we can encourage to attend regularly and we have more people to add to our prayer list.

For many people Easter is over, but for us the people of God, everyday is a new day in Christ and a new start for us loved and forgiven by Him. Christians do not take God for granted but live each day in the presence of God and looking forward to a reunion in heaven when our bodies wear out. Out of love for God we gather together regularly on Sunday to be renewed by His word and the Sacraments. We need the renewal more than ever as people turn away from the Bible and seek to make the world as they want it.

The archbishop of Washington D.C. says that many Catholics are ‘cafeteria Catholics’ meaning that they pick and choose what they want to accept as the teachings and doctrines of the church. As Missouri Synod Lutherans we adhere to the Bible in it’s entirety. God’s Word stands firm for us and gives us the only hope we have in this life. God supplies all that we need if we only acknowledge it — even Easter lilies.

God has certainly blessed us as a congregation and me as He has allowed me to serve you. A sincere thank you to everyone who helped with the preparations for Holy Week and Easter. Thanks for all of your kind words and wishes.

We will continue with our Easter joy for the next 40 days until we gather to celebrate the Ascension of Christ into heaven on May 9th at 7:00 P.M. Jesus is giving us last minute instructions and reassurance before He leaves the earth and returns to His father. We look forward to His return to earth but realize it could be at any time so we need to be ready all the time.

We are looking at starting a new ministry where people volunteer to visit with our members who cannot come to worship at the church. They will be paired with a person to regularly communicate with and pray for. If you have interest in a program like this, please let me know and I can share more on this.

In the joy of our risen Lord, enjoy your spring and the blessings of God. Please pray for those who are ill and/or shut in and share the comfort and strength that Christ our Lord gives us.

May God bless you and keep you in His care.

Pastor Weikart

QUILTING NEWS

Raffle tickets to win a beautiful quilt made by the ladies of the Quilting group are on sale. Tickets are $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. All proceeds will go for quilting supplies to make more quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

Mark your calendar and plan on going shopping with us on Saturday April 27 from 8 A.M. to 2 P.M. at our Spring Quilt and Raffle Sale !! We will have various quilted items for you to purchase.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PROVIDENCE COMING EVENTS

Bible Study: Wednesday April 3 at 1:00 p.m.

Elder’s Meeting: Sunday April 7 at 12:00 p.m.

Men’s Breakfast: Thursday April 11 at 9:00 a.m. (Rhonda’s Kitchen)

Book Club: Thursday April 11 at 10 a.m.

Women’s Meeting: Friday April 12 at 10:30 a.m.

Council Meeting: Sunday April 14 at 12:00 p.m.

Spaghetti Benefit Dinner: Sunday April 14 at 12:00 p.m.

Bible Study: Wednesday April 17 at 1:00 p.m.

Spring Quilt and Raffle Sale: Saturday April 27 at 8:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.

As we gather for another month there are many things going on in the world. We need to look at the Bible in order to partially understand modern day events.

Probably the biggest story today is the issue with Israel and the various positions on it. The basic issue is one that Satan uses often — Jealousy. Throughout the Bible God calls Israel His chosen people. It is with Israel and only Israel that God makes a covenant of blessing that will endure for all times. God converses with Israel and tells them how to act and the consequences if they don’t obey. We also read about people who will work with Israel to restore their country and Jerusalem. Cyrus was named specifically many, many years before he was born or came to power in Persia.

Israel has been punished and dispersed many times but God keeps His covenant and returns them to their promised land. Despite the Holocaust, October 7 and other suppressions, God follows through on what He says. Now we have demonstrations against Israel and the Jews but according to God’s word, they will not prevail.

The above has a great lesson for us also, God has chosen us through Holy Baptism to be His people and heirs. Many people are trying to tear us down and are against Christianity. God has promised to be with us only if we will truly trust Him and worship Him. God loves us with a love that the world cannot give. Satan is at work again trying to deceive us and destroy our faith in God.

In our world today, we see support for terrorists and hate for God’s chosen nation. We see people unwilling to take a stand because they want votes from both factions. There’s an old saying that says “When you stand for everything you stand for nothing.” The real issue is — do we stand for God or for something else? As a country we used to be for God but now there are various factions. The Bible addresses this also saying that if a house is divided against itself it cannot stand. As a country we need to return to God to rely on Him for all things.

God wants us to come home to Him forever. On May 9 (Thursday) we will honor Christ’s returning to heaven with His promise that He’s going to get a place ready for us and that “many are called but few are chosen.” Let us be faithful to God at all times and receive the crown of eternal life.

Pastor Weikart

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PROVIDENCE EVENTS

Bible Study : Wednesday May 1 at 1:00 p.m.

Elder’s Meeting: Sunday May 5 at 12:00 p.m.

Men’s Breakfast: Thursday May 9 at 9:00 a.m. at Sally’s Diner (Formerly Rhonda’s Kitchen)

Book Club: Thursday May 9 at 10:00 a.m.

Ascension Day Service: Thursday May 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Mother’s Day Brunch: Friday May 10 at 10:30 a.m.

Council Meeting: Sunday May 12 at 12:00 p.m.

Bible Study: Wednesday May 15 at 1:00 p.m.

Potluck Dinner: Sunday May 26 at 12:00 p.m.

Bible Study: Wednesday May 29 at 1:00 p.m.

Spring has sprung

The grass has ris’

I wonder where the flower is

Right before Easter, we were saying the above because absolutely no one had Easter lilies. Lacking faith we talked about what we could substitute that would look pretty and joyful. Then true to form, God had lilies all bloomed out, at Publix about 5 days before Resurrection Sunday. The church looked beautiful and smelled great for the center of our faith. Jesus rising from the dead after He paid for our sins by His death on the Cross. There were many new people in worship on Easter Sunday and we have been blessed by God with others we can encourage to attend regularly and we have more people to add to our prayer list.

For many people Easter is over, but for the people of God, every day is a new day in Christ and a new start for us loved and forgiven by Him. Christians don’t take God for granted but live every day in the presence of God and are looking forward to a reunion in heaven when our bodies wear out. Out of love for God we gather together regularly on Sunday to be renewed by His Word and the Sacraments. We need the renewal more than ever as people turn away from the Bible and seek to make the world as they want it.

The archbishop of Washington D.C. says that many Catholics are ‘Cafeteria Catholics’ meaning they pick and choose what they want to accept as the teachings and doctrines of the church. As Missouri Synod Lutherans we adhere to the Bible in its entirety. God’s Word stands firm for us and gives us the only hope we have in this life. God supplies all that we need if only we acknowledge it — even Easter lilies.

God has certainly blessed us as a congregation and me as He has allowed me to serve you. A sincere thank you to everyone who helped with the preparations for Holy Week and Easter. Thanks for all your kind words and wishes.

We will continue with our Easter joy for the next 40 days until we gather to celebrate the Ascension of Christ into heaven on May 9 at 7:00 P.M. Jesus is giving us last minute instructions and reassurance before He leaves the earth and returns to His Father. We look forward to His return to earth but realize it could be at any time so we need to be ready all the time.

We are looking to start a new ministry where people volunteer to visit with our members who cannot come to worship at the church. They will be paired with a person to regularly communicate with and pray for. If you have interest in a program like this, please let me know and I can share more on this.

In the joy of our risen Lord, enjoy your spring and the blessings of God. Please pray for those who are ill and/or shut in and share the comfort and strength that Christ our Lord gives us.

May God bless you and keep you in His care.

Pastor Weikart

QUILTING NEWS

Raffle tickets to win a beautiful quilt made by the ladies of the Quilting group are on sale. Tickets are $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. All proceed will go for quilting supplies. Mark your calendar and plan on going shopping with us on Saturday April 27 from 8 A.M. to 2 P.m.m at our Spring Quilt and Raffle Sale !!! We will have various quilted items for you to purchase.