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Monthly Newsletter The News Around First Lutheran Church February 2010 Vol. 10, No. 2
Epiphany Blessings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
In the church year, the Epiphany season, between Christmas and Lent, reveals who Jesus is – born in the manger, so that we grasp what Jesus does – bears the cross. This is our faith, and I pray that your faith is growing during this season. Easter is early this year, so Ash Wednesday is early – February 17th. Don’t miss the exciting, relevant sermon series for the mid-week Lenten services! In the spirit of our President’s first State of the Union, allow me to offer my first mini State of the Church: First, I give thanks to the Lord of the Church for His Call to serve here as Pastor! Because of the busy schedule of Lent, it looks like I will be ordained April 11th and installed on April 25th (St. Mark’s Day). Our largest ministry, Belvoir Christian Academy: The School Board works very well together for the good of the school’s ministry. The teachers are dedicated, hardworking, and singularly focused on “Faith, Families, and Future.” The staff works tirelessly, providing the necessary, yet often behind the scenes, services in order to keep a school running. And the students hear the Gospel – more than that – they live the Gospel everyday and excel in challenging academic programs. I am so thankful for our school and for everyone who works so hard there. And I am thankful that God is always with us, showing us the way and defeating the obstacles that are insurmountable for us. These are difficult times for parochial schools everywhere. But what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). At Church: We are growing at First, and I am energized to see God’s hand at work in our ministry (God’s ministry) of making disciples. With a new pastor soon to be in place, this is a great time for us to prayerfully consider a plan for the future. The church council has approved a Long Range Planning and Vision Committee to lead this endeavor with God’s help. You will hear much about this and give much input as the group is assembled and begins to meet. Please remember their work in your prayers. To sum up, the State of our Church is INVINCIBLE! On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). At FLC, God’s Word is proclaimed and His Sacraments are administered, whereby the Holy Spirit works in our lives to grant forgiveness and faith. We gather together as one family to receive His good gifts, to thank and praise Him, and to offer our prayers and encouragement for, and fellowship with, each other. Don’t miss what God is doing every Sunday morning right here First Lutheran Church! Vicar
Belvoir Christian Academy - Chattanooga
From the Lion’s Den
As we move into February, we realize that spring is just around the corner. After having had cold weather and some frozen precipitation, the warmer temperatures will surely be welcome!
Ash Wednesday will be early this year. The date is the 17th of February. This year let us all take time to think about the suffering and death of Jesus. He has done this for us, and we need to remember what He went through for our sake. Here at school, we will share this with the children and talk about the season of Lent.
On January 19th, we hosted the first Open House of the new year. This was mostly geared to Kindergarten students whose parents think about their children moving from Preschool to the full day of Kindergarten. Families were invited to come and see what a normal school day looks like. Several families took advantage of the opportunity and we had a chance to show them the school, talk about our program here and how it would enrich the lives of not just their children, but of their whole family. Again this year, as we did last year, we have a referral policy for our current families. If anyone will refer a new family to BCA and we enroll a child of that family, the referring family will receive a $250 credit on their January payment of 2010-2011 tuition.
Planning for next year is well under way. Families with children here have already had the opportunity to re-enroll. Re-enrollment packages have been sent to all current families. If the student is re-enrolled by March 1st, the tuition rate will be the same as the current school year. Remember that Jesus is the center of what we do here at BCA. What better place to educate your children than where they will get daily exposure to the Word and have Christian role models to see how to live their lives. Please keep our families in your prayers as they decide the future of the education of their children in the coming school year, and pray for continued blessings on the ministry of BCA.
Financial Aid is available for any family that will qualify. The Henze and the Morkert Scholarship funds have been set up to help families that may not be able to afford all of the tuition for attending our school. This is a good way to see an immediate impact of any contributions you make to BCA. If you will designate checks to “Scholarship” we will see that it is put to use in the upcoming school year.
Every Wednesday in February will be Mini-course days. Our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classes participate. Students are given a chance to sign up for courses that interest them and there are volunteers that come in to teach the classes. The students have enjoyed these classes over the years and look forward to this time every year. Some of the students will choose T-shirt design, chess, Tae Kwon Do, fitness, origami, cooking, or one of several other choices.
Our basketball teams are in the middle of their seasons. All of the teams are learning the fine points of dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork. You are invited to come to a game and see the teams in action. The Science Club, Tae Kwon Do, Cheerleading, Gymnastics and Sports Prep, and scouts are active and learning many things that will help them as they grow into adults.
We are halfway through the school year. Thank you for all the support you have given to BCA over the course of this year! BCA would not be as wonderful a place to Make Disciples for Jesus without your prayers, financial contributions, volunteering, and encouraging words! Frank Streufert
FLY NEWS—February If you are interested in joining the FLC Quilters, please come anytime! Everyone is invited to help with this project—no experience needed. Our next meeting:
Tuesday, February 16th, 10am to 2pm
Bring a sack lunch and stay to join the fun and fellowship as we work together. Questions? Gwen Meyer: 629-4562
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Love God, Love Others, Serve the World
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