The Pacific Hills

Messenger FEBRARY 24 2017, WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

PACIFIC HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH

VOLUME 2 NUMBER 8

Church Events Sunday 8:00am Eucharist

9:15am P.H.A.T. Sunday

9:15am Choir Rehearsal

9:15am Education Hour

10:30am Eucharist

11:30am Outreach Board

Monday 5:30pm Lutheran Family Service

Tuesday 8:00am Staff Meeting

9:00am Tai Chi

9:30am Alanon

Wednesday Ash Wednesday

9:30am Eucharist

10:00am Fellowship

2:00pm Worship

5:15pm Children’s Music

6:00pm Youth Confirmation

7:00pm Worship

7:30pm Adult Confirmation

8:00pm Campus Ministry

Thursday 6:30pm Tai Chi

7:00pm Gamblers

Friday 7:00pm Preschool Seuss Night

Sunday 8:00am Eucharist

9:15am Choir Rehearsal

9:15am Education Hour

10:30am Eucharist

7:00pm Pastor’s Conf.-Kearney

I shared the following thoughts in this space a year ago, and the words are still striking a chord with me now, so I share them with you again.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

This is one of my favorite Bible verses. I come back to it over and over again when I need a reminder that I’m not in charge. I came across a different version of this verse this week that made me stop and think about it in a different way. I always looked at the “be still” part as calm down, take a break, and rest for a bit. The NASB reads “Cease striving and know that I am God.” Cease striving. Not just take a minute and breathe deeply. Not just say a little prayer and keep going. Stop straining so hard to run things by myself. Stop trying to get through life at 100 mph. Stop trying to take 5 mi-nute breaks that don’t satisfy. Cease striving and let God be in control of everything. As we begin this Lenten season (and always) may we all cease striving—be still—and know that the creator of the universe is in charge. He has a plan, and has already fulfilled it through the suffering, death, and resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Kay Storck

Lamb of God Preschool Director/Teacher

February 26 is P.H.A.T. Sunday! It is time to get

"Pacific Hills All Together" and feast on fellowship and a great breakfast. We will have a Pot-luck Breakfast at 9:15am. We want all 8am worshipers to stay late and all 10:30am worshipers to come early for a big celebration before Lent. Beverages will be provided. Bring your favorite breakfast items and family and don't miss the fun. Our Lenten Journey for 2017 — From the “Ripping of Cloth” on Ash Wednesday to the shouts of “Praising People” on Palm Sunday to the “Pounding of the Hammer” on Good Friday, our Midweek Lenten and Holy Week Sermon Series for 2017 will be: “The Sights and Sounds of Christ’s Passion.” Plan now to join us each week at 2pm or 7pm. Also featured will be a “He did this for me cross,” where worshippers throughout Lent can nail their sins of thought, word and deed. This will be our visual reminder that Christ’s Passion was for “me.”

Missions/Social Ministry/Care Ministry:

A door offering will be collected this Sunday following the services for the YAHWEH Fund. This benevolent fund at PHLC provides money to assist members and individuals in our community who are in a crisis situation. Your donations have helped restore utilities, prevent evictions, paid for car repairs and medical bills. Recently a member of PHLC lost her belongings in an apartment fire. YAHWEH Funds will assist her special needs. Designate checks to PHLC YAHWEH Fund. Thank you for your generous support of this social ministry.

THANK YOU for the donations of hats and gloves. Two large sacks of "winter woolies" were taken to the Salvation Army Night Watch program. The Salvation Army mobile van travels the city during the winter months serving hot meals, hands out warm clothes and provides social services to those in need. Your donations are greatly appreciated! THANK YOU! The diaper collection for Essential Pregnancy Service was successful - 3 cases and 13 bags of diapers were delivered to EPS! Mothers who are in need can shop free in the baby boutique at EPS! The agency is always in need of gently used baby clothes and baby items. EPS is located at 6220 Maple.

Care. Ministry: The Lenten Devotions " From the Cradle to the Empty Grave" are now available on the card table in the narthex.

If you need to receive gluten-free communion wafers or alcohol-free wine, contact pastor, an elder, or an usher, for Sunday and Wednesday communion.

Severe Weather Cancellation Policy for Pacific Hills

Lutheran Child, Youth, and Adult Education Programs:

During bad weather conditions, monitor the TV or radio school closing listings. If it is announced that Omaha Public Schools day or evening classes/activities are canceled due to weather, the education programs at Pacific Hills will also be canceled. Pacific Hills will not be listed in the closings and you will not be personally notified. This policy does not apply to worship services. If classes and activities are not officially canceled but you feel conditions are unsafe, please do not feel compelled to attend.

Comedy, BBQ, Men, Road Trip: On Sunday, April 2nd

at 5:30 pm, the Men’s Ministry at Peace Lutheran in Grand Island, NE, will be sponsoring their annual “Man Feast Event” featuring Comedian Jeff Allen. This annual event, for men only, is an evening of fellowship, inspiration, music, prayer, great food and fun comedy. Pastor Drebes would like to lead a group of men from Pacific Hills. If you would like to attend and be part of the car-pool please contact Pastor Drebes at bryandrebes@pacifichillslutheran.org no later than, Monday, March 20. Tickets are $25.00. For more information go to http://www.peacegi.org.

Pacific Hills is looking for a fill-in custodian to work when Mark Stasny, our custodian is on vacation or ill. Work hours would be flexible and training provided. Wages would be hourly, but a volunteer willing to step up and serve would be welcome. Contact Jim Mueller at jmuelx@yahoo.com or call 402-390-2646 with any questions.

Lamb of God Preschool is looking for a classroom aide for the 2017-18 school year. The position is 20 hours a week (mornings) following a school year schedule. Must have experience working with young children. If you or anyone you know is interested in this position please contact director/teacher Kay Storck at 402-391-2288 or KayStorck@PacificHillsLutheran.org.

OMAHA GIVES: Mark your calendar for May 24th. This is the date of Omaha Gives. Omaha Gives is a community foundation that supports various community organizations and non-profits. May 24th is the big, annual day of giving. Plan now to participate and support Pacific Hills Lutheran Church.

Events of Other Congregations and Agencies

11th

Annual Concordia Omaha Gala, Friday, March 3, Embassy Suites-West-LaVista. 5pm - Silent Auction, Cocktails, Benefit Drawing and Wine Pull. 7pm - Dinner followed by Live Auction and Entertainment. Dinner Menu: Blackened Shrimp Salad, Steak Filet, Seared Chicken Breast with Spiced Apricot Glaze, Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables, and Dessert Dash

To register for tickets go to: http://www.concordiaomaha.org

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 5529 Leavenworth St, “Celebrating 75 years of Commending Christ from One Generation to Another” prayer service” on March 4 at 9:30am. Refreshments served at 9am. Service lead by Pastor Andrew Gerike, Zone Counselor.

L.E.A.F. (Lutheran Education Advancement Fund) Dinner and Silent Auction, Friday, March 31, at S.t Paul Lutheran School (5020 Grand Ave.). Speaker, Bob Ziegler, Education and Youth Ministries-Nebraska District-LCMS. Tickets—$25. See www.stpaullitheranchurch-school.com or call 402-451-2865 for more information.

Concordia Sr. High School has teaching opportunities for the 2017-2018 school year in high school English and Religion. To apply, contact Sr. High School Principal, Matt Korte, at 402-445-4000 or kortem@concordiaomaha.org.

PRAYER LIST February 24, 2017

(Family and Friends: Please call the church office to add/remove names below.)

Readings for Sunday, March 5: Genesis 3:1-21; Psalm 32:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

Anniversariess

Doug & Sharon Brown 3/3

Birthdays

Patrick Radke 2/26

Kae Stille 2/27

Jan Haggstrom 2/28

Death: Rev. Donald Matthiessen (cousin of Ruth Laughlin)

Thanks and praise to God for Jonathan Robert, healthy

baby boy, born February 21, to mother Laura, my niece .

Sandy Frazier

PHLC Members: Frank Bladt, Grady Chastain, Mary Lou Chastain, Emily Demmel, Les Demmel, Duane Fieck, Jeannine Fulner, James Gatluak, Paul Gladman, Helen Glanzer, Dennis Grindle, Mike Horton, Sue Kelly, Christopher Kiihne, James Koun, Carol Lacz, Bob Loeck, Ramona Long, Evelyn Monochie, Harriet Moore, Vernon Pearson, Leon Rottmann, Geraldine Rueter, Leon Siedlyk, Alfred Simonsen, Chris Stastny, Dorothy Storek, Mary Sunderman, Carolyn Vierck, Marilyn Walker, JoAn Werblow, Roger Wohlers, Sara Young

In Assisted Living Facilities: Charlotte Berkland, Mary Lou Chastain, Dorothy Ebener, Lois Eggers, Jeannine Fulner, Mike Lessmann, Norma Payne, Jean Schmieding, Alfred Simonsen, Marilyn Walker, Dena Zak, Bob Bailey, Ruth Baumgartner, Jan Bouc, Helene Stigge

Friends and Relatives:

Tyler Adams (grandson of Don and Lorene Adams)

Luetta Beckman (mother of Linda Minor)

Sandy Botrell (cousin of Barbara Fremder)

Oscar Brown (nephew of David Haar)

Carol Copple (sister-in-law of Doris Anderson)

Patty Dyer (niece of Leon Siedlyk)

Ron Ethan (friend of Helen Glanzer and Kae Stille)

Elizabeth Grindle (mother of Dennis Grindle)

Sharlene Grindle (sister-in-law of Dennis Grindle)

Nathan Kander in Military (nephew of Alice Osborn)

Philip Kander in Military (nephew of Alice Osborn)

Vera Krengel (mother of Barbara Fremder)

Laura (niece of Sandy Frazier)

Alma Meseke (aunt of Barbara Fremder)

Dave Minor (husband of Linda Minor)

Bob Nelson (son of Barb and Lew Nelson)

Both Nyun (family of Peter Chol)

Heidi Padilla (niece of Doris Anderson)

Jim Pape (father of Debbie Fraser)

Jo Anna Perkins (friend of Dennis Grindle)

Helen Small (grandmother of Kristen Karl)

Charlotte Thompson (sister of Leon Siedlyk)

Erika, Logan and Ellie Walker

Gavin Webster (grandson of Larry and Judy Webster)

Special Intercessions:

Those who travel and those who protect us

All who lead us ecclesiastically and politically

Missions/Missionaries of the Church

Our Campus Ministry program

Our Lamb of God Preschool

All Lutheran Schools

The pastors, staffs, and members of our North Circuit congregations, schools, and preschools.

Ministry of Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha

Concordia University, Seward

Mentally ill, their caregivers, and PHLC Care Ministries

The ill, hospitalized, dying, and grieving

Health and protection of all children, including the unborn

Unemployed/financial difficulties

End to terrorism and for justice and peace among all nations

The incarcerated

Pray for God’s grace and mercy upon all who face trials, chronic illnesses, or addictions, and upon all who lack a saving faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior

Unrest in the U.S. and the world

Victims of storms across the country