LifeLines March 2019

Gather, Grow, Go! What ministries do we need to do that will bring people into a saving faith relationship with Jesus, build them up, and bring glory to Jesus? Please be in prayer over this. Every area has its unique needs. The ways to discover the needs of our community are to follow the

news, pay attention to the local online conversations, and listen to people. Ask “What would help you?” and then listen. Build relationships. Relationships are the most effective bridge across which the Gospel travels. Once you know the needs, share your ministry ideas with us and how we can go about starting them.

Pastor’s Corner

Disciples of the Cross In Ephesians 2:1, 4-5, the Apostle Paul writes, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ . . .” Before Christ, we were dead in sin. Through no effort of our own, we have been made alive “with Christ”! Now what? Christ has saved us for eternity, but that eternity begins at Baptism. Some of us will spend only a short portion of eternity on earth, others much longer, but all of us are called to make these days count. In the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, Jesus calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” He asks us, empowered by Word and Sacrament, to carry on His work. There are many facets to the work of the Church. Not all of us are preachers and teachers of the Word, but we read in 1 Peter 4:10 that each of us has a gift and each of us is to use this gift to serve others. Peter speaks of offering hospitality and serving as gifts which God has given to edify the Church. The Apostle Paul writes about spiritual gifts to the Romans, the Corinthians, and the Ephesians,

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each time stressing the point that we are to use the gifts we’ve been given for the good of the Body of Christ and according to the grace we’ve been given. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25). This is the challenge Jesus issues to each of us individually and to the Church collectively. Alive in Christ, we pick up the cross and, joyfully, just as Jesus, “Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2), carry it wherever Jesus leads us. There is no life apart from Christ. As disciples of the cross who have found this to be true, let us carry this message to the world. Pastor David Linkugel

The Book of Exodus: Let My People Go!

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 6 and so does our emphasis on Moses’ book

called Exodus. In it, Moses asks Pharaoh to let God’s people go seven times (Exodus 5:1;

7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3) and Pharaoh finally does it! When he does, God’s salvation is so

amazing that the event becomes the Gospel of the Old Testament. Israel’s Scriptures mention

the exodus 125 times!

Throughout the book of Exodus God reveals who He is through His absence and His

presence, through His silence and His speech, through His wrath and His mercy, and through

His judgment and His amazing grace. In doing so, the book paints a beautiful portrait of

Jesus. Join in worshiping on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. as we focus our attention on “The

Book of Exodus: Let My People Go!”

Sermon plans are as follows:

• March 6 Ash Wednesday “Big Things with Small Stuff” (Exodus 2:1–10)

• March 13 “How God Changes Us” (Exodus 3:1–14)

• March 20 “Stop Trying and Start Trusting” (Exodus 14:1–29)

• March 27 “Strike the Rock!” (Exodus 17:1–7)

• April 3 “Mine!” (Exodus 20:1–17)

• April 10 “Digging Ourselves into a Hole” (Exodus 32:1–14)

• April 14 Palm Sunday “A New Beginning!” (Exodus 34:1–8)

• April 18 Maundy Thursday “Access!” (Exodus 24:1–11)

• April 19 Good Friday “Agnus Dei” (Exodus 12:1–13)

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Help Us Raise Funds for Permanent Exterior Signage

** at no extra expense ** Opportunities to Support Lord of Life

All monies from these programs will be applied to permanent signage for our church and child care.

Amazon Smile (0.5% return on purchases through Smile.Amazon) Scrip (2%-50% rebate on purchased gift cards) Direct Your Dollars (Family Fare receipts) TAGG (Scan your receipt and earn 5% at local businesses.) You can

also tag for Lord’s Lambs Child Care! ** If you have questions on any program, please contact Julie Koenemann. **

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When you shop on Amazon, go through Smile.Amazon.com, and select Lord of Life Lutheran Church Elkhorn as your charity. 0.5% of your purchase price will be applied to purchase permanent signage. We were blessed to receive a donation of $50.80 from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between October 1 and December 31, 2018! Thank you for your participation!!

Our Scrip Giftcard Program Has Changed We have a few remaining gift cards available for purchase (Starbucks, Target, TX Roadhouse, and Walmart). They’re in the binder at the Tech Booth. We no longer are pre-buying cards to sell here at church – until

late November and December for the holidays. You may still participate in the program. Simply log in to https://www.shopwithscrip.com/, make your selections and payment, and download and/or print paper certificates. If you desire plastic cards, we can still order them for you, but your rebate must exceed the $8.50 shipping charge in order for the church to receive any profit. Learn more about Scrip, and sign up on ShopWithScrip.com. Our organization code is9194FD1128994. Questions? Contact Julie Koenemann.

Since 2010, over $414 million has been distributed to thousands of churches, schools, and other nonprofits just like ours through Thrivent Choice®. Through this program, eligible members can make an impact by recommending where Thrivent donates its charitable outreach dollars each year. We are excited to share that Lord Of Life Lutheran Church received an amazing$1,261 in charitable outreach funding in 2018!! 2018 Choice Dollars expire on March 31, 2019. If you haven’t yet directed your dollars, don’t delay! Simply log into your account at Thrivent.com.

Together A Greater Good is another simple way to contribute

to the Sign Fund without spending an extra dollar. Whenever

you’re at a TAGG business, snap a picture with your smartphone

of your receipt and choose us. We receive 5% of your purchases!

Download the TAGG app through your phone’s App store. You

now can choose between TAGGing for the church and/or Lord’s Lambs Child Care!

Check out all the new participating local businesses at togetheragreatergood.com.

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Save your Family Fare receipts! We’re raising money for Lord’s Lambs Child Care through Direct Your Dollars! Save your receipts every time you shop at Family Fare – and please encourage your friends and family to do the same. Once we’ve collected $150,000 in receipts, we can turn those slips of paper into a $1,000 check for Lord’s Lambs! Collection boxes are in the church entry and at Lord’s Lambs Registration Desk. Please note: only original receiptsare accepted.

Isaiah 63:7 – I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which He is to be praised,

according to all the LORD has done for us.

On February 28, 2017, Lord’s Lambs Child Care opened to the public for the first

time. We opened with three children. Two years later we have 59 children

attending our program and several children enrolled for the upcoming months.

Twelve full time and five part time staff members are employed by Lord’s Lambs.

“We have a great group of talented women here at Lord’s Lambs Child Care! It’s

truly a blessing to come to work each day and know I have the love and support of

great coworkers in a Christian atmosphere.” I love to teach the children God’s word

through prayer time, stories and daily interactions. It’s wonderful to have the

whole church staff support us and work as a team.” Paula Barnhart, Lord’s Lambs

Bumblebee’s full time teacher

Over the past few months, I have received telephone calls from parents looking

for childcare. This is nothing new; but what is new are some of the comments that

we are hearing. I have heard that families are enrolled in other programs, but

because they have heard such positive statements about Lord’s Lambs they are

now looking at our program. We have had parents enroll in other programs and then

after a very short period of time reach out to me regarding openings in our

program. I have also heard from parents who have toured our facility that is "feels

different here". What a wonderful compliment! It should feel different here! We

want the love of Christ to be felt in this place. We want to be an example of what a

follower of Christ should act like when working with children. Praise God that

Lord’s Lambs does feel different than other child care centers!

I have grown in my role at the director in the last two years. My heart is on fire

for this ministry, and being a servant leader to my staff and the center is my main

priority. I pray that God will continue to bless the children, families, staff,

congregation members, and everyone involved with this ministry of Lord of Life

Lutheran Church. To God be the glory!

Denise Kempnich, Director

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Youth Calendar March 3 – High School Youth 6:30-8:30 March 10 – High School Youth 6:30-8:30 March 17 – High School Youth 6:30-8:30 March 24 – High School Youth 6:30-8:30 March 31 – Middle School Youth 6:30-8:00

Lenten Devotions

Lent starts on March 6 with Ash Wednesday. On Sunday, March 3rd a variety of devotion booklets will out on a table in the Commons. There are devotions for people of all ages, so please grab a devotion for yourself, your family, your kids and teens, and even your college students (mail them a care package from home!).

Concordia Annual Gala

The Annual Gala to support Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha is March 1 at the La Vista Conference center. The Gala begins at 5:30 p.m. To register, click here.

Concordia Senior High String players

The Concordia Senior High String players will share their musical talents with Lord of Life during the 8:00 worship service on March 17. The Concordia Senior High String players includes 7 students (6 violins, 1 viola).

6th Annual Concordia 5K and Pancake Breakfast

Set the pace for 2019 with Concordia's 5K and 1 mile fun run / walk on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at the beautiful Standing Bear Lake. Starting time is 8:00am for the 5K immediately followed by the 1 mile run/walk. Entry fee includes a sharp heathered blue t-shirt, medals, and an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast with delicious sweet cream pancakes, sausage, and orange juice catered by The Flapjack Guys. Quality family time awaits! This is the first year we're offering a huge discount for those of you that want to bring the whole family. For only $75 your whole family can participate and everyone gets a t-shirt, breakfast — and of course a medal if they’re fast! Challenge each other to prepare for the race and let the friendly competition begin! Funds raised will allow the Concordia Booster Club to continue to provide support to the school’s athletic teams and music / fine arts activities. Registration: $30; Family pricing: $75; (T-shirt deadline March 14th) To register, click here.

WE REALLY REALLY NEED YOUR HELP Sound Techs We need volunteers willing to learn video for 8:00 am worship and the sound board for 10:45 am worship. Would you please consider serving in this area? You are welcome to try it out and watch before making any commitment. You will receive personal training and plenty of practice opportunities. Please contact Julie or a Pastor to volunteer!

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The Schlund Family - Our Missionaries Lord of Life provides prayer and financial support for Rev. Andrew and Kelsey Schlund, who serve the Lord through The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) as career missionaries in Mexico. In his role, Andrew works with other missionaries in the theological education of existing pastors and possible future pastors. He also preaches and teaches whenever

needed. Through the relationships that are formed, Andrew and Kelsey seek to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people of Mexico. Andrew and Kelsey have two daughters, Charlotte and Margaret. Please pray for the Schlunds as they serve in Mexico. Pray for all the missionaries and their families in the Latin America region, for the members of El Buen Pastor and San Pedro in their work to spread the Gospel, and for the Schlund family as they continue to adjust to life in Mexico City. • Birthdays: Andrew–Oct. 21, Kelsey–Aug.16, Charlotte–March 28, Margaret-May 2 • Anniversary: June 17

Financial Counsel for God’s Stewards

God Blesses Us for our Giving By faith, we understand that the best investment we can make with our money is investing or

giving it to God. Throughout Scripture, when a command to give is stated, along with that command

is a reference to the blessings that the giver will enjoy. These blessings come in many forms. For

example in Proverbs 11:25, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be

refreshed.” In Proverbs 19:17 Solomon tells us: “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and

[God] will reward him for what he has done.” God has ordained that, when we give generously, we

receive generously.

As Christians, we should give without expectation of receiving anything in return. However, our

gracious God, Who loves us so much, thrills to bless us. He has put within us the joy of giving and

finding reward in another's pleasure.

Through Malachi, the Lord offers a double blessing to those who will be obedient in bringing their

tithes to the temple. He promises to reward them materially through plentiful harvests. He promises

that, if they will honor Him with their tithes, He will prosper them beyond their dreams. Their crops

will produce abundantly, and none of their fruit will spoil on the vine. The second part of the blessing

is that surrounding nations will see this and realize the special protection that God gives them. "Test

Me in this," God said. Are you willing to test God with your earnings? Are you willing to bring your

tithes to your church before you pay your bills? Are you worried about the mortgage, the clothes, the

groceries, and the transportation? Jesus said, “. . . do not worry about your life, what you will eat or

drink; or about your body, what you will wear . . . your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well"

(Matthew 6:25, 32-33).

Test Him! "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows

generously will also reap generously" (2 Corinthians 9:6). Are you willing to sow generously? You

are free to sow generously and then to receive God's promise that you will also reap generously.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,

will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38). It

is inevitable that, when you give, you will receive, for that is the way our giving heavenly Father has

planned it.

“Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you

will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it

with trumpets, as the hypocrites do. . . to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received

their reward in full" (Matthew 6:1-2). God pours out spiritual blessings on us when we least expect

them. When you are giving out of a desire to obey God's command and to help others, you will find

blessings heaped up and running over. These are blessings not understood by those outside the faith.

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Why is Lord of Life hosting a

Christian Estate Planning Workshop? Most people have loved ones they wish to remember in

their estate plan. Most Lutherans also support ministries

that are important to them, including our congregation. Yet

few really know the best way to do everything they want to

do for their loved ones and to make a gift for ministry. You

may be reluctant to attend a workshop/seminar for fear you

will have your arm twisted, will receive a sales pitch, or

will receive non-stop calls in the future. None of those will

be true with this workshop.

The LCMS Foundation offers numerous educational workshops each year for LCMS

congregations. These are not high pressure, sales pitch meetings. Rather they are educational, offering

information about mistakes people often make in their estate plans (resulting in more in taxes and less

to their loved ones). The seminar also provides information on several ways members can make

reduced tax gifts for their loved ones and for ministry. You can leave your checkbook at home, as the

presenter has nothing to sell. These workshops are offered by the church as a free gift to our

members.

If you do not have a will, if you have not created or reviewed your estate plan in the past 5 years, if

you want to leave a gift for ministry, or if you just want ideas on how to reduce taxes and get more to

your family and your favorite charities, it is important that you attend this workshop! Join us at Lord

of Life Lutheran Church on March 31, 2019 following our 10:45 worship service to learn valuable

information about how careful estate planning can be a great blessing for you, your loved ones and

for the ministries you wish to support. Lunch will be provided. Please sign up on the sheet on the Info

Board in the Commons.

04/05/2019 - 04/07/2019

$175.00 per person

Hilton Omaha

1001 Cass St

Omaha, NE 68102-1152

Why Attend?

Couples attend Weekend to Remember because they’re ready to invest in their marriage and

intentionally move towards oneness. We help you understand God’s blueprint for marriage so you can

create a legacy of greatness.

Here's the Plan

Each getaway begins Friday evening and continues through noon on Sunday. It’s filled with

informative group sessions and alone time with your spouse.

You will never be asked to share intimate details of your relationship with anyone.

Individually, couples complete special projects designed to reignite the spark and keep the flame

burning!

Everyone is Welcome

Timeless biblical principles provide the tools to help all relationships.

For more than 41 years we have witnessed healing, restoration, and reconciliation. Everyone is

welcome: the divorced, the on-the-verge of divorce, the deliriously-in-love, the betrothed, the

newlyweds, the wise, and the seasoned.

Our Speakers

You will hear from expert couples that practice what they preach. They are dynamic, fun presenters

who teach biblically-centered and professional-sound concepts.

Register online at WeekendToRemember.com

Our group name is LordofLifeElkhorn

Contact Pastor David with questions at 402-960-1386

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Lord of Life’s Mission

We are reaching out with love to create new and abundant lives in Christ. One Ministry. Many Ministries.

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