Resurrection. It is a word that we Christians are used to hearing, but in our day and age, it is often overlooked in the design of our faith. Yes, it is wonderful to celebrate the birth of our Savior-we put much time and money into that. However, we don’t spend too much time in practice with the “resurrection.”

The material principle of our faith is justification. Justification is not only the chief article of faith, but central to every other article. It is the article by which the church stands or falls. We are declared righteous (justified) by grace alone, through faith alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, on the basis of the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Augsburg Confession and the Apology, Article IV). To correctly understand the theology and structure of our faith, one must see the centrality of the article of justification and its key function in exegesis, hermeneutics, preaching, and holy living.

That being said, the resurrection of Jesus is the bridge to our justification. The Apostle Paul said: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

(1^st Corinthian 15:13-14). Paul goes on to say in proceeding verses that “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (vs. 17-19).

Easter is all about resurrection; both Christ’s and ours. Easter recounts the glorious and miraculous restoration of life given to God’s crucified Son, who for your sake and my sake submitted to the judgment due us so that we too would have eternal life restored. Easter is our season of joy; the “ultimate” blessing of our Christian faith, even as we live in the “penultimate” of the blessings of life on this side of eternity.

While we have work to do in the life God’s given us: the call to remain faithful; the vocational call to serve God as spouses, parents, laborers and disciples; the heart to reach out with minds of missionaries to share the love of God in Christ Jesus with the lost; we must never, ever lose sight of the conclusion that “we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).

Resurrection. May this Easter season keep you ever mindful of what Christ did for you, and what Christ will do again.

Sola Dei Gloria!

Pastor Young

Rejoicing in the Lord.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20, Gospel for the 2^nd Sunday of Easter)

I guess you would be too, after all that took place just three days before. The betrayal, arrest, trial (if you could call it that), sentencing, and death by crucifixion had left the disciples drained and in fear for their lives. They would not want to relive that experience again. But each year, we Christians do ponder on the Passion of our Lord, and each time we do, there is some new detail or fact or connection that comes forth. The same is true of Easter. That tomb was like a “Grand Central Station” with soldiers in fear, women with spices, men with clothes that gleamed like lightning, angels seated where Jesus’ body was, and of course, the disciples, a band of men so fearful that they took refuge in the room where nights before they celebrated the Passover.

But Jesus wasn’t going to let locked doors and fear prevent Him from giving them what He had come to establish: Peace. The Prince of Peace, having been born in Bethlehem and announced by the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men,” now completes what Christmas only started, that of announcing peace because the sacrifice for sin was completed in Jesus’ death on the cross.

Now, Jesus’ greeting, and in His spoken tongue we would hear, “Shalom,” fills the ears and calms the hearts of those fearful followers. Their fellowship was made secure in that Jesus was there. Seeing the Lord’s body and hearing His words brought that peace that passes all things.

And that peace comes to you on Easter and on each day the Lord reveals Himself in Word and Sacrament. “This is My Body,” we hear, and like the disciples in our text above, we see the crucified-stained body of Jesus. “This is My Blood, poured out for you for the forgiveness of all your sins.” And we continue to eat His Body and drink His Blood in, with, and under the bread and wine of Holy Communion in remembrance of His life and words of grace. Easter returns to us the ‘Alleluias’ that Lent drove into exile, for that is the song of the faithful, sung with joy that only the peace of Christ could give. Celebrate that joy of Easter, not just on that one Sunday of the year, but each Lord’s Day. Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

A special thanks goes to our Parish Fellowship Board and the Family Circle for their work in preparing and serving the Lenten “Soup and Something Suppers.” We were certainly blessed with good food and good fellowship. As St. John's Lutheran Church continues to live the Easter life, you will have more opportunities to join in this fellowship, and to be part of these groups. As you read this, please consider this your invitation to become involved with either of these hard working fellow members. You, too, will be blessed to know your fellow Christians and servants in Christ, and, like the disciples, you will have joy in your work in the Lord.

Pastor Ron Brauer

Matthew 11:28-30

Have you ever found yourself in a quandary over seemingly little things. Have you ever worked yourself into a tizzy over what later seemed to be such a “little” thing. Possibly you were short on an

ingredient that was required to finish some baking dish that you were preparing. Or maybe you were working on a home project and found you had to make a special trip to the hardware store for just that right size screw or bolt to finish a project. Just another one of those little things.

Jesus often had to deal with the little things as well. For example: When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus didn’t say “It won’t hurt anything if I turn just a few stones into bread,” or “Who’s going to be harmed if I throw Myself off the temple and float down to the ground?” Jesus took care of the little things. He knew that if He broke, even once, any of God’s commandments, the rescue mission to save us would have been over. Jesus took care of the little things.

In the 26^th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, we find Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. It was just a short time later that evening that He was to be arrested, led before the Sanhedrin, then later before Pilate, and execution orders pronounced. Let us take you back to that garden for a moment. Jesus went there to pray. His instructions to the disciples were very simple; “Sit here while I go over there and pray” It was a little thing only, was it not? Then Jesus returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. Jesus then speaks these words; “Could you not watch with Me for one hour?”

It is these last words of Jesus that prompts us to write to those members of St. John’s who feel it of necessity to leave immediately following the sermon, to those who leave before communion is offered at the Altar, and to those who feel it necessary to leave before receiving the final benediction of God’s peace and blessing. It may seem as though it’s just a little thing to escape early, but remember the words of our Lord and hold them close to you “Could you not watch with Me for one hour?”

Board of Elders

3/27 Steven’s Puppets 1:00 pm

Bible Study

3/28 Healthworks Museum 9:00 am-2:00 pm

3/30 FISH, Grade 4, 1:00-2:00 pm

4/2-6 Spring Break

4/8 Easter Sunday

4/13 Fish Fry 4:00-7:00 pm

4/18 Spring Pictures 8:45 am

Seniors Luncheon

4/21 Snow make up day (1/2 day) Sat 7:55-11:30 am

4/25 Grade 4 Wax Museum (Gym) 9:45-10:30 am, 12:45-1:30 pm

4/27 Family Science Night

5/4 Lily Event 6:00 pm, Cheers Banquet Hall

5/5 Academic Bowl 8:00 am-12:00 pm

5/19 Snow make up day (1/2 day) Sat 7:55-11:30 am

135

Belle Schuster 3rd
Gr. 6 Zach Robbins 1st-tie

Nathan Gerick 1st-tie

David Cooley 5th
Gr. 7 Renata Wiltfong 3rd

Nick Wilczewski 4th

Sky Shortt 5th

WOW!

Things are taking off in great fashion. There is one ‘team’ that is working on the 4^th of July float, headed by Greg McConnell. There is another ‘team’ that will quarterback the meal for the dinner on July 15 at noon. There are a number of people to work on some smaller projects, such as the bookmark project, the historical project, publicity, and devotional book. You have noted the articles appearing in the past few newsletters and may have seen some of the displays in the hallway across the Church office. There’s more to come! Whether you are a veteran member (having been born and baptized and confirmed at St. John’s) or a recent addition to the St. John’s family, you will all have opportunities to learn how God has blessed and preserved His Church in our presence.

Keep watching for future announcements, including making your reservations to attend the dinner.

Special Quilt: You will have the opportunity to help fund some of our projects by a special donation. For each dollar contributed, you will receive a ‘Quilt Slip’ in thanks. By printing your name and phone number on the reverse side and depositing it in a specially marked box, you will qualify for a drawing of a hand-made quilt to be given at the dinner on July 15. Come see the quilt in the church office. Thank you for your interest and support. See you July 15^th!

Thank Offerings: Our two thank offering funds continue to receive your gifts. The first fund, “Reaching Outward,” is for the Indiana District Missions as our district seeks to establish ten new churches by 2009. Please consider a special, over-and-above the regular mission offering to celebrate a birthday, wedding anniversary, memorial of a loved one, or simply in thanksgiving to God for special gifts received. On the Sunday of Fulfillment (last Sunday in November) the total monies received will be sent to the Indiana District, designated for starting new churches in the District.

The second fund, “Reaching Upward,” is to the glory of God in our worship. We have received donations towards the new hymnal for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Lutheran Service Book. Each family is invited to make a donation of $20 to supply the church with new hymnals to use in worship, with no budget expense. Memorial designations may be made and recognition made with a bookplate in the hymnal. No date is set for the completion of filling our hymn racks with these hymnals, but interest has been made by some to help underwrite the cost. If you haven’t had a chance to look at one, stop by after worship and look at a copy in the chapel, as these are used for the Wednesday morning Matins service.

Thank you for prayerfully considering these two thank offering opportunities as you celebrate God’s 150 years of grace to St. John’s Lutheran Church.

From the July 4th Float Committee: We are looking for:

desiring to help.

ANY AND ALL HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! If you have any questions, please contact Greg McConnell.

Those desiring to join St. John’s by Adult Confirmation are invited to participate in a one-day Discipleship Class on Saturday, April 14, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. A luncheon will be served. If interested, please contact the church office so that materials can be prepared and a place reserved for you. This is also open to any who wish to review their Catechism. Come join us!

The Jr. and Sr. Youth Groups are busy planning the Easter Breakfast. They are in need of monetary donations for the purchase of food and supplies. If you could help them out, please leave donations at the church office.

Spring will be upon us soon and that means Spring Progressive Dinner on Friday, April 20. The social hour begins at 6:00 pm in the Ladies Lounge with appetizers; then dinner with a host family and return to the Ladies Lounge for dessert. We need hosts and participants to make it an evening of fun, food, and fellowship. See insert in this newsletter for more details and to sign up.

There will be an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7th, at 10:00 am on the church lawn. Egg decorating in the youth room after the egg hunt. All ages welcome!!!

Anyone willing to donate an empty basket or two for the May 4, 2007, Lily Event, please leave them in the church basement. We need all sizes. If you have any questions, please call Jessica Watson or Kami Alexander.

Desserts are also needed. If you would be willing to make a dessert, please contact Dawn Crum.

Tickets are now available in the church office.

Save the day! April 28 will be the day we clean up in and around the church and school. The Trustees are asking that anyone who is free from 7:00 am–12:00 pm to come help, many hands are needed!

The Board of Trustees, along with numerous volunteers, is planning our next Fish Fry for Friday, April 13. We are looking for sponsors to offset the cost, and our goal is as follows:

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