Home

Looking Up

From Ascension Lutheran Church Haddon Heights + www.alchh.org

THIS WEEK’S DEVOTIONAL- Mystery Questions of Life
by Pastor Jack Slotterback
 
 
Have you ever heard of something called “mystery questions of life”? I couldn’t help but chuckle at a few of these that I found:
  • You tell a person there are 400 billion stars, and they will believe you. But tell them a bench has wet paint, and they have to touch it. Why?
  • Why do you put suits in garment bags and put garments in suitcases?
  • Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
  • If humans evolved from apes, why do we still have apes?
  • When two airplanes almost collide, why do they call it a “near miss” instead of a “near hit”?
  • Why do you drive in a parkway and park in a driveway?
  • If the black box flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn’t the whole airplane made out of that stuff?
 
As we journey through Lent, we find ourselves approaching a great mystery that matters so much more than any of the silly questions I have listed above. It is the mystery of the cross. And here is the question- How could God love me so much that he would allow His Son to die on the cross to atone for my sin? 
 
One could spend a lifetime pondering that mystery, and never fully comprehend the fullness of God’s mercy and grace. And it is a mystery question of life because in that cross, and by having a relationship with the One who died there, we are given new life, and not just new life, but an abundant life.
 
In your quiet time with Lord today or tomorrow, spend at least a few moments meditation on his astounding love and mercy, demonstrated to us in a visible way in the mystery of the cross.
 
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me at least begin to understand the mystery of your death and the mystery of your love for me. Help me to live today reflecting that love. Amen.
 
PRAYER LIST
Millie Evans- undergoing chemo
Henry Blizzard- in Virtua Voorhees
Frank Brennan (Ruth’s brother)- Kresson View Center, Voorhees
 
OUR FAITHFULNESS IN STEWARDSHIP

 
Last Week
Year To Date
Needed
$2,861
$25,749
Received
$2,511
$21,613

 
 
OUR FAITHFULNESS IN WORSHIP

Thurs, Feb 25- canceled- snow
Last Sunday- 123
Total- 123

 
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
We have begun the spiritual journey of Lent, a time of prayer, self-examination and repentance. Please join us each Thursday at Contemporary Worship (6:45 pm). Each week we will be focusing on a video teaching series by Pastor Rick Warren called “40 Days of Love- We Were Made for Relationships”. Join us, and receive a free study guide to help you each week at worship, and for further study at home to help you dig deeper.
 
We strongly encourage every member of Ascension to pray for our ministry. Please use our Prayer Focus Guide (available at church) every day in March to remember the needs of our Music Ministry in your prayers.
 
Calling all movie buffs! Join us for Movie Night on Saturday, March 6 at 7:15 pm. The movie we will be viewing is Sweet Land, which tells the story of a Norwegian bachelor farmer in a Minnesota Lutheran Community and a mail order bride.
 
Readers are needed for “The Passion According to Luke”, which will be read on Palm Sunday, March 28. If you can help, please sign up on the bulletin board or email Linda Forman.
 
 Ascension website has a whole new look! Check it out at www.alchh.org. Updated this week- One new addition there is Journey to Namibia- a place where you can check out and follow frequent updates on the preparation and travels of Gwynn and Taylor Barger as they join our Synod Team to visit our Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ in Namibia. Check it out, and share it with a friend!
 
Coming in March-  Adult Forum (9:45 a.m. Sunday mornings upstairs- “The Will of God”. All are welcome- we’ll provide you a free study guide.
 
Health Kits for Haiti- a project by Rebecca Barron
People who must flee their homes quickly often do not have time to pack essential items. Health kits can help refugees maintain personal hygiene while living in exile. Items may also contribute to a new start for those who can return home.
Items to be included in each kit:
  • 1 hand towel (dark color recommended)
  • 1 wash cloth (dark color recommended)
  • 1 bath-size bar (4-5 oz.) of soap, in its original wrapping
  • 1 adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging
  • 1 sturdy comb, remove packaging
  • 1 metal nail file or nail clippers with file attached
  • 6 band aids (preferably 1/2” to 3/4”) secured with a rubber band
Note: Items should not contain any religious symbols or any camouflage, patriotic, or military symbols. LWR provides every kit with toothpaste. No additional items should be included.
If you are unable to make a complete kit, individual items are appreciated. Items can be placed in the collection box to be assembled into complete kits by the Sunday school classes. Donations can also be made which will go towards the purchasing of necessary items. If you have any questions you can contact: Rebecca Barron rgwenb222@yahoo.com (856) 873 7942. For more information you can also visit www.lwr.org.
 
Don’t be late! Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 14. “Spring Forward”- Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour.
 
Snow Alert- to get the latest updates on any cancelation of our worship services or other activities, visit our website- www.alchh.org or call the church- 547-6669. If nothing about cancelation is posted, it means we will be having worship as usual.
 
Funding for Pastor Luka's and Angela's ministry with us currently runs out at the end of this month. if you would like to see them continue with us through May, you can support them in either of two ways. If you wish, fill out a bright green pledge form, indicating how much you might be able to give. Or you can simply place your gifts in the "Luka and Angela Evangelism Fund" envelope. Both of these are available in the back of church, or call (547-6669) or email the church office, and we’ll mail you whatever you need.
 
Ascension is participating in Interfaith Homeless Council (IHOC) annual Adopt-a-Box campaign. We will be collecting until Sunday, March 21. See insert or Gwynn Barger for details.
 
Easter is right around the corner. If you would like to purchase Easter Flowers in honor or memory of a loved one, please complete the enclosed order form and put in Linda Forman’s mail slot. Orders are due next Sunday, March 14.
 
Readers are needed for “The Passion According to Luke”, which will be read on Palm Sunday, March 28. If you can help, please sign up on the bulletin board.
 
The Sunday School is collecting small items, such as stickers, erasers, balls, coins, etc to fill plastic Easter eggs for our Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday. We are also collecting pencils, post-it pads, etc to include in take home goody bags. Please put your donations in box underneath the bulletin board by next Sunday. We are also in need of decorated hard-boiled eggs for April 1. Please see sign-up sheet. 
 
Worship Assistants are needed for Maundy Thursday Traditional Service, April 1, 7:30 p.m. If you can help, please fill in your name of the Sign-Up Sheet.
 
Sing your praises to God! The Senior Choir is looking for new members. Please think about adding your voice to the group. The choir practices on Thursday at 8 p.m. and sings at the 11 a.m. worship service. New members are always welcome.
 
Altar Flower contributions are needed for 2010. Special envelopes are available in the back of the church to donate Altar Flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one. Please include your name, the name of the person you are remembering, and the Sunday you wish to have the flowers presented. The contribution for flowers is $15.00.
 
The March/April issue of The Upper Room and the new issue of Davey and Goliath is available in the back of the church. 2010 Bible Reading Guide is also available. Help yourself to a copy as you leave church today.