February 2021 - Lord of Life Lutheran ...

February 2021
Click Here for the Monthly Calendar and Volunteer Schedules

In This Issue:

       Event Calendar and Volunteer Schedules
       Pastor David's Corner
       Youth Group Updates
       Lord's Lambs Child Care
       Quarterly Congregation Meeting
       Sunday Worship: In-Person or Online
       Evening Services Resume - Sunday, February 21st
       2021 Church Directory
       Officers and Board Members
       Lent Series: Places of Passion
       40 Days...40 Items Challenge
       Bible Studies
       New Members - The Wilson Family
       Online Greeter Sign up
       Faith in Action: Behind the Scenes
       The Oswald Family Update
       Monthly Collections for Haiti

   Lord of Life's NEW & Local Marketplace - LOL Exchange
          Concordia Upcoming Open Houses
          LCMS Foundation Update
          Support Programs
          SkyHawk Show Choir Camp

Every January we are inundated with advertisements for diet programs, health pills, and
anti-aging and anti-wrinkle treatments. Every time we look in the mirror, we are reminded
nothing lasts forever. The gray hairs, the receding hairline, the extra pounds, and the
wrinkles remind us we’re aging, so we try to delay or deny it. This isn’t new. Early Spanish
explorers came looking for the fabled fountain of youth. We’ve commercialized the search
and made it a lucrative business for health clubs, diet systems, and exercise programs as
we seek beautiful bodies and youthful vigor.

Health and fitness are important, but the fact remains no matter what we do, sooner or
later we are all going to die, unless Jesus’ return on the Last Day happens before the day
of our death. “Here today and gone tomorrow” is no cliché. It sums up our life. Compared
to eternity, our mortal lives are brief. Adam and Eve brought death into the world by their
sin. All their descendants must die.

Human life is fragile. We’re all one breath or on heartbeat away from death at any time. A
tragic accident, a violent crime, a serious illness, or number of things can bring us face to
face with death – our own or someone we love. You probably know the pain of loss and

the ache of grief. Death is here to stay until Jesus returns. On that final day, He will raise
all the dead in the power of His resurrection. But Jesus has not abandoned us until then.
We aren’t just running out the clock waiting for the day of our death. We have an anchor in
eternity. Jesus promises to be with us every moment through His eternal Word.

On February 17, we will celebrate Ash Wednesday and once again enter the 40-day
season of Lent in preparation for the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection. The season of
Lent is a reminder of our sin and our mortality. With the imposition of ashes on the
forehead in the shape of the cross, we hear the words: “Remember that you are dust, and
to dust you shall return.” But Lent is also a reminder of the hope we have in Jesus. On
Good Friday we remember the sinless Son of God died for us. The Lamb of God has taken
away the sin of the world – your sin and my sin included. Jesus rose from the dead on the
third day. He is the resurrection and the life. Because He lives, we also will live, even
if/when we die. That is our comfort and hope in a world of full of tragedy and death.

The day of our death will come, but the victory has been won for us. The day of our
resurrection from the dead is also coming. We look forward to the day when our Lord will
return in all power and majesty. All those who died in faith in Jesus will rise to eternal life –
no more sin, no more suffering, no more aging, and no more death. Everything that we
yearn for now and futilely seek through diet, health products, and exercise will be ours
through our faith in Jesus Christ. Do what you can to be physically healthy, but more
importantly, cling to Jesus and you have eternal life.

                                     Pastor David Linkugel

                                 Youth Group Dates

   February 7 - Super Bowl Sunday - NO YOUTH GROUP
      February 14 - Middle School Youth Group 6:30-8:00 pm
      February 21 - High School Youth Group 6:30-8:30 pm
      February 28 - NO YOUTH GROUP

            Middle School Youth Group

   We are going to restart the Middle School Youth Group this
   month. Normally, this group will meet on the FIRST Sunday of
   the month but due to the Super Bowl on February 7th, we'll start
   on the 14th and go from 6:30-8:00pm. Middle School Youth
   Group is for our 6th-8th graders. If you have any questions,
   please get in touch with Pastor Caleb.

During the month of January we experienced severe weather events causing
us to close for a day, close early, and open late. These decisions are always
stressful for me and cause me to think about many different factors: how will my
staff make it in safely, what if it gets worse throughout the day, will the

neighborhood streets be cleared, will our snow removal company have our
parking lot cleared, how many parents need us to open, can our food service
company make it to us safely, etc. etc. As you can tell, the decision is multi-
layered and ultimately I need to make the call. Once I make the call, I breathe a
sigh of relief and pray I made the right decision.

This process reminds me that God is ultimately in control and He watches over
every decision that I make regarding our center. He wants the best for my staff,
our families, and children, so praying for His wisdom and guidance during these
decision-making times is the first step in the process. Please continue to pray
for Lord’s Lambs, particularly that we can find one more full time staff member.
We celebrate one-year work anniversaries of two staff members, Christina
(twos teacher) and Julie (kitchen)! We are thankful for the talents that they bring
to our center!

Needs: We are in need of extra pants for when our little ones have occasional
accidents. If you have any pants size 18 months through 6, we could really use
them!

Even though the weather tried to deter us, we celebrated National Lutheran
School’s week! What a blessing it is to be able to share the love of Jesus with
our children every single day! Hearing our teachers share Bible stories, songs,
and prayers every day with them is priceless. Our children are able to grow in
their faith by spending their days in a Christ-centered environment. It makes me
so happy and proud when a parent shares with me that their child sings songs
at home or when they insist on praying before a meal or for a sick friend
because that is what they learn to do here regularly. What a difference a
Christian education makes in the lives of these children and their families.

Christ is the focus in our program and that is what makes Lord’s Lambs

different from other centers. I pray that as we move forward throughout 2021
we all continue to put Christ first and foremost.

God’s blessings to you all!
Mrs. Denise Kempnich, Director

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed,
knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been
acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

      Quarterly Congregation Meeting

 We will have our quarterly congregation meeting on February 21st starting
at Noon (or as close to that as we can after the 10:45 service ends). This
meeting will be conducted similar to the meeting in November, meeting both in-
person in the church and on Zoom. We will email the Zoom link, agenda, and
other pertinent information the week prior to the meeting.

                           Sunday Worship
In Person Worship follows the Omaha Mask Mandate, in which we must maintain a 6 ft
social distancing for each household and continue to wear masks as we enter and exit the
church. Printed bulletins, hand sanitizer, and free masks are available.

Livestream services are on both Facebook and Youtube. You can access these pages on
our website at LordofLifeElkhorn.org. You may watch live at the service times or view the

recordings at your convenience either on the website > Publications > Sermons, or on the
Videos page in Facebook and YouTube.

Attendance Records are again available for both in-person and online worshipers. Please
complete and place in the basket if you are worshiping in person. Click on the link in the
Facebook post or through the homepage of our website to register your online attendance.

                         5pm Services Return!

On Sunday, February 21st, we will resume our 5:00 pm service, the first since
the Covid-19 Virus spread throughout the area back in March of 2020.
Communion will be included in this service, but masks will be required to be worn
the entire time, except during Communion. If you plan to attend, please
email Pastor David.

                    2021 Church Directory
  In order to make things safer and easier for everyone, instead of placing the
  new year's church directories in the church inboxes, we will be sending our
                         church directory virtually this year.

         For printed copies or updates, please contact the church office.

                Click Here to the 2021 Directory

                  Officers and Board Members

As you serve as a congregational leader, commit yourself to:

1. Be faithful in worship
   2. Be involved in a Bible study
   3. Be a good steward of your time, talents, and treasure
   4. Serve faithfully

                Congratulations to our 2021 Leadership Team!

Church Officers: Steve Black, President; John Cox, Vice-President; Megan Jacobsen,
Secretary; Aaron Sailer, Treasurer; Loren McKown, Financial Secretary
Board of Christian Education - Sarah Addink and Jen Meyer
Board of Elders - Jeff Nix
Board of Evangelism - Tricia Hotaling
Board of Fellowship - Angie Kroymann and Leslie Mrsny
Board of Human Care - Kris Bamesberger
Board Properties - Bill Hester
Board of Stewardship - Deb Karle
Board of Lord's Lamb Child Care - Joyce Black

             Please keep them in prayer as we continue through the year!

PLACES of the PASSION
                   A Series of Services for the Season of Lent
                             In-Person and Online
                   Beginning Wednesday, Feb 17 | 7:00 pm

In this worship series for Lent, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus,
contemplating what happened at each place our Savior stood along the path of
His Passion for our sake. Written by theology professor Reed Lessing, each
service explores the meaning, history, and spiritual inspiration associated with
the location highlighted. We will learn things we may not have known before as
we grow to understand more deeply the hard road our Lord took, that the way
to heaven might be open to us.

Ash Wednesday 2/17: The City of Jerusalem • Matthew 26:1-5: Jerusalem is
the place of the Passover, where Jesus gathers with the crowds.

Week 1, 2/24: Bethany • Matthew 26:6-13: Jesus is anointed for burial by his
friend Mary, at her home in this small town.

Week 2, 3/3: The Mount of Olives • Matthew 26:30-35: The disciples sing a
hymn with Jesus before they head out to this place of prayer.

Week 3, 3/10: The Garden of Gethsemane • Matthew 26:47-56: Jesus is
betrayed and arrested in this garden under cover of darkness.

Week 4, 3/17: The Courtyard • Matthew 26:57-69: While Jesus is put on trial
before the high priest, Peter denies Jesus in this place.

Week 5, 3/24: Pilate’s Judgment Hall • Matthew 27:11-23: Pilate is positioned
here to set Jesus free, but turns him over to be crucified instead.

Lent is a time to consider our spiritual growth as we remember the
sacrifice that Christ made for us. We encourage you to participate in this
40 Days - 40 Items Challenge. Our Board for Human Care is repeating
last year's successful program, with this year's focus on much-needed
household items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.

 Bags will be available in the Commons for you to take home and use
throughout Lent, to place a household or hygiene item in each day. Our
donations will be given to COPE, the Christian Outreach Program of
Elkhorn. Please return your filled sack/s between Palm Sunday and
Easter.

                           Bible Studies

The Men's Bible Study are starting a new
                                                Bible study, Aslan's World, so if you would
                                                like to participate this is a great time to
                                                begin. They meet online (via Zoom) on the
                                                2nd and 4th Saturdays from 8:30 - 9:30 am.

                                                 Contact Bob Karle at 308-379-8483 or the
                                                   church office if you would like to join.

 Respected author and professor Angus Menuge draws out and highlights for us the Biblical
allusions found in C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which is part of the
Chronicles of Narnia series. He does so in such a way that it not only engages Bible
study participants but also leads us deeper into the Scriptures. There we hear not the voice
of the great lion Aslan in the world of Narnia, but rather his counterpart in our own.
Sessions Include:

      The Man behind the Books
      Through the Wardrobe
      Faith, Doubt, and Logic
      Aslan Is on the Move
      Promise Breakers and Promise Keepers
      A Deeper Magic Still

The Women's Morning Bible Study continues the study
                      of Isaiah: Herald of the Messiah. Classes meet online (via
                      Zoom) on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 am.

                      For more information, please contact Deb Karle at
                      308.379.8481.

The Women's Evening Bible Study is studying Lysa
TerKeurst's study, The Best Yes. The study is online, via
Zoom, at 7 p.m. every 2nd & 4th Monday of the month.

The Bible study is facilitated by Monique Rassmussen.
Please contact Janet Macklem (call or text 402.290.9793
or email her) with any questions.

'Cyboard' Online Greeter Program

  Our Board of Evangelism has started a new greeter program for our online worship
community! They are asking for Sunday morning volunteers to simply greet and connect
with our worshipers on Facebook and YouTube, and to receive any prayer requests
they might have. Anyone may volunteer, whether you are attending that service or
not. More details are included in the sign up. Click below to go to the sign-up.

                         Online Greeter Sign-up

We want to thank all of our front line workers! You provided needed services to so
many during this last year. You supported our health by working in a hospital or medical,
eye or dental clinic. You contributed by working at a school, daycare, grocery store,
restaurant, retail store, or gas station. You provided police, EMT or fire protection,
garbage collection or veterinary services. You drove a truck, worked at a bank, delivered
packages, or maintained utilities and roads. You sent out paychecks, bills, notices,

answered phones and created emails. Many of you went to work, wearing a mask for 8-12
hours a day, putting yourself at risk and nervously wondering about your family. Your
personal and family sacrifices are so appreciated. Thank you for showing your
Christian love and concern to others as you served in your respective jobs.

                            Stewardship Corner

                                       Materialism

   “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of
   the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the
   lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the
   Father but from the world” (1 John 2:15-16).

   Webster’s Dictionary defines materialism as: “the tendency to be more concerned
   with material things than with spiritual goals or values.” Based on this definition,
   there is no doubt that we live in a very materialistic society. Materialism involves
   greed, covetousness, and the love of money. It results in our envying others who
   have what we don’t have. It causes us to dwell on money and possessions and is
   characterized by an extreme lack of contentment. Materialism leads us to spend
   money we don’t have to buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t even
   like.

   Some of the symptoms of materialism are:

          Love of money
          Lack of generosity
          Lack of contentment

                Love God and use money to serve God and your neighbor.

The Oswald Family

Our seminarian, Drew Oswald, and his family are continuing to let the Light
of Christ shine throughout their daily lives. They were even able to visit
family     near       the      end       of      the      2020       year!

Now that Arleigh is back in school, Sutton is growing up fast, and Jen &
Drew managed with a recent Covid-19 exposure, He is continuing to use
them in a seemingly lost world. Christ continues to be their Hope.

"But we can fearlessly repeat: the Light shines. The Light in the darkness
of fear and hatred. He shines in the darkness of disease. He shines in the
darkness of death. Jesus Christ is the Light of the World; the Light no
darkness can overcome..."
- Drew Oswald

            To view their January 2021 Newsletter Click Here.

                   Collection to Haiti

Click Here to View/Download the Collection List for Haiti

Do you have a service, trade, or profession to advertise to your fellow church and child
care families? Maybe you have something to sell, an item to barter, or a treasure that
still has life left in it but you can no longer use? Are you looking for a babysitter, a
handyman, a plumber, or a recommendation?

Weekly Submission Deadlines are Tuesdays at 3:00 pm. Submissions accepted
online only through LordofLifeInfo@gmail.com.

Some Basics

   The page is on the LordofLifeElkhorn.org website, under 'Publications', so that
       non-Facebook families can also participate.
      This exchange is offered and advertised only to the Lord of Life Church and
       Lord's Lamb's Child Care families.
      We will be a clearinghouse only – posting images and descriptions that will be
       supplied by you. Donors/sellers/buyers will be required to communicate
       between themselves.
      Submit at least one image (jpg or png)
      Submit a description no longer than 5 sentences.
      Provide first name/last initial, plus preferred contact (cell, email).
      Include pricing and/or ‘Or Best Offer’ (OBO) notation in your listing.
      All submissions are subject to approval.
      Postings will be listed for a term of 4 weeks. We will update the posting if you
       notify us of the item’s availability or a price reduction.
      Items for posting may be resubmitted after a 2 week break.

Any questions may be submitted to Julie or Tarrin in the office.

        Concordia Omaha Open Houses

Concordia's Forward with Faith Campaign

Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha has launched the Forward With Faith
capital campaign. This campaign has a $3 million goal that will go towards a $6
million debt that was incurred since 2001, to transform what was once horse
stables into the junior / senior high school campus at 15656 Fort Street. Reaching
the $3 million goal will mean $216,000 in savings for Concordia per year and will
provide the momentum to eliminate the debt in full.

King of Kings has offered a challenge to match up to $400,000 of funds contributed
to Forward With Faith by the other members congregations of Concordia Lutheran
Schools of Omaha. At the Board of Directors meeting in January, Lord of Life
participated in the challenge by contributing $25,000 to Forward With Faith.

Individual members of Lord of Life can also participate in the challenge.
Information packets and donor cards are available on the table in the entry and can
be picked up on Sunday mornings or during the week. In the notes section of the
contribution card, indicate “Member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church. King of Kings
Challenge Match."

          For updates or to pledge online, visit Concordia's campaign page.

Frank and Katherine were raised to be thrifty, hard-working, God-fearing, children
of God. They raised their children in the faith as well and enjoyed sharing Bible
stories with their grandchildren.
Frank and Katherine were known to not waste a thing, washing, and reusing
disposable items, ripping off the bottom half of a piece of mail that came, to use for
scrap paper. They had been diligent savers, putting a portion of weekly income into
an investment account.
Years ago, their advisor had directed them to put investments in annuities. Since
that time, all growth on their investments had grown tax deferred. They never
planned on spending any of it. They planned on giving it all to their children as

inheritance. Little did they know that a large portion of that inheritance would
simply be paid in taxes.
An LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor had presented at their church and
raised the topic of wise tax planning. They brushed it off. They did not see the
value. This couple that rejoiced about saving pennies at a time by reusing old
things, threw away tens of thousands of dollars in taxes that could have enriched
their children’s inheritance or created a nice bequest to their Church, enabling
more people to hear about Jesus.
We often put off such work, because it intimidates us, as we venture into topics
that we have never discussed before. Yet the story of Frank and Katherine
illustrates for all of us, that a few hours of conversation and planning could
potentially magnify the effect of a lifetime of careful stewardship of God’s gifts.
Your LCMS Gift Planning Counselor can help. Contact Craig Stirtz at 402-616-
0312 or craig.stirtz@lfnd.org

          Ways to Support Lord of Life and Lord's Lambs
                            ** at no extra expense to you **

   Opportunities to Support Lord of Life (details follow)

          Amazon Smile (0.5% return on purchases through Smile.Amazon)
          TAGG (Upload a photo of your receipt and earn 5% at local businesses.)
          Scrip (2%-50% rebate on purchased gift cards) Online at
           ShopwithScrip.com or through the Raise Right App
          Direct Your Dollars (Family Fare receipts)
          Direct Your Labels ($25 for every 500 UPC barcodes of Our Family brands)

   Thrivent Choice Dollars

                 Click Here for Directions and Details
     *If you have questions on any program, please visit our website or contact Julie Koenemann.*

 Do you have a middle schooler who enjoys singing and dancing? Skutt
High School's Show Choirs are presenting a camp on President's Day! One
of our youth, Joshua Buck, will be helping lead the camp activities.
Participants receive a shirt, lunch, and snack, all for $25. Unfortunately, EPS
is in session that day, but another camp will be held this summer.

                           Click Here to Register