Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will celebrate Holy Week with a number of services and special events.
On Palm Sunday, April 14 at 9 AM, we will host a Children’s Tenebrae Service. Tenebrae is a special service which includes Jesus’ seven last words from the cross. Each time we read one of the words, we extinguish a candle to remind us of the gathering darkness the day Jesus died. We also sing songs appropriate for children as we observe this solemn moment in the life of Jesus.
St. Paul’s congregation will celebrate Palm Sunday with a service of Holy Communion at 10 AM on April 14. Fresh palm leaves will be given to all worshipers at the close of the service. Palm Sunday commemorates the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey amidst the praises of the people. It’s a joyful day, though in view of the rest of Holy Week, also bittersweet.
St. Paul’s congregation will observe Maundy Thursday, April 18th with a service of Holy Communion at 7:30 PM. On Maundy Thursday, we remember Jesus’ time with His disciples in the Upper Room, where He gave them the Lord’s Supper. We also remember Jesus’ time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas, a disciple of Jesus, betrayed Jesus in the garden. Jesus was arrested and brought to trial during the night.
St. Paul’s will observe Good Friday, April 19th with a service of Holy Communion at 1 PM and a service of Tenebrae at 7:30 PM. Good Friday is a sad and solemn day in the life of the Christian Church. We remember Jesus’ death on this day. We call it Good Friday because Jesus, God’s Son, died for our sins, and for the sins of the whole world.
St. Paul’s will celebrate Easter Sunday, April 21st , with two services. St. Paul’s will host a Dawn Service of Holy Communion at 7 AM in St. Paul’s sanctuary. An Easter breakfast will follow at 8 AM in St. Paul’s Koepchen Fellowship Hall. St. Paul’s will also celebrate Easter with a Family Service at 10 AM that same morning in the sanctuary. Easter gives us the great joy of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. The Christian church celebrates the Good News that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice and raised Him from death. Because Jesus lives, God also gives us the sure hope of everlasting life.
Yours in Christ.
Pastor Holsten
St. Paul’s Looks forward to the visits of two special guests in worship services this Spring.
- Bruce Sutherland, Constituent Relations Manager of Lutheran Hour Ministries, will be with us at the 8:30 and 10 AM service on Sunday, March 31. Mr. Sutherland will share an update on the many ministry opportunities offered by Lutheran Hour Ministries. We will share a belated St. Patrick’s Day lunch with Mr. Sutherland at 11:15 that same morning in Koepchen Fellowship Hall. Lutheran Hour Ministries is our mission of the month for April.
- Dr. Tony Steinbronn, our New Jersey District President, will join us for midweek worship on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30 PM. Since our midweek worship theme, “What Kind of Love Is This?” is based on the Ethiopian hymn, “When I Behold Jesus Christ,” we’ve asked Dr. Steinbronn to share his experience with the church in Ethiopia in our evening service.
NOTES FROM PASTOR
Lenten Soup and Sandwich will be served Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in St. Paul’s Koepchen Fellowship Hall. Lenten Worship will take place at 7:30 PM in St. Paul’s sanctuary. Wednesday suppers and services will continue through April 10.
Our theme for our Lenten Midweek Services is: “What Kind of Love Is This?” This theme comes from Hymn 542, “When I Behold Jesus Christ.” This Ethiopian hymn was written by Almaz Belhu. The hymn was translated by Hartmut Schoenherr, and Jim and Aurelia Keefer. The last stanza was written by Joseph Herl, a music professor at Concordia, Seward.
Your Help Is Needed! Please sign up to lector and usher for Sunday and Midweek services.
The members of St. Paul’s share their sympathy and the sure hope of the resurrection with the family of Hayley Zaky. Hayley, Lois Lake’s granddaughter, passed away from a severe asthma attack early Thursday morning, February 28th. Hayley’s funeral took place on March 5th. A memorial service for Hayley was held March 9th in Sparta, NJ. At the time of her passing Hayley was 14 years old. Lois Lake’s address is:12223 North River Rd., Mequon, WI 53092
The members and friends of St. Paul’s share their sympathy and the sure hope of the resurrection with the family of Michele Seymour. Michele, a longtime leader of Weight Watchers in Emerson, passed away on Saturday, March 16. Michele’s funeral took place on Saturday, March 23 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Rochelle Park.
MARCH CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
ELDERS
- Met on March 5th, 2019
- Reviewed Pastor’s report
- Set schedule for upcoming month
- Elders are doing soup and sandwich on March 20th.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
- Sunday School is going well.
- Finished last Bible study.
- Next Bible study “He Chose the Nails” will be starting Thursday March 21st.
MISSIONS & EVANGELISM
- Pastor Matt Lytikainen was here on January 27th.
- We have been collecting for Lutheran World Relief by “feeding the Pig”.
- March mission is the Closter food pantry. April is the Lutheran Hour Ministries. Bruce Sutherland will be here on March 31st for a luncheon. May mission is the Armed Forces.
- Will be doing soup and sandwich on April 3rd.
- We have a new holder for pamphlets.
- Welcome postcards for new Closter residents are being sent.
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
- Have been busy with soup and sandwich.
PROPERTY
- Repaired two sinks and a toilet.
- In the process of cleaning out the kitchen of old and expired goods.
STEWARDSHIP
- Went to nursing home in February to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
- Will go again next Tuesday to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
OLD BUSINESS
- Constitution – no new additions or corrections have been received. Will discuss next month and vote so that it will be ready and available for presentation at May Congregational meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
- We need a nominating committee to fill offices for council members whose terms are expiring.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
| 4 | Ryan Voellm |
| 8 | Anthony Cardinali, Matthew Rojas |
| 9 | Candy Sposa |
| 14 | Coulton Woodford |
| 15 | Casey Luikert, Emily Sposa |
| 17 | Christopher Schama |
| 21 | William H. Dahle |
| 22 | David Keil, Dana Keil |
| 23 | Aiden Voellm |
| 29 | Leah Wiederholz |
THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY
Plan to join us on April 4th, 11th and 25th for a Lenten Bible Study. This study will be based on Max Lucado’s book He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart. Our Bible study takes place on Thursday mornings at 10 AM. We meet in St. Paul’s conference room. Donna Munsch will lead this Bible study. Pastor Holsten helps us get started each week with a song and a prayer.
Every gift from God reveals His love, but no gift reveals God’s love more than the gift of the cross. During this holy season, we will take time to remember God’s love and grace. We will do so as we ponder Christ’s Passion. Our focus will be on the nails, the crown of thorns, the robe, the empty tomb, and Jesus’ resurrection.
LADIES AID
St. Paul’s Ladies Aid will serve as hosts for the next LWML Rally. The Rally will take place on Sunday, April 28. Registration for the Rally will be at 2:30 PM in St. Paul’s sanctuary. Refreshments will be served afterwards in St. Paul’s Koepchen Fellowship Hall. The theme for the Rally will be, “Jesus, Our Rock.” All women are invited to join us for this rally. Helpers are needed to assist with setting up. Our setup time will be 11 AM on the same Sunday (April 28). Please speak to Janice Pierro if you are willing to help with the setup.
SECRETARY’S CORNER
HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!!!!
Join us for Holy Week at St. Paul’s Closter
Children’s Tenebrae April 14 9:00 AM
Palm Sunday 10:00 AM
Maundy Thursday April 18 7:30 PM
Good Friday April 19 1:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Easter April 21 7:00 AM & 10:00 AM
Easter Breakfast 8:00 AM