“Beware the Ides of March”. That’s a line from Shakespeare’s play about Julius Caesar, who was assassinated on March 15 before the Roman Senate. That day is known as the Ides of March, which observes the first new moon of the month (no matter when it falls). March is a month that observes the transition between winter and spring, this year the first day of spring occurs on Monday, March 20. We’ll see… March can be a cold, wet, overcast month with plenty of opportunities for snow.

Easter can fall in March. This year it’s April 9. So this year March is all Lent. As we observe this quiet, reflective time, we consider our fallen sinful condition, and our need for salvation. If it were not for Christ, our situation would be hopeless, and that’s no way to live. Beware the Ides of March! It’s easy to get depressed during this time of year.

On the cross, we see our salvation in Jesus Christ. Trusting in Him, we are forgiven.

But even now, in the midst of Lent, the light of resurrection dawn shines through the overcast. Soon enough, the fragrance of Easter Lillies will fill the air and the beautiful notes of “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today!” will fill our hearts with joy. We struggle with Lenten times each day and throughout our lives. But that won’t get us down. We know that Easter is coming!

Blessings,

Pastor Stanton

To the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given

us in the One He loves. Ephesians 1:6

What is grace? To some it is the name of a pretty little girl. To others grace is what you say before you eat. To still others grace is good manners, or the action of a performer in a ballet. But to the sinner, grace is the unmerited mercy of an all-loving God.

Grace is an amazing thing! It is hard to define. It is love, but it is more than love - it is undeserved love. Grace has been given to us freely by God. It is not something we can earn nor is it a one and done. God's grace flows freely, daily, bountifully! It is not a slow drip, drip, drip from the faucet of God's love. This grace is sufficient to cover all our sins no matter how bad or how often they have been repeated! Grace greets us every morning, fills our day with SONshine, and covers us warmly through the night.

Grace flows freely - without price! It is ours! We could never come up with enough money, goods, or sacrifices to be worthy of this grace. We couldn't even purchase forgiveness for one of our sins. We cannot earn or buy this grace - it comes to us freely "in the One He loves".

Grace comes freely to us but it did not come cheap. It had a price, a tremendous price. This grace came at the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God's grace flows freely because of His Son. It is Jesus' perfect life, mighty death, and glorious resurrection that we receive this grace. God's fountain of forgiveness, love, grace, and mercy are ever freely flowing because of Jesus!

This Lent remember this grace. Be thankful for this grace. Don't take this grace for granted. Share this grace with everyone around you. Be wrapped up in His amazing grace!

In His Service,

Jennifer Leinss

Second quarter Sunday school offerings will be going to support youth clubs in India. We have the opportunity along with our preschool students to participate in a global adventure through the wonderful program Gospel Adventures by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Students will get the opportunity to meet kids from India, see how they live, work, and play. Most importantly we will get to see how they love the same Jesus that we do! Offerings collected will ensure these youth clubs can continue! For more information check out https://www.gospeladventures.org/fundraising.asp. If you would like to support this cause, place your donation in an envelope marked India - Gospel Adventures!

For the first quarter of 2023, our Special Mission Offering will support Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW). LBW works to ensure that all people throughout the world who are blind or visually impaired will have access to the Good News of salvation, by providing Bibles, pamphlets, and other materials in Braille, Specialized Large Print, and Audio Christian materials. To sponsor Special Missions, please sign up on the bulletin board.

The Endowment Fund Board approved Five Homeless Grants, totaling five thousand dollars:

White Stone Warrior- $1,000

Repairer of the Breach - $1,000

Street Angels- $1,000

Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge - $1,000

NAMI (Path)- $1,000

White Stone Warrior: Dousman, WI - Provide hot/cold meals six days a week to Waukesha/Milwaukee homeless community at four different park locations. On average per week, 1,000 hot meals and 1,200 bulk meals. They are privately funded, supported by volunteers and faith based.

Repairer of the Breach: Milwaukee, WI - Only daytime homeless refuge and resource center in Greater Milwaukee. Open six days a week. Faith based and completely privately funded.

Street Angels: Milwaukee, WI - Provide two new buses for transportation of the homeless to overnight shelters. In addition, they give out meals, clothing and hygiene products.

Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge: Grafton, WI - Provides a four-stall mobile shower unit to give showers to homeless guests. Also provide new under garments.

NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Waukesha, WI - NAMI is a national organization that supports and educates the public on mental illness. The organization has locations in Milwaukee and Waukesha. The Waukesha location has a program called PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness). PATH is staffed by four full-time employees. They go out into the homeless community and deliver backpacks containing hygiene products, clothes (hats and gloves), granola bars, water, etc. At the same time, they also provide resource information to the homeless. Our grant will be used to support the Waukesha PATH program.

The board and committee members again thank you for your continued support and prayers in these endeavors.

Blessings,

Homeless Fund Committee Chair

Robert Koch