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February, 2017

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 12—Family Movie Night

February 19—Mission Sunday INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Youth Update 2 Budget With the Young Crowd 3 Sunday School Parish Nurse Notes 4 Churchwide Updates Word on Our Missionaries 5 Elder’s Corner Lenten Services 7 Life APPS (Sunday Series) In Our Prayers 8 Celebrations Calendar 7 Mission Statement 8 Church Information

Pastor Brian Writes—

What kind of reputation does your church have?

Shouldn’t there be something different about our churches? Shouldn’t we be so welcoming to one another on Sun-day that it flows out to others when we leave church? Shouldn’t the word be out in your community that the people in your church are different from all the other groups, all the other gatherings, all the other affiliations we have in our stressed and chaotic lives? “Love one another as I have loved you.” Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you. Who has more welcoming arms than Jesus Christ? “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repent-ance” (Luke 5:32). If Jesus’ arms are wide with welcome, how then should it be with us who are the Body of Christ? Are we present in our communities as a welcome alternative to all the other groups, all the other gatherings? What kind of reputation does your church have? This is a good question and an im-portant one that we ALL should be pondering. After all, it calls us to ac-count for why we are here. It call us to account in fulfilling the purpose for which God appointed each of us. It challenges us as individuals and as a body of believers to give the highest of priority to the call placed upon us. You may already know that our written purpose statement reads as follows:

The Purpose of our Church: To JOY-fully attract and connect people to Christ and His family, empowered by the Spirit to build meaningful ministries in each stage of life, and provide a lov-ing and caring atmosphere for growth, healing and acceptance! It includes:

Administering the office of keys as stipulated by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Teaching and equipping believers to witness to all people.

Providing opportunities for practic-ing fellowship with one another and other believers, who are in altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS.

Helping each other and other be-lievers to grow in the word and to en-courage one another in prayer.

Providing opportunities and en-couragement for believers to serve in Christian love the needs of all people. In one form or another we are “doing” all of the above. But the question re-mains: What kind of reputation does your church have? When you think you have the answer take a moment to ask the question again. What kind of reputation do OTHERS have about your church. After all, it’s one thing to think that by doing certain things every-one is taking notice. It’s another when they do! In this month of February, known for showing love, let us strive to be the church and the people God desires us to be.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has wel-comed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:5-7)

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BUDGET UPDATE (1/1/2017-1/31/2017) Offerings (Year-to-date) $ 21,077.50 Expenses (Year-to-date) $ 21,850.56 Principal paydown $ 1,317.00

YOUTH: Upcoming Events: 2-5 Superbowl Party details to come 2-12 6:30 Feb. Family event The War Room movie 2-19 Normal Youth Group Home Selection ASP Bible Study 2-26 –CUAdventure $20 student/$25 adults. Solve the puzzles, escape the room, save the world! Also, ASP final count due

COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE ON THE GO! What a blessing to see so many of you taking part of building up the family of God through relationship build-ing. When this all started we really struggled to find people to even host a group. That has all changed. By the last count there were 9! I praise God that He moved some hearts to open their homes for this great experi-ence to take place. We have EVERY DAY available for friends and families to join in. SIGN UP TODAY! CALL THE OFFICE AND PASTOR WILL

CONNECT YOU TO A GROUP THAT WILL BE JUST THE

RIGHT FIT FOR YOU.

The youth had a great time at our free Community Youth Trivia Night on January 29. We had around 25 kids attend. Some from other churches and some without a church home. It was a great time. Thanks to all the kids that came and brought friends. Thank you also to all of the adults that came out and helped.

The Winning Team!

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Elder’s Corner

Parish Nurse Notes

WHAT IS LOVE??? When we love something, (ice-cream, cake, pie, etc.) we want it for ourselves. Mans love is to take it for our-selves. If we love someone, we want them for ourselves. God's Love is about giving away to others. God first loved us by making man (Gen. 1:26-27, 2:7). Then we turned away from God and sinned. God still loved us by going to the cross for our sins. So, God gave us life again. Yes, Jesus came to earth to explain to us who God is and how to live our lives with His Blessings. It is all rec-orded in the New Testament. God's Love is giving to others. When we really love someone, we do want to do things for them and give them gifts. At Christmas and also at Valentines Day we want to give gifts to others to show our love for them just as God did for us. God commands us in 1John 4:7 to love one another. We are to be like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and show our love by helping others. We are to become their friend and our gift of material or service should show respect for them. God's Love is also like shining a light into a mirror. The more or brighter we shine it, the more we receive back. So, giving love is God's Light in our life. God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to the cross for us. Jesus saved us. "For it is by Grace you have been saved, through FAITH -- and this not from yourselves, it is a Gift from God -- not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's workman-ship to do good works, which God prepared in advanced for us to do." (Ephesians 2:8-10) Faith is to know God and also to commit ourselves to have a relationship with God. The devil knows God but does not want a relationship with Him. To have this relationship, we must work with God and do the work God has given us to do. Each one of us has a desire and talent from God. By using these gifts from God and doing all our work to please God, we will be God's servant to others and God will shine His Light and Love on us.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not

for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24)

Carle Hospice is looking for volunteers. Hospice volunteers provide a wide variety of important and rewarding services to

patients and their families who depend on hospice. Anyone can be the friend, caring neighbor or connection to the community that Hospice patients and their

families need. Can you give an hour or two each week—planting flowers, playing cards, writing

letters or talking about community events? If you are interested in volunteering with Carle Hospice, please contact Letisha

Owens, Carle Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 383-3151 or Let-isha.Owens@carle.com

Reaching the Unreached Ministry

Tim & Bev Nappe www.reachingtheunreached.org Missionaries: Pascal and Mary Kossi/Cote D’Ivoire

Hello Dear Directors in the Lord Jesus,

With great joy we are sending you our greetings

and wishing you a happy New Year 2017 with the

favor and grace of God in your life. We are very

grateful for whatever you have done for us during

the last 12 months that are ending soon. May God

the Father of all reward you and increase your vi-

tality and long life in your ministries.

We want to share with you how God has helped us

to win the souls for his kingdom during the year

2016. In fact, we can not do this work without God

and that is why we are giving thanks to God. Last

year on the 12 December 2016, we decided to

move from our house to a shelter for our church

services. I went to my bank and asked for a loan

to put up a shelter. Under that Shelter, God start-

ed blessing us. We have put the bricks all around

and cement inside and by the grace of God, people

are giving their life to Jesus every Sunday. We are

receiving new people coming. There is healing

taking place in their lives. People are glad about

the truth that they are hearing from the Bible. God

is so good. We had a 21 day prayer program with

the church and on the 18th day we baptized 15

new members. But this was not as easy as I am

saying it. There is opposition from some of the

parents living near the place where we have to

baptize the members, but in the last moment, God

has given us a victory and we went and came back

safely.

We want to Thank you so much for your helping by

sending money for our motorcycle. It is true that

my time for the new motorcycle is not up. It is sup-

posed to be 5 years of service but we could see

that the work that we are doing and the distances

that we are driving every day along with the motor-

cycle accidents are wearing out the motorcycles.

So please forgive us and be praying for us for long

living motorcycles.

OUR REQUESTS:

Please be praying for us. The work on the field is

not easy. Presently, my eyes are paining me, I can

not see far because of the dust that is blowing

across everyday. I am now praying for a car for

the work in Cote D Ivoire. May God give for the

Land of the Un-

reached peoples.

We wish you a

happy new year

2017! May God

Bless you and

keep you!

Your Missionar-

ies-

Pascal & Mary

Word On Our Missionaries

Mission Sunday will be held on Feb 19th, the third Sunday of the month.

Panera baked goods will be featured. Your free will offering will be given to support Pascal & Mary , our mission-

aries in the Ivory Coast.

Thank you for your generous giving.

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In The Know

No oatmeal collection this

year! Instead we are

asking our members to

give a financial donation to

empty tomb to support their

service to others throughout the year. A donation box will be in the Narthex on Febru-ary 5 and 12th. Your support will be greatly ap-

preciated. Thank You!

FEBRUARY FAMILY EVENT: Sunday, February 12

th at 6:30 we will have a movie night at our

church. We will be showing the movie “The War Room” rated PG. One of the characters, Tony, basks in his professional success and flirts with

temptation, His wife Elizabeth’s bitterness only in-creases. But their lives take an unexpected turn when Elizabeth's newest client, Miss Clara, chal-lenges Elizabeth to establish a prayer “war room”

and a battle plan of prayer for her family.

Here is the review at Plugged In: http://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/war-room/.

This is a movie that you won’t forget! We will serve popcorn, from our fantastic popcorn machine, with all the toppings – and soft drinks and water. If you would like to bring a snack to share, that would be

wonderful. See you at Joy Theater!

UPCOMING MARCH FAMILY EVENT: Tal-ent Show and Desert Auction. On March 19th at 7:00 we are going to showcase the

talent at Friendship. We are excited to have another talent show and auction to benefit

the Youth ASP mission trip. The fee to get in will be a desert to auction off. It can be

something really fancy or just simple. If you don’t bake, feel free to buy something to

bring. Please contact Monica Pape if you are willing to share a talent. It can be any-thing – singing, instrument, jokes, magic

tricks, story-telling, dance, etc. We will also do some fun things from “Whose Line is it

Anyway”. It will be lots of fun!

Do you know a worthy young man who will be starting his studies at Purdue, Indiana, Illinois or another 4-year College

or University in the Fall of 2017? Beta Sigma Psi is offering Scholarships to help cover Tuition

& Fees!

Apply Online: http://scholarships.betasigmapsi.org

These Scholarships serve as our way to give back to the Lutheran Community. Applicants should be male members of a Lutheran congregation who are interested in living up to the ideals of being a Christian Gentleman. There is no obli-

gation to join Beta Sigma Psi or be related to one of its members in order to be considered. Students may apply for

multiple awards.

APPLICATIONS are DUE February 17.

Supplication (Requesting Something)

Thanksgiving

In Our Prayers

Celebrations

Prayers for a family that may be going through a divorce.

Prayers for Lisa and her family, thier grand-mother passed away, pray for safe travel for all the family.

Prayers for healing of Beth’s cold. Prayers for the family of Bob O’Neal, who

passed away. Prayers for healing for Berniece. Continue with the good work being done in

Wendy’s life. Bring in a surge of renewal, re-freshment and the power of the Love of God. Lift her up and shine your face upon her.

Prayers for the family of Ray Lartz, who passed away.

Prayers for Lisa Hellmer, for a quick recovery from foot surgery.

Prayers for comfort and peace for the family of Charlene McPhee (my aunt) who passed away and is now with her Lord and Savior.

Please pray for Eileen Busboom's brother Edgar, that the Lord would guide and direct the doctors. Pray that strength and peace be given to the family.

Prayer for Cheryl as she will be having surgery an-for safe travel for family as they go to be with her.

Please pray for Pat, for God to protect and provide as she heals.

Payers of praise and thanksgiving as Tracie’s

Grandpa celebrated his 99th birth- day.

February Birthdays 2/6 Devon Miller, 2/7 Hazel Hutchison 2/8 Jon Fisher 2/9 Carol Mathis 2/10 Blanche Stoller 2/11 Vanessa Levan, Nikolas Taylor 2/14 Jean Hagen 2/19 Annabelle Pearman 2/22 Roger Clapp 2/25 Kristin Weatherford 2/26 Brian Pape 2/27 Brooke Miller

February Baptisms Dee Blaine, Grant Carlson, Ryan Drake, Diane Greer, Lona Oostdyk, Deborah Armstrong, Keegan Ladage, Devon Miller, Peggy Peterson, Ed Stoller, Pam (Chandler) Lalaman, Emily Bur-gener, Matthew Burgener.

February Anniversaries 2/1 Brian and Leslie Miller

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7:00 Praise Team COMMUNITY Small Groups Begin

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9:00 Adult Bible Study

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5 8:00 Traditional* 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 NonTraditional Superbowl Party Details TBA

6 11:30 Elizabeth Circle

7 7:00 Men’s Bible Study. 6:00 Elder Mtg.

8 7:00 Praise Team

9 9:00 Adult Bible Study

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8:00 Traditional 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 NonTraditional* 6:30 pm Family Event War Room Movie Night

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14 7:00 Men’s Bible Study. 6:00 Council Mtg.

15 7:00 Praise Team

16 9:00 Adult Bible Study

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19 MISSION Sunday 8:00 Traditional* 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 NonTraditional 7:00 Youth Group

20 11:30 Elizabeth Circle

21 7:00 Men’s Bible Study. 6:00 Elder Mtg.

22 7:00 Praise Team

23 9:00 Adult Bible Study

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26 8:00 Traditional 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 NonTraditional* Youth—CU Adventure ASP Final # Due

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

* Bolded signifies communion will be offered at this service.

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8:00 a.m. Traditional Service

9:15 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Studies

10:30 a.m. Non-Traditional

Service

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J.A.M. for children birth-second grade at 10:30 Service.

Holy Communion is offered on the

1st & 3rd Sundays at the 8:00 service and on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the 10:30 service .

OUR MISSION:

To Joyfully connect people to Christ and His family.

Friendship Lutheran

Church of

3601 S. Duncan Rd. Champaign, IL 61822

217-355-0454

Pastoral Care

Pastor Brian Pape pastorbrian@friendshiplutheran.com

Staff Danielle LeFaivre - Church Secretary

office@friendshiplutheran.com (Office hours 9:00-3:00)

Visit us on the internet!

www.friendshiplutheran.com