1 Weekly TV Broadcast Mondays, 7:00 p.m. Charter Channel 986 Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. HBC Channel 20 “We are ‘Central’ to Winona, disciples of Jesus living a vibrant faith.” March 2018 259 W. Wabasha Winona, MN 55987 www.CentralLutheranChurch.org 507.452.5156 Congratulations! Central continues to improve and shine! I wish to ONCE MORE tell you how you are unique and healthy: Your worship has quality liturgical plan- ning. Your office is efficient, welcoming, and work well together. Your at- tendance is stable. You continue to receive new members even in transi- tion. You have moved forward in youth ministry in transition and you are continuing to evaluate, restructure, support and improve this ministry. Your confirmation program is amazing. Your building and grounds are beautiful and well maintained. You are considerate and concerned for your pastor. You have two visitation pastors visiting the homebound and providing ser- vices at five local nursing facilities. Lay leadership, committees and con- gregational members are taking seriously the ministry of the church, not leaving all decisions and work to the pastor and staff. Your finances, while not perfect are not bad either and you are growing your financial stewardship. Your Sunday School is vibrant and active. You have revitalized WELCA. You open your doors to the arts, to Winona State, to community groups. You feed the community with the Feast on Wednesdays. You have a marvelous, hard-working, gifted staff. Thank You! March 4th will be my last day of preaching here at Central Lutheran Church. I have indeed loved my time here at Central, although my cat, Rahab is delighted to have only ONE more car ride home. Thank you for your support financially, emotionally, prayerfully and as we moved forward. You pro- vided all I needed. I am sorry I wasn’t able to finish out the race, but I know you are close to a grand finish! Blessings to you and your new pastor. May God richly bless and keep you. Call Committee Update Your call committee continues to work hard but works with a common purpose and consensus be- cause of your support and prayers. Since our last update we have received candidate names from the Synod and are in the midst of the interview process. Meanwhile we continue to meet at least weekly and often times twice a week as well as many-many emails between ourselves. Please con- tinue to pray for us. Please join us on March 4th, between church services, to say good-bye to Pastor Jan! Pastor Jan Mehlhoff
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Transcript
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Weekly TV Broadcast Mondays, 7:00 p.m. Charter Channel 986 Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. HBC Channel 20
“We are ‘Central’ to Winona, disciples of Jesus living a vibrant faith.”
March 2018
259 W. Wabasha Winona, MN 55987 www.CentralLutheranChurch.org 507.452.5156
Congratulations!
Central continues to improve and shine! I wish to ONCE MORE tell you how you are unique and healthy: Your worship has quality liturgical plan-ning. Your office is efficient, welcoming, and work well together. Your at-tendance is stable. You continue to receive new members even in transi-tion. You have moved forward in youth ministry in transition and you are continuing to evaluate, restructure, support and improve this ministry. Your confirmation program is amazing. Your building and grounds are beautiful and well maintained. You are considerate and concerned for your pastor. You have two visitation pastors visiting the homebound and providing ser-vices at five local nursing facilities. Lay leadership, committees and con-gregational members are taking seriously the ministry of the church, not leaving all decisions and work to the pastor and staff. Your finances, while
not perfect are not bad either and you are growing your financial stewardship. Your Sunday School is vibrant and active. You have revitalized WELCA. You open your doors to the arts, to Winona State, to community groups. You feed the community with the Feast on Wednesdays. You have a marvelous, hard-working, gifted staff.
Thank You!
March 4th will be my last day of preaching here at Central Lutheran Church. I have indeed loved my time here at Central, although my cat, Rahab is delighted to have only ONE more car ride home. Thank you for your support financially, emotionally, prayerfully and as we moved forward. You pro-vided all I needed. I am sorry I wasn’t able to finish out the race, but I know you are close to a grand finish! Blessings to you and your new pastor. May God richly bless and keep you.
Call Committee Update
Your call committee continues to work hard but works with a common purpose and consensus be-cause of your support and prayers. Since our last update we have received candidate names from the Synod and are in the midst of the interview process. Meanwhile we continue to meet at least weekly and often times twice a week as well as many-many emails between ourselves. Please con-tinue to pray for us.
Please join us on March 4th, between church services,
to say good-bye to Pastor Jan!
Pastor Jan Mehlhoff
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Upcoming Events
The FEAST
Wednesdays 5:00- 6:15 p.m., Grace Hall
See Menus in the Notices section of this newsletter.
Adult Forum: You Are the Way: Devotions for Lent 2018 Sun., Feb. 18 - March 25, 9:15 a.m.-Library
In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes himself with a series
of “I am” statements: “I am the light of the world,” “I am
the good shepherd,” “I AM,” and so on. Each week we will
recap the reflection from the week and introduce the next
week’s statement. Join us for reflection and discussion of
these statements as we go through this Lenten journey.
“Gather” Bible Study
Thurs., Mar. 1, 2:00 p.m., Grace Hall
Take part in a one-hour Bible Study on “Multiple mean-
ings” from Luke 10:30-37 (The Good Samaritan) in the
March issue of “Gather” magazine. Coffee and conversation
at 3:00 p.m. All women are welcome. For more information,
contact Ardyce Paulson at 507.454.1923.
Afternoon Cards/Games Fun Fri., Mar., 2, 1:00 pm– 4:00 p.m., Grace Hall
We are going to have a few hours of fun. We will be play-
ing cards and/or games from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Coffee
and treats will be served. If weather is poor, contact Carol
Wadewitz at 507.454.3502 or Sherry Brickner at
507.459.7628.
CLC Book Group Mon. Mar. 5 & 19, 9:30 a.m., Library We will be finishing Max Lucado's book "Grace" this
month. We have been gaining a deeper understanding of
grace- more than we deserve, greater than we imagine. In
April we begin the book "The Great Spiritual Migration" by
Brian McLaren. The book says the Christian story, from
Genesis until now, is fundamentally about people on the
move-outgrowing old, broken religious systems and
embracing new, more redemptive ways of life. The
Christian faith is not dying, rather it is embarking on a
once-in-an-era spiritual shift. We would like to have
you join us for discussion. We will be ordering the
books in the next 2 weeks and you may contact Gayle
Garrity at 507.961.0465 for more information or to
order a book.
Prayers for Healing
Sun., Mar., 18, 8:00 and 10:30 a.m., worship services
Prayers for healing are offered each third Sunday of
the month in Holy Spirit Chapel (left) during com-
munion. At any time before or after you commune
you are invited to join the pastor in prayer for healing
Butter Braid Sales in 2018 was a record setting year. The center brought in $2400 to help with the playground update that will happen this summer. Thank you!
Spring Fever is Real This summer the
center is updating the playground. The play-
ground fundraising is still in full swing. The Butter
Braid sale, that we just had, was just a small part.
The center started in 2012 dancing our way into the
hearts of Winona with Dancing with the Winona
Stars. The fundraising has been ongoing and we
will
soon
see the fruits of our labors with this new
wonderland for the children at the center to play.
The center will be looking into age appropriate equipment for our youngest children to be able to spend time outside and be safe. To keep the equip-ment from being used by non– appropriately age people a new fence will be installed.
We will be starting the planning process soon. We will be opening up opportunities of more fundrais-
Keeping busy during these
cold winter months.
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“We are ‘Central’ to Winona, disciples of Jesus living a vibrant faith.”
259 W. Wabasha Winona, MN 55987 www.CentralLutheranChurch.org 507.452.5156
Youth News/ Events In January I attended the annual Extravaganza Event in Houston, Texas. Extravaganza was an amazing experi-
ence. The Extravaganza is “an annual 4-day conference that draws together anywhere from 500-750 adults
who work with youth in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the premier renew-
al, education and networking event of our church.”
It is an event that allows for meaningful networking and education for people who work with youth all over the
nation. It helps connect pastors, youth directors, volunteers, and other various forms of youth work from sum-
mer camp programs, seminaries, and retreats. In my time at “the E”, I met lots of wonderful people and really
took note of what has been effective in their ministry and what has been ineffective. I feel recharged in my
ministry here at Central Lutheran and I am already making plans for what our youth program will look like
over the summer and in the fall.
With Houston being the host city of the National Youth Gathering this summer, I also got to get a feel for the
area before taking our 8 kids on the trip this June. I got to see the hotel we’ll be staying in and some of the
sites around it. Our kids are really excited about the hotel pool as you can see from the photos it’s actually a
lazy river that’s in the shape of Texas!! Not sure how much time we will be able to spend at the hotel pool with
so many other things going on but it really is exciting to be located in such a cool place. Our hotel is very close
to Minute Maid Park where the Houston Astros play and not far from that is the Houston Toyota Center where
the Houston Rockets play.
We are counting down months until Houston and we are so excited. We are still working to raise money for
the trip! It is going to cost $1500 per kid so every bit of money helps. If you haven’t signed up for our Shrimp
Scampi Dinner on March 18th buy your ticket now!
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Change of Habit, Change of Heart Erik Floan, Director of Worship Music & Arts (and a few other things)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. –
Psalm 51:10
If you’ve been at worship this year, you know I’m trying to change some of our habits, especially that “Lutheran Mum-
ble”. I’m not expecting anyone to be raising their hands like a Pentecostal, but we are working to more zealously ac-
claiming the responses, like “Amen! And Also with You! Thanks be to God!”
And I’ve noticed a change. Every week, a few of us open up a little more. By Easter, I hope our visitors report “wow,
those Winona Lutherans sound like they actually mean what they say!” Amen. Uh, I mean… AMEN!
Lent is a good time to examine our hearts, and change our habits.
Most of you know I’m an alcoholic in recovery. Many of you witnessed the chaos and destruction my addiction caused
Central Lutheran Church, my family, and myself. It came down to this: if you expect to save your heart, Erik, you have
to change your habits.
When I entered rehab, the very first thing the Hazelden counselors did was tell me: Get up by 7am, Make your Bed,
Clean your Desk. The beginning of my change of heart had to include small accumulating changes of habit. Over 28
days these “rules” became life-giving habits which aid my recovery.
Some habits are less fun than others. Most students dislike homework. Not every member of the sports team loves
getting to practice early. Cancer survivors dislike chemotherapy.
The Lutheran Church doesn’t have a lot of hard and fast “rules” about worship or personal devotional practices. Luther
realized he’d never, ever live up to the “rules” he was asked to abide – both in scripture and in his monastic vocation.
Thus, we Lutherans are rightfully suspicious of anything that smacks of “earning our way into God’s grace.”
Strangely, most of us don’t carry that conviction into our work or school or social lives. We follow work schedules. We
get our kids to school events. We show up on time to movies and plays and card games and even Happy Hour. We
wouldn’t dream of skipping our heart medications or the pre-natal checkups.
I can promise that the day I stop making my bed, I’m headed for a relapse. The day I forgo my personal prayer disci-
plines, I’m one step closer to caring less about this congregation.
In order to save my heart, I had to change my habits.
So here’s my heart poured out for you.
Continue ….
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As I’ve become more active in youth and family at Central, I have become very aware of something: our hearts are in
the right place, but some habits are going to have to change before this ministry soars.
First, families of the kids heading to the Houston Youth Gathering have a lot of preparation work: Fundraising, logistical
planning, Covenant writing, packing. But at the top of the list: Becoming fully comfortable praying aloud. It’s one of
those things we do as a church. It’s a hallmark of Christian community. It may not come naturally for some, but luckily
Jesus gives us some pointers. I’m looking forward to this moment: By the time these kids get on the Houston bus we
are expecting them to pray on a dime. Out loud. In front of friends. Without cues from a pastor, me, or Evan.
Second, families with youth have to be connected with worship. I visit swim meets, football games, and hockey, and I
enjoy seeing CLC kids and their families. I’m truly astounded at the level of time, financial outlay, and loving effort fam-
ily’s show. Scheduling practices and attending games is a habit. The results are obvious.
How do we make youth and families connect with worship a habit? (Please notice I didn’t place that effort solely on
the families.). Trust me, I get it: everyone is busy. And I’m single without kids. As confirmation leader I hear it all the
time: We just don’t have time to make it to church. She has team practice during worship and he has a school project
that needs to be done.
Where do you want your heart to be? What habits will change to help?
The addiction counselor hears this all the time: “I don’t have time for AA; that meeting isn’t convenient for my sched-
ule; it’s too cold to go out.” To which the counselor will reply: “remember when you were drinking, how you travelled
farther, in any circumstance, in colder weather, to get loaded?”
Getting my heart’s desire meant first forming some new habits. And renewing others.
Growing up, my family said – and still says – prayer before every meal. Dad often led devotions before school. We al-
ways attended worship. Was it sometimes boring? Did we believe every word the pastor preached? Yes and no.
But was it habit forming? Did those habits shape my adult faith practices? Yes, absolutely.
This Lent, where do you want your heart to be? And what change in habit will be necessary to sustain it.
We have received the report from Lutheran World Relief that tells us where our Quilts and Kit have been sent
in 2017. They are shipped from the warehouse in St Paul to 12 different countries, from Angola to the
Ukrane. Check the poster in the narthex to see where our items have been sent. They are highlighted in yel-
low on the Chart.
Our Quilts provide comfort and warmth, the School Bags provide youth with materials
helping them attend school. The Fabric kits are used to teach sewing skills that may help people out of pov-
erty. The Personal and Baby care Kits are often given to those in refugee camps , this is such a help in caring
for themselves. What a wonderful mission!
There are lists of the supplies that go into these kits available on the information desk in the entry.
Just a note, we are VERY fortunate in having the warehouse right here in Minnesota. No shipping charges to
get them there as a member delivers them to the warehouse at no charge. (Thanks Peggy and Rich) What a
blessing. We also receive most of our supplies from members and friends of Central so our out of pockets
costs are minimal. Thanks for all of your generosity.
Donna Peterson and Nancy Snyder
Quilters
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'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?
And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And
when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' [He] will answer them, 'Truly I tell you,
just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Matthew
25:35-45.
Where do you see the Face of Christ?
Lutherans believe Christ is revealed in scripture. Says good Martin: “The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is
laid.” And also: “Nothing helps more powerfully against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thoughts than
occupying oneself with God’s Word, having conversations about it, and contemplating it.” Martin Luther, Introduc-
tion to the Large Catechism.
In the Gospels, Christ teaches in parables, metaphorical yarnswhich usually begin, “The Kingdom of God is
like….” Wednesday Night Workshoppers can tell you the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Parable of the Lost
Sheep, the Parable of the Sower, and the Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Go ahead, ask them) Christ also teaches that we see him when we serve others:
This Lent we encounter the Face of Christ each Wednesday scripture, song, prayer, and praise – and through the 2,000-
year-old tradition of Iconography - we will explore how we see Jesus. Guest pastor Keith Homstad, a retired pastor of
the ELCA living in Northfield, MN shares his passion for preaching and writing (“painting”) Byzantine-style Christian
icons.
KEITH E.O. HOMSTAD, BA, MBA, M Div., is a retired ordained pastor of the ELCA – Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, as well as an active preacher, presider and enthusiastic writer (painter) of Byzantine style Christian
icons. He has studied with Ukrainian, Russian, and Syrian Antiochan master iconographers and has produced over 130
icons. You can see most of his work online at www.etsy.com/shop/Iconsbypastorkeith where original icons, greeting
cards and copies can be ordered. He maintains a large icon painting studio in Northfield, MN.