Grace to you and Peace…

Lent brings us to a place of devotion, prayer, fasting, giving, and reflection.  It is a time when we prepare for the grace that is poured out in the flesh and blood of Jesus.  Many people might think of Lent as a time of depressing events and readings because we are hearing about Jesus’ journey to the cross.  The truth is: we cannot experience the joy of Easter Sunday without first heading to the arrest and death of Jesus.  We cannot experience the joy of singing “Alleluia” until we first stand at the foot of the cross and see what true love looks like.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

As God’s loved people, you are called to God’s purposes through the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus.  In the month of April, many exciting opportunities are offered to engage your love and devotion to God and to your neighbor.

During our April 5th, Palm Sunday worship, the congregation will draw its attention to the King of Kings and the wonder of his Love for you; HOSANNA!  We will also consider our blessings and gifts to God’s kingdom during this consecration service with Pr. Bill Tesch of the South Dakota Synod office.  The whole congregation is invited to participate in a Consecration Dinner Celebration following the Palm Sunday/Consecration service.

Thursday, April 9th at 7:00pm, Scandia will worship at the Lord’s Table with new communicants during their first Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday.  Come to the Table, for all is ready.

Good Friday, April 10th at 7:00pm, draws our attention to the horror and the glory of the cross during a somber and meaningful time of God’s word.

April 12th: Easter Sunday brings us to the awe and rejoicing of Jesus’ resurrection during our Sunrise (8:00am) and Celebration (10:30am) worship services.  Everyone is invited to a wonderful breakfast and fellowship in between those Easter worship times.

April 19th and April 26th will host a “love offering” for our

South Dakota Synod Bible Camps of Lutherans Outdoors.  The “love offering” during these worship services will be directed toward LO’s capital campaign.  If you have an opportunity to be generous with this gift, it will make a difference in the life of many children for years to come!

April 26th during our Sunday worship, the congregation will welcome new members of this faith community during a New Member Sunday.  Come and support these new members with your hospitality and warm Scandia welcome.

What a gift of God’s grace – to be freed to love and serve one another in Christ’s name!  We Gather in Faith, Celebrate God’s Love, and Serve in Jesus’ Name.

We LIVE in God’s Grace,

Pastor Trisha Boese