311 South 4th Avenue   *   Castlewood, SD  57223  *  (605) 793-2444

Today, February 22

Tuesday, February 24

Wednesday, February 25

Sunday, February 29

Visitors, welcome! We rejoice that you are worshipping with us. Come back soon. Members, we are glad that you are here today.

Pray for our brothers and sisters who are or have been ill: Shelly Walder, Priscilla Sweeney, Joann Ries, John Heemeyer, and Leola Wenzlick. Pray for John and Bonnie Top at the death of John’s father, Ralph Top.

Lent begins this Wednesday, February 25 with Ash Wednesday Communion at 7:00 p.m. Plan to attend all of the Lenten Services this year so that you might truly be prepared to celebrate Easter. Not even Jesus could rise until he had suffered and died.

Today: Organist: Lorene Tvedt. Reader: Joann Fischer. Acolytes: Josh Aderhold and Tyler Jankord. Recorder: Ernie Karst.

Thank you to those serving us: This month: Ushers: **Jack & Barbi Schulte family, Scott & Solveig Gasner family, Dean & Vonnie Kalt family, Carmen Jankord family, Charles & Darlene Trenary, Dennis & Vicki Strait family.

Offerings received last Sunday totaled $1033.82 in the General Fund and $166.00 in the Building Fund , $40.00 in the Mission Fund

The Fellowship Offering today will help our Lutheran Outdoors Bible Campers go to Bible Camp this summer. Your support is appreciated!

Thank you to all the confirmands and all the volunteers (We had a great turnout! Way to go, ALC folks!) who served the Watertown Banquet.

acation Bible School is around the corner. The Education Committee is looking for a volunteer or volunteers to coordinate VBS. We are also looking for teachers, helpers and craft coordinators. Please contact Dee Vetter at 793-2229 or Brenda McKee at 882-3130 if you are interested.

The Education committee is looking for a volunteer to teach 4^th and 5^thgrade Sunday School class for the remainder of the year. Please contact Brenda at 882-3130 or Lorie at 882-4424 if you can help us out.

Pastor John will facilitate a discussion of the ELCA study on Ordination of Practicing Gay and Lesbian persons and the Blessing of Same Sex Unions. All who are interested in participating are asked to meet briefly after worship on February 29, next Sun., to set times & dates.

Angel Dean, an acoustal guitarist and singer with a solid Christian message will be in concert at First Presbyterian Church, Castlewood on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m. We encourage young people and young families to attend. Everyone is welcome. Confirmation students may attend this as an alternative to that night’s Lenten service.

You are invited to the next Faith Builders class, New Testament by Rev. Chris Croghan on Saturday, March 20, 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 21, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Augustana College, Sioux Falls. Cost is $50. Register soon with Jodi Hanson at 605-274-4011.

Pastor Bjoern Meinhardt of Colman-Midway Lutheran Churches is leading a tour to Luther sites in Germany, November 4-15. There is an information meeting on Sat., Feb. 28, 3:00 p.m. at Midway Lutheran. See Pastor for directions.

During Lent the confirmation classes begin at 5:45 p.m. and include the worship service at 7:00 p.m. Attendance is expected.

Lenten suppers are not planned, unless a group wishes to lead one for a special fund raising purpose. That would be welcome.

We are still looking for a Care Team Coordinator(s) who will call those who’ve already volunteered to provide a meal or part of one to persons returning from the hospital or recovering from illness or tragedy, a Hospitality Coordinator who will call members to seek housing for guest ministry groups like Captive Free & perhaps co-ordinate other hospitality needs, and a PR Person who will prepare newspaper articles, ads, put up posters for special events, etc. Or, maybe, someone wants to do all three or two of the three. Call Pastor John, Lynn Borer, or Lorie Janssen. Please come forward. Thanks.

Pass the word. Our worship service is on television again! See it on ITC Cable TV in Castlewood on Channel 1 on Thursdays at 12:30 & 7 p.m. Tell your neighbors about the service on TV.

We have registered 11 children & youth for Lutheran Outdoors Bible Camp. This is terrific! Way to go parents & young people! Several camps still have openings so others can still register. Please encourage one another to go. Peer influence can work toward participation, too. To do so give your registration ASAP to Robin Gabur. See Robin for a form. If the expense is a problem, talk confidentially with the Pastor. We’ll try our very best to help you out, even with the initial registration of $75. We’ll also raise funds with you including the current fellowship offering, and provide from the church budget.

We are re-doing the prayer chain-calling list. If you would like to be on the list, sign up on the sheets in the narthex until the middle of February.

Steve Green will be in concert March 13, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Concert is at the Brookings Wesleyan Church , 1420 Orchard Drive, Brookings. Tickets are $12.00, ages 0-5 free, for more information or for tickets call 605-692-6671.

WELCA Medary Conference Spring Convention will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings on Sat. April 17.

Planning meeting for World Day of Prayer at Mary Ruesinks on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10:00. If you are willing to help with the program, please let Jeri Gantvoort know.

Thank you for your expressions of sympathy, memorials and prayers on the loss of my father, Ralph Top. John and Bonnie

The ALCW will be serving supper to the Hamlin County Thrivent Board Meeting at American Lutheran Church, Castlewood on Sunday, Feb. 29. This includes county officers and local church officers. County officiers will meet at 2;30. Local church officers (and their spouses) and the county board will meet at 4:00 with Nancy York, the Lutheran Community Services Specialist. She will be able to explain programs and answer questions that you have. Supper will be served at approximately 5:00. If you can help with the supper, contact Sharla Hamen or Ruby McKee.

On Friday, March 5, at 8:00 p.m., the Luther College Collegiate Chorale from Decorah, Iowa will be performing a concert with the Brookings High School Choir at St. Thomas More Church – Brookings, SD. The 90-voice Junior/Senior choral ensemble is on their spring tour of the Upper-Midwest. There is a $5.00 general admission charge.

Did you know Lutheran Social Services residential services include education, counseling, family and after-care, recreation programming and relationship building.

Questions or Comments are Always Welcomed.   Send mail to: American Lutheran Church.

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Last updated: March 04, 2004.