Author: Office Admin

2500 NE 14th Street Causeway
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Ph. (954) 942-4473
Pastor: Rev. Pedro M. Suarez

“Encouraging and Strengthening Faith in Jesus and Sharing the Joy of God’s Love”

We’re on the web
www.ststephenlutheran.net

Email us at:
sslcpompano@gmail.com
And like us on……………...

March 2016

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		1	2 12:15 p.m. / Bible Study / 3:00p.m. / Preschool Chapel	3 7:00 p.m. / Lenten Service / 7:30 / Choir Practice	4	5
6 Worship at 9 a.m. / Worship at 10:15 a.m.	7	8	9 12:15 p.m. / Bible Study / 3:00p.m. / Preschool Chapel	10 7:00 p.m. / Lenten Service / 7:30 / Choir Practice	11	12 Breakfast Bunch and Work Day 8:30a.m.
13 / Worship at 9 a.m. / Worship at 10:15 a.m.	14	15 Elections	1612:15 p.m. / Bible Study / 3:00p.m. / Preschool Chapel	17 7:00 p.m. / Lenten Service / 7:30 / Choir Practice	18 / 7:00 pm New Member Orientation	19 / 9 am New Member Orientation
20 PALM / SUNDAY / Worship at 9 a.m. / Worship at 10:15 a.m.	21	22	23 12:15 p.m. / Bible Study / 3:00p.m. / Preschool Chapel	24 MAUNDY / THURSDAY / 7:00 p.m. / Eucharist and Washing of the Feet	25 GOOD / FRIDAY / 12:00 p.m. / Stations of the Cross / 7:00 p.m. / Good Friday Service	26
27EASTER / Worship at 9 a.m. / Worship at 10:15 a.m.	28	29 / Council / Meeting / 7:00 pm	30 / 3:00p.m. / Preschool Chapel	31 7:00 p.m. / Lenten Service / 7:30 / Choir Practice

2500 NE 14th Street Causeway, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 Ph. (954) 942-4473

March 2016

Sunday Worship:
9:00 a.m. Praise and Faith Formation
10:15 a.m. Traditional Blend Service
Wednesday Bible Study:
* 12:15 p.m. Lenten Bible Study on Philippians.
Thursday Worship:
7:00 p.m. Praise and Prayer Lenten Worship.

St. Stephen

In This Issue:
Why is There a Holy Week?
Quilt Sunday Feedback.
Events and Happenings in March
Looking Ahead.
Deaconess Words.

Why is There a Holy Week?

Shouldn’t every week be holy unto the Lord? Of course! However, we keep one week during the year as “Holy Week”—a time to commemorate, reflect deeply and learn anew the power of the death and resurrection of our Lord. It is a time to strengthen our faith in Christ.
In most years, Holy Week coincides with the Jewish festival of Pesah, or Passover. They remember the deliverance from the slavery of their ancestors in Egypt and God’s working hand among them. Jesus himself, as a Jew, was participating in this celebration when he was betrayed and when he suffered with deep passion great torture and death.
Some scholars connect this special week for Christians and Jews to ancient agricultural festivals and rituals held during spring, based on the annual fertility cycles of the earth. For some, the fact that Jesus died during this week is akin to other dying and rising savior myths well known in those times and popular among the religions of the Roman Empire. This cycle reminds us that there is an eternal return of life. Easter eggs are a remnant of this tradition.
Our focus, however, is always on Jesus, and the unique action of God in Christ for the salvation and liberation of all peoples.
We begin our Holy Week with Palm Sunday. That day we are reminded of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem his final week. That same Sunday we remember the “Passion of our Lord.” We read about what happens the whole week, from his betrayal to his death. Some may say that this is done for those Christians who cannot or will not participate of all the services of the church offered the rest of the week. Others are critical and say that, there cannot be Easter without Good Friday! Thus, emphasizing the importance of attending Good Friday services.
Well, how about Maundy Thursday then? Let’s start by saying that the word “Maundy” may come from the Latin word “mandatum”, in English “command.” In the Last Supper, Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another (John 3:34).
Many of our churches reenact that night by washing the feet of one another. Therefore, I would say that that night, by receiving that commandment of loving one another, and the example of humbleness by having their feet washed by the Master, they received the strength to go through the most difficult time ever experienced. I think we should put as much emphasis on Maundy Thursday as the rest. What a special week, a Holy Week!
I hope you can come to all our Holy Week services: Palm Sunday: 10:15 am, with an external procession at 10:05 am; Maundy Thursday at 7:00 pm; Good Friday 12:00 noon (Stations of the Cross), and 7:00 pm (Good Friday Service); and Easter Sunday 10:15 am.
- Pr. Pedro

Page #

The MessEnger

Quilt Sunday Feedback

The Messenger

Page 3

Thank you so much for the beautiful display of quilts from “Thread of Love.” The congregation present that Sunday were surprised, thrilled, and honored to have these group of women doing such a loving job.
You all have a wonderful talent, and we are grateful for the time and effort in sharing that talent the way you do. You touch so many lives in a special way.
With gratitude,
St. Stephen’s Staff.

Events and Happenings

March ……………………….. 2016

SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2016
EASTER SUNDAY
Come celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ at 9:00 a.m. or at 10:15 a.m.

Looking Ahead

Saturday, April 9, 2016
- Breakfast Bunch
Please come for a time of fellowship, great food and a motivational speech.
Bring something to pass along, a donation, or simply just come!
Questions? Call Carol Jacobson 954-942-8935

Sunday, April 10, 2016
- NEW MEMBERS SUNDAY
We are looking forward to welcoming our new members at our worship services at 10:15 a.m. The Lord is bringing you so we may grow together.
Peace +

Wednesdays during Lent
Bible Study on Philippians
12:15p.m. in the choir room. Please come on a journey as we study the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians. “Embodying the Body of Christ” is the title.
Pastors Pedro Suarez and Tom Peterson lead this learning time. You may receive the materials for this Bible Study electronically by sending Pr. Pedro an email.

Friday, March 18 &
Saturday, March19
- New Members Orientation
There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for those interested in knowing about St. Stephen and membership. The dates are: March 18 from 6:30 to 8:30p.m. or Saturday, March 19 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, March 27
Palm Sunday.
This year we would like to have an external procession 10 minutes before our regular schedule. As you are able, please come at 10:05 am and we will process around our front parking lot and returning facing traffic on the sidewalk of 14th Street and then enter as usual.
Thursday, March 24
- Maundy Thursday
Join us as we begin the Paschal Triduum with an Eucharist Worship and Washing of the Feet at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 25
- Good Friday
12:00 Stations of the Cross & 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Service.

Saturday, March 12
- Breakfast Bunch & Work Day. As every month our Breakfast bunch will be on March 12 followed by a Workday. If you have a spare time please come, we need all hands possible.
Christmasdecorations
After the Breakfast Bunch we listened to Advent and Christmas songs in the sanctuary, the volunteers caught the spirit while setting up the trees, hanging the greens, checking lights and much more. Thank you all who help the church.
Christmas Nativity
We gratefully thanks all who help to repaint the Nativity figurines. Thank you so much for taking the time and for giving your helping hand when our church needed it.
In Memory of Henry Zippay, husband of Catherine Zippay. Our sincere condolences to her and the Zippay family. A memorial service will be held in our church on Saturday, January 9 at 10:30a.m.

Deaconess’ Words

Grace to you all!
I want to personally thank those who helped at the Bishops Service and say thank you for all you did, and also for those who set up for the breakfast, and served at it, you made it a memorable day.
A Special thank you to Pastor Pedro, who was there to answer any questions we might have had, he is so very helpful to us and takes the time to go through things if needed. Then there is Aidee, who I thank for really working hard at learning how things go in the office, she has done a great job and I know works on getting things right. We all make mistakes at times and no one is perfect, so just be patient and if you get a chance say thank you.
I want to just say there are so many areas in the church which are needed to be filled, we still need some Acolytes, & Ushers, we are short in that area, and also would like to find others who are willing to run the Projection and Sound, to give Larry Jones and Sera Butz a chance to sit back and if they want they could help in other areas, once in a while, so if there is anyone out there who would be willing to help please contact Rosie, or call her and let her know if your available, to step in.
We are always willing to show you what needs to be done, and you could be trained while helping, all you need is to show up, and you could do it for a couple of Sundays, until you feel comfortable to take a chance to help and be on the Monthly list. I hope we will be willing to help each other,and if necessary jump in some time to serve the church.
As one of my Pastors said, until next time KEEP SMILING EVERY CHANCE YOU GET.
Yours in Christ,
Pat Belanger
Deaconess