OCULI

The Third Sunday in Lent

“The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister
and to give His life a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:28

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church  †  Bingen

Missouri Synod

The Reverend John Dreyer, Pastor                      Worship  8:00 am & 10:30 am / Wed. 7:00 pm

Mrs. Leanne Busick, Director of Music                           Sunday School & Bible Class: 9:15 am

Mr. Keith Dicke, Youth Director                                          Pastor 701-0001/Church  639-6178

Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School                                                       Parish Hall  639-6244

Mr. Lowell Timm, Principal                                                                           School  639-6177

Oculi Sunday

15 March 2009

_{- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -}

Regarding participation in the Blessed Sacrament of Christ’s True Body and Blood: Because oneness at the altar presupposes oneness in faith and doctrine, we expect that all who commune at the Lord’s altar are members in good standing of an LCMS congregation. We ask that all who commune register on a communion card. All visitors should state their home LCMS congregation. First time visitors please speak to Pastor Dreyer. Individual cups for those desiring them are available as you approach the altar.

^{- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -}

Welcome visitors   Please sign the guestbook in the narthex to acknowledge your presence.
                                       For information regarding Holy Communion please see the above note.

In our prayers  Fred Berning (Harborside), Herb Mailand (Woodcrest), Gert Deister and
                                 Mary Scheumann (Woodview), Conner Emenhiser, Amanda Bultemeier, Xavior Palacios, Marie Hobrock, Sherrill Peters (sister-in-law of Bob and Jeanette Peters) and Betty Schroeder (sister-in-law of Jean Uffelman and Jeanette Peters. Our soldiers: in Afghanistan - Erich Roberts (brother of seminarian’s wife Emily Ottmers); Katie Tedeschi in Japan; Casey Holt in San Diego, CA, Garry Murdock, Jr. at Fort Stuart, GA, Deb Chappel (daughter of Phil and Evie DeBolt) at Fort Sill, OK; Matthew Owen (nephew of Kevin Selking) at Camp Legune, NC; Daniel Ulman (grandson of Roger and Fay Koenemann) at Bremerton, WA and Chaplain Daniel Gard, in Louisiana. Shut-ins: Erna Scheiman, Evelyn Aumann, Tom Aumann (Woodcrest), Velma Zelt (Regency), Deanie Holle (Concord Village), Donna Conrad (Huntington), Margaret Scherer (Village of Heritage) and Geraldine Buuck.

lenten meals    Wednesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Sponsored by: Ladies Guild. Free will
                                offering matched by Thrivent.

Calendar of the Week

Today                    8:00 am   Morning Worship - 9:15 am  SS/BC - 10:30 am  Divine Service

                  10:30 am–1:00 pm   Men’s Fish and Tenderloin Dinner

TUESDAY                6:00 am   Early Bird Bible Class

                                  8:00 am   Sewing Cancer Pads

                                  7:00 pm   Wyneken Lower Grade Program and Bake Sale

                                  7:30 pm   Ladies Guild Meeting

WEDNESDAY          8:20 am   Chapel

                                  9:00 am   Ladies Aid Quilting

                                  1:00 pm   Lenten Service

                          4:00-5:00 pm   Public School Confirmation Class

                          5:00-5:30 pm   Private Absolution in Sanctuary

                          5:30-6:30 pm   Lenten Meal

                                  7:00 pm   Lenten Divine Service

                                  8:00 pm   Choir

                                  8:30 pm   Men’s Basketball

THURSDAY             1:00 pm   Pastor at Woodcrest

Sunday                  8:00 am   Divine Service - 9:15 am  SS/BC - 10:30 am  Morning Worship

                                  7:00 pm   Youth Meeting

_{- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -}

Attendance last week:        8:00 am  (140)      10:30 am  (147)        Wed. 1:00 pm  (31)           7:00 pm  (84)

^{- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -}

hospitalization/  If you or someone in your family is scheduled to go into the hospital or outpatient for any reason or is being released
outpatient              from the hospital, please call Pastor Dreyer at church or 701-0001 (Decatur).  Due to HIPPA Laws hospitals
                                     will not contact us-so you must.

thank you   to Pastor Dreyer and members at Bingen for prayers, visits, cards and many words of concern during my recent testings at the hospital and during my recovery.     Florence Hoffman

thank you   to Pastor Dreyer for his prayers and visits and to all for the prayers and cards after
                          my recent surgery. God bless you!                                              Harold Kleine

thank you   to all who contributed for the MDA this past week.                     Pastor Dreyer

annual fish/tenderloin   today from 10:30 am-1:00 pm. Cost is Adults/$8, children (6-
                                                     12)/$4.50, 5 and under is free. Proceeds to go to the Wyneken Roof Project with Thrivent matching funds.

Private Absolution is offered midweek in the sanctuary during Lent from 5:00-5:30 pm.

midweek lenten service   Pastor Martin Moehring of St. Peter, Fuelling, will be our
                                                     preacher. Pastor Dreyer will be at Peace + Berne. The theme for our service is: The Godly Know They Need Forgiveness. Join us for supper prior to the service.

office hours  The secretary is in the church office 10:00 am-2:00 pm Tuesday-Friday, and is
                             available at 639-6178. Any changes to this will be noted in the bulletin and newsletter. Pastor can be reached at 701-0001.

NEWSLETTER ITEMS April/May items are due tomorrow. Leave all information in church office.

ladies guild   will meet 7:30 pm this Tuesday. Program: The Servant Heart with Lea Ann Fifer.

Youth   The next meeting will be Sunday, March 22.

flowers for easter   Order a plant to grace our Easter service and plant it in your garden
                                            later. See order form in parish hallway or Evelyn Aumann to order.

care packages Our next date to pack and ship items to our service people will be Tuesday,
                                March 24, at 7:00 pm in the parish hall. This will be our Easter mailing. Please share with them the joy of our risen Savior. Also needed are the following items: individual packages of snacks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, hand lotion, eye drops, beef jerky and candy all varieties. All your donations are so helpful and greatly appreciated.

lwml convention  is June 25-28 in Portland, OR. Registration was in the winter quarterly.

Church clean-up  The Trustees have scheduled the outside clean up of the church for 8:30
                                      am Saturday, April 4 (raindate 4/11). All members are needed to help prepare our church grounds for the Easter Season.          Thank you, Trustees

LWML Retreat   On April 17-18 the LWML Indiana District Retreat will be held in Madison,
                                Indiana at Clifty Falls State Park.

LWML PRAISE SERVICE   Decatur Zone LWML Praise Service will be at 9:00 am on Saturday,
                                             April 25, at St. John + Flatrock with registration at 8:30 am. Ingathering is food items for the Fort Wayne Seminary Food Bank.

LLL/LWML    Decatur Zone Spring Rally is Sunday, April 26, at 3:00 pm at Immanuel + Union.

Scrip   Certificates are available in the parish hall between services today.

lower grade program  The lower grade program and bake sale will be at 7:00 pm on
                                                Tuesday (1:00 pm dress rehearsal on Monday). Come and enjoy!

Wyneken Yard Signs are available in the school office, pick one up and help to promote
                                            our school and open registration going on now.

School lawn care  bids will be accepted by Wyneken or any school board member until
                                         Wednesday, March 31. Bids need to be split out between the following: mowing and trimming of property as required, one application of weed killer, one application of fertilizer to the soccer field and fall leaf disposal. The other bid will include: Trimming of shrubs/bushes and one replacement of existing mulch.

Concordia High school  Discover Concordia Evenings are designed to give prospective
                                                   parents (as well as students) an opportunity to come in and take a look around Concordia. Please join us on Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30 pm. The format of the evening includes small group tours, a look at some of our outstanding programs, and a chance to meet with administrators. The evening concludes with refreshments and everyone receives an informational CLHS DVD. Come discover Concordia!

CTS    4:00 pm on Sunday, March 29, the Schola Cantorum will hold its Passion Choral Service
           in Kramer Chapel at the Seminary.

this ‘n that   Poe Volunteer Fire Department-Sausage and Pancake Brunch on Sunday,
                           March 22, from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at Poe Fire Station. Adults-13/$6, 6-12/$2.50, 6 and under is free. Proceeds for a New Jaws of Life. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church + Goeglein-Ladies Aid Card Party on Friday, March 27, at 1:00 pm. Crafts, bake sale, dessert served, donation $3. Both ladies and gentlemen are invited to an afternoon of fun and fellowship. Hoagland Volunteer Fire/EMS and Ladies Auxiliary-Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4, at 1:00 pm at the fire station for children 0 to age 12.

The Lutheran Study Bible

NEW – Pre-Order The Lutheran Study Bible from Concordia Publishing House

Engage in devotional, Christ-centered reading and study with the distinctive, comprehensive notes and practical application of The Lutheran Study Bible. This new Bible is the first in English to be developed from the ground-up with notes that are uniquely Lutheran. The Lutheran Study Bible draws together a depth of scholarly notes with rich devotional insights to provide meaningful perspective for both young and mature Christians. Pre-order your copy at cph.org/lutheranbible or by calling 1-800-325-3040.

CAN YOU BE A HOST FAMILY FOR ONE NIGHT?

Lutheran Youth from the high school in Sheboygan, WI are singing at a concert at Zion in Decatur. Pastor Gadbaw called and asked if we can host some of the high school youth for one night. He is need of five host homes. This is what is involved; the youth will be arriving on March 22 at Zion, Decatur around 4:30 or 5:00 pm. Zion will feed them and they will have their concert, then after the concert will go home with their host family. This would consist of four boys or girls and could have them sleep in two big beds. Then they will need to be at Zion, Decatur at 7:00 am the next morning. They are looking for five homes if possible from Bingen. If you can do this, please call Cheri at the Zion, Decatur at 724-7177.

Oculi Sunday

The Old Testament  +  Exodus 8:16-24

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”’” And the LORD did so. There came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and into his servants’ houses. Throughout all the land of Egypt the land was ruined by the swarms of flies.

The Epistle  +  Ephesians 5:1-9

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).

The Holy Gospel  +  Matthew 15:21-28

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.