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PASTOR'S PAGE Wow, imagine the image of a “carried away church.” What exactly does it mean to be a carried away church? To me it means to be a church that will do anything to share the Gospel of Christ with others. We saw an example of a carried away church in our preparation for Easter Sunday. Many people gave of their time and talents these last few weeks to prepare God’s house for the celebration and to invite others. Thank you to everyone who helped us to be a “carried away church.” It was wonderful to look at the faces of the all the children that gathered for the Easter egg hunt as they heard the story of Jesus’ love. What touched my heart most was when a family came in and asked if they could participate in the Easter egg hunt. The mother explained that their church only had three children and the church did not have an egg hunt. I hugged the mother and told her that this was God’s church and all were welcome. The fact that this is God’s church was demonstrated also after the egg hunt. The family stayed for a long time talking with different people from Lord of Love. I think it is fair to say that they felt welcomed and experienced God’s love in this place. Feeling welcome and experiencing God’s love, I believe, is a goal of the “carried away church.” We need your help to continue to be a “carried away church.” The 11:00 am Sunday service has been a vehicle to share God’s love with the greater community. GraceNotes (Kyle Scheel and Emma Jo) have spent much time and effort in preparation for the services and we thank them and we thank the continuous supporters of the service (Many of the supporters attend both services.) We have had many visitors to the 11:00 service, but they have not returned after one visit. I attribute this trend to the visitors not experiencing a “comfortable” feeling in worship due to the limited attendance at the service. I was telling a friend about the 11:00 service and the limited attendance between 10 and 15 in the service (including the visiting family.) She said, “It’s almost like inviting people to your house, leaving a sign saying ‘Come on in,’ but not being there to welcome them and make them feel comfortable.” We need your help to welcome our guests. We would really appreciate it if at least 10 families per Sunday would be willing to attend the 11:00 service to help it get started. I know this is asking a lot, but I also know that sharing the Gospel is important to you and I trust that each of you will make the sacrifice. Thank you for continuing to be God’s partner in service. God’s Blessings and my thanks, Pastor Lesley
WELCA NEWS Thanks to all for donating baked goods and working at our Bake Sale on Palm Sunday. We collected $323.00 and Thrivent will match $300.00 of this amount. We will be giving all of this to Oaks Indian Mission. Thanks again. April 8th, Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.: Love Day. Bible Study leader LaVerne Mills; Hostess Carol Watson; covered dish luncheon and blanket sewing for MLM. Connie Teigen needs to have hours that each person put into the Palm Sunday Bake Sale last week (baking, setting up, working at, or cleaning up,). Remember each baked item is worth 3 hours of volunteer time. This is needed for the matching funds from Thrivent. Also, if you are a Thrivent member and took part in sale in ANY way, let her know that too. Just put a note in Connie’s mailbox. Thank you. VACATION BIBLE SATURDAY
FOR YOUR RECIPE COLLECTION Our thanks for Barb Baucom for the following, which was thoroughly enjoyed at the March WELCA Love Day potluck.
Hot Chicken Salad In a 13x9 pan mix together:
Boil 3/4 package of elbow macaroni noodles, drain thoroughly and add to pan Stir to mix hot noodles Cover with foil and bake 50 minutes Take foil off and sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese on top, bake another 10 minutes to brown the top. A THANK YOU NOTE I would like to thank everyone for the many cards, prayers and warm hugs given to me for my loss of Tom.
ADDITIONS & UPDATES Please add to your directory: Barbara Baucom, 605 E. Ash, Raymore MO 64083, & Becky, Zach & Megan Oshel, 1016 N. Washington, Raymore MO 64083. Dan Schmidt’s e-mail: dans6515@sbcglobal.net Tulie (formerly Soderlind) Brown, email: Tulieb@sbcglobal.net ALTAR GUILD HEAD SOUGHTAfter years of tirelessly serving as chairperson of Altar Guild, Georgia Zay is stepping down. Our heartfelt thanks to Georgia for this service! We need someone who is willing to line up 12 people for the year to set up communion & change altar paraments. For 2008, all months are filled except October, November & December. The chair would also be responsible for checking supplies of wafers & wine, & ashes for Ash Wednesday, and ordering palms for Palm Sunday. Georgia is happy to provide training for this position. Visit with her on Sunday, or give her a call. SPRING RINGThe Congregation is invited to attend the “Ring in Spring” Handbell Choir concert at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 5901 E. 135 St., Grandview at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 20th. Now is your chance to see how much fun we have, and what an amateur musician group can do with handbells. Are you interested in having an organization like this at Lord of Love? Contact Judy in the office for information on getting started. Refreshments in Family Life Center following the concert. A freewill offering will go towards new chairs in the choir area. MEN WANTEDWe solve the world’s problems (or at least gain a new perspective from each other) at our weekly Men’s Breakfast, 6:00 a.m. at Belton HyVee, and then apply the wisdom of our experience monthly at the Sr. Men’s coffee 9:00 a.m. the last Thursday of each month. Still on a work schedule? Breakfast meets early enough to get you energized for the day & on your way. BAIL RAISED FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Did you know that your church is helping others half way around the world in Papua New Guinea and in Russia? It’s true! The Central States Synod, along with all other 64 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are part of the companion synod program which links churches around the world into a companion relationship, using the accompaniment model for mission. Accompaniment – literally, walking together side by side – is about forming a mutual relationship between companion churches that walk together in service in God’s mission. Through this relationship, companions participate in one another’s life and ministry through prayer, study, communication, exchange of visitors, and sharing of resources. In the accompaniment model, “receiving” is as important as “sending”. The act of receiving acknowledges the wide variety of gifts and talents present in the global Christian family. Being open to and appreciative of the gifts of companions is a hallmark of accompaniment and the Companion Synods program. To read more, visit the website: www.elca.org/companionsynod. The Central States Synod is a companion to two synods outside North America: the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea-Kotte District (ELCPNG) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia and Other States (ELCROS). The focus for the ELCROS relationship is the congregations in Far Eastern Russia. A Companion Synod Team for Central States Synod was formed in 2002 and consists of representatives from each of the synod's ten Area Ministries. The team supports, encourages, and facilitates mission relationships that may be through activity of individuals, congregations, area ministries, and the synod team. Three congregations in Central States Synod are currently in a covenant relationship with congregations in the Far East of Russia. These include:
Congregations are journeying together to discover what God is calling them to do together in mission. For St. Katharine’s, a worship space was purchased and ministry outreach programs are being developed together through the companion synod relationship with Atonement. For St. Mark’s, the congregation was hungry to learn of Holy Cross’ faith and to learn how they show and live their faith to others in order to be a stronger presence in their community. St. Marie’s companion relationship is focusing on their work with orphan girls and how Gloria Dei could work with them to assist the Orphan School. To read more, visit: http://www.css-elca.org/missioninterpreter.html. Thank you for your support of Christ’s mission in the Central States Synod. Your prayers, partnerships and gifts are appreciated. For more information about the Companion Synod Team of Central States Synod or how you, as an individual, congregation, or Area Ministry can get involved, contact Kathie Walter by e-mail: Kathie-PMA@swbell.net or phone: 913-451-8778, regarding ELCROS, and contact Rev. Gary Teske by phone: 785-843-4150 or e-mail: gteske@trinitylawrence.org regarding ELCPNG . “(Jesus said) …Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love another.” John 13:34 CSSMI#20 04/08
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Prayer Concerns For The Past Month 
Mark your calendars now – save this date...Vacation Bible Saturday will be August 9th. The planning meeting for those interested in helping with VBS was March 24th, so more information will be available soon
