Where Would I Be If It Wasn’t for the Love of God?

Join us on Wednesday evenings for our Lenten Services    

Our theme for Wednesday nights during Lent of 2025 is Where Would I Be If It Wasn't For the Love of God?  Every Wednesday, we will hear from a different speaker about how God has been by their side through good and difficult times. You are also invited to attend our Soup Supper at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Please invite a friend or neighbor to share the meal and worship with us. Wednesday services will be available in person and live-streamed via YouTube, Facebook, and our website. 

 

March 5:  Ash Wednesday Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes Ashes are the traditional sign of sorrow and repentance and remind us of our mortality. Receiving the sacrament tonight, along with the imposition of ashes, reminds us that though we are fallen and fallible people, God’s love triumphs over death and sin.

 

March 12: Tim Tengbald, Retired ELCA Pastor

Tim Tengblad was an ELCA Pastor for 35 years. His faith journey and the love of God have led him to the teachings of Jesus in Aramaic. Jesus spoke and taught in Aramaic, the language of his people. He will guide us into what the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic teaches us about the natural Oneness we all live in with God, each other, and all creation.

 

And into our greatest Truth: that we all are the Love we came from and will return to.

 

March 19: Heidi Johnson, Servant of Christ Member

A life deeply held by God through many losses, pivots, and a call to walk in a new direction.

 

.... neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God.... nothing, absolutely nothing.     – Romans 8:38-39  

 

March 26: Emma Maltman, Servant of Christ Member

Life with anxiety sometimes makes small events seem far more significant than they are, so when these large problems do take hold, everything seems to fall apart. One thing that many people hold onto is the saying, “Everything happens for a reason.” While this may be true in some situations, I’d like to offer a more accurate statement: "When life gets hardest, God gives you a purpose.”

 

APRIL 2: Heather Conneran, Servant of Christ Member

Bella Love: When Pastor Melissa asked for Lenten stories reflecting on, “Where would I be without God’s love?”, I knew I had to share mine. I’ve often found myself asking, “Where would I be without my faith?”—as I’ve walked through what many would call the hardest thing a person can face: losing a child.

 

Getting to be Isabella’s (or “Bella,” as we called her) mom, I’ve experienced God’s love in countless ways. Through a traumatic birth, multiple hospitalizations, a lengthy search for a diagnosis, and ultimately saying goodbye to her for now, God has been my source of strength, hope, and peace.

 

I’d love for you to join me on April 2nd to hear the whole story.

 

“God is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” – Psalm 46:1-2

 

APRIL 9: Tom Fruedenstein, Servant of Christ Member

My plan for Lenten testimony is based on Philippians 1:6 and Romans 8: 38-39. My life has had some ups and downs, but I cling to these words.  My motto is: PBPWMGINFWMY, or “Please be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet.”  

 

“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6

 

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39