Verbal Announcements
As We Gather
It’s said that darkness is nothing more than the absence of light. Darkness and blindness are words often used throughout Scripture to describe our sinfulness—the absence of the true Light. In our continued Lenten journey, we prepare our hearts for the dark afternoon of Good Friday at the cross. Yet even in that darkness, Jesus Christ brings the light of life. In our times of spiritual blindness and comfort in the darkness of this world, we gather again today to see His light through our vision of Spirit-given faith, that our eyes may look to Him who is the light of the world—the light no darkness can overcome.
Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated today with the confession that we receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in, with and under (a way of saying that Christ is fully present in) the bread and wine. Christ's presence gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven and to nourish our faith. This is a solemn celebration, “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1Corinthians 11:29). The Lord’s Supper is meant for our good, not to our judgment. But, before presenting yourself ask these questions:
1. Am I sorry for my sins and need forgiveness?
2. Did Christ die and rise to forgive my sins?
3. Am I receiving the very body and blood of Christ Jesus?
If your answers are yes, you are welcome. If you are not a member of a LCMS church, or have further questions about The Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor.
Stewardship
Psalms. 142:5 – “I cry to you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’ ”
The Lord is our portion, our refuge, our everything. His mercy preserves us through all our days in the land of the living. This confidence frees us from the fear that so often leads to sins of greed and coveting. We have the Lord, we have a Father, and He is in control. We can follow His Word in confidence.
Lutherans For Life
"At home: can we be more loving and forgiving to those who mean so much to us? Can we take the time to show our unconditional love? At work: are we really a Christian example to our coworkers? Can we be more mindful of the struggles others are going through? At church: where sometimes, ironically, it’s the hardest, can we put on the mind of Christ, giving ourselves to our brothers and sisters in the faith? … Let the message of God's love in Jesus resonate boldly in your own life … to God’s glory.” Dr. J. A. O. Preus – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org
Benevolence
According to Merriam-Webster, the word benevolence is a noun that refers to the desire to do good unto others, as well as some act of kindness or charitable gift. Christians who show benevolence are kind to people in need, and may give small donations out of the benevolence as a response to Christ love. Someone who has benevolence or goodwill is considered benevolent, the adjective form of the word. If someone does something in a benevolent way, they can be said to have done it benevolently. (Online to donate: https://www.shalimar.church/human-care)
Altar Flowers
The Altar Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex by the drinking fountains. Check chart for donation opportunities and availability.
Children Sunday School
Students in Sunday School this week explore the story "Jesus Clears the Temple." Jesus' cleansing of the temple carries a twofold message for the Jews and for us: first, that the true Lord of the temple was here in the flesh, and second and more important, that Jesus is the true temple, who houses and perfects us, raising our bodies to be like His. Parents could ask, "Why did Jesus clear the temple? How is Jesus our temple?"
Kenwood Elementary Donates
Kenwood School is currently in need of donations of pants and shorts for students who may require a change of clothes during the school day. Gently used items are welcome, including sweatpants, leggings, jeans, pajama bottoms, athletic shorts, and similar styles. Elastic waistbands are especially helpful, and well worn pants are perfectly acceptable. Needed sizes range from children’s sizes 5 through 14, as well as adult size Small. For more information contact Rachel.Bollinger@okaloosaschools.com.
Sharing and Caring
A ministry supported by our congregation through donations of non-perishable food items, placed in the collection basket in the inner Narthex. Sharing and Caring serves individuals and families in need by providing food, clothing, and emergency assistance. It brings hope, encouragement, and practical support to those experiencing hardship or crisis.
Youth Group
Lent Meals
The Youth Board is sponsoring meals prior to Wednesday services during the Lenten Season. Dinner is served from 5:30 until 6:15 PM. Tasty desserts provided by the Board of Fellowship.
American Heritage Girls Troop 1517
The American Heritage Girls (AHG) is a Christian Scouting-like organization. The organization has more than 52,000 members with troops or individuals ("trailblazers").The stated youth membership standard is that it is for "All biological girls of any color, race, national origin and socioeconomic status who agree to live according to the standards of the AHG Oath and the AHG Creed". Adult leaders must subscribe to a Trinitarian Christian statement of faith.
For more information contact Adrienne Cook.
Council Meeting
Let us do everything with love. The Church Council is a gathering of elected advisers who serve and guide the ministries of the congregation toward our given mission. (Matthew 28:19-20). We meet in the library.
Easter Marionettes Puppets
Join us in upholding our long-running tradition of sharing the Easter story through captivating marionette performances on Resurrection Sunday. The quality of our show shines through the dedication invested in our rehearsals. We're seeking enthusiastic youth and adults to operate the puppets. Your participation will make all the difference!
Curtis.
Passion Movies
Over the years Hollywood has made a number of films about the life of Jesus; King of Kings (1961), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Jesus of Nazareth (1977), The Robe (1953), The Passion of the Christ (2004), and Son of God (2014). Each film brings a different perspective to the biblical story. Fridays in Lent @ 6:30 PM we are watching one of these films to evaluate their depiction of Jesus with the Jesus of Scripture.
Easter Egg Hunt
The Tradition of Easter Eggs: Second-century Christian missionaries encountered people in the North with pagan celebrations and evangelized to them using the symbols familiar to that culture. Christianity changed the pagan symbolism of the egg (nature’s rebirth) and linked it to the empty tomb – to Christ’s Resurrection and His victory over death. Lore that has developed around the decoration of Easter Eggs includes a tale about the mother of Jesus at the foot of the cross and Mary Magdalen’s visit to Jesus's tomb. Mary is said to have given eggs to the soldiers at the cross so that they would be less cruel. Her tears fell upon the eggs, spotting them with dots of brilliant color.
Another tale explains that when Mary Magdalen went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, she had with her a basket of eggs. Upon arriving at the tomb she discovered the eggs had taken on a rainbow of colors.
These stories are not biblical but are useful examples of how Christians in the past took advantage of secular symbols to share the Gospel with the world around them. The prize found in today’s Easter Eggs can be an opening to describe the prize won for us through Christ’s work.
Wednesdays in Lent
Lent Meals Wednesdays @ 5:30 PM
Lent Worship Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM
Palm Sunday, 29 March @ 8:00 & 10:45 AM
Maundy Thursday, 2 April @ 6:30 PM
Good Friday, 3 April @ 6:30 PM
Easter Sunday, 5 April
Worship
@ 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM - Sanctuary
Puppet Show
@ 9:30 AM – Fellowship Hall
Pancake Breakfast
@ 7:00 – 11:00 AM – Fellowship Hall
Palm Sunday Palm Harvest
Harvesting Palms for Palm Sunday on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. We select the palms from those found out on the church's trail. Along with cutting the palms, we also wash and prepare the palms for use in the worship service.
Easter Lilies
We are adorning our sanctuary for Easter with Easter Lilies. For those who wish to purchase an Easter Lily to help beautify our sanctuary, the cost is $10 per plant. Place your cash/check in an envelope and write LILIES on the envelope along with your name and envelope number, and place in the offering plate. You may take your plant home after the late service on Easter Sunday, or the following Sunday.
Easter Marionettes
This Easter, we are retelling Mark’s account of the resurrection using string puppets. Each of the Gospel writers highlights different details in their testimony about Jesus. In Gospel of Mark, there is a strong emphasis on rejection, suffering, and the cross. The disciples are portrayed as confused, afraid, and slow to understand. Even so, the focus remains on Christ Jesus and on what God has accomplished for us through him.
Youth Flash Lent
Legacy Deo
Need a source of lifetime income that comes with tax advantages and benefits God’s kingdom? Consider establishing a charitable trust or gift annuity through Legacy Deo as part of your estate plan. Some of their solutions also allow you to leave a stream of income to your family and friends. To learn more, visit www.legacydeo.org or call them at 1-800-880-3733.
Mite Boxes
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) collects mites—small, voluntary offerings—to fund mission grants that spread the Gospel and serve people in need. Inspired by the biblical story of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–4), the practice encourages all to give sacrificially and joyfully. Together, these small gifts make a big impact, supporting missions locally, nationally, and around the world.
Smokes and Jokes, a Christian Fellowship
Enjoy an evening of conversation and light refreshments as we relax together, share stories, and encourage one another in faith and friendship. Feel free to bring a snack or a joke to share, and come ready for a warm, casual time among friends. If you’d like to join, please contact Pastor Klemme directly for date, time, and location.
Easter Sunday 5 April
Worship @ 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM - Sanctuary
Puppet Show @ 9:30 AM – Fellowship Hall
Pancake Breakfast @ 7:00 – 11:00 AM – Fellowship Hall
Board Of Outreach Meeting
Philemon 4-6. The Board of Outreach has a two fold mission: To Communicate the Gospel of Christ through the members of our congregation and in the endeavor to identify the congregation with the Gospel in the local community. Meets with Pastor Klemme in the Cafe.
Properties Board Meeting
For the maintenance and repair of the congregation’s facilities; to enable the congregation and its members to carry out our Christ centered ministries. Meets in the Library. For more information contact Jeff Adams
Board of Elders Meeting
Meeting with the Called Ministers and the Board of Elders to discuss, plan, and implement strategies to carry out corporate worship, and addressing the spiritual health of the congregation.
For more information contact Joe Staton
Concert Series
The first in the 2026 concert series "Sheep May Safely Graze" featuring classical music groups. A community event to reach out and draw people in. For more information contact David Ott
Car Show
The Board of Outreach is excited to announce an upcoming Car Show and invites you to help make it a success. This event will bring our community together, connect with new families and neighbors, and create meaningful outreach opportunities. We are forming a volunteer team to plan and carry out the event, with roles in organizing, hospitality, marketing, registration, and logistics. Contact Pastor Eric or Jennifer.
Commemoration of Patrick, Missionary to Ireland
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
Patrick is one of the best-known of the missionary saints. Born to a Christian family in Britain around the year 389, he was captured as a teenager by raiders, taken to Ireland, and forced to serve as a herdsman. After six years he escaped and found his way to a monastery community in France. Ordained a bishop in 432, he made his way back to Ireland, where he spent the rest of his long life spreading the Gospel and organizing Christian communities. He strongly defended the doctrine of the Holy Trinity in a time when it was not popular to do so. His literary legacy includes his autobiography, Confessio, and several prayers and hymns still used in the church today. Patrick died around the year 466.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Festival of St. Joseph, Guardian of Jesus
The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.
It was King David’s idea to build a permanent house for the ark of the covenant and the Lord’s name (2Samuel 7:5-7). The temple he planned was built by King Solomon, but it was never really David or Solomon who housed and protected God. “The Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house” (2Samuel 7:11). St. Joseph was not Jesus’ true father, since the child “conceived in [Mary] is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20). The Church commemorates him instead as the “guardian of Jesus.” Heeding the word of God’s angels, protecting the unborn Christ, sparing the infant Jesus from Herod’s wrath, seeing Him “out of Egypt” again (Matthew 2:13-23), and bringing Him up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), Joseph is an example for all Christian fathers and guardians. But as with David “housing” the Lord who made a house for him, Joseph was never really the guardian. Christ was. His name is “Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The “offspring” promised to Abraham and renewed in the promises to David is the One “who gives life to the dead” (Romans 4:16-18). He is David’s King, Abraham’s Lord, Joseph’s Guardian and our Savior.