Principal's News Letter

Go To:

Principal’s Newsletter, Charles Strohacker, Principal

CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL
4333 CLEVELAND AVENUE
STEVENSVILLE, MI 49127

June 7, 2010

Securing Each Child’s Future- For a Life of Service!

Grace

Last Thursday, our 7^th and 8^th graders were at Comerica Park in Detroit as part of this year’s class trip. The evening before, Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga missed pitching a perfect game due to an errant call by the first base umpire. Normally I wouldn’t say that an official made a mistake, but this umpire admitted it and apologized.

Before Thursday afternoon’s game, Chevrolet and the Tiger organization congratulated Galarraga on his accomplishment and his sportsmanship. By this time, the umpire had looked at the replay and apologized to Galarraga. And Armando Galarraga forgave him. That’s grace and forgiveness.

That umpire felt terrible, but no amount of sorrow can restore that perfect game, probably a once in a lifetime thing for the pitcher and certainly an accomplishment that would have put his name into the Hall of Fame. A perfect game is rare.

And you know, the umpire didn’t make the wrong call on purpose. He didn’t call a runner ‘safe’ just to spoil Galarraga’s perfect game. But like our sins, it doesn’t matter whether it was on purpose or just a mistake. Whether our sin is willful or simply an err…it still separates us from God.

In the end, this pitcher with the ‘perfect’ game forgave the umpire who made the imperfect call. Graciousness and forgiveness.

As Christians, when we see such behavior, it immediately reminds us of God’s great love toward us, His grace and forgiveness, shown to us through Jesus our Savior.

Christ Lutheran School is a wonderful place to be, and this has been a terrific school year. Not perfect because none of us are perfect. But, nonetheless, a great school year because we share with one another this grace and forgiveness which God enables us to share through Christ our Lord.

THANK YOU

God’s blessings to everyone as we prepare to close out the 2009-2010 school year, and thank you for the many things you have done to support Christ Lutheran School, its students, faculty and families.

GOD’S BLESSINGS

Along with a thank you, I also extend my prayers and best wishes to Mrs. Schmaltz and Mr. Steffens. May God bless and keep them and grant them many joyful years in retirement as well as continued service in His Kingdom. Both of these faithful workers are retiring at the close of this school year.

CLOSING CHAPEL

The last day of school for the 2009-2010 school year is this Wednesday, June 9. Closing Chapel, led by Pastor Quardokus, will begin at 10:45 a.m. All are invited to join us in worship as we close out the school year.

Following Closing Chapel this Wednesday, students will return to their classrooms and get ready for the end-of-the-year school picnic. Thank you to the P.T.L for their financial support and to the parent committee planning this event. Our picnic will begin shortly after Chapel and take place here on our Christ Lutheran campus. Following a pizza lunch (provided), students will have time in the afternoon to play games, and our older students will, once again, take on the Faculty in a game of softball. School will dismiss at 2:00 p.m. that day. There will not be any bus service at dismissal time. In the case of bad weather we will dismiss following the picnic.

GRADUATION BANQUET

It is still not to late to purchase your tickets for the annual Graduation-Awards Banquet this Thursday, June 10, 6:00pm. Come on out and enjoy a delicious chicken dinner and honor our 2010 graduates. Tickets are available in the school office for $8 each.

All sports uniforms from all sports should be returned to school ASAP. Thank you!

GRADUATION

Congratulations to the CLS Graduating Class of 2010: Courtney Bennett, Chloe Calhoun, JoHanna Eagle, Austin Everett, Carley Grau, Paul Jackemeyer, Cooper Jennings, Hannah Johnson, Ashley Lewis, Jeffrey Lueders, Andrea Medo, Mitchell Meyer, Aaron Peppel, Peter Ross, Eric Vigansky, Payton Virsik, and Madeleine Williams. Our graduation service will take place during the 10:45 a.m. service on Sunday, June 13.

CALLING ALL CAMPERS

Pastor Measel is trying to put together a family camping weekend for some time this summer. If you are interested, please call Pastor Measel and let him know so that he might contact you when a date and details are finalized.

LADIES LEAGUE RUMMAGE

Donations for this year’s rummage can be brought to the gym beginning Sunday, June 13, through Wednesday, June 23. The rummage will open for business on Thursday, June 24 at 12:00 noon and run until 6:00 pm. Hours on Friday, June 25, will be 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. We will hold a $4.00 Bag Sale on Saturday, June 26, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Invite your friends and neighbors to come on over and check out the bargains.

HOT LUNCH TICKETS

We are nearing the end of the school year and the list of students owing for lunch tickets that they have borrowed is growing. Please check with your student to see if they brought home a form showing what you may owe. We would like to get this list cleared before the end of the year. Thank you!

SCHOOL REGISTRATIONS

Registrations for fall are now due. We order books and supplies for fall according to the number of students who register. Please help us out by remitting your registrations to the school office.

Please consider being a Room Parent next year. We still need volunteers at several grade levels.

LOST & FOUND

Last call to look for items in the Lost & Found collection. Anything remaining after school dismisses will be disposed of.

RECEPTION FOR CAROLYN SCHMALTZ

A reception honoring our school secretary Carolyn Schmaltz will be held on Sunday, June 13, between services. Carolyn is retiring after twenty-three years of service to Christ Lutheran Church and School. Please stop by to wish Carolyn well.

PLANT SALE UPDATE

Congratulations to the 3^rd grade class for turning in the highest amount of sales. They will all be receiving an ice cream treat.

Congratulations to Samantha McLean in our Kindergarten class for turning in the highest amount of individual student sales. Samantha will be awarded a SCRIP certificate of her choice.

ALUMNI UPDATE

Congratulations to the following former students of CLS who recently were recognized with honors at Lakeshore High School at their Senior Honors Night program: Allie Harris, Stephanie Lueders, T. J. Moneta, Adam Peppel, and Cara Sandmann. Best wishes to all as they look ahead to their college years.

YEAR BOOK PARTY

Julie Singler and Amy Cole are planning a yearbook party for some time in August. When the yearbooks arrive we will contact you and give you the details. This will be a fun way for the students to get ready for the new school year and have all their friends sign their year books. We hope to see you there!

REPORT CARDS

Final report cards will be placed in your church mailbox on June 15. All tuition and member families have a mailbox in the commons area. We do not mail report cards so remember to check your box this summer.

June Hot Lunch Menu

Tuesday, June 8: Pancakes & Sausage, Hashbrowns, & Peaches

Wednesday, June: Last Day of School! All School Picnic following Closing Chapel. Lunch will be courtesy of the PTL.

June 1, 2010

Memorial Day

Someone sent me a number of Memorial Day cartoons last week, the type found in the editorial section of a newspaper, along with a very appropriate patriotic message.

All the cartoons were very good, respectful of our veterans, and made me think about the meaning of yesterday’s national holiday. The cartoon that struck me the most showed three images: A package of hot dogs, a gas pump, and a military tombstone.

The hot dogs had a price tag of $1.19, and above it the words, “The price of hot dogs.” The gas pump read $1.64, with the words above, “The price of a gallon of gas.” The military tombstone bore a soldiers name, and the words above this picture read, “The price of freedom.”

We certainly owe a debt to those who have served in our armed forces and, especially, to those who gave up their lives in defense of our nation. We quite literally owe them our freedom.

Jesus, too, gave up His life for our freedom. Through His death and resurrection, our Lord, Jesus, paid all debts that we owe for our sin and won for us freedom from sin, death and the power of the devil.

PRAYERS

We offer prayers of thanksgiving on behalf of Justin Moore (5^th grade) and his return home from the hospital, thanking God for the doctors and prompt medical attention when Justin became seriously ill last week. Justin has been diagnosed with Type I Diabetes – thank you to everyone who visited Justin and kept him in their prayers.

Please keep our 7^th and 8^th graders, along with their teachers and chaperons who will travel to Cedar Point this Wednesday for a day at the amusement park. On Thursday, the students will visit the Henry Ford Estate, Dearborn, in the morning and take in the Indians v. Tigers game at Comerica Park in the afternoon.

CLOSING CHAPEL

The last day of school for the 2009-2010 school year is next Wednesday, June 9. Closing Chapel, led by Pastor Quardokus, will begin at 10:45 a.m.

SCHOOL PICNIC

Following Closing Chapel next Wednesday, students will return to their classrooms and get ready for the end-of-the-year school picnic. Thank you to the P.T.L. parent committee planning this event and to P.T.L. for their financial support. Our picnic will begin shortly after Chapel and take place here on our Christ Lutheran campus. Following a pizza lunch (provided), students will have time in the afternoon to play games, and our older students will, once again, take on the Faculty in a game of softball. School will dismiss at 2:00 p.m. that day.

GRADUATION BANQUET

Annual Graduation-Awards Banquet is Thursday, June 10, 6:00pm. Come on out and enjoy a delicious chicken dinner and honor our 2010 graduates. Tickets are available in the school office for $8 each.

GRADUATION

CALLING ALL CAMPERS

GIVE BACK NIGHT AT CHILI’S

Thank you to everyone who supported CLS by eating at Chili’s on the Give Back Night. 69 vouchers for total sales of $1845.10 were turned in throughout that day and evening at Chili’s. Christ Lutheran will be receiving a check for $184.51 to help purchase new lunch trays.

LADIES LEAGUE RUMMAGE

HOT LUNCH TICKETS

We are nearing the end of the school year and the list of students owing for lunch tickets that they have borrowed is growing. Please check with your student and/or the school office to see if you owe anything. We would like to get this list cleared before the end of the year. Thank you!

FALL ART PROJECT

Mrs. Reimann is planning a fall art project in which she will need a supply of blown light bulbs. Please save any you may have over summer and send them in when we get back to school. Thank you!

SCHOOL REGISTRATIONS

Registrations for fall are now due. We order books and supplies for fall according to the number of students who register. Please help us out by remitting your registrations to the school office.

We also need volunteers to be Room Parents in several grades. Please consider taking on this responsibility for your student.

LOST & FOUND

Last call to look for items in the Lost & Found collection. Anything remaining after school dismisses will be disposed of.

SPORTS KORNER

The score from the final soccer match of the season was Christ – 0, Upton – 7.

All sports uniforms from all sports should be returned to school ASAP. Thank you!

Thank you to all the staff and parent volunteers who have made our sport’s programs possible this school year.

SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMPS

Summer basketball camps will be held the week of August 9-12 for 3^rd/4^th grade students. Girls – 10-11am; Boys 11-12 noon. Camps for students in 5^th/6^th grades will be held the week of August 30-Sept. 2. Girls 9-10:30; Boys 10:30-12 noon.

Students in 7^th and 8^th grades will have open gym dates throughout the summer and have received those schedules.

CENSUS RESULTS 2010

Students at CLS participated in a mock Census 2010 to learn about the official census taken this year by the government. Look for the interesting tidbits we learned from our students coming home today with this newsletter.

June Hot Lunch Menu

Wednesday, June 2: Mini Corn Dogs, Chips, & Pears

Thursday, June 3: Grilled Cheese, Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup, & Pineapple

Friday, June 4: No Hot Lunch – Everyone Needs to bring a lunch.

Monday, June 7: Tony’s Pizza & Full Salad Bar

Tuesday, June 8: Pancakes & Sausage, Hashbrowns, & Peaches

Wednesday, June: Last Day of School! All School Picnic following Closing Chapel. Lunch will be courtesy of the PTL.

May 24, 2010

Birthdays

As we near the end of this school year, I feel a bit like I’ve come full circle. During the first half of the school year, my 7^th grade Sunday School class and I studied Church History, and our first lesson in September was on Pentecost, ‘the birthday of the Christian Church.’ Yesterday, we observed Pentecost in worship, the day God sent His gift of the Holy Spirit, and the Christian Church was born.

Over the coming Memorial Day weekend, I’ll be with family, and one of the things we’ll do is celebrate my niece (and Godchild’s) 6^th birthday.

How would it feel if she opened my gift and said: “Uncle Chuck, what’s this?” “I don’t want that…” “What a crummy gift!”?

Maybe you’re saying to yourself, “I know how it would feel – it’s happened to me.” Kids, especially young ones, can be bluntly honest at times, and maybe one has said this to you. More and more often my nieces and nephews just say, “Give me a gift card.” Easier, yes, but sometimes I’m left feeling like they’re saying, “Hey, I know what I want – just give me the card, and let me pick out my own gift.”

All that has gotten me to wondering lately – How do I respond to God’s Pentecost gift of His Holy Spirit and His Church? Am I grateful, or do I look upon it and say, “What’s this? Why, I don’t like what God is saying in certain parts of His Word. Maybe I could just ‘tweak’ this to fit my personal needs.”

That may sound a bit harsh, but in our sinfulness, I believe we are all like this at times. In my own selfishness, I must confess that there have been times when I’ve forgotten that the Giver of all things is also the Maker of all things, and that in His great love for me, He always provides what is best.

MEMORIAL DAY

School will not be in session next Monday, May 31, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. I pray that all our families enjoy time together over the three day weekend and that God brings us safely back together on Tuesday morning.

“GOING GREEN”

Thank you to Gerry Kabelman for providing the free green t-shirts our students received last week, and thank you to our students who spent some time sprucing up our grounds. I got some great group photos of the children and their teachers, all in green, shot from the roof last Thursday. And yes, I did make it up…and down safely.

THANK YOU

Thank you to Mrs. Jackemeyer for all her work on last Friday night’s Talent Show. What a terrific evening! Thanks, also, to our Board of Christian Education for doing refreshments and other things. I especially thank God for the many talents with which He has blessed our children and their willingness to share those with us last Friday.

COMING UP AT CLS

4^th grade students will visit the Kalamazoo Air Museum this Thursday.
Band students will picnic tonight after school at the Lincoln township park.
Preschoolers will end their year this Friday with a picnic at Eaton Park.
3^rd grade students will visit Fair Oaks Farm this Friday, May 28.
7^th/8^th graders will travel to Cedar Point and the Detroit area June 2-4 for their annual class trip.
1^st & 2^nd graders will visit the Battle Creek Zoo on Friday, June 4.
Kindergarten students will visit Power in Motion on Monday, June 7, and end their day at Lions Park for a special art project.
All school picnic will be held here at CLS on Wednesday, June 9, following closing chapel.

LADIES LEAGUE RUMMAGE

Annual Graduation-Awards Banquet is Thursday, June 10, 6:00pm. Come on out and enjoy a delicious chicken dinner and honor our 2010 graduates. Tickets are available in the school office for $8 each.

HOT LUNCH TICKETS

FALL ART PROJECT

Mrs. Reimann is planning a fall art project in which she will need a supply of blown light bulbs. Please save any you may have over summer and send them in when we get back to school. Thank you!

SCHOOL REGISTRATIONS

Registration forms for the coming 2010-2011 school year were mailed to school families the first week of May. Please complete your forms and return to the school office with your registration fees by June 1^st. We order books for fall right after the end of this current school year. Your prompt return and remittance determines how many books we will need to order for each classroom.

SPORTS KORNER

Last week’s girls’ soccer scores were:

Christ – 2; Comstock – 3

Christ – 4; ML - 3

The season’s final soccer match is tonight, Monday, May 24 @ 6:00 pm @ Upton.

SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMPS

Students in 7^th and 8^th grades will have open gym dates throughout the summer and have received those schedules.

June Hot Lunch Menu

Tuesday, June 1: Chicken Nuggets, Carrots & Dip, Jello, & Peaches

Wednesday, June 2: Mini Corn Dogs, Chips, & Pears

Thursday, June 3: Grilled Cheese, Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup, & Pineapple

Friday, June 4: No Hot Lunch – Everyone Needs to bring a lunch.

Monday, June 7: Tony’s Pizza & Full Salad Bar

Tuesday, June 8: Pancakes & Sausage, Hashbrowns, & Peaches

Wednesday, June: Last Day of School! All School Picnic following Closing Chapel. Lunch will be courtesy of the PTL.

May 17, 2010

Children

Last Wednesday many of you attended Field Day and cheered loudly for your children. Over the weekend many parents hugged and kissed their 8^th grader on Confirmation Day. We will applaud lots of kids at Tuesday evening’s Band Concert and be amazed by our children’s many talents displayed at Friday night’s Talent Show. What a blessing!

Martin Luther said that when the ancient Greeks were upset with someone and wanted to “curse” them, they would wish on those people that “one’s children might not resemble their parents.” Wow!

Yes, children are so very important to us. Luther referred to children as “An outstanding masterpiece of God!” He went on to say, “If a man could make a single rose, an empire would be given him. But, because of their commonness, innumerable gifts of God are not appreciated.”

And, unfortunately, Luther goes on, sometimes we may look at children this way, also. Just a common gift that we see often and, perhaps, take for granted.

We are nearing the end of this school year, and I’d like our parents to know that it has been a joy being with your children on a daily basis. They are anything but common and are, indeed, a ‘masterpiece of God.’ I will continue to pray for them and you throughout the coming summer months. I also pray that you will treasure these children and the time God provides for your family to be together.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Winter!

Friday, May 21

CLEAN UP DAY

Thank you to Gerry Kabelman who supplied us with some neat green t-shirts (for free). The Faculty has been planning to have our students take a half hour some afternoon to ‘clean up’ the grounds a bit, picking up trash and things. A good way to ‘Go Green’ and take care of the building and grounds which God has provided. Each student will be given a green t-shirt to wear for this project, theirs to keep and wear home that day. Plans are also included to snap a picture from our roof of the entire school family gathered together in their green t-shirts on the playground…and hopefully to get Mr. Strohacker down safely.

VISITOR

Former CLS Teacher, Miss Ruth Helmreich, will be in our community this week, camping at Warren Dunes with her sister and brother-in-law. Miss Helmreich does plan to stop by one day to see us during school, and we look forward to her visit.

SPRING BAND CONCERT

The annual Spring Band Concert will be held tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm in the gym. Come on out and enjoy an evening of relaxing music, good Christian fellowship and refreshments.

Looking ahead band members, your end of the year band picnic will be held next Monday, May 24, from 3:15 – 4:30 at the Lincoln Township Park.

SPRING BOOK FAIR

The Spring Book Fair is here and will be open for students and parents before and after school on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday from 6:00 -6:45 pm before the Talent Show and again after the show. All books are half price! Good time to stock up for your summer reading.

“CLS – WE’VE GOT TALENT!”

All are invited to come on out for a variety of entertainment this Friday evening as the students and staff of CLS perform a wide array of their talents. Please join us at 7:00 pm in the gym. Bring your friends and neighbors. A free-will offering will be taken and matched by Thrivent.

SCRIP COORDINATOR NEEDED

At the end of June, Patti LaBaumbard will be stepping down as SCRIP Coordinator. We are looking for a person, or possibly 2 people, to co-coordinate this volunteer position.

Last year, the SCRIP program earned almost $11,000 for family book fees, PTL and the churches general fund and has the potential to grow much more. If any school or church member has an interest in using their organizational and/or marketing skills to continue this school and church fund-raiser, please contact the school office or give Patti LaBaumbard a call at 429-4696.

PTL PLANT SALE

Please get your plant orders in by this Friday, May 21^st. Prizes will be awarded to the highest class and students sales. Let’s all work together on this fundraiser for PTL and help our school!

GIVE BACK NIGHT AT CHILI’S

The PTL has partnered with Chili’s restaurant in St. Joseph to offer a Give Back Event this Tuesday, May 18, from 11:00am until closing. Submit your voucher and CLS will get 10% of your purchase. Stop in for lunch or an early dinner before the band concert.

Annual Graduation-Awards Banquet
is Thursday, June 10, 6:00pm.
Tickets are available in the school office for $8 each.

ROOM PARENTS NEEDED

Look for a sign-up sheet coming home today to serve as a Room Parent for the coming school year. We need two volunteers for each classroom. Please consider supporting your students and Christ Lutheran by volunteering to help make next year run smoothly.

OOPS!

Our apologies to Kali Prillwitz whose name was omitted last week from the list of students receiving SUPERIOR ratings at the Fine Arts Festival for their solo performances. Great job Kali!

HOT LUNCH TICKETS

SCHOOL REGISTRATIONS

SPORTS KORNER

Last week’s girls’ soccer score was Christ-6, Niles-1.

This week’s soccer schedule is:

Tonight, Monday, May 17

Christ vs. Comstock @ 6:00 pm @ Rocky Weed Fields

Wednesday, May 19

Christ vs. ML @ 5:00 pm @ Grace [Please note time change from original schedule]

May 10, 2010

Seasons

I’ve known some people who moved south when they retired and others who stayed here because they “enjoy the seasons.” I’m one of those who, while I wouldn’t mind a month of warmer weather, perhaps in February, for the most part enjoy the various and changing seasons.

Teachers are tuned in to the seasons, and Lutheran school teachers maybe even more so since much of what we do is also tied to the seasons of the church year. I enjoy spring not only because the summer break is drawing near but for many other reasons as well: Lent, Easter, getting back outside and onto the playground, working in my yard, fishing…

And Confirmation. Confirmation is something I associate with the spring of the year, and I look forward to it each year. Kids I’ve known for many years, often ones I’ve seen baptized and grow up in our school and have taught in Sunday School, are about to go through the Rite of Confirmation and receive the Lord’s Supper. It is a special time.

Luther regarded the Catechism, which our students have been studying, as “a brief summary of the teachings of Scripture. This little work has been planned and undertaken in order to furnish a course of instruction for children.” (Martin Luther)

Luther valued education, and he loved children. And, while he supported a broad education in many disciplines, “above all, in schools of all kinds the chief and most common lesson should be the Scriptures…the Gospel.” Also, during a time when education was considered mainly something just for boys, Luther advocated education, and Christian education, for both boys and girls.

“But where the Holy Scriptures are not the rule, I advise no one to send his child.” Martin Luther

Happy Birthday – Mrs. Sukupchak

Friday, May 14

GOD’S BLESSINGS

Our prayers and wishes for God’s richest blessings go out to the 2010 Confirmation Class at Christ Lutheran: Beth Alles, Courtney Bennett, Chloe Calhoun, Taylor Dale, JoHanna Eagle, Mason Freehling, Carley Grau, Nathan Hall, Sara Huycke, Paul Jackemeyer, Hannah Johnson, Jeff Lueders, Andrea Medo, Aaron Peppel, Peter Ross, Eric Vigansky, and Payton Virsik. The Rite of Confirmation will take place on Sunday, May 16, during the 10:45 a.m. worship service.

CONFIRMATION EXAMINATION

Public Examination takes place this Wednesday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. for our young people about to be confirmed next Sunday. Everyone is welcome to attend and support our confirmands. Being there that evening is always a good opportunity to listen and review the Catechism questions ourselves, too.

FIELD DAY

Lutheran Schools Field Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, May 11, at Bridgman High School. School is not in session for grades 5-8, as they participate in the day’s events. This year, Christ Lutheran will be running the concession stand, and all profits will be going to our PTL. Thank you to Amy Cole for her leadership with this project.
All students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Field Day. Bridgman High School is located on Gast Rd, just south of the Gast Rd/Lake Street intersection – this is a 4-way stop at the Rite-Aid Pharmacy corner. With a forecast of 90% chance of rain tomorrow, Mr. Kern will try to make a decision by 12 noon today whether to postpone until Wednesday.

ASCENSION DAY

This Thursday, May 13, is Ascension Day on the church calendar. As such, Chapel this week will be held on Thursday rather than Wednesday. Mr. Strohacker is this week’s Chapel leader. Please note, there is also Ascension Day worship on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.

PRINCIPAL’S SECRETARY

After 19 very joyful years with Mrs. Schmaltz as my secretary, looking for a new secretary upon her retirement was not something I looked forward to with eagerness. But the search and interview process was an experience for which I am grateful.

I thank all the applicants (10) who applied for the job, and I thank God for His guidance in this important process. I’m happy to share that Amy Cole has accepted my invitation to join the staff at Christ Lutheran as the Principal’s Secretary, and I look forward to working with her. Mrs. Cole will begin training with Mrs. Schmaltz during the last week of school and will also work with Mrs. Schmaltz on all the supply and book ordering that takes place during June. Mrs. Schmaltz’s first day of retirement is July 1, but she will be taking some vacation time during June, so some days during June you may see both ladies in the office and other days just Mrs. Cole.

Please share your thanks with Mrs. Schmaltz during these closing weeks, and please offer your good wishes and support to Mrs. Cole.

SCHOOL TALENT SHOW

I hope you have your calendar marked for the upcoming CLS Talent Show - Friday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Jackemeyer told me that there are 60+ students signed up for the show, and I know you will be impressed with their many talents. Someone asked last week how long the show will last…and I said, “Long enough for the Faculty to sufficiently embarrass themselves.” Seriously, Mrs. Jackemeyer anticipates the program lasting between 90 minutes and 2 hours with a break somewhere in the middle.

SPRING BAND CONCERT

You won’t want to miss the Spring Band Concert next Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. Please join us for an enjoyable evening of music, Christian fellowship, and ice cream.

Congratulations to the Concert Band for receiving a SUPERIOR - the highest rating possible - at the Fine Arts Festival. Students receiving SUPERIOR ratings for their solos were Andrea Kerns, Dana Slabbekoorn, Anna Burg, Paul Jackemeyer, Eric Vigansky, Courtney Bennett, Sadie Brown and Eli Damron. Receiving an EXCELLENT rating were Audrey Conrad, Brooke Essig, Andrew Vigansky, and Parker Calhoun. Congrats to all!

SCHOOL PICTURES

Your school picture money or the pictures were due to be returned by today. Please turn them into your student’s teacher by tomorrow morning if you haven’t already done so.

SCRIP COORDINATOR NEEDED

At the end of June, Patti LaBaumbard will be stepping down as SCRIP Coordinator. We are looking for a person, or possibly 2 people, to co-coordinate this volunteer position.

PTL UPDATE

PTL is in need of several volunteers to fill positions for the upcoming school year. Please consider supporting our school by volunteering. More information as to specific needs can be obtained by contacting Mike Medo @ 208-1436.

PTL PLANT SALE

Please get your plant orders in by May 21^st. Prizes will be awarded to the highest class and students sales. Let’s all work together on this fundraiser for PTL and help our school!

GIVE BACK NIGHT AT CHILI’S

The PTL has partnered with Chili’s restaurant in St. Joseph to offer a Give Back Event on Tuesday May 18^th from 11:00am until closing. Submit your voucher and CLS will get 10% of your purchase. Stop in for lunch or an early dinner before the band concert.

Annual Graduation-Awards Banquet is Thursday, June 10, 6:00pm. Tickets are available in the school office for $8 each.

SPORTS KORNER

This week’s soccer schedule is:

Tonight, Monday, May 10

Niles vs. Christ @ 6:00pm @ Rocky Weed Field

May 3, 2010

How Long Before…?

I must have bugged the daylights out of my parents when we rode in the car. And who could blame me – no air conditioning, no satellite radio (actually AM radio only), and they refused to have a DVD player inst… Oh yeah, I forgot – we didn’t have any of that when I was a kid. My brothers, Don and Russ, were my entertainment center and you know, I usually got into trouble for doing things to them that I found entertaining.

Riding in a car isn’t the only thing to test our patience. In our sinfulness, we lose patience over many things.

In this past Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples question Him about what He means by saying, “A little while, and you will see Me no longer; and again in a little while, and you will see Me.”

The text says, ‘Jesus knew what they meant…’ and part of His explanation includes the example of a woman giving birth. There is a time of sorrow, and a time of rejoicing. During that time of rejoicing, we no longer remember the previous anguish.

For most of us, the ‘sorrows’ part of life last much too long. We plead, “How long before…?” And the rejoicing portions of life often seem to go by too quickly.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and it’s common to hear moms (dads, too) in a school say, “Where did the time go?” This is usually accompanied by a sigh and that look that says, “My baby is growing up all too quickly.”

Jesus wanted His disciples to know that He understood that they would be troubled over His leaving and anxious to know when He would return. He wanted the disciples, and us, to know that the sorrows of this world are short compared to the eternity of joy He has in store for us in heaven.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL OUR MOMS
This Sunday, May 9

ACHIEVEMENT TESTING

Achievement testing starts this week for all students. The most accurate test results are achieved when the tests are given to an entire class in a somewhat ‘controlled’ setting, in a standardized manner. Please avoid unnecessary absences, encourage your child to do their best, and make sure they get adequate rest and a good breakfast. Tests are machine scored, and the results, including a Report To Parents, should reach you by the time school is out.

SCHOOL PICTURES

School pictures were sent home with students last Thursday and Friday. Please look over your package and return either your payment or the package to your student’s teacher by next Monday, May 10.

FIELD DAY

Field Day for students in grades 5-8 will be held next Tuesday, May 11, at the Bridgman High School Athletic Field on Gast Road. Events begin at 9:30 a.m. and will end around 2:00 pm. All students are responsible for their own transportation.

This year Immanuel, Bridgman, has handed over the concession stand to Christ Lutheran. This will be a good fundraiser for our school but we will need lots of help to make this a successful event. Please sign-up by the trophy case to help at Field Day or contact Amy Cole with any questions.

SCRIP COORDINATOR NEEDED

At the end of June, Patti LaBaumbard will be stepping down as SCRIP Coordinator. We are looking for a person, or possibly 2 people, to co-coordinate this volunteer position.

TALENT SHOW

The upcoming Talent Show on May 21 has been approved for a matching funds grant by our local Thrivent branch, and our Board of Ed is promoting this as a fund raiser for technology. Thrivent will match 50% of up to $2000 donated, so if we raise $2000 the match will provide an additional $1000 for the technology program. $500 has already been pledged toward the Talent Show.

PTL UPDATE

PTL PLANT SALE

The PTL Plant Sale in conjunction with Barbott’s Greenhouse is now in full swing. Information and order forms have been sent home with students, but more are available in the office and on the Visitor Center. Orders turned in by Monday mornings will receive their certificates by Friday of the same week. Questions – contact Cherie Okonski.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who made it to Culver’s “Scoopie Night” last week. We had a great turn-out and raised just over $300 in three hours. A special thank you to all the students who volunteered their time and talents to make the evening such a success. Great job.

GIVE BACK NIGHT AT CHILI’S

The PTL has partnered with Chili’s restaurant in St. Joseph to offer a Give Back Event on Tuesday May 18^th from 11:00am until closing. Chili’s will donate 10% of each sale to support our continued efforts to buy new lunch trays. In order to receive credit for your sale you must present a voucher to your server. Vouchers will be coming home with students this week and will also be available on the Visitor Center. Feel free to make copies for family, friends, co-workers, etc. It’s an all day event , so drop in when it’s convenient for your schedule. You can also increase the benefit to the school by bringing along your SCRIP. Hope to see you there!!

SARRETT NATURE CENTER

Sarett Center is offering over 40 enrichment classes this summer. Muckin in the Marsh, Lucky Ladybugs, Funky Feet, and kayak lessons are just a few of the fun and educational classes taught by the Sarett naturalists. To view the complete lising, go to www.sarett.com or call the center @ 927-4832. Registration and payment required in advance.

SPORTS KORNER

Last week’s girls’ soccer scores were:

Christ – 1; LMC #2 – 2

Christ – 1; Upton I – 5

Next game is Monday, May 10, versus Niles, 6:00 pm @ the Rocky Weed Fields.

FALL ENROLLMENT

Forms for the 2010-2011 school year will be arriving in your mailboxes later this week. Please complete a form for each of your students and return to the school office by Tuesday, June 1, with your school fees deposit. We order books for next year based on the number of students re-enrolled by the end of the current year. School fees for next year are $435 per student and we need at least $235 per student along with your enrollment form to cover the cost of purchases we have to make over summer to be ready for the fall session. The balance of your student’s school fees are due by the first day of school on September 7.

If you are one of the families that used SCRIP over the school year, your credit will be indicated on your enrollment packet. We have given SCRIP credits from $1 to $405!!

It does pay to use SCRIP and if you start using it now, you can accumulate a credit balance to apply to your school fees for the 2011-12 school year. When yor use SCRIP you are paying face value for the cards. There is no extra charge to you above what you would normally spend if you were writing a check at the grocery store or restaurants you frequent.

April 26, 2010

I’m Happy…

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

At the Junior High Open House last week, Mr. Wallace commented that the key to teaching junior high is to be flexible. I agree - lots of surprises can come your way every day, and flexibility is helpful.

But that’s true for many of us. Each day can be filled with the unexpected, some pleasant surprises and others which may not be so easy to accept.

Last Wednesday, I received one of those little surprises, the pleasant variety, after morning Chapel when I was doing announcements. While asking the teachers if they had anything additional to share, a fourth grader, Daniel Okonski, raised his hand.

After teasing a bit with him about being ‘promoted’ onto the faculty, I asked Daniel what he had to share, and he proclaimed, “I’m happy!”

Just as simple as that – “I’m happy!” What a neat announcement. After thanking Daniel, I asked Mr. Farrand, who had his guitar with him, if he knew “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” which we then sang as an impromptu second closing song.

I firmly believe that happiness flows out of joy, and joy comes from knowing our Lord Jesus and having His peace in our hearts.

Thank you, Daniel, for reminding us to be joyful.

JUNIOR HIGH OPEN HOUSE

Thank you to Mrs. Jackemeyer, Mrs. Beach, Mr. Wallace and Mr. Farrand for their presentations at last week’s Junior High Open House. It’s a busy time of year, so I understand why our attendance was not as high as we had hoped. The teachers, however, provided lots of very useful information, which I’d still like to get into the hands of our 5^th grade families, so I’m planning to put together a packet soon and get that out to you. Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to look it over.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

Great job, students! I really enjoyed attending last Friday’s FAF at Trinity, St. Joe, and I thank all our teachers, too, for their help and participation.

FIVE PINES

Thank you, to Mrs. Jackemeyer for the leadership provided to SW Michigan Lutheran schools and all the work she put into heading up this year’s Outdoor Education experience. Please keep in your prayers the students, teachers and parent chaperons from all our schools who will be together at Five Pines this Thursday and Friday.

SOLO/ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL

Congratulations to our students who competed in the Solo/Ensemble Festival at SMC last week. Receiving 1’s on a scale of 1-5 with 1’s being the highest possible score were Courtney Bennett, Dana Slabbekoorn, and Eric Vigansky. Receiving 2’s were Audrey Conrad and Paul Jackemeyer.

MAY CALENDAR THINGS

Field Day - Tuesday, May 11, at Bridgman H.S.

Confirmation - Sunday, May 16 (late service)

Band Concert - Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Talent Show - Friday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m.

ADVANCE CALENDAR PLANNING

Many of our families plan ahead for a four day fall weekend during the time of our annual Teachers Conference. Next school year, the fall teachers conference will take place on Thursday and Friday, October 14-15. School will not be in session those days.

TALENT SHOW

The upcoming Talent Show in May, has been approved for a matching funds grant by our local Thrivent branch, and our Board of Ed is promoting this as a fund raiser for technology. Thrivent will match 50% of up to $2000 donated, so if we raise $2000 the match will provide an additional $1000 for the technology program. $500 has already been pledged toward the Talent Show.

KITCHEN FIRE

Many have probably heard that we had a kitchen fire a little over a week ago, Friday, April 16. Thanks to Mr. Farrand who was nearby and helped Mrs. Allred quickly get things under control. A heating element beneath the griddles had worn through, and an exposed wire then came into contact with metal on the stove and caused a spark. The power was turned off and the fire extinguished. We did learn in this process that one of our fire extinguishers wasn’t working…and we learned that it is quite common to actually pass by a fire extinguisher that is quite close at hand. Mr. Virsik pointed out to me that, “sometimes familiar things that we see every day, like fire extinguishers, can become just part of the landscape.” A good point, so everyone please take time once again to familiarize yourselves with where our fire extinguishers are located. The stove has since been repaired by an electrician, and the Board of Properties has had all fire extinguishers and smoke alarms inspected and serviced.

TORNADO DRILLS

Along with fire safety, please also be mindful that spring is tornado season. For most classrooms, the place students go during a weather emergency is up against the west (interior) wall of their room. That works for 1^st, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades. The west wall in grades 2, 3, and 4 is an exterior wall and, therefore, those classes go into the hallway and up against the west (interior block) wall. Other safe places in our building include small interior rooms like restrooms and the locker rooms. Places to avoid are the gym and sanctuary where this is a large expanse of ceiling and roof space.

PTL UPDATE

Our apologies to Ryan Okonski
whose name should have appeared last week
on the 3^rd grade 3.5 Honor Roll listing.
Congratulations Ryan!

PTL PLANT SALE

The PTL Plant Sale in conjunction with Barbott’s Greenhouse is now in full swing. Information and order forms were sent home with students last Thursday. Questions – contact Cherie Okonski.

IT PAYS TO BUY SCRIP

Just by using SCRIP gift cards, Chris Terry has earned $305.55 toward her school book fees and another $305.55 to donate to the church/school budget! Thank you to all of our families who are raising money for our church and school simply by using SCRIP gift cards for places where they shop and eat. Keep up the sales!

SCOOPIE NIGHT AT CULVER’S

Don’t forget to eat at Culvers tomorrow evening, April 27, for the PTL “Scoopie Night” from 5pm – 8pm. CLS will receive 10% all sales during that time period and will be purchasing new lunch trays with the funds raised.

SPORTS KORNER

Last week’s girls’ soccer scores were:

Christ – 3; Brandywine – 2

Christ – 2; Saugatuck – 1

Christ – 1; Dowagiac – 2

This week’s game schedule is:

Tonight, Monday, April 26:

Christ @ LMC 2, 4:30 pm @ Laker Field in Fairplain

Wednesday, April 28:

Christ @ Upton 1, 6:00 pm @ Upton Middle School

April 19, 2010

We’ve Got Milk

O.K., now stick with me on this one – it might take a while to get around to the point…

I read church signs. My daughter would say, “How boring!” But I read the signs looking for humor; perhaps even a glimpse into what might be going on in the life of another congregation or maybe the occasional misspelling.

Last week I repeatedly passed a sign on my way home that said: “We’ve Got Cookies!” You’ve probably seen it, too. And, not too surprisingly, Wednesday evening, about 10 p.m., after returning home from a meeting and passing the sign for the second time that day…I was in the kitchen baking up a tray of chocolate chip cookies for a snack.

A little aside, the ladies at my house both called out, “Don’t make those, don’t make those, we’re on a diet!” But you know they ate some anyway…

I set down a glass of cold milk and an unspecified amount of warm chocolate chip cookies on the table next to my chair and, after turning my back for just a few seconds, I came back into the living room to find my glass of milk had grown a golden colored body and long bushy tail. Ginger!! Git!!!

Her head entirely inside the glass, the cat showed that she had more sense than me, passing on the cookies and going right for the milk.

Many of you know that the second Sunday of Easter is a favorite of Pastor Quardokus’ – Quasimodogeniti Sunday – Latin for Like newborn babies crave pure spiritual milk. Now we’re getting around to the point. I like warm chocolate cookies…but I need the nutritional value of milk. And the same can be said for our spiritual health and well-being. As church and school, we provide our children with many things – most importantly, we invite them to be nourished on the pure spiritual milk of God’s saving Word.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

No school at Christ Lutheran this Friday, April 23, as many of our students and teachers will be participating in the Fine Arts Festival at Trinity, St. Joe. Thank you to Mr. Farrand and Mr. Steffens for all their work throughout the school year in organizing this event.

PRINCIPAL’S SECRETARY

Mr. Strohacker will continue to accept resumes' for the school secretary position through next Tuesday, April 27. This is a job that averages 30 hours a week with some summer duties required – more time during the school year and shorter hours during the summer. Interviews will be conducted in late April/early May, with hopes of bringing someone on board for a few weeks prior to the end of the school year so the new secretary can work with Mrs. Schmaltz for a while and make for a smooth transition. Thank you for your interest.

CHILDREN SINGING

The Cantate Choir - students in 3^rd and 4^th grades - will be singing this Sunday, April 25, at the 8:00 a.m. worship service. Also, the Sunday School children will be singing the Prelude this Sunday, April 25, at the 10:45 worship service.

WELCOME!

We welcome Courtney Campbell, our new 1^st grade teacher to the area this weekend. Courtney and her fiancé will be visiting our area looking for housing they can move into following their June wedding. At this time, they plan to worship with us at the 8:00 a.m. service.

FIELD TRIP

The 5^th grade students will be traveling out to the Youth Fair Grounds at Berrien Springs this Wednesday to participate in the annual Natural Resources Day. Students will need to bring a sack lunch on Wednesday as they will not be returning to school in time for hot lunch.

JUNIOR HIGH OPEN HOUSE

I hope you have reserved tomorrow evening, Tuesday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. on your calendar for our CLS Junior High Open House. All school families are encouraged to attend, especially if you have any questions about our junior high program. Also, if you know of anyone in our community who is interested in a Christian education in a junior high setting with small class sizes, please invite them to attend as well.

TESTING BEGINS

I.Q. testing begins next week, April 26, followed by Achievement testing the week of May 3. Please avoid any unnecessary absences during these weeks. It is much easier for a student to test along with their classmates then to have to make up a test later.

Spring is here and the annual PTL Plant Sale in conjunction with Barbott’s is upon us. Look for information and order forms to come home with students later this week.

VARIETY SHOW

Another date for your calendar is Friday, May 21, the CLS Variety Show. Students have been trying out for the show, and what an abundance of talent we have here at CLS! The Board of Christian Education has taken the Variety Show on as a special project and is providing their leadership in an effort to raise money for CLS’ Technology program through this fun-filled evening. They already have had a grant request accepted by Thrivent Financial in which every dollar donated to this event up to $2000 will be matched 50%. That means our initial goal is to raise $3000 to benefit our children through Technologies (at least $2000 in gifts and $1000 in matching funds). Please join the Board in aiming high. Thanks.

HE & ME DANCE

The ‘He & Me’, daddy-daughter dance will be held this Saturday, April 24, here at Christ Lutheran. Doors will open at 5:00 pm for pictures and social hour, followed by an Italian dinner and dancing. Please contact Teri Harris @ 422-1275 with any late registrations or for more information.

IT PAYS TO BUY SCRIP

You still have until April 30^th to make SCRIP purchases which will apply profits toward your book fees for the 2010-2011 school year. Just by using SCRIP gift cards, Heather Schmaltz has earned $332.13 toward her book fees and another $332.13 to donate to the church and school. Sue Jennings has earned $398.23 toward her fees and another $398.23 for the church and school! So many other families have also earned money for our church and school just by using SCRIP gift cards. Keep the sales coming!

LADIES LEAGUE RUMMAGE

Spring brings rummage sale fever. All the jewelry received so far has been sorted and priced. Thank you for your early donations. Continue to think rummage – please collect and save all your ‘treasures’ for the June 24-26 annual church rummage sale. Questions – contact Suellen Klein or Betty Harfert.

SCOOPIE NIGHT AT CULVER’S

The PTL will be hosting a “Scoopie Night” at the Stevensville Culver’s on Tuesday, April 27^th from 5pm – 8pm. The funds raised will be put towards purchasing new lunch trays. Our current trays are starting to show their age and are beginning to lose their outer laminating surface raising concerns about their cleanliness and safety. Simply eat at Culver’s between 5 & 8pm on April 27^th and the Hot Lunch Committee will receive 10% of all Culver’s sales during that time period. It’s that easy. CLS students will be serving as busboys and tray carriers during this event, so spread the word, bring the family and join us for some fun…don’t forget your SCRIP!

SPORTS KORNER

Soccer started last week for the girls with the following game scores: Christ – 1; Niles I – 2

Christ – 0; LMC – 4

Christ – 2; Covert - 0

This week’s game schedule is:

Tonight, Monday, April 19:

Saugatuck @ Christ @ 6:00pm – Rocky Weed Fields

Wednesday, April 21:

Christ @ Brandywine @ 6:00pm – 1700 Bell Rd., Niles

Friday, April 23:

Dowagiac @ Christ @ 6:00 pm – Rocky Weed Fields

We are looking for a picture of the fall soccer team that would include the students from Trinity, St. Joe. Trinity would like a copy to use in their yearbook. If you have a copy you can spare, please drop it off in the school office and we will pass it on.

Christ Lutheran School

Honor Roll

3^rd Quarter

Ending April 1, 2010

SPECIAL HONOR ROLL – 4.0

Grade 3

Lane Everett

Chad Fowler

Mikaela Lies

Andrew Measel

Samantha Pankratz

Natalie Strefling

Chad Wrege

Grade 4

Autumn Guffey

Sarah Jackemeyer

Issa Williams

Grade 5

Sadie Brown

Anna Burg

Gavin Jennings

Kali Prillwitz

Andrew Vigansky

Grade 6

Brooke Essig

Katie Harner

Chloe Kalinas

Matthew Winter

Michelle Ziebart

Grade 7

Audrey Conrad

Kari Cornwell

Jimmy Gathright

Jackie LaBaumbard

Robyn Priebe

Casey Singler

Dana Slabbekoorn

Grade 8

Courtney Bennett

Paul Jackemeyer

Cooper Jennings

Peter Ross

Eric Vigansky

Maddie Williams

HONOR ROLL – 3.5

Grade 3

Kaitlin Essig

Mathew Gooding

Ryan Okonski

Patricia Terry

Grade 4

Cory Fowler

Jenna Gathright

Cali Laughlin

Grade 5

Lucas Meyer

Carter Root

Grade 6

Parker Calhoun

Andrea Kerns

Grade 7

Mary Brown

Cody Laughlin

Brian Root

Grade 8

Johanna Eagle

Austin Everett

Carley Grau

Hannah Johnson

Ashley Lewis

Jeff Lueders

Mitch Meyer

Aaron Peppel

Payton Virsik

PERFECT CHURCH ATTENDANCE

Kindergarten

Elise DeWeerd

Sammi Johnson

Drew Kelleher

Andrew Lies

Elliot Measel

Grade 1

Karrisa Moerler

Grade 2

Mandy Allred

A.J. DeWeerd

Josh Terry

Grade 3

Kaitlin Essig

Mathew Gooding

Andrew Measel

Samantha Pankratz

Patricia Terry

Grade 4

Autumn Guffey

Grade 5

Anna Burg

Grade 6

Brooke Essig

Michelle Ziebart

Grade 7

Jackie LaBaumbard

Grade 8

Andrea Medo

PERFECT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Kindergarten

Elise DeWeerd

Tim Dokter

Drew Kelleher

Andrew Lies

Samantha McLean

Elliot Measel

Chi Messinger

Grade 1

Aurelia Davis

James Gooding

Karrisa Moerler

Grade 2

Abby Harris

Alex Mast

Andrew Cole

Clay Drews

Evan Johnson

Josh Terry

Mandy Allred

Sarah Moore

Grade 3

Kaitlin Essig

Mathew Gooding

Andrew Measel

Natalie Strefling

Patricia Terry

Chad Wrege

Grade 4

Autumn Guffey

Sarah Jackemeyer

Cali Laughlin

Alexis Strefling

Issa Williams

Grade 5

Anna Burg

Gavin Jennings

Brielle Mensinger

Justin Moore

Andrew Vigansky

Grade 6

Brooke Essig

Katie Harner

Matthew Winter

Michelle Ziebart

Grade 7

Audrey Conrad

Kari Cornwell

Jackie LaBaumbard

Cody Laughlin

Robyn Priebe

Casey Singler

Dana Slabbekoorn

Grade 8

Carley Grau

Cooper Jennings

Hannah Johnson

Mitch Meyer

Peter Ross

April 12, 2010

The Crown

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes in to strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Welcome back from Spring Break. Many of our older students began practicing today for the upcoming Field Day in early May. Some will even run races – all this training for colored ribbons.

In the Bible text above, St. Paul uses the analogy of the runner in a race as he encourages us in the faith to stay strong and focused. “Run in such a way as to get the prize” – but not for a ‘crown’ that is a mere laurel wreath that will not last, a handful of colored ribbons so to speak.

Paul cheers us on toward that Victor’s Crown which Jesus, our Savior, has already won through His death and resurrection, that crown of life for which we have been called heavenward in Christ.

It has been a “long race” from September through today, and the closing quarter with its many activities can often seem like a sprint to the finish line. I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to keep each of us strong in the faith during these closing weeks of the school year. May He continue to do this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - MR. WALLACE

Thursday, April 8

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – MRS. ULMER

Saturday, April 10

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – MR. STROHACKER

Saturday, April 17

SCHOOL PICTURES

The spring school pictures will be taken tomorrow. No need to prepaid – you can preview before choosing - unless you want to take advantage of one of the Prepaid Discount Deals. That information was sent home before break and additional forms are available in the office. If you do choose to prepaid, please remember that there is no retakes on your spring pictures.

WELCOME

Welcome to Collin Gaishin, a new student in our 6^th grade today. Collin and his parents, Tammy and Rudy, are members at Storyline Church, and Collin comes to us from Lakeshore Middle School. Please welcome Collin and his family to CLS.

PRINCIPAL’S SECRETARY

As some already know, Mr. Steffens is not the only faithful worker retiring after this school year. Mrs. Schmaltz, also, plans on retiring after serving almost 20 years as the Principal’s Secretary.

I am thankful for Mrs. Schmaltz’s many years of faithful service in our church and school – she will indeed be missed. This is a job that averages 30 hour a week with some summer duties required – more time during the school year and shorter hours during the summer. Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume’ to Mr. Strohacker by April 27. Interviews will be conducted in late April/early May, with hopes of bringing someone on board for a few weeks prior to the end of the school year so the new secretary can work with Mrs. Schmaltz for a while and make for a smooth transition. Thank you for your interest.

JUNIOR HIGH OPEN HOUSE

I hope you have reserved Tuesday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. on your calendar for our CLS Junior High Open House. All school families are encouraged to attend, especially if you have any questions about our junior high program. Also, if you know of anyone in our community who is interested in a Christian education in a junior high setting with small class sizes, please invite them to attend as well.

CALLS ACCEPTED

We offer prayers of thanksgiving as we have heard back from both Teachers who recently received Divine Calls from our congregation to serve at Christ Lutheran School. Recent Concordia graduate, Courtney Campbell of Bay City, MI, and current 6^th grade teacher, Susan Jackemeyer, have both sent written notice that they have accepted the Call to serve at Christ Lutheran. Praise God for these faithful workers.

SOLO ENSEMBLE AT SMC

Best wishes to our 7^th and 8^th grade band students who will be traveling over to Dowagiac this Saturday to participate in the annual Solo & Ensemble Festival at Southwestern Michigan College. Students will be critiqued and judged on their performances.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

Friday, April 23, is our annual Lutheran Schools Fine Arts Festival. This year’s FAF will be held at Trinity, St. Joe, and as many of our students and all of our teachers are involved in the festival, school will not be in session that day.

VARIETY SHOW

Another date for you calendar is Friday, May 21, the CLS Variety Show. Many students are getting ready for tryouts on April 14-16. Also, our Board of Christian Education has taken the Variety Show on as a special project and is providing their leadership in an effort to raise money for CLS’ Technology program through this fun-filled evening. They already have had a grant request accepted by Thrivent Financial in which every dollar donated to this event up to $2000 will be matched 50%. That means our initial goal is to raise $3000 to benefit our children through Technologies (at least $2000 in gifts and $1000 in matching funds). Please join the Board in aiming high. Thanks.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Plans for this summer’s VBS are under way. Mark your calendars for Monday, July 19 through Thursday, July 22, with the closing service taking place at the Thursday evening worship service.

Anyone willing to help with this year’s VBS, please contact Amy Cole at 983-0524.

BASKETBALL UNIFORMS

Now that the basketball season is over, please return your clean uniforms to Mr. Kern. Thank you!

1^st & 2^nd GRADE TO JORDAN’S

Our 1^st and 2^nd grade students will be traveling out to Bridgman this Wednesday afternoon to sing at our monthly worship service with the elderly at Jordan’s Nursing Home. Thanks again to Pastor Measel for conducting this ministry.

“HE & ME DANCE”

The registration forms for the “He & Me Dance…An Evening to Remember” [Daddy/Daughter Dance] were due by today. If things got forgotten or misplaced over break, please send yours in by tomorrow morning or let Teri Harris know you plan to attend. The dance is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, here at CLS. Dads and daughters, don’t miss out on this special evening being planned just for you.

SCOOPIE NIGHT AT CULVER’S

FREE ADMISSION!

All students are bringing home free admission certificates to some upcoming Notre Dame athletic events. These will be on a first come, first served basis. Check with your student for this info.

March 29, 2010

Believe

Some things are really hard to believe. Last week, for instance, the news reported that an autistic 17-year-old from Chicago, Alex Hermann, had picked a perfect bracket as the NCAA Men’s Tournament headed into the Sweet 16, a one in thirteen million long shot. And, he picked Purdue to win it all. I’ll be watching the Purdue v. Duke game tonight with even greater interest now.

Holy Week is filled with things that are hard to believe – hard to even understand for that matter. Why did God, who could have done anything and chosen anyone, elect to send His only Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins? And why did Jesus have to die? Why such a horrible death? Resurrection – how does that happen?

I don’t have all the answers, nor can I begin to understand the ways of God who loves us so…but I believe.

Martin Luther said that “He who would preach the Gospel must go directly to preaching Christ’s resurrection. He who does not preach the resurrection is no apostle, for this is the chief part of our faith… The greatest importance attaches to this article of faith. For were there no resurrection, we would have neither comfort nor hope, and everything else Christ did would be in vain.”

Luther admits the Resurrection is difficult to believe “because no other teaching so contradicts our experience as this one does. For our eyes see that all the world is swept away by death and dies. Further, that all human beings who have died and were buried, from the first to the last, are to be raised from death in one moment certainly sounds very strange, nay, seems impossible. Reason cannot be reconciled to the teaching that rising from the dead is to come about so quickly...”

But then we don’t follow Jesus by our own reason…but by faith, a gift of the Holy Spirit.

GOD’S BLESSINGS

I wish all in our school family God’s blessings throughout this Holy Week and, with you, I eagerly look forward to the Easter message of Jesus’ Resurrection. I pray safe travel for everyone, also, and hope you have a most enjoyable Spring Break.

Holy Week Worship Schedule

Maundy Thursday, April 1, 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, April 2, 12 Noon & 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 7:00 & 10:45 a.m.

SPRING BREAK

Spring Break begins with the dismissal of school this Thursday at 11:40 a.m. Please note that Thursday marks the end of the 3^rd Quarter of the school year, therefore the early dismissal.

THANK YOU

Thanks to all the parents, teachers and students who made last Thursday so special as we sent our Girls and Boys Basketball Teams off to the National Tournament at Valpo. What a terrific display of school spirit!

NATIONALS

Congratulations to all our athletes for their outstanding performances at Nationals over the weekend. Our girl’s team played two games, losing both to strong competition. The boys, after losing their first game, won the next two games but dropped out of the tournament after losing at a 1:00 a.m. game Sunday morning. We are all grateful to have had the opportunity to spend another great weekend at Valpo with so many outstanding Christian families.

JUNIOR HIGH OPEN HOUSE

Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. and make plans to attend our CLS Junior High Open House. The purpose of this evening is twofold: First, to provide information to our current school families about the strengths and benefits our Junior High program has to offer, explain our schedule and answer questions. Second, to invite members of the community in who may be interested in junior high, to also become familiar with our offerings. If you know someone who is looking for a quality Junior High program with small class sizes and a low student to teacher ratio, please invite them to attend. Thanks.

FINANCIAL AID

A letter recently was sent via U.S. Mail to all school families which included information about next year’s Tuition and Fees. It also mentioned Financial Aid and provided a brief outline of the process for requesting assistance. CLS has never turned away a student because their parents could not afford it, and I would be eager to meet with anyone who would like to discuss the Financial Aid program or has questions. Please call Mr. Strohacker at 429-7111. Everything regarding Financial Aid is kept confidential.

VARIETY SHOW

KITCHEN HELP NEEDED!

As many of you know, our cook Karl Froehlich was hospitalized early last week following a stroke. At this time we do not know when he will be able to return to work. Patty Allred is very much in need of additional help in the kitchen until we know what the future holds for Karl. Please let her or the office know if you are available to help any days. Thank you.

NEW TO SCRIP!

Papa Vino’s SCRIP is now available in $25 denominations at 10%. We plan to keep a few certificates in stock.

Remember, all credit from SCRIP purchases made through the month of April will be applied to your 2010-11 school fees. Purchases made beginning May 1^st will apply to your 2011-12 school year fees.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Plans for this summer’s VBS are under way. Mark your calendars for Monday, July 19 through Thursday, July 22, with the closing service taking place at the Thursday evening worship service.

Anyone willing to help with this year’s VBS, please contact Amy Cole at 983-0524.

LOOKING AHEAD INTO A BUSY APRIL

Spring school pictures will be taken on Tuesday, April 13, right after returning from Spring Break. Look for information flyers coming home with students today.

7^th & 8^th grade band students will be participating in the Solo Ensemble on Saturday, April 17, at Southwestern Michigan College.

No school at Christ Lutheran on Friday, April 23, as many of our students will be performing at the Fine Arts Festival being held at Trinity, St. Joe. All of our teachers will be working at Trinity that day to ensure another successful Fine Arts experience.

Our 6^th grade students will spend April 29-30 at Five Pines campgrounds with 6^th grade students from our neighboring Lutheran schools for their annual outdoor educational retreat.

I.Q. testing, followed by Achievement testing, will begin the last week of April.

Girl’s soccer season kicks-off April 13.

Following Spring Break, students in grades 5-8 will begin practicing for this year’s Field Day scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, at the Bridgman High School field.

March 22, 2010

“An Unprecedented Amount”

I don’t know who the gentleman was on the news last week, didn’t catch his name, but I’m fairly certain he is a member of President Obama’s administration. In the brief time it took to order and collect my daily breakfast sandwich (and 3 chocolate chip cookies), however, I knew that I did not agree with what he was saying.

Now, that said, if you’re reading on only to find some ammunition for opposing democrats (or republicans), or to prove one point over another in any one of our world’s current daily debates, then you really shouldn’t read much farther. I’m not out to skewer the new president’s stand on education over the former president’s. Neither works.

What caught my attention was his reason why this new plan is going to work. “We are going to throw an unprecedented amount of money at education and…

The reason I know the new program won’t work any better than the old one is because money doesn’t educate kids. Teachers educate kids, and by teachers I mean: school teachers, Lutheran school teachers, Sunday School teachers, Pastors, parents, grandparents, etc. Children are taught by the important people around them who give of themselves out of love and not for personal gain.

You are a parent, and I am a parent. And, unless you are very different from me, nobody has sent you a check yet for loving and teaching your kids. If someone did, would it make you love or teach them any more than you already do? No, I believe that you already give it your all.

When God looked at our sinfulness, He, also, did something unprecedented - unheard of and unthinkable, too. He sent His only Son to die on our behalf, to pay the debt we owed. No amount of anything else would do, even money. Only the unselfish, personal sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

Christ Lutheran School Will Not Be In Session This Friday, March 26.

NATIONAL B-BALL TOURNAMENT

While the above date was not originally on our calendar as a day off from school, it has been added because of the invitation received by our upper grades Boys and Girls Basketball Teams to participate in the National Lutheran Basketball Tournament at Valparaiso University this weekend. As in the past, we know that many of our families and staff will want to attend the tournament which begins with Thursday evening worship in the Chapel on Valpo’s campus.

Congratulations to both the Boys and the Girls on again being invited to participate in this national tournament. Our experiences over the years have been very positive and, along with an outstanding level of competition, we’ve also made many new friends from around the country.

Information about the tournament brackets as well as telecasts via the Internet can be found at http://www.lbaa.org/. Click on Tournament Brackets. Our Girls first game is against St. John, Lombard, IL, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) this Friday in the White Gym. Our Boys also play an early game Friday – 7:30 a.m. (Central time) in the Hilltop Gym against Salem, Orange, CA.

ART SHOW AT THE BOX FACTORY

Congratulations and “kudos” to Christ Lutheran students who won recognition at the Box Factory exhibit. Courtney Bennett won the RESA award of a $50 scholarship for her mask – Moon Dance. Honorable mention went to Kari Cornwell for her mask - Fire Mask, and Eric Vigansky and Peter Ross won honorable mentions for their mixed media pieces. We are very proud of our students for the awards they have won. Please try to visit the Box Factory to see all of our student exhibits. Hours for the Box Factory are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. There is no charge to visit and enjoy the art displays.

We are currently accepting registrations into both of our Preschool programs for fall. Please call the school office or stop in to pick up a registration packet.

SCRIP-A-THON

Congratulations to Gavin Jennings, our $50 winner in the school SCRIP-A-THON contest! Receiving $25 prize awards are Chad Wrege [2^nd place], Eric Vigansky [3^rd place], and Hank Schmaltz [4^th place]. Christ Lutheran families purchased $42,477 worth of SCRIP cards during the one-month contest. Congratulations to the 5^th grade students who were treated to Diary Queen blizzards last Thursday for being the top class in sales. 5^th grade parents bought $8,720 worth of SCRIP. Thank you Mr. Strohacker for providing their blizzards!

Congratulations also to Mrs. Suellen Klein, the $100 winner from the church side of the contest.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

Entry fees for this year’s Fine Arts Festival are due to be turned in today, Monday, March 22, to either Mr. Steffens or Mr. Farrand. Piano registrations forms need to be turned in to Mr. Farrand ASAP. Thank you!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Plans for this summer’s VBS are under way. Mark your calendars for Monday, July 19 through Thursday, July 22, with the closing service taking place at the Thursday evening worship service.

Anyone willing to help with this year’s VBS, please contact Amy Cole at 983-0524.

VARIETY SHOW TRYOUTS

Tryouts for the Spring Variety Show will be held April 14-16. Please see Mrs. Jackemeyer if you are interested in performing at this May 21^st event.

3^rd and 4^th grade students, please turn in your clean sports uniforms to Mr. Kern ASAP. Thank you!

DAD/DAUGHTER DANCE

We’re still looking for more volunteers to help organize the Dad/Daughter Dance scheduled for Saturday, April 24. If you would like to be a part of the planning committee, please join us on Thursday right after school in the Commons area. If you can’t make it, but still would like to help, please contact either Karen Rooker or Teri Harris. Please consider joining in the fun and helping us out.

SPRING BREAK SCHEDULE

The end of the 3^rd marking period takes place next week Thursday, April 1, when classes will dismiss at 11:40 a.m. to allow teachers time to prepare report cards. No school on Friday, April 2, as we celebrate Good Friday, and no school the following week as we enjoy Spring Break. Classes will resume on Monday, April 12.

LOOKING AHEAD INTO A BUSY APRIL

Spring school pictures will be taken on Tuesday, April 13.

7^th & 8^th grade band students will be participating in the Solo Ensemble on Saturday, April 17, at Southwestern Michigan College.

No school at Christ Lutheran on Friday, April 23, as many of our students will be performing at the Fine Arts Festival being held at Trinity, St. Joe. All of our teachers will be working at Trinity that day to ensure another successful Fine Arts experience.

Our 6^th grade students will spend April 29-30 at Five Pines campgrounds with 6^th grade students from our neighboring Lutheran schools for their annual outdoor educational retreat.

I.Q. testing, followed by Achievement testing, will begin the last week of April.

Easter Worship Schedule

Palm Sunday, Mar. 28, 8:00 & 10:45 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, April 1, 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, April 2, 12 Noon & 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 7:00 & 10:45 a.m.

March 15, 2010

Good Time

Some of our school families spent a weekend in and around Frankenmuth recently attending the State Basketball Tournament. While it sounded like people had a ‘good time’ for the most part, some of the 8^th graders reported back to me that Frankenmuth was...remote. “It’s located between a couple of corn fields.” “There’s nothing there to do…” “I got lost walking around their downtown.”

Sort of funny hearing small town kids report back about a small(er) town, albeit Michigan’s number one tourist attraction.

My wife grew up in a small town, Kansas City. At least that was my opinion when I flew down there for my first visit – it sure wasn’t any Chicago.

The first place I taught was outside a small town 40 miles north of Frankenmuth, a little place called Sebewaing, which is only a fraction the size of Frankenmuth. And we lived outside Sebewaing, no less, at a crossroads on the map called Kilmanagh. A church and school…a bar and gas station. That was it.

Living at a crossroads that was smaller than Kansas City, St. Joe, Frankenmuth, OR Sebewaing was a bit of an adjustment. There was a newspaper in our first community…which came out once a week. Well, there wasn’t all that much news.

Each week’s news contained reports of how various ladies organizations from the local churches had spent an afternoon ‘lunching at Bertha’s,,,’ or ‘playing cards at…’ or ‘quilting…’ All the article ended the same: “And a good time was had by all.” I read those articles for 8 years.

I’ve found that having a good time has often had less to do with where I am…and more to do with the company I’m in. Like last week’s Lutheran Schools Week. I had a great time being with our kids, teachers and parents doing some pretty simple things – dressing up, playing a few games, some snacks, laughing together, students and teachers displaying their talents, sharing our love and faith in Jesus. Thanks to everyone who made Lutheran Schools Week such a good time last week.

THANK YOU

A special thank you to the Christ Lutheran PTL for once again sponsoring Teacher Appreciation Day and treating us to lunch last Friday. Your care and thoughtfulness are always appreciated.

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP

What a enjoyable evening we had last week visiting with our perspective Kindergarten parents for the coming school year. However, we still have room to enroll more children for fall. Please let your friends and neighbors with school age children know about Christ Lutheran and the many things we have to offer them. Information packets are available in the school office or they can call and we will be happy to answer any questions.

We are currently accepting registrations into both of our Preschool programs for fall. Please call the school office or stop in to pick up a registration packet.

FIELD TRIP

The Kindergarten students will be meeting out at Sarrett this Friday morning as they explore nature at this annual field trip. We pray for good weather, safe travel and an enjoyable morning for our students, their parents and Mrs. Kern.

ART SHOW AT THE BOX FACTORY

The 10^th Annual Krasl Middle School Art Show begins this Thursday, March 18, at The Box Factory for the Arts on Broad St. in St. Joseph. An opening reception with refreshments will be held this Thursday, March 18^th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. All are invited to check out the student exhibits from CLS through Sunday, April 11. Hours for the Box Factory are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. There is no charge to visit and enjoy the art displays.

SCRIP-A-THON

The all church/school Scrip-A-Thon ended at 9:00 a.m. this morning. Watch for details soon announcing our school and church winners. Thank you to everyone who participated. Our sales increased dramatically! Keep up the good work.

FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

Entry fees for this year’s Fine Arts Festival are due to be turned in by next Monday, March 22, to either Mr. Steffens or Mr. Farrand. Piano registrations forms need to be turned in to Mr. Farrand ASAP. Thank you!

8^th GRADE TO SING ON WEDNESDAY

The 8^th grade students are scheduled to sing this Wednesday, March 17, at the 4:30 p.m. Lenten service. Please meet in Mrs. Jackemeyer’s room by 4:15 p.m.

FIRST ANNUAL ME & MY GUY DANCE

We are looking for volunteers to help organize a Daddy (Grandaddy)/Daughter Dance for Saturday, April 24, to be held here at Christ Lutheran. If you would like to be a part of this grand gala, please join us for our first committee meeting right after school this Thursday, March 18, in the multi-purpose room. If you can’t make it, but would still like to help in some way, please call Teri Harris @ 422-1275.

SPORTS KORNER

As all of you have probably heard by now, both our 7/8^th boys and girls basketball teams were accepted to play at the National Lutheran Basketball Tournament held at Valpo the weekend of March 26-28. We will not have school on Friday, March 26, to allow our families the opportunity to attend the games that begin at 8:30 a.m. Michigan time that Friday morning.

March 8, 2010

National Lutheran Schools Week

God’s blessings as we observe National Lutheran Schools Week! Many of you know that I often joke around about being one of the ‘old guys.’ NLSW is one of those things that make me feel both young and old. Old, mainly because I was involved with the start of NLSW. No, this isn’t like Al Gore inventing the Internet…

Actually, NLSW began as just LSW – Lutheran Schools Week, a Michigan event begun in the early 1980’s, and I was part of the team that did the initial planning for the early part of its existence. My job usually involved writing devotions, chapel talks, worship messages and the like for many years until the Synod eventually asked if they might take it over from us, making it a national celebration. I’ve continued to contribute some things to the national program from time to time, but mostly I like to sit back these days and just plain enjoy watching kids enjoy the events.

And that’s what makes me feel young! Kids having fun always does that for me – it provides a joy unlike most others, and I’m as excited as ever for this week’s events to begin.

We began our NLSW with a special worship service in church yesterday, and we will conclude our week with a special joint worship service with other Lutheran schools at Trinity, St. Joe, this Friday, at 10:00 a.m. Our NLSW celebration begins and ends with worship this year, and that is certainly as it should be. God with us at the beginning, God with us at the close, and God with us throughout everything in between.

Today is Spirit Day and we’re seeing lots of red and white. And then there’s the Faculty v. Student Volleyball Game at the end of the day. What a treat! And volleyball is something the Faculty can still, occasionally, win at. Years ago, we won at everything but not so lately. It must be the younger teachers we’ve brought on just aren’t as good as they used to be…

NLSW EVENTS

Tuesday – Team Apparel Day. Who is your favorite team. Will Mr. Strohacker wear Chicago Bears stuff again this year…?

Wednesday – Movie/Comfy Day. Wear those comfy clothes (remember modesty), and there will be movies in the classroom during the afternoon.

Thursday – Retro 80’s Day. Some on the Faculty are struggling with this day…since we’re still wearing clothes we wore in the 80’s!

EARLY DISMISSAL

Remember that Friday is Dress Up Day for worship at Trinity, St. Joe, at 10:00 a.m. Dismissal back here at Christ is at 11:40 a.m. Enjoy the half day.

THANK YOU TO P.T.L.

The Friday afternoon of NLSW has long been Teacher Appreciation Day, and I want to thank the Christ Lutheran Parent-Teacher League for once again offering to treat our staff to lunch. This kindness truly does mean a great deal as we get to gather together as co-workers and share lunch at a local restaurant. Sincerely, thank you very much for your thoughtfulness.

BAND CONCERT

All are invited to join us tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm in the gym for the Lutheran Schools Week Band Concert. You will enjoy an evening of music provided by the Cadet Band and the Concert Band. Joining Mr. Farrand as a guest conductor will be Lillieanna Andrews, a former Christ Lutheran student. Also providing additional musical entertainment for the evening will be the Cantate Choir under the direction of Mr. Steffens.

4^th grade students will be participating with Pastor Measel at Jordan’s Nursing Home this Wednesday afternoon for our monthly service to the elderly.

ART SHOW AT THE BOX FACTORY

The 9^th Annual Krasl Elementary School Art Show continues at The Box Factory for the Arts on Broad St. in St. Joseph. All are invited to check out the student exhibits from CLS through Sunday, March 14. Hours for the Box Factory are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. There is no charge to visit and enjoy the art displays.

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP

Kindergarten roundup will be held this Thursday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Kindergarten room. This evening is scheduled for parents only to attend and to receive information on our school program. Children eligible to enroll in our Kindergarten program must turn 5 years of age by November 30, 2010. Both Mrs. Kern and Mr. Strohacker will be available to answer your questions.

Invite your friends and neighbors with school age children to our Roundup!

SCRIP-A-THON

The all church/school Scrip-A-Thon is off to a great start. Many church and school families are trying to win the free SCRIP prize of $100 and $50. The deadline for the contest is next Monday morning, March 15. Every time you buy and use a SCRIP gift card, you donate money to our church and school, and earn money toward your school book fees.

SPORTS KORNER

Basketball scores from last week were:

7/8^th Girls – 44; Trinity, Paw Paw – 13

7/8^th Boys – 40; Trinity, Paw Paw – 15

Results from the State Tournament held over the weekend left the 7/8^th boys in 3^rd place and the 7/8^th girls in 4^th.

Hot News Release: Both the boys and girls basketball teams have been accepted at the National Tournament held at Valpo the end of March!

March 1, 2010

Which Way Are You Looking?

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

For the past couple weeks, most of us have probably watched at least some portions of the Olympics from Vancouver. We’ve seen not only the competition but probably heard some personal stories of interest about the athletes as well.

Some of those personal stories include the rigorous training the athletes went through in preparing for the games, while other stories may include personal things the athletes have had to overcome or put behind them in order to reach their goal.

The focus is always forward – toward preparing for what is out in front of the athlete. Things an athlete has overcome in the past must remain in the past - a serious injury, a horrific fall, previous losses, even the loss of her mother for one of the skaters. Eyes must be forward and on the goal, the prize.

Paul mentions this strict training and focus and then adds, “They do it to get a crown that will not last!” While the medals today’s athletes win are more lasting than the laurel wreaths of Paul’s time, they still are not permanent. Their goal, the prize they win, is only temporary.

St. Paul encourages us to train, to not look back, to stretch toward what is ahead, to press on toward the goal, to win “the prize for which God has called (us) heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

LOOKING FORWARD

There are many things which we look forward to in the coming months. One of these is a new teacher that will be joining our Faculty in the fall. At yesterday’s meeting, the Voters of Christ Lutheran Church approved extending a Call to a candidate from the Concordia University System, Courtney Campbell, of Bay City, MI. In recent weeks, our Board had received permission from the Voters to begin the process through our Synod for securing a new college graduate. Technically, we still need to submit Call documents to the President of our Michigan District for his approval, and the paperwork must then make its way through the college placement system and be accepted by the designated candidate. Additional information will follow when the Call is formally accepted later this spring. Plans are for the new teacher to fill our 1^st Grade position which will open up as Mrs. Ulmer moves to 3^rd grade and Mr. Steffens retires.

CONGRATULATIONS

Also, in the looking forward category, our Voters yesterday voted to accept our Board of Christian Education’s recommendation to extend a Divine Call to Susan Jackemeyer, our 6^th grade teacher. Mrs. Jackemeyer has been working on a contract basis the past two years, and I am pleased the Voters have officially extended her a Call.

WELCOME

As we continue looking forward this week, it will be with a new Church Secretary. We wish Mrs. Muldoon well as she begins a new job at Whirlpool, and we welcome Mrs. Christine Quardokus to our office. Mrs. Quardokus has two sons: Christopher in 7^th grade and Nicholas, a 10^th grader. Christine’s husband is Tim. Welcome!

LSW BAND CONCERT

One of the high points of next week’s LSW celebration is the Band Concert on Tuesday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendar for that evening as well, and bring friends and family along to hear our outstanding CLS Band under the direction of Mr. Farrand. I look forward to it!

LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK

Next week, we look forward to National Lutheran Schools Week, giving thanks and celebrating with children across the nation for the gift of attending a Lutheran school. A sheet is being prepared which will detail the special events for each day next week. Please be sure to mark Lutheran Schools Week Worship at Trinity, St. Joe, - Friday, March 12, at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited!

JUNIOR HIGH OPEN HOUSE

This is something new, and I don’t have a date for your calendar yet, but the teachers and I are working on an evening to host an Open House both for our current families as well as new families. If you know someone in our community who might be interested in an excellent junior high education in a Christian setting, please pass their name along to Mr. Strohacker, and please also invite them to our Junior House Open House when it occurs.

MICHIGAN LUTHERAN H.S. VISITOR

CLS welcomes Principal Mike Butzow from Michigan Lutheran H.S. this Tuesday, March 2. Mr. Butzow will be meeting with 6^th – 8^th graders from 9:15 – 8:45 a.m. in our Sanctuary, providing them with information about MLHS. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join us.

SAFE SCHOOLS

The front page of last Monday’s newspaper included an article about a workshop led by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman recently at the Berrien RESA. Mr. Strohacker attended that one-day seminar and will soon be placing a resource sheet on the Church Visitors Center as well as on our school web site which includes information from the workshop that parents may find helpful.

ART SHOW AT THE BOX FACTORY

The 9^th Annual Krasl Elementary School Art Show is now open at The Box Factory for the Arts on Broad St. in St. Joseph. All are invited to check out the student exhibits from CLS through Sunday, March 14. Hours for the Box Factory are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Special congratulations go to Kali Prillwitz. Kali is the recipient of a $50 award from Krasl for one of her art entries.

Again, we thank Mrs. Jan Reimann, our art teacher, and Amy Cole, Patty Allred, Sally Gooding, Julie DeWeerd, Shelly Guffey, Cheri Okonski, and Karen Rooker for all their help in displaying the art pieces.

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Invite your friends and neighbors to our Preschool Open House scheduled this Sunday, March 7, from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. Children eligible to attend our preschool program must turn 4 years of age by November 30, 2010. Mrs. Kern and Mrs. Kabelman will be available to show you around and answer questions. Information/registration packets will be available.

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP

Kindergarten roundup will be held on Thursday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Kindergarten room. This evening is scheduled for only parents to attend and to receive information on our school program. Children eligible to enroll in our Kindergarten program must turn 5 years of age by November 30, 2010. Both Mrs. Kern and Mr. Strohacker will be available to answer your questions.

STATE LUTHERAN BASKETBALL TOURNEY

Best wishes and safe travel to our students and families who will travel to Frankenmuth this weekend for the annual Michigan Lutheran Schools Basketball Tournament. Both our “A” girls and “A” boys will be participating. The results of this tournament plays a large part in determining teams who will qualify to go on and participate at the National Lutheran Basketball Tournament hosted at Valparaiso University later this month.

SPORTS KORNER

Basketball scores from last week were:

7/8^th Girls – 21: Berrien Springs – 11

5/6^th Girls – 17; Berrien springs – 28

8^th Girls – 16; Upton 8^th – 18

7^th Girls – 17; Upton 7^th – 15

5/6^th Girls – 30; Trinity, SJ “B” – 17

7/8^th Boys – 31; ML - 23

This week’s game schedule:

Tuesday, March 2:

Paw Paw @ 7/8^th Boys @ 5:30

Paw Paw @ 7/8^th Girls @ 6:30

The School Scrip-A-Thon runs until March 15. Get your SCRIP orders turned in for your chance to win $50 and Dairy Queen Blizzards for your classroom.

February 22, 2010

Are You As Smart As…?

I’m not a regular, but I have seen the TV show, “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?” The show can be fun, but I’d say the name appeals to me more than anything else.

Yesterday’s Gospel reading is the account of the devil tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Satan takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and says, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and on their hands they will bear your up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

It’s sort of like the ultimate dare: “If you are really God…” Then the devil tops it off by dazzling us with his ability to quote the Bible. Yeah, the devil knows chapter and verse of the Bible. I’m certain he would defeat me on a Bible history or trivia test. He undoubtedly can recite the books of the Bible backwards…while I sometimes struggle with keeping the Old Testament books in order frontward.

Fortunately for me, and for you, too, we don’t have to be smarter than a fifth grader or smarter than the devil. Our salvation isn’t based on how much we know but rather on whom we know – Jesus.

After Chapel last Wednesday, I asked if anyone could tell me something special about Lent. I was looking for someone to remind us that midweek Lenten worship services were beginning that day. But a Kindergarten student goofed me up by saying, “During Lent we give something up because it reminds us that Jesus gave up his life for us.” (I’m polishing up his sentence a bit, but the message is all his.)

Smart kid. Faithful kid. There are certainly days when I’m not ‘smarter than a fifth grader,’ but I can be O.K. with that as long as God grants me the faith of a little Kindergartener.

COMPUTER CLASS

In Computer Class recently, I’ve been working with 5^th & 6^th graders on being “cyber smart” regarding the web sites they access. In fact, the site Mrs. Beach has been having me take the students to is: www.becybersmart.org. We have been exploring web sites that are kid friendly, safe and will be helpful to students as they use the Internet to do reports in the future. Lately, we’ve been paying close attention to the fact that sites may contain advertising or even reflect a certain point of view. Be sure to continue this discussion with your child at home. Thanks.

LENTEN WORSHIP

Please remember the special opportunity we have for midweek Lenten worship in the coming weeks. Thank you to the 5^th graders for singing last week on Ash Wednesday. Lenten worship services are on Wednesday at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. with a meal served in between.

MICHIGAN LUTHERAN H.S.

Mr. Mike Butzow, Principal of Michigan Lutheran High School, will be visiting CLS next Tuesday, March 2, to talk with our 6^th – 8^th graders. We will be gathering the kids together in the Sanctuary at 9:15 a.m. to hear a brief presentation and ask questions. Any of our parents are certainly welcome to join us that morning.

ML has also invited our students and families to attend their Lutheran Elementary Grade School Night tomorrow evening, Tuesday, February 23. All families will be admitted free to the ML vs. Howardsville boy’s basketball games. JV starts at 6:00 pm. Each student attending will get a Titan Dollar for the concession stand and be registered for a drawing.

School dismisses at 11:40 a.m. this Thursday, February 25. No Lakeshore bus service at dismissal.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent-teacher conferences will be held this Thursday evening, February 25. Conferences have been scheduled and forms have been returned to parents who requested a conference. Parents of students in grades 6-8 are invited to meet with their student’s teachers on a first-come, first-served basis between 6:00-8:00 p.m.

ART SHOW AT THE BOX FACTORY

It’s time for the 9^th Annual Krasl Elementary School Art Show being held at The Box Factory for the Arts on Broad St. in St. Joseph. All are invited to check out the student exhibits from CLS beginning Thursday, February 25, and running through Sunday, March 14. Hours for the Box Factory are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. One work of art from each school will receive a $50 scholarship valid toward an art class of the student’s choice at Krasl. An opening reception will be held this Thursday from 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. and refreshments will be served.

Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Jan Reimann, our art teacher, and to Amy Cole, Patty Allred, Sally Gooding, Julie DeWeerd, Shelly Guffey, and Cheri Okonski, who have helped her with preparing and displaying our student’s art pieces. All your extra work and dedication to this project is greatly appreciated.

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Invite your friends and neighbors to our Preschool Open House scheduled for Sunday, March 7, from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. Children eligible to attend our preschool program must turn 4 years of age by November 30, 2010. Mrs. Kern and Mrs. Kabelman will be available to show you around and answer questions. Information/registration packets will be available.

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP

SPORTS KORNER

Basketball scores from last week were:

5/6^th Boys – 32; Resurrection, So. Bend – 17

5/6^th Girls – 19; Resurrection, So. Bend – 18

This week’s game schedule:

Tonight, Monday, February 22:

5/6^th Girls @ Berrien Springs @ 5:00 p.m.

7/8^th Girls @ Berrien Springs @ 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 25:

Trinity, SJ @ 3/4^th Girls @ 4:00 p.m.

Trinity, SJ @ 5/6^th Girls @ 5:00 p.m.

ML @ 7/8^th Boys @ 6:00 p.m.

7^th Girls @ Upton @ 4:00 p.m.

8^th Girls @ Upton @ 5:00 p.m.

Coming up next week, March 5 & 6 is the State Basketball Tournament being held in Saginaw this year. Best wishes to our “A” girls and boys teams.

February 16, 2010

Visitors

Diane and I did a lot of planning last week for some weekend visitors. These weren’t just any visitors either. We were eagerly anticipating our grandson, Luke’s, first visit to our house since he was born six weeks ago.

Those couple of regularly scheduled days off we had back in January – Diane’s school wasn’t off those days, but the preparation began way back then already as she made sure that I spent those two days readying a bedroom for the kids. But that’s another story…

Looking back, the bedroom setup didn’t seem like much compared to the meal planning for last weekend. After all, it wasn’t only my son, daughter-in-law, grandson…and granddog, Artie, that were coming but also my family from Chicago. This was the first opportunity to see new baby, so everyone came up to spend the day with us on Saturday and have supper together.

What snacks should we have when the kids arrive Friday evening? Should we do a big breakfast on Saturday or put more emphasis on lunch? What about Saturday evening’s meal? How about some snacks in the afternoon…what about dessert? Is there something we can prepare ahead of time to place in the oven and have ready when we return from church on Sunday? Now who like Diet Pepsi, and who prefers Diet Coke…?

Silly, I know, but we all do it. Food would be at the center of much of our family fellowship over the weekend. Well, Luke, too.

As we celebrated Holy Communion during worship on Sunday, I was reminded that God has placed food at the center of our worship, also. The true Body and Blood of His Son, Jesus, given for us. Let us daily give thanks to God for The Bread of Life.

JOB POSITION AVAILABLE

Mrs. Muldoon has announced that she has accepted a position with another company and will be leaving Christ Lutheran very soon. Anyone interested in applying for the position of Church Secretary should contact Pastor Quardokus or drop off a copy of their resume in the church office.

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

As we enter the Lenten season we have the opportunity, in addition to Sunday worship, to worship at midweek services and ponder Christ’s suffering and death for us. Please join us this Wednesday as we celebrate Ash Wednesday with worship at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. Please note that the 5^th grade students will be singing at the 4:30 p.m. service.

A light supper will be served by the Youth Group between services.

HEARTS FOR JESUS

The February Chapel offerings have been designated to the Michigan District’s “Hearts for Jesus” program. Students, please remember to bring your special “Hearts for Jesus” contribution envelopes to this week’s chapel service on Ash Wednesday.

SIX FLAGS DEADLINE

Students need to turn in their “Read to Succeed” forms by this Friday, February 19. Students in grades K-6 who complete the six hours of reading and turn in their form will receive a ticket for free admission to a Six Flags amusement park.

SCRIP-A-THON

Students are bringing home information on the SCRIP-A-Thon that begins today and runs until 9:00 a.m. Monday, March 15. This year’s top prize is $50 worth of SCRIP gift cards to the top salesperson. Second and third place salespeople will receive $25 each of gift cards.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent-teacher conferences will be held on Thursday evening, February 25. Conferences have been scheduled and forms returned to parents who have requested a conference. Parents of students in grades 6-8 are invited to meet with their student’s teachers on a first-come, first-served basis between 6:00-8:00 p.m.

School will dismiss at 11:40 a.m. on February 25. The Lakeshore Bus will not be running at dismissal time.

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION @ LAKESHORE

8^th grade students who will be attending Lakeshore High School next fall are invited to attend one of the orientation/information meetings scheduled for tonight or Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Please check in with one of the counselors upon arrival to receive a package of information including your registration forms.

SPORTS KORNER

Scores from last week’s basketball games were:

5/6^th Girls – 37; St. Paul, Stev. – 18

5/6^th Girls – 20; Grace – 14

The ML boy’s game that was snowed out last week has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 25, 6:00 pm here at CLS. Please adjust your calendars to reflect this change.

Tonight’s game schedule:

5/6^th Girls @ Resurrection Lutheran, So. Bend 4:30 pm

5/6^th Boys @ Resurrection Lutheran, So. Bend 5:30 pm

The “A” Girls Crusader Classic BB Tourney will take place this weekend, February 20 – 21, here at CLS.

February 8, 2010

Who Is My Neighbor?

In Luke 10, Jesus answers this question with His parable of 'The Good Samaritan.' Last week, Richard Hildebrand of Milford, IA visited and spoke to CLS students about our neighbors. Mr. Hildebrand is Mrs. Kern’s brother.

A high school industrial arts teacher and builder, Richard is a regular volunteer for STEMM - Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries. Our children's musical done earlier this year, 'Barbeque for Ben,' raised money for this mission project, and Richard was here sharing slides and the story of the mission in Tanzania. Richard mentioned that all the people in his pictures were dying of AIDS...and these people are our neighbors.

Also, last week, classrooms collected a special offering to be given to Lutheran World Relief and then sent on to Haiti for earthquake relief. You've seen the pictures of so many Haitian children on TV...and these, too, are our neighbors.

For the next two Wednesdays, I will be leading Chapel worship and, using the parable of 'The Good Samaritan,' I'll be teaching students about some other neighbors in Africa, the people of Kenya, many of whom are suffering and dying from Malaria. Again, many of them children.

The Lutheran Malaria Initiative is this month's Michigan District Hearts for Jesus mission project. Thousands of Lutheran students from across Michigan will be collecting Chapel offerings to benefit this mission. These people in Kenya, also, are our neighbors.

A little side note - the need is great! In talking with Mr. Hildebrand, he mentioned that the need in Haiti, while very serious, also has caused gifts to STEMM to decline. This is not unusual to have a high profile, 'in the news,' type disaster strike and, as good people seek to help, it can divert gifts from other necessary missions. We live in a world where the need is always great to share the Good News of the Savior and to help our neighbor.

PARENTS AS TEACHER PLAYGROUP

The Berrien RESA Parents As Teachers Playgroup meets again in our gym this Wednesday, February 10, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. For more information, call Kathy Hanley, Playgroup Coordinator, at 921-0199.

KUDOS

Please share your good wishes with 7^th grader Mary Brown who recently wrote an article “Why I Love My School,” for the February edition of Michigan In Touch magazine, a publication of The Michigan District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Copies of this magazine are placed in the boxes of all Christ Lutheran Church families as well as our tuition families. Please check out the article on page 8. Extra copies are available in the office.

JOB POSITION AVAILABLE

Mrs. Muldoon as announced that she has accepted a position with another company and will be leaving Christ Lutheran in a couple weeks. Anyone interested in applying for the position of Church Secretary should contact Pastor Quardokus or drop off a copy of their resume in the church office.

THANK YOU

Thank you to Mr. Steffens and our 3^rd and 4^th graders, all of whom provided leadership and music for the Michigan District West Region Pastors’ Conference held here last Tuesday.

NO SCHOOL

School is not in session next Monday, February 15, as we observe the Presidents’ Day holiday.

WORSHIP AT JORDAN’S

Students in grades 6 and 7 will be traveling out to Bridgman this Wednesday afternoon to participate in worship with the elderly. Thank you to Pastor Measel for providing the message at these services.

Parents who would like to schedule a conference with their child’s teacher should return their request form by this Friday, February 12.

KINDERGARTEN MILK

Kindergartners pay for their milk by the semester. Second semester milk money in the amount of $36 is now due. Please remit to the school office.

SIX FLAGS DEADLINE

The Six Flags Read to Succeed deadline is approaching. Students should turn in reading tally sheets to their teacher by Friday, February 19.

LADIES, PLEASE JOIN US!

We’re looking for a few (or more) good women! Are you interested in learning more about the Bible? Would you like to experience the joy, fellowship, and support of other women as you study God’s word and how it impacts your life? Come join us for Tuesday morning Lifelight from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. in the All-Purpose Room. We are currently studying the book of Matthew, and invite you to travel with us as we experience Christ’s road to the cross. Please call Kathy Conrad at 556-0004 for more information, or to arrange for babysitting. See you there!

COMING SOON . . . .

Plans are being made for an upcoming all-school and church Scrip-A-Thon. Watch for details about dates and prizes.

SOUTHWEST VOLLEYBALL CLUB

The spring season of volleyball is just around the corner. A parent information meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 10^th at 7:30pm at the Lakeshore High School Cafeteria. For more information contact Lisa Gathright @ 313-4563.

SPORTS KORNER

Scores from last week’s basketball games were:

7/8^th Girls – 30; Trinity, St. Joe – 6

5/6^th Girls – 30; Trinity, St. Joe - 11

7/8^th Girls – 32; Paw Paw – 10

Congratulations to the 7^th/8^th grade girls who brought home both the 1^stPlace Trophy and the Consolation Trophy from the Ann Arbor tournament over the weekend.

Tonight’s game schedule:

St. Paul, Stev. @ 3/4^th Girls @ 4pm

St. Paul, Stev. @ 5/6^th Girls @ 5pm

So.Haven vs. Berrien Springs @ Christ @ 6pm

Wednesday, February 10:

ML @ 7/8^th Boys @ 6pm

Thursday, February 11:

Grace @ 3/4^th Girls @ 4pm

Grace @ 5/6^th Girls @ 5pm

February 1, 2010

Hearts for Jesus

Since 1972, Lutheran schools of the Michigan District – LCMS have joined together annually in February for what is called the Hearts for Jesus mission project. During the past 38 years, Lutheran students in Michigan have raised over 1.2 million dollars for a variety of missions, most often ones that reach out to children.

This year’s Hearts for Jesus project is The Lutheran Malaria Initiative. Beginning this Wednesday, February 3, and continuing for the next 4 weeks, our Chapel offerings will go toward this effort. Mr. Strohacker will be leading Chapel worship this Wednesday and next Wednesday, using specially prepared Chapel talks to help children understand the special needs of this mission and respond in love to God for the many blessings we have by helping others.

WHY MALARIA?

Malaria kills more than a million people a year, but it is easily prevented and treated.

Malaria is a disease of poverty. It exacerbates the conditions of poverty by making people too sick to work or tend their fields, becoming a major barrier for people trying to lift themselves out of poverty.

A child dies from malaria every thirty seconds.

Three quarters of those killed by malaria are pregnant women and children under the age of five in Africa.

Please pray for those suffering from malaria, and ask God to bless the gifts our children bring in the coming weeks.

WELCOME

This week southwest Michigan is hosting The Michigan District - LCMS Winter Pastors Conference. Pastors from across Michigan will be at Christ on Tuesday for morning worship and opening activities, using the Sanctuary, Commons and All-Purpose Room. Pastors will also be using other sites in town, including Trinity Lutheran, St. Joe, and The Heritage Center. Please make our guests feel welcome and greet them.

PARENTS AS TEACHERS PLAYGROUP

The Berrien RESA Parents As Teachers Playgroup has their next play date in our gym on Wednesday, February 10. There is no cost to attend, and the group is for parents and their young children, birth through pre-school age. For more information, call Playgroup Coordinator, Kathy Hanley, (921-0199).

PLEASE NOTE:

Report cards for the second quarter of the school year will be coming home with students this Friday.
The Six Flags Read to Succeed deadline in Friday, February 19.
Kindergarten milk money for the second semester is now due in the amount of $36.
Cantate Choir (grades 3 & 4) will be singing this Sunday at the 8:00 worship service.
Freshman information night at St. Joseph High School Auditorium is Tuesday, February 9 at 6:30pm.

WINTER PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Scheduling forms for the Winter Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming home with students today. Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 25, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Winter conferences are optional, and are only scheduled if requested by the parent or the teacher. If you would like a conference with your student’s teacher, please return the form to the school office by Friday, February 12.

LADIES, PLEASE JOIN US!

IT PAYS TO BUY SCRIP

Exciting news…..effective immediately, the profit donation for Dominos Pizza has increased from 5% to 8%. The $10 denomination remains the same.

Most of our other participating SCRIP restaurants also offer generous profit donations. So, when it’s time to eat out, head to Chili’s (11%), Applebee’s (8%), Bob Evans (10%), Cracker Barrel (9%), Panera Bread (9%), Red Lobster & Olive Garden (9%), Pizza Hut (8%). Many of the other restaurants on our special order list offer even higher percentage donations, and using these gift cards increases our church/school donations quickly.

KITCHEN HELP NEEDED!

An average month has 20 days of school. We currently have only 8 volunteers to help serve lunch. We are looking for another 8-12 people. On the day that you help serve, one of your children may receive a free hot lunch.

We are also in need of some ladies to create a cover for the salad bar and sew a curtain for under the butcher block. If interested in either of these, please call Amy Cole at 983-0524.

SPORTS KORNER

Scores from last week’s basketball games were:

5/6^th Girls – 28: Grace – 19

7^th Girls – 27; Upton 7^th – 16

8^th Girls – 34; Upton 8^th – 19

5/6 Girls – 12; Berrien Springs – 18

Congrats to the 7/8^th boys for taking 1^st place at the Grand Rapids tournament over the weekend.

Tonight’s game schedule is:

3/4^th Girls @ Trinity, St. Joe @ 4pm

5/6^th Girls @ Trinity, St. Joe @ 5pm

7/8^th Girls @ Trinity, St. Joe @ 6pm

Wednesday’s Game Schedule, Feb. 3:

7/8^th Girls @ Trinity, Paw Paw @ 5:30pm

7/8^th Boys @ Trinity, Paw Paw @ 6:30 pm

The 7/8^th grade girls will be traveling to Ann Arbor this weekend to participate in their annual tournament.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to the ladies of all ages who made my baby shower such a special and memorable event. Whether you helped decorate, helped make the delicious meal possible, or simply helped by being there to celebrate with me, I thank you! What a wonderful group of women you are! Pastor and I are blessed by all the ways you continue to surround our family with your loving care.
In Christ, Jill Measel

CLICK HERE FOR NEWSLETTERS FROM THE FIRST SEMESTER