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The Messiah Messenger >
The March 2018 Messenger #597
The March 2018 Messenger #597
Mar 1, 2018
The Messiah MESSENGER
March 2018
Saturday, March 24
Community Egg Hunt,
10 a.m.
Sunday, March 25
Palm Sunday Service,
10:15 a.m.
Thursday, March 29
Maundy Thursday
Service, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 30
Good Friday Ecumenical Service, noon, St. Luke’s
Good Friday Tenebrae Service, 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 1
Easter Breakfast, 8:30 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt, 9:45 a.m.
Easter Worship Service, 10:15 a.m.
FROM THE PASTOR
Spring Greetings to you all!
The Messiah March calendar is full of worship opportunities celebrating Lent,
Holy Week, The Triduum (Three Days) and Easter. This seems a good time to
review the Lutheran liturgy (the way that we worship). This month will bring a
variety of liturgical settings built around the purpose of that worship experience.
According to Martin Luther’s essay on the German Mass and Order of Divine
Service from 1526, he outlined the basics for the “new” worship.
Hymn, Kyrie, Prayer, Epistle, Hymn, Gospel, Creed, Sermon, Lord’s Prayer,
Consecration of Communion Elements, Communion, Hymn, Prayer, and Blessing.
However, it is important to note Rev. Dr. Martin Luther’s comments at the conclusion of the lengthy essay.
“Forms and Orders should be for the promotion of faith and the service of
love, and not to injury of faith. … So no Order has any intrinsic worth of its
own, as hitherto the Popish Order has been thought to have. But all Order
has its life, worth, strength, and virtue in right use; else it is worthless and
fit for nothing. God's Spirit and grace be with us all. Amen.”
Here at Messiah, the worship typically changes by church season, as do the liturgical colors. We get to learn new orders of worship called “Settings” from our ELW Hymnal. As our backgrounds in worship vary based on our geographic and cultural experiences, the goal of planning worship is to offer ways to reach each community member to connect with God. Toward that end, Roger and I invite you to join us in our worship planning as we will have a Worship Ministry Team meeting quarterly. Watch the calendar or speak with either of us to participate – no experience required!
Although there are differences between worship styles around the world, the
current pattern of worship is fairly similar. We gather together, we encounter
God’s Word, we share a meal at the Lord’s Table and we are sent into the world.
But, as it was in Pastor Luther’s lifetime, we still do not think about worship so
much in terms of what we do, but in terms of what God is doing and our
response to God’s action in our lives and in the world.
I look forward to hearing your feedback on how God speaks to you in our worship services. And, as always, how God is active and alive in your life!
“God's Spirit and grace be with us all. Amen.”
In Christ,
Pastor Lynne
MESSIAH MINISTRIES
COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 10 A.M.
PALM SUNDAY SERVICE
MARCH 25 AT 10:15 A.M.
Worship begins with the congregation entering, waving palm branches and singing.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
MARCH 29 AT 7 P.M.
Communion service including washing of feet,
celebration of the Last Supper, and stripping of the altar.
GOOD FRIDAY
MARCH 30
Noon – An ecumenical service at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church by Park Ridge Ministerial Association, with Montag Ensemble String Quartet playing Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ.”
7 p.m. – Tenebrae Service – A service of dramatic reading and darkness.
EASTER RESURRECTION CELEBRATION!
APRIL 1 AT 10:15 A.M.
Easter Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
Children’s Egg Hunt at 9:45 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
MESSIAH MINISTRIES Music & Worship Notes
CRISIS AND COMFORT
This month I am going to depart from my usual “educational” music and worship articles and tell you about a ministry that has a special place in my heart. That ministry is the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministry.
You may have never heard of them, but I bet you’ve seen their good works. You might have seen them on ”Good Morning America,” or any of the major
networks’ evening news programs. When tragedy and disaster strike, whether man-made or natural, they are likely to be there. They are a national ministry with 135 Golden Retrievers and 350 handlers stationed in congregations nationwide. However, their “home” is within 2 miles of Messiah off of Milwaukee Avenue in Northbrook. They never go unless invited, and they never charge for their deployments.
Unfortunately, it seems like they have been busier than ever this past year. Most recently they were in Parkland, Florida, but that is just one of many stops on their mission to provide comfort and healing sharing the compassion and love of Jesus Christ. They have been in Las Vegas, Orlando (Pulse Night Club), and Newtown, Connecticut (Sandy Hook Elementary School), just to name just a few deployments.
I have been acquainted with this ministry since its founding in 2008. It is very, very special to me, so special that I’ve arranged to share this incredible story with the folks at Messiah.
On Sunday evening, April 22, the Youth Group will have a pizza party and “meet the LCC Comfort Dogs” evening. Here the youth will learn the story and mission of the Comfort Dog ministry as well as interact with several of the dogs. Often the Comfort Dogs visit local high schools at exam time to provide an outlet for stress. Then in May the Comfort Dog Ministry will present a chapel service for the CCC students and their families as well as conduct classroom visits throughout the morning.
Two years ago I introduced the Arlingtones (the men’s chorus I direct) to the Comfort Dogs when we sang at the opening session of their National Conference. I am excited for Messiah to meet them, too!
For more info on this incredible ministry go to www.lutheranchurchcharities.org and click on the K-9 Ministries tab.
Shalom!
Roger Turek
MESSIAH MINISTRIES
QUILTS & KITS
We got snowed out in February, so hopefully the weather will cooperate for us in March! And remember – no sewing experience necessary! So join us in assembling quilts – along with good fellowship on March 18! See you then!
Also – we’re gathering items for Personal Care Kits. The Personal Care Kits contain bath towels, bars of soap (two 4 oz. bars per kit), nail clippers, toothbrushes and sturdy combs. If you don’t have time to shop, we can shop for you for a donation of $5 per kit.
And we also have A LOT of backpacks made thanks to Steve Yager and Trudi Handzel – and they are ready for their cords so looks like we might be able to break a record for school kits this year!
For additional information and to volunteer, contact Carol Hrodey at cjhrodey@sbcglobal.net or 847-828-7819.
OUR MISSIONARY:
REV. DR. PHILIP
KNUTSON
Be sure to check out blog page:
southernafricanconnections.wordpress.com
SHOPPING FOR DOLLARS
Efforts to increase fundraising income were discussed at our Annual Meeting, and we have some ideas how we can all help those efforts. While we’d all like to have deeper pockets to dig into for increasing our donations, that’s not always possible. But there are other ways we can all help increase our income that are easy and less “painful” to us as individuals.
This month we’d like to highlight one way – and that is “SHOPPING”!! Many of us shop online, and there are simple ways to return a percentage of our shopping dollars to Messiah without it costing us any additional money!!
Many people these days shop on Amazon – which now has a program called Amazon Smile. Messiah Lutheran Church Park Ridge is now registered with them.
• Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Messiah Lutheran Church whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
• You can select Messiah Lutheran Church Park Ridge after signing in.
• AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
• Support Messiah by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
Just go to smile.amazon.com and log in using your regular Amazon ID and password and follow the prompts to list Messiah Lutheran Church Park Ridge as your designated charitable organization.
MESSIAH MINISTRIES Christian Education
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday, March 11, we will be meeting for Sunday School, at 11:30 a.m., after services, in light of the jump to daylight saving time.
We will be discussing Lent and Palm Sunday.
Children ages 4-10 are all invited to attend! Parents are encouraged to attend with their child to encourage their faith formation and to build faith relationships with other families. Contact Aly Allemeier for more information.
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CONFIRMATION
The confirmands meet with Pat Kovach at 9 a.m. Sundays in the Confirmation Room, off the choir loft! In March, they will continue studying the Book of Psalms and the New Testament.
There will be no classes for March 18 or March 25.
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PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Weeks of Feb. 19 and 26 and March 5
The children have been learning about occupations and people who work in our community. During the week of March 5, we will be parent presentations.
If you would be interested in sharing your job with the children at Messiah in the future, please see Miss Karen. You would present a 15-20 minute “job show and tell” to 4 or 5 classes, beginning at 9:15 a.m. and ending about 11:15 a.m.
See Miss Karen if you are available to help with any of our People in Our Neighborhood activities.
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CHAT ROOM
Join us for Chat Room on Sundays at 9 in the Friendship Place in January. If you have requests/ideas for future topics, contact David Swanson or Steve Yager.
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MLC received a surprise and welcome gift recently to help its Assistance Ministry: several turkeys and hams, plus boxes of side dishes, provided by the Jewel Osco on Touhy in Village Green Center. Laura Olson of St. Peter’s UCC in Skokie facilitated the donation. It’s always a blessing to have more for those in need.
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MESSIAH MINISTRIES Youth Page
PLEASE check with church office before you schedule an event – there is a room
BLUE & GOLD BANQUET SET FOR MARCH 18
The congregation is invited to the annual Cub Scout Pack 105 Blue & Gold Award Ceremony, Sunday, March 18 @ 3:30 p.m. Each year, leadership awards all the Scouts for their achievements. Webelos earning their Arrow of Light (the highest honor in Cub Scouts) and those Scouts crossing over to Boy Scouts are recognized by a special ceremony conducted by the Order of the Arrow.
SPAGHETTI DINNER
The Spaghetti Dinner is a go for April 7, with Music Ministry Coordinator Roger Turek and his wife, Jill, coordinating.
No pricing is firmed up right now, but there will be a raffle.
Can you smell Mama Rose’s sauce in the air? Mark your calendars.
If you can pitch in, please contact Roger at singingdoberman@aol.com.
LENT LOCK-IN AND EGG STUFFING – Friday, March 16
Donations of stickers or small non-chocolate candies are welcome as middle and
high school youth join us at 6 p.m. Friday, March 16 in the Multipurpose Room to stuff eggs for the Messiah Community Egg Hunt. Dinner will be provided. Help us get 1,000s of eggs filled.
ELCA YOUTH GATHERING
Arden Sasak, Novena Christal, Julia and Sam Fogel along with Pastor Lynne will join 30,000+ ELCA Youth in Houston June 27 – July 1 for a week of service, worship and being God’s hands.
Each church group is to bring books from a curated list for the "Blast Off for Books" program. During the week in Houston, these books will be taken to community centers and read to elementary children, then donated to their library.
The book list will be available in the Narthex if you’d like to contribute a new or gently used book.
HELP SUPPORT US!
To raise money to help our Youth participate they’re holding BAKE SALES the last Sunday of each month until they leave for Houston! The first one was a big success so please continue to participate by purchasing goodies on March 25!! Contact Debbie Sasak or Pastor Lynne to help!
Souper Bowl Totals! Our annual Souper Bowl of Caring chili and soup cook-off brought in 14 entries. In the end, $393 was raised for the Maine Township Food Pantry from sales of soup bowls as well as 180 non-perishable food items and $1,467 in donations. We are also grateful for a generous donation from Tom Jason’s family to the MTFP.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MESSIAH BOOK CLUB
Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 7 p.m. in the Friendship Place
We will discuss the novel “Camino Island” by John Grisham, about a young novelist struggling to come up with an idea for her next book, when she is recruited by a shadowy company to locate five priceless F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts.
Book Club is open to anyone who enjoys reading. All are welcome. If anyone has any questions, please contact Paul Holzer at 847-296-0734.
REMINDERS FOR MARCH
Manna Orders Due – March 5
Brotherhood Breakfast – Saturday, March 10 at 9 a.m. All Messiah men are invited to Jimmy’s on Rand Road.
Lenten Service Squared continues Tuesdays through March 20 in the Friendship Place, with Holden Prayer Service at 6:30 and Plarn Service Project following. Then join us for 40-day Gloria Dei Choir rehearsal. Plarn will be available to work on at 5 p.m. prior to Prayer Service.
Pennies for Lent! The CCC has collected pennies over the past 16 Lenten season, to the tune of $10,000. This money goes to Maine Township Food Pantry. ALL are invited to bring all your loose change and MAKE A CHANGE for hunger! Look for the container in the Narthex.
COMING IN APRIL
Easter Sunday, April 1
Manna Orders Due, April 2
Spaghetti Dinner, April 7
PR Day of Service, April 21
Youth Group Pizza – Meet the LCC Comfort Dogs, April 22
THIS MONTH IN WORSHIP
Sunday Worship Focus Chat Room Confirmation
Mar 4 Third Sunday in Lent
1st Lesson: Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm: Psalm 19
2nd Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Gospel: John 2:13-22 TBD
Book of Psalms
Mar 11 Fourth Sunday in Lent
1st Lesson: Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
2nd Lesson: Ephesians 2:1-10
Gospel: John 3:14-21 TBD The New Testament
Mar 18 Fifth Sunday in Lent
1st Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm: Psalm 51:1-12
2nd Lesson: Hebrews 5:5-10
Gospel: John 12:20-33 TBD No Confirmation class
Mar 25 Passion Sunday
1st Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm: Psalm 31:9-16
2nd Lesson: Philippians 2:5-11
Gospel: Mark 14:1—15:47 TBD No Confirmation class
CHURCH BUSINESS
EC CORNER Highlights from the January meeting include:
• Welcomed our new members, Jim Handzel (Financial Secretary) and Janitha Chellian (Treasurer).
• Spaghetti Dinner is set for April 7. Roger and Jill will be heading up the group.
• Annual Congregational Meeting went well.
• Usage Covenants have been updated and are getting signed by our groups.
• Assistance Ministry had a wonderful donation from Jewel, turkeys, hams and sides.
• Parsonage plan is still in the works, we are just waiting for word from State.
Jan. Attendance
Wk1=43 Wk2=32 Wk3=51 Wk4=44
*82 unique individuals attended worship between 1 and 5 times in December.
Jan. Giving (Gen. Fund & MAP)
Wk1=$1,064 Wk2=$1,429
Wk3=$2,339 Wk4=$1,013
THIS MONTH IN WORSHIP
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
Mar 4 Mar 11 Mar 18 Mar 25 Mar 29 Mar 30
10:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
Acolytes Evelyn A Kyle H Millie D Michaelene M TBD TBD
Communion Assistants Aly A Laura H Mayra D Mary Jo M TBD TBD
Readers Pat K Laura H Teresa L Dave H Marilynn D Teresa L Marilynn D Debbie D Larry R Dave H Sam F Steve Y
Worship Assistants Vikki H David S Erik G Andy T Diane B Cindy N
Projection Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H
Ushers TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
Altar Guild Marilynn D Cindy N Sue K Cindy N TBD TBD
Counter Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H Jim H
FLOWERS AND BULLETINS
The sign-ups for flowers and bulletins are in the narthex by the hall to the Educational Wing. Flowers are $40, and the Bulletins are $10. Envelopes are provided next to the sign-up calendar, or you may simply write “Flowers” or “Bulletin” on your regular envelope in the Other box.
Sunday Flowers are given … Bulletins are given …
Mar 4 No flowers for Lent. Available.
Mar 11 No flowers for Lent. Available.
Mar 18 No flowers for Lent. Available.
Mar 25 In memory of Matthew, by the Ryczeks. Available.
MESSAGES
Voting returns to MLC
Please remember that on March 20, our Friendship Place will become a voting area for the Cook County primary, so mark your calendar.
A REMINDER!
Daylight Saving Time begins on March 11. So at 2 a.m. on that day, set your clocks AHEAD one hour!
COOKBOOK!
We’re still looking for recipes for our Souper Bowl Cook Book. So if you would like to contribute any of your recipes, please send them to Roger Turek at singingdoberman@aol.com.
MILESTONES
BIRTHDAYS
Marilyn Borgeson, 3/6
Kim Hanson, 3/8
Nancy Magerl, 3/8
Julie Holzer, 3/10
Emma Penumaka, 3/12
Samantha Fogel, 3/15
Deborah Chervinko, 3/16
Annabelle Grove, 3/18
Zachary Loverme, 3/20
Nicholas Boomer, 3/21
Dina Salemi, 3/22
Kristin Yager, 3/24
William Downie, 3/28
Alan Christiansen, 3/29
ANNIVERSARIES
Jim and Trudi Handzel – 3/8/86, 32 years
MESSIAH EASTER GARDEN
Azaleas, lilies, daffodils, hyacinth and tulips among the flowers available to purchase for our Easter Garden at the church, in honor of a special day, in memory of a special person, etc.
Forms are due by Sunday, March 19, 2018.
Payment for the flowers goes into your regular offering envelope. Please mark Easter Garden in the “Other” box. Order forms can either be placed in the offering plate or submitted to the church office. Make your check payable to Messiah Lutheran Church! Call Rod at the office at 847-823-6984.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
STAFF
Pastor: Rev. Lynne Morrow
Music Ministry Coor.: Roger Turek
Child Care Center Dir. Karen Black
Office Manager: Rodney Richey
Bookkeeper: Daniel Kovach
Property Coordinator: David Hanson
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Larry Ryczek
Vice President: Trygve Jensen
Secretary: Aly Allemeier
Treasurer: Janitha Chellian
Financial Sec.: im Handzel
CCC BOARD
Chair: Tim Saul, Erik Grove
Secretary: Kathy Malyszko, Sue Kopij
Treasurer: Pat Kovach
CONGREGATIONAL DEACONS
Floyd Yager and Jennie Read Robles
EXTENDED LEADERSHIP TEAM
Assistance Ministry: Connie Kaufman
Altar Guild: Sue Kopij, Cindy Norberg
Brotherhood: Rich Seggeling
CHAT Room: David Swanson
Steve Yager
Cross+Gen: Julie Luck Jensen
Confirmation/Youth: Pat Kovach
Memorials: Carol Hrodey
Women’s Svc. Group: Trudi Handzel
Carol Hrodey
Spiritual Gifts Coor.: Steve Yager
Worship Assistants: David Swanson
Worship Readers: Rich Levy
Ushers: Larry Ryczek
John 17 Fellowship: David Swanson
Steve Yager
Prayer Cards: Jackie Steigerwald
Sign Ministry: Staff
MEMORIAL & HONORARIUMS REPORT as of February 26, 2018
All gifts to the Memorial & Honorarium Fund are automatically acknowledged to the giver and donee or family by a personal note. Unless otherwise designated, all gifts go into the General Fund. Addresses and envelope numbers on memorial cards or checks are much appreciated. The purpose of this report is to confirm that gifts are received. If you don’t see your gift listed here after two months, please contact Carol Hrodey at cjhrodey@sbcglobal.net.
In memory of Irene Luck – Connie & Dave Kaufman and Dorothy Thomas
JOYFUL THANKSGIVING (FEB.)
• We are thankful for the generosity of the congregation as the first Bake Sale collected $222 towards the National Youth Gathering.
• We congratulate to Cindy and Bill Decker on the birth of their 3rd grandson, Ryan Benjamin.
• We were grateful for Pastor Brenda Smith’s message on Jan. 28 before the Annual Meeting.
• Congratulations to Arden Sasak for being nominated for IHSAE statewide art show - again!
• We congratulated Thomas Yager, a student at Maine South and a member of Messiah, on being selected for the AFW Elite Team in Dublin, Ireland, on March 31. Also on his decision to attend Carnegie Mellon University.
• Congratulations to Paul Holzer in his new job with Reynolds!
• We are grateful to Jewel Osco on Touhy in Village Green Center and Laura Olson of St. Peter’s UCC in Skokie for the donation of several turkeys and hams, as well as side dishes!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Keep in your prayers the Levy and Lippert families as they mourn the passing of Nina Lippert and Patsy Kivel, Helen’s sister. Also, please keep Irene Luck’s family (Jensen and Ellinger families) in your prayers as they mourn.
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Please include the following individuals and families in your prayers this month: Our prayers for healing are with: Carol Hrodey, Rich Levy, Trudi Handzel, Charles Maynard, the family of Gilbert Garcia, Soto Family, Al Rembis, Mark Banaszak, Annette, Ashley Williams, Leslie, Jilian, Steve Homberg, Tom Jencius, Ruth Perzentka, Robert Tollick, the Hanson family, Bob Kallas, Sharon Rose Keenon, Julie Ketola, Francis, Hailey and Johnny, Kathy, Rochele Kasny, June Abbryscato, Danny O’Connor, Tom Daniels, the Wiberg family, the Hauser Family, the family of Vern Frost, Felicia, Sharon Wilk, Warren Lathan, Robert Saul, the family of Jeff Koszczuk, Teri and Bill Muenster, John Francis, Cookie Bonilla and her sisters and brother, Annie’s new baby and family (John, Elissia, Naz), Dorothy Nagel, Ted Gradt, Judy Jones, Carolyn Morrow, Doris Hay, Nancy Wendt, Ping, Bob Morrow, Michael Baumeister and family, Myra Lusiak, Betty & Ray Hoyle, Szul family, Lukasz Stechnij, Baby Grace Horton, Jackie Saul, Tom & Berni, Debby Brown, Beth Perfetti, Margot, David Swanson, Chuck Powers, Piper, Mr. Young, Millie Anderson and family, Auntie Helmke, Teri and Bill Muenster, Nancy Maltec (Rhonda Cady’s mom), Chad Adams and Family, Dottie Burger, Terry DeSchepper, Dan S., Helmke Fields, Brad Kovach, Linda Ostrand, Jeanne Dumerer, Laura Soto, Bob and Justine Bisgard, Barb Loverme, Jeane Reeve, Eva Thoren, Julie Higgins, Maria Raica, Arlene Baranowski, those living with cancer, those living with mental illness, those dealing with sorrow, Norb Wenson, Cathie Glesener, Diane Brendza, Ron Nytko, Robin Horton, Julia Ramsland, Sean White, Jackie Powers, Mary Cvetan, Bill Schuman, Charlie Kizer, Gary Hamilton.
Those requesting prayers for other purposes such as emotional, grief, financial, employment, general or unknown are: the family of Dwayne and Michelle Miller, Dave Hanson, Don and Mary Jane Kovach, John Francis, Anne Evans, Bill Zuhme, Debbie Dietrich, Salena Jason, the Jefferson family, Sarah Nugnis, Kevin Kovach, Terry K., Fred D., the family and friends of Jim Leeney, the families and staff of Child Care Center, Mike Wokisin, Haley Lippert, Eastaven Bargas, Meaghan, EB, Griffin family, Worknesh Deressa, Joann Wood, Penumaka family, Larry Dumerer, Jeane Reeve, Fox family, Victoria Candiotti, Provenzano family, Behl family, Schiaone family, Swenson family, Kraiger family, family of Jan Ehans, families whom are seeking reconciliation, those who are unemployed or underemployed, those striving for peace in the Mideast, those living with addiction, those whom are hungry, alone or homeless, our assistance guests, and all of those affected by hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters.
We want to remember in our prayers military and first responder personnel (those known to us and those serving who are not known to us): Jenni Hanson, Mikey Hanson, Jerred Engvall, Brandon Ajyek, Tim David, Tyler Daye, Bobby Hanson, Tom Hanson, Andreas Johnsen, Jason Koesler, Sam Krawitz, Joey Rosequist, Claudine Ward, Officer Matt McGannon.
We also want to remember in prayer our college students: Art DeSchepper, Tommy Hanson, Melissa Holzer, Kevin Kovach, Paul Song, Brynn Wildenauer, Phil Holzer, Rachel Daye.
* We understand that some prayer requests are short-term for specific events, while others find ongoing prayers to be powerful. We appreciate being updated so our prayer list is as current as possible.
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