| Pastor Biermann's Message Lamb cake. That's what I'm anticipating. The arrival of the lamb cake means that Easter is here. It's a tradition that dates back into my wife's childhood, and it became an integral part of my kids' holy week observances. On Good Friday, the lamb cake was baked in the aluminum mold that had been gifted to us precisely in order to keep the tradition alive in another generation. Since chocolate is the preferred ingredient in every form of dessert in my home, the lamb was chocolate: black...like Good Friday. So, it became part of the symbolism. The black lamb of Good Friday would grace the kitchen until Holy Saturday when it was transformed with fluffy white frosting, given an unperturbed expression on its face, and settled into its "grassy" field of toasted, green-colored shredded coconut. It was now ready to greet our home's Easter guests as a bona fide Easter Lamb. There are actually tastier things to eat at our Easter dinner, but nothing with as much tradition and importance as the lamb cake. I suppose, though, that probably my favorite part of the lamb cake tradition is a wrinkle my generation added. Since the cake batter recipe always produces too much to fit in the mold, my wife pours the rest into a small size (2x5?) tin and bakes it with the lamb. Waste not, of course. Exactly when, I don't recall, but early on, I would whack off one end of that little cake, and cut the slab into a circle. After carving out a small cave in the side of the cake, I'd prop the circle next to the opening. Some leftover frosting and coconut was deftly applied and voila: an empty tomb. Jeannalee usually locates a blue M&M outside the opening...Mary, of course; and sometimes perches a jelly bean or two on the stone to stand-in for the angels. Slain lambs alive again, and empty tombs: such are the essential elements of Easter. And no tradition or celebration--whether whimsical or profound--can either capture or diminish the singular significance of this, the most glorious and profound day in the history of the universe. On Easter, death is defeated. On Easter, the future is guaranteed. On Easter life wins forever. Whatever your Easter traditions, I pray that your celebration is exceedingly rich, joyful, and full of the hope and promise of the reality of the resurrection...and if you have a little lamb cake to add to the mix, so much the better! A blessed Easter.
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Faith Formation Ministry Bible Class and Sunday School
There is no Bible Class or Sunday School this week. Please join us for the Easter Breakfast immediately following worship.
Stewardship Sentence  John 20:16 -- Jesus said to her, "Mary." Jesus is not only risen from the dead and the Victor over sin: He even calls us by name. He still calls us His friends and brothers and means to bring us through death to join Him in His resurrection. Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
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| Community Farewell to the Millers John and Ellen Miller have been teaching and conducting young musicians in the Lutheran South Instrumental Music Program and the LHSS Elementary Band Program since 1998. As the Millers retire at the close of the 2016-2017 school year, we invite you to join them at their last concerts, acknowledging their service, dedication, and commitment to excellence. - Jazz Band Concert - Friday, April 28, at 7:30pm at LHSS
- Final Farewell Spring Band Concert - Friday, May 5, at 7:30pm at Concordia Kirkwood (featuring Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and Junior Winds)
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| Funnies (used with permission)  |
| Pastoral Care If you need pastoral care for any reason, don't hesitate to contact the church office or one of the vacancy pastors directly. Pastor Biermann will be at the church on Monday and Thursday mornings most weeks, and Pastor Erkkinen is available on campus on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. |
| Worship Attendance Saturday, 4/8 - 12; Sunday 4/9 - 160 = 172 Total |
| Worship Leaders
Worship Leaders
| This Sunday (4/16)
| Next Sunday (4/23)
| Preacher/Celebrant
| Pastor Biermann | Pastor Biermann | | Liturgist | Pastor Biermann | Pastor Biermann | Lector
| ---
| Janet Leet | | Pianist (Saturday) | --- | Carol Benninghoff | | Organist (Sunday)
| Joy Elowsky
| Joy Elowsky
| | Acolyte | Spencer Moore | Anna Rawlings | Communion Assistant
| Nate McCarty | Nate McCarty | | Lay Assistants
| Andy & Tracey Ortstadt | Jerry & Beth Nicolaus
| Greeters
| Mike & Lisa Grossenheider | Vince & Flo Ryan | Sound/Video
| Ken Clark, Layton Wille | Tony Petzoldt | Ushers
| Mike Toney, Terry Buchholz, Steve Phelps, Rodger Lubben | Mike Toney & Youth | Nursery
| --- | Vicki Devenport, Brian Skouby | Children's Message
| Pastor Biermann | Marcia Ladd |
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| Maundy Thursday & Good Friday Worship Leaders
Worship Leaders
| Maundy Thurs. (4/13)
| Good Friday (4/14)
| Preacher/Celebrant
| Pastor Biermann | Pastor Biermann | | Liturgist | Pastor Biermann | Pastor Biermann | | Organist
| Joy Elowsky
| Joy Elowsky
| | Acolyte | --- | Krista Steele | Communion Assistant
| Nate McCarty | --- | | Lay Assistants
| Greg Frimel | --- | Sound/Video
| Paul Barbercheck | | | Ushers | Tony Petzoldt, Frank Moret, Gary Riley, Gerry Lucas | Ben Lee, Grant Lee |
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| Next Sunday's Bible Readings PREPARE FOR NEXT WEEK'S WORSHIP through a careful, prayerful reading of the appointed lessons for the day: Acts 5:29-42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 |
