NEWSLETTER MARCH 2011

OPENING THE DOOR TO

THE SUPERNATURAL

By: Pastor John Saethre

I’m excited for what is to happen at Sierra Lutheran over the next 40 days. We are going to have the veil over our
eyes opened in a way that allows us to see more fully, the glory of God! Through our campaign of 40 Days of
Prayer and Fasting, we are going to see God doing mighty things in our lives, and we’re going to hear Him more
clearly.

Bjorn Pedersen will conduct a Prayer Conference Saturday, March 5 to lead us into a most important season of
seeking God and receiving the renewal of the Holy Spirit. I went with him and two others to three different
African nations, conducting prayer schools for pastors and laypeople alike. Bjorn mandated a food fast for us
every Thursday and an optional food fast on Tuesdays. Bjorn fasted for 25 days during our time in Africa,
drinking only juices and tea. He would pray for three hours every night, then get the team together for another
hour of prayer at 6:30 in the morning. Bjorn knows the power of prayer and how it lays the foundation for Holy
Spirit power to heal, bring unbelievers to faith, and renew wayward believers. We all discovered that prayer and
fasting gave us a leg-up on the Enemy as we did spiritual warfare in those times of special focus with the Lord.

I expect great things to happen in the next 40 days, beginning March 9, which is Ash Wednesday. No great
revival ever happened without concerted and intentional prayer and fasting. Now, the fasting part is often
misunderstood. We are not necessarily called to a total fast of food for 40 days, but we are called to give up
something of value as a way of saying to God, “Lord, I love you enough to give up something that is near and dear
to me.” Amazingly, through this sacrifice unto the Lord, we find ourselves more spiritually alert and more able to
hear God’s voice and His vision for our lives. Just think of the POWER generated when a WHOLE
CONGREGATION joins in prayer and fasting!

Fasting may be a new thing for you, and we certainly want to be careful in how we manage the time, especially for
diabetics and those with medical issues. But again, there are many ways to fast. Jesus says in Matthew 6:16 –
“When you fast,” not “If you fast, “ so you know it is supposed to be an integral part of our prayer life with Jesus.
Paul says in Ephesians 6:18 – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With
this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. BE ALERT means to be SPIRITUALLY
ALERT to 1) what the Father is doing and do the same thing!; 2) be alert to what the devil is doing! Resist the
devil (James 4:7); and 3) be alert to what the Holy Spirit is doing in others!

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane told His disciples three times to “Watch and pray.” Let’s all be involved in the
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting as we watch and pray for God’s vision for our lives and for our church. Send me e-
mails, notes when you hear something from God that you want to share. Opportunity will also be given during
our Lenten services each Wednesday in March and April, leading up to Easter. May God open us up to the
Supernatural in the days ahead!

Pastor John
 MID-WEEK LENTEN SERVICES BEGIN
One of the rich spiritual opportunities we have as a church is to celebrate the season of Lent – a season of
repentance and renewal in the Holy Spirit. The 40 days of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9 and concludes
on Palm Sunday, April 17. The number “40” is significant and is used a number of times in the Bible, i.e., the 40
years of wilderness wandering for the Israelites, the 40 days when Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by
the devil, the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension into Heaven. These 40 days of Lent coincides
with our journey in the “wilderness” with our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Here are the dates and special
information for each Lenten service:
 Ash Wednesday Service, March 9, 7:00 p.m. – message by Pastor John on “Renew Our Hearts.”
Imposition of ashes and Holy Communion with prayers for healing. No soup supper.
 March 16, 7:00 p.m. – message by Randell Widner on “Renew Our Voices.” We will share answered
prayer from the Lord. Prayers for healing. Fran Garwick, our parish nurse will educate us on “Healthy
Heart” eating. Soup Supper at 6:30 p.m.
 March 23, 7:00 p.m. – message by Jeff Sanders on “Renew Our Minds.” Sharing of answered prayer and
healing stations available. Soup Supper at 6:30 p.m.
 March 30, 7:00 p.m. – message by Danny Everhart on “Renew Our Walking” (feet) - (evangelism).
Sharing answered prayer and healing stations available. Soup Supper at 6:30 p.m.
 April 6, 7:00 p.m. – message by Kay Austin on “Renew Our Strength.” Sharing answered prayer and
healing stations available. Soup Supper at 6:30 p.m.

We thank ahead of time those bringing the messages, our choir, our Praise Team and musicians, and those who
will be sharing various soups during this season. Special thanks to Shelley Telles who is always in the background
making sure things run smoothly! To God alone be the glory!

JEWS FOR JESUS PRESENTATION

Aaron Abramson will be here Wednesday, April 13 to present “Christ In The Passover.” Those who have
experienced the Seder Meal will remember the powerful connection between the Old Testament Passover and
the New Testament Holy Communion. Aaron represents Jews For Jesus, a wonderful ministry of Messianic
Christians to the Jewish people and beyond. A soup supper will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the service at
7:00 p.m. A free- will offering will be received to cover Aaron’s expenses.

SINGING GROUP “ACCLAIM” HERE APRIL 10

Pastor John’s daughter, Karin is coming with three other female voices from Concordia University-Irvine to
lead both services April 10. The name of the group is “Acclaim,” and sing using the repertoire of the famous
“Acappella” singing group. A free-will offering will be received to cover their gas expenses. You won’t want
to miss hearing this excellent, inspirational quartet – invite a friend to this time of celebration!
 THE MISSIONARIES FROM MEXICO HAVE RETURNED!
February 19, a total of 44 people from six area churches went on a mission trip to Vicente Gurerro,
Mexico, and returned safely and on fire for the Lord Saturday, February 26. Twenty nine of the fourty
four were youth from the same six churches, as they joined the adults in building two homes for Mexican
families. Our youth minister, Robert DuPree, and our youth who went (Talyn Drew, Morgan Austin,
Michael Austin, Keller Jordan, Peder Saethre and Tori Cooper) will give a presentation of their trip on one
of the Sundays in March.

We are proud of you for going and thank God for your heart for spreading the Gospel through word and
deed! Thanks also for those who supported the group financially and through prayer, allowing them to
have an experience of a lifetime!

Hope and Joy

Join the ladies of Hope and Joy Saturday, March 12th

at the home of Becki LaVoy Jordan..Mary Ann Price is
co-hostess.....please call Becki to RSVP 298-5184 and for
directions to her home. The luncheon at noon is
potluck.....followed by short business meeting....bible
study will be Mary and Martha...facing death and
grief...John 11: 1-44

We will be collecting, toilet paper and hand soaps

(individually wrapped) also wash cloths and towels for
the homeless in Fresno. The latter can be new or gently
used.

March 6th we will have our 1st annual bake sale to

raise funds for Vacation Bible School 2011...please
support this worthy cause.
Happy Spring to Everyone from the Outreach Team!!
The Outreach Team is off to a good start for 2011. We had a team meeting in January outlining our goals for the
first half of the year. We had a small number of people at the meeting and are always looking for people to join us
in our efforts, so feel free to contact me with any ideas or a willingness to serve. The more the merrier!!

We listed our top priorities at the January meeting. We all felt that publicity is very important. We have been
pleased with the publicity we have had in the past, but we are going to try harder to pre-publicize events so that
people in our community can have a "heads up" about what is happening here at SLC. With the pre-publicity we
might bring people into the church who might otherwise not attend. Tom Catchpole already has been working on
this as evidenced by the articles telling about our Wild at Heart party both before AND after it happened as well as
the announcement of our upcoming special speaker, Pastor's brother-in-law from Arizona who is coming this
month. If you have events you want publicized contact Tom Catchpole ahead of your event.

We also felt that it was important to try to "reach out" to people who have not been in regular attendance these past
few months, so we worked on a letter that was sent out to people we are missing telling them about what has been
happening at SLC and encouraging them to come and reconnect during the upcoming Lenten season.

Our Sunday School students, along with Cathy Jolley and yours truly, worked on over 300 valentines for patients
at Wish I Ah so that every patient would be remembered on that special day. The children loved being a part of
this and Cathy really put her heart and soul into this outreach act of love. She opened her lesson with John 3:16 so
the entire class was right in tune with God's love. Cathy deserves a BIG thank you for really helping to get this
done. Next year we hope to involve even more of the church in this special LOVE project.

For March, Fran Garwick is spear heading a Healthy Heart series. Look for more information regarding this. We
are indeed blessed to have Fran as our Parrish Nurse. She has been a valuable team member for our Outreach
mission. Look for details regarding this. We all need to be aware of how we can take care of our heart. Fran has
some excellent ideas.

As always, contact Pastor or Lynda Qualls with ideas that would be useful for the Outreach Team. We want to
grow this ministry so that it will indeed be a light not only in this foothill community but in the world as well.
Speaking of the world, Ai Ishizuka, just got accepted into a university in Japan. She remains active in her father's
church. Her father is the pastor of this Christian church. She is singing in their choir and reports that some
additional young people have joined in the choir. Keep the Japan Holiness Church in your prayers. Ai lived with
Wes and Lynda Qualls for part of her Rotary exchange year during the school year 2009-10.

Pastor has some exciting plans for us as we enter the Lenten season. Hope to see many of you in attendance at all
the scheduled services. Blessings to all. Remember to reach out to everyone you come into contact with at school,
work, or just out and about .Let them know what is happening here. Where two or more are gathered, so too He is
present.

Blessings - Lynda Qualls

KITCHEN CORNER
The kitchen team hopes you all had a good time at the dinner. We enjoyed serving you.
While the pile of dirty pans were being washed and washed, it brought to mind a grace
That I had read and I thought it was so perfect.

DISHWASHER’S GRACE

Thank God for dirty dishes,

They have a tale to tell.

While other folks go

hungry, we’re eating
very well.

With home and health and

happiness, we shouldn’t
want to fuss, for by this
stack of evidence,
God’s very good to us.

We have many Lent suppers coming up and we need help. If you can help please contact me.
If you want to help with the continental breakfast and lunch with Bjorn Pedersen’s Prayer
Conference on March 5, Sat. Please contact me.

We welcome a new team member. We are happy to have Ann Smith join us.

We thank you for supporting us.

Shirley Markus
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL

Thank you to all Friendship Committee members for putting together a fantastic evening at our “Wild
at Heart Party.” These members are Paul and Arlene Jumps who took care of the programs and tickets,
Ron and Judy Zinders for providing coffee and tea, Rod Sanders for announcing and advertising the
event and to Nordeen Sanders for hostessing a table and for providing the hor'derves. Thanks goes to
Dave and Joni Bunnell for arranging for the desserts and organizing the dessert raffle, helping to set up,
and raffling the centerpieces and to Sally Karp for her help with the silent bid items and her work in the
kitchen.We'd like to thank Joyce Velasquez for hosting two tables, for keeping track of the tickets and
money and doing the bookkeeping for the event. Thanks go to John Pape for taking on the master of
ceremonies duties and to Lori Pape for creating the program. Shelley Telles was a big help with
printing the tickets, and we couldn't have put on the event without Shirley and Jim Markus taking
charge of the wonderful dinner that she and her kitchen crew provided. Kitchen crew consisted of
Mike Jolley, David Bookwalter, Sallie Karp, Pat Lollar, Becky Jordan, Sue and Alan Gallegos, Austin
Wellman, Ron and Judy Zindar, and Tami Wright.

Many other people helped put on the event. Pastor John and Debbie welcomed all of the attendees. A
special thank you goes to all of those who volunteered to host a table. They were Mike and Cathy
Jolley, Ann Widener, Jodi Jordan, Lori Pape, Joyce Velasquez, John Velasquez, Judy Aylward, Doreen
Pickering, Shirley Lecke, Nordeen Sanders, and Linda Qualls.

Tom Catchpole took photographs and wrote articles for the newspaper, Sam Dupree put notice of the
party on the computer, and Shirley Lecke helped Nordine Sanders with the hor'd'oerves. Wonderful
entertainment was provided by Tami Wright on the piano and singers Dennis and Jennifer Cooper and
Travis Cooper. Line dancing music and instruction was provided by Terry McMinn and Nancy Koop.

Thank you to our youth group for removing the chairs to start with and who served the dinner and then
moved the tables and chairs again, for us. Special thanks to those who made all of the delicious
desserts and those who donated silent bid items and door prizes. We also appreciate the efforts of Tam
Sanders who typed all of the information for our Pick-a-Party events.

This was a great evening and we hope everyone enjoyed getting together as we try to spread the love of
Christ at church events.

Pick-a-Party sign-ups are in the narthex.

CROSS COUNTRY SKI OUTING by McCann's

YAHTZEE PARTY by Sallie Karp and Judy Aylward (info on next page)
LINE DANCING by Terri Mc Meen, Suzanne Harper and Nancy Koop
SPRING TEA PARTY by Hope and Joy and Kitchen Crew
WINE TASTING by Bunnell's
FAMILY GAME NIGHT by Jodi Jordan
SAUSAGE MAKING by Telles and Markus Families
We are still accepting parties if someone would like to volunteer one.
 YAHTZEE PARTY
Hosted by Sallie Karp, Judy Aylward and Doreen Pickering

Lunch, Yahtzee, Prizes and fun and fellowship

Lunch will be French dip sandwiches, homemade potato salad, homemade
pickles and dessert.
PRICE is $15.00
DATE OF THE PARTY: Saturday March 26, 2011
TOTAL NUMBER OF GUESTS 18+
TIME OF PARTY: 12:00PM-3:00PM
LOCATION: Judy's house 35669 Oak Springs Rd. Tollhouse
PHONE:855-2153 Sallie
855-8836 Judy
E-Mail [email protected]
Wheel Chair Accessible: YES

I would like to apologize for the newsletter being late this month.
My computer got a virus and thanks to Mark Winkenbach it has been repaired.
Since the newsletter is already so late the newsletter will not be
proofed by my two proof readers this month.
Cathy Jolley
 To Our Church Family, Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
David and I want to take this opportunity to thank you one and all for the tremendous love and support we
have received from you throughout my illness. Whether it be meals, visits, and/or prayers, everything you
have done for us is greatly appreciated. I miss you all and look forward to the day when I can return to
church.

As we plod along this cancer and chemo road, we sometimes hit bumps in the road. Since we have assurance
that God is holding our hands, we are at peace with whatever comes along. God is our strength! Ultimately,
God is in control and God is using this situation for His Glory. I know that God has a purpose for me through
all of this and I already have experienced a couple of glimpses of how He is using me.

In the Bible, we read of Jesus preaching, teaching and healing. Nowhere in the Bible does God promise to
cure us of all illness. God has brought healing, physically, mentally, and spiritually, while drawing me closer
to Him. Whether I will know a permanent cure from this evil that invaded my body, only God knows. These
past few weeks I have felt great and for that I credit God. You don’t know how good it feels to feel good until
you have felt rotten for months.

We see a light at the end of the chemo tunnel. If it be God’s will, March 16 will be the last of the “life-saving
poison” infusions. Your prayers are important in this process and Our God hears each and every one of them.
Thank you and may God bless you all!

Jeanie Taylor and David Bookwalter

Ladies, be aware of Ovarian Cancer, it is a Nasty

Bugger, worse than Breast Cancer!
Ovarian Cancer Whispers - so listen carefully:
Watch for -
Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort, sometimes only during intercourse;;
Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion;
Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection;
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss;
Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness;
Ongoing unusual fatigue;
Unexplained changes in bowel habits.

If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, ask your doctor for a combination pelvic/rectal exam, CA-
125 blood test, and trans-vaginal ultrasound.
A pap test WILL NOT detect ovarian cancer.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON AND KEEP EDUCATING THE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE!!
 March 2011 Worship Assistants

March 6 Marcy 13 March 20 March 27

Altar Guild Shelley/Susan Shelley Shelley/Susan Shelley

Greeters 9 am Pam & Barbara Rod & Marcia Alan & Sue Gloria & Stacey

11 am Jim & Shirley Jerry & Carol Mary Ann Randell & Ann

Ushers 9 am Joni & Dave Bev & Dave C’Rae & Bill Pat & Jim
& & & &
Stacey Bob Jenny Linda W

11 am Jim & Shirley Jerry & Carol Mary Ann Randall & Ann

Readers 9 am Mike Chris Nordine Alan

11 am Stan David J Lynda Fran

God’s Word 9 am ---- ??? ---- ???

Computer 9 am Shelley Tim Shelley Tim

Communion 9 am John & Lori Mike & Joyce R.

Assistants & Fern & Debby

11 am T. George Lynda

Prayer 9 am Yes Yes

Stations

If you are unable to serve when scheduled please ask one of the other assistants to trade dates or provide a substitution for you,
and notify Worship Coordinator Shelley Telles (855-5703)
 March 2011
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

 SUNDAY 1 2 3 4 5
 10:45AM-Life Group- Library 6:15-7:15pm-CoDA- 6:30pm-Youth Band 6:30pm-Praise 7am-Men’s Prayer Bjorn Pedersen’s
Library Team-Sanctuary Breakfast at Prayer Conference
7pm-Choir Practice- 7pm-AA Meeting- L.A.Cafe
Sanctuary Room 2 7pm-Life Group-
Widner home

6 7 8 9 10 11 12
9am- Celebration 3:15-7:30pm- 6:16-7:15pm-CoDA- 6:30pm-Youth Band 3:30pm-First 7am-Men’s Prayer 9am-Joseph’s
10:45am-Life Group (Middle/Senior High Library 7pm-Ash Wed. Communion Breakfast at Store House
th
11am-Heritage Ministry)- Youth Rm 7pm-Choir Practice- 5 Grade & up L.A.Cafe Noon-Hope & Joy
4pm-AA Meeting 7pm-AA Meeting- Sanctuary 6:30pm-Praise Team 7pm-Life Group- Call Doreen Pickering
6:33pm-Ascend 633 Room 2 7pm-AA Meeting Widner home

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
9am- Celebration 3:15-7:30pm- 6:16-7:15pm-CoDA- 6:30pm-Youth Band 6:30pm-Praise Team 7am-Men’s Prayer
10:45am-Life Group (Middle/Senior High Library 6:30pm-Soup Supper 7pm-AA Meeting Breakfast at
11am-Heritage Ministry)- Youth Rm 7pm-Choir Practice- 7pm-Service L.A.Cafe
4pm-AA Meeting 7pm-AA Meeting Sanctuary 7pm-Life Group-
6:33pm-Ascend 633 SHS Choral Festival SHS Choral Festival SHS Choral Festival Widner home
SHS Choral Festival
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
9am- Celebration 3:15-7:30pm- 6:16-7:15pm-CoDA- 9am-Food Bank 6:30pm-Praise 7am-Men’s Prayer
10:45am-Life Group (Middle/Senior High Library 6:30pm-Youth Band Team-Sanctuary Breakfast at
11am-Heritage Ministry)- Youth Rm 7pm-Choir Practice- 6:30pm-Soup Supper 7pm-AA Meeting- L.A.Cafe
4pm-AA Meeting 7pm-AA Meeting- Sanctuary 7pm-Service Room 2 7pm-Life Group-
6:33pm-Ascend 633 Room 2 Widner home

27 28 29 30 31  TUESDAY
9am- Celebration 3:15-7:30pm- 6:16-7:15pm-CoDA- 6:30pm-Youth Band 6:30pm-Praise  9am-Women’s Group-Knittel Home
10:45am-Life Group (Middle/Senior High Library 6:30pm-Soup Supper Team-Sanctuary  12:30am-Women’s Group-Library
11am-Heritage Ministry)- Youth Rm 7pm-Choir Practice- 7pm-Service 7pm-AA Meeting-  7pm-Life Group-McCann Home
4pm-AA Meeting 7pm-AA Meeting- Sanctuary Room 2  7pm-Life Group-Jumps Home
6:33pm-Ascend 633 Room 2