In This Issue
Habits of Highly Effective Disciples
Lent Bible Study Begins 3/15
Communion Set-Up Training
Hesed House
Care Notes Now Available
Children's Ministry Opportunities
Update on Vision Advance
Children's Ministry
MATRIX (Middle School)
SUMMIT (High School)
Quick Links
Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Update your Rejoice Newsletter Preferences
For Email Marketing you can trust


Grace and Peace to you!  Read on to find out what's happening at Rejoice this weekend and what God is doing in and through our church community.
Scripture Text  
For Sunday, March 16th

 

Colossians 1: 9-14  

 

 "Habits of Highly Effective Disciples - Prayer"

 

In the next four weeks we will turn our attention to this theme: the Four Habits of Highly Effective Disciples.  Lent invites us to renew our energy, to go deeper in our faith, and evaluate the pattern and trajectory of our lives.  Lent also encourages us to grow spiritually and strive to be more effective disciples.  This Sunday we will look at the first characteristic of a highly effective disciple  - prayer! 

Then be sure to join me after the 2nd service for coffee as we delve into this topic more deeply and learn how we can incorporate the Habits of Highly Effective Disciples into our own lives!
Join us Sundays during Lent for "Habits of Highly Effective Disciples"   
March 16, 23, 30 & April 6 after the 2nd Service  

Stick around after the 2nd service during Lent and join Pastor Lou as we gather for coffee, refreshments and enlightening teaching and conversation as we explore further the theme of the Lent message this year: Habits of Highly Effective Disciples.

 

Held on Sunday based on the feedback of many who wanted to but unable to attend a midweek gathering, we will provide a learning & fellowship opportunity to dig more deeply into Sunday's message and enrich our discipleship with habits such as:

  •  Prayer
  •  Meditating on God's Word
  •  Serving
  •  Sharing our Faith

 Join us for coffee and conversation!

 
Lenten Bible Study   
Begins Saturday, March 15th 

The Saturday morning Bible study group will begin a 7-week Lenten study on March 15. The study will be based on Erwin Lutzer's book, "Cries from the Cross," and we will discuss how we can embrace the cross to be more effective witnesses for Christ. Contact Sue Garrison or Dan Bielenberg if you have questions or would like to order a book.

This group meets every Saturday, 8-9 a.m., at Graham's 318 in downtown Geneva. No Bible study experience is ever necessary! Any adult is welcome to join us at any time.
Learn Communion Set-Up   
Training (& Breakfast!) on Sunday, March 16th at 8:00 am 

Would you like to get more involved at Rejoice?  Consider learning how to set the Lord's table by setting up communion!  It is an easy yet significant way to contribute to the worship experience at Rejoice.  Our communion set-up individuals serve approximately every 4-6 weeks and are scheduled based on your availability.

If you are interested, join Julie Douglas on Sunday, March 16th at 8:00 am in the sacristy for breakfast and get hands-on training on how to prepare the bread and wine.  Families, as well as individuals, are encouraged to join us!  Questions?  Click here to email Julie.


Hesed House Update 
Thank you! 

 

Last weekend we had a very successful mission event at Hesed House!  Rejoice Lutheran Church and St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, served more than 150 homeless individuals for dinner on Saturday evening and breakfast on Sunday morning, and packed 100 bag lunches for Sunday.  Rejoice provided 16 serving volunteers and St. Mark's provided an additional 7 volunteers.  Also, 25 families from Rejoice provided food and supplies to serve at the three meals.  The residents and staff of Hesed House have expressed their gratitude for the meals and fellowship.  Annmarie and Kaley Martens and Lucy and Bill Gain wish to express our thanks to our volunteers for making the event the continued success!

Our next weekend that we will be serving Hesed House will be May 10th and 11th.  The menu will include Sloppy Joes.

Care Notes Now Available    
Take One... Give One 

Available now in the narthex are Care Notes, small booklets offering strength, help and healing for those who are hurting.  Featuring topics dealing with stress, illness, grief and loss, these booklets are available to anyone who would like supportive and easy-to-read guidance and support.  Two topics will be available each month - please feel free to take one for yourself or for a loved one.  They are located in the rack near the staircase. Questions?  Contact Care Team coordinator Amy Moore.
Opportunities to Serve our Children 
Volunteer Opportunities in Children's Ministry 

Several upcoming, easy and short-term opportunities to serve the children of Rejoice!  If you are able to help in one or more areas, please contact Director of Children's Ministries Angel Slawinski (or by phone at 630-440-8197).    

 

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, April 12th.  We need help with the following:

  • Filling Easter eggs 
  • Making cupcakes
  • Providing salty snack mix and drinks
  • Boiling eggs
  • Providing egg coloring kits
  • Hiding eggs and setting up the day before the party
  • Clean up after the party
  • Supervising crafts and games at the party

Creative Design Team and Acting Team for VBS -We are excited to announce our theme for Vacation Bible School this summer is "Weird Animals" July 21-25.  Summer will be here before you know it and that's why we are looking for creative/artistic volunteers right NOW to help us set the stage for the COOLEST VBS ever! Volunteers (adults and high schoolers) will be asked to preview VBS materials and collaborate to brain storm, plan and begin designing backdrops, preparing for skits etc. Contact Angel for more info! 

 

Update on Vision Advance 2.0           
From Pastor Lou...  

 

As you know Rejoice held a Vision Advance weekend at the end of January to take stock of our energies,  reflect on our vision and focus on our ministry priorities. We had about 40 people attend the event.   This was a bold goal for one weekend and we made progress but we were not able to complete all of our objectives.

We did make a good beginning and we plan to (in an unhurried and prayerful manor) resume that task.

So... after Easter we will meet again to continue where we left off and I will take the initiative to help lead this process.  Together we will trust God to give us the creative vibe we need to honor this great opportunity!  With Lent, Easter, Confirmation and other ministries before us, we have selected Friday evening, May 9th to resume this ministry.  I hope you will plan to join us.

Thank you for your prayers and interest in this important ministry and stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the date.
Children's Ministry
Preschool - 5th Grade 

 

Important Upcoming Dates in Children's Ministry: 
  • Mid-week will not meet on March 18th (due elections held at the church) or April 1st (Spring break)
  • Due to conflicting Spring Break schedules, God's Girls will not meet on March 25th.
  • No S.T.O.P. on March 26th or April 2nd
 
Save the Date for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt! All children ages preschool through 2nd grade and their families are invited to join us April 12th from 10:00-11:30 am for a morning of excitement hunting for Easter Eggs, playing games, and eating yummy treats!

 

MATRIX - Middle School Ministry
6th-8th Grade

  

Confirmation Workshop Rescheduled for Wednesday, March 19 - This confirmation workshop will prepare you for what is coming in the next couple months leading up to Confirmation Sunday May 4th. In this workshop we will discuss the following: picking the right bible verse, writing your faith story and questions you will be asked in the interview. There will be no sermon notes collected this week and there is no other homework due this week but attendance is mandatory. EVERYONE needs to be present.

8th Graders Going on Summer Mission Trip - click here for info and updates!

Update Newsletter Preference - Are you the parent of a new middle school student and would like to receive the eMatrix emailed newsletter?  Click here
to update your preferences!  
 
SUMMIT - High School Ministry
9th-12th Grade

  

Summit this week - Join us Thursday, March 13th from 7-8pm as we continue 'The Way.'  Last week we skipped over one of the most famous stories of Jesus. There's a reason why, but that's not important. In this story we see who Jesus really is in astonishing clarity. It's the story of the woman caught in adultery. In this story, the Son of God really does show us the way.  

 
TLPtheLOVEproject UPDATE:  The numbers are in from Rejoice Revue. Click here for the March Balance Sheet.  Remember to mark your calendar for our next fundraiser, the Easter Pancake Breakfast on Easter Sunday, April 20th! (There's two shifts, you only have to be at one of them so that you can worship and celebrate with your family) Check the mission trip info pack for more details. 

 

Update Newsletter Preference - Are you the parent of a new high school student and would like to receive the eSummit emailed newsletter?  Click here to update your preferences and choose which newsletters you would like to receive! 

For more information...

If you would like more information on any of the articles above, or if you would like pastoral care, please call the church office at 630.262.0596.

Our office hours are:
  • Tuesday -- 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Wednesday -- 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Thursday -- 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Friday -- 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
We pray God's peace, joy and hope for you this week!
 
Rejoice Lutheran Church
0N377 North Mill Creek Drive
Geneva, Illinois 60134