Dear brothers and sisters in the faith:

The Lenten hymn: "Christ, the Life of all the living", has been a favorite for many generations of believers. It is one of my favorites. We sing it at least a couple of times during every Lenten season. Most of the time we sing the words of hymns like this, but don't know who wrote them or where they come from. Sometimes it's good to know a little about the author and his life. That can add more meaning to the words. Sometimes our hymns are written by authors who make their living writing hymns. At other times our hymns are born amidst tragedy and the struggle to be faithful to our Lord. And that is most definitely the case here.

The hymn was written by a man named Ernst Homburg. He lived from 1605-1681. Yet we still sing, and we still love the words of this hymn. Perhaps at least part of the reason why that is the case is that these words were written by a man who not only was a believer, but who had experienced the dark side of life. Early on in his life Homburg was known exclusively for his love songs and his drinking songs. But when illness struck down both Homburg and his wife, drinking songs brought him no comfort and no peace. They were just words on a sheet of paper. The only thing that brought Homburg comfort is our Lord Jesus. Homburg himself tells us why he turned to writing hymns instead of drinking songs. He writes, "I have been especially prompted to do this by reason of the heavy cross with which my good and faithful Lord has visited me. During all this time I have found my best comfort and strength in the Word of God."  It's a powerful confession of faith.

Struggling with pain and sickness, measuring those with what our Lord tells us in His Word, Homburg came to understand what a precious Savior we sinners have.If you have ever struggled with such wages, you know the beauty of the faith which Homburg confesses when he writes, "You have suffered great affliction And have borne it patiently, Even death by crucifixion; Fully to atone for me; For you chose to be tormented, That my doom should be prevented." Our Lord Jesus is standing here before Caiaphas for Caiaphas and his sins. Jesus is standing here before Caiaphas for us and for our sins. Jesus is here because the wages of our sin is death. Jesus has taken our sin and our death upon himself, so that we wouldn't have to stand where he stands.

  I am reminded of something I recently read from a sermon by Martin Luther: "If you believe that God steps in for you and stakes all he has and his blood for you, as if he were saying: Fall in behind me without fear or delay, and then let us see what can harm you; come devil, death, sin, and hell, and all creation, I shall go before you, for I will be your rear guard and your vanguard [Isa. 52:12]; trust me and boldly rely upon me. He who believes that can not be harmed by devil, hell, sin, or death; if God fights for him, what can you do to him?" [volume 53, page 93]>No wonder every verse of the hymn ends: "Thousand, thousand thanks are due, Dearest Jesus unto you."

Good News from Calvary Lutheran Chapel Madison!

On Wednesday evening, March 26, Pastor Jason Zobel who oversees the ministry at Calvary Lutheran Chapel Madison baptized one of the international students, a young man from China. 

We rejoice and give thanks to our Lord who has blessed Calvary Lutheran with this special gift!

We give thanks also for those who serve at Calvary Lutheran: Pastor Jason Zobel who serves as senior pastor at Mount Olive and at Calvary Lutheran, Dan Anderson who serves as an SMP vicar at both Calvary and Mount Olive, and Judy Tang who coordinates our Lutheran outreach to the international students.  Well done!!

MAJOR CHANGES TO CONCORDIA RETIREMENT PLAN

Effective July 1, 2014

 As workers and employers enrolled in the Concordia Retirement Plan are aware, there are some major changes coming to the Concordia Retirement Plan effective July 1, 2014. For some workers, this has meant looking more deeply into the changes in order to determine if they might wish to retire by June 30, 2014, in order to lock in certain benefits before the changes take place. Although the changes in the plans have been implemented in a way to have no effect on current retirees and little effect on those nearing retirement, there are two specific benefits that will be impacted by the chosen date of retirement that we want all workers nearing retirement to be aware of:

1. Death Benefit. Currently (and for all workers that retire before July 1, 2014), the retirement plan provides a death benefit payment of $10,000 for each retired member and $10,000 for an enrolled dependent spouse or child (up to $20,000 in benefits). The member and spouse post-retirement death benefit for active workers who retire after June 30, 2014, will no longer be available, except to grandfathered workers. A benefit of $10,000, payable only once per worker and spouse (after the death of the first to die), will be provided for active workers who are age 55 or older with at least five years of service as of July 1, 2014 (grandfathered workers). 
2. Monthly annuity payments from your SRA and RMS will be calculated using market-based rates. Some soon-to-be retirees have noted that this change is much more dramatic than it first appears in print. The Supplemental Retirement Account and Retiree Medical Supplement, when annuitized for retirees after June 30, 2014, will no longer use a fixed annuity rate of 8%, but rather a market-based rate which will be significantly lower. One retiree has indicated the calculations provided by Concordia Plan Services indicate a 30% reduction to the calculated monthly benefits when retirement takes place after June 30, 2014. Please note this change only relates to these benefits, and not the Primary Retirement Benefit (PRB). Retirees that choose lump sum or rollover options will not be affected by the change to market-based rates,as they take the investment return and risk upon themselves. Regardless of retirement dates, retirees have the option to take a lump sum distribution of their SRA accounts. Individuals who retire after June 30, 2014 will also be able to take the RMS in a lump sum distribution.

 

Each individual nearing retirement should look at his or her personal situation and seek independent advice as he/she weighs the benefits of retirement by or after June 30, 2014.

The benefits of working additional months or years may outweigh the changes listed above once additional salary, increased PRB due to additional months of service, health insurance benefits, etc. are considered. To inquire about your specific benefits, please contact Concordia Plan Services at 888.927.7526 or go to: www.concordiaplans.org  

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Calling all Lutheran Church Worker Couples!

If you are thinking, 'Wait - I've seen this email recently!' You're correct! 

Here's what you don't know - of the 54 available spots, we have set aside 32 specifically for couples from North or South Wisconsin!  So far, only 2 of the 32 spots have been taken but three couples from other districts have already registered as well. If you want to attend this retreat - Here's your chance! 

Last year, this retreat filled in just 2 weeks! 

Don't delay - register today!

   

Grace Place, in coordination with the North and South Wisconsin Districts, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Heartwood Retreat Center with additional underwriting from The LCMS Office of National Mission, is announcing a wonderful opportunity for Lutheran Church Worker Couples to Be Well and Serve Well:

 

Lutheran Church Worker Couple's  Grace Place Retreat June 9-13, 2014 Heartwood Retreat Center Trego, Wisconsin

 

This Monday afternoon to Friday noon continuing education event focuses on skills and attitudes to keep 

you healthy in body, mind, spirit and finances 

  It is anchored around four "pause points" to be in God's Word each day, daily exercise, adventure activities and free time each afternoon, and wonderful, nutritious food and fellowship.

 

Leaders include Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman, Grace Place Director of Programs, 

and Rev. Dr. Todd and Heather Biermann, Senior Pastor, Faith Lutheran in Gran Blanc, MI. 

   

Each participant and each participant's congregation receives $50 for participation in this retreat if a member of Concordia Plan Services.

To enroll in the Be Well, Serve Well Program, Click here

             Cost:  $250 per couple                      

       For more information and to register, Click here