How Was Your Trip? Contact: Nicole •
[email protected] To see a full listing of volunteer opportunities, visit southwoodlutheran.org/give-back/mission
Serve at the Neighborhood Food Distribution
Tuesday, April 3 • 2:45–5pm Help hand out food to over 400 people in our community. All volunteers need to be at least 10 years old. Sign up at Southwood Central or at southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com
Southwood Garden
Sunday, April 22 • 12pm Have a green thumb? We are looking for volunteers to help with planting the Southwood Garden. Sign up at Southwood Central or at southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com
July Honduras Mission Trip
¾¾ Trip Dates: July 21–28, 2018 ¾¾ Cost: $1,568.55 ¾¾ Trip Leader: Nicole Mroczek Join us for a fun week visiting our brothers and sisters in La Ceibita Honduras. Activities will include building two homes, teaching vacation bible school, hosting a movie night, learning to make tortillas and more! Contact: Nicole at
[email protected].
Saratoga Fun Fair • Provide a fun themed basket … movie night, summer fun, game night etc. for raffle prizes during the Fun Fair! Baskets are due to the church office by Sunday, April 29. You can sign up at Southwood Central or southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com/
The question most often asked when you return from an extended time away is, “How was your trip?” A question that can be simply answered with one word; fun, exciting or great! This type of question starts the conversation, but it usually ends quickly, causing the exchange to be brief and fall short of getting to the real depth of the experience. While visiting Honduras we were asked to think about how we will respond to this question without feeling like we didn’t give the trip the adequate credit it deserved. I came to realize our trip to Honduras was not a trip, but rather an experience. An experience with many different feelings. `` Compassion—seeing people who struggle with their daily lives, but continue to love Jesus Christ. `` Vulnerability—relying on God for reassurance and guidance, making you feel content and loved.
`` Happiness—on the faces of the children when you take time to show interest in them and their lives. `` Joy—the good feeling in your soul when you see the beauty of Christ in the world around you.
`` Understanding—discovering the universal language just may be a smile and a hug. `` Gratefulness—the new home owners saying thank you, not because it was the right thing to say, but there was a sincerity in their voice that seemed to come from the deepest part of their heart.
No, you don’t need to leave your own city or your own home to experience these feelings; however, during our first trip to Honduras we experienced so many of these moments. We were blessed with an amazing group of people to travel with and will always be grateful for the memories we share.
—Michele, Jenna and Graedon Hilton
Next Honduras Mission Trip: July 21–28, 2018 For more details see Mission panel—there’s still room!
April 1, 2018
Women’s Spring Retreat
Saturday, April 7 • 9–11:30am Living Gratitude with speaker, Evi Wusk Brunch served, $5 freewill donation Gather with friends, old & new, to enjoy a morning of gratitude-filled inspiration. Learn how your life can flourish through times of joy and times of trial. You’ll be thankful you came! Register at the Southwood Central kiosks or at southwoodlutheran.org.
Spring Southwood Serves Saturday, April 28 9am–12pm Help with spring cleaning and various projects for residents at the Tabitha Village. Sign up at Southwood Central or at southwoodlutheran.ivolunteer.com
Healing Prayer Service Wednesday, April 18 • 7:30pm
This service is for those who desire special prayers for healing physically, emotionally, or relationally, and those who are grieving or those who are praying for others. This service will offer a time of music, prayer, reflection and hope. Time will be provided to invite those who desire, to come up for anointing. If your loved one is unable to attend, you are welcome to offer prayers for them.
402.423.5511
southwoodlutheran.org Address: 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68516
Contact: Faye Koehn •
[email protected]
Contact: Pam Dinneen •
[email protected]
Contact: Jo Sheets •
[email protected]
Easter Sunday, TODAY—No Sunday School
Grief Support Opportunities
Southwood Seniors
Classes resume April 8.
Kids Helping Kids: Family Serving Day
Sunday, April 22 • 1–2pm in the Fellowship Hall Serving activities for all Sunday School ages and their parents. Sign up: southwoodlutheran.org/events
Vacation Bible School Registration is open 3-year-olds*–6th grade (entering grades for 2018–19) *3 year olds by May 1 and potty-trained
»» Week 1 June 4–8 • 9am–12pm (wait list) »» Week 2 June 11–15 • 9am–12pm Visit: southwoodlutheran.org/vbs
Monday 5-week group begins April 9 • 6:30–8pm Join us as we discover ways to find and experience hope in the midst of grief. Based on The Mourner’s Book of Hope, by Alan Wolfelt, this 5-week group will help you gain insights as you move toward healing. This group is provided by Southwood’s Care Ministry and offered at no cost to you.
24-hour retreat April 29 & 30 at Camp Carol Joy Holling Grief’s Second Mile—A retreat for beyond the first year. There is no timeline for healing after the death of someone we love. We each work to heal in our own way and at our own pace. This retreat will provide opportunities to express grief through handson activities and meaningful conversations. An overnight retreat, beginning Sunday at 3pm, concluding Monday at 3pm. Cost: $75, with the remaining paid for through Southwood Care Ministry.
Ongoing Care Ministries Contact: Drew Jagadich •
[email protected]
DELVE (Confirmation) • 6th–8th grade
• 6th & 7th Grade: Resumes April 8 at 8:30, 9:45 and 11am. • 8th Grade: Resumes April 4 at 6:15pm.
Summer Mission Trips
• Middle School: June 20–23 in Minneapolis, Minnesota • High School: July 21–28 in Houston, Texas Learn more at southwoodlutheran.org/youth
High School Tanzania Mission Trip
Information Meeting April 15 • 12pm in the Fellowship Hall Current sophomore, junior, and seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend this informational meeting for our first ever global high school mission trip to Tanzania in June 2019.
Life and Lattes
Resumes April 10 • 2:30–5pm.
Youth Group
Resumes April 8 • 6–8pm
Held in the Group Room next to the Nursery `` Prayer Shawl Ministry—April 4 & 18 • 6:30pm | April 12 • 10am `` Renewed Hope—April 15 • 11am
Caring 3 Tips for Everyday Prayer Tips for Easter: We All Seek Hope
We all seek hope. We dream of happy families, good relationships and vibrant health. We are encouraged to count our blessings and be joyful. However, for many people, holidays can be difficult and lonely times. We don’t know what is going on in the lives of those seated around us. They may be working very hard to smile while in church today, just because it’s Easter. Share hope by investing in and building relationships. When you greet someone today: ff Tell them your name and ask them theirs. Then write it down so you can use it when you see them again. ff Take a minute to reach out and give a hug. Some people are needing one. ff Let someone know you are praying for them, and then do it! Share your hope through caring!
Wednesday, April 11 • 12pm Fellowship Hall Program: The Beauty of Intergenerational Ministry by Drew Jagadich, Youth Ministry Director. You’ll also hear powerful testimonies from a mom of young children and an empty nester...and how all their stories are woven together to remind us of the important role seniors play in the lives of younger people. Bible Study: Led by Pastor Karl-John Menu: Chicken Salad Croissants and sides, bring a dessert to share Register at southwoodlutheran.org/events
Book of Faith Bible Study: The Gospel of Mark
led by Pastor Karl-John • 4-week study Thursdays beginning April 12 • 6:30–8pm The Gospel of Mark reveals how Jesus is God’s good news to us! We’ll explore four key questions asked in the first half of this gospel to discover the purpose and meaning of life in Christ. Register at southwoodlutheran.org or at Southwood Central.
Southwood Singles
Saturday, April 14 • 9–11am Brunch and Resurrection Egg Hunt. Bring a brunch item to cook or share. Location: Southwood Café and Kitchen. Register at southwoodlutheran.org/events or at Southwood Central.
Operation Graduation:
A Faith Stepping Stone for Graduating Seniors and their Parents »» Sunday, April 29 at 11am–2pm »» Senior Recognition Sunday, May 20 at 8:30 or 11am Register: southwoodlutheran.org/events
Visit southwoodlutheran.org for a complete listing of events and registrations.
