From the Staff . . . .

Sermon Series for Wednesdays in Lent

      Lent is a traditional time in the church year for repentance and renewal, a time for a re-ordering of one’s life and priorities, of intentional focus on the cross of Christ and its central place in our lives. Contemporary culture is often seen as the enemy of Lent, as a temptation away from these central values in the life of a Christian. A Lutheran understanding of the cross, however, would proclaim the truth that God is everywhere, even where we would least expect to find the presence of God. If God appears with redeeming love in the sin and horror of the cross, in the seeming despair of tragedy and death, might God also appear in the movies?

      Part of my sabbatical studies so far has been a focus on “faith and film” that will provide a theme for our Lenten midweek worship series: “REEL SPIRITUALITY: Images of Christ in Contemporary Cinema.” Sermons will include references and clips from a wide variety of films, from both classic and contemporary film portrayals of Jesus (Ben Hur, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Godspell, The Passion of the Christ), to “alien images” (ET: The Extra-Terrestrial, K-Pax, The Iron Giant), to other Hollywood releases where surprising “Christ-figures” are often found (The Spitfire Grill, X-men, To End All Wars, The Matrix).

“How I Spent My Sabbatical . . .” On Sunday, Feb. 6^th, I will share some of my sabbatical reflections, insights, and experiences on faith and film at the 9:30 Discipleship Hour, providing an introduction to our Lenten mid-week theme. The larger aspect of the dramatic arts in my sabbatical studies will be the center of the following Sunday, Feb. 13^th, as Soul Purpose, the liturgical drama group from Valparaiso University, will be our guest at Resurrection. The remaining Sundays in February, I will lead a discussion on a film screened the night before from our . . .

Saturday Night Lenten Film Festival

For those wishing to dig a bit deeper and experience a film reference in its complete context, beginning with the first weekend in Lent, February 12^th, Resurrection will host a Film Festival each Saturday night until the weekend of Palm/Passion Sunday, when our featured film will be Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. The screenings will begin at 6:30 (following our regular Saturday night worship service) and conclude with a brief discussion. A deeper conversation will follow the next morning at the 9:30 Education Hour.

It’s Great to be Back!

For the past few weeks, I have been in Los Angeles, reading, taking a class at Claremont School of Theology, watching film, and attending a wide variety of worship services (five on one Sunday!). I write these words in mid-January, and although I will not be officially back in the office until February 1^st, I cannot tell you how great it was to meet with our Resurrection staff today to go through the February calendar. We have a superb staff and a vibrant ministry. While it has been tremendously interesting and renewing for me to worship with other Christians, I look forward with even greater desire to be back home with my Resurrection family!

Feb. 9^th at 7:00 pm,

A service of

repentance and renewal

with imposition of ashes

First Communion Class . . . .

      Lent signals the beginning of our class for children preparing for their First Communion. The class will begin Feb. 13^th, and will meet immediately after the 10:45 Sunday morning worship service. This fun and fast-paced half hour is for both the child preparing and his/her parents. Most of the preparatory work is done, then, at home. At the completion of the six weeks, an individual interview session is held with Pastor, child and parents meeting together to determine if the child is ready to commune. Their First Communion will be Maundy Thursday, March 24^th.

      The following 5^th graders, as well as other youth not yet prepared are welcome. Please contact the church office if your child’s name should be added to this list.

  ❄ Jacob Bohanon          ❄ James Schnabel

  ❄ Keagan Knutson        ❄ Ashley Weishaar

  ❄ Katie Rich                 ❄ Nate Wise

Beginning Feb. 16^th

Lenten Suppers . . . .

      We will renew the tradition of our various Boards and groups hosting the congregation with a light supper prior to the Wednesday evening lenten worship service. Suppers will begin on Wednesday, February 16^th through March 16^th and will be ready by 5:45pm in the Fellowship Hall.

       Please come and enjoy a simple meal and good fellowship. A free-will offering will be taken at the door.

Lenten Vespers . . . .

      Our Lenten Vespers will be held each Wednesday night during Lent at 7:00pm, following the Lenten supper. We will focus on “Reel Spirituality: Images of Christ in Contemporary Cinema” to help find personal spiritual renewal this Lenten season.

Adult Discipleship Hour . . . .

      During Lent Pastor Dave will lead an adult class on Sunday mornings at 9:30am on discussing “Faith and Film.” February 6^th he will share some of his sabbatical reflections and experiences. February 13, 20, & 27 he will lead a discussion on the film screened the night before at the film festival.

Lenten Film Festival

February Films . . . .

February 12, 6:30pm

      “The Spitfire Grill” (rated PG-13)

      Directed by Lee Zlotoff Starring Ellen Burstyn

      1996 Audience Award Sundance Film Festival

To a town with no future, comes a girl with a past.

Percy, upon being released from prison, goes to the small town of Gillead, to find a place where she can start over again. She is taken in by Hannah, to help out at her place, the Spitfire Grill. Percy brings change to the small town, stirring resentment and fear in some, and growth in others.

February 19, 6:30pm

      “To End All Wars” (rated R for war violence)

      Directed by David Cunningham Starring Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Carlyle

      2002 Heartland Film Festival Crystal Heart Award

In a jungle war of survival, they learned sacrifice. In a prison of brutal confinement, they found true freedom.

A true story about four Allied POW's who endure harsh treatment from their Japanese captors during World War II while being forced to build a railroad through the Burmese jungle. Ultimately they find true freedom by forgiving their enemies. Based on the true story of Ernest Gordon.

February 26, 6:30pm

      “The Iron Giant” (rated G for all audiences)

      Directed by Brad Bird Voices by Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel and Harry Connick, Jr.

      1999 Top Annie Award Winner 1999 Los Angeles Critics Best Animated

It came from outer space . . . . into his heart!

"Iron Giant" is based upon the 1968 story, 'Iron Man,' by the British poet laureate, Ted Hughes. The film is about a giant metal machine that drops from the sky and frightens a small town in Maine in 1958, only to find a friend named, Hogarth, that ultimately finds its humanity and saving the towns people of their fears and prejudices.