Sister and Brothers in Christ,
Numbers 14:18…”The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.” I don’t know about you, but I like the first part of this verse but not so much the second half. I’m not sure if the following story is real or not…but I think many of us who live in the cold and snowy areas of our country can identify with it. It was shared with me many years ago by a kindergarten teacher, while living in the Chicagoland area where we did have to deal with snow and cold.
It was winter in Chicago, and boots and mittens were a necessity. Many of you can remember how difficult putting on boots was a struggle, and still is. It was only when the teacher had almost wiggled and worked the second boot on when her student commented, “Teacher, I think my boots are on the wrong feet.” Sure enough they were and so she struggled to get them off. That teacher thought to herself, this has been a long day. It didn’t get shorter as she took the boots off. With a heaven-sent prayer, she started the process all over again. When finished, she helped her student to his feet. The boy looked down and said, “Teacher, these aren’t even my boots.” In a calm, well-controlled tone the teacher whispered through clenched teeth, “Oh, I’m sorry, dear. Maybe that’s why they went on so hard. Let’s get them off and put your boots on.” Only after the boots were off, did the boy comment, “These boots are my brothers. Mom said that I had to wear them today.”
The Bible doesn’t say so, but I have to believe there is a special place in heaven for people like that teacher who knelt down and struggled to slide those boots on one more time. When finished, with a sense of satisfaction, she looked at her student and asked, “Now, where are your mittens?” He replied, “I didn’t want to lose them, so I stuffed them into the toes of my boots!”
The subject of this Lenten devotion is P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E!!! Of which I often have very little…just ask my wife and family! Now it’s true, I have been blessed to actually know people like that kindergarten teacher. To say that they are precious and rare is hardly an overstatement. Sadly, most people do not have that quality. Road rage…being upset with those slow-moving lines at banks, WalMart, and fast food joints…all point to the fact that one of the most common of human attributes is IMPATIENCE!
In contrast to humankind, we have our Lord. His dealing with this is defined by the psalmist in the passage above. In that verse, I encourage you to note two things:
same thing as being forever suffering . God’s grace holds out salvation to all who believe, but His justice demands that those who reject His Son will, themselves, be cast out into darkness. In short, the day is coming when the Lord’s patience will be at an end. But that won’t be a problem for you…will it? That’s because you wait patiently for Jesus’ return.
LET US PRAY: Dear Lord, there are times when we grow impatient with life, your people, and yes, we have to admit, even with You. For impatience which is out of control or inappropriate, I ask your forgiveness and ask for a deeper appreciation of Your patience with me. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen
Blessings and prayers always,
Pastor Jack, Interim
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life— not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 2 Timothy 1:9
Online Church Service on Facebook:
If you follow our Facebook page you should receive a notification of a "Live" video starting. No login information will be required. The Facebook page is St. John's Lutheran Church of Red House, MD. If you can’t join us in person, we hope you can connect with us via Facebook anytime!
MARCH CALENDAR of EVENTS
Sunday, March 1 2nd Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Pastor Jack
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & Adult Bible Class in the social room to continue watching The Chosen. THE CHOSEN” series will be the focus this Lent and Holy Week on Sunday’s following worship in the Social Room. We will journey with Jesus and the disciples through Holy Week. Please plan on attending this amazing series and watching it on the new 55” TV that was donated to the church! Plan on attending and inviting someone to attend with you.
Wednesday, March 4 Lenten Service
7:00 pm The Union District Ministerial Association Community Lenten Service will be held at the Brookside Church, Speaker: Pastor Bob Spaid.
Sunday, March 8 3rd Sunday in Lent & Daylight Saving Time - Spring Ahead
9:30 am Worship Service led by Joshua Adams in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Joshua Adams
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & Adult Bible Class in the social room to continue watching The Chosen. THE CHOSEN” series will be the focus this Lent and Holy Week on Sunday’s following worship in the Social Room. We will journey with Jesus and the disciples through Holy Week. Please plan on attending this amazing series and watching it on the new 55” TV that was donated to the church! Plan on attending and inviting someone to attend with you.
Wednesday, March 11
7:00 pm The Union District Ministerial Association Community Lenten Service will be held at Maple Spring Church, Speaker: Pastor Mark Teets.
Sunday, March 15 NEWS NOTES DUE
Sunday, March 15 4th Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Pastor Jack
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & Adult Bible Class in the social room to continue watching The Chosen. THE CHOSEN” series will be the focus this Lent and Holy Week on Sunday’s following worship in the Social Room. We will journey with Jesus and the disciples through Holy Week. Please plan on attending this amazing series and watching it on the new 55” TV that was donated to the church! Plan on attending and inviting someone to attend with you.
Tuesday, March 17 Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Wednesday, March 18
7:00 pm The Union District Ministerial Association Community Lenten Service will be held at Amboy United Methodist, Speaker: Pastor LaDeana Teets.
Friday, March 20 1st Day of Spring
Sunday, March 22 5th Sunday in Lent
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Pastor Jack
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & Adult Bible Class in the social room to continue watching The Chosen. THE CHOSEN” series will be the focus this Lent and Holy Week on Sunday’s following worship in the Social Room. We will journey with Jesus and the disciples through Holy Week. Please plan on attending this amazing series and watching it on the new 55” TV that was donated to the church! Plan on attending and inviting someone to attend with you.
Wednesday, March 25
7:00 pm The Union District Ministerial Association Community Lenten Service will be held at Maple Grove Assembly of God, Speaker: Pastor Lindsey Teets.
Sunday, March 29 Palm Sunday
9:30 am Communion Worship Service led by Pastor Jack in person or via Facebook.
Acolyte: Youth Lector: Pastor Jack
10:30 am Youth Sunday School upstairs & Adult Bible Class in the social room to continue watching The Chosen. THE CHOSEN” series will be the focus this Lent and Holy Week on Sunday’s following worship in the Social Room. We will journey with Jesus and the disciples through Holy Week. Please plan on attending this amazing series and watching it on the new 55” TV that was donated to the church! Plan on attending and inviting someone to attend with you.
Following Bible Class, join the Dessert Club for fellowship, food, and laughs, bring a finger food snack to share, help plan upcoming church events and enjoy each other’s Christian fellowship. Join us if you can.
Assignments for March
Greeter & Usher Coordinator: Willie Lantz
Communion Assistants & Offering Assignments: Bob Boone & Lisa Skipper
Flowers, Bulletins & Candles for March:
Easter Lilies: Anyone is interested in giving Easter lilies in memory or honor of someone to be used to decorate the altar for Easter, please let Diane Donham know by Sunday, March 15. At this point, we don’t know the cost for this year. Last year, a 6” pot was $15.00. Contact Diane and leave a message at (301) 616-0260 or email at ddonhamcpa@gmail.com. Checks are made payable to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church and Easter Lilies on the check memo. Thanks!
Please get this information to Diane BY SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2026
2026 EASTER LILY REQUEST
Name:___________________________________________
In Memory of:_____________________________________
In Honor of:_______________________________________
# of plants__________ $ Amount due ___________
($15.00 each – TENTATIVE)
Note: We now rotate our beautiful church artificial arrangements, but we continue to note the following loved ones that the flowers are to be donated in memory or honor of:
1 The Lantz Family - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Frances Lantz and Don & Elaine Roth by the Lantz Family.
The bulletins and Eternal Candle are given to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of the birthdays of Thelma C. Gnegy and Leafy White by the Lantz Family.
8 Naomi Amos - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Husband, Findley Amos, Parents Earl & Merle Hauser, and Grandparents by Naomi Amos.
The bulletins and Eternal Candle are given in Loving Memory of Husband, Findley Amos, Parents, Earl & Merle Hauser and Grandparents by Naomi Amos.
15 Gay Roth Family - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of the birthday of William C. Roth and Bernice (Roth) Winters by the Gay Roth Family.
22 Naomi Amos - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of her parents Earl & Merle Hauser by Naomi Amos.
The bulletins and Eternal Candle are given in Loving Memory of her parents Earl & Merle Hauser by Naomi Amos.
29 Rosalie Winters - The altar flowers are given to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Keith Winters birthday by Rosalie Winters.
The bulletins and Eternal Candle are given to the Glory of God and in Loving Honor of our granddaughter Rylie Lantz’s 1st birthday by Arlene & Willie.
Reminder: The altar flowers are $25.00 for the two vases. Please make a check payable to St. John’s Lutheran Church and put it in the offering plate with your name and Sunday date you had the altar flowers. You can also mail the payment to the church at 3301 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550. The bulletins are $7.00 per Sunday and the Eternal Candle is $7.00 per Sunday. We wish to extend a “thank you” to everyone who participates in these projects.
Altar Flowers for 2026: Please let Arlene Lantz, alantz.4h@gmail.com or 240-321-8205 (evenings) know of any changes you would like to make to the list. September 6, 2026 is open for flowers and multiple openings for the bulletins and eternal candle if others would like to donate flowers, bulletins, or the eternal candle in honor or in memory of loved ones.
A Time to Pause
Lent, a time to pause, and pray, and dwell in desert place;
Stripped of all that burdens me, to open up a space.
Where my God may meet me and reveal what's in His heart.
Show where I must be surrendered, whole and in each part.
— Bruce Gulland
MARCH NEWS NOTES
Council Updates
The motion passed at the special council meeting on February 1 to purchase the remaining audiovisual equipment for the sanctuary.
Our church will be hosting the Easter sunrise service this year for the union minute District Mysterium. We will serve breakfast if anyone would like to help prepare and serve the breakfast. Please see Crystal.
Anyone who's interested in helping with fundraisers for the church please attend the monthly dessert club meetings. We have some exciting plans.
On February 15 we collected a free will offering to start our “Good Samaritan Fund” for those in need in our community. The church matched what was collected on this day to begin the fund. The fund will remain active and donations can be made to it at any time. Throughout Lent you can give a special Lenten Offering using the envelopes in the Pews. Mark the envelope as Lenten Offering. The offering has been designated to be given to the “Good Samaritan Fund” to support local families in need.
Congregational Meeting: On February 1, the vote passed to install two 100” TVs in the front of the sanctuary. We would like to thank Joshua Adams and Peyton Wilson for installing electrical outlets for the new projection system. We also greatly appreciate the donation towards the projection system from Diana and Steve Evans in honor of Helen Roth. Many thanks also to Bob Boone and Steve Cosner who worked with Chase Sisler of Summit Custom Designs and Woodworking to get the AV equipment installed. The TVs were used during the Ash Wednesday service.
Save the Dates:
-March 21 - Journey to the Cross
-May 2 - Horizon Academy Dinner Theater
-May 16 - Chicken BBQ Dinner & Bake & Yard Sale
-June 15-19 - Union Ministerial Association sponsored Vacation Bible School
-July 24-25 - Horizon School Dinner Theater at PVCC
-Aug. 15 - The Summer’s Last Sizzle
“JOURNEY TO THE CROSS” is a multi-sensory spiritual experience based on the life, death and
Resurrection of Christ will be hosted at the Metropolitan Theater in Morgantown on SATURDAY, MARCH 21st at 2pm. Many of us attended last year and it was truly an amazing experience filled with great music, visuals and a wonderful way to experience Holy Week. The cost for tickets is $10. We are planning on car-pooling there for the production. Following the event, we will be going out for supper at a local restaurant. If interested, please sign up on the sheet located in the narthex of
the church or call Pastor Jack at 813-892-8172.
Union District Ministerial Lenten Services 2026 - 7 pm
-Wednesday, February 25 — St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Speaker: Pastor Jim Mou
-Wednesday, March 4 — Brookside Church, Speaker: Pastor Bob Spaid
-Wednesday, March 11 – Maple Spring Church, Speaker: Pastor Mark Teets
-Wednesday, March 18 – Amboy United Methodist, Speaker: Pastor LaDeana Teets
-Wednesday, March 25 – Maple Grove Assembly of God, Speaker: Pastor Lindsey Teets
Holy Week Services:
-Wednesday, April 1 - Music and Worship - Bethel United Methodist
-Thursday, April 2 - Love Feast & Communion Service, Brookside, 7:00
-Friday, April 3 - Good Friday Service, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7:30
-Sunday, April 5 - Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Red House,
7:00 am, Speaker: Pastor Jack Kiem
Future UDMA Community Events:
-Thursday, May 7 - National Day of Prayer, Location TBA
-Sunday, August 30 - UDMA Community Picnic and Service, Amboy Church Pavilion, 11am
-VBS Week, June 15-19, 6:00-8:30, Location TBA, First organizational meeting Tuesday, February 24, 7:00, Brookside Church
-Saturday, November 7 - Women’s Event, Smallest Church Event Center
JOURNEY OF STONES is the theme for our upcoming Lenten and Easter season. This will be a journey of prayerful and honest repentance…a powerful, life- changing journey that calls for “private” and “corporate” expression. But this will also lead us on a journey of celebration, of grace, or awe at the miracle of the empty tomb and promise of life. Along the Lenten season, we will confess our faith, we will weep with sorrow, we will tell the truth about ourselves. We will stand together at the foot of the cross, lay our stones as well as our sins down, and leave knowing that we are loved and forgiven.
Please plan on joining this JOURNEY OF STONES beginning on ASH WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 18th , 7pm, as we all join the churches on the Union District Ministerium, at St. John’s.
We will continue our JOURNEY OF STONES on all Sunday’s in Lent, 9:30am at St John’s, as well as MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 2, 7pm; GOOD FRIDAY, April 3, 7pm; EASTER SUNRISE UNION DISTRICT SERVICE, April 5th, 7am, at St. John’s, with a breakfast to follow; then an EASTER CELEBRATION SERVICE, April 5 th , 9:30am. Mark up your calendars now and make sure you invite your friends to join you on this amazing JOURNEY OF STONES.
JOURNEY OF STONES Texts:
ASH WEDNESDAY, February 18: “Written in Stone” Exodus 32: 1-24
LENT #1, February 22: “Rejected Stones” Psalm 118 & Mark 12: 1-2
LENT #2, March 1: “Sticks and Stones” John 8:1-12
LENT #3: March 8: “Hearts of Stone” Luke 11:37-52
LENT #4: March 15: “Upon this Rock” Matthew 16:13-20
LENT #5: March 22: “Crying Stones” Luke 19:29-40
LENT #6: March 29 (Palm Sunday): “No Stones instead Palms” Matthew 21:1-11
MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 2: “Stones to Bread” Matthew 4:1-11 & Matthew 26: 26-30
GOOD FRIDAY, April 3: “The Final Stone” Matthew 27:60 and the “Service of Tenebrae” (Darkness or Shadows” with readings and candles
EASTER, April 5: “No More Stones….He is Alive!” (Matthew 28:1-10)….please note that St. John’s will be hosting the Union District “Sunrise Service” at 7am with a breakfast following; we will host our usual Easter service at 9:30am
Get Well Wishes - Our love and continued prayers for Pat Rolf who is recovering from the flu, for Allen Strawser who continues his recovery and for Beck Sherrard and Susan Baker who are battling cancer. May God bless and keep all of our loved ones in His care.
In Sympathy: to the friends and family of Harold “Gib” Upole, 82, of Oakland, MD, who passed away Monday, February 2, 2026. Gib was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Karen Louise Wotring and two sons. Due to weather conditions, a memorial service will be held at a later date. We pray God’s grace and mercy will grant the family peace and comfort during this time.
THANKS… to all who donated to the new council approved “Good Samaritan Fund.” Because of the loose offering collected on February 15th, we received $445 and will be matched by the congregation for a total of $890 to start the fund. This fund will be used to assist individuals and families in need per the church council approval. We have donated two $150 gift cards to two local families who lost everything in their recent house fires. Please feel free to donate anytime to this fund by marking on your offering envelope “Good Samaritan Fund” or by donating via the Tithe.ly app via the “Good Samaritan Fund.”
THANK YOU also to all those who participated in the “Super Bowl Scoreboard” opportunity. We were able to raise $1,360 towards the 2026 annual church budget. A special “thanks” to Joshua Adams for hosting this fun fundraising opportunity.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Joyce Tekavec can be reached at the following number: 276-240-0059 Joyce has accepted the responsibility of being a nurture person. She also has voice mail, so leave her a message if she is unavailable. Please contact her with all happenings such as illnesses, births, hospitalization, deaths, etc. Joyce will see that the prayer chain gets started and make the proper contacts.
The Red House Lutheran Cemetery Association would like to thank the following people for their donations and memorial gifts to the upkeep of the cemetery property:
Thrivent Choice: Thrivent members have until 3/31/2026 to direct their Thrivent Choice Dollars to churches, organizations, and causes they care about.
Daily Devotional – CHRIST IN OUR HOME – a new devotional for January, February, and March is available in the vestibule. This is a publication of the ELCA that relates to the scriptures for each week.
POP TABS: Are you continuing to save your aluminum pop tabs? Remember, this is an ongoing project for the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown. There is a box in the narthex to place them in throughout the year. Thanks a million!
"HILL TOP BEACON" If you have any news items you wish to place in the monthly newsletter or if your address has changed, please give the information to Arlene Lantz – alantz.4h@gmail.com -Phone (240) 321-8205 (evenings) or Lisa Skipper – mdskip4@aol.com. – Phone 301-616-2477.
BIRTHDAY CARD SHOWERS:
March:
16 - Janet Shaluta Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home-1113 Mary Drive, Oakland, MD 21550 90
26 - Barbara Cussins 95 Russ DeBerry Road, Terra Alta, WV 26764 87
April: (none)
SHUT-IN LIST below is a list of persons who would enjoy receiving a thinking-of-you card.
Helen Roth Cortland Acres -39 Cortland Acres Lane, Thomas, WV 26292
Janet Shaluta Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home - 1113 Mary Drive, Oakland, MD 21550
Jarrod Wolfe 11020 California Avenue, Apt. A, Cumberland, MD 21502
HOSPITAL ADDRESSES:
Garrett Regional Medical Center - 251 N, Fourth St., Oakland, MD 21550
Ruby Memorial Hospital - Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506
Monongalia General Hospital - 1200 J.D. Anderson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505
Western MD Regional Medical Center – 12500 Willowbrook Rd. Cumberland, MD 21502
Nursing Home Addresses:
Cortland Acres -39 Cortland Acres Lane, Thomas, WV 26292
Dennett Road Manor Nursing Home - 1113 Mary Drive, Oakland, MD 21550
Oakland Nursing & Rehab Center – 706 East Alder Street, Oakland, MD 21550