WEST MIDDLETON LUTHERAN CHURCH

ePioneer

MARCH 2025

After Christmas was over a mantra from many of my colleagues and myself was, thank goodness Easter is late this year. Ash Wednesday is way out there on March 5^th. We have plenty of time to recover from the Christmas season and prepare for the season of Lent.

And now here it is!!!! It seems like it crept up on us and now there are cries of “why is it here so soon!”

Ash Wednesday will be the start of the season of Lent for us here at WMLC. We will gather for worship that evening and be reminded that “we are dust and to dust we shall return.” That we came from the earth and will return to the earth. That we came from God and will return to God. That in the midst of this world we can count on the love of God, always and forever.

We will then begin the 40 days of Lent. A time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. A time for us to ponder our relationship with Jesus, each other, and the world. A time to step away and also to pay attention.

During this season of Lent, I invite you to spend some extra time in prayer. Time in prayer focusing on God and your relationship with God. Time in prayer putting God first, above all else. Time in prayer listening to what God may be saying to you. Time intentionally set aside to spend with God.

During this season of Lent, I invite you to spend some time fasting. This can be a time of giving up food, either a favorite food, a meal, or substituting a bowl of rice or broth one meal a week. This can be a time of giving up social media or cutting down on the time you spend there, or some other screen time. This can be a time of giving up a habit that is not life giving for you, as a way forward to giving it up altogether. Or maybe adding something as a kind of fast from other activities that take your time. Perhaps reading the Bible instead of watching that favorite T.V. show. Or getting up early to spend time with a devotional book or The Bible. Or maybe fasting from inactivity so going for a walk each day of Lent or some other physical activity you may enjoy. Whatever it is, I invite you to intentionally choose a way of fasting this season.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2 Transfiguration Sunday

5 7:00pm

Ash Wednesday Worship

7 9:00am

Food Packing

9 Daylight Savings Begins!

11 1:00pm

Book Club

17 St. Patrick's Day

12 4:30pm

PPT Rehearsal 7:00pm

Midweek Lenten Worship

18

6:30pm

Leadership Team Meeting

19 7:00pm

Midweek Lenten Worship

21 10:00am

St. Mark's Free Friday Meal - Volunteers Needed

26 7:00pm

Midweek Lenten Worship

Every Wednesday

1:00pm

Pastor on the Patio

6:00pm

Choir Rehearsal

6:30pm

Confirmation Class

Every Thursday

9:00am

Bulletin Assembly

9:00am

LWR Quilting

During the season of Lent, I invite you to pay attention to almsgiving. Maybe adding a bit extra to your offering during Lent. Or maybe giving to Lutheran World Relief or Lutheran Social Services, or some other organization that helps those in need. Or maybe offering your time in service here at WMLC or other places that could use your time and talents. Or maybe paying attention to where you spend your money and make decisions that better reflect who you are and how you live your life. Whatever it is, I invite you to be intentional about your giving, be it your time, talents, or treasures.

The season of Lent is to help us refocus on our relationships with God, ourselves, and each other. A time to remember that we are not alone.

Our theme for Mid-week services this year is “Finding Shelter.” We will explore places where we can find shelter, refuge, and safety. Please join us each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for worship and to find shelter with God and each other.

God’s Blessings and Peace as we journey these 40 days together.

Pastor Connie

Midweek Lenten Service Schedule

Join us for midweek Lenten services on

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

Our theme is "Finding Shelter"

March 5 – Ash Wednesday

March 12 – 1st Wednesday in Lent

March 19 – 2nd Wednesday in Lent

March 26 – 3rd Wednesday in Lent

April 2 – 4th Wednesday in Lent

April 9 – 5th Wednesday in Lent

WMLC Book Club

Tuesday, March 11th, 1:00pm @ WMLC

The WMLC Book Club will meet at 1:00pm on Tuesday, March 11th in the Fireside Room with Diana Galaeke hosting.

We will be discussing Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.

The book chosen for April is The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

Come and join us! All are welcome!

WMLC Book Club meets on the second

Tuesday of each month.

Contact Betty Glaaser with any questions!

(608) 798-2883

Let's shower Mae with cards! Mae is celebrating her 106th birthday on March 9th. Let it be a "Mae Parade" Please send a birthday card to: Mae Hartwig Brookdale Madison West 429 S Yellowstone Drive #106 Madison, WI 53719

Holy Week Worship Schedule

Palm & Passion Sunday

April 13th @ 9am

Maundy Thursday

April 17th @ 7pm

Good Friday

April 18th @ 12:15pm & 7pm

Easter Sunday

April 20th @ 9am

TIME CHANGE!

Daylight-Saving Time begins on March 9th.

Make sure to set your clock an hour ahead so you can get to church on time!

Help out at our Weekend Food Packing Program!

Friday, March 7th at 9am

in the Fireside Room

Join us in welcoming Josie Walz & Kevin Marshall to our church family!

Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge

The City of Middleton is excited to announce its participation in the NexTrex Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge, a year-long initiative from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting eco-friendly practices. By collecting 1,000 pounds of plastic bags and wraps, the city will earn a recycled-material bench for the community made from the plastic collected.

Residents can drop off plastic bags and wraps at:

Middleton Recycling Center, 4330 Parmenter Street (next to the Municipal Operations Center).
Hours: Saturday, 8:00 AM to Noon.
Metro Market (6800 Century Avenue).

All collected materials will be transported from the recycling center to Metro Market and then to a Trex facility, where they will be recycled into durable products like plastic decking, railing, and benches.

What You Can Recycle:

All items must be clean, dry, and free of food residue. Items accepted include:

Grocery and retail bags
Case and product wrap
Newspaper and dry-cleaning bags
Air pillows and shipping envelopes
Cereal bags, salt bags, ziplock bags, and bubble wrap (newly accepted for the challenge).

Please note that shopping bags will continue to be collected separately and donated to Way Forward Food Pantry.

Why Participate?

Middleton currently collects 50-75 pounds of plastic bags per week, making the 1,000-pound goal achievable with community participation. This challenge reflects the city's commitment to reducing single-use plastics and educating residents about responsible recycling practices.

Let’s work together to make a difference—reduce, reuse, and recycle!

https://www.cityofmiddleton.us/829/Plastic-Bag-Recycling-Challenge

Serving with Love

From Triangle Community Ministry

Serving with Love at Braxton Place Apartments

On Monday, February 10th, we had the joy of hosting dinner for the residents of The Braxton Place Apartments. Around 50 residents gathered to enjoy a delicious meal featuring meatballs, homemade mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh vegetables, fruit salads, and festive Valentine’s-themed desserts.

The evening was filled with warm conversations, laughter, and a true sense of community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated food, prepared dishes, and volunteered their time to serve—you helped make this event so special!

Looking ahead, our next Triangle Ministry meal is set for October 27th—so start planning your Halloween costumes now! 🎃👻

WayForward

Food Pantry Top 10:

March

Mac and Cheese
Hamburger or Tuna Helper
Canned Chicken or Tuna
Basmati, Jasmine, or White Rice
Masa
Noodles (any kind)
Pasta (spaghetti) sauce
Canned Beans (all varieties)
Canned fruit (all varieties)
Condiments (any kind)

WayForward may have a Top 10 list, but all donations are appreciated!

WayForward Resources is looking for volunteers to assist in their food pantry, clothing center, and deliver groceries (can be a one-time commitment or recurring). Volunteers ages 12-15 are welcome if accompanied by an adult; ages 16 and older may volunteer independently. For more information, please visit the WayForward website.

Volunteers are needed for St. Mark’s Free Friday Meal.

Every third Friday of the month we help prepare, serve, and clean up the meal. People come to the Friday meal for economic reasons, come to see friends for companionship and to be part of community. Time commitment is from 10:00-1:30.

This last Friday we served a record 116 meals in one hour!

Our next three dates are: 3/21, 4/18, 5/16.

If you have any questions contact Karen Zimmerman. You can also go to stmarksmadison.org for more information about St. Mark’s and their mission for the community.