American Lutheran Church

Gaylord, Minnesota

April 2025 Newsletter

“God never gives you more than you can handle.”

Have you heard this before?  I’m thinking you have.  It’s a pretty well-known saying.

Is it in the Bible? No, not exactly.

Where does it come from?  It’s a misinterpretation of I Corinthians 10:13.  (See below.)

Is it true?  It’s hard to say.  It depends on what God gives us.  And it depends on what we can handle.  For some people this may hold true.  For others, it does not.

How can it be helpful?  This saying is meant to be helpful.  It’s meant to be a comforting thought.  It’s good to know that God will only give us what we can handle. 
God knows the limit of what we can handle and he doesn’t give us anything beyond that.

How can it be harmful?  For many, the idea that God gives us hardships at all is not a comforting thought. 
Maybe God allows them, but is he really giving them to us?  And the idea that God gives some people more hardships based on their ability to handle it is not
so comforting either.  We might wonder:  Why is God giving me so much?  What have I done wrong?  Why can’t I handle these hardships?  Do I lack character? 
Don’t I have enough faith.  In addition, this saying can sound like a platitude.  Platitudes are not helpful. They can make people angry and defensive.
They tend to close down opportunities for conversation.        

What does the Bible say? As mentioned, the saying that “God never gives you more than you can handle” is a misinterpretation of I Corinthians 10:13,
where the Apostle Paul writes, “No testing has overcome you that is not common to everyone.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond
your strength, but with the testing he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.”

What does this mean?  Rather than unpack each part of the verse, let me focus on the last part: God will provide a way out so that we may be able to endure it. 
When we face hardships, as we inevitably do, to varying degrees, we have a choice.  We can turn away from God and be bitter and angry; or we can turn to
God and depend on him in faith. When we depend on God he can help us to endure our hardships in four ways: 

1. God gives us strength.  Turn to God in prayer.  He will be there for us. 
God may not take away the hardship, but he will give us the strength and courage we need to face it. 

2. God forgives us.  Some translations of I Corinthians 10:13 refer to temptation instead of testing. 
If we give in to temptation, we can repent of our sins and receive God’s forgiveness. 

3. God provides people in our lives. Sometimes we are able to cope on our own, but other times we need help. 
Look to the people in your life to support you in difficult times.    

4. God promises eternal life.  There may be times when death is the only way out of suffering. 
Through Jesus’ own suffering and death, he opens the gate to new life in heaven. 

“God never gives you more than you can handle.”  Maybe you find this saying comforting, maybe you don’t (especially after reading this article). 
Here’s a related statement I find more helpful: “God doesn’t give us what we can handle, he helps us handle what we are given.”
When life gets hard, turn to God, and let him help you handle the challenges you face.        

May God bless you during this Lenten Season.  + Pastor Paul Kratzke

“I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Worship Services

Worship Services will be held on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM in April.

NOTE:  Holy Communion will be served every Sunday in April, including Palm Sunday.
We will continue to stream all our services (Sunday services and Lenten services) live through the Facebook app and upload them to our church
Facebook page for later viewing.

Musician Schedule

Here are the music leaders for the Sunday services in April.    

Sunday, April 6- Vicki and the Praise Team will play and sing.

Palm Sunday, April 13- Tyler will play his guitar and sing. 

Easter Sunday, April 20- Patty will play piano at both Easter services.

Sunday, April 27- Connie will play her guitar.

Lectionary Texts

These are the Revised Common Lectionary Texts for the month of April.

Sunday, April 6- John 12:1-8  “Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus’ feet with ointment.”

Palm Sunday, April 13- Luke 19:29-40  “Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem.”

Easter Sunday, April 20- Luke 24:1-12  “Jesus is raised from the dead.”

Sunday, April 27- John 20:19-31  “Thomas doubts the resurrection of Jesus.”

The Season of Lent: A time of spiritual renewal.

Lenten Suppers

Our last two Lenten Suppers will be served in April. 
Sunday School Teachers (past and present) will serve Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00 PM and
Dale & Kathy Jensen will serve BBQ Rib Sandwiches on Wednesday, April 9 at 6:00 PM.  Thank you to everyone who served meals in March.    

Lenten Services

The last two Wednesday Lenten Services will be held on April 2 at 7:00 PM and April 9 at 7:00 PM.
Our Lenten Drama is called “Untie the Donkey” by Don Bosley of Skit Guys.
It’s about two disciples named- Bart (Barthlomew) and Andy (Andrew)- who are trying to find a donkey for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Each has an excuse why they can’t be the one that’s needed.  The donkeys are “stand ins” for us as followers of Jesus.
Thank you to Patty and Terry for leading Holden Evening Prayer.

South Africa Partnership Meeting at American Lutheran Church

South Africa Partnership Meeting

There will be a South Africa Partnership Meeting on Thursday, April 3 at church. 
The meal will begin at 6:00 PM and the meeting will follow (and end by 8:00 PM).
This ministry is a partnership between Lutheran congregations in the Vryheid District of South Africa and the congregations of the Minnesota Valley
Conference of the SWMN Synod.  All members of the church are welcome to attend the meal and meeting. 

WELCA Bible Study

The Women of the ELCA will meet on Wednesday, April 9 at 12:30 PM. 
The ladies will continue their Bible Study called “Faithfulness In These Days” by Denise Rector.
Session 4 is “Faith Risks- Jairus and the Faithful Woman”.  Jairus and the Faithful Woman rely on God’s faithfulness is times of difficulty.   

WELCA Spring Gathering

The Minnesota Valley Conference Women of the ELCA Spring Gathering will be held on Saturday, April 12 at Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe. 
Registration is at 11:30 AM and lunch is at 12:00 Noon. The gathering will feature Doug Larson, a musician and speaker.     
The theme is “Rejoice in the Lord always.”  (Philippians 4:4)

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Palm Sunday Service

There will be a Palm Sunday Service on April 13. 
On Palm Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry when he rode a donkey into Jerusalem and crowds waved palm branches and shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” Students in grades 7-12 will lead the service again this year. Our theme will be “A Walk Through Holy Week”.
There will be stations at the front of the sanctuary for the Triumphal Entry, Cleansing of the Temple, Last Supper and Foot Washing, Garden of Gethsemane,
Pilate’s Sentencing, the Crucifixion and Resurrection.  Connie Quast is working with the kids on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School period.
The kids will also perform a hand mime drama. 

Church Council Meeting

The Church Council will meet on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 PM.  Minutes from the March meeting are included in this newsletter. 
Extra copies are on the counter under the mail slots.  Copies of the Annual Report and Church Directory are also on the counter. 

“This is my body which is given for you.”

Maundy Thursday Service

There will be a Maundy Thursday Service on April 17 at 7:00 PM.
On Maundy Thursday we commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus gave bread and wine to his disciples and said it was his body and blood given
and shed for the forgiveness of sins. The word Maundy means “commandment” and refers to the new commandment Jesus gave
“to love one another as I have first loved you.” (John 13:34)We will celebrate Holy Communion during the service.  
Pastor Paul is working on a drama for this service.

“Into your hands I commend my spirit.

Good Friday Service

There will be a Good Friday Service on April 18 at 7:00 PM. On Good Friday we commemorate the Crucifixion of Jesus.
That day was certainly not good for Jesus, but it is good for us since through Jesus’ death we can receive the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. 
This will be a joint service with the Gaylord United Church of Christ.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen!

Easter Sunday Services

There will be two Easter Sunday Services on April 20 at 7:30 AM & 9:30 AM.  On Easter we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. 
On Friday Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried; but three days later God raised him from the dead.  Jesus is not dead, he is alive! 
He is not  just a hero from the past; he is the living Lord of today! Holy Communion will be served.          
The Adult Choir will sing at both services.  Terry and Kaleb will play brass instruments on the opening and closing hymns.

Easter Breakfast

Confirmation students (and parents) will serve the Easter Breakfast on Sunday, April 20 between the two services (8:30-9:30 AM). 
The menu is scrambled eggs with ham, fruit, rolls, coffee and juice. There will be a free will offering to support youth programs.  
Thank you to Michael Foods for again donating the eggs- and thank you to all the parents for donating many of the food items. 
The ham comes from Brick House Meats. 

Ninth Grade Class

The third year Confirmation Class will meet on Wednesday, April 23 and on Wednesday, April 30. 
Pastor Paul will work out times with the parents/students. 
One class will be an activity on the theme of “Connecting with God through Fellowship” and the other will be preparation for the Confirmation Service. 

Gustavus Meeting

The Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations Business Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 26 in St. Peter. 
If you are interested in attending the meeting in place of Dawn (who was elected at the Annual Meeting, but is unable to attend), please talk to Pastor Paul. 
There are over 500 Lutheran congregations that are part of this association.

Sunday School Service

The end of the year Sunday School Service will be held on Sunday, April 27.  Our theme is “Hooked on Jesus”.
The kids in preschool through seventh grade will perform a skit, read the Bible lessons, sing a song, and pray the prayers.
Pastor Paul and Connie Quast will work with the kids during the Sunday School period.   

“ His By Grace” Concert on Sunday, April 27 at 5:00 PM American Lutheran Church

“ His By Grace” Concert

A musical group called “His By Grace” will perform a Concert at American Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 27 at 5:00 PM.
The concert will feature Contemporary Christian, Bluegrass Gospel, and 70’s music- and will be an hour and 15 minutes long. 
Members of the group are from the Norwood-Young America area.  There will be a free will offering to support the band members. 
A light meal (meat/cheese trays, crackers, buns, soups, and desserts) will be served after the concert in the fellowship hall. 
If you would like to help with the concert or meal, please talk to Vicki or Pastor Paul.  Mark your calendars. You will enjoy this group!

Confirmation Service

The Confirmation Service will be held on Sunday, May 4. May God bless the students as they prepare to publicly profess their Christian faith.

Registration for Green Lake Bible Camp is open for summer, 2025! Brochures are under the mail slots. Talk to Pastor Paul about scholarships!

Green Lake Bible Camp

Green Lake Bible Camp is a great spiritual experience and a lot of fun.  Camp Brochures are on the counter under the mail slots. 
Due to a very generous gift from the Delores Jackson Trust all young people from American Lutheran Church who attend Green Bible Camp
will receive a $250.00 scholarship. This is in addition to the scholarships given by the church. 
This means there is no cost for members of the church to attend Bible Camp!

Families will need to pay deposits and initial balances up front, the Jackson Trust scholarship will be applied by the camp, and the church scholarship will
be given to parents when their kids leave for camp this summer.  If you have any questions or need help getting registered for camp, please talk to Pastor Paul.

Meals on Wheels

Thank you to everyone who served Meals on Wheels in March- Vicky, Steve & Vicki, Kim, Ann, Wayne, Bob & Linda, Rylee, and Angela. 
Thank you to Vicki for coordinating the schedule.

Visit from Synod Minister

Pastor Heather Culuris, a Synod Minister with our SWMN Synod, was with us for the service   on Sunday, March 9.
She preached on eagles in the Bible and how they are often a symbol  of God’s care and protection. 
She also brought greetings from Synod Bishop Dee Petersen.

New Member Reception

There was a New Member Reception on Sunday, March 23.  New Members of the church are Roger & Angela .
They moved from Belle Plaine to Gaylord in September, 2023    (and live in Charles & Marian’s former house). 
Roger works in security at Mystic Lake and Angela is retired.  Please make them feel welcome in their new church home. 

911 Eighth Street PO Box 176

Gaylord, MN 55334

507-237-2428
amlc@rsfiber.net

www.alcgaylord.com

The mission statement of

American Lutheran Church is:

“to help people grow in their faith in Jesus

and to live out their faith in daily life.”