The Charger
January 20, 2006


Email: clschool@comcast.net

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January 20, 2006

PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING: “Growing in Christ through Worship” is very easily put off to Sunday morning or Saturday evening here at Concordia, but it really should be our whole life. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 
     Sometimes it can be very hard to remember that Christ expects Christ—like behavior all the time not just in church. That is what Paul means when he says this is our “spiritual act of worship”. So whether siblings are playing at home, spectators are watching a basketball game, or any other daily activities; let us all remember that Christ can be worshipped all the time by our behavior.
     God bless you all as our second semester is underway and the days are slowing getting longer.
Dan Henschen 

SPELLING BEE: The 3rd through 7th grade teams chosen at our Concordia Spelling Bee last October competed at Lutheran High School in the area wide Lutheran Grade School Spelling Bee on Saturday, January 7th. Special thanks and congratulations to all those who participated and represented their Lord and Concordia well. Those participating were from Grade 3 Hanna and Emily (2nd place); Grade 4, Kyle and Jordan ; from Grade 5, Aaron and Tina (2nd place); from Grade 6, Olivia and Jesse (2nd place); from Grade 7, Tabitha and Ashley. 

P.T.L.MEETING: The P.T.L. meeting that had been cancelled is now rescheduled for Wednesday, February 1, at 5:45 p.m. in Mr. Henschen’s classroom. We hope to see everyone there. 

HOOPSHOOT RESULTS: Congratulations to Nathan , Jared and Drake for participating in the Hoopshoot.

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP: Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 31st. We will be having an open house for all prospective kindergarten students and their parents on January 20 from 4:30 until 6:30 PM. If you have a kindergartener or know of someone who does, please plan to come. Our purpose it to provide a Christ-centered learning environment for our children of all ages. How important it is to begin their formal education having the opportunity to grow not only in a solid academic manner, but also with Christ as the center of that experience growing in faith and understanding of the Christian life.

REPORT CARDS: Your child brought home the second quarter report card on January 18. If you have not returned the report card, please do so at your earliest convenience.

SCHOOL CLOSING REMINDER: When District #186 closes, so does Concordia. 

SPORTS REMINDERS: This year during the ball games we are allowing water and popcorn to be taken into the gym. We are, however, limiting the food and drink to those two items. Candy, nachos, and all other food and drinks are to remain in the concession stand area. Food items are not to be carried down the hallways to the bathrooms, etc. This is for clean up purposes. The more places we allow food and drink, the more places we have to clean after the games are finished. Trips to the bathroom are certainly permissible, but children are not to be playing in the hallways, bathroom, going in and out of classrooms, or roaming outside. Children should be seated in the gym unless eating in the concession stand area or using the restroom. The children are strongly encouraged to remain in the gym and watch the game. Besides the obvious problem of fingers being stepped on and shoulders bumped, the constant coming and going up and down the bleachers during the games is disruptive to those who are watching the game. The games are to be enjoyed as a family activity. The volunteers ,who generously give of their time to do the many needed procedures to make the games work, are not able to supervise the children and provide for their safety. 

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Calendar

1/21 10:00 G(JV), B(JV & V) vs. Good Shepherd, Pekin at Concordia
1/24 6:00 G(V) & B(V) vs. New Berlin at Concordia
1/25 6:00 G(JV) vs. Trinity, Arenzville at Concordia
1/27 6:00 B(JV) & G (JV) vs. LSA, Decatur at Concordia
1/31 4:30 Kindergarten Roundup
1/31 6:00 G(JV & V) vs. Trinity at Concordia
2/2 6:00 G(JV & V) vs. Our Savior, Springfield at Our Savior
2/2 6:00 B(JV & V) vs. Trinity at Concordia
2/5 3:00 Super Bowl Party (Potluck Dinner and watching the game)

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QUOTABLE QUOTES: 

BIRTH OF THE SONG “PRECIOUS LORD”

     Back in 1932 I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie, and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago’s south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis, where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn’t want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child. But a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis.
     I kissed Nettie good-bye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66. However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back. I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay. But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music. The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called me to sing and again and again.
When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED. People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear on the other end was “Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead.”
When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet that night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart. For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn’t want to serve Him any more or write gospel songs. I just wanted to go back to the jazz world I once knew so well.
     But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis. Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was that “something” God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died. From that day on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost in grief.
     Everyone was kind to me, especially a friend, Professor Fry, who seemed to know what I needed. On the following Saturday evening he took me up to Malone’s Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows. I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys. Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, and it just seemed to fall into place. 
           Through the storm, through the night
           Lead me on to the light,
           Take my hand, precious Lord, 
           Lead me home.
     The Lord gave me these words and melody. He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power. And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me an gently lead me home.
Tommy Dorsey

CONCORDIA
SCHOOL

web address: www.concordiaspfld.org and www.concordiacares.org
CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Est. 1931

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