The Charger
January 26, 2007


Email: clschool@comcast.net

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January 26, 2007

PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING: Kindergarten Round-up is January 30th. If you know of a family with a kindergarten child please let them know. Even if they cannot attend the open house they still can contact and get all of the information.
     Next year’s school calendar is included and has most of the important dates listed. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
     God bless you all as we need to continue to bundle up the children for a little more winter weather.
Dan Henschen 

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP: Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 30. We will be having an open house for all prospective kindergarten students and their parents on January 30 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 17. 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. 

FAMILY PROJECT AND SUPER BOWL PARTY: Your invited to the 2nd Annual Family Project Contest and Super Bowl Party! February 4, 2007—3pm. Come view the outstanding Concordia Family Projects and vote for your favorite. 4pm. Potluck dinner PTL will provide Italian beef sandwiches, soda and water. Please bring your favorite dish to share (sign-up sheet will be available prior to the event. Winners will be announced during dinner. And then stay and watch the Super Bowl XLI on the big screen. This is a chance for all Concordia Lutheran Church and School families to get their creative juices flowing. This year we suggest that the project be made out of something edible. All are welcome and encouraged to attend the Super Bowl Party and participate in project judging regardless whether or not the family has submitted a project. 

Adult Information Class: We will be holding Adult Information Class on Thursday evenings. We will meet beginning on Thursday, February 1st for about an hour and a half—7:00—8:30 each week for about 10-12 weeks. This class is an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, our church and school. 
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Calendar
1/30 5:00-7:30 Kindergarten Round-Up
1/30 6:00 B(JV & V) vs. St. Joe’s at St. Joe’s
1/31 8:45 Devotions with Mr. Henschen
2/1 6:00 G(JV & V) vs. Salem, Jacksonville at Concordia
2/2-3 TBA Concordia G (JV) Tourney at Concordia
2/4 Super Bowl Party in the gym
2/6 6:00 G (JV & V) vs. Mt. Pulaski at Mt. Pulaski
2/7 8:45 Devotions with Mr. Henschen
2/8 5:45 P.T.L. Meeting
     6:00 B(JV & V) vs. Mt. Pulaski at Concordia
2/9 End of Mid-Quarter
2/9-10 TBA G(V) Tourney at Salem, Jacksonville
2/11 10:00 Grades PS-K Choir sings 
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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

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

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