HOLY HILARITY SUNDAY 2014

We have just celebrated our 8th Holy Hilarity Sunday! We rejoice in the resurrection of Christ with singing, dancing, joke-telling, laughter and general merriment. Below are pictures from this year's happy festival.

Gary Bahlmann & Don Thran

Jazmine Rathbun

Gayle Bahlman in her Christmas outfit

Sarah Gruman at the piano 

Renee Murphy

Shelley Peterson

Rick Gramlich

Owen & Dorothy Kirk

Bob Grover making an entrance

Pastor Laura greeting Bob

The sanctuary decorated in Easter lilies, happy banners and balloons

Bob Grover causing more merriment

Santa hats in the narthex

Bob Grover in his pew with Grace Ziegelmaier in the backgroun

Gary & Shirley Mulford in the hippy-gear they've had since hippy days

Enthusiastic Pastor Laura as a pink elephant

Kim and Zoey Timmerman dressed as tired moms who just got out of bed (bed-head and all)

The Timmermans with Pastor Laura

Donna Reed & Pastor Laura

Jazmine & her brother Emilio Rathbun with the elephant

Carol Schaefer in her hilarity hat

Samantha Rosas & Brian Creasman with their daughter, Nayelly (the youngest worshiper at Holy Hilarity this year)

The decorations in the sanctuary before worship began

An alien visitor—Barb Scottston

An angel—Melanie Wittman

MelanieWittman & her daughter, Chloe

Pastor telling elephant jokes

Kathy Hay & Paula Rathbun explaining that this year's dance would be "Happy" by Pharrell Williams

Everyone bust into happy dancing–it was mayhem

More happy dancing

The prayers of intercession

The benediction

Pastor announcing the final hymn

Chloe Magnusson and Zoey Timmerman singing the closing song

The children leading the music

Mike Schweitzer after the service

Kim and Zoey Timmerman

Vern Timmerman

Rick Gramlich and Pastor Laura

Rick in his hat/wig

Dorothy Becker in her Easter bonnet

Photographer, Eric Mills (thanks to Eric for providing most of these fun photos)

Nayelly Creasman in her Pooh hat

Kenny 'the clown' Rathbun with his kids, Emilio & Jazmine

The Hippy Mulfords

Barb Scottston

The Rathbun family

Kathy Hay & Paula Rathbun, our dance leaders, in their Happy T-shirts

Pastor Laura with Dorothy Becker

Chloe Magnusson in her mis-matched outfit

Tabita Green & Pastor Laura's selfie

We filmed a happy dance video, which will be posted at this blog asap.

BAPTISM OF JOEL JAMES IRONS

Joel James Irons, son of Luke Irons and Kelsey Morris, was baptized on Easter Sunday, April 20th, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing. His baptismal sponsors are Jacob Johnson and Jade Johnson. Pictured left to right are Luke Irons, Kelsey Morris holding Joel, Pastor Laura Gentry, Jade Johnson, Jacob Johnson.

A PALM SUNDAY TO REMEMBER

On Palm Sunday, April 13th, a real donkey came to church. That's right. Having a donkey lead the Palm Sunday processional has been common in Europe for years. Now, it has come to Lansing, Iowa. Here is the article about it in the WAUKON STANDARD.

Below are pictures that tell the story. Thank you to freelance writer/photographer Kelli Boylen for providing the pictures of the processional.

A week before the big day, Pastor Laura and Stanley and Sheryl Karns visited the Soldiers Grove farm of Jim and Lila Sime, who had agreed to let the church borrow a donkey for worship. Stanley practiced walking the animals around so they could choose the most cooperative one to lead the processional.

This is the donkey they chose. His name is JD, which stands for "Just Donkey." Now that he's led the Palm Sunday processional, he might be called Jesus' Donkey!

The kids prepared the posters to get ready for the celebration.

We began worship in the fellowship hall with the Palm Sunday posters prominently placed.

Yes, the donkey came inside for the beginning of worship! Here is proof.

The Sime's granddaughter, Taylor, led the donkey down the street as the congregation processed along behind.

It took a little persuading, but she got the donkey to climb the front steps of the church.

As the congregation processed, they stopped for a moment to wave their palms in front of the church.

Then, we got a separate photograph with the kids. They loved the donkey!

Then, we headed into the sanctuary to continue worship.  JD stayed outside. He looks glad to be through, doesn't he?

The other very important part of the day is that Leona Noel Hammell, daughter of Nicholas and Melissa Hammell, was baptized. Pictured here are Pastor Laura Gentry; her aunt and sponsor, Amanda Taylor; her uncle and sponsor Justin Taylor; her mom holding Leona; her sister, Izzy; her dad; and her other aunt and uncle and sponsors, Megan and Levi Hammell. We welcome Leona into the Family of God!

Izzy, happy at the end of the service

Holy Week services will be held on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday at 6:30 p.m. Easter service will be at 9:00 a.m. followed by Easter breakfast served by the Women of the ELCA. Please help us spread the word.

NEW CHURCH MUSICIAN

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is delighted to introduce our new church musician, Sarah Gruman, pictured above.

At just 16 years of age, Sarah brings a wealth of talent and experience. She began playing piano in kindergarten and over the years, she’s performed in many recitals, contests, and concerts.  Sarah also sings and plays the flute. She has been a part of honor choir, honor band, music contest and has appeared in musicals.

Sarah’s other activities include being in the play, on prom committee and leading music at her family’s congregation, St. Ann—St. Joseph Parish in Harpers Ferry. She works as a waitress/pizza cook at McGeough's Harbor House and enjoys babysitting, hanging out with her friends and family, and reading.  

“I am very excited to be the musician of Our Savior's Lutheran Church because I love any excuse to play piano,” says Sarah of her new position,  “especially if the excuse allows me to play and sing God's praises in the meantime!”