CUT
OUT ONE OF THE ABOVE OR BOTH AND EAT AT CHILI’S!!!!!Concordia Lutheran School
2300 Wilshire Road
Springfield, Illinois 62703
February 2012 Concordia Cares
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pastor Hennig Message
Pastor Koschmann Message
Principal Henschen
Preschool News
Calendar
Scripture Lessons
Acolyte, Altar Guild, Elder, Organist Schedule
Usher Schedule
Parish News
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Lutheran High School Ledger
Lutheran Community News
Concordia Cares about our Church-School Family.
If Concordia can be of any assistance to you or your family, please come in or call and speak with Sharon or Lora in the church office. Please join us for worship at 5:30 Saturday or 10:00 Sunday. Also join us for Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes which are held at 9:00 every Sunday!
The following is a listing of the scripture lessons for the Worship Services for the month of February. This list is provided so that you may have the opportunity to reflect on the scripture passages in preparation for the Worship Services.
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
February 05, 2012
Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11
1 Corinthians 9:16-27 Mark 1:29-39
The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
February 12, 2012
2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30
1 Cor. 10 (19-30)31-11:1 Mark 1:40-45
Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 19, 2012
2 Kings 2:1-12
or Ex. 34:29-35 Psalm 50:1-6
2 Cor. 3:12-13 (14-18); 4:1-6 Mark 9:2-9
First Sunday in Lent
February 26, 2012
Genesis 22:1-18 Psalm 25:1-10
James 1:12-18 Mark 1:9-15
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A: Acolyte O: Organist E: Elder C: Altar Guild Serving for February are: |
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Saturday |
Sunday |
Midweek |
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4th A: Katie E .O: Sally C. E: Mark S. & Mark L.C: -------------------- |
5th A: Dylan W .O: Amy R. E: Bill S. & Bob M. C: Vicki J . |
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11th A: Katie E .O: Sally C. E: C: Jeannine M . |
12th
A: Dylan W .O: Amy R. E: C: -------------- |
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18th A: Zach V .O: Sally C. E: C: ------------- |
19th
A: Dylan W .O: Amy R. E: C: Mary S . |
Wed 22nd A: Katie E .O: Amy R. C: Lora B . |
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25th A: Zach V .O: Sally C. E: C: Pam W . |
26th
A: Dylan W .O: Amy R. E: C: ----------------- |
Wed 29th A: Katie E .O: Amy R. C: --------- |
Ushers for the month of February are
:Corey W., Jay M.,
Jason B. & Michael B.
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PARISH NEWS
Lenten series: God’s Gift of Forgiveness
The theme of this series is God’s gift of forgiveness, especially as we find this forgiveness in the seven penitential psalms and in the practice of Confession and Absolution. The sermons and devotions in this series expound on the nature of sin as seen in the psalms, the devastating effects it has on the soul and the conscience, and what we receive through God’s gift of the forgiveness of sins in our Lord Jesus Christ. Each sermon also includes a portion of the Small Catechism for meditation and connection to the larger life of the Church.
Ash Wednesday Feb. 22 Pastor Hennig
The Penitential Psalms: Psalm 6
"Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of Your steadfast love." (Psalm 6:4)
Catechism: What does such baptizing with water indicate? Where is this written?
Midweek of Lent 1 Feb. 29 Pastor Sam Janssen
The Penitential Psalms: Psalm 51
"Against You and For Me"
Catechism: What is confession?
Midweek of Lent 2 March 7 Pastor Darrell Debowey
The Penitential Psalms: Psalm 102
"But You, O Lord, Are Enthroned Forever"
Catechism: What sins should we confess?
Midweek of Lent 3 March 14 Pastor Chuck Johnson
The Penitential Psalms: Psalm 143
"Teach Me to Do Your Will, For You Are My God"
Catechism: Which [sins] are these?
Midweek of Lent 4 March 21 Pastor Hennig
The Penitential Psalms: Psalm 32
"Hiding from God or Hiding in God?"
Catechism: What is the Office of the Keys? Where is this written?
Midweek of Lent 5 March 28 Pastor Koschmann
The Penitential Psalms: Psalm 38
"Make Haste to Help Me"
Catechism: What do you believe according to these words?
The penitential season of Lent is also a catechetical season. Lenten catechesis may sometimes include a special focus on one or more of the Six Chief Parts of the Small Catechism, but it seeks a broader context. Lent is catechetical because it is pointing toward Baptism into the cross and resurrection of Christ. Historically, Lent developed as a season of preparation for Holy Baptism; liturgically and theologically, Lent is the Church’s refocus on the significance of Holy Baptism. The daily drowning of contrition and repentance, which characterizes the entire Christian life of discipleship, is deliberately intensified during Lent as a renewal of faith and life in Christ. This repentance is never the product of human wisdom, reason, strength, or effort. Rather, it is always the divine work of the Holy Spirit through the Law and the Gospel. The Law crucifies the old Adam, and the Gospel raises up the new man in us. Thus a Lenten focus on the cross and Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ is not aimed at an emotional response, nor is it an appeal for greater effort or heroic self-sacrifice on the part of sinners. Rather, Lent is a pointed proclamation and confession of the Law and the Gospel, a preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Lent is properly penitential and most surely catechetical when it brings the cross to sinners and sinners to the cross of Christ as the fountain and source of forgiveness, life, and salvation.
It is for this reason that a Lent series on the penitential psalms and on Confession and Absolution is so appropriate. During this time of heightened self-examination, it is the perfect time to introduce a congregation to God’s blessings given in Confession and Absolution. It may also be done in a way that does not make anyone feel like they are being "forced" to go to private/individual confession and absolution.
The theme for our Lenten focus and sermons will be on the seven penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143), with specific readings, psalmody, hymns, and prayers have been selected (along with appropriate options) with a view toward the special emphases of this series. At the same time, all these resources have been prepared on the foundation and within the context of the Church’s traditional Lenten practices. For the sake of clarity, some of these traditional practices are as follows:
•
Traditionally, the "Alleluia" is not sung from Ash Wednesday until the Easter Vigil.• The Gloria in Excelsis is omitted from the Divine Service, even on the Sundays in Lent (though these Sundays are festivals in their own right and are not counted in the forty days of Lent). Exceptions to this omission of the Gloria in Excelsis are the festivals of St. Joseph, the Guardian of Jesus (March 19), and the Annunciation of Our Lord (March 25), as well as Holy Thursday.
• The Gloria Patri (the lesser Gloria) is not used during Holy Week, including the daytime services of Holy Thursday.
• Depending on local custom, the organ is not played during Lent except to accompany the singing of the congregation. Likewise, other instruments are silenced, including the ringing of bells in the service.
• Crosses throughout the church may be veiled with unbleached linen or violet cloth throughout Lent, though there are differences of opinion as to the significance of this practice and how (or if) it ought to be done. Where crosses are veiled, it is done with penitential reverence and humility, not for the sake of hiding or forgetting the cross (may it never be!). The intent of this practice is to increase the longing of the faithful for the cross. Local circumstance and pastoral discernment will determine how best to handle such a practice. For example, the processional cross may be unveiled for the services of Holy Week, beginning with the procession of palms on Passion Sunday. The veil of the altar cross may be changed to white for the Holy Thursday Divine Service, and then the cross may be removed altogether at the stripping of the altar.
• Another local custom is the choice not to place flowers on the altar (or anywhere in the church) from Ash Wednesday until the Easter Vigil.
• In brief, there is comprehensive restraint of celebration while waiting and hungering for the Paschal Feast.
• In those congregations that use the Paschal candle, the candle remains in its place at the baptismal font and is used at Baptisms and funerals during Lent and Holy Week.
**NOTE: Lenten Devotional books are available on the narthex table.**
Please join us for Lenten Services:
Wed. Feb 22nd – Ash Wednesday:
7:00pm
Wed. Feb 29th 5:30 Meal hosted by the Fellowship Committee
Menu: Millie’s Chili
7:00pm Service
Wed. Mar 7th : 5:30 Meal hosted by the Ladies Aid
Menu: sloppy joes, hot dogs, baked beans, chips and homemade desserts.
7:00pm Service
Wed. Mar 14th: 5:30 Meal hosted by 7th & 8th Grade Class
Menu TBA7:00pm Service
Wed. Mar 21st: 5:30 Meal hosted by TBA
Menu TBA7:00pm Service
Wed. Mar 28th: 5:30 Meal hosted by TBA
Menu TBA7:00pm Service
Thu. Apr 5th: 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Communion Service
Thu. Apr 6th: 7:00pm Good Friday Service
Sun. Apr 8th: 6:30am Easter Sunrise Communion Service
7:30am Breakfast
9:00am Sunday School & Adult Bible Class
10:00am Easter Communion Service
A NOTE FROM OUR ELDERS:
Well, the New Year has come and now the 'newness' is beginning to wear off. Did you make resolutions to keep to yourself? To others? Since there are so many opinions about resolutions (some people make them and some people do not), I thought to myself, 'If you're going to make one, why not make it a good one for Jesus'.
Now, a resolution for Jesus could take many forms. You could go to church or Bible study more often. You could give more time or money to the church. You could pray more often. These are great choices but maybe you've thought of these or done these in the past. Maybe you've thought to yourself 'I don't want to make the same or similar resolution each year and just keep getting better, because that's what I should be doing every day anyway'.
If you've ever thought something like that, maybe you could do something a little different. What about bringing Jesus into a part of your life that He wasn't in before? Do you go to college classes or some other classes and take the Bible to read in your spare time? If someone sees you doing that, it could lead to questions. You never know how the things that you do affect others around you. The smallest thing could have a profound effect on others.
Do you exercise or participate in some sport? Do you pray before or after the event or exercise? Can you wear a cross, Jesus name, or a nice Jesus slogan while you workout? Could you wear something like that to other social events or other places that you never have before?
How about being a little happier everyday and showing it to others? An extra smile can work wonders. This would work best when you're happy at times when others would not expect it. This is because when Jesus is in your life, you should be full of joy. I realize that this can not always be so, but if all Christians made a little more effort to do this, imagine what effect it could have. You know, make people think to them selves 'What makes him so happy all of the time? or 'How can she always be so positive?'. Because of Jesus and the Gospel, that's how, and when they ask, that's what we'll tell them.
Remember, even the littlest things can have huge effects, and big or little, we can do things a little different every now and then. This can be your spice of life.
A BIG THANK YOU to all of the members of the Special Ministries group and the Trustees for working to clean up the nursery in the basement. The nursery had been in a state of needing some repair, but after some work, it has been thoroughly cleaned and anything not appropriate for babies and toddlers has been removed. There is still a little work being done to help with air flow and a shelf being put up to keep things out of reach. The nursery has also had a little redecorating done as well!
The nursery will only be unlocked during services and if you find it isn’t open, please find an elder or usher to assist you. The nursery is now equipped with an audio and video stream from the sanctuary as well as a Bible and a hymnal to follow along with what is going on in church while you are there. If you use the nursery, we are asking you to please tidy up after yourself. We also ask that the nursery only be used for children infant through toddler when it is absolutely necessary to leave church. It is not designed to let your children play. The best way for children to learn to sit in church is to actually be in church.
The Office
If it is necessary to close school due to severe weather, mechanical failure, or other emergency the announcement will be made over local television and radio stations: WAND (CH. 17 or CATV 10), WCIA (Ch. 49 or CATV 3), WICS (Ch. 20 or CATV2), WMAY (970 AM), WTAX (1240 AM), and WDBR (103.7 FM). School closings will also be posted on our website. Please do not call the teachers! Concordia will not align school closing with District 186. If we have an early dismissal we will have students, teachers, or secretaries call the parents from school.
If you are calling your child in sick for school, please call the office at 529-3307, 529-3309 or 585-0640. *If you are taking your child home early for an appointment, you need to stop in the office and sign them out of school. *If your child will be late, please also call the office and let us know when your child will be arriving.
Please try to pick up anything with your name on it in the Narthex. We are trying to save on postage and have put out anything that needs to go home. We still have some newsletters, contribution statements, envelopes and Portals of Prayer in the Narthex for pick up. Thank you.
Anytime you have a question please do not hesitate to call the office. -Thank you, Sharon & Lora
Flowers for the Altar…
There are still several weekends available to place flowers on the altar. The sign up sheet is hanging in the narthex or you can call the office and we will check to see if the weekend you want is available. Remember there are no flowers on the altar during Lent and on Easter Sunday the altar is filled with lilies (which you can order from the Ladies Aid as we get closer to that date).
**********************
Discipleship Report for January 2012
Date Worship Gen. Fund Receipts
January 1st 65
+ 74 = 139 $ 10,025.66 January 8th 92 + 101 = 193 $ 16,729.28 January 15th 51 + 102 = 153 $ 12,720.03 January 22nd 51 + 172 = 223 $ 7,381.20
Special envelopes can be found on the narthex table…
to pay down our sizable debt of $81,467.09(as of 12/31/11). This debt includes what we owe Lu-Hi, missions and money borrowed from dedicated funds. We have been making progress on our old debt, however, we are also adding to it as we are not meeting our current year’s budget, we fall roughly $800-$1000 short of our budget needs per week. Please prayerfully consider the blessings God has given and remember the commitment we have made in His Church. Our Church – Our Responsibility!By God’s grace we can do this.
We here at Concordia Lutheran Church are setting a goal to pay to
Lutheran High for the debt we owe to them. After all, they are a part of
our Church as an association member. So, we are trying to make a… CHANGE FOR THE NEW YEAR! Our goal to fill old water bottles full of your pocket change (or "quiet money" as well). It doesn’t seem like a lot, after all, it’s only pocket change. But if we all work together on this, a little pocket change may make a big change in the amount we owe to our High School!
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??
SAVE THE DATE!! Please join the PTL Sports Boosters for
food, fun and fellowship during this year’s Super Bowl
Party on Sunday, February 5. Our party will be held
be in the Concordia gymnasium where will watch
the BIG game on the BIG screen from 5-9:30pm and the cost is free! The PTL will provide Italian Beef and Hot Dogs. Please bring a dish to share. There will also be a bounce house with a slide, special half time fun and attendance prizes!!! Everyone is welcome and invited – invite your friends to come too!!! If you would like to help with this event or have questions, please contact Bonnie C.
Thank you:
Concordia is very thankful for the gift of the gym mats. A donation was given to purchase the gym mats in memory of Rosie T. We appreciate the generous gift and look forward to many years of using the mats.
It's time to get ready for Scholastic Bowl!!
We are almost ready to start our second year offering a Scholastic Bowl team to our students in grades 5-8. Scholastic Bowl teams are made up of 5 or more students that compete against other schools on various subjects like math, history, current events, general information, grammar, literature, agriculture, vocational education, spelling, geography, etc.We need some adult help in keeping score and being moderators (Reading questions). You don’t have to commit to the entire season, even one or two meets would be helpful. There is also help needed monitoring students during their break time between meets. If you are interested in helping or have questions, please
write down your contact information and give it to the office or to Valerie GeRue. You don’t need to have a student on the team to help!DID YOU UPGRADE YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA LATELY? If you have a digital camera around the house that you no longer use, or an older I-pod that takes pictures? Consider donating it for using in our computer lab for computer photo projects. You can drop them off at the office or in the computer lab. Just make sure it has a charging cord available and any other cord if it is not a standard USB Connection. Thanks!
Spelling Bee
The 3rd through 8th 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 as well.
Those participating were:
3rd grade: Kaitlyn A. & Bo L. -tied for 3rd place
4th grade: Jacob W. & Logan S. -tied for 1st place
5th grade: Sidney C. & Jake M. -4th place
6th grade: Rachal R. & Alicia B. -3rd place
7th grade: Kaitlyn W. & Alec B. -1st place
8th grade: Adam M. & Sam N. -4th place
February Birthdays
02: Denise H.
03: Sheila H.
05: Alfred D.
06: Donald B.
Michelle H.
07: Bernard D.
Karen U.
11: Barbara T.
13: Agnes H.
Adrian L.
15: Michael H.
16: Dennis H.
Smarjesse T.
17: David R.
18: Kathleen B.
Emily L.
19: Greg L.
20: Wendi B.
Thomas M.
Rickey W.
22: Michael B.
23: Corey W.
24: Emily M.
Mary W.
25: Marissa B.
Kathryn C. S.
27: Mark D.
28: Jean D.
Chloe G.
February Anniversaries
04: Victor & Jeannine M.
05: Bill & June H.
07: Rodney & Renae W.
10: Paul & Ursula B.
LISTED IN THE LUTHERAN HIGH NOTES
LUTHERAN HIGH NEWS
School Motto:"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
From the ledger: January 12, 2012
The New Lutheran High School Website is:
www.spiluhi.orgThe New school email address is:
admin@spiluhi.orgAcademic Spotlight: The Academic Spotlight is an effort to recognize academic excellence at Lutheran High School. Also nominated for the week of December 12th were *Olivia L. and >Tina W.
Athlete of the Week: The Athlete of the Week is a distinction awarded to our student athletes for performances for their team and school. Also nominated for the week of December 5th was *Angela H.
Activity Spotlight: the Activity Spotlight is an effort to recognize outstanding participation in school extracurricular activities at Lutheran High. Also nominated for the week of December 12th was *Emily M.
Good Deeds: Good Deeds is an attempt to identify students who have been observed assisting others or the school. Among those so noted are: >Mary W., *Hanna W. & *Tyler B.
Welcome New Crusaders!
The following students from Concordia Lutheran School have applied for admission for the Class of 2016
Catherine G., Nicholas L., Gary R. & Logan A.
Sixth Grade Day: Lutheran High School would like to invite 6th graders to the "Journey to the Future" on Friday, March 16th, 2012. This is an opportunity for area 6th graders to get together and spend a morning at Lutheran High School. Students will attend a variety of mini-classes, led by the LuHi faculty, and enjoy a spaghetti lunch provided by the school. If you have a 6th grader that is interested in attending, please call the school office at 546-6363 to reserve a spot. Please pass this information along to other 6th graders that you know!!
November Crusader of the Month:
This student exemplifies what it means to be a Lutheran High Crusader - not just in the classroom where she excels academically. Not just on the court where she helped lead the Lady Crusaders to State as one of the captains and returned the following week to help captain the basketball team. Not just on the stage where she performed with the Madrigals. Not just in the Association Office where she helped to organize and coordinate the 8th Grade Visitation night as one of the Student Aides. And not just in her leadership on the Spiritual Life Committee and Traveling Chapel. This November Crusader of the Month does all these things and more. She left after the Sectional Volleyball victory to drive 8 hours to sing all day with a National Lutheran High School Choir at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and drove back all night to play in the Super-Sectional game. She is a Crusader who is always willing, able, and ready to do what is asked of her and to let her voice rise in a clear Doxology! November’s Crusader of the Month is – *Angela H.
* indicates member of Concordia Lutheran Church
> indicates former student of Concordia Lutheran School
Lutheran High School
SUNDAY BRUNCH
New Hours!
Serving Breakfast 9:30am-10:30am; Brunch 10:30am-1pmMARCH 11, 2012
Adults $10.00 Children 12 & under $5.00
~ MENU ~
Scrambled Eggs • French Toast • Sausage • Biscuits & Gravy • Coffee Cakes • Stollens • Fruit Applesauce • Ham • Salad Bar • Hash Brown Casserole • Puddings • Corn
Green Beans • Desserts • Juice • Lemonade • Coffee • Milk
_____________
Lutheran High School 3rd Annual Spring Fling Craft Fair
to be held February 25th from 9-3. Admission is canned food for Food Pantry. Join many of your favorite vendors for the opening of Spring and your one-stop shopping needs for: St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, July 4th, Teacher gifts, Birthday’s, Anniversaries, and Weddings. Concessions will feature a selection of food and drink to quench your appetite and thirst…plus a BAKE SALE! There is also a chance to win a DOOR PRIZE of several items donated by vendors.Did you know that Shopper’s Blessings has contributed $7,289,17 to the LuHi operating budget since July1?
Did you know that the program has contributed $6,469.60 to current and future students tuition accounts? Are you taking advantage of this great program? If not call Kim H. and get started today! We will be ordering Tuesday, January 17; Monday, January 23; and Monday, January 30th. Call Kim H. with any questions.
CUT
OUT ONE OF THE ABOVE OR BOTH AND EAT AT CHILI’S!!!!!
You get good food and get to help Lu- Hi at the same time!!!!!!!!
LUTHERAN COMMUNITY NEWS
Summer is coming quickly!!!
The new summer program is available for Camp CILCA on our website at
www.cilca.org. Take advantage of our early bird discounts and our new simple store online. Registration is much easier this year. Hope to see you this summer for another great adventure as we explore "Logos" God’s word to all people. Any questions feel free to call Rev. Johnson at 217-416-1833.Camp CILCA Men’s Retreat February 24-26
Cutting trees, fixing buildings, and splitting wood are the main focus of our men’s retreat. You do not have to be skilled in using a chainsaw, hammer, or a tractor to come to this event. Here at Camp CILCA we are asking for all able bodied men (18 years and older), who have a desire to serve Christ with their own sweat. The cost for this event is $25.00 and this will help pay for the materials needed to accomplish our goals. Camp CILCA’s men’s retreat also serves as a wonderful opportunity to explore God’s word as we will have morning and evening devotions/Bible studies and conclude with a Sunday worship service in the morning. To register or ask questions email at camp@cilca.org
"There is still room for people to join the Luther Tour from May 7-16, 2012. See most of the Luther sites as well as historic Rothenburg and spend a day in Berlin. If you are interested, please contact Dave Rohe at 217-793-1802, or email at drohe@cidlcms.org."
BELLS ARE RINGING FOR MARRIED COUPLES! Not church bell, not school bells not wedding bells, but wake up bells. Faith, knowledge and married love, WILL Grow if you hear the wake-up bell reminding you to go on a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next weekend date is February 17-19 in Quincy, Il. For further information
www.godlovesmarriage.orgGod’s Perfect Gift
During February we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day. This is a big occasion for card companies like Hallmark. Hallmark’s slogan is, "When you care enough to send the best, send a Hallmark." God cared enough to send His best, but it wasn’t just a card or even a messenger. Motivated by love for us, He sent His Son, not only the best, but the perfect gift (John 3:16). Let us seek to emulate God’s love by giving our very best.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that Your love is so great that You have withheld nothing. I thank You for the most indescribable gift, the gift of Your Son Who lived the perfect life and died and rose again so we can live as forgiven and redeemed people. In response to Your goodness, I return to You the gifts You’ve given me and offer You the praise that belongs to You. Help me to serve You by serving others. Through Christ, Who came not to be served but to serve, I pray. Amen.
Blessings on your stewardship journey!
Millie’s Chili Fundraiser
Starting February 26th Concordia’s Fellowship Group will be selling Millie’s 10 oz. chili bowls as a fund raiser for Lutheran High School debt that Concordia Lutheran Church owes as their payment to Lutheran High School.
These 10 oz. bowls will sell for $3.00 each. 4 bowls is a minimum order and there are 16 bowls in a case. Order forms will go out to the parents of Concordia students on Monday February 27th or will be available on Saturday February 25th and Sunday February 26th in the narthex.
If possible, make up orders with friends, neighbors or family – we will divide up orders at the time of pickup. Last orders will be taken on March 11th. Orders can be picked up Friday March 16th at 3:00 pm. Payment in full will be required at the time of pickup.
PS - Full cases will sell for $48
Any questions call: Vic M.