Redeemer Review 2015-09 - Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
Transcription
Redeemer Review 2015-09 - Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
R E L C - M S C , C S ! 2015 from the Pastor... V . 29 N . 7 Rev. Donald Jordan W K F? Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,'Get justice for me from my adversary.' And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'" Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" - Luke 18:1-8 Our Lord Jesus often taught his followers by using parables, a story with a point of comparison, in order to expound upon life in the kingdom of God. We learn from this Word of God that prayer to the Father is to be constant, unending, and persistent. We are not to lose heart, as if to give up on God and our life in His kingdom. Jesus tells us about this persistent widow who kept coming to an ungodly judge, requested vindication for the wrongs she suffered. This widow had no power or influence over the judge nor upon her adversary. Finally, after lots of pestering, the judge relents and grants her justice. Now, mark well that this judge is unjust, which is the point of comparison with God the Father who is the just judge. The elect of God, the believers, chosen by God in eternity through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are precious in his sight. The cries for vindication and mercy come from the elect, the chosen of God, throughout Scriptures. Christians face discouragement from their own weakness of sin and certainly live in a world that is hostile to the faith. We never believe that the church will conquer the world and that Christianity will rule supreme. We need the constant urging of Jesus in order to pray constantly and not to give up. This widow was persistent in the face of the unjust and ungodly judge. How much more are we to constantly come to our heavenly Father’s throne of grace, as the just judge of all, and implore His mercy in Christ. So, rejoice Christians. God has vindicated you speedily in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, for when Christ spoke these words his day of justice was near as the cross was not far away. When the Son of Man comes at the end of time the question will be answered. This rhetorical question, which urges faithfulness, is the key ingredient in the life of believers. Yes, Jesus will find faith in general when He comes again, but he desires to find a persistent, tenacious faith that pleads to the Father. Our Lord desires to increase our faith, “the faith” that never ceases to cry out day and night for all sorts of people and conditions. As we face the devil, world, and flesh, with a hostile world and false teachers within the church who mislead, we can persist and remain faithful. God will always hear and answer your cry according to His will and mercy. This faith will greet the Lord as he comes again to take us to himself, in body and soul in heaven. To sustain this faith we come persistently to Divine Service, to His Word and Sacrament, to receive from our just Father all good gifts in His Son, Jesus, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep coming and receiving from the Lord, for our God is decisive and certain of his promises to his elect children in Christ. Pastor Jordan C /Y A D R F S January 1, 2015 – July 31, 2015 All are welcome to our dinner meeting and study on Sunday, September 13, 5:00 p.m. Our video series, "Dying to Live" will be continued. Contact Pastor Jordan INCOME/EXPENSE – ACTUAL: TOTAL INCOME: $84,539.15 EXPENSES: Administration $73,277.75 Christian Education 266.24 Evangelism 248.60 Fellowship 323.78 Public Relations 417.44 Stewardship 0.00 Trustees $18,895.92 TOTAL EXPENSES: $93,429.73 BALANCE: $ -8,890.58 RETAINED EARNINGS $10,595.57 FINAL INCOME/EXPENSE BALANCE $1,704.99 ASSETS/LIABILITIES: CHURCH Directed Funds (TCB) $99,566.60 Operating Funds (TCB) $1,704.99 Mission Trust Fund (Thornburg) $225,460.63 Scholarship Fund (Stifel Nicolaus) $244,476.16 TOTAL CHURCH ASSETS/LIAB.: $571,208.38 TOTAL SCHOOL ASSETS: $40,508.51 TOTAL ASSETS/LIABILITIES: $611,716.89 S I $47,700.00 35% to Miss. Trust Inc. 3,000 Miss. $16,695.00 30% to Scholarship Fund $14531000 20% to Facilities Reserve Fund $9,540.00 10% to School Reserve Fund $4,770.00 5% to Musician & Concert $2,385.00 T B! C We will resume class on Thursday, September 3, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., as we finish the resurrection chapter of I Corinthians 15 and then begin a study on the book of Ecclesiastes. Pastor Jordan is the teacher and materials will be provided. M' B! S Our monthly men's Bible study resumes on Saturday, September 12, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m., continuing our study of law and gospel. Pastor Jordan is the teacher. C O M' S In an effort to better steward God's resources and to accommodate changing needs for the office manager, her hours have changed and are now Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with up to an hour for lunch. There will be some flexibility to those hours, which will not be less than 20 hours nor more than 30 hours per week, depending on the workload. When calling the office, please leave a message if there is no answer, as Jackie may be just out of earshot of the phone, but will gladly return your call as soon as possible. In case of an urgent matter, feel free to phone 228-4240 or 846-3331 during off hours. A S! G E A H H: F S, III: R ! Ec: W S: G B Allen - Evans Fratallone - Jordan Keil - Ryan Schaffer – Sweitzer Tefelski - Ziegler Submit articles, photos, or blurbs for the bulletins or newsletters in writing and place them in the office manager's box or send them by email to redeemerchicooffice@gmail.com. This will help to ensure their inclusion in the appropriate publication. L S R L T L H www.kkxx.net (live and podcasts) www.kkxx.net (live and podcasts) KKXX Chico, CA 930 AM Saturday/Sunday 1:00 PM KKXX Chico, CA 104.5 FM Saturday/Sunday 1:00 PM KKXX Chico, CA 930 AM Saturday/Sunday 1:30 PM KKXX Chico, CA 104.5 FM Saturday/Sunday 1:30 PM 2 C S H ! Ron Baving 343-7276 1730 Normal Ave Chico, CA 95928 Brita Besnard 894-7836 Roses & Ivy Elder Care 853 Manzanita Ct Chico, CA 95926 Ann Carney 894-7010 35 Morning Rose Way Chico, CA 95928 Shirley Christian Windsor Chico Care 188 Cohasset Lane, Chico, CA 95926 Hazel Hughes Jackie Eichelberger 343-5260 The Terraces 2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace Apt. 302 Chico, CA 95928 When visiting shut-ins, be mindful of their health and well being. Call ahead and keep your visit brief. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS Charlotte Cochrane Windsor Chico Care Center 188 Cohasset Ln. Chico, CA 95926 Gayle DeGarmo 891-3697 Riverside Point Convalescent 375 Cohasset Rd. Chico, CA 95926 Peggy Frerichs 566-1261 Chico Creek Care & Rehab 587 Rio Lindo Ave Chico, CA 95926 Edith McAvoy 345-5744 304 W 12th Ave Chico, CA 95926-2131 Louise Miller 566-9661 Windsor Chico Creek 587 Rio Lindo Ave, Room 34 Chico CA 95926 433-4717 8 Cloud Ct. Chico, CA 95928 Marie Rilea Chico Creek Care & Rehab 587 Rio Lindo Ave Chico, CA 95926 Afton Schukei 894-1010 Townsend House 10 Ilahee Lane Chico, CA 95973 Rosemary Smith 894-5308 Twin Oaks Rehab 1200 Springfield Dr. Chico, CA 95928 Lois Ziegler 1199 Diablo, Apt. 242 Chico, CA 95973 C S H, P T B , V P L W , S M H , F S B E G B *R ! Ec H H W S, F S, III B T 04 06 07 07 08 09 09 09 13 14 16 16 18 20 21 21 22 26 30 M Hg M R M J A S J C J R ! B S Mi S H S C C J M C Y A H Y W K Sg R ! T G B O Z M H ! SEPTEMBER BAPTISMAL DATES 01 06 13 16 27 30 D Wc D L P L B B R S M Hg 1 Budlee Court Chico, CA 95928 N./-0102134 Betty Fickert (510) 206-9991 R. D J , P Jc V, O M R. D B, O S S, H! C D *T B B H ! W S K S T W B Sg A H M H C M *D N MC R. R ! R. R ! B E *J B C M E Sgh A W L W T W B F g *L A J B S G *C H D S C T C V S W *C LWML - MM J MC - C -P K Sg - C -P E Sgh - V P L A - S M Sg - T H M The next blood drive is scheduled for November 15, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sign ups will begin 3 weeks before, in the parish hall. Please refrain from 3 donating after September 15 to prepare for your November 15 donation. The blood pressure screening for September is cancelled. B F g U H T S C: “W A B O T G ” LSB 953 C -C: Linda Allen and Carol Hall M!: Judy Brinson, Sherry Godsil, Diane Scott, Candy Thurman, Carol Varley, Shirley Wilson We all believe in one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Ever-present help in need, Praised by all the heav'nly host; All He made His love enfolds, All creation He upholds. We all believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Mary's son, Who descended from His throne And for us salvation won; By whose cross and death are we Rescued from all misery. We all confess the Holy Ghost, Who from both in truth proceeds, Who sustains and comforts us In all trials, fears, and needs. Blessed, holy Trinity, Praise forever be to Thee! This is a hymn that is a metrical paraphrase of the Apostle's Creed by Tobias Clausnitzer. It was first published in 1668. The translation is an altered form of that prepared by Catherine Winkworth, except that the altered form has been slightly updated. Tobias Clausnitzer (1619-1684) was born at Thurm, Saxony. He studied theology at Leipzig. He earned his Master of Arts degree at the age of 24. The following year he became chaplain to the Swedish regiment stationed in Leipzig during the Thirty Years' War. He preached the sermon at St. Thomas' Church to celebrate the accession of Christina to the Swedish throne. He became the first pastor at Weiden and subsequently a member of the consistory and inspector of the district. The tune, W ir Glauben A ll A n Einen Gott, is an anonymous tune, originally set to Clausnitzer's text in the Darmstadt Kirchengeangbuch (1699). The first official agenda of the Synod, directed the singing of Luther's metrical setting of the Nicene Creed (See LSB 954), this more simple text and tune became a popular alternate. We have one other Clausnitzer hymn in our hymnal: Blessed Jesus, At Your Word A 30 - 5 S P c R We hope that you will join us for the Potluck on Sunday, August 30th as we welcome our college students back for another year. The Fellowship Committee will provide grilled hot dogs and sausages with condiments. If you can bring a dish to share, please bring a salad, side dish or dessert. A sheet will be available in the Parish Hall to sign up so we have an idea how many will attend or you can call Linda Allen at 891-0489 to let us know what you'll bring. Hope to see you all there! S F g Each Sunday, a member of the BOF is responsible for the Fellowship Hour coffee and refreshments. We welcome and encourage church members to sign-up to assist with bringing food items and helping with cleanup if able. There is a sign-up sheet on your right as you enter the Parish Hall from the hallway. We appreciate the sign-ups as it assists in our planning for each Sunday. A D Sunday, December 6, following church service in the parish hall. Please mark your calendars now for this new event hosted by the Board of Fellowship. The plan is to have a complete meal (turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, etc....) at approximately 11:30 a.m. following service. We will provide the turkey but will be posting a sign-up sheet for many other food items. This event will be held in lieu of providing Soup/Suppers prior to the three Advent Services. More details to come. Serving Christ, the Fellowship Committee W ’ Kc Monday September 21 10:00 .. - 12:00 .. All ladies are invited to come and join us. This is a good time for us to get acquainted at Sharon Schaffert’s home. 627 Larch St. (Not too far from the church) Game Night! Friday, September 18 7:00 p.m. Call Sharon at 343-1596 Bring your favorite game! 4 C B A C thru at Wendy’s and hum along to “A Mighty Fortress is our God” or “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” This is a picture of what the church is in the world. Bells call Christians both to flee the world and to participate in the world. The worldliness and fallenness “out there” is precisely where the church ought to be loud and joyful and insistent with her message. Ultimately Christians do both: Flee the world and connect with the world. But we flee the world to save it. God calls us out of the world into the communion of the church to save us. The world is passing away, but there is a new world right in the midst of this dying place, the church, where Christ crucified is present and given as gift. This message and life is what the church engages the world with: new life right here in your midst. This is not easy. Ringing bells in this noisy culture we live in can seem futile. The cars rush past with their windows up. But we keep ringing for God is calling sinners to His church and the sweet music of the Gospel never fails to do its work. The Rev. Paul Gregory Alms is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Catawba, N.C. by Greg Alms on May 12, 2015 in Lutheran Witness, Web-exclusive Stories! The answer lies in the example of church bells. Church bells do two things. First, they call Christians to abandon the world and assemble for worship. They call out us to flee our normal routines, our day to day activities, and come to where Christ is present in mercy and life and join with angels and archangels in the feast that has no end. We are called out of the world to be the church and receive forgiveness from our crucified Savior. That is what the word “church” means in Greek. “Ecclesia” literally means “called out.” We abandon the world to be united to Jesus. Church bells seem an anachronism in today’s world. Church goers come from far distances and can’t hear the bells ringing, calling them to worship. That’s what Twitter and Facebook and email are for. The hymns that are often played at noon or 6:00 p.m. can’t be heard in the rush of traffic or through the sealed airconditioned cars buzzing past. But church bells can do one thing: It helps us think about the church’s relationship to the world around her. One of the most pressing issues of our time (and really anytime) for the church is how to relate the culture and world that surrounds us. The New Testament counsels us both to flee the things of the world (1 John 2;15) and to engage the world (Acts 1:8). The world is both the evil haunt of Satan (John 12:31) and the precious object of God’s redeeming love (John 12: 47). The church both conquers the world (1 John 5:4) and evangelizes the world (Matt. 28:20). This question is all the more urgent for us when society around us is less and less Christian and more and more unfriendly to Christianity. What are we to do? Flee the world or save it? But church bells do something else. They proclaim the message and existence of the church out into the world. There is an LCMS church in my area in (Augustana in Hickory, N.C.) that was once in the middle of farmland and pastures. It is now next door to a big shopping mall and surrounded by fast food stores and a busy highway. It has church bells and a carillon, and if you go at the right time you can sit in the drive- Tc Y Dear Redeemer Friends, Thank you so very much for your generous support, both prayers and financial, for Deaf Youth Ministry of Texas for the Second Quarter Mission Project. Your kindness in supporting this much-needed outreach to deaf teens is greatly appreciated. In Christian love, Dianne Wilkinson ÷ ÷ ÷ Dear Members of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thank you yet again for your generous help with reducing my student debt. You are a marvelous blessing to me and my family. In Christ, Rev. Tyrel Bramwell R Place your CRV recyclable plastic and aluminum beverage containers in the Parish Hall bins. Remove caps and crush. No milk jugs or other non CRV plastic bottles. 5 F P T U Since the last report, the trustees have been busy. The two largest projects that were completed are: • Painting of the office manager’s office. • Removal of four large trees on Moss Avenue in front of the school and trimming of other trees on the school property. • Repairing of the church AC so it can be more efficient and better cool the church. The following two large projects are scheduled for the future: • Replacement of the Lexan (plastic) protecting the stain glass “cross” window and the “rose” window. This project is scheduled to start September 9th. • Exterior painting of the church steeple and other exterior painting. This project is currently out for bids. LWML N As we move from summer to fall, I will share a little bit about our society and the Lutheran Women' s Missionary League. It is the main women's organization for the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. Many grants are supported through the means of mites and other fundraising projects. There are levels of mite projects/grants. National grants and district grants are voted on at conventions every two years. We meet at a zone level and congregational level to submit grants. The aim is to further the gospel and to provide opportunities for women in the church to work together, encourage each other, support each other, and fellowship with each other. Over the summer, we shared a collection of Kenyan dishes with the congregation after worship. Then a Bible study Saturday morning on "Standing on the Rock" was led by Linda Allen. We will meet next on Saturday, September 12th at 9:30 - 10:30 am for the reports and decisions portion. A Bible study/fellowship will follow. "Fear Not, For I am with You" The Mercy in Kenya journey will begin September 18th. There are many items being carried which have been collected. Thank you to all who support our missionaries, Rev. Dennis and Deaconess Lorna Meeker. We thank those who support Diakonia Compassionate Ministry and Rev. David Chuchu. Your Sister in Christ and Co-President Kathy Sweet 6 Hello fellow members of Redeemer, It is that time of year to ask our members to consider serving on a board or as an officer. I want to start off by thanking all those who served this year and in years past. We ask much of our congregation in so many ways and we have been blessed with helping hands and smiling faces time after time and year after year. The purpose of this request is to give everyone in the congregation the opportunity to serve if you wish to do so or feel called. Although there is work involved, the reward of helping and guiding our fellow members in the Body of Christ is tremendous. We are also asking specifically for anyone interested in serving as President for 2016. Please pray on this and consider this position, as we do need someone to fill the office of President. Thank you all for your service and for considering to serve our congregation and our Lord. If you are interested in, or have questions about the boards or officers, please contact Pastor Jordan or Terry Brinson. Yours in Christ, Steve Hall 2015 M A Our first quarter recipients were Christ Lutheran Church of Mt. Shasta and Pastor Tyrell Bramwell of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chester. Funds generated were $578.00 from mission envelopes, $3,000 from school rent and $1,529.84 in interest from the mission fund account. After applying gifts directly as specified, the monies were split between the two for a total of $2,554 and $2,625 respectively! The second quarter recipient was the Deaf Youth Ministry of Texas at Holy Three in One Lutheran Church and a sum from the above sources produced a total of $6,846. You can review that breakdown when referring to the letter of thanks received from this ministry. Our third quarter proceeds are supporting the broadcast of Pastor Jordan's sermons as well as the Lutheran Hour on KKXX radio station. It is such a great opportunity to have the airwaves carrying God's Word to those who are willing to receive such Biblical sustenance. A sincere thank you to all members who individually contributed to these worthy causes. To God be the glory and honor as he enables the generation of these blessings. T —F, F, F For some of us the use of communication to search out a relatively inexpensive tablet that could technology such as email, texting, Facebook, cloud be purchased for this use by the individual who was computing and storage, is all that we have known. For homebound or in a care facility. We were advised to others an electronic typewriter and push-button select a device that ran no lower than Android 4.4 (Kittelephone made life so much easier we couldn’t Kat), had about an 8” screen, was a known brand (not imagine the need for anything more. the $49 special offered on TV), and had 16GB of Whether you have resisted communication memory. We found an Acer Iconia 8” tablet on technology in any form, have gone kicking and Amazon. This is a refurbished tablet and bought screaming into learning how to use basic email and a together with a protective case came to approximately cellphone, or have embraced every new step in $100. technology and have a smartphone, laptop, tablet, read For those wanting to use their own personal device your newspaper and books in e-format, watch movies in a more intentional way, or when visiting a shut-in, and do your research via computer and never step foot there are several apps that are helpful in furthering in a library anymore, communication technology is Bible study and also apps for private devotions that here to stay. But the question we follow the offices of the day. Not all of these are free need to ask is whether or not we apps, though. use this technology responsibly This is a work in progress and will, no doubt, and as a tool both in our change as technology changes and more apps become personal life and in the life of available. It is, however, our initial attempt to use our congregation right here at communication technology as a tool, both for personal Redeemer Lutheran. use and for ministry to and with the homebound and This question came to light recently during a those in care facilities. Nothing takes the place of a discussion on visiting those who are no longer able to personal one-on-one visit, but just as you might have attend church due to either prolonged convalescence background music playing while visiting a friend, or after surgery or physical limitations that have made it share a devotional reading with them, using a tablet necessary for the individual to be homebound or in a allows you access to multiple resources in one easily residential care facility. manageable device and can add variety to visits. S g : Please feel free to ask questions if you want to • Can technology be a tool, what kind, and ease of explore this further by contacting Pat Lillie (530-345use? 5748 or lilliepm@sbcglobal.net), or contact the church • Is there already something available? for the “tech sheet” we have put together with the app • What would somebody, who had spent their life information. Your input, as you begin to look at ways within the fellowship of the Lutheran church, find to use technology as a tool, will be invaluable! helpful? • How would this be implemented? 2015 A C C Initial research revealed that while there really wasn’t anything already available as a preThursdays, 7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room packaged device, there were applications that Materials: could be put on various devices that could create Holy Bible (ESV or NKJV), Small Catechism, Didache (Pless) what we were envisioning and could be customized to an individual’s particular likes. August W 27 - Ch. 1 Listening to the Word of God g ! : September • read or hear the Bible read aloud 03 - Ch. 2, 3 The Law of God • hear the Sunday sermon 10 Ch. 4, 5, 6 The Apostle's Creed • listen to the music of the church 17 Ch. 7 The Lord's Prayer • hear or read a daily devotion 24 - Ch. 8 The Sacrament of Holy Baptism The devices we first tried various applications on were a Nook, a Kindle and a October smartphone. Not all applications worked on all 01 - Ch. 9 Confession/Absolution - Office of the Keys devices but most of them did. (Please note, that 08 - Ch. 10 The Sacrament of the Altar iPhones or iPads were not investigated, but many 15 - Ch. 11,12 Daily Prayers, Table of Duties - Conclusion of the apps may be available on the Apple 22 - Review Catechesis & Liturgy, Church Year, Hymnody 25 - Sunday Rite of Confirmation platform.) Finally, it was decided that it would be good 7 S Q M S A total of 6,846.09 was sent to the Deaf Youth Ministry of Texas, which consisted of $1,760.53 from mission envelopes, $2,085.56 from Mission Trust interest, and $3,000.00 from Mission Reserve. Below is a letter of thanks from Pastor Mark Seeger, brother of Dianne Wilkinson. 8 9 N N O - A 4, 2015 J M A C F n H S G J June 15, 2015 June 22, 2015 10 O<<=>1 M?/?@13’4 H.B34 TUE - THU, 8AM - 5 PM (1 hr. lunch) PG./1: 530-342-6085 E0?=I: redeemerchicooffice@gmail.com P?4K.3’4 E0?=I: pastordonaldjordan@gmail.com W12 AOO3144: www.redeemerchico.org Facebook: facebook.com/RedeemerLutheranChico If you would like to “Go Green” you can read the newsletter online at the NEWSLETTER page of www.redeemerchico.org, To be removed from our mailing list, send the front panel to: Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 750 Moss Ave, Chico, CA 95926 with the word “remove” written in the lower left corner or email redeemerchicooffice@gmail.com. September 2015 September 2015 750 Moss Avenue Chico, CA 95926 Missouri Synod Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church