Pastor John M. Taggatz, Jenna Otten, Secretary
February, 2013
Lela
Rehmer, Custodian Kevin Kahle,
Groundskeeper
Church
Web Site: www.stjohnbaldwin.ctsmemberconnect.net
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Serving on the Altar Guild
for February are: Geri Stolte & Diane Luthy
Ushers for the Month of February are:
CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE…
(618) 785-2344 (or)
(618) 785-2602
-When a member of your family is admitted to the hospital, so a visit can be made by
Pastor Taggatz.
- When your group
plans to hold a meeting, so it can be
cleared and placed on the church calendar.
-When your home
or business phone number or address is changed,
so church records can be corrected.
- When you are
planning to move either out of town or
locally.
- When you know you are pregnant so that we will be able to
assist you in any way we can with prayers, encouragement and support.
- When a new baby arrives in your family or in the family of
another church member.
- When you are planning a wedding or baptism.
“I Am Baptized! The Life of a Believer as We Enter into the
Season of Lent”
Recently I was reading the writings of some of our Lutheran
forefathers, Rev. CFW Walther and Rev. J.K. Wilhelm Loehe . These sainted Pastors and theologians of the
Christian faith remind us what it means to be a Christian living in a fallen
world, not only as we continue into this new year of 2013, but also as we enter
into the penitential season of Lent, where we are reminded by extra
opportunities for worship and meditation in God’s Word on the life, passion,
death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the great
sacrifice on Calvary’s cross that He made for us by laying down His life for
the forgiveness of our sins. Here are
the two writings I think that you’ll find beneficial for your own spiritual
life as we begin to enter into the season of Lent.
“Should the Christian
stand all day long at the grave of all joys which he enjoyed in past
years? Through Holy Baptism a great
stream of joy has been conducted in his heart, which does not drain away, but
streams forward with his life until its waves carry him into the sea of a
blessed eternity. Should the Christian
be reminded all day long that the flowers of his youth fall more and more? He stands planted by God in the water of his
Baptism as a palm tree which becomes greener and greener and whose leaves never
wither. Yes, his Baptism makes death for
him like a short winter’s nap, out of which an eternal spring—an eternal
youth—follows.
For Baptism is a bath
that washed me not only once when I received it—washed me pure with Christ’s
blood—but it continuously washes me clean even daily for as long as I hold it
in faith. For just as that same water of
the flood drowned the sinners, but Noah with his relatives were brought to
salvation and carried to Mount Ararat, so also did the water of my Baptism drown
my sins, but my soul was brought to the eternal mountain of divine grace. And just as once those same waves of the Red
Sea, which swallowed up Pharaoh and his army, were a protective wall for
Israel, so also has my baptismal water swallowed up all of my damnation and is
for me a sure wall before God’s wrath and punishment…
Now then, all of you
who believe in God’s Word, let your watchword for entering the new year be
this: “I am baptized!” Although the
world may laugh at this comfort, the enthusiasts vex its confidence…nevertheless,
abandon any other delay held pledges and speak only throughout the entire year
to come, in all terrors of conscience and necessity through sin and death: I am baptized! I am baptized! Hallelujah!
And you shall prevail! In every
time of need, you will find comfort in your Baptism; on account of it Satan
will flee from your faith and confession; and in death you will see heaven
opened and will finally come into the joy of your Lord to celebrate a great
year of jubilee, a year of praise, with
al the angels forever and ever. Amen.
[Writing from CFW Walther, “Sermon for New
Year’s Day (1845),” in Licht des Lebens:
Ein Jahrgang von Evangelien Predigten (St. Louis: Concorida, 1905), 90-92,
95. Translated by Jon D. Vieker.]
“In worship the
congregation experiences its Lord most intimately. Here it lives in nearest proximity to its
Groom (Jesus) in a heavenly life on earth, an earthly life in heaven. Worship is the most beautiful flower of
earthly life. Just like land in the
middle of an ocean, the Word and the Sacraments stand in the inner life and
worship of the congregation. You have
one week behind you, a new week lies in front of you. Between these two weeks is the day of
Communion Sunday. Your desire to draw
near to God with the congregation. What
do you do, whether you are a shepherd or a sheep, have to do first? You do what all religions say is necessary
for the soul: you cleanse it like feet
that have become dirty from the activity of daily life. In other words, you prepare yourself for
worship by confessing your sins and receive absolution. Being cleansed from sin, you enter into the
joys of the particular festival day or Sunday.
But the worship finds that earth still has other burdens and sorrows,
bot present and future. Life, death, and
eternity, with all of their bitter fruits and consequences, threaten you as you
journey to the heavenly kingdom. Worries
burden you and keep burdening you. But
no longer does sin torture you, no longer do you fear evil, no longer do you
sigh longingly, but joyful confidence fills your soul. You sit beneath the face of the Lord. In the sermon you begin to experience the
blessed communion of the saints who rejoice in the Lord. The worshiping congregation experiences itself
as the Bride of the Lord, rich not only in and through Him but also in and
through one another. The congregation,
in its fullness, thinks of the special needs and miseries upon the earth,
delights in all good things, and goes before the altar of the Lord with
intercessions, petitions, and prayers.
All worshipers are blessed and approach the throne of blessing knowing
they are worthy. The worshipers realize
that the Church is one unity both here and everywhere. Pilgrims are one in their prayers and are
cleansed with all of the blessed saints in heaven.” [Writing from Wilhelm Loehe, Agende, in Gesammelte Worke, Ed. Klaus Ganzert, vol. 7/1 (Neuendetteslau;
Freimund, 1986), 12-15. Translated by
David Ratke.]
See You in Church,
<+><
Pastor Taggatz
Reminder, the Season of Lent Coming Up
2013 ST. JOHN LENTEN MIDWEEK SERVICES
Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Church’s penitential
season of Lent, begins on Wednesday Feb. 13th. We will be having a service that evening
at 7pm with Holy Communion. Following
Wednesday Feb. 13th we will be having our Lenten Midweek services on
Wednesday evenings from Feb. 20th through March 20th at
7pm. Please Note: Due to the
Lenten Midweek Series Confirmation & Pre-confirmation will be meeting at
different times on Wednesdays.
Pre-Confirmation will be meeting at 4:30pm and Confirmation will be
meeting at 5:30 pm…
Here is a description and summary of what the Lenten
Midweek series is about. The concept for
this series was inspired by the Book of Concord:
Such matters also
concern the laity and the salvation of their souls. Therefore we also confess
Dr. Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms as they are included in Luther’s works.
They are “the layman’s Bible” because everything necessary for a Christian to
know for salvation is included in them, which is handled more extensively in
the Holy Scriptures. (FC Ep I 5)
Many people choose to give up something for
Lent. Instead, you may want to take on something for your Lenten discipline and
our Lenten Midweek series this year is a good time to do this. You may want to
read the Six Chief Parts of Christian Doctrine from Luther’s Small Catechism
each day according to the following schedule:
Monday—The Ten Commandments
Tuesday—The Apostles’ Creed
Wednesday—The Lord’s Prayer
Thursday—The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Friday—Confession
Saturday—The Sacrament of the Altar
Sunday—Daily Prayers, Table of Duties, or
Christian Questions with Their Answers
You may also choose to read Luther’s Large Catechism during
Lent, focusing on one chief part each week.
Lenten Midweek Series—Taking On Something for Lent:
Luther’s Catechisms
1.
Feb. 13th,
2013—Ash Wednesday: The Greatest of These Is Love: The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1–17
2.
Feb. 20th,
2013—Lenten Midweek 2: This I Believe: The Apostles’ Creed 1 Corinthians 15:3–8
3.
Feb. 27th,
2013—Lenten Midweek 3: Our Father Who Is in Heaven: The Lord’s Prayer Matthew 6:9–13
4.
March 6th, 2013—Lenten Midweek 4:
The Washing of Regeneration: Holy Baptism Matthew 28:18–20
5.
March 13th,
2013—Lenten Midweek 5: We Are Forgiven: The Office of the Keys John 20:19–23
6.
March 20th,
2013—Lenten Midweek 6: We Eat a Holy Supper: The Sacrament of the Altar Matthew 26:26–28
7.
March 28th,
2013—Maundy Thursday: On the Night When He Was Betrayed 1 Corinthians 11:23–32
8.
March 29th,
2013—Good Friday: It Is Finished John 19:30
9.
March 31st,
2013—Easter Sunday: Don’t Seek the Living among the Dead Luke 24:1–6a
“How
Much Is Too Much?”
Six days before
the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus
had raised from the dead. So they gave a
dinner for Him there. Martha served, and
Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive
ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet
with her hair. The house was filled with
the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas
Iscariot, one of His disciples (he who was about to betray Him), said, ‘Why was
this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’”
(John 12:1-5)
Can you
picture this scene in your mind? It’s
about a week before the Crucifixion (although only Jesus knows that), and
Christ is visiting at the home of His good friends, Lazarus and his
sisters. Lazarus is there at the table
with Jesus, being served by Martha, who has prepared and now sets before them
one of her feasts for which she was undoubtedly famous. But where is Mary? She should be helping her sister! Instead she is kneeling before Jesus with a
pint of expensive perfume, and she pours the whole bottle on His feet.
The
Bible says, “The house was filled with
the fragrance of the perfume.” You
can imagine it was! You can see the
heads swivel. “Where is that aroma
coming from?” And then the gasps as they
realize what she’s done. This is not
wealthy family, after all. “Isn’t this a
little excessive,” they wonder. But it’s
Judas who speaks – and not at all favorably:
“Why was this ointment not sold
for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
Judas and Mary
were not on the same wavelength at all.
For Mary, nothing was enough for her Lord. This extravagant act could only hint at the
depth of devotion in her heart. Judas,
on the other hand, was devoted only to Judas.
Verse 6 enlightens us: He said this, not because he cared about the
poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to
help himself to what was put into it.”
Would
it be too offensive to say that we, too, are thieves? Have we ever withheld from the Lord what was
His – for isn’t it all His? Aren’t we
also deceivers at times, pretending to have concern for others when we really
have only our own interests at heart?
Mary loved and worshiped her Lord even before she knew He would give His
life to save her from her sins. We who
are on the other side of Calvary must have an even greater sense of
gratitude. Let us ask the Lord’s
forgiveness for our selfish and cold hearts and His enablement to give of
ourselves and our resources without restraint.
We remember in our prayers—[If
you would like to add to our prayer list please call Pastor Taggatz at:
618-785-2344.] “Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a
righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)
In your prayers this month,
pray for the Church; For the sanctity of all human life, both young and old and
that we as the church would continue to defend those who can’t speak up for
themselves; For missionaries who bring God’s Word to the nations, Rev. Tim
& Lisa Beckendorf of Lutheran Bible Translators to Botwsana, Africa &
Nicole Decker who is a missionary to South Africa. For those who are ill,
awaiting, or recovering from surgery: We pray especially for: Sally Fadler,
Karen Willis, Linda Nagel, Lee Hogandobler, Evan Saldana, & Margaret Dixon,
the grandmother of Nicki Buch, Tessa Deffenbaugh, the infant daughter to the
friends of Danny & Tammy Moll, & Gene Loucks, a brother in law to the
Spier family, and for Hayden Smith, a friend of Christa Poynor, all who are
battling serious illnesses. For Krista
Hammel, Joyce Schmoll, & Jennifer Sievers, the daughter of Geri Stolte,
that they would be healed in the midst of their illness. For Gerald Koester, as he continues to
heal. For Cameron Buch and Diercks
Stamm, as they heal from their injuries and for Gail Schillinger, the Aunt of
Roxanne Taggatz, & Julia Kahle as they recover from surgery that they
recently had, for Floyd Camp, as he continues to be under his doctor’s care. For Roger Schoenbeck, as he continues to
receive medical care. For all of those
who are unemployed or underemployed, that they would be able to find suitable
work to support themselves and their families.
For those who are in nursing homes or homebound.
BIBLE
STUDIES AT ST. JOHN—
Sunday Mornings
(8:45 a.m.) “Martin Luther’s Catechisms”
Location: The Church Sanctuary
Wednesday
Mornings (10 a.m.) “The Book of
Ecclesiastes”
Location: In the
St. John School
The goals of this study of the Book of Ecclesiastes
are to discover the truths of Solomon, the wisest of men, and to guide students
deeply into all of the Bible so that they may obtain all of the spiritual
riches of our Savior from sin, Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today,
and forever. We will learn to enjoy the
gifts of God that He gives to us spiritually and physically, “I know that there is nothing better for me
than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink,
and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes
3:12–13)
LYF UPDATE—
-On Sunday Feb. 3rd,
2013—The LYF will be having a meeting after Church until 1pm.
-On Sunday Feb. 10th,
2013—The LYF will be having their Chicken & Dumpling Dinner from
11am-1:30pm.
If you have any
questions about LYF email our Youth Director Fleta Junge: tfjunge@htc.net /call 282-4642 or 618-444-2764.
Remember: Every 3rd Sunday of the
month we are praying for people who are in the military. If you have a relative or friend who is an
armed serviceman and woman in our Nation’s military please let the Church know
so that we may be able to pray for them on the third Sunday of the month.
618-853-7300 www.coslhs.org
Girls Only Lock In: Christ
Our Savior FBLA is planning a Girls Only Lock In for 6th to 8th
grade girls on February 17th. Girls are encouraged to save the date
and make plans now to attend. Watch for more details about this lock in and a
separate lock in for boys.
Early Registration: January is the time when high school
students typically register for the next school year. The Christ Our Savior early registration deadline for 2012-2013 is
February 1, 2013. The registration fee is $150 for those who register and pay
the fee before the deadline. Please contact the school office for more
information.
Volunteers Needed: COS
has a special need of volunteers willing to use their gifts to update our
school improvement and technology plans. COS
is thankful for all who have used their gifts to bless our school.
Zuehla
Rowold Laverna Luthy
Red Bud Nursing
Home Three Springs N. Home
350 W. South 1st 161 Three Springs Rd. Red Bud ,
IL 62278 Chester , IL 62233
Opal &
Leland Luthy
Red Bud Nursing
Home
350 W. South 1st
Red Bud, IL 62278
Dorothy Junge Russell Mahan
Baldwin, IL 62217 350 W. South 1st
Red Bud, IL 62278
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Regular Council
Meeting --Jan. 8th, 2013
Pastoral Acts from Dec.12th
‘12 through Jan. 8th, 2013—
-Regular
Saturday & Sunday worship responsibilities
-4 Bible
Study class sessions (Sunday mornings)
- 15
Homebound visits
-1
Member visit
- 3
Spiritual Care meetings
-1 Red Bud Nursing Home Chapel—Jan.
6th, 2013
-1
COSLHS Chapel service—Jan. 8th, 2013
-2 COSLHS meetings—Dec. 13th,
2012 & Jan. 3rd, 2013
-Attended Pastor’s Circuit
Meeting at St. John Sparta on Jan. 8th, 2013
-1 Campus Bible Study that I’ve
taught at SWIC Belleville Campus on Dec. 14th, 2012
-Covered calls for Pastor
Lukomski at St. Paul’s in New Athens & Trinity Darmstadt from Dec. 26th,
2012-Jan. 2nd, 2013
Covering Calls
for Pastor MacDougall—Jan. 31, 2013-Feb. 6, 2013.
Pastor
Taggatz’s vacation dates for 2013—
-I ask that Feb. 14th-18th,
2013 that I have time off to go to Bemidji, MN for a baptism of my brother and
sister-in-law’s new baby.
-Also, that I be able to take
vacation this Summer from Sun. June 11th -23rd,
2013. This would mean that I would have
three Sundays off for this year. If this
is a problem, I would be willing to pay out of my own pocket for the extra
Sunday our church would need a guest preacher.
I have been
asked to be Pastor of the Week @ Camp Wartburg from June 30th-July 6th,
2013—This will be the 4th week that I’ll be Pastor of the
Week at the Camp. At camp I will lead
the children in numerous chapel services, also I will lead the camp counselors
in 2 Bible Studies that week, as well as be available for the spiritual care of
the campers and the counselors during the week.
While I’m at camp I will still fulfill my responsibilities that I have
here at St. John like I’ve done in the past (i.e. Making calls, visiting the sick &
homebound, sermon prep, office time, etc…)
Our Congregation will need to vote on who we want to be on the ballot
for Synodical President and Vice President before the middle of Feb. 2013. I suggest that we make the vote at the
end of the month on Jan. 27th, 2013.
Special Elders Workshop on Feb. 10th. With
Rev. Timothy Mech, the Author of “Pastors and Elders Caring for One Another,”
from CPH and also a DOXOLOGY graduate (the same program that Pastor Taggatz is
in) will be teaching on Pastor’s and Elders working together in the Church. It will be from 3pm-7pm at St. John Red Bud
with a meal included in the cost. I will
let you know how much it will cost to attend.
Harry Wetzel and I will be putting something together from
our DOXOLOGY gathering this past November 2012 that we attended. It will
be presented in Feb. of 2013.
Door Offerings @ St. John for 2013—
-Issues Etc. Radio program (in
January 2013)
-Operation Blessing (through our
Lutheran Ministerial Alliance of Churches that goes through St. John Sparta,
IL) (in March 2013)
-SIGHT
Ministry Center (in May 2013)
-Rev. Tim & Lisa Beckendorf of
Lutheran Bible Translators in Botswana, Africa (in July 2013)
We Believe,
Teach and Confess.
Formula of
Concord: Epitome
Article 6— The Third Use of God’s Law
Introductory Note: God uses His
Law in three ways: to maintain external discipline in society, to lead us to
recognize our sin, and to guide Christians so that they will know what is
pleasing to Him. These three functions, or uses, of the Law are often described
as a curb, mirror, and a rule. Because the old sinful flesh clings to us until
we die, we Christians need the Law as a guide for works that are pleasing to
God and are appointed by God for us to do. Otherwise, we would simply dream up
or imagine things pleasing to God. There are not three Laws, but one Law with
three functions. God uses His Law among us in three distinct ways to accomplish
His will.
The Chief Question in This
Controversy
1 The Law was given to people for three reasons: (1)
that by the Law outward discipline might be maintained against wild,
disobedient people; (2) that people may be led to the knowledge of their sins
by the Law; and (3) that after they are regenerate and ‹much of› the flesh
still cleaves to them, they might on this account have a fixed rule according
to which they are to regulate and direct their whole life. A dissension has
arisen between a few theologians about the third use of the Law, namely,
whether it is to be taught to regenerate Christians. The one side has said Yes;
the other, No.
Affirmative Statements
The True Christian Teaching about This Controversy
2 1. We
believe, teach, and confess that, even though people who are truly believing
‹in Christ› and truly converted to God have been freed and exempted from the
curse and coercion of the Law, they are still not without the Law on this
account. They have been redeemed by God’s Son in order that they may exercise
themselves in the Law day and night ([Psalm 1:2;] Psalm 119). Even our first
parents before the fall did not live without Law. They had God’s Law written
into their hearts, because they were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27;
2:16–17; 3:3).
3 2. We
believe, teach, and confess that the preaching of the Law is to be encouraged
diligently. This applies not only for the unbelieving and impenitent, but also
for true believers, who are truly converted, regenerate, and justified through
faith.
4 3.
Although believers are regenerate and renewed in the spirit of their mind, in
the present life this regeneration and renewal is not complete. It is only
begun. Believers are, by the spirit of their mind, in a constant struggle
against the flesh. They struggle constantly against the corrupt nature and character,
which cleaves to us until death. This old Adam still dwells in the
understanding, the will, and all the powers of humanity. It is necessary that
the Law of the Lord always shine before them, so that they may not start
self-willed and self-created forms of serving God drawn from human devotion.
The Law of the Lord is also necessary so that the old Adam [Romans 6:6] may not
use his own will, but may be subdued against his will. This happens not only by
the warning and threatening of the Law, but also by punishments and blows, so
that a person may follow and surrender himself as a captive to the Spirit. (See
1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 6:12; 7; 12; Galatians 5; 6:14; Psalm 119; Hebrews
13:21; 12:1.)
5 4. Now,
consider the distinction between the works of the Law [Galatians 2:16] and the
fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5:22–23]. We believe, teach, and confess that
the works of the Law are those that are done according to the Law. They are
called works of the Law as long as they are only forced out of a person by
teaching the punishment and threatening of God’s wrath.
6 5.
Fruits of the Spirit, however, are the works wrought by God’s Spirit, who
dwells in believers. The Spirit works through the regenerate. These works are
done by believers because they are regenerate ‹spontaneously and freely›. They
act as though they knew of no command, threat, or reward. In this way God’s
children live in the Law and walk according to God’s Law. St. Paul calls this
the “law of Christ” and the “Law of my mind” in his letters. (See Romans
7:23–25; 8:7; 8:2 [; Galatians 6:2].)
7 6. The
Law is and remains—both to the penitent and impenitent, both to regenerate and
unregenerate people—one and the same Law. It is God’s unchangeable will. The
difference, as far as obedience is concerned, is only in the person. For one
who is not yet regenerate follows the Law out of constraint and unwillingly
does what it requires of him (as also the regenerate do according to the
flesh). But the believer, so far as he is regenerate, acts without constraint
and with a willing spirit to do what no threat of the Law ‹however severe›
could ever force him to do.
Negative Statements
False Contrary Doctrine
8 We
reject the teaching that the Law must not be applied to Christians and true
believers (in the way and degree mentioned above) but only to unbelievers,
non-Christians, and the unrepentant. Such a teaching would be erroneous, which
harms and conflicts with Christian discipline and true godliness.
Concordia :
The Lutheran Confessions. 2005 (Edited by Paul Timothy McCain) (485–487).
St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.
The deadline for getting articles and reports
in to be included in the Newsletter is the 18th
of every month.
Do You Have a Question? There
are tracts in the narthex that may be able to help… Take a moment as you come into church to
check out the Lutheran Hour Ministries tract rack. These pamphlets are free for you to take
home. You may see one that would be
interesting, maybe not for yourself, but for a friend or relative who is
experiencing or questioning a particular topic.
Giving through THRIVENT
CHOICE to St. John for Dec. ‘12 –Jan. ‘13— I am pleased to announce
that our giving through the Thrivent Choice program for November has amounted
to:
$21.00… -Total amount our church has received from the Thrivent
Choice program since Jan. 2012: $3,651.00.
***Special notice regarding the Thrivent
Choice Program:
You might
have already received notice of a change in the Thrivent Choice program by
mail, but just in case you haven’t there is some important information for you
to know about. This year of 2012 all
Thrivent members wishing to continue their automatic withdrawal to the charity
of their choice will have to let Thrivent know either by mail or phone. It only needs to be done once for this
year. To continue to direct your
Choice Dollars to the charity of your choice call: 800-THRIVENT
(800-847-4836) and state "Thrivent Choice."
SPECIAL FAMILY NIGHT
Friday Feb. 22nd @ 6pm! The
next special family night at our church will be on Friday Feb. 22nd
from 6-8:30pm. These family nights
will be informal with opportunities for the children to play and for families
to fellowship with one another while doing a variety of activities and having a
few treats as well. There will also be a
special devotion from God’s Word for everyone.
Come join us for a fun and exciting time!!!
The 2013 Offering
Envelopes may be picked up at the table in the front of the church.
Are you or a family
member…coping with grief and loss… stressed out by financial issues… dealing
with family or marital problems? Lutheran Child and Family Services of
Illinois’ professional licensed counselors can help. They provide individual,
couple, marital and family counseling to help address these types of
situations. Insurance is accepted. Call: 800-363-LCFS (5237) to schedule a FREE confidential initial consultation. LUTHERAN CHILD & FAMILY
SERVICES IN SPARTA HAS MOVED With the closing of the Nice Twice Thrift Shop, Lutheran Child and
Family Services moved its office to 1107 N. Market in Sparta.
Special Request on the Use of
Beverages & Candy in Church-We are asking that members please do not bring
adult beverages into the church sanctuary, this includes:
coffee,
tea, soda, etc. (The use of communion wine is GOOD, since it's the very blood
of our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins J). Sippy cups for children are
ok, as long as there is a lid on them.
Also, please do not bring sticky candy into church; the use of goldfish,
Cheerios, & graham crackers is ok.
Thanks for your compliance in this matter. This will help keep our church sanctuary
looking clean for years to come.
DEFENDING LIFE FROM BEGINNING TO END…Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran
Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.
Topics include: God’s Gift of Life, Miscarriage, The 40th
Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, The Incarnation & Human Life, Medical Ethics
and more. You can tune in LIVE weekdays from 3-5 p.m. on KFUO, 850 AM in
St. Louis. You can also listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org.
Lutheran
Hour Ministry Broadcasts—To
listen to broadcasts of the Lutheran Hour Radio Program tune in to: 850 AM KFUO
St. Louis, MO on Sundays at 12:30pm and 5pm.
Can’t tune into your radio at this time? You can also listen to podcasts
of the Lutheran Hour through your computer or Mp3 player. Go to this website to find out more: http://www.lhm.org/podcasts/default.asp
Podcasting is a
new and easy way to listen to your favorite Lutheran Hour Ministries programs
and resources when you want. Podcasts are audio files you can download
automatically, free of charge, to your computer, then transfer to your portable
MP3 player.
Lutheran Hour Sermon Schedule in February
2013
February
3—"When Life Overwhelms, God Provides"
Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz. Life is hard, but God provides real strength to face everyday struggles. (Jeremiah 1)
Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz. Life is hard, but God provides real strength to face everyday struggles. (Jeremiah 1)
February
10—"Do You Need a Miracle Today?" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev.
Gregory Seltz. Jesus' miraculous Transfiguration
tells us God is very real and He sent Jesus to help you in your time of need. (Luke 9:28-36)
February
17—"Overcoming Temptation with the Word" Lutheran Hour Speaker: Rev. Gregory Seltz. Jesus countered Satan's temptations with the
power of God's Word. He is the Savior for all who are overwhelmed by their sin
and failures. (Luke 4:1-13)
February
24—"Never Alone" Speaker Emeritus of The
Lutheran Hour: Rev. Ken Klaus. Jesus
understands our loneliness, but we will never fully comprehend his. (Psalm 25:16)
2013 Lenten Devotions from Lutheran
Hour Ministries
FROM
THE CRADLE TO THE EMPTY GRAVE
Just weeks ago we celebrated Christmas looking at the
birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. We heard angel announcements, and Holy
Spirit inspired prophecies that revealed so much about the identity and work of
this special Child.
But just as
babies aren't meant to stay in a cradle forever, Jesus was not meant to stay in
that manger forever. We have to let Him grow up in our minds- just as He did in
real life.
When we left the Christmas story Jesus was growing up
with Mary and Joseph in the town of Nazareth, far north of Bethlehem and
Jerusalem, the capital city of Judea. Now we pick up His story with one last
childhood recollection, before moving on to consider the man Jesus. Following
His life and ministry we will unfold the reasons He was born in Bethlehem in the
first place, and see the great work He came to do for all of us.
Join us in the coming weeks, as Jesus fulfills His
destiny making His way to the cross and empty tomb.
Available
to read online at: http://www.lhm.org/lent/dailydevotions.asp or to hear as a podcast at: http://www.lhm.org/podcasts/ The Lenten
devotions, “FROM THE CRADLE TO THE EMPTY GRAVE,” can also be received as an e-mail subscription at:
http://www.lhm.org/email/register.asp The devotions begin Ash
Wednesday February 13th, 2013. If you
don’t have a computer and would like to be able to get these devotions, we can
print one off for you in the church office.
Feel free to give us a call if you’d like one.
ATTENTION LADIES! THE WOMEN’S DAY OF RENEWAL—The theme this year is, “Grounded and Rooted in Christ,” based on Ephesians 3:14-21. It will be on March 8-9, 2013 with Key Note
Speaker: Donna Pyle. The event will be held at Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church in Collinsville. The $25 registration fee needs to be paid by
Jan. 31. This includes a continental breakfast & lunch on Sat. the
keynote speaker is Donna Pyle who is a soul-stirring author, bible teacher,
& worship leader. The day will also include two workshops of your choice.
Sat. March 9th, the doors open at 7:45a.m., the opening is at 8:45
a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Anyone interested in attending contact Geri Stolte
at 785-2501.
UPDATE ON LADIES AID—Our
Ladies Aid met on Jan. 3rd,
Pastor Taggatz led the topic on the hymn by John Newton, “Amazing Grace”. A
donation of $50 was given to the LWML as an Epiphany Gift. The next Ladies Aid meeting will be Thursday
Feb. 7th, 2013 @ 7pm. Please
come and join us; all women of our congregation are welcome to come!
YOUR LUTHERAN RADIO STATION
850 KFUO LAUNCHES NEWS PROGRAM…World Lutheran
News(WLN) Digest launches Saturday, January 26 at 9:30am CST, a weekly thirty
minute concise, reliable source of timely news for the global Lutheran
Church. The WLN Digest Minute is broadcast daily at 5:04pm and
8:24am CST. Listen at KFUO 850 AM, on-demand
and archived and KFUO.org. Check us out! Like and follow us on
Facebook.
LC-MS Illinois district presidents sign
letter supporting traditional marriage
By Vicki Biggs
In advance of an anticipated vote in the Illinois Senate on a same-sex "marriage" law, three LCMS Illinois district presidents joined Roman Catholic, Muslim and Mormon church leaders in signing an open letter to Illinois lawmakers in support of the traditional definition of marriage and religious freedom.
In advance of an anticipated vote in the Illinois Senate on a same-sex "marriage" law, three LCMS Illinois district presidents joined Roman Catholic, Muslim and Mormon church leaders in signing an open letter to Illinois lawmakers in support of the traditional definition of marriage and religious freedom.
The Rev. Timothy J. Scharr,
president of the LCMS Southern Illinois District; the Rev. Dan P. Gilbert,
president of the LCMS Northern Illinois District; and the Rev. Mark A. Miller,
president of the LCMS Central Illinois District, signed the letter, released
Wednesday, Jan. 2, urging Illinois lawmakers to reject legislation that would
alter the definition of marriage from anything but the union of one man and one
woman.
This action was taken as
Illinois Senator Heather Steans announced plans to introduce the Religious
Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act to legalize same-sex "marriage"
after the state senate reconvened Wednesday. If the act is passed, Illinois would
become the 10th state to legalize same-sex "marriage."
"The signatories are
unanimous in agreeing that God created marriage as the union of man and
woman," Scharr said. "This is not a sectarian issue, but one rooted
in natural law that ultimately impacts everyone in the state."
In the letter, the signatories
counter the oft-quoted claim that the principal threat to religious freedom is
the possibility of ministers being forced to officiate at same-sex
"weddings."
The leaders write: "The
notion that the exercise of religious freedom is confined to the interior of
churches, synagogues, temples or mosques or what one does on Holy Days is wrong
and dangerous. The freedom of religion also extends to the ministries of
religious organizations and to the individual conscience. Thus, the real peril:
If marriage is redefined in civil law, individuals and religious organizations
-- regardless of deeply held beliefs -- will be compelled to treat same-sex
unions as the equivalent of marriage in their lives, ministries and operations."
They added that
"compulsion of this nature is a violation of personal conscience and of
religious liberty."
To read the letter go to: http://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=2115
The Fifth Commandment—You
shall not murder.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor
in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.
The recent murders in Connecticut have spawned debates about the growing
violence within American society. Debates include gun control, mental health,
school security, and parental responsibility. Most experts recommend action by
local, state, or federal governments to better secure our society—legislate new
laws to protect our children, more aggressive intervention for the emotionally
disturbed, more oversight by social welfare agencies, but few, if any, have
addressed the acts of murder as a moral and spiritual problem.
Simply put, the experts do not include sin and the old nature. The Bible
records the first murder in Genesis chapter 4, “And Cain talked about Abel his
brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up
against Abel his brother, and slew him.” Not long into mankind’s history do we
encounter murder, and not much has changed.
The old nature’s inclinations are close at hand every moment of every day.
Scriptures exhort the wise to flee temptation; yet, to flirt with sin is
titillating and stimulates the worst within us. Even those who do not process
evil from a Christian perspective recognize the danger of a society that
inoculates itself to violence and stimulates the passions within by vicarious
means.
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, author of “On Killing: The Psychological Cost of
Learning to Kill in War and Society,” writes in 1996,
In video arcades children stand slack jawed but intent behind
machine guns and shoot at electronic targets that pop up on the video screen.
When they pull the trigger the weapon rattles in their hand, shots ring out,
and if they hit the “enemy” they are firing at, it drops to the ground, often
with chunks of flesh flying in the air.[1]
Grossman goes on to say, This new “pseudo reality” will make it possible
to replicate all the gore and violence of popular violent movies, except now
you are the one who is the star, the killer, the slayer of thousands.[2]
He concludes by saying, That force [innate rebellion against killing]
has existed in man throughout recorded history, and military history can be
interpreted as a record of society’s attempt to force its members to overcome
their resistance in order to kill more effectively in battle.[3]
Following the massacre in Connecticut, Lt. Col. Grossman shared his
concerns about the desensitizing of our society to violence via movies,
television, and video games. I, for one, appreciate his call for less violence
within the media; however, what Grossman fails to see is what faith reveals.
That is, the innate force within mankind is not rebellion against killing; but,
on the contrary, the old nature seeking to satisfy bloodlust.
Without God’s intervention there would be no moments of safety, peace,
and tranquility; rather, the constant world state would be violence, murder,
and massacre. No human laws, ordinances, or constraints can check this “old
Adam.” This is the tragic plight of humanity without the gracious intervention
of God through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Another soldier, General Douglas MacArthur, references this innate
propensity to violence and war in his speech at the surrender of the Japanese
on September 2, 1945 and again in his farewell speech to congress April 19,
1951 where he said,
Men since the beginning of time have sought peace. . . . The
problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and
improvement of human character that will synchronize with our almost matchless
advances in science, art, literature and all material and cultural developments
of the past two thousand years, It must be of the spirit if we are to save the
flesh.[4]
MacArthur points to a solution to war and violence that is spiritual, a
spiritual “recrudescence.” More precisely, and from a Lutheran understanding,
it is only through the atoning work of Christ and the renewing of the Spirit
that any has hope. This hope was given to us through the waters of Baptism
where we were clothed with the righteousness of Christ—a true spiritual
renewal.
In a society desensitized by violence, it behooves Christians to walk
circumspectly, not in accordance with the wisdom of this world, but by
faith. As St. Paul writes to the Colossians,
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one
body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message
of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all
wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with
gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word
or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him.[5]
–Gregory K. Williamson
Chief Mission Officer – LCMS
Chief Mission Officer – LCMS
[1] Lt. Col. David Grossman, On Killing: The
Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, 1st ed.,
(New York: Back Bay Books; Little, Brown and Company, 1996) 314.
[2] Ibid., 316.
[3] Ibid., 332.
[4] General Douglas MacArthur, “Surrender
Ceremony Speech,“ U.S.S. Missouri, Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945, Radio
broadcast to the world following the formal surrender of the Japanese.
[5] Colossians 3:15-18.
REDISCOVER THE ONE YOU LOVE on
a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend!
Such a workshop and experience can help you rekindle the sparks you felt
on your wedding day. It will help you
communicate more intimately with one another in a comfortable and private
environment away from family and other responsibilities. The upcoming Weekend is at the Holiday Inn, 6921
South Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO Feb.
22-24. (February 22, 2013 7:00 pm - February 24, 2013
5:00 pm). For more information or to apply
contact Tom & Kathy Von Behren, 636-343-9453 or vonbeh@sbcglobal.net. Check out the website at www.stlmarriage.com.
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