Pastor John M. Taggatz, Carol Wentz, Secretary
January, 2010 Lela Rehmer, Custodian Kevin Kahle, Groundskeeper
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Serving on the Altar Guild for January are: Susan Piel & Beverly Schoenbeck
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Ushers for the Month of January are: Larry Erdmann, Cory Rehmer, Terry Rehmer, Brian Schoenbeck, Bruce Schoenbeck, Wes Stelllhorn & Dennis Wegener
November, 2009
TOTAL RECEIPTS $42,496.01
Total Personnel Expenses 5,528.13
Parochial School Tuition 1,421.00
District-Synod Missions 2,842.00
Operating & Misc. Expenses 4,524.24
TOTAL EXPENSES 14,315.37
ENDING BALANCE 31,394.02
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 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 Resolve To…”
Dear members of St. John
The greatest resolution that any of us could ever make is to confess our sins to God our Heavenly Father more often than we may already be doing. That’s what the Christian life is all about, remembering our baptism in making the sign of the cross, and asking God to forgive us for all that we have done against Him and our neighbor in thought, word in deed.
My prayer for all of you is that you will resolve to confess your sins more often to God so that you may hear again and again the sweetness of the Gospel that all your sins are forgiven through Christ Jesus our Lord. The Scriptures are full of the Christian call to confess our sins to God and here are just a few of them: (Psalm 32:3 &5; Psalm 51:1-4; Psalm 19:12; Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:8-9; James 5:16; Matt. 5:23-24; 2 Sam. 12:13; James 5:16).
Remember that when you confess your sins publicly in church, know that they are forgiven. That’s what the Absolution from the Pastor after Public Confession in worship is all about. Here’s what our catechism says about that: How should we regard the absolution (forgiveness) spoken by the pastor? Answer: We should receive the pastor’s absolution as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven. “It is not the voice or word of the man who speaks it, but it is the Word of God, who forgives sin, for it is spoken in God’s stead and by God’s command.” (Augsburg
The Apostle Paul urged Christians to “confess your sins, one to another.” I guess the church has fallen on hard times in that regard. In many of the churches I used to attend, confessing to any of the ‘big sins’ (sex mostly, but drinking, drugs or stealing were almost as bad) was a one-way ticket to being ostracized. Lip service was given to God’s grace, but it was always diluted with warnings about cheap grace or possible abuses.
I’ll never forget the first time I visited a Lutheran church. The service began like this:
Pastor: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
Pastor: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Congregation: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
After a period of silence, the Pastor continued: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Congregation: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Holy Name.
Pastor: Almighty God has given his Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all of your sins. As a called and ordained servant of the Word, I therefore forgive you all of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
Now imagine this in a sanctuary with a couple hundred people, all responding in perfect unison. Not only was it powerful, but I found it to be outrageous. Outrageously grace-filled and Christ-centered. Here were people who took Christ at His word regarding their sins. With my sins out of the way, I could actually more fully participate in the worship because my conscience wasn’t weighed down with all the guilt over my sins from the past week.
I also have to respect the bold and forthright way of dealing with the most unpleasant aspect of our relationship with God, namely our sin. When you start worship in this way, it’s serious business, and not easily given to levity or entertainment. It’s not a show for the visitors and unbelievers. It’s about receiving God’s gifts, and praying, praising, and giving thanks in return.
This was something I really needed, having washed up on the shores of the last church I was ever going to try, a bruised reed and a smoldering wick. I was sick to death of sermons on “biblical principles” for having a “godly relationship” or five biblical steps to overcoming this sin or that sin, none of which ever worked. Finally, here were a people who said “Enough… Repent!” and called sin for what it is, and urged the real biblical solution – repentance and forgiveness.
I often give my Evangelical friends a hard time, telling them that Lutherans don’t need altar calls because we have everyone repent and recite the sinner’s prayer right out of the gate at the beginning of the service. All joking aside though, the public confession and absolution was an apt word for me when I needed it most.
I can already anticipate the objections of those of you unfamiliar with the Lutheran tradition.
The first is “How can a man forgive sins?” (Hmm…. I’ve heard that somewhere before, but I digress.) Answer: John 20:21-23, Matt 18:15-18. Jesus gives the power to forgive and retain sins to His apostles, and by extension to all those called into an ordained ministry. This is the best explanation of that passage that I have heard, and it takes the text at face value.
The second is “Just repeating words on a page over and over is ‘vain repetition’ and after awhile people don’t mean it.” True enough, some people may not mean it, but if you repeat those words every Sunday, someday you will be in a fight for your life against a besetting sin, and they’ll mean something then. To those of us who pay attention, those words mean something every day; they are life and death. They allow me to tell the truth about my life to God, my neighbor, and to myself, and allow me to hear God’s gracious reply with my own ears.
See You in Church!
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Pastor Taggatz
Installation of Church Council Officers will be on the first Sunday in January
THERE WILL BE NO SATURDAY WORSHIP ON THE 1ST SUNDAY IN JANUARY DUE TO THE NEW YEAR’S DAY SERVICE BEING THE PREVIOUS DAY.
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.
New topics are added throughout the year. The newest pamphlet added to the rack is entitled, “Why do Bad Things Happen?” If you are interested in a particular subject that’s not on the rack, please contact Pastor Taggatz.
We Remember in Our Prayers— We pray for Jason Mines, a friend of Julie Schmoll, John Eggerding, Linda Nagel & Max, the uncle of Laura Conway, and for Pastor Tim Weiser, all who are battling serious illnesses. and for Betty Jones, the godmother of Jessica Otten, as they both recover from recent surgery.
We mourn with the families of Erna Sommer & Eugene Adair, as they grieve over their recent deaths. We also mourn with the family of Steve & Pat Bunte, as they grieve over the recent death of Pat’s father. We pray that God would give them his peace and comfort in this time and the reassurance in faith of the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting to those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
CELEBRATION OF HOLY BAPTISM! Praise God another name has been written in God’s Book of Life! Recently Allison Nicole Eastwood, daughter of Jason & Andrea (nee Piller) Eastwood was baptized on Dec. 12th. We thank God that little Allison has been adopted into His family through Water and the Word. May God continue to watch over Allison as she grows in her Christian faith!!!
If you would like your High Five donations to COSLHS to count toward your taxes please be sure to put your offering envelope number on your donation so we can record it to your account.
LYF Update—
1. Next meeting is January 3rd after Church around 11:15am . At that meeting it will be time to take down the Christmas tree and decorations L (I know, I know, it’s sad that they have to come down so quickly, you guys did a GREAT job decorating them the church this year!!!).
2. Now for the LYF members going to the Gathering, make up a design for the T-shirts for the gathering and bring that to the next meeting (Jan. 3rd SEE ABOVE), we will choose a design and pick out the color of shirts that we will be wearing, keep selling the Rada products, and the cookie dough.
3. Also, coming up in January there’s an opportunity for our youth group to go to a Christian music concert in St. Charles , MO. Friday Jan. 22nd, 2010 at the Family Arena at: 2002 Arena Parkway 10th Avenue North 6:00PM - it will end no later then 9:45PM . If the show starts at 7:00PM - it will end no later then 10:30PM . For More Information you can also call: 636-896-4242 or check out the website: www.jamtour.com Please come to the January meeting letting us know if you want to go to this great Christian concert so that we can prepare to have carpooling to the show.
4. If you have any questions email me (pastor): jtaggatz@yahoo.com or Fleta Junge: tfjunge@htc.net /call 282-4642 or 618-444-2764.
The LYF will be selling buckets of Cookie Dough through June 2010 for $15.00 a bucket to earn money for the Youth Gathering next summer. There will be an order sheet on the table at the back of the church.
Worship Survey for Sunday Morning Church St. John
Recently it was brought up at the Annual Meeting that we switch our Sunday morning worship time from 10am to 9am throughout the entire year. We decided that we would put this in this month’s newsletter for people to consider this before we vote on it on by closed ballot on the 1st Sunday in February at a congregational meeting.
Here are some things to consider in terms of changing our Sunday morning worship time:
- How will changing worship from
- Changing the worship time may affect one of our organist’s ability to get to church after his shift as a paramedic ends.
- How will changing worship to earlier in the morning affect the older members of our congregation, especially during the winter, when it comes to getting to church on time, as well as the families with younger children to get to church.
- In the case of snow, will our trustees be able to get to it early enough to remove the snow before our Sunday morning worship?
- As your Pastor I strongly recommend that we keep our Sunday morning worship, Sunday School/Adult Bible Classes at the same times they already are.
Thanks for taking some time to review these questions to consider before we vote on our Sunday morning worship time on the 1st Sunday in February.
Nominations for Synodical President & Vice President—
At our Annual meeting it was asked that a list of possible candidates for LCMS Synodical President and Vice President be put in the January newsletter. Along with the candidates we are putting a brief biography on each person. Which will be available on the back table of the church prior to our congregational meeting on the first Sunday in February. Each of the over 6,000 congregations of our LCMS Church body has the opportunity to nominate for Synodical President & Vice President. (Please note: any of our current Pastors and seminary or college professors who are also ordained in the LCMS are eligible to be voted for Synodical President or Vice President)…
New Year Resolutions
In chapter 4, beginning with verse 13, James talks about our planning. He reminds us that our lives and plans and futures are in God’s hands, and that we should pray, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (verse 15). With that preface, then, we can begin to do some self evaluation of how we can best spend our time, abilities, and resources. A new year can provide a new resolve and commitment to do many things in a new and better way. We may find that our priorities are a little skewed. Our lifestyles could possibly use some redirection, and a New Year’s resolution based on God’s plan for us could be what we need.
How can we make our resolutions a reality? One way is to talk with one of the members of the church staff or the chairperson of one of our boards and volunteer our time, energy, and abilities. Another commitment may be to spend more time reading God’s Word and join a Bible Study group to stimulate spiritual growth. We may find that God is leading us to increase our knowledge and commitment in the area of our financial stewardship as well. God has blessed us so we may be a blessing to others.
The Apostle Paul tells us, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, because, he adds, “it is God Who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13). To the faithful, God has made known his will and purpose which is “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ (Ephesians 1:10 ). God wants us to have a relationship with Jesus as the head. The personal relationship Jesus develops with us compels us to serve and honor Him through our faithful stewardship. Faith enables us to understand that we “are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). May it be our resolve and commitment to do what we were “created to do” as God’s workmanship.
Please be sure to sign the attendance pads during each worship service as it helps us keep track for not only our records, but also for Synods. Also so we can keep track of who has been receiving Holy Communion as that is
also sent to the Synod.
TALK RADIO FOR THE THINKING CHRISTIAN… You can listen to programs about The Birth of Christ According to Luke, The Christmas Hymn “A Great and Mighty Wonder,” Messianic Prophecy, Martin Luther on the Incarnation, The Circumcision of Jesus and more. Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. You can listen LIVE weekdays from 4-5 p.m. on KSIV, 1320 AM in St. Louis
Are You a Christian?
A preacher said to a farmer, "Do you belong to the Christian family?"
"No," he said, "I think they live two farms down."
"No, I mean are you lost?"
"No, I've been here thirty years."
"I mean, are you ready for Judgment Day?"
"When is it?"
"Could be today or tomorrow."
"Well, when you find out for sure when it is, you let me know. My wife will probably want to go both days!"
A preacher said to a farmer, "Do you belong to the Christian family?"
"No," he said, "I think they live two farms down."
"No, I mean are you lost?"
"No, I've been here thirty years."
"I mean, are you ready for Judgment Day?"
"When is it?"
"Could be today or tomorrow."
"Well, when you find out for sure when it is, you let me know. My wife will probably want to go both days!"
Who Wrote the Lord’s Prayer…
I work in a music store and frequently have to field strange requests from the confused parents and grandparents of young music students. Our most frequently asked question: "Who wrote the lyrics to the Lord's Prayer?"
—Kristin Harley,Minneapolis , Minnesota
—Kristin Harley,
Maybe You Can Get a Date…
The pink wedding bouquet flew toward us. Dressed in our wedding finest, all of us single girls readied ourselves for the mad scramble to catch the bouquet. In the front row were four bridesmaids (including myself) and my 8-year-old sister Erin. We all jostled for position.
As the bouquet sailed overhead, we leapt for it, arms reaching to the sky. As we landed, our eyes darted back and forth for the lucky girl who had caught it. Looking down, we discovered that it was my little sister!
Erin turned to the bridesmaid next to her, pulled out a pink rose from the bouquet, and said, "Here, Di, maybe now you can get a date."
—Jana Carey,Santa Barbara , California
As the bouquet sailed overhead, we leapt for it, arms reaching to the sky. As we landed, our eyes darted back and forth for the lucky girl who had caught it. Looking down, we discovered that it was my little sister!
—Jana Carey,
Don’t Drink & Drive…
As a Cub Scouts chaplain, I close each meeting with vespers. One night I asked the boys what some of God's commandments were. Many correct answers were shouted out before a voice called from the back: "Don't drink and drive."
—James W. Isenberg,Shelbyville , Kentucky
—James W. Isenberg,
Shall We Gather at the River” Hymn #365
A minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis he said, 'If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.' With even greater emphasis he said, 'And if I had All the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.' And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, 'And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.' Sermon complete, he sat down. The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing, 'For our closing song, Let us sing Hymn #365, 'Shall We Gather at the River.'
A minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis he said, 'If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.' With even greater emphasis he said, 'And if I had All the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.' And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, 'And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.' Sermon complete, he sat down. The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing, 'For our closing song, Let us sing Hymn #365, 'Shall We Gather at the River.'
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.
BIBLE STUDIES—(if you would like to have another opportunity to Study God’s Word other than the times listed below, I as your pastor, am always willing to meet with you and a group of people to learn, study and grow in the grace and knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. Just let me know and we can work out a time that best suits you.)
Monday Night (7pm )
“The Book of Revelation”
Location: School
Lead By: Pastor Taggatz
In this Bible class we will learn that God’s revelation to John encourages Christians at every age. Jesus, our victorious Lamb who was slain is worthy of honor and praise! We will be using themes and materials found in Dr. Louis Brighton’s latest Lutheran commentary on the book of Revelation. Some key thoughts in this study will include: the ultimate defeat of Satan and all the forces of evil; the confident hope believers have in their reigning Savior and the final, glorious destiny of all who trust in Jesus for salvation. Join us for this thought provoking and faith strengthening study!
Sunday Mornings (8:45 a.m. )
“1 Corinthians”
Location: Church
Lead By: Pastor Taggatz
In this Bible class we will be looking at Paul’s 1st Letter to the Christian church in Corinth Corinth
Emma Rehmer
New Athens , IL 62264
Edmund Buch Zuehla Rowold
Red Bud Nursing Home 202 W. Chestnut
350 W. South 1st Baldwin , IL
Red Bud , IL 62278
ANNUAL MEETING
33 MEMBERS PRESENT
The meeting was called to order by Pres. Terry Rehmer.
Opening devotions were given by Pastor Taggatz.
Minutes from 2008 Annual Meeting were read and approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Ending balance as of November 15, 2009 , $32,989.73.
Motion was made and second to approve treasurer’s report. Motion carried.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor presented a list of Pastoral activities for December, 2008, to present. Pastor discussed strengths, weaknesses, and goals regarding his ministry.
Pastor request to add Matins for the 4th Sunday church services. Discussion was held. Motion was made and second to use Matins the 4th Sunday and continue to use Prayer and Preaching the 5th Sunday of the month. Motion carried.
Pastor request a housing allowance for tax purposes only. NO additional increase in salary. Discussion was held. Motion was made and second to grant the request for housing allowance for tax purposes. Motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding amount given to the Southern Illinois District and Synod. The church currently gives 21%. The proposed amount for 2010 would be 27,956.28.
Motion was made and seconded to lower the percentage given yearly to 16% rather than 21% for 2010. Motion carried.
Pastor requests continued support of Issues, Etc. Motion was made and second to hold a door collection for Issues, Etc in January ‘10 after church. Motion carried.
Floor was opened for additional nominations for Synodical President and Vice President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Request for additional information on each candidate was suggested to allow an educated decision to be made. Pastor will provide this information to the congregation. A congregational meeting will be held to make the final decision before March, 2010.
Nomination committee presented the slate of candidates for church offices. The floor was opened for additional nominations. No nominations given. Motion was made and second to accept the slate. Motion carried.
Results as follows:
President - Terry Rehmer - 2nd term
Secretary - Darla Porter - 2nd term
Assistant Financial Secretary - 2nd term.
Youth Ministry - Fleta Junge - 2nd term
Trustees - Brian Schoenbeck and Mark Schoenbeck
Stewardship - Connie Buch - 2nd term.
Elder - James Spier
Evangelism - Sue Buch
SS Superintendent - Traci Liefer
Old Business:
Christian Education: John Christman was called for administrator to COSLHS.
The high school has received a $50,000.00 matching grant through the end of January, 2010.
LYF - Fleta Junge presented a list of LYF activities including decorating church for Christmas, helping at Chicken Dinner, the Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt, the Lock IN, VBS games, and Chili Dinner. The youth have been busy fund raising for the youth conference in New Orleans
Church Properties - Dennis Wegener reported.
2009 Large Projects: Steeple repair, AC and heating in Parsonage.
Numerous small projects were done through out the year.
Pending projects include: Water drainage in parking lot, venting school roof.
Motion was made and second to remain a member as Associated Congregation of COSLHS.
Discussion was held regarding roof leakage in vestry. Several attempts have been made to find the source of the leak without success. Currently the roof is not leaking.
Regarding Plexiglas replacement - Pres Terry has been in contact with the company who state they will still honor the warranty and replace the plexiglas.
New Business:
Lawn Mowing Bids were received as follows:
Koester Lawn Care, Church and School $60.00 per mowing
Cemetery $150.00 per mowing
Double K - (Kevin Kahle) - Church and School $60.00 per mowing
Cemetery $175.00 per mowing
Floor was open for discussion. Motion was made and second to accept the Double K bid. Motion carried.
Janitorial Bids - Bids are as follows:
Lela Rehmer - $4,400.00
Sue Buch - $3,600.00 - Resume’ reviewed.
Floor was opened for discussion. Concern was voiced regarding Sue’s bid including her daughter helping since they are under the legal age to work. Motion was made and second to accept Lela’s bid. Motion carried.
Thanksgiving Day Offering - ½ to Operation Blessing, ½ to steeple repair.
Pastor’s salary was discussed. Presentation of District guidelines was given. Following the guidelines Pastor’s salary would be $41,846.00. Motion made and second to accept. Motion carried.
2010 Budget was presented by Dennis Wegener. Motion was made and second to accept the budget. Motion carried.
A Volunteer is needed for a representative from our congregation for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund.
Request for church services to begin at 9:00 a.m. throughout the year. Discussion was held. Traci Liefer, SS Superintendent needs to be consulted. A survey will be taken by the congregation regarding this matter.
Motion was made and second to adjourn. Motion carried.The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
| Church Council Minutes |
Present: Terry Rehmer, Darla Porter, Dave Stahr, Linda Schoenbeck, Bob Wirth, Gene Luthy, Dennis Wegener, Pastor Taggatz, Brian Schoenbeck, Larry Erdmann, Mark Schoenbeck, and Connie Bush. Guests: Lela Rehmer and Toni Rehmer.
The meeting was called to order by Pres. Terry Rehmer.
Opening devotions were given by Pastor Taggatz.
Minutes from previous meeting were read and approved.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT: Total receipts for November, 2009, $26,596.00.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Ending monthly balance for November, 2009, $31,394.02. Motion made and second to accept Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.
Guest, Toni Rehmer was recognized. A request was made to help a singe mother with five children in need. The children are ages 16 to four. Toni is acquainted with the mother through COSLHS. A request was made to assist the family with their water and electric bill. The mother currently works as a school bus driver with a monthly income of $600.00. Motion was made and second to assist the family in the amount of $300.00. Motion carried. Payment will be sent directly to water and electric companies
Spiritual Ministries: Midweek Advent Services will continue on December 9th and 16th. Christmas Eve Service, December 24th at 7:00 p.m., Christmas Day Service, December 25th at 10:00 a.m. with Holy Communion, and New Years Day Service, January 1, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. There will be no Saturday worship service on January 2, 2010 .
Larry Erdmann thanked the council for allowing him to service as Elder for the past three years.
CHURCH PROPERTIES:
Dennis Wegener reported - Gutters and siding cleaned . Repair of school sub pump drain completed. Installation of drainage pipe in parking lot to alleviated standing water completed.
Trustees have noted the parking lot being used as a turn around for a semi truck driver. The driver has been contacted in the past not to use this area especially driving over new sidewalk. Trustees will pursue the issue.
Guest, Lela Rehmer, was recognized. The vacuum unit in the church is no longer working. Lela contacted Cowell Central Vacuum Systems. A bid of $1050.00 for a central vacuum unit in the church was received. This would included six inlet valves, two upstairs and 4 downstairs, all attachments, and a 35 foot hose. The unit has a life time warranty. Installation would be $400.00 for a total of $1,450.00. Terry Rehmer contacted A-1 Vacuum World. A bid of $399.00 was received for a Recor Commercial Sweeper. The sweeper has a 40 foot cord and one year warranty. Motion was made and second to take both bids to the congregation on December 20, 2009 . A decision will be made at that time.
COSLHS: John Christman has been called as administrator of the high school. He has 11 years of high school administrative experience. He is currently administrator in Little Rock , Arkansas
A $50,000.00 anonymous donation has been received. The high school is asking for matching funds to this grant.
Eighth grade visitation is December 11, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Stewardship: Contributions were up in 2009.
LYF: Christmas decorations are complete at church. The youth will be handing out candy after the Christmas Eve Service.
The youth may attend a Christmas Music Concert.
Next meeting is January 3, 2010 .
PASTOR’S REPORT:
PASTORAL ACTS
-Attended the COSLHS Board Meeting on Thur. Nov. 12th.
-4th Wednesday of the month @ 2pm leading worship at Randolph County Care Center
-10 Hospital Visits & 12 Homebound visits…
-Sylvia (Harms) Crank Affirmation of Marriage on Saturday Nov. 28th
-I did chapel at Trinity Lutheran on Thur. Nov. 12th
-Sun. Nov. 15th attended a special Call Meeting for COSLHS to get a new principal
-4 Counseling Sessions
-I had chapel at St. Mark’s Steeleville on Wed. Dec. 2nd
- Pastor’s Circuit Meeting @ Wine Hill on Tue. Dec. 1st
BAPTISMS—
-Allison Nicole Eastwood (daughter of Jason & Andrea Eastwood [Piller]) will be baptized on Friday Dec. 11th
The church copier is under a three year contract for 117,000 total copies. The church has used 52,000 copies since April. The church will be charged for additional copies one we exceed the contracted amount.
To decrease the number of copies there will be only one newsletter per household and the Order of Service will be an insert in the bulletin which will be return at the end of the service so it can be reused.
New member class is scheduled for December 17th at 5:00 p.m. Two to three members will be in attendance.
Pastor’s vacation is scheduled for December 27th through December 31st. No church services missed..
There will be door offering in January for Issues, Etc.
A survey regarding Sunday morning worship to begin at 9:00 a.m. year round will be in your January newsletter. The results of the survey will be discussed on the first Sunday in February following the worship service.
Information regarding possible candidates for Synodical President and Vice President will be in the January newsletter. The congregation will vote on nominations the first Sunday in February.
Monday Night Bible Study is at 7:00 p.m. , currently studying the book of Daniel.
Order of Service from now on each month during 2010—
1st Sunday—pg. 15 from TLH
2nd Sunday—pg. 5 from TLH
3rd Sunday—pg. 15 from TLH
4th Sunday—Matins from TLH
5th Sunday—Service of Prayer & Preaching
OLD BUSINESS:
Reminder - all bills put in treasurers box should state what the bill is for and who is to be paid.
Pres. Terry has made several attempts to contact Church Art Glass regarding church windows.
NEW BUSINESS:
Request for an updated list of janitorial and lawn mowing duties is needed.
Installation of new officers is the first Sunday in January - January 3, 2010 . Pres. Terry request attendance of the new officers.
Motion was made to adjourn.
The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
CHRIST OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN
HIGH SCHOOL
Please keep COSLHS and Mr. John Christman in your prayers in the coming weeks. On Sunday night Nov. 15th the COSLHS Board voted to call John Christman as their next administrator. Mr. Christman is currently serving as an Asst. Administrator at a Lutheran High School Little Rock , Arkansas
Thanksgiving! A big thank you to all who supported our craft and flea market by buying a booth, or coming to see what we had, or purchasing an item. We had a great variety of merchandise and food items. Many of us got our Christmas baking, candies, and last minute gifts taken care of this past weekend. It was wonderful. We are planning for next year already!
$50,000.00: Once again we have the opportunity to receive a large donation from an anonymous donor. We are asking for matching funds in order to double this donation. Thanks to all for your continued support. Check the web site for an update of funds we have received so far. www.coslhs.org.
Basketball: Scheduled after the new year—Away; January 8 girls
@ Madison. January 12, boys and girls @ Gov. French, Belleville
Wish List: Someone to paint advertising signs for our projects. Lockers moved and painted.
Christmas vacation: December 23 to January 4 COSLHS will have Christmas break. The office will be open some of those days for your convenience. Please leave a message for us and we will call back as soon as possible. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Prayer Requests:
● Recruiters, we need students.
● All who are sick, hurting, or just need prayers.
ARTICLE XXVIII
Church Authority
Introductory Note: Article XXVIII expands on Articles V and XIV. What authority, or power, do bishops have in the Church? Over the course of centuries, bishops had become not merely Church leaders, but political figures as well, claiming the right to govern both Church and State and to make and enforce laws in both realms. By returning to a biblical understanding of church, the Augsburg Confession clarifies that the true authority, or power, of bishops is the preaching of the Gospel, the forgiving and withholding of forgiveness of sins, and the administering of the Sacraments. The Church is not to interfere in the government, but is to keep its focus on the Gospel. This article is the foundation for the Lutheran understanding of the two kingdoms: God’s work and rule in the world by means of the Church (the kingdom or regiment of the right hand) and the State (the kingdom or regiment of the left hand). Bishops, or pastors, have authority in the Church only to forgive sins in the name of Christ, to reject false doctrine and reprove those who uphold it, and to exclude persons who refuse to repent of open and manifest sin. This article, like the others, places the focus on the chief teaching of the Gospel: we are justified by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone. (See also Ap XXVIII; SC Table of Duties.)
There has been great controversy about the power of the bishops, in which some have terribly confused the power of the Church with the power of the State. This confusion has produced great war and riot. All the while the popes, claiming the Power of the Keys, have instituted new services and burdened consciences with Church discipline and excommunication. But they have also tried to transfer the kingdoms of this world to the Church by taking the Empire away from the emperor. Learned and godly people have condemned these errors in the Church for a long time. Therefore, our teachers, in order to comfort people’s consciences, were constrained to show the difference between the authority of the Church and the authority of the State. They taught that both of them are to be held in reverence and honor, as God’s chief blessings on earth, because they have God’s command.
Our teachers’ position is this: the authority of the Keys [Matthew 16:19 ], or the authority of the bishops—according to the Gospel—is a power or commandment of God, to preach the Gospel, to forgive and retain sins, and to administer Sacraments. Christ sends out His apostles with this command, “As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you … Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld” (John 20:21 –22). And in Mark 16:15 , Christ says, “Go … proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation.”
This authority is exercised only by teaching or preaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments, either to many or to individuals, according to their calling. In this way are given not only bodily, but also eternal things: eternal righteousness, the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. These things cannot reach us except by the ministry of the Word and the Sacraments, as Paul says, “The Gospel … is the power of God for salvation to everyone that believes” (Romans 1:16 ). Therefore, the Church has the authority to grant eternal things and exercises this authority only by the ministry of the Word. So it does not interfere with civil government anymore than the art of singing interferes with civil government. For civil government deals with other things than the Gospel does. Civil rulers do not defend minds, but bodies and bodily things against obvious injuries. They restrain people with the sword and physical punishment in order to preserve civil justice and peace [Romans 13:1–7].
Therefore, the Church’s authority and the State’s authority must not be confused. The Church’s authority has its own commission to teach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments [Matthew 28:19–20]. Let it not break into the office of another. Let it not transfer the kingdoms of this world to itself. Let it not abolish the laws of civil rulers. Let it not abolish lawful obedience. Let it not interfere with judgments about civil ordinances or contracts. Let it not dictate laws to civil authorities about the form of society. As Christ says, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36 ). Also, “Who made Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” (Luke 12:14). Paul also says, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20 ). And, “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
This is how our teachers distinguish between the duties of these two authorities. They command that both be honored and acknowledged as God’s gifts and blessings.
If bishops have any authority of the State, this is not because they are bishops. In other words, it is not by the Gospel’s commission. It is an authority they have received from kings and emperors for the purpose of administering the civil affairs of what belongs to them in society. This is another office, not the ministry of the Gospel.
Therefore, when a question arises about the bishops’ jurisdiction, civil authority must be distinguished from the Church’s jurisdiction. Again, the only authority that belongs to the bishops is what they have according to the Gospel, or by divine right, as they say. For they have been given the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. They have no other authority according to the Gospel than the authority to forgive sins, to judge doctrine, to reject doctrines contrary to the Gospel, and to exclude from the communion of the Church wicked people, whose wickedness is known. They cannot exclude people with human force, but simply by the Word. According to this Gospel authority, as a matter of necessity, by divine right, congregations must obey them, for Luke 10:16 says, “The one who hears you hears Me.” But when they teach or establish anything against the Gospel, then the congregations are forbidden by God’s command to obey them.
Beware of false prophets. (Matthew 7:15)
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a Gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth … the authority that the Lord has given me for building up, and not for tearing down. (2 Corinthians 13:8–10)
The Canonical Laws also command this (II. Q. VII. Cap., Sacerdotes, and Cap. Oves) And Augustine writes:
Neither must we submit to catholic bishops if they chance to err, or hold anything contrary to the canonical Scriptures of God. (Contra Petiliani Epistolam)
If the bishops have any other authority or jurisdiction, in hearing and judging certain cases, as of matrimony or of tithes, they have this authority only by human right. If the bishops do not carry out their duties in these areas, the princes are bound, even if they do not want to, to dispense justice to their subjects in order to maintain peace.
There is also a dispute about whether or not bishops, or pastors, have the right to introduce ceremonies in the Church, and to make laws about meats, holy days, and grades, that is, orders of ministers, and so on. Those who say that the bishops do have this right refer to this testimony of Christ in John 16:12–13, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” They also refer to the example of the apostles, who commanded that Christians abstain from blood and from things strangled (Acts 15:[20,] 29). They refer to the Sabbath day as having been changed into the Lord’s Day, contrary to the Decalog, as they understand it. In fact, they make more of the supposed change of the Sabbath day than any other example they can think of. They say that the Church’s authority is so great, it has even done away with one of the Ten Commandments.
But on this question, for our part (as we have shown earlier) we teach that bishops have no authority to decree anything against the Gospel. The Canonical Laws teach the same thing (Dist. IX). It is against Scripture to establish or require the observance of any traditions for the purpose of making satisfaction for sins, or to merit grace and righteousness. When we try to merit justification by observing such things, we cause great harm to the glory of Christ’s merit. It is quite clear that by such beliefs, traditions have almost multiplied to an infinite degree in the Church, while at the same time, the doctrine about faith and the righteousness through faith has been suppressed. Gradually more holy days were made, fasts appointed, new ceremonies and services in honor of saints instituted. Those responsible for such things thought that by these works they were meriting grace. So the Penitential Canons increased. We still see some traces of this in the satisfactions.
Those who establish such traditions are acting contrary to God’s command when they locate sin in foods, days, and similar things. They burden the Church with bondage to the Law, as if there needs to be something similar to the services commanded in Leviticus [chapters 1–7] in order to merit justification. They say that Christ has committed the arrangement of such services to the apostles and bishops. They have written about the Law of Moses in such a way that the popes have been misled to some degree. This is how they have burdened the Church, by making it a mortal sin—even if nobody else is offended—to do manual labor on holy days, or to skip the canonical hours, or that certain foods dirty the conscience, or that fasting is a work that appeases God. Or they say that, in a reserved case, sin can only be forgiven by the person who reserved the case, even though canon law speaks only of reserving the ecclesiastical penalty, not the guilt.
Who has given the bishops the right to lay these traditions on the Church, by which they snare consciences? In Acts 15:10, Peter forbids us from putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples, and Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:10 that the authority given to him was for edification, not for destruction. Why do the adversaries increase sins with their traditions?
There are clear testimonies that forbid creating traditions in such a way as to suggest that they merit grace or are necessary to salvation. Paul says in Colossians 2:16, “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.” And later:
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’ (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom. (Colossians 2:20–23)
Also in Titus 1:14 he openly forbids traditions with these words: “not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.”
In Matthew 15:14 , Christ says of those who require traditions, “Let them alone; they are blind guides.” In verse 13 He rejects such services: “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.”
If bishops have the right to burden churches with infinite traditions, and to snare consciences, why does Scripture so often forbid making and listening to traditions? Why does it call them “teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1)? Did the Holy Spirit warn of these things in vain?
Therefore, ordinances instituted as though they are necessary, or with the view that they merit grace, are contrary to the Gospel. Therefore, it follows that it is not lawful for any bishop to institute and require such services. It is necessary that the doctrine of Christian freedom be preserved in the churches. In other words, the bondage of the Law is not necessary in order to be justified, as it is written in the Epistle to the Galatians, “do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (5:1). It is necessary for the chief article of the Gospel to be preserved, namely that we obtain grace freely by faith in Christ, and not by certain observances or acts of worship devised by people.
What, then, are we to think of the Sunday rites, and similar things, in God’s house? We answer that it is lawful for bishops, or pastors, to make ordinances so that things will be done orderly in the Church, but not to teach that we merit grace or make satisfaction for sins. Consciences are not bound to regard them as necessary services and to think that it is a sin to break them without offense to others. So in 1 Corinthians 11:5, Paul concludes that women should cover their heads in the congregation and in 1 Corinthians 14:30, that interpreters be heard in order in the church, and so on.
It is proper that the churches keep such ordinances for the sake of love and tranquility, to avoid giving offense to another, so that all things be done in the churches in order, and without confusion (1 Corinthians 14:40; comp. Philippians 2:14). It is proper to keep such ordinances just so long as consciences are not burdened to think that they are necessary to salvation, or to regard it as sin if they are changed without offending others. For instance, no one will say that a woman sins who goes out in public with her head uncovered, as long as no offense is given.
This kind of ordinance in the Church is observing the Lord’s Day, Easter, Pentecost, and similar holy days and rites. It is a great error for anyone to think that it is by the authority of the Church that we observe the Lord’s Day as something necessary, instead of the Sabbath Day. Scripture itself has abolished the Sabbath Day [Colossians 2:16 –17]. It teaches that since the Gospel has been revealed, all the ceremonies of Moses can be omitted. Yet, because it was necessary to appoint a certain day for the people to know when they ought to come together, it appears that the Church designated the Lord’s Day [Revelation 1:10 ] for this purpose. This day seems to have been chosen all the more for this additional reason: so people might have an example of Christian freedom and might know that keeping neither the Sabbath nor any other day is necessary.
There are monstrous debates about changing the law, ceremonies of the new law, and changing the Sabbath Day. They have all sprung from the false belief that in the Church there must be something similar to the services set forth in Leviticus [1–7], and that Christ had commissioned the apostles and bishops to come up with new ceremonies necessary to salvation. These errors crept into the Church when the righteousness that comes through faith was not taught clearly enough. Some debate whether or not keeping the Lord’s Day is not a divine right, but similar to it. They prescribe the extent to which is it is lawful to work on holy days. What else are such disputes except traps for the conscience? Even when they try to modify the traditions, nobody will understand the modifications as long as the opinion remains that these traditions are necessary and must remain. There the righteousness of faith and Christian freedom is not known.
In Acts 15:20, the apostles commanded to abstain from blood. Who observes this now? Those who choose to eat blood do not sin, for not even the apostles themselves wanted to burden consciences with bondage to traditions. They forbid the eating of the blood for a time to avoid giving offense. For in this decree we must always keep in mind what the aim of the Gospel is.
Scarcely any canon laws are kept with exactness. From day to day many go out of use, even among those who are the most zealous advocates of traditions. In order to treat the conscience properly, we must realize that canon laws are to be kept without regarding them as necessary. No harm is done to the conscience even though traditions may go out of use.
The bishops might easily retain the legitimate obedience of the people if they would not insist upon the observance of traditions that cannot be kept with a good conscience. Instead, they command celibacy and accept no preachers—unless they swear that they will not teach the Gospel’s pure doctrine. The churches are not asking the bishops to restore concord at the expense of their honor, even though it would be proper for good pastors to do this. They ask only that the bishops release unjust burdens that are new and have been received contrary to the custom of the universal Church. It may be that in the beginning there were plausible reasons for some of these ordinances, but they are not adapted to later times. It is also clear that some were adopted through erroneous ideas. Therefore, it would be in keeping with the popes’ mercy to change them now. Such a modification does not shake the Church’s unity. Many human traditions have been changed over time, as the canons themselves show. But if it is impossible for the adversaries to change those traditions, which they say is sinful to change, we must follow the apostolic rule, which commands us to “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29 ).
In 1 Peter 5:3, Peter forbids bishops to be lords and rule over the churches. It is not our intention to take oversight away from the bishops. We ask only this one thing, that they allow the Gospel to be taught purely, and that they relax a few observances that they claim it is sinful to change. If they will not give anything up, it is for them to decide how they will give an account to God for causing schism by their stubbornness.
Ap Apology of the Augsburg
SA Smalcald Articles
FC Ep Formula of Concord
SD Solid Declaration of Formula of Concord
Concordia : The Lutheran Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis , MO
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