Pastor John M. Taggatz, Carol Wentz, Secretary
October, 2009 Lela Rehmer, Custodian Kevin Kahle, Groundskeeper
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Serving on the Altar Guild for October are: Melba Luthy & Carol Wentz
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Ushers for the Month of October are: Larry Erdmann, Cory Rehmer, Terry Rehmer, Brian Schoenbeck, Bruce Schoenbeck, Wes Stellhorn & Dennis Wegener
August, 2009
TOTAL RECEIPTS $12,471.42
Total Personnel Expenses 6,233.17
Parochial School Tuition
District-Synod Missions 2,393.00
Operating & Misc. Expenses 3,974.87
TOTAL EXPENSES 12,601.04
ENDING BALANCE 21,669.29
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.
“Why Go to Church?” Answering the Common Misconceptions about Church… Part 1
You’ll remember that during the month of August I wrote an article entitled, “Why Go to Church?” In the article I stated three reasons why we as Christians are called to go to church. If you were unable to read it, I urge you to talk to me after church on Sunday morning or call the church office at 785-2344 and I will get it to you. I wanted to continue on this topic, since there are a lot of misconceptions in our Christian Church today as to what the church is all about. I am going to be writing these articles in question and answer form so that you can see the thoughtful reasons behind certain questions or excuses people have for not going to church on a regular basis.
Question: I don’t get anything out of the sermon. (and another that is similar to it: I don’t get anything out of church.)
Answer: I suppose we all feel this way at one time or another. But, is it the pastor’s fault…or our own? Certainly the pastor must prepare to preach. But have you ever stopped to consider that those who sit in the pews need to prepare to listen to what the pastor has to say? And his message is for us is of great importance: the pastor preaches God’s Word, which includes the saving message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the sins of all humanity. He speaks of life and death matters in the eternal sense. We should get proper sleep on Saturday night and prepare our minds, hearts and bodies for God’s message. And we ought to earnestly pray to the Holy Spirit, asking him to help us receive God’s message with an open heart and enable us to understand, appreciate and believe what we hear.
We come to Church to worship our God: to sing and speak His praise. We come to hear His Word, which shows us our sins and tells us we have a wonderful Savior from sin. But, to properly prepare to worship God and to hear and appreciate His Word, we need to rid ourselves of all distractions as we enter the sanctuary. And we need to come to church with humility: like an empty vessel that is ready to be filled up. Yes, we ought to be eager to hear what God has to say to us in the Scripture. You might want to ask yourself a question, “What is it that you expect to get out of the sermon and the service?” Jesus answered that question for us, “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28). The apostle James also gives us some timely words of advice about hearing the Word of God when he says, “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says.” (James 1:21-22). That includes believing it and hearing it on a regular basis through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.
Reason: I don’t go to church: I was sick and nobody visited me, not even the pastor.
Answer: I’m sorry that you were ill. How long ago was this? I hope that you are now enjoying good health. Christ certainly wants us to visit our suffering fellow Christians to comfort and encourage them and to pray for them. Our Christian love should move us to do so. It is sad when God’s people fail this labor of love. Did you inform the pastor that you were ill? Quite often people take for granted that the pastor somehow knows or in some way hears about the ill or injured members. Perhaps the pastor never received word of your condition.
Love demands that we put the best construction on everything including this situation that is disturbing you so, and not accuse anyone of willfully neglecting their duty. Furthermore, because you do not feel loved is no reason to withdraw from the fellowship of the congregation. You should still love your fellow Christians and want to be with them. The basis of your love toward others is not their love toward you but the love of Christ which He demonstrated when He died for your sins on the cross. As St. John points out: “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Do you not find it easy to love and forgive others when you consider how much God loves you and forgives you? Do you make it a point to visit the ill and injured in the congregation?
Reason: The Pastor refused to conduct the funeral for . I know that he/she wasn’t a member of the church, but that shouldn’t make any difference. He was a good man, a well-liked man. Everyone has the right to a Christian funeral. The pastor should not have refused to bury him. Furthermore, we have no right to judge anyone.
Answer: The church not only has the right but also the duty to judge a person in such a case. The church does not afford Christian burial indiscriminately. Christian burial is just what the term implies and is reserved for professing Christians. The church must judge on the basis of the person’s own testimony and the person’s own actions whether or not to afford him/her a Christian burial. If the person in question was not a professed believer in Christ, to give him a Christian burial is to deny that salvation comes to the sinner alone through repentance and faith. The purpose of Christian burial is to comfort those who mourn. The comfort is this: because the person was a believer in Christ while he lived, his soul is now in heaven with God, having attained the salvation which was the goal of his faith. Furthermore, his body awaits Christ’s command on the last day to rise from the grave and stand in glory at Christ’s right hand. These comforting sentiments are expressed throughout the Christian burial service: in Scripture readings, in hymns, in prayers and in the sermon.
But what sham to express these sentiments on the occasion of the death of a person who did not profess faith in Christ. Even though he lived an outwardly moral life, if he was without repentance and faith he was lost from God while he lived and remains eternally lost now, that he has died. No one has the right to ask a pastor to go against the church’s spiritual principles and his own conscience to afford Christian burial to the person who has given the clear impression on not being a believer in Christ. And this holds true no matter how much the deceased person meant to certain members of the flock. Jesus Himself said, “let the dead (that is, spiritually dead or unbelievers) bury their own dead (that is , those among them who have suffered physical death)” Matthew 8:23 . Jesus also said, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” John 3:18.
The pastor is obligated to afford Christian burial only to those who are members of his flock as well as to others who, thought they may not have acquired membership, nevertheless accepted his ministry and as a result were brought to repentance and faith before they died. But to demand Christian burial for a professed unbeliever, for one who never accepted the message of the Gospel, is unreasonable. On the other hand, to choose Christian burial for a dead unbeliever (who is unable to voice his protest) is, to say the least, unfair to him. To involve a church and a pastor which the person shunned while he was alive is surely a betrayal of his wishes. In these cases it is important for us to ask the question, “What do we base our hope of going to heaven when we die?” Hopefully, the answer is taken from John 3:16-17 and Ephesians 2:8-10.
We’ll continue this discussion next month as we give answers for the common reasons why people don’t go to church.
See You in Church,
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Pastor Taggatz
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.
Celebrations of Holy Baptism— On Sunday Sept. 20th we thank God that He brought into His Heavenly Kingdom Taylor Koester, the daughter of Nicholas & Hannah Koester, through the waters of Holy Baptism and that on Sat. Sept. 19th the Lord brought Ian Moll, the son of Danny & Tammy Moll, into His Heavenly Kingdom through the waters of Holy Baptism! Also, Jackson Wirth, the son of Josh & Mary Wirth, was brought into God’s family through Holy Baptism on Sun. Sept. 27th. Praise God that three more names have been written in the Book of Life!!!
We Remember in Our Prayers—We pray for Clinton Bremer & Clifford Luthy who currently are undergoing some medical problems, and for John Eggerding, Linda Nagel and Max, the uncle of Laura Conway, who are battling serious illnesses and we pray for Connie Buch, as she recovers from her recent surgery. We pray for Emily Kueker, the mother of Linda Schoenbeck, who is currently hospitalized. We pray for Richard Brillhart, a friend of Curtis Baginski, who is battling some heart problems. We also pray for all those in our congregation who are without current employment, that God would enable them to stand up under his everlasting arms in this time of trial and that He would graciously, according to His will, find new employment for them.
IF ONLY
Most discontented people live in a state of “if only.” Rather than counting their blessings, they play the “if only” game.
à“If only” we had our own home/a bigger home.
à“If only” we could get out from under this pile of debt.
à“If only” our neighbors would move.
à“If only” our friends were more fun/more loyal/ more thoughtful.
à“If only” my boss would appreciate me more.
Maybe you have an “if only” list. Perhaps you, too, think that by making some external changes your life would be all you want it to be. You’d be content. Think about what the Apostle Paul said about contentment: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12). Paul said external conditions have nothing to do with contentment. He said changing our circumstances won’t make a difference in our level of contentment. He said, “I have learned the secret of being content.”
What is that secret? “I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 ). When we depend on the Lord and place our trust in Him, we can be content in all circumstances. We won’t need to dwell on “if only.” God’s grace gives us the ability to persevere and even find joy in life’s toughest situations. Like Corrie Ten Boom. In her book, The Hiding Place, she relates that she and her sister Betsy were sent to Nazi concentration camps which were filled with filth, disease, and pestilence. Their particular barracks was infested with fleas, but, by God’s grace, they were able to see the blessings even in fleas. Because of the fleas the German guards chose not to enter the barracks which allowed Corrie and Betsy to gather the other ladies for Bible study and prayer. God’s Word sustained them in their time of need. They didn’t have an “if only” mentality. Instead they followed Paul’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Until we find our rest in Christ we are going to continue searching for contentment. The theologian Augustine said, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and the heart of man is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” People or things will never fill us. Only God’s presence will bring us contentment.
Grow in the Grace of Giving
In the first verse of the hymn “We Give You But Your Own,” we sing, “We give You but Your own In any gifts we bring; All that we have is Yours alone, A trust from You, our King.”
It is likely that we have sung this hymn many times without realizing the implication of the words. Through faith, we recognize that all we are and all we have come as gifts from our gracious Heavenly Father. We recognize that God owns everything and that we have nothing, except as stewards of God. We give to show our gratitude to God for His gifts to us. Our love and gratitude compel us to grow in our giving.
As we grow in the grace of giving, we can find four different levels of giving:
- At the first level of giving, people give only a token amount, if anything at all. The amount given represents the excess or left-over amounts after everything else is taken care of. Often times, people at this level give to imitate others because they see others putting money in the offering plate. This giving is normally not associated with faith, but with duty or for the sake of appearances.
- The next level of giving could be referred to as self-interest giving. People see the church as important so they give to keep the doors open. The attitude toward giving could be compared to paying dues. Giving fulfills a sense of obligation. The self-interest giver sees little connection between faith in God and what he does with his money. Giving is from the leftovers rather than from the top.
- The next level of giving could be referred to as a level of spiritual gratitude and obedience. At this stage, a person recognizes how God has freely given him/her salvation through His Son Jesus Who went to the Cross for his sins. Out of thanksgiving for what Jesus has done, there is a response of gratitude. Jesus has paid the penalty of sin so that we can be made right with God. When someone understands what Jesus did on the cross, there is joy in giving. Giving at this level stops focusing on the church budget and becomes a personal surrender of one’s life and resources. People at this level give regular and proportionate amounts of their incomes willingly and cheerfully. They excel in the grace of giving.
May God grant us loving and giving hearts so we can worship and praise our Heavenly Father as we learn to excel in the grace of giving.
“Excel in the Grace of Giving”
On Sundays November 8th, November 15th, and November 22nd, our worship theme will be “Excel in the Grace of Giving.” I hope you will make every effort to be present on all three Sundays. During the second Sunday service, we will introduce a giving challenge titled “Give Plus One.”
As your pastor, I hope and pray that the messages offered will help us in our journeys as faithful and generous stewards. By the power of the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, we are molded and transformed into stewards who follow God’s ways and become more Christ-like in our giving. As Christians, we are motivated to give by the gift of God’s grace through His Son. With hearts filled with God’s love and grace, we can give faithfully.
Giving is our faith response to God’s gifts. God wants us to give willingly and cheerfully out of hearts filled with love and gratitude for our present and eternal lives. We also give out of obedience because God’s Word directs us to give. The Apostle Paul said, “But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Just as Paul urged the people in Corinth
The themes of the Sunday morning Bible studies during these three weeks will be:
“Why Christians Give”
“Outrageous Giving”
“Principles of Giving”
Please bring your commitment forms to church on Commitment Sunday November 22nd, or return them to the church office at your convenience (the forms will be sent out to you within the next few weeks).
May God bless and keep us in His peace and joy as we give to Him!
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.
OLD THEOLOGY, NEW TECHNOLOGY...Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio. Topics include: Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol," Down Syndrome & Abortion, Alcoholic's Anonymous, Mormonism, Pro-Life Democrats and more. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org.You can listen LIVE weekdays from 4-5 p.m. on KSIV, 1320 AM in St. Louis
LYF UPDATE—The Youth will be helping out with the 125th Anniversary dinner on Sunday Oct. 4th. Parents are asked to help out as well, serving begins at 11:30 am . Also, our next meeting after church will be on Sunday Oct. 11th from 11:30am-1pm . Pizza & Bible Study will be included in our meeting. The youth are asked to bring their National Youth Gathering registration forms in by no later that Sun. Oct 4th.
D-A-D
I was preparing to go cash a paycheck when I realized my husband, Mark, hadn't signed it. So I sent four-year-old Chelsea
—Sheila Schultz,Wilmore , Kentucky
—Sheila Schultz,
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee”
My five-year-old son Glenn learned "My Country 'Tis of Thee," in kindergarten.
One day my husband mentioned that one of his foreign co-workers was returning to his home country. I asked what country he was from, but my husband didn't know.
To which Glenn piped up, "Maybe he's from 'Tis of Thee."
—Darcy Lucchi,Rahway , New Jersey
One day my husband mentioned that one of his foreign co-workers was returning to his home country. I asked what country he was from, but my husband didn't know.
To which Glenn piped up, "Maybe he's from 'Tis of Thee."
—Darcy Lucchi,
Shirley Goodnest & Marcy
A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.
So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.
She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.
The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.
As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week?
Do you know her?'
Timmy nonchalantly replied,
'Yeah, I know who she is.'
The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?'
'That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.'
'Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? '
'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you,and give you peace.
May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always.
So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.
She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.
The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.
As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week?
Do you know her?'
Timmy nonchalantly replied,
'Yeah, I know who she is.'
The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?'
'That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.'
'Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? '
'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you,and give you peace.
May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always.
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.
New LUTHERANS FOR LIFE Chapter—If you would like to be involved in future meetings/events, or if you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Becker-Roscow at 618-282-5343 or mroscow@htc.net.
BIBLE STUDIES—
Monday Night (7pm )
“The Book of Daniel”
Location: School
Lead By: Pastor Taggatz
This course will focus on the Old Testament book of Daniel. Here we will learn that the Book of Daniel is a type of apocalyptic literature that became common among Jewish people at the close of the Old Testament era. As an apocalyptic book, Daniel has certain features in common with similar works, including Revelation and many non biblical writings. In this study we’ll learn how God communicates to us His message of judgment and salvation found in Jesus Christ our Lord and we will learn to appreciate the Book of Daniel’s message as one of encouragement to remain steadfast in the Christian faith.
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
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Emma Rehmer
New Athens , IL 62264
Edmund Buch Zuehla Rowold
Red Bud Nursing Home 202 W. Chestnut
350 W. South 1st Baldwin , IL 62217
Red Bud , IL 62278
| Church Council Minutes |
Present: Dave Stahre, Darla Porter, Terry Rehmer, Mark Schoenbeck, Gene Luthy, Brian Schoenbeck, Marvin Liefer, Pastor Taggatz, Larry Erdmann, Linda Schoenbeck, Fleta Junge, and SuSan Piel.
The meeting was called to order by Pres. Terry Rehmer.
Opening devotions were given by Pastor Taggatz.
The minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved.
Financial Secretary's Report: Total receipts for August, 2009, $12,471.42.
Treasurer's Report: Ending monthly balance August, 2009, $21,669.29.
Church Properties:
Valve repair in Parsonage basement.
Toilet stool repair in Parsonage.
Williams Heating and Cooling submitted a detailed bid for yearly maintenance, inspection, and cleaning of furnaces and air conditioners in the school, church, and Parsonage. The bid included the school window air conditioning units, all thermostats, and changing of filters. Furnaces maintenance would be done in the fall and the air conditioning unit maintenance would be done in the spring. The bid was $1,157.00 per year. Trustees will seeks additional bids. Decision will be made upon receiving additional bids.
Rug Buster submitted the third bid for carpet cleaning in the church. The bid was $1,190.00 for cleaning and scotchguard of the entire church. The floor was opened for discussion. Motion was made and second to accept the bid of $896.75 from Horrell Carpet Cleaning. Motion carried.
Church Art Glass spoke with Pres. Terry regarding replacement of plexi glass. They will be here in the month of September to replace the plexi glass.
COSLHS: The Dedication Service went well.
Christian Education: Rally Day was held September 6, 2009 . Pastor and Traci Liefer are currently working on the Sunday School Christmas Eve Program.
LYF: Next meeting is September 13, 2009 . All parents and youth need to attend to discuss the youth gathering in New Orleans
The youth have been asked to help at the 125th Anniversary Celebration.
Pastor's Report:
PASTORAL ACTS
PALS (Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support) MEETING—meeting on Thur. Sept. 3rd…(this will be my 3rd year of belonging to this, also my last year)
-Attended the COSLHS Board Meeting on Thur. Aug. 13th). Will be at the next COSLHS meeting on Thur. Sept.10th at 7pm . Worked on the COSLHS Dedication service and officiated in it on Sun. Aug. 30th.
-Attended Pastor’s Circuit Meeting on Tue. Sept. 1st at St. John Sparta
-4th Wednesday of the month @ 2pm leading worship at Randolph County Care Center
-1 Nursing Home Chapel services @ Red Bud Nursing Home on Sun. Sept. 6th …
-7 Hospital Visits & 14 Homebound visits…
-2 Counseling sessions
Funeral—for Laverne Falkenhein on Tue. Aug. 25th
-I did chapel at Trinity Lutheran on Wed. Sept. 2nd (I’ll have chapel again on Wed. Sept. 30th)
-I have chapel at COSLHS on Monday Sept. 21st
- Pastor’s Circuit Conference Oct. 5th-7th in Rend Lake
BAPTISMS—
-Ian Moll—(Danny and Tammy Moll’s Son) will be baptized on Sat. Sept. 19th @ 5pm Saturday evening service)
-Jackson Wirth—(Josh & Mary Wirth’s son) will be baptized on Sun. Sept. 27th
-Taylor Koester—(Nicholas & Hannah Koester’s daughter) will be baptized on Sun. Sept. 20th
Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation classes are now in session. Heather Junge is in Pre-Confirmation class. Kennan Turnure and Emily Hartmann are in Confirmation class.
The next planning meeting for the 125th Anniversary Celebration will be September 17, 2009 , at 7:00 p.m. The Southern Illinois District has been invited to attend the service. Area churches have been informed. A potluck meal is planned - meat, dressing, and refreshments will be provided. The congregation is asked to bring a side dish or salad and dessert. Mark the date on your calendar - October 4, 2009 .
A sign up sheet will be in the back of the church for all those wanting to participate in the choir for the Bi-Circuit Reformation Service on October 25th here at our church. Judy Marotzke will be the choir director. Dean Buch will be the organist.
Set Up For the Anniversary Potluck! On Sat. Oct. 3rd @ 9am we will be setting up tables, chairs and food etc… to prepare for the Anniversary potluck on Sun. Oct. 4th. Volunteers are still needed, please talk to Jeff Rowold for further details.
2009 Bi-Circuit Reformation Service—The circuit pastors have asked that our next Bi-Circuit Reformation service would be held here at St. John Sunday Oct. 25th, 2009 at 7pm . Pastor Larry Vogel will be our guest preacher…
-Last meeting it was brought up that we request donations for cookies, brownies & baked goods to provide food and refreshments after the service in the school. There will be a bi-circuit choir for this event as well and they will meet to practice for this event at 5:30 pm in our church. Judy Marotzke is going to be the choir director and Dean Buch will be our organist.
-The North County News has been informed on this, as well as our surrounding churches & pastors for publicity purposes.
St. John 125th Anniversary Cookbooks will be available to be purchased at our 125th Anniversary celebration on Oct. 4th!
A free-will offering for Tim and Lisa Beckendorf of Lutheran Bible Translators will be made available during the 125th Anniversary potluck to assist them with their Bible translation for the people of Botswana
Concordia Seminary—the door offering for Concordia Seminary at our church raised over $200 for the Seminary. Thanks to everyone who participated so that we may continue to provide education to our church’s next pastors, deaconesses, professors & missionaries!
Old Business:
The date of October 18th for the Soup Dinner to help offset cost of the steeple repair will be changed since the date conflicts with other area church events. Due to many other area events and the approaching Holiday season, no date has been set as this time. The council is planning on early in 2010.
New Business:
Pres. Terry Rehmer has chosen the Nomination Committee. The committee is as follows: JoAnn Wegener, Jeff Rowold, Renee Luthy, and Bruce Schoenbeck.
Motion was made and second to adjourn.
The meeting was closed with prayer.
Pres. Terry Rehmer
Sec. Darla Porter
CHRIST OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL
SPORTS: The school is looking for coaches for girls and boys basketball teams. We are also looking for an Athletic Director. Call the school at
618 853 7300 or Jim Carroll at 618 201 1993..
IMPORTANT! The High School is taking nominations for a principal. The candidate must have High School experience, a Masters in Administration and be LC-MS Synodically trained. Call the church office at 785-2344 if you know of someone and pick up a form that you can fill out to send to COSLHS.
Coming Events: We are planning a music fest at COSLHS Gym on November 7th watch for more information in the coming weeks.
We have an at auction Chester
Popeye picnic: Went well! Thanks for all the help, we could not have done it without you. (especially Ruma people). Totals we generated were, Airplane stand: $446.00 and Popeye stand: $4144.21
FYI: Monday Chicken and Dumpling’s at IGA went well. We took in $640.00. The next Monday meal will be on October 5th (Pasta, salad and sandwiches)
Quilt Show: The COSLHS quilt show is set for October 2nd and 3rd, 10:00am-3pm . Anyone wanting to enter a quilt or help in any way please call Mrs. Cleland at COSLHS (853-7300). You can bring quilts even if you do not call ahead. They would like them at the school by Sept. 28 or 29.
Wish List: DVD players and/or VHS tape player. Coolers (when on sale), 10X10 quick up tent (one of ours was destroyed at Evansville Days by the storm)
Prayer requests for:
● Students, staff, and teachers of COSLHS.
● All who are sick, hurting, or just need prayers especially Mr. Hill as
he recovers from his surgeries and broken bones
● The congregations and their members as they consider
their part in the continued “Walk of Faith” program to raise funds for our operating expenses..
ARTICLE XXV
Confession
Introductory Note: The practice of private Confession and Absolution with one’s pastor has fallen out of use in many Lutheran congregations. This was never Luther’s intention. Neither was private Confession and Absolution abandoned during the first two centuries of Lutheran history. What the Lutheran Reformation corrected were the false teachings about Confession. Problems arose in the Church when teachings about Confession made “satisfactions” such a prominent part of it. When people were told to do certain activities (e.g., repeating the Hail Mary or doing acts of contrition) to “make up” for their sins, Christ’s Gospel was overshadowed, if not completely hidden. Lutheranism, therefore, did away with the anti-biblical teaching about satisfaction for sins and the requirement that people try to remember and confess each sin committed.
Confession in the churches is not abolished among us. The body of the Lord is not usually given to those who have not been examined [1 Corinthians 11:27 –28] and absolved. The people are very carefully taught about faith in the Absolution. Before, there was profound silence about faith. Our people are taught that they should highly prize the Absolution as being God’s voice and pronounced by God’s command. The Power of the Keys [Matthew 16:19 ] is set forth in its beauty. They are reminded what great consolation it brings to anxious consciences and that God requires faith to believe such Absolution as a voice sounding from heaven [e.g., John 12:28 –30]. They are taught that such faith in Christ truly obtains and receives the forgiveness of sins. Before, satisfactions were praised without restraint, but little was said about faith, Christ’s merit, and the righteousness of faith. Therefore, on this point, our churches are by no means to be blamed. Even our adversaries have to concede the point that our teachers have diligently taught the doctrine of repentance and laid it open.
Our churches teach that naming every sin is not necessary and that consciences should not be burdened with worry about naming every sin. It is impossible to recount all sins, as Psalm 19:12 testifies: “Who can discern his errors?” Also Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” If only sins that can be named are forgiven, consciences could never find peace. For many sins cannot be seen or remembered. The ancient writers also testify that a listing of sins is not necessary. For in the Decrees, Chrysostom is quoted. He says,
I do not say that you should make your sins known in public, nor that you should accuse yourself before others, but I would have you obey the prophet who says, ‘Make known your ways before God’ [Psalm 37:5]. Therefore, confess your sins before God, the true Judge, with prayer. Tell your errors, not with the tongue, but with the memory of your conscience, and so forth.
And the Gloss (Of Repentance, Distinct. V, Cap. Consideret) admits that Confession is of human right only. Nevertheless, because of the great benefit of Absolution, and because it is otherwise useful to the conscience, Confession is retained among us.1
Ap Apology of the Augsburg
SA Smalcald Articles
FC Ep Formula of Concord
SD Solid Declaration of Formula of Concord
1 Concordia : The Lutheran Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis , MO
| Edmund Buch | | | 10/12 |
| James Buch | | | 10/28 |
| | | | 10/28 |
| Sierra Buch | | | 10/28 |
| Kendra Crain | | | 10/15 |
| Thomas Dawson | | | 10/31 |
| Albert Guebert | | | 10/28 |
| Patsy Hartmann | | | 10/9 |
| Anthony Junge | | | 10/2 |
| David Laufer | | | 10/13 |
| Kevin Luthy | | | 10/4 |
| Jason Knott | | | 10/31 |
| Connie Piller | | | 10/31 |
| Michael Poenitske | | | 10/10 |
| Eugene Popp | | | 10/7 |
| Emma Rehmer | | | 10/15 |
| Rachel Rehmer | | | 10/1 |
| Toni Rehmer | | | 10/9 |
| Nathan Reinhardt | | | 10/18 |
| Richard Buch | | | 10/19 |
| Bonita Roscow | | | 10/12 |
| Robert Schmoll | | | 10/24 |
| Richard Schoenbeck | | | 10/24 |
| Martin Sommer | | | 10/30 |
| Jo Ann Wegener | | | 10/13 |
| Ryan Wehmueller | | | 10/13 |
Gary & Marla Huebner 10/2/ 1976
James & Vera Pautler 10/5/ 1985
Richard & Beverly Schoenbeck 10/10/1959
Daniel & Patsy Hartmann 10/11/1958
Jack & Rhonda Touchette 10/18/1997
Brett & Donna McLaughlin 10/25/1999
Clifford & Laverna Luthy 10/26/1941
Jeffry & Debra Kaesberg 10/27/1979
Dale & Melba Luthy 10/27/1962
There has been much discussion recently regarding the Health Care Reform Bill, properly known at H.R. 3200 – America
When it comes to the life issues aspects of H.R. 3200, there are three specific areas of concern for Lutherans:
Information on each topic is addressed individually and can be accessed below or by clicking on the appropriate links above. For each topic, we have attempted to summarize the major objections we, as pro-life Lutherans, have to H.R. 3200. We also provide links to outside sources for more in-depth information from other pro-life, pro-choice, and neutral organizations.
Some of the language in H.R. 3200 is of concern because it is ambiguous and undefined. For example, one of the most talked about sections of the bill is Section 1233 – Advance Care Planning Consultation. You may have heard this section called the End-of-Life Consultation section. In reading the legislation, the following information can be discovered:
1. Section 1233 applies only to people on Medicare.
2. The patient is to be informed by the practitioner (a physician or, if a state allows them to sign orders for life-sustaining treatment, a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant) about "end-of-life services and support, including palliative care and hospice."
3. The practitioner is required to inform the patient about "advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney."
4. The patient is given the opportunity to complete an advance directive form if he wishes. There is no requirement for a patient to sign this document.
5. The bill requires mandatory counseling every five years. This counseling also may occur within the five-year period if there is a major change in the patient’s health.
At first glance, the guidelines in Section 1233 are no different from what is already in place when someone is admitted to a hospital. This legislation is not necessarily a bad thing; everyone, no matter what age, should discuss with their families their feelings about life- sustaining treatments before something happens so there is no confusion when a crisis occurs and emotions are elevated; people’s judgment can be clouded during a time of crisis. It is also suggested that everyone have a durable power of attorney document completed prior to going to the hospital.
However, one potential pitfall is that family members may not be present in a doctor's office when this discussion about end-of-life decisions takes place. That may lead to misunderstanding or a perception of pressure to sign a form. Often patients do not know that they are allowed to bring a document of their own (whether a durable power of attorney or, for example, a "Will to Live" from the National Right to Life Committee).
Another concern is the organization that helped write this particular section of H.R. 3200 and understanding its bias regarding end-of-life issues. Compassion & Choices is an organizational descendent of the Hemlock Society, the pro-assisted suicide and pro-euthanasia organization started by Derek Humphry. On its official blog, the organization states (http://compassionandchoices.org/blog/?p=445):
"Compassion & Choices has worked tirelessly with supportive members of congress (sic) to include in proposed reform legislation a provision requiring Medicare to cover patient consultation with their doctors about end-of-life choice (section 1233 of House Bill 3200)"
The biggest concern may lay in the implementation of Section 1233. What materials will be used? What are the worldviews of the medical professionals who must do this counseling? An example of a potential pitfall would be the document from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs called Your Life, Your Choices: Planning for Future Medical Decisions (download a copy here: http://www.ethics.va.gov/YLYC/YLYC_First_edition_20001001.pdf). This document is an aid for the patient to determine how to complete an advance directive.
Although the document attempts to be fair and balanced, it uses the derogative term "vegetable" to described patients who are not responsive to external stimuli. Most of the examples provided in the document ask the patient to place a value on his life based on what he can (or cannot) do rather than talking about the inherent value of the patient’s life. This document is just one example of the materials that could be used in an advanced care planning consultation mandated by Section 1233.
Because the words in Section 1233 leave much in question, many have concerns about the motives behind those words and how the proposed legislation might be put into practice and impact personal end-of-life decisions.
For life-affirming samples of advance directives, please go to:
1. The International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide to get their "Protective Medical Decisions Document": http://www.internationaltaskforce.org/adneeds.htm.
2. The National Right to Life Committee to get their "Will to Live": http://www.nrlc.org/MedEthics/WilltoLiveProject.html.
Although the word "abortion" does not appear anywhere in H.R. 3200, there is wording that may imply abortion services are to be provided.
For example, in Section 1714 – State Eligibility Options for Family Planning Services, the legislation delineates the eligibility requirements for women who are pregnant and women who are not pregnant to receive taxpayer-funded "family planning services." The proposed legislation states the following:
"… provide for making medical assistance available to an individual … such medical assistance shall be limited to family planning services and supplies described in 1905(a)(4)(C) [of Title XIX of the Social Security Act] and, at the State’s option, medical diagnosis and treatment services that are provided in conjunction with a family planning service in a family planning setting."
This might seem like an acceptable measure, but, actual services received will depend on what limitations are placed on family planning services and supplies by Section 1905(a)(4)(C) of Title XIX of the Social Security Act. It appears that the only limitation is that these services are provided:
"… to individuals of child-bearing age (including minors who can be considered to be sexually active) who are eligible under the State plan and who desire such services and supplies."
There is no limit to what kinds of medical assistance, medical diagnosis, or treatment services can be provided at taxpayer expense. Also note that these services can be provided to minors "who can be considered to be sexually active [emphasis added]" and not just to those who actually are sexually active. Nor is there any mention of parental notification or consent before providing "treatment services" to minors.
What could the authors of H.R. 3200 possibly see as treatment services under this legislation? Abortion proponents have long asserted that reproductive rights include access to abortion services. One of the nation’s largest family planning providers, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), lists among its women’s health services both the abortion pill (RU-486) and in-clinic abortions (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/abortion-services-abortion-referrals-25993.htm).
In March 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton became the latest recipient of the Margaret Sanger Award from the PPFA. In her acceptance speech, she stated that increasing the level and quality of women’s health care worldwide depended on increasing access to family planning options. Clinton
"… women’s health and women’s reproductive health is included in any deliberation concerning our – finally adopting – a healthcare system that takes care of all of our people."
"… women’s health and women’s reproductive health is included in any deliberation concerning our – finally adopting – a healthcare system that takes care of all of our people."
When all the dots are connected, many concerned citizens reasonably conclude that HR 3200, if passed into law, will provide for taxpayer-funded abortions for women – and girls – without any limitations.
Although the implications are subtle, an area of great concern regarding H.R. 3200 is in the area of ethics and how insurance companies, employers, or even individual medical professionals may be forced to provide, pay for, or participate in medical procedures contrary to their personal beliefs.
In this section, we will examine just one example of possible coercion that H.R. 3200 creates. The following information is based on the first 100 pages of H.R. 3200. Unless otherwise specified, all sections and paragraphs refer to H.R. 3200 – America
If H.R. 3200 is passed and takes effect, a health benefits plan will be considered a Qualified Health Benefits Plan only if it meets all the requirements set forth in H.R. 3200 regarding affordable coverage, essential benefits, and consumer protection [Section 101(b)].
On the first day this proposed legislation becomes law, all existing health plans may remain in effect and be grandfathered. However, unless they become a Qualified Health Benefits Plan, they cannot take on any new enrollments (other than qualified dependent enrollments) and their ability to make changes in terms and conditions are limited [Sections 102(a)(1) and 102(a)(2)]. On the first day of this new legislation, the only health benefits plans that will be offered are those that are eligible to participate in the Health Insurance Exchange [Section 102(c)(1)]. Exchange-eligible health benefits plans are defined as [Section 202(d)(2)]:
1. Qualified Health Benefits Plans
2. Grandfathered health insurance coverage
3. Medicare
4. Medicaid
5. Coverage for members of the armed forces and their dependents (including through TRICARE)
6. Coverage for military veterans provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
7. Other coverage recognized by the commissioner of the newly formed Health Choices Administration and the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury
At the end of the five-year period that begins when the proposed legislation takes effect and with only a small number of exceptions, all health benefits plans must meet the same requirements applied to Qualified Health Benefits Plans [Section 102(b)(1)(A)]. The excepted plans can only be continued if they are offered separately from health insurance coverage [Section 102(c)(2)].
"Essential Benefits" and Who Determines Them?
The issues at this stage are these: What is to be considered "essential benefits" and who determines what "essential benefits" all Qualified Health Benefits Plans must include? Do not forget that only exchange-eligible health benefits plans will be allowed to enroll new participants when the proposed legislation takes effect; and other than government health benefits plans, Qualified Health Benefits Plans will be the only plans allowed to enroll new participants as exchange-eligible plans.
What defines an essential benefits package? This is where concern is needed. As an example, consider your own health insurance provider. What would your current health insurance provider be required to cover in order to become a Qualified Health Benefits Plan under this new legislation?
To answer that question, begin by considering that, by definition, Qualified Health Benefits Plans "provide payment for the items and services described in subsection (b) in accordance with generally accepted standards of medical or other appropriate clinical or professional services" [Section 122(a)(1)]. Subsection (b) lists services such as hospitalization, outpatient hospital and outpatient clinic services, prescription drugs, maternity care, well baby and well child care, etc. [Section 122(b)]. Generally speaking, all of these listed services are positive.
But what else can be considered under some of these categories? What is a "generally accepted standard"? One very realistic possibility is abortion. (See the "Abortion Concerns and Health Care Reform" section of this Web page for further explanation.) Another example of why it is reasonable to assume that abortion is considered a "generally acceptable standard" is because the federal courts have stated this in the past. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the state of Michigan
Another concern is who gets to decide what medical procedure is part of the essential benefits? According to the proposed legislation, H.R. 3200 will create a new Health Benefits Advisory Committee. The committee will "recommend covered benefits and essential, enhanced, and premium plans" [Section 123(a)(1)].
Who comprises the committee? The committee chair is the U.S.
What then happens when the Health Benefits Advisory Committee makes a recommendation? The secretary of Health and Human Services (who is selected by the president and confirmed by the Senate) "shall review such standards and shall determine whether to propose adoption of such standards as a package" [Section 124(a)(1)].
The concern here is that the committee selection and decision making represents circular accountability. That’s because we can reasonably assume that these Health Benefits Advisory Committee members -- who are all appointed by the sitting president, either directly or indirectly -- will be of the president’s same philosophical and political mind-set.
The Health Benefits Advisory Committee has up to one year after the proposed legislation takes effect to recommend initial benefits standards to the Health and Human Services secretary [Section 123(b)(2)]. The Health and Human Services secretary has up to 18 months after the proposed legislation takes effect to adopt a set of initial benefits standards [Section 124(b)(1)] and is to periodically update these standards [Section 124(b)(2)].
Therefore, in order for an insurer to become a Qualified Health Benefits Plan and continue to enroll new participants, that insurer must agree to provide payment for the initial benefits standards approved by the Health and Human Services secretary as well as all future benefits that meet the secretary’s approval.
This all leads to reasonable concerns, including: What if abortion is part of the benefits standards, either as an initial benefit or if it is added later? What will happen to Qualified Health Benefits Plans that do not want to pay for a procedure such as abortion?
The Health Choices Administration commissioner will have the authority to impose civil penalties on the Qualified Health Benefit Plan and to suspend new enrollments in the Qualified Health Benefits Package until the commissioner is satisfied that the problem "has been corrected and is not likely to recur" [Sections 142(d)(2)(A) and 142(d)(2)(B)].
Additionally, if the offending health benefits plan is exchange-eligible – which means it’s among the health plans legally offered when the proposed legislation takes effect – the Health Choices Administration commissioner will have the authority to "suspend payment to the entity under the Health Insurance Exchange for individuals enrolled in such plan" after the commissioner makes the determination that a health benefits plan has committed a violation [Section 142(d)(2)(C)]. The suspension of payments continues until the Health Choices Administration commissioner is satisfied that the problem "has been corrected and is not likely to recur" [Ibid].
Finally, the Health Choices Administration commissioner will have the authority to terminate a plan "for repeated failure by the offering entity to meet the requirements of this title" [Section 142(d)(2)(D)].
As it is proposed, this legislation seems to suggest that every plan that will be allowed to take new enrollments will have to subscribe to the guidelines approved by the Health and Human Services secretary. If, for example, your current health benefits provider refused to provide payment for a medical treatment that is considered an "essential" benefit (such as abortion), it will be punished with fines, the inability to enroll new participants, lack of reimbursement from the government, and termination of the plan. And once this provider has been terminated because it will not provide for "essential benefits," where do concerned Christians and ethically minded citizens go to choose a plan that reflects their ethics?
The name of H.R. 3200 is America
CIRCUIT REFORMATION SERVICE
2009 Bi-Circuit Reformation Service—The circuit pastors have asked that our next Bi-Circuit Reformation service would be held here at St. John Sunday Oct. 25th, 2009 at 7pm . Pastor Larry Vogel will be our guest preacher…
The Choir will practice for this service at 5:30 .
Donations of baked goods are needed for the fellowship following the worship service. There will be a sign up sheet on the table at the back of the church later in the month.
Don’t forget the time change on October 31st.
Set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night so you won’t be too early for church on Sunday morning.
| Non-Profit Org. Permit No. 1 |
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
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