Pastor John M. Taggatz, Carol Wentz, Secretary
October, 2011 Lela Rehmer, Custodian Kevin Kahle, Groundskeeper
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Serving on the Altar Guild
for October are: Julia Kahle & susan Piel
Ushers for the Month of October are: : Susan
Piel, Connie Buch, Richard Buch, Dan Hartmann, Charlotte Liefer, Dale
Luthy,& Dave Piel.
CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE…
(618) 785-2344
(or)
(618) 785-2602
-When a member of your family is
admitted to the hospital, so a visit can be made by Pastor Taggatz.
- When your group plans to hold a meeting, so it can be cleared
and placed on the church calendar.
-When your home or business phone number or address is changed, so
church records can be corrected.
- When you are planning to move either out of town or locally.
- When you know you are pregnant
so that we will be able to assist you in any way we can with prayers,
encouragement and support.
- When a new baby arrives in your
family or in the family of another church member.
- When you are planning a wedding or baptism.
“The
Reformation’s Reemphasis of Catechesis”
During
the month of October we will once again celebrate the festival of the
Reformation in which we recognize Martin Luther’s rediscovery of the Gospel.
Luther once again reminded the Christian Church and the world that we as sinful
human beings are justified before a holy and just God not on the basis of our
own works or merits, but solely on the basis of the merits and works of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through His perfect life, death, and resurrection
from the dead. One of the important
things that Martin Luther did was reestablish the work of catechesis in the
Christian Church and the Christian home.
Dr. Michael
Horton, a Christian scholar, has written on the importance of Luther’s Small
and Large Catechisms in the Reformation of the Church. Here’s what he has written. In order to know what they believe and why
they believe it, Christians need to be well catechized and grounded in the
central doctrines of the faith. In his pastoral visits to the homes of
parishioners, Martin Luther was astounded to find that few knew the Lord's
Prayer, the Ten Commandments, or the Apostles' Creed. He therefore wrote his
Small Catechism. Other Reformers followed suit, and generations of Christian
families have been saturated with biblical teaching through catechisms to this
day. Studies show, however, a staggering ignorance of the basic teachings of
the Christian faith even among professing evangelicals. We need to get beyond
shallow slogans and movements, grounding ourselves and our children in "the faith once and for all delivered to the
saints." Given the statistics we regularly encounter, Luther's
description of the desperate need for serious doctrinal instruction
(catechesis) in his day sounds eerily relevant. In the preface to his Small
Catechism, he explains, The deplorable,
miserable condition which I discovered lately when I, too, was a visitor, has
forced and urged me to prepare [publish] this Catechism, or Christian doctrine,
in this small, plain, simple form. Mercy! Good God! what manifold misery I
beheld! The common people, especially in the villages, have no knowledge
whatever of Christian doctrine, and, alas! many pastors are altogether incapable
and incompetent to teach. Nevertheless, all maintain that they are Christians,
have been baptized and receive the holy Sacraments. Yet they do not understand
and cannot even recite either the Lord's Prayer, or the Creed, or the Ten
Commandments; they live like dumb brutes and irrational hogs; and yet, now that
the Gospel has come, they have nicely learned to abuse all liberty like
experts....O ye bishops! to whom this charge has been committed by God, what
will ye ever answer to Christ for having so shamefully neglected the people and
never for a moment discharged your office?
Luther
implores pastors "to have pity on
the people who are entrusted to you, and to help us inculcate the Catechism
upon the people, and especially upon the young." Following the example
of the ancient church, the Reformation restored catechesis. So crucial was
catechesis to the Reformers that they personally assumed responsibility for
teaching it to the youth. The catechism was also taught in the home, usually
after dinner, as parents—especially fathers—took responsibility for their
"little parish," as Luther
called the family. Instead of lazily accommodating superficial and nominal
profession, pastors and parents took up the responsibility of raising God's
people to the standard of honest Christian conviction.
See You in Church!
<+><
Pastor Taggatz
The Legacy
of Martin Luther
For years Martin Luther had
labored seeking to earn God’s favor. He
had kept the law; he had prayed and meditated; he had preached and taught. He had fasted and done countless acts of
devotion. He walked from Nuremburg to
Rome where he climbed the same steps Christ had ascended to the palace of
Pontius Pilate in order to free his loved ones from purgatory. Still peace in his soul eluded him.
What changed? What transformed Luther, the pious monk, into
Luther, the Reformer? The same thing
that transforms us; the Word of God. How
important is this treasure that God has given us! How we cheat ourselves when we neglect this
great gift! The weight of the Law is
lifted from us, as it was for Luther, when we read Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Somehow many miss this
truth. Although they have been brought
up in the church, have read and studied their Bibles almost daily, the Gospel
has eluded them. They strive, as did
Luther, to appease God, our judge; they work to earn the favor of the One Who
sits enthroned above. They live by the
Law, burdened with the guilt of sin they can never rid themselves of. Let us pray for those who labor under this
load that they may hear the freeing words. “For
by grace you have been saved through faith.”
Then having been freed from the
constraints of the Law, we can view ourselves as God’s “workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We are saved by grace, and we are empowered
by grace to give ourselves “fully to the
work of the Lord, because [we} know that [our] labor is not in vain” (1
Corinthians 15:58).
STEWARDSHIP APPEAL & LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus!
I hope and pray that you were
blessed these past few months with many fun-filled summer activities. For many of us, May through September are
months for vacations, outdoor barbeques, golfing, boating, and hiking,
etc.
The world that God created for
our enjoyment is so awesome. As refreshing
as the summer season is, the fall season that we are enjoying now is just as
invigorating. With high school, college,
and pro football games, the cooler weather, the beautiful coloring of leaves,
and apple cider and doughnuts, who wouldn’t enjoy the fall season? As your pastor, I love the fall because there
is always a renewed sense of enthusiasm to serve the Lord as faithful stewards
with our time and talents. In the fall,
we rally people back together, and boards and committees in our church get
active and busy again. Starting with our
Rally Day Sunday in the fall, we become more intentional and focused with our
time and talents.
Being intentional also relates to
our giving. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Each one must give as he has decided in his
heart…” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Each of
us must give as we have made up our hearts to give. If we find ourselves looking in our wallets
or purses on Sunday morning to determine what we can give, we have some work to
do regarding being intentional givers. If
your giving to church varies from week to week depending on the condition of
your checkbook, your giving is not intentional.
God wants us to give the firstfruits of our incomes cheerfully,
generously, and regularly as thank offerings of gratitude for the love and
grace He has given us through His Son, Jesus.
Intentional givers plan how and what they will give and then live by the
plans they devise.
I want to thank each of you
for your continued support of our mission and ministry. Thanks be to God that so many of you are
intentional givers. I thank you for your
prayers and the commitment of your lives and resources so we can effectively
reach out to all people around us with God’s love and grace.
In your September newsletters you received a commitment form & a time
& talents survey. Please fill those
out and bring to church on Harvest Sunday (Commitment Sunday) Oct. 2nd
or return it to the church office when convenient. You can still bring your commitment form and
your time & talents survey in, even if you miss turning it in on Oct. 2nd. (Extra commitment forms are available on the
back table of the church or call the Church office and we will get you
one. I ask that, as you approach your
commitment decisions, you seek God’s guidance in prayer. Let the love of God guide you in your
decision.
May God continually bless you as
a faithful steward of the many blessings He has entrusted to your care.
Serving Christ together,
<+><
Pastor John Taggatz
Don’t Worry
About Inviting Me
Don’t
worry about inviting me to church this weekend.
Really. I’ve been thinking about it. I know we’re friends, and you go to church,
but I know talking about your faith makes you uncomfortable. At least,
that’s the sense I get. We talk about a lot of stuff, but whenever church
or God comes up, you get – I don’t know, tense. I’ve never understood why
– it doesn’t weird me out as much as it does you – but I’m happy to relieve you
of what is obviously something that makes you awkward.
Besides, what would I be missing?
It’s not like I’m an atheist – I’m not. I
believe in God. I’m spiritual. And I want to do better; I’d like to
understand the Bible, be a better parent, have a closer marriage, maybe even
volunteer for something that would help others. But last time I went to
church, that isn’t exactly what was offered.
Besides, we both know I’m not exactly a
poster-child for Christianity. I’ve got baggage. I’ve got
questions. I don’t think church is exactly the kind of place for someone
like me.
And I don’t want to have to dress up. I don’t want to be hit on for money. I don’t like organ music. And on top of all that, I don’t really
believe in hell, so I’m not even that worried about what happens after I
die. I’m sure that whatever life there is after death, it will turn out
fine.
As far as my kids go, I think I want to just give
them the freedom to choose whatever religion they want, if any religion at
all. Church was boring for me when I had to go as a kid, so the last
thing I want to do is drag them to one every week. It turned me off to
church, and I’m sure it would just do the same for them. So it’s probably
better if they just don’t go at all.
So don’t worry about trying to invite me to church.
It makes you awkward;
It won’t have anything to offer my life;
I couldn’t exactly come as I am;
I like wearing shorts;
I gave at the office;
I listen to Coldplay;
Hell is kind of a joke these days;
And my kids won’t like it.
Right?
But if, by chance, you think I have this all wrong,
then for God’s sake, INVITE ME!
Pat Robertson’s ‘repudiation of the gospel of Jesus Christ’
Written
by MICKEY MCLEAN from World Magazine, September 16, 2011…
Pat Robertson of the 700 Club
says outlandish things. That’s a
given. And often when the media represents him as speaking for all Christians,
we cringe. Most of the time we can just ignore him, but with his latest
comments, he has not only damaged the reputation of believers, he has done
damage to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Christianity Today reported earlier this week, a 700 Club viewer asked Robertson Tuesday what
should be done about a married friend of his who was dating another woman
because his wife as he once knew her was “gone.” She had Alzheimer’s.
“That is a terribly hard thing,”
Robertson replied. “I hate Alzheimer’s. It is one of the most awful things
because here is a loved one—this is the woman or man that you have loved for
20, 30, 40 years. And suddenly that person is gone. They’re gone. They are
gone. So, what he says basically is correct. But I know it sounds cruel, but if
he’s going to do something he should divorce her and start all over again.”
Even his co-host, Terry
Meeuwsen, was taken aback by her boss’s reaction, asking Robertson if taking
such action would be in violation of the couple’s marriage vows.
Robertson said a person in this
predicament could continue to obey the vow “till death do us part” because
Alzheimer’s was a “kind of death.”
“It’s really hurtful because
they say crazy things,” Robertson continued. “Nevertheless, it is a terribly
difficult thing for somebody. I can’t fault him for wanting some kind of
companionship.”
Robertson said he does not want
to lay a “guilt trip” on those seeking what he considers to be a “right of
companionship,” which is just one more made-up entitlement to add to a growing
list in our individualistic, narcissistic, morally relativistic culture.
One of the best responses I’ve
seen to Robertson “advice” comes from Russell Moore: “This is more than an
embarrassment. This is more than cruelty. This is a repudiation of the gospel
of Jesus Christ.”
Moore
continues:
“Marriage, the Scripture tells
us, is an icon of something deeper, more ancient, more mysterious. The marriage
union is a sign, the Apostle Paul announces, of the mystery of Christ and his
church (Eph. 5). The husband, then, is to love his wife ‘as Christ loved the
church’ (Eph. 5:25). This love is defined not as the hormonal surge of romance
but as a self-sacrificial crucifixion of self. The husband pictures Christ when
he loves his wife by giving himself up for her.
“At the arrest of Christ, his
Bride, the church, forgot who she was, and denied who he was. He didn’t divorce
her. He didn’t leave.
“The Bride of Christ fled his
side, and went back to their old ways of life. When Jesus came to them after
the resurrection, the church was about the very thing they were doing when
Jesus found them in the first place: out on the boats with their nets. Jesus
didn’t leave. He stood by his words, stood by his Bride, even to the Place of
the Skull, and beyond.
“A woman or a man with
Alzheimer’s can’t do anything for you. There’s no romance, no sex, no
partnership, not even companionship. That’s just the point. Because marriage is
a Christ/church icon, a man loves his wife as his own flesh. He cannot sever
her off from him simply because she isn’t ‘useful’ anymore.
“Pat Robertson’s cruel marriage
statement is no anomaly. He and his cohorts have given us for years a
prosperity gospel with more in common with an Asherah pole than a cross. They
have given us a politicized Christianity that uses churches to ‘mobilize’
voters rather than to stand prophetically outside the power structures as a
witness for the gospel.”
The pressure to follow the
advice of the Pat Robertsons of this world is strong in our society. I’ve often
heard of “friends” of spouses of Alzheimer’s patients encouraging them to get
on with their lives and to find another companion, even to the point of
actively trying to fix them up with somebody. We, as believers, need to pray
for and encourage these men and women who faithfully stand beside the person
they committed to in this life, to mirror Christ’s relationship to the church
and not to buy into Satan’s lie.
We remember in our prayers— We pray for Jason Mines, Bonnie
Highberger, and for Lee Hogandobler, all who are battling serious
illnesses. We pray for Homer Liefer and
for Janna Otten’s father-in-law, Lee Otten, as they both recover from surgery
that they recently had. We pray for
Linda, the sister of Rhonda Niewoglowski, as she goes through some health
problems. We also pray for Darlene
Spier, as she continues to be under the care of her doctor for her illness.
We mourn with the family of John Eggerding, a cousin of the Spier
family, who was called home to heavenly rest on Monday Sept. 26th. May God give to their John’s family the
remembrance and hope of the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ who says in John
11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the
life. Whoever believes in me, though he
die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never
die.”
ANYONE
INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR 
CHURCH
CHOIR? Please
talk to either Pastor Taggatz or Dean Buch. Our first practice begins on
Sunday Sept. 4th immediately following the Sunday morning worship service.
You can contact Dean at 618-443-7312 or by e-mail at ilemtp11@gmail.com
or Pastor Taggatz at 618-785-2344 or by e-mail at jtaggatz@yahoo.com.
CHURCH
CHOIR? Please
talk to either Pastor Taggatz or Dean Buch. Our first practice begins on
Sunday Sept. 4th immediately following the Sunday morning worship service.
You can contact Dean at 618-443-7312 or by e-mail at ilemtp11@gmail.com
or Pastor Taggatz at 618-785-2344 or by e-mail at jtaggatz@yahoo.com.
BIBLE STUDY—
Sunday
Mornings (8:45 a.m.) “Bearing Fruit for Jesus: His Grace & Power at Work Within You”
Jesus told His disciples, “I am the Vine, you are the branches…” (John 15:5).
Jesus, the Vine, will never cease giving guidance, nourishment, and
grace to His people, the branches. Our
responsibility is to abide in the Lord and let Him abide in us. When we stay connected to the Vine, we will
bear much fruit. God calls, enables, and
equips us to be fruitful. Only as Christ
lives in us are we empowered to bear fruit.
If we depend on ourselves, we will be fruitless. In this Bible Study you will be guided in the
truths of God’s Word and by His Holy Spirit so that His wisdom and
understanding may rest on you as you study His Word in order to know Him better
and serve Him more faithfully.
LYF UPDATE—Our
first meeting will be on Sunday Oct 2nd. On that day there will be an LYF gathering at
around 11:30 a.m. after church. We will
have a short activity, Bible study, and discussion about upcoming activities
and fundraisers for our Youth Group.
Come join us and bring your friends.
-Other LYF activities include a
party at Gilbert & Julia Kahle’s House on Sat. Oct. 15th and the
chili dinner to raise funds for our National Convention at San Antonio, TX in
2013 on Sunday Nov. 6th.
Other fundraisers will include selling Rada Knives and Tupperware.
There will be a
short LYF parent’s meeting after church on Sun. Oct. 30th to
discuss what will be needed for the Chili dinner that will be on Sunday Nov. 6th
for a fundraiser for LYF. All LYF
members who want to take part in the youth events that we offer here at St.
John Baldwin are asked to participate.
If you have any
questions email me (pastor): jtaggatz@yahoo.com or Fleta Junge: tfjunge@htc.net /call
282-4642 or 618-444-2764.
DONATIONS FOR THE
CHILI DINNER FOR SUN. NOV. 6TH—In the back of the Church on the table is a signup
sheet for donations for tomato juice, tomato sauce and fried hamburger for the
Chili Dinner Nov 6th. Please take donated items to the kitchen by Oct
30th.
Any question email or call 282-4642 or
618-444-2764.
Remember: Every 3rd Sunday of the
month we are praying for people who are in the military. If you have a relative or friend who is an
armed serviceman and woman in our Nation’s military please let the Church know
so that we may be able to pray for them on the third Sunday of the month.
CHRIST OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN HS
Phone 618-853-7300 Fax 618-853-7361
www.coslhs.org; E-mail:
admin@coslhs.org
Mr. John Christman, Principal
Family fun night: Free
movie night at COSLHS on October 14th at dark.
“Monsters Inc.” is the featured film.
Come one, come all, bring your families and friends. This will be an
enjoyable evening for everyone.
Monsanto Grant for Christ Our Savior: If
you are a farmer who works or manages at least 250 acres you can nominate Christ Our Savior for a $2500 grant to
be awarded by Monsanto. You do not have
to use their products, only be a farmer in Randolph County. The more nominations we receive the better
chance we have to receive the grant.
They are granting one organization per county. It is a one page form you can send by mail or
fill out online.
Visit www.monsanto.com/americasfarmers/Pages/grow-communities.aspx to
get the form, or contact Christ Our
Savior and we can complete the form for you with your permission. Deadline
for nominations is Nov. 30.
Discover COS: On October 20th and October 27th,
sixth and seventh grade students will be invited to visit COSLHS to learn more about the opportunities offered by a Lutheran
high school education. Please encourage any 6th, 7th
& 8th grade student (especially from local public schools) to
attend. As lunch will be provided,
please RSVP by the Monday of the week you visit.
The
school is still in search of:
•
A basketball coach for the 2011-2012 season
Coming Events:
October 7th & 8th Oktoberfest, Steeleville
October 9th Roland Diercks Auction, Sparta
(Those of you who helped in our beginning
years will remember him as the person who was always trying to make our jobs
easier by designing table risers, clothes racks, (used at rummage sales and
Dinner Auctions). Come with us to reminisce.
October 16th Hartmann Auction, Baldwin
October 14th Movie Night @ COSLHS
October 20th 6th Grade Visitation
October 27th
7th Grade Visitation
October 29th Possible Stand @ Cape
Zuehla
Rowold Laverna Luthy
Red Bud Nursing
Home Three Springs N. Home
350 W. South 1st 161 Three Springs
Rd. Bud , IL
62278 Chester , IL 62233
Opal Luthy Patty
Theobald
Red Bud Nursing
Home 402 W.
2nd St.
350 W. South 1st Apt. F.
Red
Bud, IL 62278 Sparta, IL 62286
Dorothy
Junge Mr.
& Mrs. Russell Mahan
Baldwin,
IL 62217 New Athens, IL
62264
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Present: Terry Rehmer,
Toni Rehmer, Susan Piel, Connie Buch Fleta Junge, Linda Schoenbeck, Tony Junge,
Mark Schoenbeck, Gerald Poenitske, Darla Porter and Pastor Taggatz
Opening Devotions
were led by Pastor Taggatz
A special presentation
was given on COSLHS-Strategic Planning-by Mr. Robert Rahlfs, Chairman of
COSLHS Executive Board, and Mr. John Christman, Administrator
Guest Julia Kahle was
recognized. Thrivent requests the use of the school for a ‘thank you’
dinner 13 November. Minimal help will be needed. All Thrivent members are
invited. Voting for a new Randolph County Thrivent Board members will be held.
Motion was made and approved to allow Thrivent the use of the school.
Minutes of the last
meeting were read and approved
Financial Secretary’s
Report: Total receipts for August $11,723.05
Treasurer’s Report:
Ending balance of the General Fund August, 2011 -$880.22.
Ending monthly balance for all individual funds $11,027.78
Spiritual Ministries:
Charlotte Brunkhorst requests a transfer to St. John Lutheran Church in
Ludington, MI. Transfer approved
Sylvia Crank requests release from membership. Release
granted
Church Properties:
Work Day 24 September. Lots of help will be needed.
The Ladies Aid will be providing lunch.
The Trustees are waiting for bids on the school roof.
Stewardship: The
committee encourages members to complete their commitment forms
LYF: October
2-Meeting after the worship service
October 15 – Picnic at the Kahles
November 6-Chili Dinner. The youth will be selling
Tupperware at the dinner as a fund raiser for the next Youth Conference in San
Antonio, TX.
PASTOR’S REPORT:
We remember in our prayers— We pray for Jason Mines, Bonnie
Highberger, and for Lee Hogandobler, all who are battling serious
illnesses. We pray for Homer Liefer, as
he prepares to have surgery and for Linda, the sister of Rhonda Niewoglowski,
as she goes through some health problems.
We also pray for Mrs. Hargis, as she continues to go through
rehabilitation…
Pastoral Acts from Aug. 10th ‘11 through Sept. 13th,
2011—
-Regular
Saturday & Sunday worship responsibilities
- 5
Bible Study class sessions (Sunday mornings)
-2
Evangelism Classes on Saturday Mornings, Sept.
3rd & 10th
-3
COSLHS Meetings—Aug. 18th, Sept. 1st & 8th
-3
Counseling Sessions
-R.
County Care Center Chapel—Aug. 24th
- 15 Homebound/ Member
visits
-1
Hospital Visit
-Pastor’s
Circuit Meeting @ St. Paul’s Wine Hill,
Sept. 6th
Sunday School—
-Traci Liefer, our Sunday
School Superintendent, has reported to
me that we had 10 children
involved in our Sunday School this past
Sunday Sept. 11th. Traci,
Julie Schmoll, and I will
be meeting shortly to put together a list of dates and songs that our
Sunday School children will be singing in
our Sunday Worship services
during the 2011-2012 Sunday School academic
year…
LWML Sunday will be on October 9th.
-The Ladies Aid is asking to
have a door offering on that Sunday
to support the SIGHT Ministry
center, which puts together large print Christian devotional materials
(books of the Bible, hymns
etc…) for those who are visually
impaired. Is this alright?
I still have one more
evangelism workshop to teach this coming Saturday Sept. 17th at
9am. All are welcome to attend if you
want to learn more about how to share the saving message of Jesus Christ with
those who so badly need to hear it.
Confirmation &
Pre-Confirmation Instruction—is up and running on Wednesday nights. Pre-Confirmation meets at 6pm and
Confirmation meets at 7pm. Currently
there is one child in pre-confirmation and two children in confirmation
instruction. Unfortunately, I recently
found out that two of our confirmands recently moved away, Willem Pautler and
Chace Cogar. We wish them well and God’s
blessings!
Pastor Taggatz is on Twitter
and has an online blog. If you would like to follow his twitter account his
screen name is @jtaggatz. His blog, which has past St. John Church Newsletters,
sermons, etc. is: www.thewordendures.blogspot.com. Also, if
you would like to keep up with LCMS current news go to the NEW LCMS
website: www.lcms.org. There you
will find the LCMS’ facebook, twitter and other accounts that you can use to
keep up with the latest information in our church body.
The Southern Illinois
District Convention will take place on February 16-18, 2012 in O'Fallon. Our
congregation has the privilege to nominate people for the following positions:
President and Secretary (pastors), Treasurer (lay person), Board of Directors
(lay people and commissioned ministers), Board of Missions and Board of
Congregational Support (pastors, lay people and commissioned ministers). Our congregation needs to return these
nominations to our Circuit Forum on Sunday Oct. 9th at Holy Cross,
Renault @ 2pm. We need to schedule a special meeting after church to do
this before Sunday Oct. 9th to vote on at least these few positions
below…
-Items we do need to vote on are: SID President,
our Circuit Counselor, Lay Delegate and
Alternate Delegate (as our Lay Delegate
needs to go with me to our
circuit forum on Oct. 9th)…
Sunday Sept. 18th @ 4pm there
will be an installation for the new pastor @ Zion Pinckneyville and Trinity
Conant. The Rev. David Kollmeyer will be their new pastor. He has been involved in prison ministry in
our Southern Illinois District. A
potluck meal will be following the installation service at Zion Pinckneyville
on Sept. 18th.
Parsonage Update—the
vent fan in the upstairs bathroom isn’t working at all. The heater also doesn’t work and there are
areas where the shower surround is peeling again. Could someone please check this out
please? Thanks.
PASTOR’S CONFERENCE—Will
be on Oct. 3rd & 4th at Rend Lake. The topic is on “Creation” with Dr. David
Menton of Answers in Genesis Ministries. Pastor Taggatz will be there for SID business
etc, (I will be sharing a room with Pastor MacDougall to keep the costs down
for our church)…
As there was no old or new business to discuss a motion
was made and seconded to adjourn
The meeting was closed with the
Lord’s Prayer.
Pres. Terry Rehmer
Sec. Darla Porter
We Believe,
Teach and Confess.
Martin Luther’s Small
& Large Catechism
“How Can Water Do Such Great Things?”
Introductory Note: Baptism is not our work, but God’s work. It is a priceless treasure God
gives and faith receives or grasps. God’s Word of Gospel-promise makes Baptism
what it is. Baptism gives us great comfort and strength when our sins accuse
us, when we realize how we stand guilty before God. Then, says Luther, the
Christian is to say, “But I am baptized!” Luther comments about infant Baptism
since, in his time as today, some Christians deny infants this precious
Sacrament. Luther’s defense of infant Baptism is interesting. He says simply
that if God did nothing through Baptism, how do baptized children believe in
Him? For Luther, the fact that the gift of the Holy Spirit is given even to
very small children is proof enough that God works in and through Baptism.
Luther also explains how Baptism encompasses what was known as “penance.” So
for Luther, Confession and Absolution are subsumed under Baptism and the
proclamation of the Gospel. True repentance is daily returning to Baptism.
Baptism is our daily garment, by which we suppress the old Adam and grow up in
the new Adam, being clothed with the righteousness of Christ. (See AC IX; SA
III V.)
16 …In the water is God’s Word or command and God’s name. His name is a
treasure greater and nobler than heaven and earth…
17 Baptism is quite a different thing from all other water. This is not
because of its natural quality but because something more noble is added here.
God Himself stakes His honor, His power, and His might on it. Therefore,
Baptism is not only natural water, but a divine, heavenly, holy, and blessed
water, and whatever other terms we can find to praise it. This is all because
of the Word, which is a heavenly, holy Word, which no one can praise enough.
For it has, and is able to do, all that God is and can do [Isaiah 55:10–11]. 18
In this way it also gets its essence as a Sacrament, as St. Augustine also
taught, “When the Word is joined to the element or natural substance, it
becomes a Sacrament,” that is, a holy and divine matter and sign. (Large
Catechism IV, 16-18)
21 So, and
even much more, you must honor Baptism and consider it glorious because of the
Word. For God Himself has honored it both by words and deeds. Furthermore, He
confirmed it with miracles from heaven. Do you think it was a joke that, when
Christ was baptized, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended
visibly, and everything was divine glory and majesty [Luke 3:21–22]? (Large
Catechism IV, 21)
22 I encourage
again that these two—the water and the Word—by no means be separated from each
other and parted. For if the Word is separated from it, the water is the same
as the water that the servant cooks with. It may indeed be called a
bathkeeper’s baptism. But when the Word is added, as God has ordained, it is a
Sacrament. It is called Christ’s Baptism. Let this be the first part about the
holy Sacrament’s essence and dignity. (Large Catechism IV, 22)
Concordia : The Lutheran
Confessions. 2005 (Edited by Paul Timothy McCain) (424 -425). St. Louis , MO
The deadline for getting articles and reports
in to be included in the Newsletter is the 18th
of every month.
Do You Have a Question? There
are tracts in the narthex that may be able to help… Take a moment as you come into church to
check out the Lutheran Hour Ministries tract rack. These pamphlets are free for you to take
home. You may see one that would be
interesting, maybe not for yourself, but for a friend or relative who is
experiencing or questioning a particular topic.
St. John Fundraiser for the
School Roof--If any member of St. John, or maybe a friend that you know of,
has an undamaged cell phone that's no longer in use. Please bring the cell
phone to the church. Also, if you have an unused Palm Pilot or other sort of
PDA device, even empty ink cartridges (palm sized), these items can be donated
as well. The church can donate these items and receive money for them at 100%
profit. Other groups and organizations have taken part in a fundraiser like
this and have been able to raise up to $6,000. Please tell your friends and
family about this too. If you have any questions feel free to contact Pastor
Taggatz at 618-785-2344. Thank you to the member who suggested this fundraiser.
Recent Thrivent Choice Donations to our Church for the
month of Sept. , 2011—Thrivent is
pleased to let us know that they have made a deposit into our account on behalf
of the
Thrivent Choice program.
- Amount of
deposit: $112.00.
-Total
amount our church has received from the Thrivent Choice program since February
2011: $4,325.00
THE FAITH ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE
SAINTS…Issues, Etc. is a radio talk
show produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd
Wilken. Topics include: St. Michael & All Angels, Jerome the
Translator, Joseph Feeds Egypt, The Parable of the Tenants and more. You
can listen LIVE weekdays from 4-5 p.m. on KSIV, 1320 AM in St.
Louis. You can listen to what you want when you want at
www.issuesetc.org.
The Dual Circuit Reformation Service for
Circuits 9 & 10 will be held 3:00 pm, Sunday, October 30, 2011, at Holy
Cross Lutheran Church, 2033 Kaskaskia Rd, Renault, IL (if Renault does not register with your online map
services, the towns of Prairie du Rocher and Fults are alternates that should).
The preacher for the service will be Rev. Scot Kinnaman from CPH. We will be
commemorating the 494th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation, as
well as noting the 200th anniversary of the birth of Rev Dr CFW Walther (Oct. 25).
The theme for the service will be the (translated) motto of Der Lutheraner: "God's
Word and Luther's doctrine pure shall now and evermore endure."
THRIVENT Economic and Investment Outlook
Update
Economic and Investment Outlook Update is a free educational
event that can help you make more informed investment decisions.
During the event, you will gain a better
understanding of the factors that affect financial markets and trends. You will
also receive and overview of how the changing economy can impact investment
markets, how emotions can affect your decisions, and when to get professional
financial guidance. The free one hour event will be presented by Randolph
County Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Chapter on October 12th at
St. John’s Lutheran Fellowship Hall, Red Bud, Illinois. A meal will be served
at 6:00p.m. and the presentation by Mr. Dave Wegenke will begin at 7:00p.m. For
reservations call: Julie Ratz at St. John’s 618-282-3873.
The Economic and
Investment Outlook workshop is intended only to educate you about financial
decisions. It is broad in scope and does not consider your individual personal
financial situation, which is unique. The information and advice may not be
appropriate in all cases. No products will be offered for sale.
IS IT TIME TO RECHARGE YOUR MARRIAGE? You can put new life back into your
relationship like when you were first married.
Attend the next Lutheran
Marriage Encounter Weekend at the Holiday Inn, South Lindbergh Blvd,
November 11-13. Here husbands and wives RESTORE
communication, REKINDLE romance and RENEW commitment. Watch your love for each other grow
immensely. For more information or to apply,
contact Tom & Kathy Von Behren, 636-343-9453 or vonbeh@sbcglobal.net. Check out the website at www.stlmarriage.com. Applications
are due by October 12.
LWML Fall Fellowship will be
held Thursday, October 27th at Holy Cross, Renault. Registration will
be at 9:00 a.m. and Opening Devotions will start at 9:30 p.m. The theme for
this year will be “Our Victory Celebration” 1 Corinthians 5:27. Rev. Bruce
Cameron, Zone Counselor, will lead us in a discussion of funeral practices and
help us make plans for our own funerals. Hopefully long before needed. Bring your Bible and a sack lunch. Drinks
and dessert will be provided.
A Kettle
Soup Dinner will be held 30 October, 2011 with serving 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Baldwin Fire House
Fundraiser for Baldwin Light/Nativity Scene Fund
Chicken Vegetable and Beef Vegetable will bwe on the
menu along with ham and beans, sandwiches, dessert and soft drinks.
Pre-order gallons in advance by October 25th.
Bring your own container.
Call Jeff Rowold at 785-2275 or Linda Schoenbeck at
785-2429
Results from
our Sept. 25th St. John Baldwin Congregational Meeting to vote for
Southern Illinois District Offices are:
Lay Delegate—Marvin
Liefer
Alternate Delegate—Gerald Poenitske
District President—(Current President) Rev. Timothy Scharr
Circuit Counselor—Rev. John Taggatz
District Secretary—Rev. Ralph Laufer
District Treasurer—Mr. Gary Hemmer
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