In Honor of The Celebration of Reformation--Der Kleine Catechismus

Der Kleine Catechismus

                It was 1529. Father Christopher of Hermannsburg, in the kingdom of Hanover (that's in Germany), was seated at his desk, looking over the pages of his Missal.  "The Fourth Sunday in Advent," he read. There was a loud knocking at the door that interrupted the priest in his preparations for the service.  The rapping was insistent, and a voice called, "Father Christopher!" "Yes, coming!" was muttered impatiently.

                As he opened the door a young man, dressed in the plain clothing of a mechanic's helper, stepped in.  A wintery blast filled the room along with a small cloud of snowflakes. This young man explained that he was on his way to Hanover because he had been promised work there. And knowing the hospitality of Father Christopher, he made this bold attempt to ask for food and shelter for the night.

                This is how young William Hauser was introduced to his host. After he finished eating he began to read from a small book he had in his jacket pocket.  The priest asked, "You are able to read?" And with a gentle smile, William admitted that he was adept at this rare art. (Can you imagine not being able to read?)  "And what might you be reading?" inquired the priest.  Holding the book up to the light, the title was revealed, Der Kleine Catechismus. "What kind of book is this? Who has written it? And, where did you get it?" the priest grilled young William.

                "Dr. Martinus of Wittenberg has written it, and I obtained it from a friend, to whom I am to return it.  It was printed earlier in the year by Conrad Treffer at Erfurt. The book is so much sought after that the printers cannot supply enough copies, and my friend transcribed it with his own hand." After a pause, William asked, "What do you think of it?"

                The priest didn't answer, but asked to read it, that very night.  In the morning the priest confessed to young William, "My good Hauser, I must tell you that this little catechism has strangely affected me. You must let me make a copy of it.  I have heard about this strange monk who has challenged the emperor and Pope, and I considered him a common heretic and a destroyer of the Lord's vineyard. But heretic or not, blessed are the hands which have written this book, and blessed are those who believe its teachings."

                Days lengthened into weeks and William's health declined, but the priest helped him get better, and in return the young man strengthened the spirit of the priest.  William would speak of the powerful sermons of Luther; of the thousands going to Wittenberg to hear Luther; of Luther's translation of the New Testament into German; and of the new hymns of the Reformation Church that were being sung in schools and churches, shops, homes, and market places.

One day the priest asked William, "Does not this monk dread the wrath of his enemies? Is he not under the curse of the Pope and the ban of the emperor? Does he dare move among the people?"

                William replied, "You may not believe it, but Brother Martinus associates with uttermost freedom with people of every station. His study is never without its visitors, and his lecture room is always crowded with strangers from England and Scotland, Denmark and Bohemia. Brother Martinus relies on protection from a power much higher than the Elector of Saxony." 

                Soon after William was on his way, and now Father Christopher began to study the catechism.  He also wrote and received a copy of Luther's New Testament translation and some of his sermons. It was not long before the priest became convinced that he had been an unfaithful shepherd of Christ's flock.  He became sad about all the things he had failed to teach his people about the redeeming blood of Christ. And it came true in his case and many others, that which he now believed as the very truth of God he began preaching to his people---in their language.  He invited young and old to receive instruction in his new-found text---Luther's Catechism.

                But the enemy of truth was not willing to give up and accept this new way of teaching.  Mobs roamed the countryside disrupting services. Father Christopher's services were rudely broken up and at his bishops orders, soldiers were stationed at the church to prevent him from holding services.  Meetings were broken up in the homes and businesses of his church members.  The faithful began meeting in the forest, usually at night, but eventually they were found out. Father Christopher and his congregation were arrested, thrown in jail, and hounded to give up their new convictions.

                How this might end, no one can tell, but the hour of freedom was already striking.  Duke Ernst of Lueneburg announced his decision that throughout the land religious freedom should prevail.  With other faithful pastors, Pastor Christopher returned to his station and for many years worked as an evangelical shepherd. The visit of the young man looking for a place to spend the night, started an event in Advent 1529 that bore fruit a thousand fold.

Adapted from The Story of the Catechism by Th. Graebner. Copyright © 1928 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Sermon for Reformation Day Observed--The Power of God's Grace--Jeremiah 31:31-34

“The Power of God’s Grace” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

1.                  Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The message from God’s Word this day in which we observe the Festival of the Reformation is taken from Jeremiah 31:31-34 and is entitled, “The Power of God’s Grace,” dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.                   Twenty-five years after Columbus discovered America, a Catholic monk by the name of Martin Luther posted Ninety-five Theses for debate on the issue of indulgences. Indulgences, as you may know, were documents purchased from the Church that would take away the punishments for sin people thought they had to suffer after death in a place called purgatory. This monk by the name of Martin Luther saw these indulgences for what they really were—a moneymaking scheme for a bankrupt papacy. October 31, 1517, was the day that this monk and university professor began to attack publicly the way the Church had been doing business for years. He criticized what was unbiblical, but at the time he had no intention of splitting the Church. His goal was to reform the Church, to correct the abuses, and make straight what had gone crooked over the past few centuries. At least, that’s how it began.

3.                  But in the following years, Luther saw that the problems ran much deeper than just indulgences. The problems dealt with the liturgy, they dealt with leadership in the Church, and, even more central, they dealt with the certainty of salvation. They dealt essentially with these two questions: “Who rules the Church?” and “How can I find a gracious God?” That is, the questions were about God’s Word and God’s grace. Luther’s goal was to return authority in the Church to the Word of God, such as Jer 31:34: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” His goal was to return to the Word of God and find therein the grace of God, words of grace like these in our text:“I Will Forgive their Wickedness,” Says the Lord.

4.                  Unlike most people in modern-day America, Luther knew he was a sinner. He knew he deserved nothing but eternal punishment, perpetual hell, since he could not fully live according to God’s Law. The Law, with its demands, condemned him. The Law showed him, and it shows us, where we are by nature. It shows us that we all begin at the same point of sin and corruption at our birth.

5.                  For instance, if the sign at the amusement park says you have to be 5 feet tall to ride, and you’re only 4 feet, 9 inches, nothing you can do will change your situation. You’re stuck. You’re cast out. You can’t ride the ride. That’s what God’s Law, the Word of the old covenant, does to sinners.  The old covenant, God’s Law, shows sinners their sin, and yet it demands perfect obedience (Lev 18:5).  Luther was terribly aware of his guilt under the old covenant. His early years were tormented by fear of God’s wrath over his sins, and he went to great lengths trying to satisfy God.  We sinners are in the same boat as Luther and as ancient Israel. We’ve broken God’s holy Law; we’ve broken the old covenant; we’re corrupt and perverted people.  Just look at the amount of people today who are living together outside of marriage both young and old alike, which the Bible says is clearly wrong.  We can see the lack of character in our politicians today, with their adulterous affairs and their dealings under the table.  We too, fail to obey those in authority over us.  We harm our bodies with drugs. And with alcohol by overdrinking and getting drunk.  And many people would rather go to a football or baseball game on Sunday morning than be in God’s House to give Him the worship and praise that He deserves.  We haven’t even mentioned the fact that we gossip about our neighbor behind their back and we desire our neighbor’s possessions that don’t belong to us.  

6.                  But God has a plan. He doesn’t want us to be corrupt, condemned sinners, but rather, a new creation. He wants us to be complete, new, pure, and holy.  This is where God wants us to be. Jeremiah describes three characteristics of becoming a new creation.  First, we have the Law written in the mind and heart (renewal of man, the new life in Christ).  Second, we have God as our God and we are his people.  And third, we know God.

7.                  But, if the old Law covenant tells us we’re corrupt sinners, how can we ever become what God wants us to be? Our problem is the same as that of Luther. How do we find a gracious God? The answer is the Gospel—the new Gospel covenant of the forgiveness of sins because of Christ. As God says through Jeremiah, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

8.                  Here was the great wickedness of the Church in Luther’s day: teaching that we satisfied God, by a whole list of prescribed works—indulgences, prayers to the saints, becoming a monk, suffering in purgatory.  Instead, Jesus Christ put the new covenant into effect by his own blood.  Because of his blood and cross, the Gospel is preached in the Church and throughout the world. By the Gospel of Christ, God forgives you your sins.  Because you are forgiven, God begins a new creation in you. While here on earth, you can’t always tell that we’re living our lives as God’s new creation, created new in Christ, because there’s always plenty of our sinful nature hanging on.  But in heaven, we will have reached fully being made new in our Lord Jesus Christ, the completion of the new creation.

9.                  When Johann Friedrich, Elector of Saxony (1503–54), was thrown into prison, when all his books were taken from him and his pastor was forbidden to come to him, he said smiling, “Go ahead and take them! I know one thing for certain: even if they take everything from me, they will not be able to take my Lord Jesus and the eternal life he purchased with his blood out of my heart” (Hermann Fick, Geschichten aus Kirche und Welt zu Dr. M. Luthers Kleinem Katechismus [St. Louis: Concordia, 1906], 267). The elector had heard the Gospel of Christ, and by it he had total confidence that God was gracious to him. Because of the preaching of Luther and others, the elector did not trust in indulgences or his own works. Instead, he trusted in Christ, even when he had lost everything in this world.

10.              Luther’s goal was to return to the Word of God and find the grace of God therein, in the preaching of the cross of Christ. Luther wanted to do nothing new, but just to return the Church to the old faith and practice. He fought against a Church hierarchy that paid more attention to rules and laws than to the Word of God. He stood up against a Church that preached only rules for living and not the full and free Gospel of the forgiveness of sins in Christ’s death.

11.              These problems have not left us. We, too, need a reformation. Our problems today are not exactly the same as the problems in Luther’s day, of course. But Luther’s answer must be our answer as well. Standing squarely on Scripture, we will hold up the Gospel, the new covenant, which says that by faith in Christ alone there is salvation. In a spirit of love for our brothers and sisters, we will speak the truth, the entire truth, of God’s Word. We will confess our sins, we will trust in Christ, and we will confess the truth. Today we give thanks to God for the Gospel, the same Gospel of grace spoken by Jeremiah, confessed by Luther, and preached here today. May God keep us steadfast in this Word and grace.   Amen. 

(Portions of this sermon have been used from Concordia Pulpit Resources Vol. 15, Part 4, and Rev. Benjamin T.G. Mayes)

St. John Nov. 2011 Newsletter

St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, LCMS Newsletter                       P.O. Box 162, Baldwin, Illinois 62217-0162 (618) 785-2344              

        Pastor John M. Taggatz,          Carol Wentz, Secretary

November, 2011                                  Lela Rehmer, Custodian          Kevin Kahle, Groundskeeper      

                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                        Church E-mail:  stjohnch@egyptian.net; jtaggatz@yahoo.com

                                                                                                        Church Web Site:  www.stjohnbaldwin.ctsmemberconnect.net

Serving on the Altar Guild for November are:  Geri Stahre & Carol Wentz

Ushers for the Month of November are:  

Larry Erdmann, Kevin Luthy, Cory Rehmer, Terry Rehmer, Brian Schoenbeck, Bruce Schoenbeck, Wes Stellhorn & Dennis Wegener

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.

Bids for Lawn Mowing and Custodian need to be given to a Trustee by 15 November.

“Now Thank We All Our God”

Martin Rinkart was a Lutheran pastor and composer who left us a beautiful testament of Christian faith and thanksgiving.  During this month of November, in which we give thanks for all the blessings that God has given to us, it would be good for us to remember the hymn, “Now Thank We All Our God,” that he composed and the story behind it. 

Martin Rinkart was one of those clergymen to whom Germany had so much reason to be grateful. The son of a poor coppersmith, he was educated at the University of Leipzig.  At the age of thirty-one Martin was offered the place of Archdeacon at his native town of Eilenburg in Germany during the horrors of the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648. Eilenburg became an overcrowded refuge for the surrounding area. The town suffered from epidemic and famine.  During those years Martin stood by his congregation, and helped them under every kind of distress. Of course he had to endure the quartering of soldiers in his house, frequent plundering of his little stock of grain, and household goods. But these were small things.

The plague of 1637 visited Eilenburg with extraordinary severity.  The town was overcrowded with fugitives from the country districts where the Swedes had been spreading devastation, and in this one year 8,000 persons died in it. The whole of the town council except three persons, a terrible number of school children, and the clergymen of the neighboring parish, were all carried off.  Rinkart had to do the work of three men, and did it courageously at the beds of the sick and dying. He buried more than 4,000 persons, but through all his labors he himself remained perfectly well. The pestilence was followed by a famine so extreme that thirty or forty persons might be seen fighting in the streets for a dead cat or crow. Rinkart, with the mayor and one other citizen, did what could be done to organize assistance, and gave away everything but the barest rations for his own family, so that his door was surrounded by a crowd of poor starving wretches, who found it their only refuge.

After all this suffering came the Swedes once more, and imposed upon the unhappy town a tribute of 30,000 dollars. Rinkart ventured to the camp to entreat the general for mercy, and when it was refused, turned to the citizens who followed him, saying, "Come, my children, we can find no hearing, no mercy with men, let us take refuge with God." He fell on his knees, and prayed with such touching earnestness that the Swedish general relented, and lowered his demand at last to 2,000 florins. So great were Rinkart's own losses and charities that he had the utmost difficulty in finding bread and clothes for his children, and was forced to mortgage his future income for several years.

Yet how little his spirit was broken by all these calamities is shown by his best known hymn, “Now Thank We All our God,” and others that he wrote, some indeed speaking of his country's sorrows, but all breathing the same spirit of unbounded trust and readiness to give thanks to God our Heavenly Father for all that He continues to do for us physically and spiritually. He composed this simple but noble expression of trust and praise, when the hope of a general peace was dawning on the country. It’s amazing that in a world dominated by death, Rinkart wrote this timeless prayer of thanksgiving for his children to offer to the Lord.  But he did so knowing and trusting in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has conquered sin, death, and devil for us by His own death on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the grave:

Now thank we all our God

With hearts and hands and voices; 
Who wondrous things hath done,

In whom this world rejoices. 
Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath led us on our way, 
With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!

See You in Church!

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Pastor Taggatz

Gratitude for His Presence

               

How many stars are there in the sky?  Who can count them?  Yet God created and knows each of them.  How many different kinds of animals in the forests and deserts and oceans?  We have not come to the end of discovering them all, but God has created each one in its unique way.  Nor has God been less meticulous with us, for, even though all humans have the same body structure, a face with nose, eyes, and mouth, and all our various parts, yet each of us is uniquely different from another.  Not only has God created each of us, He knows us intimately and cares about every facet of our lives and activities.  David, the psalmist, wrote about this characteristic of God in Psalm 139: “O Lord, You have searched me and You know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1-3). 

Here is really something to be thankful for!  The Creator of the universe cares so much about you that He searches your heart and mind in order that He might know you!  We talk about our need and desire to know God; have you ever thanked Him that He wants to know you?

Are you thankful that you can never get away from God?  That He knows when you sit, when you stand, when you go somewhere, and even when you lie down to go to sleep at night?  We can never get away from God.  Should we ascend to the clouds or descend to the depths of the ocean, we would not go there alone (Psalm 139:8).  God loves us so much that His presence is with us wherever we are.

Like the three-year old who stamps her little foot in defiance when her parents make her go to bed when she needs rest and like the rebellious teen who believes his parents are out to control him, we do not always recognize that all God gives us and does for us and, yes, even demands of us, is for our good because He loves us.  Sometimes we, too, stamp our feet and shout at God in defiance, while we should be thanking Him for His presence, for His constant care, for His love that will not let go of us.  Tenderly He forgives our waywardness, restoring us again to His presence, giving us ever more cause for gratitude.

Why Join a Bible Study?

A big part of church life should be the offering of Bible studies.  What is your experience and history of attending Bible study?  You may fall somewhere in the range from eagerly attending to no interest.

For many, the biggest impediment to attending a Bible study is time.  We are so busy with work and activities that we are not willing to make Bible study a priority.  However, Jesus tells us, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).  Our Savior would remind us that just as we need physical nourishment, so do we need spiritual nourishment from His Word.  How easy it is to enjoy all of God’s gifts while failing to thank Him for them and neglecting to carve out some time to spend with Him.

What a mistake we make in doing so!  God gives us His Word and Sacraments for the forgiveness of sin and the nurturing of our faith.  Do we want to deprive ourselves of daily and weekly Bible study and worship?  By spending time in personal Bible reading and in group Bible studies, our relationship with Jesus deepens, and we are armed to handle the challenges we face.

The writer of Hebrews tells us, “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword...” (Hebrews 4:12).   God’s Word cuts through any spiritual barrier that stands between us and Him.  God’s Word gives life.  Jesus declares, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God” (Luke 4:4).

We will never regret making God our first priority.  The blessings He offers us in His presence during prayer time and study of His Word are lasting, unlike the temporal perks we get through our careers or leisure activities.  Nothing compares with spending time in God’s Word alone and together with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

God invites us to read and study His Word.  God doesn’t require us to understand everything, nor does He promise that the Scriptures will solve all our problems.  God invites us into a relationship through the words of the Bible with His Son, Jesus, Whom we call the Living Word.

In addition to growing in our relationship with our Savior, Bible studies give us the opportunity to have fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  A bonding often takes place as people share their faith, joys, and challenges.

I hope and pray that these few thoughts will provide a little encouragement for you to find a Bible study to attend and to make regular attendance a priority in your life.  You won’t be sorry!  If I can be of any help in finding a study or answer any questions, don’t hesitate to call Pastor Taggatz at the church office 618-785-2344.  Pastor is always willing to find other times during the week or on the weekend for us to study God’s Word!

We remember in our prayers— We pray for Lori Adair, Jason Mines, Bonnie Highberger, Lee Hogandobler, and Dennis Bunte, all who are battling serious illnesses.  We praise the Lord that Pat Hartmann’s Great Nephew, Evan Saldona, who has been fighting a serious illness, is doing better.  We pray for Linda, the sister of Rhonda Niewoglowski, as she goes through some health problems, and for Rhonda’s brother, Randy, as he recovers from recent surgery that he had.  We pray for Pastor Taggatz’s brother Eric, who is currently undergoing treatment for his illness, and for Greg Laufer, who is currently hospitalized in critical condition.

We mourn with the family of John Christman, the principal of Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School, whose father, Tom, was called home to heavenly rest and for the Adair Family, as they mourn over the death of Lori’s brother, David Little, and with Pastor Taggatz’s family, as they mourn over the death of his Great Aunt, Edna Anderson.  May God give to their families 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.”

An Item to Consider for St. John Annual Meeting—There are various items that we will need to consider before our annual meeting near the end of November.  Right now our church is in debt around $-3,882.00.  We thank those members who have given generously of their time, talents, and treasures to serve the Lord and His Church!  Unfortunately, we are still facing a shortfall in our congregation’s general fund.  Due to the aging of the infrastructure of our buildings we have had to make updates over the last few years.  Currently we need to replace the furnace in the gymnasium and also the school roof.  We have gratefully received funds from both the Rathmacher estate and Ronald Sommer  that we need to help pay a portion of the amount it would cost us to replace the school roof.  However, even with those funds we will still fall short of the money we need for the school roof and the church gymnasium’s furnace.  Because of this at our annual meeting we will be discussing a few pressing items regarding our church’s financial situation.

                - Recently at our last few meetings it has been brought up that we are going to be paying about $18,000 this academic year of 2011-2012 out of our church’s budget for the children of our congregation that go to our local Lutheran elementary schools.  The Board of Elders and Pastor Taggatz have a suggestion that we will bring before our annual meeting:

                -That we ask the families to give a portion of the tuition for each child that goes to our local Lutheran schools (ex.  St. John pays 90% and the family pays 10%, or St. John pays 75% and the family pays 25% etc…)

                -That for those families who may find it difficult to pay their amount come before the elders and Pastor Taggatz and present their case, (i.e.  salary per year, financial commitments etc)… and that the elders and Pastor bring before the council our suggestions regarding those families who would like more financial assistance, and the council make the final decision).

Lutheran Witness Subscriptions through St. John Baldwin—There is a signup sheet for the Lutheran Witness for all those who would like to continue to get it through our congregation and that those who don’t respond in the newsletter and bulletin etc., would have to pay for it themselves.  The deadline for letting us know if you want to continue to get the Lutheran Witness through our church is Sun. Nov. 6^th.  

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— Other LYF activities the chili dinner to raise funds for our National Convention at San Antonio, TX in 2013 on Sunday Nov. 6^th.  Other fundraisers will include selling Rada Knives and Tupperware.

There will be a short LYF parent’s meeting after church on Sun. Oct. 30^th to discuss what will be needed for the Chili dinner that will be on Sunday Nov. 6^th 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.  November 13^th – we will work on Christmas Tree Decorations after church.

On Sun. Nov. 27^th the LYF will be putting the Christmas Decorations up after church.    

The LYF’s help is needed at the Christmas Eve program here at St. John (it’s at 7pm on Dec. 24^th, please be there 15 -20 minutes early to meet with Fleta)—we ask that you hand out the bags of candy to the younger kids after the Christmas pageant.  You may even get some candy too!!! J 

If you have any questions email me (pastor):  jtaggatz@yahoo.com or Fleta Junge: tfjunge@htc.net  /call 282-4642 or 618-444-2764.

Remember:  Every 3^rd 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

810 Soldiers Way, Evansville, IL   62242

Phone 618-853-7300       Fax 618-853-7361

www.coslhs.org; E-mail:  admin@coslhs.org

Mr. John Christman, Principal

Veterans:  On Nov. 11 we will be celebrating Veterans Day with veterans of the area.  If you know of a veteran that did not receive an invitation from us, please invite them and give us the names and addresses.  It is hard to keep up with the changes to this list.  We appreciate your help.

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.

The school is still in search of:

       • A Paper shredder

       • A Telephone (replacement)    

      • A basketball coach for the 2011-2012 season  

Coming Events:

November 6                  Wild Auction, Hecker

November 13               Deterding Auction, Red Bud

Christ Our Savior Visit Opportunities

The best way to experience
the benefits of a Christian high school

Open Houses

Sunday, November 6          2:00-4:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 26          2:00-4:00 p.m.

Soldiers in Action (Shadow Day)

·         Learn how your son or daughter can grow in faith, learn for excellence, lead with integrity, and be equipped for a life in His service as a student at Christ Our Savior.

·         Students will be paired with a COS student with similar interests

·         Discover the difference at Christ Our Savior and meet the principal, teachers, and students

·         Soldiers in Action is open to anyone, but specifically meant for 8^th grade students wanting to learn more about Christ Our Savior.

·         Call and schedule your Shadow Day today!

(853-7300)

Zuehla Rowold                        Laverna Luthy

Red Bud Nursing Home        Three Springs N. Home  

350 W. South 1^st                             161 Three Springs Rd.    Red Bud, IL 62278                Chester, IL 62233   

Opal Luthy                               Patty Theobald

Red Bud Nursing Home        402 W. 2^nd  St.  

350 W. South 1^st                               Apt. F.

Red Bud, IL 62278          Sparta, IL 62286

Dorothy Junge           Mr. & Mrs. Russell Mahan

7555 State Rte. 15      800 Baldwin Rd

Baldwin, IL 62217        New Athens, IL 62264

      

	Church Council Meeting Tue. Oct. 11th 7:30 p.m.

 

Present:  Gerald Poenitske, Toni Rehmer, Susan Piel, Connie Buch, Fleta Junge, Linda Schoenbeck, Tony Junge, Mark Schoenbeck, Brian Schoenbeck , Darla Porter and Pastor Taggatz

Opening Devotions were led by Pastor Taggatz

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved

Treasurer’s Report: Ending balance of the General Fund September, 2011(­-­$3,899.56).

Spiritual Ministries: Tony Junge submitted a request from Pastor and Roxanne to attend a Marriage Encounter on 11 November through 13 November. There will be no expense for Pastor being gone that weekend, since Lutheran Marriage Encounter will pay for a guest preacher on that Sunday. Pastor feels attending the conference will not only strengthen his marriage but also strengthen his ability in marriage counseling. The request was granted.

Discussion was held regarding Parochial school tuition. The congregation will pay approximately $18,000.00 this school year. Further discussion will be held at the annual meeting.

Pastor would like to enroll in a Doxology Program to develop his ministry skills and his spiritual care for the congregation and himself. Elders and leaders of the church would also have an opportunity to attend select sessions. The dates of the program are 15-18 January, 2012 and 3-5 August, 2012. Guest preachers would be needed for these Sundays. The cost of the program is $3,400.00 which includes all instructional materials, lodging and food. Each participating congregation receives a $2,000.00 grant bringing the total to $1,400.00. Pastor is willing to pay half of the cost. The topic will be discussed with the congregation at the annual meeting.  Pastor Leistico has attended this program and Pastor’s brother-in-law, Rev. Matthew Wurm, is involved in it this year.  It also allows members of the church leadership to participate as well.  

The church currently pays for all members to receive the Lutheran Witness. A suggestion was made that congregational members who want to continue to receive the magazine sign the sheet on the table at church those who do not sign up will no longer receive it through the church. This topic will also be discussed at the annual meeting.

Church Properties:

Brian Schoenbeck was very grateful for all the help received at the Work Day. Many projects were accomplished. Brian would also like to thank the Ladies Aid for the delicious lunch they provided.  Thank you!

Bids were received for the school roof. Affording Roofing & Exteriors from Trenton - $24,874.16, Belleville Union Roofing Companies – Jim Taylor-$28,000.00, and Wrights – Sparta - $31,500.00.

Electrical work is needed at the church and school resulting in additional expense. The power service into the church and school is worn and is in need of replacement. Trustees recommend we table replacing the school roof so the electric repairs can be done. The electric work takes priority since the current situation is a fire hazard. The trustees recommend patching the roof and tarring around the pipes and chimneys as a temporary fix.

A new furnace is needed in the school.

Stewardship: Thank you to those members who turned in their commitment forms

LYF: October 15 – Picnic at the Kahles.  November 6^th – Chili Dinner. Desserts are needed. November 13^th – Work on Christmas Tree Decorations and November 27^th – Decorate the church for Christmas.

Pastor’s Report:

Devotion— Philippians 4:4-13

Pastoral Acts from Sept. 14^th ‘11 through Oct. 11^th, 2011—

-Regular Saturday & Sunday worship responsibilities & catechetical youth instruction

                - 4 Bible Study class sessions (Sunday            mornings)

                        -1 Evangelism workshop @ St. John Baldwin               on Sat. Sept. 24^th

                        -1 COSLHS Meeting—Sept. 15^th

                -1 Counseling session

                -R. County Care Center Chapel—Sept. 28^th

                -Chapel @ Trinity School—Sept. 28^th

                -Chapel @ COSLHS—Sept. 27^th

                -Chapel @ St. John Red Bud School—Sept. 21^st

                -Preached and led worship @ St. John Sparta on          Sat. Oct. 8^th   

                - 12 Homebound/ Member visits

                -Pastor’s SID Conference @ Rend Lake, Oct. 3-          4

                -Circuit Forum at Holy Cross Renault, Oct. 9th           

Dual Circuit Reformation Service Sunday Oct 30^th, 3pm @ Holy Cross Renault.  Rev. Scott Kinaman of Concordia Publishing House will be the special guest speaker…

Pastor Taggatz and Marvin Liefer, our church’s lay delegate attended the Circuit Forum on 9 October. They will be attending our District Convention in February, 2012. Gerald Poenitske, is our alternate lay delegate. Rev. Mark Nebel was voted our next circuit counselor.  The forum also submitted overtures to the District Convention to be held in February.

New Business:

All congregational members are strongly urged to attend the Annual Congregation Meeting on 27 November, 2011. The agenda will include but is not limited to discussion of changes in Parochial School Tuition, the Lutheran Witness, the church finances and Pastor’s attendance to the Doxology Program.

A “thank you” to Brian Schoenbeck for his respectful and professional representation of the church during the recalculation of the property insurance.

A lengthy discussion was held regarding the dire situation of our church finances.

President Rehmer has appointed the Budget and Nomination Committees.

A motion was made to adjourn.

The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Vice Pres. Gerald Poenitske

Sec. Darla Porter

The Randolph County Il Chapter of Thrivent will host a Thrivent Steak Dinner and Social Event for members and their families 13 November starting at 2:00 p.m. with cards and games. Supper will be served at 5:00 p.m. at the school. RSVP Julie Kahle at 618-785-2720 or Karla Mueth at 618-282-2466 by 7 November.

We Believe, Teach and Confess.

Martin Luther’s Small & Large Catechism

“What Does Such Baptizing With Water Signify?”
                                                                                               

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.)

                                                                       

We are sunk under the water, which passes over us, and afterward are drawn out again. These two parts, (a) to be sunk under the water and (b) drawn out again, signify Baptism’s power and work. It is nothing other than putting to death the old Adam and affecting the new man’s resurrection after that [Romans 6:4–6]. Both of these things must take place in us all our lives. So a truly Christian life is nothing other than a daily Baptism, once begun and ever to be continued. For this must be done without ceasing, that we always keep purging away whatever belongs to the old Adam. Then what belongs to the new man may come forth. ⁶⁶ But what is the old man? It is what is born in human beings from Adam: anger, hate, envy, unchastity, stinginess, laziness, arrogance—yes, unbelief. The old man is infected with all vices and has by nature nothing good in him [Romans 7:18]. ⁶⁷ Now, when we have come into Christ’s kingdom [John 3:5], these things must daily decrease. The longer we live the more we become gentle, patient, meek, and ever turn away from unbelief, greed, hatred, envy, and arrogance. (Large Catechism IV, 65-67)

³³Faith alone makes the person worthy to receive profitably the saving, divine water. Since these blessings are presented here and promised through the words in and with the water, they cannot be received in any other way than by believing them with the heart [Romans 10:9]. ³⁴ Without faith it profits nothing, even though Baptism is in itself a divine overwhelming treasure. Therefore, this single phrase, “Whoever believes,” does so much. (Large Catechism IV, 33-34)

³⁷ So you see plainly that there is no work done here by us, but a treasure, which God gives us and faith grasps [Ephesians 2:8–9]. It is like the benefit of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross, which is not a work, but a treasure included in the Word. It is offered to us and received by faith. (Large Catechism IV, 37)

⁴⁴ We must think this way about Baptism and make it profitable for ourselves. So when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say, “Nevertheless, I am baptized. And if I am baptized, it is promised to me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.”  (Large Catechism IV, 44)

Concordia : The Lutheran Confessions. 2005 (Edited by Paul Timothy McCain) (426-427 & 429). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House..

                                                                                               

The deadline for getting articles and reports in to be included in the Newsletter is the 18^th 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.

If you as an individual or your organization would like to help someone less fortunate this Christmas, please consider joining Lutheran Child and Family Services as we strive to make the season a joyous one for the people we serve. We will provide names, ages, sizes and special interests/needs of client. Please call Wanda Rollins, Janet Keiser or Precious Fowler at 618-234-8904.

Concordia Publishing Houses 2011 Warehouse Sale will be held 5 November from 8-12 noon. Huge savings of up to 75%.  CPH is located south of I-44 at 3558 S. Jefferson Ave.  Free parking available on Miami Street, east of Jefferson.

To Our Altar Guild Members:

Following is a list of items that need to be brought to your attention and I felt this was the easiest way. 

1.  The doors to the cabinet holding the altar cloths is to be left ajar in order to let air into the cabinet to help prevent mildew

2.  The old communion cloths that are not being used have been put in a space saver bag to keep them safe

 3.  I was able to get communion cups and wafers at a great discount in St. Louis because of this I have put four boxes of wafers into a plastic container.  Please save the other box so we can fill it after it is emptied.  If you need to refill the box, please be sure to seal the container again.   

4.  There are five boxes of communion cups in the cabinet.  Hopefully these will be better than the ones we are currently using, if not, please let me know

 5.  After one of our members had a bad fall carrying a candelabra, several of us have been filling the candles in Pastor’s office.  We take the board pastor uses for the video system and place it on the seat of one of the chairs, then put the candelabra on it.  Also as you all know, the container we have used in the past to fill the candles has become a problem, thanks to Marla, we found that the little white bottle works well filling the candles.  It’s a lot easier to handle than the big bottle.

6.   If anyone knows of someone who would be willing to assist with the Altar Guild, please let me know, if we have one more person, everyone would only have to work two months out of the year.

I can’t thank all of you enough for your willingness to serve your church, many people have no idea what it takes to prepare the church for services.  I would also like to thank Beverly Schoenbeck for her many years of service to the altar guild.  If you have any questions or problems, please call me or Linda Schoenbeck.

   Yours in Christ,

   Susan Piel

Relocation of Lutheran Braille Workers Center #165 from Immanuel, West Point to St. John Lutheran in Chester.

St. John Lutheran in Chester has just taken on an exciting new mission opportunity.  We are in the process of relocating the Lutheran Braille Workers Center # 165 from Immanuel West Point to St. John.  The center will be housed in the brick building on Route 3 North (Lehmen Dr.) directly across from the entrance to Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home.

Although the building is being provided rent free by one of our members, we will still be responsible for the supplies from Yucaipa, CA, the utility expenses up to an average of $75 per month, and a slight increase in our congregational insurance to cover the Braille contents.  The US Postal Service supplies free shipment of the finished books to countries across the world.

We are asking that members of your congregation who already support or would like to begin supporting the Lutheran Braille Workers direct their donations to our church office payable to:

St. John Lutheran Church

302 W. Holmes

Chester, IL 62233

And noted for “Lutheran Braille Workers” on the memo line to help support our project.

The new location should be operational by mid to late October.  Paul and Mary Stallman will be serving as the center’s coordinators and will be happy to answer any questions you might have 618-774-2936.  We hope that any of you who have been working at the center at West Point will continue to help at its new location, Please contact us to schedule a time for your group to work.  We also welcome any new groups who would like to help in this mission outreach opportunity or any group that would like to visit and observe the process of making Braille materials.

 

Don’t forget on Nov. 5^th   Set your clocks back one hour  so you won’t be too early for church on Sunday morning.

REMINDER – The Thanksgiving Day Service with Holy Communion will be held at 9:00 a.m.

The Sunday School Children will be practicing for their Christmas Eve Pageant starting at 8:30am on Sunday mornings in November, except for the weekend of Thanksgiving.  During December, the children will be practicing at 8:30am in the Church.

U. S. POSTAGE PAID Non-Profit Org. Permit No. 1 Baldwin, IL 62217

St. John Ev. Lutheran Church

P. O. Box 162

Baldwin, IL 62217-0162

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED