9/27/08
Dear Members and Friends of St. John,
How often does the thought cross your mind that we are in a battle as God’s people, and the enemy is dangerous and evil? Whew! That’s a loaded question! But it is a question worth considering. How often does the thought cross your mind that we are in a battle as God’s people, and the enemy is dangerous and evil?
I am back at the office in church this Saturday morning after finishing up my moose hunting. There were times in past years that I began a school year feeling that the amount of activity for the coming year seemed overwhelming. Not this year. This year I am mentally, spiritually, and physically ready to go. After a busy summer, and after some recreation time fishing, hunting, reading, meditating and praying, I am excited about the opportunities to serve the Lord and God’s people at St. John in the coming school year.
However, on the drive home from moose hunting I came across a situation that brought home to me the battle that all of God’s children face. The devil is strong. He attacks God’s church and His children. His methods are relentless, and his intent is evil, the destruction of God’s church and His children.
But, for God’s children, the battle is already won through the death of Jesus for the sins of the world, and His resurrection defeating sin and death, . . . and Satan! In Ephesians 6, God tells us through Paul to “Put on the whole armor of God.”
I am excited about doing the work of our Lord, living in the victory He has won, and facing the assaults of our enemy. In fact, later this Fall, I hope to have the opportunity to help another LCMS congregation celebrate a long fought victory with a worship service of thanks and celebration. The theme I hope will be “Put on the Whole Armor of God.” But, I am also excited about the opportunities of God to do His work here at St. John, in Palmer, in the coming school year.
Unfortunately, if we forget we are in a battle, we can also forget to put on God’s armor of faith, or prayer, of salvation, of the Word of God. Without the armor of God we will not stand in the battle. I pray you join me in serving our Lord who died and rose for us, and that His armor protects and strengthens you.
Strengthened through Jesus victory, and His Call,
Pastor Jonathan
ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.
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Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
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CONFIRMATION is beginning! On Sunday, September 28 there is an important meeting after late worship for Confirmation Parents and Students. Confirmation Classes begin on Wednesday, October 1, at 2:30 p.m. at St. John.
Confirmation Classes have been an opportunity for growth in faith, in Christian relationships, and in knowledge for the middle school students of St. John. In addition, many bring friends.
If you have a child or grand child who is in middle school, please attend the meeting on September 28, and please make sure your students are at Confirmation Classes on October 1!!!
A MEAL AND AUCTION OF SERVICES will take place after late worship on Sunday, October 5.
This will be a meal of German food, brats, kraut, cabbage, and brownies, served during this time of Oktoberfest. The purpose of the auction is to continue RAISING FUNDS FOR THE AUDIO-VISUAL PROJECTION FOR OUR CHURCH. The goals is to raise $20,000.00. We have over $10,000 already raised.
One of the ideas of the board is an auction of services. Among those items already offered for donation are:
Ø Computer Tech and Support Work 4 - ½ hour sessions.
Ø Financial Education – check book balancing, loan education, credit building, etc. 4 – ½ hour sessions.
Ø Massage therapy, 2 – 1 hour sessions.
Ø Baby Sitting, 3 – 2 ½ hour sessions.
Ø Athletic Training, 1 – 2 hour session.
Ø Garden and Landscape Advice
Ø An Ice – Fishing Trip
You may also make donations to this system if you wish. Please place your gift in the offering plate or bring it to the office. Please designate the purpose of your gift in the memo of your check. A number of people have already made such donations.
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILREN
SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS STARTED AT ST. JOHN!!!! Opening worship begins at 9:30 a.m. in the church.
Ø Regular classes are held for children from age 3 through High School.
Ø There is a also new class called “Wooly Lambs” for children aged 1 ½ - 3 taught by Carol Gustafson., that will start October 19.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES START on Wednesday, October 1. Please keep these classes in your prayers!
PARENT SHARE PRE-SCHOOL has started classes again each morning at 9:30 a.m. New teachers are now leading this long time ministry that happens at St. John. St. John member Dee Arlow is teaching the “Bears” (4 year old) class that meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Tasha Petrie (daughter in law of members Don and Charlene) is teaching the “Cubs” (3 year old) class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
There are a few openings for students in the Cubs class. Call the church office and Judy can put you in touch with Dee or Tasha.
THANKS to Linda Griese and Gina Gilmore, who taught Parent Share Preschool for over 16 years!!!! This ministry has been a blessing to St. John!!!!!! (Before Linda and Gina, Dorothy Abbott taught for over 8 years!)
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY is meeting on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at 7:00 p.m. The class meets in the cry room of the church (or sometimes in the Portable Classroom.) Ask Marilee Nufer or Karl Kopperud about this study! Their first meeting this year was on September 18.
QUILTING FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF has begun again on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Ladies quilt from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the quilts are donated to Lutheran World Relief (the largest social services agency in the world) to help people in time of disaster. All are welcome.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES this year will start in the following areas:
“KOINONIA” (The word means “Fellowship” in the original Greek version of the New Testament.) meets the 4th Friday of each month at 6:00 p.m. for a pot luck meal and fellowship. This group has been for those 50 and older in recent years. See Pastor Allen or Arlene Fox for more information on scheduled Koinonia meetings.
LIFELIGHT BIBLE CLASSES start on Wednesday, October 1, at noon. This 1 hour Bible class will study Joshua this year. Bring leftovers to share lunch! Much discussion will be held based on God’s Word!!! All are welcome.
PROMISE KEEPERS Men’s Bible Study and Support Group meets on Tuesday nights, at 7:30 p.m., beginning Tuesday, October 7. This men’s study takes time for sharing, studying God’s Word, and prayer. The intent of this group is to support men is living their Christian faith in their families, their church, and in the community!
MORE ST. JOHN NEWS AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
LWML Health Kits – Lenita Deda and Linda Harm are heading up an effort by our LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) to collect health kits for distribution with the quilts. These will be collected by LWML Sunday, October 12th and sent to Lutheran World Relief (LWR - the largest social service agency in the world!). The ladies are looking for the following items:
Call Linda at 746-5933 or Lenita at 745-3413 for more information. (Please, LWR is requesting NO toothpaste.)
TRIPS TO GERMANY AND THE HOLY LAND - After Kathy and Jamie and I traveled to the Holy Land last November, we discussed traveling there again in 2009. We even met with about 15 people who want to travel with us to the Holy Land in the Fall of 2009, and 15 who wanted to travel to Germany and Luther Land.
Costs will be about $3500.00 a person for each trip. If you are interested in joining us, please respond to this e-mail and let us know. We will be meeting after worship in October to continue to work on plans for these trips.
LWML SUNDAY is Sunday, October 13. In our worship we will remember and celebrate God’s work through the faithful and Generous work of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON KRISTIN KOPPERUD’S patient and faithful wait on a heart transplant, you can click the following link and find out how she is doing.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/specialhumanbeing