2/18/09
Dear St. John Members and Friends,
Today has already been a full day. I have talked to various friends, family, and members about
Some people at times ask, “Pastor, how can you deal with all that. How can you make a difference in all those situations?”
First of all, it is not me that makes the difference, God does. God can use me to remind people that He is the Good Shepherd who is with us beside still waters, and through the valley of the shadow of death. God can use me to go to Him in prayer for these people. God can use me to listen to someone in time of distress. At times God can use my time and talents to reach out and make a difference. But still, the one making the difference is God.
In the sermon this past Sunday I mentioned 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. That section of the Bible ends with these words, For when I am weak, then I am strong. What Paul is saying is that when I am weak God’s strength shines through. Because that is true, I don’t have to be the one who is strong. . . God is. But, God can use me to share His strength, His wisdom, His love, His power with others. (A couple of other comforting sections of Scripture that help me in this way are Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8;35-39, and 2 Corinthians 1:8-10.)
So, when you are faced with a difficult situation, or in overwhelming hurt, don’t deal with it by yourself. Turn to the Lord. Let Him be comforting, forgiving, and strong in your time of weakness. As St. Paul wrote: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
A child of God thankful for God’s strength,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Actually, today has not been an extremely busy day as my days go. So, if many days are like this one . . . boy do I need the Lord! How about you?
**********
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.
**********
NEW BIBLES FOR WORSHIP – We will be buying new Bibles for our sanctuary in the coming months.
Our current Bibles are over 15 years old, and the majority show their wear. The council approved the purchase of new Bibles. The Large Print NIV Bible we currently have, which we will be purchasing again, cost $8.72 a piece, or $139.52 a case. Our hope is to buy about 150 new Bibles for the sanctuary, and use many of the sanctuary Bible in Bible Classes.
NEEDED – TV’S, COMPUTERS. Recently all our TV’s and DVD players were being used by Sunday School classes, and one or two more were needed. Also, we have two older computers being used at St. John that could use replacing.
If you are getting a new (flat screen?) TV or computer, and have a used one in good condition, please think about donating a TV or computer to St. John for church use.
CONFIRMATION RETREAT – The yearly confirmation retreat is being held this weekend at Victory Bible Camp. The middle school students will experience games, snacks, gym time, tubing, possible skating and skiing . . . and 4 confirmation classes. Please keep our retreat in prayer.
THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO ASKED ABOUT KATHY’S SURGERY. Kathy underwent successful foot surgery, and her foot is feeling better after surgery than before. THANK YOU for your prayers and wishes.
The First “Gathering With our Christian Family” Elders’ meeting was held at the Rockey’s home on Sunday. A total of 24 people attended, and we got to know one another and – In order to better provide spiritual care for congregational members by St. John Elders, the Elders have divided the congregational households into 10 groups, one for each Elder. These Elders’ groups are changed yearly as new Elders are elected.
One elder each month will be inviting their group to “A Gathering of our Christian Family, beginning this coming Sunday, February 15.” These Gatherings will be held at the Rockey home. Herman Griese’s Elder’s group will be gathering at the Rockey home for lunch and sharing this Sunday after late worship. (Kathy is calling this meeting, “Sunday dinner at the Pastor’s.)
Each group will receive a written invitation, and a phone call to notify them of their meeting. Watch for more information.
Pastor Rockey is currently teaching a Bible Class entitled, “An Overview of Biblical Teaching” on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. (Sunday School Hour). If you have been attending St. John and wish to join our congregation, attending this class is one way to do so. Even if you have been a Lutheran before, attending this class can be a good refresher! The class is meeting in the Fellowship Hall outside the kitchen. (We are still in the early stages of the class, and make-up classes will be held, so there is still plenty of time to begin attending.)
LENT 2009 –Wednesday, February 25 is Ash Wednesday beginning the Lenten Season for 2009! Each Wednesday night in Lent we will have a worship service at 6:30 p.m. to remember the suffering and death of Jesus to save us. Please note, worship begins at 6:30 p.m., not 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday night, following our Lenten Meal. This year our Lenten worship will gather around the theme, “Modern Day Sins.”
Ash Wednesday Independence, pride
Lent 2 Relative truth
Lent 3 Gossip and Lying
Lent 4 Entertainment and the Pursuit of Pleasure
Lent 5 Substance abuse
Lent 6 Lust and sexual temptation
LENTEN FELLOWSHIP MEALS - Each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. a meal is served before worship. Members of St. John are asked to volunteer to serve these meals to make it easier to attend Wednesday night worship. This also gives a wonderful opportunity to spend time with God’s people, and to meet new members. There is no cost. This is not a pot luck meal, so you don’t need to bring anything. Plan on attending!
People have already signed up for the first two meals. We need other groups to sign up to serve Lenten meals! Please see the signup sheet on the back table in the narthex at church! (Thanks to those who already signed up last week.)
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN AN AMC VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL? St. John has been asked to help lead the Vacation Bible School for Star of the North Lutheran Church in Kenai, June 1-5. Seven families have already indicated an interest in helping.
If you would like to help us, or would just like more information, please sign up on the sign up sheet on the table in the narthex.
P.P.S. If you want to receive prayer requests from our prayer chain by e-mail, you can e-mail Jacki Rose at Jacki Rose at jackirose@gci.net.
********
DID YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church website? The link is: http://www.st-john-lutheran.org