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8/15/2009

Dear St. John Members and Friends,

 As pastor I have the privilege of serving God by helping people in life’s unique times.  Sometimes we get to plan and celebrate blessings like births and confirmations and baptisms and weddings.  But, sometimes people come to their pastor seeking the Lord’s guidance when things are going badly.  These situations can include an illness, a death, or a personal crisis. 

 I recently visited someone in the midst of one of these personal crises, and as we were discussing the crisis the person informed me about the situation by beginning with these words.  “First of all, we know the Lord is in charge.” 

 In addition to faith, there is real wisdom in these words.  Yes, the Lord IS in charge!  He’s in charge when life is going well and we may forget to thank Him.  He’s in charge when life is a painful struggle and we wonder where He is.  In talking about Jesus’ resurrection and ascending into heaven, we are told in Ephesians 1:22, And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.   Our Lord Jesus is head, in charge, for us!

 How do you act when life is difficult?  God calls us to live trusting in Him (in His power and love) and He calls us to live in love for others.  When life is difficult, does faith in God and love for others shine through in your life?

 When life is difficult I have found I don’t need to find some new solution, but I need to go back to the ancient truths.  I find those truths in God’s Word through daily devotions in Scripture, in a regular prayer life, in regular worship and fellowship with God’s people.  That is where I find the truth of God that helps me to live in the wisdom of faith and love in life’s tough times.

This past Sunday at our Church Council meeting we dealt with one of life’s challenges.  I will write a little more about that below.  I pray that God may guide us though this challenge to live in the wisdom of faith in Him and love for one another.

 Seeking to live wisely as a Child of God,

Pastor Jonathan

 P.S.  By the way, this Sunday’s planned sermon in the summer series, “God’s Help for Life’s Journey” is entitled, “God’s Help to Live Wisely in a Foolish World.”  If you want to read the Bible readings ahead of worship you might consider our Psalm.  Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”  Our assigned lessons include Proverbs 9:1-10, Ephesians 5:6-21 (the basis for the sermon), and John 6:51-69 (especially verses 67-69.)  These sermons have been included on our web page, along with other sermons.

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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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 A CONGREGATIONAL PICNIC AND POSSIBLE OUTDOOR WORSHIP DURING THE SECOND SERVICE is planned for Sunday, August 23.  For the food we are asking people to bring a main dish to grill, and side dish to share. For the worship, we will plan to enjoy God’s creation and worship on the grass to the East of the Church Offices during late worship.  (We can use help between services setting up.)  If there is bad weather, we will still have late worship in the sanctuary, and cook under the drive through. Games are planned for young and old.

Plan to attend!

CONGREGATIONAL FINANCES   Much of the focus of Sunday night’s Council meeting was on congregational finances.  Here are some of the figures we looked at.

Year to date spending has out-stripped income by $41,986. 

Spending is below budget by about $3,000.00 - $331,980 spent compared to a budget of $335,039. 

Our budget was prepared with a need for an increase in giving of about 8 ½ % over 2008.  Through April our giving exceeded that need.  But, at the current time giving for 2009 exceeds 2008 by $3.69 %. 

The Council has responded in a couple of ways. A freeze was put on spending at the June Council meeting.  (This has been previously been announced in worship.) Our treasurer has offered and will be meeting with each board to go over spending. We are praying for God’s blessing of income to match expenses, and praying for wisdom on ways to save money. 

I am writing this as pastor to inform the congregation as we seek God’s wisdom in living as His people.  However, everyone does not get this e-mail.  If you can pass this information along, please do so.  

PERMANENT FUNDS Soon Alaskans will receive their permanent fund checks again.  For many years members have been asked to consider at least tithing from their permanent funds toward the work of the Lord at St. John.  Many of you remember Pioneer Alaskan June Liebing standing up in worship and saying, “God made the earth.  The oil is in the earth.  My permanent fund is a gift from God.  I encourage you to give to the Lord from this gift from God.”  (June is now in the Pioneer Home.)

            Last year no reminder was given before permanent funds were received, because they came earlier than we were used to receiving them.  They came in September instead of in October. 

            Please consider returning to the Lord as He has blessed you with this permanent fund.  Considering estimates for this year’s check, if every St. John member gave 10% from their permanent fund to God’s work at St. John, our deficit for the year would be wiped out!   

SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School is beginning for children and adults on the traditional Sunday after Labor Day, Sunday September 13.  We have classes for children beginning at 18 months.  We also have adult classes for children of God in their teens through their 80’s and 90’s!  Plan now to attend and grow in Godly wisdom. 

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.  (2 Peter 3:18)

 PRAYER REQUESTS – Sometimes in these e-mail messages I ask you to keep certain people in prayer.  This is in addition to our regular prayer chain which Jacki Rose administers.  I have some prayers deep on my heart today that I ask you to pray for too!