10/7/2009
Dear St. John Members and Friends,

Tuesday morning I made visits because I believed I was scheduled as volunteer chaplain for the patients at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.  The hospital has a number of pamphlets that chaplains can share with patients.  These pamphlets have prayers and Bible readings for the patients.  The Bible reading which I shared with the patients on Tuesday because it was on the pamphlet was 1 Peter 5:7,  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  For people who are in the hospital, who may or may not know what their illness is, and who may or may not know what the outcome of their illness is, this verse brings comfort.  This verse brings comfort because no matter what is happening in my life I know that God loves and cares for me.  In fact, this love of God is not just words, but this love and care has been shown in the gift of the life of the Son of God.  This love has been shown in the sacrificial death of God’s Son, and in Jesus’ rising from the dead for us - - - for you and me!!!  So, whatever our worries or anxieties or cares, we can lay them on our Lord because he cares for you. 

Do you ever have worries about problems that seem bigger than your ability to fix them, and bigger than your ability to deal with them?  I know I do.

Last Thursday the Elders met with our treasurer, Julie Donn.  We talked in this meeting about church finances.  We are still behind over $60,000 for the year.  Yes, in the past we have gotten behind in finances over the summer and made up the difference in the last 3 months of the year.  But it has never been this much.  If income does not increase the one place we can see that we can cut is in the area of salaries.  That has caused me worries.

But, that worry and concern is nothing compared to the news that was shared with me on Saturday.  For the second time one of our members lost his life serving our country in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Justin Gallegos is the former husband of Amanda Doyle Greenwood.  Amanda is the daughter of Diana Doyle Christensen.  Justin and his son MacAiden were baptized together at St. John on December 26, 2004, before Justin went to Iraq for the first time.  Justin was one of 8 U.S. servicemen killed in a Taliban attack this past Saturday you may have read about. 

Sometimes life can be overwhelming.  We know we don’t have the strength to overcome the problems, so we need somewhere other than ourselves to turn with our cares and worries.  (Actually, we ALWAYS need the help of God.)  What a blessing and comfort to know when we have worries, anxieties, and hurts that are bigger than we are we can Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Life’s troubles are real.  God’s care in Jesus overcomes the sin of life which causes trouble.  God’s care in Jesus overcomes death by giving eternal life.  God’s love and care is bigger than our troubles.

Trusting in God’s love in life’s troubles,
Pastor Rockey

P.S.  I think the Lord knew I personally needed to be reminded of his love and care in this verse.  I may have made chaplain visits on Tuesday.  And, under the old schedule it was my turn to serve.  But, the old schedule ended on Sunday, and I didn’t get to read the new schedule printed till Tuesday afternoon.  Tuesday wasn’t my turn to serve, but I didn’t know that and made visits anyway . . . and God spoke to me.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

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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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CONFIRMATION MENTORS? Confirmation classes for 2009 – 2010 start today, October 7, and will be held each Wednesday through Easter, except vacation time.  We are looking for adults to mentor our students at the end of classes each day.  Mentors are asked to show up at church just before 5:00 p.m.  During the end of worship mentors will be asked to meet with a Confirmation Student and ask them

Can you serve a young person in this way?  If so, please let us know, or show up and we’ll put you to work helping a young person grow in faith.

PERMANENT FUND CHECKS Alaskans will receive their permanent fund checks again beginning this Thursday, October 8.  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. 
Considering the amount of this year’s check, if every St. John member gave 10% from their permanent fund (not the whole permanent fund) to God’s work at St. John, our deficit for the year would be wiped out! 
(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.)

OPPORTUNITIES:

APARTMENT – HELP FOR A NEEDY PERSON  - Randy Luffberry has been made aware of an opportunity to help a family facing a difficult situation.  Randy has a tenant who works in Palmer.  The dad of this tenant lives in the apartment next to him.  The father has the beginning symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  Randy says the son is willing to pay for the apartment of someone (who does not work), who could look in on his dad a couple of times a day while he is at work.   If you are interested please call Randy at 745-2400.

THRIVENT WORKSHOP SUNDAY AT ST. JOHN – Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is an insurance and investment company primarily for Lutherans. (Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood joined together to form Thrivent about 5 years ago.)  Thrivent is offering a seminar after late worship on Sunday.

LONG TERM CARE, ITS A FAMILY AFFAIR - Are You Prepared for the Future?

If your plan is other than my spouse or family will take care of me, congratulations on some great planning, if not, your are invited to this seminar to learn the basics about Long Term Care Health Insurance.  Long Term Care Insurance does not replace the family, it provides a resource for best patient care and enhances the family's ability to provide care.

Who:    Anyone age 45 thru 79
What: Long Term Care Insurance information, no sales pressure
When: October 11, 12:30pm - 3pm Immediately after 11am service.
Where: St. John Lutheran Church-South fellowship hall
Why:    Protect your retirement, be prepared for your future

Hosted by Glenn C. Jacob, FIC
One of your St. John Lutheran Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
            Representatives
Some funding provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans