9/3/2010

Dear Fellow Children of God,

The past 3 days I attended a meeting of Circuit Counselors in Portland discussing ways to help congregations do the work God has given us as His people.  I figured out it was the 17th year I have attended such a meeting.  However, while attending this meeting I got to spend time with a good friend, Pastor Tony Schultz.  Tony and I started school together at Concordia Lutheran College in Austin, TX, in August 1971, over 39 years ago!  Actually, without my knowledge, he gave my name to some St. John members for consideration as St. John called a pastor in 1991. 

While together Tony and I got to catch up on family and discuss joys and concerns.  We played golf and talked about the joys and challenges of pastoral ministry (and the challenges of golf).  We discussed hopes, joys, and concerns in our congregations.  I attended a class that Tony taught at Concordia University, Portland, and was impressed at the level of commitment the young people showed as they studied about faith.  We even discussed the Alaska fishing report.  Over the years Tony and I have prayed for each other, helped each other, and spent time in each other’s homes.  He is a good friend.  Do you have a close Christian friend, or friends? 

Proverbs 18:24 says about friends, A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  It is a blessing to have a friend to whom you can talk, whose counsel and advice you respect.  It is an even greater blessing to have a friend who is a Christian and prays for you as you pray for him.

With this in mind, what an overwhelming blessing to know what Jesus says in John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  As great a blessing as it is to have a friend in this life, what a joy to know that God Himself came to this world as a man and laid down His life for us because He loves us.  What a blessing to know we can go to Him, share our hopes and concerns, and trust his counsel and advice (found in Scripture)! 

Life is full of challenges, and we all need help along the way.  Thank God for good Christian friends.  Thank God especially for the greatest friendship of all which He has shown us in His Son, our Savior, Jesus!

A Child of God, Blessed by Christian Friendship,
Pastor Jonathan

P.S.  This picture was taken in 1999 when Tony and Pastor Kalvin Waetzig helped with Kaleidoscope.  We caught these red salmon on the Kenai River.  http://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/FishWithChurchFriends#5512730681164389938
This picture came from K-Scope 2005 - http://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/FishWithChurchFriends#5512730723792062962

P. P.S.  Last Friday I got to take Grace Miller and Hunter Richards fishing.  We came home with a couple of silver salmon. http://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/SalmonFishingGraceMillerAndHunterRichards8272010?feat=directlink

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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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SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS BETWEEN WORSHIP SERVICES ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, the Sunday after Labor Day, beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Plan now to bring your children and grand children, and to attend an adult class yourself.  There are classes for everyone from the age of 18 months and older!
We have enough teachers.  However, we need people to guide or escort groups of children to their station for the day.  Please call Jamie Walters at church at 745-3338 and let her know if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity for others to stand on your shoulders.

WOOLY LAMBS SUNDAY SCHOOL for children 18 months and older does not start until September 19.  However, parents and children are welcome to attend September 12 Rally Day kickoff with the other Sunday School students, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASSES ALSO BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 12.

• Mary Jo Lentz will be teaching a class on  "The Power of One Christ-Like Life" by Francis Frangipane.  This class addresses apathy, anger, judgment and resignation toward sin, and answers the question 'What difference can one person make?'.  The study includes twelve brief biographies of outstanding Christians who provide real-life examples of the ability of a godly intercessor to impact the world for Christ.

 

• Randy Luffberry will teach a class on Old Testament Prophets.

• Kathy Rockey will teach, “Sunday School For Adults,” a class that gives adults an opportunity to look again at the Bible stories that are taught to our children.  This class will include the old Concordia Sunday School pictures and flannel-graph.  Sounds like fun!

 

PARENTING SERMON SERIES – During August our sermon series focused on Christian Parenting – “Practices that Help Build Faith that Lasts.”  These sermons can be found on the St. John web page at the following url:  http://www.st-john-lutheran.org/Sermons.html
Most sermons for the last number of years are found on our congregational web site.  If you click the following link you will find the 4 parenting sermons, in addition to Hunter Richard’s sermon from August 22, and many others. 
Thank you to Jacki Rose who serves as our volunteer webmaster!

NEW MEMBER CLASS – A new member class was held on Sunday, August 29.  We will hopefully receive new members at St. John on September 12.  Many new families have moved to Palmer, some of whom will transfer their membership to St. John, in addition to the people who attended this class.

Prayer requests?  – Every year while moose hunting I take my congregational directory and pray for all our church members and friends.  I will leave for hunting this year on September 13.   Is there anything about which you would like me to pray for you?  If so, please let me know.  A couple of people have already shared prayer requests with me.  I’d be glad to include your specific request in my prayers while hunting.

STEPHEN MINISTRY CLASS – Would you like to serve as a Stephen Minister at St. John?
 A Stephen Minister is a trained servant of God working to bring ‘uniquely Christian care’ to people in need.  A Stephen Minister is not a pastor or counselor.  They are a Christian friend, trained to listen, to bring the Lord and His love and resources to a person in need.  A Stephen Minister is trained to trust God’s love through a difficult time, not to fix the problem. 
            A new class will begin on Thursday evening, October 7.  This class will provide 50 hours of training from October to February.  There will be a charge of $49.95 for the packet of the official Stephen Ministry training materials.  Commissioned Stephen Ministers are required to commit to serving at least 2 years in this ministry. 
Many who have served as Stephen Ministers have told me time and again that while God used them to help others, they felt they were blessed even more than those they helped.  I urge you to consider serving in this ministry.

DIVORCE CARE is a class and support opportunity that uses materials from many Christian experts in the field of rebuilding one’s life after divorce.  Bev DuBos will be leading this video based small group at St. John beginning in September.  If you are interested please call Bev and let her know at 745-0514, or call the church at 745-3338.

THE PROPHET is a dramatic presentation of verses from Old Testament prophets in the Bible by Shakespearian actor, Brad Sherrill of Atlanta, GA.  The Prophet will have 4 shows in Anchorage, one in Soldotna, one in Wasilla, and one in Palmer at St. John on Saturday evening, October 30.  Plan now to attend this 90 minute presentation that looks at judgment and hope as God speaks. 
            The Alaska Christian Conference is bringing Mr. Sherrill to Alaska.  He previously presented The Gospel of John.  Tickets will cost $15.00 and be on sale.  Any proceeds exceeding cost will help the local Food Banks.

CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED UP AND ARE AVAILABLE ON THE counter in the narthex!  Please take one, and sign your name that you picked one up.

FINANCIAL NEEDS UPDATE – I have shared with you in previous e-mails that giving for 2010 was about 12.6% behind 2009 giving through April.  The economy is down.  Some of our members have lost their jobs, and some have moved away.
            Thank you.  Many have responded.  We are still behind giving for last year.  In June we were behind 5.6% instead of 12.6%.  As of the end of July we are behind 4.4%
Please continue to be faithful to our Lord as He is faithful to you.