8/12/08

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Two Sundays ago our Gospel reading in worship was from Matthew 14, the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.  As I was sharing this Bible reading in some home visits to our elderly members something struck me about how Jesus acted.  In this account Jesus offers a prayer of thanks.  What struck me is when Jesus offered this prayer.  He did not offer the prayer of thanks after everyone had eaten and the disciples are picking up 12 (!) baskets full of leftovers.  Jesus offered the prayer of thanks when he only had 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5000 men plus the women and children.  In other words, even when the situation was somewhat troublesome, Jesus was thanking His Father.

 

I have at times been reminded to give thanks after receiving a gift.  But, how many times do you say “thank you” in the midst of a trial?  How many times do you give thanks before you receive the blessings of God, simply because God is listening and answering our prayers?  This action of Jesus really struck me and I believe is an example of faith for all of us.

 

I have some items on my prayer list in which I would ask you to join me.

• All children, teachers, and educators as school begins August 18.
• Good weather and good results for our Community picnic, August 23.
• God’s blessings on the visit of the Northwest District Board of Directors to Alaska, August 28-31.
• Sunday School teachers for children’s Sunday School Classes and Adult Classes, starting September 14.
• Good attendance and growth for our St. John Sunday School.

 

Thank you, Lord!

 

A Fellow Petitioner our Lord’s Grace,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  You might like to know that when liturgies are used in Lutheran hymnals the practice of “giving thanks first” is usually followed.  Lutherans often pray a “Kyrie” (Lord Have Mercy) asking for different blessings and help from God.  Then right away after the Kyrie we sing the “Hymn of Praise” (“This is the Feast,”  “Gloria in Excelsis”) before we receive answers to those prayers, because we know that God does hear and will answer our prayers.

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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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IN AUGUST WE ARE MEDITATING IN WORSHIP ON THE TOPICS OF  A SERMON SERIES based on requests from congregational members.  The following topics are being examined based on God’s Word during the month of August.  So far we have had good response to this series.

            August 3           “When God’s Response to Prayer is (heavy) Silence”

            August 10         “Earth Stewardship”    

            August 17         “Similarities between Christian and Native Worship”

            August 24         “The Difference between Worship and Evangelism”

            August 10         “Meditation and Rest with God”

(All these sermons are being posted on our web page:   http://www.st-john-lutheran.org )

 

COMMUNITY PICNIC – On Saturday, August 23 we are inviting Palmer to A Community Picnic on our grounds after the Fair Parade.  The idea is to make people know they are welcome at St. John so that we can share Jesus’ love with them.  We have the following needs from the congregation as we plan for this picnic.

Ø      Members and friends to bring 1) a side dish and 2) a dessert that we can serve with the hotdogs and hamburgers.

Ø      Cooks.

Ø      People to set up around 9:00 a.m., and to take down around 3:00 p.m.

Please sign up on the clipboards on the table in the narthex, and help us to welcome Palmer in the name of our Lord Jesus!

 

COLLECTION FOR OUR MILITARY SERVICE PEOPLE IN HARM’S WAY. 

Our box collecting items for our military in harms way is going well.  We are sending this ‘Care Package’ to 3 people, so we want to make sure we have gifts of love for each of these young people.  A box is full in the Narthex at this time and our Administrative Assistant, Judy Stahancyk will be beginning to compile our boxes this week.  Please continue to bring in your donations through August, including the following:

            - Chap stick

            - Baby powder

            - Baby Wipes

            - Phone Cards

            - Hard Candy (individually wrapped)

            - Beef Jerky

            - Crystal Light Individual Drink Packets

            - Note cards with envelopes

            - Playing cards

            - Mechanical Pencils

            - hand held video games

            - Cushioned absorbent socks.

A box is in the back of the church to collect these items so we can send them to those serving us.

 

ADULT MEMBER CLASS – Two new adult information and membership classes are being held at St. John in my office.  One class is being held on Sunday mornings between worship services.  This class that starts at 9:30 a.m. The other class is being held on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.  These classes will examine basic teaching of the Christian faith from Scripture as a way for Christians to grow, and for new people to enter God’s family at St. John.  While we are still receiving members from our last class, but we have requests for a new class.  Feel free to attend and grow with us!

 

A WEDDING SHOWER FOR DCE JAMIE JENNEMANN – Linda Griese and Kathy Rockey are hosting a wedding shower for our DCE, Jamie Jennemann, at Linda’s house on Monday, August 18.  For more information call Linda at 357-0703, or Kathy at 746-5131.

 

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Matthew 14:13-21 -  Jesus Feeding the 5000

 13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.  14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."

16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

17 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.

18 "Bring them here to me," he said.  19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (NIV)