7/5/08

Dear Members and Friends of St. John, and fellow Americans,

How are you going to celebrate the 4^th of July? Will you go fishing? Have a picnic? Go to a parade? Shoot off some fireworks? I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to the 4^th this year. I don’t usually go fishing on busy weekends or holidays because of the crowds. My plan for this year is to work in the yard, barbeque a meal, spend time with family, and maybe go on a short hike.

However, I want to share with you God’s direction for Christians regarding earthly governments. We might call this God’s recommendation for celebrating the 4^th (or an national day of remembrance). When it comes to government, God’s instruction to His people is this: pray for those in authority.

Here is what God says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

God has a plan for government. Those in positions of political authority are tasked by God to keep our communities “quiet and peaceful.” (v. 3) This means government officials deal with crime, threats of war, and other public problems. This is not an easy job and takes wisdom, and if done in the best possible way the job takes faith in God.

God’s ultimate desire, according to verse 4, if for all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. This salvation comes by God’s grace when we believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again. When we live in quiet and peaceful communities we are better able to focus on our relationship with God, and better able to practice our faith.

This 4^th of July, take a moment, or 2, or many more, and pray for our president, our congress and judges. Pray for our governor, the Alaska legislature, our mayors, city officials, our police and our service people. Pray for all in authority. Pray that they may lead us to lives that are “quiet and peaceful” so that we are better able to grow in faith and to share that faith.

That is how God says we should treat our government authorities, and prayer is a good way to celebrate a national holiday.

Another Christian American

Pastor Jonathan

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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. 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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COLLECTION FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONEL IN HARM’S WAY. In the past we have collected items that our service people need and sent them to members and friends serving in Iraq and in Afghanistan. At the current time we again have members and friends serving in war zones overseas.

Member Eric Hermon, a West Point graduate, is serving in Iraq at this time. You probably know Eric’s parents and grandparents.
Eric’s sister, Member Katie Hermon, another West Point graduate is serving in Afghanistan at this time. You might remember Katie singing at one of our Christmas services a couple of years ago.
Luke Falkenburg is Fred Voight’s nephew, and he is serving in Iraq.

I am asking the people of St. John to begin collecting items that we can send to these members and friends serving us overseas. There are some items that are difficult to get when serving overseas. In addition, this lets them know they are not forgotten, and that we thank them for their service. Below is a list of items you can start to bring to church to send overseas. Thank you for helping in this effort, again.

- 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 will be in the back of the church to collect these items so we can send them to those serving us.

K-SCOPE - Kaleidoscope is a high school youth camp that our LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) congregations have offered every 3 years for about 30 years. This is a week of intense growth in faith and Christian relationships that involves some leadership training. Those who have attended K-Scope and the National Youth Gathering say that the Gathering is great, but K-Scope is even more life changing. I am still receiving e-mail messages from the youth who attended K-Scope in 2005.

K-Scope will be offered for Alaskan High School youth next month, July 20-25. If you know of a high school student going into 10^th grade or older who you think should be going to K-Scope, encourage them to attend. I will include a registration form on this e-mail message. Or, please tell me and I will talk to them. Cost is $250.00 a student, but there is financial help available.

CAMP COOK STILL NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!! We are looking for someone who could cook for Kaleidoscope camp. We expect about 40 adults and participant, and camp is held from 3:00 p.m. on Sunday July 20 to Friday noon, July 25. Cooking would mean preparing breakfast, lunch, and supper for participants. K-Scope will be held at Meier Lake Camp. The person who has cooked for the last 4 K-Scopes cannot get off work to cook.

If you can volunteer in this way, please tell Jamie or Pastor Rockey.

ADULT MEMBER CLASS – A new adult member class is being held in my office on Sunday mornings between worship services. This class that starts at 9:30 a.m. 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, we have requests for a new class. Feel free to attend and grow with us!