5/27/08

Dear Friends and Members of St. John,

 

The Lord is constantly calling us in Scripture to love one another.  For example, John 13:34 says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  (See also, Matthew 22:35-39, Luke 10:25 ff, Romans 13:8-9.  But, perhaps God’s Word in Galatians 6:10 best catch my thoughts today on loving others.  It says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

 

I have a couple of suggestions today on how we can love others in our church.

 

First, we have been praying for Kristin Kopperud for almost 3 years for a heart transplant.  But, did you know that Kristin has a web site that gives updates on her condition, and on which you can send Kristin messages.  If you click the following link you can see how Kristin is doing and share a prayer or a message of encouragement with her.  What a good way to “love one another.”  Here is the link!     http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/specialhumanbeing

 

Secondly, this Saturday we are trying to help one another with the gift of time and some physical labor.  Members and Friends of St. John are asked to come to church at 9:00 a.m. to help with some church chores.  We need to a) sweep the parking lot after a winter of sanding, b) prepare ground and plant grass on the new areas around the building, c) work on the planter boxes around the bell tower, and d) pick up rocks and sticks in the grass so it can be mowed this summer.  After a short cookout, THEN at 1:00 we are going to the home of some elderly ladies who have needs in their home they cannot fix themselves.  In one home we’ll replace a window.  In another we’ll fix a ceiling.  (There are actually others who could use help too.)  This is another good way to “love one another.”

 

Finally, on Saturday, June 7, a dinner auction at St. John at 5:00 p.m. to help with medical and legal expenses for Kamerin Ewart.  Kam and family are in church every Sunday; Kam in his wheelchair.  Thrivent will match $1.00 for every $2.00 raised up to $4,000.00.  You can donate, something for the auction (call John or Cathy Glaser at 746-5067), or you can come and help by buying something.  What a good way to “love one another.” 

 

I encourage you to help your fellow Christians in these ways as you are able.

 

Your fellow child of God,

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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Prayers 

• Dave Miranda has liver cancer, but was in worship Sunday.  Praise the Lord!
• Monty Hart is home from the hospital after being treated for an infection.
• Rose Ann Kolberg got better for a while last week, and then contracted pneumonia.  The Lord called her home on Thursday, May 22.  Rose Ann’s funeral is at St. John on Friday, May 30, at 1:00 p.m.

 

 

 

NEXT WEEK!!!!  Next week (really – really!) I am going to ask you to help me with sermon topics.  I am looking for Pastor Allen and I to preach a topical series (or more than one series) about issues or questions that God’s people have, rather than what I think they need to hear.  Please start thinking about a topic on which you would like to hear what God’s Word says.  (If you have some ideas, you can begin e-mailing them to me now by responding to this e-mail message.)  THANKS to those who have sent in sermon suggestions already!