Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

How should a church react when someone is missing?  Or, put another way, what should a Christian do if they notice that someone they normally saw at congregational functions on a regular basis has not been around for a while?

 

There could be a number of reasons that a person’s participation in a local Christian congregation changes.  Sometimes a person or family is simply out of town for business or vacation.  Sometimes people get busy, and then get out of the habit of congregational participation.  Sometimes a person may be upset with the pastor, or upset with another member, or concerned about a decision at church, and so they are less frequently seen.  Sometimes a person might be experiencing difficulties in life and it is difficult to discuss their problems with others, so they stop attending.

 

In all honesty, such a topic can be difficult to discuss with another person. At times I have told someone I missed them and been told I was “pushy.”  At other times while trying to be sensitive to a difficult situation I was asked, “Why did no one call me?”  Sometimes when calling to check on a person, they work to avoid the topic.  But sometimes people just need an opportunity to talk and share and a call is welcome.  (I do want you to know that Pastors and staff and Elders care about all congregational members.  We pray for members by name regularly in staff meetings.  When we notice someone missing we try to contact them in a sensitive and appropriate way.) 

 

Thankfully, God gives us a number of guidelines in Scripture how a Christian should act if a friend or fellow member is missing.

 

• First, it is good to remember that God tells us we all need to worship for our spiritual health.  Hebrews 10:24 and 25 says that worship is a way we encourage one another.   24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

• Second, Christians need one another.  I Corinthians 12:21 tells us of the church, the body of Christ, The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

 

• Finally, we have a responsibility to one another, especially to members of our congregation, especially to fellow members of the family of God.  Galatians 6:10 calls Christians to the following loving behavior:  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

 

As you read this I want you to know that we are all part of God’s family and we all have a responsibility to love one another.  So, if you miss someone, why not give them a call and ask how they are doing?  They might need to talk.  They might need some Christian encouragement and love.  (Sometimes it means more when someone calls other than a pastor or an Elder.)  Such a call is not easy, but your concern may be just what a fellow member of the family of believers needs to know they are cared for and loved.

 

A Fellow Member of the Family of God,

Pastor Jonathan

 

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 YOUTH AUCTION – YOUTH AUCTION – YOUTH AUCTION !!!

 

THE ANNUAL YOUTH AUCTION will be held at St. John THIS Saturday night, November 8, beginning with item viewing at 5:30 and a meal at 6:00 p.m.  The meal this year has the theme, “To the Ends of the Earth - A Sampling of International Flavor.”

            This auction not only raises funds for youth events and the National Youth Gatherings, but the auction has become a fun social event that St. John members look forward to each year.  Plan now to attend. 

            Also, Jamie continues to be in need of items to auction.  If you still have items to donate please call Jamie at church at 745-3338, or on her cell phone at 355-1456.

 

NOVEMBER WORSHIP EMPHASES!  During the Sundays in November our Worship will have a focus on “Reasons for Thanking God.”  Each Sunday in worship we will fill out forms that help us remember blessings of God for which we are thankful. 

v     On November 9 we will remember “Opportunities and Challenges for Which to Thank God.” 

v     On November 16 we will remember, “Material Blessings for which to Thank God.” 

v     And, on November 23, we will remember “Spiritual Blessings for which to thank God.” 

Remembering our reasons to thank God will help us to respond to God’s love in worship on November 23.  November 23 is our Stewardship Sunday when we have an opportunity to place on the altar, “My Plans to Respond to God’s Love.”  Remembering our reasons to thank God will also help us to prepare for our Thanksgiving Worship Service on Wednesday evening, November 26, at 7:30 p.m.

 

NOVEMBER SERMON SERIES!  Along with our worship emphasis of Thankfulness, our sermons will be based on Gospel Lessons and focus on “The Urgency of the Last Days.”  The assigned Bible readings for November point to the End Times.  The Coming of the Lord creates an urgency to live our faith so that we are ready for His coming.  Hopefully these sermons will help us to see God’s purpose for our lives, and to live that purpose in joy.

 

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Ø      If you would like to join other members in praying for individuals, needs, and thanks in our congregation please e-mail Jacki Rose at jackirose@gci.net.  Jacki organizes our e-mail prayer chain.  She will include you in e-mails that share congregational prayer requests through our Prayer Chain if you wish her to do so.

Ø      Our Administrative Assistant, Judy Stahancyk could use some help.  One big job she is facing is moving archives from card board boxes to plastic boxes, to protect them in case the sprinkler system is ever deployed.  If you can help Judy please call her at 745-3338, or e-mail her at stjohn@mtaonline.net.

Ø      Judy will also have need for extra people to compile extra bulletins and newsletters during the Christmas season.

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Do you know what occasion is celebrated tomorrow, October 31?  Most people will say “Halloween.”  And that is correct, of course.  But, another important commemoration on October 31 is the remembering of Reformation Day.

 

On October 31, 1517, Dr. Martin Luther, an Augustinian Roman Catholic priest and professor at Wittenberg University in Germany, posted “The 95 Theses” or 95 statements for debate on the door of the church of the Prince in Wittenberg, Germany.  These statements pointed people to Jesus’ life and death and resurrection, and pointed people to faith in Jesus as God’s plan to forgive and save people for eternal life in heaven.  These statements or theses were based on the words of Scripture.

 

We could talk a long time about the theology of “The Ninety-Five Theses” or other writings by Luther.  However, I wonder how many of us would be willing to do what Luther did, to stand up for the truth of God, even if it meant risking death???  (Actually, a death sentence was put on Luther’s head in 1521 because of his writings and willingness to challenge the church of the time.)

 

Because following Jesus brings so many blessings, we sometimes mistakenly think that following Jesus in faith and life will be easy.  But, there can be and there are sacrifices when following our Lord.  In Matthew 10 as Jesus is sending His disciples out He tells them, “. . . 32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. . . 38 anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."  Following Jesus does not just bring blessings, it has a cost!  The cost of not following is higher, though.

 

God doesn’t want us to follow Jesus out of fear, however.  He wants us to respond to His love with lives lived for Him.  In 2 Corinthians 5:15 we are told, “And he [Jesus] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”  We live for God because Jesus died for us.

 

We are blessed because Martin Luther was willing to put His life on the line for the Lord.  We now have free access to the Bible and God’s love shared there.

 

How about you?  “Are you willing to put your life on the line for the Lord who died for you?”  Or, maybe better stated, “How are you willing to live your life for Jesus?”

 

 

A Fellow Sinner called by our Loving Savior,

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

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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THANKS to all who filled out a Bible Class Survey!  These surveys will help in the planning of future Adult Bible Classes.

 

 

THE ANNUAL YOUTH AUCTION will be held at St. John on Saturday night, November 8, beginning at 5:30 with item viewing and a meal at 6:00 p.m.

            This auction not only raises funds for youth events and the National Gatherings, but the auction has become a fun social event.

            Plan now to attend. 

            Also, Jamie continues to be in need of items to auction.  Donation sheets are in the bulletin.  Or you can see Jamie at church!

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DID YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church website?  The link is:  http://www.st-john-lutheran.org  We hope to have recordings of worship and sermons on our web page soon!