Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

I am teaching a class on 1 Peter this quarter in Sunday School.  We are focusing on “God’s call to a Holy Life.”  Last week we looked at a section from 1 Peter that describes the gifts of God for our lives, as we seek to serve Him as people “set apart for a purpose” (people who are holy).  1 Peter 2:9-10 tells us,

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

We are blessed by God in wonderful ways so that we can live holy lives that proclaim God’s praises.

 

A modern person might look at these verses and understand them from an individual point of view.  Indeed, we are individually chosen, and we are individually priests to share God with others.  We do individually belong to God.   But, notice that every one of these blessings actually talks to the church as a whole, to more than one Christian at a time, to all God’s people together.  We cannot live a full Christian life on our own, we need other Christians, and they need us, to live the holy or “set apart” life that serves God.

 

When it comes to worship, we work together to encourage one another and praise God.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

 

When it comes to outreach, this is something which we need to do together. 

3 I thank my God every time I remember you.  4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy  5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,(Philippians 1:3-5)

 

Not only do we need our Lord and His love and forgiveness and strength, but we need each other!

 

I thank each of you for your part in the work we do together to serve our Lord.  I thank you for the prayers and encouragement that helps me as a Christian.  I encourage you to receive the faith and encouragement of other Christians as you seek to live a “set apart” Christian life in this difficult and sinful world. 

 

Another One of God’s Children,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Traditionally, a special Alaskan fellowship opportunity has been the Lutheran Women’s Advent Brunch, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving for over 20 years.  This year the Advent Brunch is being held at the Egan Center in Anchorage on Saturday, November 29 (usually starting at 9:00 a.m.). Cost is $24.00 a ticket. 

BUT word on tickets did not get to us until just yesterday, and those organizing the Brunch have asked to know who is attending by this Saturday, October 25!  If you would like to attend this uplifting fellowship opportunity, please call Arlene Fox at 746-2114.

 

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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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SIX CHILDREN attended the “Wooly Lambs” Sunday School class for those 18 months to 3 years old last Sunday.  Three others indicated they would be coming this coming week, and another 2 registered for the class.  Praise the Lord for an opportunity to teach these “Littlest Children” about Jesus, and for the teachers and parents who are making this happen.  (Teachers are Carol Gustafson, Emily (Probasco) Stevens, and Alice Stevens.)

 

PASTOR ROCKEY GOOFED (again)  I was supposed to ask worshippers in late service to fill out a survey on Adult Bible Classes.  However, even though I had the survey on the pulpit, I covered it with the newspaper I used in my sermon and FORGOT to ask people to fill out the survey.  The survey will help the Adult Education Board plan classes.  We will again include it in bulletins this coming Sunday.  However, I will attach and copy that survey to this e-mail today.

 

GOOD NEWS FROM SEATTLE - Last week I asked for you to pray for Dave Miranda who is in Seattle for Cancer treatments.  Today we got an e-mail from Dave and Lynn with good news about their time in Seattle and Dave’s treatments. 

 

Hello everyone,

 

I just thought I would send a quick update to let you all know what we are up to...Dave is feeling really good and has decided that we should go on a little "road trip."  He surprised me with the idea this morning for my birthday.  We will be renting a car tomorrow and traveling from here to Eastern Washington, then on to Helena for a day and then on to Great Falls.  We will be seeing friends, my uncle in Helena and my other Uncle in Great Falls along with my brother who just accepted a job there.  Wow.....What a week this will be.  We will spend another night in Othello on the way back through.....I am so excited and have been calling everyone to let them know when we will arrive.  It should be a great trip. 
 
Just in case you are wondering about Dave's treatment schedule this week, he got done this morning and has the rest of the week off.  So, he thinks we should take advantage of the time and go see some sights.....I am all for it....
 
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the snow.   Take Care and we will write again soon...
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers that have been coming our way...
Dave and Lynn

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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!

 

WORKING TOGETHER TO SERVE THE LORD – Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  (Hebrews 12:1-2)

 

Bible Study Survey

 

First, we want St. John members and friends to know the purpose of our Spending time with our Lord in Bible Study.  God creates and strengthens faith through His Word.  Romans 10:17 says,  “. . .faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

Therefore, Bible Study is a way to get closer to God and recharge our batteries. It is also a great way to fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ.  We hope to reach as many people as effectively as possible through Bible Study. 

 

The Adult Education Board of  St. John wants to ask you to take the time and complete the following survey. It is our hope that we as the Adult Education Board can help to plan in ways that meet the study needs of God’s people here at St. John.

 

1.  Do you currently attend a Bible Study?     Yes        No

 

            When  

 

2.  Do you attend this study because of the style or the time:        Time               Style

 

3.  What do you like about the bible study you attend?

 

 

 

4.  What would you improve about the study you attend?

 

 

 

5.  What are some favorite Bible studies you have attended?

 

 

 

6.  What studies would you like to see offered in the future?

 

 

 

7. When should it be held?

 

 

8.  Is there any study you are willing to teach? 

 

___________________                                  ______________________

  Which Study                                                   Your Name  (optional)

 

8.  What else would you like to tell the Adult Ed Board of St. John about our Bible Study?

 

 

___________________________                  ______________    ________________________________

Name (optional)                                               Phone  (optional)                                  E-mail  (optional)