10/30/08

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

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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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.

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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!