Stewardship Corner March 2020

We are at the beginning of Lent. During the Lenten season, the church calls to our attention the sufficiency of what God gives. It points to the sufficiency of God’s grace in the atoning work of Jesus.   It shows us the sufficiency of faith in Jesus’ work for us. It makes known the sufficiency of God’s Word in faith and life.

But Lent doesn’t just remind us of the sufficiency of God’s spiritual gifts, the gifts that pertain to our redemption and salvation. Lent also reminds us of the sufficiency of the physical, temporal gifts of God, those that pertain to this body and life.  In other words, it reminds us of the importance of godly contentment and of outward discipline and training of the body.

This outward training of the body teaches us not to give in to every desire of our flesh but to learn to say no to them.  And it does this in such a way that if you fail, it is no sin. It is a way to practice without putting yourself into a compromising situation.

The easiest example of this is fasting.  When you fast, you are practicing saying no to the desires of your body. But if you fail in this, if you break your fast, you have not sinned. You have, though, learned something about how your flesh works, how difficult it is to fight against it, and how you need help from above in order to do it.

There is another example of this.  It is alms-giving.  This is an increase in giving to the church and its mission during this time.  We all know that our flesh finds security in money and stuff. By committing to give more to the church, you are training your flesh.  You are, by this outward discipline, training yourself to be content with what God gives.  You are practicing saying “no” to your desires.  Again, if you fail, you have not sinned.  But you’ve learned just how powerful your flesh is in leading you instead of you leading it. You’ve learned how you need help from above in being content with what God gives.

This is why St. Paul instructs young Pastor Timothy in this way:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”  (1 Tim 6:6–10)

Our sufficiency is not of ourselves; it is in God.  Let us learn this without sin by training our flesh this Lenten season.

Celebrating March 2020

Birthdays

Michael Anderson   3/1
John Isaac   3/1
Halle Sheley   3/3
Vanessa Biddle   3/4
Steve Parry   3/4
Greg Sheley   3/6
Ruth Alvis 3/18
Jennifer Cloyd 3/25
Mary Anne Kirchner 3/29
Robert Bier 3/31

Baptismal Birthdays

Pete Hanner   3/1
Lucas Schempp   3/1
Jennifer Parry   3/3
Betty Bier   3/4
Matthew Holland   3/8
Linda Dirks 3/11
Pat Orr 3/11
Mollie Hitch 3/13
Ryan Hitch 3/13
Johana Kirchner 3/16
Ruth Alvis 3/18
Luanne Huth 3/20
Carol Schroeder 3/24
Vanessa Biddle 3/29
Carin Henson 3/31

Pastor’s Notes March 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

            Any time you make a change in a church some planning has to go into it.  Such is the case with our change in Worship, Bible Class, and Sunday School on Sunday mornings.  Some changes in a church affect a group here or there.  This type of change affects everyone who is a member and even those who are not members but worship with us occasionally.  When discussing this change a list was made of everything that needs to be thought about.  If you think we left something out, let us know. 

Ushers – we just need one set

Acolytes – needed every service as Holy Communion will be in every worship service

Altar Guild – one service, more preparation numbers wise

Organist – one service

Heating/Cooling – can kick on later, does not need to be on as long

Fellowship Time – donut pick-up time change

Church Signage – our sign company is aware and will make the change (the one area where there is a small cost)

LCMS.org & Lutheran Annual – changing the times for people traveling who look up our worship time

Holy Communion – every worship service

Member Rides – coordinating this 

The last thing on the list – How Best To Get The Word Out.  This is where you can help.  We can all tell our friends and relatives and people who might visit.  At least in the first few months this will be important until we get into a routine.

We can also expect a time or two where people show up expecting our former worship times.  Greet them and the Lord gives an opportunity to visit with them and tell them about our change.

Easter worship times will remain the same – 7:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.  Easter breakfast following the early service.  Bible Class & Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.

I have learned in the church you can never tell people too many times.  After all, don’t we hear Law/Gospel each week and the Lord knows we need the constant reminder.  So, again here is the new schedule starting on Sunday, March 1st.

Worship – 9 a.m. with Holy Communion – Fellowship time to follow

Bible Class & Sunday School – 10:15 a.m. – ending at 11:15 a.m.

Thank you for the feedback we have received.  Everyone seems to understand the need for the change.  See you in worship – when we are all together!

In Christ,

Pastor

Elder, Usher, and Acolyte Schedules March 2020

Date
Elder
Ushers
Acolyte
Mar 1Nathan KluenderGene Fuller, Nick Hitch, Richard RossTanner Hitch
Mar 8Mike FieldBrian Hoop, Craig Culp, Mike HuthJessica Isaac
Mar 15Paul GerikeGreg McNeely, Theron Noth, Will McNeelyJT Piper
Mar 22Craig CulpBrian Dirks, Karson Lueck, Steve ParryMatt Williamson
Mar 29Karson LueckBarry Hamlin, Bob Love, Randy ReinhardtChloe Hitch or Justin McNeely

Sermon Text 2.23.2020 — Living the Now Between the Here and There

February 23, 2020 – Transfiguration                                         Text:  Matthew 17:1-9

Dear Friends in Christ,

            David McCasland wrote about an experience that happened to him some years ago.  A woman was stalled at an intersection with her car hood up and she flagged McCasland down for help.  Here’s the account:

            “’I can’t get the car started,’ she said.  ‘But if you jiggle the wire on the battery I think it will work.’  McCasland grabbed the positive battery cable and it came off in his hand.  It was obviously too loose!  ‘The terminal needs to be tightened up,’ he told her.  ‘I can fix it if you have some tools.’  The woman replied, ‘My husband says just to jiggle the wire.  It always works.  Why don’t you just try that?’  McCasland thought to himself, ‘Then why doesn’t her husband drive around with her all the time so he can jiggle the cable.’  Finally he said, ‘Ma’am, if I jiggle the wire, you’re going to need someone else to do it every time you shut the engine off.  If you’ll give me two minutes and a wrench, we can solve the problem and forget about it.’  Reluctantly, she fumbled under the front seat and then extended a crescent wrench through the window.

            “As he repaired the terminal, McCasland thought about the many times he tried to get ‘quick fixes’ from God.  ‘I have this problem, Lord, and if You’ll just jiggle the wire, things will be ok.  I’m in a hurry, so let’s just get me going again the quickest way possible.’”

            At the Mount of Transfiguration we learn that God doesn’t simply jiggle wires.  He guides our living in this world and, through that, prepares us for the world to come.  Many will follow if only they can be spared the uncertainties and sufferings of tomorrow.  But it doesn’t work that way. 

“LIVING THE NOW BETWEEN THE HERE AND THERE”

            The text begins, “After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.”  Six days after what?  Six days after he told them that they must deny self and take up their cross and follow Him.  Jesus is talking the here and now.  You might gain the world but you will forfeit your soul.

            They are led up a high mountain.  What a moment for these men but also getting there would be strenuous and tiring.  Like life in the here and now.  We strain and tire ourselves to get the most out of life.  We want to enjoy our creature comforts.  But no matter how we mask it, the world is still decaying away.

            Jesus is then transfigured and Moses and Elijah are with them.  What were the disciples seeing?  They were seeing the glory of Christ.  Jesus is God the Son.  Secondly, by seeing Moses and Elijah, the disciples glimpsed the glory of Heaven.  That’s why Peter wants to build the tents.  He wants to stay there forever.  Who wouldn’t want that?

            The earlier words of Jesus “take up your cross and follow me” had faded into the background.  They had traveled from the here – earthly, to the there – heavenly because they were followers of the Christ.

            We to will make that same journey.  We will go from here to there.  From earth to heaven also because of our Christ connection.  But what about the now?  How can we draw strength for the days and possibly years ahead of us?  How can this trip up the mountain help in our day-to-day living.

            “He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud over shadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’” (v. 5)

            What an encouragement for them.  That moment impressed upon them the eternal victory in Christ is certain.  There is still suffering and cross bearing in this fallen world but Christ has made an eternal home a sure thing.  The Father is pleased that His Son would do everything necessary to secure our forgiveness and eternal life.

            God loved and loves us in spite of ourselves.  In the now we have minds riddled with hideous thoughts and words and deeds.  Yet He would give His Son to pay for that.  And to believe that is to have everlasting life.  Light!  Glory forever!

            At the Mount of Transfiguration we learn that God doesn’t just jiggle wires to make things go.  He prepared the disciples then and He is preparing you and me now to live for Him in this world.  And, in Christ, our lives here overflow with this promise:  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

            Living the now between the here and there is never without the presence of Christ’s love.

                        Amen.