Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, Hawaii (808)

Transcription

1 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, Hawaii (808) This year s Saint Mark Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School took us to ancient Babylon, where we met Daniel and learned about what it was like for he and his friends to remain faithful to the one true God while living in captivity. Each morning began with celebration and music, then tribe time, our joining Daniel in his adventures, making amazing pieces of art and musical instruments, thematic games, singing and dancing to music, snack time, and closing with a teaching from Pastor Matt. We had 53 Bible School children who shared their daily God sightings and continued to look for God s love and presence in every aspect of their lives. There is no way we would have been able to provide such a great experience if it wasn t for our Board of Parish Education s leadership and ideas, the 48 daily youth and adult volunteers, the generosity of our church ohana, and our partnership with Kailua Community Church for the phenomenal sets. A great time was had by all and many new friends were made. Our LWML distributed many children s bibles, encouraging the students to read more about Daniel and God s story of salvation in Jesus Christ. Several families hoped that we would continue our program for another week and said that they were looking forward to next year as we travel to Athens. Here are a few pictures from our exciting week. Visit our Facebook page for Video clips of each day and more photos..

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3 On Sunday June 3rd, Nohea Kamalani Friddle became a keiki of God. Pastor Matt performed the beautiful baptism. Nohea had quite a bit of family including her Grandparents, Nathan and Teresa Ubando here to witness and celebrate her becoming a keiki of God. We are excited to Welcome Nohea as a KEIKI OF GOD! Shortly after Lauren and Ashley Snodgrass were confirmed, they moved to Virginia, and were unable to participate in their first communion with their ohana at Saint Mark. We are grateful Anne Marie sent us some photos of their joyous day! The Snodgrass family was such a blessing to Saint Mark and we pray for their continued growth with the Lord. We are so blessed to have received Lauren and Ashley for their confirmation.

4 Unfortunately, we live at a time when an incredible shift is taking place in our culture. We are witnessing the homosexualization of culture. Powerful forces in the world around us are promoting homosexuality as a normal, acceptable and even praiseworthy lifestyle. They have achieved one of the primary goals for this movement: legal recognition of homosexual marriage. However the march of the homosexual movement has not stopped there. Instead in a seemingly inexorable fashion it seeks to annihilate the biblical view of sex and marriage in the public square using the weapons of hate speech and economic power of large corporations. When we encounter these forces and see their impact on the world and Church, it is crucial that we as Christians return to God s Word and listen to what He has to say about these issues. We must start at the beginning and acknowledge that in establishing His created order, God made humanity as male and female. We read in Genesis 1:27: God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God determined, It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make a helper corresponding to him (Genesis 2:18) and he created woman as the necessary partner for man. He instituted marriage as the one flesh union of a man and woman (Genesis 2:24) which was to carry out the necessary task of procreation God told Adam and Eve: Be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). God s Word teaches us that He established marriage for three reasons. First it prevents mankind from being alone (Genesis 2:18). Second, it provides for the continuing life of humanity through procreation (Genesis 1:28). Third, it curbs the inclination toward sin and lust in this fallen world, for as Paul wrote: But because of immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband (1 Corinthians 7:2). Homosexuality runs directly counter to this ordering of creation provided by God. God s Word in the Old and New Testaments is absolutely clear on this point. Because it is crucial to actually listen to what God s Word says on this topic, I have set forth the full text of these passages below: Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Roman 1:24-27 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their woman exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire towards one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 1 Timothy 1:8-10 But we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching. It is important to realize that the Old and New Testaments stated this condemnation of homosexuality in the midst of the ancient world that accepted homosexuality. However, the specifics of this position are not what the world would have us believe. Typically it involved the practice of pederasty in which an older man sodomized a young man (often a slave in the Roman period). While it was acceptable for the older man to play the active, insertive role, the young man who was passively penetrated was looked down upon (see the discussion in Kyle Harper, From Shame to Sin: The Christian Transformation of Sexual Morality in Late Antiquity, 22-37). ~~Continued on next page~~

5 ~~Continued from previous page~~ Homosexuality has gained wider acceptance as it is promoted by powerful forces in our culture. One of the most common arguments is that homosexuality is a natural state. We are told that people are born that way. This was a crucial part of the argument that helped sway public attitudes toward acceptance. However it is certainly false to say that all homosexuals were born that way. J. Michael Bailey has observed that studies with identical twins do indicate a genetic component. At the same time he adds, If sexual orientation were completely genetic, then genetically identical twins should always have the same sexual orientation, but clearly they don t. Environment must also matter. (The Man Who Would Be Queen: The Science of Gender-Bending and Transsexualism, 110). There is an increasing awareness that sexual orientation is not fixed as homosexual but instead fluid, especially among women as they shift between homosexuality and heterosexuality. It seems likely that there is a combination of genetic inclination and societal influence in varying degrees within each person. However, even if it were conclusively proven that homosexuality is a genetic condition, it would not change the truth that God s Word shares with us about the sinfulness of homosexuality. The entrance of sin into the world in the Fall (Genesis 3) warped and twisted God s creation. The presence of the genetic predisposition to cancer, heart disease, alcoholism or any harmful condition bears witness to the impact of sin on creation. It does not make these things natural, but rather makes them part of a sinful, fallen world. A genetic predisposition to homosexuality would be no different than the genetic predisposition to alcoholism. The struggle against these sins would be caused by the impact of sin in the world, and not through any personal fault of the individual. However, in neither case would this give an individual the right to engage in homosexual acts or drunkenness and the abuse of alcohol. Both would remain sins that Christians must avoid and for which they must repent when they have committed these sins. As a result of our sinful, fallen world a Christian may have sinful homosexual inclinations and desires, in the same way that a Christian may have sinful heterosexual inclinations and desires that break the Sixth Commandment. In both cases, the Sixth Commandment forbids Christians from acting on these desires and calls us to repentance in the face of these desires. When Christians fall and engage in a homosexual act they need to repent and receive God s forgiveness, just like Christians who engage in a heterosexual act that breaks the Sixth Commandment. At the same time, it is important to realize that sin is sin. Homosexuality is one form of the many ways that people sin. Christians must strive in their lives to avoid all forms of sin. We know that we frequently fail to do this in many different ways. On those occasions, we take comfort in knowing that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the assurance of forgiveness to all who repent and turn to Him in faith. Reflection on God s Word also leads to the conclusion that Christians cannot endorse any form of homosexual marriage. As we have seen, God s Word teaches us that marriage has three purposes: 1) it prevents mankind from being alone (Geneis 2:18); 2) it provides for the continuing life of humanity through procreation (Genesis 1:28); 3) it curbs the inclination toward sin and lust in this fallen world (1 Corinthians 7:2). Since homosexual relationships violate the second and third purposes of marriage, they do not reflect what God calls marriage and Christians are not permitted to call them marriage. Ultimately the discussion about homosexuality is really a discussion about the authority of God s Word. If we believe that the Scriptures are God s inspired and inerrant Word, then we will recognize that they remain God s authoritative revelation to us. They will continue to guide the God pleasing life that reflects and respects His ordering of creation. However if we treat Scripture as a human document that we must evaluate and then decide which parts we wish to accept, the result is that we lose God s Word as the guide for our faith and life. As Dr. David Adams has correctly judged regarding the topic of homosexuality: If successful in their efforts to undercut the authority of the biblical witness on this subject, the proponents of homosexuality in the church will have effectively deprived the church of the means to apply what the Bible says about virtually any moral issue to the life of the church today (Concordia Journal, July 2005, pg. 228). Unfortunately, the general acceptance of homosexuality in our culture is here to stay. If the Church is to be faithful to God s Word, it will increasingly find herself to be counter-cultural as she tells the world what it doesn t want to hear just as things were at the beginning of the Church during its first few centuries of life. Yet if the Church is to remain Christ s Church, she must listen to God s authoritative revelation about all subjects - including homosexuality. May the Holy Spirit grant each of us the faith to listen to God s Word and confess the truth about the ordering of God s good creation that He has made known to us.

6 Midweek Study/ Prayer Warriors gathers at 10:00am at church on Wednesdays for refreshments and a discussion of upcoming Sunday readings. Men in the Word meets for breakfast and 15 minutes with Luther on alternating Saturdays at 7:30am at Pastor s Home. July 14 & 28. Lutheran Women s Mission League will not be meeting in July. Youth Hike tentatively July 21 at 10am. Nursery closed for July due to staffing. Sunday School meets at 8:30 on Sundays prior to worship for youth, teenage, and adult Saint Mark Food Bank meets every Saturday from 8:00am-10am to open the food pantry to those in need. Volunteers & Donations Needed. Women s Fellowship will meet July 18 at Kaneohe Yacht Club at 6pm to enjoy no host dinner, drinks, (Cash bar) and fellowship together. Another successful two weeks of hosting for Family Promise in June! We had such a great time getting to know our families as well as being able to provide a home, dinner, and breakfast for them. Thank you to all the volunteers who provided Dinner, helped with set up/ clean up and stayed the night with our families. We were able to see a few families graduate from the program and find a home. Due to their work schedules our volunteers and organizers were very flexible and sometimes just making leftover plates for them, but the families were so appreciative of you doing so. A special thanks to Kristin & Yal Lim and Dar & Mark Fink as they organized everything and even came to join in dinner or make breakfast for the families and volunteers all while volunteering themselves. We are so blessed to have such a giving congregation! Mahalo! We did not take pictures in order to protect the privacy of our families. 7/1 Leilani L. 7/3 Hana R. 7/6 Matthew B. 7/7 Mike C. 7/7 Robyn D. 7/10 Rose M. 7/11 Kalei A. 7/11 Janice H. 7/14 Ben H. 7/14 Janice T. 7/16 Ben C. 7/16 Millie H. 7/17 Daniel H. 7/17 Paige P. 7/18 Louise W. 7/21 Joshua C. 7/21 Paul M. 7/26 Martin S. 7/27 Dot B. 7/28 Randy H. 7/28 Robert R. 7/29 Harriet Y. 7/30 Todd S. Happy Anniversary 7/9 Tucker 7/16 McMinn 7/18 Brum 7/20 Seo 7/21 Wolstein 7/29 Murata

7 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1). We celebrate this month because of the freedoms and liberties our country has afforded us. We are right to do this. We should be thankful for these liberties: the freedom to gather together to worship and to live out what we believe in our daily lives. But freedom and liberty in our age has devolved. It has become a freedom from duty instead of a freedom for it. Indeed, freedom and liberty in our age has turned into licentiousness: a license to do what we want, when we want. This license is a submission, again, to a yoke of slavery. For freedom as license to do what we desire when we desire it means we are slaves to our desires, slaves to our passions. Christ died to set us free from our sinful desires. In Holy Baptism, our Old Adam is drowned and put to death along with all sin and evil desires so that a new man may arise and live before God in righteousness and purity. In Christ, we are a new creation. We are set free from the passions of the flesh so that we are free to do our duty and bear fruits of the Spirit. Our duty is what God calls us to do as members of a family, society, and the church. God calls us to believe in His Word and gladly hear and learn it. He calls us to pray for all people. He calls us to live in faith toward Him and in fervent love for our neighbor. He calls us to put the gifts He gives to us in His service. God calls parents to provide for their children and raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. And God calls children to honor their parents and provide and care for them when they are no longer able to do so themselves. God calls the government to punish those who do evil and to reward those who do good. He calls citizens to pay their taxes and honor the governing officials as God s servants. He calls pastors to preach and teach the Gospel as well as repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And He calls hearers to support those who teach them with every good thing. Christ died to set us free from the works of our selfish flesh, giving us the freedom and liberty to do our duty. Stand firm, then, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. The Malia Maleka League of LWML received a grant for Bibles to be donated for Family Promise and VBS. Pictured are the Bibles that were available for our Families and Keiki. The ladies also plan to put together some Aloha Baskets for our Neighbors after summer is over. If you are interested in joining LWML and participating in the activities please contact the Church office to learn more information.

8 Independence Day July 4th Truth leads to Freedom WARM UP ASK: What is independence and why do we celebrate it? (Independence is the freedom of control of others. We celebrate our freedom from the rule of Great Britain when the Declaration of Independence was first adopted on July 4, 1776, and the United States of America was born.) Read aloud John 8: 32: And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (ESV) Say: If we know the truth, we will be free. ACTIVITY: The Pledge Hunt Draw Twelve five point stars on construction paper (with pencil) and cut out with scissors. Make them at least two or three inches wide. Number them 1 to 12. Write the Pledge of Allegiance broken down into twelve phrases on the twelve stars: 1-I Pledge 2-Allegiance 3-To the flag 4-Of the United States of America 5-And to the Republic 6-For which it stands 7-One nation 8-Under God 9-Indivisible 10-With Liberty 11-And justice 12-For All. When the Freedom Stars are completed, collect them and hide them in the house or in the backyard. Make sure the kids don t see you hiding them. When they are hidden, come back to the kids and SAY: We are going to look for freedom today. Freedom isn t easy; we have to work at it. We have to look for it, and when we discover it, we have to keep it. We are going on a scavenger hunt for twelve stars that spell out our Pledge of Allegiance. FAMILY DISCUSSION After the hunt, gather the stars and arrange them in order. Then lead a discussion using the following- I pledge A pledge is a promise. Allegiance To the flag Of the United States of America And to the Republic For which it stands I will be loyal and faithful to be on their side. A symbol of the ideas that made our country We are many states, but we are ONE family on the same team. Everyone gets a vote. The flag represents this. TODAY S SLOGANS: My Country s Flag by Suzanne Smith Flag of my country Reminds me that I m free, Free to be me! ADAPTING FOR... Younger Children: Draw the stars for your child and help with the cutting. Explain the concepts of pledge in terms they can understand. Teens: Ask your teen to hide the Freedom Stars. For the discussion, One nation Under God Indivisible With liberty And Justice. For All Even though we are many states we are ONE nation. People came to this land to worship God the way they wanted to. Cannot be divided even though we have had challenges and disagreements; we choose to stay together. We aren t prisoners of anyone. We have freedom. Fairness. Everyone getting what is right Democracy includes everyone equally. All have rights. ASK: What are some examples of two or three of the meanings? (Example: give me an example of allegiance ) PRAYER: Dear Father God, thank You for our country and the many blessings we enjoy: freedom, honor, the rights to vote and worship, and that everyone is valuable. Help us build our lives, our family, and our country on Your truth, because that will make us really free. In Jesus name, Amen.

9 Date Elder Lectors Acolyte Keiki Message Media Tech Ushers July 1 Matt Kristy, Jason July 8 Blake Lorien, Miriam Lorien Scott John, Mark, Mary Ann James Dara Jason Mart, Frank, Katie David, Rick July 15 Tom Beth, Noah Kristy Scott Toby, Bill, Ben July 22 Bill Mary Ann, Pam July 29 Kristy Dar, Harriet Eli Pastor Lorien Nathan, Josh, Kaniala, Richard Abi Pastor Jason Eric, Mart, Matthew, Rick Date Set Up Clean-Up July 8 Millie Louise July 22 Kristin Leslie July 29 Kristin Louise There are many ways to submit a prayer request. If you would like to be added to our prayers please sign the prayer request paper after service, contact the office via or phone, or click the link Prayer Request Please keep these families in your prayers. Housebound: AB & Dot B, Jinny J, Elizabeth M, David M, Bruce R, Jim T, Harold & Peggy B, Gloria S. Military: Chris W, Scott W, Tom W, Help & Healing: Robert H., Kim H., Jodie, Kay Missionanaries: Beckendorfs, Stovers Peace & Comfort: Conner Ohana Thanksgiving: Lloyd Willweber, VBS Participants & Volunteers, Family Promise Participants & Volunteers

10 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:30am Bible Classes/Sunday School 9:30am Worship/Fellowship 11:00am Parish Education 8:30am- Bible Classes/Sunday School 9:30am- Worship/Fellowship 11:00am- Youth Meeting 8:30am- Bible Classes/Sunday School 9:30am- Worship/Fellowship 8:30am- Bible Classes/Sunday School 9:30am- Worship/Fellowship 8:30am Bible Classes/Sunday School 9:30am-Worship/Fellowship :30pm Outreach & Fellowship 6:00pm- Church Council 17 10:00am Bible Study 11:00am Prayer Warriors 10:00am Bible Study 11:00am Prayer Warriors 18 6:00pm Women s Fellowship :00am Bible Study 11:00am Prayer Warriors 7:15pm- Worship Team 7:00pm- Board of Education 7:15pm Worship Team 7:15pm- Worship Team 7:15pm Worship Team :00am Food Bank :30am Men in the Word 8:00am Food Bank :00am Food Bank 10:00amYouth Hike :30am Men in the Word 8:00am Food Bank Normal Office hours Tues-Fri 8:30am- 12:30pm