St. John s Lu theran Church

Transcription

1 St. John s Lu theran Church August 2016 Eagle Newsletter Matthew 19: 4-6 ESV 4 [Jesus said], Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. St. John s Lutheran Church and School 4939 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL

2 2 How Does My Child Receive Early First Communion? By Pastor Heinz The Lutheran Church has always had an emphasized catechesis: a lifelong learning of God s Word. Children are to be formed in the faith by God s Word at home by their parents and family, as their lives revolve around the heartbeat of the Church, the Lord s Supper. Early Communion is not early at all, according to the ancient practice of the Church, which the first Lutherans continued. They understood being worthy and well prepared is not about our own work or trust, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit, giving faith in these words: Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Holy Communion is, however, tied to the hearing of God s Word in the Divine Service and at home. The learning of God s Word on a regular basis goes hand-in-hand with receiving the Sacrament. Process: 1) Ask Pastor & Office to be on the list for the next scheduled sessions. 2) Learn by heart and be able to recite the primary texts of the Six Chief Parts to parents: The Ten Commandments The Apostles Creed The Lord s Prayer Matthew 28:19 (Baptism) Mark 16:16 (Baptism) John 20:22-23 (Confession) The Words of Institution/Words of Our Lord (Sacrament of the Altar) 3) Recite the same primary texts of the Six Chief Parts to Pastor. 4) Attend brief sessions on each of these Six Chief Parts with Pastor. Be able to discuss these in an age appropriate manner. This next term, sessions are from 3:30-4:00pm, Wednesdays, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26. If you are in Bell Choir, alternate times will be arranged. 5) Be faithful in regular attendance of the majority of Divine Services at St. John s. 6) Participate in Individual Confession & Absolution in an age appropriate manner. 7) For those who are ready, the next Divine Service with First Holy Communion will be Reformation Sunday, 10/30.

3 Ladies Book Club: As this article goes to print, The Ladies Book Club has not had its July 2016 meeting. However, this promises to be an interesting meeting with the planned discussion of two very different books. We will be sharing our thoughts and reactions to the books I Am Malala - The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai, and See Me by Nicholas Sparks. The first is a compelling true account of a historic tragedy, and the second is a fictional account of a love story which also involves a tragedy. Reactions may be very diverse. 3 For the month of August, we will be reading In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship, the Essex was assaulted by a whale of enormous size. This whale seemed to have a vengeance against the ship and its occupants. This real-life disaster was the inspiration for Herman Melville s novel Moby Dick. This book and the recent movie based on it tell about the aftermath of the Essex s encounter and what the remaining crewmen did in order to survive. Here is a list of the Ladies Book Club selections for the remainder of our current schedule: September 2016: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson October 2016: The Witches - Salem 1692 by Stacy Schiff November 2016: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman December 2016: The Light Between the Oceans by M.L. Stedman January 2017: The Drummond Girls- A Story of Fierce Friendship Beyond Time and Chance by Mardi Link You will find a synopsis of the current book in the Eagle for that month and in the weekly bulletins prior to each meeting. If you would like a complete synopsis of each book or more information on the Book Club, please contact Karen Buhler. Each month, The Ladies Book Club has an interesting discussion of the book of the month followed by delicious refreshments. We welcome visitors whether you want to attend only when a particular book interests you or if you want to become a regular participant. We meet at 7PM on the last Tuesday of each month. Choir Rehearsals: Choir rehearsals begin at St. John s for the academic year on October 6 th. We are looking to compliment our Chancel Bells Choir with 2 additional ringers this year. Reading music is a plus, but you can learn to play if you don't read music. We also can use more voices in our vocal choir. If you are able to join us for only part of the year, talk to Mark Eggert and something can be worked out. Comfort Dogs Visit to St. John s: Although the Comfort Dogs always seem to have a full schedule comforting families and loved ones after tragedies strike, they also find time to visit with organizations such as our Plus 60 Group and their 5 th grade visitors in April. In their own furry way, the dogs shared the gospel with those present that day. Lutheran Church Charities has numerous ministries in addition to the Comfort Dogs. Visit their website, LutheranChurchCharities.org to learn of the many ways they Share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Join a Bible Study, receive a daily devotion, or make a donation to assure the Comfort Dog ministry continues. Interested in joining St. John s Plus 60? Although the group title may lead you to believe you must be of a certain age, certainly no one would be turned away. They meet the last Thursday of each month in the Fellowship Room beginning at 10:30AM. Contact Dolores Sauser at (773) or her at Delo60641@peoplepc.com if you are interested.

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5 5 Memorials, Gifts of Love, and Thank Offerings given July 5 th, 2015 through July 19 th, 2016 MEMORIALS Home Purposes Fund in memory of Dolores Heldt, by Lednard Heldt, John & Toni Dian Sophia Eurick, by Arnold Eurick Gregory Pfister, by Laura Weith, Dorcas Society, The Pfister Family Wayne Lohman, by Laurene Lohman Beatrice Williams, by Bonnie Mayrens Sophia Salm, by Jim & Judy Weimer Harold Salm, by Jim & Judy Weimer Mary Weimer, by Jim & Judy Weimer Wesley Bodinet, by Linda Thorson, Leonard & Marie Tornabene, Plus 60 Club, Karen & Bill Whitehead Philip R. Williams, by Bonnie Mayrens Alex Weimer, by Jim & Judy Weimer Virgil Rockwell, by Jim & Judy Weimer Harold Salm, by Jim & Judy Weimer Charles Novak, Sr., by Midge Klein Frank Schaeffer, by Midge Klein The Family of Sue Griesmann, by Sue Griesmann Sharon Behm Dahlstrom - a member of St. John s Class of 1957, by Ken & Jackie O Rilley, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Pataky, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick O Rilley, Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Manwell, Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Stryker, Debbie Evers Ronald Schacht, by Jackie Schacht Joan Brown, by Debra O Connor Joan Warkenthien, by Fred Warkenthein Don Croeger, by St. John s Mr. & Mrs. Club Emily Wilcop, by Larry & Lori Pahlke Irene Kirby, by St. John s Mr. & Mrs. Club, Sauser Family, Lois Adams, Dorcas Society, Paul & Laura Weith, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Elaine Fink, Douglas & Grace Davidson Virginia Weakly, by Debbie Wheeler The Family, by Sue Griesmann Daniel A. Bricker, by Bev Bricker Carol Burkett, by Debbie Wheeler, Len & Marie Tornabene, Carl & Margarete Giess, Erna Morgan, Lois Adams, The Dorcas Society, Debra O Connor, The Sauser Family, Elaine Fink, Evelyn Berning Jan Stratton, by Elaine Fink, Debra O Connor Helga Amella, by Stephanie Greenberg Gertrud Meier, by Stephanie Greenberg Paul Matej, by Debra O Connor The Ruth Wernsman Fund in memory of.. Charles Novak, Sr., by Pastor & Kristi Heinz Bethesda Home in memory of.. Charles Novak, Sr., by Henry & Judy Knueppel The Henry Knueppel School Endowment Fund.. Elizabeth Breede, by Henry & Judy Knueppel David Jesse, by Henry & Judy Knueppel Jan Stratton, by Debra O Connor

6 6 MEMORIALS (continued) Mother s Day Debt Reduction Fund in memory of.. Joan Werkheiser, by Pam Karnatz Carol Karnatz, by John Karnatz Frieda Klawitter, by Dorothea Klawitter Mother s Day Debt Reduction Fund in honor of.. Marion Gegeanis by, Luanne Gegeanis Loretta Walz by, Carol Walz Education Fund in memory of Shirley Gollwitz, given by Jackie Schacht, Cheryl Fasshauer, Audrey Etheridge, Joyce McPhee, Elouise Magnuson, Donald McPhee, Fred & Karen Buhler, George & Lenore Bowman, Dorcas Society, Tom Spera, Dolores & Ken Sauser, St. John s Plus 60 Club, Elaine Fink, Bev Farina, Erna Morgan, Doug & Karen McLane, Debra O Connor Gutter and Roof Repairs given by Laura Glasscock, Erna Morgan, Anonymous, Barbara Banks, Debbie Wheeler, Joanne Peck, Sharon Frey, Jackie Schacht, Linda Kleim, Margaret Gall, Charles Lorenz, Henry & Judy Knueppel, Debra O Connor, Barbara Banks, Lisa Menser Dan & Shana Karnatz Pastor s Discretionary Fund Adam Neubauer Higher Things Adam Neubauer Missions Rev. & Mrs. Thoelke 50th Wedding Anniversary, by Helen Lutz Social Welfare The Smallfield Family LWML Linda Thorson Agape Fund in honor of.. Don Erber, by Henry & Judy Knueppel Thanksgiving for Prayers answered, Margot Crosby Cipriani Home Purposes Aubrey Belle, Ungurait s Baptism, by Megan Joy Fogarty Thanksgiving for Prayers answered, Margot Crosby Cipriani Eternal Lights Erna Morgan Phil s Friends Wolfgang Fey GIFTS OF LOVE AND THANK OFFERINGS

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8 8 Stephanie Sanders 8/1 Laura Weith 8/2 Eric Klawitter 8/2 Bonnie Mayrens 8/3 Tim Fasshauer 8/3 Linda Byall 8/4 Elly Wichner 8/5 Ronald Gall 8/6 George Tober 8/6 Victor Castro 8/7 Clarissa Aleksiewicz 8/10 Kristopher Walk-Faust 8/10 Katerina Fielder 8/17 John Gallo 8/18 Marilyn Bickel 8/19 Karen Whitehead 8/21 Kathi Deahl 8/22 John Gall 8/10 Diane Lemon 8/10 Robert Frey 8/11 Donald Erber 8/13 Melissa Marchak 8/13 Linda Warnock 8/14 Barbara Leineweber 8/16 Christopher Antonetti 8/16 Bette Heidi 8/22 Missilou Walk-Faust 8/24 Ellen Kruger 8/26 Bev Bricker 8/27 Betty Carey 8/27 Frank Cho 8/30 John Wolke 8/31 Ross McLane 8/31

9 August 2016 Stewardship Newsletter from the LCMS Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God s family, the church, in managing all of life and life s resources for God s purposes. Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift (2 Cor. 9:15)! This is St. Paul s exclamation upon hearing the Corinthian church s response to the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his request for support for the Church in Jerusalem. The Christians in Corinth heard and received God s mercy in Christ, and they responded to St. Paul s call to support Christians in Jerusalem with a collection. The Corinthian s joy filled Jerusalem s need. This is the reality of stewardship. Because of God s generosity in the giving of His Son to die on the cross for us, we are to be generous with all that we receive from Him. What do we receive? Everything. All that we are and all that we have is the Lord s. He is the creator and the giver. We are His creatures and those who receive what He gives. It sounds easy. And it is. But then again it isn t. Stewardship is easy because it God s work. Through what God gives, we give to others. Through what God gives, we support the work of the church for the life of the world. He gives; we receive. And like our generous Father in Heaven, we, as His children, use what He gives to us to love and serve others. But stewardship is also difficult. That is because it goes against our natural inclination to think that what I have is mine to do what I want with. This is our sinful nature. It is our selfishness and our greed. How can we who have been given everything life, food, clothing, house, home, forgiveness, divine sonship, an eternal inheritance be so stingy with what we give to the church, the place where we hear about and receive all that God gives us and does for us? We are all guilty of this kind of thinking. And the only godly response is to repent and trust in the Gospel. For if God has given you His own Son, will He not give you all things? Yes. He will. This is His sure and certain promise. God provides for His people. He provides everything we need for this body and life and for the life that is to come. The church is a mercy place. It s a place where God s mercy in the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, is given and received. For we who believe in Christ, it means forgiveness, life, and salvation in the face of sin, death, and the power of the devil. Here in the church we inhale God s mercy in Word and Sacrament, and exhale this same mercy in love and service to our neighbor. And that is an enduring, joyful thing to do. Our joy fills our neighbor s need because His joy filled ours (Heb. 12:2). Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! 9