from the Pastor s Office

Transcription

1 1Thessalonians 5: and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Plymouth Lutheran Church, Pastor Joel Baker October County Road 15, Plymouth, MN Telephones: & from the Pastor s Office Romans 14:10-12 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, AS I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to ME, And every tongue shall give praise to God. So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. In the practicality of living a life for the Lord we have been instructed not to judge our brother or sister in Christ nor to regard them with contempt because of some weakness in their spiritual life or understanding of Scripture that they have regarding issues that are not central to one s salvation or the practicing of basic doctrine that is essential to having faith. [In other words, issues of adiaphora: a Greek word that refers to issues outside of salvation]. Can we live together in a Christian community called Plymouth Lutheran Church and not judge one another or view others with contempt because they might disagree with us, understand things somewhat differently than we do, or even need some rules or standards laid out to help nurture their faith. Others, maybe such as yourself, may be stronger in their faith and understanding of Scripture so they can operate in the Christian life with very few set rules for themselves-they have a wonderful freedom in Christ that sets them free from rules and regulations regarding these kinds of issues. We all will be held accountable before God as to how we treated Him and how we treated others. Of course if one is behaving in a way that is drawing them away from Jesus and they could be in jeopardy of becoming lost we should lovingly offer words of correction, exhortation, or conviction, thereby saving a brother or sister from that path/situation. We can be thankful that all Christians have the Holy Spirit to help them live a life that honors Jesus and shows love to others. We especially need to be loving to others in these days of turbulence, anger, intolerance, hate, and divisiveness. Being peacemakers wherever it depends upon us without compromising the truths of Scripture. Walking this life with you day by day with the help of the Lord. Pastor Joel Pastor Baker s shalom2u2@usfamily.net Church website: Church secretary@plymouthapostolic.org Prayer Chain: or pep59@aol.com If you would like to receive this by please send a message to secretary@plymouthapostolic.org

2 October at PLC Sundays: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 9:00am Sunday morning Bible classes 10:30am Worship Service 11:30am Coffee fellowship 8 Pastor Appreciation Sunday 10:30 Pastor Joel s ordination by ALCA during the service 3:00pm Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary Rally 15 10:30am Communion Sunday 22 11:30am Abbreviated Communion Tuesdays: 10 5:45pm Mission Committee Meeting 6:30pm Board of Trustees meeting Wednesdays: 4 9 a.m. Men s & Ladies Breakfast at Perkins HWY 494 & HWY 55 6:30pm Walk Thru the Bible Study 8:00pm Choir Practice 11, 18, 25 9:15am Ladies Bible Study 9:30am Men s Bible Study 6:30pm Walk Through the Bible Study 8:00pm Choir Practice Thursdays: 26 Senior Outing Fridays: 13 Fall Youth Rally Hosted by Eastwood ALC, Negaunee, MI Saturdays: 9:00am Saturday morning Ladies Bible Study *************************************************************************************************************************************** Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary Plymouth Lutheran Church on SUNDAY, 10/8 at 3 PM The ILT Seminary is celebrating its 50 th Anniversary. The rally will be followed by a supper in the Fellowship Hall. Please plan to attend and show your support! Celebrate Our Congregation October Birthdays: Rachel Olson 10/7 Trevor Olson 10/10 Andrew Walters 10/11 Tom Neadle 10/11 Jennifer Barhorst 10/12 Marilyn Dahlmeier 10/13 Jan Pelto 10/13 Marvin Barhorst 10/15 Tim Jukuri 10/20 Alex Walters 10/21 Eva Vahakangas 10/22 Brian Lunn 10/23 Katrina Vahakangas 10/28 October Anniversaries: Dale & Myrna Maikkula 10/11 Neil & Deb Sunnarborg 10/23 Save The Date *************************************************************************************************************************************** A Night of Praise and Thanksgiving Wednesday, November 22 nd at 7:00 PM Share a song, Bible verse, a musical talent, a poem, a testimony, etc There is a sign-up sheet on the Narthex desk. Contact Roy Saari at with any questions Offering will go to the Radio Ministry. *************************************************************************************************************************************** All Women Invited: Please join our Book Group as we read our next book: Luther on the Christian Life: Cross and Freedom by Carl R. Trueman. If you are interested in buying or sharing a book, please let Susan know. An order will be compiled and put through soon. Since 2017 is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, this is an excellent time to read a new book on Martin Luther! We read the book on our own and then come together for a very enjoyable discussion of the book one Sunday after church. (The discussion is led by Susan, but all are encouraged to make comments and ask questions.). We hope some new people will join us! Please contact Susan with questions. ( )

3 Births Linnea Grace born 8/25/2017, 9lbs 3oz, 20.5 in. Parents Brian and Leeanna, big brothers Erik and Caedmon Elysia Rose, born 9/14/2017; 7 lbs 15 oz; 19 in. Parent Elsbeth and Tim, grandparents Phyllis and Bill Krumholz. Baptism Baptism Day of Linnea pictured here with her parents & brothers, Brian s parents and Leeanna s Grandparents. Afton, born 9/25/17; 8lb 7oz, 21 ¾ Parents: Anne and Josh Grandparents: Bev and Brad Aho Great-grandparents: Anita and Rueben Aho Ada Hurula

4 Doesn t This Look Fun!? It s not Breakfast at Tiffany s; but Breakfast at Perkins on #55 and 494! The men meet the 1 st Wednesday of each month. Many of the women have Bible study that Wednesday, however a few of them come for breakfast at Perkin s, also. You are always welcome. NOTE: These photos were taken on a sunny summertime Wednesday.

5 George Washington and the duty of prayer In October 1789, President George Washington issued a proclamation that declared it "the duty of all nations" to acknowledge God's providence, obey His will, be thankful for His blessings, and pray to Him. That's right, the nation's first president called for the American people to "humbly implore His protection and favor" as well as "beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions." What an extraordinary proclamation! But there's more. Washington asked for prayer to God "to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue." This is an historic event you won t want to miss. In celebration of the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation, AFLC schools are hosting this Reformation Hymn Sing. Do mark your calendars now for this November date. Reformation Hymn Festival Friday, November 10, 2017 at 7 pm AFLC Schools Chapel Plymouth, MN Join us for a hymn sing and choral presentation commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Featuring: Several Reformation hymns by Martin Luther Professional chamber orchestra A festival choir, including AFLBS students, alumni, and friends Josh Bauder s five piece set, Five Solas of the Reformation You are invited to be part of the congregation or to join the festival choir. For information, requirements, and registration for joining the festival choir contact Andrew Hanson at or ahanson@aflc.org. Seniors: This is the Activity for November. Does anyone think we should take the church van? Who volunteers to take charge?

6 Pray for Us Our persecuted brothers and sisters consistently make one major request of American Christians: Pray for Us! Churches across the United States and around the world will honor their request this Nov. 5 as they Remember those in bonds (Heb. 13:3) on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Have you read or looked at the magazine Voice of Martyers? A copy is in the church narthex. Some of you receive the magazine at your home. Even a cursory look tells you that Christians around the world ore being persecuted for their faith; some choose martyrdom rather than deny their Christ. We don t have to wait for November 5 to pray for the Persecuted Church.! ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Reliability of Scripture Archeological Corroboration Our Bible is a remarkable book! It has some 40 writers but only one Author. Written over a period approaching 1500 years, it has a remarkable unity of message that remains as pertinent today as when it was written. In the past 300 years scoffers have arisen to discredit the Bible. The Modernists believed that man does not need any kind of supernatural being to direct his affairs. But the LORD has told us what to make of such thinking, Psalm 14:1 The fool in his heart, There is no God. Men and Women who reject the supernatural in the Bible are teachers and leaders in many churches today. These individuals invariable reject many of the moral teachings of the Bible. It has been observed that a man s theology is a reflection of his morality. The reverse, that a man s morality must be directed by his theology, is God s intention. A scientist learns which investigators are reliable and identifies those that are not necessarily so. Everyone should take a similar tack when dealing with spiritual matters. As Lutherans, we teach that the Bible is the norm and standard to which all teaching MUST be compared. The Bible has a remarkable record in teaching about the history of the Israelis. Archeologists have made many studies and explorations of the Middle East including Palestine. It is remarkable how well their work supports the Biblical record. Examples of the Archeological findings include: Two temples were uncovered in Bethshan, one to which Saul s armor was brought (1 Sam 31:10). And another to which Saul s head was brought. The site of Gibeon (2 Sam. 2:11-13) has a pool cutout of the rock 38ft in diameter. Solomon s stables found at Megiddo (1 Kings 9:19) had room for up to 500 horses. The Oriental Cylinder (British Museum) describes how Sennecherib shut up the king of Jerusalem (Hezekiah) in a cage i.e. besieged but did not capture Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:20-36) Moabite Stone, found in 1868 confirms that King Mesha of Moab was subject to Omri and Ahab and rebelled against Joram but was defeated by Joram and Jehosaphat. (2 Kings 3:4-6+) The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III of Assyria (British Museum) confirms that Hazael murdered Ben-Hadad of Syria (2 Kings 8:15). Also Omri presented tribute to him. A theatre excavated at Caesarea bears an inscription to Pontius Pilatus and Tiberius Emperor. An inscription at Delphi shows that Gallio was proconsul of Achaia in 52 AD (Acts 18:1, 2) Lysanias, the Tertarch of Abilene (Luke 3:1) was unknown until a monument was found near Damascus which was so inscribed. The few samples out of 100 s corroborating The Bible gives us a great deal of confidence that the Bible is trustworthy and reliable. If it is so in secondary matter, we must be more mindful when the Bible speaks of Spiritual matters. The Lord has indeed revealed Himself to mankind through His written Word! Al Saari Inter-Lutheran Seminary newsletter