St. Mark Lutheran Church and School

Transcription

1 August 2015 St. Mark Lutheran Church and School Pastor's continuing series on hymns and the truths which they share. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 5:19-20) Special points of interest: Read your Bible in 3 years The WELS Views The Galloping Mustang INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Where Your Treasure Is 1 Through My Bible 2 in 3 Years / This We Believe This Month in God s 3 Word / Birthdays & Anniversaries WELS News 4 Marriage Defined by God The Galloping Mustang 5-7 Ladies Aid 8 August Calendar 9 August Duties 10 Where Your Treasure Is What do you gain from all your worry, What you should eat or what to wear? There is no peace in stress or hurry. Do you not know that you are held within God s care? (CWS 757:1) At one time or another (or even many times) we have all known worry and stress. We have hurried from one place to another striving for the things of this world, thinking that somehow we are going to come up short. But what good can really come from this? In the end, we must know that God is caring for us. Look at the ravens high above you. They do not work their whole life through. And yet God feeds them and protects them. So how much more will God protect and care for you? (CWS 757:2) Behold the lilies in their splendor. In grace and beauty they are dressed. And yet so soon their bloom is faded. So how much more will those who look to God be blessed? (CWS 757:3) Just gaze upon the birds in the air; their life is busy, but they do not rush after every last bit they can gather. God is watching over these small creatures. He is feeding them. He is preserving them. And what about the flowers of the field? Look at their beautiful features that God has blessed them with. But they do not last forever. Does God not love you as much as these? Does God not love you much more than these? O little flock, do not be frightened; Yours is the kingdom of the Lord. Give your possessions to the needy; Obtain a treasure in God s heaven safely stored. (CWS 757:4) We do not need to be consumed by our worry and overcome by stress. The Lord of all has given us his kingdom. He has blessed with all that we need and more. More importantly, he has granted us a place in his heavenly kingdom. He has redeemed from our sins of worry and mistrust so that we are holy in his sight. We have no need to be consumed by the things of this world. Our real treasure has been stored up for us in heaven. Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be. All that you possess will never set you free. Seek the things that last; come and learn from me. Where your treasure is, your heart shall be. (CWS 757: refrain) So let us seek after the things that last. Let us hunger and thirst for righteousness. Let us long for the Word of the Lord and his bountiful sacraments. Then our hearts shall remain at peace. Then we shall know true joy. Then we will be truly free.

2 Through my Bible in 3 years Bible reading series is designed to take only a few minutes each day. If you haven t started in January, that s okay. Feel free to jump in and start in the middle of a year. This same Bible reading structure is found in the Northwestern Lutheran. To help you through your Bible study, consider this anecdote: Peter the Barber once asked Martin Luther how he, an ordinary kind of guy, could read the Bible with profit. Luther answered: 1.What does God tell me here? 2.What makes me glad? 3.What makes me sad? 4.What do I want to pray for: Try it in your Bible reading! August 1. Amos 6 2. Amos 7:1-8:3 3. Amos 8:4-9:15 4. Hosea 1, 2 5. Hosea 3 6. Hosea 4:1-5:14 7. Hosea 5:15-8:14 8. Hosea 9, Hosea 11, Hosea 13, Psalms 13, Psalms 15, Psalms Psalms 18: Psalms 18: Psalm Psalm 20, Psalm 22: Psalm 22: Psalms 23, Psalms Psalms Psalms Psalms 28, Thessalonians Thessalonians Thessalonians Thessalonians Thessalonians Thessalonians Thessalonians 2:1-12 This We Believe: Justification by Grace Through Faith We reject every teaching that people in any way contribute to their salvation. We reject the belief that people with their own power can cooperate in their conversion or make a decision for Christ (John 15:16). We reject the belief that those who are converted were less resistant to God grace than those who remain unconverted. We reject all efforts to present faith as a condition people must fulfill to complete their justification. We reject all attempts of sinners to justify themselves before God. Q: A: We reject any suggestions that the doctrine of justification by faith is no longer meaningful today. Ultimately, here s why someone would claim that: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). The doctrine of justification is greatly offensive to human pride. As sinful human beings ignore their own consciences, which warns that things are not right with God, and attempt to lose themselves only in the issues and concerns of life in this world, they lose any focus on forgiveness before God, resurrection from the dead, and eternal life. Will anyone who stands before Jesus on the Last Day say that Justification is no longer meaningful today?

3 The Month in God s Word August 2 - Pentecost 10 Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44; 2 Corinthians 9:8-11; John 6:1-15 Bible Class Jesus Parables August 9 Pentecost 11 Readings: Exodus 16:2-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-5,11-13; John 6:24-35 Bible Class Jesus Parables August 16 Pentecost 12 Readings: 1 Kings 19:3-18; Hebrews 5:11-6:3; John 6:41-51 Bible Class Jesus Parables August 23 Pentecost 13 Readings: Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 Bible Class Jesus Parables August 30 Pentecost 14 Readings: Joshua 24:1,2a,14-18; Ephesians 5:21-31; John 6:60-69 Bible Class Jesus Parables Wedding Anniversaries Al & LuAnn Wattles 50h Anniversary August 21 May God Continue to Bless you in Your Marriage! August Birthdays! A Happy and Blessed Birthday to you All! 1 Rhonda Medley 1 Tonya Beach 2 Tina Schmidt 2 Jordan Drake 3 Josh Randazzo 5 Ian Jamison 6 Josie Kramer 7 Marlys Parde 7 Shelby Wiles 8 Heidi Dinges 10 Tim Hans 10 Elijah Workentine 11 Nancy House 12 Karen Steinbach 16 Mark Nelson 17 Detlef Gartzke 19 Thomas Drews 20 Ryan Kramer 22 Jarod Wilkinson 22-Lanie Stamps 23 Bill Marker 24 Margaret Higgins 24- Amy Workentine 25 Jennifer Hoffman 25 Janine Theiler 27 Ian Gartzke 27 Dan Bork 28 Jim Rehm 28 Spencer Randazzo 31 Jon Rehm 31 Trevor Wiles

4 WELS NEWS Marriage Defined by God By now it is well known that the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling that states same-sex marriage is a right guaranteed by the Constitution and that the states cannot forbid it. Whether this is now the law of the land that cannot be undone or whether there is any avenue for changing the decision is already being debated. Regardless, we find ourselves facing some important questions: What is the role of the church when it comes to a matter of politics and law? What is the responsibility of individual Christians whose beliefs clearly run counter to a governmental law or policy? And what ramifications will there be for congregations, schools, and individual believers? First, our synod s teaching regarding marriage has not and, God willing, will not change. We will continue to preach and teach what God says about marriage. We will continue to emphasize that, while the nation may recognize the validity of same-sex marriage, we will uphold the standard that the Creator of marriage has established. We will certainly not give the impression that the sin of homosexuality is in some way more serious or wicked than any other sin, but at the same time we will in love continue to proclaim God s law that condemns all sins and calls all sinners to repentance. Congregations and their pastors may find themselves being asked to facilitate same-sex weddings. Of course we will not do that. We believe that it would be wise for congregations to adopt a policy that confesses our beliefs regarding marriage and states that, because of those beliefs, our pastors will not perform nor will our church sanctuaries be used for same-sex weddings. A sample of such a statement that can be adopted by congregations is available on our synod s website. Such a statement cannot prevent lawsuits, but it may be helpful in defending a congregation s practice if a lawsuit is filed. Some have asked whether the day will come when our pastors no longer serve as agents of the state by performing marriages. That may well happen perhaps by our choice when the state performs the legal marriage and the church provides the marriage worship service in which people publicly restate their marriage vows before God. WELS will continue to confess publicly what we believe marriage to be. We will stand firmly on the Word of God and obey God rather than men. But as a synod, we will not become directly involved in a purely political effort or debate. The role of the church is to proclaim God s Word faithfully and boldly and to trust in the power of that Word to change hearts. It s a different story when it comes to individual Christians. Christians are not only a part of the spiritual kingdom of the church but also live in the secular kingdom of society. That means that they have the right and even the responsibility as citizens to do all they can to encourage the government to enact laws that will benefit society and to change laws that are harmful. Christians can and should speak up both as salt and light to benefit others and as wise and concerned citizens to help shape the laws of the government. It is impossible to know where further assaults against God s truth will be directed. There is no way of knowing what kinds of pressure will be brought to bear on a church that continues to hold to God s Word rather than the word of man. Will there be lawsuits regarding same-sex marriage or the use of church facilities? Will there be threats to remove tax-exempt status or the loss of government-funded student loans? Will there be pressure for us to remain silent? All are possible and perhaps even likely. What is certain is that those assaults will come; the Supreme Court ruling is not the end but more likely the beginning of a long battle. So we pray. We pray that God will enable us to hold to his teachings and not allow our attitudes to be shaped by the sinful world around us. We pray for our nation. We pray for those caught up in all kinds of sin, asking that God would lead them to repentance and to the comforting gospel found only at the foot of the cross.

5 The Galloping Mustang School Year Theme: God is so Good St. Mark Lutheran School Begins: Monday, August 17th Mark Your Calendars: St. Mark School Reformation Service Sunday, November 1st at 10:30 a.m Rocky Mountain National Park In this national park, you will be in one of the special places of God s marvelous creation. Rocky Mountain National Park is special because it s the highest national park in the United States. Within its borders are sixty-five named peaks towering above verdant meadows and lush forests. Most of these peaks can be found at more than 12,000 feet in elevation! The highest of all these peaks is Long s Peak, towering at 14,255 feet. Not only can you stand here and view the mountain heights, but you can actually drive your car to the summit on Trail Ridge Road. At 12,183 feet, this is the highest road that you can drive an automobile anywhere in the United States. Both first time and returning visitors are amazed beyond expectation as they gaze at the mountain heights and see the perpetual snowfields on many of the peaks. A visit to this park in fall is unmatched because the aspen leaves adorn the hillsides with their golden color. They appear at their most brilliant here in the heights of Colorado. Psalm 148 reminds us to praise God also from the heights. If we are in the heights of the mountains, we are moved the more to speak or sing praises to God the Creator. All of nature at these heights seems to praise its Creator. The brilliant golden aspen leaves in autumn, the blue spruce, pines, wild animals, and the mountains sing God s praises. We should also sing his praise in our lives, wherever we are. How about your life? Is it one of praise and glory to God? Whatever your calling, you can praise God in what you do. Go about your daily work realizing that it is your creator who gives you life and breath to work. Without his sustaining hand, you could not live at all. He deserves our praise as he continues to care for us each day. We also praise God for removing all of our sins through his Song, Jesus our Savior. We praise and thank God as we live according to his will as revealed to us in the Bible. Ask God to make your life one of praise and glory to Him! To God alone be the glory!

6 St. Mark Lutheran School Volunteer Opportunities The faculty of St. Mark is looking for members of St. Mark Lutheran Church or Mt. Olive Lutheran Church to help out St. Mark Lutheran School. There are many volunteer opportunities you can find list on the Volunteer Opportunities sheet found on the next page of this newsletter. Please mark the positions you are interested in and return it to: St. Mark Lutheran School Attn: Principal Jeremiah Drews 3930 S. 19th Street Lincoln, NE or leave it in his mailbox at St. Mark. Mr. Drews will contact you. Times and days are flexible, and you may commit to helping the whole year, a portion of it, or just a few times. Thank you for your interest and willingness to serve St. Mark Lutheran School! Foundations: A Parent s Introduction to Why Christian Education? In Fall 2015, St. Mark Lutheran School, families of St. Mark Lutheran School, and all interested families in each congregation will continue its four-year study of Christian education and its importance in the lives of each child as well as each child s parents. Our synod has put together a resource called, Foundations: A Parent s Introduction to Christian Education, to focus on the blessings of Christian Education for families in our school and any family that is considering the possibility of Christian Education for their children. This book paints a clear picture of the blessings that Christian Education can bring. It also assists parents in understanding the value of working together with their Lutheran School toward the common goal of offering an education for their children that yields peace, joy, hope, and love in Christ. Hope in !

7 St. Mark Lutheran School Volunteer Opportunities The faculty of St. Mark is looking for congregation members who would like to help out in our school. Below is a list of several volunteer positions and a job description of each. Please mark the positions you are interested in and we will contact you. Times and days are flexible, and you may commit to helping the whole year, a portion of it, or just a few times. Thank you for your interest and willingness to serve St. Mark Lutheran School! Classroom Aid/Tutoring 1-2 hours per week. Work with small groups of students administering spelling tests, working with students on assignments, reading to or having students read to you, making photocopies, or other tasks as needed. Librarian 1-2 hours per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays) Help students search for and check out books from our library, and reshelf returned books. We will train. Promotions Assistant Once a month Help Mr. Drews with coordinating school information packets for prospective families as well as preparing Galloping Mustangs for monthly mailers. Lunch or Recess Supervisor once a week or month Supervise lunch and noon recess from 11:50 am to 1:00 pm. Drama Assistant January-April Help the teachers direct the musical, or help with costumes and sets. Correcting Assistant Twice per month Assist with the correcting of homework assignments. School-sponsored Event Coordinators opportunities throughout the year Assist the teachers with planning and setting up School Fellowship events. Name Phone Number

8 Page 8 St. Mark Lutheran Church and School Calling all ladies of St. Mark: Want to meet new people, who will encourage you in your faith? Want to become more involved in serving the church and its members, but don t know how? Want to join the area s most enchanting group of gals? Then mark this date and time on your calendar: Thursday, September 3rd at 6:30 pm. Ladies Aid is the perfect place for you! This is a personal invitation to join us the first Thursday evening of every month, September-May, to partake in this exciting church group. Your input and involvement in serving our Lord through this opportunity is greatly welcomed. We would love to see you! ************************************************************* Looking for fellowship and fun A confirmed member of St. Mark Dedicated to the Lord Interested in helping others Eighteen years of age or older Seeking opportunities to serve An appetite for God s Word In need of Christian friendship Devoted to serving Him

9 St. Mark Lutheran Church 3930 S. 19th Street Lincoln, NE (402) August 2015 Children s Devotion is on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 am. Anyone who would like to join us is always welcome. Pastor Joel Vogel (740) Joel.vogel@stmarklincoln.org Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 9:00 am Worship w/ Lord s Supper 10:20 am Bible Study 9 9:00 am Worship Service 10:20 am Bible Study 16 9:00 am Worship w/ Lord s Supper 10:20 am Bible Class / Sunday School Begins 23 9:00 am Worship Service 10:20 am Bible Class / Sunday School 30 9:00 am Worship Service 10:20 am Bible Class / Sunday School 3 7:00 pm Worship Service w/ Lord s Supper 10 7:00 pm Worship Service 17 8:30 am First Day of School 7:00 pm Worship Service w/ Lord s Supper 24 7:00 pm Worship Service 31 7:00 pm Worship Service 4 5 3:30 pm Bible Study Lexington Assisted Living :30 pm Bible Study Lexington Assisted Living :30 am Children s Devotion 3:30 pm Bible Study Lexington :30 am Children s Devotion 3:30 pm Bible Study Lexington 6 6:30 am Bible Class 13 6:30 am Bible Class 20 6:30 am Bible Class 27 6:30 am Bible Class September 3, :30 am Bible Class 6:30 pm Ladies Aid 7 Mowing: Lawn-N. Workentine Lot- M. Schwede 14 Mowing: Lawn-R. Beltz Lot-T. Bork 21 Mowing: Lawn-R. Gartzke Lot-P. Dinges 28 Mowing: Lawn-L. Hans Lot-T. Hans September 4,2015 Mowing: Lawn-B. Marker Lot-Curt Jamison 1 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 B. Hoefler Sec. 2 T. Hans 8 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 Humphrey Sec. 2 Jamison Sec. 3 Fury 15 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 K. Kumwenda Sec. 2 Krushenisky Sec. 3Lindblad 22 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1 Luly Sec. 2 Lee Sec. 3 Jami /Jared Marker 29 Church Cleaning: Sec. 1B. Marker Sec. 2 T. Martin Sec. 3 Merklinger September 5, 2015 Sec. 1 M. Nelson Sec. 2 Meyer Sec. 3 Mundt

10 St. Mark Lutheran Church and School St. Mark Church & School: Elders Officer Family Nurture: Nate Workentine President: Larry Hans Adult Nurture: Bryan Hodges Vice President: Mark Schwede Outreach: Jarod Wilkinson Secretary: Tim Hans Support: Ben Schroeder School: Jeff Schmidt Church Staff Worship: James Mullen Pastor Joel Vogel Teacher: Jeremiah Drews Teacher: Eva Van Egmond Secretary Carolyn Schwede ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ August Duties Greeters: Kim Kumwenda, Rich Randazzo Ushers: Tim Hans, Noel Lee Bulletin Folders: Jean Riegsecker Shut In Visits: Pam Bork Finance Committee: Bev Randazzo Communion Ware Cleaners: Mark Nelson 1 st Sunday, Julie & Krista Zielinski 2 nd Sunday ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ St. Mark Sunday School Teachers Pre School Marlys Parde Lower grades: 1 & 2 Mandy Krushenisky / Susan & Katey Rehm Middle grades: 3 & 4 Mel Soyk Upper grades: Jean Riegsecker