Resurrection Life JULY / AUGUST 2018

Transcription

1 Resurrection Life JULY / AUGUST John 4:18 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Perfect Love Casts Out Fear 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. Summer for many is a time to take a break and to recharge with some rest and relaxation. As Christians, it is also a time to refocus on our relationship with God. Our relationship with God is deeply rooted in what we Christians refer to as Repentance and Forgiveness or Confession and Absolution. To put is in simpler terms. We have all sinned against God, or to put it another way, disobeyed God, and therefore deserve His punishment. However God in His grace and mercy sent His Son Jesus to take on our punishment on Himself and thereby provided for us the means through which we could receive forgiveness from God. However, Satan could trick us into convincing ourselves that God is not as forgiving as we would like to believe. As such, we have difficulty accepting God s forgiveness. Let me share with you a bit of humor to make my point: The story is told of a couple who had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and their parents knew that, if any mischief occurred in their town, their sons were probably involved. The boys mother heard that a Pastor in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The Pastor agreed, but asked to see them individually. So the mother sent her 8-year-old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see him in the afternoon. The Pastor, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, "Where is God? The boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there with his mouth hanging open, wide-eyed. So the Pastor repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is God!!?" Again the boy made no attempt to answer. So the Pastor raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, "WHERE IS GOD!?" The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, "What happened?" The youngest brother gasped for breath and replied, "We are in BIG trouble this time dude. God is missing and they think WE did it!" This young boy may have misunderstood the pastor s question, but it is very clear that he considered himself guilty because of his past. Even though he had nothing to do with the disappearance of God, as he perceived it, his past made him conclude that it was reasonable for him to be held responsible. It seems as if he felt that he was in a situation that he just could not get out of. Fear gripped his poor little life. I cannot help but wonder if sometimes we do not find ourselves in the same mindset as this boy. Over and over again in my pastoral ministry, people have confided in me that they are convinced that the present challenges in their lives are directly related to wrong things they have done in the past. And so, they convince themselves that God was punishing them for those wrong things that they had done in the past. Some are able to identify exactly what wrong they believe God is punishing them for. Others are not exactly sure what wrong they are being punished for but do believe that God knows what that wrong is. As Christians we do believe that we are all sinful broken and imperfect. As such we all do and say wrong things. We also do believe that sinners/wrongdoers deserve to be punished for their sin/wrongdoing. The essence of our faith in God (Pastor s article is continued on Page 3) 1

2 His Name is My Name, Too Sing to the LORD; praise his name Psalm 96:2a What little jingle is sung repetitiously about no one? John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, His name is my name, too! This jingle, which goes on and on, has been sung by children since the early 1900 s often when traveling in a car. The endless singing continues until the car stops or the singers are told to stop. It s amazing that all this time is spent singing about someone who doesn t even exist. But Jesus Christ does exist. His name is our name, too. That is why those who travel through life trusting in Him are called Christians. While silly songs can be annoying, our Heavenly Father is not annoyed but is delighted when we sing words of praise to Him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song (Psalm 33:2 3a). Sing to the LORD; praise his name (Psalm 96:2a). Enjoy the ride! Sing constantly. Even if no one else hears our songs, God will. He hears our hearts and our hearts songs. Walking with my Lord Dear Lord, You have put a song in my heart and on my lips. May I always use beautiful words to praise You before others. In Your holy name I give thanks for my joy. Amen. THERE WILL NO MEETINGS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS OF JULY & AUGUST Our next meeting will be on Tues. SEPT 25, 7:00pm 2 HAVE A SAFE SUMMER! Always Remember your Mite Boxes... In Christ, President Ladies Guild CHURCH STAFF: Pastor: Rev. James T. Gajadhar Church Office: (718) Church Secretary: Eleanor Johnson and Karen Carella Minister of Music and Adult Choir Director: Walter Hartman Musicians: Flautist - Heather Valente; Percussionist - Ralph Valente Ministers: All the Members 2018 CHURCH COUNCIL: President: Gary Carella, Vice President: Vacant ; Secretary: Dottie McNeely; Financial Secretary/Treasurer: Eleanor Johnson; Deacons: Walter Hartman, Henry Troue Karen Carella and Sharon Rouzier; Trustees: Henry Troue, Walter Hartman, Tom McNeely NEWSLETTER STAFF: Editor: Debbie Sichler, Assistants: Ada Gavora, Anita Reinert, and Dottie McNeely. Upcoming Outdoor Church Sign Sayings BIBLE TRIVIA JULY 2018 Summer is here. Enjoy the Sonshine! and Exposure to the Son prevents burning AUGUST 2018 There is nothing to fear when your lifeguard walks on water and If the devil is knocking at your door, let Jesus answer it. JUNE 2018 TRIVIA QUESTION WITH ANSWER LAUGHERS and DANCERS What old woman said, God hath made me to laugh so that all who hear will laugh with me? ANSWER: Sarah GENESIS 21:6 LOOKING AHEAD TO SEPTEMBER TRIVIA QUESTION LAUGHERS and DANCERS Who told Job that God would certainly fill a righteous man with laughter? HINT: LOOK IN THE BOOK OF JOB

3 is that Jesus Christ, God s only Son and our Lord, died and rose again in order that we can receive forgiveness rather than punishment from God. This is what we call the Gospel or Good News of the Christian faith. God s Word is very clear on this divine truth. Let s hear two passages from God s Word: In Jeremiah 31: 34, God says: For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Also in 1 John 1:9 John reminds us: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Our Members who are Home-Bound: Joe Dunlop; in NURSING HOMES: Harriet Rose; and those with OTHER CONCERNS: Lynn, Connie, Marie Cappello, Ronnie Sowa, Eileen Alvarez, Diana Green, Kathy, Karen Carella, Tim, Antony Gajadhar, Jennifer Gajadhar, Tom McNeely, Marilyn Lang, Heather Valente, Ralph Valente, Danielle Valente, Juliette Valente, Pastor Sam, Grace Serro, Mike Serrano, Anneliese Schaefer, Ricky Stanton, Nancy Mchaelis, Trina Seibel, Anthony Novitske, June Kippeny, Nicole, Audrey Jones, Julie and Baby Brielle Timmers, Sonja Munzenmaier, Dorothea Gruenwald and Joanne. Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. As we grow in the Christian faith, we pray for an increase of the Word, that it be freely shared and bring the good news of sins forgiven through Christ to every place. Amen. Our Mid-Week BIBLE Study - Dear Heavenly Father, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now studying. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen Brothers and sisters let us not be tricked into believing that we can drown out all our fears of punishment by immersing ourselves in doing fun stuff. Whatever relief we receive will be short-lived. Only the love of God casts out all fear. So when we are tempted to conclude that God is punishing us for the sins we have committed let us get down on our knees and confess our sins, known and unknown, before God. Sure enough, God will forgive us. As we experience the sweetness of His forgiveness all fear will be driven out of our lives and we can truly have fun, relax and be recharged. Then we will also experience the peace that passes all human understanding, the peace which only God can give. Have a very peaceful, restful, relaxing and safe summer. Peace in Christ, Pastor James T. Gajadhar During his break from Seminary School DAVID AHN was able to assist Pastor for two Sundays during our worship service. Good job David, and God Bless you as you continue your studies. 3

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5 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Office Closed Mid-Week Bible Study 10:00am Food Pantry at Corona 9:00am Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Mid-Week Bible Study 10:00am National Hot Dog Day Mid-Week Bible Study 10:00am Tenth Sunday after Pentecost HEALING SERVICE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL SEPT. 12 NO CHOIR PRACTICE DURING JULY and AUGUST! 5

6 / July 1, 2018 July 8, 2018 July 15, 2018 July 22, 2018 July 29, 2018 Reader: Jenny Gajadhar Reader: Debbie Sichler Reader: Eleanor Johnson Reader: Gary Carella Reader: Walter Hartman Greeter: Sharon Rouzier Greeter: Eleanor Johnson Greeter: Ada Gavora Greeter: Dottie McNeely Greeter: Sharon Rouzier Altar Care: Christel Schnackenberg Altar Care: Christel Schnackenberg Altar Care: Karen Carella Jenny Gajadhar Altar Care: Jenny Gajadhar Karen Carella Altar Care: Eleanor Johnson Dottie McNeely August 5, 2018 Reader: Jenny Gajadhar August 12, 2018 Reader: Debbie Sichler August 19, 2018 Reader: Eleanor Johnson August 26, 2018 Reader: Gary Carella DON T TAKE A VACATION FROM CHURCH Greeter: Eleanor Johnson Greeter: Ada Gavora Greeter: Dottie McNeely Greeter: Sharon Rouzier Atar Care: Dottie McNeely Eleanor Johnson Altar Care: Debbie Sichler Ada Gavora Altar Care: Ada Gavora Debbie Sichler Altar Care: Cynthia Myers Ida Myers AUGUST 17, Your HELP is NEEDED NOW for the food pantry at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Corona which serves the hungry in this community. Non-perishable foods can be brought to the FOOD BASKET located in the Narthex of the church for future distributions at Emanuel, the second Saturday of the month For further information call (718) Won t you please help to fill the basket with non-perishable foods! SUNDAY'S - MONDAYS - WEDNESDAY'S - Bible Study & Choir Practice - Suspended for summer. Immanuel Chinese Bible Study 7:30pm -8:30pm THURSDAY S - Alcoholics Anonymous - 6:00pm - 8:00pm Glory Lutheran Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm FRIDAY S - SATURDAY S - Immanuel Lutheran Church - Bible Study - 9:30am Pastor Sam uses Church 2:00pm - 3:30pm Glory Lutheran Church 4:00pm - 5:30pm Alcoholic Anonymous - 5:00pm - 9:00pm Immanuel Chinese Bible Study 7:45pm - 9:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous - 11:15am - 2:00pm

7 Healing Service, Bible Study and Choir will resume again on the 2 nd - Wednesday of September! (September 12 th ) Mid-Week Bible Study TBD Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Mid-Week Bible Study TBD Food Pantry at Corona 9:00am Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost 7

8 As you can see from these pictures, Christel arrives ready to work using her green thumb skills taking care of the small garden just adjacent to the back door entrance to the church. Christel, you re doing a great job, keep up the good work. SATURDAY July 28, AM - 3 PM (718) SPRINGFIELD BLVD. QUEENS VILLAGE, NY REV. DAVID E. HABERER, VACANCY PASTOR 8

9 INTERESTING STATISTICS OF OUR VERY OWN RESURRECTION NEWSLETTER Did you know that Resurrection s Newsletter is published on the churches website? If you haven t already, you should check it out at rlcflushing.homestead.com Every month, Lawrence Reinert, Anita s son, publishes our monthly newsletter on the wesite. The 3 graphs are statistics of how many individuals per month, United States and different Countries have visited our website. FYI: You can also access the website by Googling Resurrection-Flushing, NY. 9

10 CHURCH PICNIC RECAP June 24th It was a beautiful day for Resurrection Lutheran Church's annual picnic on Sunday June 24th, Prayers were led by Tom McNeely from Resurrection Lutheran, Wing Chan from Immanuel Lutheran, and Pastor Ahn from Korean Presbyterian. The day was filled with joy of being able to share with one another the blessings of our Lord upon all of us, the good conversation, and delicious food. Thanks to all who brought food to share, the barbecuing of hamburgers & frankfurters by Gary Carella and all the helping hands in setting up and cleaning up. It was indeed a great day. 10

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12 Our Mission Statement As disciples of Jesus and in obedience to God's word, the mission of Resurrection Lutheran Church is: Growing in the knowledge and love of Christ, ministering to one another and to those in the community, sharing the Gospel with unbelievers so that the Holy Spirit draws them into a faith relationship with Jesus. Resurrection Lutheran Church Rev. James T. Gajadhar, Pastor Cell: (917) nd Street, Flushing, New York Phone: (718) FAX: (718) Website: rlcflushing.homestead.com Sunday Worship 9:15am * (Pre-Worship Singing begins at 9:05am) Immanuel Lutheran Service 11:15am Indo Pak Service 2:00pm - 3:30pm Glory Lutheran Church 4:00pm - 5:30pm Have a Safe May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon YOU