Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter

Transcription

1 Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter Volume 13, Issue 10 October 2017 FROM THE PASTOR WHAT IS THE REFORMATION? This fall we celebrate the 500 th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. The Reformation was a time of profound change in the Christian Church during the 16 th century. On October 31, 1517, a Roman Catholic monk named Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. On that piece of paper, were 95 Theses, or statements, to object what was going on in the church of his day. In Martin Luther s Day, the church was charging money for pieces of paper called indulgences. When you paid money for these indulgences, supposedly God would forgive your sins. People were taught that they could earn their way into heaven. But Martin Luther came to realize that we could not buy or earn our own way to heaven. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven are gifts that God gives by his grace alone. Martin Luther said, Forgiveness of sins is not something which we can earn for ourselves by our own good deeds. Rather, it is a free gift which God gives to us as a result of all that Jesus did for us as our Savior. Salvation, therefore, is completely and only by faith in Jesus. God used Martin Luther to reform the church by bringing people back to the understanding of the basic truths of the Bible. The most important truth was that our salvation is a gift from God earned by what Jesus did for us living a perfect life for us and dying on the cross to pay for our sins. We receive this gift by faith in Jesus. Those who followed this Bible truth became known as Lutherans. But the Reformation brought to light many other truths that changed the world. Luther translated the Bible into the language of the people so ordinary people could read it for themselves. He also translated the worship service into the people s language so they could participate and sing hymns in a meaningful way. The Reformation also had a profound impact on how people viewed their daily callings and occupations. Before the Reformation, it was taught that only priests, monks, and nuns, served God, but Luther rediscovered the biblical truth that all Christians serve God as they live out their vocations in everyday life as husbands and wives, sons, and daughters, their daily occupations, and as they live as citizens of the community to the glory of God. The Reformation also had an effect on education as boys and girls were encouraged to learn and grow above all learn the basics of the Christian faith. The Reformation had an effect in people s hearts and lives. It replaced fear with comfort. The Reformation is really about faithful church members trying to recover the teachings of the historic Christian church built on the Bible alone. The triumph of God through overwhelming odds to get the Gospel to your heart is comforting and encouraging. We become bolder because we know that God will never let his Gospel become a lost cause. The good news of Jesus forgiveness will always remain God s victory song. When you feel the world of today is losing the purity of God s Word, as if all Christians might disappear, remember the triumph God achieved in the Reformation. We Christians, true to the Word, are carrying on this valiant effort with the help and strength of God. That is the real effect of the Reformation. -- Pastor Kehren

2 P a g e 2 Volume 13, Issue 10 Luther Movie To celebrate the 500 th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are showing the new Martin Luther documentary movie, Martin Luther: A Return to Grace in the Church Sanctuary on Friday, November 10 th (Martin Luther s Birthday) at 7:00 pm. There will also be a shorter version geared for younger kids in the downstairs auditorium along with some activities for them as well. 500 years ago, Martin Luther triggered a seismic upheaval that rocked the western world with an impact that continues to reverberate to this day. This entertaining new film follows the great adventure story of Luther s life, packed with political intrigue, kidnappings, secret hideouts, and life-or-death showdowns. At the same time, it's a story about the most important questions of life. "Who am I?" "What is my purpose?" "How do I get right with God?" Come and enjoy this film and gain a renewed appreciation for our Lutheran heritage. Southwestern Wisconsin District Reformation 500 Festival Service WHERE: The Miller High Life Theater (A.k.a. Milwaukee Theater) WHEN: November 5 at 3:30 p.m. Details Join us for a festival worship service celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. We gather to thank God for preserving the gospel of Jesus our Savior among us, recognizing the role of Martin Luther and the momentous event of 500 years ago. This will be an opportunity for members of many different WELS congregations to enjoy Christian fellowship and to encourage one another to proudly, lovingly, and gently proclaim the saving truths of Scripture. Sign up in the entryway if you would like to attend. Transportation by bus or van being considered if interest warrants. Charges may apply.

3 J e r u s a l e m E v a n g e l i c a l L u t h e r a n C h u r c h P a g e 3 NEW WORSHIP SCHEDULE Because Pastor Kehren is covering services for both Jerusalem and St. Matthew s, Niles, we will have one Sunday Service at 10:30 am. St. Matthew s will have one service at 9:00 am. We kindly ask your patience, understanding, and flexibility, while we assist St. Matthew s during their pastoral vacancy. ADULT BIBLE CLASS Pat Ruehrdanz is leading a Bible study on key stories of the New Testament. Today s lesson is on the birth of Jesus. Next Sunday the study will focus on the Wise Men. Join us in the downstairs auditorium from 9:15-10:15 am for some refreshments, fellowship, and study in God s Word. SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School meets each Sunday from 9:15 10:15 am. Bring your kids, grandkids, and friends so that they can grow in Christ s love and strength. We have a class for young children (ages 3 through 1 st grade), middle grades (2 nd grade through 6 th grade) and teens (7 th -12 th grade). WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets in the downstairs auditorium from 10:00 11:00 am. We will be studying the Gospel of John. Join us if you would like for some Bible study and Christian fellowship. WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY St. Matthew s Women s Bible study group invites the women of Jerusalem to join them for a monthly Bible study. They plan to alternate meeting locations between Jerusalem, Morton Grove, and St. Matthew s. Our next meeting will be at St. Matthew s on Monday, October 16t h, at 7:00 pm. We will be starting a Bible Study called, A Heart at Peace: A Bible Study About Peacemaking.

4 P a g e 4 Volume 13, Issue 10 ADULT CHOIR Join us in helping glorify our Lord in song. No prior singing or musical experience is needed. Rehearsals will last around 30 minutes. Our next rehearsal is Sunday, October 1 st, after the 10:30 am service. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING All are welcome and encouraged to attend our next quarterly congregational meeting on Sunday, October 29 th at 11:45 am. A light lunch will be served. WOMEN S ADVENT PRAYER BREAKFAST If you re interested in being involved in planning the program, music, decorations or food for this year s advent prayer breakfast, please contact Becca Vance. (vance.becca@gmail.com). LWMS FALL CIRUIT RALLY The Fall Rally 2017 of the Chicago Area Circuit of the Lutheran Women s Missionary Society will be on Saturday, October 7 th at Christ the King in Palatine, IL. Registration will begin at 8:45 am with an opening devotion beginning at 9:15 am. Join us and enjoy fellowship as we study God s word and learn about missionary work being done in Nigeria. Closing devotion will begin at 1:30 pm. Child care will be available. Our speaker Missionary Doug Weiser will share his experiences working in this amazing and diverse mission field. Out theme will be Christ the King. STEWARDSHIP WE GIVE THEE BUT THINE OWN "We give thee but thine own, whate'er the gift may be; All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee." Those words from hymn 485 in Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, remind us that we are just holding God s earthly gifts temporarily. As we consider the many blessings we have received from our Savior God, who so graciously forgives and provides for us, we want to be generous in supporting the work of spreading his saving Word to others. Some of you may have noticed that we have started off the fiscal year a little under budget on our offerings. It is not unusual for offerings to be a little lighter in the summer months due to people being on vacations. We would normally see our offerings return closer to our planned levels by now. Please remember the commitments that we have made as a congregation to fund our ministry when we vote for our budget each year. We are prayerfully hoping that our commitments and giving just need to play a little catch up. Consider the blessings God has given you and the opportunity to show gratitude by supporting the Lord's work at Jerusalem. If you have any questions about how do direct any special gifts that might be above and beyond your normal giving, please contact Pastor Kehren or Patrick Ruehrdanz.

5 J e r u s a l e m E v a n g e l i c a l L u t h e r a n C h u r c h P a g e 5 School News Sports (Excerpts from our School Note) 7 th -8 th grade reporters Myles Waters, Josh Felsing, Joshua Grosse, and Ryan Freytes Jerusalem went to the CALAC softball tournament on September 9 th undefeated. The tournament went very well with Jerusalem winning three out of the four games. Jerusalem defeated Good Shepherd, Crystal Lake, and Resurrection but lost by only two runs to Crete. As a result, they finished in second place. The Eagles finished their season strong. We hope for another great season next year. Thursday September 14 th was the Eagles first soccer game of the season. We went against Good Shepherd at Harrer Park. We won 2-1 with goals from Josh Felsing and Nathan Vance. Thanks to all the players who came out and did their best! Eagles of the Week Students are recognized each week for their Christ-like attitude and academic achievement. The first Eagles of the Week for this year were: Guofu Shao Molly O Hara Jacob Ishac Riyah Thomas Jack Becker Evelyn Miner Leah Jackson Nathan Vance Honorees are interviewed each week by 7 th and 8 th grade student reporters including Darin Weber and Guofu Shao. See the stories in the school note. On September 19 the Eagles traveled to Aurora, Illinois to initiate fierce battle with the Resurrection Panthers. The game finished at 0-0. As a result of this, there was a shootout. Each team had 5 shots. The Resurrection goalie made a shot and triumphed in this tempestuous game. Next Friday we will commence battle against the Good Shepherd Amnoi. We wish the Eagles super-eminent kismet as they continue the soccer season. (Please note that the writers were working on increasing their vocabulary in this article). Forensics by Liz Boughton, Huimiexi Chen, and Steven Su On Saturday, November 4 th, the Eagles will be competing in a forensics competition in Crete. This is an annual event for our school, and is part of the English curriculum. We will be competing in many different categories such as Declamation, Original Oratory, Humorous, Prose and Poetry, Storytelling, and Play. Our 7th and 8th grade class have already chosen and started working on their forensics pieces. Fifth and Six graders are also participating in forensics.

6 Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church 6218 Capulina Ave Morton Grove, IL Pastor Jonathan Kehren Phone: Worship Schedule Sunday 10:30 am Our purpose is to serve all people with the gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of Holy Scripture Pumpkin Fest Wednesday October 25th 6:00 pm 8:00 pm Church and school families are invited for food, games, prizes and treats! Dress up in your coolest, non-scary costume and come join the fun.