The Parish Helper Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 The Parish Helper Emmanuel Lutheran Church West Walnut Street Lancaster, PA Return Services Requested DATED MATERIAL No-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Lancaster, PA Permit No. 426 The Parish Helper Emmanuel Lutheran Church The Rev. Kurt S. Strause, Pastor Pastor s pastor@emmanuellancaster.org Emmanuel Office: Office hours Monday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. office@emmanuellancaster.org Website: Pamela B. Drenner, Director of Music July and August 2017

2 From the Pastor s Desk Reformation 500: Lutheran Slogans Sola Gratia, Sola Fides, Sola Scriptura We come to the third Reformation era slogan, Sola Gratia, Sola Fides, Sola Scriptura. Sometimes referred to as the Three Solas, this Latin phrase can be translated as Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone. What does the slogan mean? Last month we examined the slogan justification by faith apart from works. The first two parts of the sola slogan function in much the same way. Only God justifies. Faith only receives the gift of salvation God gives in Jesus Christ. We are not justified by any work on our part. No moral goodness or act of self-will makes God s salvation real in our lives. All is from God, alone. This all is from God alone is what the Bible means by the word grace. Grace is God s gift of himself, pouring out his life for the sake of a broken and death-bound world, freely given without any strings attached or qualifications. The alone part of the slogan wants to ensure that we don t creep ourselves into the mix by insisting what s really needed for God to complete his work of salvation are our good works, our moral striving, or our cooperation and decision. Alone preserves the complete and absolute freedom of God in accomplishing the world s and our salvation. ASSISTING ON SUNDAYS in AUGUAST August 6 Tommy Hockenberry Karl Soutner Gini Horn, JoAnn Alexander Marilyn and Karl Soutner Tom Mills, Paul Smith August 13 Lauren Nissly Keith Frey Marcus and Margaret Thomsen Keith Frey, Deb Barrett Frank and Nancy Lynn August 20 Ivan Shrom Tom Mills Barbara Dirks, Mary Royer Ginny Horn, Tom Mills Rein Mutso, Bill Hannegan This brings us to the third sola, Scripture alone. Before we tackle is part of the slogan it will do well to recall how the Reformation regarded the Bible. Luther restored the use of scripture in the life of the church. He translated the Bible from academic Latin into the common language of German. Scripture was read during every liturgy and priests were expected to preach on the assigned biblical texts. Luther also insisted that all church teaching must be tested and confirmed by the Bible, the final rule and norm as he called it for doctrine. The slogan doesn t mean that other words or teachings in the church aren t important or even authoritative. The creeds of the Christian church (Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian) serve as authoritative guides to faith and August 27 Usher captain - Mary Kay Mulcahy Tommy Hockenberrry Phyllis Strittmater Keith Frey, Deb Barrett Phyllis Strittmater, Bill Hannegan Pastor Roger and Lisa Burkins

3 July 2 July 9 ASSISTING ON SUNDAYS in JULY Ivan Shrom Bob Miller Tom Mills, Bob Miller Mary Kay Mulcahy, Marilyn Soutner Tom Mills, Paul Smith Tommy Hockenberry Marcus Thomsen Tim and B.A. Smith Andy Nissly, Marcus Thomsen Frank and Nancy Lynn July 16 Lauren Nissly Deb Barrett Roger and Lisa Strause Keith Frey, Deb Barrett Rein Mutso, Bill Hannegan July 23 Tommy Hockenberrry Dianne Ehemann Ed and Lori Hockenberrry Bill Hannegan, Diane Ehemann Pastor Roger and Lisa Burkins July 30 Ivan Shrom George Ehemann George and Diane Ehemann Mary Royer, Ginny Horn Keith Frey, Deb Barrett Usher captain - Mark Moffett teaching. The Lutheran confessions themselves (Augsburg Confession, Large and Small Catechism, the Formula of Concord, etc.) are authoritative for Lutherans. Lutheran pastors, when they are ordained, pledge to preach and teach according to our confessions, and if they don t they aren t considered Lutheran anymore. Lutherans insist, however, that these other words, these creeds and confessions, expound and explicate the Bible and do not contradict it. In that way these words are consistent with the understanding of sola scriptura. The problem with this particular slogan becomes quickly apparent. Scripture does not exist in a vacuum. Scripture itself is the result of men and women, guided by the Holy Spirit, giving witness to the ways in which God is at work in the world. In other words, scripture cannot be separated from the community, either or Israel or the Church, which gives rise to its existence. So the question becomes, who interprets what the scriptures mean for us today? The Roman Catholic Church of Luther s day said that a teaching magisterium consisting of the bishops with the pope at the head was the authoritative group that interpreted scripture for the church. Luther broke with that understanding, but never really provided a working alternative. The result is the hundreds of different Christian denominations which exist today, each of which is centered on their own particular way of interpreting the Bible. If this part of the slogan, scripture alone is to have any meaning today it must rest on scripture s role as the living voice of God in the life of the church. For scripture is the witness of those faithful men and women who personally experienced the power of God, in rescue from bondage in Egypt and saw the living Jesus, crucified and resurrected. The centrality of Bible in the liturgical life of the church, in devotion and prayer, has the living power of the gospel to awaken and nurture faith. Only scripture has the power to accomplish this, since without scripture there would be no gospel at all. In this way, sola scriptura is still true. Pastor Kurt Strause Please note new summer office hours: Thursdays 8:30-2:30, thru August 31, 2017.

4 The Hammer Family in Konde, Tanzania On July 23 we will welcome the Hammer family to present their experiences serving in the Konde Diocese in Sunday School offering total for the spring semester was $280. This was designated for the Refuge Center at Reynolds Middle School. The Hammer Family served as mission partners in the Konde Diocese of the Lutheran Church in Tanzania in They will visit Emmanuel and share their experiences with us, both in worship and then during a presentation following the service, on July 23. Angie and Andrew, along with their children Henry, Lucy, and Wyatt, lived for almost ten months in the Konde Diocese. They are members of Zion Lutheran Church in East Petersburg. Emmanuel supported their mission work in Tanzania through the Forrey Estate for Global Mission. Seminarian Scholarship Fund - MANY THANKS to those who contributed to the Seminarian Scholarship Fund in honor of the 35th anniversary of the ordination of The Reverend Kenneth R. Jetto. A total of $415 was collected and will be forwarded to assist those preparing for ministry in the Lutheran Church. If you would like to make a contribution you may bring it to church or mail it into the church office and mark it Seminarian Scholarship Fund. Thank you. Emmanuel to Sponsor Lancaster County Council of Churches Community Meal East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church July 10, 2017 at 5:30 PM Volunteers are needed: Sunday April 9 (Pre-Meal Preparation) and Monday April 10 (Set Up, Serving and Clean Up) Interested in helping? Contact: Deb Barrett, Financial Report May YTD General Fund Income $11,327 $68,438 General Fund Expense $15,135 $69,367 Difference -$3,808 -$929

5 LWR Ingathering October 1, 2017 BASKETS of PROMISE Each week from the end of August through October, Emmanuel will be collecting needed items for school kits. Our goal is to provide 100 school kits for LWR. Member News Congratulations to Michael Hilt, recent graduate of McCaskey High School. May God s blessing go with him as he moves forward in life. Please feel free to purchase any single item or multiples for the school kits. Following are the collection dates for these needed items: August 27: September 3: 70-sheet Spiral Notebooks Ball Point Pens Unsharpened #2 Pencils September 10: Blunt Scissors September 17: Crayons (16 or 24 ct.) September 24: Pencil Sharpeners Erasers 30 Centimeter Rulers October 1: 70-sheet Spiral Notebooks Kit Assemble after church Brian Soutner will be performing at the Susquehanna Stage Company in Marietta, in their production of A Chorus Line August 11-20, Ticket are available at Note: Money is also needed to cover the cost of shipping and the purchase of backpacks. Please see the display in the Narthex for details and a shopping list. For additional information please see Deb Barrett. Vacation at the Beach? Or the Lake? Or Somewhere Else? From the Financial Secretary Contribution statements for the first six months of 2017 will be available on the table in the rear of the church on Sunday, July 2. Pleaese pick up your coppy before or after the worship service. Wherever you like to spend your vacation God is with you, granting refreshment, rest and peace. But vacation doesn t mean taking a break from worship. Wherever you go there is a church nearby. Visiting another congregation is a great way to see another community of Christians and how they worship. Pastor Strause loves to see bulletins and worship folders from other congregations so bring one home with you.

6 HARVEST OF HOPE Supports the ELCA World Hunger Appeal Each Sunday between May and September a table will be available in the back of the church for sharing garden produce. This may include, but is not limited to: vegetables, herbs, fruits, cut flowers and other homemade goodies. Help your self to the garden goodies available and support the ELCA WHA by leaving a free will offering. Please see Deb Barrett with questions. July 11 Andrew Nissly 18 Nancy Lynn 20 Michael R. Mulcahy Mary Royer 22 Phyllis Strittmater Lauren Ann Nissly Alexis Lynn Siegrist 23 Kimberly Kirks Vanessa Styer 25 Daniella Volker 26 Kathleen Brysoon Evelyn Spiese 27 Angela Barto 28 Brittany Elizabeth Knight 31 Bonnie Allman BIRTHDAYS August First Sunday Coffee Following worship July 2, August 6 & September 3 Have a favorite treat or a recipe you d like to try? The three First Sunday Coffees of our summer schedule are open to anyone to provide a healthy snack, tasty treat, or a lip smacking delight. Sign-up sheets for all three Sundays are at the back of the church. 9 Lois Strause 10 Marie Brubaker Cecelia Rose Shrom 15 Norma Kralick 17 Mary Ehemann 19 Theresa Cameron 20 Krista Mae Brubker 21 Barbara Dirks Cynthia Hughes Lillie Samaras Betsy Weidler 22 Sally Strause 24 Gini Horn 26 Robert D. Smith Elizabeth Kathryn Strause 27 Barbara Patton