The Light Brightener Newsletter

Transcription

1 ISSUE 09 DECEMBER 2016 The Light Brightener Newsletter ST. PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH A CONGREGATION OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD 200 BURDICK EXPRESSWAY EAST MINOT, ND WORSHIP SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 8:00 & 10:30 AM BIBLE STUDY & SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:15 AM Inside this Issue: What s This about? Pastor Bertsch Marriage Retreat LLL/LWML/Social Concerns Serving the Lord Anniversaries Weddings Baptisms Birthdays 9 Pastor: Rev. Arie Bertsch Chairman: Lyle Shappell Vice-President: Dana Larsen Secretary: Blenda Dahlien

2 Pastor! What s this about? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is a continuation of questions that are brought to my attention and I am sure others have the same questions. This Month s Question: Why shouldn t we commune at other churches that are not LC-MS? ~Anniversaries ~ Donald & Paula Pruitt 12/9 Jeff & Annette Kniffin 12/18 Raymond & Priscilla Schwarz 12/27 First, we really need to understand what church fellowship is. Church fellowship happens between churches when we believe, teach, and confess alike the teachings of God s Word in all its truth and purity. Therefore, any church that has a different understanding of God s Word (the Bible), such as, we would say it IS the Word of God and others claim it ONLY CONTAINS the Word of God. When there is this different understanding of the rule and norm of what we believe, teach, and confess there is a different confession of faith. A different confession of faith would be in opposition to God s Word; because it is not with the apostles teachings and fellowship. This we would understand from Acts 2:42-44: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. You see, this is not a personal matter, but a matter between churches. The Bible teaches us that the church will have hypocrites who inhabit and serve her. There is no way to tell who is a true member and who is not, unless they have the integrity to actually put their theology on the table for discussion. If they do not, and they disagree with the teachings of their church, they are playing the hypocrite at the communion rail. To be a hypocrite is to play-act. Here they are play-acting as if they agree with the teachings of their church, but are not. Therefore, if you join yourself to a church at the communion rail that does not confess the truth of God s Word you are saying and confessing that you actually agree with them and not with us or you are only play-acting so as not to have to make a statement of your faith that is true from God s Word. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! 12/3 Leslie Pierson; 12/4 Colleen Fitchner, Janice Krueger; Brandon Pelzer; 12/5 Devin Seney; 12/6 Shirley Faydo; 12/8 Jerome Miller; 12/11 Ilene Schimmelpfennig, Raymond Schwarz; 12/12 Jeff Kniffin; 12/14 Ashley Ringsaker, Nathan Henke; 12/15 Jonelle Fenner, Bill Thomas; 12/17 Miranda Dutenhafer, Brittni Gillmore; 12/18 Laverne Haake; 12/20 Sharon Aannerud, Peyton Dutenhafer, Manley Jenson; 12/23 Theresa Karhan; 12/24 Stephanie O Neill, Stephanie Swain; 12/25 Adrian Fitchner; 12/26 Annika Steig; 12/27 Grace Pfennig, Joshua Shappell; 12/28 Carolyn Loeffelbein; 12/29 Ella Darrow, Jonah VanDyke The same is true if we allow those of a different confession of the faith to come and commune at our table. We are allowing them to be a hypocrite and we also would be hypocritical because you cannot have two confessions of faith (one true and one false). As Romans 16:17 reads, I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 2.

3 Communion Preparation: Rita Footh Communion Cleaning: 8:00 Priscilla Schwarz Peggy Hilson 10:30 Kim Reing 7:00p 12/4 Jack S Abigail B 12/11 12/18 12/24 12/25 December 2016 ACOLYTES Justin P Sabrina P Jack S Joshua S Justin P (2pm) Jack S Christina L USHERS 12/4 Kim Filipek Don Ladner 12/11 Duane Faydo John Bishop 12/18 Kim Filipek Brian Lokken 12/25 Kim Filipk Gordan Johnson ELDERS 12/4 Wallace Darkow Brian Lokken Caleb (7p) 12/11 Darren Kabanuk Ray Schwarz 12/18 Roger Pelzer Scott Pfennig For you see, when a person comes to the altar to receive communion, the forgiveness of sins is actually being applied to them, individually. And that should never be said and proclaimed to someone who denies the truth, either by their membership and confession of another church body or as a hypocrite within the church. When the church and the pastor communes someone who they know does this, play-acting, they are confirming them in their error and then the church and the pastor, who is speaking in the stead and the command of Christ, are breaking the 2nd Commandment and are putting their soul at risk; for they are lying with God s Name and Word. In summary, you should commune only with those that your confession of faith is in fellowship with. We can t see the faith of others so all we can go by is their confession of faith with their mouth and the church with their teachings that they claim to belong to. Your servant in Christ, Pastor Arie Bertsch 12/25 Wallace Darkow Michael Grubb GREETERS 12/4 Les & Diane Pierson Sharon R & Ruth L 12/11 Gene Rupp & Becky Richards Dennis & Karen Klimpel 12/18 Dave & Sandy Llewellyn Elaine I & Arlice B 12/25 Melvin & Arlene Hausauer Johnny & JoAnn Bishop 8. 3.

4 Pastor Bertsch s Installation as District President Please Come! I would be honored and pleased to have you, along with the District pastors, attend my installation as District President on January 2, 7:00 pm here at St. Paul s. It will be a worship service with honor of the Synod Regional Vice President, Rev. Nabil Noor, preaching and performing the installation. The Lutheran question is: What does this mean? What this means is that I will be fulfilling my pastoral duties here at St. Paul s and my presidential duties for the District of North Dakota for one year. This is happening because our current District President, Rev. James Baneck, has taken a call to the International Center in St. Louis. I, being 1st Vice President, am then to fulfill the position of the District President until the elections at the District Convention take place in January of What this means for you is that at times, when I need to be in other places, the District will provide a pastor to fill the pulpit when I am gone. The District will pay for all the expenses for that to happen. Also, what this means for you is that I will be as accessible as I have been, however you may need to call and see if I am around and make an appointment. I will do my best; please allow me to do my best. Thanks in advance, Pastor Arie Bertsch Lutheran Layman s League (LLL) Friday, December 16th~LLL Christmas 6:30pm. Everyone please join us for: singing Christmas hymns and filling Christmas sacks for the children s Christmas service. Join us for a great time of fellowship! LYF Calendar Sunday, December 18th-Children s Christmas 4 pm Saturday, December 31st-Church junk food potluck and games for New Years Eve celebration Children s Christmas Service Practice Sunday, December 4th & 11:45 AM for All Grades Please bring a sack lunch. Children s Christmas Service/ Potluck ~Work Groups~ Set Up: Group #4 Mariea Nelson-Chair Serve: Group #5 Carol Wilson-Chair Clean Up: Group #6 Linda Ringsaker-Chair 4. 7.

5 Christmas Stocking Mites will be collected on December 4th and 11th after each service. LWML CHRISTMAS POTLUCK on December 12:30 pm All ladies of the congregation are invited. Hope to see you there!! LWML Dates to Remember: The next meeting will be 12:30 pm on Thursday, December 8th which is our Christmas gathering with potluck and Christmas skit. Hostess is the Executive Board. Bible Verse: James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Devotions/Bible Study: Skit Potluck at 12:30/Meeting at 1:30pm Hostess: Executive Board Mission Project: St. Paul s Social Concerns Thought of the Day: Pray that God in Jesus name, send the Holy Spirit into your heart. Mite Box or Sock collection will be December 6 & 13th after both 8:00am and 10:30 am services. Please bring your mites for missions. LWML Met on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 1:30pm, called to order by Barb Braun Devotions and Bible Study were led by Barb Braun. Joy Secretary minutes were read to group. Motion to accept as read. Treasurer Report: Approved as read. Quilting Report: Met 10/20/2016, 4 ladies were present, 3 quilts tied, 6 quilts backed, squares sewed for 3 quilts. Motion made to accept reports. Altar Report: Met Nov 1st. Five ladies present, assignments made, candles filled, paraments changed. Card Report: None Old Business: A motion was made and seconded to approve the $50.00 that was sent to the delegate fund in October. New Business: Persons were assigned their parts for the skit for our December meeting. Persons were appointed to collect the mite donations after the first and second Sundays in December (4th and 11th). All of St. Paul s women are invited to our December meeting on Dec 8th. This meeting will be a pot luck and a Christmas skit will be given. This starts at 12:30 pm. Chairman Barb will give a written notice to the secretary to put the above info in the Sunday bulletin. Mission Project: ND Deaf Ministry for November. A motion was made and seconded to send $ A motion was also made and seconded to send Orphan Grain Train in Jamestown $ The next meeting will be December 8th which is our Christmas gathering. Hostess is Executive Board. Meeting closed at 3:30 with the LORD s prayer. LYF Baking~Create Your Own Cookie Tray The LYF will be hosting a cookie tray exchange on Sunday, December 4th with donations going to the Flint, Michigan congregations. Your support is appreciated! Thank you in advance! 5.