ST. PAUL S NEWSLETTER Fall 2018

Transcription

1 ST. PAUL S NEWSLETTER Fall 2018 Dear Friends in Christ, 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection. 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles (Acts 1:21-26). In the aftermath of Jesus betrayal, death and resurrection, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus died a shameful death and hanged himself. The person selected to take Judas place among the apostles had to have accompanied the disciples throughout the course of Jesus ministry (from His baptism to His ascension), thus assuring that he could speak about the things he had seen personally. Even Psalm 109:8 says, Let another take his office. The disciples prayed for God to make clear to them which man he had chosen as a successor for Judas. The casting of lots was an acceptable method for making decisions in the era before the Holy Spirit was given. The Lord guided the whole event, ensuring that the lot fell in such a way as to identify His chosen man. Matthias became one of the twelve apostles. Matthias witnessed Christ being baptized by John, saw His miraculous signs, heard His teachings about the kingdom of God, witnessed His sacrificial death, His victorious resurrection, and glorious ascension. He now proclaimed repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Where did Matthias come from? Or the other fellow the one who was not chosen? Joseph Barsabbas, also called Justus? I don t read about them in the Gospels and here they are put forward by the apostles to be a witness. These two were never mentioned until now, and neither of them will ever show up again. Matthias promptly drops out of the picture along with most of the other witnesses, never to be heard from again. Only Peter, John, and James will show up in the record. Most of the attention of Acts and the epistles is dedicated to Paul. What resources does God keep up His sleeve of which we are completely unaware? What is floating out there which we cannot see, do not know, but which God has waiting in the wings just for us? I am reminded of a friend of mine who is a pastor tell me of his experience in his first congregation. In three months we lost the chairmen of the congregation and elders, and another prominent family to relocations. In a congregation with only 40 folks in church on a Sunday, that was huge, especially since they were big financial supporters, he said. He continued, But God had other folks, who had just as many resources and skills. The reality was that until these folks stepped out of the way these other folks would not step up to the plate. As it happened, however, I could only see that my friends and support were being taken away. I did not see the resources that God had under me at the time. It was a tough couple of months but I remember very distinctly being reminded of by you have been saved and realizing that it was by His grace that this would work. We are often God s hidden resources, resources He brings to situations where people are not looking for us. I once had a church member who was a legal secretary. Her bosses did not expect her to do much more than her job. But one day, when they were in a bind and contemplating falsifying records, they found that their legal secretary had a few things going for her more importantly she had a moral backbone. She bore witness to Christ that day, that honesty and virtue are good things worth pursuing of themselves. It cost her the job, but t hey heard the lesson. God gave her another job. She worked for another firm which did not ask her to lie. And in it all, a seed was sown. Who knows exactly where it will bear fruit? We look around us and often count only the deficits. Does God see the same congregation of people and count the resources? Does he rejoice to know what we are capable of? Now to God who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21). In Christ s Service, Pastor David Tilney

2 FALL HEART TO HEART EVENT COMING UP!! Ladies, don t forget to put Saturday, September 29 th, on your calendar! That s when the next Heart to Heart gathering will be held at St. Paul s Lutheran Church in Cloquet (1705 Wilson Avenue). Time: 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. Guest Speaker: Mary Stauffer Lessons Learned in Times of Trouble Outreach Speaker: Rob Sidenberg, from Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank Special Music: Greta Wodny, harpist R.S.V.P. Call Bonnie at or Barb at Or sandyraisanen@gmail.com or bchapman1919@gmail.com $2.00 donation appreciated Child care available upon request PLEASE BRING A FRIEND Needed: Committed piano players for Sunday Morning Worship Service & Song Leaders/ Special Music. See Robin Johnson or contact her at: Thank You! Young life will be meeting here at St. Paul s Church for a lunch hour every other Thursday, (High School students from Cloquet) If you can help with monetary donations or provide a lunch please contact Anne Sauter or Pam Wagman

3 Join Us For The Adult Sunday School Class A SACRED SORROW by Michael Card Starting Sept 9, 10:30 am led by Mark Illikainen This class will run September 9th through December Although not required to pay for the books, if you wish, participants may donate $12 for the cost of the book. What do we do when we walk faithfully and still suffer? In a Sacred Sorrow Michael exposes something we have lost in contemporary worship, the songs of lament. Confirmation Instruction begins for 7th & 8th grade students on Sunday, Sept 9,10:30 am led by Pastor David Tilney. If you are a second year student, please bring your Bible, Small Catechism, a pencil, and paper folder to class. New students, or if you are interested in joining this year, please contact Pastor David Tilney at Sunday School Ages 3 to 6th grade 10:30 am Please see Michelle Kantonen if you are not registered, or contact the church office. stpaulscloquet@gmail.com or September 9th 10:30 am Wee Care Sewers The Wee Care Sewers are at work preparing layettes for the Lake Superior Life Care Center. If you are seeking a ministry, dedicated to reaching out to families dealing with a crisis pregnancy, come to a meeting. We meet on the first Thursday of the month Sept-May 9:00am

4 Special Service at Augustana Lutheran Church Former St. Paul s pastor the Rev. Michael Brandt will be speaking at a special service on Friday, Sept 21. Augustana is located on 3251 Midway Road in the Midway Township. Please contact Pastor Brad Putnam for more details or Wednesday Evening Bible Study- Study of Ephesians The Book of Ephesians beautifully describes the important truths of the Christian faith and life. Through this study, the Lord will equip you for victory over temptation and strife, over sin and Satan, so that you may serve Him and His people in all unity and joy. This 13-session study will begin on Wednesday, Sept 12 at 6:30 pm in the fellowship hall. Feed My Starving Children Mobile Food Pack Event Christian non- profit that provides volunteer-packed meals for needy children throughout the world. A Mobile Pack Event will be held on September 21 and 22 at the Cloquet Armory on Hwy 33. Join with other Christians to help pack meals for needy children. It is necessary to register online. If you need assistance with registering, please contact Gail in the church office. Please see Volunteer, Donate. Learn more. New Member Instruction Begins Monday, Sept 24 This six-session class will discuss the beliefs, history, and values of the congregation. The class will be held at 6:30pm on Monday evenings. If you would like to join the class, please register by calling the church office, Pastor David Tilney teaches this class for prospective members, inquirers, and members who would like a refresher. There is no obligation to join the church by attending the class sessions.

5 Sunday Worship services 9:00 am Communion 1st Sunday of the month Sunday School / Confirmation 10:30 am Wednesdays Men s Prayer 7:30a.m., Women's Bible Study 9:00a.m. Bible Study & Kids Club 6:30p.m. September Labor Day - Office Closed 6 Wee Care Sewers... meet at 9:00 am 8 Funeral for Carol (Rosbacka ) Randa 3:00 pm/ Visitation 2:00 pm 9 Sunday School Rally Day- Classes begin 3yrs to 6th grade & Adult Class 10:30 am 9 Confirmation begins 7th & 8th grade 10:30 am 11 Board of Elders meeting 6:30p.m. 17 Church Clean-Up Day 9:00 am 21 Rev Michael Brant --Speaking at Augustana Lutheran 6:00 pm (Midway Rd, Duluth) 22 Funeral for Lindus Lennartson 11:00 am/ Visitation at 10:00 am 21 & 22 Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack - Cloquet Armory 24 Book Club 10:00 am meets in the Library 24 New Membership Class 6:30 pm 25 Cards & Crafts 9:00-4 pm 27 Ladies Bible Study 1:30pm 29 Heart to Heart 9:00-11:30 am See upcoming bulletins for events October & November

6 St. Paul s Lutheran Church (AFLC) 1705 Wilson Ave. Cloquet, MN (218) Our Mission It would be simplistic, and biblically wrong, to say that each believer is only responsible for their own little corner of the world. The call to be a follower of Jesus Christ starts with the transformation of a single heart; but is as broad as the call to transform the whole world. In Romans chapter 10, Paul challenges believers to remember that part of the Christian life involves outreach as well as personal transformation. How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (Rom 10:14) We, as a church, are called to have the same concern for people, both at home and abroad. People are the same, regardless of where they live. People without Christ are frustrated, bewildered, and defeated by life's problems. They long for what Christ offers; fulfillment, strength, peace, wisdom, hope, meaning, and life eternal. It is our joy as a people of God, to point the way to Christ, where all these desires can be satisfied.