Which Comes First? JANUARY 2019

Transcription

1 Which Comes First? JANUARY 2019 Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Sadly, many intelligent people have devoted a great deal of time to answering this who-cares-question. Evolutionists writing for mnn.com claim that the first true chicken was the product of a proto-chicken and a proto-rooster and a little genetic mutation, which would have happened in the egg phase. So, technically, they argue, the egg came first. Creationists would be more inclined to reason for a fully-formed chicken (or chickens) appearing on Day 6 of Genesis 1. (But, the Devil s Advocate will argue, there s no reason God could not have dotted the newly formed earth with eggs, amirite?) Just as there is no beginning to a circle, the primacy of the chicken or egg has no definitive answer. Interesting hook, Pastor. We know it s coming, so when do we get to the Jesus part of this newsletter article? Which comes first, the good deeds or the motivation for the good deeds? At first this might seem like a chicken-egg dilemma. They go together, right? What do you think? I ve observed that people tend to think that motivation precedes good works. You have to want to do the right thing before you do the right thing. And so we sit around waiting for all the feels to lead us to good works. But Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus says that the desire to do good works (your heart) comes after doing good works (your treasure). In other words, Jesus teaches that you train yourself to enjoy walking the walk by walking the walk. Back in Pittsburgh, I took a friend to the gym for a workout. He was in his late 30s and had last visited a gym in college. This was going to be fun. So I took him through a decent regiment of lifting. The next day he texts me saying his arms and chest were so sore he couldn t wash his hair in the shower. I asked him when he wanted to lift legs. A week later, still sore, and after much convincing, he was back Continued on page 3

2 Resolutions? Continued on next page By Pastor Andrew Coop The New Year is upon us, which means it s time for change, right? This is one of a few culturally accepted times where changes are actually expected to occur, by means of New Year s Resolutions. And let s be honest, the Church has jumped on this bandwagon too; hoping that through a snappy new sermon series, ministry event, or Churchwide initiative that it will draw people back, and those who have been sporadic in their attendance will become devoted followers of Jesus Christ through the ministry of the local congregation. Call me a stereotypical millennial, if you would like, but this smells a little too gimmicky for me. So, how should the Church respond? How should we, here at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ankeny, respond? LET S BE OURSELVES! Let s be whom God has placed us here to be: Rooted in Christ Growing in Grace Reaching the Lost (Our newly unanimously approved Mission Statement) But, what does that practically look like? We re going to be shaped and formed by God s Word in Worship, and starting this January, we re going to begin going through the Historic One Year Lectionary. This is a set of readings appointed for each Sunday of the year, which either individually or with other readings for the Church Season, will create a distinctive theme. And as we begin the new calendar year, we will continue the Church Year with the season of Epiphany, a time when our readings will focus us on Christ manifesting himself to the world. I think it s very fitting that our calendar year begins with the Church season of Epiphany. At a time when our world and people around us are consumed with crafting the very best version of themselves through the newest workout plans, diets, and podcasts, the Church continues the same regiment and routine that it has had for years, of being shaped and formed by the story of who Jesus Christ has manifested Himself to be, and what He has come to do. Our readings throughout the season of Epiphany will focus on Jesus: the one who has been born King of the Jews, who came to shepherd His people Israel, bringing light to those dwelling in darkness. Jesus manifests himself as the one who came to fulfill all righteousness, so that all may have access to His Father. Jesus is the one who performed many signs and wonders pointing those around Him to the glory of His Father and leading many to put their hope and trust in Him alone. Jesus shows Himself to

3 be the one who has all power and authority through His words and actions, and the one whom we are commanded by the Father to listen to. We re going to continue to be shaped and formed by God s Word through the many different Bible Studies we have. Pr. Duncan s Sunday Morning Bible Study on the Lutheran Theology of Marriage will continue well into the New Year. We will also be starting a New Bible study on Tuesday s over the lunch hour looking at the readings for the upcoming Sunday (more details on that to follow in the Litany). Our children will continue to be shaped and formed by God s Word in Midweek, Confirmation, and our Youth Groups. The Ladies Bible Study, BASIC Bible Study, Women s Bible Study, Men s Fellowship, and Bible Study Fellowship will all continue to meet on Thursday s too! And each of us has the opportunity, in our everyday lives, to reach out to those around us who are lost, who are living in darkness, who are in need of love and care and to be a reflection of Jesus for our neighbor. Showing them the love and grace that God has shown us in His Son, providing for their needs as God has provided for ours, and sharing with the them the Gospel message, that God loves them and wants to be in a relationship with them. This is who God has created us to be, and why He has placed us here in the community of Ankeny. Let s continue to practice this in our everyday lives well into the New Year! In Christ, Pastor Andrew Coop Want to know what s going on at St. Paul? Like us on Facebook! Continued from page one in the gym. We eventually got into a routine of working out together 3-4 times each week. When he came to visit me here a couple of months ago, I spotted him as he put up a personal best 385 on bench press. At first he did not want to workout, but as he committed to the routine, it became something he learned to enjoy and look forward to. In the same way, when it comes to developing spiritually healthy habits (committing more time to prayer than before meals and bedtime, diligent study of God s Word, regular worship, etc), we should not expect that we will want to do them at first, and that they will not be easy when we first give them a try. But, over time, as they become part of our routine and normal, we will come to enjoy them and won t be able to imagine life without them. You can do this. Over time, you ll want to. All the best, In Christ, Pastor Duncan McLellan Lectionary at Lunch Want to hang out with your Pastors on Tuesdays over lunch? I know I do! Lucky for you, there s a new Bible Study here at St. Paul. From Noon-1:00pm, we will be meeting in the Youth Room, eating lunch and studying the readings for the upcoming weekend services. What s worse than being called on in Bible Class to answer a question? Being called on in Bible Class to answer a question when you ve got a mouth full of food! Join us, starting January 15 for Lectionary at Lunch!

4 Youth Activities

5 Preschool and Education Expansion Plan On December 16 at a special Voters Meeting, a plan was unanimously approved to create an additional preschool classroom for the school year. This space would also create an additional classroom for Wednesday s Midweek Program. The cost for this renovation ranges from $10,000 (for a solid wall) to $70,000 (a foldable partition). We are raising funds for this renovation project from now through March 15, at which time we need to begin making concrete (no pun intended) plans to move forward with one of the two plans. There is a thermometer in the back of the Narthex area to chart our progress. Please consider helping us expand our preschool so that more kids and their families can hear the good news of Jesus! You can designate donations to the Preschool Expansion on the memo line of a check, or clearly marked on an envelope. This motion calls for the creation of a restricted fund for the deconstruction of the current two classrooms adjacent to the Fellowship Hall and the construction of a wall (permanent or moveable) that will create an additional preschool and educational classroom in the location, currently the fellowship hall and 2 classrooms. If enough money is raised for a panel wall by a time to be determined by the head of the Property Board, it will be constructed. If there are insufficient funds for a panel wall by that time, a permanent wall will be constructed. Additional funds will be spent on the following projects: improving the current entry to the Fellowship Hall from the parking lot, preschool supplies for the new classroom, improvements to the front door of the church. Any funds remaining after those projects are completed will revert to the General Fund. This project is to be concluded in time for the preschool school year and midweek program in September of Sunday, January 27 3:00 pm TRIVIA FELLOWSHIP SNACKS TRIVIA More details to follow!

6 Join the Lady Diners All widows and single ladies of all ages are invited to join the Lady Diners at Cazador s on Wednesday, January 2 at 5:30 p.m. Don t miss out on the fun, fellowship and great food! Call Betty Berlau ( ) or Carol Wenndt ( ) if you have any questions. Sunny View Worship Every third Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm, St. Paul leads a worship service for the residents at Sunny View Nursing home. Join us this month on Sunday, January 20. Please arrive at Sunny View at 1:45 pm and be ready to hand out books, help the residents turn pages, and sing the praises of our God for all he has done for us. The more volunteers the better. Please join us! Thanks For Supporting SCRIP Thank you so much to our St. Paul family members who support the SCRIP program. Approximately 25 St. Paul families regularly purchase SCRIP cards and have earned over $1600 for our education programs. Please consider visiting a SCRIP store and/ or placing a SCRIP order in The next store/order will be December 30. Contact Dorothy with any questions. Men s Mission Group Looking for Projects Men s Mission Group is looking for projects. If you know of someone in need that could use a helping hand with home repairs, maintenance or light construction, St. Paul s Men s Mission Group may be able to assist. Contact Jim Anderson, Bob Peters, or Greg Stokke. Save the Date! The St. Paul spring blood drive will be Monday, March 4, 2019 in the Fellowship Hall. Appointments can be made online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or by contacting Dorothy Marvin at iowamarvin5@msn.com or Please consider a life-saving gift to your fellow Iowans.

7 Bible Study Opportunities Plentiful at St. Paul Brothers & Sisters In Christ Bible Study (B.A.S.I.C.) As we continue in the study of Romans, we see how Paul uses Abraham as an example that the just live by faith. God has declared both Abraham and us not guilty, but righteous, because Jesus bore our sins. What a joy we have, to live by faith in Christ! All are welcome to join us on January 10 and 24 at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Room. Homebuilders Homebuilders is a group at St. Paul that provides monthly Bible studies focused on marriage, parenting and families. This year, we have found a great study on marriage from Timothy and Kathy Keller called The Meaning of Marriage. We also plan fun events for families and adults only to help build strong families. Interested? Contact the church office and they will get you in contact with one of the Homebuilders organizers. We meet on the third Sunday at 4:00 p.m. in member s homes. NEW!! Lectionary at Lunch Want to hang out with your Pastors on Tuesdays over lunch? There s a new Bible Study here at St. Paul. From Noon-1:00pm, we will be meeting in the Youth Room, eating lunch and studying the readings for the upcoming weekend services. What s worse than being called on in Bible Class to answer a question? Being called on in Bible Class to answer a question when you ve got a mouth full of lunch! Join us, starting January 15 for Lectionary at Lunch! Men s Fellowship Bible Study Each Thursday at 7:00 p.m. join the men of St. Paul for fellowship and Bible Study. Men s Mission Group That we all die is pretty much agreed upon, it s what takes place two seconds later that makes us wonder. Explore this lively and relevant topic in Death...then what? We meet on Saturday, January 12 at 8 a.m. to have breakfast, Bible study and a discussion of Mission projects. See Greg Stokke with any questions. Sunday Morning Bible Study Join Pastor Duncan as he leads this weekly Bible study between worship services. In January they will continue the subject of the Theology and Marriage. They meet in the FLC at 9:30. Thursday Morning Ladies Bible Study In January, the Thursday morning Ladies Bible Study will be studying Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I Know the Plans I Have for You. This will include other scripture that ties in beautifully to Jeremiah 29. This study is written by Donna Pyle, demonstrating God s love and grace for His plan to those who love Him. Join them on January 3 and 17 at 9:00 am in the Youth Room. NEW!! Women s Bible Study Ladies of St. Paul, join us for this eight-lesson DVD series on the life and ministry of Peter. Authored by Donna Pyle, this study examines how God uses Peter s brokenness, failures, and triumphs to help us grow in faith. This new study begins on Thursday, January 10 fr om 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the FLC. Sign up in the Resur r ection Window Hallway or call the church office.

8 Ladies Night Out Crafts Devotions Fellowship Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm January 15 - February 5 Each week we ll have devotions, teach and demonstrate a craft, and enjoy fellowship together. We ll provide the supplies. (But we ll show you what s coming up next to give you the option to bring your own supplies to personalize your projects). We invite a $10 donation to cover costs. Questions? Contact DCE Amy Schmidt or talk with Malisa Davies or Eileen Anderson. Sign up in the Resurrection Window Hallway. January 15: Zentangle Canvas Painting January 22: Fleece Tie Blankets January 29: Greeting Cards & Paper Crafts February 5: Loopy Yarn Scarves

9 Knitters Needed For Preemie Project Attention anyone who knits or crochets! If you are looking for a mission to do at home during the winter months, this might be for you! The Preemie Project supplies Miscarriage Packages to The University of Iowa Women s clinic. In the package, The Preemie Project includes a tiny knit or crochet memento blanket, a sympathy card and tiny baby feet charm along with a votive candle. The miscarriage package is intended for women that suffer a loss before the baby is big enough to be viewed, held and dressed. The tiny blanket serves as a memento of the baby that was lost. We will be helping to provide the memento blanket for these packages. There will be kits available on the LWML that you may take. Each kit will have the supplies needed to make a batch of these miscarriage blankets. Please check out your kit and follow the directions inside. You may bring back your finished blankets and leave them on the LWML table. We ask that all blankets and/or unfinished kits be returned by February 28, Please contact Kelly Buttery with any questions kbuttery@outlook.com or LWML Meets January 8 Well, 2018 is drawing to an end. The LWML of St. Paul would like to thank the congregation for all of the support you gave us to make our mission projects a success in We have already put together some of our new mission projects for 2019 and are excited to be helping those in need and spreading the gospel Of Jesus through these missions. Stay tuned as the third Mission Workshop will be held during February. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8 at 7:00 pm. Hostesses for the evening are Kelly Buttery, Melissa Ozimek, and Sue Stoll. We welcome all women of the congregation to join us. In Christ, Sue Stoll LWML President Ongoing 2019 Mission Projects Box Tops Mt. Olive Lutheran School Pop Can Tabs Ronald McDonald House Eyeglasses Lions Club Ink Cartridges LWML Des Moines East Zone Plastic Grocery Bags IMPACT Food Pantry in Ankeny (Box in the hallway) Please drop off these items on the LWML table in the Narthex. Shoes Hope Ministries (Box located by Fellowship Hall door)

10 St. Paul Lutheran Church Board of Elders Board of Elders Meeting December 4, 2018 Official Acts (baptism, confirmation, wedding, funeral): Baptized: Oliver Flynn Buelow, November 11 Deacon Cavan Wielenga, November 18 To be received, transferred or released on December : Profession of Faith: Glenn Gustafson Received: Ron, Becky & Claire Behrens Transferred: Melissa Ozimek, to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale Average worship Attendance in November: 2018: : 458 (incl. The Gate) Average Worship Attendance YTD through November: 2018: : 467 (incl. The Gate) Total Baptized and Confirmed members: Baptized 787 Confirmed 625 Family Units 307 Friday, January 25, 2019