FROM THE PASTOR. Ephesians 4:22 24 (ESV)

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Christ the King Lutheran Church January 2019 FROM THE PASTOR Dear Friends in Christ, I was reminded last week of a New Year s song called A New Year s Gift.

1 Christ the King Lutheran Church January 2019 FROM THE PASTOR Dear Friends in Christ, I was reminded last week of a New Year s song called A New Year s Gift. It is sung to the tune of Greensleeves (What Child is This). A New Year s Gift * 1. The old year now away is fled; The New Year it is entered, Then let us now our sins down tread, And joyfully all appear. Let's merry be this day And let us both now sport and play. Hang grief, cast care away, God send you a Happy New Year. Stanza 1 calls for the people to gather together, to celebrate, to sport and play, to recognize that the past is past, and to bid that God would send each person a Happy New Year. Almost missed in the song is the call to let us now our sins down tread, to as St. Paul would say, Ephesians 4:22 24 (ESV) 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Such a worthy goal (treading down our sins) cannot happen on our own. It can only come as a result of the Lord at work in the heart, to forgive, empower, and enliven us with his love to say yes to him and no to that which hinders our relationship with him. It is in Christ alone that we can hang grief (on the cross) and truly cast care away : 1 Peter 5:6 7 (ESV) 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Continued on page 3

2 Continued from page 1 JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 1.07 Krissy Sidanycz 1.10 Bob Loucks 1.10 Samuel VanHoveln 1.11 Mark Chamberlin 1.12 Nicholas Hamilton 1.13 Tamara Loucks 1.14 Nina DeBruzzi 1.21 Shirley Eldridge 1.25 Chris Morehead 1.26 Bill Payne 1.27 Kimberly Ramsey 1.28 Isabella Bessler JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 1.13 John and Susan Anderson Stanza 2 points to the Circumcision and Name of Jesus, The name day now of Christ we keep, which the church commemorates on January 1 (8 days after Christmas Day). The Ancient Hebrews would circumcise their male children on the eighth day. On that same day, the child would also officially receive their name. Joseph and Mary gave their child the name the angels told them to: Jesus, which means the Lord saves. As true man, Jesus took our place and lived under the first covenant. As true God, he kept the law perfectly this included the ceremonial law of being circumcised on the eighth day. Eight days after he was born, his infant blood was shed, a precursor of what was to come: the shedding his blood on the cross. The second verse brings that reality out clearly: 2. The name day now of Christ we keep Who for our sins did often weep, His hands and feet were wounded deep And his blessed side with a spear. His head they crowned with thorn, And at him they did laugh and scorn, Who for our good was born. God send us a Happy New Year. The only way to have a truly Happy New Year, is to know Jesus who for our good was born. It is in him that we have forgiveness, life, and salvation, as well as peace, hope, and direction. God send us a Happy New Year! There are a few more stanzas to this song, but they are more secular in nature, so I will end with the 3 rd stanza: 3. And now, with New Year s gift each friend Unto each other they do send, God grant we may our lives amend, And that the Truth may appear. Now, like the snake, your skin Cast off of evil thoughts and sins. And so the year begin, God send us a Happy New Year! The author challenges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received: to share (as reflected in new year gift-giving) as well to our lives amend, reflected in them becoming more in line with

3 God s revealed word. The author illustrates this with a snake. Just as a snake casts of its skin, we are called to cast off sin and evil thoughts. This too can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. Thanks be to God that he provides us not only with his Spirit, but also his word that the Spirit works through. Therefore Colossians 3:16 (ESV) 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. God send us a Happy New Year! This is a traditional song. This version comes from Carols from the Old and New Worlds: Theatre of Voices Paul Hillier, Director. PRAYER CHAIN Those who mourn: Endrihs, Mize, Pye, and Kozik families Military: For all service people stationed overseas and those at home Those at care facilities or at home Illness/Recovery: Jayln Burnice, Caleb Cunningham, Cecil Eldridge, Shirley Eldridge, Richard Fine, Anna Handgen s mother, Don Havercroft, Susan High, Frank Judy, Traci Keeton, Gina Klang, Helga Klang, Maria Kubiac, Rex Mayhair, Jamie Mize, Matt Morehead, Johnathan McNeil, Wendy Patton, Lindsey Phillips, Ralph and Jackie Reed, Georgia Rodney, Lotus Schiller, Scott Sorquist, Grace Marie Strasbourg, and Ron Williams General: Margo Coffman, Jessika Cunningham, Barbara Dicus, Phyllis Endrihs, Helen King and family/friends, Alice Messerly, Rafael Piñeiro, Catherine Rickmers, Laura Weiler, and John Weisbecker The Persecuted Church and Those Affected by Disaster

4 THE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS THE 25 TH OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH. The Women s Wednesday morning Bible Study and the evening Bible study and dinner as well as confirmation classes will all resume January 9. See you there! The Women s phone-in Bible study starts back January 7 at 7 PM. OUR FAMILY COOKBOOK: INDIAN BUTTER CHICKEN 6 Tbsp Butter 1 lb of Chicken Breast, cut into bite-size pieces 1 onion, diced 3 tsp of minced garlic 3 tsp of garam masala* 1 Tbsp of Ginger, grated 1 tsp of Chili Powder 1 tsp of Cumin 1/2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper 1 can (or 1.5 cups) of Tomato Sauce 2 Cups of Whole Milk (or cream) Basmati Rice, prepared Naan Bread 1. In a skillet, place 2 Tbsp of butter over medium heat and allow to melt. Add chicken and cook until the outsides are browned. Remove from heat and set aside. 2. In a 4 quart saucepan add 2 more Tbsp of butter and the diced onion. Saute until onion has softened then add garlic, garam masala, ginger, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and allow to cook for about a minute or so. 3. Add the tomato sauce to the pot along with the chicken and milk. Bring to a simmer (not a boil) and allow to simmer for minutes. 4. Serve the Indian Butter Chicken over basmati rice (separately prepared) and with naan bread on the side.

5 January Altar Guild: January 6 Ethel Piniero, counter Dan & Daniel Dicus, sound January 13 Dan Dicus, counter Matthew & Cherie Endrihs, sound January 20 Ethel Piniero, counter Randy Welch, sound January 27 Dan Dicus, counter Dan and Daniel Dicus, sound Those Who Serve in January We need greeters and readers for the month of January! The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board next to the office. Pastor will be out of the office January to attend Doxology classes.

6 Mission List For your information, these are the missions that our church typically focuses on and when. January Lara s blankets Local (Dothan Doctor office) February March Lent/Camp Dixie District (LCMS camp) April Gifts of the heart District/National May Mom/Daughter Banquet Local (Christian Mission) June Vacation Bible School In house/national or International July Lebanon (Christmas in July) International August Youth/Hands Up Enterprise In house/local September Orphan Grain Train hygiene kits National/International October Reformation/Fall Rally (Gifts of the heart) In house or Local November Food baskets (Thanksgiving or Christmas) Local December Cookie Sale In house/local/national On going: Food Pantry In house/local Benevolence Fund In house/local

One way to give a warm welcome to others, especially to

One way to give a warm welcome to others, especially to In another s shoes There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 W While serving with Mission