EMMAUS LUTHERAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 EMMAUS LUTHERAN CHURCH October, 2016 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, This month, we begin a yearlong celebration, marking the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. Last month we lead off with a discussion on what motivated Martin Luther in the direction of the Reformation, but if we were to boil it down to one specific term, which covers the multitude of things that sets us apart as Lutherans, the term would be Justification. Justification by faith sets up the difference in how we observe our relationship with God in all aspects of our lives, to include worship. Since justification is brought about by God's grace through the sacrifice of Christ and we become possessors of it through faith, all human merit is excluded. St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans says, Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith (Romans 3:27). Faith is not merit, since we are not justified on account of, but through, faith (J. Gerhard,* Locus XVII. De justification per fidem, CLXXX). Justification takes place outside of us, at the tribunal of God, (Roman 8:33 39). When a sinner is justified, he has peace with God, enjoys Christian liberty, does good works, and is filled with hope of eternal life, (John 8:36; Romans 7:25; 8:1 2, 17). Justification is not a long-drawn-out process, but occurs in a moment; it is never partial, but always perfect and complete; it is alike in all who are justified; it puts one into a state of righteousness which continues as long as one believes; it can be lost; it can be obtained anew when it has been lost (Luther s Works). Therefore, our forgiveness comes to us freely and is not controlled in the judgment of individuals. The pastor cannot exact further conditions (such as were the sale of indulgences), to demonstrate merit, since human merit is excluded. We know the forgiveness as pronounced in worship is given in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is not within the pastor s realm to control or withhold forgiveness. It is the Law that convicts, and therefore it is by that Word, that forgiveness is withheld. In other instances, pastors have called upon individuals to demonstrate a show of faith, in order to be justified before the congregation. Altar calls are routinely a part of the service, and places a burden upon the individual to initiate the conversion process. This understanding denies the power of the Holy Spirit to work within us. In either case, would human merit be a deciding factor, there would be legitimate doubt, as to whether forgiveness is given, and therefore also room for doubting life eternal. When such doubt occurs, it can only be surmised the whole idea of needing Jesus Christ as our Savior comes into question. If we are capable in bringing about our own salvation (and we certainly are not of course), then God would never have had to send His beloved Son to our world. Justification is forgiveness of sins. Justification is before God. Justification is not by what we do or who we are. Justification is a gift. Justification is Christ s doing. Justification is received through faith. To put in a nutshell Justification is essentially Jesus answering for God s wrath over all our sins. Then, with His Spirit, He continues to deliver the forgiveness of sins through Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord s Supper. (Lutheranism 101, CPH, St. Louis, 2010). Justification is all about our relationship with God. In His grace Pastor

2 MEETING REMINDERS October 2 nd Church Fall Picnic following Church Service Noon to 4:00pm October 3 rd LWML Meeting at 9:30am October 9 th Youth to meet following Church Service to discuss upcoming events October 9 th Elders Meeting at 7:00 pm (Note change from 1 st Monday to 2 nd Sunday) October 10 th Council Meeting at 7:00pm (Note change from the 1 st Monday to the 2 nd Monday) October 10 th Voters Meeting at 7:30pm (Note change from the 1 st Monday to the 2 nd Monday) NOTE: Pastor Kern has a new Cell Phone Number. The number is Please note the area code is now 618. BOOK OF THE MONTH What makes the Lutheran confession of faith unique? Often when teaching the Catechism to those new to the Lutheran Church, I have heard statements to the effect, Well, that s what I have always believed! Perhaps that may be so, but more likely they have never formally talked about their faith to such an extent. That being said, this book speaks concisely about being a Christian, as God intended by His Word. The Book Lutheranism 101 is written by a consortium of theologians, based upon the Catechism and God s Word as the source of all knowledge.

3 WORD PUZZLE Sin, Faith and Duty (Luke 17:1 10) (2) And he said to his disciples, Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, I repent, you must forgive him. The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith! And the Lord said, If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you. Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, Come at once and recline at table? Will he not rather say to him, Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty. (ESV) Page 3. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:00 PM September 28, 2016.

4 ELDERS AND CHURCH COUNCIL/VOTERS MEETINGS Please note the change for Elders meeting from the first Monday of the month to the second Sunday at 7:00pm. Also, please note the change for Council and Voters meetings to the second Monday (October 10 th ) of the month. Council will meet at 7:00 and Voters will meet at 7:30pm. The elder on duty for October is Rich Bertels. LWML The LWML will meet on Monday, October 3 RD at 9:30 AM. WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASS Our Wednesday morning Bible class will be conducted at the church from now on, allowing for all members to attend, who might have been restricted from doing so in homes with stairs. Our normal schedule is fellowship and refreshments from 9:30 to 10:00, with the Bible class beginning at 10:00. During October the hosts will be: October 5 th, Allen Bertels; October 12 th, Deloris Whitlock; October 19 th, Pastor Kern; and October 26 th, Dolores Bertels. Everyone is welcome to come and join us. WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER Sunday October 2 nd Habakkuk1:1-4; 2:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:1-10 Sunday October 9 th Ruth 1:1-19a; 2 Timothy 2:1-13; Luke 17:11-19 Sunday October 16 th Genesis 32:22-30; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8 Thursday October 20 th Genesis 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, or James 1:1-12; Luke 18:9-17 Sunday October 23 rd Genesis 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, or James 1:1-12; Luke 18:9-17 Sunday October 30 th Revelations 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36 or Matthew 11: th Sunday after Pentecost Green 21 st Sunday after 22 nd Sunday after Thursday Worship Green 23 rd Sunday after Reformation Sunday - Red OCTOBER USHER SCHEDULE The October usher schedule is as follows: Sunday, October 2 nd Ken Heuer and Malcolm Anders; Sunday, October 9 th Eugene Bertels and Matt Bertels; Sunday, October 16 th Lukas Bixen and Rich Bertels; Sunday, October 23 rd Aaron Leach and David Leach; Sunday, October 30 th Scott Aljets and Ken Heuer. ALTAR GUILD The altar guild member serving in October is Kathy Hagen and Marilyn Whitlock.

5 UPCOMING EVENTS October 2 nd Emmaus Fall Picnic Noon to 4:00pm. Activities to include Family Jeopardy, two teams of 5 people. Contact Rhonda Leach ( ) if you would like to play. There will also be Bingo, a sing-a-long and corn hole and washers outside. For the Kids: sack races, 2 legged races, painting of pumpkins and more. Mark your calendar and plan to attend and please bring friends, neighbors and other family members! PLEASE NOTE: re: a Rocking Chair If anyone has a rocking chair, that they would like to donate; there is a need for one in the ladies restroom at church. The donation would be greatly appreciated. RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTER ELECTRONICALLY If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter by rather than by regular mail, please notify us at this emmaus5215@gmail.com address. If you would prefer to pick it up at church, either in the church office or in your mailbox, please contact Chris Prager. You may call her at , her at christine_prager@yahoo.com or leave her a note in her church mail box. We will continue to mail the newsletter to those who prefer to receive it in that way. ATTENDANCE FOR SEPTEMBER Sunday September 4 36 Communion 35 Sunday September Thursday September 15 3 Communion 2 Sunday September Communion 32 Sunday September EMMAUS MEMBER BIRTHDAYS If your birthday has not been included in our monthly lists or has been listed incorrectly, please let Chris Prager know so the information can be added or corrected. You may call her at , her at christine_prager@yahoo.com or leave her a note in her church mail box. Thank you. OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS: October 1 Sharon Holcomb October 12 - Brett Halemeyer 2 - Betty Jean Bertels 13 - Mary Lee Johnson 2 - Tonya Christians 14 - Kelsey Renee Spaits 4 - Rebecca Alexander 17 - Joshua Clarence Bertels 4 - Erica Grace McGaughey 17- Carol Ann Kuethe 7 - Brian Matthew Alexander 19 - Lawrence Erik Eastman 8 - Mark Robert Aljets 21 - Michele Mae Ann Snyder 8 - Kenneth Ray Heuer 23 - Robert Lynn Cook 9 - Anya Noelle Hernandez 25 - Katrina Ann Whittenberg 10 - Connie Elaine Corby 27 - Matthew Marshall 10 - Rhonda Lea Leach 28 - Dan Boxdorfer 11 - Tom Boxdorfer 28 - Michael Scott Christians 11 - Lawrence Carl Eastman 29 - Melba Sue Bertels