A Blessed New Year to you all.

Transcription

1 Resurrection Life JANUARY 2019 salvation. As a forgiven child of God, we are able to manage our weaknesses and imperfections by taking them to God in confession. By faith we are confident that through Jesus God listens to our confessions and He forgives us. As we live in a relationship with God, through our Lord Jesus, we receive the strength and the courage to face our weaknesses and imperfections constantly leaning on our God with whom all things are possible. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The beginning of a new year is always a very significant and exciting time for many. It marks the end of one period of time and the beginning of another. This is the time when many of us get serious about our weaknesses and failings. We take stock of our lives and we identify all those areas that we are not happy with. Then, we make those noble New Year s resolutions with the firm conviction that if only we try a little harder we can fix those things that are wrong with our lives. Many of us become disillusioned just a few weeks into the year, as we find ourselves unable to live up to those lofty resolutions which we made with such great resolve. We often find that no matter how hard we try, those weaknesses and failings often remain with us despite our best efforts. You see human endeavor can get us so far and no more. The fact is that our lives are dotted with weaknesses and failings because we are corrupted by sin. Therefore, in order to address our weaknesses and failings we have to address our sin. Human endeavor cannot cure sin. Only God can cure us of our sin. It is precisely for this reason that God sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world. Let s hear the Word of God as it is written in John chapter three, verses sixteen and seventeen 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. God sent Jesus to save us from our sin. Through his death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus provides to us with the awesome privilege of being able to receive the forgiveness of our sins. When we receive forgiveness, we also receive life and If we are serious about our weaknesses and failings, let us be sure that New Year s resolutions alone will not do it. We need Jesus. Let us therefore humble ourselves before God, receive his Son Jesus Christ into our lives, confess our sins and receive the forgiveness that He gives through Christ. Then, through prayerful devotion to his Word and grateful acceptance of the sacraments with which He has blessed the church, we surrender our lives to Him. Then our weaknesses and failings no longer burden us, God s love and merciful forgiveness makes us strong. When the apostle Paul struggled with his weakness, let us hear what God said to Paul and how confident Paul responded to God s words to him: God said: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul responds: Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2nd Corinthians 12:9) Oh, yes, God s grace is sufficient for me, God s grace is for you. Once again this year, my resolution is to recommit myself to the grace of God. How about you? A Blessed New Year to you all. Pastor James T. Gajadhar

2 The Joy of Christmas: Count Him In you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:15b As the old year closes and a new year opens, we begin to think about things we would like to do in the coming 12 months. We might start making plans to build a new home or take a dream vacation. Perhaps we'll list our New Year's resolutions, like lose weight or finish school or get a better job or read the entire Bible in a year. There will NOT be any meetings during the months of January and February. Our next meeting will be on Tues. March 26, 7:00pm CHURCH STAFF: Pastor: Rev. James T. Gajadhar Church Office: (718) Church Secretary: Eleanor Johnson and Karen Carella Minister of Music and Adult Choir Director: Walter Hartman Musicians: Flautist - Heather Valente; Percussionist - Ralph Valente Ministers: All the Members Of course, we're counting on God to be there each day in the new year, just NEWSLETTER STAFF: Editor: Debbie Sichler, Assistants: Ada Gavora, Anita Reinert, as He has been throughout the old year. That goes without saying! But are and Dottie McNeely. we consciously counting Him in when we look forward to everything we want to do? Deliberately counting Him in our plans by saying, "If it is Your will," shifts our focus where it needs to be: not on our desires, but on His will. We're counted among God's beloved people because Jesus consented to be counted among us. In His birth, God invites us to count Him in as we make our plans for every new year and every new day. Walking with my Lord Heavenly Father, let all my plans work out for the best, according to Your good and gracious will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen CHURCH COUNCIL: President: Gary Carella, Vice President: Vacant ; Secretary: Dottie McNeely; Financial Secretary/Treasurer: Eleanor Johnson; Deacons: Walter Hartman, Henry Troue Karen Carella and Sharon Rouzier; Trustees: Henry Troue, Walter Hartman, Tom McNeely Upcoming Outdoor Church Sign Sayings BIBLE TRIVIA JANUARY 2019 Too cold to change sign. Come inside for message. AND Jesus loves you SNOW MUCH! DECEMBER 2018 Trivia Question with Answer: LAUGHERS and DANCERS What Old Testament character s name means laughter? ANSWER: SARAH GENESIS 21:5-6 Always Remember your Mite Boxes... In Christ, NEXT TRIVIA QUESTION WILL BE IN MARCH President Ladies Guild

3 Our Members who are Home-Bound:Sonja Munzenmaier; in NURSING HOMES: Dorothea Gruenwald and Harriet Rose; those with OTHER CONCERNS: Lynn, Nicole, Connie, John Ulicny, Grace Serro, Eileen Alvarez, Ronnie Sowa, Marie Cappello, Kathy, Tom McNeely, Jennifer Gajadhar, Antony Gajadhar, Anita Reinert, Audrey Jones, Marilyn Lang, Heather Valente, Ralph Valente, Danielle Valente, Juliette Valente, Karen Carella, Nancy Michaelis, Anthony Novitske, June Kippeny, Trina Seibel, Peter Seibel IV, Anna Lee Rife, Ricky Stanton, Tim, Derek, Zacchino, Claire Siebert, Dottie McNeely, Joanne Voltmer and Howie Voltmer. Heavenly Father - We thank you for all those people whose faith and faithfulness have inspired us. We thank you for the lessons we have learned from them and pray that, as the Holy Spirit works in and through us, we may pass along the light that they kindled in us. May our days and our deeds bring glory to Your name for the sake of Christ, our Savior. Amen Would you think to leave your home and not secure the doors? Would you leave windows open when away from home? Would you leave unused food on kitchen counters to spoil? Would you leave lights on when there is no need for them? These are things that are happening in our Resurrection church home. As good stewards in God's house, these problems can be corrected. Many activities take place in the church building. Thank God for these blessings. For all to enjoy a safe and secure church home, many responsible people are needed to maintain it. No custodian is employed, so please think of how YOU can Help! Our Mid-Week BIBLE Study - Dear Heavenly Father, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now studying. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen 3

4 God s Blessings on your birthday... Jan. 28 Jan. 29 Sabrina Gmuca Debbie Sichler We acknowledge with gratitude the following gift that was made to the Resurrection Memorial Fund or other funds this past month to the Glory of God and in memory of: President: Vice President: Elder: Financial Secretary/Treasurer: Deacons: ruth jorgensen and ruth ann green from the CARELLA Family On Sunday, January 20, 2019 the following individuals will affirm / re-affirm their commitment to Resurrection s Church Council. Please pray for these individuals as they meet monthly to discuss the future of Resurrection. Trustees: 2019 COUNCIL Gary Carella Vacant Tom McNeely Eleanor Johnson Walter Hartman, Henry Troue, Karen Carella and Sharon Rouzier Henry Troue, Walter Hartman, Tom McNeely 4 Recording Secretary: Dottie McNeely

5 NO HEALING SERVICE NO BIBLE STUDY Office Closed The EPIPHANY of Our Lord 9:15am Resurrection Lutheran 11:15am Immanuel Lutheran 2:00pm Indo-Pak 4:00pm Glory Lutheran 9:00am HEALING SERVICE Mid-Week Bible Study 10:00am UN- DECORATE CHURCH 9:30AM The BAPTISM of Our Lord 9:15am Resurrection Lutheran 11:15am Immanuel Lutheran 2:00pm Indo-Pak 4:00pm Glory Lutheran NEWSLETTER MEETING Second Sunday After the Epiphany 9:15am Resurrection Lutheran 11:15am Immanuel Lutheran 2:00pm Indo-Pak 4:00pm Glory Lutheran VOTER S MEETING Third Sunday After the Epiphany 9:15am Resurrection Lutheran 11:15am Immanuel Lutheran 2:00pm Indo-Pak 4:00pm Glory Lutheran Office Closed Mid-Week Bible Study 10:00am Council Meeting 1:00pm Mid-Week Bible Study 10:00am Mid-Week Bible Study 10:00am 5

6 January 6, 2019 January 13, 2019 January 20, 2019 January 27, 2019 Reader: Eleanor Johnson Reader: Gary Carella Reader: Walter Hartman Reader: Jenny Gajadhar Usher: Stephen Gavora Usher: Stephen Gavora Usher: Stephen Gavora Usher: Stephen Gavora Greeter: Sharon Rouzier Greeter: Eleanor Johnson Greeter: Ada Gavora Greeter: Dottie McNeely Altar Care: Christel Schnackenberg Altar Care: Christel Schnackenberg Altar Care: Christel Schnackenberg Altar Care: Karen Carella Jenny Gajadhar SATURDAY Jan. 12th at 9:30am It s time to un-decorate the church. Please lend a helping hand to un-decorate the church! CORONA FOOD PANTRY HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL SUNDAY'S - THURSDAY S - DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTR ARTICLES JANUARY 25, 2019 Immanuel Lutheran Church - Bible Study - 9:30am Pastor Sam uses Church 2:00pm - 3:30pm Glory Lutheran Church 4:00pm - 5:30pm WEDNESDAY'S - Resurrection Lutheran Church - Bible Study - 10:00am Choir Practice 7:30pm Immanuel Chinese Bible Study 7:30pm -8:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous - 6:00pm - 8:00pm Glory Lutheran Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm FURTHER NOTICE. FRIDAY S - Immanuel Chinese Bible Study 7:45pm - 9:00pm 6 SATURDAY S - Alcoholics Anonymous - 11:15am - 2:00pm

7 2018 Christmas Eve pre-service music by Heather Valente and Walter Hartman 7

8 Our Mission Statement As disciples of Jesus and in obedience to God's word, the mission of Resurrection Lutheran Church is: Growing in the knowledge and love of Christ, ministering to one another and to those in the community, sharing the Gospel with unbelievers so that the Holy Spirit draws them into a faith relationship with Jesus. Resurrection Lutheran Church Rev. James T. Gajadhar, Pastor Cell: (917) nd Street, Flushing, New York Phone: (718) FAX: (718) Website: rlcflushing.homestead.com Sunday Worship 9:15am * (Pre-Worship Singing begins at 9:05am) Immanuel Lutheran Service 11:15am Indo Pak Service 2:00pm - 3:30pm Glory Lutheran Church 4:00pm - 5:30pm May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon YOU