Focus on Christ Vol. Mar

Transcription

1 Focus on Christ is published monthly by Christ Lutheran Church, Second & Walnut Streets, P.O. Box 549, Stover, Missouri for the purpose of informing members and friends of news and activities within our church and community. Information for and questions about this publication should be directed to Tracey Durant, Church Secretary. Deadline for information to be included is the Wednesday following the monthly church council meeting unless otherwise posted. Copyright 2000 by Christ Lutheran Church. Vol Mar 2019

2 A Word From Pastor Tom Heaven and Earth By Rev. Tom Tuura Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church This month I m daring to continue this discussion on the earth. I suppose we could call it biblical geology. The Greek word for earth as we stated last month is ges, and ology is study of. We noticed that 50 years ago the astronauts on Apollo 8 were compelled to read from Genesis 1 when they circled the moon. They were in fact in the heavens ; Hebrew, sha-miam, and Greek oo-ranous. And it is the from the perspective of the heavens that science is creating quite a stir as well. Now with the focus on Mars from the remote landers Spirit and Opportunity, which exceeded all expectations, and now Curiosity, cruising the Martian surface, space is trending again. I was just a boy of 8 years old when Apollo 8 was doing its thing, then the rest of the Apollo s and first of the space shuttles. As a young man in my 20 s I was devastated when the Challenger explosion was replayed on our TV screens. The shuttles kept launching, astronauts became mechanics, a delivery service, and the shuttles themselves Uber to the Space Station. NASA stopped making and launching rockets space faded to black. Emblematic of the times was the Hubble telescope which was discovered to be fatally defective by design wonderfully repaired and signaled the beginning of a transformation in outer space as the beautiful images of forming galaxies and exploding stars began coming in. Then top it off with the astrophysicists, and cosmologists like Hawking, Tyson, and Sagan. Where am I going with this? Do you still believe Genesis 1? With the billions and billions of stars billions of light years away, can we still say God created the heavens and the earth --in 6 days? This is the question our young people are wrestling with. It s not going to affect me too much one way or the other and I grew up with it. I m not going to dodge the question, but obviously a church newsletter may not be the best place to engage it. But there are resources and credible, (at least to some), phd s and Christian scientists who are wrestling with these things. But that s not even the issue. I think if we recognize the climate in which these discussions are occurring, we can go a long way. Academics and scientists are great, but ultimately it is faith and trust in what the Bible itself says. It has a lot to say about the heavens. In both the Old Testament, and New Testament, the term refers to anything above the ground, such as where birds fly, as well as where the sun, moon and stars are located. In Deuteronomy, a good example is chapter 10 verse 14, Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it. When you consider that many poly-theistic peoples worshiped many gods, even named after the sun, moon and stars, but the Bible says in Psalm 8, When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained... we learn that not only did they place their one God over all others, He was the planets creator. 2

3 The ancient book of Job even mentions the constellation Orion and the Pleiades. It is amazing that when I look up into the night sky, I am looking at the same stars Abraham was when God told him to look up into the sky and count the stars, if indeed you can count them, (Gen. 15:5). New Testament usage develops the concept in Jesus words of kingdom of heaven and reward in heaven. So there is an eternal and future sense to this spiritual dimension. It is also the abode of angels (Matt 28:2). It is a place of authority as Jesus states that He will be...sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matt 26:64) But another important angle is the usage in connection to judgment and the end of all things. Jesus says the stars will fall from heaven in Matthew 24:29. But if we turn to the Apostolic writings of Peter and John the inner circle Apostles, we really get an interesting picture. Already mentioned is the passage in 2 Peter Peter mentions the whole of history, in the heavens as created in the beginning, and then the heavens dissolved at the end. John, of course writing in the book of Revelation uses the word over 50 times applying all the different meanings already used in Scripture, ending with a new heaven and earth, a beautiful river, and the Tree of Life. The most glorious usage of heaven is, of course the eternal home of the saints. Heaven is still a place of ultimate comfort and rest for the believer and child of God, John 14:1-3. This may not be the sha-maim of Genesis 1, In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth... and it s a good thing too, but it certainly is a new heaven because the first heaven has passed away, Revelation 21:1. If we let the Bible itself speak...and get out of its way, we ll all be just fine. That s my view from the Blackberry Patch Pulpit Pastor Tom Unplanned From the writers/co-producers of God s Not Dead, comes a film that speaks to one of the most polarizing topics of our day. Unplanned brings us an eye-opening look inside the abortion industry from a woman who was once its most passionate advocate. After reading Abby Johnson s best-selling book of the same title, Cary and Chuck were moved to bring this inspiring true story to the big screen, giving a voice to a woman who has been on both sides of the abortion conversation. Unplanned could be the most important movie you ll ever see on the most controversial issue of our time. No matter which side of the fence you are on, no one will leave this film unmoved by Abby s journey. Unplanned is in theaters nationwide on March 29, For more information, visit unplannedfilm.com. (Editor s note: The MPAA, aka the Motion Picture Assoc. of America, has given this movie an R rating due to what was referred to as disturbing images of sonograms. This movie contains no inappropriate language, no sexual content, and no gratuitous violence...only sonogram pictures. The producers were asking for a PG rating. Please do not let the mature rating of this movie prevent you from seeing it, or taking your pre-teens or teenagers.) 3

4 Christ Lutheran Church Regular Council Meeting Minutes February 17, 2019 Special Council Meeting February 3, 2019 Open with Prayer. Present are Ed Viebrock, Pastor Tuura, Tom Propst, Sharla Propst, Crystal Menning, Judy Rehmer, John Menning, Wayne Nolting, Cheryl Nolting, Brad Bauer, Gaylene Bauer, Joyce Bauer. Discussion whether to move the organ up to the balcony. Motion by Tom Propst, second by John Menning to move the organ to the balcony using the professional movers from Wilkens to move it at a cost of $ Approved 9-1. Tom will contact them to set a date. Motion by Tom Propst, second by John Menning to dispose of old financial records that were found during clean up. All approved. Motion by Tom Propst, second by John Menning to let people take the red pew cushions if they can use them, All approved. Motion to adjourn by Pastor Tuura, second John Menning. All approved. Closed with the Lords Prayer. Submitted by Joyce Bauer, Council Secretary Call to Order- The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Ed Viebrock. Also present: Pastor Tom Tuura, John Menning, Wayne Nolting, Cheryl Nolting, Brad Bauer, Crystal Menning, Shawn Viebrock, Tom Propst and Gaylene Bauer. Bookkeeper, Lori Bauer, was also present. Pastor Tuura opened with prayer. Chairman, Ed Viebrock, welcomed the new council members. Motion by Shawn Viebrock and seconded by John Menning to accept the minutes, treasurer s report and financial report as presented. Motion carried Pastor s Report- None at this time Deacon s Report- The Deacon s meeting will be conducted on the first Wednesday of the month at 4:30. It was decided at the last Deacon s meeting that Judy Rehmer will be conducting the meetings going forward. This was done to take the responsibility of planning and conducting the meetings off Pastor and free up some time for other responsibilities that Pastor has to deal with on a daily basis. Pastor s evaluation was discussed. It was decided that the Deacon s will fill out the evaluation form that was used in the past individually. Then they will meet and discuss their answers as a group and compile a final evaluation that will be shared with Pastor. They are also going over and finalizing the guidelines for Associate Members, which will be 4

5 presented to the Council next month. Trustee s Report- The humidifier in the basement is not working properly and needs to be look into. Christian Education- Jessica Smith will be the new member for the Christian Education Board. Youth Report- There will be 7 youth and 6 adults from our congregation going to the FLY Convention this year in Estes Park, Colorado. Old Business Bookkeeper Report- Lori Bauer presented the Council with some guidelines that need to be followed when hiring contracted labor. We need to make sure that the Church has a W-9 and a copy of their Liability Insurance on file. Lori is also checking into a question about Workmen s Comp Insurance on contracted labor. Vote to hire/rehire 2019 Staff- Motion by Tom Propst and seconded by John Menning the hire the following personnel: Tracey Durant Secretary Lori Bauer Bookkeeper Dakota Kroeschen- Christ Lutheran & Boeschenville Cemetery Mowing Lane Nolting Church grounds & St. John s Cemetery Mowing Motion carried Proper disposal of unused items- There are some items that need to be gone through and see if there is any reason to keep them. Will look into putting together a group of interested people to look into this. Motion by John Menning and seconded by Brad Bauer to recover the kneeling bench to match the new pew cushions. Motion carried Discuss the organ issue- The Council had voted to move the organ into the balcony, but have decided to put the move on hold until after Lent. This will give everyone time to voice their concerns and comments and for us as a congregation, to reflect and pray about the changes that are happening in the church. Discuss Elevator Proposal- A motion was made in the October meeting to table this project until the first of the year. The feeling was, the Council would like to see other options brought to the Council and congregation on this project. There was a motion by John Menning and seconded by Crystal Menning to hold a Special Congregational Meeting on May 5, 2019, without Council recommendation, to proceed with the elevator project. This will be done with paper ballot and a 2/3 vote. The committee will be responsible for a full proposal that will inform the congregation of the cost and yearly maintenance fees to maintain the elevator. This will need to be published 2 weeks prior the May 5 th date. Motion carried New Business Designated offerings for the year Motion by Tom Propst and seconded by Cheryl Nolting to leave the same as last year. Motion carried Lent- Stover Food Pantry Easter- Youth and loose monies 5

6 Mission Festival- Speaker for the day Thanksgiving-Show Me Christian Youth Home Christmas Eve- Children s Program Christmas Day- Show Me Christian Youth Home Motion by Crystal Menning and seconded by Brad Bauer to have a special offering in March for our sister church, Gloria Day, in St. Louis. Motion carried Committee Appointments- Committee s were discussed and decided to place a signup sheet in the back of the church for interested parties to sign up. Discuss need for defibrillator- Paul Harrison is looking into the cost of purchasing a new machine or the possibility of purchasing a used one from the fire department. We would possibility have to purchase a battery if we go with a used machine. The cost for a battery would be around $ Motion by John Menning and seconded by Wayne Nolting to proceed with this. Motion carried Discuss FLY registrations/possible subsidies by the congregation Motion by John Menning and seconded by Tom Propst to cover the total cost of registration for the youth that are going to FLY. This would include paying back the $ deposit for the youth early registration cost. Motion carried Discuss Easter breakfast- The youth group was contacted and they have agreed, to be responsible for the Easter breakfast. They will use this as a fundraiser for added expenses for the FLY Convention. Report on sound system The wire for the project has been donated and we will pull the wiring ourselves. Would like to see some shelves added to the lectern to accommodate some of the sound system components. Motion by Tom Propst and seconded by John Menning to adjourn. Motion carried We closed with the Lord s Prayer Respectively submitted by, Gaylene Bauer Present: Pastor, Tracey Durant, Tom Propst, Connie Viebrock, Mary Jo Jackson Mary Jo opened with prayer that included the prayer chain concerns for the day. Tracey read the minutes of the January meeting Discussion on how the Worship Committee can support the 150th Planning Committee. We each can write a devotion based on Psalm 100:5 to be included in the planned devotional book. Connie mentioned that she needs to get all committee and group pictures for the new picture directory. Discussed on how best do that. On the first Sunday in March there is no one available to play for the service so the committee decided that music will be played digitally. Pastor and Tracey will choose music and 6

7 work out the flow of the service. The committee recognizes that this situation may come up more frequently in the future and asks the church to pray for guidance. It was mentioned that perhaps the church support a scholarship fund for anyone who may want to take piano lessons so they can play for the services. The Committee appreciates the multiple ways that people can be inspired by various technological apps, radio and print media to enhance their Personal Devotion Time. So each month the newsletter will feature a special area for the congregation members to explore. Some of them are: You Version Bible app, AFLC resources, Hillsdale College free courses, BOTT Radio, Jesus Calling online devotions. If you know of others let a committee member know. We are blessed with a wonderful selection of Scripture Readers and sometimes the podium is a bit high - so a small stool will be provided to make reading easier for all. The committee discussed several people who may desire to be involved in the children s sermon ministry. As Pastor works out the monthly Worship Calendar he will call to see if these people are available to share in this ministry. The message is to be 3-5 minutes long as it is not a sermon. End of Meeting Sharing: The theme for Lent is Redemption Stories. Check out the poster that will be on display on the entrance bulletin board. The AFLC Bible College Choir will be here March 31. They will lead the service and inspire all with music. Invite your friends and neighbors to worship with us that day. The movie Run the Race - was mentioned as a Christian movie that is now in the theaters. Also, look for Unplanned, It comes out in late March. Pastor mentioned that we should learn more about the Getty Team of Hymn writers, and perhaps learn new songs. Submitted by, Mary Jo Jackson We would like to encourage each of you to expand your personal devotion time using resources some of you may have never heard of. This month, we would like to highlight the YouVersion Bible app available on most smart phones and tablets. This app is produced by Life.Church based in Oklahoma, and offers readers the flexibility of reading their bible in dozens of translations and languages. The app features daily Bible verses with the option of increasing your knowledge and faith through reading plans connected with those verses. You also have the ability to share your plans with friends who are also connected to YouVersion. Look for the little brown Bible to find this app! 7

8 Acolytes Tanna Bellis Bryce Bauer Megan Viebrock Raygan Meyer Aiden Denker Sun Mon Tue W Altar Care Connie Viebrock Judy Rehmer 3 9:00 am - S.S./Confirmation 10:15am. - Worship/Communion 6:00 pm - evening Bible study Study Break 6:00 pm Len 7:00pm Len ASH WE 6:30 am M 10 9:00 am - S.S./Confirmation 10:15am. - Worship/Communion 6:00 pm - evening Bible study :30 am Me Study Break 6:00 pm Len 7:00pm Len 17 Thankful 3rd Sunday 9:00 am - S.S./Confirmation 10:15am. - Worship 11:30am - Council meeting 6:00 pm - Bible study :00 pm Worship Committee Meeting 20 6:30 am Me Study Break 6:00 pm Len 7:00pm Len 24 9:00 am - S.S./Confirmation 10:15am. - Worship 6:00 pm - Bible study :30 am Me Study Break 6:00 pm Len 7:00pm Len 31 AFLBS Choir - 5th Sunday 9:00 am - S.S./Confirmation 10:15 - Service led by AFLBS Choir. 8

9 2019 ed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 DNESDAY n s Bible fast t Supper t Services n s Bible fast t supper t Services 14 1:00 pm Women s Work Day Group 3:30 pm -GALC n s Bible fast t supper t Services n s Bible fast t supper t Services 28 1:00 pm Women s Work Day Group Reminder: all articles, photos, minutes, and other entries for the newsletter MUST be turned in by the deadline. Any and all ideas are welcome! Please send your entries to the general at Clc.stovermo@gmail.com Or put a physical copy in the secretary s box. 9

10 This month we focus on a different group of kids the AFLBS kids! The AFLBS choir comes to Christ Lutheran in Stover on March 31 for our Sunday morning service. For the second time in 4 years, we are hosting the 46 member choir and staff. We will need to provide overnight housing and a meal following the morning service. If you are interested in providing housing, please see either Pastor Tom or Tracey for a full list of the students ages, and personal preferences concerning animals and other allergies. Luke 18:16 (NIV) 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. A note from Pastor Tom : Parents keep in mind that Bible School can be attended at any age. Over the years many older students have attended. Judy and her brother and sister, who both met spouses at Bible School, came from the ALC church in their hometown. Their parents never joined the AFLC yet three of their kids are pastors, or pastor s wives. Judy attended during what would have been her junior year at Winona State and only attended one year. 10

11 Crazy weather keeping you indoors? Why not try a new book?! Our shelves are teeming with great novels, historical fiction, short stories, and autobiographies. If movies or music are more to your taste, we have a great selection of old and new favorites to choose from. Stop by and browse our terrific selection! We also have some pretty Easter napkins, and sermon notebooks available for purchase. Redemption Stories Ash Wed. March 6 Group 5 March 6 - Job 19: Lent March 13 Group 6 March 13 - Genesis 48: Lent March 20 Group 1 March 20 - Joshua 2: Lent March 27 Group 2 March 27 - Ruth 4 Lent April 3 Group 3 April 3 - Psalm 31: 1-5 Lent April 10 Group 4 April 10 - Luke 5 March 6 - April 14, 2019 is the next 40 Days for Life campaign and we need your prayers! Don t know what 40 Days for Life is? 40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion. You can find out more about this life-saving organization at 40daysforlife.com. There are several 40 Days for Life devotional booklets and bookmarks at the back of the church. Please consider taking one to use during this campaign. There is also one copy of the book The Beginning of the End of Abortion. Please take it to read and return so others may read it as well. Each year abortion claims nearly 1,000,000 innocent lives in the United States alone. Let s all pray together to bring an end to abortion, for with God, all things are possible. 11

12 Naknek, Alaska Mission News February 2019 Join us in praying for the ministry of The Net this summer. We are praising the Lord that we have enough volunteers for almost every week this summer. Pray for Manager of The Net, Bobbie Overgaard, as she continues to make preparations. And start praying for everybody that will walk through those doors - that the Holy Spirit would be working in their hearts right now and that souls would be saved. AFLC World Missions Resource Sometimes it s difficult to keep track of all the people AFLC World Missions has spread across the globe. Wouldn t it be nice to have information about our faithful workers together in one spot? Good news there is such a place! The World Mission Office has a published a document which contains information about our work, missionary families, fields, and other endeavors of the department. We call it our Family Album. This valuable resource is designed to be printed in booklet form and each section is organized in a brief, easy-to-read format. It is available to everyone through our website and is intended to be a tool for families, churches, and individuals. With a variety of uses, you can make the album available at your church or small group, or use it as a prayer guide for personal or group use. Additionally, the Family Album contains information like mailing addresses and birthdays. Our missionaries would love to hear from you. The document is periodically updated to ensure you will always have newest details as well. We hope this resource will make you feel right at home with AFLC World Missions. Spring Campus Days March 15 - March 17 AFLBS CAMPUS DAYS! Join us March for a weekend of learning, worship, and connection with fellow believers on our AFLBS campus! All 9th-12th graders are welcome! Please register by March

13 The unique program of AFLBS establishes students in the Word of God for life in Jesus Christ during two years of biblical, practical, and vocational studies. Classroom instruction in the morning and afternoon work experiences fuel evening conversations in the dorms. Students benefit from the intersection of academic study and real-world service while living in an intentional discipleship learning community with others. Students leave campus grounded in God s Word for whatever comes next. Most students complete their degrees, many of them at institutions sharing the Christian worldview of AFLBS. Now fully accredited, a growing number of institutions accept up to two years of AFLBS credits, depending on a student s individual educational objectives. To enhance the overall campus experience and have an impact on the community the AFLC Schools are seeking initial funding for the new Student Life Center. As funds allow, ground breaking will begin late this winter with completion sometime during next school year. This facility will provide a place for varsity and intramural athletics as well as large events like Annual Conference. It includes office and classroom space, a fitness center, and a large gathering space with seating and a concessions area. It will become the center of student life on campus. Please consider giving to support this campaign and sharing the information from this site with other friends of the Schools. 13

14 Women s Work Days Thursday March 7 Thursday March 21 Thursday April 11 Thursday April 25 Everyone has heard the familiar phrase : March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb. As I write this it is the last day of February and we just experienced yet another ice storm. If March is going to come in like a lion, what has February been...a house cat??!! If so, batten down the hatches folks. No matter how bad the weather gets though, I cannot help but feel blessed that we live here. Forecasts from my home state of 30 snowfall and 40 mph winds reminds me of that daily! Besides, the peepers have already started their singing, Spring lambs and calves are here, the daffodils are playing peek-aboo, and in a few short weeks it will be Easter. So go ahead March, ROAR! There is the promise of a risen Savior just around the bend, and the weather looks great. Tracey Women s Work Day Group Update: Women's workday group report Feb 14: 5 ladies tied 5 large quilts for FOS for homeless shelters and 4 MO Baby Bundle quilts Feb 28: 5 ladies tied 2 large quilts to send to Naknek, 2 MO Baby Bundle quilts and made new ribbon markers for our pew bibles Kids Bulletin Contest Congratulations Stanton Black for winning the candy bar for February! We had 14 bulletins turned in this month. Great job kids, keep up the good work, and the Good Word! Stop by the secretary s office to claim your prize. UPCOMING EVENTS March 6 - Ash Wednesday March 13, 20, 27 & April 3, 10 - Lent Suppers March 31 - AFLBS Choir 14

15 CLC Birthdays March 3 Vicki Nolting 4 Spencer Bauer 5 Dylan Kroeschen 7 Carlene Nolting 8 Pastor Tom Tuura 11 Kyle Armstrong 22 Jim Goetze 24 Marilyn Williams 27 Miranda Chenault Saydi Hagedorn 31 Rachel Nolting April 4 Trevor Nolting 4 Jenna Bellis 9 Mady Durant 12 Delores Dieckman 15 Sean Bauer 16 Dorothy Pritzel 17 Megan Rowland 21 Florene Schnirch 22 Judy Rehmer 23 Stephanie Armstrong 25 Lauren Smith 29 Charlotte Gaden 30 Hailey Marshall 15

16 Address Corrections Please check your mailing label to be sure your name and address are correct. If you have changes, please leave a message at Parish Newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church P.O. Box 549 Stover, MO (573)