OCTOBER NEWSLETTER Pastor s Corner

Transcription

1 REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH REV. KURT VAN FOSSAN 1000 PIONEER ROAD, DELTA, CO OCTOBER NEWSLETTER Pastor s Corner In a recent sermon I spoke about the faith God gives us and compared it to a pumpkin seed which God plants in our lives at our Baptism. Like any new life, for our second birth through water and the Spirit (see John 3:1-15) to continue it needs the nourishment God continues to provide by His Holy Spirit and through His Word and the Lord s Supper. When God creates and strengthens in us faith in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ s life, death, resurrection and ascension, the result is not only a stronger child of God but many children of God. After planting one of those pumpkin seeds in our back yard, (not being much of a green-thumb ), I was amazed to watch it grow into a big healthy vine which has produced many pumpkins (with many more pumpkin seeds in them), by the grace and power of God. If those seeds are also planted, etc., the fruits from that one pumpkin seed would be endless. As the saying goes, While you can count the number of seeds in one apple (or pumpkin), only God can count the number of apples (or pumpkins) in one seed! Our synod s website <LCMS.org> is full of resources to help us plant seeds of faith in the lives not only of the people God places in our lives, but also in the lives of others throughout the world as we work together as a body the body of Christ. In one of the articles on this website it s pointed out that WITNESS is the work we have been given to do as the church scattered. We have opportunities to speak of Jesus with the people in our everyday lives who are our friends, co -workers, neighbors, family members, etc. OUTREACH is the work we do as the church gathered. It is our collective effort through ministries, services, events and other activities as the church through which we invite and include others into Word and Sacrament ministry. Witness & Outreach are distinct, but they work together so people will know of Jesus and be gathered into His Church through us. When Jesus told His disciples, "You will be my witnesses," (Acts 1:8) He was making a statement, not making a request. He has called each and every believer to be a witness of Him and His love. This is not simply a part of who we are as God's people in the world, it is, in Martin Luther's words, "the only reason for which God leaves us in this world." As we fulfill our purpose for being here, we should strive not only to be His witnesses but to be faithful and effective witnesses for the sake of those who do not know of Jesus, especially for the people with whom the Lord has

2 Witnessing is our work of planting and watering with the joyful expectation that the Lord will, where it pleases Him, provide the growth. Just as individual believers are where they are in life to be witnesses of Jesus, congregations exist where they do in order to gather the people of their communities into Word and Sacrament ministry. Outreach relies on the witness of individual believers and on the collective efforts of the congregation's members. It is conducted through activities that connect the congregation with those outside of the church, that facilitate building relationships with them, and that lead to making disciples through Word and Sacrament. Outreach takes many forms in order to adapt to the context of the congregation and the surrounding community, but it ultimately leads to the same Means of Grace through which the Holy Spirit works faith when and where He wills. May God continue to bless us individually and collectively here at Redeemer, as we watch in amazement at the growth that God works in us and through who have been made one in Christ! In His love, Pastor Van HYMN OF THE MONTH Listen, God Is Calling Lutheran Service Book 833 With Mission & Outreach in mind, I chose Listen, God Is Calling as our hymn of the month for October. The text and tune have Kenyan and Tanzanian roots, which made it a favorite hymn especially among the African members of the last congregation I served. Out of all the countries of the world, Africa is not only one of the poorest in worldly wealth, but one of the fastest growing in the riches that come from God s Word and Sacraments. Thanks be to God!

3 Birthdays Sandy Holden October 7 Karen Madrid October 8 Gary Schoonover October 9 John Koppes October 9 Kylee Wilbur October 10th Jacob Oberheu October 17 Zach Weber October 17 Dee Kenimer October 18 Phillip Dwyer October 19 Eveli Strassle October 23 Carissa Sidor October 25 Alisha Clubb October 30 Baptismal Birthdays Christine Sebesta Mary Miller October 3 Nancy Hofman October 10 Rachel Gilleece October 11 Lucy Orros October 12 Jan Polzin October 13 Devona Sanders October 25 Amanda Bizer October 27 Stephanie Nesbit October 27 Carl Nesbit October 27 Jacob Oberheu October 31 Wedding Anniversaries John & Marion Lewis October 2 Pastor & Andrea Van Fossan October 6 Gordon & Karen Wagner October 11 Richard & Tracy Dickinson October 15 Aaron & Mary Clubb October 24 THE LORD S MINISTRY Redeemer Lutherans attendance figures and financial blessings that were given for the month of September to further maintain the Lord s ministry. Date Attendance Communicants Offerings Received Needed Operating Gen./Designated Funds Budget $4,392.00/$ $4, $2,615.00/$31.00 $4, $2,910.00/$30.00 $4, $4,020.75/$10.00 $4,455.06

4 Trick or Treat 5K Fun Run/Walk All Proceeds for the Benefit of Cole Lahoe who is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Sponsored by Tiny Treasures Early Learning Center Saturday, October 22nd Costumes Encouraged! Registration and Check In Starts At 9:00 am. Race starts at 10:00 am Confluence Park, Lion s Pavilion Leashed Four Legged Friends Welcome! 15 yrs-adult--$ years--$15 Children 8 and under--free or donation (includes trick-or-treat bag) Pick up your registration at Redeemer Lutheran Church, or download at

5 Lutheran Hour Notes 2017 Theme/Float Description The 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade Theme is Echoes of Success and the theme of the LHM Float is Celebrate Jesus. This year s float commemorates and celebrates our deep rooted Christian and Lutheran legacies. Fronted by Jesus standing at a replica of the doors of All Saints (Wittenberg Castle) church where Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses it connects our Lutheran heritage with the greater heritage of Christianity: Jesus Christ s merciful and victorious presence warmly welcoming all into God s kingdom. Large church bells inscribed with the Lutheran mottos of Grace Alone, Faith Alone and Scripture Alone ring out the message and call of our Savior much like the church bells have done for centuries passing on good news from town to town and inviting worshippers to experience the blessings of God in worship. The float not only celebrates Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith, but also celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the 100th anniversary of Lutheran Laymen s League. It is our hope and prayer that God would continue to bless HIS followers and that the Holy Spirit would touch the hearts of all who come in contact with the float with it s simple and eternal gospel proclamation, as written by St. Paul in Ephesians 2:8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God. TV Viewing Tips Home and Garden Channel (HGTV) is Best While the Tournament of Roses Parade is on most network channels, ABC, CBS, NBC, HGTV the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float is not guaranteed coverage due to commercials and/or other TV commitments. For the best viewing of the parade, the Home and Garden channel or RFD TV shows the parade in its entirety on cable TV. Check your local listings for time and channel. The Petal Pushers Thanks to the volunteer efforts of the Petal Pushers we are able to reduce the cost of the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float. Last year more than 5,000people volunteered their decorating talents. These dedicated Christians decorated not only the eight floats we were contacted to decorate, but also helped to complete additional floats. Would you like to work with the Petal Pushers? Indiviuals or groups interested in volunteering, please refer to the Petal Pushers Website, or contact Petal Pushers Chairman, Lynn Gast, at (949) The 2017 Petal Pusher sweatshirts and T-shirts are Cardinal Red. They feature the traditional Petal Pushers logo on the front and a representation of the float on the back. Wearing these Petal Pushers shirts year round serves as a magnificent Christian witness. They also make wonderful souvenirs of the Tournament of Roses Parade and fabulous Christmas gifts. The Lutheran Hour Ministries Float is a project of the Southern California District of the International Lutheran Laymen s League.

6 Lutheran Hour News continued Mission of the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float To provide a Christian witness and hope in Jesus Christ to the unchurched, who view the float in person and through the media. In an age that questions Christian values and messages, the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee has remained committed to our mission for more than 66 years. We sincerely invite you to join us in our efforts to bring the hope of Christ to a world in need. Reformation & New Member Dinner The Evangelism Committee is sponsoring a Reformation and New Member Dinner on Sunday, October 30th following the service. Brats will be provided. Families are asked to bring a potluck dish to share. Families whose last name begins with A M are asked to bring a side dish or salad, families whose last names begin with N Z are asked to bring a dessert. Our new members that we have received in the last year are: Holly Jensen, Olivia Dicamillo, Nicole Oberheu, Jackson Heinecke, Leshaya Tabor, Klaus & Elsa Winkelmann, Zach, Terry & Shayla Yarbrough, Brett, Leigh Ann, Emmery & Trenton Mertens. Lisa & Rita Riem are expected to be received on the 30th by reaffirmation of faith; and hopefully others by confirmation. CHRIST IN CULTURE [See LCMS.org click on Social Issues] As Lutheran Christians, we maintain a dual citizenship in two kingdoms: one spiritual and the other earthly. But living out the Christian faith in witness and mercy while honoring the governments and rulers set in place can sometimes be tricky business. What happens when the government promotes lifestyles that are contrary to the Word of God? How does a Christian respond when it intrudes into the realm of the Church? To promote life together and to help maneuver through this earthly kingdom and the myriad social issues with which it confronts the Church, the LCMS has assembled resources on topics ranging from domestic violence to religious liberty. It will, by God s grace, help inform and guide the Christian life, as each baptized child of God lives out the faith. Is the world ever-changing? Yes! Can it be difficult to live at the intersection of Christ and culture? Yes! But our Lord does not leave us alone in this struggle, as President Matthew C. Harrison explains:

7 There is unfolding before us a moment of opportunity for The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod like nothing ever before in our history. We have a worldwide vocation, a world that is calling us to account, to stand and be counted for Christ. Despite all our weaknesses, we have unbelievable worldwide capacity for the advancement of the Gospel and the Lutheran Confession. It s a moment for courage. Shall we dare, by faith in Christ, to seize the moment?... The Missouri Synod, therefore, has a collective vocation. Our ecumenical task is to hold forth worldwide for orthodox, biblical Christianity for the singular authority of Holy Scripture; for the singular truth that salvation is completely by grace (a gift!) on account of Christ s meritorious life, death and resurrection for us; for the singular truth that this gift is grabbed hold of solely by faith, which is itself worked completely by God through His Word. Life Thoughts in the Church Year October 2 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Heavenly Father has both ability and affinity for working mightily through seemingly insignificant and even apparently contrary situations. Humble faith (Luke 17:5; 2, 2 Timothy 1:5), conversational testifying (2 Timothy 1:8), servant tasks (Luke 17:10), and suffering itself (Habakkuk 1:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:12)-like broken-bodied Jesus bring life and immortality to light (2 Timothy 1:10). Almighty Maker, establish us in Your simple truth that we may witness and participate in Your miraculous acts. Amen. October 9 Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost Jesus Gospel gives us God as Father and a whole family as well. True faith and real joy recognize and receive Your people [as] my people (Ruth 1:16-17), witnesses who sympathize and strengthen us (2 Timothy 2:2), however impaired or dependent they may be (Luke 17:12-14). Good Shepherd, lead us to love Your people as You love us through them. Amen. October 16 Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost We remain patient and persistent (Luke 18:1, 5) in rebuking the culture of death and in comforting all its victims with Words from God (2 Timothy 3:16-4:2). Compassion will overcome selfishness, wrestling will give way to blessing (Genesis 32:25-26), and hurt will meet healing because God does not deal with us like a gruff judge but as a loving and victorious Savior (Luke 18:6-8). Risen Lord, accompany and sustain us under Your cross with Your promises. Amen. October 23 Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost Heaven and earth grieve every life ended by another (Genesis 4:10). Worse yet is believing ourselves any better than murderers (Luke 18:11-14). Lord God regards all as precious as little babies. And His Son s forgiving Word and works of faith rescue from death s mouth (2 Timothy 4:17) when tempted (Genesis 4:7) and from hell s mouth when guilty (Genesis 4:15). Merciful Father, intervene that we may be saved and safe from death and hell. Amen. October 30 Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost Jesus didn t disregard Zacchaeus due to his stature (Luke 19:3-5). So God doesn t cast us off because of our sins against life (Isaiah 1:18). His salvation would dwell (Luke 19:9) in every beating heart until His grace displaces selfish decisions crowding (Luke 19:3) and persecuting us (2 Thessalonians 1:4) and relieves afflictions (Luke 1:7) by restring more than fourfold (Luke 19:8). Gracious God, male us receive even the helpless as Your children and suffering as Your gift.