July 2016 Monthly Newsletter

Transcription

1 July 2016 Monthly Newsletter A Message from Pastor Aanonson: Last month in the newsletter I wrote about how one ought to prepare for listening to the sermon and what one ought to look for in a sermon mainly both the Law and the Gospel. One of theologians that I enjoy reading is from the middle of the twentieth century, Hermann Sasse. He was a German who lived through the horrendous time of Nazi Germany. He was also the doctor father (the professor who guides one s doctoral research and the writing of one s doctoral thesis) of one of my professors at Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary, Martin Lehmann. Dr. Lehmann taught historical theology, the theology of Martin Luther, and Lutheran theology. Dr. Sasse s influence on me comes from Dr. Lehmann, my friend, mentor, and professor. Sasse wrote an article entitled The Lutheran Office of the Doctrine of the Ministry. I am including a rather lengthy quote that is directly related to what I wrote in this newsletter last month. You should recognize the connections with preaching and the sermon. The final and highest matter of our office (of the ordained ministry) is this, that we lead penitent sinners to the One who is their Savior, because He has borne the sin of the world. The gospel is this and nothing else: That in Jesus Christ there is forgiveness of sins, in Him alone and nowhere else in the world, but also truly in Him (my emphasis added). A sermon which would fail to say this, a sermon in which this specific gospel is not mentioned would not be a Christian sermon. Certainly the sermon should present the entire fullness of Biblical revelation. It should bring to bear upon the lives of (all) the entire riches of the Scriptures in their entirety, fullness, and reality. But the basic melody of the eternal gospel must ring through the variation and the fullness of our preaching with illustrious consistency: God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, and not reckoning their sins against them and has committed to us the word of redemption. Thus we are now messengers of the peace of Christ. For God makes His appeal through us, also we plead now in the place of Christ. Be reconciled to God! For He who knew no sin, was made to sin for us, in order that we might become in Him the righteousness which avails before God (2 Corinthians 5:19ff). This is the content of the message delivered by the ministry of the church; it is the heart and soul of all Christian preaching. Where the sermon fails to contain this message, it may be a marvelous religious address, but it is no longer a sermon in the sense of the Reformation. So this is the unrelinquishable task of the ministry of the church. Because God wills that this message be delivered from generation to generation through the mouths of (humans), there has been an office of the ministry from the days of the apostles, and will be until the end of the world. 1

2 We live in a time when sermons are expected to be entertaining, rather shallow, and practical. The word practical is a code word that means it will be one that you can use to give you what you want to make your life healthier, wealthier, and happier, to fulfill all your felt needs, a self-help guide. It would be a talk based on how to have a better marriage, how to become successful (read wealthier), how to raise your children, etc. This is, of course, all law, not gospel, but all law. This is about what you should and ought to do to please God. This all fits in very well with our American pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, you get what you deserve, if you want something you have to earn it culture. This may work very well in many aspects of daily life, but it does not work at all in the relationship with God that we have in and through Jesus Christ. Hearing the Gospel proclaimed to us not only reminds us that God is the initiator of our relationship with Him, but God in Jesus Christ is our redeemer. We depend on Him and not on ourselves. That is why a sermon is not about how to live the good life, but that we have life in Christ. It is about hearing that we are loved by God, that God forgives our sins, and in doing that God in Christ reconciles the world to Himself, and that penitent sinners are led to the One who is their Savior. It is that declaration with no added ifs, and, or buts that makes a sermon a sermon, God s Word for us today. On an added note. This is my last column in the newsletter and in a week or so I will preach my last sermon to you. I have enjoyed my time with you. I have met so many wonderful people, people in whom I am quite confident will continue to lead and strengthen Grace Lutheran Church. I know that you are looking forward to the coming of Pastor Dan and that is as it should and ought to be. But, even though I will be gone, my prayers will continue to be with you. Thank you for your prayers for me while I was here and thank you for my time with you. Grace and Peace, Pastor David A. Aanonson Pastor Dan Baldwin s Arrival The wait is over, Pr. Dan Baldwin will be arriving at Grace soon. He is planning on moving to Muscatine the week of July 4th; conduct his first service July 17th; and be installed by the Synod on July 24th. So we have an exciting summer ahead of us with the addition of Pastor Baldwin to our congregation. Help Wanted! Pr. Baldwin will be moving into town Saturday, July 2nd. He will need help unloading his moving van around 3:30 p.m. at 702 W. 7th Street. Come join us if you can. 2

3 Name Tags With the arrival of our new Pastor, the Hospitality Board would like to remind the Congregation to please wear a name tag to help the new Pastor become familiar with names of the Congregation. Name tags and pens will be located on Sunday mornings on the credenza in the Church foyer. Thank you. Thank You Brunch for Pastor Aanonson Please join us on Sunday, July 10 th for brunch and a card shower in honor of Pastor Aanonson and his wife Barb. This will be Pastor Aanonson s last Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church. We are thanking him for all he has done as interim Pastor and honoring him and Barb with brunch and a card shower. Congregational Life Committee. ACTIONS AND HIGHIGHTS - COUNCIL MEETING June 23, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT: Pr. Aanonson, Don Ager, Ramona Allenbaugh, Brenda Erber JoAnne Fisher, Cindy Hermann, Karen Hessel, Connor Lawhead, Sam Paul, Shirlee Staley MEMBERS EXCUSED: Jim Edgmond GUEST: Cindy Edgmond for Jim Edgmond CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Plans for Vacation Bible School for July are being finalized. They have all the volunteers they need, and monetary donations are still being accepted. As of June 23, approximately 22 children have registered. The YOT will be cleaned out and cleaned up for the event as well. CONGREGATIONA LIFE: Plans are in place for the upcoming after-service recognitions/brunches in honor of Pr. Aanonson on July 10 and Pr. Baldwin on July 24. Check the July newsletter and Grace Notes PS for further details. 3

4 FACEBOOK PAGE: Grace s Facebook page has been cleaned up with new photos and upcoming church events. Brenda Erber will continue to monitor the page to keep it current and that the postings are relevant to the events at Grace. Good job, Brenda! HOSPITALITY: The Hospitality Committee is busy creating letters to be sent to active and inactive members of Grace. Your letter should be in your mailbox in the next week or so. LUTHERAN SERVICES IN IOWA (LSI): LSI will be fully moved in on or about July 7 th. LSI signs will be posted on the property: one at the driveway entrance; one on the light pole by the mailbox; and one at their back entrance. On July 21 st, LSI and the chamber of commerce will be conducting a ribbon cutting ceremony at Grace to announce their new location. LSI is planning to conduct training sessions for any Grace member; date and time to be announced later. PROPERTY BOARD: The Property Board has been supervising the painting of the rooms being rented by LSI. The cost to clean the carpets in that area along with the choir room, literacy office, and pastor s office was around $390. ACTION ITEM: Council approved the purchase of a new computer and software for the Music Director. Also, Microsoft Office Professional 2016 was installed on the office computer and pastor s computer. MEETING ADJOURNED: 7:30 p.m. (One hour) Respectfully submitted, JoAnne Fisher, Council Secretary July 2016, LSI Bulletin/Newsletter Article and Story God s work. Our hands. As a social ministry organization of the ELCA, Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is so thankful for your partnership in ministry! We give special thanks for the many congregations making LSI the focus of their God s work. Our hands. projects. Past God s work. Our hands. projects have included donations of tools for dads enrolled in our early childhood programs, plus children s books, towel bundles, school supplies and backpacks. LSI has also been blessed to receive noisy offerings, special 4

5 offerings and proceeds from yard work or luncheons. Some Sunday School classes and youth groups have also encouraged youth at LSI s Beloit and Bremwood Residential Treatment Centers through quilts and letters. We thank you for your witness of God s love and your service! If you are interested in ministering to those served by LSI and would like to know more about current needs, please contact Deb Whitford, LSI director of philanthropy and church relations, at deborah.whitford@lsiowa.org. LSI is proud to be an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Learn more at and Finding Help and Hope Bernie s daughter-in-law walked into her house and set her new baby on the living room sofa. She told Bernie the baby was "a mistake" and that she couldn't parent him. She never returned. At age 50, Bernie became a mom to her 2-month-old grandson, Bryce. Bernie's son the baby's biological father had medical and mental health issues that left him unable to care for the child. When Bryce was young, he was diagnosed with ADHD, ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), fetal drug and alcohol syndrome, mental retardation, and partial bipolar disorder. As he grew older, Bryce began to develop anger issues. Bernie knew he was struggling, so she reached out to LSI. Soon, Bryce began receiving regular home visits from a Behavioral Health Intervention Services worker, who coached Bryce on anger management. Bryce also began seeing an LSI therapist. Today, Bryce is 15 years old. He attends special education classes, and is doing wonderfully. When he is upset, he reaches out to his LSI therapist for help. Bryce still struggles with anger, but Bernie and his LSI support team work together to meet Bryce where he is. "I want to thank each and every one of our workers from LSI," Bernie says. "They are doing marvelous work with him." And thanks to LSI donors, Bryce receives the help, hope, and support he needs. 5

6 New Grace Lutheran Tenants Lutheran Services in Iowa are renting the rooms previously occupied by Happy Time Preschool on the west side of the building. The carpets have been shampooed and the rooms are painted. They will be moving into Grace during the first week of July. Their office hours will be 8-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and Tuesday and Thursday until 6 p.m. Informational Meeting: Lutheran Services in Iowa will be holding an informational meeting in mid-july about the type of clientele they see and the services they offer. If you are interested in attending this meeting, please call the church office at Grace Women News by Mary Hovick & Karen Hessel An Invitation All women of Grace are invited to join us on Tuesday, July 12 th at Happy Joe s at 9:30. We are going to take this opportunity to have a brief Bible study and connect with each other. We rarely get time just to visit so this will be our morning to catch up on all of the news. Breakfast or drinks can be purchased at Happy Joe s. We hope to see you there! NO BOARD MEETING IN JULY We want to thank all of the women who came to help do spring cleaning inside the church. Many hands make light work so they say but I am sure there were some aching backs from all the bending and stretching. With some scrubbing many of the stains were removed from the seats, they were vacuumed the wood areas cleaned and everything we could reach was wiped down in the sanctuary, lounge and entry. Great Job! Join Us This Summer For Vacation Bible School! GLC VBS - July 10th through July 14 th 5:30 8:00 pm Vacation Bible school time is upon us once again! We ll travel back into Bible times without setting foot outside Muscatine. 6

7 Each day, our Egyptian family members will become part of history as they see, hear, and touch what it was like to live in Pharaoh s empire! We ll explore authentic Marketplace shops, visit Joseph, take part in games, and dance to lively Bible songs, as we discover more about how God was with Joseph in good times and bad. These experiences make God s Word come alive with new meaning! Registration is still open, so contact the church office for more details or glc.ed563@gmail.com for a registration form. The adventure starts at 5:30 each night with a light dinner and will end at 8:00 pm, with a special celebration of songs and fellowship on Thursday night for parents and guardians to attend at 7:40 pm. Thank you to those who are already signed up a short will be sent out a few days before we begin with some important attendee information so look for that to come. A huge thank you to our volunteers! We also appreciate the monetary donations for the meals being served. We are still accepting donations so if you can spare just a few dollars, every little bit helps. If given during offering, please note that it is for VBS. Supply donations can continue to be left in the Middle School SS room in the back corner of the church we could use more woven rugs/blankets and ferns if you can lend them out; and monetary donations can be given to Carol in the office, Sue Bengtson, Katie Green or Brenda Erber. Anniversaries and Birthdays Please save the next page to use for your prayer list. Pray for each person on their birthday and anniversary. By the end of the year, you would have prayed for everyone in the congregation. If we have missed a birthday or anniversary or if corrections need to be made, please call the church office at Thank you. July Anniversaries Mike & Tracy McGinnis 7/01 Justin & Christy Stevenson 7/12 Mike & Christine Maxwell 7/10 Jacob & Cortnie McCleary 7/24 Jeff & Nancy Sorenson 7/10 Eric & Tammy Walsh 7/29 Jim & Jeanette Billingsley 7/11 Paul & Joanna Wilts 7/29 Tom & Janie Fahy 7/11 7

8 July Birthdays Bryan Paulsen 7/01 Deanna Maxson 7/09 Kaitlyn McGinnis 7/23 Kally Boyer 7/02 Carol Wagner 7/09 Rick Gardner 7/24 Tina Franklin 7/02 Jean Schmelzer 7/10 Lisa Leech 7/24 Alana Harter 7/02 Jacob Woods 7/11 Roger McConnaha 7/24 Wannabelle Mosier 7/02 Alicia Carlson 7/13 Kevin Anderson 7/25 Doug Chalupa 7/03 Joshua Havemann 7/13 Kevin Fields 7/25 Harry Fett 7/03 Sara Stiemal 7/13 Kara Goodwin 7/26 Jane Gear 7/03 Lisa Rene McClure 7/14 Philip Laursen 7/26 Corbin McClure 7/03 Niccole Lane 7/15 Brad Simmons 7/27 Alice Simmons 7/03 Allison Olswold 7/16 Connor Lawhead 7/28 Christopher Metcalf 7/04 Diane Doering 7/17 Nathan Lobrecht 7/28 Craig Theobald 7/04 Sam Paul 7/18 Matthew McClure 7/28 Sheila Busch 7/05 Robert Eagle 7/19 Christy Stevenson 7/28 Phillip Hunter 7/05 Nathan Schmitt 7/19 Andrew Pohl 7/29 Chris Kottman 7/05 Anita Lange 7/20 Nancy Cromer 7/30 Nolan Schmelzer 7/05 Carissa Metcalf 7/20 Randy Lippelgoes 7/30 Owen Sievers 7/05 Patricia Sander 7/20 Sharon McCleary 7/30 Cory Bachman 7/06 Elias Schroeder 7/20 Mary Morgan 7/30 Rosie Zorich 7/07 Ryne Wagner 7/20 Judith Nealson 7/30 Vinton Cromer 7/08 Barbara Hansen 7/21 Stephanie Olson 7/30 Rick Drake 7/08 Richard Christiansen 7/22 Ashley Hostetler 7/31 Alexander Houseman 7/09 Connie Hanes 7/22 Church Announcements Reminder.The Council Actions and Highlights will now be available the 2 nd Sunday of each month in the document racks located in the Church Foyer and also on the Church Website. The weekly Grace Notes PS and Church Bulletins are now published on the Church web site gracemuscatine.com. 8

9 If you have not already done so, please check out the new look of the Church website at gracemuscatine.com. Updates for the Church Calendar can be found at gracemuscatine.com. Please remember to provide the office with any name, address, changes, or other pertinent information, so that we have correct information in our Shepherds Staff member file system and system. Call the office at or us at with changes. Thank you. The 4 th is a time of picnics, fireworks and fun, but we shouldn t forget its reason. This is one of the most important days of the entire summer season. The 4 th is the day our nation became free and the date of our Country s birth. So Celebrate America! Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day! 9