Focus on Christ Vol. Sep

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 Rhonda Warnke, Church Secretary. Deadline for information to be included is the Wednesday following the monthly church council meeting. Copyright 2000 by Christ Lutheran Church. Vol Sep. 2016

2 A Word From Pastor Tom Terms and labels By Rev. Tom Tuura Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church Terminology. Now during the political campaigns and all the social issues going on today, a lot of terminology is thrown around. There are conservatives, liberals, progressives, extremists, moderates, etc. etc. Some of these terms have positive, complimentary connotations, and some of them are very derogatory. Do you fit in any of these labels or terms? Well there is a legitimate use of these descriptive terms. What about Evangelical? What about conservative? What about liberal? No one really wants to be defined by labels. But I want to briefly discuss a couple of terms and show their context for the past and also for today. They are evangelical and fundamental. The term evangelical according to the National Association of Evangelicals and Lifeway Re- search defines evangelical by theology rather than by self-identity or denominational affiliation. The NAE, one of several stewards of the term, hopes that the new belief-based research definition will replace older definitions based on race or politics that lead to incomplete results. For example, the report notes that "though the African American Protestant population is overwhelmingly evangelical in theology and orientation, it is often separated out of polls seeking to identify the political preferences of evangelicals." Christianity Today, November 19, They continue with four bullet points for specific beliefs: The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe. It is very important for me personally to encourage non- Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. Jesus Christ s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin. Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God's free gift of eternal salvation.

3 Its my sense as a pastor that evangelical is by in large a neutral to positive term. I say positive, because many people generally want to be in that category. I mean, if you deny the Bible, it takes some serious reflection, people think twice about going there even if they are not living the way they should be. These are by the way what is known as orthodox Christian belief, or consistent with our creeds. (If something is consistent with one or all three creeds, it is orthodox. In addition, orthodox also includes historic Lutheran teaching according to the Augsburg Confession, Luther's Catechism and the Book of Concord.) We at Christ Lutheran are by these definitions orthodox Lutherans and evangelicals. I want to mention another term, fundamentalist. This today has a definite derogatory meaning. Almost everyone runs from this term. As it is used today, it is now a label that is slapped on any radical or extremist from any religion. As the saying goes, any movement is defined by its opponents. And that is definitely the case here. Even Christian leaders like Rick Warren said, speaking at the Pew Forum on Religion in May of 2005, Today there really aren't that many Fundamentalists left; I don't know if you know that or not, but they are such a minority; there aren't that many Fundamentalists left in America. The word fundamentalist actually comes from a document in the 1920s called the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. And it is a very legalistic, narrow view of Christianity." He's right probably on the first to statements, but is he right in that it is a very legalistic document? He goes on to say as quoted in the Philadelphia Enquirer in January 8, 2006 that Christian Fundamentalism will be the enemy of the 21 st century:... 'Muslim fundamentalism, Christian fundamentalism, Jewish fundamentalism, secular fundamentalism - they're all motivated by fear. Fear of each other.'" Certainly there are extremists in all religions, but lets look at the Five Fundamentals of the Faith in that document: What are those Five Fundamentals of the Faith? pewreligion.htm#fundamentals 1. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8-9). 2. The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew

4 1:23; Luke 1:27). 3. The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14). 4. The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15). 5. The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20). I've seen several listings and they vary a little, but this is the basic content. Are these extreme or narrow? Look at number one, or any of them for that matter. Are any one of them non essential? Is one narrow who embraces these? I think based upon this list, that we believe in every one of them. Are we fundamentalist? Well, in this sense yes. Are we extremists, like the suicide murderers of other religions? Absolutely not. ment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. That s my view from the Blackberry Patch Pulpit Pastor Tom ### Perhaps we ought to add another fundamental --that of loving thy neighbor as our self, and loving one another as Christ commanded us in John 13:34,35 A new command-

5 Mission Festival September 25 Special Guest Jeff Siegel, President of Global Baseball (5)

6 Sun Mon Tue Acolytes Jensen Bauer Chad Nolting Tanna Bellis Austin Menning Altar Care Connie Viebrock & Tracey Durant September 4. 9:00 a.m.-adult Sunday School 10:15 a.m.-worship/communion a.m. Me 11. Rally Day 9:00 a.m.-adult Sunday School 10:15 a.m.-worship/communion a.m. Me 18. 9:00 a.m.-sunday School, Adult S. S., Confirmation 10:15 a.m.-worship 11:30 a.m. Council Meeting a.m. Bkfst :00 a.m.-sunday School, Adult Sunday School, Confirmation 10:15 a.m.-worship a.m. Me

7 2016 Wed Thu Fri Sat 1. 1:00 p.m. Women Workday n s Prayer Bkfst. 8. 1:00 p.m. Women s Workday n s Prayer Bkfst :00 p.m. Women s Workday Men s Prayer n s Prayer Bkfst

8 deacons and they accepted. Christ Lutheran Church - Council Meeting August 21, 2016 Meeting was called to order at 11:30 am by Chairman Scott Bauer Pastor Tom Tuura lead us in prayer Members Present: Scott Bauer, Steve Fischer, Sharon James, Sharla Propst, Ted Durant, Megan Rowland, Mary Jo Jackson, Ken Rehmer, Stuart Hagedorn, Pastor Tuura, Lori Bauer. The Following reports were presented: Minutes from July 17, 2016 Treasurer's Report: by Lori Bauer: Copier expenses are too high due to the large amount of toner usage. Scott Bauer will call Office Business Equipment to learn why this problem exists, A date will be put on each toner cartridge as it is installed, Lori will compare the cost of the old copier rental contract to the cost we are incurring now. Financial Secretary - Income in July was excellent. Pastor Report: July was quiet - 20 calls, working on Mission Festival, Follow up on new attendees, presented a Guest Speaker form to the Deacons: Held a meeting on Aug 8th - Discussed Mission Fest Speaker and plans, Clothing Drive, Expectations of Pastor when close relatives of members have health issues or funeral needs, Prayed for congregation as they sit in church service - very powerful. Trustees: Ted Durant - mentioned that budgeting for 2017 needs to increase the building maintenance line item, due to the projects we are undergoing. All projects need to be on a bid basis to complete them as we are wearing out volunteers. Trustees will develop a checklist that can guide each trustee group. Steve Fischer - Damage to the front step platform by the current lawn care contractor has been pointed out two times, If not corrected we may consider another contractor. Christian Education: Megan Rowland - New Sunday School Kit is ordered, Desiree, Tara, and Megan will review. Sept. 11 is Rally Sunday and they suggest a pot luck in the park. SS enrollment could be 37. First Communion will have 5-6 children. Pastor mentioned that the Smiths have enjoyed the adult membership classes. Youth Committee: Lori Bauer - The college scholarship program provided

9 a check for $250 to: Brock Nolting, Jensen Bauer, Rachel Tuura, Alan Ehlers. Lets pray for this ministry of support. The Festival of Sharing Youth Conference was discussed and it will be presented in a youth meeting and shared in the bulletin. Sharon James made a motion to accept the reports; Steve Fischer seconded, motion passed. OLD BUSINESS Parsonage Kitchen Committee: met at parsonage to look at wood flooring in the home. They are getting bid to reclaim all of the wood floors on the first level. Cabinets; We are on the list to have them by end of Nov. Electrical; All of the electrical repair should be done by a certified electrician. Basement Committee: Ted Durant - It is looking good. Work Day is imperative on Sat August 27th to get ready for floor installation. Ted stated that Pastor has done an awesome job of working selflessly on this project. healthy- keeps us healthy. Pastor will share his new health care cost at our Sept meeting. Pastor has and is looking at alternatives for health care providers. Armilda Eckhoff wants several large print bulletins. They will be provided for her and more copied. Stuart Hagedorn moved to adjourn - Meeting adjourned with Lords Prayer at 1:00pm Respectfully submitted: Mary Jo Jackson standing in for Nancy Witte Honorary Service: Will be kept at age 70. NEW BUSINESS Pastors Health Insurance was discussed. Ted Durant said that the help we do to keep our Pastor

10 September 2 Chris LeClair, Jr. 5 Kayla Davis 7 Joan Bauer 8 Rhonda Warnke 9 Amy Starkey Sally LeClair 12 Tori Luebbering 14 Desirae Heimsoth Parker Davis 15 Kelli Seek Ralph Lemler Cherie Viebrock 18 Mary Nolting Mary Eckhoff 19 Debbie Spears 23 John L. Heimsoth Matthew Winters 25 Ruth Gerlt Rachel Tuura 25 Jesse Sack 27 Katelyn Goetze 29 Natali Wilson October 1 Sharon Goetze 4 Dawson Propst 8 Ronnie Nolting 11 Wayne Nolting 13 Kash Heimsoth 16 Calvin Viebrock 17 Gabriel Marriott 22 Scott Bauer 23 Venona Roland Jack James Tammy Fergerson 24 Riley Denker 25 Chad Nolting 30 Kole Viebrock 31 Joyce Bauer

11 UPCOMING EVENTS Sep. 10 Show Me Christian Youth Home Annual Open House at LaMonte. Sept 11 Sunday School Rally Day Sept AFLC All boards meeting/pastors retreat. Sept 25 Mission Festival with Special guest Jeff Siegel President of Global Baseball; Building relationships, share the Gospel, and make disciples globally through baseball. October YouthFest at the Festival of Sharing at Mathewson Center at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Oct 15 Festival of Sharing event at MO State Fairgrounds, 8:00 a.m. Worship, 8:45 a.m. Hands-on mission opportunities, 12:30 p.m. Quilt Auction Sunday School Rally Day Sunday, September 11th Starts at 9:00 a.m. Come and join us at Sunday School Bring your friends!

12 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)