Let your light shine...

Transcription

1 The Lutheran Beacon Let your light shine... Published by the SELC District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod NOVEMBER 2016 A Blessed Thanksgiving to you all Remember those less fortunate thecross Mount Dora by Rev. Paul Hoyer Who Are We? thecross Mount Dora is a family of faith-filled, big-thinking followers of Jesus Christ. It is a family-friendly, fun, and creative church that will do anything and everything to glorify God. The church is passionate about reaching out into the community and at the same time creating a space that is welcoming to all people. Lifelong Christians are being challenged in their faith like never before. New Christians are being added constantly. Altogether, God is doing amazing things at thecross! THE PAST YEAR 2016 has been a big year for thecross! We ve seen record numbers of people attend our church. We have seen incredible growth as we now regularly worship over 600 people and have seen more than 60 new baptisms already this year. We are currently in the process of enrolling both Jacob Baumann and Mark Crossman in distance education through Concordia Seminary. Our staff has grown to 9 employees (5 full-time and 4 part-time). We are in the midst of trying to break another Guinness World Record for the Largest Potluck Ever as we seek to bring more than people together in our community. This world-record attempt will bring a lot of dollars and a lot of awareness to one of our partner non-profits that we support: Lake Cares Food Pantry. We will be adding a third service very shortly at thecross (targeted January 2017) and are expecting to see many more kids come to learn about Jesus and fall in love with Him through our newly-renovated kids ministry program called Camp Cross. Because of our great growth, thecross Mount Dora is officially becoming its own congregation. We are working towards becoming a congregation in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) by January 1, Included in this is working through a constitution, by-laws, articles of incorporation, etc. thecross will be governed by a Board of Directors which will hold the Senior Pastor accountable through its policies. We also are crafting a new and incredible mission, vision, and values that will be presented to the congregation in January Holy Cross has 7 pastors in 5 different locations around Central Florida and we focus on being involved in our local communities. Each of our 6 associate pastors in on the board for at least one local community board and the Senior Pastor Paul Hoyer still sits on 3 community boards.

2 SELC DISTRICT FINANCES by Rev. Thomas Soltis, SELC Stewardship Director 2016 GOAL PERFORMANCE Suggested Increase +3% (2% inflation & 1% growth) 4 (above +3%) Performance: Increase $14,764 Budgets: $566, % Decrease 2, $677,430 9 same Net Increase $12, $629,940 5 decreased Average per Communicant Communicants 38 reported $ ,452 (- 66) 14 unreported $ ,262 (-190) 52 congregations $ ,393 (+131) (3 year loss: 125) 2016 PROJECTED CONGREGATIONAL RECEIPTS - $515, District Budget $629,940 Income (congregations & other sources) 626,066 Projected Deficit $ 3,874 (.006%) CONGREGATIONAL GOAL REMITTANCES Congregational SELC budget goal remittances for eight months - $341,048 (96.8% performance) 2017 SUGGESTED GOAL INCREASE: +3% The Fiscal Committee approved a +3% congregational goal increase for Suggested goals will be mailed to pastors in October. Completed goal forms should be sent the stewardship department by January 15, 2017, indicating approved congregational goals and communicant memberships. CONSECRATED STEWARDS PROGRAM Rev. David Haara has been added to our SELC District list of trained stewardship program leaders. He completed his training session on May 25, 2016, conducted by Rev. Rev. Robert Jacobs in Ormond Beach, FL. He is currently certified to conduct the LCMS Consecrated Stewards Program in both the SELC and Florida/Georgia Districts. Currently the SELC District has four trained leaders: Southern Circuit: Rev. David Haara - Dhaara@msn.com Western Circuit: Rev. Warren Huffines - huffines43w@yahoo.com Central Circuit: Rev. Thomas Soltis - tomas1231@sbcglobal.net Eastern Circuit: Rev. Joseph Weatherell - jweatherell@juno.com The six week program is simple and inexpensive, producing an increase in annual communicant member contributions from 10% to 20%. Two SELC congregations (Cudahy and Massillon) increased 45% to 50%!!! For detailed information contact the SELC District Stewardship Web Page: - Stewardship - Congregational Helps RECENT BEACON ARTICLES ABOUT REACHING THE GENERATIONS June/July - Managing Millennials Aug/Sept - Understanding Generation X October - Reclaiming Baby Boomers T h ese and other articles may be downloaded at - Stewardship NEW LCMS LUTHERAN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (LFCU) Approved Resolution of the 2016 LCMS convention called the credit union a way to connect the LCMS together in a common bond of Christian stewardship and daily household financial management. To learn more, visit LutheranFCU.org or call The word synod comes from the Greek word synodos which means walking together. The LFCU is a great opportunity for fellow LCMS Lutherans to walk together regarding their personal finances (checking & savings accounts - credit & ATM cards - loan opportunities, etc.) 2

3 Happy 100 th Anniversary, John Huss Evangelical Lutheran Church! by Rev. Jerome Panzigrau On Sunday, September 25, 2016, a beautiful fall day, John Huss Evangelical Lutheran Church, Arnold, PA celebrated its 100 th anniversary with a Vespers service and a banquet for members and guests at Hillcrest Country Club, Lower Burrell, PA. The day began with Bible class led by Rev. Panzigrau. The Sunday morning worship service with communion on the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels was led by Rev. Panzigrau with Rev. Robert Holsten, pastor of John Huss from , reading the lessons, and Rev. Doug Spittel, pastor of John Huss from , delivering the sermon based on the Gospel lesson, Matthew 18:1-11. After the service the pastors and congregation enjoyed some fellowship and a light lunch while they viewed a historical display of the church s 100 year history set up in the undercroft of the church. The Vespers service began at 3:00 pm. Rev. Panzigrau was the liturgist. Rev. Holsten and Rev. Spittel read the lessons. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Andrew Dzurovcik, President of the SELC District of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod. Rev. Dzurovcik used as his theme the Bible verse chosen as the anniversary theme verse: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8. After the service a group photo was taken, then members and invited guests assembled at the Hillcrest Country Club in Lower Burrell, PA for the Anniversary Banquet. The Anniversary Committee provided gift bags containing the Banquet program and an etched glass ornament commemorating the centennial celebration. Each guest also received a commemorative bookmark and a chocolate cross. The banquet room was beautifully decorated with white and gold accents. The History Display was brought from the church and members and their families enjoyed reminiscing and sharing stories. The program was moderated by John Logsdon, president of the congregation. His opening remarks welcomed all 100+ guests, and noted that among the guests was the great granddaughter of one of the founding members of John Huss. Rev. Panzigrau then led the prayer before the meal. After enjoying a delicious meal, and while the anniversary cake was being served, Rev. Dzurovcik shared some congratulatory remarks. He was followed in the program by Beverly Szelc, president of the Ladies Aid Society, which is celebrating its 70 th anniversary. She shared some of the history and activities of the Ladies Aid Society, and some of the contributions the Ladies Aid Society has made to John Huss church over the years. The Anniversary Committee had asked members to share how John Huss church had impacted their lives. Three responses were read: Katie Holsten read a message from the daughters of Rev. and Ilan Lavcek (Reverend Lavcek served John Huss from ), Debbie McIntyre read Elsie Jean Schultz s response, and Andrea Peter read her mother, Gerry Peter s, statement. All responses were very meaningful to all who were there. Rev. Panzigrau closed the program thanking all in attendance and inviting everyone to join us in worship at John Huss. 3

4 BITS & PIECES The SELC Student Aid Committee is pleased to share that the following full-time church work students attending our LCMS universities and seminaries have received grants from the SELC District for the academic year. Please keep these and all students in your prayers as they prepare to serve the Lord wherever and however He has called them to serve. Aaron Hickey - St. Luke s, Oviedo, Florida Concordia University Chicago- pre-seminary Emile Stoller - Zion, Norridge, Illinois Concordia University Wisconsin - deaconess Jacob Berlinski - St. Luke s, Oviedo, Florida Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Jon Carpenter - St. John s, Massillon, Ohio Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne John Elliot - St. Luke s, Oviedo, Florida Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Specific Ministry Program (SMP) - pastor Nicholas Gonzales - Redeemer, Manchester, New Jersey Concordia Seminary St. Louis Robert Ricard - Hope, Melbourne, Florida Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne The SELC Student Aid Committee welcomes donations from individuals and congregations to assist our students as they prepare or full-time ministry. If a congregation desires to adopt a student and give him.or her a one-time gift toward tuition, or would like to begin a regular commitment to aid their seminary education, please contact the Student Aid Committee Chairman, Pastor John Telloni, in one of the following ways: phone , jlt3750@aol.com, or by snail mail at 1900 Wales Rd. NE, Massillon, OH All students from our district congregations who are preparing for full-time church work at our LC-MS colleges, universities, and seminaries are eligible for financial assistance from our district. Financial Aid Application forms can be obtained by contacting Pastor Telloni (see above), or by going to the SELC District website and downloading a copy of the form (on the homepage, go to Resources, to Documents ). Please note that applications need to be completed and returned annually. Rev. Luke Jacob and his family on the passing of his grandfather Ed Havlik,on October 2, TheCentral Circuit Pastoral Conference was held on Oct. 11 th & 12 th at St. Mark in Steubenville OH. Attending were: LtoR: Pastors David McCloskey Ken Ballas, Kevin McLeod Jacob Deal, John Milligan, Chris Cahill, Don Hayes, George Hansell, John Telloni, Jerry Panzigrau, LadislavKozak, and Mrs. Katrina Kozak Rev. Joseph Weatherell Installation Saturday, October 1st, marked the day that St. Paul Raritan, NJ and St. John Bound Brook, NJ officially entered into a dual parish agreement. Rev. Joseph Weatherell, pastor of St. John, was installed at St. Paul by District President Andrew Dzurovcik during a celebration service, with Pastor Ron Stephens of Holy Trinity Garfield, NJ preaching. Pastors Glenn Tripplet of St. Stephen Dickson City, PA; Wally Vinovskis of Concordia Macungie, PA; and Jim Douthwaite, circuit visitor, from St. Athanasius of Vienna, VA also participated in the installation service. A luncheon hosted by St. Paul's Lutheran Women's Society followed in the fellowship hall. 4

5 September was a Busy Month at Lutheran Haven! by Diane Leining We kicked off our Alzheimer s Fundraising events at Miller s Ale House, a local restaurant that donated 10% of their evening earnings one night to Alzheimer s in our team s name. We had the Haven buses going back and forth shuttling residents from the Fellowship Hall to the restaurant. Other patrons mentioned the Haven and their dinners were included in the donation. Our second event was a Biscuits & Sausage Gravy Breakfast served one Saturday morning. Scrambled eggs and fruit rounded out the meal that everyone certainly enjoyed. Next, people donated money to throw pies in the faces of some of the NH/ALF Managers the staff seemed to enjoy this a little too much! We had a canvas painting instructor come in and show residents from all areas of our campus how to paint pictures with acrylics. Hearts and keys were the two themes. Along with those paintings and many other donated art pieces from our residents, and donations from the community, we held an Art Auction for Alzheimer s at our new Memory Care Facility the Lodge. Refreshments, live music, a photo booth and the art itself made for a wonderful evening with many happy people receiving art and items that they won through our silent auction. In all, we raised over $4,000 towards ending the fight against Alzheimer s. Once again the Citizen s Bank of Florida treated our residents to a wonderful afternoon bringing a bit of Vegas to the Haven. The Liberace of the Organ, Dennis Awe played memorable tunes, they served a tasty lunch and several door prizes were awarded. Everyone left with an authentic deck of playing cards from Las Vegas! Good times! To celebrate Active Aging Week we held our 4 th Annual Health & Wellness Fair. Many vendors from the Oviedo community, healthcare providers and agencies geared towards the elderly spent the morning displaying information and providing services to our residents. Our Haven Home Healthcare kicked off Flu Shot Season at the Fair! Of course, we can t forget our latest visitor Hurricane Matthew!! Residents at the Haven were well prepared as our Zone and Block Captains called or visited everyone before the storm to make sure all residents that needed extra help were taken care of, that everyone was accounted for, and people knew what to do and made sure they had what they needed to ride out the storm. Our Operations Department made sure things were secure on campus and the Admin Office and Fellowship Hall windows were shuttered. Many of our staff members spent the night and some brought their families as the no drive policy was in effect. We even had a family dog stay with us. In the end, Matthew wobbled to the east a bit and we did get rain and strong wind gusts, but there was very little to clean up, minimal damage and all our residents were safe and sound. God is Good!! - All the Time!! 5

6 Dr. Doug s Disaster Corner By Doug and Nona Schipull SELC-DDRCs Weather wise, last week was a bad time for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Hurricane Matthew caused a lot of damage in those states--not to mention the countries of Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. Haiti was still trying to recover from the earthquake several years back. The hurricane destroyed much of the progress they had made in Haiti. The SELC District has several congregations in the affected area on the east coast of Florida. They are in the Melborne and Orlando areas. There was a lot of wind and water damage. We will know the extent of the damage when the disaster response teams from LCMS and the Florida- Georgia District get in there and do a complete assessment of the situation. I have contacted the following two individuals who have volunteered to help coordinate the hurricane response for the SELC District. 1) Steve Lehenbaur is on the staff at St. Luke s in Oviedo, FL. Phone number is is slehenbaur@sllcs.org 2) John Elliott is the DDRC (District Disaster Response Coordinator) for the Florida-Georgia District. Phone number is is jelleiott@flgadistrict.org We need to keep all the affected areas of Hurricane Matthew in our prayers. Little Bit of Haven (St. Louis) Little Bit of Haven is a home for those needing a place to rest as they visit St. Louis area hospitals. Families and individuals come from outside the city/county area and find themselves like a fish out of water. Imagine having to drop work, family, and life as you know it in order to travel hundreds of miles away and receive care for your loved one because that is the only chance they have for treatment. Or maybe your only way to be near your loved one is to bring others with you! The city is fast, big, and foreign. People don't stop at stop signs, cars zoom past weaving in-out of traffic, buildings are boarded up, pan-handlers are at intersections. The city has so much beauty and diversity, but visitors are blinded by the despair that seems to cling all around them in these stressful situations. We hope our house is one of 'hope and healing'. Our volunteers live their lives to serve others. It is not easy, but our hearts are big and our faith is certain. "Love as I have loved you"-jesus John 13:34 We have long-term Guests scheduled for October-February to stay at Little Bit of Haven!Wendell (22) and his mother are from St. Vincent (Eastern Caribbean), and will be staying with us until February They will need support 24/7 as they live at Little Bit of Haven. We are looking for volunteers that can make their stay homey, accommodating, and fun! Shifts can range from full-days, nights/over-nights, half-days, or just a couple of hours! We have many opportunities for volunteers of all ages* to plug-into: House ; Facility Maintenance; Office Support; Meal making/sharing; Outings. *Individuals under 18 years of age must be supervised by a parent or a leader Contact Heather at from 8:30am - 4:30pm or leave a message with a house manager "after-hours" at Learn more about Little Bit of Haven from our interview with STL TV: 6

7 By Sharon Roegge, LWML SELC District President The Bible Study leader for the 37 th Biennial Convention of the LWML will be Deaconess Betty Knapp who has written and help to write many of our Mustard Seed devotions. She has also held several positions in LWML and is presently a member of the nominating committee. She serves as a parish deaconess at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marquette, Michigan. Our keynote speaker will be Past LWML President, Ida Mall, who served from She is well known for her down to earth gospel outreach to others. Start saving your money to attend the convention in Albuquerque, June 22-25, If you are already planning ahead for the 2019 Convention, please note that there has been a change for that convention as well. Because LWML was unable to contract a convention that the ladies could afford, we will now be meeting June 20-23, 2019 at the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama. Watch for more details in future issues of the Beacon! This month I d like to focus on the mission grant for LCMS Deaconess Training. The deaconesses of today serve primarily in 3 settings. They serve in domestic and foreign missions; in congregations teaching, visiting the sick, and other caring ministries; and as chaplains in hospitals, prisons, retirement communities, and facilities that care for people with developmental disabilities. This grant for $90,000 will provide educational and financial support to our partner churches who have introduced deaconess training programs within their church body like the Philippines, Latvia, Liberia, Indonesia, to name a few. It will also promote education to the underprivileged women who have a passion to learn confessional theological studies and serve the church. The grant also helps to purchase text books and other resources; funds short term mission trips to disaster hit areas; and scholarships, student aid, and tuition support. The result of this mite offering will provide LCMS deaconess students the opportunity to become a church professional, learning and training to understand the diaconal leadership, the work of deaconesses as applied to body and soul ministry and mission to high-risk children, the elderly, the handicapped, the homeless and downtrodden, women in crisis, HIV aids, the hungry, and the addicted, all served in the name of Christ. Go to for more information on this. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Nona Schipull, LWML SELC District Treasurer, was able to send the $2,000 check to Lutheran Bible Translators for the use of printing 400 full color Bible story Big Books with study guide for the Khon people, Southeast Asia, in their own language. Thank you for your help and keep up the good work. The next district grant to be paid is for Family of Christ-North Campus for outreach in Wesley, Florida. The grant is for $2,500. I was able to attend our three zones fall rallies. Central Zone s was held at St. John in Massillon, Ohio on September 17 th. Pastors John Telloni and Kevin McCloud shared conducting the worship service and Pastor Telloni also led the Bible study, Bear One Another s Burdens. The 22 attendees elected Mickey Krnach as zone president and Rosemary Sedjo as secretary, selected Miriam Wilms as delegate to the Albuquerque Convention, and made 12 fleece blankets for a women s shelter. Eastern Zone met at St. John s in Hazleton, PA, on October 1 with 15 women, and our district counselor, Pastor Curtis Stephens. In addition to our worship service, we had a short business meeting reelecting Cathy Friedman as President, Kathy Vollrath as Treasurer, and Pastor Andy Dzurovcik as zone pastoral counselor; selecting Karen Ann Kowalczyk as delegate and Cathy Friedman as alternate to the Albuquerque Convention; and rolling 85 health kits for Orphan Grain Train, making 55 gospel bracelets for MOST Ministries. On October 8 th twenty-five women and men met at Zion Lutheran Church in Norridge, IL under the theme Come and See. Pastors Bajus and Ramirez led the worship service and past DP Krueger led the Bible study. Nona Schipull was reelected president and Edie Constein was elected treasurer; Julie Stoller was selected as delegate and Nona as alternate to the Albuquerque Convention; and Emilie Stoller was nominated to be a Young Women Representative. Guest speaker was Phil Zielke, a survivor of cancer, who started Phil s Friends for sending care packages to cancer patients. It was a very heart warming, open talk. I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving praying you all have many blessings to share around your Thanksgiving tables and that the LWML will be one of those blessings.

8 Upcoming Events for our Youth! by Tim Hasko WH-NE Indiana Oilmen Baseball Western Circuit Ski Trip February 18th-19 th, 2017 Day Skiing at Wilmot Mountain, Wilmot WI Followed by lock-in at Pentecost Luth Church, Racine WI Led by Concordia University Wisconsin Youth Ministry Team WH Whiting Bible Study WH - Wihala Beach SELC District Luther League Youth Gathering Tentatively scheduled for July 20 23, 2017 Hosted by St. John Bound Brook NJ Watch the Beacon for further details, or check out the Luther League website ( or Facebook page! WH - Volleyball at YMCA WH - Alpha & Omega Window at Whiting WH- Servant Event WH - Group at Church 8

9 Generosity in Your Own Words submitted by Robin Paris, SELC Gift Planning Counselor How did you learn about being generous? Was it your parents who taught you or did you learn it by experience? Did you know that generosity is a gift from the Holy Spirit? The Apostle Paul references it in his epistle to the Romans, chapter He dictates these words from God, starting with verse 6. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. Verse 7c informs us that the one who contributes, should do so in generosity. Generosity is a gift of the Spirit of God and we are to practice it. Whether you learned from a model or not, generosity is a gift that God gives to His Church for our own good and for the good of others. However you express your generosity, if you had to put it into words, what would you write or say? What would you tell others? Actions of generosity often speak for themselves. There is another gift that is associated with generosity. In Romans 12:8a God s Word tells us about the benefit of exhortation (encouragement) in generosity. Putting generosity in your own words helps accomplish this encouragement that often, if not always, precedes God s gift of generosity in others. Have you talked with your family or friends about generosity? This is not to suggest that you brag about it but rather that you encourage or exhort those under your care or influence to hear your own witness. Robin E. Paris, Gift Planning Counselor Robin.Paris@lfnd.org; Romans 12: 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:... 8 the one who (encourages) exhorts, in his (encouragement) exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal... 9

10 Dear brothers and sisters at St. Paul, Thank you all for your prayers and kind words when I returned from Guatemala a few weeks ago. I wanted to write a short recap of my experience for you if I don't get a chance to personally tell you myself. I lived in Antigua, Guatemala which is a small colonial town that was founded in 1543 (it had to be moved after being destroyed by the Volcano Agua). It is a beautiful city with cobblestone streets, ruins around every corner, and vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange painted on many of the local businesses and residences. It is in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Antigua is well-known for its Spanish school immersion programs and I registered with the same school I went to last time I visited. I was placed with a Guatemalan family who provided me with my own bedroom, bathroom, and meals three days a week except Sundays. Classes began a couple days after I arrived and I was placed with my teacher, Cristy. We had one-on-one classes for four hours every morning. Cristy would teach me grammar that I was uncomfortable with or didn't know and we would break off into conversations about life at various points during the lesson. Almost every class would end with reading from my Spanish Bible and my explanation/summary of the Bible story. After morning class, I would eat lunch with my family and come back for my 2-hour afternoon class with my other teacher, Brenda. Brenda had incredible patience with me because after my brain being fried in the morning. I was a bit tired in the afternoon. She had a great sense of humor and found pleasure teaching me various Spanish expressions ("claro como lodo" literally means "clear as mud" which she taught me after I didn't understand something she said). Besides class, I didn't have too much time for many other activities, but was able to take Salsa dancing classes, a cooking class, did some sightseeing, and visited a couple Lutheran churches. I made friends from all over the world and had a chance to enjoy Guatemalan culture. There is always something going on in town; sometimes there are processions or parades in the streets, a concert in the park, or various street performers to watch. Going back to Guatemala has given me a new love and appreciation for the Spanish language and the people I am privileged to serve. God is good and He blessed me with an unforgettable experience! It does feel good that I'm back and re-energized to get back to work in the name of Christ! In Christ, Deaconess Dehlia DeLeon 10

11 F O R G I V E N E S S by Pastor Ken Ballas, EM Though intended by our loving God to offer us the very deepest sense of comfort, the topic of forgiveness (implied or explicitly mentioned in all six chief parts of Luther's Small Catechism) sometimes leaves us feeling anything but comfortable. Like the nervous young man in the story about two men on the train who having left home in a fit of rage years earlier for a rather silly reason wondering if his parents would welcome him back after never once letting them know where he was or how he was doing, experience teaches that unresolved sin and its attendant lingering guilt often leave us twisting and turning perhaps with occasional even tearful sleepless nights. Who hurts the worst from nurturing an unforgiving spirit of heart and mind? It is invariably we who suffer most from the pain and pen-upped poison of unresolved guilt! The fifth petition of our Lord's Prayer regarding forgiveness was included for at least three reasons: 1. Our Heavenly Father knows that this side of heaven we all continue to need His gift not only of daily bread (and all that implies) but also daily forgiveness; 2. God wants to assure us that in the gift of His Son, Jesus, we can have full and complete pardon and forgiveness; and 3. Once forgiven by God, in keeping with His overall divine purpose, we are all without exception expected to forgive those who trespass against us! The inspired Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are replete with examples of hurting people having been given the grace of our holy and merciful God to forgive one another (Joseph forgiving his brothers in Genesis 45, the father of the prodigal son (and older brother!) in Luke 15, the risen Christ's reinstatement of Peter in John 21, Ananias and Saul of Tarsus in Acts 9 and, one would wish to assume from the ascended Lord's now baptized and forgiven apostle Paul's letter regarding Philemon's runaway slave or household servant, Philemon and Onesimus to mention but a few specific positive examples of putting into practice our Lord's invaluable teaching. Note also, however, the failure of the once forgiven unmerciful servant in Jesus' parable in Matthew 18:21-35 (cf. Matthew 6:14-15) the point of the parable being that Whenever love begins to count, it begins to die! (note also 1 Peter 4:8). Thank You, Jesus, for Your precious Word and Sacraments through which Your Spirit enables us also to forgive exactly as we have been forgiven by our loving Triune God! (Ephesians 4:32). The Lutheran Beacon Send your articles and photos to: gailpete37@yahoo.com DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER ISSUE IS NOVEMBER 12 TH CHECK OUT THE BEACON IN FULL COLOR AT OUR SELC WEBSITE 11

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