June Newsletter 2015 Church Picnic June 14 Ebenezer Lutheran Church Port Hudson The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 9100 Highway YY Leslie, Missouri Parsonage 573-459-6432 Church 573-459-6431 Rev. William F. Zastrow, Pastor Mary Sprick, Secretary ebenezerlutheran@hotmail.com ebenezerlutheranchurch.wordpress.com
From the Pastor s Desk: Where to Put All Your Anxiety Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7 Not long ago, NBC News did a report on anxiety in America. We ve become a very tense and anxious nation, the report said. Over the past three decades, anxiety disorders have jumped more than 1,200 percent. According to some studies, as many as 117 million adults report high levels of anxiety. And what is anxiety? A Columbia University professor of psychiatry defined it quite simply. The main symptom, she noted, is constant worry or tension over various issues, such as work or family problems, money or health. Such worry or tension, according to the National Institutes of Health, can show itself in various ways, including difficulty concentrating, fatigue, irritability, sleep difficulties, and restlessness. But enough about the NBC report. When it comes to anxiety in your life, what does your Lord have to say to you? For one thing, let s remember that anxiety is nothing new. From the moment our first parents threw open the floodgates of sin, human beings have been swimming in anxiety. Thousands of years ago, King David wrote that a particular period of his life felt as if his bones were wasting away through his groaning all day long all caused by his sin. (Psalm 32:3). In this poisoned world, the threat of anxiety is a part of life. The real question, then, is what to do with anxiety when it shows up. The NBC report offered some practical suggestions 2
that can help, such as turning off the TV and the computer an hour before you go to bed. It s the apostle Peter, however, who really cuts to the chase. If you re familiar with Peter s life, you know that Peter understood what it was like to experience extreme anxiety. It was Peter whom the Holy Spirit moved to say one simple thing to his fellow Christians about anxiety. To his fellow Christians and to you and me Peter simply says this: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. There is a place for your anxiety. His name is Jesus. The One who died for your sin and rose from death is the same One who now invites you to throw your anxiety on his shoulders, shoulders that are big and broad and tireless and strong. And notice that Jesus does not want some of your anxiety, or most of it. He wants all of it. You have a place for your anxiety. Put it where it belongs. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the place for my anxiety. You say so in your Word. Move me to put my anxiety where it belongs. And help me to leave it there. Amen. Highlights from the Quarterly Voters Meeting The Quarterly Voters Meeting was held April 20, 2015 with 15 members present. The meeting was called to order by President Bryan Adams. Pastor opened the meeting with a devotion about the Good Shepherd. 3
Pastor s Report - There was one Baptism One Confirmation No marriages One Funeral No transfers to Ebenezer One transfer from Ebenezer. Pastor announced that there will be Ascension Services on May 14 th with a dinner before the evening service. Dinner is at 5:30 PM in the dining hall with the service at 7:00 PM at the Lake Pavilion, weather permitting. The collection from both services and the dinner will go to the Washington Student Aid Fund. The Minutes of the January 19, 2015 meeting were read and approved. There were no new members The Treasurer s report was submitted and approved. Elder Tom Anderson reported that the Elders are meeting regularly. Tom will represent us at the Missouri District in Springfield, Mo on June 14 16, 2015. Harvey Quinn gave the Trustee s report We have switched our LP gas supplier to Boland. We have a contract with them and they will be replacing the tank. Phil Hubenthal will cut the grass at Church and Parsonage again this year. Mr. Quinn noted that the Trustees are to care for the church grounds and building. This is specified in our constitution. We will be getting new LED lighting in the chancel to make it easier for Pastor to read. This is being paid for by a frequent visitor to our Church. 4
Pastor and the Trustees will be meeting with the lighting contractor. The Stewardship Report was given by Roland Walkenhorst. He noted that we had been getting a $2900 refund of payroll tax thru Obamacare, but that has now expire so we will no longer be getting it. Pastor and Margaret thanked the congregation for covering their medical deductable. The Sunday School Teachers and Education Committee members said the Sunday School children will be singing at the Ascension Service. Vacation Bible School will be the last full week of July. Thrivent will cover $250.00 of the supplies. It is planned for the Shoe Man to visit again. The Light of Christ Chinese Mission will give a presentation to the Ladies Aid on May 1. The Evangelism Report included the following information - Pastor reported that the Evangelism Committee is ongoing and that members are key to opening doors with those in the community. Often it s the little things that open the door! The cookbook is coming together. Plans are to have it available for sale at the sausage supper. They do need more submissions and the target price is $15 to $20. Other Business included the status of the replacement Church signs to be placed at the intersection of Highway C and YY and 185 and YY. The signs are done and waiting for time and favorable weather to install them The meeting was adjourned. Mark Kassebaum, Secretary 5
Cookbook Time June 21 st The Cookbook Committee has just recently found out that if we meet an earlier deadline than was previously stated, we will get better deals from the company that is publishing the cookbook some free pictures, etc. so the new deadline is quickly nearing June 21 st! If you have recipes from Church members who are no longer with us, please submit them along with their pictures, if you have one. If you have any old Church related photos (picnics, Ladies Aid, luncheons/dinners, church buildings etc. and don t mind us possibly using them in the cookbook, please submit them with a note about the photo. If you would like your photo returned, please include your name and address. There are 2 ways to submit recipes/photos, you can put them in the red box on the table at the back of Church or you can email them to pherecipes@gmail.com. If you would be interested in buying a cookbook, please indicate that on one of your recipe submissions. We are trying to get an idea of how many we might need to order. The price will be given at a later date. If you have any questions, please call: Nancy Quinn 573-459-3344 Dana Kasmann 636-583-8516 Mary Wesche 573-459-2046 Julie Crego 636-358-3010 Thrivent Financial Opportunities Three Ways You can Help Nepal Earthquake Victims As photos and stories emerge about the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal, members want to know how they can help those in need. As a membership organization of Christians committed to guiding members to be wise with 6
money and live generously. Thrivent offers several ways or you to help: 1: Direct Choice Dollars Thrivent Choice allows eligible members to weigh in on how Thrivent distributes some of its charitable grant funding. If you have designated Choice Dollars, visit Thrivent.co to find a list of nonprofit organizations helping with relief efforts that are accepting Choice Dollars directions and personal donations. 2: Give a Personal Donation an get it matched You can also choose to make a personal donation through InFaith Community Foundation to the organizations helping with relief efforts. Thrivent Financial will match $1 for every $2 of personal donations to the organizations listed here, up to $100,000 or until June 30, 2015, whichever comes first for a total combined impact of up to $300,000. List of organizations: Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response, WELS Christian Aid and Relief; World Vision, AmeriCares, Samaritan s Purse, Convoy of Home. 3: Get Involved in grassroots disaster relief efforts. Consider getting involved in your community to help raise funds for disaster relief by forming a Thrivent Action Team or through your local Thrivent chapter. To apply to form a Thrivent Action Team or to learn more about them, go to Thrivent.com/actionteam. Questions? Contact Thrivent s Customer Care Center at 800-847-4836 and say directory and ext. 6063 at the prompt. Please indicate to the representative what your question is regarding. The hours are Monday Thursday 7:00 AM 8:00 PM or Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Central time or email mail@thrivent.com. 7
June Birthdays Chad Crego 6-1 Anne Allmeroth 6-2 Adam Henry Kassebaum 6-2 Edna Deppermann 6-4 Eugene Scheer 6-4 Camron Jade Luechtefeld 6-10 Gilbert Voelker 6-12 Ryan Bunge 6-14 Judy Allmeroth 6-14 Jim Donatti 6-14 Warren Bauche 6-15 Phil Hubenthal 6-22 Robert Daniel Bunge 6-23 Andrew Kassebaum 6-25 Jamie Pitzen 6-26 Craig Monzyk 6-27 If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or listed incorrectly, please let Mary Sprick know. Thank you! Anniversaries in June Phil and Judy Hubenthal 6-2 Jim and Debbie Donatti 6-4 Rick and Cindy Scheer 6-6 Dennis and LaRayne Brune 6-6 Marvin and Tammie Pohlmann 6-11 Lloyd and Karen Kassebaum 6-15 Pastor and Margaret Zastrow 6-16 Tim and Jennifer Huellinghoff 6-18 Roy and Estelle Brunkhorst 6-21 Brian and Heidi Koch 6-21 Gene and Doris Biermann 6-22 8
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 27-31 It will soon be time for our Vacation Bible School at Ebenezer. Save the dates of July 27 31, 2015 for our VBS Adventure Camp Discovery Jesus at Work Through Us. At Camp Discovery, the kids learn that God has a plan and a purpose for us, right now, right where we are. Our mission projects this year will be the Shoeman Water Project and the Samaritan s Purse Operation Christmas Child. We will again collect shoes for the water project and supplies for Operation Christmas Child. The Christmas collections will reach children worldwide with the good news of God s love and true meaning of Christmas. Shamrock Days at Camp Trinity, June 5&6 What are Shamrock Days? This will be a celebration at Camp Trinity very much like our past Family Fun Days. In an effort to share our mission we have renamed our annual event. New Haven, MO is well known for its shamrock and Camp Trinity nearly 25 years ago began using it on their cross for the sign of the Trinity as St. Patrick did many years ago. It was in one of his sermons in which he picked up a shamrock and held it before him to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity, three in one and one in three. Recently one of our local artists, 9
Russell Irwin, added the symbols of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to our Shamrock. What St. Patrick truly had was an undoubting confidence in God s Word. His challenging faith gave him a remarkable ability to recruit devoted men and women who gathered about him to endure every privation for the sake of furthering the good news of the redemption of sinful man. This is also the mission of Camp Trinity, to share this same good news of the Trinity with all who come to Camp Trinity and then go back to their different communities scattered throughout the United States sharing with others. Shamrock Days, as in years past, will be open to the public for all to come and enjoy Camp Trinity both spiritually and physically. We will once again have the 5K Race /Warrior s Challenge & Fishing Derby, both complete with awards and attendance prizes, BBQ, Swimming, Crafts, Bounce House, lots of fun for all. This year we are adding a Poster Contest and archery. Please consider joining Camp Trinity in a fun filled day for people of all ages. There is something for everyone of every age to enjoy. Please Check the back table for more information and forms to attend these fun activities at Camp Trinity. Assistance for Earthquake Victims in Nepal (A Request from Rev. Dr. Alan Buckman) As many of us know, on Saturday, April 25, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck 50 miles northwest of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. As a result, over 6,000 people were killed and many thousands more were left homeless. That was before a second quake, this one of 7.3 magnitude struck earlier this week, somewhat closer to Kathmandu. The death toll from this quake is yet to be determined, but 10
assuredly more have died and many hundreds, perhaps thousands more have been left homeless. During the past few years almost 100 recently arrived Nepali refugees, now living in urban St. Louis, have stepped into the Lutheran community through baptism and confirmation; most of them having left the Hindu religion. Indeed, just this past Thursday, 21 more were baptized and/or confirmed during a special Ascension Day service at Ascension Lutheran Church. Many of these have friends and relatives in Nepal who have been affected by these disasters. Though their resources are rather meager, they have taken up a collection among themselves for the benefit of these numerous friends, relatives, and others as well. Most assuredly, they would feel greatly supported by anyone willing to be part of this effort. Please consider joining them, and others, with a donation. Contributions may be sent to Christian Friends of New Americans at 4019 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118. Checks should be made payable to CFNA with the notation, Nepali Relief. OR, click HERE to be taken to our page for donating online. Thank you for having given this appeal your prayerful consideration. In Christ, Rev. Allan R. Buckman, D. Miss. Chairman Christian Friends of New Americans 314-249-8340 11
The Missouri District The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod District Convention June 14-16 Pastor and Margaret, and Tom Anderson our Lay Delegate will be attending the Missouri District Convention from June 14 to June 16. The Theme will be Put Out Into the Deep Luke 5:4. The Convention will elect a new District President. President Mirly will be retiring after this convention. The slate of candidates are: Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan - St. Paul, Concordia, MO; Rev. William R. Marler Trinity, Springfield, MO; Rev. Terry E. Weinhold St. Paul, St. Joseph, MO; Rev. Alan J. Wollenburg Concordia, Sikeston, MO. At the Convention Pastor Zastrow will be installed as Circuit Visitor (new name for Circuit Counselor) for the Washington Circuit. This has been a position Pastor served in the late 90s Please pray for the convention and all the candidates willing to serve the Missouri District. Monthly Treasurer s Summary April 2015 Beginning checking balance $26,489.71 Receipts $11,338.41 Disbursements $16,427.43 Ending checking balance $21,400.69 LCEF savings balance $35,057.33 Thrivent FPDA balance $20,416.18 Pledged to Missouri District for year $4,800.00 Paid to Missouri District this year-to-date $1,600.00 Year-to-date income less expenses -$12,439.23 12
Acolyte Schedule June 7 Tyler Kasmann Cierra Donatti Ava Monzyk June 14 Danielle Gerding Paige Thurmond Trent Huellinghoff June 21 Kayleigh Crego Tyler Kasmann Cierra Donatti June 28 Ava Monzyk Danielle Gerding Paige Thurmond Usher Schedule for June 1: Harvey Quinn 2: Bryan Adams 3: Mark Kassebaum 4: Cody Adams 5: Corey Adams Alternate: Don Kappelmann Head Usher: Wilbert Baumann Altar Guild for June Margaret Zastrow Joan Menke Bell Ringer for June June 7: Cody Adams June 14: Jeff Hohlt June 22: Paul Kassebaum June 28: Corey Adams Recycle Update We are pleased to report the addition of $11.35 to the recycle aluminum collection. The balance for recycle aluminum is $4,777.00 and the grand total for all recycle is $9,126.65. Thank you for your support of our recycle program for missionaries. Reminder - NO CARDBOARD OR PLASTIC IN THE PAPER DUMPSTER. Student and Family Going to Disney World Thanks to Make-a-Wish Foundation
We are so happy and excited that Rick and Cindy Scheer and their two daughters, Ellie and Claire will have this wonderful opportunity. Brenda Bailey and Janice Gradel have really put a smile on the face of Claire Scheer who suffers from a partial or complete absence of a key structure in the brain called the corpus callosum which can be very challenging. This is the second child and Brenda and Janice have been the granters through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This trip is a vacation of a lifetime for children with life-threatening medical conditions and it aims to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. We all sincerely hope the family will have a wonderful trip!!! Mission Society The Ebenezer Mission Society met on May 21 st for our meeting. We also made 90 comfort rice bags for the labor department at Mercy Hospital. The nurses and new mothers really appreciate these comforting bags. 2
June 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM 31 Visit of Mary to Elizabeth 1 Elders 7:00 PM 2 3 4` 5 Ladies Aid 1:30 PM 6 Leola Deppermann Auction Sale Worship 5:00 PM with Holy Communion Sunday School 9:00 AM 7 8 9 10 11 Set Up for Picnic 12 13 Worship 5:00 PM Worship 10:00 AM with Holy Communion Farewell Picnic for Rev. Kotila at Rosebud Scheer/Strauser Wedding 6:00 PM Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM 14 Church Picnic Missouri District Convention Springfield, MO Missouri District Convention Springfield, MO 15 Missouri District Convention Springfield, MO 16 17 18 19 20 Worship 5:00 PM with Holy Communion Sunday School 9:00 AM 21 Worship 10:00 AM with Holy Communion 22 23 Education/ Sunday School Teachers 7:00 PM John the Baptist 24 25 Presentation of the Augsburg Confession 26 27 Worship 5:00 PM Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM 28 Peter and Paul, Apostles 29 30