A Profitabl le Lent: What Profits A Ma an? I recently received one of those spiritual email forwards with a short story thatt pressed the reader to Count your blessings. And to be honest, most of the time I glace over and delete such emails. A good portion of the time, such forwards are more about what you should do for God rather than what He has and is doing for you in Christ. But I thoughtt this particular story was a good jumping off point to reflect on the upcoming Lenten season. A small businessman who immigrated to this country kept his accounts payable in a cigar box, his accounts receivable on a spindle, and his cash in the cash register. His son, who had just graduated from an esteemed business college, said, "I don't see how you can run your business this way. How do you know what your profits are?" The businessman replied, "Son, when I came to this country, I had only the pants I was wearing and 36 cents in my pocket. Today your sister is an art teacher, your brother is a doctor, and you're an accountant. I have a car, a home, and a good business. Everything is paid for. So you add it all up, subtract the pants and the 36 cents, and there's your profit." There is something for us all to learn about ourselves in this story. Do we measure the outcome of our life by what we have become, or by what we have worked for others to become? How do you count the profit of your life? Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself so that we might become something. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21) When Jesus does an accounting of His life, He counts the sins of others that He has taken from them onto Himself. If that s how you measure profit, no one has ever lived a more profitable life then Jesus, who accounts to Himself the sin of the whole world. Who counts profit like that? This is a cost-accounting like the world has never seen according to general accounting principles and like no one has ever known. I m no accountant, but I know enough about bookkeeping to understand that for every debt, there must be a corresponding in order credit to be solvent. Jesus turns things upside-down! Our sins have been credited to Jesus and our account has been deducted all of the guilt we have earned, but miraculously this is good financial news for us sinners. The wages of sin have been paid out to the one who had no debt, but becomes debt for us. And so we have the wages of righteousness. It s like someone put all of the credits and debits of our life in exactly the wrong side of the ledger.
HE is wounded, WE are healed. HIS soul was grieved and OUR soul rejoices. Bloody sweat comes from HIS brow and HE faced death head on and WE are not afraid of death. HE was rejected by God and WE are reconciled with God. HE was stripped naked and WE are clothed with baptismal robes of righteousness. HE thirsted and WE drink from the cup that eternally refreshes. HE died and We live. This is how Jesus counts the profit of His life And YOU are HIS profit! We are so often tempted to purse a profitable life by trying to gain as much of the world as we can. But What does in profit a man to gain the whole world, when he is already countedas the profit of the Lord? Count your life profitable because you are in Christ and you are His treasure. Count your profits one at a time as they are measured out to you this Lenten season in Christ. Always remember how you, the chief of all debtors, became so rich! For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Christ gained the whole world by forfeiting His life and becoming sin and taking on our debt. Your profit is found in riches of the life of the WORLD TO COME! Lenten Blessings, -Pastor Krueger 5 th Sunday after the Epiphany February 5, 2017 Matthew 5:13-20 You are Salt and Light! Jesus said, You are the salt of the earth and You are the light of the world. Carefully notice that Jesus gives no burdening command here. Jesus does not say, You need to try and be the salt of the earth or You need to bring light to the world. Rather, Jesus is simply stating who the discipless are. Jesus is speaking about who they are according to their identity. To be salt and light is not something they look to be, or try to be nor is it something they aim to accomplish. Rather, they are these things already because they are disciples in and of Christ. 7 th Sunday after the Epiphany February 19, 2017 Matthew 5:38-48 Jesus Preaches Himself! Among all the precious lessons we could glean from Jesus Sermon on the Mount, perhaps it most pointedly shows us how very little we are like Jesus. The condemning crushing Law that flows forth from Jesus mouth should make us shrink back into our seats and force us to consider if we are even worthy of the name Christian at all. Jesus words show us that we would rather worship at the altar of self and satisfaction than the altar of God. While His Sermon on the Mount is law that shows us our sins, it is also Gospel that shows us our savior and His fulfillment of selfless, sacrificial, steadfast love. Jesus suffering and death is for all people. He laid down His life for those who love Him and those who hate Him. He faced suffering and death for those who greet Him in faith and remain in unbelief. This is the great mystery of the Gospel and the basis for sharing it with our unbelieving neighbor- that Jesus died even for those who don t even believe He died for them!
Saturday Evening Divine Service: 5:000 PM Sunday Schedule: Divine Service 9:000 AM; followed by Bible Class and Sunday school at 10:30. Northwest Suburban Circuit Congregation Prayers Each week we will be praying for a congregation in the circuit and for others who have or have had a connection with them. Through February 12 th, we are asking for prayers for Rev. Dean Nadasdy, our District President and all our elected officers and board members in the MN South District and for Rev. John Fehrmann and his work with Confessional Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF) in other nations. Time & Talent Sheets Please be sure February 12 th. Thank You! to fill out your Time and Talent Sheet and return to Brenda by Sunday Morning Bible Class is continuing with lessons on Colossians. Please join us! Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season is fast approaching! We will once again have Mid-Week Lenten Services at 11:30 am, followed by a soup lunch and a 7:00 pm evening Lenten service every Wednesday through April 5 th. Dinners will be provided by various groups from our congregation each Wednesday evening beginning at 6:00 pm. Next Youth Group Event - Sunday, February 19th. After lunch and devotions, the Youth Group is going to volunteer at Bethesda Thrift Store. We will lend a helping hand to this LCMS recognized organization which serves people with developmental disabilities. Contact Julie Anderson with questions julesanders@live.com or 612-791-0163 Ladies Coffee Social: The ladies coffeee social will take place on Saturday February 11th from 9:30-11:30 am at the church in the fellowship hall. Regular and Gluten free pastries, fresh fruit and Caribou Coffee will be served. Please plan to join us! Pauline and Zelda Glory of Christ is having another Red Cross Blood Drive Monday, March 6 th beginning at 1:00 pm: We need 3-5 volunteers to assist on that day for checking in donors. The shifts are 1-3, 3-5 and 5-7. If you can help, please let Brenda know. Donation sign up information will be forthcoming. Thank You! Remember in our Prayers: Idena Hagen, Sean Breininger, Kathy Chadwick (friend of Janet Preus), Lisa Brackmann, Arta Walter, Paul Johnson, Ron Quittem (Father of Jill Larson), Lee Hart, Onna Ostendorf (Friend of Jack Teske), CLEF, Lutheran Synod of Mexico, LaValle Berkner (Father of Sarah Miller), Shelby Klapprich (Friend of Jen & Ben Schaumburg), Mike Krause, John Algen (Friend of Mike Krause), Bonnie Steeke (Mother of Debbie Damberg), Arta Walter, Sarah Miller, Isaac Thurk, Rick Bymark (Friend of Justin & Laura Thurk), Family of Al Lavanger, Family of Rev. Arnold Fischer (Uncle of Sarah Miller) and Isaiah Homrighausen (grandson of Mike and Sarah Miller).
Jonah Series for Lent! Jonah for Lent? Sounds fishy right? But it s a whale of a story! When the Jews asked Jesus for a sign, He said, I will give you only the sign of Jonah. After three days in the belly of the earth, Jesus rose showing that His sacrifice was complete and sin was paid for. This Lenten season, we will travel through the book of Jonah. The sermon series will carry you through Jonah s story. I would encourage you to read this short Old Testament Prophet before Ash Wednesday. Jonah demonstrates clearly how God used a reluctant missionary! God reveals Himself to be the God of the second chance, who desires none to perish and who enables, and even directs, an about face for the prophet and for the people Jonah was sent to. Yet, when the book ends, Jonah seems to be depressed because he was successful in doing what God has sent him to do. What does this mean? Jonah was very popular in the early church, as attested to by many painted murals in the catacombs and on gravestones. It is an intriguing account of a prophet who isolates himself from God because he does not want to be successful in doing what God has called him to do. There is a little bit of Jonah in each of us. We often want to go our own way, which departs from God s plan of salvation for us in Christ. Jonah is an exciting account of a gracious, searching and patient God who has always been concerned about the salvation of every living human being. Lord s Blessings on your Lenten preparations. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ASH WEDNESDAY is on March 1 st. We will celebrate the Divine Service at 11:30am and 7:00pm with the imposition of ashes being offered 15 minutes prior to each service. Worshipers will have the opportunity to receive ashes on their foreheads or the back of their hands as a sign of penitence and baptismal remembrance. Ashes remind us that the wages of sin is death, and prompt us to repentance. The words spoken as ashes are imposing, Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return, were first spoken to Adam after his fall into sin. We are forcefully reminded of the words of the committal in the Christian Burial service,... earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Ashes also suggest cleansing and renewal. They were once used as a cleaning agent. Thus, ashes imposed in the shape of a cross symbolize both judgment and baptismal cleansing. If you wish to receive ashes, please come up to one of the Pastors at the foot of the chancel. Ashes will be placed on your forehead or the back of your hand in the sign of the cross while these words are spoken: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. You are encouraged to then respond boldly, Amen in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subdue all things to Himself.
The Importance of Attending Mid-Week Lenten Services: Throughout the history of the Christian Church, the faithful have gathered for worship, not only on Sundays, but also throughout the week to receive God s gifts. Even today, it is not uncommon to find churches that offer daily opportunities to come to church for a service of prayer and God s word. Our congregation has appointed a few times throughout the course of the year for 'mid-week' worship. During the season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday (March 1st), we are called to come to the church for worship on Wednesdays for six consecutive weeks. During Holy Week, we are called to come to churchh on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Why is it important to respond to the call to come these 'mid- events in the week' services? For one, they mark the most significant life of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we want to be with Him and celebrate His life as He gives us His very life! Compare this to the birthday or anniversary of a child or parent or dear friend. We surely would not miss attending the occasion unless it was impossible to be present. Secondly, it is important to allow these times to interrupt our daily routine. When the church calls its people to come to God s house during the mid-week, it is an interruption to our regular routine, and we all like our routines. When the call to set aside the time and rearrange our routine comes, it is a refreshing opportunity to see the presence of Jesus in the midst of our day to day life. It also presents the opportunity for the strengthening of self-discipline to set aside what can be set aside for the sake of hearing the Word, prayer and the precious sacrament. +2017 Lenten Worship Schedule+ Ash Wednesday, March 1 st - The Imposition of Ashes- 11:15-11:30am. Divine Service- 11:30am. The Imposition of Ashes- 6:45-7:00pm. Divine Service- 7:00pm Wednesday Midweek Services- Morning Prayer- 11:30am. Prayer and Preaching- 7pm. Maundy/Holy Thursday, April 13 th - 7:00pm Divine Service w/ stripping of the Altar Good Friday, April 14 th - 7:00pm Tenebrae Vespers Easter Sunday, April 16 th - 8:00am Divine Service 9:30am Easter Breakfast 10:30am Divine Service
+Mission of the Month+ In the coming months, we will give information and updates on the mission work and projects we are involved in as a congregation. For February, we are focusing on: In our yearly mission budget, Glory of Christ enthusiastically supports the mission outreach of Issues, Etc. our yearly mission budget, Christ enthusiastically supports the mission outreach of Issues, Etc. What is Issues, Etc., you ask? Issues, Etc. is talk radio for the thinking Christian. It is recorded every weekday, and available broadcast in the St. Louis area and on-line throughout the rest of the world. They cover a wide variety of topics: including current events, Bible Studies, church history, movie reviews, and all from the angle of Lutheran theology. The guests on the program are all top-rate theologians, leaders, and other important personalities. To give you a better sense of the impact that Issues, Etc. has around the world, here are a few comments from listeners: Issues, Etc. and the ability to download the program was beneficial to me as a missionary in a Third World country where 80% of the population is Muslim. James in West Africa Issues, Etc. was the primary reason my husband and I became Lutheran. It ignited his faith and even inspired him to seriously consider entering the ministry. It is an excellent vehicle for spreading the Gospel. Polly in Michigan In keeping with the thoughts of our former president Dr. A.L. Barry... Get the message straight Missouri. Get the message out Missouri. Issues, Etc. does precisely those two things... As the record shows there are individuals who have come not only to the Lutheran Church but also have come to faith through the broadcast known as Issues, Etc. Dr. Robert Kuhn, President Emeritus of the LCMS Issues, Etc. is never afraid to take a stand on the thorny, vexing issues that clutter our daily horizons. Whereas some Christian programs sidestep ethical and doctrinal questions, Issues, Etc. takes them head-on in a fearless, responsible, thoughtful manner. Dr. Paul Maier, Third Vice President of the LCMS If you've never listened, you should give them a try! You can listen on-demand at www..issuesetc.org or download one of their mobile apps.
February Compassion Circle Meeting: Compassion Circle will be meeting on Monday February 13 th at 1:00. Quilting Dates for February: Tuesday bring your own lunch. February 7 th and Tuesday February 21 st from 9: :00 to 3:00. Please
We have an opportunity to put our force into action! Community Outreach: After lunch and devotions on Sunday, February 19th, the Youth Group is going to volunteer at Bethesda Thrift Store. We will lend our help in general store tasks needed to improve merchandise presentation, i.e. returning items to their proper shelf or rack, sweeping, tidying, etc. **Parent participation and transportationn will be needed -- please respond if we can count on you ** The Bethesda Thrift Store is part of an LCMS Recognized Service Organization serving people with developmental disabilities at programs across the United States. They provide education, training, housing in group homes or host homes, day programs, employment and faith support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our church supports Bethesda as our women's groups have actively taken collection drives and volunteered at the store in past years. See more about the Bethesda organization at their website: bethesdalutherancommunities.org Westwind Plaza, 4749 County Rd 101, Minnetonka, MN 55345 Please reply with your availability for our planning purposes! Blessings, ~ Julie Anderson P.S. As always, I am happy to authorize organization. This event qualifies. your community service hours for your school or club
Creation Stations: A Hands-on Journey With bulldozers and construction workers on site in June, our VBS has taken a new twist! What is this? Families are invited to walk-through each day of Creation and participate in hands-on activities at stations that further their knowledge of God s creation. They ll have their passport stamped at each day s station and journey through God s Seven-Day Creation! Why? With the challenges of construction, the VBS committee looked at the mission of VBS--to spread God s Word to those inside and outside of the walls of Glory of Christ. We decided to review last year s VBS theme and to expand our reach by inviting GOC families, former VBS families, and specifically market and target families in our community. n Plymouth, the fields are ripe for God s Word to be planted. This event allows us to interact with entire families instead of having parents drop off their children. It also gives us a chance to interact with those who may not know Christ, and to establish relationships that we hope go beyond a one-day event. How can you help?? Mark your calendar! The BIG EVENT is on March 11th, 12:30-5, (event runs from 1-4). This is a ONE day, ONE afternoon event! We need everyone to participate! Groups within the congregation* will be asked to head up each station. But don t worry, the plan has been made and the materials purchased. Just show up and help the families as they come through your station. Invite your friends, neighbors, grandkids etc. This is geared towards elementary age children in and outside of our church! Postcards will be available soon! Check out the table in the narthex and sign up to help! What kind of activities will I be doing at Creation Stations? Day 1 God created Light and Dark- Playing with light... prisms, flashlights, electricity balls, etc Day 2 God Created The Sky- Make windsocks to fly in the breeze Day 3 God created Water, Land, and Plants- Make seed bombs Day 4 God created The Sun, Moon, and Stars- Make a craft with stars and planets Day 5 God Created Birds and Sea Creatures- Demonstration from the Raptor center Day 6 God Created Land Animals and Man- Pony Rides! (outside of course) Day 7 God Rested- Everyone rests! Grab as snack and chat If you have any questions please talk to Dawn Rolf.
Dear Members of Glory of Christ, Well, the first month of 2017 is officially in the books. This year promises to be very busy for our congregation and so many of our members have hit the ground running and have been working extremely hard across many domains. I want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported me and Glory of Christ with their time and talents. Speaking of time and talent, pleasee be sure to return your time and talent form to Brenda by February 12th. Whether or not, you believe you have any time or talent to contribute, please genuinely consider in what areas you may be able to serve our congregationn in the future and raise your hand to help. In so doing, you be helping to keep Glory of Christ run like the well- information oiled machine we have become accustomed to. This form also asks pertinent regarding birthdates, addresses, emails and phone numbers. This information is important so Brenda can make sure the directory is up to date. Thank You! If you are wondering about the status of the building project, please keep reading. To begin with, the Building Committee has been putting in countless hours over the past couple of months working with Station 19 and Watson-Forsberg during the development of detailed design plans for purposes of bidding and project costing. The committee is currently in the process of reviewing initial estimates and refining designs and hopes to be zeroed-in on scope of work and costs very soon. Once we are at that point, please look for us to schedule an informational meeting to review progress and scope with the congregation. Finally, as you may have heard we will be conducting a VBS day in Marchto maintain our outreach in the community since the construction this summer will precludee us from having a full week, on-site VBS this summer. Please refer to the bulletin for further information or ask me, Shannon Lindh, Brenda or one of the Pastors for further information on volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are wanted and appreciated and this is an opportunity that will require a minimal amount of time and effort on your part due to the hard work that has been done by our VBS Committee. Thank you, again, for your continued support, assistance and fellowship. I consider myself blessed to be a part of this incredible congregation. In Christ, David Teske Council President
Serving Sunday: (February 5, 2017) Coffee Servers: Leonard Albers & Gayle Barnaby Acolyte: William Rolf Elders: Andy Madson & Mark Swenson Ushers: Jonathan Schultz & Kim Diemand Tech Duty: Josh Christian Altar Guild: Pauline Hemingway & Marilyn Scharlau Offering Counters: Lori Beck & Carl Hartness Bread Baker: Cheryl McCreary Bread Deliverer: Carl Hartness Serving Sunday: (February 12, 2017) Coffee Servers: Rhea Schulz & Linda Corey Acolyte: Maddie Nelson Elders: Andy Madson & Mark Swenson Ushers: Mike Miller & Bob Strom Tech Duty: Travis Dorweiler Altar Guild: David & Gayle Barnaby Offering Counters: Tim Lavanger & Russ McBroom Bread Baker: Charlotte Smith Bread Deliverer: Lori Beck Serving Sunday: (February 19, 2017) Coffee Servers: Acolyte: Elders: Ushers: Tech Duty: Altar Guild: Offering Counters: Bread Baker: Bread Deliverer: Carla Claussen & Sandi Edenborg Bri Dorweiler Andy Madson & Mark Swenson Mark Swenson & Leonard Albers Ryan Marshall Karen Swenson & Brenda Richards Heath & Danielle Brolsma Julie Anderson Janet Preus Serving Sunday: (February 26, 2017) Coffee Servers: Tom & Brenda Richards Acolyte:?? Processional: Bill Anderson III Elders: Andy Madson & Mark Swenson Ushers: Russ McBroom & Chuck McGriff Tech Duty: Josh Christian Altar Guild: Beth Schoolman & Brenda Richards Offering Counters: Craig & Charlotte Smith Bread Baker: Susan Johnson Bread Deliverer: Charlotte Smith
February 3 rd February 6 th February 9 th February 10 th February 14 th February 15 th February 18 th February 19 th February 21 st February 23 rd February 24 th February 26 th February 27 th February 28 th February 29 th LouAnn Jespersen Mike Krause Susan Johnson Alex Schaumburg Lily Johnson Curt Woolfolk Bill Anderson III Jan Diemand Lea Conneally Chelsea Ofsthun LeRoy Reinke Janie Tesch-Cassady Darlene Yount Elizabeth Madson Betty Reinke