PASTOR S PEN The wisd om in discipl ine m e s s e n g e r may 2018 What is your view of discipline? I think it is safe to say most people view discipline as something that happens to a person when they have said or done something wrong. It is also seen as something that mostly happens to young people and when they are growing up. If you talk back to your teacher in school, there is discipline If you are caught speeding with your vehicle, the discipline will be a fine. Then, there is the often thought, or quoted proverb, especially in past years: He who spares the rod, hates his son. But he who loves him is careful to discipline him. (Proverbs 13:24) Certainly, this meaning of discipline is important but it is unfortunate that this sense of discipline is the primary, and with some people, the only, understanding of this concept. The Bible, however, has a much larger understanding of discipline. After all, this is not the meaning that lies behind disciple or discipleship. The following proverb captivates the breadth of the Biblical meaning: Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.(proverbs 12:1) As we age, we see our stupidity more clearly even if someone advised us differently. Our sin, in part, is pride and stubbornness so that we just must learn for ourselves. Our culture is probably as bad as it gets because we do not appreciate the wisdom of gray hair (Proverbs 16:31;20:29). When someone offers us advice, we often close our ears and are more Joyful Faith Circle 2 Children s Ministry Update 5 3 Christ Lutheran School Update 6 The Stranger/ Men s Club Corner 4 determined than ever to continue in our own way, only to learn later we were stupid, or more commonly in Proverbs, foolish. So another Proverb: The way of the fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15) Advice is important because it is part of the education of life. Advice gives us another person s experience and perspective so that we can make better choices and decisions. When we block this out, we have stunted our learning, but most critically, we have stunted our understanding. Even if we do not see the wisdom in the advice or agree with it, it gives us at least a counter point upon which to test what we think we know as best. This is part of our life long education. So now to discipline. He who ignores discipline despises himself, But whoever heeds correction gains understanding. (Proverbs 15:32) Discipline in the truest sense allows us to order life in such a way as to live a wholesome life. It provides us with a bridge to understanding, and, therefore, the deeper level of the workings of life and faith. Discipline s goal is understanding. When we look at the life of Jesus disciples, we see how as they became more disciplined, ordered and congruent, with the life of Jesus, their understanding increased and true discipleship became a reality for them. Continue to next page Birthdays & Anniversaries Calendar of Events contents
So when Jesus was no longer on earth, these disciplined, understanding, disciples could carry on His ministry in the face of tremendous odds against them. Their discipline grew in proportion to their escalating understanding of Jesus. Discipline is a core value for the Christian life in discipleship of Jesus. Joyful F a ith circle SUBMITTED BY FLOWER RAY Pastor David F. Johnson At our Wednesday, April 11th meeting we studied Mary, Mother of Jesus. This meeting we discussed the wedding at Cana where Jesus secretly turned water into wine. John 2:3 Mary says to Jesus "They have no more wine". Jesus replies John 2:4 " Dear Woman, why do you involve me, my time has not yet come." John 2:5 Mary tells servants "do whatever he tells you." From John 2:1-11 we have learned that Jesus is not quite ready at this time for his public debut as the promised Messiah. Mary, Mother of Jesus is trusting her son to do the right thing without revealing his powers. John 2:11 tells us Jesus revealed his glory to his mother and disciples only. Point to remember from this lesson: Lord, when we can not always comprehend your ways, help us trust you in the same way that Mary, Mother of Jesus trusted our Lord and Savior. Next meeting will be June 6th at 9:30 a.m. All women are welcome and encouraged to join! CHI L DREN S MINIST RY update SUBMITTED BY CHRISTI KRANTZ It is that time of year when God's creations come to light. The weather gets warm, the flowers start blooming, birds come back and activities start! Oh how I love to be outside during this time of year and so do many others. That is why May is our last month of regularly scheduled Children's Ministry. Sunday School will be every 3rd Sunday during the summer months. This month KICK went out in the neighborhood and picked up trash. There were many neighbors who were very grateful. KICK will continue through the month of May, picking back up in the fall. The IMPACT teens worked hard on baking homemade dog treats and tied fleece blankets for the Chippewa Humane Association. The kids had wanted to go out to the shelter and help 'hands on" but they had fun anyway. SPECIAL NOTE: Last day of Sunday School is May 27th 2
Christ Lutheran School Update 5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL 1. Are students required to be members of Christ Lutheran Church or another Lutheran Church? Students and parents are not required to be members of Christ Lutheran Church or another Lutheran church. We are a Christian School that accepts students from all denominations. 2. What is taught in Bible Class and Chapel? Pastor conducts Chapel for all students each Wednesday morning. All parents and friends are welcome to attend. The Bible is taught as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God sufficient for all needs. Children are required to participate in Bible Class and Chapel. 3. How is the school financed? Christ Lutheran School is funded by tuition and donations from parents and friends of the school. Christ Lutheran Church provides our building, electricity, and other miscellaneous expenses. 4. How many grades does Christ Lutheran School have and what is the class size? Christ Lutheran School has Kindergarten through Eighth grade. We have a small student to teacher ratio and try to limit our class size to no more than 20 students per class. We may combine classes as needed. 5. What curriculum do we use? We use Christian curriculum in all grades. All of the curriculum we use has a conservative Biblical view and has been chosen by the School Board with direction from the Pastor. Please join us Christ Lutheran School s Annual Spring Program is on May 8th at 12:30pm. Please come and join us as we celebrate our Savior. 3
The Stranger A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small Texas town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on. As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors. Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger he was our storyteller. He would keep us spell bound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies. If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present, and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn t seem to mind. Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.) Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home not from us, our fiends or any visitors. Our longtime visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my Dad squirm and my Mother blush. My Dad didn t permit the liberal use of alcohol. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too freely) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing. I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked.and never asked to leave. More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures. His name? TV--He has a wife now we call her Computer. Anonymous MEN S CLUB C or ner MEN S BIBLE STUDY: The Men s Bible Study met Thursday, April 12. We read and discussed Psalm 25: An humble sinner's prayer for mercy, protection and guidance. For our next session, date yet to be determined, we will begin to read the first Epistle of St. John. 4
May Birthdays and Anniversaries CELEBRATE WITH US FOLLOWING SUNDAY SERVICE MAY 20TH Robert & Mary Jo Buss 4 Jack Zwiefelhofer 5 Gayle Johnson 10 Jessica Pitsch 10 Jordan Bergevin 11 Elger Anderson 12 Bryan Bedford 12 Mike & Kayla Bodine 15 Josh & Laura Zwiefelhofer 15 Jamie Polzin 16 Jerry & Andrea Eslinger 19 Richard Winger 19 Barbara Marek 21 Kennedy Staats 21 Richard Bergevin 22 Alisha Sommerfeld 22 Breanna Freed 22 Logan Langel 23 Allen & Linda Bateman 24 Sandie Kohlhepp 24 Dan Alexander 25 Bryan & Stephanie Thompson 28 Angela Christensen 28 Shawn Rowe 28 Eric Walters 30 Linda Salow 31 ADDITIONAL Inf ormat ion and dat es may USHERS Ed Ray Bill Greenwood Marvin Opsahl Kitchen NEEDS Needed supplies: Coffee Sunday fellowship treats needed for the 1st, 2nd & 4th Sunday every month. Save the DATE Christ Lutheran School s Annual Spring Program is coming up on May 8th at 12:30pm. Please come and join us as we celebrate our Savior. pr ayer CHAIN church WEBSITE cont a ct INFO If you find a need for prayer in your life or in the life of a friend, you are invited to put our Prayer Chain to use. Please call Carol Johnson at 715-723-1676 christlutheranchippewafalls.com Check it out! Access this newsletter, most recent Sunday sermon, worship times, church facebook page and much more. 467 E. Colome Street Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 secretary4clc@gmail.com 715.723.8273 5
m a y 2 01 8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 4:30pm IMPACT 5:30-6:30PM KICK 3 4 5 8:00am Men s Club Breakfast/ Meeting 6 9:30am Worship/SS/ Communion 7 9:00am Peacemakers 8 12:30pm CLS Spring Program and Art Fair 7:00pm CLS School Board Mtg 9 9:30am Joyful Faith Circle 10 11 12 13 9:30am Worship/SS 14 15 16 9:00am Peacemakers 17 18 19 4:30pm IMPACT CLS Track and Field Day 20 9:30am Worship/SS/ Communion BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 21 Newsletter Submissions Due to the Church Office 22 23 9:00am Peacemakers 24 25 26 27 9:30am Worship DEACONS & ELDERS MEETING 28 HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY 29 30 9:00am Peacemakers 31 Last day of CLS classes 6