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October 2007 Newsletter Contents [Newsletter Archive] |
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| Pastor's Article | Vicar's Article |
| Christian Education | Parish Notes |
| Portals of Prayer |
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October 2007 Newsletter Contents [Newsletter Archive] |
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| Pastor's Article | Vicar's Article |
| Christian Education | Parish Notes |
| Portals of Prayer |
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At the end of this month we shall again, as our congregation has every year of her existence, celebrate the Lutheran Reformation. For this writer it will probably be the most sober celebration he has ever had because the future of Lutheranism in America looks rather bleak. Perhaps it is because of his age and the optimism of youth has given way to the reality of experience. Or perhaps it is because orthodox Lutheranism seems to teeter on the brink of extinction in this nation.
Hermann Sasse wrote a private letter in 1964 to the leaders of our Missouri Synod in which he warned that a world syncretism threatened virtually all of Christianity. Speaking from his perspective of one who witnessed the capitulation of Lutheranism to National Socialism in Germany and to union churches controlled by the Nazis, Sasse warned that "A confession is for the Lutheran Church never simply a set of propositions in which the church, or several churches agree. This is the great misunderstanding of modern Protestantism that has crept also into the Lutheran Church." He said that this leads to "confessions of a minimum."
In last month's Esprit we observed that this "Gospel Reductionism" has again sprouted in our Synod. This poor theology seems to drive whatever impetus our Synod has adopted. It is nothing more than what Luther called "the theology of glory," a theology that he strenuously rejected. Merely reciting the old theological formulae will not work in our world any more. We find that most people are not even interested in propositional truth because most of them have become Post-Modernists, that is, people for whom there is no objective truth. There is only what they believe to be true for themselves.
What seems so disturbing to us these days is that many in our Synod believe that this poor theology will overcome the might of heresy in our world. Sasse observed that the theology of glory does not take seriously the strength of heresy. The theology of glory insists that merely repeating the stock phrases of the past will be sufficient to combat heresy. In the context of our annual Reformation celebration it means that we cannot simply repeat the slogans of the past unless we connect them to real Lutheran piety.
Practically speaking it means that we cannot say we believe in Word and Sacrament if we don't actually use them faithfully. It is not enough to say that we believe in confession and absolution if we never actually use it. It is not enough to say that one is a Lutheran if one is offended by genuine Lutheran practice. So often have people who have identified themselves as Lutherans visit us and never come back because they are offended by a genuine Lutheran practice of the Divine Service. One must certainly wonder what kind of "Lutherans" they were!
Very simply, you must be informed first of all. It means that your theological education can NOT have "been sadly neglected!" It means that you shall have to work at informing yourself by regular attendance at Bible studies where such things are discussed, by a thorough review of the Catechism on a regular basis, and by faithful attendance at the Divine Service.
Second, it means that you shall have to practice what you hear, making that good confession [1 Timothy 6.12-13] before others. It may not win you friends, but it will be a confession of the truth of God. It means that you speak highly of your Lutheran confession of faith, that you don't water it down to accommodate the syncretists all around us. We urge you to take as your example many of the courageous Lutherans in Africa who make such a confession even in the face of persecution and death. In this sense, it must become a life and death issue for you.
Third, as a congregation we must see as our sacred duty our outreach to the community and world with this truth. We must not be content to be drawn back continually into ourselves. We must not shirk our duty to confess the truth to those around us, those here in our community. It cannot be an either/or kind of strategy, as many in our Synod seem to be saying these days, but a both/and. Purity of doctrine and practice must give way to an outsurge. If it doesn't happen, then one must examine whether one really believes that purity of doctrine and practice matter at all, whether the Church dare tolerate any kind of heresy which weakens the faith.
The fiercest part of the battle is going on within the Church! Why should it be surprising that Satan concentrates his efforts in precisely the place where the Truth abides? Why does "the old evil foe" try to bring his "deadly woe" where Christ's people are gathered? Because he must attack the truth lest the world hear that he is a liar.
Where is Lutheranism going? At this point we cannot say for certain. Real Lutheranism has all but disappeared as a major force in the cradle of Lutheranism, Germany and the Scandinavian countries, and it is threatened in America as we see one major Lutheran body collapse in apostasy. Will our Synod go the way of Pietism after all? Will the battle for the Bible in the 1960s and 1970s all have been merely a temporary respite before the final collapse? We don't know, but it could happen. As for us, we are called to be faithful. Someone said, "Faithfulness is never irrelevant; if you are irrelevant, you are not really being faithful."
By God's grace may we be faithful, no matter what the outcome!
Pastor Meyer
From my studies of the Scriptures, I have found that many great Bible characters are largely overlooked by many in Christianity. When they are talked about, it's usually as an example of how we should live as Christians. Although this is quite true, we're likely to despair of our own efforts in comparison unless we read about them in the proper manner. These people only did great things because God was working in their lives. God loves us all equally and considers us all the same. As modern Christians, God works in our lives every bit as much as He did for the people of Scripture. My hope is that by introducing you properly to these "ordinary" people from Scripture, you can come to appreciate your own version of ordinary and see that everyone loved by God is truly extraordinary.
LYDIA
14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. (Acts 16:14)
Lydia is a pretty easy person to overlook. While King David is mentioned by name over a thousand times throughout Scripture, Lydia is mentioned only twice. Does this mean that we can't learn anything from her example? Does this mean that she wasn't loved and affected by God in her life just as much as David? No way! We often find that we aren't the major players in great works accomplished by God, but that doesn't mean that He isn't thinking of us all the while. Similarly, Paul is the man of the hour in the story of Lydia, but her example and love shine through every bit as much as that of the Apostle.
If you know anything about Lydia, it's probably that she was dealer of Purple from the city of Thyatira. Even armed with this knowledge, you might not feel like you know Lydia very well, and you're probably wondering what a "dealer of purple" really is. Another good question to ask at this point is whether this has anything to do with modern day, with your life. If it doesn't, what is it worth except for perhaps an amusing story to pass the time? Fortunately for all of us, Lydia's story is very applicable and important for modern day as well.
Purple dye was a product of the region of Philippi, making it quite valuable to travelers and visitors to the area, as well as the locals, who used it for profit. We can assume from the text that Lydia was also a believer in the One True God, mainly from the evidence that she was present with others to listen to Paul and Silas preach. In this largely pagan region, being both a business woman and a believer would be a risky endeavor, especially the believing part. Lydia could've been and may have at times been treated like a second class citizen (both as a believer and as a woman), and this reputation would hurt her business and income. Whether or not this was the case, she was present to listen to the lesson of Paul as he preached in the area.
Does this ring true in our own lives as well? Recent studies have shown that women are just starting to catch up to men for income and earning power in the working world. This has been a hard fought battle and one that challenged many preconceived notions about women. Lydia was the original women's right's advocate, quietly operating a successful business which was in danger of bankruptcy should anyone find out that she was a believer in Yahweh, let alone a Christian (yes, there is a difference!).
Does our faith ever impede our professional and vocational success? Do we let it? Hollywood constantly portrays successful people as the ones who make their work their lives. They don't let little things like relationships, religion, or failures stand in their way of economic gain. They're willing to lie, cheat, and swindle to be successful. Does this happen to us? It's happened to me, and it's easier than you think. I've lost out on at least half a dozen jobs in the last ten years because I refuse to work Sunday mornings. Lydia certainly made sacrifices in her life in order to be a believer (and this is in an age when faith in God was dangerous), and God rewarded her richly for that.
When Lydia went to listen to Paul, she heard the wonderful message of Christ crucified and we read that "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message" (Acts 16:14). This is a wonderful example of how the Word of God really works. We might sometimes think that listening to the Scriptures read in church is just a time filler (we can read them on our own) with no real purpose other than to be "religious". However, the Scriptures reveal to us that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:14) and the Holy Spirit works in our hearts when we read and hear the Scriptures. When looked at this way, the Scripture readings appear to be one of the most important things in the Divine Service (and they are!). So Lydia hears and believes (by the power of the Holy Spirit, of course); what happens next?
The very next thing we read after Lydia's experience with the Spirit is that "she and the members of her household were baptized" (Acts 16:15). Here's another lesson for us to digest. She feels the Holy Spirit working in her, and she's already a believer in the One True God, but she and Paul both see the need for baptism. Baptism is the spiritual regeneration of our bodies, where the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts and the evil spirit of original sin is cast out. Paul, as any preacher worth his salt would do, has her baptized right away. What shows Lydia's faith, however, is that her entire household is baptized along with her. This means that her husband and children were baptized as well, even though they hadn't had this amazing revelation upon hearing the Word. Baptism brings salvation and understanding, not the other way around. We receive an indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized, and we must take this precious gift when it is offered to us. Lydia certainly begins to understand how great this gift really is, because she offers a gift of her own to the disciples.
"If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us" (Acts 16:15). Lydia has been baptized, she has heard the Word of God, and now she desires table fellowship with the Apostle and his traveling companions. She has gone from being a profitable merchant to housing the men of the Lord and easing their burden. God's grace is revealed clearly through her actions, but she has no inclination of working for her salvation, she knows that it is already given her by Christ. So she does what naturally comes next, she helps out her neighbor. Lydia even goes so far as to offer her house as a church for Christians, which is mentioned later in this chapter.
I have seen this kind of faith amongst all of you. You've helped Andrea and I to become very comfortable and included in this community. You did this to help your neighbor, without trying to earn some salvation for yourself. As catechized Missouri-Synod Lutherans, we appreciate the fact that our salvation has been won for us, without our measly efforts. Knowing full well that our works don't do anything for God, we set to making life easier for our neighbors and loved ones. This is what happened to Lydia when she took in God's representatives. She was living as a true Christian, not only working in her secular vocation (seller of purple), but offering her gifts and support to further the Kingdom of God. She is an ordinary person who truly accomplished extraordinary things with the help of God.
Vicar Heath Trampe
[Note: each month we shall endeavor to include a quote from the Lutheran Confessions about important items.]
1Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The Book of Concord : The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (114). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
DIDACHE
A class for adults interested in preparing for membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church begins on Sunday, 21 October at 4:30 PM in the church library. This class is open to all interested members as well. The class will study Luther's Small Catechism and discuss all pertinent issues. We usually conclude by around 6:00 PM. If you would like more information, please contact Pastor Meyer.
LUTHERAN WITNESS
It is Lutheran Witness renewal time again. The 2008 subscription rate is $15.00 per subscription. Please contact the church office to continue or to make changes to your subscription or for a new subscription. Deadline for orders or changes is October 24, 2007.
LIBRARY NEWS
These books are new in the library:
Lutheran Worship-History and Practice- This book is a series of essays by many different authors. In this book the Commission on Worship seeks to provide sound, concise and precise information on the history and practice of corporate worship in word and sacraments in the LCMS. It is cataloged at No. 217Church and Ministry- The collected papers of the 150th anniversary Theological Convocation of the LCMS. Catalog No. 250
Concordia The Lutheran Confession-A reader's edition of the Books of Concord. Several copies are available. Catalog No. 238
Speaking the Truth in Love to Muslims-By Roland Cap Ehlke, catalog No. 266E
Guide Me, Lord- Timeless Devotions from Portals of Prayer edited by Eric Rottmann, a former vicar. Catalog No. 242
Dust to Dust or Ashes to Ashes-by Alvin J. Schmidt. A Biblical and Christian examination of creation.
Books for children:
The Real Story of Creation-by Paul L. Maier cataloged in the Juvenile section.100 Bible Stories by Stephen Elkins. Comes with 100 songs on two CD's, cataloged at J220E.
Dorothy Senff
03 October Wednesday, 7:00 AM Office of Matins 07 October Pentecost 19, 10:30 AM Divine Service 10 October Wednesday, 7:00 AM Office of Matins 14 October Pentecost 20, 10:30 AM Divine Service 17 October Wednesday, 7:00 AM Office of Matins 21 October Pentecost 21, 10:30 AM Divine Service 24 October Wednesday, 7:00 AM Office of Matins 28 October Reformation Sunday, 10:30 AM Divine Service 31 October Reformation Day, 7:00 AM Office of Matins 01 November All Saints' Day, 7:00 PM Divine Service |
ALL SAINT'S DAY
On Thursday, 01 November, we shall celebrate All Saints' Day and the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed with Divine Service at 7:00 P.M.. As part of that service, we wish to read the names of those who received the ministry of our congregation during their last days and who received a Christian burial. Those who have died since last All Saints' Day and who were members of this congregation are automatically included. Please watch for the form in the Sunday bulletin.
REFORMATION DINNER SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28th
immediately following Divine Service
Please join us for food and fellowship. The menu includes: Bratwurst, German potato salad, kraut, hot dogs, bread and drinks. Please bring a dessert to share and a couple of canned food items to help restock the local food pantries. Watch for reservation sheets in the bulletins.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
September 11, 2007
Members present - Gay Meyer, Ruth Acker, Frances Cook, Pastor Meyer, Vicar Trampe, Mike Latta, Dorothy Senff, Christy Casassa, Kathy Dinkel and Chuck Lux.
Pastor Meyer opened with devotions.
Minutes from August 07, 2007, BofE meeting approved.
Sunday school - Sunday School attendance is down. SS mission project for Oct., Nov. and Dec. will be "Telling the Next Generation" which is furnishing bibles for children in Southeast Asia. The adult SS class will be studying "Confession and Absolution" for about 6 weeks.
Preschool - No report.
VBS - No report.
YPI - Will pick apples September 22.
College Students - First class held Sept. 9 with pizza for the meal. 8 students in attendance studying "Mere Christians" by C.S. Lewis.
Hoi Polloi - 9 on hand for pizza Sunday Sept. 9 with 8 bowling later. October will be a miniature golf outing and November will be apple strudel baking and cooking for the Sunday 5pm college student class.
Catechesis - Started August 25 with 7 second year and 1 first year student.
Didache - Will start October 21.
Library - Available books in the library - "Speaking the Truth in Love to Muslims", "Church and Ministry", Lutheran Worship History and Practice", "The Real Story of Creation", "Guide Me Lord", "Concordia The Lutheran Confessions", "Dust to Dust or Ashes to Ashes" and "100 Bible Stories".
Old Business - Children's Christmas Service leaders this year will be Stacy Gibbens and Aunnee Trampe.
New Business - Next meeting will handle 2008 budget.
Next BofE meeting October 09
Chuck Lux
Deacon Board of Education
OUTREACH, ASSIMILATION & FELLOWSHIP BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
Meeting opened with Responsive Prayer led by Pastor. Vicar Trampe, Kari Cress, Brad Cress, Luzia, Kristalena, and Nicholas Trexler attending. Minutes from last meeting read and approved with minor corrections of spelling.
The Church picnic on the 23rd was discussed and it was decided to have BBQ pork and hot dogs as the meat. There had been a lot of response and we're preparing for approximately 100 people. Brad and Kari will order prizes from Old Lutheran and Concordia Publishing house. There will be 3 -- 4 shade canopies set up in the yard. Set up will be early morning of the 23rd. Pastor will write questions for "Are you smarter than a Catechumen?" and Vicar will MC. Leslie will have kids games that the YPI will conduct.
The baby shower for Susan Bradford's new baby boy is Oct 7th following DS. The Trexler ladies are in charge.
We have received a check of over $250 from Krogers as our rebate from members using their gift cards. Brad will call Baeslers and check if they have a similar program.
Leslie had info on the Race for the Cure on October 6th. It's held at Saint Mary of the Woods. Kari will be team captain and she will be recruiting. We need at least 9 people to have a team.
We're proceeding with a new pictorial directory pending approval from COD. Updates to the member directory are in progress now, Marolyn reported greeters begin September 16. We need more people to sign up.
Reformation Dinner is October 28th. The Trexlers suggested a Reformation party. We will have a DVD movie night showing Luther with the Didache and college students. Popcorn and snacks will be provided.
Upcoming Dates
Reformation Dinner- October 28
Advent dinners- December 5th and 12th
Church decorating-Friday Dec. 14th put up tree and lights, Saturday 15th hang greens and decorate tree
German Service-December 14th @ 4:00pm Children's Service-December 19th @ 7:00pm Undecorate- following D.S. January 6th, lunch will be provided
Respectfully submitted,
Brad Cress Deacon-OAF
PLEASE HELP!
During the summer months we have experienced quite a financial shortfall, which has kept us from meeting our obligations with regard to missions we have pledged to support. In addition, this shortfall has left us unable to meet other budgeted needs. Please help make up the shortfall! If you have neglected to send in your offerings during the summer, please do so now!
OUR CHURCH PHONES
Please remember that we have an automated phone system and that getting the system announcement does NOT mean that Pastor or Vicar are not in their studies. Please press the corresponding number for either Pastor or Vicar. If they are in, they will answer. If not, you may leave a voice mail for them.
SUSAN G. KOMEN - RACE FOR THE CURE - OCTOBER 6,2007
The OAF Board has organized a team to participate in this years run/walk held on October 6, 2007 at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. Activities start with a Survivor Breakfast at 8:15am and end with a closing ceremony at noon. The day is filled with many activities. Contact Kara Cress to join the team or make a donation. Please help us raise funds for this great cause!
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00am on Sunday, November 4, 2007. Remember to mark your calendars and change your clocks!
THANK YOU
We thank everyone for their cards, prayers, phone calls, food and hospital visits during Marolyn's surgery and recovery period. Our special thanks to Pastor Meyer and Vicar Trampe for the time spent with family.
God's Blessings
Marolyn and Chuck Lux
PORTALS OF PRAYER
The October through December copies are now available for your use. They are located in the Narthex and on the table across from the office. Large print copies are also available.
REMEMBER IMMANUEL IN YOUR WILL!
Help keep the work of the Gospel going here after you are gone.
TABLE TALK
Martin Luther used to sit around the dinner table and talk for hours with his friends about all kinds of topics, some of them merely reflections on what was happening in their society. In Luther's Works, American Edition, this is called "Table Talk," from the German Tischreden, which can be translated as "after dinner talk." In that spirit we include this monthly column.
The Associated Press reported recently that Chinese authorities having been cracking down on Christian groups, arresting many leaders. The "crimes" include picking up two tons of Bibles, having government unauthorized worship services, and holding a vacation Bible school. One woman who hosted a Bible study for young people had her water and electricity cut off. Calls to local government officials or the police yielded answers that they had no knowledge of the arrests. The Chinese government allows only Communist Party controlled churches. At the same time, millions of Chinese Christians worship underground, usually in private homes. History tends to repeat itself.
The event will have taken place by time you read this, but a comment is in order. An organization known as "See You at the Pole" has organized a nationwide gathering at the flag pole outside our high schools. It's happened before but this is the first year we have received publicity brochures. Lamenting all the things that divide us, it says that Christian youth should come together to pray. Its purpose is stated like this: SYATP is about you-students-asking God to work on your campus, in your friends and families. SYATP is about prayer-period." OK, it says it is about students, no wait, it is about prayer. Students are encouraged to pray together but that presents some problems. If this is pan-denominational, which kind of prayer will be used. Will it include Mormons, Jews, Muslims, or are they excluded? They want students to pray that people will come to know Christ? Which Christ will it be? After all, we don't all share the same confession about Christ. Some denominations refuse to make any kind of formal confession. And does that mean that we can give up praying for the world in our Divine Services? Does SYATP assume that Christians aren't praying for others? Does it mean that only THEY are doing it? Along with this there are questions of a more personal nature, such as the student who wants to fit in. Are there no congregations of any kind where such a person can find a welcome? We'd welcome them, wouldn't we? But the SYATP wants to gloss over "how we pray, the way we worship, and how we interpret the Bible." It seems to us that these are pretty important things to lay aside for a day of feel-good prayers. In such cases, the Church is being replaced by ad hoc religious groups which take over the functions of the local congregation. And we haven't even talked about the kind of scrutiny this will get from a hostile media or the ACLU.
SMILES
A little boy wanted $100.00 very badly and prayed for weeks, but nothing happened. Then he decided to write God a letter requesting the $100.00. When the postal authorities received the letter addressed to God, USA , they decided to send it to the Governor of Indiana. The Governor was so amused that he instructed his secretary to send the little boy a $ 5.00 bill. The Governor thought this would appear to be a lot of money to a little boy. The little boy was delighted with the $5.00 bill and sat down to write a thank-you note to God, which read: Dear God: Thank you very much for sending the money. However, I noticed that for some reason you sent it through Indianapolis, Indiana, and those knot heads deducted $95.00 in taxes. [contributed by Bill Mangold]
Work progressed, however right up till the week before opening, when a lightning strike hit the bar and it burned to the ground. The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, till the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.
The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court. As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork at the hearing and commented, "I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but as it appears from the paperwork, we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that doesn't.