October 2013
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com As we go into fall, we have ten days, maybe two weeks of perfect weather. Perfect for me, anyway. It's "good sleeping weather" at night, as my grandparents used to say. The days, though cooler, still have a touch of warmth left in them - all you need is a light jacket. It's a perfect time to sit around a campfire in the evening, watching the sunset in the west. But the perfect weather is soon at an end, and we go into a long, midwestern winter. I wonder if faith is sometimes like that. For a time, we may feel close to God. Every prayer is answered. We feel God's presence within us, at the core of our being. We may be filled with energy and life, eager to do the work of the kingdom God asks of us. But feelings don't last forever. Feelings of "closeness" and elation
Bible Study Making Sense of Scripture October 3rd, 17th, 24th & 31st at 7 PM
only last a short time. When they end, we can feel a chill creep over our faith like the first frosty wind of winter. And then we can find ourselves wondering, "Was any of it real?" Luther certainly felt this way from time-to-time. He and the other reformers even coined a word for it: anfechtungen (ahn-FECK-toon-gen). The word is notoriously difficult to translate into English, but Luther described it as a struggle with God, not unlike Jacob's wrestling match at the Jabbok (Gen. 32:22-32). Luther struggled mightily with doubt. In 1527, his spiritual depression reached a low as he wondered whether or not his work was leading souls away from salvation. Luther felt that God had turned his back on him forever, leaving him to suffer "the pains of hell". But rather than leading Luther away from God, Luther fell back on the spiritual medicines of Scripture, the sacraments, and the church. Luther found the fellowship of believers
Health Kits
We are again collecting items for Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. The list of items needed was handed out at church on September 22nd. Please bring the items to church no later than October 13th so that they may be packed in time to be taken to Ft. Wayne for shipping and distribution.
vital in these times of spiritual winter: “No one should be alone when he opposes Satan. The church and the ministry of the Word were instituted for this purpose, that hands may be joined together and one may help another. If the prayer of one doesn’t help, the prayer of another will.” It is in those times when we can't feel God in our own hearts that others can remind of us God's presence. God, after all, comes to us outside ourselves. In our sinful state, we certainly cannot expect to "feel" his presence all the time. But he will always be where he said he would be: among the community of saints. God comfort you always with these words Jesus spoke to his disciples: "And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20) See you in church! Pr. David
Stewardship Stewardship ladies will meet on Tuesday, October 8th at 9:00 a.m. To work on quilts. The ladies will also meet on Monday, October 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to assemble Health Kits for Lutheran World Relief and to work on quilts. New helpers are always welcome. If you have any questions you may contact Kathy Sharp.