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Inside this issue: Willing Workers 2 Altar Guild 2 Thrivent 2 Oktoberfest 2 Sunday School 3 Pastor’s Corner 4 Bible Bucks 4
February 2014
A Message from Jerry Brock Dear Friends, January is a good time for each of us to take a spiritual inventory of our lives. Last year we counted our blessings on Thanksgiving Day; walked through Advent with hope, love, joy, and peace; and knelt at the manger to celebrate Christmas and the nativity of Jesus, our Lord and Savior! Now, in 2014 through Epiphany, we, like the wise men on a mission, continue to go forward to see God in all His glory! Martin Luther encouraged Christians to consider their places in life according to the Ten Commandments and the 5th Petition of The Lord’s Prayer: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Luke 11:4) Have your words and actions been blessings to others or a stumbling block? How are you doing in your love for God and for your neighbors? All of this will lead you and me to join the man in the Temple, who prayed: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) Our worship regularly includes an opportunity to confess sins and receive God’s merciful forgiveness. In God’s Word, we hear both Law and Gospel, they are proclaimed for the encouragement of our faith. We are regularly reminded of God’s grace given to us personally in our Baptism. As Luther reminds us to daily remember our own Baptism… it is a “daily garment which he is to wear all the time.” Communion is served regularly that we may receive God’s grace through the Body and Blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ! In addition to worship services and Bible Studies with fellow believers, there are many resources available for one’s personal devotional life. A daily walk in God’s Word, and a personal time of prayer are beneficial! May your inventory lead you to say with us: “We have come to worship Him!” “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12)
Final Directives 5 Ladies Guild 5 Adult Bible 6 Remember the 6 Sabbath Faith Family 7 Why Lent? 7 Dates to 8 remember
A message from your office staff 2013 was a year of many changes. We have had changes in pastors, as well as changes in personnel. We are learning how to work smarter, not just harder. We are also learning we can’t do everything, and so we have brought in some wonderful volunteers. Laura Schmidt is our resident expert “proof reader”; Melodi Kasberg and Sandi Leenhouts are filling in at the front desk in the mornings; Ardys Schoebel helps with putting inserts in the bulletins; Marian Barvinski helps as needed; and Renell Book and Christina Cook have also offered to help. Sandi Leenhouts also takes care of getting the finished bulletins distributed where they need to be. And through all the changes you have been very patient and understanding, and most of all kind when we needed compassion. We continue to pray with you for God’s shepherd for Faith. We believe that 2014 is going to be a great year for all of us.
Carole and Sandy