Peace Talk - November 2011
Apostolic Mission Congregation of the LCMS Pastor Kristian Bjornstad 2506 N. Main Ave. 343-9828 www.yourpeace.org
FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33
One of my favorite teaching tools for the Confirmands is to randomly give them each $20. They first say that they don’t need it or don’t want it. But when I say that I want them to have it they look in wonder and say “But I didn’t earn it.” or “Why are you giving it to me?” And then quite naturally they usually say “What do you want me to do with it?” And then I say “Well, you know who I am and what I have been teaching you. I want you to spend that $20 to the best of your ability to make a difference for good in the world and for Jesus.” And then they come back the next week with a little report as to how they made the most of their $20. The times are seemingly tougher and tougher financially for many of us. There are times, of course, when it just seems that way - and times also when it really is that way! The bottom line is that a lot of folks in our congregation really are hurting these days. I suppose the common line of thinking is that “Since I don’t have very much right now, I really don’t have much responsibility to give to the church.” And so we kind of leave it at that and don’t think about it much more. I do invite all of us this last month of the church year to be renewed in the true understanding of “Christian Stewardship”: That being a Christian doesn’t mean that God is only concerned about what “we” “give” to the church and God’s Kingdom work, but that He is more concerned about how we learn to trust Him to bless us in our tithe - and use everything that He gives us (small or big) to accomplish his will and glorify Him - to be His MERCY people in the world. Your servant in Jesus, Pastor Bjornstad
Thank you, Kevin Winters! Sunday, October 30th, during worship, Kevin Winters, our organist for 10 years was presented with a plaque which expressed our thanksgiving to God for his services to our congregation. It read: The members of Peace Lutheran Church, Scranton, give thanks to God for Kevin Winters and his ten years of dedicated service leading our congregation's song with the organ. "Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre." - Ps. 33:2 Presented October 30, 2011 After worship we all gathered down in the fellowship hall for cake and coffee prepared by the Worship Committee and were able to share our personal wishes to Kevin, Ed and the boys. Kevin accepted an organist position that was offered to him at the Catholic Church only four blocks from his home in Plains. We wish him VERY well indeed!