Message from Pastor Rich (February 2020)

Posted on February 4, 2020February 4, 2020 by admin

Greetings in Christ Jesus

Have you seen a Robin yet? I remember growing up in Michigan that, when we saw a robin in the new year my mother would remark, “ that means Spring is coming”. I still think of Spring when I see my first robin. One should be appearing soon. However, Robins do not come to announce Spring. They appear because they follow their food supply. They now can find worms and insects. In the winter, they fly south where they eat fruit. As Christians we make a spiritual journey this time of year. We make a Lenten journey. The journey begins the last Wednesday of this month. This is where you can find rich spiritual food. It is served at 1:30 at the Senior Center or 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. This spiritual food will prepare your hearts to receive our crucified and risen Lord. These additional services during Lent are for your spiritual nourishment. May you have a blessed journey!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Rich

Hi gang,

The Senior Center is a busy place. It is a joy to watch people having a happy time. Karon and Paul keep up my supply of PJ . Pastor Rich has been sneaking some for himself. I received bulletins from Leslie Atiyeh and Pastor and Maxine. Leslie’s was from The Greek Orthodox Church in Portland and Pastor and Maxine‘s was from Faith in Topeka, Kansas. Interesting to see what is happening in other churches.

Myrna Miller has some smiles for you. Enjoy.

Why does eating fish increase your brainpower? Because fish travel in schools.

What is guaranteed to take care of baldness? Hair.

How do skeletons study for exams? They bone up on the facts.

Did you hear about the skunk that came to church? He had his own pew.

When is an eye not an eye? When an onion makes it water.

Come visit me at the Senior Center. Be sure to watch out for my friend the ground hog.

Zeke

Message from Pastor Don (February 2020)

Posted on February 4, 2020February 4, 2020 by admin

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All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Some of you have heard this story already but for those who have not: A few weeks ago Jill and I were doing a Bible study in preparation for our trip to Israel, and when she read Matthew 17:24-27 I was surprised to hear Jesus telling Peter to cast his line into the lake of Galilee, take a two-shekel coin from the mouth of the first fish he pulls up, and pay both of their temple tax with it. I’ve read Matthew several times before from start to finish as well as Bible studies but I couldn’t figure out why this reading seemed so strange to me. Then I realized it was possible I had never read it on Sundays because it’s not in the three-year Common Lectionary. Sure enough, when I searched through it, Matthew 17:24-27 is not there. After a thorough search of the entire lectionary I discovered many other verses from Matthew which do not get read on Sundays.

The idea behind the 3-Year Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) is that members of Christian congregations will get to hear the voice of each writer of the Bible over a three-year cycle which then starts over again and repeats. Of course congregations are free to read any and all Scripture, but the lectionary recommends readings which are suited for particular times of the Church Year. An added bonus is that one’s heart and mind connects particular stories with the seasons of the church. For example, during Advent portions of the first chapters of Matthew and Luke are read which build a sense of anticipation for the birth of Jesus. Another is during the long summer season of Pentecost, the readings from the New Testament include those having to do with living a sanctified life in Christ, and the End Times. This is just a glimpse into the matter though; the whole thing would take too long to explain here.

What I’d like to do instead is give you the readings I’ll be preaching on the next few weeks from Matthew. And yes, these are texts which I have not preached on before in my ten years here because they were not included in the RCL. As I said in my sermon last Sunday, I have an opportunity to work with some fresh material for a while—it should be very interesting.

On these Sundays the Old Testament and Epistle readings will stay on track with the lectionary; but I am selecting these Gospel readings for the sermon:

Feb 2 – Matthew 7:1-13 (Judging Others, Ask, and It Will Be Given, The Golden Rule)

Feb 9 – Matthew 6: 5-15 (The Lord’s Prayer)

Feb 16 – Pastor Kiessling is preaching; I will be away at the youth winter retreat

Feb 23 – Matthew 8: 1-22 (Jesus Cleanses a Leper, The Faith of a Centurion, Jesus Heals Many, The Cost of Following Jesus)

Lent – More un-preached stuff from Matthew to come!

– Pastor Don

Message from Pastor Rich (January 2020)

Posted on January 3, 2020 by admin

Greetings in Christ Jesus Welcome to 2020! That reminds me of 20/20 vision. What is your plan for the new year? How does being a light in the darkness sound to you? There definitely is a need for light. So much appears dark. But we have good news. The Angels announced it to the shepherds. They told them a Savior was born, Christ the Lord. Interesting, they were tending sheep and lambs. Jesus became the lamb who was sacrificed for our sins. He was the light that broke into the darkness. It is that light we are to carry out to others. He is the light that leads to Eternal Life. Now we are in the Epiphany Season, the time to have the light shine on us so we reflect it in 2020. To do that we need 20/20 spiritual vision. How do we obtain it? By being in the Word and regular worship. Maxine and I thank you for your love, support, Christmas greetings, and the congregational gift. You’re a blessing of light to us. We wish you a blessed 2020! Pastor Rich

Hi gang, Happy New Year from your church mouse. I look forward to seeing you in 2020 at the Senior Center. I resolve to eating more PJ in the new year. So keep it coming. I also resolve to keep you smiling in 2020. Here is a thought for the new year: Be careful what you hold on to. Abraham Lincoln said this; “When you have an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away, it is best to let him run.” What do you get if you cross a mouse with a bottle of olive oil? A squeak that oils itself. Elephants and fish? Swimming trunks. Question: If you dream that you’re sleeping, will you feel doubly rested when you awake? A closing thought… some people complain because God put thorns among roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns. One more… Did you hear about the bank clerk who climbed a tree? It’s because he wanted to become a branch manager. See my column next month for more smiles. Your church mouse, Zeke P.S. PJ stands for “Pepper Jack”

Message From Pastor Don (January 2020)

Posted on January 3, 2020 by admin

And whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17)

There’s a rite from The Lutheran Service Book Agenda I can use to give thanks to God for servants of the congregation and the good works they do for the Church. I’ve used this rite in the past, usually at the end of the year or on the first Sunday of the New Year. The thing is, not everybody shows up for worship on Sunday, and so lots of people who would otherwise be recognized and thanked get missed. I’d like to take this opportunity then to thank God for all of you, and recognize your good works from this past year. So many of you do so many things, so I’m just going to mention one thing for each person. I’ve put you all in alphabetical order according to the first letter of your first name. Now I realize many of you do good things for the congregation “under the radar” so to speak, and I’m not always aware of what you do. If you are that person, then I most certainly thank God for you too.

So I pray, Gracious Father, you direct Your people to use their gifts in service to others. Receive my thanks and praise for the faithful service of: Aaron Richard – for singing on Praise Team, Alan Halstead – for greeting people on Sunday, Alan Wachlin – for taking care of our two cemeteries, Amber Hutchison – for Camp Lutherwood Spring cleanup, Ava Granquist – for the diaper drive at our donation closet, Bill Benz – for reading the lectionary on Sunday, Bill Burda – for ushering the congregation on Sunday, Bill Hesse – for serving on the Board of Education, Bill Peters – for singing and playing guitar with the Praise Team, Brenna Johnston – for leading the kids during Vacation Bible School, Cathy Snyder – for greeting people on Sunday, Charlie Jagow – for repairing and maintaining our church property, Charlotte Karvia – for leading us in song and worship, Chuck Gollnick – for the best sound of any church I’ve ever visited or attended, Claire Shipman – for singing on the Praise Team, Claude Hampton – for visiting our sick and homebound members, Craig Anderson – for steadfast support of the pastoral ministry and my family, Crissy Garstka – for transition to new church website, Cyndi Perone – for the church rummage sales, Dan Divine – for steadfast support of the pastoral ministry and my family, Daniel Na – for playing drums on Praise Team, Dave Van Winkle – for cooking on the grill David Sanchez – for being Joseph at the live nativity, Debbie Grace – for the care of our altar, Dee Brosowske – for an excellent Oktoberfest, Dennis Brosowske – for keeping the cemetery looking beautiful, Diana Burda – for being an aide at our preschool, Donna Henley – for singing on Praise Team, Dottie Bus – for assisting with Vacation Bible School, Ean Hutchison – for helping replace roof on Modular B, Elaina Anderson – for providing animals for live nativity, Elissa Winslow – for serving as chair on the Board of Education, Elizabeth Johnston – for decorating the church Christmas tree, Ellen Kulle – for the care of our altar, Erin Anderson – for assisting with Vacation Bible School, Ethel Simpson – for hosting junior confirmation at her home, Frannie Moss – for leading us in song and worship for just about every Sunday of the year, Gina Byers – for assisting with Vacation Bible School, Glen Wetzel – for bringing hay bales for live nativity, Jane Burda – for helping with our preschool, Jason Schmidt – for playing guitar on the Praise Team, Jeff Shipman – for singing and playing guitar on the Praise Team, Jeff Snyder – for maintaining and beautifying the church grounds, Jeff Zachritz – for playing guitar and singing on the Praise Team, Jennifer Gatke – for another blessed and very fun Vacation Bible School, Jennifer Snellen – for her tireless service to all of us in the church office, Jesse Ramirez – for his steadfast support for me and my family, and all our people, Jill Richard – for leading Sunday School, Jim Wiedemann – for steadfast support of the pastoral ministry, my family, and all our people, Joey Perone – for decorating the church Christmas tree, John Prehm – for first Friday dinners, J.P. Garstka – for being Joseph at the live nativity, Karen Baldwin – for recording and reporting the gifts of the congregation, Karen Shipman – for leading Thursday night Bible study, Karen Watson – for being an aide at our preschool, Karon Heinemann – for leading the women’s ministry including the tea, Kathy Beach – for her tireless support of the Hope Diner, Kathy Prehm – for loving and caring for the children of our city through our preschool, Kay Divine – for setting up coffee and snacks on Sunday, Kevin Hutchison – for serving on the board of Children, Youth, & Family Ministry, Kianna O’Sullivan – for ministering to our community at the donation closet, Kristen Johnston – for the Possible with God donation closet, Larry Vosseler – for reading the church lectionary on Sunday, Leo Doll – for greeting people before worship, Leslie Abbott – for assisting with Vacation Bible School, Leslie Atiyeh – for caring for the treasury and gifts the Lord has given our church, Lowal Labahn – for ushering on Sunday, Marge Peters – for setting up coffee and snacks Marilyn Jagow – for assisting Charlie in maintaining church property, Marcus O’Sullivan – for steadfast support of the pastoral ministry, my family, and all our people, Margaret Hampton – for ministering to our community at the donation closet, Mari Jewel Ficken – for keeping our library in order and decorated, Martin Bush – for cooking on the grill Maxine Kiessling – for support of Pastor Rich and the Wednesday senior group, Mercy Vosseler – for reading the church lectionary on Sunday, Mike Conzelmann – for the use of his shop to modify our new altar candles, Mitchell Borwege – for decorating the church Christmas tree, Myrna Miller – for greeting people on Sunday, Nathan Shipman – for assisting with Vacation Bible School Orion Copley – for helping me water the church Christmas tree, Pary Pariseau – for the senior technology classes, Peggy Pariseau – for altar care during midweek worship, Rebecca Sanchez – for assisting with Sunday School, Regina O’Sullivan – for ministering to our community at the donation closet, Ron Snyder – for greeting people on Sunday, Pastor Rich – for visiting the homebound and the sick, Shirley Case – for making quilts, Steve Perone – for helping me with the live nativity, Susan Zabel – for the care of our altar, Tabatha Copley – for singing on the Praise Team, Talia Johnston – for being a chaperone at the National Youth Gathering, Terri Greene – for recording the official minutes of the congregation’s many meetings, Tim Grace – for leading us as president of the congregation, And for all our people who pray, give tithes and offerings, and receive God’s gifts with gladness, I give thanks to the Lord. Pastor Don December 31^st, 2019