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THE PASTOR'S PONDERINGS
 "Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."
The Christian foundations of our nation are seen in the Biblical quotation from Leviticus 25:10 which is cast around the top of the Liberty Bell and from which this famous bell actually received its name: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all.
On July 4th, 1776, a bell in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall rang out the news of our nation’s Declaration of Independence. But, actually, that is not why it’s called the Liberty Bell. You may not know the real reason it is called the Liberty Bell is because of a Bible verse which is inscribed upon it: (you guess it, it’s the verse above from Leviticus 25:10)
The July 4th holiday means much more than just parades, family gatherings, barbeques and fireworks. It is a celebration of the God-given freedom and liberty that we have been blessed with in our nation. As citizens of the United States and as Christians, we have been blessed with two kinds of freedom: political freedom in our nation, and spiritual freedom through our Savior.
In the National Archives at Washington, D.C. you can view the Declaration of Independence and the two other important documents our early government adopted to insure freedom and liberty in our land, the Constitution and its first ten amendments, known as the “Bill of Rights.” The first of the Constitution’s amendments is very unique among the laws of the nations, and it is especially important and appropriate for us as Christians. Because, the very first right, the very first freedom you are guaranteed as an American is: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” By the grace of God, we are blessed to live in a country where the government promises not to interfere with our spiritual beliefs, or our right, as Jesus says, to “worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
Many years ago a Missouri Synod missionary was stationed in a foreign country where it was unexpectedly announced one New Year’s Day that beginning immediately all gatherings for Christian worship were forbidden. When the missionary heard that news on the radio, he wondered what would happen. For, that very day he was scheduled to have a New Year’s Communion service in his apartment for the members of his flock. Would they still come? At the appointed time there was a hesitant knock on the door, and then another and another, as the congregation gathered. They were right in the middle of their communion service when there was a loud banging on the door and demands that it be opened. They all sat quietly and said nothing. After a few minutes the banging stopped, they heard footsteps marching away down the hall, and they continued their communion service. But, that was the last service that missionary would conduct there. For he was soon captured by the secret police and thrown out of the country. That true story helps us appreciate the first and greatest political freedom we are blessed with in our nation, freedom of religion, freedom of worship.
What is it we are celebrating when acknowledge a national holiday that isn’t mentioned in the Bible? What we celebrate as we worship on July 4th, is what focus on every week. We use the political freedom we have to worship to celebrate the spiritual freedom that is ours through our Savior. In ancient Israel every 50 years a Year of Jubilee was observed, a very unique, year-long holiday. The Bible verse that is on the Liberty Bell originally proclaimed this special year: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” During the Year of Jubilee all debts were cancelled, all slaves were set free, and all property reverted to its original owners. The Year of Jubilee was a living prophecy in the history of Israel, pointing forward to a future time when all spiritual debts would be cancelled, when we would be set free from slavery to sin, when we would be returned to our rightful owner, the Lord our God. At the beginning of His ministry
Jesus announced the fulfillment of that prophecy and the arrival of the never-ending, spiritual jubilee: “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).
Scripture tells us that because of our sinfulness we have all lost our spiritual freedom and we are by nature in bondage to Satan, and the slaves of sin. This means every one of us, as Paul says in Galatians 3:22, “The Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin.” But, through the sacrifice of His life, death and resurrection, God’s Son Jesus Christ earned for the world a spiritual “Declaration of Independence” from sin, death and the Devil. As Hebrews 2:14- 15 says, “By His death He destroyed him who holds the power of death—that is, the Devil—and freed those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” And as Paul says in Romans 6:22, “Now you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God.”
God has declared for the whole world a spiritual “Bill of Rights,” the right to be His children, to come to Him and call upon Him as our heavenly Father, and the right to enter eternal life. As Paul says in Galatians 4:4-5, “God sent His Son... to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” In Romans 8:21 Paul describes our spiritual freedom in Christ as, “The glorious freedom of the children of God.”
This month we remember our calling as God’s people, we are called to “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” So, as we worship and celebrate on July 4th, we are celebrating the two kinds of freedom with which we have been blessed: political freedom in our nation, and spiritual freedom through our Savior. |
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GLORIA DEI NEWS |
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MEALS ON WHEELS
Our date for July is Thursday, the 7th. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please call Shelly Lausche at 651-631-9040 for all the information!
KOA 50+ July 21st – Gibbs Farm
Meet at church at 11:15 am to carpool to Gibb’s Farm. Lunch will be served when we arrived at the farm and will be prepared by Verlayne. At 12:30 pm we will tour the Gibb’s House and the one room school house on the property. There is also a gift shop. When the tour is completed, we will be treated to pie and ice cream. The cost for the day is $9 which includes lunch, tour and dessert. Please pay Verlayne no later than July 17th!
STILL NEEDED
Food for Salvation Army * * * Labels from Campbell’s cans * * * Aluminum cans
Put them in the appropriate places in the hallway by the coat rack. Thanks a lot!
THANK YOU FROM BETHESDA
“Thank you for your gift of $110 . . . for the General Operating Fund. . . . Most importantly, we work tirelessly around the clock and around the world sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. . . . Thank you for making a special gift that in a unique way helps make all of this possible!”
BOARD MEETINGS
Please note that the Board of Social Ministry, Board of Education/Youth and Board of Stewardship will not meet this month. All other boards will meet at their regular time.
GET THE “SCOOP” ON WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CREST VIEW
Ice Cream Social Tuesday, July 19th 1-3 pm
OFFICIAL ACTS:
- Funeral - June 6 for Arlene Hartos
- Baptism - June 26 - Jared Mason Fragozo, Madison Louise Fragozo
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CREST VIEW BIRTHDAY PARTY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18TH
August is the Month that Gloria Dei serves the Crest View Monthly Birthday Party. We need your help making cakes and serving the event. There is a sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex for you to sign up. Thank you for your help.
CREST VIEW SERVICE
13 of our members were at Crest View on June 19th. We helped residents get to church, collected the offering and read the lessons. After church we helped the residents back to their rooms, or escorted them to the cafeteria for brunch. Next time we are scheduled help, we hope YOU can be with us!
PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
Call Muriel Lindstrom (days) or Verlayne Sather (nights) Join our prayer warriors!
THE CART IS EMPTY!
Our shopping cart for the Salvation Army and our own food shelf is running low. Please don’t forget those less fortunate and pick up extra items the next time you are grocery shopping. We have more people asking for food and if the State shuts down, there will be even more!
KEEP THEM COMING!
We are collecting used ink toner cartridges. Our 1st quarter rewards from the recycled ink cartridges came to $62.72 which is enough for two cases of paper plus! Thank you for all who helped offset our office expenses.
MAY/SPRING OFFERING
Our May/Spring Offering so far this year has totaled $950. This year's focus is to provide grant money to pay for the tuition of a seminary student at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and the remaining half will be used for a flyer to inform our neighbors of who and where we are. If you have not yet done so, please prayerfully consider what you can do to contribute to this year’s Spring Offering. Remember, you have thru June to contribute! |
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STEWARDSHIP
The Fifth Commandment and Christian Stewardship
A steward is one who is entrusted with the management of something that belongs to another. As Christian stewards, we recognize that all we are and all we have come from God. Stewardship is not just about money or finances, it is about everything God entrusts to our care. We are to manage everything for His purposes. In the Fifth Commandment we are reminded that we are to honor God’s gift of life.
The Fifth Commandment: You shall not murder.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.
The Christian steward understands that God has placed a high value on life. He created life and He preserves life. Most important of all, He redeemed our lives in the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. His gift of life is important to Him and to us as His children. “Here,” writes Raymond Olson in Stewards Appointed, “he (the Christian steward) is entrusted with maintaining in word and action the value God has placed upon life. He is to maintain this value within his own attitudes and to act accordingly in all areas of human activity. This value which God has placed upon life is understood most clearly when we recognize that man has been created in God’s image. This means that he is the best of God’s creation. Since he holds this preeminent place in creation, it follows very naturally that the person who is in this world in the service of God should be greatly concerned about the value of man’s life in contrast with the rest of creation. We may understand very well that we are responsible for the growing things of the earth and the treasures under the earth. We may understand without much difficulty that the wealth which comes out of the resources of the land is a part of the stewardship of man. But this Commandment is God’s way of reminding us that we have a stewardship which goes beyond the material, and into the realm of the very life of human kind” (pages 35-36).
“The sum total of this commandment,” says Martin Luther in The Large Catechism, “is this: We shouldn’t hurt anyone, first, by our hand or by our actions; furthermore, we shouldn’t use our tongue to talk a person into hurting someone else, or put him up to it; again, we shouldn’t use or agree to any ways and means of harming someone else; and finally, we shouldn’t be hostile to anyone in our hearts, nor so angry and full of hate that we wish him harm” (page 66).
Martin Marty, in The Hidden Discipline, echoes Luther’s belief that this Commandment is not just a prohibition against taking life, but one that calls for action on behalf of the lives of others. He writes, “Thank God that you have been saved by His grace and not by your works. Yet every bodily need must become your need. Every human ailment must become your concern. This means giving blood to the blood bank; clothing to world relief; CARE packages to the hungry; doctors and nurses to the sick and dying; social workers to the needy; interest in slum clearance; contributing to cancer research; participation in law enforcement, and the like. You have to develop a real, active concern for all people, a concern that demands that you pray for them, love them, and help them” (page 102).
We are concerned about the lives of others and also about the gift of life God has entrusted to us. Our life belongs to God. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). “We violate this commandment also by failing to exercise our God-given responsibilities in behalf of life. That means our own life, too. God here enjoins good care of our bodies and of the lives and the quality of life of friends, neighbors, and enemies as well,” writes Robert Kolb in Teaching God’s Children His Teaching, page 3-12.
Martin Marty adds that this is a hard commandment to fulfill. “Basically we are loveless. We are self-centered, not people-centered. But Jesus is Love. His love redeems us from self-love and lets us begin loving people as He did. You can never know real love until you know Jesus. For in Jesus God shows and gives His kind of love. And His kind of love is the only kind that has a sacrificial and a redemptive concern for all people. Grow in the love of Jesus Christ, your Lord, and you will ‘love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven’” (page 103).
God’s stewards understand and live by the fact that God’s gift of life, born and unborn, is precious. Our desire is to value this gift as God does. |
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FINANCIAL STATUS
CURRENT FINANCIAL STATUS
As of May 31, 2011
- May Total Income = $9,575.85
- May Total Expenses = – $12,062.47
- Net Income = – $2,486.62
- First Quarter Net Income = – $10,917.83
A detailed report is available if you call the office. |
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THE MASTER GREETER
Useful Practices of the Master Greeter
A maser greeter makes the holidays a special greeting event. Turn the routine into a festive occasion. People love it. You might try these suggestions. On Oct 31 decorate your entry with pumpkins and corn stalks. On the weekend before Thanksgiving have a family theme. On Christmas wear the Christmas colors. On Super Bowl Sunday I have a flip chart and ask the people to vote. I have a column for each of the two teams plus a column that says, “Don’t care”. It puts fun into the entry. On Valentine’s Day I buy heart balloons to decorate my entry and let them take heart candy out of a dish. On Easter greet them in a disciple’s costume and say to them, “He is Risen” to which they should respond “He is risen indeed”. ON Mother’s Day and Father’s Day I hand mints to the honored ones. On the Fourth of July weekend have congregation members in their military uniforms to stand with you and greet each person. Give them an event to remember. This will help them talk about their church to their friends in the community. It gives them an opening to invite their friends to church. |
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR JULY
July 3
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Pentecost 3
Holy Communion |
The Line of Demarcatoin Seen With New Eyes! |
Romans 7:15, 17 |
| Zechariah 9:9-12; Romans 7:14-25a; Matthew 11:25-30 |
Junly 10
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Pentecost 4 |
Be Receptive And Be Surprised! |
Matthew 13:1-6, 18-23 |
Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 |
July 17
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Pentecost 5
Holy Communion |
Weed-Pullers or Grace-Givers? |
Matthew 13:30 |
Isaiah 44:6-8; Romans 8:18-27; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 |
July 24
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Pentecost 6 |
A Call to Jesus Passion |
Romans 8:38 |
Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Romans 8:28-39; Matthew 13:44-52 |
July 31
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Pentecost 7 |
You Give Them Something to Eat |
Matthew 14:16 |
Isaiah 55:1-5; Romans 91-13; Matthew 14:13-21 |
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WE CARE SO WE SHARE
Dear Church Family,
May and June were busy months at 3014 McKinley. Our Pastor was “up in the air” and to coin a phrase from World War I, he had the opportunity to trace his roots “over there”. Rev. Starr covered in Pastor’s absence and he, on Mother’s Day, baptized the Johnson twins.
We were blessed with having JosMarie Vanderspek, someone who as a child, lived through and endured the occupation of her country in the early forties.
Our ladies have kept the coffee pot perking with special treats for special Sundays. Our young people and a few not as young, participated in the Crest View Sunday.
Kids our Age enjoyed the “Kitchen Kut Ups” at one meeting and “where have you been” vacation photos at another. Our times together are informative, fun times. We urge you to join us.
Our Don, during his long hospitalization, passed time with his artistic talents. Ellei prays that he will now quit practicing his tumbling acts.
Congratulations to Carlos Martinez, a recent graduate of St. Anthony High School.
Once again, we said our earthly goodbyes to one of our flock. A very creative, caring, comforting, considerate, courageous, cheery, concerned, cute and clever Arlene Hartos was given her Christian burial at Gloria Dei with Pastor, Karmon, Angela, and our faithful church ladies participating. It would be difficult to forget the very active participation our talented Arlene took in our Salad Luncheons, nor the pride she often expressed in her “Billy”. Our elder emeritus, Bob, once shared that he found his choice of wardrobe on a Sunday morning, would depend on when his ushers. Some of the younger group dressed more casually, but then when his dark suited, white shirt and tie group were on duty (he nicknamed them his funeral directors) he felt that he, too, should shine his shoes and get that suit on. Of course, your reporter found it necessary to share that trivia with Arlene, who responded, “Oh, Billy could never have that as a career, he couldn’t stand still that long.” To Bill and your family, our Christian love goes out to you. She was a very special part of our Gloria Dei family.
To God Be The Glory! |
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| CHRISTIAN RADIO |
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THE LUTHERAN HOUR
WCCO 830 AM Radio
Heard each Sunday morning at 6:05 a.m.
Hosted by Rev. Greg Seiz
(unless otherwise noted)
July 3 - "Living in the Freedom of Faith"
Those who trust in Jesus have the one thing everyone wants: real freedom! It is a freedom born of God's love in action, through Christ's life, death, and resurrection for us. - Galatians 5:1, 25
July 10 - "God's Word: The Power of God for Life"
Words have power. Sadly, we often use our words to put others down. God's Word has the unique power to work repentance, forgiveness, faith, and renewal. - Isaiah 55:10-11
July 17 - "Experiencing Heavenly Heartburn!"
God's Word produces "heavenly heartburn" when it reveals to us that Jesus is God in the flesh, the One Who suffered, died, and rose again to reconcile sinners with God. - Luke 24:32-35
July 24 - "Faith Faces the Future with Boldness"
We may experience real fear, uncertainty, and feelings of helplessness. But it is then that Christ's love holds on to us. Believers are secure in His crucified and resurrected hands. - Romans 8:31-39
July 31 - "Hope for the Helpless"
Speaker Emeritus Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus
Sooner or later, everyone reaches that point when the best we can do is still not enough. That Jesus has done what we could not do is the comfort that is given to those who are given faith in the Savior. Pastor Ken Klaus offers "Hope for the Helpless." - Matthew 14:15-16
TIME OF GRACE
Straight talk about God’s Word and real hope for this life. A strong gospel message delivered in an informal Bible study style.
Pastor Mark Jeske
St. Marcus Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI
- KMSP Fox 9 - Sunday 6:30 am
- Channel 23, Cable 8 Sunday - 9:00 am
- Direct TV - Ch 369 - Wed. 5:00 pm
- DishNetwork - Ch 263 - Wed. 5:00 pm
www.timeofgrace.org |
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WOMAN TO WOMAN
As of now, this program is not on a radio station in our area, but you can listen online at:
www.womantowomanradio.com or
XM Satellite radio station XM 170 Family talk on Saturdays at 1:30 pm
July 2 - Terrorism
Brigitte Gabriel, terror expert and author of They Must Be Stopped, and Dr. Alvin Schmidt, Sociologist and Theologian explain the real issues at the heart of modern terrorism.
July 9 - God's Call on Your Life
Barbara Elliott, Director of the Center for Cultural Renewal in Houston Texas, rejoices in the dirty work of renewing the broken cities of America. From her book, Street Saint, she shares her mission to encourage and rebound desperate lives out of the darkness into the light.
July 16 - Spread the Joy
Why should one give charitable donations and what is the benefit? Successful businessman Gregg Smith and Betty Duda, who has served on many boards of directors for her financial wisdom, share the reasons and blessings of giving to those in need in response to God's provision.
July 23 - Hope for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Speech Pathologist, Mona Fuerstenau, and LCMS pastor Dave Cecil and his wife Joanne, who directs family life ministries at Family Life church in Houston, have children with developmental disabilities. They share their stories and offer suggestions for community awareness and inclusion.
July 30 - Persuading the Strong-Willed Child
In her book, "You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded), Cynthia Ulrich Tobias, Founder, Manager and CEO of AppLe St. (Applied Learning Styles), helps families achieve closeness with their children and restore peaceful loving atmospheres in the home.
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JULY – DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN
Read through the Bible in 365 daily readings
This is a daily Bible reading plan that invites you to share in all the benefits of a regular, steady diet of God's Word. The arrangement of this full-text Bible into 365 daily readings makes it easy for you to delve into these sacred words consistently. So if you are hungry for God, come, be fed!
01 |
2 Chronicles 29:3-31:21 |
02 |
Proverbs 25:1-29:27 |
03 |
Proverbs 30:1-31:31 |
04 |
Psalm 42 - 46 |
05 |
Psalm 47-49; 84-87 |
06 |
Psalm 1-2, 10, 33, 71, 91 |
07 |
Psalm 92-97 |
08 |
Psalm 98-100, 102,104 |
09 |
Psalm 105-106 |
10 |
Psalm 107, 111-114 |
11 |
Psalm 115-118 |
12 |
Psalm 119 |
13 |
Psalm 120, 121, 123,125,126 |
14 |
Psalm 128-130, 132, 134,135 |
15 |
Psalm 136, 146-150 |
16 |
Isaiah 18:1-23:18 |
17 |
Isaiah 24:1-27:13 & 29:1-24 |
18 |
Isaiah 30:1-33:24 |
19 |
Isaiah 34:1-35:10; Micah 2:1-5:15 |
20 |
Micah 6:1-7:20; 2 Chronicles 32:1-8; 2 Kings 18:13-37; Isaiah 36:1-22 |
21 |
2 Kings 19:1-37; Isaiah 37:1-28; 2 Chronicles 32:9-23 |
22 |
2 Kings 20:1-19; Isaiah 38:1-22; 2 Chronicles 32:24-31; Isaiah 39:1-8 |
23 |
Isaiah 40:1-44:5 |
24 |
Isaiah 44:6-48:11 |
25 |
Isaiah 48:12-52:12 |
26 |
Isaiah 52:13-57:21 |
27 |
Isaiah 58:1-63:14 |
28 |
Isaiah 63:15-66:24; 2 Kings 20:20-21; 2 Chronicles 32:32-33 |
29 |
2 Kings 21:1-26; 2 Chronicles 33:1-25; 2 Kings 22:1-2; 2 Chronicles 34:1-7; Jeremiah 1:1-2:22 |
30 |
Jeremiah 2:23-5:19 |
31 |
Jeremiah 5:20-6:30; 2 Kings 22:3-20; 2 Chronicles 34:8-28 |
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| SPECIAL OCCASIONS FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE |
Happy Birthday:
- 2nd - Thelma Bastien
- 2nd - Pearl Farber
- 2nd - Vicki Henderson
- 5th - Lora Sather
- 6th - Leota Luhmann
- 9th - Michael Panning
- 11th - Laura Harrise
- 14th - Nanc Rixe
- 23rd - Wyatt Kruse
- 31st - Michelle Panning
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Happy Anniversary:
- 14th - Don & Eleanor Grunnes
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July Servants
Elders:
- 3rd - Karmon Christopherson
- 10th - Harold Anderson
- 17th - Ed Idarraga
- 24th - Karmon Christopherson
- 31st - Harold Anderson
Counters:
- 3rd - Tom and Patty Lyrenmann
- 10th - Derald and Chris Hadrath
- 17th - Al, Pam, Aaron & Kim Morelli
- 24th - Tom and Patty Lyrenmann
- 31st - Tom and Patty Lyrenmann
Ushers:
- 3rd - Verlayne Sather and Keith Rocek
- 10th - OPEN
- 17th - OPEN
- 24th - OPEN
- 31st - OPEN
Altar Care: OPEN
Greeters: OPEN |
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July Providers
Flowers:
- 3rd - OPEN
- 10th - OPEN
- 17th - OPEN
- 24th - OPEN
- 31st - OPEN
Candles:
- 3rd - OPEN
- 10th - OPEN
- 17th - Krystal Kruse for Wyatt & Naomi's brithday
- 24th - OPEN
- 31st - Lil Troiden for granddaughter Michelle's birthday
If you sign up for flowers or candles after the newsletter is published, be sure and let Jeannie know. We want to make sure that flowers are ordered and you are properly acknowledged in the bulletin notes.
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