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September 2011 Newsletter |
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Recently I received an email that even though I am a pastor was convicting. I’d like to share it with you not in an effort lighten my feeling of guilt but to share with you the ultimate importance of relationships that God leads us into and the need for us to hear and do what our Lord has invited us as His disciples to take to heart. The essence of what I’m talking about is this: Where someone spends eternity can very well depend on what we do or don't do. There are those desiring to hear the gospel but they don't know what it is and they will not know unless we teach them. The box on the side is the email I received, read it … As you can see, it is from a friend who is now dead and as the saying goes, “He has met his Maker.” The telling part is he now realizes the importance is or was in having a saving relationship and knowledge of Jesus, but now it is too late and he reflects on “His Friend” who knew this but never saw the need to share and teach him this truth. So I wonder, if it were possible to send a letter back to the living, how many of these thoughts would be sent back to you and me from friends, acquaintances, and family members that we didn’t care enough about their eternity to share and live what a Christian is really about. To evangelize means to proclaim the good news of the gospel of Christ. Jesus in giving the Great Commission to the eleven apostles says in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you." Imagine that Jesus saying these words to eleven of us today and we were one of the eleven. What would be our reaction? Impossible? Incredible? Absurd? Or Lord don't you see there are only eleven of us? Or would we think "Yes Jesus really means me also." Paul says in Romans 1:14, "I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise." In like manner today we are debtors to every non-Christian because we have the good news that can save his or her soul. This places us under obligation to share the gospel with the lost so they can be saved. Because someone loved us enough to teach us the truth, shouldn't we do as much for someone else? What if you were unsaved and doomed to Hell, wouldn't you want someone to teach you the saving gospel of Christ? If people have not heard and learned the gospel they cannot obey it. In 1 Peter 4:17 the question is asked, "What shall be the end of those who do not obey the gospel?" The answer is given in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 which says when the Lord comes He will come "In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." We should not want to see anyone lost but as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:11, "Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men." People are going to be lost forever if we don't teach them now!
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The Lord doesn't want anyone to be lost. We read in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord...is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." They can only come to repentance when they know what to do. We also read in 1 Timothy 2:4, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth." Because of what the Lord has done for us, we have the obligation to teach others so they can come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:16, "Woe is to me if I preach not the gospel." How are we going to answer the Lord if we haven't bothered to tell the good news to others? |
My Friend You knew the Lord in truth and glory, Though we lived together safe on earth, You taught me many things, that’s true; We walked by day and talked by night, Yes, I called you “friend” in life, |
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GLORIA DEI NEWS |
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POT BLESSED LUNCHEON! CAMPBELL'S SOUP LABELS MEALS ON WHEELS 50+/KOA - September 15th – 11:30 am SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHRES INSTALLATION service will be held on Sunday, September 11th at 10 am. Come and pray for our teachers as they ready themselves for another year of teaching the young ones about God’s saving love! Our teachers this year include 5th grade – Diane Gade & Verlayne Sather. FOOD FOR SALVATION ARMY MARRIAGE ROCKS! |
STUFF YOUR OWN BAKED POTATO DINNER ARE YOU READY TO SHARE YOUR GOD-GIVEN TALENT? The Board of Evangelism is looking for people to share their talent at the upcoming Stuff Your Own Baked Potato Dinner. We will be making posters for this event, so for those who will be participating in the talent show, we will need the name of your act as well as the people performing in your act. This information is needed by Saturday, October 22nd. A sign- up sheet will be posted in the entryway. If you are interested in sharing your talent or have questions please contact Verlayne, Diane or Renata. Thank you. ARE YOU READY TO SHARE YOUR TALENT FOR PIE BAKING? We are in need of pies for the Stuff Your Own Baked Potato Dinner. Would you be willing to donate a pie for the event? It’s an easy way to share a favorite pie recipe and help out in a big way at the same time! Any flavor pie, whether baked or bought would be appreciated. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the entryway. Thank you from the Board of Evangelism! CREST VIEW ANNUAL GALA DON’T FORGET TO BRING IN THOSE ALUMINUM CANS! FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY SERVERS CHANGE OF ADDRESS: |
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September - A Month of New Beginnings Next to January, September is probably one of the biggest and busiest start over months in the year. A number of congregational ministries which may have been on a summer break start up again. A new school year has started. It is interesting to note that September opens with Labor Day when we pause to thank God for honest and fruitful labor. Perhaps that is appropriate since things pick up after vacations and other summer activities and we have more opportunities for service. September also marks the beginning of autumn and that will be a welcome change for many people who this past summer were impacted by a record number of tornados, serious flooding around major rivers, heat and drought that broke many records, along with many wild fires that caused so much destruction. In spite of all the above problems God still richly blessed much of our country with seasonable weather so that seedtime and harvest prevailed and the activities of agriculture, commerce and transportation continued so that the earth was fruitful and yielded its increase to supply food for all of God’s creatures. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! God’s stewards appreciate new opportunities to start over again after life has become like a long, hot summer. In September many of God’s faithful stewards can get involved with new and exciting volunteer activities in their churches and communities. In September many of our students can begin one of their best years of learning. In September many of our churches and schools can get involved with some of the most exciting ministries in their history. A fresh start is always appreciated. The past is behind us; the future is still in front of us but the present is where we do our work as God’s stewards. God has some great things in mind for us as His stewards. He wants us to use our talents, our time, our resources and our relationships in ways that honor Him and bring blessings to those around us. Sometimes we may feel like we just can’t get started! We may feel inadequate to take on new challenges. We may remember when we have tried some bold ventures before and they didn’t work out. We can chase those negative thoughts away when we remember words like these from one of our well-known hymns: Let none hear you idly saying, “there is nothing I can do,” So, keep your eyes open for some new opportunities to put your time, talents and resources to work for the Lord and His people, and when those opportunities come, GO FOR IT! |
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THE MASTER GREETERActions That Build a Friendlier ChurchTrain your eyes to look for new, unknown and seldom spoken to people in your midst. By habit we have trained our eyes to look for our friends. Conversely, we have also trained our eyes to look beyond those we do not know. We are very friendly to our friends and too often leave the others out. Let us train our eyes to see the unknown and the new faces. Let us think about meeting their friendship needs instead of our own. |
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBERWhat Are We Remembering? This month marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attack on the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon and the lives lost in Pennsylvania. We remember that we suffered, we cried, we became angry, we received grace, we were united as a people, many sought a spiritual foundation in the midst of the chaos. Sadly through foolish means we squandered the grace and the opportunity to touch those people with the Rock of Christ. Oh, we confessed that our priorities would change, but then we got back to normal… I know, I know. The mere suggestion today of humble remembering sounds maudlin and cheesy. But maybe that's our problem. We see no reason to cry. The truism may really be true “Hubris never sees anything wrong with itself, is never willing to bow, and always interprets the clouds as the sun.” When we reflect on this tragedy in our Sunday 9/11 worship service my hope is that we might see the lessons forgotten and lessons God desires us to learn from even such a senseless situation as 9/11.
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Dear Christian Friends, Several weeks ago Betty Hietala wished me a good Sunday morning and then said “You know I have something I bet you would enjoy seeing.” After telling her that I had already greeted her someone, not her something, she giggled and added that was not really what she had in mind, but rather an old Gloria Dei cookbook. She knew because of some unforeseen bumps in life’s pathway a very mediocre cook is now one that has us asking, “Did I put that in? Why is it still on the counter?” Betty cheerfully handed me the book and told me I would have fun recognizing the names of past and present gourmets from Gloria Dei kitchens. She was so right. I spent that entire Sunday afternoon traveling down memory lane. Many, of course, have moved and find yourselves in new church homes. Many are no longer on earth, having to measure, stir, whip, grease, flour, preheat and clean up. Some of you are listed in that book and are still here, still providing many treats when the occasion calls for it. Our president of Social Ministry is in there, so obviously her credentials put her in that high role ions ago. She is quick to confess how helpful her mom was to her, with just a single phone call when she had some doozies in the kitchen. Two of those that Pastor has on his shut-in list are in that book. Remembering one of them… Dorothy Norback,…brought so many treats to church that it was difficult to ascertain in our church kitchen which pans belonged to the church kitchen, and which were Dorothy’s. Son-in-law David felt no need to find out whether Carol would be a good cook. He felt living with her mom, all the kitchen accomplishments should have rubbed off. That could have been an assumption. Your reporter’s last sister-in-law was well known in her community for the light fluffy biscuits she turned out. Her son-in-law commented to his wife that it would be nice if she could spend a forenoon with her mom (he would babysit) and she should watch her mother’s every ingredient and every movement and write it all down. The dutiful wife did just that, having to deal with a baker who measured nothing. She assumed she would be able to turn out those buns in her sleep and was anxious to try her skills the next day. She took them out of the oven. They smelled heavenly yeasty. She smeared butter on them, while still warm and invited hubby to sample. He took one bite and said “Were you even watching what your mother did? They taste nothing like hers.” The ending to that tale of woe is…. There were no future attempts at bread baking, even the marriage went poof. The other baker in my loaned book is also on Pastor’s shut-in list at the present time, our Millie House, an excellent cook, hostess, baker, good listener, friend. Every now and then forgetting how busy their working mom is, the grandsons will ask Millie “Grandma, how come you didn’t show our mom how to do that?” Betty thanks for a fun afternoon. From fun to less than fun. Our weather has raised some havoc with families from Gloria Dei. Don and Eleanor had storm damage hit once again on the farm acreage that was hit several years ago. The Morelli family suffered damage at their cabin and one of the boy’s cars. Russ Pomerenke’s daughter and granddaughter experienced flooded basement, which plagued many from the Village at our senior campus. We safely watched from the fifth floor, workers coming for the early shift, removing shoes, rolling up pant legs and entering the building. From another window we watched someone open their car door, having left the car parked on the street, with the window open just a crack. You would not believe how much water the driver swept out of that car. It is difficult to look at a newspaper and see how many areas of the country are drying up and we have more water than needed. More than needed seems to be such an appropriate way to close off. Remember your food shelf when you look at closets full of clothes that you will surely wear again. When you fit into them. We seem to be victims of having what we want, not what we really need. Enjoy the beginning of fall. |
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THE LUTHERAN HOUR WCCO 830 AM Radio September 4 - "The Greatest!" September 11 - "Forgiven Forgivers – That's What the World Needs Now" September 18 - "Hide and Seek? No! Seek and Find" September 25 - "D.I.Y." |
WOMAN TO WOMAN From the Woman to Woman website: “After 20 years and more than 1400 shows, the Woman to Woman program will cease production. Phyllis Wallace, the longtime host of the program, has announced her retirement. The final show will include a farewell from Phyllis to you, her listeners, and is scheduled to air the last weekend in August 2011. Phyllis Wallace has been the sole host for the Woman to Woman program. Because of this, the program will end rather than continue with an alternate host. We invite you to continue to listen to archived programs at www.womantowomanradio.com. Phyllis Wallace's blog will also continue. 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
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SEPTEMBER – DAILY BIBLE READING PLANRead through the Bible in 365 daily readingsThis 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!
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| SPECIAL OCCASIONS FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Happy Birthday:
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Happy Anniversary:
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September ServantsElders:
Counters:
Greeters: OPEN Ushers: TBD Altar Care: Keith & Vi Rocek |
September ProvidersFlowers:
Candles:
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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Sharing Hope and a Helping Hand At the heart of LINC-Twin Cities is the individual who has been led by the Spirit to serve others. In serving, we identify with Jesus’ purpose and strengthen the body of Christ. Each of our volunteer opportunities have the ultimate goal of making the Gospel accessible to those who don’t know Christ. Volunteers carry and share their Christian identity in their volunteer role. To serve this mission LINC-Twin Cities and Urban Homeworks are hosting a two-day community service event focusing on beautifying the area around 22nd St. and Bryant Ave. in North Minneapolis, on September 30 - October 1. We are asking congregations and service organizations to rally groups of volunteers for the event, which will consist mainly of yard work, painting, and general cleaning. Volunteers can work one or both days. Lunch and work materials will be provided. Fill out the postcard found in the entryway or call 651-270-4600 for more information. |
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"He who wins souls is wise." - Proverbs 11:30
Love the City Event