Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. Genesis 17:5

For the last year my grandson has called us “Grandma Grandpa house fell down.” I guess to distinguish us from his other Grandma and Grandpa. (Of course our house didn’t fall down, it was flooded, but try to explain that to a 4 year old.) Few people actually get to choose their own name, other people do it for you. But it is a name that tells something about us. It reminded me of the practice in Zambia when we lived there. If something special or traumatic would happen in a person’s life, they would just change their name. A life-altering event required a new name to mark that change. Using that rule, a lot of us should have new names. (Maybe not the “house fell down” part.)

God had made Abram a promise, a promise that would change his life. Actually it was a promise that would change all our lives. He promised Abram that even though he still did not have a child, he would be the father of many children and that all nations on earth would be blessed through his great descendant. We know that was Jesus. And he has changed our lives. So God changed his name from “Abram” which means “exalted father,” to “Abraham” which means “father of many.” It was a big promotion. Abraham would not just be an exalted father he would be an exalted father of many. Sometimes mothers would give their babies names while they were giving birth. Judging from some of the names they came up with, I wouldn’t recommend it. (Actually I’m surprised that more weren’t named “Ouch” or “Get out of There”.)

So what would your new name be? Sorrow? Sadness? Empty? Strength? Endurance? Faith? Hope? Thanks? Should we change the name of the church from “Crown of Life?” “House Fell Down Lutheran Church?” “Through the Water Lutheran Church?” “Never Alone Lutheran Church?” “Many Friends Lutheran Church?” But of course the big change in our lives is when the Lord called us to be his own, made us his children and promised us a crown of life. (Hey, that might be a good name!)

News:

1. Gary and Lee have two of the three chandeliers up in the church. They look pretty sharp.
2. Bible Study tonight at 7:00 PM. That is a change from 7:30 PM.
3. Kim Bechet is doing good. She has been home since Sunday and making a good recovery. Thanks for the prayers.
4. Saturday, “The Word is Near” radio show, Noon. www.wsho.com or AM800. Call in 504-527-0800.
5. Sunday: Sunday School at 10:00 Worship 11:00, Update on rededication service after church. Ladies Guild 1:00. Choir 12:00.
6. This Week: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Organist: Katherine Jefferson Altar: B. Schultz Refreshments: B. Sternhagen Acolyte: Alex Ushers: Ison/E. Jefferson Cleaning: Baughman Mowing: A: D. Sternhagen B: Noland

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose to which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

How do you get a job like this? The hurricane prediction people predicted a more active season than normal. They scared us all with their dire predictions. But about half way through the year, when there weren’t many hurricanes, they re-predicted, lowering the numbers. Now they are saying that it looks like the season might be over. It sounds very scientific, “Hurricanes tend to be few in November in El Nino years.” (They are right in once sense, El Nino did have His hand in this. El Nino refers to the Baby Jesus and we thank Him for a light hurricane year.) Do they ever get fired for predicting wrong? How do you get a job like that? People ask me all the time what my predictions are for our church and our community. Will the people come back? Will the church survive? Can I make such predictions?

I ran across the Bible passage again in our Bible Study on Wednesday night. There you have a promise from God that wherever his word is proclaimed it will not return empty. But it is important for us to know that He says that it will accomplish “what I desire,” not what you desire. I know what I desire; I want the people to come back. I want our church to be the place where people coming back come to church. I want more people to know their Savior than ever before. But God hasn’t asked me to predict how it will come out. He has told us to proclaim His word with the knowledge that something will come from it. We’ll have to let Him decide what that will be. That is true of our church. That is true of all churches.

We’ve never known where this all will turn out. We don’t have “scientific evidence.” We can take good human guesses but the end will be determined by God, like hurricanes. Hey, come to think of it, I do have a job like that.

News:

1. The Shell station on Bullard is about to open. Will they be giving away free gas like the one in Metairie was yesterday?
2. Got a few responses from our invitations. Some are coming, some can’t. I know that they will all be with us in spirit.
3. All three chandeliers are up. They look nice and give out a lot of light. Thanks, Gary and Lee. Stained glass window is next.
4. Had my 8th and 9th flat tires this week. The Vietnamese tire repair guy is open on Chef again, doing a brisk business. Everyone is greeted with the same question, "Slow leak?”
5. Saturday, “The Word is Near” radio show at noon, AM800 or www.wsho.com. Topic: “Should we try to get along with Muslims?” Call in: 504-527-0800.
6. Sunday schedule: Sunday School at 10:00 Worship 11:00, Update on rededication service after church. Ladies Guild 12:00. Choir 12:00.
7. This Week: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Organist: Katherine Jefferson Altar: B. Schultz Refreshments: B. Sternhagen Acolyte: Alex Ushers: Ison/E. Jefferson Cleaning: Baughman Mowing: A: D. Sternhagen B: Noland
8. Coming for dedication and don’t have a hotel? The Holiday Inn Express on Bullard just opened Monday. New hotel. I don’t have the number.

Be Strong in the Lord:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19

I was at the Vietnamese tire repair place the other day. There was quite a gathering of people there. (People used to meet at the coffee shop but now they meet at the tire repair place.) While I was there waiting my turn to fix my “slow leak” I talked with 2 guys. They seemed eager to talk. All I did was ask them were they lived and they launched into their Katrina story. One guy told of trying to get his relatives rescued from the top of a house. Another guy talked about getting his business started again after losing all his equipment. They say that after being through a traumatic experience that it is important to be able to tell your story. It occurs to me that we who have also been through it might not be very good listeners we would rather tell our story than listen to someone else’s.

One of my favorite stories is the one where the little boy runs into the house and finds his Dad reading the paper. The little boy says, “I hurt my finger.” Dad, silent. Again, “I hurt my finger.” Dad, nothing. Finally the little boy starts to cry. The Dad puts down his paper and says, “Well, what did you want me to do about it, I can’t make your finger stop hurting.” The little boy replies, “You could have said, ‘Oh.’” Knowing that somebody is listening is important. There is a healing that seems to take place in that alone. James even talks about it as being a virtue to strive for. It sounds like it would be easy to do, but apparently it isn’t. That is why he pairs it with “slow to speak.”

“Oh yeah, you think that was bad….” might not be the best response when someone wants to tell you their story. Maybe take a little time and let people tell you their story. You might not be able to fix their house or make them whole again but you can say, “Oh.” It might be the best thing you can give them.

1. Stoneman is back. He came with our Webmaster Michael who has been praying for our church. Michael helped him drive here but had to return the same day. Thanks.
2. Stoneman brought his plans for our patio. I believe he is calling it “Resurrection Plaza.” We’re all impressed.
3. Ladies Guild had a big meeting. Plans for our rededication are progressing.
4. The rest of the “Really Free Masons” are coming in on Wednesday.
5. The Hibernia Bank on Bullard is open (drive through only).

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 2 Corinthians 1:6

She just can't get an electric meter put in. It is the same old run around that we have become so accustomed to. All the paper work is in but when she talks to the city, either they won't answer or they blame Entergy. Entergy blames the city. Melvina has no electricity. Seth can't get the gas turned on. Randy can't find the lumber he needs around here. I know you all have similar stories: jobs, schools, insurance etc. We have been patient for a year, do we need to continue to be patient. I guess that is the trouble with patience, it never ends. If it ends, then it isn't patience anymore. You can't say, “I'm patient but only for a little while.”

It is interesting that the phrase “patient endurance” occurs several times in the Bible. I suppose it is because the two go together. Endurance without patience might just be stubbornness. Patience without endurance would be just “short patience” which would be more like “impatience.” (Now I'm really confused.) St. Paul is saying that as the Corinthians learn about his suffering they can be comforted because they see how God’s people can endure with His help. So when they have to suffer the same thing, they will have more patience, patient endurance.

I think they call it “shadenfruede.” (Sp?) That is when you take joy in the suffering of other people. That is not what is going on here. As a Christian patiently endures it demonstrates the power of God in them and we know that we have that same power in us. So thanks Melvina, Randy, Seth and all y’all who demonstrate patient endurance.

News:

1. Initial construction has begun on the patio. The grass is skinned off and fill will be added today.
2. Paulette has volunteered to cook for the crew. There will be many smiles.
3. George got through his surgery OK. We thank God. It sounds like Miraja has made a complete recovery.
4. Carol and I head over to Florida on Friday for the LWMS rally there. They want me to tell your story. I'll do my best.
5. Speaking of stories, Chris continues to tell it around the country. Yesterday he was at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School. (Yes, that is really its name.)
6. Keep Kim and Margie in your prayers.
7. THIS WEEK: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Organist: Katherine Jefferson Altar: B. Schultz Refreshments: B. Schultz Acolyte: Allegra Ushers: Walker, Edwards Cleaning: Boczon Mowing: A: McKinney B: Walker

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

What follows is a Diaspora “Guest spot” by our Webmaster Michael Eaton. Thanks!

Dear Friends in Christ:

Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. Ezekiel 4:9

I grieve for the godless dead. They are now in Satan’s grip suffering more than they endured during the Great Deluge. The believers, however, who drowned in the attics now have no more troubles. They are in our Savior’s house rejoicing in the Lord. But how many died that didn’t know Jesus? Those without God suffered, alone in tombs on top of what previously sheltered them from Nature’s wrath. I mourn for the few who could have been saved, if only someone had asked them to church, or dared to tell them the “Good News.”

False prophets had overrun Jerusalem and Israel was in exile. Ezekiel’s ministry was encouragement: restore, renew, and revive the spirit. He pointed the way towards our glorious future revealed in the New Testament. Along the way God gave him a recipe for bread.

My lovely wife Naomi went on a diet, which meant that I also dieted. This new one forbade wheat flour. The substitute for white bread was this stuff called Ezekiel 4:9 Bread. I would have the describe it as being about half way up the scale from heavy wheat on one side and Particle Board on the other. It’s not bad; it just takes some time and chewing. In a way it reminds me of being Christian.

There is not much of anything in white bread. Unless vitamins are mixed in, it has no food value. If all you ate were slices of white bread and nothing else you’d eventually die from malnutrition. Yes white bread tastes good and is easy to swallow, but it doesn’t do you any good. I still eat Ezekiel bread every day. I had become used to it when Naomi’s diet ended. Now Ezekiel isn’t as easy to swallow, yummy slice of fluff, but a complex structure one could live on just like Ezekiel did.

Many follow the easy spiritual path; they don’t go to church, yet call themselves religious. They think of Heaven and happiness, joy and cheer. Without knowing Christ their spirituality does them no good. Christianity isn’t always easy, no fluff. But it is always good for you. Our reward is outside this world with the Bread of Life.

Help and love one another:

Michael Eaton
Santee, CA

News:

1. The Patio footings have been poured. The stained glass is going in. More progress.
2. Carol and I head for Florida tomorrow for the LWMS rally. We’ll be back on Saturday evening
3. Mark and Pete are back in town and working away. Good to see them again.
4. The Radio program this week will be a repeat.
5. Randy would be happy for any help on Saturday. Come and spend some time
6. THIS WEEK: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Organist: Katherine Jefferson Altar: B. Schultz Refreshments: B. Schultz Acolyte: Allegra Ushers: Walker, Edwards Cleaning: Boczon Mowing: A: McKinney B: Walker
Sunday Schedule: Sunday School/Bible Class 10 AM
Worship 11:00 AM
Choir Noon

Be strong in the Lord:

“Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold.”
1 Kings 6:21

I was looking at the stained-glass window in the front of the church yesterday. It looks like a sunburst behind the cross. Death and resurrection. It is not as fancy as the stained-glass that you see in a lot of churches. Last time we were in Milwaukee we went to see St. Josaphat’s Basilica. It is filled with amazing stained-glass windows all around. It would make ours seem pretty Spartan. Still there is a beauty in our church that many churches don’t have.

It was 480 years after the Israelites left the slavery of Egypt that they finally began to build a temple. I guess they didn’t miss the temple all those years because they never had one before; they always just used the tabernacle that they had build in the wilderness. But now Solomon builds what must have been a very impressive and expensive temple. Everything covered in gold, walls and all. The house we build for the Lord should be better than the house we build for ourselves, don’t you think? I don’t think many of you have houses with a mural and a stained-glass window. (Some of you don’t even have houses yet.) So I guess it is good to spend the money.

But that isn’t the thing we have that most churches don’t have. After the flood the whole church was gutted by ourselves and people from our synod who came to help us. And the whole thing was rebuilt the same way… rebuilt by hands that loved their Lord. There isn’t one inch of our church that hasn’t been touched by loving hands from places all across our country. Solomon’s temple was overlaid with gold. Ours is overlaid with love. I like ours better.

News:

1. Nice service yesterday! Some visitors from our neighborhood.
2. Did you notice the nice valance lighting and the stained glass window? How about the forms for the patio? I guess they won’t pour today since it is raining.
3. Are the Saints a real team now?
4. If you would like to work on the church, Randy is accepting help when you can give it.
5. Carol and I met some nice folks over at the LWMS rally in Florida. They send their greetings on to you. We are leaving for a LWMS rally in Georgia on Friday.
6. Please remember to show up on the 28th for preparation for our rededication.
7. Bible class on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
8. We will begin a study of 1 Corinthians in our Sunday Bible class.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. Job 1:21

It was a good question: simple, direct, one that only required a simple answer. She asked me, “What were your feelings when you first saw it?” (the disaster that was our church and home) That was one of the questions I fielded at the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society meeting in Florida last week. I know I probably looked kind of stupid as I looked at her in silence. I could have said, “Sad,” or “Mad.” It would have been nice if I could have said, “Trusting,” or “Filled with faith.” Any of them would have made sense to people. The fact is, I hadn’t really thought about it. What I ended up saying must have sounded strange. I said, “I don’t know yet.” I’ve been thinking about it. How could I not know yet how I felt when I first saw it?

Job had just lost all he had, cattle, servants, children. But his faith swelled to where he spoke the words that God’s people have been quoting ever since. But notice where he said those words, chapter one. There are 42 chapters in the book of Job. Job and his friends spend most of those chapters shifting from one emotion to another. From faith to doubt to fear to blame to anger to faith etc. It sounds like Job finally at the end sorts it all out with the help of God. There is hope for us too.

I guess maybe it is hard to know how you feel when you are still in the middle. I’m sure that many of you are in the same place. Our emotions probably shift with each new day. The good news is that God’s faithfulness does not shift at all, it is new every morning. In the end, as Job also discovered, “How do you feel” is not nearly as important as “Who do you trust.”

News:

1. Ms. Land got through her eye surgery fine and Margie reports that she is able to go back to working full time. We thank God.
2. The patio is poured and stamped. It was a long hard day for those guys. May God give them strength.
3. Boomerang Venessa is back. I think she holds the award for coming back here the most often. Thanks for bouncing back to us.
4. Speaking of coming back…. Jerry and Lynn Zimplemann are back. They are getting ready to work on houses again. Jerry walks a little slower but smiles just as much. (Actually he does both better than when he left here last spring.)
5. Carol and I will be going to another LWMS rally this week on Friday, Atlanta.
6. Rumor has it that a travelling Christian minstrel will be joining us for worship on Sunday.
7. If you can lend a hand please come by the church; Randy has a lot of work to do and you can help.
8. This Week: Preacher: David Sternhagen Organist: Chris Driesbach Altar: B. Schultz Refreshments: Ison Acolyte: Myraja Ushers: Smith/Ellsworth Mowing: A: Heier B: Noland Cleaning: Boczon
9. Bible Class tonight, 7:00 PM

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Member of the Family:

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

Walila mvula, walila matope. Did I get that right? Today it rained, at least it didn’t start until 2 PM. We needed the rain but it would have been better for the workers around here if it didn’t rain. We are a little bit up against the clock trying to get “Resurrection Patio” finished before our rededication. We have had three days of rain in a row, which has slowed down the process a bit. I’ve always wondered about that. Why doesn’t God let us regulate the weather? We would be so much better at it.

The passage above is really not so much about the weather as it is about love. Jesus says that we should love our enemies and he uses himself as an example. God doesn’t just let good weather happen to his people. He let’s good weather happen even to unbelievers. (Sometimes I think it would be a good incentive to being a believer if the only good weather happened to believers. (But I guess God doesn’t want people following him because they want good weather.)) So we should be like God and treat people right even if we don’t consider them our friends.

Oh, the quote above is Chichewa. I learned it in Africa. It means “Cry for rain, cry for mud.” We cry because we don’t have enough rain and then we cry after the rain comes because it is too muddy. That’s us. That is why it is better to let the one who kept all the hurricanes away this year also manage our day to day rain. I think He’ll find a way to make it good for his church and also everyone else.

News:

1. Jerry and Lynn are busy getting things ready for their Krewes to come in.
2. I saw them put up the first pillars in our new Patio. It will be good for us.
3. The picnic tables arrived today so we should be ready for our guests.
4. Talked to Chris, he is stuck in a traffic jam outside of Madison, WI. Hopefully he’ll make it all the way to Atlanta by tomorrow night.
5. Paulette made chitterlings last night. Pretty good! Gary said it was better than lobster. Some didn’t like them much. I guess it is an acquired taste.
6. Welcome to the Family. Sunday Quiana and Alexandria will become official members of the family. They have been around the church plenty so you probably have met them. Let’s say a prayer of Thanksgiving.
7. Carol and I will be leaving for Atlanta tomorrow for an LWMS rally.
8. Randy can use all the help we can give. If you can come on Saturday or any day, please come on in. There are plenty of details that need to be done.

9. This Week: Preacher: David Sternhagen Organist: Chris Driesbach Altar: B. Schultz Refreshments: Ison Acolyte: Myraja Ushers: Smith/Ellsworth Mowing: A: Heier B: Noland Cleaning: Boczon

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11

As we drove through Pascagoula (actually it was probably Montgomery but I just like saying Pascagoula) I was thinking about the events of the day. Carol and I had just finished our second LWMS rally in two weeks. One of the questions asked at both places after I told them about our loss over a year ago was, “What does your church need?” For months I’ve had a ready list to answer that with. But over the months the list has gotten shorter. What I was able to tell those nice ladies that asked that was, “nothing.” “We ask for your prayers for us as we move ahead but as far as physical things, nothing.”

The first time I used the passage above was in this same letter on September 19th of last year. We had just unloaded 4 semi loads of goods sent to Baton Rouge to storm victims from Michigan. I made the point that the Lord had given the people of Michigan these things for themselves and to share with those in need. Just about everyone I knew back then was in need. We didn’t hardly have clothes to wear. Now we do. God kept his promise. He gave us what we needed through all those people along the way.

I know that a lot of you still have a long way to go. You are not in the “good” place that the church is in to answer, “nothing.” But that day will come for you too. Then like the church, we will find ourselves on the other end of that passage, “having all we need we will be able to abound in every good work.” It seems to me that we should be better at it this time.

News:

1. Good attendance yesterday. We had the “mother of all choir practices.”
2. Saw Kathy and Marissa Mercadel at the LWMS rally in Atlanta. They are looking good. They send their greetings to y’all.
3. Resurrection Patio is taking shape. The weather has not been their friend but this week looks good.
4. Bible class is at 7:00 PM…Wednesday.
5. Big preparation day on Saturday. Starting at 8:00 AM. Be there if you can.
6. Saturday “The Word if Near” radio show at noon, www.wsho.com or AM800. This time it will be live. Call in: 504-527-0800.
7. Sunday, no Sunday School. Worship at 11:00. Members: Come early to help with last minute details. Choir: 9:30 AM to practice. Dinner to follow.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

I was watching Jerry climb from rafter to rafter on the yet unfinished roof of “Resurrection Plaza.” It was clear he was having some trouble getting his legs to bend the right way. (Of course after his bad accident last year, we are just happy he can move at all.) Vanessa, the young lady who has been here so many times, was also climbing around up there, but she didn’t seem to be having as much trouble. It was clear who was more flexible. I suppose after Vanessa puts as many miles on her body as Jerry (let’s hope not the accidents) she will be a lot less flexible too.

It is funny how it seems to be the opposite with spiritual things. James seems to be saying that trials of all kinds actually make us more flexible. One thing it brings is perseverance, being able to hang in there in the face of difficult times. (Although learning perseverance isn’t as much fun as it is cracked up to be.) Trials also make us “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The experience of facing all kinds of trials helps us face them better the next time around. It makes us more flexible.

Do you think we are more flexible now than we were before? Do you suppose next time we lose all our stuff, we’ll be better able to cope? Does anyone really want to test this out? But I think we have learned some things. I think we may be more flexible. Maybe we will be able to get through life a little easier. Maybe the next time we are stretched by a trial it won’t hurt so much. That, at least, is my prayer.

News:

1. Resurrection Plaza is moving ahead. The “topping off” cross was in place last night. Time for a weather prayer so that Stoneman can finish his work.
2. Chris as been getting the audiovisual part of our rededication in order. Thanks.
3. Bible Class tonight at 7:00 PM.
4. Joel Frey and the Thieles are working here. A few Crown of Lifers.
5. Saturday, come at 8:00 AM; we need to get some things in order for Sunday. “The Word is Near” Radio Program at noon, AM800 or www.wsho.com. Set your clocks back Saturday night.
6. Sunday Choir Practice at 9:30. Worship at 11:00.
7. Sunday: Preacher: Pastor David Sternhagen; Organist: Chris Driesbach; Ushers: S. Sternhagen, Baughman; Acolytes: Myraja, Alexandria; Altar: B. Schultz; Parking attendants: Edward, Kimberly, Kyle Jefferson

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

(The following was written by Chris Driesbach, thanks)

Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew17:3-4

Randy Baker and I were talking after a wonderful dinner last night. Joel Frey had grilled hamburgers outside and Bernie and Beth had done all the rest. I'm not part of the construction crew, but I've been at the church this week to help set up the video and sound for the Fellowship Hall and the Sanctuary, and I always seem to show up at meal-time. Randy was explaining how the colors in the cement floor of "Resurrection Plaza" would jump out after the sealer was applied. Stoneman has done it again. He's designed and created another beautiful masterpiece for us. I know that he loves to build church buildings because he thinks about what will be happening in what he's building, and he's very glad about that. God is glorified.
Peter was so happy to be on the Mount of Transfiguration that he got kind of delirious and blurted out that he wanted to build huts for everybody. Which was kind of a goofy idea because Jesus and Moses and Elijah didn't need shelters at all. Maybe Peter was thinking that if everybody had a little house then they could all stay there and he would get to feel this happy forever. We were feeling so good after our meal and fun and fellowship and the Plaza looked so good all lit up in the darkness that we both said almost at the same time: "It's good to be here," and it reminded both of us of what Peter said. We thought of changing the name to "Transfiguration Plaza" which has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
It's kind of sad to realize that the Plaza will be finished, the crew will return to their homes, and we'll be back to just having ourselves to hang out with. That beautiful moment Randy and I shared after dinner will never come again. Or will it? Peter got his wish after all, you know. He's having even a better time with Jesus and Moses and Elijah and all the saints right now. Randy and I and all the other wonderful people visiting us for a short time will see each other again, too. Being a Christian means you never have to say "Goodbye." We can always say "See you later, my dear friend."

Love,
Chris

News:

1. Nice attendance at Bible class last night.
2. Jerry and Lynn’s daughter-in-law is back home. Thank you Lord for hearing our prayer. Please keep lifting her up.
3. Time for a “No Rain” prayer for today.
4. Big day Saturday. Saturday, come at 8:00 AM; we need to get some things in order for Sunday. “The Word is Near” Radio Program at noon, AM800 or www.wsho.com. Set your clocks back Saturday night.
5. Sunday Choir Practice at 9:30. Worship at 11:00.
6. Sunday: Preacher: Pastor David Sternhagen; Organist: Chris Driesbach; Ushers: S. Sternhagen, Baughman; Acolytes: Myraja, Alexandria; Altar: B. Schultz; Parking attendants: Edward, Kimberly, Kyle Jefferson

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. 1 John 4:16

Which is greater, love or hate? Yesterday I watched as a group of men and women worked hard into the night to get closer to finishing our rebuilding project. I really believe it was love that spurred them along. On the news last night there was a report again of another suicide bomber who took a bomb into a crowd to kill people along with himself. He was being spurred on by hate. I guess it would seem that the power to give up your whole life would be greater than to give up an evening or maybe a month of your life.

John says that God is love, so I guess that answers the question. There is no power greater than God, so if God is love, we know that love is greater than hate, just like good is greater than evil. Now you might object by saying that it sure seems like evil is a greater force in our world, but that is a matter of perspective. We live in a world that is broken by sin, a world that in many respects is ruled by sin. What we see is not the ultimate reality. The place where we see the reality is on the cross. There God gave us his life, not because he hated and wanted to kill his enemies, but because he loved his enemies and wanted to save them. Now that is power, the power that rules our hearts and the power that someday will rule all.

But for now we will have to be satisfied with God’s proclamation of love and the evidence we see of its power in the people around us. You might see it in a building project like ours or you might see it in a smile.

News:

1. It looks like rain today. Stoneman won’t be happy. But we can ask the Lord to send the rain elsewhere, can’t we?
2. You should see all the plants that were planted yesterday.
3. It is like a family reunion. Thieles and Flanagans stopped by the house yesterday. Freys and Meissners will be coming in tomorrow. Crown of Lifers all. Somehow I don’t think they started thinking of us today.
4. Chris has set up our audio/video connection in the fellowship hall in case we don’t have room for everyone on Sunday.
5. The choir of Trinity Abita Springs will be singing for us on Sunday. (I used to direct that choir with the same skill that I direct our choir, so it can’t be as good as when I directed.)
6. Hope to see you Saturday and Sunday. Big day Saturday. Saturday, come at 8:00 AM; we need to get some things in order for Sunday. “The Word is Near” Radio Program at noon, AM800 or www.wsho.com. Set your clocks back Saturday night.
7. Sunday Choir Practice at 9:30. Worship at 11:00.
8. Sunday: Preacher: Pastor David Sternhagen; Organist: Chris Driesbach; Ushers: S. Sternhagen, Baughman, Walker, Smith; Acolytes: Myraja, Alexandria; Altar: B. Schultz; Parking attendants: Edward, Kimberly, Kyle Jefferson

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:12-14

A couple people have asked me this, “Now that you have rededicated your church, is it kind of a let down?” I guess it is a good question. It was about a year ago that we set a goal for ourselves that we would rebuild our facilities if God would say the same. And I suppose that once the Lord brings you to that goal it might be possible to sit in the end zone and just celebrate the victory. Most of you have probably made some goals for yourself: deciding where I will live, getting my job back, getting my home back, sleeping in my own bed…. Have you thought about what you will do when you reach that goal?

What St. Paul has been talking about in the passage above is the ultimate goal, “heavenward in Christ Jesus.” His is a spiritual journey. The goal is the prize that Jesus has won for him, life everlasting in the joys of heaven. I guess if you are St. Paul running around the countryside with the message of God’s love in Christ, it is easy for him to make the connection between his day to day life and his spiritual life. It might not be so easy for us to make the connection between the physical goals of our lives (getting our home back etc) and that great spiritual goal of heaven.

But we will only have trouble with this if we separate the two, if we don’t see the connection between our physical life and our spiritual life. Or if we think of them as two different things. To God they are the same. If we can see that our physical life is just part of our spiritual life, it will not only give us the strength to reach our physical goals but also when we reach them to keep them in their proper place. Our church has been rebuilt. It is just one more step on the journey we are all on.

News:

1. About 230 people helped us celebrate our dedication. Good food, good music and a good God.
2. Jerry’s Kids are back enforce, installing electricity and repairing roofs. There is a lot of hammering these days and it isn’t all ours.
3. Kim Bechet was back in church after her operation; that was good to see.
4. Did you see all the nice plants that Beverly, with a lot of help, put around the church? It never looked so good.
5. Wednesday Bible Class at 7:00 PM (Last night)
6. Jerry’s Kids have a devotion every morning at 7:30, after breakfast. All are invited.
7. Saturday, “The Word is Near” radio show. Noon, www.wsho.com or AM800
8. Sunday: 10:00 Sunday School, (1 Corinthians), Worship 11:00. Choir after church.
9. This Week: Cleaning, Sternhagen; Refreshments, Cade; Altar, B. Schultz; Acolyte, Allegra; Ushers, Jensen, Phelps; Mowing, D. Sternhagen, Noland

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:7-9

I guess I’ve told you what my persistent, boring and repetitious prayer is. For the last year or so, I’ve been praying for, among other things, wisdom, patience, and strength. As things have changed, the emphasis changed. When we didn’t know exactly where to go it was wisdom that was needed. When things just didn’t seem to be getting anywhere, then it was patience. And when the road got long, it was strength to carry on. But to be honest it was often hard to know which one of those things I needed the most. Maybe I thought I needed strength but what I really needed was patience. So I have always asked for all three. Right now, having reached one of our great milestones, the rebuilding of our facilities, as I look down the road it still seems like such a long way. Maybe I should add a prayer, endurance. But isn’t strength and patience combined endurance? What do you get when you combine them? Wisdom and patience? Wisdom and strength?

St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they have all the spiritual gifts they need. I think wisdom, strength and patience are all spiritual gifts. So why ask for them? The problem is not that we don’t have them but that we fail to use them. Or maybe that we let other things get in the way. The road may seem too long because we are looking at the whole road. No one says you have to get to the end of the whole road today. What we really need is the strength to walk the road today. That strength we have. How do I know? St. Paul reminds us above, “God is faithful.”

There is nothing wrong with taking a few minutes to assess your needs. What is it that you need today? It probably is not food or shelter or clothes anymore. I suspect that the road home seems a bit long and maybe not worth the walk. All I know is that you have the strength to walk that road, one more time today. I know that because “God is faithful.”

News:

1. Chris is back travelling the highways and byways of this country, sharing his Lord in his songs. Keep him in your prayers. He’ll be singing in Houston with Robin this week.
2. George Armstrong ended up in the hospital yesterday, but they gave him a clean bill of health. We thank the Lord.
3. Jerry’s Kids have a good crew this week. Work is continuing at several houses at the same time. The weather has been better for roof work.
4. Did you notice how the “gouger gas stations” in our area have lowered their prices? Competition is a marvelous thing.
5. Congregational meeting after church Sunday, no Choir practice. Sunday School 10:00 AM, worship 11:00.
6. Saturday, “The Word is Near” radio show. Noon, www.wsho.com or AM800
7. This Week: Cleaning, Sternhagen; Refreshments, Cade; Altar, B. Schultz; Acolyte, Allegra; Ushers, Jensen, Phelps; Mowing, D. Sternhagen, Noland

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:14

His name is Jacob Zeitler. He is an eleven year old kid from Wisconsin who learned of our plight here in New Orleans and decided that he couldn’t let it pass by. (I guess kids get itchy feet too.) So he set a goal of raising money to help in our rebuilding effort. (His little sisters, Katherine and Megan helped too.) He cut grass and did other odd jobs in order to raise the money. I guess you don’t think about how an 11 year-old kid can help is such a huge disaster. I mean unless he inherited a bunch of money, he probably doesn’t have much. No parent in their right mind would let him come down here and work on the reconstruction project. So how can you help out when you are a kid living 1000 miles away? Well, Jacob found a way. I think about Jacob out there pushing a lawn mower for people he never met, pulling weeds from a lake to help rebuild a church he has never seen. Was it fun for him?

The disciples were annoyed at the parents who were bringing babies to Jesus. Jesus was a busy man. His time was precious. And here were these parents clogging up the docket. Here were deaf people that needed to hear and lame people that needed to walk and people wanting to hear Jesus speak to them about the Kingdom of God and these babies were just getting in the way. Jesus taught his disciple and all of us a little about respect for his “little ones.” It turns out they are not so “little.” In some ways, the most important way, they are the “big” ones. What did Jesus say, “Unless you enter the Kingdom of God like little children, you cannot enter in.”

God’s people not only love their Lord, they are often ingenious and creative in the way they do it. That means that those least equipped are required to be most creative. But we should expect nothing less from one of the “big” ones.

News:

1. Nice attendance yesterday, of course we had a nice group of Jerry’s kids in town. It is nice to have them around. I think they are working on 4 different places each day.
2. A Baptist Church had come to ask us to help them in their recovery. We will see what we can do to help them.
3. Kim Bechet and Ronnie Land were in church Sunday after their surgeries. Thank the Lord for hearing our prayer.
4. The Saints, LSU, and the Hornets won this weekend. People will be in a good mood around town today.
5. Wednesday Bible Study at 7:00. I’ll be at a Central African Medical Mission Committee meeting in Wisconsin but Jerry will lead Bible Study.

Be strong in the Lord

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4 “Carpe Deum.”

It seems like they just got here and now they are leaving already. Several groups of Jerry’s kids have been working here these past two weeks. They have been getting a lot done on Arva’s house, Wanda’s house, Cathleen’s house and the “synod house.” It seems like they just got here. I think about last year at this time. We were living in a motor home next to the Church in Abita Springs. So much as happened since then. Sometimes it seems like years have gone by and sometimes it seems like yesterday. Was Einstein right about time?

The Psalm above is the standard Psalm for next Sunday. We did a little study of it this morning with Jerry’s Kids. In this Psalm, Moses reminds us that our lives come and go quickly to our God. They may seem like a long time to us but to God they just go by in a flash. So how are we supposed to think about these things? Does it mean that our lives aren't worth much because to God they pass so quickly? I don’t think so. If you read further in the Psalm you will run into the prayer, “Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Carpe Deum! And at the end, “Establish the work of our hands for us.” There are things the Lord wants us to do with our lives. We pray that he will bless our efforts to accomplish what he wants…even if it is only for a little while.

So maybe it isn’t so much about how quickly it passes but how well we use what we have. Our lives will be over soon enough here. With God’s help we can “seize the day.” We might be the only people who can.

News:

1. Jerry’s Kids will be reduced in number this next week, but they will continue working.
2. What’s with the mosquitoes?
3. Did you see in the paper that New Orleans is listed as the number one city for business opportunities? Was it worth it?
4. The Hornets lost their first game. But they are doing good!
5. Chris needed more copies of his CDs. Must be doing good!
6. “The Word is Near” radio show, www.wsho.com or AM800, Saturday, noon – 1:00 PM. Call in: 504-527-0800.
7. This Week: Preacher: David Sternhagen; Organist: Katherine Jefferson; Cleaning: Quiana Cade; Dinner: Barb McDonnell, Katherine Jefferson, Carol Sternhagen; Acolyte: Myraja Beaulieu; Altar: B. Schultz; Ushers: Bob Heier, Kyle Jefferson; Mowing: No Mowing this week
8. Schedule: Sunday School/Bible Class: 10:00 AM, Worship: 11:00 AM, Ladies Guild: Noon, Choir: Noon.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. Genesis 22:10 [sic - Webmaster]

We bought the biggest turkey in the freezer case. Thanksgiving must not be far behind. But of course we are having quite a few folks over for Thanksgiving this year. Is that the reason? Do you think there is any correlation between the size of the turkey and size of the thankfulness? I don’t think so. What is it that brings about true thanksgiving? Is it the amount of stuff you have received? We certainly should be the most thankful people given all the blessings from God and all the help and gifts we have received from our fellow Christians this last year. They don’t make a turkey that big.

Jacob is afraid that his brother Esau will kill him. Esau had good reason too. Read the story. Behind Jacob is a desert full of animals, servants and family that became his while at his uncle Laban’s place. Jacob had become a rich man. But Jacob was a bit of a crook. He could see that the Lord would have plenty of reason for taking it all away. So he begins at the place were the best thanksgiving begins, “I am unworthy.” The gift gets a lot bigger when we realize we are unworthy to receive it. As long as you think that on some level you earned it or deserved it or that people owe it to you, you will not be as thankful.

Sometimes people feel sorry for us because of what has happened to us and where we still are today. And of course there is no one better at feeling sorry for me than me. So it is easy to buy into it, to think that all these gifts we have received we, at least in some way, deserve. I hope that doesn’t happen. It doesn’t reduce the gift given from the givers point of view. But it does reduce the thankfulness in our hearts. And there are few things that inspire, motivate and just feel good like thankfulness.

News:

1. Good attendance on Sunday. You’ll be happy to know that our offerings remain good. If you lost your envelopes or would like new ones, please let me know, or Seth.
2. It was a “hoot” having Jerry and Michael on the radio show last Saturday. I’ve discovered that the less I talk the more I enjoy it. (Hmmm, that might be true of everyone else too.)
3. Jerry’s Kids were all over those houses like ugly on ape. There will be fewer of them until after Christmas. But they got a lot done.
4. It has been a little chilly lately. I’m going to have to introduce some of those dead trees to my fireplace.
5. Thanksgiving dinner after church on Sunday. Then Chris Driesbach’s concert in Abita Springs, Wednesday, 7:00 PM.
6. The Ladies Guild is preparing 20 Holiday Food Boxes for those in need. If you know of someone who needs one, let me know.

Be strong in the Lord: