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:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ Luke 12:18-19

It was kind of sad. They showed the lady sitting outside her fire-damaged house in Gretna. An abandoned house caught on fire but the fire trucks couldn’t get there because a train was blocking the road. They showed the inside of her house; it had smoke and water damage; it looked a lot like many of the houses that I’ve been in this last year, but for a different reason. Her part of town didn’t flood but she lost all her stuff anyway. Some of my neighbors are rebuilding their houses with a second floor. I know why. They want some place that will be safe to put their stuff if another flood comes. My neighbor says, “I don’t want to lose it all again.”

Jesus had just said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.” And then he tells the story of the “rich fool.” He thought that he could get his life to a place where it would be all set up and safe. He wouldn’t have to worry anymore about stuff because he had plenty and it was safe. “But God said to him, “You fool, this very night your life will be demanded from you.” His stuff wouldn’t be separated from him; he would be separated from his stuff.

I know a lot of people are trying to decide if it is safe enough to come back. No one wants to lose it all again. If they build the levees higher and can keep the trains from blocking the fire trucks, then will our stuff be safe? Ask the rich man.

News:

1. One trailer pulled out this morning and one person got on the plane. The tumbleweed will be blowing through Lutherville by next week. But they’ll be back.
2. I think the plants around church are enjoying this rain, they look better than ever. Barb Schultz and my mom say that rain water is better than hose water.
3. Thanksgiving Dinner at church on Sunday.
4. Bible Class tonight at 7:00 PM.
5. Radio show, www.wsho.com or AM800 on Saturday at noon.
6. Sunday School at 10:00, Worship at 11:00
7. Thanksgiving Concert on Wednesday the 22nd at 7:00 PM at Trinity, Abita Springs, featuring Chris Dreisbach.
8. This Week: Preacher: David Sternhagen; Organist: Katherine Jefferson; Cleaning: Cade; Altar: Barb Schultz; Acolyte: Alex; Ushers: McKinney, T. Schultz; Mowing: A) McKinney, B) Walker; Refreshments: Thanksgiving Dinner

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

“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 9:9-11

She was moved to tears. Sister Eugene of the Second Greater Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church had met with me a few weeks ago to ask if there was some way our church could help their members. Their church and fellowship hall was also in the 9th ward and she saw how we had rebuilt our church. She came with her pastor and a guy from All Congregations Together. After bringing their request to the members at our meeting a couple weeks ago, you decided to give them a generous gift. (We had decided early on that we would not use donations sent to us just for ourselves but would look for others who needed help along the way.) This was just a reflection of that. It feels good to help others in need but we know that we would not have been able to do it without all the gifts that had been given to us. Tomorrow the ACT guy wants to meet with me and find out how “we” did it. What would you tell him?

It would seem easy for God to give since he never has to ask himself, “If I give this money to them, then I won’t have it myself.” God can just make more. We on the other hand always end up thinking about it. I know I have used the passage above in an earlier Diaspora letter. I think I was talking about how all these gifts find their way to us. God gives them to people and through them, He gives them to us. But now we have the next part of the equation. We have been made rich so that we can spread it around to others. But do we really have to say to ourselves, “If we give this away we won’t have it for ourselves?” Notice who gives the seed money. He can just make more.

News:

1. Jerry is making some pretty cool changes to Johnson’s house.
2. Lee left today. He has been here a lot. Thanks!
3. Congregational Thanksgiving dinner after church on Sunday.
4. This cold snap reminds us that we are deep into November.
5. Paulette has been cooking up some fine food for Jerry’s kids. Black-eyed peas and fried okra hit the spot the other night.
6. Next Wednesday, no Bible Class, we are going up to Trinity, Abita Springs to hear Chris do his Thanksgiving concert, 7:00 PM.
7. Saturday, “The Word is Near” www.wsho.com or AM800. Listen in, call in.
8. Sunday: Sunday School at 10. Worship at 11. Officially it is “Saints Victorious Sunday.” So we know who has to win the football game.
9. This Week: Preacher: David Sternhagen; Organist: Katherine Jefferson; Cleaning: Cade; Altar: Barb Schultz; Acolyte: Alex; Ushers: McKinney, T. Schultz; Mowing: A) McKinney, B) Walker; Refreshments: Thanksgiving Dinner

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Remember that this nation is your people. Exodus 33:13

It was a little like old times. Yesterday we had our traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the church. Thanksgiving is a family thing. Because people tend to have their “relative families” for Thanksgiving we always felt that we should have a time for our “church family” to celebrate Thanksgiving together. We had been doing this for quite a few years and now we were doing it again. There were three kinds of turkey: cooked, fried, smoked. There was some home made macaroni and cheese (the only good kind). There was crab dressing and shrimp salad, chicken and dumplings and some stuff I didn’t recognize. We sat around a circle of tables and told stories and laughed like old times. It is good to remember old times especially when the old times are good.

Moses asks God to remember that the Israelites were his people. There isn’t much chance that God would forget that. (The only thing I know that God forgets is our sins….and that for Jesus’ sake) Of course the Israelites did enough things that probably made God wish he could forget that they were his children. But God had made a promise and he always keeps his promises and he never forgets them. I guess sometimes it might seem like God has forgotten that we are his children. You might have felt that way in the last year. But I think by now you can see that he hasn’t forgotten us. There is plenty of evidence that he never will.

So as you join with your “relative families” this Thanksgiving take the opportunity to thank God for good memories that he has given you together. Thank him for his Son and for his sake declaring us to be his children. And be thankful that he will never forget that.

News:

1. Nice attendance on Sunday. Good food, nice fellowship. Another good memory.
2. Jerry and Vanessa head back today. They were starting to act “strange” so they had to go back and get a shot of Midwestern in them.
3. The newspaper reports that FEMA will pay for taking down dead trees. That is good news for us.
4. It has gotten so cold I had to start a fire in my fireplace.
5. Brunette’s church in Columbus, Ohio reports that she has been ill. Keep her in your prayers. Her church sent us a donation in honor of Brunette. Thanks!
6. The entire dedication service is available on www.wels.net. It is the first thing that pops up. It takes a while to download, but they did a nice job recording.
7. If you will be in town for Christmas and would like your children (any age) to have a part in the program, let us know.

Be Strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Your clothes did not wear out. Deuteronomy 8:4

We used to have one of those old refrigerators, you know the ones that had those “wonderful” 70’s colors. I think ours was “harvest gold.” (Yellow) I liked it. Not because of its color. A little because we had bought it when we were first married and it had lasted over 30 years. I know, the seal on the door wasn’t so good and it always needed to be defrosted, but it was a reminder that God blesses our lives not only with nice new shiny things, but also by making us not need nice new shiny things. Last year, after the flood we threw it out. (Actually it survived the flood and still worked but everyone said that you couldn’t get the smell out so we threw it out.)

In the somewhat obscure passage above, the Lord is reminding the people of Israel that he cared for them in the wilderness in many ways. Not only did he feed them everyday but he made their clothes last longer for those 40 years. For some reason they were not able to get new clothes out in the wilderness. (I guess “wilderness demographics” are not good enough for a Wal Mart.) I occurs to me that our affluence generally does not allow God the opportunity to care for us this way. We usually don’t wear out our clothes; they just get out of style or mysteriously shrink. Our refrigerators may still be cool on the inside but they just don’t look “cool” on the outside. Which requires greater thanksgiving to God, having things that last and last, or being able to buy new and not needing to see how God makes them last? This Thanksgiving Day we will have the opportunity to be thankful for both.

I’m sorry if you lost your old stuff this last year, especially if it was old stuff that reminded you of how many ways the Lord cares for us. But I also know that the Lord has brought most of us through this just fine. It is hard not to see the care of God sitting here in my new kitchen where everything is new including the refrigerator.

News:

1. Carol and I took our permit down to have the Army Corps of Engineers take down all the dead trees on our church property. The paper is wrong; you have to go down there and get the forms. (There is another one that you can’t download from the web site. And it has to be notarized. They have a notary there.) Of course this information is subject to change at any time.
2. Jack Frost is nipping at our noses. I just hope he doesn’t nip my papayas.
3. Please keep Margie in your prayers. She had a relapse of her eye problems. No only is it hard for her to see, but she can’t work and we know what that means.
4. Tomorrow night, no Bible Class; we are going to Trinity, Abita Springs for Chris Driesbach’s concert 7:00 PM.
5. Saturday “The Word is Near” radio show at noon. Call in., 504-527-0800. www.wsho.com or AM800.
6. Sunday School 10:00 Worship 11:00. Choir practice 12:00
7. This Week - Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Chris Driesbach, Altar: B. Schultz, Cleaning: R. Schultz, Refreshments: Jefferson, Acolyte: Allegra, Usher: Ison, E. Jefferson, No Mowing

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37

It was one of those good weeks, the Saints won and LSU won both big games. For some strange reason, we feel good about that, we feel like winners. Now none of us played in those games, we didn’t really have anything to do with those wins. Is it that important that we feel like winners that we attach ourselves to others who can be winners for us? Maybe the problem is that there are so few things in life that clearly define us as winners.

I guess we didn't feel much like winners a year ago. We lost everything and the future didn't look good. Then there were all these reports about New Orleanians who were selfish and lazy. The pictures of the complainers bothered me because I knew a lot of New Orleanians and I never heard that once. But it is human nature to lump people together. I guess we got lumped. But this time we got lumped with losers and so we felt even more like losers.

But we are winners in a lot more important way than hooking ourselves to a football team. We are winners because Jesus has hooked us to him. But we are winners because that is what our Lord has made us. And because we are connected to him we are super winners, according to St. Paul. Think about that! We are led by the one who had no home to live in, no closet full of clothes, and despised by people as a loser. But he won it all. And here is the good part, no matter what happens in life we will always be winners in Jesus.

News:

1. Jerry returned safely last night. Nice to have him and Lynn back again.
2. Chris Driesbach also returned on Sunday. He went and sat in his car all afternoon yesterday just to feel at home.
3. The Knickelbeins will be leaving this Friday. They have spent a lot of hours in service to us and to our Lord. Thanks and God speed.
4. Bible Study on Wednesday at 7:00 PM
5. “The Word is Near” Radio Show at noon, www.wsho.com. or AM800 Saturday. Also on Saturday: tree trimming in the church at 6:00 PM
6. We have been invited to Trinity’s Christmas Party December 10th, 5:00 PM. Mark the day on your calendar.
7. Sunday School at 10:00 for children and adults. Worship at 11:00 Sunday. Choir practice to follow.
8. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Chris Driesbach, Altar: E. Baughman/G. Edward, Acolyte: Myraja, Mowing: A) Heier B) Noland, Cleaning: R. Schultz, Lunch: Wanda, Gretchen, Ramona

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. 2 Samuel 1:26

A friend of mine called me yesterday and asked me how I was doing. He has been keeping watch over what has been happening here for the last year and he just wanted to call and check in. We became friends because my name came before his in the alphabet and we were thrust together as locker mates in high school. I spent a few weekends at his home in Greenville. (The billboard outside of town read, “Greenville, where the action is.” But it wasn’t.) He spent a few weekends at my home. We co-shot a buck one hunting season. (Don’t ask me to tell the story unless you have a lot of time.) It might sound like we had hung out together for the last 40 years but the truth is we only have spoken a couple times since high school and now a couple times in the last year. Are we really friends then?

The passage above is sometimes abused. Some people like to say that it proves that David and Jonathan were homosexuals. But in mourning Jonathan’s death, David realizes that his love for Jonathan was more than romantic, more than sexual love. There was a bond that was beyond that. I hope your love for your husband or wife is beyond romantic, sexual love. One of the best ways to develop that love is a common love for your Savior Jesus. One of the ways we describe that love is fellowship. I am connected to Jesus, the source of all true love and if you are connected to that same source we can love each other the way Jesus loves us. That raises our love to a new level. One of the nice features of that love is that it doesn’t die.

So we were friends all those years when we weren’t talking to each other. It didn’t matter; we were friends in Jesus so it isn’t strange for him to call me after 40 years and say, “How have you been?” I know I haven’t seen a lot of you Crown of Lifers in awhile and you haven’t been together with our “Family” for awhile either but that doesn’t change the love we have for each other in Jesus. It really doesn’t die.

News:

1. Melvina still can’t get her electricity turned on. Time for an “electricity prayer.”
2. Eddie Green was in town this weekend getting his house ready.
3. Keep Margie in your prayers she continues to suffer with her eyes. Miss Land too but with a different eye problem.
4. Beverly’s mom is in the hospital and not doing well.
5. Jeremy’s dad is also in the hospital suffering. Keep him in your prayers.
6. Chris is back in Lutherville. You can just hear the music coming out of there.
7. Tonight Bible class at 7:00 PM.
8. “The Word is Near” Radio Show at noon, www.wsho.com. or AM800 Saturday. Also on Saturday: tree trimming in the church at 6:00 PM
9. We have been invited to Trinity’s Christmas Party December 10th, 5:00 PM. Mark the day on your calendar.
10. Sunday School at 10:00 for children and adults. Worship at 11:00 Sunday. Choir practice to follow.
11. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Chris Driesbach, Altar: E. Baughman/G. Edward, Acolyte: Myraja, Mowing: A) Heier B) Noland, Cleaning: R. Schultz, Lunch: Wanda, Gretchen, Ramona

Be strong in the Lord.

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9

We got three big boxes in the mail yesterday. Gifts put together by a WELS school children from some other place for our children here. We also received a whole set of “get well” cards written by WELS school children to our church. Later in the day I was talking with Jerry about the future of our synod (religion and politics all rolled into one.) There are a lot of leaders in our synod who are wondering how we can activate the people of our church? We have thousands of members around the country with such great potential for doing the Lord’s business; how can we get that going? Of course we know the answer, it is the Gospel; the Love of God is the only motivator that is worth anything. But how do we show people how the love of God applies to what I do today? There is a question that is not so easily answered.

I’d like you to read a few quotes from the “get well” cards we received from Our Savior Lutheran School, Grafton, Wisconsin. (These are only a sample of the 16 letters sent)

“Dear members of Crown of Life, My name is Arron Hess. . I love to play football. One of my favorite teams is the New Orleans, Saints. We are reading about hurricanes. I can’t believe what you had to go through! It must have been horrible! Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. Is 41:10. From Aaron Hess”

“….my name is Caitlyn Eismer. I am 10 years old ….. Right now in reading class we are studying hurricanes. Now I know what you’ve been through, so I want to send you a bit of encouragement from the Bible: Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you will honor me. Ps 50:15 God’s blessings as you continue moving forward. In Christ, Caitlyn”

What is encouraging about this is not just that there are kids who for at least awhile stepped out of the “Xbox-Ipod” world and responded to God’s love. It is that there are teachers all across our synod who are leading our children to know how God’s love has captured their lives and they can never be the same. Do your kids know that? There is hope that the next generation will be better at it.

(Thank you for the encouragement, 5th grade at Our Savior Lutheran School and Miss Stutt)

News:

1. They removed a FEMA trailer from our block. Someone else is back in.
2. Bought the Christmas tree at Home Depot. Only a few trees to choose from. I guess they didn’t think there would be that many people buying trees this year (no room in a FEMA trailer.)
3. December 10th at 5:00 PM we are invited to Trinity’s Christmas Party in Abita Springs. (Yes, there will be food.) We are going to try to get our choir together to sing there.
4. Tree decorating on Saturday at 6:00 PM.
5. “The Word is Near” Radio Show at Noon on Saturday, AM800 or www.wsho.com. Call in, 504-527-0800.
6. Sunday school at 10:00, Worship at 11:00 Sunday, Choir at Noon.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered members of the Family:

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

I’m sorry, I just have to write about this again. Last night hurricane season officially ended. It had been predicted to be another really bad season for hurricanes. All the experts agreed. Some of the networks began the hurricane season with a broadcast from here. Standing in front of hurricane damaged homes they predicted another disastrous year. Now that the season has turned out to be one of the smallest on record with no storms in the gulf and most of the others spinning harmlessly away, everyone is scrambling. Brian Williams said last night that it really wasn’t their fault, the government gave them the information. He also said twice during the segment that predicting the weather was an inexact science (something that no one was saying at the beginning.) The hurricane experts are saying the reason they got it wrong was because of El Nino. They don’t know how right they are.

El Nino is the warming of the Pacific Ocean in certain areas that is supposed to affect the weather. El Nino in Spanish means “The Baby.” It usually starts up around Christmas time and is named after the Baby Jesus. If you remember we spent a lot of time praying to the one who can calm the storm with a word. We asked Jesus to calm these storms, keep them from forming or send them out of harms way. With a word he did that. The hurricane center was right, it was THE BABY who stopped those storms and today I’ll ask you to join me in thanking him.

News:

1. Jeremy Wessel’s father passed away yesterday morning. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Pslam 118:15 Please remember his family in your prayers.
2. Work continues at Johnsons and 31 Marywood Ct. Jerry’s Kids are down to only a few right now. I guess a lot of people want to be home for the holidays. But things are predicted to pick up in January.
3. Tree and Church Decorating on Saturday night (romorrow)at 6 PM.
4. We are planning Christmas for Kids for December 16th, 10 AM – 2 PM. Not sure how many kids are living in these FEMA trailers but we will give it a try.
5. The word is that they will stop picking up debris in our area at the end of the year.
6. Still waiting for a call from the Army Corps about our trees.
7. “The Word is Near” Radio Show on Saturday at Noon, AM800 or www.wsho.com. Call in 504-527-0800.
8. Sunday School: 10 AM, Worship: 11:00 AM, Choir: Noon.
9. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Chris Driesbach, Altar: E. Baughman/G. Edward, Acolyte: Myraja, Mowing: A) Heier B) Noland, Cleaning: R. Schultz, Lunch: Wanda, Gretchen, Ramona

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

It was one of those embarrassing stories. Some people claimed to be victims of Katrina who had evacuated to someplace like Memphis. They found a church that was willing to buy them a house to live in. After they were given this house they never even lived in it, they just sold it, took the money and left. Do you think that church will be as willing to help out next time? I guess it is one of the things that makes helping out the most difficult. You finally decide that you are going to take some of your time or your money to help someone out and when you do, they don't seem to appreciate it or they ask for more. It can be a real “volunteer killer.”

St. Paul wouldn't have said, "Don't become weary of doing good," if doing good was always so much fun. It is pretty clear that becoming weary of doing good is a real problem. But he also makes it clear that we shouldn't be looking to the person we help with the idea that the reward will come from them; it won't. The reward comes from God and that is a much better, more reliable place.

Sure, receiving positive feedback makes it easier, but some people seem to be able to keep on without it. Then again I guess we know who they are getting their reward from.

News:

1. The mayor just picked his "Recovery Czar." One has to be careful not to make snap decisions.
2. It sounds like you should apply for "Road Home" money even if it doesn't look like you will get any. The rules seem to be in flux.
3. They are saying no more debris removal after the first of the year. If you still have stuff to put out, now is the time.
4. Prayers: Margie, Garnet, Beverly's Mom, Jeremy.
5. Good choir practice Sunday. Another is planned for this Sunday. We are singing at Trinity's Christmas Party at 5:00 PM.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David… Luke 2:4

“I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams.” That is a song that I think was written during WW 2. It is a song that expresses a soldier’s desire to be home for Christmas, but he will only be there in his dreams. Jerry has a hard time getting people to come down and help out at this time of the year because they want to be home for Christmas. Last year at this time most of us who were hit by the storm were not celebrating Christmas at home. This year there are still some of you who will not be able to be home for Christmas. As one who will, I can tell you that it will be nice to be “home for Christmas.” But does being home make Christmas better?

It is interesting that those who made Christmas happen actually left home for Christmas. It wasn’t their choice either. Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to register. The Savior of the world, our Savior was born there away from home to fulfill the prophecy. But actually Jesus left his home in Glory to come as a servant and sacrifice himself for us. He did it so that we could go to our home in heaven. In a kind of odd way, you could make the point that Christmas is about leaving home.

I’m sorry if you won’t be home for Christmas again this year. But as we discovered last year, Christmas doesn’t have to be less because we are not home; Christmas can actually be more. Think about how Mary, Joseph and Jesus all left home to bring us to our heavenly home. Once we get to that home, we’ll never have to leave it again.

News:

1. Three more Jerry’s kids came in last night. The work continues.
2. Talked with Randy yesterday. He’ll be coming back in January to spell Jerry. That’s good! (Not that Jerry is leaving but that…. Well, you know)
3. The Christmas tree is up in church. It looks good!
4. Bible class on Wednesday night (7 PM). And Sunday Morning (10 AM).
5. We are meeting at Trinity, Abita Springs at 5:00 PM on Sunday for their annual Christmas Dinner. The choir will sing. (Of course we’ll have to get out early so we can watch the Saints whip up on Dallas. ((Dallas is 7 point favorites (((we get no respect))).
6. “The Word is Near” radio show, Saturday, Noon. Call in 504-527-0800. www.wsho.com or AM800.
7. This Week: Preacher: David Sternhagen; Organist: Chris Driesbach; Acolyte: Alexandria; Altar: Baughman, Edward; Ushers: Smith, Ellsworth; Lunch: Melvina, Barbara and Quiana; Mowing: A) Smith, B) S. Sternhagen; Cleaning: McDonnell
8. Christmas for Kids, December 16, 10 AM – 2 PM. We need children and adults!

Be strong in the Lord:

The following is a guest article written by Michael Eaton. Thanks Michael.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'? "On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. 'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:10-13

Everyone was so well dressed in tailored suits and gowns. It was like stepping into a movie or the pages of a novel that had come to life. It was all so very genteel and Southern. The history of New Orleans flowed about on the wisteria-scented breeze. For a moment the Big Easy seemed to not just be back, but had never gone.

Naomi, my lovely wife and I went down for the rededication of Crown of Life. The day after , the Rockhead – sorry I mean Stoneman, invited me us to join a party at Commander’s Palace. The idea of eating at a restaurant that has been mentioned in many books pleased me. If you have never been to CP and you’re in the area go there for lunch, but please remember to “dress up” just a little bit. N and I came prepared to pay our share and when the bill came we were told that Crown of Life’s membership was treating all of us as a way of saying thanks to Randy and his Krewe. I still wanted to pay and although a dear friend of Randy, I don’t really consider my scant two weeks in October 2005 as worth membership in any Krewe let alone one a just and noble as all those who rebuilt Crown of Life. Pastor insisted they were paying. So thank you for a most memorable, if questionably deserved lunch.

Jesus has called Matthew to join him. Back then somebody in M’s profession was neither very “clean” nor “deserving” of grace. The pious scorned anybody eating with those so undeserving, to them it was enough to ruin one’s reputation. Jesus’ retort is one of my favorites “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Maybe it’s not well to consider who should get a healthy meal. Just remember to feed off of the Word and your soul will not starve.

It was and now that I think of if still is funny that everyone at Crown of Life should thank folks for helping out. Anyone who had helped out did so as a means of giving thanks. Thanks for God’s Love, Thanks for Jesus’ Grace. Thanks for the Holy Ghost and all that is good. I for one was compelled to join the Katrina Relief Effort and still believe every thing I did to help dig out was to the glory of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I didn’t do it of lunch. But thank you once again.

While helping out the Builders for Christ put “Camp David” back together they joked around that they “worked of food.” And in a way that isn’t a joke, for they were working of the Bread of Life.

Help and love one another:

Michael Eaton
Santee, CA

News:

1. Talked with Brunette Macklin yesterday. She passes her greetings on to all of you. She is doing good and sounds good. (Sorry that Grambling lost to Southern)
2. Just talked with Kathleen Johnson. They are hoping to see us this week end. Having problems with their car. Keep them in your prayers.
3. Work continues at Johnsons, 31 Marywood and also at Celest's house. But Jerry's Kids will be all gone by Friday. They promise to be back after Christmas.
4. Christmas for Kids Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Invite your friends.
5. Handing out Christmas baskets on Sunday 17th.
6. Good game Saints! (Some of our members, who are Dallas fans, went over for the game. They will remain anonymous.)
7. Radio show on Saturday at Noon. WSHO.com
8. Wednesday Bible Study at 7:00 PM.
9. Sunday School at 10:00, Worship at 11:00.
10. Got my tiller working since it sat under water a year ago. Time to plant my garden.
11. Carol began working for Road Home this week.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17

Last week I was talking with one of Jerry’s Kids (Volunteers who have come down here to help rebuild houses.) and she was telling me about how their church does random acts of kindness. I’ve heard about it before. A church will bake cookies for the firemen and deliver them with a thanks from the church. Maybe they will cut someone’s lawn or pick up trash on the streets. It seems like a good idea. It is a church doing what individual Christians do all the time. At the same time it is surprising and noticeable. When the fireman gets his cookies or the person sees his grass cut he asks, “What makes these people do that?” That question might lead to the answer, “Jesus.” (No one probably asks, “Who makes them do this?” but that is a better question) Still I’m grateful for the other acts of kindness. Is there such a word as “unrandom?” Maybe the word is “planned.”

John in the passage above reminds us that some of our kindness is based upon what we “see.” When we see, run into, hear about or otherwise observe a brother in need, and respond to it, it isn’t random, it is planned. I suppose you could make the case that if you were ignoring those obviously in need but doing random acts of kindness you have your priorities wrong. I doubt if that happens much but the good thing is that God usually gives us the resources to do both. This year as we celebrate God’s great “Planned” act of kindness (sending his son) maybe “plan” one of your own.

News:

1. A “Friend” of the church is helping a couple of our members for Christmas. “Planned.”
2. Rumor has it that “Stoneman” and “Byteman” are coming back in January. “planned.”
3. Builders for Christ are coming in January. “planned.”
4. Sunday we are handing out Christmas baskets to our neighbors. “planned.”
5. Saturday is Christmas for Kids from 10:00 – 2:00. Radio show at noon.
6. Christmas Eve service at 6:00 PM

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

“He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

Today I’m setting up our Christmas tree. Some time in the next few days some of my family members will come over and we’ll decorate it. Like a lot of people our Christmas tree decorations are one of the few things from the past we have left. A lot of people put them in their attic and that saved them. So we will be putting on ornaments of bread dough, wood and unknown substances made by our children when they were little. We’ll be putting on some ornaments that came from grandma or great grandma. We’ll be putting on some ugly ornaments that everyone “fake gags” at but still goes on every year…. All reminders of people, places and times gone by.

Before his death on the cross, Jesus gave his disciples his body and blood. The “Big Deal” in this is that he was directly connecting his people with his crucifixion. He gave them and all who receive it the Body and Blood that was offered for them on that cross. But he also said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Every time we take Lord’s Supper we are to remember Jesus and what he did. St. Paul adds to that when he says, “And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf” 1 Cor. 10:16-17 We who receive His body and blood are also united with each other (even though we may be apart now) and I suppose all who do or have received His body and blood in history. That would connect us with Jesus, St. Paul, Luther’s wife and Grandma.

It’s good to have ceremonies and events that connect us with others, especially if they are religious events and the connection with God’s people. Some we make ourselves like trees and ornaments. Some God makes for us and for that we thank Him.

News:

1. They are doing some kind of work on the strip mall next to the church.
2. FEMA says they will start cutting down our dead trees soon.
3. Lutherville will lose most of its residents today. They all plan to come back.
4. A big crowd is planned for mid January. Some houses are going to get fixed.
5. Carol has started working for the Road Home program. Their office is up on Bullard. The office supervisor is a former member of ours Mark Thiele. (Small world)
6. Christmas for Kids on Saturday 10 to 2. Radio show Noon WSHO.com
7. Christmas Eve service at 6:00 PM.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men.” Judges 7:4

We almost didn’t have it this year. Every year (except last year) we had something we call “Christmas for Kids.” We invite parents to drop their children off on a Saturday for a few hours so they can go Christmas shopping while we teach their children the Christmas story, do crafts and sing songs. But these days there aren’t many children around the neighborhood. As you know schools are few and housing scarce. We were thinking that there might be 6 or maybe 8 kids. We had 33. Some came from around the corner, others drove in. And the parents didn’t go shopping; they stayed. We were thinking 6-8. God had a different number in mind.

Gideon, one of those interesting characters we call the “Judges” was going to battle against the Midianites. He raised a huge army. God said, “You have too many”….Twice. God had a different number in mind. When Gideon got down to 300, that was God’s number and with that number and the Lord they defeated the Midianites. It is that “And the Lord” part that makes the difference. Numbers are numbers but if one of those numbers is the Lord anything can happen.

We read all those numbers about what percentage of people are coming back and how much money they might get to rebuild. But the important thing to remember is that if the Lord is in the numbers that makes all the difference. We thought we had too few for Christmas for Kids but God had a different number, a better number. That was because it was God’s number.

News:

1. Speaking of numbers our attendance was a little weak yesterday. But we had quite a few visitors.
2. We handed out 20 some Christmas baskets to people from around our neighborhood. Thanks to all those who donated and helped put them together.
3. Ramona is ill. Keep her in your prayers.
4. The Committee on Relief has sent us $10,000.00 to be given to Second Greater Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church to assist them in helping their members. Their church and members, like ours, is in the 9th ward and received similar damage from the flood. We thank the good people of WELS for their help for those hardest hit.
5. Bible Class Wednesday night at 7:00 PM
6. Paulette and Gary are the only ones left of Jerry’s Kids for now.
7. Johnsons were in town and got a chance to look at all the work Jerry’s kids have done on their home. They were impressed.
8. Christmas Eve Services: 10 AM Sunday School/Bible Class, 11:00 AM Service, 6:00 PM Service. No Christmas Day Service this year.
9. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen; Organist: Hymnsoft; Cleaning: Heier; Refreshments: R. Schultz; Acolyte: Myraja; Mowing: A: McKinney, B: Walker; Ushers: Jensen, Edward

Be strong in the Lord.

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

The following is a guest letter written by my friend Michael Eaton aka Byteman. Enjoy! Thank Michael.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72

I was with a group of associates from work who had all just discovered that all of us were Christian, that by itself is sad commentary of modern faith, but this story gets even worse.

The conversation flowed towards the topic of the fading pride and courage towards being publicly Christian. I said in a clear voice “I’ve become militant about saying ‘Merry Christmas’ instead of ‘Happy Holidays,’ if somebody is going to be offended by MY FAITH than they should go to CHURCH for a change!” And yet within 30 minutes of making that proclamation I used ‘Happy Holidays’ as a salutation to complete strangers. I chickened out and could not bring my faith forward with a Christian greeting. I could not be a lamp in the darkness.

Peter broke down and wept when he realized what we had done. I was thinking that if it had been me, I’d have kicked something or punched a wall at my stupidity. Good idea? Back then a broken foot or hand could lead to infections and gangrene. So weeping might have been the best alternative. Beside it sets an example that it’s acceptable for men to cry. Did I cry for my mistake? I contemplated what I should have said and what I should do to make thing right. Then it occurred to me after all these years of reading the Bible just what Mark 14:72 is all about.

Peter is the best early example of a man suffering from “Foot in Mouth” disease. He was always saying something half-baked and getting in trouble because of it. Our dear Saint Pete was just trying to help out, but never managed to do so gracefully. If he had only learned to “Engage Mind before Starting Mouth” the Bible would NOT BE AS PERFECT as it is. We would never have known that “Knuckleheads” could get into Heaven. I for one need to know that all will still be forgiven no matter how stupid I sound while attempting to be helpful. And it is through the intricate beauty of God’s plan that we know that those who flunk grace can still receive Grace. Thanks to God for Peter the Apostle.

Reading the Bible cover to cover will do nothing for your spiritual growth, but to study the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation is to study the greatest story of love that human kind will ever know or understand. Did I cry or break down and weep? No. I smiled and grinned at the thought of knowing that we are so well loved that not only did the father give up his son, but gave us an imperfect example of what Christian faith is all about. Love.

Help and love one another:

Michael Eaton
Santee, CA

News:

1. The Road Home folks are talking about loosening up the rules. If you haven't applied you should. Carol and Pam Prillman both work for them.
2. Got 30 beautiful poinsettias for the church. Thanks those who bought them.
3. Kyle Jefferson is our "music man" for Christmas EVE. Thanks Kyle. (Chris and Katherine are both going to be gone)
4. No Choir practice after church on Sunday
5. Because our members are so far scattered, we are having our Christmas Eve service without any rehearsals. Say a prayer.
6. Nice rainy day. Luther Lake is rising.
7. Army Corps says they will be removing dead trees. I hope they get to us soon.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

And she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Home for Christmas. That’s right! We are home for Christmas this year. Last year our house here was still a gutted shell. This year we have the whole thing: decorated Christmas Tree in our renovated living room, Christmas wreath on the door, presents all wrapped up and Christmas dinner waiting impatiently to come to life in the kitchen. It might sound like I’m bragging, but I’m not. I’m just happy to have another thing back to normal. I know a lot of you have also made it home for Christmas. Some of you are getting closer. And some may have made a new home for their Christmas. But we know that the message of Christmas, the beauty of Christmas, God sending us a Savior doesn’t change no matter where we remember it.

Well, Jesus wasn’t home for Christmas. Actually he left his home for Christmas. “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law to redeem those under the law.” (Pardon my King James) Social activists like to say that Mary and Joseph were homeless because they had to have their baby in a manger in a strange town. But of course they weren’t homeless. They had a home in Nazareth. They were just away from home, like Jesus. And maybe that is the point.

There is something in the heart of most human beings that longs for a place to call home. We get things set up. We gather around our loved ones. This is home. Our minds and bodies can get pretty comfortable here but our spirit knows that we are still not home, not really. That is why Jesus left his home to take us from this place to be with him in our real home. I have a feeling that we still don’t know fully the meaning of being home. So no matter where you celebrate Christmas this year, as you look again at those who left their home on that first Christmas, please remember that Christmas is a reminder that we are going home.

News:

1. No snow, but Luther Lake is back thanks to all the rain. Some parts of town got six inches. There was some street flooding and even a few houses took on water.
2. The Schultz Family is heading for a Christmas Reunion in Arkansas. Pray for safe travel.
3. Actually it is going to snow in City Park again today. (They are trucking it in as usual.)
4. They are doing the bon fires along the River again this year.
5. Linda’s parents and sister are visiting for Christmas. They didn’t have to leave snow to come down this year.
6. Sunday School at ten, Worship at eleven. Christmas Eve Service at Six PM. (Children be at church by 5:45 PM).
7. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Sir, the man replied, leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down. Luke 13:8-9

The exercise equipment is back in the adds in the newspaper. This is the time of the year when many people start thinking about exercising again. The New Year is upon us. They decide that they are going to eat better, exercise more, drink less and be smart about how they live. To start it all off they have a big party where they drink too much, eat too much, don't exercise at all and act stupid. For many of us, that whole process seems a little irrelevant. For me, I wonder about how many of our Family at Church will be back home this next year. Some of you are wondering about the same thing. Will we have a school for our kids? Will our job be back? If we move back to our home, will we have enough money to rebuild and will we be living in an empty neighborhood? Eating a well-balanced meal is a good thing. Eating a well-balanced meal in our own kitchen would seem to be more important. It is not secret what we all are seeking, a happier more peaceful life.

Jesus reminds us above, why we are here. We are here to produce fruit. He has planted us fig trees in his garden that we might bear figs. We are not shade trees or ornamentals, but fruit trees. We know how the Bible describes fruit, that which a Christian produces out of love for God. That is a pretty wide open category. But that should be our focus for the upcoming year. It isn’t that you can’t be thinking about all those other things too, (school for your children, eating a well-balanced meal in your own kitchen,) but your focus should be on producing fruit. Besides as Jesus says, “You heavenly Father knows that you need all those things.”

So if you are going to plan for the next year, think about ways of strengthening your faith so that you can produce more fruit. As far as all those other things….well, you know “his eye is on the sparrow…” The other good news is that a fig tree is never as happy as when it produces figs. Ask most of the people who came down here to help out in the last year.

News:

1. The Greens and Prillmans were in church for Christmas. It was good to see them again.
2. Remember Bradley and Sierra. They were there too. They still are not living in their house but that is their plain.
3. Sorry Dallas fans but we thank y’all for losing last week. What a surprising year it has been for the Saints. It was a nice gift for the city.
4. LSU is playing those “Catlicks” in the Sugar Bowl. It should be a good game. I think Notre Dame is favored.
5. Saturday we are back on the Radio at noon. WSHO.com
6. Sunday School at 10:00 and Worship at 11:00.
7. Beth and Michael Phelps announce their engagement. We thank God for bringing them together.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” John 19:5

The owner of the strip mall next to the church finally gutted his property last week. Shortly before that the last house on our block was gutted. It is easy to forget just how ugly that is. Even though most houses are still not lived in around here, at least most of the really messy stuff has been done for a few months. No one likes to look at it. It reminds you of things that seem better if they are forgotten. So I understand when I hear people saying, “I don’t want to come back to my house because I just can’t bear to look at it.” Sometimes though, one of the steps toward healing is facing the reality.

Pilate had already had Jesus flogged and beaten. He dressed him up and stood him before the crowd. “Look at him.” He didn’t realize it, but it is hard for us to look at him. It is even harder to look at him hanging there on the cross, but we do. We do, because that is where we see it; we see the depth of our sin, we see the height of his love. It is a terrible reality, “by his stripes we are healed.” But that is where our healing begins.

I’m not sure that looking at reality always brings healing. But somehow seeing clearly what we lost around here will help us better to appreciate how far the Lord has brought us along. I guess it is progress when the debris of a gutted house looks ugly and not normal.

1. Jerry and some of his kids are back in town. Today they are working on getting the parking lot ready for a lot more people. Our neighbor will no longer allow us to use his parking lot so when you come to church you might have to park on Marywood Ct. It is a small sacrifice for the great work they are doing.
2. Congregational meeting and Ladies Guild installation, Sunday.
3. Bible Class 7:00 PM on Wednesday.
4. The Chevron Station opened on Bullard.
5. Luther Lake is slowly draining but they say it is going to rain by the end of the week.
6. Gary and Paulette are on their honeymoon. Pray for bad weather.
7. “The Word is Near” radio show, Saturday Noon.
8. Sunday School 10:00, Worship 11:00, Lunch and Choir following.
9. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Chris Driesbach, Altar: Faith Kionka, Acolyte: Myraja, Ushers: Kris Smith/Horace Noland, Cleaning: K. Jefferson, Refreshments: Beth Sternhagen, Lunch: Linda Hall,/Evelyn Baughman/Garnet Edward, Mowing: No Mowing this week.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; The Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:10-11

The road home seems to be getting longer. I think we all had an idea of what would have to happen before we could get back home and back to normal. I was just telling Jerry’s Kids that sometimes it seems like the road keeps getting longer. We are walking down the road home but it seems like maybe someone is building on to the other end of the road. Of course the reason we want to be home is that it makes us feel good. There is a certain peace about living in “your place,” - a place to settle down. Naturally we feel restless until either we build a new home or we get back to our old home.

The Psalm above is a unique one. It reminds us that God is in the thunder, in the lightening…. in the storm. God makes his awesome power obvious in nature. (Of course we have been negative recipients of some of that power) Still we are reminded that above it all, including the flood, our God sits, in control of all. No matter how chaotic our world and our lives might seem, our God is still there in control of his world and in love with his people. I was especially struck by the gifts he gives his people, strength and peace. Those would seem to be the gifts we need most these days.

Who knows how long the road home will be? But one thing we can count on is that our God is prepared to give us the strength to walk it. And in the end, he is the one who can give us the thing we are really seeking, peace. And that peace we can have even as we walk down that road.

News:

1. Jerry’s kids have been preparing for the large number of workers coming in soon.
2. Sheet rock at 31 Marywood and working at Mercadel’s today.
3. Horace’s mother died. He asks for your prayers. He is going up to Birmingham this week.
4. Robin called. She fell down the steps and injured her knees. Please keep her in your prayers. The kids are doing fine.
5. Karen Gilbert called and wants us to know that she is keeping us in her prayers. She is one of our “Crown of Lifers.”
6. Saturday radio show at noon WSHO.com.
7. Sunday School at 10:00 Worship at 11:00
8. Morning Bible Study 7:30 AM Tuesday and Thursday. Evening Bible study on Wednesday at 7:00
9. LSU wins the Sugar Bowl big time. Now it is the Saint’s turn.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard. Psalm 133:1-2

Sometimes you put off a job just because it is a nasty job. That was the case until yesterday. Yesterday, along with Jerry’s Kids, I began emptying the “Red shed.” You will remember that that red container was where we stored all the stuff we hoped to salvage from the church. (My moldy books, the churches moldy records, moldy equipment and all the Mold Krewe equipment. Do you catch the theme here?) You might think that the nasty part was the mold. Some of Jerry’s Kids wore masks. For me the nasty part was picking up memories. But it went faster because we were working together. It went easier because it was with those who cared.

I guess if I were writing a psalm about the beauty of Christian unity I'd not use the simile that David used. Oil running down Aaron’s beard is a picture that doesn't do much for me. (Of course I've never seen it so I don't know.) I guess I'd say that Christian unity is like New Orleans summer weather; it gives you a big warm hug. Well maybe some wouldn't think that would be pleasant either. But I'll stick with the big warm hug idea. We probably don't always appreciate how good it feels to hang around with people who believe like us. There is a comfort that comes from an unspoken unity. There is a connection that is made, our spirit to their spirit to The Spirit. It’s hugging without arms.

So in a few minutes I'll be heading over for morning Bible class. We'll sit around the Word and there we will express our unity. It is “good and pleasant.” OK, ok, like oil running down Aaron’s beard.

News:

1. “The Word is Near” radio show Saturday, noon, AM800 or www.wsho.com. Call in 504-527-0800.
2. Sunday: Sunday School/Bible Class 10 AM, Worship 11 AM, Ladies Guild Noon, lunch following.
3. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson, Altar: Faith Kionka, Acolyte: Diamond, Lunch & Refreshments: Gretchen, Beverly & Barb, Ushers: S. Sternhagen/S. Harris, Mowing: Baughman
4. Lutherville is filling up with volunteers like “oil running down….”
5. Everybody’s pretty excited about the Saints. The bad news is that they are actually favored to win this game. They’ve always done better as underdogs.
6. Church Council, Thursday Night at 7:00 PM

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. Malachi 3:16

Chris played his concert in our church on Tuesday Night. He told the story of what has been happening over the past 16 months. It is a little difficult to listen to. The music is beautiful but the memories are a struggle. It was clear he was having trouble with it too. We are all trying to figure out how this is going to work out, coping with a situation that is constantly in flux. And tired. We develop a kind of crust (maybe more like skin on pudding) that makes us a little tougher so things bounce off easier. But the crust doesn’t always hold up. Maybe it shouldn’t.

In Malachi’s day, there was a lot of negativity floating around. “What blessing did we ever get for being a child of God?” they were asking. How could God treat them that way? But as the passage above says, those who trusted the Lord, got together and talked with each other. It sounds like they were encouraging one another and reminding each other of all the LORD had done and promised. The LORD was listening to them. They wrote it down so that they wouldn’t forget how the LORD had helped them.

So we sat and listened, most of them people from out of town. We heard about the tragedy AGAIN. But we also saw clearly the hand of God in the midst of the disaster. Maybe they don’t think of it that way but all of these people from out of town are the hand of God among us. I guess in order to remember the hand of God you also have to remember the reason he had to use his hand (kind of like sin and forgiveness). Eventually the good of his help will overshadow the pain of the disaster (kind of like sin and forgiveness).

News:

1. Jerry’s Kids are coming and going but there remains a good bunch of them right now and what they are accomplishing is amazing.
2. Chris heads out on another tour tomorrow. This time to points East. God go with him.
3. Carol and I leave for Africa Sunday after church. Zambia is where we lived for a few years and it will be the first time Carol has been back in 20 years. We’ll miss one Sunday. Carol’s brother, Pastor Allen Beyersdorf will be conducting the service while I’m gone.
4. Stoneman and Byteman will be coming back on Saturday. (How many times is this?) Jerry is heading back home to see if he is still married.
5. Radio show on Saturday at noon. WSHO.com on your computer, 800 on your AM dial. And of course the Saints game at 7:00 PM
6. Sunday School at 10:00 Worship at 11:00
7. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson, Altar: Faith Kionka, Acolyte: Diamond, Lunch & Refreshments: Gretchen, Beverly & Barb, Ushers: S. Sternhagen/S. Harris, Mowing: Baughman
8. Church Council, Thursday Night at 7:00 PM

Be strong in the Lord: