Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

We’re baaack! Carol and I arrived back from Zambia, Africa, Friday night. We are still trying to get our hours straightened out. Still it was a very nice trip. We saw the national church in Zambia taking a larger and larger role in running their church. We saw missionaries dedicated to spreading the good news and joyful in being a part of the great commission. We saw another front in the world wide church. It is clear that the Holy Spirit is pushing his church in many directions.

When Jesus spoke the words above it sounded like there was but one front for his church to push forward. All he had were a few of those disciples to carry out the task. But it didn’t take long before the push started coming from many directions. It seems that he might have even used the persecution of the church to make to grow even further. Today we don’t even know how many directions the Holy Spirit is pushing the Good News of Salvation. It was good to see the work that He is doing in Zambia.

Sometimes it is easy to become self centered, to see the church in terms of my church, my congregation. And given our current struggles of home, church and city, I guess it is understandable if our view is kind of narrow. But even as we work on rebuilding this little corner of the Holy Spirit’s church we can see a bigger picture. Almost half of those in attendance yesterday were people from all over the country coming to our little corner to help out. It is clear that their view of God’s church is not self centered. It is time to get back to work in this little corner of God’s church but it is good to see how powerfully He is working around the world.

News:

1. Randy returned home today. Resurrection Plaza is getting better all the time. (can you say seafood boiler?)
2. Many of the Builders and Jerry’s Kids are repeaters. It is nice to have them back again.
3. Katherine Jefferson’s tests came out good, we thank God.
4. Wednesday night I’m giving a presentation on the work in Zambia and showing pictures of our trip. 7:00 PM

Be strong in the Lord.

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men. Luke 5:10

So much of fishing is not fishing. I haven’t been out fishing in over a month now. One of the reasons is the weather. We’ve had a bad patch of weather lately, cold and rainy. Another reason is that my boat isn’t working just right, so I have to get that fixed if I’m going out. Then there is the license, the bait, lures, net, gasoline, fishing pole etc, etc. A lot of things have to happen before you actually make that first cast. (It has happened that I caught a fish on the first cast, but more often than not it takes more. It takes “fishing.”)

When Jesus called his disciples to go fishing for men, I’m sure that they thought that all they would have to do is go around telling people the good news. Know the Word and share it. But it would be a lot more complicated than that. They would be healing people, tending to their needs, waiting on tables, settling disputes, and being persecuted by their enemies. But they would be fishing for men in a real world, a world of sin. So much of that “fishing” doesn’t look like fishing but it is.

I’m sure when we think about the work of the church we think of it in those terms, “fishing for men.” (Which also includes women, of course.) Who would have thought that it would involve building houses, struggling to get home, pounding nails, slinging wire and fighting with inspectors. But like the disciples we are dealing in a world full of people who live real lives and face real problems….that is the kind of people Jesus died for, real people with real problems. So we continue to go fishing. Sometimes the boat needs fixing but it is still fishing.

News:

1. The weather has been awful. Even the new causeway through Luther swamp gets flooded.
2. Beverly’s mom is doing better. We thank God.
3. Lutherville is filled up with “fishermen.” (And fisherwomen)
4. Thieles are here for the 5th time. I think that might tie a record.
5. The Head Keys performed last night after dinner in the fellowship hall. Nice!
6. “The Word is Near” radio program, Saturday, Noon, www.wsho.com or AM800. Call in 504-527-0800.
7. Tonight, Bible Class, 7 PM, Pastor will show pictures and speak on our mission in Zambia.
8. In service this week: Preacher: Pastor Richard Winter, Organist: K. Jefferson, Cleaning: Boczon, Refreshments & Lunch: C. Sternhagen, G. McKinney, S. Winter, Altar: R. Schultz, Acolyte: Allegra, Ushers: B. Heier, K. Jefferson Mowing: No Mowing.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:6

I guess I would be a good example of it. I'm a child of God and I was one of the first people back in my house on this block. Not only was my house rebuilt, it was rebuilt better than ever. So a person might conclude that that is the blessing that comes with being a child of God. But do the children of God have an easier life than the “wicked?” Do we live longer? Have fewer illnesses? Have more money? Get through life with fewer problems? Yes my house was rebuilt, that is “good.” But my house had to be rebuilt, that’s “bad.”

The psalm above tells us that the child of God is blessed by God. Verse 3 tells us, “He is like a tree planted by the water….” “Whatever he does prospers.” Our problems is that we tend to look at those surface things, “Did my house get destroyed? Then I must not be blessed.” But it is a lot deeper than that. The events of our lives mean something because they mean something to God. (He redeemed us.) The events of our lives mean something because God makes them mean something. The way of the wicked mean nothing in the end. “OK, I lived my whole life in a nicer house than you and it was never destroyed but now I’m spending eternity in hell.” How empty is that?

But what we do for Jesus will last. It will last forever because we will last forever. How blessed is that?

News:

1. Keep Mrs. Benzene your prayers. She still has the clot. Also Gretchen who is undergoing tests this week.
2. Melvina needs her electricity turned on. Its time for another electricity prayer.
3. A big group from Pewaukee Wisconsin is down. They even brought their pastor.
4. Kevin’s roofline is getting higher thanks to the Builders.
5. Jerry’s kids are getting close with 31 Marywood.
6. Another nice day today.
7. Wednesday, Bible class at 7:00
8. Thursday Council at 7:00
9. Saturday Noon. Radio show WSHO.com or 8:00 AM
10. Sunday: Sunday School at 10:00 AM and Worship at 11:00

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Woe to you when men speak well of you… Luke 6:26

Carol and I took a walk around the neighborhood the other day. (It was something we used to do pretty often in our “former life.” I guess it is part of getting back.) We ran into a guy down the block who was putting in new grass in front of his house. After talking awhile, he said, “I see your church is helping Kevin rebuild his house. What a great thing.” Later on I was talking with Pastor Krause who had come with a big contingent of Jerry’s kids from Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He said something like, “It is important that people see your church doing something.” Our faith is not just something we talk about, but something that shows up in what we do. Helping people rebuild their houses and lives is a sign to the world that we don’t just talk about Christian love, we actually do something. But is it a good thing? Look at what Jesus says above.

Jesus was talking with his disciples. He was explaining to them that they can expect to be hated and mistreated because they proclaim His name. He tells them that they join an illustrious group of people when that happens, the great prophets of the Old Testament. When God’s disciples proclaim the name of the Lord some people will just hate them for it. It is also true that when a person does not proclaim the name of Jesus, when he becomes a false prophet, some people will love him for it.

I guess it depends on why people are saying good things about you. If they are saying good things about you because you are saying what they like to hear and not what God says, that’s bad. But if they are saying nice things about you because they see you loving as Jesus loves you, that is a good thing. Jesus, who said those words above, also said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 Let’s do that.

News:

1. Jerry’s Kids are really making good progress on several houses. 31 Marywood will be ready to live in soon.
2. The Pewaukeeans (Isn’t there a Mil waukee and a Zil waukee too? What does “waukee” mean anyway?) are leaving on Saturday. We’ll miss them.
3. Church council meets tonight at 7:00. Let’s meet in the chapel. The Head Keys are putting on another concert in the fellowship hall.
4. Radio show on www.wsho.com or AM800 at noon, Saturday. Call in 504-527-0800.
5. Sunday, Worship at 11:00, Sunday School at 10:00. Ladies Guild, lunch, choir following.
6. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson, Cleaning: Boczon, Lunch & Refreshments: Hall & Langbecker, Altar: R.Schultz, Acolyte: Myraja, Ushers: B. Heier, Kyle Jefferson, No mowing

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in the heaven shouting: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgements. Rev 19:1-2

The Gulf Coast Pastor’s circuit met on Monday. (The pastors for along the Gulf coast. We meet about once a month for Bible study etc) After our Bible Study on Luke 9:28-36 Pastor Prahl shared something he does in his church. They have what is called “Farewell to Alleluia.” Traditionally during Lent, the church did not sing alleluias during the service because it is a time when we focus on the suffering and death of Jesus and our sins that caused it all. So they have a little ceremony on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday where they take down the banner with the word “Alleluia” on it and say they will sing it again on Easter Sunday. As you know “Alleluia” means “Praise the Lord.” And I know that we don’t stop praising the Lord during lent but it got me thinking.

In the last year or so, it has become clear to many of us that we don’t stop singing our God’s praises when we are mourning. Just because we are sad doesn’t mean that we don’t sing “Alleluia.” As a matter of fact, sometimes it seems like that is the best time to sing it. Life has a way of making you not want to sing “alleluia.” But our God and his love, care and forgiveness always do. I think it might be true that during trying times is the best time. As the passage above says, “Our God’s salvation and power make us want to sing it.” Is there a time that we want to “Praise the Lord” more than when we watch him going to the cross for us? Can a person, convicted of his sin and then convinced of his forgiveness not sing, “Alleluia?”

We might follow our church tradition but I’m glad that there is never a time, good or bad, when I can’t sing in my heart, “Alleluia.”

News:

1. The tornadoes that came through yesterday did not harm any of our members or their property. The one came about a half mile from Seth house. We thank the Lord and ask him to be with those who suffered loss from these storms. Remember, this is not our home!
2. Another group of Jerry’s kids are here. Lee from Texas is back for the 3rd or 4th time.
3. My daughter and her 3 sons are visiting. Nice to see them!
4. Keep Patience, and Glenda’s father in your prayers.
5. Hope this weather warms up before Bacchus.
6. 31 Marywood ct. looks like it is almost ready to move into.
7. Stoneman returns on Mardi Gras day.
8. Radio show, Saturday at noon. WSHO.com
9. Sunday: Sunday School at 10:00. Worship 11:00 Parade to follow.
10. Rumor has it that Chris Driesbach will be back this week.
11. Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 PM

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

This is my body which is for you. Luke 11:24 [sic - Webmaster]

Did you see it on the news? The first two new houses in the Lower 9th Ward are finished and their owners moved in. The houses look something like the kind of houses that were there before, but of course they are brand new. One of the ladies said something like, “You know it hurts when people tell you it is time to go home and you don’t have a home to go to.” Of course most people hope that there will be a lot of new homes built in the 9th Ward. They were able to do this because they had several organizations working with these ladies to help them come back. It is difficult enough with help. Look at all the help Jerry’s Kids have been to people and many of them are still not back. Imagine what it would be if we go no help at all. Do you think we’d make it home?

We are officially into Lent. Wednesday night we took a good look at our need for a savior. A reminder that on our own we could get no where. So instead we look at the only one who could come to our rescue, Jesus. He did it all by himself. He took on our sin and punishment. He went to the cross. He paid it all, all alone. I suppose we would like to help him, but there is nothing we can do. There are times when it is best to let the person who can do it, do it.

Recovery can seem like a kind of lonely thing. But we have never been alone. We have a lot of people helping and praying for us. We have each other to lift us up. And we have a God who gave himself for us and has promised never to leave us alone. Its almost crowded.

News:

1. Jerry returned home and Randy came to fill in. Their “shuttle ministry” keeps it going.
2. The “Big Shots” from the Committee on Relief were down this last week. I think they just wanted to be here during Mardi Gras.
3. The church “passed a good time” at the Bacchus Parade. I’ve never seen it so crowded. I think all our volunteers caught enough beads to take home.
4. The weather has been nice lately. I see my tortured garden has some small plants in it.
5. 31 Marywood is almost ready for occupancy.
6. A new FEMA trailer came in this week. Mine (the executive sweat) is going out.
7. Still waiting on the Army Corps to get rid of our dead trees. We have promises. Time for prayers.
8. Saturday Radio show at noon. Sorry, last week we couldn’t get down there because of the parades. WSHO.com 800 A.M. “Do Christians need science to validate their beliefs?”
9. Sunday School at 10:00. Worship at 11:00.
10. Seth and Quiana announce their engagement. We thank God for bringing them together.
11. Keep Patience in your prayers.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

They talk kind of funny. I don’t know how to describe it. Some people say it is kind of nasally. But I don’t know. There is a certain clipped shortened way they say some words. All I know is that a lot of the people around here these days talk that same way. It is getting to sound almost “normal” again. Having lived here in New Orleans now for 21 years the way people speak here became “normal” so when I’d get a phone call from some other part of the country, I could tell by their accent right away that it was not a local call. Most of the Builders and Jerry’s Kids that come here have some kind of accent, but they are from another place. They also look like they are from another place. Here they are walking up and down the streets, smiles on their faces rebuilding houses with cheerful dispositions. They don’t look like people working in what is still a big disaster. Surrounded by all this destruction they seem pretty up beat.

St. Paul is telling the Philippians that we don’t fit in this world either. The whole world is out there looking out for themselves, looking for ways to please themselves. But we aren’t part of that. We are citizens of heaven, won for us by Jesus. So we live our lives that way. I suppose we sound kind of strange to people too and maybe we look different too because we are really not from here, out citizenship is in heaven.

Do you think we will speak with an accent when we get to heaven? (I’m kind of partial to the Mississippi accent) I had a college professor (German) who said that we would all speak German in heaven. I guess that would be OK if I could speak German with a Mississippi accent. But all these people around here are nice reminders that none of us are citizens here. Our citizenship is in heaven.

News:

1. Glenda’s father Woodrow passed away. There will be a burial service on Friday in Stateline MS. I hope to attend. Please keep Glenda and the Walkers in your prayers.
2. There are about 20 of these foreigners working on houses this week. They have been getting a lot done.
3. Randy leaves on Sunday. Jerry returns Saturday.
4. Herb had a birthday party yesterday. Happy birthday.
5. The Army Corps keeps promising to cut our trees but hasn’t.
6. My garden is growing but so are the weeds. Need to get at it.
7. Sunday Pastor Lemke (One of Jerry’s Kids) is holding the Bible class and preaching the sermon. It should be interesting. “Life Issues.”
8. Saturday WSHO.com give me a call at 504-527-0800.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Yesterday I planted four citrus trees in my yard. I got them for my
birthday from Beth and Mike. I was trying to figure out where to put them but I
ended up putting them right back where the old ones were. (I guess felt more
like rebuilding) Over the years here I guess I planted 15 trees. The only one
that didn?t get killed was the one I was planning to cut down. (There is
probably irony in that but I don?t know what.) Is there ever a point in your
life when you stop planting trees? But we don?t just plant them for ourselves
we hope someone else, 20 or 30 years from now will appreciate them too.

Of course there are better trees to plant. Timothy had a mother and a
grandmother who planted in him the tree of life. (I know, I know, it is God who
plants it and makes it grow. But we are the agents. That?s true of all
trees) And that tree was much more valuable and certainly more durable. Can you
say ?eternal?? How many people benefited from the tree that they planted.

So I planted a lemon, a lime, a satsuma and an orange tree. Hopefully over
the years I?ve helped plant some of those other trees. You?

News:

1. Jerry came back with a bad case of Montezuma?s revenge. Keep him in your
prayers.
2. A group of MLC students have joined Jerry?s Kids. Boomerang Venessa is
back again. Today they are out gutting a house. (Like old times)
3. Rumor has it that Entergy is putting a meter on 31 Marywood Ct. today.
Electricity at last!
4. The builders are making good progress on Kevin?s house.
5. It was nice to see Eddie Green in church Sunday.
6. Staining has begun on Resurrection Plaza
7. A group of canvass witness students are here from South Dakota. They are
working with us tomorrow and Friday.
8. Please remember to move your clock ahead this Saturday night.
9. Radio Show on Saturday at Noon.
10. Sunday School 10:00 AM Worship 11:00 AM

Be strong in the Lord.

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. Luke 24:33-35

It has been awhile since I’ve written. I’ve been a little busy. The ACA (Administrative Committee for Africa) met down here. It is our one annual face to face meeting and for quite awhile we have had it here in New Orleans. I think it has something to do with the weather. The big thing on our agenda was starting mission work in the country of Mozambique. We have been working around the border for quite awhile and the Spirit has blessed that work so we decided it was time to make the jump. One of our concerns was funding. We were able to fund it through our normal budget. (That always sounds so impersonal. We are funding it with the gifts of love that God’s people have given to our synod.) But there are additional start-up costs. Would we be able to get the funding to get going? I don’t know, what do you think?

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus had just spent some time talking with Jesus. They said it themselves, “Their hearts burned within them.” The Word of God does that to us. And as soon as they found out that the man they were talking to was the resurrected Jesus, they walked all the way back to Jerusalem just to tell the others the good news. What they learned was, “It is true.” Not just that “It is true that Jesus rose from the dead.” But, “It is true! It is all true!” “It is true that I will rise from the dead too.” They responded the way God’s people always respond when they learn that “It is true.”

So let me ask the questions. Are there people in our synod who have learned that “It is true”? Are there people whose hearts have been warmed by the word of God? Are there people in our synod who are willing to give their money for the good of God’s church? (If anyone wonders they should ask us.) Are there people in our synod who are willing to give of themselves for the good of others? (Take a walk around Lutherville these days and ask them.) Do we have the resources and the will to go to Mozambique? I’ve seen probably 600 people come down here to help us out over the past 2 years. And there have been thousands of others who helped from afar. I guess I’m not too worried about funding for Mozambique.

News:

1. Jerry and Lynn are back in camp. Jerry has recovered from his Montezuma’s revenge. Now I hope he doesn’t get what I had last week, Nagin’s revenge.
2. We are still waiting on FEMA to remove all our dead trees. They keep promising, but alas, promises are easier than doing. The council has decided to dung around FEMA for another month and then decide what to do.
3. Sunday some of Jerry’s Kids joined us at the Irish Italian Parade. Caught plenty of potatoes, carrots and cabbage. Also a pile of beads.
4. The builders passed their electrical inspection on Kevin’s house, now it is sheetrocking time. They are working hard to get it finished.
5. One of Jerry’s Kids is really Jerry’s kid. (Lynn’s too, I guess.) She is down here with some of her friends to help out.
6. “The Word is Near” Radio show on Saturday at noon, www.wsho.com or AM800. Call in: 504-527-0800.
7. Sunday School at 10:00 Worship at 11:00 Lunch and Choir to follow.
8. Service Calendar this week:
Preacher: David Sternhagen
Organist: Katherine Jefferson
Cleaning: Ramona Schultz
Altar: Garnet Edwards
Acolyte: Diamond Bechet
Ushers: Richwell Ison and Kyle Jefferson
Mowing: A: Michael Walker, B: Lee McKinney
Lunch: Ramona Schultz

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

“It is not good for the man to be alone.”

Yesterday I fell asleep on the beach. It was a nice day so I decided to go over to Mississippi and walk on the beach. I don’t think there is any sleep that is sweeter than sleeping on the beach. Of course it would have been better if Carol didn’t have to work and could have been with me. A day alone is nice but it is better if it is shared…. with the right person. (Alone together??) Henry David Thoreau decided that he wanted to live a hermit’s life so he built a cabin on Walden Pond. Of course he had visitors almost every day who came out to see what it was like to live a hermit’s life. He seemed to enjoy the visits. (A hermit surrounded by people??) Lutherville is overflowing with people these days. Many of them have been here before, some several times. They are people from all over crammed together on our parking lot. Almost all leave saying it was a wonderful experience. Hang in there, this is going somewhere.

God created Adam and built in him the desire not to be alone. He let him discover for himself how much he needed a companion and then he would provide for him the perfect companion in Eve. This was the ultimate human fellowship we call marriage. But there is that other kind of fellowship, “The body of Christ,” “The unity of the Spirit.” There is longing there too, to be united with our fellow believers. So we join in worship and prayer and song. And it usually lifts our spirits, because it fills a need we have in Christ.

I suppose what is going on here is “kicking it up a notch.” Here we are working together, eating together, sometimes playing together, sitting around the Word together, worshipping together ….a little commune of believers (Being alone together). So it feels good and people leave with a feeling we don’t often have. But it is significant that we all leave. There can’t be a Lutheran Commune because we are the “light of the world, the salt of the earth.”

News:

1. Coinciding with Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Dale Mueller, the Grand Marshall of Builders for Christ, rode into New Orleans yesterday on a “foal of an ass.” (Actually it looked more like a pickup truck.)
2. You can tell it is a Lutheran Commune. I heard one of Jerry’s Kids in the parking lot whistling a Psalm.
3. The Builders are starting to pull out. It sounds like most will be gone by next week. They have done great work on Kevin’s house.
4. Jerry’s Kids plan to stay into May. They are making good progress.
5. Tom Fitzmorris reports that 95% of the restaurants in town have rebuilt. Sassafras has moved to the Avalon hotel.
6. Next week is holy week. Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 PM with Communion. Good Friday, Tenebrae, 7:00 PM Easter Sunday Worship at 11:00 (Easter breakfast 9:30 AM, Easter egg hunt following service.)
7. Wednesday, Bible Study/Worship at 7:00 PM.
8. Thursday Bible Study at 7:30 AM
9. Saturday “The Word is Near” Radio Show www.wsho.com or AM800. Noon
10. Sunday: Sunday School 10:00, Worship 11:00.
11. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson, Altar: C. Sternhagen, Acolyte: Alexandria, Ushers: B. Heier & Kyle Jefferson, Cleaning: B. MacDonnell, Lunch: Celeste Matthews, Mowing: A: H. Noland, B: R. Heier

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. Genesis 50:20

Last night we visited the graveyard. Well, not exactly. After our Lenten service I showed the pictures of the aftermath of the storm to the current Lutherville residents. (Some of them had asked if they could see what it was like in the beginning.) So we looked again at the mold Krewes and the mold, the floated houses and the scattered members. Someone asked me, “Well, is it turning out the way you want it to?” I didn’t really know how to answer that. But it did make me think.
Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery. It went from bad to worse for him. He spent a while in jail, which I don’t think had libraries and exercise equipment. But we know what happened. The Lord enabled him to foretell dreams which got him out of prison and second only to Pharaoh in power. That position allowed him to rescue his starving family. That is when he says the passage above. If you had asked any of them if it turned out the way they thought it would, they would have said, “No.” Even Joseph, who could see the good hand of God, probably would have preferred to do it a different way. Couldn’t God have rescued his family without Joseph spending so much of his life in slavery and prison? The answer is, “Yes.”
So I don’t know how to answer the question. I guess I’d say, “No.” If I were to sit down and plan the last two years it would not have been this. And even though I can see the powerful hand of God in many ways and the good things that he has brought about, I still wish he had done it differently. It occurs to me that things rarely, if ever, turn out the way we would like them to. But they always turn out the way the Lord wants them to. And that is far better. It is not up to me, and we can all be happy about that.

News:

1. Lee Need Hammer is back for about the 10th time.
2. Tonight, “Bon Voyage to the Builders” party on Resurrection Plaza.
3. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson, Altar: C. Sternhagen, Acolyte: Alexandria, Ushers: B. Heier & Kyle Jefferson, Cleaning: B. MacDonnell, Lunch: Celeste Matthews, Mowing: A: H. Noland, B: R. Heier
4. Talked with Chris yesterday. He is finishing up his new CD. Will be back next week.
5. Radio show at noon on Saturday. Listen at WSHO.com Call at 504-257-0800.
6. Palm Sunday Worship at 11:00 Sunday School at 10:00

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Why do you look for the living among the dead? Luke 24:5

There were some things that didn’t seem like Easter. I thought it would be nice to take a walk around Resurrection Plaza after Easter Breakfast, but it was just too cold and windy. We usually can count on some really nice weather for Easter, but not this year. But I guess that isn’t what Easter is all about. One thing that did seem like Easter is we had a nice crowd of people in church, I think 91. And for the first time, most of them were members, their relatives or people from the neighborhood. Not many Jerry’s Kids or Builders. (Seems like a sign of the resurrection of our church.) But that isn’t what Easter is all about either. It isn’t really about an empty tomb either, it is about the one who rose from the dead from that tomb….the one who made the tomb empty.

I’ve always loved the angel’s question to the women at the tomb. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Of course we can excuse the women, they didn’t know that he was living, but they should have. Jesus had told them that he would rise on the third day. They all saw that the tomb was empty and then they saw Jesus alive. Do you think they ever went back to that tomb? “Let’s go talk to Jesus, let’s go back to the tomb.” It would seem odd wouldn’t it? They would be there but he wouldn’t. Why would you seek the living among the dead?

I know why people do it. I know why they go back to the cemetery and visit the grave of their loved ones. Sometimes they put flowers on the grave. It has to do with showing respect for our loved ones who have passed on. I remember the last time I visited my mother’s grave. It didn’t do much for me. I was there but she wasn’t. There was actually very little there that had anything to do with my mother. But what did I expect, why seek the living among the dead? And here is the good news; because of Easter we know that people will say the same about our graves. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

News:

1. Nice attendance at church. LeRoy and Michael did a great job on the breakfast as usual.
2. All the Builders for Christ are gone. They did a lot of good for Kevin.
3. Jerry’s Kids remain a rather small number this week. Lynn is back so Jerry is happy.
4. Chris put on a concert for us last night. Sang some of his new songs. Very good! Now he heads back up north for more concerts.
5. Saturday: LWMS meets in Baton Rouge. Call Gretchen if you can go and if you need a ride.
6. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen; Organist: Katherine Jefferson; Cleaning: Carol Sternhagen; Acolyte: Allegra; Ushers: Lee McKinney, Rober Baughman; Mowing: K. Smith, S. Sternhagen; Lunch: Gretchen
7. Council: Thursday 7:00 PM
8. “The Word is Near” – religious talk radio – with Pastor Sternhagen & Jerry Zimpelmann, Saturday Noon, www.wsho.com or AM 800. Call in: 504-527-0800.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

May all the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God our God will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him. Psalm 67: 5-7

Next Sunday is Earth Day. I guess that is the day of the year when we are supposed to think about the earth. (Actually it is hard not to think about the earth every Sunday and every Monday for that matter since we walk on it and look at it every day) But I’m sure the idea here is that we take some time to look at ways to take better care of our earth. It is a very Christian principle, taking care of the earth. One of the first things God told Adam to do with the new earth was take care of it. You will probably get a lot of suggestions about things you can do to preserve our earth: Using different light bulbs, driving a car that is more fuel efficient, planting a tree etc. Some of those suggestions will be good and others won’t. But I have some other suggestions that will definitely help. One is the suggestion in the psalm listed above.

The psalmist says that when all the peoples praise God that the earth will yield it’s harvest and God will bless us. That certainly implies that one of the best things we can do for our earth is to do mission work. The more people who praise the Lord the more the land will be blessed. There are probably several reasons for this. One is that this is one of the ways God chooses to bless his people. The other is that the more people realize that the earth is the Lord’s created by him and that it is our job to take good care of it, the more people will be asking, “What does the Lord want me to do with these resources.”

That is going to be good for the earth and go for us.

1. A small Krewe of Jerry’s Kids are here now. (Not even Jerry is here. I heard that he escaped to Mexico.)
2. Patience and Felix will both be in the hospital this week. Nothing life threatening but keep them in your prayers.
3. Ramona and Miraga aren’t feeling well. But Evelyn and Kathy and Glenda are getting better. (Glenda had been in the hospital with high blood pressure)
4. The 29th we are dedicating Resurrection Plaza with prayers and crawfish. We are hoping to have Richwell’s band play again. (Rumor has it that Stoneman, Byteman and Pebble are coming too.)
5. We keep hoping that FEMA will take care of our dead trees. Maybe it is time for a prayer.
6. Some good success on the electrical inspections this last week. Mercadel’s house and Melvina’s. Praise God.
7. With most of the campers gone from Lutherville we should have enough parking in our parking lot now.
8. We passed a good time at French Quarter Festival.
Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

“Better to be at home with the Lord.”

Is “Home” a moving target? About twenty months ago we were driven from our home. Some have come back home, others seem to have made their home some where else. If they ask you were your home is, what would you say? Is it the place where you were born? Is it the place where your family lives? Is it the place you are living in right now? When people ask me where my home is I say, “New Orleans.” But sometimes people ask me that knowing that I live in New Orleans. What they mean is where were you born? (I guess they can tell by my funny accent that I wasn’t born here.) Of course about 40 years ago I left my “home” to study for the ministry. I knew that I would probably never be living back “home” again. So it has been necessary to make new places my home.

St. Paul was from Tarsus, but it doesn’t seem like he spent much time there. His job as a missionary took him all over the world. He finally gets to the point where he talks about home in terms of being with the Lord in heaven. We talk the same way. We actually call a place home where we have never lived. I guess that in this case “home” is where we know we are supposed to live, the place where we belong, the only home we won’t ever have to leave. Jesus died to give us such a place. It is nice to think of living in a place that feels like home and we know we will never have to leave it.

In the mean time we make places here our home. No one likes being driven from their homes like we were. But it is nice to be able to make a home some where else. Now there are enough jobs, housing, and money here in New Orleans that we can come home if we want to. Having a choice seems to make a big difference.

News:

1. Tom Fitzmorris reports that there were 807 restaurants in town before the storm and there are 807 restaurants in the city now. (He doesn’t count fast food and chain restaurants.) Mr. B’s was the last one to open.
2. Speaking of restaurants, they are working on rebuilding the McDonalds on Bullard.
3. Felix is recovering nicely from his surgery. Patience goes in on Thursday for a gall bladder operation. Please keep them in your prayers. Ramona reports that she is feeling better. We thank God.
4. Didn’t exactly get rave reviews on my hymn selection Sunday. I thought everyone knew, “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” On a positive note Trent really liked, “This Little Light of Mine.”
5. Jerry and Lynn will be back Thursday. They are coming back for one big final week before the “rebuilding season” ends.
6. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson, Cleaning: Sternhagen, Acolyte: Myraja, Usher: Wessel/Phelps, Mowing: A: McKinney, B: Walker, Lunch: Sternhagen
7. “The Word is Near” radio broadcast Saturday, Noon, www.wsho.com or AM 800. Call in: 504-527-0800.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12 KJV

It’s coming to an end ….for another year. The Builders For Christ took off a couple weeks ago and Jerry’s kids are here for their last week. There is a big group of them here for the last week. So many of the ones who have come in the past couple months have been here before, either last year or this fall. They report the same thing, “We can see quite an improvement from when we were here before.” Carol gave one of her famous tours yesterday. But as Jerry said, “There is nothing to see anymore.” What he meant is that there is “nothing bad to see anymore.” The huge piles of trash have been picked up and the houses that crashed into each other are gone and the thousands of flooded cars have been towed away. Of course it is a relative thing. Still most of the houses in our part of town are still empty shells. But it is true things are looking better. With the end of building activity for another year coming to a close, maybe it is time for another Ebenezer.

The Israelites had managed to chase those pesky Philistines back home again. Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen (Y’all know where that is) and named it Ebenezer. “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” (You will remember that is the name I gave the fellowship hall when we moved to our Chapel all those years ago. For some reason it never stuck.) Samuel wanted some way to remember how the Lord had been with them up to that point. Recognizing the Lord’s help in the past has something to do with being thankful for it, but it also is an encouragement for the future. The future remains a great mystery for us. It seems to me that there are only two ways that we can step into the future with any kind of confidence at all: not think about all the bad things that can happen, or see how the Lord has helped us in the past and have the confidence that he will continue. The latter seems to be a better plan.

We don’t use the word “hitherto” much anymore. But it is such a good word. That’s why I quoted the King James Bible. Maybe it is just me, but it seems to carry with it more of a continuous help in the past with the hope of help in the future. So at the end of this week we will close down Lutherville for another year. Maybe I’ll find a stone somewhere and call it Ebenezer because as we look back over the last year we can say, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”

News:

1. Melvina got electricity! Melvina got electricity! Melvina got electricity! The Lord’s “Not now” has turned to “yes.”
2. It looks like Jerry is getting gas…in two more houses this week. 31 and 44.
3. Nice attendance in church Sunday! We even had a group of Reformed volunteers worship with us. (They weren’t volunteers who reformed but volunteers from the Reformed church.)
4. For your prayers. Patience, Felix, and Glenda have come out of the hospital and are recovering well. Ramona is feeling better and Rachel (one of the volunteers) got asthma relief at the emergency clinic. Gary’s sister-in-law died. Paulette is going in for surgery tomorrow. “hitherto….”
5. Saturday is a cleanup day at church. We will be trying to fix things up for our Crawfish Boil/Dedication of Resurrection Plaza/Mortgage Burning Sunday.
6. Has this been great weather or what?
7. The Mississippi Kites are back.
8. Still hoping the Corps will cut down our dead trees.

Be strong it the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Today’s letter will not be the usual devotion. This last week they pulled our FEMA trailer away. What follows is a letter I wrote to the Times Pacayune.

Dear Editor:

Today they pulled my FEMA trailer away. There was much rejoicing. Not just because we were once again able to look out our front window but also because it represented another step on toward getting our lives in order. But its value was not lost on me.

I know that sometimes we complained a little because we didn’t get them soon enough. We complained a little because it took so long to get them hooked up. And we complained a little because they didn’t remove them quick enough. But I’d like to say something I haven’t heard many say. I’d like to say, “Thank you for my FEMA trailer.” It may have been the only solution to what seemed to be an impossible task, rebuilding without a place to live.

So “thank you” to FEMA for coming up with the idea. And “thank you” to our fellow Americans for paying for it. And I pray that no one ever has to use one of them again.

Rev. David Sternhagen
Crown of Life Lutheran Church
11721 Morrison Rd.
NOLA

Phone: 504-259-9862

News:

1. Stoneman, Pebble and Pete made it in from California. Work will continue on the Plaza.
2. Jazz Fest starts this Friday.
3. Chris Driesbach is in South Dakota, singing.
4. Paulette came through her surgeries OK. We thank God for that.
5. Most of Jerry’s Kids will be leaving by Saturday. We thank God for them.
6. Please read the notice on the Crawfish boil below.

This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson, Cleaning: Carol Sternhagen, Refreshments: Crawfish Boil, Acolyte: Diamond, Ushers: Kris Smith/Cedric McDonnell, Mowing: A: Bob Heier/B: Horace Noland

Crawfish Boil: Sunday. Donations to the crawfish boil can be made to Gretchen McKinney for the Ladies Guild by check or cash. Donations will be matched by Thrivent to help pay for new paraments. Also bring a dessert to share for after the crawfish!

“The Word is Near” radio program, Saturday, Noon, www.wsho.com or AM800. Please call in: 504-527-0800.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

The old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

It was like old times. There were about 80 people in church, most of them members of the family and local visitors. For the past year or so, as you know, we have been blessed with a lot of volunteers from around the country which swelled our ranks. Sometimes more than half the people in church were our friendly volunteers. It was nice. But by last Sunday most were gone and the congregation seemed more like it used to. Besides afterward we ate crawfish and listened to Richwell’s band. Sucking heads, pinching tails, burning lips, beads of sweat, “Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans…..” etc. How blessed we are to have old times that are good.

The truth is, life has a lot of old times that are not good, times we would like to forget. That is because whether we realize it or not, we march through life to the beat of cruel drummer. Born, face the problems of life, die….born, face the problems of life, die. That has been the order of everyone’s life since Adam and Eve first sinned. Of course, God never intended it to be that way but it has been the order of things. In the passage above God is telling John how He is planning to change all that. Because of his death for us, God is planning to make a new order of things. “No more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev 21:4 It is hard to imagine living without that drum beat. Then, I guess we’ll say, “this isn’t at all like old times, and that’s good.”

But still our God blesses us here with a taste of what it will be. Through His word, with His Spirit, with his people, the Lord allows us these good times. And because of them the “old order” isn’t as bad.

News:

1. We bid Lynn and Jerry and teary farewell, thankful for giving so
generously and cheerfully of themselves. Jerry’s Kids was his idea and with the
generous donations of the people of WELS a lot of people were helped back home.
God Speed!
2. Stoneman, Pebble and Oysterman (Randy, Mark and Pete) are still here.
They have finished Resurrection Plaza so it looks even better and are now doing
some finish work for Jerry’s Kids. They leave on Tuesday.
3. Mark has been working on a piece of our land trying to get it cleared and
smoothed for lawn. That will be a big help.
4. Congregational meeting on Sunday after church.
5. Rumor has it that Chris might be showing up one of these weeks.
6. Jazz fest is getting good reviews. A lot of people in town.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

It almost seemed like we were talking about a whole different church. Last night, some of the members of our church, some from Baton Rouge and some from Abita Springs, met with District President, John Guse. He told us about the serious financial problems of our church body, the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod. It seems that our synod’s mission of training pastors and teachers, and sending out missionaries is in such dire straits that we are looking at closing a school and calling back missionaries. Are the members of our synod not engaged in the work? Could it be that they don’t care? There is not one of us here at Crown of Life who would think that were possible. Over the past two years we have witnessed such a profound outpouring of love from the members of our synod that we don’t really know how to respond to it. All the gifts so freely given, all the volunteers who have come and worked and done so with such cheer, joy and energy, seems to show a synod very much engaged, very much in love. Are we talking about two different synods?

Jesus had just told his disciples that he was giving them a new command, “love one another.” Of course this is the law, “Love one another.” But given the context it sounds like Jesus is using the law as a guide. “Here is how you can show that you are my disciple, love one another.” Being a follower of Jesus is best demonstrated to the world out there, not by how big our churches are or how faithful we are in worship, but by the way we show love to people. I’ve had a few “outsiders” say that to me. The Baptist church we helped and the people that our volunteers have helped, have said that they are overwhelmed by the amazing outpouring of love that the members of our synod have shown them. Are these people members of the same synod that seems to be in some kind of malaise? Maybe the problem is that helping a real person with a wrecked house rebuild is a more obvious act of love that paying for a missionary or educating a pastor. But we know that it isn’t. Is there anything more loving that bringing our Savior to a lost world?

What is the answer? I don’t know. But we certainly know that the love is out there; we’ve seen it with our own eyes. We also know that sometimes the greatest acts of love are not always the most obvious ones. I suspect that our family here will find ways of loving as we have been loved. And we can pray that the members of our synod will unleash that love on the mission of our synod.

News:

1. Most of Jerry’s Kids are gone. I just talked with Randy and they are nearly back in California. Tom and Dorry are still here mudding Kevin’s house and Gary is still working on electricity. Another good year….
2. The Army Corps will be taking care of some of our trees in the next two weeks. Praise God. (I think it is actually going to happen; I talked with the guy this morning.)
3. The termites are flying. Turn off your outside lights for awhile.
4. What beautiful weather we’ve been having.
5. Good Congregational meeting on Sunday. We are going to set up a planning meeting soon. Watch for details.
6. Paulette got a good report from her doctor. Thank you Lord.
7. This week:
Preacher: David Sternhagen Organist: Katherine Jefferson
Cleaning: Evelyn Baughman Altar: Beth Sternhagen
Refreshments: Barb McDonnell Acolyte: Glenn
Ushers: D.Jensen/B. Boczon Mowing: S. Sternhagen/K.Smith
8. “The Word is Near” Radio Ministry Noon Saturday, www. wsho.com or AM800. Call in 504-527-0800.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and egging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:9

People do it all the time. They move from one place to another. Some people seem to actually enjoy moving. Some go to live in one place with the idea that in a few years they will move on to some other place. I’ve even heard people say, “I’ve been here 3 years, it is time to move on.” My Son-in-law just took a call to serve a congregation in Nebraska. That means that he, my daughter their kids will be moving to a new place. They seem happy about it. So why all this trauma about moving back to New Orleans. “Should I move back or shouldn’t I?” It actually should be an easy choice. Moving back is difficult and there are still some unanswered questions. I suspect that there are other things in play here. But there are times when it would be nice if the Lord would just step in and tell us what to do.

Paul and his companions were spreading the good news about Jesus to anyone who would listen. They decided that the best place would by Bithynia. But he reports that, “The Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Then in the night he sees a vision of a man from Macedonia calling them there. So now he knew exactly where the Lord wanted him to go and exactly what he was supposed to do. Must be nice! But you have to look long and hard to find the Lord stepping in like this to tell people what they should do or not do. Why doesn’t He? Well, I don’t think we would grow as fast. I don’t think that we would research our decisions as well. I don’t think we would learn to trust our God in all situations. In the end there are some pretty clear “do’s” and “don’t do’s” in the Bible. There are many things that don’t fit in ether category. Maybe with God on our side we can’t really make the wrong choice there.

So I’m hoping that all of you who are not home yet will see a vision of a man from New Orleans saying, “Come on home.” We miss you and your church still needs you. (Maybe I’m that man…just kidding) But finally, take it to God in prayer and trust that he will not only lead you to make the right decision but will also be standing by to bless it.

1. Nice attendance last Sunday. Chris sang with the choir. It was nice.
2. Tom and Dory leave today. Now only Gary and Paulette are in Lutherville.
3. Due to the Synod’s special request, the Council decided last night to have a stewardship emphasis the first part of June. Planning Day is planned for Saturday June 9 from 9 to noon. We would like to have everyone there as we set a course for our congregation.
4. Auto Zone on Bundy is open. (One of my favorite stores)
5. The Army Corps will be taking down some of our trees next week. (Talked with the contractor. He promises to be here.)
6. What great weather! We haven’t had to use our air at home yet. This might be a record.
7. A LWMS group from Wisconsin has funded the Radio show again with a gift of well over 1000 dollars. That will keep us going awhile.
8. IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING: THIS WEEK:D. Sternhagen Reader: Michael
Schultz Organist: C. Driesbach Altar: B. Sternhagen Acolyte: Allegra Ushers: Ison/E. Jefferson Mowing: A: Noland, B: D. Sternhagen Cleaning: Baughman Refreshments: Theodore

NEXT WEEK: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Reader: Kris Smith Organist: K. Jefferson Altar: B. Sternhagen Refreshments: Cade Acolyte: Myraja Ushers: Walker/Ellsworth Cleaning: Boczon Mowing: A: Walker B: McKinney

Be Strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:4 “Little Jack Horner sat in the corner eating his Christmas pie. He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum and said, “What a good boy am I.”

I just read in the newspaper how President Jimmy Carter is in our area helping people rebuild their homes through Habitat for Humanity. It is a program that has helped a lot of people around here. When I tell people what WELS has been doing in rebuilding down here, they often respond by saying, "Something like Habitat for Humanity." It does look a lot the same but is it the same? People helping people. Houses built for those who need them. Charity in its most basic form. The difference struck me as I was reading the Old Testament reading for next Sunday, Pentecost.

God was so fed up with the people on the earth that he decided to destroy them with a huge flood. But he saved the faithful, Moses and his family, in the ark. It doesn't take them very long after the flood to start rebuilding. But as they rebuilt, they began to feel pretty good about themselves and it wasn't long before they decided to build a huge monument.... to themselves. It was a demonstration of mankind’s favorite religion, me. This was probably not the first time humanism reared its ugly head but it was certainly the most obvious. We know what God did. He stepped in and mixed up their languages and they didn't feel so great anymore.

And I guess that is the difference. Habitat for Humanity does good things for people, which is wonderful. In a world where there is too much doing bad things to people, this is refreshing. But it is all "humanity" centered. Celebrities and politicians like to show up and pound a nail or two because cameras are always there and the message is, "These people who are doing this are great people." And I guess, in a way, they are great people. But there is no God here. With our WELS rebuilding we thank the people who come here, but they are not looking for thanks. We both know that "unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." We know that Jesus love for us is the motivation for doing it and it is by his strength that anything gets done. And in the end we want to point to a house and say not, "What a good boy am I." "But what a good God we have."

News:

1. Sunday was the first Sunday in a long time when we didn't have Builders or Jerry's Kids in church. We miss them and attendance was down but all were members and prospects. Pretty good attendance.
2. Ladies Guild had a big meeting. Watch for their minutes.
3. Keep Glenda and Paulette in your prayers.
4. Stewardship emphasis on June 3 and June 10: Bob and Quiana are putting together a nice presentation.
5. Kevin's house is looking really good. Tom and Dory really made the place shine. Builders, pat yourselves on the back... No wait, thank God.
6. A house about a block away was playing music so loud I had to close the windows; we are getting back to normal.
7. Congratulations to all the kids graduating this month. Well, done!
8. Marriage renewal: June 17. If you would like to participate, contact Pastor.
9. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson,
Reader: Kris Smith, Acolyte: Myraja, Altar: Beth Sternhagen, Ushers: Michael Walker & Leroy Ellsworth, Cleaning: Beverly Boczon, Refreshments: Quiana
Cade, Mowing: A: Michael Walker, B: Lee McKinney

Be strong in the Lord.

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another. Romans 13:8

I guess it is therapeutic. We are still telling our Katrina stories. I was in the store the other day and the checkout lady told hers. We probably got the shortened version since it all fit in between checking out some items. The one good piece of news she had was that she was able to pay off her mortgage with the insurance money. She didn’t have enough to rebuild, but at least she didn’t have a ruined house that she owed money on. It always feels good to be out of debt. Could there ever be a debt that we never get paid off? And would that be a good thing?

St. Paul had been talking about giving people what we owe them. If we owe respect for people in government, we should give it. If we owe taxes, we should pay them. Don’t keep a debt, pay it. But it occurs to him that there is one debt that we never get paid off, the debt of love. God has told us to love him and to love one another. The example of love he has set….he gave his son. So when do you love enough? He loved me with 10,000 love dollars and so when I pay him back 10,000 love dollars then we are even and my debt is paid. (I’m not sure if love dollars have interest.) Who would say that? Who would want to say that? We all want to love. I know we often fail at it, but still it is something we want to do. I guess it is the one debt that is fun to have and fun to pay off.

I was thinking about this after reading about the financial “woes” of our synod, the Wisconsin Synod. Some people are saying that synod members are not supporting the synod the way they used to because there is some lack of trust in the leadership. Still others are saying that we somehow have lost our way, emphasizing the wrong things. And I’ve heard a few accusations made and a little finger pointing. But I know most of those people in the “Administration” and there is nothing untrustworthy in any of them. We of all people know that the love of the people of the synod has not run dry. We’ve been surrounded by it. I know we have to look at these things and I know some things might have to change but I hope that we never stop paying our debt of love to each other. I pray that however this all shakes out we will be able to say at the end, “We never stopped payment of our debt of love.”

News:

1. Yes, yes, I know it isn’t Moses in the ark but Noah. One of you suggested that it was hard to believe that someone with such a deep and profound knowledge of the Scripture could make such a first-graderish mistake…. that I was just testing you to see if you were paying attention. I think I’ll go with that.
2. I’m writing this from Camp David in Mississippi. Looking out my window it looks like God’s creation has made a full recovery. It looks like it will take us a little longer.
3. Please remember the Stewardship Emphasis in church the next two Sundays. I’ll be handing out pledge forms this Sunday and we will put them on the altar next Sunday. (All voluntary of course.)
4. This Saturday listen in to the “The Word is Near” radio show at Noon. www.wsho.com or 800 AM. Join the conversation at 504-527-0800.
5. Saturday the 9th please plan to attend our planning meeting, 9 to Noon. We need to set our ministry plan for the next year.
6. Tumbleweeds are blowing through Lutherville.
7. Gary and Paulette are heading for Alaska. God Speed!
8. Bob Baughman’s Dad just died. They removed the life support at his request and they ushered him into eternal life. Now he’s really living.
9. This week: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Reader: S. Sternhagen Organist: K. Jefferson Altar: K. Jefferson Acolyte: Diamond Ushers: Heier/Kyle Jefferson Mowing: A: Noland, B: Heier Cleaning: Boczon Refreshments: R. Schultz
10. Marriage renewal, June 17th, renew your vows before God and your church family.

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor

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

I can still see him….my grandfather scattering seeds. There was one part of one our fields that was low land. It stayed wet too long. The rest of the field could be planted with the grain drill but that part couldn’t, it was too muddy. And of course when the field is ready to plant and the weather is right, farmers can’t wait to put their seed in the ground. So my grandfather would plant that part of the field by hand. There was a certain skill to scattering seeds evenly over the ground. I won’t say it was a dance (can Lutherans dance?); it was a kind of rhythm. With each step of his left foot he would scatters seeds with his right hand. It came out amazingly even.

I shouldn’t really be a surprised since God always keeps his promises. But as I’ve been working on the passage above for our Stewardship Emphasis these past couple weeks, it is clear that all the things that God promises here, we have seen with our own eyes these past 2 years. With His hand, God has spread his seeds around the world. Through those people he has also scattered his seed to us. He made people rich so that they could be generous and no one understands just how generous like we. And the next part took place too. We looked at what God had done through his people, lifted our eyes to Him and said, “How can I thank you Lord…?”

I have this picture of God walking the earth and scattering the seeds…. Left foot, right hand, left foot, right hand. But we should understand that this is also the way he has made us “rich in every way so that we can be generous on all occasions.” We too have discovered the amazing joy of scattering His seeds to others. Do you think he will give us more seed?

News:

1. Pam Prillman reports that she is not coming back. She is moving to North Carolina. We should get a chance to say goodbye before she leaves. I’m sad.
2. Second week of Stewardship week is Sunday. Please bring your pledge if you made one out and we will put them on the altar and ask God to bless them.
3. Thanks to Katherine and Ramona for their “testimonials” last Sunday. This Sunday it will be Beth and Randy and/or Linda.
4. Marriage Renewal on the 17th of June.
5. Bob Breck reports that the levees are stronger than ever. Hope you’re right Bob.
6. This week: Preacher: D. Sternhagen; Organist: K. Jefferson; Acolyte: A. Cade; Ushers: J. Wessel, M. Phelps; Ushers: K. Smith, S. Sternhagen; Cleaning: B. Heier; Refreshments: G. Edward

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. (14:2) All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! (14:3) Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt? Numbers 14:2-3

I guess it is easy to lose your way. Sometimes things come up that force us to change the direction of our lives. I have a GPS that constantly badgers me to get me back on track when I take a turn that is off the path it has set. Sometimes I just have to shut it off so that it stops annoying me. I thought about that as I was putting together the agenda for the first real planning meeting we have had for almost 2 years. (It is true we got together and planned things but most of it had to do with rebuilding and getting our people back – the recovery.) Before the storm we always put our mission statement in the bulletin – a constant reminder of where we were going. We had worked hard on that mission statement. Every word thought through. But I couldn’t even remember it. Oh, I knew a few of the concepts but I didn’t remember it and I had a hard time finding a copy of it. (We all know why. As it turns out floppies are better under water than CDs.) I did find it and wondered if we had it before us if it would have helped us in the past two years. Had we lost our way?

The Israelites did. They were intent on getting out of the slavery in Egypt. They were excited about being free and living in their own land. But now they looked at the people living in the land of Canaan and they were afraid. They seemed bigger than their God did. They had a mission statement issued by God, but they didn’t want to go. They made their own mission statement and we know the disaster that followed. They would wander in the wilderness for 40 years and hardly any of them would get to the Promised Land. That is what happens when you lose your way.

I guess we can excuse ourselves for not remembering our mission statement. (When the paramedics are resuscitating a patient they usually don’t ask him about his vacation plans.) But it probably would have helped, being sidetracked as we were, to know what our goal and purpose was. Did we lose our way? Take a look at our mission statement. You tell me.

Our Mission Statement
“At Crown of Life Lutheran Church our mission is to proclaim forgiveness of sins and eternal life for all through Jesus Christ while providing a fellowship where people of differing backgrounds can serve the Lord as a family.”
News:

1. Tom Fitzmorris reports that there are now more restaurants in the city than before that storm.
2. Glenda is out of the hospital. We still don’t know what is wrong. God knows.
3. Nice attendance Sunday for our Marriage Renewal. 7 or 8 couples. Some of our visitors joined in.
4. Robin, Tianna and the whole family stopped by Saturday. They are getting big. (Not Robin and Tianna, just the kids) It was good to see them again. They send their greeting out to all of you. They are still in Houston.
5. Willie Ann’s daughter came through her back surgery fine. We thank God.
6. My papaya trees have a couple small papayas on them. Will they make it before it freezes.
7. The congregation decided to increase the percentage of our offering that we give to the synod from 10% to 13%.
8. Most of the pledges are in for this next year. If you would like to make one, there is still time. Those of you who did, we know that the Lord will bless it.
9. This week: Preacher: David Sternhagen, Organist: Katherine Jefferson, Acolyte: Allegra, Reader: Bob Kionka, Ushers: Kris Smith, Lee McKinney, Refreshments: Barb Schultz, Cleaning: Quiana Cade, Mowing: A: Lee McKinney, B: Michael Walker

Be strong in the Lord: