Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:8

I skipped church last Sunday. I know when you are on vacation you are supposed to go to church anyway. You know, "God doesn't take a vacation from you." Still since I was vacationing at home I thought it would be weird to attend my own church and watch others do the liturgy and preach. Anyway I stayed at our camp in Mississippi and watched the Luther movie. (Not exactly worship but better than I remembered it.) But the whole time I felt weird anyway. I was thinking, “Now they are singing the first hymn.” “Now Tyrone is preaching.” “Now Seth is giving Lord’s Supper.” I wasn’t feeling guilty for not going. I was just feeling like I belonged there.

If you read the book of Philippians you can see that St. Paul had a special affection for these people. He says so in the verse above. He says he longs to be with them. Of course he had a better excuse for not being with them….he was in prison. What he feels for them is more than just being around nice people or being around friends. It is something that is tied up with Christ Jesus. It is something born of the Holy Spirit. In another place he would talk about it as being a part of the same body. St. Paul didn’t just long to be there, I think he knew he belonged there.

I’m sure every church would like all their members to feel that way about going to church, to long to be there. And I guess we would want to do our best to make our worship inviting, dynamic, and joyful. But we know that the “longing” only comes from the Holy Spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit uses the word to create that “longing” and strengthen that “longing.” There are still enough of you who are scattered about. I hope you haven’t lost the “longing.” If you have, pick up that Bible and get reading. What people often don’t realize is that gathering with our fellow Christians in the house of God might be the only place where we completely belong, where we completely fit in.

News:

1. Tyrone preached and Seth did the Liturgy on Sunday. Thanks.
2. Chris’s new CD is out. “Mov’n On.” Nice job!
3. A few more visitors from the neighborhood in church. Keep praying.
4. The paper reported that the population of the city is coming back faster than expected.
5. Part of Joe Brown Park has reopened.
6. Essence Festival this weekend. It is coming back bigger than ever they say.
7. In service this Sunday: Preacher: D. Sternhagen, Organist: K. Jefferson, Reader: J. Wessel, Acolyte: Diamond, Altar: B. Schultz, Ushers: J. Wessel/M. Phelps, Cleaning: R. Schultz, Refreshments: Potluck for students from Florida, Mowing: A: S. Sternhagen, B: K. Smith

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1

It is a sign that things are getting back to normal. A school board representative, who ran on the platform of getting the corruption out, has admitted to taking bribes. Our US representative has been indicted for taking a bribe. (They have pictures of him taking the bribe and the marked bills were found in his freezer.) He is denying it. And now one of our US Senators has admitted using prostitutes. (It seems like some forms of “normal” are more resilient than others.) Larry Flint of Hustler Magazine infamy says he has exposed Senator Vitter because he wants to point out the hypocrisy. (David Vitter is a big “family values” guy.) Now what Vitter has done is disappointing but more than that it is sinful. Has he lost some credibility? Probably. But is it hypocritical? Is hypocrisy saying something is wrong that you do yourself? No! Otherwise I’d never be able to talk about the evils of sin, since I am a sinner myself. Hypocrisy is from Greek and means to put on an act on a stage. If I speak against sin pretending that I am not a sinner, that would be hypocrisy. If I say something is sinful and I don't really believe that it is, that would be hypocrisy. With no due respect for Larry Flint, the tragedy is not whether David Vitter is a hypocrite or not, the real tragedy is that David Vitter placed himself in the same boat of sinners in need of a Savior, like Larry Flint and me.

So when St. Paul writes to the Galatians he urges them to gently restore the sinner. Jesus paid for the sins of everyone in that boat. We tell people what is right and wrong. We tell people that they are sinners in the hopes that they will find forgiveness in their Savior Jesus. But we do it gently because we know that our sins are just as bad as theirs are. We could be the next one to fall.

So I’ll still keep saying it is wrong not to love your neighbor even though Larry Flint can prove that I haven’t always loved my neighbor. I’ll keep telling you to love your God above everything else even though I have not. Sin is wrong when you do it and just as wrong when I do it. That’s not putting on an act that is telling the truth.

News:

1. Pastor Rosenbaum and his “youts” stopped by on their way back from the Youth Rally in Dallas. They were all impressed with the rally. It was nice to meet them.
2. Nice Ladies Guild attendance after church. They have big plans.
3. The McDonalds on Bullard is rebuilt and hiring. So is the IHOP with Rite Aid coming soon. That is a better indication of “Normal.”
4. The Johnsons stopped by. They are hoping to move back into their house this month. (One of the homes Jerry’s Kids fixed up.) Only thing that could hinder their return is schools. There may not be any schools around here to go to. They pass their greeting on to all of you.
5. Horace’s brother, Howard, died. Horace asks for your prayers. Also for your prayers: Mr. Benzine, Margie Thomas, Barb McDonnell, Melvina, Katherine Jefferson.
6. Quiana and Carol of been my sidekicks on the Radio show lately. The show has become “kinder and gentler.”
7. Last year we asked that God not let any hurricanes trouble anybody. He said, “Yes.” Can He do it two years in a row? Of course. Anyway, that is my prayer. I pray He says, “yes” again. Join me?
8. A lot of houses are being rebuilt around here this summer.
9. This week: Preacher: D. Sternhagen, Organist: K. Jefferson, Reader: E. Wilson, Ushers: S. Sternhagen, D. Jensen, Acolyte: A. Cade, Altar: B. Schultz, Mowing: Sternhagen/Noland, Cleaning: R. Schultz, Refreshments: McDonnell

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

My baby daughter is getting married next week. She is the youngest of my daughters and we are looking forward to the day. Not because we are “getting rid of her” (She has been living on her own for quite some time now) but because it has been an answer to our prayers. You know what parents pray for, strange things like; Don’t let them crash the car tonight. Keep them away from drugs. Don’t let them do the stupid things I did and got away with. You know. But probably the biggest prayer is that they would find a God fearing spouse who would treat them right and fill their lives with the blessings that God intends married couples to have. I was talking with Elaine Green on Sunday and there standing with her was Kelly who was growing into a such a young lady. We were talking about that and I have a feeling she was praying that parent’s prayer too. I’m happy that God has answered that prayer for Beth and for me.

St. Paul talks about a father bringing up his children in the Lord. One of the greatest weaknesses in our churches and in our society is that fathers have failed to do that. But there are a lot of fathers who work at it. And it makes a difference. We are happy when the Lord blesses our labor and our prayers with partners for our children that will honor and respect them as they honor and respect the Lord. For a Christian Father there aren’t many prayers he would rather see answered.

So next week (29th) is the wedding. Hope you can make it. We plan to pass a good time. But under it all is a Father in heaven, who knows what it means to be a good father. And He will bless it.

News:

1. Nice attendance on Sunday, especially for Summer.
2. La Nina is weak this year. Keep praying.
3. I’m working on a new order of service. Some in the choir think it might be to hard for us to sing. I think it is great, but I would. We’ll see.
4. Have you heard the new “side kick” voice on our radio show? WSHO.com.
5. Prayers: Melvina, Garnet, Horace, Evelyn, Glenda, Margie…. Others?

Be strong in the Lord.

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

"For I know the plans I have for you, “ Declares the LORD, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

We passed a good time. Last Sunday, my baby daughter, Beth, got married to Mike Phelps. (She is happy because her initials look better now) They made incredible promises to each other. "I give my life to you" is what they were saying. But I think most marriages start that way, with those same incredible promises. They made them to each other and they made them before "God and these witnesses" which means that in effect they made them to God and us. I'm confident that they will keep those promises, but statistics say that about half don't. I guess it is a shame that we even have to ask ourselves the question.

Last Sunday, the day of the wedding, my son Josh preached the sermon for the regular Sunday morning worship. He preached on the text above. It would make a good wedding text I think. God is telling us that he has a plan for us but he chooses not to tell us everything that is going to happen along the way. He is telling us what he thinks about us and the good that he has planed for us. Not one of us asks, "Will he keep that promise?" Sometimes we live like we don't believe he will keep that promise, but if you ask us, we will tell you that we know God never has broken a promise and never will....never. Now that is the way to make a promise.

We make a few promises to God. We promise when we are confirmed that we will remain faithful to the teaching of the Bible. But we do that with "the help of God." We promise our lives to our spouses, before God. We make few promises to God. The Bible is full of God's promises to us. Given the reliability of the "promisors" that is probably the way it should stay.

News:

1. Venola Spurlock is not doing well. Pleases put her in your prayers. Jesse and Sarah are having some problems with Sarah's pregnancy. Melvina's hand is doing better. Garnet got the job transfer she has been praying for.
2. Welcome to the family: Troy Reed and Sandy McKinney
3. Night out Against Crime is Tuesday at 6-8 Handing out fliers today.
4. Kids Kount on Sunday

NEXT WEEK: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Reader: TBA Organist: K. Jefferson Altar: R. Schultz Refreshments: R. Schultz Acolyte: Alexandria Ushers: Heier/Kyle Jefferson Cleaning: McDonnell Mowing: A: D. Sternhagen B: H. Noland
We are again collecting school supplies for the kids of our church for Kids Kount Sunday. This year we are also offering them to the neighborhood children. A box is set up in the fellowship hall for your donations.

Coming Soon: August 7th Night Out Against Crime 6:00 PM
August 12th Kid’s Kount Sunday
August 18th Planning Meeting 9 AM - Noon
August 26th Kionka’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
following service, Mr. Ison’s band will
play, all are invited, no gifts please
September 30th Family Day

Be Strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain? Jeremiah 23:28

“She was a Baptist her whole life,” the lady said. It was at Venola Spurlock’s funeral last Saturday. Venola had been a member of our church for about 10 years. Then her oldest daughter got a job in Ft. Worth, Texas, and eventually the whole family moved there. That was about 5 years ago. Then suddenly, at the age of 57 she died of cancer. Since most of her family still lived here; she requested that she be buried in her home town, New Orleans and in her home church, Crown of Life Lutheran Church. Several of the mourners who came made the point to me that the lady made above, “She was a Baptist her whole life.” It seemed odd to me at the time and it wasn’t until I began speaking with one lady that I began to understand that there apparently was some resentment over her being “buried Lutheran” even though she was really a Baptist “her whole life.” She wondered how Venola could possibly have become a Lutheran having been a Baptist. “I think she had a friend who brought her here.” “Maybe it was because she lived just around the corner.” I wanted to say, “Maybe she joined our church because she found a better church.” But alas, I didn’t.
Jeremiah in next Sunday’s Old Testament reading helps us sort through the “whose church is better” question. The “grain” church is the one which proclaims the word of God. The “chaff” church is the one who proclaims teachings dreamt up by humans. I don’t know what the Battleground Baptist Church of the Lower 9th Ward teaches but there is a reason we don’t call ourselves Crown of Life Baptist church. (Although I remember having been introduced as Pastor Sternhagen of Crown of Life Lutheran Baptist Church on one occasion.) For example the Baptist church does not believe that a person receives the true body of blood of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper, even though that is what God’s Word clearly says. A “grain” church will proclaim God’s Word whether it makes sense to our human reason or not. (I’m not saying the Baptist Church is a “chaff” church. But they have a little “chaff” in there.)
Even though I didn’t say so, Venola did find a better church. She found a church that proclaimed the Word of God. Here she learned to know of the free gift of forgiveness that has been given to us through Jesus Christ. Here she brought her children to hear those same words in Sunday School and Confirmation class. And here her family was welcomed and made a part of our family. And when her life was drawing to a close she wanted to speak to me and made her final confession of her faith in Christ to me. She wanted to be buried from our church. And I was so happy to tell a packed house that faith rested on Jesus and that now she was resting in the arms of Jesus, enjoying life everlasting. I wonder, does Venola’s name tag in heaven say, “Venola Spurlock, Baptist?” Or “Venola Spurlock, Lutheran?”

1. We thank God that “Dean” isn’t coming our way.
2. Michael is updating our website. Have a look at colnola.com.
3. Jerry’s Kids will be coming back October 15th.
4. Planning session is on Saturday 9-Noon. Help us set up a mission plan.
5. Kionka’s 40th wedding anniversary is Sunday on Resurrection Plaza. Ison’s band will be playing. (After church)
6. A lot of churches are having Katrina Memorial services. I’ll do it when Katrina is a memory.
7. I’ve been asked to preach a mission festival in Bloomington, MN. On the 30th of September. This is the church that has been such a huge part of our recovery.
8. Did you notice all the new traffic signs in our neighborhood. It has been 5 years since we had a STOP sign at the end of Marywood Ct.
9.
NEXT WEEK: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Reader: F. Pollet Organist: K. Jefferson Altar: R. Schultz Refreshments: Kionka’s Anniversary Celebration Acolyte: Robin Ushers: R. Ison, E. Jefferson Cleaning: Boczon Mowing: A: Heier B: Heier

Be Strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

We all remember what we were doing two years ago today. Most of us were thinking that it would be like so many others in the past; a few days away and then back home. Not this time. The prayer below was sent to me by one of Jerry's Kids, Michael Eaton. Read it. It is rambling, disjointed, passionate. If someone were to transcribe your passionate prayers they would probably sound something like this.

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor Dave.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When you pray, say: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.' Luke 11:2-4

“To him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:6

My Hurricane Prayer:
Others are concerned about hurricanes and it is for them that I pray. Lord don’t let this be the only prayer you hear, but let be amongst 1000 prayers for a safe hurricane season. Although this prayer may be “smaller than a mustard seed” let it stop the winds and water from during harm. Dear Father help me. We do not know your ways, but can you please stop the hurting? You know all of us so well. See into my heart and know my sincerity. Lord God please do not let anyone be harmed by storms.

If you must take them than see to the comfort of their families. Many will be distraught and you must guild support for them. Dear Father help your children. Our worldly realm in which you have us live isn’t perfect. Help use see past our dire perspective and keep our eyes on the Word.

Guild our helpers during times of trials, keep them on mission and do not let them despair. Shore up the levees and dams, lash the breaks and support the bridges with your Right Hand.

Help us bring those who don’t know your son into salvation. Help us to provide for those in need, care for the shattered and perhaps share with them the good news. Drive us to pass over the offenses directed towards us while backing us away from our own selfishness. Bring us safely home from the storms. Amen.

Help and love one another,

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Jerry's house got blown away in a hurricane. Jerry, the same guy who with his wife Lynn spent so much time helping us rebuild our houses from a hurricane has his destroyed. What does it all mean? Does it mean that just because you do good things doesn't mean bad things won't happen to you. Does it mean that a hurricane that strikes Mexico destroys a lot of dreams even when we don't know any of the people there? Does it mean that nothing here is going to last?

I don't know what it means. All we are left with is a promise of God. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you…” I suppose God tells us this because He knows there are times when it will look just the opposite….when it will look like God IS harming us. It is easy to see that God is making us prosper and not harming us when he when it is obvious that He is making us prosper and not harming us. That requires no faith. It is something else when it doesn’t look like He is making us prosper. Knowing Jerry and Lynn like I do, I know they know they have “hope and a future.” I pray that the Lord gives them the faith to know that his plans for them do not include harming them, even though they lost their house. And I pray the same for each of us.

1. Attendance was a little weak Sunday.
2. For your prayers: Ronnie Land (eye surgery), Baughman's (job), Barb Schultz (New Knee) Barb’s dad.(Hospitalized ) Ms. McGuert (Former member fell)
3. Sunday School Teachers meeting Friday at 7:00 PM
4. Regular SS begins Sunday. Bible class is studying Revelation.
5. Everyone is excited about the Saints and LSU this year.
6. Seth and Quiana are getting ready for their big day.(Wedding)
7. Paulette and Gary are back but they are having car (truck) troubles.
8. Will Jerry's Kids now fix Jerry's house?
9. Jerry’s Kids are returning in October with a big list.

Preacher: D. Sternhagen Reader: TBA Organist: K. Jefferson Altar: Boczon Refreshments: B. Schultz Acolyte: Kelsey Ushers: S. Sternhagen/D. Jensen Cleaning: Boczon Mowing: A: D. Sternhagen B: H. Noland

Be Strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family.

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. Genesis 8:22

I saw a rainbow yesterday and so I know that this world will not be destroyed by global warming. I guess I'm always a little skeptical of that kind of thing anyway since I can remember when all the best scientific minds told us we were entering into a new Ice Age. All the scientific facts proved it. (fool me once....) And now I have to cut my grass again. It is growing so fast. A year and a half ago we were told that we were going to have to replace our soil with new soil since it was so contaminated from the flood that nothing would grow on it again. God has made our world with amazing recuperative ability. If there is global warming can we count on the earth recovering from it?

When the Lord decided to destroy the earth he did it with a flood. (We have a little idea of why that was so effective) He did it because the people were so corrupt. But afterwards he says the words recorded above. It is a big promise. While the earth remains seasons and weather will also remain steady. Including cold and heat. And then to give us a reminder, he put a rainbow in the sky and said, "Every time I see a rainbow, I'll remember my promise." If you read your Bible you know that God will destroy this earth at the end of time and it won't be destroyed in some slow creeping way.

As His caretakers we shouldn't do anything that messes up His earth, still we know that our earth will not be destroyed by climate change. I know that because yesterday God saw a rainbow and I have to go cut my grass.

Notes:

1. It looks the Winn Dixie on Chef is about to open.
2. Sarah and Jessie had a baby boy, Jacob. Everyone is doing fine.
3. Barb Schultz, Ronnie Land are going good. Michael Schultz broke his elbow. Bob and Madonna are celebrating their wedding anniversary. Prayers please.
4. The CEO of WELS Relief and his sidekick are coming down this weekend to put their official Okee Dokee on the rebuilding program for the upcoming year. (Phil Schupmann and Mark Vance)
5. A hurricane hit the US mainland for the first time in two years. They say it will provide much needed rain. I pray that is all it does.
6. Jerry’s Kids start coming back in October to work on houses. Still plenty to do.

NEXT WEEK: Preacher: D. Sternhagen Reader: TBA Organist: K. Jefferson Altar: Boczon Refreshments: Heier Acolyte: Myraja Ushers: Heier/Kyle Jefferson Cleaning: Cade Mowing: A: L. McKinney B: M. Walker

Be strong in the Lord.

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2

My son Seth is getting married next week to a member of the church. (Something that every Christian prays for) (You know her as Quiana) These are always very joyful days but also very emotional days. Marriage is one of those rites of passage where you realize that your child is in a sense leaving your family to start his own family. The day is drawing nearer when you won’t be around to nag him and correct him. But you can rest assured because now he’ll have a wife for that. (Sorry). Seriously, for many people it is a melancholy rite of passage because it completes their cycle of life. You know: You are born, you get married, you have children, you die, they have children etc. But is the expression, “Cycle of life” really a good one?

In the passage above, Daniel sees a vision of the great judgement day. It is about the same vision that John sees in Revelation and the same scene that Jesus describes in the gospels. It is kind of interesting that the phrase, “everlasting life” is only found twice in the Bible – here and in John. But it is a concept that is expressed in many different ways in the scriptures. And what a powerful concept it is! And it isn’t just existing forever, it is living forever. Jesus not only has won for us the power not to die, but to live….to live with power, joy and confidence with our God forever. Now that is living! We get a taste of it here, but we will get the full dose of life in heaven. Life is on the rise.

So it doesn’t really sound like life is a cycle does it? It is more like a thread, or a rope or a highway. Yes, a highway. We walk along the highway of life. We start at different places. People join us along the way. The scene keeps changing but it is all the same highway of life. So a wedding should not be a melancholy event that reminds us that our cycle of life is coming to a close. It is a joyful event because now we have someone else walking with us down the highway.

News:

1. Good service Sunday. Welcome to the Family Mo and Sue Calvert. Jacob Ellis was baptized. Robert Bot from Baton Rouge reported on the Synod convention and the choir sang.
2. We’re sad about the Saints. Happy about the Tigers.
3. Still no hurricanes have come our way. We thank God.
4. The Winn Dixie on Chef has its grand re-opening today.
5. Did you watch K-Ville? I’m glad they don’t have anyone trying to do a New Orleans accent.
6. I’ll be preaching for a mission festival up in Bloomington Mn. this weekend. These are the folks who have supported our church in a special way for the last two years. Jeremy will preach here and Lee will do liturgy.
7. Church yard cleanup this Saturday, morning. We want to clean up some of the tall grass around the trailers and clean up the inside of the trailers because Jerry’s Kids are coming back in October.
NEXT WEEK: Preacher: J. Wessel Reader: T. Schultz Organist: K. Jefferson Altar: Boczon Refreshments: D. Reed Acolyte: Alexandria Ushers: L. Mckinney/T. Schultz Cleaning: Heier Mowing: A: S. Sternhagen B: K. Smith

8. Family Day October 28

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

I told them it was like taking a brewery tour, the people of Bloomington Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN. You know how you might take a brewery tour to see how your favorite beer is made….or tour the Harley Davidson factory to see how your motorcycle was made…that was the way I felt. Over the past two years the members of Bloomington have been coming down in waves to help us. They have a whole ministry devoted to doing things just like this. I was curious to go to the factory (church) where they were made and see how they made these people. Did they have some little trick? Did they have a program that no one had ever thought of that would enliven people to respond in this way. Or was it just drinking the water from the Mississippi a little further up.

St. Paul is writing to his student Timothy and encouraging him. He talks about the faith that he has and points to the source of that faith, his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. (Of course we know that the source of all faith is the Holy Spirit but good parents and grandparents bring that to their children through the means of grace, baptism and the word.) It seems that St. Paul is saying that Lois and Eunice had passed their faith on to Timothy in this way. The Holy Spirit uses grandparents and parents and even churches to bring people to faith and strengthen faith, through the Word and Sacraments. It might be a little crass to think about it that way, but our homes and churches are like Christian Making Factories. And you were made in one of them.

So I went up to tour the Bloomington Factory, looking for the trick method of producing motivated Christians. I didn’t see anything. We gathered in a somewhat normal looking church, sang hymns that were pretty common, worshipped in a pretty straight forward “Lutheran” way. They were just a bunch of people sitting around listening to the Word of God. They didn’t have a trick. Hmm…maybe that is their trick.

News:

1. Seth and Quiana were married Saturday. Friends and family came from all over to join in the celebration. Thanks! They are on a cruise.
2. Jerry and Lynn Zimpelmann have come back to begin another year of Jerry’s Kids. Mark Vance and my brother Dan are the only ones at this time. It seems like the volunteers are going to be a little sparse until after Christmas.
3. Barb Schultz was back in church after her knee surgery. Thank God! Garnet and George have new jobs, thank God.
4. Welcome to the family. Glenn Bechet was added to our number on Sunday. Please make him feel welcome. Our new members are gifts to us.
5. Let’s not talk about the Saints, let’s talk about LSU.
6. It looks like they are putting in a new restaurant where the NAPA auto parts store was on Bullard.
7. A couple of our old superheroes were back in town. Stoneman, Byteman, (And their wives…. and no I’m not going to make up names for them) and of course Pebble.
8. Service for this Sunday: Preacher: Pastor Dave, Organist: K. Jefferson, Acolyte: Robin, Usher: McKinney, Phelps, Mowing: A: Noland, B: Walker, Altar: Kionka, Cleaning: R. Schultz

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18-20

Jerry and Lynn are leaving this week. It seemed strange to hear him say in church that he didn’t know when he would see us again. Jerry and Lynn Zimpelmann have been such a huge part of our congregation these past two years I guess we thought they would never leave. They were here with the first Mold Krewe in those ragged days after the storm. They put the idea in our heads that people could actually come back and rebuild long before FEMA or our government leaders were even thinking about it. And they have been a steady presence among us ever since. I’ve always said that one of the obvious advantages to this whole ordeal was bringing Christians together who might never have met before. It is hard to say how many people’s lives they have touched in a positive way over the years. Might there be other advantages?

Abraham had just rescued his nephew Lot. He had been kidnapped by four kings in the area. So Abraham got together some of his own men and went in pursuit. What are the chances of a shepherd defeating 4 kings? Well, Abraham ends up kicking some serious butt. He rescues his nephew and brings back all the plunder. Along comes the mysterious king/priest of Salem, Melchizedek. He is the priest of the Most High God. He is mysterious because he suddenly appears on the scene. And then just disappears. But Abraham knows that he was successful because God had blessed him. So he gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything. Why did God bring these two together? Well Melchizedek blesses Abraham and Abraham has an opportunity to thank God with his gift. Grateful people are happy to have the chance to say, “Thank you.”

I know Lynn and Jerry would say that this whole ordeal gave them the opportunity to thank their God for his blessing in their lives. That is why they say it was a blessing to them. They “mysteriously” came into our lives and now they are going out. Has this meeting benefited us? Of course! Will this meeting teach us something? Will we be looking for ways to say, “Thank you?”

News:

1. Pretty good attendance Sunday. Some new people.
2. Jack Zabrowski and Mark Vance are now heading up Lutherville.
3. My brother Dan was down. Did a lot of work on 31 and the church. We thank him. People say they can tell we are related.
4. Seth and Quiana are back from their honeymoon. (I wonder where that word came from?)
5. For your prayers: Ronnie’s sister, Linda’s mother, Troy’s mother, Jesse and Sarah’s first wedding anniversary.
6. October 28 – Family Day. Bring a dish to share and your own drinks. Patience is planning to fry several turkeys. Invite your friends and family.
7. This week: Preacher: Pastor Dave, Reader: Mo Calvert, Altar: Faith Kionka, Cleaning: R. Schultz, Acolyte: Alexis, Lunch: Linda Hall, Usher: C. McDonnell/Bob Heier, Mowing: M. Walker/Horace Noland

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. My shield is God most High, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:9-10

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. No wait, I thought it was beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Both are probably true. We had a visitor in church yesterday from California. He said that the reports of our town range from being under water still, to nothing is being done. I talked to another couple who were surprised at what a disaster it was around here. Half the houses not occupied for miles in every direction. Of course to us it is starting to look pretty good….half the houses occupied for miles in every direction. I read editorials in the paper kind of whining, “People from outside don’t understand what has happened here.” They hear things like I hear and they get frustrated. But how can they understand? It is like when your teenage daughter says, “You don’t understand me.” Well of course we don’t understand you, that would be like understanding the Trinity or why Paris Hilton is a star. It is beyond us. They don’t understand us and the truth is, we don’t understand them either. But there is hope.

This Psalm was probably written by David when he was being pursued by Saul the king. David could make a case for being misunderstood. He hadn’t chosen to be Saul’s rival to the throne, God had chosen him. He had not done anything to incur Saul’s anger, still Saul was trying to kill him. He didn’t understand Saul and his motives. Saul didn’t understand David and his motives. But it was enough for David to know that God did….his and Saul’s. Of course it is always a little scary to ask God, like David does above, to search our hearts and minds. We know that there are a lot of things lurking in there that we wouldn’t want God to see. But in Christ he won’t, the blood of Christ having even washed away our sinful thoughts and motives. But we know that as he searches our hearts and minds that he also understands us. He really does know why your feel better some days than others. He really does know what makes you tick. He even understands the mind of a teenage girl. (and since He is omniscient He must understand why Paris Hilton is a star. Talk about depth of knowledge)

So, other people might not understand us. It is enough that they try. Love doesn’t require understanding and we have seen plenty of that from others. It isn’t required that we understand them either, just that we love them. Our comfort is that God understands and that he is my shield who saves me….and He loves me too.

1. Nice attendance Sunday. Quite a few visitors. The choir did good too.
2. Heard from Willie Ann and LeRoy, they are planning to come for family day.
3. Lutherville and Lutherville II (31 Marywood Ct.) are filling up. Gary and Paulette are back in Lutherville, welcome home.
4. I’m over here at the Cottenbelt Pastor’s conference in Navarre Fl. Our Hotel is on the water. When I look out my window I get a good view of Winn Dixie.
Family Day is Sunday. Richwell’s band will be playing on Resurrection Plaza. New award this year, “The Dizzy Gillespie” award. I wonder who will win it?
5. My cell phone died so if you want to contact me use the parsonage number 504-242-3442.
6. A couple of our friends from San Diego (that would be Stoneman and Byteman) have not suffered damage from the fires out there. Their church was also unaffected. We thank God. The Atlanta folks have gotten some much needed rain and we thank God for that too.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. Luke 2:41-44

“The family that insulates together stays together.” I guess that isn’t the expression but it happened this week. A couple grandparents came down here to help in the rebuilding process and they brought their two grandsons along with them. Not exactly your typical family outing. “Let’s go see a movie.” “Let’s go for Pizza.” “Let’s go to New Orleans and insulate a house.” Well, of course it wasn’t just insulating a house, they were coming as part of Jerry’s Kids to help in our recovery here. A Christian good deed….an expression of their love for Jesus….together.

The twelve year old Jesus went with his family to the Feast of the Passover. I can imagine Joseph and Mary with Jesus and probably the other kids making the pilgrimage together….together with their relatives. It must have taken a couple days. As they walked they talked with each other. Maybe they sang together. They probably discussed why they were making this journey. It was to remind them of the time when the blood of a lamb put on the door posts of their ancestors in Egypt saved them from death. Walking together, singing together, talking, and praying together, must have been a spiritual experience that helped bind them together as a family. Of course Jesus’ last pilgrimage for the Passover would be the one that changed the world, when the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, would be sacrificed for us. His death would save us from death.

We don’t do pilgrimages anymore and it seems to me we are the worse for it. We hardly do much of anything together anymore. Going to church together as a family would be a good thing. Gathering around the Bible together would be a good thing. How about making a pilgrimage to New Orleans to express our love for God together? Grandparents and Grandchildren together….it might be even better than going to a movie together.

1. Almost 100 people in church for Family Day. We passed a good time. The weather was good. The band was good. The food was good. The fellowship was good. Those of you who couldn’t make it… we missed you.
2. Luther Lake is staying longer than it should. The pump was out and pipe was blocked. Thanks to Tom Thiele, Bob Heier and Seth the system was repaired. (The ducks will have to find some place else to hang out. I did see a whistling duck and an ibis that isn’t in the book)
3. I think my papayas are starting to get ripe.
4. Planning meeting this Saturday. Be there and help us set our plan for the future.

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3

New Orleans has two seasons: one is summer and the other isn’t. It looks like we are getting into the “isn’t” part of the year. A cold front is on its way through. Tomorrow they say we will have a hard time getting out of the 60s. As a kid I can remember when the leaves would start to change color, the clouds started looking different and the frost got the rhubarb. It was always kind of sad because it meant the end of summer and a long cold winter ahead. (Going back to school didn’t help either.) There are these kind of melancholy markers along the way that remind us how life is marching on. The seasons keep changing, kind of like creation taking another breath.

Well if you sense the breath of life in nature, you know what you are seeing. Or maybe I should say, “Who you are seeing.” In the reading above we are reminded that Jesus, being God, is the force of life behind his creation. It says that he sustains all things by his powerful word. “All things” includes our world, his creation. The “seedtime and harvest, cold and heat” are all part of the rhythm that he has established. It is his calling card and as we see it, we see him. That rhythm will continue until he returns as Judge and King.

So I guess the changes of seasons should not be a melancholy reminder. They should be a source of comfort because we know that the One who made our world is still in charge of it. And if he watches over it so closely he surely watches over the crown of his creation even more closely. “His eye is on the sparrow……”

News:

1. Sunday was a special day. Chloe Hall was baptized. 4 generations of Halls were there for that special day. Sarah Ellis was received into membership in the Family. God is good!
2. The newly installed pump seems to be getting it all dried up.
3. Work continues at Celeste’s house. I think they are doing floors tomorrow. A few other houses are getting sheet rock now too.
4. This week: Preacher: D. Sternhagen, Organist: L. Italiano, Acolyte: Alexandria, Altar: Baughman, Cleaning: McDonnell, Ushers: Heier, Baughman, Mowing: D. Sternhagen, H. Noland, Lunch: McKinney

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17

For him it was the first time and probably the last time. For us it is something that we will probable never do. I’m talking about thanking Jesus for being healed of leprosy. This Samaritan was the only one of the ten who took the time to thank Jesus for his healing. Thanksgiving Day is coming up. (Please don’t call it “Turkey Day.” At least “Thanksgiving” implies being thankful. “Turkey Day” implies just eating.) It is always good to make a list of the things to be thankful for and it occurs to me that our list might be different this year. We have some things to be thankful for that we might never have been thankful for in the past and we might never be thankful for again. And that might be a good thing. For example leprosy. I’m glad I don’t have to be thankful for being cured of leprosy. I’d rather be thankful that I never had leprosy. Of course there are a lot of diseases I’ve never had and that should make me even more thankful. We can be thankful to God for all the good things that have happened to us and for all the bad things that didn’t happen to us. It gets to be a huge list.
But let me get back to my original idea. We have some things to be thankful for that might be a first and last.

1. We can be thankful that even though not all of our family members have returned home that God seems to have blessed them where they live.
2. We thank God that over half of the people have moved back to our neighborhood.
3. We thank God that we have literally thousands of WELS friends who have supported us and prayed for us.
4. We thank God for all the hands which have come to rebuild our homes and city.
5. We thank God for the good feeling of being home again.

News:

1. Attendance was a little weak on Sunday.
2. Next Sunday is known as “Saints Triumphant Sunday.” So we know who will win the football game.
3. For those of you who missed last Sunday let me explain the “Faith Comes by Hearing” program. We had a DVD presentation last Sunday. An organization will give each our members a MP3 copy of the New Testament, and each child a MP3 of Bible stories. They ask us to take a collection. They use the money to bring the Bible to parts of the world where literacy is a problem. They put the New Testament in the native language of the people and provide a solar powered player so that people in remote villages can hear the Bible. It is a way to get the Word out to us and to others. We’ll be taking that collection on Sunday. Hope all will participate.
4. A new clinic opened on Bullard. People who have been there say it is pretty nice. At least we have some place near by.
5. Jerry’s Kids are leaving here this weekend but will return after Thanksgiving.
6. This week: Preacher: D. Sternhagen, Organist: K. Jefferson, Altar: E. Baughman, Acolyte: Glenn, Cleaning: McDonnell, Ushers: McKinney, T. Schultz, Mowing: Phelps, McKinney

Be strong in the Lord

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work he shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

This is the time of year when pastors start getting unique phone calls. In the period from around Thanksgiving till after Christmas they come. They are all different but they fit into some general categories.
1. Does your church give away free turkeys?
2. Does your church pay light bills? (There is usually a story that goes along with this.)
3. We came to New Orleans for my mother’s funeral and the transmission on my car went out and now I don’t have the gas money to get back home. (You might think that the chances of your transmission going out on the same weekend as your mother’s funeral would be a rare coincidence but I’ve actually had this exact story at least 3 times. Funerals must be hard on transmissions.)

It is the time of year when people are feeling charitable and some want to take advantage of that. Of course we should be feeling charitable, look at how much our God has given us, freely. Now we might ask ourselves if the people we help out deserve it, but we know it is a good thing, our God didn’t ask that of us. Besides we know that the gift is not diminished just because the person receiving it doesn’t appreciate it or deserve it. But how do you balance that with what St. Paul says above?

At Duncan Plaza by City Hall there is a whole community of people just living out there. There is another homeless place under the I-10 at Canal St. There are getting to be so many people there that they now have formed subdivisions. As I’ve driven by, I’ve noticed that some of them really don’t seem like they could hold down of job, but there appear to be plenty who are able bodied, in a city where almost every business has a “Help Wanted Sign.” Then in the paper today there is the story of two ladies who use their own money ($80.00 three times a week) to cook for and provide meals for the people on Duncan Plaza. And they appear to be doing it with such joy.

It is interesting that right after St. Paul says, “If a man will not work he shall not eat,” he says, “Don’t become weary of doing right.” I guess if people are not willing to work and eating on us, that’s on them. The Lord doesn’t require us to know if they deserve it or not. We can center our attention on doing the “right thing.” We have been recipients of a lot of people doing the “right thing.” Did we deserve it? I don’t think they asked that question. I guess those smiling ladies handing out food to the people on Duncan Plaza aren’t asking it either. The Lord knows and the Lord blesses.

News:

1. Nice Thanksgiving service and dinner on Sunday. Patience and the Spice Boys did a good job on the turkeys.
2. The Saints are breaking our hearts but LSU and the Hornets are doing good.
3. We certainly can thank God for the great weather we’ve been having.
4. The “Faith Comes by Hearing” program got over $2000.00 in the special collection. Thank you for your powerful response. Getting ourselves and others in the Word is even more powerful.
5. They say the “Christmas in the Oaks” (sorry “Celebration in the Oaks”) at City Park is better than ever.
6. This week: Preacher: Pastor; Organist: K. Jefferson; Acolyte: Robin; Cleaning: Baughman; Usher: Ison, E. Jefferson; Mowing: A. Noland, B. Walker Lunch: No lunch this Sunday
7. Choir practice after church

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river.” Isaiah 66:12

No one would want to watch my life on TV. I wouldn’t want to watch my life on TV. This morning I had a Bible Study with mainly Jerry’s Kids in the fellowship hall. Then I did preliminary study of the sermon text for Sunday. I decided to write this newsletter while I’m making my infamous turkey/andouille gumbo. (The cold weather helps my gumbo taste better.) In the midst of all this excitement a man called from Wisconsin wanting to know if we had building going on here and if he could help. (He told me he was from Wisconsin but he didn’t need to; you know the accent.) This afternoon I have Confirmation Class and then a Bible Information Class. Reading about my life is even worse than watching it, I suppose. It’s kind of boring: no drama, no excitement, no disasters. But then I got to thinking how nice boring can be sometimes . . . to have peace in our lives, to have a routine without conflict or drama. Is this the peace that Jesus came to bring?

Well, no, not exactly. We are starting the Advent season. We hear all those wonderful Old Testament promises that told the people that the Messiah was coming and with him, he would bring peace. Jesus himself said that he would leave us with a peace that the world cannot give. We know this as first of all, peace with God. Our sins being forgiven; we are no longer at odds with our Maker. We live now and we will live forever in the peace of his forgiveness. That is what the Lord is promising in the Isaiah passage above. When I read that I think about how peaceful it is to sit on a river bank and listen to and watch the river go by. But I think there is more to it than that. The river just keeps coming. There is no end to it. That is the kind of peace Jesus brings us.

But you know the peace that we feel everyday is also connected to it. It is certainly a gift of God’s love when we can live our lives in peace and security, to be able to enjoy a day when nothing exciting is happening. There are plenty of days that are exciting in life, some of them exciting in a bad way. So I think we should see these peaceful, even boring days as a gift from God’s hand. After all he is the Prince of Peace.

News:

1. Pretty good attendance on Sunday. Had a lot of visitors.
2. Jerry’s Kids are coming back and working away. The Krewe is small now but it looks like it will get bigger.
3. Prayers: Wanda, wisdom teeth. Mo, back. Melvina, hand. Robert and George, jobs.
4. My garden is up. Now if it just doesn’t freeze.
5. Trinity in Abita Springs invites us to their Christmas Party, Sunday, Dec 9th at the town hall. (Next to the Church) As usual we’ll get to spend some good time with our fellow believers, sing some songs, and eat some good food.
6. December 8th hand out fliers. Help us do a little outreach. 9 AM
7. December 15th Christmas for Kids. 10-2 PM.
8. This week: Preacher: Pastor Dave, Organist: K. Jefferson, Acolyte: Alexis, Altar: Edward, Usher: K. Smith, B. Boczon, Mowing: B. Heier, R. Hall, Cleaning: Baughman, Lunch: R. Schultz

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men, I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:2-4

Brad Pitt is in the news around here. He put up some strange looking pink structures in one section of the Lower Ninth Ward. It was very photographical. (Is there a word like this?) It made all the TV news shows. He wouldn’t tell anyone what these odd shapes meant. So curiosity and anticipation built up until he held a news conference in the 9th Ward to tell us what it was all about. It got good coverage. What he is going to do is build houses in the 9th Ward, so the people can come home. He is giving 5 million dollars himself for the project. What he is doing is wonderful. For the past 3 years volunteers have come to our town to help people rebuild their houses. The project has been supported by the WELS Committee on Relief using gifts given by mostly WELS members. Each Sunday we ask incoming and outgoing volunteers to stand and about 50-80 people applaud (modestly, like good Lutherans) and then they go home. Is it just a contrast in styles?

Jesus was talking to the people about real spirituality, real good deeds. He is not saying that if people know about it that it loses its “goodness.” He is saying that if the reason you do it is to get the praise of others then it is not a good deed at least in the eyes of God. And if you do it for that purpose and people praise you for it, then you have gotten your reward and you can’t expect God to reward you. Which reward would you rather have? Human rewards or God’s? We know that the reward is not heaven, he has already given that to us. But God has a whole storehouse of rewards at his disposal so that he can give the perfect gift that fits the person.

So because of the silent, humble way the people of WELS have been helping out with their gifts and their hands, I have a feeling there are a lot of WELS people who are seeing God’s special gifts in their lives. Do you think the churches they go to are happier churches? Do you think the synod they belong to is a happier synod? I also like to think that Brad Pitt isn’t doing it for the praise either but to raise more money. Then Brad will get a reward from God too.

News:

1. Good attendance Sunday. I skipped out early after church to go to the Saints game. Too bad they lost.
2. We are handing out flyers for Christmas for Kids on Saturday at 9:00 AM. Come walk our neighborhood.
3. Stoneman is back in camp. Guess what he brought on his truck….stones.
4. The Ladies Guild had their Christmas party at Café Degas. No one had the snails.
5. Nice presentation last night by Mr. Stellick about our mission in Taiwan. Thanks. He also told us about the WELS prison ministry.
6. Christmas for Kids a week from Saturday 10 AM to 2:00 PM. Kids ages 4 and up.
7. This week: Preacher: Pastor Dave, Organist: K. Jefferson, Ushers: H. Noland, M. Walker, Mowing: S. Sternhagen, K. Smith, Acolyte: Kelsey, Cleaning: B. Boczon
8. Last Minute Request: Please bring candy for Christmas for Kids!

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 2 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Jerry’s Kids are about to end their fall session among us. Smallish krewes have been here finishing up some tasks started last year and starting some new ones. Each morning they fan out to various places, helping our friends and neighbors with the task of coming home. I think about the witness that they are to those around them. They are bearing witness to the Lord they serve. Some of them have even been working overtime. These are the same people that are often characterized has narrow minded, Bible thumpers….the arrogant Christian right. How can anyone who has seen how Christians have responded to our disaster ever again say anything bad about Christians?

St. Paul wants us to think of ourselves as a triumphal procession spreading the fragrance of him wherever we go. When we walk into a room we should bring the fragrance of our Savior. But to some people it is not a fragrance. To some people it is the smell of death. We become a reminder to their conscience that they are not right with God. We are a reminder that they are dead. It is kind of an opposite thing isn’t it? When live people smell dead things, the dead thing stinks. Spiritually, it would seem that when spiritually dead people smell spiritually alive people, they stink. So it shouldn’t surprise us when some people say some nasty things about us. It is because we really stink, to them.

We have showers here so Jerry’s Kids rarely stink. (rarely) But I suspect as they spread out each day with the aroma of Christ about them that they might stink to some. But to us they are a beautiful fragrance, the fragrance of Jesus. I’ll have to admit that it has been smelling pretty good around here lately. In January we are expecting more “Room Fresheners.” (OK, I pushed the metaphor too far.)

News:

1. On Sunday the choir sang our version of “Do Lord.” It was a hoot.
2. Last night the council met. Elections are set for the last Sunday of the month.
3. Even some Tiger fans don’t think they can beat Ohio State. It is going to be a busy time with the Sugar bowl and the National Championship here.
4. The Hornets are doing pretty good this year.
5. Plans are being made to close the FEMA trailer parks around town. The big issue still is “affordable” housing.
6. We are looking into a sort of partnership with one of the local public elementary schools, Sarah T. Reed. Stay tuned.
7. Christmas for Kids on Saturday from 10-2. If you know some kids over 4 bring them in. (last Saturday we handed out fliers to the neighborhood, some of Jerry’s Kids helped)
8. Radio Show also on Saturday at noon. WSHO.com 800 AM.

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14

We met to say goodbye for now to one of our family members. We had a pretty good turn out. As you know George was living with his son in California, but wanted to be buried here in his home state and in his home church. I remember the first Sunday George, Lydia and Garnet walked into church. That must have been nearly 20 years ago. They have been faithful members of the Family this whole time. We lost Lydia to the storm and in some way I think we might have lost George too. But of course they are filled with joy right now and we wait. For those of you who were not able to attend, I’ve included the sermon for the funeral. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Luke 2:13-14
01/09/08

There are some things that happen in our lives that change us forever. I think the things that happened to Mr. Armstrong about 2 years ago were some of them. After one of our members ran across him in a shelter he came to our church service in a house in Baton Rouge. I remember how he looked. Here was a man who always dressed right: suits and ties. But here he was with just the clothes he had evacuated in, like the rest of us. But you could tell he had been through much more. You watch your companion for over 60 years drown before your eyes and it will affect you. I don’t think George was ever quite the same. How could he be? There are some things that happen in our lives that change us forever. This is such an event today when we mourn the death of our father, our grandfather, our relative, our friend. But this event could actually change us for the better if we can learn something from George’s life and more importantly if we can learn something from George’s Lord. It was Christmas Eve the last time I talked with George so I thought this passage would be appropriate for today. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Jesus is born in Bethlehem and the Angel proclaims, “Peace on earth.” What kind of peace is he talking about? This peace and this good will comes to those on whom God’s favor rests. Did God’s favor rest upon Mr. George? There might be those who would say that George earned God’s favor. He was a hard worker and provided for his family well. He supported his children and gave them a good chance in life. He and Lydia were consistent winners of the best attendance award here at church, even after she lost her health. He was a good giver to the church. I remember when we were discussing our offerings, he stood up in church and said, “I’ll raise my offering by 100%.” He was a leader, the best kind, by example. He was, I believe, one of the charter members of the organization called “Eracism.” Even though I’m sure he suffered a lot because of racism, he wanted to some how help end that horrible thing. And I’m sure that many of you have similar stories. So I suppose if it were possible to earn favor with God, George would be a candidate. But we know that it is impossible to earn God’s favor.
Some one might point to things in his life that were evidence of God’s favor. He had good health of over 90 years. He was blessed with a faithful wife and family. He was successful and prosperous. He lived well. But that isn’t the favor that the angel was talking about either.
We can only make sense of the Angel’s words, and of this day, if we understand something very important. As good a man as George was, he was an awful sinner. In that way he was like everyone else here today. As prosperous and hard working as he was, if left on his own, his life would have only led to death and damnation. George needed help. George needed a Savior and he knew it.
And God sent a Savior just for him. Don’t believe me? Well, the Bible tells us that God knew George even before he was born. The Bible also tells us that God had a plan for George’s life even before he was born. Now it is probably true that George messed up God’s plan sometimes and missed out on the joy that God was planning for him, but God still had a plan. And God also knew that he was a sinner and needed those sins paid for. And in an act of amazing love, goodwill and favor, God sent his son and George was washed in His blood, forgiven.
God sent his son, just for George and just for you. This could be a life changing event for us too, if we realize today that God sent a Savior just for us. If we are determined to look for God’s plan for our lives and live each day asking what God has in mind for me today. If we determine to faithfully hear the word of the Lord like George did.
So on Christmas Eve when I talked to him last, he said to me several times, “I just want to die.” He knew he had a home waiting for him, bought and paid for by his Savior, Jesus. He was ready to go there. He said, “I just want to die.” But what he meant was, “I just want to live.” And someone was listening to that conversation, He always does. Last week He answered that prayer and took him home. “Glory to God in the Highest.” AMEN

News:

1. Jerry’s Kids are back with a vengeance. Getting a lot done. Maybe I’m used to the Builders, but this group seems pretty young.
2. One of Jerry’s Kids is a pastor and some are seminary students. The group gets to have a Bible study not from me, which I think is refreshing.
3. I’ve begun the vacancy work at Abita Springs. Their Pastor, Joe Dietrich, resigned for family reasons. (On the road again.)
4. The work here will wind up in May. The Committee on Relief has some travel trailers they want to sell. (They have made Lutherville for a couple years, parked on Luther Lake. They could be collector’s items. I’d personally sign them, but Mark Vance says it will bring the value down.) If you are interested let me know.
5. Little signs of recovery…Last week a crew came through and repainted all the fire plugs.
6. LSU, LSU, LSU, LSU
7. This week:
Preacher: D. Sternhagen
Organist: K. Jefferson
Reader: J. Wessel
Acolyte: Alexandria
Altar: C. Sternhagen
Lunch: K. Jefferson
Ushers: C. McDonnell, B. Boczon
Mowing: No Mowing

Be strong in the Lord,

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

We now have a new Governor. He is the youngest Governor of any state. They always say about him, "He is the first "non white" governor since reconstruction." (Since this is Martin Luther King’s Birthday we shouldn't be noticing that.) The whole state is excited. Here is an opportunity to make a change, to fix our problems. There is such great anticipation for this new governor. The expectation must be quite a load on him. However, as much anticipation as there is, few people really think that he can fix all our ills. But what if he could? What if he could rebuild the state? What if he could get out all the corruption? What if he could make our schools the best in the country? What if he could rebuild our roads? He would be the greatest governor any state had ever had.

What if someone had said to the governor, “Could you also solve these other problems for us?” “We are on our way to hell and we want to stop that.” “We have all these sins that need to be paid for, that we can’t.” “We have lives without meaning.” “We are people without hope.” “We face trouble every day and don’t know what to do.” “We are going to die.” “Can you fix it for me?” What a tremendous load to put on someone! What an impossible task! No one could be expected to do all of that. Who would want that job?
Then Jesus says, “I’ll do it.” And he did. He took it all on himself. He fixed our problems for us. I guess he would make a great governor, or better yet, King of kings and Lord of lords.

News:

1. Nice attendance on Sunday, of course Jerry’s Kids help swell our numbers. Church council was installed.
2. Seth got the drain unplugged so Luther Lake can drain.
3. Sunday we finish the Revelation Bible class. The following Sunday Bob Heier is conducting Bible class using the “Fifth Pew from the Front” Bible studies.
4. Big treat Sunday…. Pastor Joe Schlavin will be preaching.
5. Michael Schroeder Concert at church January 30th at church.
6. Carnival is upon us. Time to dust off the tuxedos and the step ladders.
7. I’m filling in the vacancy at Trinity until they get a new Pastor. Pray for our brothers and sisters in the North Shore.
8. Thanks again to Byteman (Michael Eaton) for updating our web site. Colnola.com
This Week: Organist: K. Jefferson; Altar: C. Sternhagen; Ushers: L. McKinney, D. Jensen; Mowing: B. Heier, H. Noland; Lunch: B. Boczon; Reader: L. McKinney; Cleaning: C. McDonnell; Acolyte: Myraja

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-23

It doesn’t look like anyone is saying goodbye to the flesh. But that is the season we are in, Carnival (farewell to the flesh). From Epiphany to Ash Wednesday is the season we call Carnival. But it really doesn’t seem like anyone is serious about saying “goodbye to the flesh.” It seems like people are really saying, “Hello to the Flesh.” There’s a lot of partying going on. And as you know people come from all over the country for Mardi Gras to indulge their “flesh.” Is the sinful nature the “flesh” that Carnival says goodbye to or is it just the practice of not eating meat during Lent?

It would be nice if we could do it. If we could pick a day and decide that we would do as St. Paul tells us to do, “put off the old self.” Think of how much nicer our lives would be! We wouldn’t be thinking of ourselves all the time. We wouldn’t be dragged through the mud of our sinful thoughts and desires. We would see all the good things that God pours into our lives everyday. We would have the right and wholesome view of everything. People would like us better. We would like ourselves better (In a God pleasing way that is). It would be nice if we could on Fat Tuesday take off that old self and say goodbye to it forever and put on the new self created to be like God.

But alas it won’t happen. It is a life long struggle as we daily try to pull off that old self and put on the new self. With the help of the Holy Spirit we get better at it each day. As we become more spiritual, we become less fleshly. For us, carnival is not a season it is our life long quest. Of course there is a day in which we will forever bid farewell to our sinful flesh. On that day a pastor will be reading words of comfort from the Bible and those standing around might have tears in their eyes but they will join us in celebrating carnival for real, for good.

News:

1. Jerry’s Kids are swelling our numbers in church. It is nice to have them with us. This is the biggest group of the year. Some of the Builders for Christ have joined in. A lot of work is getting done. Thank God!
2. Heard from Jerry and Lynn. They have made good progress in rebuilding their house in Mexico. I guess they became experts doing it here.
3. Wednesday is the Michael Schroeder concert. Come and bring a friend.
4. Bacchus Parade Sunday afternoon. Napoleon at Chestnut. Bring your drinks.
5. I went to a great pastor’s conference in Atlanta. It was about church music.
6. The Saints let us down but the Hornets are tearing up the league.
7. It was nice to have Arva and the Isons in church Sunday. Keep Richwell’s father in your prayers, also Arva’s husband.
8. From Sunday’s Bulletin:

IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING
TODAY: NEXT WEEK:
Preacher: D. Sternhagen Preacher: D. Sternhagen
Organist: K. Jefferson Organist: K. Jefferson
Altar: C. Sternhagen Altar: B. Phelps
Reader: TBA Reader: TBA
Acolyte: Alexandria Acolyte: Myraja
Ushers: K. Smith/M. Walker Ushers: H. Noland/M. Walker
Mowing: No Mowing Mowing: S. Sternhagen/K. Smith
Cleaning: B. McDonnell Cleaning: Sternhagen
Lunch: G. McKinney Lunch: Bacchus Parade Picnic

Today: Choir Practice
Monday – Friday: Devotion/Bible Study 7:30 AM
Tuesday: Catechism Class 6:00 PM
Tuesday: Bible Information Class 7:00 PM
Wednesday: Michael Schroeder Concert 7:00 PM
Saturday: “The Word is Near” AM800 (www.wsho.com) Noon
Next Sunday: Sunday School/Bible Study 10:00 AM
Sunday Worship 11:00 AM
Bacchus Parade Picnic – meet at Napoleon & Chestnut
(hotdogs, hamburgers, buns, plates, relishes, will be provided;
bring a dish to share, your own drinks and chairs)

Be strong in the Lord:

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” John 3:5

The mayor talks a lot about the rebirth of the city. Has it been reborn yet? Well, some of Jerry’s Kids who have come back this year say there are amazing improvements from last year. (And if you go to some parts of town, you can’t tell that anything happened at all.) Of course we know that we have not been reborn completely yet. Some of us are still in labor. I wonder if there will ever be a time when we will declare the city reborn?

It is a good thing it isn’t so nebulous for us. Jesus explains to Nicodemus in the famous passage above that a person must be born again in order to enter into the kingdom of God. When it talks about “the water and the Spirit” we know he is referring to baptism. We all have a specific date when we began a new life. Actually it is bigger than that. We became a new person. Jesus doesn’t say, “You have to change.” “You have to be different.” He says, “You have to be born again.” Thanks to the Holy Spirit, from that time on we began a new life. Not only is our goal and destiny different, every single thing in our lives is in some way different: your family members, the sunrise, your shoes…all different.

I don’t know the date of my baptism, I should. It is more important than the day of my birth (the first one). Come to think of it we could start a new tradition. Instead of celebrating birthdays that just remind us that we are getting older, why not celebrate our rebirth days that remind us that we will be forever young. Instead of getting gifts we could give them. What a great witness that would be to what we believe. Think of all the things you could write on the cake. On February 9th Stoneman (a.k.a. Randy Baker ((you know the guy who rebuilt our church and has been down here many times))) is celebrating his rebirthday. If you see him wish him a happy rebirthday.

News:

1. Nice attendance on Sunday. We had a lot of visitors. Steve Zambo shot some film for our upcoming “Outreach DVD”
2. The Grand Marshal of the WELS Committee on Relief is in town whipping the volunteers into shape. He would like to remind everyone that in May we will have some travel trailers for sale.
3. We passed a good time at the Bacchus Parade. The Grand Marshal was Hulk Hogan (not to be confused with the Grand Marshall of the WELS Committee on Relief). The weather was perfect and the lines at the port-a-potties were short.
4. Heritage Festival Feb 24 after church. Bring your favorite dish to share.
5. We are bidding farewell to Jerry’s Kids and the rebuilding project on April 20th with a crawfish boil. Plan to be there and thank God for all the good he did through them these past 3 years.
6. The Pep Boys by Home Depot is open.
7. Ash Wednesday service 8:30 PM. Trinity, Abita Springs, has service at 6:30 PM.
8. THIS WEEK:
Preacher: D. Sternhagen
Organist: K. Jefferson
Altar: B. Phelps
Reader: Felix Pollet
Acolyte: Alexandria
Ushers: B. Heier/E. Jefferson Jr.
Mowing: No Mowing
Cleaning: Sternhagen
Lunch: R. Schultz

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. Ephesians 5:9

It looks like my fruit trees are going to survive. Last year my daughter and son-in-law bought me replacement trees for the ones that I lost. But they got some kind of disease that made their leaves curl up. I was afraid it might kill them. Now it looks like new growth is coming out on all of them. I’m sure that there won’t be any fruit on them this year since they got set back a whole year. It is always amazing to me to see how these little citrus trees can produce fruit. I little stick of a tree with a big orange on it.

You usually don’t think of light producing fruit. (Would the fruit of light be a candle? A light bulb?) But St. Paul says it does in the passage above. He even tells us what the fruit is, “goodness, righteousness and truth.” Now that is some pretty impressive fruit. St. Paul says in verse 8 that we are the light, so we are the ones who are producing the fruit of goodness, righteousness and truth. Will you be producing any of those fruits today? Who will be the beneficiary of your fruit? Our city has been receiving a lot of that kind of fruit lately, from the NBA All Stars who spent a day working on recovery projects to the many volunteers still on our streets. I hope it means that our city will be a better place because of it.

Each Sunday we have the latest Jerry’s Kids stand up in church and tell us where they are from and who they are. It gives us a small chance to thank them for letting their light shine. And while those lights are here, they produce “light” fruit: goodness, righteousness and truth. It is pretty easy to see with the hands-on kind of work they do in houses. And it is pretty easy to see those who are being benefited from it. But I’m sure when they leave they will continue to produce that fruit. That is what light does wherever it goes.

1. Action packed Sunday. Baptism, Communion, Installation of Ladies Guild Officers, choir sang, Stoneman and Chris played.
2. Next Sunday four Baptisms.
3. I had to wait in line to get a brake tag. First time in a couple years.
4. The “beautiful” people were all over town this weekend with the All Star Game.
5. The Hornets are doing great!
6. The Committee on Relief is selling the trailers of Lutherville. If anyone is interested let me know.
7. The Tinman is due in this week to put the new siding on our church.
8. My daughter Mary will be having a baby this week. Prayers?
9. This Sunday: Heritage Festival – bring your favorite ethnic food, something you grew up eating. Also bring the recipe if possible and a picture or two of your family years ago.
10. This week: Preacher: D. Sternhagen
Organist: K. Jefferson
Altar: B. Phelps
Acolyte: Alexandria
Ushers: S. Sternhagen/T. Reed
Mowing: L. McKinney/M. Phelps
Cleaning: Jefferson Lunch: Heritage Festival

Be strong in the Lord:

Pastor

Dear Scattered Members of the Family:

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I had another birthday this week. The people in church sang “Happy Birthday” to me and some others who were celebrating their birthdays. Then we had a cake along with lunch in the fellowship hall. It was one in a long string of birthdays that have no real significance. When you turn 13, it means you are a teenager, not a kid anymore. When you get to be 16, it means you can drive a car. 18 you get to vote, 21 you get to drink. But then birthdays don’t take you to new places anymore. What does 59 do for you? I have an excuse for gray hair getting thinner? I can say, “I can’t do that, I’m getting too old?” I guess not much good comes out of getting to be 59.

Ever notice that they don’t have birthdays in the Bible. They do talk about age, but they don’t seem to have birthday celebrations. When I lived in Africa the older generation didn’t really know how old they were much less the date they were born on. It didn’t seem important to them. They seemed to be more interested in where you are than where you have been. (Our Baptism forms in Africa, like the ones here, always had a place for date of birth. Since I baptized so many people who didn’t know, I’d always give them my birth date along with their best guess of the year. Consequently there are a lot of Zambians in the Eastern province who have March 4 as their birthday.) Maybe it isn’t such a bad idea living in the present. Maybe what you did yesterday isn’t nearly as important as what you are doing today. This much we know, each day of our lives is a gift that comes from God. If we are smart we will take them as he gives them, one at a time and use it for his glory in some way. Or as the Psalmist says, “let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Maybe the only advantage of turning 59 or 36, or 86 is that it gives us a chance to look back and say with Samuel, "Hitherto the LORD has helped us.” 1 Sa 7:12

News:

1. Another good attendance on Sunday. The week before, I think we broke a Crown of Life record with 4 baptisms.
2. Please remember day light savings time begins this Sunday. Move your clocks ahead.
3. I’m happy to announce that my daughter Mary and her husband David had a little girl named Joanna Carol. We thank God for their safety.
4. Did you see the new copper on the church? Looks good.
5. Lutherville is filled with willing workers. They are working on 7 houses this week.
6. Evelyn was back in church again this week. It is nice to have her back.
7. Heritage Festival was a lot of fun. It is always nice to eat things I have never eaten before.
8. Donation of candy for the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday are needed. Please make sure the candy is wrapped.
9. This week:
Reader: T. Schultz
Organist: K. Jefferson
Ushers: L. McKinney & F. Pollet
Mowers: H. Noland & R. Heier
Lunch: B. Schultz
Acolyte: Myraja
Altar: K. Jefferson
10. Ladies Guild following service. Planning for Crawfish Boil/Faith in Action celebration, Easter Sunday, and Vacation Bible School.

Be strong in the Lord.

Pastor