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Do We Have It Yet?
John T Moeller, Outreach Committee

This month let us think about our confidence to speak to others about things we are sure of. And we start by considering these words found in Luke 2:46 – 52:

46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

And now for the rest of the story.

Recently our church board approved some time for our pastor to travel to Fort Wayne to attend a Symposia – a time to listen to experienced and learned men discuss Lutheran doctrine and issues of today that affect the church. A time to listen and to discuss with his peers. That is learning that he brings back to his ministry at Holy Cross.

It is similar to what we read in Luke - of young Jesus sitting among his elders and teachers. We can be sure Jesus was gifted by being the son of God, yet he listened, asked questions, and then also answered. He displayed great wisdom which amazed the teachers. Even at this young age he desired to make God’s word more clear and to bring the original meaning back after hundreds of years of man’s changing or adding to it.

What is my point you may ask?

We as a congregation want our pastor to speak God’s word to us correctly in Jesus’ stead; and similarly a pastor wants the congregation to have the confidence to pass on those words to people within our community - that they also may know in their hearts that they are accepted as a child of God and may receive all His blessings.

Sitting in the pew on Sunday is only part of what is available to us on Sunday mornings . Our LCMS synod has prepared well a pastor who can instruct us further the word of God in a reasonably safe, clean and loving atmosphere just moments after our worship service is concluded.

It is through the second hour that we develop the knowledge and confidence to speak to others about why we attend Holy Cross and what our hearts believe. Just as Jesus listened, asked questions, and answered wisely, so we all benefit by continuing to learn and review. There are many ways to share our personal story with others – and as we learn in our adult classes, the best results come from the confidence gained as we learn and as the Holy Spirit guides us. Jesus said he would send a helper, and he does. Did He not say also:

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

In a few short months the weather will be warm and we will be out and about with more opportunities to welcome others to our church home. Won’t you join us in the second hour and learn with us by listening and questioning and then confidently say to others, “Come and see.”

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Palanga, Lithuania Project

We’ve received an update on the project to which many from Holy Cross contributed.

An on-site audit of the project was completed in May, 2011.

A Cost analysis of what still needs to be completed was calculated.

An on-site project superintendent has been hired to oversee the completion of the project.

Synod will commit $200,000 towards the completion of the project. That money plus the designated funds of about $43,000 which have been raised in Iowa District East should cover the completion of the project.

Project phasing was established: Sanctuary, Lower Diaconal Center, Pastor’s Residence, Upper Diaconal Center and External Improvements.

Project Dedication is projected to be in the middle of July, 2012.

10 sleeping rooms will need to be furnished so they can be rented out—the cost of furnishing each room is $800. If anyone wishes to adopt a room a check may be sent to IDE and designated for a sleeping room. 3 of the 8 are already paid for!

The Diaconal center also may be furnished.

Pray that this work can be completed in the next six months so the building can be inspected and opened to the glory of God and be used for the proclamation of the Holy Gospel and for acts of mercy through the diaconal center.

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Kazakhstan Shuts Down Most Religions

Iowa District East Intl. LLL is in partnership with the Kazakhstan Lutheran Hour Office. Kazakhstan, formerly a part of the Soviet Republic and located in Central Asia, is surrounded on the north by Russia, on the southeast by China, and the Caspian Sea on the west. South of Kazakhstan are many small countries such as Uzbekistan and middle east Afghanistan. The predominate religions are 47% Muslim and 44% Russian Orthodox.

On October 13, 2011, Kazakhstan adopted a new religious law titled, “The Law on Religious Activity and Religious Associations.”

The law de-registers all existing religious organizations and requires them to re-register under new guidelines. Any religious organization that does not re-register could be “liquidated” under the new law. The law also bans all unregistered religious activity, imposes compulsory religious censorship, and requires both local and central government approval for the building or opening of houses of worship. In order to register, each congregation must have 50 adult members, 500 adult members in at least two regions, and 5,000 adult members in all regions. This requirement will eliminate the legal existence of any emerging Christian group (including Lutherans). In effect, Kazakhstan, which is officially a secular Muslim country, will have two legal religions: Islam and Russian Orthodox.

A second law signed, titled, “The Law on introducing Amendments and Additions to several legal acts questions of Religious Activity and Religious Associations,” amends the existing law and provides further restrictions particularly on the rights of children and religion. This law forbids religious organizations from attracting children, which makes illegal activities such as Sunday school, VBS, and religious sports camps, et al. With the passage of these two restrictive religious laws, it remains to be seen how they will be enforced. ( Matthew 19:14 - Matthew 5:10) For more on these laws go to the following website: http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1624

John asks that Holy Cross members remember the LHM office in your prayers and remember also that we have a few LCMS missionary families in Kazakhstan. Why should we pray for these people? Because we still can - in America, and for Christianity as a whole.. We have heard of persecuted Christians —- do we
ignore them and our neighbors living within our community?

John T. Moeller, Outreach

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A Thought from the President of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League, Mike Onnen. Submitted by John T. Moeller

A daughter of the congregation who is now part of the LCMS missionary corps, home from serving in Indonesia, said she was thankful for Thanksgiving. That’s right, Thanksgiving. As an English teacher, Donna had made many friends and discretely built relations for the Lord Jesus with the area’s Muslims. But the people of Indonesia do not celebrate a Thanksgiving, and they willingly came to learn more about this American tradition.. They were intrigued when Donna explained how we make a special time to recognize the wonderful gifts that—God gives his people—a time to count our blessings. She said her Muslim friends had never given any thought to what God has given them. They have a god who has expectations, but is not a giver. (How sad!) By God’s grace, Donna’s comments opened the door for some wonderful dialog and witnessing.

We live in a nation that is constantly bickering if we are a Christian nation or not. We seem to be afraid to tell people from other nations what our God does for us. In just a few days we will retell the story about our Saviors birth, there is a great Bible study just released this month from our League titled of all names, “Joseph, Carpenter of Steel.” Invite someone to watch the four videos (40 min.) from this study. You might even take a look at the Study guide. This study is FREE and can be downloaded on your computer. Consider the study a gift from your Heavenly Father, Our God is a “Giver”.

www.lhmmen.com

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Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
LOVE NEVER FAILS.

1 Cor 13:4-8

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O LORD my God, You are very great;
You are clothed with splendor and majesty.

He wraps himself in light as with a garment;
He stretches out the heavens like a tent
and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.
He makes winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.

Ps 104:1-4 NIV