News
As We Gather
Martin Luther’s great hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is based on Psalm 46. When the psalm was first written, it gave courage to God’s Old Testament people. Centuries later, when Luther wrote the hymn, the world was filled with plagues and death, and the devil was recognized as active in the lives of everyday people. Further, neither the Roman Catholic Church nor the government accepted the teachings of the reformers. Now, in our day, we face cyber warfare, pandemics, terrorists, political polarization, and ecclesiastical division. Because of our Baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ, we need not fear. Our gracious God is a very present help in this time of trouble. He is our refuge against the powers of the created world around us and the forces of evil from every source. From His throne flow streams of mercy to give us confident joy. We know that in the end “the kingdom ours remaineth.”
Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Human Care Board is collecting canned goods and non-perishable food items for needy families that we will be adopting for Thanksgiving.
We’d like to collect items such as:
• Canned Vegetables (Corn, Green Beans, Yams)
• Mashed potatoes
• Gravy (packets, jar, canned)
• Stuffing (boxed, bag)
• Cranberry Sauce
• Turkeys
We will also have some items from the Crop Drop (e.g., Potatoes, Corn, Peppers) that we will be able to provide the families. The Crop Drop is 21 November 2020 in Destin.
If you don’t want to shop, we will do it for you! Just provide your monetary contributions to someone on the Human Care Board and we’ll take care of the rest.
Deadline for Food Donations - Sunday, 22 November
Sorting and Shopping Party - Saturday/Sunday, 21-22 November Deliveries to Families (or Pickup) - 23-24 November
For more information email: Jean.
Clergy Appreciation Month
Clergy appreciation emphasis is in October but we also want to encourage you to celebrate, honor and affirm your pastor all year long. Often pastors and their families feel isolated and burnt out and often wonder if what they are doing is making a difference. Take time to appreciate our ministerial staff (Pastor Ray and Family Life Minister Curtis).
Reformation Celebrations
On October 25th we will celebrate the Reformation with a congregational picnic, live action drama, Lutheran trivia, pumpkin carving, and fellowship. The first act of our three act play starts at Noon. The conclusion of that first act will signal the start of the picnic.
The Reformation commemorates the rescue of the Gospel (Faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone) from a corrupt medieval church. The catalyst for the reformation was the Oct 31, 1517 posting on the door of the Wittenberg Church a disputation protesting clerical abuses and the sale of forgiveness.
For more information email: Curtis.
Red Letter Challenge
The Red Letter Challenge is to help us live more like Jesus. Sadly, when people think of Jesus-followers it is a far cry from who Jesus actually is. After all that Jesus has done for us, we are not content with the picture and representation that we are sharing. We want represent the true story and change misperceptions of who Jesus is.
So, we are going back to Christ’s words. Those red letters in your Bible. It turns out Jesus had a lot to say to His followers about what we are called to do and how we are called to live.
We will examine Christ’s literal words and have practical daily challenges based on those words. We will have targets to shoot for to help us measure how we are practically following after Christ. We want to be the best Jesus followers that we can be not out of obligation, but out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us!
For more information email: Pastor Ray.
Altar Flowers
Flowers are given to the glory of God by Paige Mutual.
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Lifetree Cafe
Zombies have become the king of monsters in pop culture. What does that say about our society? Why do you think our culture has a fascination with zombies? Let’s watch a filmed interview with Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Gospel of Z, during “Zombies!” this week at Lifetree Café.
Stewardship
Rev. 14:6 - “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth.”
During the Reformation this text was used to refer to Luther’s ministry and the Lutheran message: we have an eternal Gospel to proclaim. Christ has freed us from our sins without any works on our part. We are saved by grace alone. And, ironically enough, Luther said this should make him the “apostle of works” because once we are freed by grace, we are truly free to serve God in works that flow from thankfulness and praise.
Children Sunday School
Sunday School students will study the life of Samuel today. They learned how God calls His people to repentance through preachers such as Samuel, that He might forgive us for the sake of Christ. Parents might ask, “How did God use Samuel to speak to His people? How does God use our pastor to speak His Word today?”
Life Quotes
“I pray that the love of Christ emboldens you to rejoice in the Word and to speak it without fear of consequence … may future generations speak of us like we do of David, Josiah, Luther, and our forefathers. May our children say of you and me, ‘Our forefathers stood their ground on Christ alone, on His Word of truth alone.’ The truth has set you free. Enjoy your own personal reformation. Then let your freedom in Christ be contagious! Let your life continue to shout: Thank Jesus Christ my Savior! I’m free at last … and so are you! Amen.” Rev. Peter Sulzle, St. John Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls, Minnesota - A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org
Youth Jr
Youth Jr, a youth group for elementary age kids.
1st and 3rd Sundays
Noon
We are looking forward to launching water ballons this week with the trebuchet.
Regardless we will work on our block people craft.
Youth Group
Sr High Youth Group meets Sundays @ 6:00-8:00 - Nurturing discipleship by building a community focused on the Word of God with food, studies, games, crafts, and cultural commentary.
Martin Luther’s great hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is based on Psalm 46. When the psalm was first written, it gave courage to God’s Old Testament people. So, we will fire off the trebuchet.
For more information email: Family Life Minister Curtis.
American Heritage Girls (Meeting)
American Heritage Girls Troop 1517
Meetings on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of the month at 6:00 PM
Our theme for this 2020-2021 Program Year is CHOSEN.
"I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Lord. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common." - 1Cor 1:10 (The Message)
For more information email: Laura Nimmo.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a lifelong Christian education and relational experience, within the congregation, that began when you came to faith in Jesus Christ.
Unit Bible Basics
Goal: With the help of the Holy Spirit, students will approach scripture with a set of principles that will better enable them to experience a relationship of Jesus Christ.
Bible 5 - Circles of Context
Lesson Objective: Given Scripture references TLSB, SC, and class discussion, students will...
1. demonstrate familiarity of several of the book’s features through using it.
2. demonstrate the Hermeneutical principle of context by uncover the meaning of a given text.
