Faith Notes Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11: 28 In this Scripture quotation, we see Jesus talking about rest. He is talking to persons who are burdened down with work and labor. A possible rendering of the phrase “who are weary” would be “who work to exhaustion.” This is how the people felt under the burdensome yoke of the Pharisees and all their rules. Jesus had a different take on things, though. He said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me…for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Jesus wanted the people to learn to rest in Him. God the Father had set up the concept of rest, and Jesus was reflecting back what He knew of His Father. God created Adam as His final creation, and then the Bible says there was evening and morning, the sixth day. So one of the first things Adam learned was how to rest on that first evening. He would rest on the provision of His Father. What was the next day? -- the seventh, the Sabbath. So Adam got to rest in God and enjoy His new Father on His first full day. And thus God set up the Sabbath concept of taking a rest; of being able to simply enjoy God and not have to strive and work every day. We see this same theme coming up throughout the Scriptures. The Israelites received twice as much manna the day before the Sabbath so that they would not have to gather on that day. The Sabbath is marked off as Holy in the 10 Commandments as well as other parts of Exodus and Leviticus. The concept of a Sabbath Day’s journey was instituted to keep people at home enjoying their families and God, rather than going out and working again on the 7th day. Those whoremember the “blue laws” remember regulations that were in place to help people honor the Sabbath back a number of years ago. For the Christian, the Sabbath is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He becomes our complete Sabbath rest, so for the Christian in one sense, every day is a Sabbath, as we can rest in the work of Jesus Christ. Thus the early church moved their day of worship to Sunday rather than the traditional Saturday to celebrate Jesus and His Resurrection and the rest that we have in Him at all times. The concept of setting aside a day for God and for rest or a break though is still valid, even though the Sabbath law has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. One way of translating Jesus’ words above, “I will give you rest,” is to say, “I will give you a vacation.” Jesus gives us a vacation from the burden of the Law by fulfilling the Law and allowing us to rest in Him and His fulfillment of the Law. As we saw on Pentecost Sunday, Jesus through the giving of the Holy Spirit has now put that Law within us through the Holy Spirit – it is written on our hearts as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33. Many of you may be contemplating vacations this summer. Know that the concept of taking a break and resting is very Biblical. You do not have to work constantly. It is ok to take a break. Now that is said with the understanding that you are working the other six days. So assuming that you are doing some work, it is ok to take a break. It is a time to recharge and be recreated for a new season of work. During the summer we will model some of this concept by taking a break from some of our “normal” activities like Sunday School and such. We will still have some special speakers and offerings during the Sunday School time throughout the summer, as well some special events during the summer, like movie nights. In general though, we will take a bit of a break, so people can come back in August and September ready to beginning again. We are hoping that more people will regularly participate in Sunday School during the school year, so that you will need a break during the summer. So use this summer to apply some of the things you have learned during the year and to plan and prepare for the year to come. Summer is also a great time to be building relationships with persons you want to invite to church in the coming year. Asking someone to church is often easier if the people know that you have already invested yourself in them by doing some fun things together. So love on people this summer and know that God says it is ok to take a break, to take a vacation. He is not sweating it out if we take a bit of a break; He is still in control. God modeled resting in Chapter 2 of Genesis not because He was tired or weary, but to provide us an example to keep His commandment to honor Him and take a break from work, so we might enjoy Him and glory in Him forever. May God bless your summer with much rest and refreshment! In His Agape, Pastor Taylor + Altar Flowers in June 5th—Paul & Jan Quello 12th—Janet Wolber 19th—Westerholm 26th—Albert & Irene Menn Words of Faith Sponsorship in June 5th—Richie & M’Liss Harrington 12th—Kerry & Mary Koehler 19th—Stan & Nancy Wieding 26th—Ronnie & Julia Glenewinkel www.faithseguin.org Be sure and tune in to Words of Faith Broadcast on KWED 1580 AM Sunday Mornings 8:00 AM
Transcript
Faith Notes Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11: 28 In this Scripture quotation, we see Jesus talking about rest. He is talking to persons who are
burdened down with work and labor. A possible rendering of the phrase “who are weary” would be
“who work to exhaustion.” This is how the people felt under the burdensome yoke of the Pharisees
and all their rules. Jesus had a different take on things, though. He said, “Take my yoke upon you and
learn from Me…for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Jesus wanted the people to learn to rest
in Him.
God the Father had set up the concept of rest, and Jesus was reflecting back what He knew
of His Father. God created Adam as His final creation, and then the Bible says there was evening and
morning, the sixth day. So one of the first things Adam learned was how to rest on that first evening.
He would rest on the provision of His Father. What was the next day? -- the seventh, the Sabbath. So
Adam got to rest in God and enjoy His new Father on His first full day. And thus God set up the
Sabbath concept of taking a rest; of being able to simply enjoy God and not have to strive and work
every day.
We see this same theme coming up throughout the Scriptures. The Israelites received twice
as much manna the day before the Sabbath so that they would not have to gather on that day. The
Sabbath is marked off as Holy in the 10 Commandments as well as other parts of Exodus and
Leviticus. The concept of a Sabbath Day’s journey was instituted to keep people at home enjoying
their families and God, rather than going out and working again on the 7th day. Those whoremember
the “blue laws” remember regulations that were in place to help people honor the Sabbath back a
number of years ago.
For the Christian, the Sabbath is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He becomes our complete Sabbath
rest, so for the Christian in one sense, every day is a Sabbath, as we can rest in the work of Jesus
Christ. Thus the early church moved their day of worship to Sunday rather than the traditional
Saturday to celebrate Jesus and His Resurrection and the rest that we have in Him at all times. The
concept of setting aside a day for God and for rest or a break though is still valid, even though the
Sabbath law has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
One way of translating Jesus’ words above, “I will give you rest,” is to say, “I will give you a
vacation.” Jesus gives us a vacation from the burden of the Law by fulfilling the Law and allowing us
to rest in Him and His fulfillment of the Law. As we saw on Pentecost Sunday, Jesus through the
giving of the Holy Spirit has now put that Law within us through the Holy Spirit – it is written on our
hearts as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33.
Many of you may be contemplating vacations this summer. Know that the concept of taking
a break and resting is very Biblical. You do not have to work constantly. It is ok to take a break. Now
that is said with the understanding that you are working the other six days. So assuming that you are
doing some work, it is ok to take a break. It is a time to recharge and be recreated for a new season
of work.
During the summer we will model some of this concept by taking a break from some of our
“normal” activities like Sunday School and such. We will still have some special speakers and
offerings during the Sunday School time throughout the summer, as well some special events during
the summer, like movie nights. In general though, we will take a bit of a break, so people can come
back in August and September ready to beginning again. We are hoping that more people will
regularly participate in Sunday School during the school year, so that you will need a break during the
summer.
So use this summer to apply some of the things you have learned during the year and to
plan and prepare for the year to come. Summer is also a great time to be building relationships with
persons you want to invite to church in the coming year. Asking someone to church is often easier if
the people know that you have already invested yourself in them by doing some fun things together.
So love on people this summer and know that God says it is ok to take a break, to take a vacation.
He is not sweating it out if we take a bit of a break; He is still in control. God modeled resting in
Chapter 2 of Genesis not because He was tired or weary, but to provide us an example to keep His
commandment to honor Him and take a break from work, so we might enjoy Him and glory in Him
forever. May God bless your summer with much rest and refreshment!
In His Agape,
Pastor Taylor +
Altar Flowers in June
5th—Paul & Jan Quello
12th—Janet Wolber
19th—Westerholm
26th—Albert & Irene Menn
Words of Faith Sponsorship in
June
5th—Richie & M’Liss Harrington
12th—Kerry & Mary Koehler
19th—Stan & Nancy Wieding
26th—Ronnie & Julia Glenewinkel
www.faithseguin.org
Be sure and tune in to
Words of Faith
Broadcast on KWED
1580 AM
Sunday Mornings
8:00 AM
Page 2 JUNE
June Birthdays
03 Canaan Casey
04 Dana Driggers
04 Joyce Engelhardt
05 Cindy Curnel
05 Tootsie Rodgers
06 Ruby Linsey
07 Matt Blumberg
09 Fonda Mathis
09 Leyla Wuest
09 Casi Wilke
10 Robby Vogel
11 Mark Herbold
14 Amanda
Harrington
15 Neal Herbold
15 Al Bacon
17 Shelby Atchley
18 Kendall Bierstedt
19 Kathy Taddy
21 Patti Jahns
22 Kameron
Shanafelt
Church Council Communication Corner Church Council meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM in the
Activity Center with an agenda-setting meeting on the first Tuesday of the
month, also at 6:30, in the small kitchen. The Council encourages any member
of the congregation who would like to bring something before the Council to
contact any council member or attend the agenda-setting and Council
meetings for the month.
Highlights from the May Council Meeting:
Contract with SERVPRO for services after a disaster
Approved formation of Archives Task Force
Discussed a new Church Pictorial Directory this year and approved to
create a new directory every three years
After posting the Church Administrator position on various websites and in
newspapers, 41 resumes were received and reviewed. From those, five
applicants were selected and will be interviewed in June.
Approved Temple Talks from representatives from Habitat for Humanity
and Gideon's International Bible Group
Approved the following lists from the Church Rolls Review Committee: New
Members, Transfer of Membership and Remove from Membership Rolls
Reviewed ideas for Cluster functions replacement
Pre-School Study Committee progress report—will provide
recommendations at the June council meeting
Cristo Rey Mission trip Set for June 11-12
The Cristo Rey mission trip has been rescheduled for June 11-12 because of
high school graduation and Faith’s former intern Pastor Philip Daniels’
installation. Faith members are encouraged to make the trip and will have the
opportunity to visit the area where Cristo Rey is beginning their new “Home
Churches” program. The first “Home Church” will be dedicated during this trip.
The group plans to leave on Saturday morning and return late Sunday. Anyone
interested in going should call Harold Bogisch at 379-3824 or Jeep Kiel at
830-491-8942. The group will again deliver a trailer load of gifts and
donations of clothing and non-perishable food are always appreciated.
Donated items may be brought to church and placed in the Sunday School
classroom across from the art room by Friday, June 10th at 9:00 AM.
Page 3
June Birthdays
22 Lotte Lang
22 Matthew Biediger
23 Derek Kauitzsch
23 John Baumann
24 Matthew
Landvattter
25 Ellie Kallus
25 Garrett Eldridge
25 Fran Braun
25 Jennifer Patek
25 Madison
Baumann
25 Mason Baumann
26 Amy Nordstrom
26 Bentley Weise
27 Jared Koehler
27 Clark Ullrich
27 Connor Edwards
27 Sue Powell
28 Kyle Mathis
28 Toni Morgan
29 Bryan Terp
Lange Scholarship Application Deadline—July 15th
The first scholarship from the William F. Lange Scholarship Fund will be
awarded in the fall of 2016. Pastor Lange was the longtime and founding
pastor of Faith. First choice will be given to members of Faith Lutheran
Church in Seguin. Next to be considered will be members of LUTHERAN
CHURCHES IN MISSION FOR CHRIST (LCMC) in Texas and next consideration
will go to candidates from LCMC churches elsewhere. Individuals must study
for the Lutheran ministry at an accredited seminary accepted by the LCMC.
Applications can be picked up in the church office or accessed online at
www.faithseguin.org. This is a $2,000 scholarship, and the deadline for
applications will be July 15, 2016. Please let interested seminary students
know about this opportunity.
SA Food Bank Distribution—Saturday, June 4th
Faith’s Social Concerns Committee has again partnered with the San Antonio
Food Bank to distribute food to approximately 150—200 Seguin and
Guadalupe County residents. Distribution day will take place on Saturday,
June 4th, from 9:00 AM to noon. Look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex.
Volunteers will be tasked with unloading boxes of food from a truck, breaking
down boxes, and/or putting individual food items into bags that will then be
placed in trunks of cars in a drive-through line in Faith’s parking lot. This is a
wonderful outreach opportunity, and members are encouraged to volunteer
as a family. All helping hands are appreciated.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF FAITH! David Patrick and Molly Katherine Patrick,
husband and daughter of Katie Patrick, were received into the Kingdom of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on May 8, 2016. Prayers are requested for David and
Molly as they each begin a New Life in Christ.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF FAITH! Brett Owen was received into the
Kingdom of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on May 8, 2016. Prayers
are requested for Brett as he begins a New Life in Christ.
Page 4 JUNE
Faith
On
Tour
Projects
PRESCHOOL IS OUT FOR SUMMER! Goodness, that was fast! It seems as if we just opened the doors for the school year to begin. Time flies when you are having fun learning, and boy, we do just that at Faith Lutheran Preschool!
The two-year-olds made special gifts and cards for their moms and practiced for the HUGE Preschool Program. They sang some of their favorite songs and were AWESOME! For many it was their first time on a stage. We are so proud of their bravery. They had fun on Superhero Day as they dressed as their favorite superhero and even made superhero art out of their handprints. It was fun to see Wonder Woman, Spider Man, and Ninja Turtles walking down the hall! They also had fun with "Wildflowers" and "Summer Fun" units. All the children with summer birthdays celebrated their special day.
The Three Day Class made fingerprint pots for their special Muffins with Mom Day, which they really enjoyed! They had fun celebrating Pajama Day, Stuffed Animal Day, and Hat Day. They also studied the letter M.
The Five Day Classes studied the letters M and K. They made "What We Love About Mom" booklets and a special keepsake that they gave to their moms for Mother's Day. They, too, enjoyed Muffins with Mom and were so excited to have their mommies at Preschool. The moms and children were treated to a very special chapel story, "Moses in the Bulrushes." acted out by our very own Gail Herbold and Teressa Cope. Once again the children have tried new foods such as mango, mozzarella, kiwi, and kosher dills. Brylee Garcia shared her Show and Tell with all the children during M week—Milly the goat. We learned all about what goats eat (like Brylee's shoelaces!) and how to take care of them. We did a fun art project after reading "It Looked Like Spilt Milk." Everyone's picture was different after doing the same process---it was so cool! We couldn't study K without studying about kangaroos. Each child made their own complete with a baby called a joey. We learned that an adult kangaroo can jump 30 feet, sooooooo, you guessed it! We practiced our jumping skills to see how far we could jump! The best jump on record was only 3 1/2 feet, but it was so much fun trying!
The highlight of the year was, of course, our Spring Program, "Noah's Ark." The children brought the story to life beautifully with each taking a turn to shine on stage. We were proud of them for being so courageous.
The year ended with our annual play day complete with parachute play and face painting. After all the fun, the tears started (for the teachers and moms, that is.) How sad it is to say goodbye to those who will be going off to the big world of kindergarten, but alas, on the horizon, what do we see? Yes, a whole new crop of children coming along in the fall! Thanks be to God!
Thank you to each and every member of this wonderful congregation for all the love and generous support you give to the preschool. We appreciate it so much. God bless you all!
PRESCHOOL NEWS
June
Anniversaries
04 Paul & Jan
Quello
06 Joe & Vonnie
Skloss
07 Bill & Kitty
Keller
11 Ken & Bonnie
Pfeil
12 Jeep & Babs
Kiel
15 Steve & Susan
Foerster
18 Mike & Candi
Andrews
18 Phil & Leyla
Wuest
21 Melvin &
Donna Boelter
Summer Extended Care begins May 31st.
A few spots remain open in the 3 Day Preschool Class for 3-year-olds.
The Mother’s Morning Out Class for 2-year-olds has available openings.
Classes are filling up fast!
Please call 379-7074 for more information.
Muffins
with Mom
is always
a big hit
with
everyone!
Page 5
June
Anniversaries
22 Ronnie & Julia
Glenewinkel
23 Clarence &
Kathryn Frase
24 Albert & Irene
Menn
24 Randy &
Jeannie Smith
25 Ron & Joan
Vanbeek
25 Jon & Shelia
Ullrich
27 Darren & Debra
Reiley
Deadline for School Supplies and Letters to Latvia and
Slovakia—June 12th Last year Faith’s members were so generous to donate supplies and letters for Amanda Serold
and Elaine and Brooke Bennett to take to Slovakia. All the donated, unused school supplies were left in Slovakia so local churches could utilize them in their own Sunday School and
camps. According to Amanda, “The letters that were sent to the students from Faith Lutheran
were so well received. The children were so excited to receive letters from Americans and
showing them that there are Christians around the world that care for them is so important.”
This year Amanda will go to Latvia and Slovakia for a total of four weeks at four different
camps. Amanda needs fifty letters or notes of encouragement to deliver to the students she
will be teaching. If you took a slip of paper indicating a specific school supply item when they
were passed out after church one Sunday, please remember to bring those items to church and place them in the bright green box in the narthex. All donations and letters should be
turned in by Sunday, June 12th. Donations for Harry and Linda Dietz’s mission trip will be
collected at a later date. The Mission Outreach Committee appreciates your generosity.
Introducing Answers Bible Curriculum to Begin This Fall The new curriculum that we will be using in Sunday School this Fall is called Answers Bible Curriculum. This curriculum will be a wonderful resource in helping us to keep the Bible as our
foundation. The curriculum will be divided into quarters with the first quarter focusing on the faithfulness of our God and the Word of God. After establishing the trustworthiness of the Word of
God, the curriculum will take us chronologically through the Bible, in this way helping students to place the Biblical accounts in their proper context in Scripture. Since everyone from pre-school to
adults will be studying the same material, it will make it easier for parents and children to discuss their Sunday School lessons together. The curriculum will also provide take-home sheets for the
younger grades, to encourage discussion with parents, as Answers sees the parents as the primary
stewards and educators of their children. Some other unique features of Answers Bible Curriculum:
Keeping God as the central focus and main actor – the other persons of Scripture are seen in
relation to how God is acting in their situation
Teaching the Bible accounts as true history and not simply stories or myths
Making sure students open and read their own Bibles, as well as teaching them how to study
those Bibles
Putting the Bible accounts in their proper Biblical order, so that students know where the
various stories are in the Bible
Teaching basic apologetics throughout the curriculum so students are able to defend and apply
what they study to real life situations
So come on out and join us as we study God’s Word together. Rally Day is Sept. 18th with actual instruction beginning on the 25th of September. Sunday School will start at 10: 30am with
about a 10-minute Opening that will include both children and adults for a time of singing and
worship before we go to our classes.
We will have a need for more teachers this year due to having multiple age levels, so we encourage everyone to come out and either teach or be a participant. Just because you don’t have
kids in Sunday School doesn’t mean that you don’t need to attend. We are all sending a message to our young people if we are not attending Sunday School, regardless of what our words may say – our
actions speak louder. Remember parents just dropping off your children for Sunday School is not enough, you need to be attending or teaching Sunday School, just as much as your children need to
be in class. Let’s fulfill our Baptismal vows and make Sunday School a true family affair. For more information on Answers go to their website, www.AnswersBibleCurriculum.com, or call Pastor Taylor,
361-772-6363.
Item of the Month Food Drive Benefits the Christian Cupboard For the month of June, the Christian Cupboard states that their most needed item is canned soup. This includes any type or brand of soup, condensed, instant, etc. Please bring your
donations through June 30th and place them in the basket in the narthex marked Christian
Cupboard. Items of the month for the next two months are as follows: July; oatmeal, and
August; personal hygiene products. Faith’s members have committed to being wonderful
supporters of the Christian Cupboard, and the Social Concerns Committee thanks you for your
ongoing generosity. You have helped us make the Item of the Month Food Drive a success.
Submitted by Amy Casey, Parish Education Associate
We wrapped up a fabulous Sunday School year on May 22nd. Thank You to each of our teachers and leaders who made this year a success. Please enjoy your summer months of rest and relaxation. As previously mentioned, our Sunday School classes will be undergoing exciting changes in the fall. Our new curriculum has arrived!! It is family focused. Please know when I use the word family, that is not our personal families, but our church family. Our new study will have our preschoolers learning the same Bible lessons as the adults for that week. Our goal is for our entire Faith Family to learn and grow together in God’s word. Please prayerfully consider if and where God needs you when Sunday School starts back up in the Fall. Contact Amy Casey if you are being called to lead.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
-Proverbs 22:6
DISCOVERING GOD’S
CREATION
For all children who have completed Kindergarten
through 5th grade
Please join us each Wednesday evening in June and July to learn about the Parables of
Jesus.
Class begins Wednesday, June
8th, from 5 to 8 PM.
We’ll have lots of FUN including games, crafts, cooking, and
more!
Pizza will be provided.
Plan to join us, and invite a
friend! We will not meet on June 29th due to VBS. June 27—July 1, 8:30 AM till Noon
For children 4 years old to those who completed 5th grade
Register Today!
Opening and closing will be held in the LEC each day.
VBS is free of charge but
a registration form must
be filled out for each
child attending, Forms are available in the
church office, on the
next page, and online
www.faithseguin.org.
You Are Invited!
Faith Family Night at the
Wave Pool Max Starcke Park East
Thursday, June 30th
7:15 to 9:15 PM
Come and have a splashing good time
because The Wave Pool has been reserved
especially for Faith families to enjoy during
this annual event.
Page 7
Wednesday Nights!!
Join us for great food and fellowship
before we break for the summer. As always, friends are welcome!
On the Menu...
06/01/16—Leftover Surprise
CAMP EAGLE REMINDERS Parents, if your child will be attending Camp
Eagle in July, please make sure you have registered them online. Participation/ Medical Treatment Consent forms MUST be on file for
each kid traveling to and from camp. Forms can be found in the youth mailbox in the
church office.
Hey, Guys, won’t it be great to travel all together on a bus this year? Since 40 are going
to camp, we were able to charter a bus. No vans!! How cool is that?
June Birthdays
Canaan Casey 6/3
Kameron Shanafelt 6/22
Madison Baumann 6/25
Mason Baumann 6/25
Happy birthday from the Faith Lutheran
Church Youth Department!!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
SA Food Bank Distribution Day –Saturday, June 4th, at 9:00 AM
VBS will be the week of June 27 thru July 1st , 8:30 to Noon and Faith Night at the Wave Pool will be Thursday, June 30th.
Help from youth will be greatly appreciated at any of
these worthwhile events!!
Have a
fantastic
summer!
Faith’s 2016 High School Seniors are pictured with Youth Director Mark Westerholm. These Seniors were recognized , prayed for, and gifted with hand
made Mesquite crosses during the worship service on May 22.
OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO Jeff Mueller Donald Jackson Wallace Dube Sandra Aadland, mother of Kolleen Kallus
Allan Dreibrodt Nora Lavalett Julie Sagebiel Allison Goodson, friend of Janyce Dreibrodt
Sydney Brucks Dorothy Burris Laura Nash Mildred Weaver, friend of Fred and Sue Blumberg
Jim Leiber Tootsie Rodgers Doug Eckhardt Mary Herrera, friend of Irene Menn
Correen Dube Lisa Boenig Lee Roy Schievelbein Donna Becker, sister of Debbie Lehmann
Clarence Frase Glenda Leiber Bill Hicklin Reid Strauss, great-grandson of Carla Anderson
Jeri Mires Ruby Linsey Jeep Kiel Doug Brown, brother of Sammie Pooley-Means
Vanita Hodge Jody Dixon Charlie Koehler John Murray, brother of Sandy Wille
Avery Curnel Judy Sagebiel Marilyn McLauchlan, mother of Jamie Shashack
Art Hiltgen, brother/uncle of Glenda Leiber/Nicole Dietz Felix Garza, friend of Katharine Schievelbein
Nora Naumann, friend of Wallace and Coreen Dube Nancy Mercer, friend of Kim, Deborah, and Diane
Felix Hahn, Jr., father of Margie Campbell Judy Spruce, sister of Patty Fox
Ron Ridge, father of Syndra Schulze Jo Ann Hoel, cousin of Anita Hoff
Pam Taggart, sister of Lisa Lohmeyer Kim Isaacs, sister of Kristin Moum
Kathy Gorman, friend of Dolly West Rossi Flores, friend of Syndra Schulze
Barbara Roesler, cousin of JoAnn Bogisch Kathy Spitler, friend of Marvin and Loretta DeLong
Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Pharr, Texas Father Dennis Darilek, Priest at St. James Catholic Church
Dianne Mueller, mother of Mike Mueller Michelle Waag, friend of Cliff and Debbie Lehmann
Milton & Mary Mattke, friends of Jesse & Deloris Atzger June Foerster, mother of Steve Foerster
Rebecca Haskin, niece of Carolyn Sagebiel Miles Takington, friend of Cliff and Debbie Lehman
Leigh Couch, sister of Kathy Ersch Betty Wiederstein, sister of Dorothy Burris
Glen, Gene, and Wanda Badgett, family of Clara Fischer Marilyn Lubbering, niece of Dorothy Burris
Nancy Rodgers, sister of Damon Rodgers Shirley Masterson, relative of Ruby, Mona & Roxanne
John Brannan, friend of Steve and Susan Foerster Sara Rainwater, friend of Allan and Janyce Dreibrodt
Diane Allbaugh, friend of Birdie Kuempel Nancy Swanger, friend of Lisa Lohmeyer
Faye Henze, sister of Birdie Kuempel Judi Pyburn, sister of Jerry Vogel
Lessie Shashack, mother of Steve and Jamie Shashack Audrey/Amelia Hettinger, friends of Margie Campbell
Marti Radicke, friend of the Reiningers Nancy Bittrich, sister of Susan Wuest
Pat Armour, friend of Fred and Sue Blumberg Bridgette Smith, great-great niece of Clara Fischer
Mary Moss, cousin of Jo Ann Bogisch Barbara Harborth, sister of Linda Foreman
Amy McCallick, friend of the James Walker Family Brenda Hodge, step-mother of Richard Hodge
Edward Marquardt, brother of Sherline Bogisch Emmett Engelke, friend of Ted and Doris Engelhardt
Clay Brawner, cousin of Rusty Reininger Corinne and Paul Becker, family of Emma Jean Becker
Erika Dubois, mother of Patrick Lang Eric Moum, brother of Kristin Moum
Willie Mae Brondstad, mother of Donna Boelter Marie Karm, mother of Sharon Stollewerk
Landon Douglass, friend of Lisa Lohmeyer Clara Lindig, mother of Melvin Lindig
Richard Luensmann, friend of the Reiley Family Marilyn King, friend of Steve and Susan Foerster
Brittany Bonner and family, friends of Ashley Bogisch Trish Valentine, sister of David Brucks
Korey Kirchner, friend of Kitty Keller and family Jerry Elsworth, friend of Teressa Cope and family
Rose Hunt, friend of Faith Lutheran Church Bill Mires, Jr, son of Geri Mires
Jill Mannel, sister-in-law of Gina Mannel Whitney Boone, niece of Candi Andrews
Herb and Helen Roberts, friends of Bill Keller Cherie Almand, friend of Vanita Hodge
Genevieve Moore, friend of Mark & Sharon Westerholm Judy Parker, aunt of Sara Edwards
Brook Peterson Johnson, friend of Pat Bodine & M’Liss Harrington Bill P. Davis, friend of Roxanne Heckmann
Jim Ahrens, father of Jamie and Stefan Hilbert Betty Vetter, sister of Emma Jean Becker
Jan Baker, Josephine Williams, friends of Sara Edwards Doug Kunze, cousin of Harry Dietz, Sr.
** Please note: if someone you have placed on this list has been helped by our prayers, please notify the church office so the
person's name can be removed. Thank you for your cooperation.
Page 10 APRIL
Words of Faith
Sponsorship
Dates Still
Available
Words of Faith, is
the 30-minute
radio program
broadcast on
KWED 1580 AM
every Sunday
morning at 8 AM.
Families or
individuals
wishing to
sponsor a
broadcast may do
so for $50.
Checks may be
written and
placed in the
offering plate but
please write
“KWED” on the
memo line. Look
for the sign-up
sheet on the
bulletin board
outside the
church office. A
broadcast may be
sponsored in
memory of
someone or in
honor of a person
or celebration and
this information
will be printed in
the bulletin and
announced on the
radio as the
sponsor so
chooses.
Shift #1: From District-Centered to Congregation-Centered Anyone who has any familiarity with the establishment of new congregations over the past couple of decades can tell you one fact that
is indisputable: how we used to start churches doesn't work anymore! The prevailing wisdom of generations past has ceased bearing results and the time has come that we sharpen our tools and rethink how to plant churches for a new world today. For several years now, it has been our desire to see LCMC churches planted across Texas. Yet in that time, only one such intentional church plant was attempted... and it didn't make it.
Everyone desires to see success. And I believe it would be best to learn from those who are having church planting success right now. And the good news here is that we didn't have to look very far to find it. Our brothers and sisters in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Texas District are in fact one of the leading examples of church planting in America today. In the past 10 years they have established over 100 new congregations and 1 out of every five LC-MS churches in Texas today is less than 10 years old! I thought, "We have something to learn from them!" After learning from the LC-MS Texas District's experience of launching a successful movement of church planting in the past decade, we recognize the need to shift our approach and strategy in three key ways which we will consider over the next three months:
1. From a District-centered (statewide) approach to a Congregation-centered (local) approach.
LC-MS Texas District discovered that church planting administrated from the top-down had lost its effectiveness over the years. The "parachute drop" (model of dropping a pastor into a pre-selected community to start a new church) is expensive and seldom led to the development of healthy congregations. At the same time, top-down administration of church planting created a missional gap between the established congregations and their parishioners and the churches that their financial gifts shared with the District were attempting to plant. Neighboring established congregations almost always saw the District's new church plant project as a threat to their "turf".
A key change came in the LC-MS Texas District when they returned the responsibility of planting churches back to the congregations of the District. They now so boldly state this expectation: that "every congregation, pastor, church worker, and believer needs to be involved in church multiplication in some way." Local ownership of church planting transformed their planting efforts as individual congregations and local networks of neighboring congregations began to get directly involved in establishing new congregations.
What does this look like? Well, stay tuned for future articles. Or better yet, give me a call! I'd love to visit with you about how you and your congregation can get involved in building God's kingdom here through establishing new churches.
Pastor Bryce Formwalt is the Director of Mission Growth for the LCMC Texas District. Residing in Georgetown, Pastor Bryce is
available to coach congregations on mission. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments: 512-942-7776 or
9:00-1:00PM Sewing(AC) 9:00-10:00AM Men's Bible 10:00-11:00AM Al-Anon.(AC) 9:00-12 AM Food Bank
12-1PM Noon Prayer Group Study (Ed Wing) Distribution
4:00PM LEC WWF
7:00-8:00PM Choir practice
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
9:00-10:00AM Worship w/Holy 7:00-8:00AM Prayer group 6:30-7:00PM Council Board 9:00-1:00PM Sewing(AC) 9:00-10:00AM Men's Bible 10:00-11:00AM Al-Anon.(AC) Trip to Cristo Rey
Communion(Sanctuary) 12-1PM (AC) Wmns Noon Bible 7:00PM Committee Meetings 12-1PM Noon Prayer Group Study (Ed Wing)
Trip to Cristo Rey Study 5:00-8:00PM (LEC) Discovering GCCAC (AC) 11-1:30PM Deadline for Cristo Rey 2:00-5:00PM (AC) Bday Rental
1:30-6:30PM (AC)Baby Shower God's Creation Donations at 9:00 AMRental
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
9:00-10:00AM Worship (Sanct) 7:00-8:00AM Prayer group 6:30 PM (AC) Council Meeting 9:00-1:00PM Sewing(AC) 9:00-10:00AM Men's Bible 10:00-11:00AM Al-Anon.(AC) 8:30AM (AC) Men of Faith
4:00PM (Sm. Kitchen) Long Range 12-1PM (AC) Wmns Noon Bible 12-1PM Noon Prayer Group Study (Ed Wing) Breakfast
Planning Meeting Study 5:00-8:00PM (LEC) Discovering
Returning from Cristo Rey God's Creation LeAnne Heckman & Chase
White Wedding
Deadline for School Supply Hope Circle 2PM Home of Doris
