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Volume 9, Issue 1 July, 2020

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 From Your Pastor

2 WELS Missions – Ecuador

3 St Paul’s School News

4 Bible Study/Confirmation

5 Forward in Christ

6 College Student Fund/Quotes

Outreach Covid-19 Style

7 Favorite Verse Romans 6:23

Contact Information

St Paul’s Lutheran Church 101 W Chandler Ave

Arlington MN 55307

Website: www.stpaularlington.com

WELS website: www.wels.net

Pastor Matthew C. Rauh 507-964-2731

Email: mrauh@gac.edu

Email: church@stpaularlington.com

Church Assistant Don Koch

507-964-5452 / 507-964-2731

Email:

Don.koch@stpaularlington.com

Principal Eric Kaesermann

507-964-2397

Email:

Eric.kaesermann@stpaularlington.com

From Pastor . . . .

How Can I Best Serve My Country?

“You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13)

As our nation celebrates its 244th birthday, what can we do to

celebrate? We can be good citizens. The Lord has laid out for us what that

means. We pay our taxes. We give it honor due to it as God’s representative.

We respect its leaders even if we didn’t vote for some of them. So many

were willing to lay down their lives for it, and many did. We give thanks to

the Lord for the blessings he sends us through it. I know, the news is

disturbing with its unsettling reports. My reading of history tells me this is

not the first or the last in our history, or the history of any nation. And it is an

election year. But we can’t hide until it is over.

There is more we can do. In fact God calls on us to do more. In our July 5th

service you will hear the Lord tell us to pray for our government. That is

something peculiar to Christians. And then in Matthew 5 he simply tells us

we are the salt of the earth. Salt preserves things. Salt adds flavor. As salt we

can add flavor and preserve our nation by living as happy, dedicated

members of God’s Kingdom.

We have been salted with the light of the gospel and this gospel has

enlightened us to other kinds of freedom: freedom from sin, freedom from

the power of the devil, and freedom from even death. Yes, we are a

conquered people, but in the best way imaginable. Christ fought for us and

won, and now he has gathered us up into his Kingdom. We are more than

happy that he extends the border of his kingdom over us. We love it.

Our nation desperately needs the salt of Christians. It needs our

citizenship because our loyalty, service, even our tax dollars are offered to it

as happily as we offer these things to our Lord because our nation is his

representative. Our nation needs our perspective on what it means to love

and forgive. Our nation needs our Christian witness. Our nation needs our

staying power as we resist the dishonesty, greed, and profanity out there.

How can we best serve our country? By also serving as citizens of God’s

Kingdom.

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A large majority of those who attend on-the-ground classes have been first contacted

through the mission’s Facebook page. The location in Ecuador also puts the missionaries

closer to other countries in South America where WELS can’t permanently locate a missionary

for safety or political reasons, but where interest in the gospel message has been demonstrated

through active use of the Academia Cristo online program. A third reason is, while WELS has

never officially had a mission in Ecuador, Martin Luther College students and graduates

regularly take Spanish classes and do internships in Quito and have been able to connect to the

mission work as well.

Mission Updates:

Our mission in Ecuador has recently been officially incorporated so that missionaries are

able to legally remain in the country for an extended amounts of time. The mission team

continues to teach classes in various parts of Quito as well as following up on contacts and

opportunities in other areas of the country.

Praying for Ecuador:

Please pray for Missionaries Nathan Schulte and Philip Strackbein as they begin to reach

out to this new country with the gospel message. With the Lord’s blessing and the Holy Spirit

at work in the heart of Ecuadorians, we pray that the church-planting movement in Ecuador will

bear fruit so more and more Latin Americans can be brought to faith.

WELS MISSIONS

In Latin America

ECUADOR

In 2017, Ecuador was identified by the Latin

America missions’ team as a promising country

for new mission efforts focused on training

Ecuadorians to share the gospel with others. To

take advantage of the doors the Lord is opening, two

Latin American missionaries relocated to Quito,

Ecuador, in 2018 – Nathan Schulte from Mexico,

and Philip Strackbein and his wife, Kathy, from

Bolivia. One of the main contributing factors to the

decision was the large number of Facebook users in

Ecuador who follow Academia Cristo online.

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“Preparing Children Now and For

Eternity”

2020-2021 SCHOOL REGISTRATION: Contact the

school if you are interested in registering for next school

year. We are beginning to check our list and call

families as we host single-family visits to the school for

next year’s students. If you are interested to RSVP to

school with your family information. With time on your

hands do not be afraid to contact us for questions regarding

school for your family.

WEBSITE and FACEBOOK: Keep up-to-date with all

school events and happenings online.

www.stpaularlington.com/school click calendar. Like us on

our Facebook page www.facebook.com/stpaularlington

CES MEETING: Our parent meeting to plan the school

year events is July 14 at 6:30 in the church basement. All

of our school PreK-8th families are invited to attend and

give input on our school year events for our children.

UPCOMING EVENTS: ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT

TO CHANGE: WHEN SCHOOL RESUMES SO WILL

OUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CALENDAR

JULY

14 PREK-8th Grade awards/Graduation day in the

basement of St. Paul’s Church. CES organizational

meeting to follow.

23 School Registration packets mailed out

25 8th Grade confirmation 10:00am

AUGUST 17 School Registration Day and home visit 9:00-7:00. We

are asking parents to register and meet with their

child’s teacher this day. We will schedule

appointments for each family.

SEPTEMBER

1 First Day of School– Meet @ school that morning.

While we were still sinners, Christ died

for us.” Romans 5:8

July 2020

WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THIS JUNE?

Even though our school events are canceled, there has

been activity at the school.

BUILDING PROJECTS: Our air conditioning has

been completed. So far it is comfortable being in

school and teachers have enjoyed working there during

hot days. Window sashes have been replaced in

classrooms, because some have begun to rot. The

floors have been waxed and cleaned.

STUDENTS: Our students finished up the school year

and received their reports. 100% of distance learning

work was completed– Great job students! Currently

some children are meeting at school as a book club to

keep learning this summer and have some fun together.

STAFF: The faculty is involved with continuing their

education through professional classes. They also

have been busy revising report cards and other office

items. New families and students are getting tours of

school and registering.

SAVE, SAVE, SAVE: Thank you for saving the

following items. Labels can be dropped off at school

or use a collection container in the back of church.

Aluminum cans can be taken to the trailer in the alley

by school.

1. Thrivent Choice dollars

2. Our Family UPC labels

3. Box Tops for Education

4. Aluminum Cans

5. Coborns/Cash Wise Reward Points

6. Country Hearth UPCs

CES SILENT AUCTION: Thank you to everyone

donated time, items, and money for our silent auction.

About $2500 was given to our CES group. 10% was

given to our tuition endowment fund. Some of the

money will be purchasing Bibles and Catechisms for

next year’s St. Paul’s congregation and school

children.

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SUNDAY MORNING FAMILY BIBLE CLASS

POLITICS IS DRIVING

ME CRAZY

This is the topic of Sunday AM Bible

class during the month of July. Join

pastor in the basement at 10:15am every

Sunday morning for this very timely

discussion. It will also be on Zoom.

This study will help us to understand and

appreciate the separation of church and

state and how we as Christians can best

serve our fellow people.

WEDNESDAY BIBLE CLASS

Wednesday Afternoon Bible class continues at

2:00pm in the church auditorium. We will finish

our study of I & II Peter during the month of July.

Then we will begin a topic of Christian

Citizenship in Church and State. This Bible study

examines the Christian's responsibility toward the

government and the challenges and opportunities

that we face. We meet with six feet for social

distancing. Masks are encouraged. Topics for the

month are:

July 1 No Class

July 8 I Grow Spiritually Through the

Power of God’s Word

July 15 God Hates False Teaching and So

Do I

July 22 I Look Forward to My Savior’s

Return

July 29 A Christian Is a Member of Two

Kingdoms

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation will take place on

Saturday, July 25, at 10:00am here in

church. This year’s confirmands are:

Kerigan Brau

daughter of Rob & Angie Brau

Parker Burdorf

son of Craig & Terry Burdorf

Karcyn Dose

daughter of Chad & Megan Dose

Trevor Duck

son of Kendal & Elizabeth Duck

William Kaesermann

son of Eric & Lesley Kaesermann

Bradyn Kube

son of Wayne & Krista Kube

Jonah Scherer

son of Darvin & Jenny Scherer

Kendra Schmidt daughter of Rickey & Kari Schmidt

Collin Simrell

son of Jamie Dotolo

We wish them God’s richest blessings as

these nine young people become

communicant members of our

congregation.

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FORWARD IN CHRIST – JULY The July issue of Forward in Christ (FIC) is here at

church – ready for you to pick up and read. The

articles and stories are well-written and short. They

can be read in 5 or 10 minute increments. It’s a great

way to start or end a day. Here are the highlights!

(There are no lowlights in this mag!)

* “Be Like Jesus in Forgiveness and Love” (p.5)

This opening devotion reminds us to be imitators –

imitators of Christ. Why? To flatter Jesus and to

bring him glory? Read further to find out about

forgiveness and love.

* “God’s Work Does Not Stop” (p.6) This

message from our WELS president tells us that

despite not worshiping in our churches for a while,

the work of spreading the Gospel did not stop. In

fact, nothing should stop us from sharing the

message.

* “Confessions of Faith” (p.7-9) This favorite

series showcases this how a young lady from Peru

came to faith through the use of technology. The

young man she got to know may have helped as

well. God works in mysterious ways to bring people

to faith. You have to enjoy this one!

* “On the Middle Road” (p.10-11) The

coronavirus has us traveling the middle road of faith

– confident in God to save and yet faithful to God in

responsible service. Read more to find out about the

middle ground.

* “Recognizing Blessings” (p.11) Very short article

how this pandemic, as difficult as it has been, has

also brought blessings!

* “Please Explain” (p.12-13) This month’s

explanation article answers the question, “Why

should I be a Christian when I have to suffer?”

.

* “Q & A with David Scharf” (p. 14-15) Pastor

Scharf tries to answer a question so many people

ask, “How can a loving God send people to hell?”

This also includes a Bible study.

(Continued in next column)

(Continued from previous column.)

* “Parent Conversations” (p. 16-17) Great

article on how a teen’s brain works.

* GRADUATES (p.18- 27) These pages hold the

names and pictures of Wisconsin Lutheran

Seminary and Martin Luther College graduates.

Assignments for pastors, teachers, and staff

ministers are also included. Remember these

people in your prayers as they begin their

ministry.

* “Take Up Your Cross” (p.28-29) Jesus warns

us we will face opposition and suffering as his

followers, but he also promises a place in his

Father’s house.

* “The Book of James” (p.31) This begins a

series of a Bible study on the book of James.

James is a fascinating book which really is a

blueprint for living out our life of faith. This is a

study you will want to read and follow.

* “As We Come and Go” (p.34) This is an

editorial comment but it so reminds us that God

watches over us every minute of every day. You

really need to read this one!!

There are no more “free” issues of Forward in

Christ as in downloading them. You “need” to

pick up your JULY copy at church. There is a

copy waiting for you. It is worth your while

picking it up and reading. ENJOY!!

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COLLEGE STUDENT FUND The College Student Fund Committee has

awarded William Rauh, student at Martin Luther

College, $1500 for this coming school year. One

thousand of those dollars will be matched by the

college’s Congregation Partner Grant program.

What does this mean? The $1500 we (our

congregation) sent the college will be used

towards William’s first semester tuition. Then

the college will credit William $1000 for his

second semester tuition. Our $1500 just turned

into $2500. Please keep William in your prayers

as he continues his study at MLC to be a

Christian Day school teacher. Also keep the

College Student Fund in mind when giving your

offerings to encourage other young people to

enter the preaching or teaching ministry.

QUOTES from FOUNDING FATHERS

As we celebrate the Fourth of July a few quotes

from our country’s early leaders might be of

interest.

George Washington: 1st President of the USA.

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation

without God and the Bible".

Patrick Henry: "It cannot be emphasized too

strongly or too often that this great Nation was

founded, not by religionists, but by Christians;

not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus

Christ.

John Adams: 2nd President of the USA

"I have examined all religions, and the result is

that the Bible is the best book in the world".

OUTREACH COVID-19 STYLE During this time of Covid-19, sharing the

Gospel with one another is somewhat

challenging. It can still be done, however. We

still see others even if it’s from a distance. That

means we can still share the good news of the

Bible. We can still invite others to church.

Maybe you can’t bring them with you in the

same car or sit in the same pew, BUT you can

still be “near” them in church so they feel

welcomed.

An important blessing we have is technology

for sharing the Gospel. You can send a link to

friends/family to our church’s online worship

services. This can be done whether it’s

someone’s first exposure to the Gospel or to

someone who may be reluctant to attend church

in person. This should be a non-threatening

way. As a point of information we hope to be

able to live stream our services very soon.

You can also send a link to a friend, relative, or

coworker to the variety of daily devotions for

adults and families from the WELS website:

wels.net/devotions. Share links to Forward in

Christ articles and other inspiring content at

forwardinchrist.net. You can discover and share

downloadable resources from Northwestern

Publishing House at nph.net.

There are other ideas out there, no doubt, to

share your faith and the good news of Jesus. That still needs to be done no matter what is

going on around us. God’s blessings on your

efforts to share the Gospel.

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A GIFT TO ENJOY This month’s favorite Bible verse is: Romans 6:23

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in

Christ Jesus our Lord.”

My first paycheck. $100! A ONE with two zeroes behind it! It didn’t matter that I spent

a week pulling weeds with thistles in a 45-acre field. It didn’t matter that I sweltered

under a hot July sun. It didn’t matter that I earned minimum wage. It had my name on it. I

earned it.

There is another paycheck that I’m not so excited about. It comes in the form of guilt

pricking my conscience far deeper than a thistle could ever penetrate my skin. Sometimes

I see it when my temper flares hotter than the summer sun. I feel it when I know I should

be more considerate, more caring, more loving toward others around me. So I work

harder to do what’s right and try harder to do better than before, but still, it never seems

to be enough. And it isn’t enough, because the Bible tells me the wages of my sin is

death—and it’s your paycheck, too.

But, thank the Lord, the Bible also tells us that God is not going to give us what we

have earned with our sins. Instead, he gives us something we have not earned—eternal

life. It’s a gift that has been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus and earned by his

death on the cross.

That takes all the pressure off, doesn’t it? Instead of the failures of our past, we can

look to Jesus’ perfect life of love. Instead of the pressures of tomorrow, we can look to

the promise of eternal life that is already won for us by Jesus’ dying and rising from the

dead. As a result, life is not a burden, but a gift to enjoy always.