Welcome! ST. MARTIN—LUTHERAN CHURCH Reverend James Chinery, Pastor Randy Bickel, Family Life/Youth Lance Coyle, Dir. Of Worship Arts 10995 Canada Road Birch Run, MI 48415 989-624-9204 Sunday Worship 8 am & 10:45 am Wednesday 7 pm A place you can call home www.stmarnbirchrun.org Happy New Year I like New Year’s resolutions as much as the next person. I mean, what’s not to like? You stand at the dawn of a new day, smiling and basking in the warmth of another MI winter. You see the sun is shining, the drive- way is freshly plowed. As for me, I pat my stomach and realize that I am blessed to be in the position of needing to consider upping my pants size by yet another inch. The New Year commences with limitless possibilities. Then January 2nd hits us like a ton of bricks...and all of our well intentioned life changes become dandelion fuzz in the wind. I share with you a poem, that for me has special meaning for the coming New Year. Why? Because you are not alone. Christ died for you. Now, work for Him. I borrow a line from the following poem, and will make it the basis for my one and only New Years resolution for 2015, “Another year of training, for holier work above.” Another year is dawning, dear Father let it be, In working or in waiting, another year with thee. Another year of progress, another year of praise, Another year of proving, thy presence all the days. Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace, Another year of gladness, the glory of thy face. Another year of leaning, upon thy loving breast, Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest. Another year of service, of witness for thy love, Another year of training, for holier work above. Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be, On earth, or else in heaven, another year for thee. Frances Ridley Havergal Reaching, Bringing, Touching January 2015—Happy New Year! L UTHERAN CHURC H ST. MARTIN “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
Transcript
Welcome! ST. MARTIN—LUTHERAN CHURCH Reverend James Chinery, Pastor Randy Bickel, Family Life/Youth
Lance Coyle, Dir. Of Worship Arts
10995 Canada Road Birch Run, MI 48415
989-624-9204
Sunday Worship 8 am & 10:45 am Wednesday 7 pm
A place you can call home www.stmartinbirchrun.org
Happy New Year I like New Year’s resolutions as much as the next person. I mean, what’s not to like? You stand at the dawn of a new day, smiling and basking in the warmth of another MI winter. You see the sun is shining, the drive-way is freshly plowed. As for me, I pat my stomach and realize that I am blessed to be in the position of needing to consider upping my pants size by yet another inch. The New Year commences with limitless possibilities. Then January 2nd hits us like a ton of bricks...and all of our well intentioned life changes become dandelion fuzz in the wind. I share with you a poem, that for me has special meaning for the coming New Year. Why? Because you are not alone. Christ died for you. Now, work for Him. I borrow a line from the following poem, and will make it the basis for my one and only New Years resolution for 2015, “Another year of training, for holier work above.”
Another year is dawning, dear Father let it be, In working or in waiting, another year with thee. Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving, thy presence all the days. Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness, the glory of thy face. Another year of leaning, upon thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest. Another year of service, of witness for thy love, Another year of training, for holier work above. Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven, another year for thee. Frances Ridley Havergal
Reaching, Bringing, Touching
January 2015—Happy New Year!
LUTHERAN CHURCH ST. MARTIN
“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
ST. MARTIN LUTHERAN CHURCH, BIRCH RUN PAGE 2
The Book of Concord Part Eight The Large Catechism (1529)
The material in the Large Catechism originated as sermons by Martin Luther on the basic texts of Christian teaching. Publication of the Large Catechism arose out of the need for instruction of the often poorly trained clergy in the basics of the faith. In the summer of 1527, the elector of Saxony authorized an official visitation of churches in his territories. The visitors were charged with overseeing the financial and physical needs of the parishes and clergy and with investigating the state of instruction there. Some clergy were not happy about this development, claiming that it focused too much on punishment and not enough on love. Luther, ever the peacemaker responded that, “Repentance could arise from both fear and love, and that, while a general faith in God might be said to precede repentance, it was best to view faith as following repentance.” Luther’s Large Catechism appeared in April 1529. Luther opens the catechism with these words, “It is not for trivial reasons that we constantly treat the catechism and exhort and implore others to do the same, for we see that unfortunately many preachers and pastors are very negligent in doing so. They approach the task of preaching as if they were pastors and preachers for their stomachs’ sake and had nothing to do but live off the fat of the land.”
Wild Game Dinner January 2015
We are happy to announce the date and time for the Wild Game Dinner: Date: Sat., January 24th Location: Frankenmuth C.C. Doors Open: 3 PM Hor D'ouveres: 4 PM Dinner: 5 PM If you would like to volunteer for this event, donate items, or purchase tickets please call the church office.
Women’s Retreat Theme Garden Getaway
Date March, 6-8, 2015
Where The Springs, Gladwin MI Information and registration forms are on a table next to the Welcome Center. Please return you registration form with your deposit. Everyone attending needs to have a deposit of $35.00 by January 25, 2015. All rooms are $135.00 per person
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
Chili Cook-Off (Saturday, January 31st—5 PM) Sign Up to Bring a crock pot full of your favorite chili to the fellowship hall by 4:45 p.m. There’s No entry Fee; a free will offering is taken at the door & prizes are awarded for best chili in category! The Dessert Showdown winner will be determined on the amount of money raised by the selling of portions of the different desserts.
All proceeds will benefit the St. Martin Youth Ministries
The Story in January In January 2015 we will continue with our walk through the Bible using the book, “The Story.” I hope you are finding the book and the small group experience to be as enjoyable as I have. In January we will be covering: January 11—The Beginning of the End (16) January 18—The Kingdom’s Fall (17) January 25th—Daniel in Exile (18)
Which do you like better, Lance or Distorted Lance?
