During the season of Lent, our Wednesday morning Bible Study will focus on the Psalms we read during the season. We will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 26th, taking a look at Psalm 51 as King David prays to God for mercy.
Our Wednesday mornings are filled with great discussion concerning scripture and the impact it has on our daily life. Consider joining us each Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Invite your friends and neighbors too.
Up and Going met on February 13th with beautiful valentine decorations that set the mood. There were 25 members and guests present to enjoy this special time together. The blessing was said and a delicious covered dish meal followed. The program was presented by Tommy, assisted by his wife, Janet. February is Heart Health month and Tommy spoke to us about his heart health journey, which includes living on a heart pump. He graciously showed us the heart pump, it’s batteries and how it is connected to his body and answered our questions. His wife designed the tee shirt that holds his batteries and answered questions. Their presentation was absolutely amazing. Tommy added funny stories about his journey and his strong Faith. Janet passed out handouts that they had prepared for each of us. This was the most fascinating show and tell. We sincerely appreciate Tommy and Janet being with us and sharing their experiences. We also welcomed their friend Biebe who was with them. Albert gave the devotions emphasizing one of our favorite Bible verses, Nothing Can Separate us from God’s Love. This was a very timely devotion considering all that Tommy had just told us. The Treasurer’s Report was given. Old and New Business was discussed. Helen passed out Heart Health handouts entitled “Timing is everything”, “Love your heart” and “Did You Know Heart Attacks Have Beginnings?” She then read a poem by Clay Harrison entitled “Everyday Miracles”. This writing reminded us that we receive miracles from God constantly. Let us acknowledge and give thanks. Thank you to each of you for making this meal and meeting so enjoyable.
The March Up and Going Meeting is scheduled for March 12th at 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall. The meal will be our annual soup pot lunch. There is a sign up sheet posted for each person to designate whatever you would like to bring to fill our soup pot and fixings. Ray will provide the devotions and a short program on getting our gardens ready for Spring Planting. We will then make bows and cards for the Hospice Easter Bags, which we will assemble in April.
Thanks, Helen
We want to thank all of you for your continued support. The Love Offering luncheon on Sunday, January 26th was a big success. All money raised went to the Simmons family to help with their mounting medical bills. Also, we along with the Lutheran Men’s group were able to furnish We Care with 690 pounds of food and non-perishable items. Our group will continue to collect food and non-perishable items for We Care. There is a box in the Fellowship Hall to place your donations.
We have a busy year planned. Following are some dates you may want to put on your calendar: April 4—Easter Egg Hunt, May 23—Mother Daughter Brunch, September 13—Congregational Meal Fundraiser, September 26—Host NALC Lutheran Women District Meeting, and October 31—Trunk or Treat. Watch your worship folders for information regarding these events.
We invite all ladies to come join us. Our meetings are on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 4:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions in reference to our group, please call me at 345-3245 or 609-5371.
Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Leader, Phyllis
Below is an article that someone shared with me a while ago. As it brought me to tears, I thought about how important this reminder is to not only our congregation, but to all people, to remember the responsibility that we all carry to raise up the next generation in the faith that we all share.
Article: Take your kids to church. Make the effort. Wake them up early. Fool with the belts and the buckles and the fancy hair bows. Endure the sleepy, grumpy faces and the misplaced shoes. Run around like a mad woman gathering everybody’s belongings and trying to get out the door on time. Hop to the car with a shoe in one hand and your make-up bag in the other. Give those babies a poptart and let ‘em eat it in the car. If its raining, get wet. If its cold, get a jacket. If you’re tired, go tired. But take those babies to church. You know why? Because Jesus is there. He’s there. And He’ll meet them there. And you too. He’ll be there in the sweet smile of their Sunday School teacher as she greets them into their room. He’ll be there in the hug from a sweet friend and the encouraging smile that assures you that they “just barely made it” too. He’ll be there in the sacred words read from the Bible speaking truth to their little impressionable hearts. He’ll be there in the worship and the watery eyes and whispers of praise.
So take them. Carry all of their Bibles and drawings and toilet paper tube creations. Sit by them in worship. Open your Bible and open theirs. Show them how to find the scripture the pastor is preaching from. Show them how to worship. Explain to them why He’s worthy of worship. Let them see you laugh and cry and praise and study. Forgive their wiggles and paper rustles and know that they’re listening even when it seems like they aren’t. Ask them questions and answer the ones they ask you. Tell them of His greatness – His power – His faithfulness. Tell them with your words and show them with your life. Tell them what he’s done for you and how you’ve been changed by His grace and forgiveness and goodness and love. Tell them how they can be too. Point them to Jesus. Over and over and over again.
Take your kids to church. They’ll love it there. It’s the only place where they can go and just be themselves. They don’t have to “be” good enough or smart enough or athletic enough. They don’t have to perform for approval or achievement. They just get to go and hear how much God loves them. Just because they’re them. Just because He created them, they’re valued. Their worth isn’t based on the grades they make or their ability to throw a curveball. Its not dependent on their performance or skill level. And they need a little more of that, don’t you think? A little more grace and a little less pressure.
Take them to church. Before you take them to the ballfield or the dance studio. Before you take them on vacation or to grandma’s or to the backyard to play. Let them know its a priority. Show them it has eternal value. Let them see you set aside schedules and extra curricular activities and work and busy-ness to be present with the Lord in His house. I promise you won’t regret it. I promise you it won’t return back void. I promise it’s worth it.
“But Jesus said, let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
Grace & Peace, Rachel
by Pastor David Nuottila
“I am a Christian, but I don’t have to go to church to have a relationship with God.” This is the phrase that all too often changes the course of conversation once people find out that I am a pastor. Each time I hear this phrase, I wonder if people really believe they can be faithful Christians on their own. Usually it means that this person does not feel the necessity to attend worship services on Sunday morning. Other times, it serves as an indicator of a past or present issue a person has within his/her congregation. In either case, the statement cannot be anymore false. To be a Christian means living within a relationship, not simply with God, but with other faithful Christians as well.
The Communion of Saints Just as families grow larger with the birth of each new child, so also God’s family of faith grows with the baptism of each new Christian. Through baptism, God gathers people into community with one another, living together as members of the body of Christ. This is not simply a relationship we share with members of our congregation. It isn’t just a relationship we have with Christians of our time. This relationship is one that is shared with all of God’s people for all time. As we express in our liturgy, “God has made us his people through our baptism into Christ.” God calls us to live together in faithfulness. Through times of prosperity and through times of great difficulty, Christians enjoy a kinship unlike any other, one filled with God’s unfailing love.
Being a Christian is also a way of life. Christians worship together, pray together, study God’s Word together and share fellowship together. When church family members fall short (and we all do), others come to their aid and support them with the love and compassion of Christ. God does not intend for his people to live in isolation; the Christian life cannot be lived out alone. Each member of the body depends on the others to live and thrive as God’s people of faith. Denying this relationship means denying the One who calls and institutes the relationship also.
Keeping the Sabbath Holy We often read in the gospels that Jesus had the custom of reading and teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. Jesus did not set this pattern for worship, and he did not set this pattern for people to learn of the ways of God. This pattern was established for us by the very hand of God with the third commandment. God said, “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.” Notice that Jesus’ Sabbath custom did not include spending the day alone. He went to the synagogue and joined God’s gathered family for worship. In worship, God speaks to his people through liturgy, song and sermon. We share stories of our faith, share the peace of Christ, and are strengthened as we receive our living Lord in Holy Communion. For Christians, keeping the Sabbath holy; therefore, also means immersing one’s self in the community gathered by God for worship.
Christ at the Center of Life Finally, to be a Christian, that is a follower of Jesus Christ, one must always keep Christ at the center of his/her life. To do this, one must strive to live as Jesus lived and obey his two great commandments. Jesus teaches that we are to love God with all our heart, mind and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves. God gathers us, God feeds us, and God sends us in mission to the world; not to live in isolation, but to be living examples of faithful people living in the community of Christ Jesus. Dismissing God’s call to gather with other Christians and be a fellow worker for the sake of the gospel replaces Christ and puts the self at the center of life. Those with the false notion of being Christian on their own do so with an unrealized intention of being in control of the relationship. They end up serving their interests before God’s interest, and eventually fall even farther away from the church and their relationship with God and his people. Living for the sake of the world and its empty promises brings false hope. Those who seek only to live as Christians on their terms live in denial of the promises of God and the fellowship of God’s people.
So why this article now? Well, as I look around and see those vacant seats in our church each week, and hear other pastors tell of the same emptiness, I pray for those who are not with us, especially those who profess to be Christians on their own. And what about those of us who attend worship each week and participate regularly in the life of the church? Are we inviting friends and neighbors to join us in this relationship? We all know people who say they are Christian, but don’t feel the need to go to church. Such a statement is our invitation to be inviting. The next time someone tells you they don’t need to attend worship in order to express their love for God, invite them anyway. Worship is not hardship; it is a Christian’s pleasure, a right and good thing to do. Invite them to come and see what they are missing.
Grace to you and peace, Pastor David Nuottila
Happy New Year to each of you.
The January Up and Going Meeting was held on Thursday, January 9th at 11 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Eighteen members attended. Helen gave the devotions from Romans the eighth Chapter, reminding us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. This is God’s promise that we should always hold on to and treasure. She read a poem “God Knows Best” by Helen Steiner Rice and closed with prayer. Business meeting was held and the Treasurer’s Report was given by Bob. Items of interest were discussed. After the meal blessing was given, we enjoyed a delicious meal of Chili (3 different pots) lots of side dishes and desserts. We then enjoyed playing re-gifted BINGO. There was so much laughter and comments throughout the games. We played until everyone won more than once and all of the gift items were happily now in the possession of someone who chose them. This was a fun day, and we all enjoyed the meal and BINGO. The February Meeting will be on Thursday, Feb 13th in the Fellowship Hall at 11 AM. The meal will be a covered dish meal. Don’t forget to bring your favorite dish to share. Albert is in charge of devotions.
Our next meeting will be Sunday, February 16th at 6 PM in the fellowship hall. Danny has the devotions. The cooks for the meeting are Danny, Robert, and Lynn.
This past Christmas, the Lutheran Women adopted a family. (Chris; Miranda; Tanner, 6; Adeline, 4; and Charlotte, 1).
Chris and two of the children, Tanner and Charlotte, have major health issues. Tanner has Ducheene Disease and Charlotte has had two open heart procedures since birth. Chris has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor which has caused significant hearing loss. He is the only parent working while attending his doctor’s appointments along with his children’s. In January, we hosted a Congregational Hamburger/Hot Dog LOVE Offering Meal. The proceeds went to assist this family with their living and medical expenses. The Lutheran Women will continue to assist the Simmons family throughout this year. Please continue to pray for this family.
Our next meeting will be Sunday, February 16th at 4:30 PM in the fellowship hall. Gail will have the devotions.
The next Youth prayer breakfast will be February 12th at 8:30 AM. We will be joined by Melanie and her youth group from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church to talk about the upcoming Mission District Youth Retreat in March. Sandra and Davis have offered to cook breakfast that morning- See you there!
We have been invited to join the Carolina’s Mission District on a Youth Retreat, March 13th-15th, at Camp St. Christopher. All students grades 6th-12th are invited to join and bring their friends as well. The cost for non-members is $120 and SJY members will attend for free. We will go Friday night and return home Sunday after Worship. The weekend will include worship on the beach, Bible study, campfires, games, and friends!
