November 2006
From the Pastor:
The month of October will go down in the history books as one filled with extreme violence. We heard of how a plot to shoot people in a Green Bay school was diverted. We also heard of a principal gunned down by a student here in Wisconsin. We saw news reports of how little Amish girls in Pennsylvania were brutally murdered by a deranged man. To top it off our congress voted on two bills that make it legal to hold people suspected of terrorism without due process indefinitely, and to be able to torture people without calling it torture.
As terrible as all of these things were, the one story that made a powerful impact was that of the forgiveness shown by the Amish community. Many of us tend to look at the Amish as backward people. We take pictures when we see them in their buggies.
And we poke fun at how they choose to live their lives.
But these past few weeks have made us think twice of the Amish.
As we observed the Amish community and the faith they showed to the nation, many of us took notice.
I can’t imagine having to bury my own child. Let alone forgive the person who took my child’s life. But the Amish did just that. Not only did they forgive the man who did this, they took the time to go to his funeral and to provide support to his wife and children.
Many in this country have found this hard to believe. The question is why? If we are a Christian nation as some profess, why is it so hard to believe someone can forgive the act of a murderer? The truth is Jesus told us followers that we must forgive. Jesus told us to bless those who persecute us for his name’s sake.
Scripture even confronts us by telling us that retaliation is something that should be left up to God. But why is it so hard to forgive? And why is it that many of us find forgiveness to be such a difficult proposition?
Living the Christ life is hard. And praying for those who hate or revile us is part of Christ’s mandate. The question we must ask ourselves is whether we truly want to live our lives based on the teachings of our Savior? Or do we want to follow the teachings of people who believe it is their right to hurt those who have hurt them? The Amish have taught us that following this last belief goes against what Jesus taught.
So why is it so hard to forgive? I believe that in many respects it’s hard to forgive because our sinful nature, to speak theologically, gets in the way. Last month during our book study on When Religion Becomes Evil, Kimball tells us violence in the name of God is evil and that violence is part of our sinful nature. I would go further in saying that violence is evil and that when we participate in it our souls turn their back on the God of love.
Some of us would say that we are a peaceful people therefore what Kimball says doesn’t pertain to us. But in his book Kimball says that as believers in the risen Christ we must take responsibility for those things that happen in our name. Kimball further reminds us that one of the tools of evil is complacency and indifference.
When we become complacent, we only care about staying comfortable. And as long as others don’t mess with me and my life it doesn’t matter whether the world of violence continues to grow. When we become indifferent to others, we stop seeing other human beings as children of God. So it becomes easier to objectify a person as inhuman, and thus it is easier to lash out against them.
As followers of the risen Christ, I must reiterate that we are called to see those who persecute us or who do wrong to us as broken people in need of God’s redeeming love. As people who need our love and forgiveness too. The question is can we change the way we see others so that in turn they can see us differently also.
The Amish have taught us that we can. They have modeled for us the love and forgiveness of Christ. The question is whether we have learned our lesson well? I pray so.
Until next time.
Peace and grace,
Pastor Mara
Worship for the Month of November
November 5, 2006
All Saints Day
9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction in Sanctuary
Readings for the Day: Ruth 1:1-18 and Mark 12:28-34
Sermon Theme: Toughness and courage defined the generation that won the Second World War. In today’s Old Testament text we see two women demonstrate the qualities of endurance and faithfulness. But additional qualities are needed for the challenges we face today.
________________________________
November 12, 2006
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings for the Day: Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 and Mark 12:38-34
Sermon Theme: You might not think that a global gathering of men and women is smarter than a small group of elite individuals. But an online encyclopedia could change your mind. So can Scripture. As we explore once more the story of the widow who gave sacrificially we will learn what it means to be a wiki church.
________________________________
November 19, 2006
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings for the Day: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and Hebrews 10:11-18
Sermon Theme: Karma is gaining traction in pop culture, but grace carries the day in Christ-culture. Why? Because grace is something you and I receive. Grace is something that helps us grow. It sustains us. It provides for us a process that allows us to be forgiven and to forgive. Karma doesn’t do any of that.
__________________________________
November 22, 2006
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Service
6:30 p.m. Worship at Lord of the Lakes
__________________________________
November 26, 2006
34th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Christ the King Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings for the Day: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 and John 18:33-37
Sermon Theme: At the end of an awful year of horrific happenings, we are challenged to discover the true value of the present. And maybe even some of God’s perfection. The text in Daniel tells us that God is working to bring order out of chaos and victory out of defeat. Evangelism Committee News The Evangelism Committee wants to remind the congregation that they will be doing a new church directory and replacing the name tag board with family pictures of all our church members. During the month of October and November we will be taking pictures before and after church. There will be a sign up sheet on the entry way table. If you already have a picture you would like to use, you may email it to the church or bring it to the church on a disc. Both the Property Committee and Evangelism are working together to provide mailboxes for all church families. Our hope is to help the church stay connected, save on stamps, and help us identify the families we haven't seen. Our prayer is to reach out to these families and have them connect back to the church body.
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
On November 19 and 26, and December 3, we will begin a three week discussion titled "Who Switched The Price Tags." The first session is called, IF I HAD TO LIVE OVER AGAIN. This class explores how life slips by and most people just go with the flow. They don't reflect, they don't enjoy the moment, they are not really alive. If Jesus can do anything for you here and now, He can do this. He can wake you up and give you Passion for life. II. ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET? -If you're not completely fulfilled in your job, you're the loser, your family is the loser. Coming home emotionally drained with nothing left to give of yourself is a no-way street. Tony Campolo will lead us in this provocative video presentation in Fellowship Hall.
On November 26 the class is entitled THE VALUE OF FAMILY RITUALS AND TRADITIONS. In this session we will discuss the importance of rituals and the tradition of Bible study, holiday dinners, and Sundays together. The class will challenge us to establish these things in our family. The study will challenge us to give our kids something to hang on to.
On December 3rd, Tony Campolo's message will leave no stone unturned. His message will cause the congregation to rethink society's value system, church, family responsibilities, and most importantly, Christ-like living. The class will compel its listeners to make tough decisions and to take along the added motivation they will need to make them. This three-part series will challenge the entire church body to take practical steps which will lead to spiritual growth.
LAMPLIGHT LIBRARY "Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:105
Start or continue your Christian walk by walking into the Lamplight Library. You will find answers there.
Book of the Month: God Has Never Failed Me, but He's Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times By Stan Toler
Under category Practical Christianity: Do you really believe that God is faithful? Do you know for certain that He won't be late with the help you need in your life right now?
For anyone who has ever felt frazzled, stressed, confused, hurt, angry, undone, or any other emotional response to the difficulties and uncertainties of life, Stan Toler serves up a delightful combination of poignant and hilarious reminders that God is still at work in the world and He is l00% faithful! No, God is never late! So when nothing seems to be happening in your life, something really is happening. Yes, the God who sits on a throne in Heaven is interested in you right now!
Worship Attendants for the Month of November:
Ushers: John Stilp and Marty Buser
Lay Readers: Mary Hinz
Greeter: Karen Angel
NURSERY SCHEDULE
November 5 Romi Norton and Mackenzie Verkuilen
November 12 Sandy Buser and Shannon Grinnell
November 19 Pam Verkuilen and Morgan Verkuilen
November 26 Sandy Buser
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Nov 4th Ruthann Zahn
Nov. 6th Melissa Klaeser, Luella Reed
Nov. 7th John Buser
Nov. 8th Pastor Mara
Nov. 9th Joseph Cowling
Nov. 10th Sharon Achterberg
Nov. 25th Shelly Cullom
Nov. 16th Bob Lindsey
Nov. 17th Gail Klaese
Nov. 18th Dillon Sharrat
Nov. 22nd Roxanne Schultz
Nov. 23rd Richard Sharratt
Nov. 25th Shannon Grinnell, Nancy Harrison, Mary Lehr
Nov. 26th William Hinz
Nov. 28th Doris Mowery
The month of October will go down in the history books as one filled with extreme violence. We heard of how a plot to shoot people in a Green Bay school was diverted. We also heard of a principal gunned down by a student here in Wisconsin. We saw news reports of how little Amish girls in Pennsylvania were brutally murdered by a deranged man. To top it off our congress voted on two bills that make it legal to hold people suspected of terrorism without due process indefinitely, and to be able to torture people without calling it torture.
As terrible as all of these things were, the one story that made a powerful impact was that of the forgiveness shown by the Amish community. Many of us tend to look at the Amish as backward people. We take pictures when we see them in their buggies.
And we poke fun at how they choose to live their lives.
But these past few weeks have made us think twice of the Amish.
As we observed the Amish community and the faith they showed to the nation, many of us took notice.
I can’t imagine having to bury my own child. Let alone forgive the person who took my child’s life. But the Amish did just that. Not only did they forgive the man who did this, they took the time to go to his funeral and to provide support to his wife and children.
Many in this country have found this hard to believe. The question is why? If we are a Christian nation as some profess, why is it so hard to believe someone can forgive the act of a murderer? The truth is Jesus told us followers that we must forgive. Jesus told us to bless those who persecute us for his name’s sake.
Scripture even confronts us by telling us that retaliation is something that should be left up to God. But why is it so hard to forgive? And why is it that many of us find forgiveness to be such a difficult proposition?
Living the Christ life is hard. And praying for those who hate or revile us is part of Christ’s mandate. The question we must ask ourselves is whether we truly want to live our lives based on the teachings of our Savior? Or do we want to follow the teachings of people who believe it is their right to hurt those who have hurt them? The Amish have taught us that following this last belief goes against what Jesus taught.
So why is it so hard to forgive? I believe that in many respects it’s hard to forgive because our sinful nature, to speak theologically, gets in the way. Last month during our book study on When Religion Becomes Evil, Kimball tells us violence in the name of God is evil and that violence is part of our sinful nature. I would go further in saying that violence is evil and that when we participate in it our souls turn their back on the God of love.
Some of us would say that we are a peaceful people therefore what Kimball says doesn’t pertain to us. But in his book Kimball says that as believers in the risen Christ we must take responsibility for those things that happen in our name. Kimball further reminds us that one of the tools of evil is complacency and indifference.
When we become complacent, we only care about staying comfortable. And as long as others don’t mess with me and my life it doesn’t matter whether the world of violence continues to grow. When we become indifferent to others, we stop seeing other human beings as children of God. So it becomes easier to objectify a person as inhuman, and thus it is easier to lash out against them.
As followers of the risen Christ, I must reiterate that we are called to see those who persecute us or who do wrong to us as broken people in need of God’s redeeming love. As people who need our love and forgiveness too. The question is can we change the way we see others so that in turn they can see us differently also.
The Amish have taught us that we can. They have modeled for us the love and forgiveness of Christ. The question is whether we have learned our lesson well? I pray so.
Until next time.
Peace and grace,
Pastor Mara
Worship for the Month of November
November 5, 2006
All Saints Day
9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction in Sanctuary
Readings for the Day: Ruth 1:1-18 and Mark 12:28-34
Sermon Theme: Toughness and courage defined the generation that won the Second World War. In today’s Old Testament text we see two women demonstrate the qualities of endurance and faithfulness. But additional qualities are needed for the challenges we face today.
________________________________
November 12, 2006
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings for the Day: Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 and Mark 12:38-34
Sermon Theme: You might not think that a global gathering of men and women is smarter than a small group of elite individuals. But an online encyclopedia could change your mind. So can Scripture. As we explore once more the story of the widow who gave sacrificially we will learn what it means to be a wiki church.
________________________________
November 19, 2006
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings for the Day: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and Hebrews 10:11-18
Sermon Theme: Karma is gaining traction in pop culture, but grace carries the day in Christ-culture. Why? Because grace is something you and I receive. Grace is something that helps us grow. It sustains us. It provides for us a process that allows us to be forgiven and to forgive. Karma doesn’t do any of that.
__________________________________
November 22, 2006
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Service
6:30 p.m. Worship at Lord of the Lakes
__________________________________
November 26, 2006
34th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Christ the King Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings for the Day: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 and John 18:33-37
Sermon Theme: At the end of an awful year of horrific happenings, we are challenged to discover the true value of the present. And maybe even some of God’s perfection. The text in Daniel tells us that God is working to bring order out of chaos and victory out of defeat. Evangelism Committee News The Evangelism Committee wants to remind the congregation that they will be doing a new church directory and replacing the name tag board with family pictures of all our church members. During the month of October and November we will be taking pictures before and after church. There will be a sign up sheet on the entry way table. If you already have a picture you would like to use, you may email it to the church or bring it to the church on a disc. Both the Property Committee and Evangelism are working together to provide mailboxes for all church families. Our hope is to help the church stay connected, save on stamps, and help us identify the families we haven't seen. Our prayer is to reach out to these families and have them connect back to the church body.
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
On November 19 and 26, and December 3, we will begin a three week discussion titled "Who Switched The Price Tags." The first session is called, IF I HAD TO LIVE OVER AGAIN. This class explores how life slips by and most people just go with the flow. They don't reflect, they don't enjoy the moment, they are not really alive. If Jesus can do anything for you here and now, He can do this. He can wake you up and give you Passion for life. II. ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET? -If you're not completely fulfilled in your job, you're the loser, your family is the loser. Coming home emotionally drained with nothing left to give of yourself is a no-way street. Tony Campolo will lead us in this provocative video presentation in Fellowship Hall.
On November 26 the class is entitled THE VALUE OF FAMILY RITUALS AND TRADITIONS. In this session we will discuss the importance of rituals and the tradition of Bible study, holiday dinners, and Sundays together. The class will challenge us to establish these things in our family. The study will challenge us to give our kids something to hang on to.
On December 3rd, Tony Campolo's message will leave no stone unturned. His message will cause the congregation to rethink society's value system, church, family responsibilities, and most importantly, Christ-like living. The class will compel its listeners to make tough decisions and to take along the added motivation they will need to make them. This three-part series will challenge the entire church body to take practical steps which will lead to spiritual growth.
LAMPLIGHT LIBRARY "Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:105
Start or continue your Christian walk by walking into the Lamplight Library. You will find answers there.
Book of the Month: God Has Never Failed Me, but He's Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times By Stan Toler
Under category Practical Christianity: Do you really believe that God is faithful? Do you know for certain that He won't be late with the help you need in your life right now?
For anyone who has ever felt frazzled, stressed, confused, hurt, angry, undone, or any other emotional response to the difficulties and uncertainties of life, Stan Toler serves up a delightful combination of poignant and hilarious reminders that God is still at work in the world and He is l00% faithful! No, God is never late! So when nothing seems to be happening in your life, something really is happening. Yes, the God who sits on a throne in Heaven is interested in you right now!
Worship Attendants for the Month of November:
Ushers: John Stilp and Marty Buser
Lay Readers: Mary Hinz
Greeter: Karen Angel
NURSERY SCHEDULE
November 5 Romi Norton and Mackenzie Verkuilen
November 12 Sandy Buser and Shannon Grinnell
November 19 Pam Verkuilen and Morgan Verkuilen
November 26 Sandy Buser
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Nov 4th Ruthann Zahn
Nov. 6th Melissa Klaeser, Luella Reed
Nov. 7th John Buser
Nov. 8th Pastor Mara
Nov. 9th Joseph Cowling
Nov. 10th Sharon Achterberg
Nov. 25th Shelly Cullom
Nov. 16th Bob Lindsey
Nov. 17th Gail Klaese
Nov. 18th Dillon Sharrat
Nov. 22nd Roxanne Schultz
Nov. 23rd Richard Sharratt
Nov. 25th Shannon Grinnell, Nancy Harrison, Mary Lehr
Nov. 26th William Hinz
Nov. 28th Doris Mowery
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