PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear Friends in Christ,
“It can be said that the Civil War in the disunited United States was not
‘civil’ at all – was not in the least courteous or chivalrous. Aside from
the river battles, there were over 2000 land engagements, and many, many
thousands perished. Families were divided and decimated, even the family
in the White House, President Lincoln’s wife lost a brother and three
half-brothers in the Confederate armies. Those freed from slavery were
redeemed with the price of a river of blood.”
(from the LLL Lenten Devotional, 1988)
With
this reminder, we are thinking of a “dark spot” in the
history of our nation. As I look back, I at least think, “Couldn’t
this have been solved in another way?” Probably not, but we
have history to consider as we look back to that time. But
they were in it and saw war as the only way to settle the matter.
While in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus also prayed, “Father, if You
are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done”
(Luke 22:42).
Much
of what we experience in this world includes the shedding of blood. And
even though obvious, sometimes we’d rather not think of it. For example,
what happens in surgery? Blood is shed so that healing can take place
(many of us know this by experience).
A
child falls off the swing while careless or trying something new, like
jumping off when the swing is high. Blood shed with a skinned knee helps
to teach the child to hang on and not to try that again.
The
battle with sin began in heaven when the devil (who was once an angel of
God) rebelled and God threw him down, along with all the angels who
rebelled with him. The battle continued in the Garden of Eden. There the
defeated, but dastardly devil brought corruption into the lives of our
first parents. Instead of trusting God for their lives, they listened to
the wrong voice. But their rebellion did not silence God’s voice!
God
came seeking them in the Garden. They tried to hide. They tried to blame
one another and finally Eve said, “The devil deceived me…”
But God came seeking, searching, and saving, and promising (speaking to
the devil in the hearing of Adam and Eve):
“He will crush your head,
and you will strike His heal” (Gen. 3:15).
Then, dear friend, in Christ, read on. As you come to the
last part of Genesis three, God, in His grace and
forgiveness took animal skins and covered Adam and Eve. But now, don’t
just read over that point. If animals had to give up their skins, they
also gave up their lives – blood was shed for the sin of man!
Then
think ahead! This shedding of animal’s blood was but a small picture of a
greater shedding of blood to come. Jesus came and poured out a “river of
blood” – enough to cover the sins of all people who have and will ever
live! “And the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin”
(1 John 1:7).
In
the “civil war,” many died so that others may live. Many died to
bring this country into unity. Much more so, Jesus died so that we might
live! By His life, we are united once again with our heavenly Father. The
horror and rebellion of the Garden of Eden is reversed, and this “river of
blood,” frees us from the slavery of sin.
Lent begins with Jesus’ words, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem…”
(Matt. 20:18).
In
our Lenten worship we look at ourselves, and by the accusing finger of
God’s law, see our need! We look also to our Lord and we see His
comforting, life-giving, and life-changing answer for our greatest need!
His going up to Jerusalem, His willing submission to the Father’s will to
suffer and die in our place, and His “river of blood” that flowed from His
head, His hands, and His side covers us from all sin!
“There
stands a fountain where for sin Immanuel was slain,
And sinners who are washed therein
Are cleansed from every stain …
Are cleansed
from every stain.”
(Lutheran Worship, hymn # 506, stanza 1)
This Lenten Season we will look at two themes:
For
the Sundays in Lent,
including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday: the theme is
“King of kings!”
With
this theme, we will consider various kings throughout the Bible and focus
then especially on Christ, His victory over sin and death, and therefore
His reigning as King of kings!
For the Wednesdays in Lent:
“Crossing the Kidron!”
In
this theme, we consider the goal of our Lord – when leaving the upper room
where He and His disciples had just celebrated the Passover (and Jesus
giving us the Lord’s Supper), Jesus leaves Jerusalem, passes down through
this very steep valley, the Kidron Valley, then up the other side of this
valley to the Garden of Gethsemane. There, He begins in earnest, His
struggle with facing the cross.
His “Crossing the Kidron” was with full intent to fulfill the Father’s
will and gain our salvation!
With confidence in and no shame of His shed
blood, you and I remain IN CHRIST!
Pastor Anderson
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CHURCH LIBRARY
Read
a Good book lately? Check out the church library
The church library
has devotional books, fiction, non-fiction, teaching aids, children’s
videos and DVD’s.
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USHERS FOR MARCH
Early Service -
8:00 AM
Lee Keller, Head
Usher, Kay Hohenecker , Jeremy Iverson
Late
Service - 10:30 AM
John Swanhorst, Head
Usher, Donna Swanhorst, Cal Pederson, Jon Gilbert
Lenten
Worship – Wednesday,
March 3, 10, 17
& 24
12:15 PM-David
Swanhorst, John & Donna Swanhorst
6:15 PM Bill Menzel,
Paul Swanston Tim and Thomas Zinter
A
Soup n Sandwich lunch is served
following the 12:15 Lenten worship service. Members of the youth group
serve a Soup n Sandwich Supper beginning at 5:30 PM during Lent.
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YOUTH
NEWS
The
February 10th YFC meeting was called to order by
the president, Gilbert West. There were 9 members present. Ari West,
secretary, read the secretary’s report.
OLD
BUSINESS: The ski trip has
been changed to a one-day trip to Great Bear ski area in Sioux Falls on
February 19. The cost will be $50.00. More helpers are needed for
Friendship Sunday on February 28. More workers are needed to serve Lent
soup and sandwich suppers. We will host a “By Reservation Only” dinner on
March 14.
NEW
BUSINESS: Some members
volunteered to bring pans of bars for the hockey sponsored fund-raiser for
Jamie Flint. Arts in the Park will be June 19-20. We will serve our
usual food items, possibly adding homemade bars or cookies. Jamie Stadel
will lead closing devotions at our February 23rd meeting and
Thomas Zinter will bring treats. Thomas led closing devotions and Jamie
S. brought “Mysterious Cookies” for treats.
The January 27th
YFC meeting was called to order by the president, Gilbert West.
There were 9 members present. Ari West, secretary, read the secretary’s
report.
OLD
BUSINESS: The Soup
Extravaganza was a great event! Everyone ate a lot of soup and enjoyed
the Italian soup we made. Thanks to the West family for furnishing the
ingredients. The ski trip to Terry Peak will be February 18, 19, and 20.
It will cost $220. The sign up sheet was passed around. Chaperones will
be needed. Sign up sheets were also passed around for Lutheran Island
Camp and Higher Things.
NEW
BUSINESS: We signed up to
serve Lent soup and sandwich suppers and also to work at the Friendship
Sunday noon lunch on February 28. There will also be a talent show after
lunch. We are invited to sign up to be in that or else simply come and
enjoy. Thomas Zinter will lead devotions at our February 10th
meeting and Jamie Stadel will bring treats. Ari led closing devotions
supplemented by Pastor Anderson. Jennifer Mesmer brought “Can’t Leave
Alone” bars.
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CONCORDIA SEMINIARY-ST. LOUIS
Dear St. Paul Lutheran Church
Greetings to you in
the Lord’s name from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. We are in receipt
of your check in the amount of $2500 for the home congregational support
of Paul Winckler. As St. Paul wrote: “You will be enriched in every
way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to
God; for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the
saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God.” (II Corinthians
9:11-12).
Please accept our
heartfelt thanks for you generosity in aiding our students as they prepare
for the ministry of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely in Christ,
Sarah B. Kassal,
Coordinator of Financial Aid
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LWML
St. Paul’s LWML met
on Feb. 11, 2010 at noon. Sixteen members were present. Lunch was
served by the Christian Literature Circle. The meeting was called to
order by President Sally Kushman. She had an opening prayer. We read the
LWML pledge.
Pastor Anderson had
the topic “Love Thy Neighbor:You Go and Do Likewise” based on Luke
10:25-37. Minutes of the January meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s report
approved and placed on file. Christian Literature gave a check to the
treasurer in the amount of $171.85. Circle Reports were given. The
activity for the day was making Valentine hearts out of wheat for the
shut-ins. We have to pay the zone $50.00 for 50 members.
Old
Business: None
New Business: April 17th is the Zone Workshop in Leola. Gifts from the
Heart, underwear and socks, will be collected.
June 4th and 5th is
the District Convention in Huron. The Evening Bible Class will make kits.
Altar Guild serves the lunch at the March LWML meeting.
Closed with Mite Box
devotion by Gloria Anderson. Meeting wad closed by repeating the Lord’s
Prayer.
NEXT LWML MEETING
LWML
stands for Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League.
Ladies of the LWML
will be meeting on Thursday, March 11th at 12:00 noon for lunch
and a business meeting. Members of the Altar Guild will serve the lunch.
Gloria Anderson, Christian Life Chairman, will have the devotion. A
presentation will be made on behalf of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.
Ladies of the Publicity Circle will clean the kitchen
LWML Thought: Send a card to a friend
telling them they are a blessing from God.
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CALLING
ALL WOMEN!!!
If
you like friendship, fellowship, and fun, there is room for you. Quilting
is held on the second, third, and fourth Thursday of the month at 9:00
AM. They meet in the Fellowship Hall. Even if you have never picked up a
needle, we have a spot for you. Maybe you have a retired neighbor looking
for a creative outlet, or maybe you are a mom with small children … bring
them along. This is a great place to “be green” by recycling used
material into new quilts which are picked up by the Orphan Grain Train and
distributed by Lutheran World Relief. So if you have ever thought you
would like to do something to make a difference, this is a great place to
start.
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Notes
from Adult Services…..
TAX SAVINGS
PROGRAMS YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR
Owner
Occupied Tax Savings Program:
Having your home being
designated as owner-occupied make the home eligible for a reduced levy for
school general fund purposes. Generally, your home you are living in that
you own may qualify for reduced taxes. Mobile homes also qualify. You
can easily determine if your property has this designation by looking at
your real estate tax notice. If your taxable value is listed behind
“School-00”, then you already have the designation. If not, just call the
Brown County Director of Equalization at 626-7015. The deadline is
March 15th .
Freeze on
Assessments of Dwellings of Disabled and Senior Citizens Program:
This program prevents
the homeowner’s property from increasing in value, for tax purposes. This
means that if the value of the home increases, the homeowner will pay tax
on the former lower value. The income limits for the application for 2010
are bases on 2009 income. Income is the federal adjusted gross income
(includes social security).
Single member household income must be less than $24,599.
Multiple member household income must be less than $30,749.
Property value in excess of $168,855 generally are not eligible. You must
be at least 65 years old and own your own home. Disable individuals as
defined by the Social Security Act may also be eligible.
Applications
must be submitted annually by April 1st
to the county treasurer
where applications are now available. If you need further information,
call the Brown County Treasurer at 626-7133 or the state Revenue
Department at 1-800-829-9188.
ST.
PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH….ABERDEEN, SD