christ’smessenger - duluth,...
TRANSCRIPT
Our Mission:
“To know Christ and to make Him known”
Christ’s�Messenger February 2017
Christ’s Messenger - February 2017
Inside this issue
Pastor’s Mail Pouch 1
Serving Schedules 2
Prayer Requests 3
Daycare News 4
Church Happenings 5
Mission of the Month 6
This Month:
Wed. Night Bible Studies at 6:30 PM
Sat., Feb. 4
Father/Daughter Ball at the DECC
Fri., Feb. 10
Husband & Wife Valentine Ball
At Proctor Blackwoods
Sat., Feb. 11
From 5-8 PM Family Game & Potluck Night
Christ Lutheran
Church, TAALC
2415 Ensign St.
Duluth, MN 55811
218-722-7537
website:
clcduluth.org
email:
From the Pastor’s Mail Pouch “The Christian Life: How to .......? or Who to .......?”
“Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”
Habakkuk 2:4
We sing: “On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand. All
other ground is sinking sand!”
However, as we utter those words in song, we must ask a more fundamental question. How does this affect the balance of authority and power in my life? Can I still go on thinking...that I am in con‐trol? ...That faith is something that I choose to do? ... that God will reward me in the end for my efforts to please Him? If we have the understanding that the Christian Faith is something that we do to please God, and are therefore rewarded in the end with eternal life and a home in heaven, we grossly underestimate the power and dominion of sin in our lives and the need for Christ to rule over us by His love and truth and righteousness. For although you and I have been born again as children of God in the gracious waters of Holy Bap‐tism, the old nature is still very much alive ... and it desires to take center‐stage. Only when Jesus is in control of our hearts will there pour forth good and God‐pleasing attitudes and actions from our lives. Do you remember the words of Jesus when a well‐meaning man addressed Him as “Good Teach‐er”? His response was, “No one is good but God alone.” So it is in your life and mine. Of ourselves, you and I cannot produce a God‐pleasing thought or word or action. In light of this truth, is there no hope? ... no help? Our hope and our help come from beyond us. He drew near to us in the person of Jesus, of whom the angels sang and the magi bowed down to worship. If our lives are to be Christian, it is Christ Himself who will draw near to place His holy imprint upon us. He will do in us and through us what we cannot do. Under His lordship, Jesus will be present to save us from ourselves and cause truth and right‐eousness to bear fruit in those whom He has called through our baptismal birth. Many pastors, teachers and denominations seek to instruct their listeners concerning how to live a God‐pleasing life be giving them a list of guidelines
(laws and rules). “Just believe in Jesus and do these things and you're on your way.” That's the “how to” of the Christian life. It only frustrates or sometimes fools the follower of those rules. For in reality, that method of Christian living fails to con‐sider the weakness of our fallen nature to do what pleases God. The Book of Hebrews reminds us that “without
faith it is impossible to please God.” The apostle Paul also declares, “Whatever does not proceed
from faith is sin.” True faith is looking to Christ and not to ourselves. True faith is permitting God to do in us what we cannot do ourselves. True faith is resting in the truth which He has revealed to us about Himself through His Word, the Bible. Paul gives us the proper attitude of the man or woman or child of God as he shows us his own life, and declares, “I have been crucified with Christ. It
is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me.”
Although Paul does not live out such a life per‐fectly, he continues to return to the precept of faith in Christ alone. He permits Jesus to do in him all that would be God‐pleasing and right. Anything less than total faith in Christ is what the prophet Habakkuk calls being “puffed up” in the soul. That soul is not right with God. Striving to do God's will in our own strength is being puffed up. Striving to please God by our own so‐called good‐deeds is being puffed up. Even when a good deed is done in our lives, it is God himself who has done it; otherwise, it would not be a good deed or a good work. The bottom line is this: The Christian Life is the life of Christ in us. To magnify such a life, the child of God turns to the Holy Scriptures day by day, ask‐ing the LORD, “Show me more of You so that You
may do Your good and gracious will more and more
in me.” May that be so for all of us, in Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Myke Main
2
Pastor: Rev. Michael Main
218-390-9987
Church Office: Juliana Morgan
218-722-7537
Council President: Jim Carlson
Vice-President: Mike Pickar
Treasurer: Laurie Wiita
Youth coordinator: Chris Stumpf
Church Website: www.clcduluth.org
Sunday Worship
Praise Time—9:15am
Worship—9:30am
Sunday School –11:00 am
Adult Bible Study—11:15 am
MONTHLY HAPPENINGS:
Mary Circle 1st Thur. 9:30 AM
Esther Circle 1st Thur. 6:30 PM
Hannah Circle 2nd Sat. 1:00 PM
Dorcas Circle 2nd Mon. 1:00 PM
Quilters 3rd Mon. 9:00 AM
Women’s Bible Study -
3rd Thursday 10 AM
Lutherans for Life -
2nd Sunday 6:30PM
Council Meeting-
2nd Thursday of the month
Deadline for submitting news for
the March Messenger is Thur.,
Feb. 23
Change of Address Reminder�
If you have moved, are planning on moving, or are switching addresses for the
season, please call the church office to notify us of the change. It takes only a minute and saves us both
time and money. Thank you!
Christ’s Messenger - February 2017
February 2017 Serving ScheduleFebruary 2017 Serving ScheduleFebruary 2017 Serving ScheduleFebruary 2017 Serving Schedule
February 5 Ushers: Mike & Wendy Pickar; Mike & Pam Wendling Greeter: Grace Wells February 12 Ushers: Bob & Pam Halvorson; John Holt; Paul Holt Greeter: Jan Main February 19 Ushers: Gary & Carolyn Lofald; Jim & Gayle Maruska Greeter: John & Bonnie Kubiak February 26 Ushers: Les Johnson & Kim Matuseski; Spring Billiar; David Wood Greeters: Norma Johnson March 1 Ushers: Mike & Wendy Pickar March 5 Ushers: Mike & Wendy Pickar; Keith & Trudy Youngren Greeters: Grace Wells
We are in need of additional Sunday Morning Greeters and Ushers.
If you would like to be part of this ministry please contact Kim Matuseski at 727-2097.
Acolytes:
Feb. 5: Hanna Hovland & Lydia Wiita
Feb. 12: Jacqueline Stumpf & Callie Showalter
Feb. 19: Hanna Hovland & Lydia Wiita
Feb. 26: Jacqueline Stumpf & Callie Showalter
Mar. 5: Hanna Hovland & Lydia Wiita
Coffee Servers:
Feb. 5: Hannah Circle
Feb. 12: ROC
Feb. 19: Council Group 2
Feb. 26: Esther Circle
Mar. 5: Hannah Circle
Trustees:
Feb. 5: Ouitdee Carson & Wendy Pickar
Feb. 12: Stacy Homstad & Bill Arrezo
Feb. 19: Grace Wells & Kim Mitchell
Feb. 26: Sandy Carlson & Sue Boder
Mar. 1: Ouitdee Carson & Wendy Pickar
Mar. 5: Ouitdee Carson & Wendy Pickar
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Ouitdee Carson
February 1
Al Decker
February 4
Mike Wendling
February 16
Kristine Holt
February 22
Judy Stocke
February 24
Darlene Saaf
February 25
John Kubiak
February 28
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your
thoughts, O God! How vast is
the sum of them!
Psalm 139:16,17
Christ’s Messenger - February 2017
If there are any people who have been accidently overlooked, please contact the
church office or Pastor Main. We apologize for any oversights.
*in the hospital or recently released or anticipating surgery **receiving therapy or ongoing medical care ***in hospice care
Please Pray for… Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
The Leadership of the Church:
Pastor Main
President—Jim Carlson
Vice President—Mike Pickar
Treasurer‐Laurie Wiita
Deacons
Trustees
Rev. Curtis Leins,
presiding pastor, AALC
Rev. Richard Shields,
ALTS President
Youth Group Kids & Leaders
Open Arms Day Care
Our Mission of the Month:
AALC
Pray for Our Church Outreaches
Father/ Daughter Ball Husband & Wife Valentine Ball
Pray for Each Other
Pray for our Country
Pray for our Troops—remember
those from our church:
Derek Miletich
Persecuted Christians
Throughout the World
Don’t Forget!
The first Sunday of each month is FOOD SHELF SUNDAY!
Please bring an item or two to help those in need.
Cash donations are also appreciated.
We are alternating donations between Genesis House and
Union Gospel Mission.
Those with Health needs: Edna Corser* Olivia Schadel* Bryan Goeppinger* Vicki Johnson** Jane McLean** David MacDonald** Jim Maruska** Elna Linder** Wayne Sundstrom** Chelsea Holt** Larry Kubiak** Jean Sundstrom** Katie Lund** Karl Randa** Dorothy Jean Vigliaturo*** Shirley Randa Vi Boder Mark Malander Russ Schramm Carl Swanson Ruth Dahl Carol Schramm Aletha Bartels Florence Kubiak Brian MacDonald Bruce Wells Lil Fontaine Julie Guddeck Darlyn Sundstrom Leo Plewa (Viewcrest)
4 Christ’s Messenger - February 2017
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Happy February!
We are very excited to spend the month of February sharing God's love with friends and
family.
We plan to have a Valentine party and a special date night for the parents.
When it was twenty below in January our playroom was turned into a tropical island! We
pretended the carpet was a sandy beach. Everyone enjoyed fun adventures in our very own tropical
paradise.
Prayer was extra special this past month at Open Arms.
One parent shared with me that her child prayed a special prayer at home for the first time. At dinner she
folded her hands and said, “thank you for my daycare and that momma always comes back. Amen.”
One little boy has been doing a lot of hitting and his big brother began praying for him during play time
and lunch time. He prays “Please Lord Jesus help my brother be nice to the kids and to me too.”
This same child was sharing this with us, he said, “Did you know that Jesus has magical powers? He can
make peoples’ legs work again.”
Then he turned to another child who is two and said, “Jesus can make you 3 when you are sleeping.”
“Yep,” he said, “He is magical.”
It is such a blessing to be able to watch these dear children grow in their faith. God is so good!
My prayer is that you will all be blessed this month with lots of love.
Mary Jo
John 3:16
The youth are still hosting the potluck game night the second Saturday of every month from
5-8 PM. It is good old fashioned fun for the whole family. We have lots of good food, laughter and
fun! Everyone is welcome!
Every Wednesday is youth night! At 6:15 PM we start with a light dinner followed by a Bible study
and an activity. We have fun crafts, games and sometimes movies to go with our bible study. Bring
a friend! We are done by 8:00 PM.
The youth are taking orders for lasagna dinners to go. Please pre-order to Chris at 218-310-2747
by Feb 2nd. The cost is $5.00 a dinner and it will be ready for pickup on Feb 5th. Proceeds will help
send youth to the AALC national conference in Colorado this summer.
The youth will be available to set tables and help clean up for soup suppers again this year. Just
contact Chris Stumpf and we will get the job done!
Any questions, please contact Chris Stumpf by email at [email protected]
or at 218-310-2747 .
5 Christ’s Messenger - February 2017
The next Hannah Circle
Food Share will be on February 12
Food
Share
Family Potluck & Game Night
Sat., Feb.11 from 5-8 PM
Thank you to everyone who helped
make the Esther Circle hat and mitten
clothesline project for Piedmont School
a success again this past year!
We collected a total of 90 items.
The items donated were so nice and a
big thanks to those of you that
handmade items.
We are so blessed to be part of such a
caring congregation.
The Esther Circle Ladies
The youth are taking orders for
lasagna dinners to go!
Please pre-order to Chris at 218-310-2747
by Feb 2nd. The cost is $5.00 a dinner
and it will be ready for pickup on Feb 5th.
Proceeds will help send youth to the AALC
national conference in Colorado this summer.
Join us for the 7th annual
Husband & Wife Valentine Ball
Fri., Feb. 10, 2017 from 6:30-11:00 PM
At Backwoods Event Center in Proctor
The cost is $65.00 per couple Dinner choices are: salmon, roast sirloin,
pork tenderloin, or baked manicotti. Dessert will also be provided
& wine will be available for purchase. Your evening together will be blessed
with an uplifting Christian message, a wonderful dinner,
and a romantic time of dancing. To make the evening more special,
reserve a room right next door at the AmericInn Hotel & Suites
by calling: 218‐624‐1026 Tickets may be purchased online,
but we would request that church members purchase them from an Evangelism Committee member.
Contact Carolyn Lofald with any questions. Checks can be made out to
“Evangelism Committee” We have a limited number of tickets
available, so please plan early.
February 4 at the DECC
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
Christ’s Messenger - February 2017 6
FINANCIAL UPDATE: 2016 Annual Budget: $245,733; Weekly $4,726
Offering _______ _ ___ Other ___________ Daycare ______________ Total
1/22/2017 $ 1,998 $ 50 $ 1,794 $ 3,842
Year to Date $ 10,362 550 3,405 14,317
Full Financial reports are posted in the narthex after each council meeting.
Christ Lutheran Church,
Thank you so much for the Super One gift card. That
was a nice surprise and I feel grateful to know you all.
I enjoy working with the children and teaching them
about Jesus.
Sincerely,
Susan Grover
Esther Circle Ladies & Peggy Wiita,
Thank you for the generous gift for Adam! The bag is
adorable and the toys inside are precious! Thank you
for thinking of us at Christmas!
Love,
Kelly, Katie & Adam Collins
February Mission of the Month:
February Missions of the Month:
THE ENCOUNTER
In one word, the Encounter is about relationships. Everything that the Encounter does is with the goal of building meaningful and em‐powering relationships. The knowledge that each person is created by God with a specific and special purpose makes each person mat‐ter to the people at the Encounter. The Encounter is designed to be a place where young people will want to spend time. They’ve engineered programs that give them opportunities to explore their interests and develop their tal‐ents. They want to see a generation of young people actively making a difference in the lives of their friends and in the world around them. The people at the Encounter acknowledge that the Christian faith is life‐changing and therefore it is central to what they do there. They spend time talking about matters of faith and encourage young peo‐ple to explore the Christian faith and ask questions for them‐selves. No part of their faith programming is ever forced on young people, and a young person is free to participate in all aspects of their programming regardless of their religious affiliation.
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes at all levels of sports to use the powerful medi‐um of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA focuses on serving the local community by equipping, empowering, and encour‐aging people to make a difference for Christ. It is their desire to pre‐sent coaches and athletes, and all the people they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. FCA ministers to coaches and athletes through Bible studies, prayer support, discipleship and mentoring, resources, outreach events, and retreats. FCA partners with local churches, businesses, parents, and volunteers to invest in coaches and athletes participating in club, recreational and youth sports teams. Their relationships demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through integrity, serving, teamwork, and excel‐lence. Please prayerfully consider a donation to either of this month’s mis‐sions, The Encounter or The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. You may make checks payable to Christ Lutheran Church and designate one of these missions specifically, or if you don’t designate a recipi‐ent, we will divide the gift between the two missions. Thank you for your continued support in our mission “To know Christ and to make
Him known.”
2017 Mission of the Month Designations January: TAALC February: Fellowship of Christian Athletes & The Encounter March: East European Missions Network April: TAALC May: Project Timothy & World Gospel Mission: Dr. Pete Olson June: The Sending Place July: Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry Philippine Missions (Chris Stumpf ) Western Great Lakes Region AALC Dues August: Lutheran Bible Translators September: Gideons October: MN Adult & Teen Challenge November: TAALC December: Faith Comes By Hearing