Greetings in the name of God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! This month, I would like to share a story with you that I read recently in On this day: 265 amazing and inspiring stories about Saints, Martyrs & Heroes published by Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville. “Was the first Thanksgiving really held by the pilgrims shortly after the Mayflower anchored at Plymouth? Texans claim the first Thanksgiving in America was proclaimed in Palo Duro Canyon by Padre Juan De Cadilla for Coronado’s troops in 1541, 79 years before the Pilgrims. At any rate, Thanksgiving as an annual national holiday was slow in coming. Throughout early American history, some leaders issued Thanksgiving proclamations; some did not. Many were against it for various reasons, and Thanksgiving was an on-again, off-again affair … until Sarah Hale got hold of it. Sarah was a young widow with five children and a millinery shop. She used spare moments for writing, and in 1823 her first book appeared. She was soon hired as editor of a small magazine; then, in 1837, she was named editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, the nation’s foremost women’s magazine. Circulation mushroomed. Godey’s wasn’t a Christian magazine, but Sarah, an Episcopalian, was a devout Christian who injected religious issues into her editorials. In 1846 she launched a crusade to establish Thanksgiving as a holiday. She wrote stirring editorials about it, and November issues featured Thanksgiving poetry, stories, and turkey recipes. She pelted politicians with personal letters on the subject, and by 1859 30 governors had agreed to a common day of Thanksgiving. Still, no national holiday emerged. As America lurched toward civil war, Sarah tried a new tactic. Disunion, she wrote in 1859, could be averted by Thanksgiving: “If every State would join in union Thanksgiving on the 24th of this month, would it not be a renewed pledge of love and loyalty to the Constitution!”

The Parson’s Pen…

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 Parson’s Pen

2 Parson’s Pen cont.

3 Serving in October /

October Events

4 Midweek & Confirmation

Camp Pictures

5 Texas District Missions

6 LCMS Budget Summary

7 NCTC Programs

“Jesus holds every life—

even the tiniest—in the nail-scarred palm of His hand.”

October 2013

By Pastor Larry Knobloch

Continued on page 2

St . P et er L u th er an C hu rc h - LCM S, 906 Hwy 59 N – P O Box 133 , Bowi e, TX 76 23 0 www.st p et er te x.co m s tp et er te x@at t . ne t 94 0.8 72 .188 6

The Key to

St. Peter

Page 2 The Key to St. Peter

The Parson’s Pen from page 1

But war erupted in 1861. In 1863 she wrote President Lincoln, “laying before you a subject of deep interest … the day of our annual Thanksgiving made a national and fixed union festival.” The beleaguered president finally agreed, and on October 3, 1863 he established Thanksgiving as a national holiday for the last Thursday of November. Even in war, Lincoln said, we can count our blessings: “They are gracious gifts of the most high God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.” O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:1 As you check your calendar in 2013, you know that we celebrate the modern day Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. But the roots of the original Thanksgiving holiday actually began in October when there didn’t seem to be too much to celebrate in our country. Right now, it might seem like there is not much to celebrate in our country either, but as President Lincoln observed, “Even in war, we can count our blessings”. It might seem like the world is against us at times, but really take the time and counts your blessings. The roof over your head, the food in your stomach, the clothes on your back. It may not be the finest, but it is still a blessing. How about every beat of your heart and breath that you take? Those are blessings too and they most certainly count. If all else fails, your possessions and your health, how about the greatest blessing that you have? God has sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to die for your all of sins. Through faith in Him as your Savior, you have the promise of eternal life. That cannot be taken away from you. That blessing is indeed forever. God’s Blessings to all as we approach the 496th anniversary of the Reformation Pastor K

Baptism of Karlee Paige Hughes

The Key to St. Peter Page 3

Serving in God’s House in October

Elder – Waldo Roth

Counters – Ed Robinson / Jimmie Little / Jim McConeghy

Altar Guild – Sharon Rainwater

Altar Care – Valarie Gill / Donna Roth / Kelly Roth

Nursery –

10/6 – Maci Ferguson / Monica Mayfield

10/13 – Katie Jones / Shelby Horton

10/20 – Kelly Roth / Hattie Hammer

10/27 – Lily Gill / Aubrey Gill

Lay Readers –

10/6 – William Pickett

10/13 – Bryan Roth

10/20 – Travis Fechtler

10/27 – Arn Anderson

Acolytes –

10/6 – Mary Atkinson / Shelby Horton

10/13 – Dalton Fechtler / Sid Mayfield

10/20 – Josh Knobloch / Will Jones

10/27 – Lauren Gill / Hattie Hammer

Greeters –

Molly Atkinson & Vonita Drager

October 12th

Ranger Scout Fun Day 4-7 p.m.

St. Paul Family Center

October 5th

Girls Night Out

October 19th

St. Peter LWML is this year’s host for Fall Zone Rally.

October 27th

“31” Fundraiser

2:00 pm in Fellowship Hall

Saturday, October 19th

Second Annual Circuit

Seven Softball Get-

Together

will be at Zion, Lockett

Upcoming in November

Marriage Encounter Weekend - November 1-3, Richardson, TX

Page 4 The Key to St. Peter

Confirmation Camp

Midweek

The Key to St. Peter Page 5

Top 20 Developments in Texas District Missions 2013

Circuit Counselors Conference, September 2013 "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15).

Area A 1. Mission Summit 2 hosted by Faith Lutheran in Sweetwater drew 20 congregations to discuss Rural/Small town ministry

and mission outreach tools and ideas. 2. The results of Mission Summit 2 include ongoing investigation of communities by local congregations all across the Area

using MissionInsite, the development of coaching relationships for missional activity, and increased congregational movement in mission.

3. The West Texas A&M Campus ministry involving St. Paul Lutheran, Canyon is well underway and the 2013-2014 academic year is greatly anticipated.

4. Circuit Four continues to lead the mission effort at Candelaria, providing various items and activities that support the efforts of the spiritual, medical, and economic components of this mission.

5. Circuits Four, Five and Six have the challenge of addressing the Oil Exploration Explosion.

Area B 6. LINC North Texas continues to reach 1400 young people and their families through the SALI program in 14 Dallas area

public schools. A number of area faith communities are being planned, including a Spanish-speaking group in 2013-14. Rev. Landon Ledlow has begun the work to launch missional communities in the south Fort Worth area.

7. Disciples of the Way Lutheran Outreach operates several churches that reach Muslims with the Gospel. The "Women of the Way" continue to reach out through creative ministries. A new DOW partnership has been formed with Christ, Fort Worth.

8. The Eternity Matters Most Network is training 6 church planters 9. The Apostolic Antiochian Church in Hurst is served by Abjar Bakhou, church planter for this largely Syrian and Iraqi

congregation. Fadi Bahnam, serves as assistant and will begin EIIT training. 10. The Vine in Grapevine (planted out of St. Peter, Roanoke) and The Edge Coffee House (Planted out of Crown of Life,

Colleyville) are reaching out through missional communities.

Area C 11. ACTS Church Leander launched September 8. This is the first church launch of the ACTS Network. 12. A new LINC, LINC Austin, is in formation. Collaborative conversations have just begun with local pastors and churches. 13. Christ's Corner baseball field ministry debuted to the community in Mercedes, TX. 14. LINC San Antonio Haven for Hope homeless shelter worship had its first baptism. LINC also helped engage 8000 young

people in service projects during the National youth Gathering. 15. A Hispanic ministry conference at Cristo Nuestro Salvador, San Antonio gathered 50 leaders from around the state for

fellowship and growth in ministry.

Area D 16. A possible start of a Telegu mission in partnership with Memorial, Houston is underway. 17. LINC Houston has helped launch two new Hispanic congregations so far in 2013. Three additional new church starts are

anticipated. 18. Hilltop, Houston initiated a nextgen English-speaking ministry to Koreans under the leadership of Paul (Ho) Kim, who will

be seeking colloquy as an ordained pastor. 19. Bread of Life, Palacios, under the leadership of Earl Hudson (elder at Our Redeemer, Palacios), serves over 2000 meals per

month to anyone who needs one. Cost per meal because of donation: about $1.70. 20. Eight congregations from Area D and three from Area B attended a two-day Multi-site workshop with Geoff Surrat held at

Salem, Tomball. Six of the Area D congregations are either currently planting or very likely will in the next three years.

Area A: Steven Misch - smisch@txdistlcms.org Area B: Paul Krentz - krentztx@txdistlcms.org; Area C: Michael Newman - mnewman@txdistlcms.org Area D: Jon Braunersreuther - jon.braunersreuther@txdistlcms.org