“praying for our nation and its leaders”files.stpaulsconcordia.org/july 2020 proclaim.pdfin 0 0...
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July 2020 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Concordia, MO
“Praying for Our Nation and Its Leaders” The Bible has much to say about prayer. It assures us God will hear our prayers (Jeremiah 29:12-13). We are encouraged to pray in times of trouble (James 5:13).
Our prayers need not be overly wordy (Matthew 6:7). Maybe we do not receive what we ask for in prayer because we have wrong, self-serving motives (James 4:3).
The Bible even gives us a model prayer—the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).
The Bible also urges “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV).
We hear a lot about what goes on in Washington D.C. Every word, every action is
put under the partisan microscope. It’s fodder for prognosticating and pontificating pundits. It’s the bread and butter of mainstream media. Aside from cat videos and
pictures of the food we eat, how else would social media continue without political posts and the acerbic comments they so often generate? Pray for our leaders. They need it.
Pray for our president, senators, and representatives. Pray for our governor. Pray for judges and all who adjudicate and administer our laws. These are human beings like you and me. They have gifts, talents, and training, yet they also have human
shortcomings and sinful guilt. Their work is hard, and what they do will always displease someone. Especially now, in an election year, especially now, as our
county faces social and economic turmoil, our leaders need our prayers. Pray for our leaders. We need it.
As each citizen takes an informed and active role in our political processes, the
place to start is prayer. Prayer recognizes our life and times are not in our control. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the United States Senate from 1947-1949 once prayed, “We confess, our Father, that we know in our hearts how much we need Thee, yet
our swelled heads and our stubborn wills keep us trying to do without Thee.” On our knees, head bowed and hands folded, we cannot continue under the delusion
that our political positions, political activism, and the actions of our leaders—those I agree with and those with whom I disagree—are the determining factor in our
shared future. Rather, it is God in His limitless wisdom, who leads, guides, and
directs according to His supreme grace in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Perhaps the news coming out of our nation’s capital highlights yet another lesson the Bible teaches about prayer: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV).
Pastor Michael
____________________________ 1Catherine Marshall, ed., The Prayers of Peter Marshall (New York: Guideposts, 1954), 120.
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Preaching...Teaching...Reaching Family Life Ministry
Where Do I Start? Sometimes the words flow easily when I write, and sometimes they do not. Sometimes I have an idea months before the looming
Proclaim deadline, and other times I have no clue until hours before it is due. Sometimes God puts situations or ideas before me
that I know are not a coincidence that I feel compelled to write about, and other times I procrastinate. I tend to write about things
I read, people I come into contact with, conversations that I have had, things that I have heard people say, situations I observe, personal experience, and the words that the beauty of nature
inspire within me, linking these everyday experiences together with the promises found in God’s Word. I don’t have it all
together and I don’t get it all right. Writing is sometimes an
overwhelming task because I don’t always know what to say, and
I feel like I owe the reader something that is worthy of their time. I want to engage my audience, but sometimes I don’t feel very engaging. I want to write so the words flow smoothly across the page, but sometimes my mind is a jumble. I want my writings to be easily understood, but words are not always
adequate. I don’t always follow grammar rules, and I am no bible scholar. To be quite honest, I don’t always feel like I am qualified, and once my words are out there on a printed page, there’s no taking
them back. Once I have given a glimpse into my soul, there is no hiding it again. I imagine that what some people take from my writings is not at all what I intended. Maybe they misunderstood something
in the way that I wrote my words, maybe I didn’t connect something correctly historically in the bible with my writings, maybe I took the words out of context and tried to apply them to something else....maybe this, maybe that. So where do I start?
I’ve learned that when my mind is racing or when I fell less than able, I need to start with what I know. I know that I am a loved and redeemed child of God. I know that Jesus died for my sins upon that cross
because He loves me with an unimaginable and incomprehensible love. I know that because Jesus rose, I will
one day live with Him eternally in heaven. I also know that I am a sinner and deserve nothing but death,
but because God sent His one and only Son to die for me, I know that He has a plan for me to live with Him eternally in heaven. I know that my Savior promises to be with me each and every second of every
day even though my thoughts and feeling may some days tell me differently. When I start to feel the gnawing feeling of inadequacy, or stress and fear seek to unravel me, my God is near. I know that Jesus has His hand outstretched for me to take hold of even when, and most importantly when, the journey of
life takes me down into the deep valleys that I never volunteered to travel. I also know that while I am here upon this earth, my Lord has a job for me. That job is to proclaim His name to all I come into con-
tact with whether it is through written words on a page, through spoken words that cross my lips, or simply through the actions that I exhibit. My prayer is always that the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be acceptable to my Lord and Savior and bear witness to Him. That is my motivation. If my heart is in the right place armed with the promises of God, then I know that my God will equip me along the way as He leads me to do His will.
So where do I start? I start with what I know. Dig into those promises of God. They are meant for you! Yes, we are sinners in need of a Savior. Of course we don’t always get it right, but we are redeemed
children through the blood of the Lamb, living under God’s umbrella of grace to do His bidding daily. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
~Gina Martens, Family Life Director
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Preaching...Teaching...Reaching Congregation News
Lutheran Women in Mission
Members of the LWML Missouri District originally planned to gather in Springfield, Missouri, June 12-14, 2020, to celebrate the theme, “20/20 Faith Vision.” A virtual mini-convention was held Saturday,
June 13, 2020. Rev. R. Lee Hagan, Missouri District President tied current events to the theme verse based on 2 Corinthians 5:7: for we walk by faith, not by sight. Attendees enjoyed Bible study and teaching
by Deb Burma and DCE Mark Kempff. Rev. Michael Pottschmidt of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in
Concordia, Missouri, was elected the new junior pastoral counselor. A mission goal of $355,000 was adopted. President Sally Handrick reminded members “As we move onward into the next biennium with
our 20/20 Faith Vision, we walk by faith not by sight.”
Time to Submit Mission Grant Proposals for the 2021 national LWML Convention in Lexington, Ken-
tucky. Electronic submission is requested by August 15, 2020, and the final hard copy submission is to be postmarked by September 30, 2020. Proposal information is available at www.lwml.org under the Mis-sions tab.
Confirmation Rescheduled for August 23
Aid members are reminded to continue praying for their confirmand partners. May the Spirit keep them
faithful and trusting in Jesus.
Ladies Aid #1 will meet July 7, at 7:00 p.m., in the Parish Office. Yvonne Mitkos will lead the devotion.
The evening’s program will be a report on the Missouri District Convention.
1912 Ladies Aid plans to meet July 14, at 1:30 p.m., in the Parish Office Building. Norine Block will
lead the Bible study. For roll call, members will answer, “What are your favorite walking shoes?” Aid
members will be helping to sort at Orphan Grain Train on July 28, at 1:00 p.m.
LWML Missouri District Holds Mini-Convention
Check out www.missourilwml.org to view the speakers,
Bible studies, & election results.
What are
your favorite
walking
shoes?
[when walking by faith]
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Preaching...Teaching...Reaching Congregation News
“The Book was Better” As you may know, I enjoy reading. So far in 2020, even in the midst of much of the other chaos (COVID-19, accreditation, etc), I found time to read fifteen books. I just
finished reading an excellent research book called “Relationships Count: Engaging and Retaining Millennials”.
Currently, I am reading the “Father Brown” series written by G. K. Chesterton between 1910 and 1936.
The stories tell the fictional tale of a Roman Catholic priest who regularly implants himself into local crime investigations. In 1974 and again since 2013, the BBC produced a “Father Brown” television series. While I enjoyed watching many episodes of “Father Brown”, I cannot help but think, “The
book was better”.
Many bad or inaccurate movies about The Bible have been produced. The movie “Noah” quickly comes
to mind. If you have not watched “Noah”, heed this advice, “Don’t!” “The Ten Commandments”, “The
Prince of Egypt”, and “The Passion” were all (according to some) enjoyable movies about The Bible; however, even still, I cannot help but think, “The book is better!”
While movies seek to entertain, the Bible displays God’s unending, unconditional, perfect love for mankind. While movies have some big-name actors (Heston, Crowe, Watson), the Bible has the name-
above-all-names (Jesus). While the movies show some great special effects, The Bible tells of the effect of sin and salvation through faith in God. The Bible was, is, and will always be the one true message of
faith and salvation for all mankind yesterday, today, and forever. What a great joy it is to me to share this message with the children of St. Paul’s Lutheran School!
~Nathanael Poppe, St. Paul’s Elem School Principal
Tails From Jessy the Comfort Dog Happy summer! I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather sent by God.
Church is open again! Praise God! I was able to go back to church to greet people this past Sunday. Everyone seemed so happy to be there. So many people were there. I don’t sing, but it was awesome to hear everyone sing “A Mighty Fortress” in
their best singing voices. It was a Sunday to remember!
Good news from my friends in Lake Ozark, MO. They are a congregation “in wait-ing” or “expecting” their Comfort Dog. They are going to be traveling next weekend to be trained as
handlers and caregivers, and they will finally get to meet their dog. The wait was long and hard at times. But they will soon be able to do all things that Comfort Dogs do. I wonder which dog it will be. I am the dog closest to Lake Ozark, so I think we will be good friends. God’s blessings to them on their new
endeavor.
I went to a wedding a couple of weeks ago. The son of one of my handlers, and brother of another was married in our church. I enjoyed getting to greet the guests as they came into church. It was a sunny day,
but I decided to stay indoors for the reception because my fur tends to make me hot on days like that. As more things open, I hope to be out and about more too. I hope to see you soon.
Love, Jessy
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Preaching...Teaching...Reaching
The Bees of God It’s happened to many of us. Your email didn’t go through. It could be a matter of just one letter or symbol being incorrect in the address. One
mistake prevented your message from being received.
Several years ago, the Nsenga New Testament translation team in Zambia discovered that one wrong letter is enough to make a huge
difference in the meaning of a Bible verse. While proofreading they
discovered that Romans 8:14 said ‘Wonse otanguliliwa na Nzimu wa
Mulungu ni wana a Mulungu.’ It’s supposed to say ‘Mzimu wa Mulungu.’ (For those who are led by
the Spirit of God are the children of God.)
What’s the problem? Mzimu means spirit. Nzimu are bees. Being led by the bees of God might seem
humorous to us—we can figure out what it’s really supposed to mean. But what if you were totally
unfamiliar with Scripture, knew nothing about Christianity? God gave us Holy Scripture so that we might know His plan
for our salvation. He tells us who we are, where we came from, how to live. Further, He commands that we share this
Good News so that others might believe. It is essential that the integrity of His Word is not impaired. That is why
missionaries serving through Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT) are highly trained. It’s the reason mother tongue speakers serve on translation teams on the field and why
draft portions are painstakingly checked and tested for accuracy.
Bible translations into the major European languages
began over 500 years ago. The Nsenga received the New Testament for the first time in their language just 4 years ago. Today, millions of people still remain without one word
of Scripture in their languages.
God’s Message must be sent, received, and understood by people everywhere. And to be understood, it must be
accurately translated—every word, every letter, every nuance. Thank you for supporting Bible translation through your prayers and gifts!
Mission News
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John & Jan Beerman
Paul & Jean Frerking
Andrew & Jennifer Jones
12 Beth Maggert
Lily Petty
Steve & Christy Frerking
13 Bradley Meineka
Linda Meineka
Ann Wolters
14 Colleen Gerdts
LaVern Meyer Mary Nierman
Gail Tieman
Nathan & Ann Beissenherz
Charles & Betty Bishop
15 Linda Anderson
Julie Bickle
Joshua Brown
Barb Eckhoff
Truman Eckhoff Carolyn Flandermeyer
Thomas Kirchhoff
Gordon & June Durand
Todd & Annette Kanoy
16 Chloe Brown
Abigayle Hartwig
Hope Mehl
Marta Pitsch Rustin Strobel
Jake Tagtmeyer
Dennis Tieman Walter & Judy Loeber
17 Barbara Alewel
Wilbert Schlesselman Carl & Julie Bonar
Mark & Melissa Grass
Brad & Judy Roepe
18 Donna Deterding
Larry McGinnis Craig Poese
Ben & Katelynn Stuenkel
19 Joanna Peuster
Braylon Wiskur
20 Kelly Frerking
Nathan McCaslin
Phyllis Mieser
David Rehmsmeyer Larry & Grace Grass
21 Kayla Clouse
Susan Jaster
Faith Moore
Kaleb Virus
Randy & Sandra Hinck
William & Angela Ivie
Brad & Sarah Meineka
Dennis & Susan Petty
22 Violet Kirchhoff
Todd Martens
Roger & Vicki Kirchhoff
Tracey & Pamela Werths
23 Karen Bauer
Sarah (Jeff) Heins Norma Iserman
Stephanie Luetjen
Jennifer McCaslin Eric Ritzma
Mark & Susan Oetting
24 Arleen Fiene
Brayden Frerking
Curtis Meyer
Marie Meyer Harland & Phyllis Mieser
25 Brenda Frerking
Jameson Oetting
Rose Sortore
26 Sherry Graham
Lee Harrington
Robin Kerksiek
Darlene Meyer Logan Muehler
Jeffrey Schlueter
27 Ava Denton
Jesse Flandermeyer
Nathan Gerdts
Debra Kirchhoff Noah Rankin
Charles Snider
Darl & Geri Fuhrman
Ronald & Karen Heins
28 Melanie Dittmer
Karrah Rehkop
Krista Rehkop
Stephen & Tina Bredehoeft
29 Thomas Bennett
Lyle Freund Marlene Lange
Tiffanie Schuette
Connie Tebbenkamp
30 Robin Graves
Mark Heins
Victoria Pottschmidt Breawna Woods
31 Judy Krause
Matthew Rankin Joseph and Lori Connell
1 Rachel Lange
Roman Strobel
Omar & Gracie Bredehoeft
Mark & Patty Schnakenberg
2 Betty Bishop
Gina Butler
Ruby Dean Frerking
Rebecca Heath Steven Kirchhoff
Donna Maddox
Rod McCaslin Rick & Diana Stumbaugh
3 Linda Kammeyer
Kayla Muehler Christine Murray
Daniel Reith
Brett & Debra Brackman
Chris & Amy Gerdts
John & JoAn Jacobsen
4 Herbert Aversman
Steven Knight
Mary Krause Kim Roepe
5 Breana Rolf
6 Hayden Brandt
Julia Peuster
David & Alyssa Pfannkuch
7 Carolyn Graham
Rebekah Grass Jesse Palmer
Tim and Hope Mehl
Todd & Rachel Martens
8 Wil Ivie, Jr
Russell Kruse
Sara Nierman Kim Strobel
9 Loetta Flandermeyer
Leticia Kruse
John Kuecker
10 Omar Bredehoeft
David Meyer
Harry Rehkop IV
Adam Roepe Chris & Abbie Wasson
11 Alicia Heimsoth
Johnie Meyer
James Peuster
Andrew Self
Rebekah Self Cynthia Stuenkel
Preaching...Teaching...Reaching July Birthdays and Anniversaries
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Preaching...Teaching...Reaching
Serving this Month - July
Elders - Eric Ritzma;
Paul Brandt; Don Schlesselman
Sound System - Bill Ivie 8:00am
Jon Haase 10:30am
Ushers - Chad Nuelle;
Tyler Frerking; Matthew Rose
8:00am: Randy Mahnken, Capt.;
Rusty McGinnis, Alan Vogelsmeier, Jeffrey Heins, Roger Luedeman, Kevin Hemme, Neal Hinck,
Kent Petty, Mark Schelp, Pat Inman, Hayden Brown,
Carter Brown,Mark Petersen, Chris Maggert, Gerry Stauch
Altar Guild - Rachel Lange;
Norine Block; Alice Strobel
Dial-A-Devotion - Rev. Michael
Pottschmidt
10:30am: Ben Lange, Capt.; Greg Schmidt, Andrew Oetting,
Stan Kirchhoff, Greg Brown, Kyle Borgstadt, Aaron Frerking,
Allan Hentges
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