Download pastor dave`s reflections for january

BETHLEHEM NEWSLETTER
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 469
[email protected]
Elgin, Texas 78621
512-285-5036
http://www.bethlehem-elgin.org/
JANUARY 2015
Worship Time: 10 AM
Adult Sunday School 9 AM
PASTOR DAVE’S REFLECTIONS FOR JANUARY
“What in God’s Name are you doing?” Ever heard that question? The addition of “God’s name” makes the
question more emphatic, as though a specific act may have eternal significance. As we begin this new year, we
might look at God’s Name, to sharpen our focus on God.
The BIBLE HANDBOOK FOR STUDENTS 1 (page 5) informs us about “The Mighty Tetragrammation.”
“It sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel: the mighty Tetragrammation! But actually it refers to God’s
Old Testament covenant name: the LORD. “Tetra means ‘four’ in Greek. Grammation refers to “letters” as in
letters of the alphabet. Tetragrammation, then refers to a four-letter name that Bible translators render YHWH,
“Yahweh, or Jehovah” the latter reflecting the addition of Hebrew vowel sounds. The Hebrews so revered the name
of God that they feared mispronouncing it, so when it occurred they substituted the word “Adonai” or Lord. So
when your encounter the “Lord God” you know both the word Yahweh and El are in the original Hebrew text. El
was the common name for God in the ancient Semitic world.
This is the covenant name for God that Moses experienced at the burning bush when he requested the name
of the one sending him to liberate his fellow kinsmen from bondage in Egypt. To know someone’s name meant you
could call upon them and you received a certain recognition or power from that knowledge. Just as you turn to
respond when someone calls your name in a public place.
We learned in English class that names were ‘proper nouns.’ But the remarkable thing about God’s name is
that it’s root is a verb, in fact the verb “to be or to cause to be.” While it often is translated “I AM” it could also be
translated, “I cause to be” or more loosely “I am the One who makes it so.” In Exodus 34:4-7 we note the goodness
of God is revealed, and we can see how the name came to suggest “The One who Makes Good things happen.”
The Yah part of the tetragrammation forms the first part of the Hebrew name Joshua, the O.T. version of
Jesus. So it’s not far fetched to say the very name Jesus means ”The One who makes salvation happen.” In the
Gospel of John Jesus used I AM statements to suggest that He is God’s Son and participates in God’s causative
power. When Jesus says, “I AM the Good Shepherd…I AM the vine, you are the branches…the “I AM” is a
reminder to his Hebrew hearers that he participates in the very power of God. Perhaps this is why the theologian
Paul Tillich referred to God as ‘the ground of being.’ The very name of God claimed by Jesus is a verb. Remember
verbs describe action or state action or state of being.
We might say verbs are a moving target while nouns are stationary. We experience God as both
transcendent—“beyond and above us” as eminent, “God close to us” or near. The word Immanuel means literally
‘God with us’ as Matthew’s Gospel written to a Hebrew audience affirms.
As we begin the new year may we experience God both as near and beyond us, a source of life and
meaning. Or as James claims in his N.T. letter, God is the source of “every good and perfect gift.”
~ Blessings,
Pr. Dave ~
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION
Our annual meeting will be held on Sunday, January 18th, immediately following
our worship service. At that time we will vote on council persons, approve a budget
for 2015, and conduct any other business that comes before the congregation. The
meeting will last approximately one hour after which we will enjoy potluck soup and
sandwiches together. Please make every attempt to attend this meeting in that
decisions affect the congregation for the upcoming year. Everyone’s input is needed
and appreciated.
COMPLETE IN CHRIST
“You are complete in Him who is the head if all principality and power.”
Colossians 2:10
STEWARDSHIP FOR DECEMBER
Member Offering
Non-Member
Christmas Eve
Sponsor-A-Family
Cook Books
Total
-
$ 3,485.00
92.00
367.00
583.00
15.00
$ 4,542.00
Balance, 12-1-14
Dec Income
Dec Expenses
Balance, 12-29-14 -
$
4,004.99
4,542.00
- 3,817.86
$ 4,729.13
Average Att: 28
ALTAR FLOWERS
The new flower chart for 2015 is now posted on the bulletin board. Please sign up for any
Sundays you’d like to provide flowers in memory or honor of someone.
JANUARY
5 – Irene Magnuson
7 – Emerson Prinz
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
14 – Kalli Coffey
15 – Sherry Moore
16 – Bethlehem - 1897
20 – Estelle Larson
25 – Martin Samuelson
REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS the following who have been in nursing homes, are homebound, ill,
have been lifted up in prayer, called, or sent cards of cheer or sympathy during December. Please call
Glenda Samuelson at 281-4031 if you would like to place someone on our prayer chain, If your recovery
has progressed enough to have your name released, let us know so that we can rejoice with you.
Dietrich Kessel
Mary Ann Gustafson
Christian Sympathy to Mark Nygard and Family upon the death of their mother and grandmother, Arlene
Nygard..
Concerns continue for Donnie Snowden, John Fabac, Sue Saathoff, Merv Krause, Virginia Ayers, Rev. Ed
Schwanke, Tarrel Hamann, LaVelle Hanson, Faye Holzworth, Char Nichols, Wanda Anderson, Hazel
Schiwitz.
MEN’S BREAKFAST The monthly men’s breakfast will be held on Saturday, January 10th at Lucy’s
at 110 Depot Ave in Elgin at 8:00 am. (Please note that the sign over the business still says San Jose).
All men are encouraged to attend and enjoy the fellowship of other men from New Sweden and St.
Peter’s. A table will be set up for the group, and it is pay-as-you-go (or dutch treat).
SPONSOR-A-FAMILY Thanks so much to everyone who donated toward the gifts for the family that
Bethlehem adopted for Christmas, and to the shoppers and wrappers for selecting and preparing the gifts.
As a result, one more Elgin family enjoyed a bountiful Christmas this year.
UPCOMING PROJECTS This Sunday, January 4th, the 2nd Sunday After Christmas, right after church
we will take down our Christmas tree and store the decorations for next Christmas. If you can stay over
for a few extra minutes to help, it won’t take long…..”many hands make light the work!!!” Another
upcoming project will be the removal of some dead branches and tree limbs from the church property
along with other needed outdoor yard tasks. Let James Prinz know if you can help. Then he will inform
you of the date once it has been determined.
A CONTINUING REMINDER….SIGNS OF A STROKE
Remember FAST
F – Face is drooping
A – Arms…can’t lift or hold overhead
S – Cannot Smile or Stick out tongue.
T – Talk…cannot say or repeat a simple sentence.
Immediately call 911 if you see any of the following symptoms in someone.
A FAST response can make a difference.
FAITH IN ACTION
Once again we are sharing a story from the ELCA publication called “Faith in Action.” We often
wonder how our offerings to the church are used. These stories shared in our newsletters as space allows
record a number of ways we help others through our contributions. The title for this account is called, “A
People of Hope” and tells about new hope in the previously ravaged country of Rwanda.
After the 1994 genocide, Rwanda is flourishing and so is the Lutheran Church in
Rwanda—a church founded in the months following the 100 day-long slaughter.
Lutherans initially gained recognition in Rwanda thanks to post-genocide relief work
by The Lutheran World Federation—a worldwide communion including the ELCA. When
returning refugees organized the Lutheran church, they found that Hutus and Tutsis alike
were willing to trust the new church because it was “neutral” and had played no role in the
genocide.
Today Rwandans of all backgrounds live, work and worship together. “In many
areas, it is hard to know who is who unless someone tells you which group they belonged
to,” says John Rutsindintwarane, pastor and general secretary of the Lutheran Church of
Rwanda. “People have hope, there is less corruption than in neighboring countries, and the
country is more organized than countries that have never faced genocide.”
The Lutheran Church of Rwanda has grown to 40,000 members. Ministries focus on
peace and reconciliation and also contribute to the continuing renewal of Rwanda, a country
now marked by increasing stability.
Grants and mission personnel, companion synod relationships, continuing work
through “The Lutheran World Federation and prayer are part of the day-to-day relationship
between the Lutheran Church of Rwanda and the ELCA. With the ELCA Young Adults in
Global Mission program expanding to Rwanda in 2014, relationships have deepened. As
the shadows of genocide continue to clear, the young people will live among Rwandan
Lutherans in the growing light of Easter hope.
“It’s unbelievable, and it’s not just people’s efforts alone. It is God who has enabled
us to come back from exile,” says John.
JANUARY DUTIES
ACOLYTES
Volunteers
USHERS
Travis Lundgren
Don Lundgren
GREETERS
Julie Lundgren
Betty Lundgren
ALTAR GUILD
Marge Carlson
Carol Krech
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
Dale Kessel
Server: John Carlson