August 2017 Newsletter

Sacramental Life: An Introduction to Baptism and its Physicality By Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer Many do not understand the blessings of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. They think of them as human works. They say that in Baptism, we dedicate our lives to the Lord, and that in the Lord's Supper, we remember our Lord's death for us. But that's about it. They are symbols. The real action, they would say, is in faith, personal commitment, personal relationship. And surely, we would affirm faith as central. But then, faith has an object. The women with the blood flow was saved by her faith (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48) in Jesus. But her blood flow stopped when she touched the hem of the garment. Or we might think the story of the Naaman the Leper (2 Kings 5). Elisha told Naaman to wash himself seven times in the Jordan river. At first, he was skeptical. Why go to such a dirty and insignificant river? Well, what did he have to lose? And the prophet told him to, so he did. And having washed in the Jordan, he was cleansed from his leprosy. So it is, that God used, and still uses, physical means to bring about his miracles. In faith the woman reached out, and in faith Naaman made his trip to the Jordan. But apart from Christ's cloak and the Jordan's water, there would have been no healing. So it is with Baptismal water. By Christ's power, by his death and resurrection, Baptismal water becomes a powerful washing, a regeneration. God is Spirit, but he does not despise the flesh. Our Lord became flesh, and is still happy in his body of flesh and blood. The Spirit of God hovered over the waters of creation, even as he hovers over the waters of our new creation in Baptism. You see, our Lord did not come to end the world of physical things, but to renew it. So, he uses physical elements, and he transforms them to a higher task. Water gives life, it washes, it drowns, it quenches, so also in Baptism, where it gives us a new Genesis, washing away the leprosy and filth of our sin, drowning the old Adam, destroying our enemies in a flood of forgiveness and salvation. This is no man-made work, but the work of the Triune God of Genesis. God the Father created the world though his word, the Son of God, the Logos. And the Spirit hovered over the waters. So also in Christ's baptism, our Lord stands in the river, as the Father speaks, and the Spirit descends, as Luke says, "in bodily form." (Yes, the Spirit works through means, through water and word.) So, also at our Baptism. This is not our faith commitment, as if we could make ourselves members of God's family. It is God giving us new life in Christ. It is God adopting us into his family. And as we are baptized into Christ, we too call on God as "Abba, Father," and we pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven." Yes, there is faith. There is faith to believe Christ's promise, even as Naaman in faith, though weak, did as Elisha instructed. Even as in faith, friends brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Even as in faith, we bring our own little ones to the font, that they might become members of God's family. Yes, physical means. Yes, water the basic element of life is taken by our good creator and put to higher use. This is where God works still, blesses still, forgives and gives life still, just as he promised. But isn't that just like our God? A God who created a physical world, and saw that it was good? A God whose Son took upon himself our flesh, and still bears it. A God who entered into communion with our world, that we might be in Communion with Him. Ah, but that's another post - - on the Lord's Supper. + + + Reverend Bart Day Accepts Position as LCEF President and CEO July 18, 2017 | Posted by LCEF Reverend Bart Day, Executive Director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Office of National Mission, has accepted the call to become the next President and CEO of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). Following much prayer and diligence, the LCEF Board of Directors extended the call to Reverend Day on July 14. He succeeds Rich Robertson, who announced in November 2016 that he would retire from the position on October 1, 2017. Day’s official start date is September 1, 2017. In his new position, Day will oversee LCEF’s investments, loans and ministry support activities, communicate to and with LCEF’s partner organizations and assist the LCEF Board of Directors in establishing the overall course and direction of the organization. “I am completely humbled by the call to serve as President and CEO of LCEF,” Day said upon his acceptance of the position. “LCEF has faithfully served the church for the last 39 years and the work of providing funds and services for the sharing of the Gospel will extend long into the future. The opportunity to serve such a wonderful organization along with such committed people is overwhelming. The Lord has certainly led me on an unusual path in the church these past twenty years; giving me the opportunity to serve in ways I never imagined when leaving the seminary. Each new open door has been a blessing and a delight. Together with our investors and borrowers I look forward to a bold future at LCEF.” In his six years of directing The Office of National Mission, Day’s primary responsibility was the implementation of the policies of the Board for National Mission. This work included overseeing 20 ministries that supported districts, congregations, schools and workers of the Synod in their witness, mercy and life together. Day served as the interim Chief Mission Officer from 2014 to 2015, reporting directly to the President of the Synod. From 2015 to 2016 he served as interim Executive Director of Pastoral Education, overseeing the coordination of pre-seminary, seminary and post-seminary education programs and projects of the Synod. He began his career as an associate pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas—a position to which he was called in 1997. From 2005 to 2011 he served concurrently as headmaster at Memorial Lutheran School. Day’s service to the church also includes leading or participating in numerous mission trips to such countries as the United Kingdom, Mexico, Nicaragua and Kenya. Since 2002 he has served in a number of volunteer professional service positions, including board member for The Friends of Westfield House (Houston, Texas), Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran Hour Ministries and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. A graduate of Concordia Teachers College (Concordia University), Seward, Nebraska, he also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Day and his wife, Julie, have six children and reside in Sunset Hills, Missouri. They are members of Hope Lutheran Church in St. Louis. “The LCEF board and staff is excited to have Reverend Day come aboard,” LCEF Board of Directors Chairperson Rev. Max Phillips said, “as we endeavor to serve the Lord Jesus and His church how we do it best; with stable practice and innovative design. We invite our brothers and sisters in Christ to join us in praying for the mission of LCEF and for Bart as he begins this new phase of his ministry to and with God’s people.” LCEF is grateful Day accepted the call to succeed Rich Robertson as their next President and CEO. LCEF thanks Rich Robertson for his vision, focus and leadership for the past eight years. The organization has been blessed to have a servant-leader such as Rich commit so much to the service of both LCEF and the LCMS. LCEF, a nonprofit organization, provides loans and facility-planning services to LCMS churches, schools and rostered church workers through investment support of church members. The mission of LCEF is to support the Church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by being a Christ-centered servant partner of the LCMS, ensuring that funds and services are available now and in the future. CEO, LCEF, LCMS, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, President, Reverend Bart Day, Rich Robertson + + + There is a new way to help Trinity financially for those who shop at Amazon: do your shopping at smile.amazon.com and they will donate 0.5% of the total to Trinity Lutheran. There is no extra cost added to your purchases, so this is a simple way to send a little extra money to the church. You can find us by searching "Trinity Lutheran Morrill," at the smail.amazon.com website, or type this address in your browser: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-6060166 + + + Council Meeting June 15, 2017 Chairman Don Bowlin called the June Council meeting to order with Pastor Humphrey giving the opening devotion. The minutes from the May Council meeting were approved as read as was the treasurer’s report. Pastor’s report: Pastor reminded that he will be on vacation June 19-27 and that Pastor Found will fill in. He has also been asked to fill in for Pastor Morris on July 2 and 9. VBS will be July 8th from 10-3. He said Gary Williams has volunteered to take the stump out of the backyard. The District Men’s Retreat will be at Casper Mountain July 7-9. Elders’ report: Elmer Wohl stated Pastor has 2 weddings in July. Trustees’ report: Virgil Ritz stated he still does not have a copy of the new insurance policy. Jim Swenson reported on some ideas to protect the air conditioners from hail. S.S.Supt: Pastor reported that Sunday School would break for the summer, but they have some videos to show the children. Old Business: Pastor stated we are still in need of a church secretary. New Business: Don Bowlin suggested the idea of a church picnic but no date was set. There being no other business, the meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Gerald Ritz, secretary Quarterly Voters’ Meeting July 19, 2017 Don Bowlin called meeting to order and Pastor Humphrey gave the opening devotion. The minutes of the April Voters’ meeting were approved as read. The treasurer’s report was approved as printed. Pastor’s report: Pastor read a letter from Virginia Engebretsen requesting to retire as of July 31. He stated if anyone was interested in the position to contact him or Don Bowlin. He will be going to Lander for the Lander Youth Camp on August 6-10 as a counselor. Reported there is some water seepage on the west wall of the basement. ChurchTrac no longer supports the version we have. Elders’ report: Wes Bowlin stated there is nothing to report. Trustees’ report: Virgil Ritz reported J G Elliott Ins Co would like a written statement regarding our policy on Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender issues. Pastor will draft a statement. Old Business: none New Business: A motion was made by Gary Williams, second by Charlotte Herrell to allow Pastor a vacation day on July 30th. Carried. Don Bowlin stated he will call a special meeting in 2 weeks to discuss the secretary vacancy. There being no other business to discuss, the meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. Gerald Ritz, secretary + + + LWML Convention by the Numbers If you are interested in numbers, enjoy these from the Albuquerque convention, June 22-25: • Total number of convention attendees was 3,471 of which 850 were first time attendees. • Total Young Woman Representatives attending was 81. • Tee Up 4 Mites raised $15,255.78 with approximately 48 people participating. • The Mission in Motion/Mission Pledge Walk raised $72,683.06 with 1,132 participating. • The blood donation drive had 106 participants. • Gifts from the Heart donations provided: 340 Sheet Sets, 161 Baby Kits, 229 School Kits, 4,607 Items of Underwear, 22 Boxes of Towels and Linens, and $31,256 in Gift Cards, Cash, and Checks. • Servant Events participants provided the following items to non-profits agencies in the region: 432 Marked Bibles, 100 Hygiene Bags, 3,000 Personal Care Kits, 354 Fleece Blankets, 1,147 Cards for Phil's Friends, 99 Quilts, and 639 School Kits. • Convention Offering #1, for the Mission Goal, received $48,818.52.Offering #2, a 75th Anniversary Thank Offering for the LWML Endowment received $51,884.84. Offering #3, for a bilingual worker priest on the US/Mexico border through Concordia Lutheran Church, Chula Vista, California received $31,964.81. Offering #4, for the "God Cares About You" mission in Albuquerque received $33,710.56. • There were 71 Mission Flags representing the countries where LWML has provided mission grants. • Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow! Attending from Trinity Women’s Society were Lisa Kaufman, Pine Ridge LWML Zone President and Melvin Dillman. Melvina worked at the convention with the Wyoming District who co-hosted the National LWML convention in Albuquerque.