September Newsletter

Various and Sundry Yes, it’s time for another “miscellaneous” column from Pastor, one about assorted things that are going on here at Trinity. It might not be the most exciting thing you’ll read this week, but there are plenty of necessary things that happen and so we ought to be aware of them. First of all, I must let all of you know—if you didn’t already—that Virginia has stepped down as Trinity’s church secretary at the end of July due to needing to be home more often. She has served us very faithfully and very well for over 12 years now, and so much got done here by her that we may not realize. Therefore, I would like to take the time to publically and officially thank Virginia for all her work here at Trinity over the years. Virginia: you are truly appreciated by us and your work will be missed. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. However, Virginia’s departure doesn’t mean that we’re left high and dry: after many requests and much searching, the church council has extended the position to Ashley Wagoner, who has recently moved back to our area with her husband Randal and their two little ones. Since Ashley is new, and I will be helping out, but neither of us have the experience that Virginia does, please bear with us as we learn the ropes here. That means you may need to specifically let Ashley know to do something that Virginia had automatically done for you—things of that nature. Newsletters and bulletins may not look exactly like they have in the past, since they’re being set up by different people. Speaking of bulletins, before too long we are going to change the format on the standard size worship bulletins. They’ll go from 8 ½ by 14 inch paper back to 8 ½ by 11 paper. The reason for this is that the latter is quite a bit cheaper—usually at least $20 per case, and sometimes as much as $50 if there is a sale or rebate happening. That adds up over a year’s time, and we hope it will save the church at least a few hundred dollars annually. This will mean a slight reformatting of the bulletins, of course, and there may be some things moved to the monthly newsletter instead of printing them every week in the bulletin. For example, we’ll probably have the “Good News for Families” put in the newsletter rather than printing an insert every week, and if space is at a premium, we may move the anniversary dates to the newsletter as well. No doubt there will be some adjusting in things that are there as we move forward. Lastly, on a personal note, on behalf of my family I would like to thank everyone at Trinity for your many prayers, sympathy cards, the lovely floral arrangement and the many kind words as we mourned the passing of Roxane’s mother, Phyllis. The saints at Trinity have always been very kind to us and we’re grateful for your thoughtfulness and support. Yes, we grieve, but not as those who have no hope, and we rejoice that she is in blesséd rest with the Lord and all the saints. In Christ’s Peace— Pastor Ken Humphrey On Election By Synod President Rev. Matt Harrison Years ago, while undergoing some trial I don't even recall, my friend John Fale pointed me to this piece from the Book of Concord. It's gold. "This doctrine [eternal election] provides glorious consolation under the cross and amid temptations. In other words, god in His counsel, before the time of the world, determined and decreed that He would assist us in all distresses. He determined to grant patience, give consolation, nourish and encourage hope, and produce an outcome for us that would contribute to our salvation. Also, Paul teaches this in a very consoling way. He explains that God in His purpose has ordained before the time of the world by what crosses and sufferings He would conform every one of His elect to the image of His Son. His cross shall ad must work together for good for everyone, because they are called according to God's purpose. Therefore, Paul has concluded that hit is certain and beyond doubt that neither "tribulation, or distress," neither "death nor life," or other such things "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (See Romans 8:28; 29, 35, 38, 39) Readers Ed. of the Book of Concord, FC SD 11.48ff., p. 639. Here are the verses referenced in Romans: 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[i] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[j] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Synod at work with Texas District toward Hurricane Harvey relief Dear Friends in Christ, I am sending this heads-up to you, the rostered workers of our church body, to let you know that your national Synod office, working hand-in-glove with officials in the Texas District, is going all out to help in any and every way possible those affected by Hurricane Harvey and the unprecedented flooding in southeastern Texas. Owing to the nature of massive disasters — in this case, the worst flooding of Harvey is yet to come — no one yet knows the full picture of the situation or the exact plan for effective Lutheran responses. We do know it will require a lot of physical support and aid over the long haul, along with prayers, Word and Sacrament ministry and pastoral counseling. A truly effective response demands that the people of the Church walk and work in a coordinated way, because no one entity can handle something like this apart from the capacity others can bring to bear. LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and its LCMS Disaster Response, already is hard at work. In close collaboration with the Texas District, which also is hard at work, we want to learn from our pastors and other leaders from the more than 160 LCMS congregations in the affected areas about their greatest, immediate needs. In time, after we stabilize and restore our congregations, we want them to serve as hubs of outreach in their communities. Please stay tuned for news and updates across an array of LCMS communications channels, including lcms.org/harvey and facebook.com/thelcms. Know that appeals to our generous donors will be going out soon. Please consider a plate offering — or even a series of such offerings — from your congregation, school or group. An army of LCMS people — national and district, professional and lay, staff and volunteer — will be coming alongside our afflicted brothers and sisters in Christ in southeastern Texas. Your help and encouragement are vital to these efforts. How robust our LCMS response will be depends on the people of the LCMS responding.Thank you! Sub Cruce, President Matthew C. Harrison