The Trinitarian

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church,

Morrill, Nebraska

September 2022

You Shall Not Covet

Sadly, we live in a sinful world where some people try to take advantage of others. It’s nothing new—consider how Potiphar’s wife tried to entrap Joseph and, when he did the right and honorable thing, she blamed him and had an innocent man sent to prison (Genesis 30). Remember also how King Ahab and Queen Jezebel schemed to get Naboth’s vineyard by framing him of a capital crime, then taking possession of it after Naboth was executed. Probably the most famous incident in the Bible would have to be King David’s adultery with Bathsheba, and how David arranged for her husband Uriah’s death (I Samuel 11).

Thankfully, none of us here have had to deal with such extremes, but I’d be willing to bet that most of us have some stories to tell about people who’ve tried to defraud us. Last year, I got an email purporting to be from District President John Hill asking me to buy 3500 dollars’ worth of Target gift cards to help people in need. Well, the biggest clue that this was an attempt at fraud was the fact that President Hill was sitting across from me at a continuing education meeting. But even if he wasn’t in the room, I know that he isn’t going to email me directly and ask for money.

I bring this up because I just got an email from the District office warning about emails that are going out, supposedly from President Hill, requesting monies be sent to… who knows where? The District has asked that we send this information out, just in case you get an email or text message purporting to be from any district official asking for financial help—they never do it that way. The same can be said of anything you might get that supposed to be from me—it doesn’t work that way at Trinity, either. It seems that these modern scam artists focus on churches because we’re called to be trusting and charitable. If you’d like to learn how to best protect yourself, there are plenty of resources available online about the various scams that people try, so I won’t detail them here.

But here’s the question: why do people do this? Well, they’re greedy, of course. But what’s the theological connection? As I titled this article, we shall not covet, the 9^th and 10^th Commandments. But really, it always comes back to the 1^st Commandment: You shall have no other gods. Do you remember the explanation from the Small Catechism? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. People break the 1^st Commandment because they don’t really trust that God will care for them, and they’re dissatisfied with who and what God has given them.

That’s not just scam artists and other thieves—it’s all of us from time to time: I covet my neighbor’s wife or husband because I’m not satisfied with the one whom God has given to me. I covet my neighbor’s house because I’m not satisfied with the home I have. It all boils down to thinking we can do a better job than God—and we all know that is a fool’s errand (and Satan’s). While we’re wise stewards of what the Lord has given to us, remember to give thanks to the Lord for all He has done and continues to do to support us in this life.

 

 

LCMS Stewardship Ministry – lcms.org/stewardship

Newsletter Article – September 2022

What is Stewardship?

 What is a steward? Most people, when asked this question, will reply: “A manager.” That is correct, but it is only half right. A steward is indeed a manager, but he is a manager of what does not belong to him. Someone else is the owner, and the steward manages the owner’s property on the owner’s behalf.                                                            We are God’s stewards. Our stewardship is that God has made us managers of what belongs to Him. For we have brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it (1 Tim. 6:7). Everything that we have and everything that we are comes from God’s fatherly Divine goodness and mercy. God is the owner. Not only because, as the Creator, He created all things. But also, as the Redeemer, He has redeemed, that is, purchased and won all things. It all, therefore, belongs to Him.                                                                                                            We are simply managers of everything in this world. Like Joseph in Egypt, we are put in charge of managing what belongs to God. What a privilege. Think about that for a minute. The all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise God has asked us to manage His possessions on His behalf here on earth. And by doing this, He invites us to take part in the allocation of His good gifts. He wants us to give our input and advise Him in where His gifts are to be used. What a privilege indeed.                                                                                                                                What a responsibility. For to whom much is given, much shall be required (Luke 12:48). We are not the owners. And while He puts us as managers, we are still to do with His property what He wants done with it. That means we need to know what His desire and will for His property is.                                                                              How do we know this? How can we know the will and mind of God? We find the will of God in the Bible. There God tells us what His will for all His gifts are to be used. He tells us how we are to spend our time and use our talents and treasures. He instructs us in the use of our minds, bodies, and souls.                                                  There is nothing that we have that doesn’t belong to Him. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:19–20). He informs us of the big picture, the overarching policy, of how we as His stewards – His managers and custodians – of His property are to do the managing.                                                                     And that is what stewardship is. It is simply doing what God wants us to do with what He has given us. As St. Paul said: “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Rom. 6:13). So, let’s dive into the God’s Word and listen to what the owner desires from His stewards.

– LCMS Stewardship Ministry: lcms.org/stewardship

“Wyoming District Round-Up September 2022 District Website: www.wylcms.org

 “...REMEMBERING YOU IN MY PRAYERS…” (Eph. 1:16) For Rev. Ralph Jaeger (emeritus, Laramie), health For our active-duty chaplain, Rev. Ryan Mills (Colorado) For Rev. Neil Carlson (Zion, Chappell and Trinity, South Divide) continues his rehabilitation at home and has been able to attend church at both congregations. Thanks be to God! Medical updates can be found linked from the 

 wylcms.org home page. PASTORS AND CONGREGATIONS Rev. Travis Sherman (Grace, Gordon) is serving Grace, Merriman, NE (Nebraska District) while it considers its future. Trinity, Gillette served by Rev. John Christensen (emeritus, Thermopolis) called Rev. Clint Stark (Texas) on June 19, and he has returned the call. The next call meeting is scheduled for September 18. Rev. Kenneth Mars will be installed at Christ the King, Cody on August 28 at 4:30 PM. Prince of Peace, Buffalo (served by Rev. Rene Castillero, Immanuel, Sheridan) continues in the pre-call process. Bethel, Lander (served by Rev. Gregory Sonnenschein, Wind River Lutheran Mission, Ft. Washakie and Mt. Calvary, Dubois) held its first pre-call meeting July 13 Our Savior’s, Chadron (served by Rev. Dan Praeuner, emeritus) continues in the pre-call process. Trinity, Riverton (Rev. Mark Mumme): Rev. Anthony Dodgers (Iowa District East) returned the call as Assistant Pastor and Head Teacher. Immanuel, Burns and St. John’s, Kimball are being served in their vacancy by Rev. Andrew Dimit (King of Glory, Cheyenne, assistant pastor) with assistance from the pastors of the High Plains

REFORMATION 500 Martin Luther’s “The Estate of Marriage” (AE 45.17–49), published in 1522, contains three parts. We considered the first of three parts, regarding who may marry another person, in August (see the August 2022 Roundup). In the second part Luther discusses “which persons may be divorced” (30ff). This was a hard subject in Luther’s day. It is a far harder topic for us today for these reasons: Many of our own church members are divorced, and many of these divorces do not honor God’s Word regarding divorce. Furthermore, we are now living in a society with a far different understanding of marriage: where marriage came from; who may marry whom; how long should a marriage continue; what is marriage for; etc. In addition, we have been living with divorce all around us for so long that most of us have no clear idea what God actually said and intended in His Word regarding divorce. Luther states, “I know of three grounds for divorce.” The first ground was covered in the first part, “the situation in which the husband or wife is not equipped for marriage because of bodily or natural deficiencies of any sort” (30). This particular ground for divorce is based upon the inability of one of the parties to carry out the most basic of marital duties and purposes, thus nullifying God’s Word and Institution. Again, because the chemical and physical mutilation of our society’s children (and adults) is becoming so common in so called “gender reassignment” evils, we Christians will discover much sad and grievous damage to many of these children when they become adults, wish to have marriage and children, and discover that they cannot because of their mutilation. They will not be fit for marriage. “The second ground is adultery” (30). This is to say that God permits (though does not require) divorce when the other spouse has been unchaste: “He who divorces his wife on account of [her] unchastity and then marries another does not commit adultery” (31). Luther had quoted Jesus in Matthew 19:3–9: “’Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one’? What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” He said to them, “For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Luther here observes that when Moses permitted divorce in the Old Testament, this permission was granted to unbelievers as an alternative preferable to murder or other severe harm. But Luther teaches us that Christ does not permit divorce to Christians except in the cases specifically taught in Scripture (as here in Matthew 19). And even when the spouse has been adulterous, the other member in the marriage may choose to admonish the adulterer and reconcile rather than divorce. But Luther adds this warning: “But a public divorce, where by one [the innocent party] is enabled to remarry, must take place through the investigation and decision of the civil authority so that the adultery may be manifest to all—or, if the civil authority refuses to act, with the knowledge of the congregation, again in order that it may not be left to each one to allege anything he pleases as a ground for divorce” (32). Because our civil authorities have abdicated this responsibility, congregations must assume these duties for their own members. The third ground for divorce is what we would today call desertion or separation, the case “in which one of the parties deprives and avoids the other, refusing to fulfil the conjugal duty or to live with the other person” (33). Luther clearly emphasizes that the refusal to do the conjugal duty tempts the deprived party to the sin of unchastity. Before divorcing, the deprived party should admonish and warn the one who refuses “two or three times” and then inform others so that this egregious perversion of marriage may be rebuked before the congregation. If this seems harsh to us, we must acknowledge that Luther is guided by Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 7:4–5, “The husband does not rule over his own body, but the wife does; likewise the wife does not rule over her own body, but the husband does. Do not deprive each other, except by agreement, etc.” (34). What if the husband or wife has become an invalid and is unable to fulfill the conjugal duty? They are not to divorce. “Let him serve the Lord in the person of the invalid and await His good pleasure. . . Blessed and twice blessed are you when you recognize such a gift of grace and therefore serve your invalid wife forGod’s sake” (35) Luther also addresses the situation in which the two parties in the marriage cannot get along “for some reason other than the matter of conjugal duty.” He gives the example from Ecclesiastes 7:26 of “a woman more bitter than death,” or “a rude, brutal, and unbearable husband.” His counsel is this: “In addition to these three grounds for divorce there is one more which would justify the sundering of husband and wife, but only in such a way that they must both refrain from remarrying or else become reconciled” (34). Here Luther quotes 1 Corinthians 7:10–11: “Not I but the Lord gives charge to the married that the wife should not separate from her husband. But if she does, let her remain single, or else be reconciled to her husband. Likewise, the husband should not divorce his wife.” But the command not to remarry in this situation is firm, “for the rest of his days” (35). And Luther urges each party in a difficult marriage to bear with each other. “That would doubtless be a wonderfully blessed cross and a right way to heaven” (34). For “he is under obligation to endure evil or to be released from his cross only by God” (35). A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT: If you find that Luther’s teaching here from Holy Scripture raises doubts or questions regarding your marriage or divorce, or of others close to you, please go and visit with your pastor about it. For many years now the devil has been assaulting marriage through no-fault divorce, same -sex “marriage”, and the civil government’s abdication of its duty to defend and promote marriage as God ordained it. Our churches today must repent of our own previous laxity and failures regarding the marriage of our members and must begin the return to sound and faithful practice regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage. God grant us His grace in this endeavor! FUTURE DATES (see wylcms.org for information) October 2-4: Teachers Conference, Mount Hope, Casper October 3-5: Fall Pastors Conference, Mount Hope, Casper November 11-13: St. Andrew’s Youth Breakaway 5-8 grades, Laramie February 10-11, 2023: TTGNAJ Convocation, Ramkota, Casper The next Roundup will be delivered to congregations around September 20 (October 2022 issue)

August 18, 2022 Council Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 0702 by Council President Virgil Ritz. Pastor Humphrey opened the meeting with a reading from 1 Corinthians chapter 10. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer’s Report: .Treasurer's Report was read and a discussion was held. Council President Ritz will make an appeal for additional donations to Church members after Services on Sunday.

Pastor’s Report: General matters- 1.) Pine Ridge Circuit forum will take place at Immanuel in Alliance at 10 AM on Saturday October 1st to elect delegates and alternates for the next Synodical convention in Milwaukee July 2023. Wyoming District had its convention in May 2021. Dee Allen went to that convention in Casper so she will be the lay voter for the Synod president election that takes place before the convention. Dee told Pastor that she can make the circuit forum in October and she thinks she can serve as Trinity’s lay nominee. She will check her schedule and let Pastor know for sure. If she can’t stand for election we need to elect someone to serve as lay nominee at a special voters meeting before October 1st. 2.) Reminder: elders will discuss and make their recommendation for pastor’s insurance for 2023 at next voters’ meeting. 3.) We have the opportunity as a congregation to nominate for synodical positions at next LCMS convention (lcms.org/convention/governance/nominations) the deadline is October 29th. 4.) Upcoming events: a.) Panhandle Lutheran Family meeting at Immanuel in Alliance starting at 3 PM on the 28th; babysitting provided, carry-in supper follows. b.) Combined youth groups meeting at Little Lake Alice on September 11th; other events planned once a month. c.) Panhandle Lutheran Youth meets on the last Sunday of every other month at Immanuel in Alliance (alternating with the Family meetings)

Sunday School Report: Pastor reports that Roxane will be getting with Kylie and ZanDee to restart Sunday school after summer break.

Elder’s Report: Don states that elders have nothing to report.

Trustee’s Report: Gerald reported that Dallas has harrowed the parking lot and sprayed the weeds.

Old Business: Gerald is checking into other companies for Church insurance but has not heard anything back from anyone. Pastor reports that the new copier is working well and is faster than the old one.

New Business: Virgil and Karen Ritz will be having an open house on Sunday August 28th from 2-4 at Trinity church to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

No other business to discuss. Motion by Don and second by Virgil to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:28, and closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Judy Bowlin

Recording Secretary

August 21, 2022

 

DATES TO REMEMBER FOR SEPTEMBER

September 2                 Virgil & Karen Ritz                                          Anniversary

September 2                  Sandy Heine                                                    Birthday

September 3                 Geneva Johannes                                              Birthday

September 4                 Jacob Powers                                                   Baptismal Date

September 13               Amanda Kaufman                                            Birthday

September 14               Tristina Neumann                                             Baptismal Date

September 16               Harlan & Joanne Kurtz                                     Anniversary

September 18               Riley Kaufman                                                 Birthday

September 21               Helen Engebretsen                                            Birthday

September 22               Michelle Hill                                                    Birthday

September 25               Riley Kaufman                                                 Baptismal Date

September 26               Heidi Landreth                                                 Birthday

September 28                Peyton Wilson                                                 Birthday

September 30                Wes Bowlin                                                        Birthday

If your name does not appear, it is because these were taken from Trinity’s directory for which we have permission to use names and dates.  Please notify the office to have a date added