Dear Fellow Children of God,
For a number of weeks the top story in the national news has been concern about the United States economy, especially the level of national debt. Perhaps this story should have been news before we got to the point of today’s financial difficulties. However, the news is not only political, but in a lot of cases the news about the economy affects us personally. What if our income buys less than it used to buy? What happens when people’s investments or retirement funds diminish? What if the U.S. government can’t meet its obligations? So, concerns about our national the economy are on the minds of many.
But, do we have the same kind of concern about another kind of treasure? Do we spend as much time or energy working to strengthen our faith? Do we work as hard to grow in patience and kindness and love as children of God? Do we spend as much effort to strengthen our relationship with our Lord through prayer and worship as we spend caring for our earthly possessions?
Listen to what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount.
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I am not saying that we should ignore earthly possessions. God calls us to be good stewards so we can use the earthly blessings He gives us to strengthen Him and love others. But, as Jesus said, our Heavenly treasures last forever compared to the things of this world. What Jesus did not say in this verse is that our eternal life is more valuable than the possessions of this world. Jesus, the Son of God, paid for our eternity with His own life! In God’s sight we are worth dying for!!!
What and where is your treasure? Know that as the Father in heaven gave His Son for you, HE treasures YOU!
A Child of God, Seeking treasure that lasts,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. On August 1 I took Pastor Jonathan Goeke and his family fishing. He used to be pastor in Fairbanks, and is now in Texas. While he was visiting Alaska again, we went fishing on the Deshka River. Here are pictures of that trip. Even the children caught fish!! https://picasaweb.google.com/jonrock53/DeshkaSilversAugust12011?authuser=0&feat=directlink
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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.
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ST. JOHN NEWS
A WEDDING RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AT ST. JOHN ON SATURDAY FROM 1-4:00 P.M. for Kristin Kopperud and Kevin Stinn! Come and celebrate God’s blessings in the lives of these two children of His!!
BACK TO SCHOOL CHURCH PICNIC The Fellowship Board is organizing a “Back to School Church Picnic” after late worship on August 21. We have about 200 hot dogs and 80 hamburgers left from the Community Picnic. This will hopefully be a time of Christian fellowship and fun as we enter a new school year at St. John.
There are sign up sheets in the narthex. We need
· Cooks
· People to set up during late worship.
· Everyone to bring a) a side dish of salad, or chips, etc, and b) a dessert.
· We could use a few more hamburgers and hamburger buns.
Plan on a time of fun and fellowship.
THE BLESSINGS OF WEDNESDAY WORSHIP –Wednesday worship continues each week at 6:30 p.m. The goal for Wednesday worship is to provide an alternate opportunity for those who can’t make Sunday worship, and to provide extra opportunities for time with the Lord and His people for people who nevertheless can attend on Sundays. The services and sermons on Wednesday are different from the Sunday service and sermon. Our attendance has been growing.
THIS WEDNESDAY we will look at Isaiah 56 and consider the breadth of God’s love. Come and join us some Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL starts the Sunday after Labor Day, September 11. Plan now to attend, and to bring your children!
Prayer Needs – Please pray for:
THANKS
· Kristin Kopperud and Kevin Stinn – Kristin and Kevin were married in Iowa last Friday.
· Andrew Elliott and Emily Nelson – They were married on Saturday in the front yard of Andrew’s grandmother, Dee McNeese.
· Pete Probasco - Pete was in church Sunday for the first time since his fall and injury.
NEEDS
· Barb Thomas, whose husband, Bob, died on Sunday from a stroke suffered last Tuesday.
· Herman Griese’s mom, Margaret. She is on hospice care. Herman and Linda are traveling on Friday to take care of her for about a week.
· Pam Butcher – in the hospital with the symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy
· Dawn Brettrager – Dawn is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
· Our Country – Pray for the hearts of our people to turn to God, and for our leaders to follow God’s leading.
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DID YOU KNOW THAT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN is available on our church website? On our web page you can find sermons, newsletters, and these weekly devotions. The link is: http://www.st-john-lutheran.org
In fact, IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE YOUR MONTHLY CHURCH NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL please e-mail Judy Stahancyk and let her know. You can call at 745-3338, or e-mail Judy at jstahancyk@st-john-lutheran.org. If you receive the newsletter by e-mail it saves printing, postage, and time compiling the newsletter. Also, you receive the monthly newsletter more quickly!!
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Senior Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church
907-841-4066 cell
907-746-5131 - home
907-745-3338 - church
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)
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