Pastors July Message…..

          Celebrating Freedom: For God and Country

 

          I’m sure you have heard this phrase “For God and Country” at one time or another.  If you would picture a person who would make such a statement, you might have the picture of a U.S. Marine, Special Forces or other service person in their battle fatigues holding an AK-47 (that’s a pretty powerful gun) in their arms.  You might even call such a person a Christian patriot.  But you could get in trouble for calling such a person a “Christian”   patriot.  Some would call this term an oxymoron if such a character I just described is meant, because Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek when it came to our enemies.  Some would declare such a statement very bigoted and limited, because our soldiers are more than Christian, and the Jew, the Muslim, the Hindu, the Buddhist would have to be included in that patriot part, although you might get arguments about that too from folks who live in Texas and Alabama; and maybe the peace seeking Buddhist might not mind being left off the list.  The atheists and agnostics would also take exception to the “Christian” part of the patriot description, for they don’t believe in God, so I guess that exempts them anyway from the phrase “For God”, but for the agnostic, they just can’t be sure if there is a God or not so maybe they would be more comfortable being off this list.  And maybe you didn’t catch the picture that I put in your mind, but the soldier is not even holding an American M-16, but a Russian rifle of renown.  Bad choice of weapons for an American patriot.  And why did I especially pigeon-hole the good people of Texas and Alabama?  I’m sorry!  I don’t want to offend anyone, so maybe I just won’t write about “For God and Country” this month. 

          As I write this month a little tongue in cheek I want you to understand that the arguments for silence rather than speaking about things that may not be p.c. (politically correct) can be found in that go around you just read in the previous paragraph.  We may keep quiet about important things, even eternal things, because we are afraid we may offend another person or persons.  The majority of us don’t really like conflict and confrontation and we will do whatever we can to avoid it.  You can probably name a few people, however, who are just the opposite, those who look for ways to push the buttons of another individual or individuals just to get them going.  This month I will step out of character a little, be courageous and of good cheer and look at this phrase “For God and Country” more closely.

          First of all I would like for you to notice the order of this statement and then the content.  And I would like you to consider these questions, “Can a person too closely link their Christianity with their patriotism toward their country, making their country into an idol?  And “Can a person be a true patriot toward their country without any thought of taking up arms to defend it?”  This article has little if anything to do with being a conscientious objector.  It does however have to do with how closely one should link their Christian faith with a country or cause or political party.  I hope by the end of this article that you will have to conclude that Christ needs to be in the center of this statement for it to be a living, valid statement that transcends country, political party or anything else.  Maybe after I’m done you may think that this statement can be more truthfully used in conjunction with the spread of the Good News of the Christian Gospel than with a physical war with an enemy or enemies.  There is a battle against God in our country going on as I type.  There are many who would like to define our country by keeping God out of it and think they are doing us a service.  And our battle as Christians to which this battle cry can be understood is against more than flesh and blood, though flesh and blood is included.  The Apostle Paul writes by inspiration of the Spirit: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  (Ephesians 6:12)  As powerful as an AK-47 or an M-16 or Sherman Tank is, it can do nothing to turn the tide of the battle against such an enemy.

          Rather than the soldier I pictured above I would rather you would picture the servant of God Joshua as he prepared to lead God’s people into the promised land as you think of this phrase “For God and country”.  He is a better picture of what a true Godly, Christian patriot should look like in our day.  This man of God put his trust in the Lord as he led an often disobedient people into the Promised Land.  He told the people before they marched on Jericho: “Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.  (Joshua 3:5)” 

          To consecrate themselves they needed to obey the voice of the Lord, His Word, putting aside their fears, their worldly wisdom and reason, their worries and anxieties about the enemy they were facing and dedicate themselves to trusting the Lord with all their minds, hearts and lives.  And they weren’t to rely on their own strength in this battle to come, but rather on the strength and the promise of the Lord to “go before them”.  God was their true leader and Joshua was His spokesman.  And what about Rahab the harlot of Jericho, who hid the Israelite spies at risk to her own life, and with no thought of her country (the city of Jericho).  She would be considered a traitor by the people of Jericho, but she understood the primacy of trusting God first and foremost.  It may have been fear that caused her to protect these spies at first, but after the defeat of Jericho she and her family were brought into the family of the true God and became receivers of His daily mercies.  The country her family and she learned to put their trust in was a “better country, that is a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.  (Hebrews 11:16)”  

          Putting God first can make our country strong again.  We are sliding so far from this as a people and as a nation.  Many of our leaders give the Lord lip service, calling upon Him with false prayers seen by man when the going gets rough, but thumbing their noses at the freeing truth of His Word to gain the support of the godless forces of human wisdom and power.  Many of us too give the Lord lip service, just like the people in Joshua’s day when they promised to “serve the Lord”, but when push comes to shove they are more involved in serving self and satisfying even the human pleasures that stand against the Lord and His living Word.  It is one thing to speak the statement “for God and country”, it is a much more difficult endeavor to live it with truth. 

          The Lord blesses those who put Him first and are not ashamed to stand on His voice of truth, and that voice is the Holy Scriptures in their entirety.  There is no picking and choosing when it comes to the Word of God.  There is no watering down or denying or changing the Word to make it fit into the sinful human standards of the world of our day.  Sometimes the blessing that comes is the blessing of trial and trouble that proceed from an unbelieving audience who try to cover or mangle God’s clear Word using the reason and standards of political correctness.  Truly standing for God will indeed change our country one person at a time. 

          To truly love this country means to bring the reality of our heavenly country to the foremost of our thinking and doing.  Time here on earth is short.  If you really want to live for God and country, you are called to be like Abraham and Joshua and Rahab and all the other heroes of faith listed in Scripture whose hearts were not set  primarily on the kingdom of this world, but who by faith saw beyond the temporal earthly into the holy land of God’s promise.  To love this country is to live with Christ as your Savior, openly, so that the whole world can see it and hear it, can observe this living faith in Christ Jesus every day.  How we are failing in this as the people of God.  God forgive us.  And He does forgive us.  That is the most grand blessing of being a Christian day in and day out.  Without this redeeming forgiveness there is no reason to have hope for an eternal country whose architect is God.  To truly live for God and country means to take up the cross and follow Jesus.  For the cross is the power of such a life, not the red, white and blue of old glory.  And yet such brings honor to the flag of our nation.  Without the cross of Christ that flag is just another national symbol with changing meaning depending on the heart of a people for a particular time and moment.  The cross can bring a timelessness to our American flag that impacts not only the people of this nation, but the nations around the world. 

          Think on some of these things as you gather this 4th of July.  Pray for the Lord to renew us in faith in Him as a nation.  Pray that those who would sanitize our nation of the Lord and His Word, that they and their work would come to nothing.  Be a Christian patriot, growing in your knowledge of God’s Word that the flesh and blood and the evil spiritual forces of the day may not gain control of your thinking and life.  We are armed with the cross of Christ Jesus as His own special people and nation.  May we proudly bear it for His glory and the saving of this nation and all nations.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Pastor Paul Sajban

 

 

 

 

Help Needed

 

Can you host a Pastor or fix a noon meal?

 

On August 12-16th we will host an informative course on Defending the Christian Faith. We are looking for members who are will to help with hosting an out of town Pastor for the weekend for sleeping accommodations.  We are also looking for some help on preparing the noon lunches on that weekend. If you are willing to help in either of these areas, please talk to Pastor Sajban or call the church office at 831-3522.

 

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Trustee’s Report…

          The fire alarm system was checked out with the Windom Fire Department and Ron's Electric and is in operation. The system runs through Ban Koe System, a company from the Cities who monitors our church 24 hours a day seven days a week. They notify the fire department when something is wrong. When you make a contribution to the fire alarm system mark it on your church building fund envelope so we can get the 20% matching funds from the Elsing Fund.

          The State required boiler repair bid was given to Schwalbach and Ron's Electric. Schwalbach has ordered the parts; they are on back order, but when received the work will be done. Cost is $2,485.00.

          We want to thank the “Windom Seed Center” and Jeff and Shelley Lange for furnishing grass seed, the seeder and tractor to seed the lot where we pile the snow in the winter. The trustees are doing the necessary clean-up and repairs outside. Daryl and Kyle Tasler are doing the mowing of the grass.

          One of the refrigerators in our church kitchen quit cooling and was not repairable. A new replacement refrigerator was ordered and delivered by Smith Appliance of Windom. The ladies of the two circles of our church, the LWML and the PR committee donated the money to pay for the new refrigerator. Thank you to all for the   donation.

          The new operating note at Bank Midwest for our church repairs was prepared and signed by the trustees.

          A letter notifying Waste Management was prepared and sent to them terminating our lease. We will have our local collector do the work.

 


Willard Schroeder,

Secretary of the Trustees

 

 

 

 

Vacation Bible School

 

Sunday, July 11th thru Thursday, July 15TH, 2010

Dinner: 5:15pm         Program: 6 - 8:30 pm

Closing Program:   Thursday, July 15th 7:45-8:30pm

 

Come and join Noah & his family

 

Learn about the great flood and building the ark

 

          Day One: “God Is Just”      Day Two: “God Is ood”

Day Three: “God Is Our Guide”       Day Four: “God Cares”

Day Five: “God Keeps His Promises”

 

Your prayers are appreciated for our Let’s Build an Ark VBS. Ask God to bring

children to hear about Jesus, our Lord and Savior. As staff recruitment begins, ask

God to provide willing helpers, eager to share His love in Jesus.

 

We look forward to a great week! Laura Alvstad (831-2365) Kim Rabbe (831-1767)

To register call the church office at 507-831-3522 or place registration in the box in the narthex

 

 

 

Orphan Grain Train

 

Sunday, July 11, 2010   From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Boiled Fish Feed                EVERYONE IS INVITED!

 At Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Windom

-FREE WILL OFFERING WILL BE TAKEN-

Matched by Cottonwood Thrivent Financial

 

 

LWML Annual Pie & Ice Cream Social

On July 18, 2010 at 11:15 am

Following the Quarterly Voters Meeting

Free—Will Offering

 

 

Next Voter’s Meeting July 18, 2010…..

 

The Quarterly Voter’s meeting of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior was called to order by   President Bruce Mews on April 18, 2010 with 31 members present. Two new members signed the constitution. Pastor Sajban led in opening devotions.

          The Secretary’s report was accepted as printed in the April newsletter.

          Treasurer’s Report: Gail Maras presented the treasurer’s report; some figures were reviewed and questions answered. A motion was made and passed to move $734.23 from Undesignated Fund to the Technical Equipment Fund. Motion made and passed to accept the   treasure's report.

          Pastor’s Report: Pastor Sajban stated #1. A conference on the Stephen’s Ministry will be held at Sioux Falls. #2. The Vine & Branches meeting was held at Immanuel Lutheran in Lakefield on April 17, 2010, the subject being “Why Go to Church”. #3. This has been a busy time for Pastor with making multiple visits, transferring members “from earth to heaven’ and having private instruction classes for Caleb Bedner who will be confirmed on May 23, 2010.

          Trustees’ Report: See written report. Ted Horkey reported that the Fire Alarm System is now hooked up to a dedicated phone line. A new bank loan will be obtained to cover the cost of the Fire Alarm System and additional small projects that need to be done. He reminded us that our janitor is only part-time and we should continue to assist in cleaning up when we use the church facilities. He urged everyone to turn in any duplicate charges slips that they incur, with their signature and committee attached.

          Elders: No report.

          Financial Secretary: No report.

          Old Business: Pastor Sajban announced that #1. Rev. Matthew Harrison had received our 1300 votes from Missouri Synod congregations participating in the voting for a new Missouri Synod president. Our delegates to the Synodical Convention in Houston are Pastor Jerry Gauthier from Sioux Valley and Dave Post from Rost Township. #2. Sioux Valley Lutheran has voted to hire a recruiter using a line of credit against the School Building itself. Emphasis will be on music and the arts rather than on sports. They intend to keep member churches better informed and make the building facilities available for associate member use.

          New Business: None

          Statistics:  Death: Jo Olson, Sig Lillegaard, Russell Jurgens, Vi Moratzka. Transfers in: Carl Pabst Jr. from Redeemer Lutheran at Owatonna.

 

Meeting was adjourned with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Adelia (Sis) Woizeschke

 

 

Faith In Action …..

What makes a Caring Friend:

An open heart, a listening ear; A love that comforts and brings cheer.

A caring way, a thoughtful deed, A faith that prays when there's a need.

A walk that’s true, a life that’s blessed; A will that always seeks God’s best.

For all these way His love shines through Whatever kindness you may do.

 

Faith in Action Committee:

          If you have not already done so, please fill out the volunteer sheet on the table in the lower narthex. There is also a sheet for anyone who has a need. Thank you for your participation.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


We are planning a trip to view

The Dead Sea Scrolls.

We will be going on July 6, 2010

 

Ordination of Nathan Hausch…..

 

Nathan will have his Ordination into the Office of Holy Ministry on July 11, 2010 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Michigan.

 

On August 1, 2010 Nathan will have his installation at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Sedona, Arizona

 

If you would like to send  greetings to Nathan and his wife Lindsay, you may send it to:

Nathan & Lindsay Hausch

390 Dry Creek Road

Sedona, AZ. 86336-4332

 

Ordination & Installation of Joseph Behnke…..

Joseph Behnke will have his Ordination & Installation into the Office of Holy Ministry on August 8, 2010 at 2pm at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN.

 

IE Logo 800
 

 

 

 

 


          Issues Etc. from Lutheran Public Radio, is   finally on the air locally on KDOM 94.3 FM or 1580 AM. You can tune in every Sunday evening at  6:05pm for a one hour broadcast of this popular and  informative  program. This Sundays message “The Gospel-Driven Life”, will be given by Dr. Mike Horton of the White Horse Inn.

 

 

 

Quilting……..

 

                The Quilting Gals have started putting quilts together Fridays around 9:00am.  We have been blessed with lots of sheets and blankets so we will need lots of workers.   If you can't come on Fridays, we can work any other day and as long as we want to.  Let either Marg Koch or Betty Tasler know if you would or could come some other day and we will make arrangements.    We need lots of workers to tear off the hems of the sheets and help finding tops and bottoms for the quilts    besides we need workers to tie the quilts.    You do not have to stand, as we make arrangements for those who would rather sit.    We have fun, we eat, we visit and we also do some work.  Please come and help us as we have lots of material to work with.   If   anyone needs a quilt or baby blanket or knows of someone who could use one, let us know as we have several finished.    Hope we have a good turn out as there is much need for these quilts.  Men are invited, as they do give us good advice, plus they work really well with us.  God bless you all for what you have done throughout 2009.

Betty Tasler 

 

 

The Cottonwood County Food Shelf is in need of food.  During the snowy and cold months we all get busy and forget about donating to the food shelf.  Any non-perishable food items will be accepted. They are open Tuesday and Wednesday or you may bring your items to the church.

    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 Hy Vee Labels… 

Please save your Hy-Vee & Sunshine Foods labels for Sonshine Preschool.  Please bring in the entire label, the workers on Friday will cut out what is needed to mail in for credit.

                                                                                ________________________________________________________________________________