Handclasp October 2017 Monthly Newsletter of First Lutheran Church

302 S. 10th St. · St. Joseph, MO 64501 · 816.232.8378

flcsj.org

The Luther Rose, also known as the Luther Seal, is easily the most recognized symbol for Lutheranism, and for good reason. Martin Luther personally oversaw the creation of this coat of arms in the year 1519. It provides a beautiful summary of his faith, a faith that is common to all Christians, of every place and every time. Here is how Luther explained the meaning of his seal: “Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know wheth-er my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Cruci-fied saves us. ‘For one who believes from the heart will be justi-

fied’ (Romans 10:10). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. ‘The just shall live by faith’ (Romans 1:17) but by faith in the Crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the an-gels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theoligae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen.”

Treasurer’s Report

August 2017 Cyndee Simpson, Treasurer

August Income $14, 683.43

August Expenses $17, 085.02

Year to Date Income $140, 272.76

Year to Date Expenses $136, 218.24

Johnson, Floreen 10/1

Farrell, Jim 10/3

Trease, Macy 10/4

Kunz, Debbie 10/8

Belville, Amy 10/9

Harmsen, Janice 10/12

Gunderson, Robert 10/14

Myers, Mitchell 10/14

Johnson, Kathy 10/22

Taylor, Caleb 10/22

Wall, Irene 10/22

Archer, Stephen 10/25

Lickenbrock, Eugene 10/25

Kinney, Bill 10/28

Roever, Carol 10/29

Heeler, Phil 10/31

David & Brenda Bezona 10/11/2003 14 years

David & Ann Newman 10/25/1980 37 years

Happy Anniversary

Prayer for Reformation Sunday

Our heavenly Father, do no let us bury ourselves into the bunkers of this-is-how-it-always-has-been. Father, give us courage to look for reformation when we’ve become too set in our ways. Do not let us be too afraid of change. Father, please give us courage and faith to give room for your Spirit in our lives, in the lives of our families and, ultimately, in the life of our Church. And as you do that, please fill us with your love and joy, so that we could be the salt of the Earth and the light of the World. In the name of your Son, our loving Saviour, Amen. — written by Mia-pappi, and posted on the Kaikesta huolimatta/No matter what blog.

Dwelling in the Word

Phoebe Circle - Tuesday, Oct. 10th, 7:00 pm,

Pam Farrell - Hostess

Kathy C. - Dessert

Cyndee Simpson - Lesson

Thursday Morning Bible Study - Thursdays at 10 am

at church

Fellowship

Early Morning Breakfast - Tuesday, Oct. 17th,

6:30 am, at Le Peep

Wednesday Café - Wedensdays at 6:00 pm

Wednesday With Friends - Wedensday, Oct. 18th,

12:00 pm, at Galvins

Service

Reformation Sunday - Sunday, October 29th

Chancel Choir - Wednesdays, at 7:00 pm

Quilting Ladies - Tuesday, Oct. 3rd and 17th,

12:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Leadership

Cub Scout Pack 26 - Tuesdays, 6:00 pm

Girl Scouts - Thursdays, 6:00 pm

Congregational Council - Thursday, Oct. 12th, 6:30 pm

Altar Guild - Thursday, Oct. 12th, 10:00 am,

Jackie Bigham - Hostess

Roundtable

In June, I was privileged to travel to Germany and visit places where Martin Luther was born, lived, educated, taught and preached, was bap-tized and died. Traveling back 500 years to a different world where kingdom boundaries were changing, rulers jockeyed for power, and the followers of Jesus Christ fought for a clear proclamation of the Gos-pel message. For Luther, Romans 1:17 tore away the veil of misunderstanding to reveal the truth that life is born anew through faith in Christ, "For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, 'The one who is righteous will live by faith."

The Word and Sacraments drive us to Christ who in right-eousness died for us while we were still in sin. during the Sundays in October we will revisit these foundations of God's grace. We will remind ourselves of God's continu-ing work in and through us to proclaim Christ as Lord of all. In a world that can become hopeless in the face of our own human limitations, we are drawn to the Hope in Christ to raise the dead to life. Not born again to a repeat of the old way of life, but, as promised in our baptism, creating in us each day a new way of life.

During the month of October we will be visited by the actions of 500 years ago in or worship and other activi-ties. From those Reformation beginnings we will recom-mit ourselves as the church of Jesus today to persist in proclaiming a living Christ to the world. For Jesus did not come to be an icon in our life, but as our Living Lord, cru-cified and risen for all of us.

See you in worship, Pastor Roger Lenander

The Pastor’s Pen...

Reformation Travels

The church is looking for a reliable

yard person to mow and trim the

church property. If you know of some-

one, please provide contact information

or have them call the office

(816-232-8378).

Thank you!

Reformation 500 Events

Date Time Event

Sunday, October 1 9:00 am “Opening the Door to Luther” (Rick Steves) 28 min.

Bookstore Display - in the Narthex

10:30 am Reformation – Luther’s Life overview – Pastor Roger

Sunday, October 8 9:00 am Luther Moment – Phil Hornbostel

Bookstore Display - in the Narthex

10:30 am Reformation History Events – Pastor Roger

Sunday, October 15 9:00 am Luther Moment – Phil Hornbostel

Bookstore Display - in the Narthex

10:30 am Bach’s Brunch – Food

A Musical Experience – Sharon Gray and Sharmyn Thompson

Narrator – Jim Roever

Sunday, October 22 9:00 am Luther Moment – Phil Hornbostel

Bookstore Display - in the Narthex

10:30 am Reformation – What Does It Mean Today – Pastor Roger

Sunday, October 29 9:00 am Reformation Sunday Worship – Wear your RED

Bookstore Display - in the Narthex

Our church is having a Reformation 500 Bookstore! The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is fast approaching! Do you want to learn more about Martin Luther, his writings, and their impact on Christianity? Do you want to reflect on the ongoing impact of the Reformation today? Stop by our Reformation 500 Bookstore to shop for engaging books on the Reformation for readers of all ages and interests! Save up to 50% plus receive free shipping on all Bookstore titles. Stop by the Narthex on October 1st – October 29th, between 10:30 am to 11:30 am to get fascinating books on the Reformation for you and your family. Our Bookstore is sponsored by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing ministry of the ELCA. The books will include bestselling biographies like Luther the Reformer as well as an atlas of the European Reformations, a graphic novel for young readers, and primary sources from The Annotated Luther series.