We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
We're Thankful
Recently we had the opportunity to thank God for many of the blessings he has provided. Check out these pictures from our Thanksgiving celebration. You may also want to read through some of the things for which we give thanks. This is a brief summary of the items we listed on our Thanksgiving tree:
• Salvation
• Family
• Food & Shelter
• Friends
• Our church
• All God’s blessings
• Health
• Freedom
• Job
• Sense of humor
• The love of God
• Children, grandchildren, & great grandchild
• Those who have gone before
• Clothing
• Country
• Thanksgiving dinner
• Pastor Ken
• Youth of our church
• Our military
• My employees
• Parents
• Grapes
• Theater
• Teachers
• KLOVE
• Forgiveness
• All God’s creatures
• My wonderful and amazing husband
• How God is helping me grow stronger and for good health so I can be with my family during the holidays
• My sister
• Television
• A raise at work
• Church family
• Rain
• God sending his Son
• Camp Lone Star
• A house to live in
• Land purchase for Word of Life
• Matching Fund money from Texas District
• I’m thankful for my family and all of the money we have.
• Patti & Ken
• Food in our pantry
• Children
• Friends
• Clients
• Beautiful weather
• My Brother
• Marshmallow Mateys
• Video games
• Toys
• For Jesus
• Playing with friends
• Babies
• No School
• A new house
• A place like WOL to worship
• Smiling
• Peace
• Fruit of the Spirit
• Music
• Wise counselors
• My wife
• My community
• Opportunities to share God
• Sports
• School
• Travels
• Bible study friends
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. - Psalm 136:1 (KJV)
Advent Hymn Service with Woodwind Ensemble
We celebrated the first Sunday of Advent with a service featuring a Woodwind Ensemble comprised of our very own talented youth and adult instrumentalists and favorite Advent hymns. Check out the pictures.
1-1-1
Don't forget to pray for one person, for one minute, at one o'clock everyday from now until Christmas. Pray that God would use you as salt and light in their life, that God would open their eyes to Jesus, and that you would have the courage to invite them to one of our services this Christmas season. God will begin to answer our prayers!
God's Gift of Strength for You
If you don’t think you need God’s strength, you haven’t been Christmas shopping at the mall. We need His power in every part of our life. Come be strengthened this Sunday, December 6 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions].
Nursery (infant to age 4)
A nursery is available for children infant – age 4 at any time during the worship service on Sundays in the Mother’s Room, to the left as you exit the worship area. The audio of the service is broadcast into the room. Interested in helping with Nursery? Sign up at the Info Table or contact Chris Stemmermann at 566-1401.
J.A.M. (ages 5-8)
Children ages 5-8 are invited to join us for J.A.M., our age appropriate worship/learning experience for children, just after the Children's message this Sunday! Interested in helping with J.A.M.? Contact David White at 650-3166.
Just for Tweens (ages 9-12)
Kids ages 9—12 are invited to be a part of Tweens, a group specially designed for them. Join them this Sunday during the LifeLesson portion of worship for this fun learning experience. Want to know more? Call Becky Peterson at 945-7952.
Grace Prayer Team
Know the miraculous power of prayer. Word of Life has a team of prayer warriors ready to pray for you. The team meets on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. [map and directions] to pray for the morning worship and other needs. Also, prayer partners will be available to pray with you or for you after worship. Just come to the right side of the worship area.
If you would like the team to pray for you throughout the week, just let Pastor Ken know (566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com), and he will share your request with the team.
The team is compiling a quarterly newsletter and they would like to add your story of answered prayer. Please share YOUR story and/or become a part of this exciting prayer team. Contact Betty Tolsma 659-8107 or bettytolsma@sbcglobal.net.
Open Your Gifts Now
Recently, we were encouraged to discover and open up all the gifts God has given us and use them to serve. If we don't, we will cheat ourselves, God and the people around us. If we do, people's lives will be changed, God's Kingdom will grow, and we'll experience joy and fulfillment. Many completed Ministry Gifts Surveys and offered them to the Lord. If you have not done so please click on the link above and print it, or pick one up from the Info table this Sunday, complete it and place it on the altar or in the offering box.
Partnership with God
God offers great blessings to us when we wisely invest what He has entrusted to us. God's faithfulness moves us to trust in His promises and grow in our partnership with God by committing the first portion of our income. Many completed Partnership with God commitments and offered them to the Lord. If you have not done so please click on the link above and print it, or pick one up from the Info table this Sunday, complete it and place it on the altar or in the offering box.
When does a $10,000 donation =
a $20,000 donation?
Now! For every dollar you give to our Building Fund until the end of 2010, the Texas District LCMS has generously offered to match it up to $100,000. What a great way to double the impact of your contribution! If you give before the end of the year, you may be able to save on your 2009 income taxes. As a bonus your donation will receive a high rate of return in the coming year through our Texas CEF Building Fund which is currently paying 2.53% apy. Just write "Building Fund" in the memo line of your check or place your gift in a Ministry Facility Fund envelope.
Building a Bigger Heaven in Brazil
In our prayers this week, we’re lifting up missionary pastor Ismael Verdin and the ministry of Esperança as they reach out to people in Porto Ferreira, Brazil and beyond. We support their work through the gift of 10% of our Sunday morning offerings to the Brazil Mission Society. (BMS) To find out more, visit www.brazilmissionsociety.com.
Pastor Ken sends an email to the pastor/missionaries and congregations for which we pray each week to let them know we're praying for them. When appropriate, they're sent in Portuguese, thanks partly to the wonders of http://translate.google.com. This week the folks of Esperança will also be praying for Word of Life!
Sharing the Holidays
A very warm thank you to the congregation of Word of Life and the Neighborhood Ladies Bible Study for donating to the Thanksgiving baskets which were given to 5 needy families in our school district. We were able to deliver a $100 HEB gift card to each family, along with banana bread, Thanksgiving decorations, and a Christian tract and WOL flyer. Each of the baskets was received with a grateful heart and many thanks. Now we have the opportunity to help these families for Christmas. Stop by the Giving Tree in the lobby and select the name of a family member from our sponsored families.
Advent Devotions
Advent is a great time to get into the habit of doing daily devotions or to vary your current routine. A great source for these in online, audio and podcast editions is available at: http://www.adventdevotions.net/dailydevotions.asp
LifeGroups
For Youth (Grades 7-12)
Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.
Our culture does not value or hold dear those things which are important to Christians. Set aside time each week to reconnect with young Christians and with Christ. Learn from each other and from adult examples, how to shine your light for Jesus in the dark hallways of your life. Join us Tuesdays at the Weismann's home, 108 Rustic Trail, Cibolo. Questions? Mark Stemmermann, 508-2073.
For Women
Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.
Dive into the Bible to discover the treasures and answers it holds. Learn key concepts of our faith and break down the Bible to make it come alive! Great for new believers and those unfamiliar with Scripture. Meet Wednesday mornings at the Smith home, 3309 Dusty Crossing, Schertz. Questions? Call Sherri Smith, 659-2585.
For Women
Wednesdays 7:00 p.m.
Join us for Living Free: Learning to Pray God’s Word, by Beth Moore on Wednesday, December 9 at the Peterson home, 2839 Pond Apple, Schertz. Questions? Patti Mitschke, 566-1650 or Patti@WordofLife4u.com.
For Readers
Wednesday 6:45 p.m.
We’re reading, “A Redbird Christmas,” by Fannie Flagg. Join us for a book discussion on Wednesday, December 16, at the Schertz Library, 608 Schertz Parkway. Questions? Patti Mitschke, 566-1650 or Patti@WordofLife4u.com.
For Men
Thursdays 7:00 p.m.
Meet with other men for discussion of 1 Timothy, prayer and encouragement. Join us on Thursday, December 10 at the Mitschke home, 1531 Jasmine, Schertz. Questions? David Smith, 659-2585.
Christmas Cocoa and Coffee
All ladies and their guests are invited to a gathering at Sherri Smith’s house (3309 Dusty Crossing) on Saturday, December 12 from 2-4:00 pm. If you’re able, please bring a wrapped ornament for exchanging with each other, non-perishable food items to go to our local food bank, and dress in red & white, as we will be learning about the gospel message found in the Candy Cane! Please RSVP to Sherri Smith at 659-2585.
Congregational Assembly
A Congregational Assembly will be held on Sunday, December 13 after worship (around noon) for the purpose of seeking the Spirit's guidance and calling a pastor. Pastor Ken is currently called by the Texas District and serves Word of Life on District's behalf. At a previous Congregational Assembly, the decision was made to move forward with a one-candidate, fast track call process, that candidate being Pastor Ken. The only item on the agenda for the upcoming meeting is to actually call Pastor Ken as our pastor.
Q. Please explain "divine call" to me. Is there a biblical reference, or is it a manmade concept?
A. Article 14 of the Augsburg Confession (one of the formal Lutheran confessional writings) says, "It is taught among us that no one should publicly teach or preach or administer the sacraments in the church without a regular call." Traditionally in the Lutheran church this has been described as a "divine call" because:
It is God who has instituted the pastoral office in order that the Word might be preached and the sacraments instituted in an orderly way (Luke 10:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2; Timothy 3; Titus 1; Eph: 4:11, 14; Col. 4:17; 1 Cor. 4:1; 1 Cor. 14:40; 2 Cor. 2:17);
It is God who has given congregations the right to call a pastor to carry out this work in their midst and on their behalf (Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 16:13-19; 18: 17-20, John 20:22, 23; 1 John 4:1; 1 Peter 2:5- 6; 4:11; Acts 6:6; 1 Tim. 3:10; 4:14; 5:17; Titus 1:5; Acts 1:23; Heb.13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12).
The specific process by which a congregation extends a call to a pastor is not set forth in the Scriptures, and so this process may vary from time to time and place to place. In the interest of doing things "decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40), however, the various districts of the Synod have established a set of procedures which is intended to help congregations: 1) identify potential candidates for a call, and 2) follow the steps by which the congregation may extend a call to the individual whom they believe would be best suited to ministry at that place. Source: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2703
Christmas Progressive Dinner & Youth Fundraiser
Saturday, December 19, 5:30-9:00 p.m.
Come celebrate the Christmas season with a special evening together. Invite your friends to join us at the Peterson’s (2839 Pond Apple Dr.) for appetizers. Then, we’ll head to the Molina’s/Stemmermann’s for the main course and finish with Dessert & Christmas music at Betty Tolsma’s home (2705 Star Light). Tickets are available this Sunday from Donna Molina. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets today! To help keep costs low, we’re asking attendees to bring either an appetizer or dessert to share. Desserts can be dropped off at Betty’s home. Appetizers should be brought with you to Petersons.
Youth Fundraiser—Babysitting
While the parents join the progressive dinner party, children may stay at Peterson's to be supervised by our youth. The kids will have pizza, movie, dessert and maybe a craft or two. Freewill donations will be accepted for babysitting. All donations will help our youth attend the National LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans.
Christmas Parties
For Youth (7—12th grade)
Join us on Sunday, December 20 at the Stemmermann’s (1013 Gate Creek) for this special annual event. We’ll meet at 5:00 p.m. for our fun-filled white elephant gift exchange. Bring a gift ($5 value) to exchange and a snack to share. Be sure to invite a friend! (And be thankful that the jar of BBQ pork left with the Scotts!)
For ‘Tweens (9—12 years old)
Join us on Sunday, December 20 at the Peterson’s (2839 Pond Apple) for a fun-filled evening just for you! We’ll meet at 5:00 p.m. for special Christmas crafts, snacks and more. Bring a friend or two!
Wanted: Administrative Services Provider
Pastor Ken is looking for an administrative services provider who can work about 1/2 day each week on a contract or volunteer basis doing detail oriented administrative tasks to assist Word of Life Fellowship in building a bigger heaven and better lives. For more information, click on the following link or pick up an Administrative Services Expectations description from the Info table and contact Pastor Ken, 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Lutheran Inter-City Network Coalition (LINC)
San Antonio
Lutheran congregations, ministries and individuals are combining efforts and resources to reach the multi-cultural and urban people of the San Antonio area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We plan to equip and train servant leaders for ongoing ministry to care for the spiritual and physical needs of our neighbors in the name of Jesus. The Texas District has agreed to help in this endeavor by providing a $50,000 matching grant. To find out more, click on or pick up a new LINC flyer from the Info Table. You may make a donation directly or by writing a check to Word of Life with LINC in the memo line.
Ministry Builders Saving Program
If you shop at Family Christian Stores, please ask about their Ministry Builder stamp program. It's like the old green stamp books, but it is NOT to be confused with getting your card 'punched' for future savings. At each purchase, let the cashier know you want to collect stamps. They’ll give you a booklet and a number of stamps, depending on the amount of your purchase. Just peel & place the stamps in the booklet. Once a booklet is full (20 stamps) pass it on to Pastor Ken or drop in the offering box. Word of Life gets $5 towards a Family Christian Store purchase for every booklet filled. This discount can be used on Sunday School supplies, Youth materials, Bible studies, Bibles and more.
Handel’s Messiah
Come hear this holiday classic at the Byron P. Steele High School Auditorium (1300 FM 1103, Cibolo) on Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 p.m. This special performance, by the San Antonio Symphony and The Master Singers, is presented by the Community Fine Arts Network. Adult tickets are $25, students are $8. Seating is general admission. Tickets are available at www.thecfan.org.
Online Calendar
You've read through the WordofLife4u. You sense what God wants you to do, but how do you keep track of events to invite your friends and neighbors to, groups where you can grow, and ministries where you can use your gifts to make a real difference? Check out our online calendar at: www.WordofLife4u.com/calendar.
Listen Online to Worship at Word of Life
If you have a broadband internet connection, you can listen to audio streams of recent worship services at Word of Life, or you can download a recording of the service to your computer or mp3 player and listen whenever you'd like. Click here! and you'll be directed to our Worship at Word of Life page. Left-click on "Stream" to listen to a service right away or click on "Download" (some require a right-click) to download a service to your computer and/or connected mp3 player to listen to later. You can view, save or print a copy of the LifeLesson notes too.
"Better Life" Links
How to Claim a Mountain - "Each of us has a mountain to climb, spiritually speaking. The children of God always face obstacles in their lives, but with His strength we can overcome our mountains no matter how rugged the terrain..." [more]
How can I be more confident about my work? - How can you keep listening for God to speak and watching for him to work when you feel like you can't keep going?... [more]
Family Christmas Celebration - "In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, parents are challenged to keep their focus on the true meaning of the season—the celebration of Jesus’ birth..." [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for being an all-powerful God who wants to give power to us.
for a $100,000 matching grant offered by our Texas District to help build a ministry facility to reach out to our community
for healing Marcia Waldgeir through chemo and prayer and for healing Yvonne, Jake, Joshua, & Jase Leible
for our nation and our leaders
for standing guard over our troops and their families
for those who have sacrificed life and limb defending us
for all the resources God has entrusted to our care
for His promise to multiply our tithes and offerings to help build a bigger heaven and better lives.
We Ask God…
to inspire and empower us to believe, to get us through trouble, to avoid sin, and to testify of Christ at home, at work, in our community, state and world
to bless missionary pastor Ismael Verdin and the ministry of Esperança as they reach out to people in Porto Ferreira, Brazil and beyond
to direct our purchasing of a property to help us reach our community with the Gospel and for resources to help build on it
to comfort the victims of persecution, terrorism and disaster
to bless our leaders with godly wisdom and guidance that they would lead according to His will
to bless Scott McDonald in his new home
to bless those who struggle during the holidays with depression, loneliness, or grief and move us to be a blessing to them
to bless students, especially during finals and term projects
to bless David & Ana Koester and Chuck Tolsma with employment and to bless Stacy Kohan’s struggling business
to bless negotiations for the sale of Daniel Sanchez’s business
to protect our troops abroad, especially Logan Christiansen in U.A.E., Erik Moore in Iraq, Juan Pizarro in Indonesia and Jason Leible & Julie Astrachan in Afghanistan
to comfort the family and friends of Nici Bahn as they mourn her death, to comfort Quint & Chris Wortham who lost their daughter in a car accident and Betty Tolsma’s neice who lost her husband, Hank
to heal Nita Bowden, David Koester, Lisa Flowers, Debra Gutierrez, Courtney McCullough, Tara Wimberly, Curtis Doering, AJ Whitman, Sharon Aben and to heal those battling cancer: Chase Bargsley, John Dury, Rachel Midgett, Kayla Nunnery, Alden Malachowski, Sadie Norris, Matthew Provencio, Manuel Coloura, Zach Vangundy, Amanda Conniff, Pam Smith, Kurt Bickel, Susan Doering and to comfort and strengthen their families
for each of our 1-1-1 commitments and our important participation in God’s work at Word of Life and beyond
to empower us to bring eternal and better life to those who are missing life in Christ.
Join us in prayer wherever you are! You may leave prayer requests at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Inner Strength Fun
You have inner strength:
if you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,
if you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
if you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
if you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
if you can overlook it when people take things out on you that are not your fault,
if you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
if you can face the world without lies and deceit,
if you can conquer tension without medical help,
if you can relax without liquor, and
if you can sleep without the aid of drugs.
If you can do all these things...
...then you are probably the family puppy!
Just a Thought
Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength. -Francis DeSales
Joy & Peace,
Pastor Ken Mitschke
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P.S. For past issues or to subscribe [WordofLife4u].
Word of Life Fellowship-LCMS
1531 Jasmine Dr
Schertz TX 78154-3738
www.WordofLife4u.com
210-566-2237
Ken@WordofLife4u.com
We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
Word of Life Fellowship LCMS
1531 Jasmine Dr
Schertz TX 78154-3738
Pastor Ken Mitschke
210-566-2237
Ken@WordofLife4u.com