We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
'Tweens Puppet Presentation
Wow! Our 'Tweens did an awesome job of sharing a summary of the book of Acts last Sunday. Check out these pictures from their puppet presentation.
The Secret of Life
Jack Palance in City Slickers was right. The secret of life is pursuing one thing. What is that one thing? Find out this Sunday, February 21 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions]. Hint: You’ll also learn how to use your Bible.
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.
Building a Bigger Heaven in Texas
In our prayers this week, we’re lifting up missionary pastor Ed Weber and the mission of Mision Luterana Emanuel as they reach out to people in Mercedes, TX and beyond. We support their work through the gift of 10% of our Sunday morning offerings to Texas Partners in Mission. To find out more, visit www.txdistlcms.org/tpim
Daily Devotions
Daily devotions for the season of Lent are available online in print and audio formats at: www.lentendevotions.net/dailydevotions.asp.
Join a LifeGroup
Tuesday Youth Group
7:00 p.m. at the Weissmann’s house
108 Rustic Trail, Cibolo
Questions? 314-3754
NEW! Romans starting THIS Wednesday
Wednesday Morning Women’s Group
9:00 a.m. at Sherri Smith’s home
3309 Dusty Crossing, Schertz
Questions? 659-2585
3rd Wednesday Reading Group
Meets Wednesday, February 24 (4th Wednesday—due to Ash Wednesday on the 3rd) to discuss “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
6:45 p.m. at the Schertz Library
798 Schertz Parkway, Schertz
Questions? 566-1650
Thursday Men’s Group
Will resume March 4
7:00 p.m. at Ken Mitschke’s home
1531 Jasmine, Schertz
Questions? 218-3685
Living Free Women’s Group
Some members of this group meet on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. for coffee and discussion. This week they're meeting at Hearthstone in the Forum. Others of this group meet on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the mother's room at church. For info, contact Becky Peterson, 945-7952
God Sightings Group
Go to www.MyGodSightings.com and click on “Sign up now.” Once you have created your profile, use the search box to search for the “Word of Life Fellowship” group.
Couples/Mixed Adult Group
Several have expressed interest in a group for couples/mixed adults. We're working on the arrangements this week. Watch for more information.
A Lifetime Valentine
Take your love life up a notch! Pastor Ken recommends every married or engaged couple read and discuss the following books:
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate - Chapman
For Couples Only: Eyeopening Insights about How the Opposite Sex Thinks (Boxed Set of For Women Only and For Men Only) - Feldhahn
Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage - Leman
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness - Ramsey
And last but first in importance, The Bible - God
For the sake of your marriage and personal growth, Word of Life will offer these at a discounted price. Please use the RSVP on the Info slip to place your order or contact Pastor Ken at Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Total Money Makeover
Join noted financial advisor Dave Ramsey and thousands of others on Saturday, March 6 at the Freeman Coliseum, as you learn:
What it takes to get out of debt
How to spend your money with a purpose
Keys to saving money like never before
How to invest with confidence
The event runs from 1:00—6:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.DaveRamsey.com and start at $40. Can’t make it to the event? Be sure to pick up a copy of Dave’s book, “Total Money Makeover” from the Resource Table.
30 Hour Famine
Every 7 seconds a child dies because of hunger and related causes. But here’s the good news—our students are doing something about it! On March 13 & 14 our youth group will participate in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. We’re fasting for 30 hours to get a taste of hunger—and to raise money to help feed and care for hungry kids and their families around the world. We need your help! We’d like the whole church to be involved in our Famine. Here are some ways you can be part of the action:
Pray. Ask God to bless our students as they go without food so others can eat.
Participate. We need volunteers to help with our Famine weekend event!
Give. Support our students’ fundraising efforts—every $30 they raise can help feed and care for one child for a month!
Questions? Call Mark Stemmerman, 566-1401.
Neighbor in Need
One of our Word of Life members has serious and painful dental issues and cannot currently afford the expensive procedures necessary to correct them. Consider making a donation to Word of Life's Neighbor in Need fund to help provide healing. Please make your check payable to Word of Life and write "Neighbor in Need" in the memo line or place your cash donation in a "Neighbor in Need" envelope available by the offering box.
Friend in Need
Jim Leible has a friend who is in need. The friend and his family have lost everything due to the economic downturn and are looking at relocating to Texas. He has a degree from A&M which he received on the GI bill after his service as a Marine and as a Vietnam veteran. He has helped bring many to the Lord and is very well versed in Scripture. He served as a director for a ministry organization on Capitol Hill for over 5 years. He is an apt teacher and tutor. If you know of any possible employment opportunities, perhaps in a Christian school or ministry in this area or anywhere in Texas, please contact Jim Leible, jaleible@hotmail.com.
Camp Lone Star
Ready to experience God in the great outdoors through a faith-based camping experience? Then Camp Lone Star is for you! Supported by Lutheran Outdoors Ministry of Texas, Camp Lone Star is a year-’round facility with retreats, seminars and camping experiences for all ages. Located near LaGrange, TX, Camp Lone Star is less than a 2 hour drive from Schertz. Registration for the camp’s popular summer program is open now. The theme for this year is, “Mighty to Save” from Zephaniah 3:17. For more information, review the flyer or visit www.lomt.com or talk to Mitschkes, Petersons, Osgoods or Molinas.
Office Space
Pastor Ken has been working from a home office for years and has been creative in devising ways to overcome its limitations. However, the needs of Word of Life have grown and the current home office situation limits the ability of volunteers and assistants to take care of various tasks. Occasionally businesses find they have a room or cubicle they're not using. If you or someone you know has such a space that they may offer temporarily as a donation or for a reasonable rental, please let Pastor Ken know, Ken@WordofLife4u.com or 566-2237.
Worship at Word of Life
You can listen to audio streams of recent worship services at Word of Life through the internet or download a recording of the service to your 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.
You can also subscribe to our Podcast/RSS Feed of Worship at Word of Life. To subscribe to the podcasts and LifeLesson notes, click on Subscribe. To take advantage of this feature you may need to update your web browser or get a free RSS reader. For more information about RSS subscriptions and readers go to www.WhatIsRSS.com.
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.
"Better Life" Links
How Does a Person Meditate on God's Word? - "We value action and busyness more than stopping and considering..." [more]
The Power of God's Word - "If there is anything our generation of Christians needs to ponder and experience anew it is the power of God's Word..." [more]
Biblos.com - Huge number of translations and Bible study tools. My favorite online Bible resource. [more]
BibleGateway.com - "is a free service for reading and researching Scripture online--all in the language or translation of your choice! We provide advanced tools you can use to search the Bible by keywords or verse, as well as other tools to enhance your study of the Bible..." [more]
E-Sword - Free Bible software for your computer. [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for promising to give us everything we need for daily life, for the love of Christ and the giving of His life to make us holy through water with the Word, for the power of the Word to transform us
for bringing Logan Christiansen back safely from the U.A.E.
for healing Ephram Gonzales, Steve Garza & Jolla Burch
for the call extended and accepted by Pastor Mark Hotopp to serve as Associate Pastor at Concordia in Garland, TX
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 over $40,000 given toward our Ministry (Building) Fund
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 seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, to seek Christ in His Word, to delight in His Word and reflect upon it day and night so we may be transformed by it
to bless missionary pastor Ed Weber and Mision Luterana Emanuel as they reach out to people in Mercedes, TX and beyond
to direct the purchasing of a property to help us reach our community with the Gospel
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 David & Ana Koester, Paulita (Koester), Jeff Conley, Joe Curry and Chuck Tolsma with employment
to enable us to listen to God’s plan for our lives and live it
to bless Andy Tolsma and family and Joyce J.
to bless and protect our troops abroad, especially Tom Hermel & Erik Moore in Iraq, Juan Pizarro (Molina) in Indonesia and Jason Leible, Elizabeth Grossart & Jason Lieber in Afghanistan
to comfort the family and friends of Nita Bowden, especially John Bowden and Nelda Curry as they mourn her death and to comfort the family and friends of Rev. Eugene Gruell, especially Anna Krueger, as they mourn his death
to heal Debra Gutierrez, John Bowden, Darren Osgood, Archie Wortham, Lisa Flowers, Monte Stewart (Stewart), Carey (Tolsma) Ashley Mendoza, Pastor Schoenborn, Genesee, Trey and Keith and to heal those battling cancer: Pastor Linderman, John Dury, Rachel Midgett, Kayla Nunnery, Sadie Norris, Matthew Provencio, Manuel Coloura, Zach Vangundy, Amanda Conniff, Pam Smith, Kurt Bickel, Susan Doering and to comfort and strengthen their families
for financial and people resources to enable His vision to come into being through us
to empower us to build a bigger heaven and better lives.
Join us in prayer wherever you are! You may leave prayer requests at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Bible Fun
A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him to his study and said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your bible a little and get your hair cut and we'll talk about it." After about a month the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss use of the car. They again went to the father's study where his father said, "Son, I've been real proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you've studied your bible diligently, but you didn't get your hair cut!" The young man waited a moment and replied, "You know Dad, I've been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair..." To which his father replied... "Yes, and they WALKED everywhere they went!"
Just a Thought
Like Joseph storing up grain during the years of plenty to be used during the years of famine that lay ahead, may we store up the truth of God's Word in our hearts as much as possible, so that we are prepared for whatever suffering we are called upon to endure.
- Billy Graham
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