We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
A "Real" Dad Has a...
How could an infinite, perfect, holy God fall so totally in love with short-lived, sinful, sometime rebellious, frequently indifferent people like you and me? As we take a look at Psalm 103:8-14, dads will see an example of what fatherhood is all about and everyone will get a wonderful picture of the love of our Father God this Sunday, June 21 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions].
Nursery (infant to age 3)
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.
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 David White at 650-3166.
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. Want to be on this exciting prayer team? Contact Betty Tolsma 659-8107 or bettytolsma@sbcglobal.net.
Building a Bigger Heaven in Brazil
In our prayers this week, we’re lifting up missionary pastor Lucimar Velmer as he reaches out to people Ivaiporã, Brazil and beyond. We support Pastor Lucimar through our gifts of 10% of our Sunday morning offerings to the Brazil Mission Society (BMS). You can find out more about BMS at www.BrazilMissionSociety.com.
LifeGroups
Two of our LifeGroups are taking a break from regular studies for the summer. However, we still have two groups meeting.
For Women—Daytime
We're studying II Timothy, looking into the instructions Timothy received for church leadership, and the encouragement Paul gave him for his faith. Join us on Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.
Location: Sherri Smith's home 3309 Dusty Crossing, Schertz
Questions? 659-2585
For Men
Join us this Friday, 6:30 a.m. as we study and discuss, Jesus' Final Warning: Hearing God's Voice in the Midst of Chaos by David Jeremiah.
Location: IHOP 17220 I-35, Schertz
Questions? 566-2237
Schlitterbahn!
The Student Ministry group is sponsoring a day trip to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. Everyone is invited to join in on the fun! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 30. With 15 or more people we’ll qualify for the group rate of $31.99. Meet at the Stemmermann’s (1013 Gate Creek Lane, Schertz) at 9:00 a.m. We’re taking along a couple of coolers so save some money by packing a sack lunch and drinks. Bring along a bit of cash as we’ll stop for dinner on the way home. Don’t forget your sunscreen, towel, flip flops and a friend.
4th of July Activities Planned
Parade
Word of Life will once again have an entry in the Schertz 4th of July parade. The parade theme is “Schertz—Home of the Brave.” Volunteers are needed to help with the float. The parade will be held on Saturday, July 4th.
Flags
To decorate your neighborhood and also spread the word about Word of Life, American flags will be available next Sunday, June 28, to “plant” in your neighborhood. Pick up a supply of flags and share them with your neighbors. Volunteers are needed to help plant the remaining flags in a new neighborhood on next Sunday evening, June 28. We’ll meet at the 7th Day Adventist building at 5:00 p.m., plant the flags and then head to the Mitschkes (1531 Jasmine Dr, Schertz) for pizza at their house and swimming at their neighbors!
Sign up on the RSVP form this Sunday to help with all of the 4th of July activities. Questions? Contact Patti@WordofLife4u.com.
Word of Life Banner
As we prepare to become an officially chartered congregation of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, we want to prepare a “charter Sunday” banner to commemorate the event. Please check the table in the lobby this Sunday for an envelope with your family’s name. Each envelope contains material, a pattern and directions for making a family star. Be creative and decorate your star to reflect your family.
If you're having any difficulties with your star, Shirley Goeke is available to help out. She has extra fabric stars if you need to start over and an assortment of fabric paints and pens. If you need her help, give her a call! Shirley Goeke, 651-3075.
Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter
Your daughter’s growing up. The world has a lot to say to her, and she’s starting to listen. Even if she doesn’t quite know it, she needs you more than ever. It’s time for you to press in, to tell her some things she might not know—or might have forgotten—about who she is in God’s eyes. In her latest Bible study, Vicki Courtney equips moms to have the five conversations that will empower their daughters to stand firm in the midst of a culture that would rob them of their treasured status:
You are more than what people see on the outside.
You shouldn’t be in a hurry to grow up.
Sex is great and worth the wait.
It’s okay to dream about marriage and motherhood.
Girls gone wild are a dime a dozen.
Just five conversations—but they could be the basis for a whole new way of relating to your daughter. Are you interested in being part of this group for mothers of daughters zero—18? Contact Becky Peterson, bpeterson2@sbcglobal.net or 945-7952, for more information. Target start date: July, 2009.
LifeServe National Conference - Discount Code
Pastor Ken and Patti are excited to serve as facilitators at the LifeServe National Conference this coming fall. LifeServe will take place in Loveland, Colorado from September 30 – October 2, 2009 and feature: John Ortberg, Wayne Cordeiro, Rick Rusaw and Reggie McNeal. This unique training event helps churches become internally strong and externally focused.
Here's your special code which may be used before July 1st to discount your registration fee $50 per person.
The discount code is: Mitschke (no, really!)
Please use this code and enjoy the savings! Note if you bring teams of 3 or more, you will also receive a group discount of 10%.
Patti and Ken are excited to share this discount with you. If you have any further questions, please contact Ken at Ken@WordofLife4u.com or Patti at Patti@WordofLife4u.com. If you want further information about LifeServe National Conference, check out http://lifeserve.group.com or email info@churchvolunteercentral.com or call 1.800.267.9040.
Lutheran Inter-City Network Coalition (LINC)
San Antonio
Area LCMS Lutherans are combining efforts and resources to intentionally reach the multi-cultural and urban people of the San Antonio area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They plan to equip and train servant leaders for ongoing ministry to care for the spiritual and physical needs of our neighbors. In the future, LINC will work to start new ministries in the area, support existing ministries and reach out to all cultures and ethnicities.
A planning task force has been formed and a ministry description has been written for a called Mission Developer. The Texas District has agreed to help in this endeavor by providing a $50,000 matching grant. Now, the matching portion is needed through donations from local congregations and individuals. To find out more, pick up a LINC brochure from the Info Table this Sunday. For your convenience, you may donate through Word of Life by making your check out to Word of Life Fellowship and writing LINC SA in the memo line.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Mark your calendars! Lutheran Night at the Missions Baseball Game will be Thursday, August 6th. The game will be between the San Antonio Missions and the Corpus Christi Hooks. Ticket price will be $5.50 each. It is also dollar night for soda, hot dogs, etc. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. Be watching for more details!
Annual BBQ & Benefit Auction
Where can you get a day of Christian family fun and worship, a great BBQ meal and help support a vital ministry to youth and adults? Camp Lone Star! The big day is Sunday, July 26. The worship leader this year is Rev. Michael Newman. The outdoor worship begins at 11:00 a.m. with the finger-licking meal following. An annual benefit live auction will be held in the Koop Center from 1– 3:00 p.m. Silent auctions will be held throughout the day. Share in the ministry and fellowship of Lutheran Outdoors Ministry of Texas. For more information, a map to camp or to donate an item to the auction, call 877-397-2401.
Patriotic Music Celebration
The San Antonio Lutheran Chorale invites you to join them as they celebrate our flag and pay tribute to the brave men and women who defend her. Audience members are invited to wear the colors of the flag or their service uniform. The event is free and everyone is welcome to join the fun!
Choose from three different performances:
Saturday, June 27, 6:00 p.m. @ Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 19291 Stone Oak Parkway
Sunday, June 28, 3:00 p.m. @ Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 6914 Wurzbach Road
Sunday, June 28, 7:00 p.m. @ Concordia Lutheran Church, Loop 1604 and Huebner Road
For more information, call 830-331-9775.
Weekend to Remember
FamilyLife will allow 10 military couples to attend each of their remaining conferences in 2009 for FREE! For more than 30 years, FamilyLife has helped people reach a turning point in their marriages.
In just one weekend, you will discover:
God’s purpose for bringing you together
Your distinctive roles as husband and wife
How to resolve conflict and fight fair
Secrets to putting sizzle in your sex life
The first 10 military couples that register for each 2009 conference can register for free by using the Promo code "Military". You must register by June 30 to take advantage of this offer - but you can register for ANY conference between now and December 31st, 2009. There are two conferences in San Antonio during that time. You can see more information at www.FamilyLife.com/MilitaryMarriage.
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 Dads Can Stay Involved - Ideas for connecting with your kids at every age..." [more]
Father's Day - Great articles, e-cards and resources for Father's Day..." [more]
Father's Day and a New Angle on the Prodigal Son - "By focusing on the prodigal son, however, we miss the central lesson of the parable. The central character in this story is not the son, but the father..." [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for being the best dad, for having a long fuse, a short memory, a thick skin and a great big heart
for our guests and for those who invited and brought them
for a safe, productive, meaningful mission trip to Houston
for the safe birth of twins, Devin & Ethan, to Loren & Kristi Cheatham
for health or improving health
for recent graduates, especially Misha Hilman, Lindsay Roe, Brittany Pizarro and Whitney LeJeune
for bringing David Jason Berkland safely home from Iraq
for our nation and our leaders, for standing guard over our troops and their families, and for those who have been wounded or who have sacrificed their lives defending us
for all the resources God has entrusted to our care, and we ask Him to bless the gifts we offer today to help build a bigger heaven and better lives.
We Ask God…
to inspire and empower dads and other men and women to have a long fuse, a short memory, thick skin and a great big heart
to bless missionary pastor Lucimar Velmer as he reaches out to people in Ivaiporã, Brazil and beyond
to direct us to the piece of property which will best help us reach our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for resources to help us buy it
to comfort the victims of persecution, terrorism and disaster
to bless our leaders with godly wisdom and guidance that they may lead us according to His will
to bless those touched by our mission work in Houston
to bless Brittany Pizarro as she takes the nursing license test
to bless Ana Koester, Ryan Lester, Kelly, Trey, Lesa Dumas, Mickey Molina, Chuck Tolsma & Brad Moser with employment
to bless Gloria Morris and her grandson, Michael and to bless Grandma Dehart, and bless Theresa Lacey
to protect Jason & Yvonne Leible and family as they move overseas for a new duty assignment
to protect our troops abroad, especially Erik Moore in Iraq and Julie Astrachan in Afghanistan
to comfort the family and friends of Makenzie Stocker and Kathleen Archer as they mourn their deaths and to comfort Bennett Larson and family as he mourns the death of his mother
to heal Shirley Stewart, David & Ana Koester, Lisa Flowers, Art Stemmermann, Takeya Miller, Michael Garza, Courtney McCormick, Tanner Gale, Tammy Noblitt, Jordan Hernandez and to heal those battling cancer: Marcia Waldgeir, Sadie Norris, Matthew Provencio, Manuel Coloura, Todd Reineck, Zach Vangundy, Amanda Conniff, Pam Smith, Vonda Boerger, Kurt Bickel, Susan Doering and to comfort and strengthen their families
to empower us to make it hard for people to go to hell.
Join us in prayer wherever you are! You may leave prayer requests at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Fathers' Favorite Sayings
The man on the top of the mountain didn't fall there. Joe Kosanovic's Dad
Marry a big woman; someone to give you shade in the summer and warmth in the winter. Bill Bodin's Dad
Honesty is like a trail, once you get off it you realize you are lost. Mark Young's Dad
Wherever you are in life, first make friends with the cook. Bill Lewis's Dad
A closed mouth gathers no feet. John Beard Jr's Dad
The second time you get kicked in the head by a mule it's not a learning experience. Ebb Dozier Jr's Dad
You need to do what you have to do before you can do what you want to do. Reed Caster's Dad
Well, you know what happens when you wrestle with pigs, you get all dirty and they love it. Dennie Morgan's Dad
This is a democratic family; everyone gets a vote and I get five. Carolee Wende's Dad
If you're afraid to go too far, you will never go far enough. Kasey Warner's Dad
If you don't need it, don't buy it. Nicholas Pieroni's Dad
Never be so broke that you cannot afford to pay attention. Michael Brose's Dad
If it is to be, it's up to me. Jeff Wilson's Dad
Successful people make a habit of doing things that failures don't like to do. Charles H. Deal, Jr's Dad
Don't be foolish just because you know how to. Maynard Alfstad's Dad
Marry your best friend. Patrice Altenhofen's Dad
Peer pressure is a crack in the armor of your own conviction. Peter W. Troy's Dad
The difference always is attitude. Suzie Slater'd Dad
You have to eat an elephant in small bites. John Burke's Dad
The one who quits last--wins. Paul Gesl's Dad
If everybody else is doing it, it is probably wrong. Karl K. Warner’s Dad
-U.S.A. Today, Monday, June 15, p. 11c
Just a Thought
Fathers are persons that give daughters away to other men who aren't nearly good enough, so they can have grandchildren who are smarter than anybody's. - Paul Harvey
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