We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
Confirmation Sunday
This Sunday, July 19, we will celebrate with four of our Word of Life students as they confirm their faith in Christ. During the worship service they will each share a public profession of their faith. These students have been meeting weekly with Pastor Ken for the past two academic years and have learned the basics of our faith. The students being confirmed this year are:
Hayden Cardy
Elizabith Costey
Mickailis Molina
Myles Wortham
Please share your encouragement with these students this Sunday, July 19 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions] and continue to pray for their walk of faith.
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 Silvio Souza as he reaches out to people in Cerro Branco, Brazil and beyond. We support Pastor Silvio 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
Charter Sunday
Please join us for a special celebration worship on Sunday, August 2 as we recognize Word of Life as an official, chartered congregation of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod! We’ll use our new banner, have a special guest speaker and follow worship with a celebratory potluck lunch! To sign up for the potluck, fill out an RSVP form this Sunday or contact Patti@WordofLife4u.com.
Prayer, Faith, and Healing Micro Seminar
Has your confidence in the relevance of prayer, faith, and healing diminished? Come renew your belief in the significance of prayer, build your faith level, and discover what the Bible has to say about healing. This micro seminar will be held on Saturday, July 25, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hilman's (140 Niemietz Cove, Cibolo). For more information, contact Nichel at 940-224-2554.
Answered Prayer
Members of the Grace Prayer Team have prayed for jobs, healing, comfort, restoration and much more. They have seen many examples of God’s intercession into the situations of our lives. They also know that many of you have experienced reaffirming examples of God’s mighty presence. The team is compiling a quarterly newsletter and they would like to add your story of answered prayer. Please share YOUR story with Betty Tolsma, bettytolsma@sbcglobal.net.
So Long to the Scotts
God has provided a great new coaching/teaching opportunity for Chad Scott in Leander, TX. We’re happy for Chad and family, but sad to see the Scotts leave. Sherlyn has been a key leader in our vibrant youth ministry program and we will miss her contributions.
Since they will be close by, the Scotts do plan to come back and visit us from time to time. However, their last “official” Sunday at Word of Life will be next Sunday, July 26. We’ll have a special farewell presentation at worship that morning and a final Hang Time with Sherlyn that evening.
Mission Ike Review/Sherlyn’s Final Hang Time
The youth and adults who recently spent a week in Houston on a Can Do Mission Trip will share pictures and highlights from their trip at worship on Sunday, July 26. That evening, all youth are invited to join us for Photo Hang Time at 5:00 p.m. at the Mitschke’s (1531 Jasmine Dr., Schertz.) We’ll look at ALL the pictures from the trip and say good bye (sniff) to Sherlyn!
Youth/Parent’s Meeting
All 7th—12th grade students, and their parents, are asked to attend a special Youth and Parent’s Meeting on Sunday, August 9 at 5:00 p.m. We’ll begin to make plans for the upcoming year and discuss preparations for next year’s National LCMS Youth Gathering. The location for the meeting is still to be determined. Be watching the announcements in the weeks to come for further information. Questions? Call Mark Stemmermann, 566-1401.
4th of July Winner
Did you hear? The Word of Life entry in the Schertz 4th of July Parade was an award winner - for the second year in a row! We won first place in the Organizations/Churches category. Some honored those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country (portrayed by our float) by rising, with silence and/or with a salute. Thanks to everyone who worked on, drove, or walked with the float! Be watching for pictures from all of the 4th of July related activities.
Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter - coming this fall
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. In order to allow greater participation by the most number of people for this exciting and vital study, we’ve decided to offer the study in the fall. New target start date: September! Be watching for details!
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.
A portion of the cost for the tickets is being underwritten by the Guadalupe Valley Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The Chapter will also be furnishing a bus for the first 50 people requesting transportation and will furnish a second bus if another 50 request tickets. The bus will leave for the ball park at 5:00 p.m.
To purchase tickets, or reserve a seat on the bus, contact Alissa Elley at (830) 303-0035 or alissa.elley@nisd.us. Deadline for ticket purchase is July 31.
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 1:00 – 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.
Back to School Shoe Program
The Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP) is once again sponsoring a special “Back to School Shoe Program.” Last year, this program provided new school shoes for 223 area students.
Need Shoes?
With economic conditions as they are, do you need help with providing new shoes for your children this year? The program is open for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. To qualify, a parent or guardian must provide the following:
Photo ID
Social Security cards for all in the household
Proof of residence
Proof of all income and benefits
Applications can be submitted at the RACAP office (307 Pfeil St., Schertz) through October 2, 2009. Only those in certain zip codes may participate. For more info, call RACAP at 658-1613, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Monday—Friday.
Want to Help?
RACAP is accepting monetary donations to fund this program. Qualified applicants will receive a gift certificate to PayLess so their child can select their own new shoes. PayLess provides shoes to RACAP at a 10% discount. The number of children who will receive shoes will depend upon the amount donated to the program. RACAP has never had to turn anyone away due to a lack of funding and they are trusting God to provide again this year! You may drop your donation at the RACAP office.
Dear Friends of Fisher House,
The residents and staff of the Ft. Sam Houston Fisher Houses would like to thank you for your recent donation of two lap quilts. We are very grateful for your kindness. A simple “thank you” seems so inadequate, but it comes from the hearts of a very grateful staff and the family members of our wounded military men and women. Inge Godfrey, Manager
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
What We Believe - A very brief summary of what we believe... [more]
Who Is Jesus? - "Who is Jesus? What difference does Jesus make? What does the Bible say?..." [more]
An Introduction to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod - "The purposes of this essay are 1) to offer a brief overview of the history of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), 2) to provide a summary of what we Lutherans believe, and 3) to present the LCMS's understanding of the doctrine of the church and how this affects its relationships with other Christian denominations..." [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for His teachings which make us champions in this life and the next, for giving us life and making us who we are through His grace, for the promise of eternal gold and adrenaline for the soul
for Hayden Cardy, Elizabith Costey, Mickailis Molina, Myles Wortham, for the gift of faith You’ve given them, for their affirmation of faith and their desire to remain faithful to You and fulfill Your purposes for their lives
for our guests and those who invited and brought them
for all the volunteers who planted flags, decorated the float and helped with the parade for our 4th of July outreach events
for Brittany Pizzaro’s success in passing her nursing licensing test
for blessing Pastor Ken, Patti and William on their family vacation and for keeping Andrew safe at home
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 God’s blessing and provision for each of us in our daily lives
for all the resources God has entrusted to our care and for His promise to multiply the gifts we offer today to help build a bigger heaven and better lives.
We Ask God…
to inspire and empower us to run with all our heart, to get up when we fall and to train hard to win
to bless missionary pastor Sílvio Souza as he reaches out to people in Cerro Branco, Brazil and beyond
to bless the people who were touched by our 4th of July outreach efforts and other relationship building
to direct us to the 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 according to His will
to give Jeremy Moore wisdom, guidance and protection as he goes through the final steps of enlisting in the U.S. Army
to bless Logan Christiansen during his deployment
to bless Ana Koester & Ryan Lester with employment
to bless the Scotts during their travels
to protect our troops abroad, especially Erik Moore in Iraq and Julie Astrachan in Afghanistan
to heal Robyn Cardy, Shirley Stewart, David Koester, Lisa Flowers, Art Stemmermann, Heather Stirnweis and her unborn child, Emmanuel Morno, 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 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.
Pastor Funny
I heard of a pastor who had a special drawer where he
filed his bills. It was labeled "Due unto others."
Just a Thought
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. -C. S. Lewis
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