We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
Pictures - Finally!
Fourth of July Outreach - Float Wins First Place! - Our entry in the Schertz Fourth of July Parade won first place in the Organizations and Churches category. This marks the second year in a row that Word of Life has brought home a trophy. More importantly, some honored those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country (portrayed by our float) by rising, with silence and/or with a salute. Take a look at pictures of the float and the people who helped us impact our community.
Ike Relief Mission Trip - Fifteen youth and adults helped with needed revitalization of a Houston neighborhood which had been affected not only by Hurricane Ike damage but by a downward spiral. They built relationships through serving as they scraped, primed, painted and repainted in Houston heat and humidity in the name of Jesus. They shared Jesus with people who were not pursuing a relationship with Christ. With God's help they were a difference and made a difference and had a great time as you can see in these pictures. Warning, there are over 500 of them!
Congregational Assembly & Potluck
Please plan to attend our annual congregational assembly this Sunday, August 23. Here’s what’s on the agenda:
final congregational approval of the Constitution & Bylaws approved by Texas District (Redline showing revisions to the Constitution & Bylaws),
set the number of members to serve on the Leadership TEAM (the Leadership TEAM recommends seven plus pastor),
approval of Leadership TEAM members (nominees include: David Christiansen, John Goeke, Mike Hilman, Toby Molina, Greg Peterson, David Smith and David White), and
approval of the 2010 Ministry Financial Plan.
After worship and take-down we’ll share lunch, then get down to the business of our meeting. Depending upon the first letter of your last name, we suggest you bring the following:
A–G: side dish (salad, vegetable, etc)
H–O: main dish
P-Z: dessert
Please bring a generous portion, so there’s enough for everyone!
Our youth will be providing childcare for our younger children during the meeting. Thank you Word of Life youth!
Powerful People
So you’ve had a great summer, you’re relaxed, rested and rejuvenated, right? Need an energy boost? A power up? Get one this Sunday, August 23 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions].
After worship and take-down we’ll share lunch, then get down to the business of our meeting. Don't forget to bring a dish to share. Our Word of Life youth will provide child care for younger children during the meeting.
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.
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. Want to be on 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 Mark Junkans and the ministry of LINC Houston. We support their work through the gift of 10% of our Sunday morning offerings to Texas Partners in Mission. To find out more about BMS, visit www.txdistlcms.org/tpim
LifeGroups
Two of our LifeGroups are taking a break from regular studies for the summer. However, we still have two groups meeting:
NEW! For Women—Daytime
This group is beginning a new study on the Holy Spirit. Join them this week for insight and discussion.
They meet 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
Neighbor in Need
We received word this week of an area family who is struggling with Back to School expenses. The family has 4 children, three who are school aged. They live near a Word of Life member. We were able to point them to some community resources for initial help. We’d also like to give them some financial assistance (Wal-mart gift card) which can be used for school supplies, clothing or other needs. If you would like to contribute to this need, please use one of the neighbors in need envelopes Sunday. (Make checks payable to Word of Life.)
Confirmation
Recently we heard students share their profession of faith. They helped us understand just a bit of what they learned through two years of instructions with Pastor Ken in Confirmation. Now, it’s time to begin Confirmation studies for the new academic year.
Students in 7th and 8th grade are invited to learn more about their Christian faith and continue the process of becoming passionate followers of Christ through Confirmation instruction. Confirmation classes explore primary Christian teachings and help students develop the means to share their faith publicly. If you have a student in 7th, 8th or even 9th grade, please plan to join Pastor Ken for a Parent’s Meeting on Sunday, August 30 at 9:45 a.m. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Ken at Ken@WordofLife4u.com or 566-2237.
Another Congregational Assembly
Another Congregational Assembly will be held right after worship on September 6. There are two items on the agenda: 1) to determine whether Word of Life intends to call Pastor Ken as their pastor and 2) if so, to ask permission of the Texas District to use a fast track process to do so. While these items were originally placed on the agenda for our August 23 meeting, the Leadership TEAM thought it prudent to give more time to explain this before bringing it to a vote.
Educator Sunday
As area schools gear up for the 2009—2010 school year, let’s show our educators that we appreciate all they do for our children.
Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for Educator’s Sunday on September 13. Here are a few of the highlights of the day:
prayers for all teachers, administrators, and students
special emphasis on the importance of education
free gift for all educators/administrators at worship
In addition, in anticipation of Educator Sunday, we want to take snacks and special invitations to area schools. We want to focus first on schools where a Word of Life member works. We have Word of Life people on 6 area campuses! If we have enough help, we’d like to take snacks and invitations to additional new campuses in the SCUCISD system. Can you help? Sign up on the RSVP form this Sunday or contact Patti Mitschke, 566-1650 or Patti@WordofLife4u.com
NEW! TeleCare
You may receive a phone call from a member of our new TeleCare ministry. If you do, take a couple of minutes (more if you want) to talk. If called, you may be asked how you're doing or if you have any prayer needs or thanksgivings. We value relationships and relationships are built on communication. While LifeGroups are the best way to build relationships at Word of Life (You are in a LifeGroup aren’t you?), TeleCare strives to care through communication by phone. If you'd like more information about our new TeleCare TEAM, please contact Mary Flowers, 658-4130.
Building/Land Fund
Word of Life is currently receiving 2.78% APY on funds specifically designated for building. Where do we get such a great rate? Through Texas District Church Extension Fund (CEF) of course! To see the rates you could receive, go to www.TexasCEF.org. To make a special donation to the Word of Life Building Fund, just write "Building Fund" in the memo line of your check and drop it in the offering box Sunday.
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.
Options for Women Annual Banquet
The annual fund raising banquet for Options for Women will be held on Thursday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Braunfels Civic Convention Center (375 South Castell Street, New Braunfels). Mike Williams, Christian comedian and author, will provide the entertainment. Individual tickets are available for $30 each. Additional sponsorship levels are also available. Deadline for ticket purchase is Sept. 10. For more information, contact Connie_Hendrix@sbcglobal.net or call 830-629-7565.
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.
Recently Updated:
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 is Your Purpose? - "We hit the streets to find out if people out there believe that they have a specific purpose in life or if they are just living day after day without any real direction..." [more]
Synod President Addresses ELCA Assembly - "LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick's remarks to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, given the morning after the ELCA's decision to allow non-celibate homosexuals to serve as pastors..." [more] (Word of Life is part of the LCMS)
What About Homosexuality? - "What does God say about homosexuality in His Word, the Bible?..." [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for giving us a single purpose, for His desire to hear our voice in prayer and for His passionate grace which sent His only, beloved Son to save us
for our guests and those who invited and brought them
for employment for Jeff Ray and Sarah
for bringing Sarah Livesay back safely from Slovakia
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 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 act in line with His purpose, to depend upon Him constantly in prayer, and to testify passionately of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to people near and far
to bless missionary pastor Mark Junkans and the ministry of LINC Houston, as they reach out to people in inner-city Houston and beyond
to direct us to negotiate for a property which will best help us reach our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for resources to help buy it
to direct and bless our Congregational Assembly
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 bless us and refresh drought stricken lands with rain
to bless Mario Torres & family whose house burned down
to bless the transitions of the Scotts, particularly the contract and closing on the sale of their house
to bless Ana Koester & Ryan Lester with employment and bless Stacey Kohan and her publishing company
to bless Logan Christiansen during his deployment
to protect our troops abroad, especially Erik Moore in Iraq and Julie Astrachan in Afghanistan
to bless the family and friends of Joy Conley (Peggy Myer’s sister), Reyes Molina, (Toby Molina’s uncle) and Vonda Boerger as they mourn their deaths
to heal Lisa Flowers, Art Stemmermann, Emmanuel Moreno, Daniel Sanchez, Diane Johnson, Marty Doering, Junior Almazan, Jordan Hernandez and to heal those battling cancer: J.T. Medford, Kayla Nunnery, Alden Malachowski, Marcia Waldgeir, Sadie Norris, Matthew Provencio, Manuel Coloura, Todd Reineck, Zach Vangundy, Amanda Conniff, Pam Smith, Kurt Bickel, Susan Doering and to comfort and strengthen their families
to empower us to connect our community to Christ.
Join us in prayer wherever you are! You may leave prayer requests at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Purpose Funny
There is a story involving Yogi Berra, the well-known catcher for the New York Yankees, and Hank Aaron, who at that time was the chief power hitter for the Milwaukee Braves. The teams were playing in the World Series, and as usual Yogi was keeping up his ceaseless chatter, intended to pep up his teammates on the one hand, and distract the Milwaukee batters on the other. As Aaron came to the plate, Yogi tried to distract him by saying, "Henry, you're holding the bat wrong. You're supposed to hold it so you can read the trademark." Aaron didn't say anything, but when the next pitch came he hit it into the left-field bleachers. After rounding the bases and tagging up at home plate, Aaron looked at Yogi Berra and said, "I didn't come up here to read."
Just a Thought
Sign on church door: "Gone out of business. Didn't know what our business was." - Unknown
The salvation of human souls, is the real business of life. - C.S. Lewis
How's business? - Pastor Ken
Joy & Peace,
Pastor Ken Mitschke
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Word of Life Fellowship-LCMS
1531 Jasmine Dr
Schertz TX 78154-3738
www.WordofLife4u.com
210-566-2237
Ken@WordofLife4u.com
KenMits - Twitter
Ken Mitschke - Facebook
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