We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
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. 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
Join us this Sunday, September 13 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.
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 Brazil
In our prayers this week, we’re lifting up missionary pastor Diegho Luiz and the ministry of Concórdia, Nova Venécia as they reach out to people in Brazil and beyond. We support their work through the gift of 10% of our Sunday morning offerings to Brazil Mission Society (BMS.) To find out more about BMS, visit www.BrazilMissionSociety.com.
Confirmation Begins
Do you have an unconfirmed 7th, 8th or 9th grader in your home? If so, you are invited and encouraged to take on the challenges of our Confirmation Course. While Confirmation is a man-made tradition, it is a very good one. Our version is designed to help your student learn the basics of the Christian faith (which will help provide the basis they need for a lifetime of continued learning and growth) and help him or her live the blessings and challenges of being a servant/leader like Christ. We’ll be meeting on Sundays, 9:45—10:45 a.m. in the JAM room at church. There will be breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Summer, etc. Our first meeting will be this Sunday, September 13. Questions? Contact Pastor Ken at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
NEW LifeGroups Starting
Several new LifeGroups will be starting this month. Read through the information below and select a group today!
For Mothers of Daughters
Sundays 9:45 a.m.
map and directions
Your daughter’s growing up. The world has a lot to say to her, and she’s starting to listen. It’s time for you to tell her some things she might not know—or might have forgotten—about who she is in God’s eyes. Join us for Five Conversations to Have with Your Daughter beginning on September 20 at the 7th Day Adventist Bldg. Questions? Becky Peterson, beterson2@sbcglobal.net or 945-7952.
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 THIS Tuesday at the Osgoods, 3740 Limestone Mesa, Schertz. Questions? 508-2073.
For Women
Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.
Join us for Bible Insights beginning THIS Wednesday on September 16. 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 at Sherri Smith’s home, 3309 Dusty Crossing, Schertz. Questions? Call Sherri, 659-2585.
For Readers
Wednesday 6:45 p.m.
Meet new friends and share insights on various readings at this monthly book discussion group. Tentative plans are to meet at the Schertz Library starting on September 23. Questions? Patti Mitschke, 566-1650 or Patti@WordofLife4u.com
For Men
Thursdays 7:00 p.m.
Meet with other men at the Mitschkes, 1531 Jasmine Drive, Schertz, for discussion, prayer and encouragement. Starts on THIS Thursday, September 17. Questions? Ken Mitschke, 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Special Congregational Assembly
Two items were on the agenda for the special Congregational Assembly held after worship last Sunday. The congregation voted to proceed with the process to extend a call to Pastor Ken to serve as Pastor of Word of Life and to ask for assistance from the Texas District in making this process happen in a timely manner.
Mark Bibles
Recently we learned about the Powerful Word of God. You can help share that Word with a powerful witnessing tool—a marked New Testament. Word of Life has several paperback New Testaments on hand. We also have instructions which show you how to mark selected passages in these Bibles in order to walk the reader through the message of salvation. The marked Bibles are provided free on Sunday mornings and are given away in various locations across the state. Want to help with this easy but powerful project? Talk to Pastor Ken, 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
NEW Life Issues Material
Be sure to check the Info Table this Sunday for new brochures regarding stem cell research, cloning and other life issues. Read over this valuable information and share it with a friend.
Building/Land Fund
Word of Life is currently receiving 2.53% 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.
Vital Planning
You may know the Church Extension Fund as the ministry that provides vital low-cost building loans to LCMS churches and schools. Did you also know that CEF provides savings and investment opportunities to individuals and organizations of the LCMS? A vital benefit – while your investments are earning interest for you they are also providing the vital funds needed to create a place where ministry can impact lives. Please talk with our congregational representatives, Shirley or John Goeke about making an investment in the Texas District Church Extension Fund or call 1-800-951-3478.
Convention Delegate
Congratulations to Shirley Goeke, the alternate lay delegate for our area at next summer’s Lutheran Church Missouri Synod national convention in Houston. Our Texas District is divided up into small segments, and each group sends one pastoral and one lay delegate to the convention. Alternates attend if the delegate is unable to go.
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 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.
Groceries Needed
Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP) set a new record for number of clients seen in one month (151, previous record was 132.) The food pantry shelves are emptying faster than the food is coming in! Please continue to think about RACAP when you are doing the grocery shopping for your family. They have plenty of corn and green beans, but are low on just about everything else.
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
Teacher Appreciation - "Free teacher-appreciation e-cards and a list of innovative teacher-appreciation tips and strategies called, 'Ten Ways to Thank a Teacher...'" [more]
10 Ways to Thank Teachers - "Most teachers of preschoolers and children would agree they do not serve for recognition—but it is nice when someone remembers where you serve and what you do..." [more]
The best quotes for and by teachers! - "You will find positive and motivating teacher quotes and... funny teacher quotes taken from different situations in a classroom..." [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for educators and the very important work He has given them to do: helping reform God’s church and God’s world, training good citizens, pursuing a higher purpose, producing enduring fruits, sharing experience, and having one of the best, greatest and most useful vocations
for our guests and those who invited and brought them
for blessing our recent Congregational Assembly
for the birth of Katherine Emerson Stirnweis, granddaughter of Cheryl & Bob Gibson
for blessing Junior Almazan & Randy Long with partial healing
for blessing the Scotts with a smooth closing on their house
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 support and honor, encourage and pray for our educators and to serve as educators and mentors as God gives us opportunity
to bless missionary pastor Diegho Luiz and the ministry of Concórdia, Nova Venécia as they reach out to people in Brazil and beyond
to direct us to negotiate for a property which will best help us reach our community with the Gospel and for resources to help 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 willto bless and refresh drought stricken lands with rain
to keep our college students in the Word and keep them healthy and safe, especially our new college student, Misha Hilman
to bless Ana Koester, Harold Toomey, Phyllis Thompson & Chuck with employment and bless Maria Molina & Stacey Kohan with improved employment
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 Louise Nordmeyer (Mary Flower’s mother), of Randy Krueger (Bill Krueger’s father) and of J.T. Medford as they mourn their deaths
to heal Laura Peebles, Lisa Flowers, Art Stemmermann, Mac Ray, Allen Conley, Stephanie Boatman, Paul Mitschke and to heal those battling cancer: 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 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.
Math Teacher Fun
(If you get this, thank a math teacher!)
AT NEW YORK's Kennedy airport today, an individual - later discovered to be a school teacher - was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a slide rule, and a calculator. At a morning press conference, the U. S. Attorney General disclosed that he believes the man to be a member of the notorious al-gebra movement. He is being charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.
"Al-gebra is a fearsome cult," he declared. "They seek average solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute value. They use secret code names like 'x' and 'y' and refer to themselves as 'unknowns,' but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to argue, there are three sides to every triangle."
When asked to comment on the arrest, the President stated, "If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, He would have given us more fingers and toes. I am gratified that our government has shown us a sine that it is intent on protracting us from these math-dogs, who are willing to disintegrate us with calculus disregard. Murky statisticians love to inflict plane on every sphere of influence. Under the circumferences, we must differentiate their root, make our point, and draw the line."
The President warned, "These weapons of math instruction have the potential to decimal everything in their math on a scalene never before seen, unless we become exponents of a Higher Power and begin to factor in random facts of vertex."
The Attorney General concluded, "As our Great Leader would say, read my ellipse. Here is one principle he is uncertain of: though they continue to multiply, their days are numbered as the hypotenuse tightens."
Just a Thought
A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. - Henry Adams
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
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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