We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
NEW LifeLesson Series: Reconnecting with God
Do you want God to bless you? Do you want to see God working miracles through your life? Do you want to sense His presence and His power? Reconnect with God and experience His blessing, His working, His presence and power.
Recovering Lost Spiritual Vitality
We all become disconnected from God and spiritually dry from time to time, but God wants to renew us and give us a fresh outpouring of His Spirit this Sunday, September 20 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions].
Free Audio Bible
Reconnect with God this week! Get a FREE New Testament download in one of over 311 languages. I recommend the English - ESV Dramatized Version. The Audio Bible Download Manager makes it easy to get the entire New Testament to your computer quickly. Listen from your computer or sync it with your mp3 player and listen daily! Download your copy today at http://www.lcmsbibledownload.com.
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 Charles Wokoma and the ministry of LINC Bible Institute as they reach out to people in inner-city Houston and beyond. We support their work through the gift of 10% of our Sunday morning offerings to Texas Partners in Mission (TPIM). To find out more about TPIM, visit www.txdistlcms.org/tpim.
Confirmation
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 meet on Sundays, 9:45—10:45 a.m. in the JAM room at church. There will be breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Summer, etc. 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 THIS Sunday 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.
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 THIS Wednesday. 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. Meet at the NEW Schertz Library, 608 Schertz Parkway, meeting room on October 21. Questions? Patti Mitschke, 566-1650 or Patti@WordofLife4u.com
For Women
Wednesdays 7:00 p.m.
Join us for Living Free: Learning to Pray God’s Word, a study by Beth Moore. We’ll meet three Wednesdays of the month and take one week off (the third Wednesday) to do a service project in our community. Our first session will be October 7 at Becky Peterson’s home (2839 Pond Apple.) Questions? Patti Mitschke, 566-1650 or Patti@WordofLife4u.com
For Men
Thursdays 7:00 p.m.
Meet with other men for discussion, prayer and encouragement. We’ll meet three Thursdays of the month and take one week off (the last Thursday) to do a service project in our community that week. Next meeting: Thursday, October 1. Location: TBD Questions? Ken Mitschke, 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Leadership TEAM Meeting
The newly elected Leadership TEAM will meet this Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mitschke’s, 1531 Jasmine Drive. Please thank God for the service of these fine folks and ask Him to direct their discussion.
Lord, Save Us From Your Followers
Lord, Save Us From Your Followers is a fast-paced, highly engaging documentary that explores the collision of faith and culture in America while opening up this important conversation to all of us. The movie will be opening in limited engagements across the US next week. In San Antonio, it will be showing at the Santikos Palladium theater, I-10 at The Rim.
Let’s go together to the 4:30 showing on Sunday, September 27 to see this engaging and challenging documentary. Want to carpool? Meet at Stemmermann’s, 1013 Gate Creek at 3:30 p.m. Youth are encouraged to attend too! (Parent’s note: the movie is rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some language.) This activity will take the place of Hang Time for this evening. Lord, Save Us From Your Followers delves into religious hot-button issues with candor, humor, and balance. It will change the way you talk about faith!
To find out more about this movie, visit the movie website.
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.
Hire a Youth Fundraiser
Every three years, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) hosts a national gathering for high school youth. The next gathering is scheduled for July 17—21, 2010 in New Orleans, LA. The theme for the Gathering is "We Believe," based on John 20:31: "But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
Several Word of Life youth are planning to attend this life-changing event. They are working now to raise money for the trip. One way you can help is to “hire a youth” to help with projects around your home. The youth are available for everything from babysitting to painting. You get to check a project off your “to do” list, and the youth get one step closer to New Orleans. To schedule youth, call Mark Stemmermann, 508-2073.
Parents and youth will learn more about the Gathering and discuss the need for parent chaperones at the upcoming Parent/Youth meeting on Sunday, September 20 at the Petersons, 2839 Pond Apple.
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.
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.
Back to School Shoes
Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP) has already helped 303 children in 136 area families to receive a new pair of shoes to wear back to school! RACAP provides vouchers to qualifying families. Family members can then redeem the voucher for a new pair of shoes at area PayLess Stores. PayLess then bills RACAP (less 10%) for the shoes purchased. RACAP uses donations to help cover the cost of the shoe program. If you would like to make a donation, you may use the RACAP envelopes available at the offering box in worship this Sunday. Make checks payable to Word of Life, but write RACAP in the memo line.
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
Portals of Prayer - "A wonderful source of strength and comfort... each devotion features a Bible reading, meditation, and prayer. Also available as online audio..." [more]
Today's Thought - "Be refreshed through a meditation on God's Word. The devotions are updated daily, and you can also receive these devotions daily via e-mail..." [more]
Help Topics & Free Booklets - "Insight into a variety of topics, as well as order forms so that you can request a complimentary topical booklet..." [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for restoring our cutting edge, for visuals to help us see Him at work in our lives, for specializing in the impossible
for our guests and those who invited and brought them
for the birth of Katherine Emerson Stirnweis, granddaughter of Cheryl & Bob Gibson
for Michelle Osgood as she celebrates a birthday
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 admit when we’ve lost our edge, to determine where we’ve lost it, to expect God to restore it and to remember, return and redo those things that reconnect us with the Lord
to bless missionary pastor Charles Wokoma and the ministry of LINC Bible Institute 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 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 will
to bless and refresh drought stricken lands with rain
to bless our children through challenges, temptations and toward God’s will for their lives
to bless David’s Smith’s mother Jackie as she prepares to sell her house and move to a smaller place
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, Kelly McDonald, 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 David Koester, Michelle Osgood, Laura Peebles, Lisa Flowers, Art Stemmermann, Daniel Sanchez, Mac Ray, Allen Conley, Stephanie Boatman, Paul Mitschke and to heal those battling cancer: Rachel Midgett. 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.
Bible Brain Twister By John Kezer
I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts, and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books are not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of the 17, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are the names of 17 books of the Bible in these sentences.
(Note: some span across spaces and punctuation)
Just a ThoughtThe kingdom of God is not going to advance by our churches becoming filled with men, but by men in our churches becoming filled with God. - Howard Spring
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