We're building a bigger heaven and better lives!
Take This Job and Love It!
Is your job merely something to endure so that you can pay the bills? God has uniquely shaped you for a particular vocation. He never intended that you finish up the work week and say “Thank God it’s Friday!” Take God to work with you, and you’ll be able to say “Thank God it’s Monday!” Join us this Sunday, September 6 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions].
Special Congregational Assembly
A Special 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. Let’s pray for the direction of the Holy Spirit.
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 David Kim and the ministry of LINC Houston 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.
Vital Planning
This Sunday we will celebrate Curch Extension Fund (CEF). 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.
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 at the Osgoods, 3740 Limestone Mesa, Schertz. Questions? 508-2073 Meeting Now!
For Women
Wednesday 9:00 a.m.
Currently this LifeGroup is doing a short study on the work of the Holy Sprit. Join us for Bible Insights beginning 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 September 17. Questions? Ken Mitschke, 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
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
Pick up invitations this Sunday to share with your friends, co-workers and teachers!
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’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 Sunday, September 13. Questions? Contact Pastor Ken at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.
Marked Bibles
Last week 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.
Convention Delegate
Congratulations to Shirley Goeke, the alternate lay delegate for our area at next summer’s Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 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.
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 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.
Congregational Assembly Highlights
Thanks to everyone who stayed for our first official Congregational Assembly. We had a great potluck and a productive meeting. Here’s what was decided:
The Constitution and Bylaws were ratified (copies available here and at the Info Table this Sunday).
The number of persons on the Leadership TEAM was set at 7 members plus the pastor.
Seven faithful candidates were elected to serve as your Leadership TEAM for the upcoming year:
David Christiansen
John Goeke
Mike Hilman
Toby Molina
Greg Peterson
David Smith
David White
Joyful thanks were given for Mark Stemmermann, Jim Leible and Kirk Stocker, who had previously served on the Leadership TEAM.
The 2010 Ministry Financial Plan was approved (copies available at the Info Table).
In addition, Pastor Ken handed out a summary sheet of highlights from the past year and a statement of future goals for 2010. Copies of this handout are available here and at the Info Table.
Bottles/Groceries Needed
Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP) is in need of empty 20 oz. Gatorade-type bottles and empty 8, 12, or 16 oz. water bottles. We use these empty bottles to divide large jugs of detergent and large bottles of dish soap. Just rinse the Gatorade bottles out with soapy water – no need to run them through the dishwasher or sterilize them. Place your donation in the RACAP basket on Sunday morning. In addition, it’s been a very busy summer at RACAP. In July, they 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.
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 September 10. For more information, contact Connie_Hendrix@sbcglobal.net or call 830-629-7565.
Calendar Online
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.
Worship at Word of Life Online
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
Of Some Earthly Good - Free online book which introduces the biblical teaching of vocation by John G. Strelan... [more]
My Job, My Calling - "Can they be the same?..." [more]
Labor Day - "Help celebrate the hard work of Christian employees and establish God's role within the workplace..." [more]
Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings
We Thank God…
for the blessings of work, for creating us uniquely suited for a vocation, for opportunities for quality, fulfilling service that makes a difference in the lives of people
for our guests and those who invited and brought them
for Church Extension Fund and the low cost building loans they provide to churches and for the investment opportunities they offer
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 employment for Ryan Lester & Jeff Ray
for bringing Sarah Livesay back safely from Slovakia
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 see God’s hand in our vocations, to make adjustments in our vocations as He leads, to do our best in our vocations as an offering to God and as a service to people on His behalf, and to do small things in great love
to bless missionary pastor David Kim 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 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 us and refresh drought stricken lands with rain
to bless our efforts to encourage, invite and bless educators
to guide and direct our Congregational Assembly today
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 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 Louise Nordmeyer (Mary Flower’s mother) and her family and friends as death appears to be near
to bless the family and friends of Joy Conley (Peggy Myer’s sister) as they mourn her death
to heal Laura Peebles, Lisa Flowers, Art Stemmermann, Stephanie Boatman, Paul Mitschke, 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.
Job History FunMy first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned...couldn't concentrate.
Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the ax.
After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it...mainly because it was a so-so job.
Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that was too exhausting.
I wanted to be a barber, but I just couldn't cut it.
Then I tried to be a chef -- figured it would add a little spice to my life but I just didn't have the thyme.
I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn't cut the mustard.
My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.
I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience.
Next was a job in a shoe factory--I tried but I just didn't fit in.
I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.
I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.
I got a job at a zoo feeding giraffes, but I was fired because I wasn't up to it.
So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.
After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it.
My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.
So, then I retired...and found out I was perfect for the job!
Just a Thought
Every calling is great when greatly pursued. -Oliver Wendell Holmes
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
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