From Pastor's Desk
The first and the last two chapters in the Bible teach us many things about the world that God has created, redeemed, and is now restoring. In both Genesis and Revelation we see what the world is like without sin. In Genesis God Creates Adam in his own image. Then he is told he can eat anything he wants, except the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. 1
Many wonder what was the point of God putting the Tree there if they could not eat from it. Martin Luther in his Genesis commentary suggests Adam and Eve would have gone to the tree to worship God. By going to the tree and not eating, they would have been showing their devotion to God’s word, and shown they were in a relationship where they trusted God. 2
Adam and Eve failed and yielded to the devil's temptation. Then we are told, "(God) drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life" (Genesis 3:24).
When Jesus came into the synagogue he reads from Isaiah and says this: “18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
Jesus was explaining to the Jews that he has come to restore the relationship between God and Man. That he wanted to return us to the relationship Adam and Eve had with God. We know that he accomplished that by his death and resurrection.
This is why we find in Revelation that in the New Jerusalem, there the tree of life is restored to God's people! (Revelation 22:1-2).
Now what do we do In the meantime? We should acknowledge what Jesus taught us in the Lord's Prayer. We pray for “Thy Kingdom Come” and “Deliver us from Evil.”
Luther’s answer for: “How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.”
Luther’s answer for the Seventh Petition: “We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.”3
Joint Counsel Meeting @ St. Peter
Monday, September 18th at 7:30pm at St Peter.
Sunday School!
September 10th starting at 9:00 am! All children in preschool through 8th grade are welcome to join us. Blessing of the Backpacks – We will be blessing the children’s backpacks during our 10:00 am worship service.
What is a “catechism”?
A catechism (pronounced KAT-eh-kizm) is a book of instruction usually written in question and answer form. The word “catechism” comes from the Greek word katekhein, which means “to instruct.” A catechism teaches the basics of the Christian faith.
Why do we need catechisms?
While visiting local churches, Martin Luther found many pastors and their church members were unaware of the true teachings of the Bible. Because of this, the people were living immoral lives. Martin Luther wrote the catechisms to instruct people in the basics of the Christian faith, that they might know Christ and His forgiveness and live accordingly. We still use Luther’s Large and Small Catechism so that we never forget those things that are necessary for faith in Christ.
From LCMS Worship.
LWML Fall Retreat -
Defiance/Napoleon Zones
When: September 16th
Where: John Lutheran - Stryker (St. Rtes. 6 & 66)
Topic: "Serve the Lord with Gladness" Schedule: Doors open at 8:30 AM, Program starts at 9:00 AM
Service projects and Prayer walk with luncheon at noon
Cost: $15 includes lunch
Ingatherings: LWML mites and new regular size dark colored bath towels.
Registration forms are posted on the bulletin board and must be sent to Gretchen Etzler by September 3rd. All ladies of the congregation are invited and welcome to attend.
Adopted Seminary Student
This year's adopted seminary student is Seth Horn from Euclid, OH. He is a first year student. Seth's home church is Zion Lutheran Church in Painesville, OH. We will support him with a monthly monetary stipend during the current school year. Besides the monetary gifts, we have promised to encourage him with our prayers and cards. We hope you will join us in this service. His address at the seminary is 6600 North Clinton Street - Box 246 - Ft. Wayne, IN. 46825
Rocky Railway VBS - Many many thanks!!
We enjoyed an epic adventure at St. Peter this year! We took a ride with Jesus that we will never forget. Our successful VBS wouldn't be possible without our amazing volunteers, decorations and snack donations. Thank you so much! -VBS Director, Emilie Parsons
A peek from preschool…
We are excited that summer is almost over and school will begin on August 28 & 29 for the 2023-24 school year. We had quite a busy summer with a playdate in June, our Carnival in July and the Henry County Fair Parade in August! Our Preschool attended the parade at the fair for our 1st year and it was a great event. Our float was awarded 3rd place in the Religious category thanks to the help of Emilie Parsons, Dana Stuenkel, Justin Pahl and many other church members who also helped donate candy to make it a success! We appreciate your support and can’t wait to make this an annual event for our Preschool! We also look forward to the Fall and are excited to announce our next Community event will be held on Friday, October 27 from 5- 7 pm. We will be having a Fall Festival & Craft Show that we invite the church members to attend and participate in. There will be food, games, hayrides and a puppet show! If you would be interested in participating, please see Emilie Parsons for more information. Booth rentals will be $10 for church members or $20 for non-church members. We are also in need of baked good donations and candy to help make this event successful and will be collecting candy all through September and October! Our next Preschool Committee meeting is Monday, September 11 at 6:30 pm. We look forward to another exciting school year and appreciate all the love and support from the church community. - Mrs. Arce
