Welcome to St. John Lutheran Church-LCMC
August
Important Events for August
Back To School Luncheon for Thrall ISD Staff
On August 7th, we will be hosting the teachers and staff from Thrall ISD. There is a sign up in the narthex for cash donations for food or to bring a dessert. There is also a collection for the Teacher Wish List & Gift Cards. This is a combination of school supply items for the teachers and gift card door prizes.
Blessing of the Backpack
On Sunday, August 9th, we invite all students to bring their backpacks to worship. We will have a blessing of the backpacks, and each child will be given something for their backpack.
CONFIRMATION PARENTS MEETING
A meeting regarding the upcoming confirmation class will be held on August 2nd after worship. All parents of students in grades 7-8 are encouraged to attend. We will go over class expectations and answer any questions. For more information, please speak to Pastor Geske.
SUNDAY SCHOOL STAFF MEETING
Our Sunday School meeting will be on Thursday, August 13th about 11:30 a.m. We will be planning for upcoming events between the new school year through Christmas. If you have any questions or input, please speak to Linda Richter or Pastor Jeff.
Shepherd's Heart Work Day
We will be hosting a distribution for Shepherd’s Heart ministry on August 10th from 8-10 a.m. Please plan to help if you can. We get started about 7:00 a.m.
We continue to stock our Food Pantry to help with what is provided by Shepherd’s
Heart. In June, we’ll provide a hot dog meal with wieners, buns, chili, baked beans,
mac & cheese, and mustard. Suggested items for June distribution (6/8) are hot
dog buns and small mustard. Please place donated items on the bench by the
Food Pantry. Items can also be purchased through Amazon and shipped directly to
the church at 409 S Main St, Thrall. Contact Joy Moehnke with any questions.
Thank you for your generosity!
SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING
The Sunday School children have a service opportunity to help with the Food Pantry distribution on August 10th followed by an outing to Hooky's in Hutto for lunch, bowling, and arcade fun. The
older children will need to be at the church by 8 AM to help with the food pantry
distribution and the younger students will need to be at the church by 10 AM to
leave for our field trip to Hooky's. We will leave Hooky's at 2 PM and return to
the church at 3 PM. Parents are welcome to go with us to transport their children
and can have lunch with us. We will have sponsors who will have room to take
your child/children and we will need you to supply a car seat or booster seat if your child requires one. Each student is allowed to invite a friend to join us. Everyone will need a permission slip. So put Monday, August 10th on your schedule! For more information or questions, please contact Linda Richter (254) 697-5099.
LUTHERAN MEN ~ MONTHLY BREAKFAST
On August 1, we will have a Lutheran Men Monthly breakfast. Breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m. We will have a hot breakfast, devotion, and a Bible study.
Sunday Morning Bible Class
Please come and join our study of the
Word of God!
-
STUDY
. The Sunday Morning Bible Class is studying the
scripture lessons for the day. Come
join them to learn
■ more about the places that Jesus walked and carried out
His ministry
Ladies Bible Study
The Ladies Bible Study will meet on August 13th at 10:00 a.m. We are studying the Women of the Bible. Please plan to join them for time in God’s Word.
OFF TO COLLEGE
To our students or parents of students who will be living away from home for the upcoming school year, please contact the church office with your new address, phone number, and name of college. Please indicate if you would like to receive the newsletter while at school. We would be happy to email or mail it to you.The Ladies Bible Study will meet on August 13th at 10:00 a.m. We are studying the Women of the Bible. Please plan to join them for time in God’s Word.
Shepherd's Heart
FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR GESKE
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Ten Little Christians
Ten little Christians standing in a line,
One disliked the Preacher, then there were nine.
Nine little Christians stayed up very late,
One slept in on Sunday, then there were eight.
Eight little Christians, on their way to Heaven,
One took his own road, then there were seven.
Seven little Christians chirping like some chicks,
One disliked the song leader, then there were six.
Six little Christians seemed very much alive,
One lost his interest, then there were five.
Five little Christians pulling for heaven's shore,
One stopped to rest, then there were only four.
Four little Christians each busy as a bee,
One got his feelings hurt, then there were three.
Three little Christians knew not what to do,
One couldn't forgive another, then there were two.
Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done
Quarreled over petty stuff, then there was only one.
One little Christian, can't do much 'tis true;
Brought his friend to Bible Study - then there were two.
Two earnest Christians, each won one more,
That doubled the number, then there were four.
Four sincere Christians worked early and worked late,
Each won another, then there were eight.
Eight splendid Christians, if they doubled as before,
In a few short weeks, we'd have 1,024.
In this little jingle, there is a lesson true:
You either belong to the Building,
Or to the Wrecking Crew.
What a wonderful poem for us to consider as we are about the Lord’s work of sharing the love and forgiveness of Jesus! Anytime you have more than one person involved in an activity, you will have different opinions and ideas. The important thing is for us to seek to work and walk together in ways that bring glory to God and extend His kingdom among us.
I like those words of Luther in our catechism that speak about the petition in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy Kingdom Come.” We read, "What does this mean?The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.
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.”
Godly lives here in time and there in eternity. Yes, God wants us to be about living the message of His kingdom as we daily reach out with the love of Jesus. How are we doing with that goal? As I look at our church, I am again so thankful for how God’s people are giving of their time, talents, and treasures to do the Lord’s work and extend His kingdom. Yes, we always can see that there are times that we need to reflect and prayerfully consider our giving to the Lord of all three of T’s. We are not motivated by the Law, but by the Good News that Jesus died and rose for us so that forgiveness and eternal life are ours in Christ.
Yes, we are called to be part of building up the kingdom. Peter wrote these words so wonderfully, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderfullight.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV) How can you daily reflect and shine the praises of God through your life? I ask you to continue to pray about how you can reflect the love of Christ through our work together as the body of Christ at St. John. I pray that God uses our worship and growing together in a way that enhances and excites you to daily witness the love of Jesus Christ through your life. Yes, I will say it again, I look forward to seeing you in God’s house, faithfully worshipping and growing as His child so you will always be part of the building crew.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Jeffrey Geske
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St. John Lutheran Church Thrall Tx
Sunday Morning Bible Class
Our Sunday school would love to have you
and your child or grandchild
to be a part of learning more about the
love and forgiveness of Jesus.
Please make the study of God’s Word
a priority for you and your
family. A church that is growing is a church that is in God’s Word.