2010
The Sheep’s Pen
Serving Christ as His voice,
His hands and His feet…
Our Shepherd Lutheran Church
19704 FM 2100
Crosby, Texas 7732
281-324-2422
http://voicehandsfeet4him.org
[email protected] [email protected]
Special events in our church family’s life:
Holy Communion Celebrated
Both Services
st rd
1 , 3 & 5th Sundays
ONE SERVICE ONLY
Celebration Sunday
August 22 9:30 a.m.
Church Family Potluck Dinner
11:00 a.m.
Monthly events:
LWML
Quilters 3rd Tuesday 6:30 p.m.
Bd of Elders
1st Thursdays 7 p.m.
Bd of Ed/SS Teachers
2nd Monday 6:30 p.m.
Bd of Evangelism
2nd Thursdays 7:00 p.m.
Building Committee
Watch the Sunday bulletins for dates
Youth Group
3rd Sunday 4-6 p.m.
Water to Thrive collections every 4th Sunday
Newsletter articles due Sunday, August 22!
Please check the articles in the newsletter
for more information on these and other
events.
Services 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM
Sunday School 9:15 AM
Reverend Jonathan F. Meyer, Pastor
281-328-2445
Members of Our Shepherd:
Pam Averre; Kathy Broussard; Bill Bredemeyer; Gladys
Cornelius; Ethel and Ralph Dowies; Victor and Viola Eilers;
Helen Felscher; Leroy Flanagan; Walter Fuelberg; Ed and Joyce
Gruetzner; Marge Harting; Roy Johnson; Wilbert Kriegel; Ed
Schroeder; Fred and Martha Washek; Havert and Darlene Witte;
and Tom Wysoki;
Friends and relatives
Nancy Armstrong; Violet Baldwin; Jim Blume; Jeff Bowen;
Kristi Carlisle; Julie Goetschius; Charles Griffeth; Patty Gummelt;
Tony Hall; Anita Long; Pat Long; Thomas and Barbara Mallette;
Fran McCain; Bill Mier; Nancy Moerbe; Mark Morgan; Sarah Morrow; Michael Parker; Annie Scott; Gary Smith; Iris Smith; Jean
Weatherson; and
Bruce Avriett
John Hunter III
Cody Flies
Robert Larson
Jessica Tebbetts
Neil Zaccagni
The Sheep’s Pen
June 2010
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We’re All Stewards
This month our focus in worship and Bible class is on Biblical stewardship.
I’m not sure why this has happened, but somewhere in the last generation, “Biblical stewardship” has developed the connotation of the local PBS station conducting their regular fundraising campaign: “If you want us to remain on the air, you need to give now!” People enjoy
watching PBS but don’t care for their asking for money so they vote with their remote control
and change the channel. Similarly, when Christians hear the word “stewardship,” the first thing
they think of is “money.” Sadly, many stewardship campaigns are nothing more than veiled attempts to balance the budget; even more sad, in a confusion of Law and Gospel, stewardship is
presented as a Law and not as Gospel. It’s no wonder some people are put off when the pastor
introduces the subject of stewardship!
Wait a minute: stewardship is Gospel, and not Law? Yes – properly understood, for the Christian stewardship is Gospel! The first mention of Christian stewardship has nothing to do with
money, but management of the gifts of God. God gives; we simply manage and return to Him
what is His. Look at Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took [Adam] and put him in the Garden of
Eden to work it and take care of it.” In this perfect relationship, God gave the gift of creation. In
return, Adam would be a steward of the Garden and care for it.
Stewardship is mentioned in the explanation to the Apostle’s Creed. The First Article lists the
physical, earthly gifts God gives us like our bodies, our minds, clothes, food, home, family, and
earthly belongings. He protects us and preserves us. “He richly and daily provides me with all
that I need to support this body and life,” the Catechism says. Our response? “For all this, it is
my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.”
Stewardship is not something to be afraid of – rather, it’s part of our Christian life! And, it’s
much more than “checkbooks.” It’s about a Christian mindset – a way of life and thinking.
For example: if you borrow your neighbor’s lawn mower or your neighbor’s sewing machine,
how will you return it? Hopefully in as good or better condition than you received it – with a
tank full of gas, or an extra spool of thread. We do this with earthly relationships as a measure
of thanks for being able to borrow something. How much more thankful should we be with God
who has given us all things?
This year we will be focusing on all areas of stewardship. Traditionally, this is thought of as
“time, talents and treasure.” We will talk financial stewardship, and we will talk about it boldly
without apology. We will talk about how we use our time, and we will do so without wavering.
We will talk about how we use our God-given talents and abilities, and we will do it without
shame. God has given us many, many gifts – both as individuals and as a congregation – and it
is good to be reminded of our role as stewards of these gifts.
The Sheep’s Pen
June 2010
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There is one point I want to be crystal clear: stewardship is NOT about you verses someone
else. Our goal is to educate and remind us of opportunities to give thanks to God for what He
has given to us. Our goal is NOT to induce or incite guilt because “I can’t give as much as
someone else.” I’ve been there and it’s a horrible feeling. Remember the story of Luke 21 – Jesus and the disciples were in the temple and, as they watched, people were bringing their offerings. The wealthy were giving large sums of money. A widow came with her offering – two of
the smallest valued coins. Jesus’ comment is, “I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow
has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she
out of her poverty put in all she had to live on," (v. 3-4). You are called to be a steward of what
God has given you, not to be a steward of what someone else has. Do not let the devil use this
as an opportunity to build resentment because you don’t have what someone else has or pride
over having more than someone else. Instead, use this opportunity to give thanks to God for
what He has given you – to “receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.” If at any time you feel
guilty or uncomfortable, please feel free to speak with me.
I hope and pray this series of sermons and studies on Biblical stewardship enlightens you and
challenges you to prayerfully consider how you “give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His
mercy endures forever,” (I Chronicles 16:34).
Blessings,
Pastor Meyer
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From the Board of Stewardship
As for Me and My House We Will Serve the Lord!
Dear OSLC Family – Our five week Stewardship Campaign has begun! Letters will be sent
each week speaking of how we can continue to be good Stewards serving our Lord at Our
Shepherd. Our hope is these letters will help you prayerfully consider how you and your family
will serve Jesus through your Voice, Hands and Feet. We will celebrate the close of our annual
Stewardship Campaign on Sunday, August 22nd with a single Celebration Service at 9:30 a.m.
and we will promote our Sunday School Children to their 2011 Sunday school classes during
this service! An all church family potluck dinner will be held in the Fellowship Hall at
11 am. Please come join us for this special day of Celebration and Worship in Jesus Christ and
please continue to prayerfully consider what you and your faithful commitments will be as we
serve Him in 2011!
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The Sheep’s Pen
June 2010
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From the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Get ready! LWML will begin meeting on Tuesday night, September 7 beginning
with a light covered dish supper at 6:30 and the meeting will begin at 7:20. We meet the first
Tuesday each month September – June. We have a light supper to make it convenient for those
who are coming from work. There is always plenty of food so please, if you haven’t made
something come and join us for supper too! We will begin our meeting at 7:20 with a topic by
Elaine Lentz followed by our business meeting.
Our quilters are meeting on the 3rd Tuesday and will be deciding if we will meet other Tuesdays as before. We have decided to make Quilts for our wounded military being transported to
hospitals. These quilts are needed because the planes are very cold and they need the added
warmth. If you would like to help by donating patriotic material (patriotic print, red, white, blue
materials) or money to purchase material please let Maggie know.
Serve the Lord with Gladness!
Mark your calendars….Sunday August 22nd
Sunday August 22nd will serve as promotion Sunday for those children changing Sunday School
classes. The Board of Education will also recognize the Sunday School teachers on this Sunday.
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Please remember to enter the church by the north side at the blinking light and exit on the south
side by the mail box.
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Plans are underway to make changes to our parking lot. We will be making two to three reserved spaces for visitors which will be marked with signs.
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Lamp –– In ancient times, the lamp was more than a light for darkness –
– it was also a symbol of learning, knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment. Today it still represents those attributes, but more specifically it
represents the Word pf God. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light
to my path” ( Psalm 119:105 NRSV).
The Sheep’s Pen
June 2010
OUR WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING! http://voicehandsfeet4him.org
If you haven’t had a chance to see it please take a few minutes and check it out! More information about
what is available and how to fully use the information on the site will be in the monthly newsletters beginning next month.
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Faith and Family Night, Saturday July 31st. In addition to the game, this great event includes a
free Post-Game Concert featuring Grammy-winning Christian artist Jars of Clay as well as
player testimony with First Baseman Lance Berkman. For tickets and more information please
call me.
Alison V. Smith
Season Sales Executive
Houston Astros
Office- 713-259-8313
Fax- 713-259-8326
[email protected]
Ask me how you can get 2 FREE Season Seats!
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The Sheep’s Pen
June 2010
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The Sheep’s Pen
AUGUST 2010
DUTY ROSTER
PLEASE POST FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
*~~CELEBRATION SUNDAY~~
JUNE 22
One Service 9:30 a.m.
8:00 AM SERVICE:
Elder
Altar
Readers
Acolytes
Greeters
1st
John Nicholas
Norma and Elaine
John Nicholas
Colleen Nicholas
Susan Avriett
8th
Gary Hutchinson
Lynette Kiel
Blake Paul
Carrie Paul
15th
John Nicholas
Lois and Katie
John Nicholas
Colleen Nicholas
Kellee Pleggenkuhle
*
22nd
Mike Haseman
Nancy Hutchinson
Cheryl Hunter
Candace Enloe
David Averre
29 th
Cliff Pleggenkuhle
Susan and Kellee
Colton Krause
Norma Morgan
10:45 AM SERVICE:
Elder
Altar
Readers
Acolytes
Greeters
Mike Haseman
Christi Krause
Mona Schroeder
Alyssa Meyer
Mike Graves
Mike Haseman
Mike Haseman
Colton Krause
David Averre
Alyssa Meyer
David Averre
Christi Krause
David Averre
Blake Paul
If you are unable to serve on the Sunday you are scheduled please make arrangements with one of the other members of that particular duty as soon as
possible.
Altar flowers for August:
1st
8th
15th
22nd
29th
Don and Carolyn Cook in honor of their grandson Raymond’s birthday
Al and Lois Herron in honor of their 39th wedding anniversary
Kathy Broussard in loving memory of her mom Mary Sengbusch
Leonard and Diann Denton in loving memory of Diann’s parents
Maggie King in loving memory of her husband Bob
Newsletter items due on or before: Sunday, August 22nd
Email: [email protected]