Dallas, Texas - Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
15
7/
THE TRUMPETEER Our Redeemer Lutheran Church - Dallas, Texas
July 2015 . Inside..
Page 3 The Associate’s Desk Page 4 & 5 Vaca on Bible School COMMUNION AT BOTH SERVICES
“P Page 6 Our Redeemer Lutheran School astor, since the Lord's Supper is so great, why don't we have
it at every service?"
The question has been asked by at least one member of
every adult instruction and youth confirmation class I have
ever taught at Our Redeemer. And not just by them.
Page 7 TIME IN PRAYER Unlike "Did you forget to shave this morning?" and "Is
there not a box you could stand on so we could actually
see you when you preach?" the question about the
frequency of the Lord's Supper is one I really like to hear.
Other important informaƟon throughout...
It tells me the person asking gets it. The Lord's
Supper is great. It's a means of grace where God gives
us forgiveness, life, and salvation. A Christian should
want to receive it – sooner rather than later, often
rather than only occasionally – because we poor,
miserable sinners continually need the assurance that
Christ still loves us and forgives us.
So, why don't we offer it at both services on Sunday?
Why have a situation where a person, depending on
his travel schedule, could easily go three or four
Sundays without receiving this precious gift?
The simple answer is I don't know.
One possible explanation is that our every-otherSunday policy was originally a reaction against Pietism.
Pie-what? you ask. Pietism (PIGH uh TIZm): A
movement in German Protestantism that began in the
18th century in reaction to the church of its day,
which was thought not “spiritual" enough. Pietist
preachers railed against dancing and other secular
amusements and stressed the importance of a
personal religious experience. They convened small
groups, which they called "colleges of piety," where
Christians shared their spiritual shortcomings and
pushed each other to lead less worldly, more Christlike lives. As a result of this inward focus, Pietists
rarely "felt" themselves good enough to receive the
Lord's Supper. It became common for Lutheran
churches in Pietist parts of Europe to offer the Lord's
Supper only four times a year (which happened to be
the minimum the Large Catechism said a Christian
could receive it and still consider himself a Christian).
While the earliest LCMS theologians warned against
the spiritual dangers of Pietism (not least of which
was doubt and despair concerning one's own
salvation), Pietism was nevertheless in the water many
of our Lutheran forefathers drank. Perhaps a hundred
or so years ago, every-other-Sunday Communion was
as near as a church could get to Communion every
Sunday without running off all the recovering Pietists.
Our Redeemer simply inherited the custom. That’s
one theory, at least.
Page 2
I know of other churches who defend staggering the
Communion service on the grounds that it gives
members more opportunities to invite friends to a non
-Communion service and thus avoid the awkwardness
of explaining that only confirmed Lutherans should
receive the Lord’s Supper at a Lutheran altar. There is
something to be said for this. We Lutherans do take
the Lord's Supper seriously. It is Christ's body and
blood with the bread and wine for us Christians to eat
and to drink. It's not our faith that makes Christ's
body and blood present in the Sacrament; Christ's
Words do – His body and blood are just as present for
the unbeliever as for the believer. But as St. Paul
warns, the unbeliever receives the body and blood to
his harm, not his benefit (1 Corinthians 11:27).
So, out of care for our friends who have yet to be
instructed in what we Lutherans believe and especially
in what the Lord's Supper is and gives us, we ask our
non-Lutheran friends not to come to the rail, or, if
they do, to receive instead a blessing by the pastor. I
know it doesn't seem very friendly to deny a guest a
place at the Lord's table and yet we do this ultimately
for the person's good. "Whoever, therefore, eats the
bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy
manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood
of the Lord" (1 Cor. 11:27). As a pastor, I don't want
to cause another person to sin or stumble. So, if
having a certain number of non-Communion services
both makes it easier for members to invite friends to
church and reduces the risk of distributing the Lord's
Supper to someone who does not understand what he
is receiving, maybe the status quo is worth keeping.
In instituting this sacred meal, our Lord said, “As
often as you drink it.” He did not specify the
frequency, however. We, Christ’s redeemed people,
have freedom in this matter. We have His permission
to decide for ourselves. And yet, as with all matters in
which we have freedom, we ought to take care, if we
make a change, to do so not willy-nilly or in a way that
causes offense or leads people to think that we have
sinned in the past by not doing it the new way.
Rather, we should make the decision together, in faith,
assured by God’s Word that it is pleasing to Him and
that it will edify the church.
This month, Pastor Douthwaite and I are going to
begin a Bible study with the Board of Elders about the
frequency with which we offer the Lord’s Supper.
From this and conversations with members we may
end up recommending to the church that the Lord’s
Supper be offered at both services on Sunday. In the
meantime, watch this space.
Pastor Brent McGuire THE ASSOCIATE’S DESK m not one to get involved in controversies
or debates. I would much rather sit on the
sidelines and listen. It’s not that I don’t
have thoughts or opinions. It’s just that I
would rather keep them quietly to myself.
I’ But there are times when we are called to speak. In
fact—and maybe I should have thought about this
before I became a pastor—it’s my job to speak! The
apostle Paul once wrote to his friend and colleague
Timothy:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ
Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and
by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word;
be ready in season and out of season; reprove,
rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and
teaching. For the time is coming when people will
not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears
they will accumulate for themselves teachers to
suit their own passions, and will turn away from
listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure
suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your
ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
Paul’s letters to Timothy have long been favorites of
mine; probably because I feel like I have a lot in
common with Timothy. In both his letters to the
young pastor, Paul is very encouraging. “Do not be
ashamed,” he tells him in 2 Timothy 1:8. “Be
strong” (2:1), “suffer hardship” (2:3), “do not neglect
the spiritual gift” (1 Tim. 4:14). It would seem that
Timothy, too, was inclined to keep silent. Perhaps,
like Moses, he considered himself a poor speaker. Or
maybe he was just shy. Either way, it didn’t matter.
As a called and ordained servant of the Word, he was
charged with speaking both God’s Law and Gospel to
a world that simply did not want to hear it. And so am
I.
But it isn’t just pastors who are charged to speak. All
of us are tasked with the spreading of the Good News.
All of us are told to defend the truth. Paul said there
would be a time when people would not endure sound
teaching, and if last Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court
decision is any indication, that time is now. Passions
are being suited, myths embraced, even among those
who claim the Christian confession.
You, too, may be inclined to keep silent, to keep your
thoughts and opinions to yourself. But God’s Word is
not an opinion. It’s God’s Word! Some of us may be
under the delusion that, we are God and that we get to
make the rules,. But to that way of thinking, God says,
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the
earth? Tell me if you have understanding” (Job 38:4).
But there is no one who understands. No one who is
righteous. There is only one God, and we’re not Him.
Now, I'm not saying you should go and start a fight on
your pro-gay friend's Facebook page. What I am
saying is don't be afraid to be faithful. Don’t be
ashamed to stand up for the Word. Be ready in season
and out of season; when it’s convenient and when it’s
not; when you know that it’s coming and when you
least expect it. Be patient, be kind, but do not be
afraid. Jesus said, “In the world you will have
tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the
world” (John 16:33).
Pastor Adam Douthwaite Page 3
Vaca on Bible School We had a wonderful week at Camp Discovery Vacation
Bible School, where we learned Jesus is at work
through us! The children sang, made crafts, learned
some very important Gospel stories, and memorized
Bible verses.
Our offering for VBS was sent to Lutheran World
Relief to help the people affected by the recent
earthquakes in Nepal. Nita Karki, the director of an
ESL program that’s run out of Our Redeemer and
who was born in Kathmandu, spoke to the children
about the devastating effect the earthquakes have had
Page 4
on the cities and towns where she is from. We want to
thank everyone who donated which helped us surpass
our goal of $1,000 dollars.
We also want to thank all our leaders, crew leaders,
assistants, and staff . We had over eighty-nine different
children attend VBS over the course of the week.
God bless the sowing of His Word that it may sprout
and grow in the homes of all the children who were at
Our Redeemer’s Vacation Bible School this year!
Page 5
OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL he biggest news this summer at ORLS is the
renovation work being done in the old school
building! The fresh coat of paint throughout
both school buildings is complete. The work
on the new flooring in the Fellowship Hall has begun,
the old carpet is ready to be taken up so that the new
carpet can go in, and the new, smooth concrete to
replace the “bumpy” brick walkway next to the school
building should be started in a couple of weeks! It has
been a very long time since we were able to put this
much time and money into our facility and we are very
grateful for the Ed Trapp gift that is making it all
possible.
T Even during the quiet part of the summer, we
continue to do school tours and enroll new children.
It is always exciting to know that we are able to open
our doors to new families. The opportunity to share
Jesus’ love with children and their families makes our
jobs the very best job one can have. We were sad to
say farewell to Mr. Frieling, Ms. Wharton, Mrs. Seris
and Mrs. Tubbs (aka Miss Pugh) at the end of the
school year. Change can sometimes be a difficult
thing for our school family, but we have some great
new folks coming on staff and it should be a really
exciting year!
Page 6
The rest of the month will be pretty quiet as we
prepare for the new school year. From now until
August 10 the teachers and staff are enjoying some
much needed R & R, but the school office is open! If
you have any questions or families that you would like
to refer to ORLS, please give us a call!
Don’t forget – First Day of School is August 19!!
Lois Frischmann
Principal
TIME IN PRAYER W
hat a privilege it is to carry everything to God
in prayer. The minutes we spend in prayer
speaking with God, we are speaking with the
creator of the universe. His power is without
limit. When we trust God’s promises and live in faith
in the Gospel message that Jesus Christ is God and
our Savior, we can be sure God does hear and will
answer our prayers. Prayer to God the Father, Son,
and Holy spirit, is acknowledging that God is who He
has declared Himself to be. “I am the Lord; that is My
name; My glory I give to no other, nor My praise to
carved idols” (Isaiah 42:8). The Old Testament and
the New Testament of the Bible tell us of God’s
majesty, power, and authority as well as His love,
kindness, and forgiveness. When in faith we repent of
our sins, trusting in Jesus our Savior, God is ever
forgiving. By His word we are guided by God’s Holy
Spirit to know and live according to God’s will.
Our Father, who from heaven above, bids all of
us to live in love, as members of one family and
pray to You in unity. Teach us no thoughtless
words to say but in our inmost hearts to pray.
Your name be hollowed. Help us Lord. In purity
to keep Your Word, that to the glory of Your
name we walk before You free from blame. Let
no false teaching us pervert: all poor deluded souls
convert.
Your kingdom come, guard Your domain and
Your eternal righteous reign. The Holy Ghost
enrich our day with gifts attendant on our way.
Break Satan’s power, defeat his rage; preserve
Your Church from age to age.
Your gracious will on earth be done as it is done
before Your throne. That patiently we may obey
throughout our lives all that You say. Curb flesh
and blood and every ill that sets itself against Your
will.
Give us this day our daily bread and let us all be
clothed and fed. Save us from hardship, war, and
strife; in plague and famine, spare our life, that in
honest peace we may live, to care and greed no
entrance give.
Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore, that they may
trouble us no more. We will gladly those forgive
who hurt us by the way they live. Help us in our
community to serve each other willingly.
Lead not into temptation Lord, where our grim foe
and all his horde would vex our souls on every
hand. Help us resist, help us to stand firm in the
faith, a mighty host. Through comfort of the Holy
Ghost.
From evil, Lord, deliver us; the times and days are
perilous. Redeem us from eternal death, and when
we yield our dying breath console us, grant us calm
release, and take our souls to You in peace.
Amen, that is so shall it be. Make strong our faith
in You that we may doubt not but with trust
believe that what we ask we shall receive. Thus in
Your name and in Your Word we say “Amen, O
hear us Lord!” (LSB 766)
On July 4th our nation will celebrate a national holiday.
On this day in the year 1776 the leaders of our country
drafted The Declaration of Independence. This event
began the separation of our nation from foreign
control. By God’s grace we continue to live free to
worship and pray to God. May God in His mercy,
bless us with the ability to remain a free nation. We
offer our thanks and praise to God and also to all who
have served to help preserve our freedom. The
blessing we have enjoyed these many years we reflect
on what this day means to our country. O God we also
reflect on the freedom we receive in Christ Jesus. May
our gratitude be shown in our lives and our faithful
praise and worship to You now and forever. Amen.
Page 7
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JUNIOR YOUTH ITEMS NEEDED Now accepting furniture donations (couches, armchairs) for the new 5-6th and 7-8th grade Sunday School
rooms (the Romans and Galatians rooms respectively). We also need a large rug for the Galatians room.
Please contact Pastor Douthwaite via email ([email protected]) or phone (214-368-1371). 'Good' to 'Like
New' condition only, please.
Page 9
ORLCS INFORMATION THANK YOU
We would like to thank Michael Hawkins for painting
the new 5-6th and 7-8th grade Sunday School rooms
(the Romans and Galatians rooms respectively). He did
a marvelous job and we appreciate all of his hard work.
North Dallas Shared
Ministries
ORLCS has agreed to furnish assistance to this worthy
In an attempt to
organization. We are responsible for providing food,
experience the
volunteers, and financial help for NDSM in the month
excitement of his
of July. Please help with whatever you can. There will
last sermon, Pastor be a door offering at each service on July 26th. To
McGuire watches God be The Glory!
the new paint dry
in the Romans
Room...
The book club will not meet again
until September. Happy summer!
And the work
continues in the
Galatians Room….
ATTENDANCE AND OFFERING SUNDAYS’ ATTENDANCE AVERAGES (May 31, June 7, 14, 21)
Average 8:00 A.M.
84
Total of Visitors
92
Average 10:45 A.M.
177
Total Communed
341
Sunday School Average
74
OFFERING:
This year: $56,806
Page 10
Last year: $38,567
JULY
“For as many of you as were bap zed into Christ Jesus have put on Christ” (GalaƟans 3:27). Barnes, Leslie
Reineck, Andy
McGuire, Erin
Freimuth, Clayton
Ma, Lin
McMahan, Julie
Rodgers, Eric
Radant, Kelly
Van Schaik, Nancy
2-Jul
3-Jul
4-Jul
5-Jul
6-Jul
6-Jul
8-Jul
9-Jul
9-Jul
Mancuso, Christina
Reuben, Danielle
Bick, Shauna
Kibler, Beatrice
Klein, Emily
Terry, Savannah
Seris, Walter
Whitaker, Ainsely
Baltus, Kristin
10-Jul
10-Jul
11-Jul
12-Jul
12-Jul
12-Jul
13-Jul
13-Jul
16-Jul
Pitch, Michael
Sanchez, Eric
Babisak, Caleb
Crofford, Claire
Harkins, Christopher
Martin, James
Green, Agustin
Powell, Shay
Mueller, Kameron
16-Jul
18-Jul
19-Jul
20-Jul
21-Jul
21-Jul
28-Jul
29-Jul
31-Jul
CEF INVESTMENT RATES June 2015
Investment Type
Rate
Annual Percentage Yield
Flex Savings
0.500%
0.50%
Fixed-Rate Term Note - 1 yr
0.750%
0.75%
Fixed-Rate Term Note - 3 yrs
1.250%
1.26%
Fixed-Rate Term Note - 5 yrs
1.750%
1.76%
Floating-Rate Term Note - 1 yr
0.250%
0.25%
Floating-Rate Term Note - 3 yrs
1.250%
1.26%
Floating-Rate Term Note - 5 yrs
1.750%
1.76%
For the latest rates and more information on TCEF you may visit www.TexasCEF.org,
call 1-800-951-3478, or email [email protected].
Page 11
JULY CALENDAR
SEE “CALENDAR” ON OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH WEBSITE!
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O ur R edeemer L utheran C hurch and S chool NON PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
RICHARDSON, TX
PERMIT NO. 1217
R eaching O ut and S haring C hrist’s L ove
7611 Park Lane, Dallas, Texas 75225-2028
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The Trumpeteer is the monthly
publication of Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church located at
7611 Park Lane,
Dallas, TX 75225.
Phone: 214-368-1371
Fax: 214-368-1473
www.orlcs.com
Join us for Worship at:
8:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.
We commune at the early service
on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the
month and the late service on the
2nd and 4th Sundays of the
month.
Bible Study/Sunday School
9:30 a.m.
Newsletter articles are due the
3rd Monday of the month.
Please email them to
[email protected].
The Mission of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and School is to SHARE CHRIST’S LOVE by RENEWING our commitment to God’s Word, worship, and prayer; by RELATING to each other as people REDEEMED by Christ’s Blood; and by REACHING OUT to all people with the message of Christ’s saving Cross!