Volume
10 Week 41 October 10, 2004
Some
things I want you to know about!
Serving
the Poor and Ill; Spiritual Gifts; Our Pastors; Lots of News!
Some things I want you to know about! Please read right through to the end. I'm sure there's at least one topic for everyone's interest.
Doorways!
I was privileged on Wednesday to join other area clergy on a tour of the Doorways ministry in St. Louis. Doorways is a nationally recognized inter-faith partnership ministry for housing and health care of HIV/AIDS patients and their families. Begun fifteen years ago when few were creative and innovative enough to offer such a thing, now over 45o people are served each month.
This dread disease is not only horrific to endure, but terribly expensive to treat. And ironically, it often afflicts those least able to afford it. Most in the Doorways programs are assisted with rent and other aid so that they can remain in their own homes. Other programs minister to the most ill with residential nursing home care; medicine, nutrition, therapy. I was surprised to learn that 70% of those taken into the nursing facility regain enough wellness to either go home or to another facility for more independent living.
There is a complex that offers spacious housing for women and their children, some of whom are not fully aware of their mother's illness. Another cooperative effort provides care for those with both HIV/AIDS and mental illness, a very difficult, but not uncommon, combination.
I've encouraged Cory to Add Doorways to our list of community agencies in need of volunteers. If these patients, beloved by the Lord, have a place in your heart, see one of us to find out how you can help.
Evangelists?
The Board of Evangelism is looking to identify all of those in our congregation with the spiritual gift of evangelism. Church leaders tell us that about 10% of the people in most congregations are so gifted. If you have not yet participated in the Gift Oriented Ministry discovery process, take a moment see if these statements describe you:
1) When I hear evangelistic messages, I pray for people who don’t know Christ.
2) I enjoy building relationships and spending time with non-Christians.
3)Telling others how I came to know Christ is a regular part of my lifestyle.
4) I can clearly, concisely, and effectively communicate the Gospel to non-Christians.
5) I believe most churches do not emphasize evangelism enough.
6) It excites me tremendously when someone comes to know Christ.
7) I’m really energized after sharing Christ with a non-Christian.
If you answered "Yes" to three or more, see me immediately. We want to do all we can to help you utilize your gift.
We're also on the lookout for those who are passionate about the lost, but maybe not gifted in evangelism. Do you often feel inadequate for your calling to share Christ with others? Do you wish there were more you could do so that others would know the saving love of Christ? Let’s talk. God is calling.
Pastor Bijjiga
Installed!
Zion Lutheran, our sister congregation in Maryland Heights, is making a move of faith into Asian Indian Ministry outreach in the St. Louis area. Pastor Jaya Bijjiga has been called as a missionary to Asian Indian immigrants and will be installed today (Sunday) at Zion. He and his wife, Pravi, have requested transfer of their membership to Zion also.
Zion feels that with their congregation in close proximity to where many Indian people have settled in St. Louis that they should take the lead in this ministry.
Only a small portion of Pastor Bijjiga's needs will be funded by Zion. He is still responsible to raise most of the support for this challenging ministry. I encourage your prayers and your gifts to Asian Indian Ministries in North America. Checks may be sent to our church office or placed in the offering plate. We will be sure they are passed on.
Pastor Spree!
Our former Pastor, Floyd Spree requests your prayers as he undergoes chemotherapy treatments for an illness he has endured for some time. As I visit with Pastor and Carole, I'll keep you updated on his progress! God has faithfully brought them through many hardships recently and we pray for the very best for this dear man of God and dedicated church leader.
I apologize for not better announcing Pastor and Carole's transfer request to Webster Gardens recently. Here's a portion of the beautiful note of thanks and blessing they shared earlier this year.
“When I retired from the Pastoral Ministry at Mount Calvary in 1994 – and Carole retired from the music ministry – we had already decided that we would transfer our church membership to another congregation in our South County area. But we didn’t know where or when!
“As the years go by, we’re more aware of the distance and travel time to Mount Calvary. Webster Gardens is quite close to us so we can easily get there for worship, Bible class, music, fellowship and other activities.
“Words cannot express how we feel about the many wonderful memories of our being at Mount Calvary the past 38 years. What a blessing from God!! We’re grateful to God, and to you for the friendship, love and support throughout the years of our active ministry and retirement. There is, and will always be, a special place in our hearts for you and we plan to continue our relationship with you as friends and fellow members of the body of Christ. We keep you in our prayers and are confident of God’s continual blessings to Mount Calvary, its ministries and its members.
“Yours in Christ our Lord,
Floyd and Carole
Family Fun!
Join us next Sunday, October 17, at Grant's Farm for a day of fun and fellowship! We'll meet at 2:00 in the parking lot. All are welcome to attend, but we especially encourage families with small children to join us to just spend some time together and get our children (and their parents) better acquainted.
Bring along some supper and we'll wander over to the Whitecliff Park picnic tables afterward. Sunday morning is not always the best time to take the time to build friendships, so let's meet in the afternoon!
Trivia Night!
One of our ChristCare Groups is sponsoring a Trivia Night on November 6 to raise money in support of our homeless ministry in St. Louis. We'd love to see 200 - 300 in attendance, so we're holding the event at our sister congregation, Concordia in Kirkwood. You can help make the night a success.
Sign up for a table and bring your friends. It can be a great way to introduce friends and family to some of your church friends! Watch for details in the mail or call the church office to find out how to register.
We're also collecting items for prizes and awards. Ask your favorite restaurant or retailer if they support charitable efforts with gift certificates or donated items. If you have such a gift, contact the Lubers, Koehlingers, Lukers, Koenigs or Zimmermans.
And brush up on your trivia for the 6th!