Announcements

Lutheran Hymn Fest in Dallas, September 19

Plans are being finalized for the 8th Lutheran Hymn Festival at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas on Sunday, September 19, 7-8:30pm. There are many hymn festivals throughout the United States, but few or no others in the setting of an internationally acclaimed symphony hall. This is not a concert where you sit and listen; instead you are an active participant in the singing of hymns. This year's theme is “Triune God, to You We Sing,” and the hymns will focus on the Trinity. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, call Rachel in the church office (472-8301).

Love and Logic Workshop, September 25

St Paul Lutheran School will host a Love and Logic Workshop on Saturday, September 25th from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Cost: $25/family (includes workbook). Learn these strategies and more:

• How can I stop my children from bickering and fighting?
• How do I get my children to help with the chores without an argument?
• How do I discipline my toddler in public without “creating a scene”?
• How do I get my teenager to come home at the agreed upon time?

The workshop is led by Kate Hourin, Certified Workshop Facilitator for the Love and Logic Program. For more information call the school office at 472-3313 or church office at 472-8301.

The Blessings of Honest Work

On Monday, September 6, Americans and Canadians will observe “Labor Day,” a legal holiday set aside to honor labor. Work is often thought of as drudgery – something that you have to do to make a living. So we sometimes call work toil, a chore, an obligation, or even a necessary evil. The New World Dictionary does not agree with that, but holds work up as honorable and positive. Part of its definition goes as follows: “work is physical or mental effort exerted to do or make something and be involved in purposeful activity.”

The Bible takes an even higher view of labor. Labor is actually a gift from God meant to fill our hours and days with meaningful activities that honor God, respect His creation, and provide blessings for others and ourselves. It was God who put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). This work was given to Adam before the fall into sin and thus was a blessing from God. It is true that after the fall into sin, work became wearisome toil as the ground was cursed so that sinful human beings would have to earn their daily bread by the sweat of their brows until their dying day (Genesis 3:17b-19). But, in spite of that curse, labor or work remains a blessing from God.

Dr. Martin Luther (who wrote much on the subject of vocation) believed that vocation was a calling, which encompassed the whole of the life of the believer, and was NOT narrowly defined as a job, trade, or even a religious vocation. Luther believed that the honest work of a janitor, maid or housewife was just as important and pleasing to God as the work of a president, pastor, teacher, doctor, scientist or any other vocation held in high esteem.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (NIV) reads: “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” St. Paul in writing to the Ephesians and Thessalonians said: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 NIV). For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV).

God’s redeemed people understand that Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s family, the church, in managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes. Giving money to support the work of the church and other institutions, giving time to help with honest efforts, and using our talents to bring glory to God and blessings to others are all important parts of Christian stewardship. This truth is summed up beautifully in these words from 2 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV): “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

This Labor Day and every day give thanks to God for the blessing of work. Giving thanks for honest labor is something that Christian stewards can remember to do in their daily thoughts and prayers. So, enjoy whatever you are doing to observe Labor Day, and then continue your daily work with joy and enthusiasm.

Your Stewardship Board

Calling all bowlers and lovers of chicken fried steak and enchiladas!

Please join the Fellowship Board at Dart Bowl, located at 5700 Grover Avenue (behind McCallum High School) at 3pm on Sunday, September 26th. This is a chance for the whole family to have some fun!

Come hungry because Dart Bowl has great food, including some of the best enchiladas in town. Great food and fun and prizes (lowest score and best bowling shirt, etc). We will need to know how many lanes to reserve, so please RSVP to Regina Henderson, 451-5725 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Monday, September 20th.  We will pay at the bowling alley, so no need to send money.  Cost is $7.50 per person for 2 hours of bowling and shoes.

Christianity and Twenty-Somethings

Monday, August 16, 2010 by Rev. Dr. Glen Thomas

What is appealing to twenty-somethings when it comes to Christianity? In an Aug. 13 article in the Wall Street Journal, twenty-seven year old Brett McCracken concluded his article (The Perils of 'Wannabe Cool' Christianity) with these words:

If the evangelical Christian leadership thinks that "cool Christianity" is a sustainable path forward, they are severely mistaken. As a twenty-something, I can say with confidence that when it comes to church, we don't want cool as much as we want real.

If we are interested in Christianity in any sort of serious way, it is not because it's easy or trendy or popular. It's because Jesus himself is appealing, and what he says rings true. It's because the world we inhabit is utterly phony, ephemeral, narcissistic, image-obsessed and sex-drenched – we want an alternative. It's not because we want more of the same.

McCracken's new book, Hipster Christianity: Where Church and Cool Collide, should be very interesting. 

Jesus and not gimmicks, real and not trendy, distinct from the core values of the culture and not "more of the same," is what Lutherans have been doing since the Reformation. You can't get much more "real" than God meeting us in Word and Sacrament. Sin, confession, absolution, body, blood – it's all very real. The words of Jesus do "ring true" – or, as He put it: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28).

Actually, I am encouraged that a new generation of young people seems to be looking beyond the superficial and demanding genuine substance. I am hopeful that a new generation of Lutheran pastors, teachers, DCEs and others will lead the way in striving to communicate the Gospel in ways that are "real,” "genuine" and "meaningful" for a generation that desperately needs it.

Grief Care Session

St. Paul’s Grief Care support group is intended to help church members and people from the community at large grieve the loss of a family member or friend. Groups meet weekly for 9 sessions, utilizing written materials and 2 facilitators.  Next session begins Sunday, Nov. 7th. 

Feel free to contact Pastor Neumann, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Regina Henderson, phone 451-5725 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , with any questions you have.

Senior Citizens

The Senior Citizens group will meet on  Thursday, September 16, in the Church Parlor. Activities begin at 9:30am and last until about 11:30 a.m. Following a short devotion, the group will divide into two smaller groups to play 42 and Pinochle. Coffee and breakfast breads will be served. Please contact Vic or Helen Mathias for more information.

DivorceCare Meets on Wednesday Nights

The next 13-week cycle of DivorceCare sessions began August 18. The group meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in the 8th grade classroom of St. Paul Lutheran School. Please extend any invitation to anyone who might benefit from this support group. For more information, please call the church office.

A volunteer is needed to lead Divorce Care for Kids, which meets when members of the DC class have school-age children in need of emotional support and sound understanding. Please contact Kathy Smith or call the church office if you can help.

Pinochle

Come to the Church Parlor at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11th for an afternoon of games and fellowship. The featured game will be Pinochle, but feel free to bring other games along. Remember to bring your favorite finger foods and soft drinks to enjoy and share. Please note that babysitting will NOT be provided. Please contact Marvin Krabbenhoft for more information.