Sunday Bulletin, Weekly eNews
Peace in Christ Lutheran Church
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SEMINARIAN UPDATES
To the saints gathered at Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, the name of our Risen Savior:
I hereby acknowledge receipt of the Call to your congregation issued to me through the Board of Assignments on April 28, 2021.
Although I intend to accept the call, I am not eligible to do so until I have finished my M.Div. program on May 21, 2021. I will at that time be able to give you official notice of my acceptance.
I pray that the Lord of the harvest and of the Church would bless our ministry together in the near future, and that we may abide in His grace, love, and peace until He comes again to join us to Himself.
In the service of Christ our Lord,
~ Sem. Bradley Singer
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Please consider sending out a warm welcome to the Singers by mailing a card or sending an email. Thank you for continuing to lift them up in prayer, as they approach the semester’s end. Stay tuned for details about his Ordination and Installation--we’ll share as they are confirmed.
Brad and Anna Singer
245 Union Blvd., Apt 409
St. Louis, MO 63108
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FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK - May 8, 2021
Ephesians 1:15-23 tells us about our Past, Present and Future:
“...Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (NIV)
Soon we will be celebrating the Ascension of Our Lord, a major festival in the church year that always falls on a Thursday. That’s because the event itself came forty days after Easter. Let's explore how this historical event connects, ties together, the past, the present, and the future work of Jesus Christ.
First, we remember the past work of Christ. Paul refers to it when he talks about the working of God’s “mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.” This reference to Christ’s death and resurrection–the death of Christ, his past work which he completed on the cross, is the basis for everything that follows.
And that completed work of Christ takes care of your past. All of your transgressions, all your past behavior, of which you are ashamed, all your failures and unfaithfulness–all of that past is taken care of, cleansed, paid for, and atoned by the blood of Christ. You are freed by the finished work of Jesus. Christ’s completed work on the cross covers and cleanses the guilt of your past.
At the same time, the Ascension also points to the future work of Christ. Paul refers to this when he speaks of Christ’s authority and dominion “not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” The age to come–the age that will commence when Christ comes again, when he returns in glory at the last day. The angels at the ascension were very definite about this second coming. They told the eyewitnesses: “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) And His coming again will initiate the age to come that Paul speaks of.
Paul speaks expressly about our future in that age to come. He says he wants us to know “the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” (Eph. 1:18) That glorious inheritance is our future!
So what Christ receives, we receive! Jesus was raised from the dead, and so we will be raised from the dead. Jesus was carried up into heaven, and so we who trust in him likewise will be carried up into heaven. And so the Ascension shows us our future, what’s in store for us, and it is glorious! Such comfort to know who holds the future.
Finally, what is Christ doing now, during this time between his ascension and his coming again? Paul tells us. He says that God “raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, our risen and ascended Lord right now is seated at the right hand of God. The right hand is the position of high honor and all authority. God has highly exalted Christ and given him great glory, because Christ accomplished his saving mission. And Christ has been set as head over all things. All things have been put under his feet. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me,” the risen Christ declared in Matt. 28:19. Jesus truly is King of kings and Lord of lords.
So realize this: Christ Jesus right now is ruling all things for the sake of his church! Do you understand what this means? It means that all things are under his control and for our good.
This is Good News. Be a blessing. Remember to continue to practice your Social Witnessing.
~ Rev. Dr. John Jakupciak
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SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT UPDATES
The Southeastern District (SED) is extremely excited to welcome five Concordia, St. Louis Seminary graduates who will be placed in our District this summer. They are: Bradley Singer with his wife Anna, will serve at Peace in Christ, Walkersville MD; Andrew Petajan will serve at Christ Lutheran Church of the Deaf, Silver Spring, MD; Nathan Speerbrecker with his wife Alison, will serve at Chesapeake Community of Hope, Chesapeake, VA; Zachary Sarrault with his wife, Kelsey, will serve as at Resurrection, Cary NC; and Ian Thormodson with his wife, Brittany, who will serve at Redeemer, North Chesterfield VA.
We also welcome three Vicars assigned to our district. They are: Jacob Childers with his wife, Christina, who will serve at Saint Stephens, Hickory NC; James Kirk, who will serve at Hope Lutheran, Wake Forest NC; and Scot Missling with his wife, Veronica, who will serve at Living Savior, Fairfax Station VA.
We are richly blessed to have these new workers join with us in mission and ministry serving the people of the Southeastern District.
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RESOURCE REMINDERS
EDUCATING A NEW GENERATION OF LUTHERANS… Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s teachings include: Justification, The Means of Grace, The Theology of the Cross, Christology, Vocation, Living in Two Kingdoms and Worship. You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider.
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FAMILY NEWS
This week’s altar flowers are given by the Hofflingers, in celebration of Mother’s Day and Dave’s birthday. Would you like to honor a loved one or special occasion--and help beautify the sanctuary? Look for the signup sheet on the hall bulletin board, or email the church office.
We received twice as many food basket requests this time around from Bell Court. Thanks to Susan Bell, Jean Samuel, and Hope Benjamin, who assisted Dave and Cindy Hofflinger in assembling and delivering them.
More virtual choir is coming--including “This is the Feast” for Ascension next Sunday! Check https://ccharacter.com/virtual-choir-pentecost for details.
Have you signed up yet for LifeLine Screening on June 18? Call 1-888-653-6441 or visit http://lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle
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IN OUR PRAYERS
We give thanks. . .
Seminarian Brad Singer intends to accept the call to serve as pastor at Peace in Christ
Fran Plyler (Sean Benjamin’s mother-in-law) ~ recovering from her surgery (4/22)
Bev Battaglia (Laura’s mother-in-law) ~ surgery was a success (4/29)
Mike ~ (friend of Carseys) successful completion of chemo (updated 5/4)
Your prayers are solicited. . .
Health needs
Kathy Loudermilk ~ (friend of L. Battaglia) expected to be called home soon (4/29)
Kate Ernsberger ~ (childhood friend of Brita Johannessen) dealing with heart issues, seeing a cardiologist for follow-up (4/21)
Steph Rainey ~ (daughter of one of Brita’s co-workers) recovering from multiple surgeries after a recent car accident, more surgeries to come (4/21)
Elaine ~ (Tom Bell’s sister) diagnosed with bladder cancer, currently undergoing chemotherapy (3/23)
Dave Kohler ~ awaiting donor kidney and starting dialysis (3/22)
Jackie Bandy ~ recovering at home after a week's hospitalization for breathing difficulties (updated 4/19)
Jeanne (Pat Pemberton’s sister-in-law) ~ stroke (2/28)
Kathy & David ~ (friends of L. Battaglia) she is having chemo/surgery for stage 4 lung cancer; pray for strength for him (updated 3/22)
Other needs
Seminarian Brad Singer and his wife Anna, as they prepare to move to our area
Travel safety for Susan R’s brother, Dean Becker (ongoing)
Missy and Cody ~ for better relationship between son and mother (12/13)
Bereavements
Family and friends of Suzanne Lieber-Sanden (sister of Laura B and Martha Housely, 4/26)
Wagstaff family and friends, on the passing of Mary Jane this past week
Peace in Christ shut-in members/families:
Ed Schlesinger
Bob and Lori Carsey
Roger Johnson ~ for total and complete recovery from a fall (4/11)
Pastor Vance and Linda Becker
Please email any corrections or changes to off...@peaceinchrist.org.