News

Announcements — September 9, 2018

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Kady E., Ed & Betty’s granddaughter, recovering from a car accident; LuVerne C., undergoing treatment for a lymphoma; Carol L., at Webb City Health and Rehabilitation Center; Jack H., dealing with multiple health issues; Lee Ann C., recovering at home; Earl G., suffering from ALS; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Dave M., Sara P., Vonda R., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.

† SURVEY ANNOUNCEMENT  The Board of Elders is conducting a survey of the congregation concerning worship service times and number of services.  Surveys have been mailed to those who were not able to pick up a copy in person.  If you did not receive a survey and would like one, please contact the church office, 358-1325.  The deadline to return the survey is September 15.  If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to the elders: Dave W., Michael G., John N., Shawn P., Bradley M., Curt S.

† SERVICE TIMES  GSLC will be staying on the summer service schedule until the question about one or two services is settled as per the voter’s resolution.  We will continue with church being held at 9:00 am and Adult Bible Class & Sunday School following at 10:30 am.

† JR CONFIRMATION CLASS  Jr. Confirmation Class began on Wednesday, September 5.  Class will be held each Wednesday in September at 6:15 pm.  Luther’s Large Catechism and Luther’s Small Catechism without Explanation will be provided to each Confirmand, but each student will need to bring their own Bible to class.

† PORTALS OF PRAYER  The new Portals of Prayer for the Fall are on the table by the nursery in the narthex.

† SUNDAY SCHOOL/ADULT BIBLE CLASS OFFERING for September and October will be going to help Tim and Hope Mehl who are missionaries/teachers in Taiwan.

† CROSSLINES OF CARTHAGE doesn’t have any towels to offer those in need.  If you are looking for a place to donate, consider donating towels to Crosslines.  Please place the towels in the Crosslines container under the coat rack in the narthex.

† PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex by nursery) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.

† ASSISTIVE LISTENING  If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.

† BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS are available in the nurse’s office after the  service.  You will be given a small form that can be carried in your wallet which will include medical information and a log of your blood pressure readings.

 

Catechisms Large and Small

School has started. As is always the case, it seems like it has come too soon. Yet, here it is. For me that means that Confirmation classes are beginning (or have begun depending on when this gets to you). In confirmation class the age-old Lutheran text book has been the Small Catechism of Martin Luther. The book that I’m sure most all of you are familiar with is the Small Catechism With Explanation. That ‘explanation’ part, which includes all of those 306 or so questions, is 90% of the book. If you are an ardent consumer of synod materials you may have heard that Concordia Publishing House has come out with a new Small Catechism With Explanation. Of course, the ‘Small Catechism’ part has not changed but the ‘explanation’ part has been completely revamped. I have not yet read through it entirely but from what I have seen it does a good job of framing the faith in contemporary terms. Older editions of the catechism preserved a lot of arguments that were helpful for Lutherans 200-500 years ago but are not as significant today. On the flip side, aspects of the faith that speak to issues such as human sexuality, for instance, have become much more important of late.

Last year I taught out of the ‘old’ Small Catechism. This year, rather than transition right to the new one I thought that I would take this opportunity to do something a little different. I plan on using Luther’s Large Catechism in confirmation class this year. Ironically, the “Large” Catechism is actually smaller than the ‘Small’ Catechism With Explanation (because the ‘explanation’ part is just so big). The content of both is topically the same. In the Small Catechism Luther simply includes the Lord’s Prayer, Ten Commandments, Apostles Creed all with a paragraph or two of explanation after each part. Additionally, there are some questions about Baptism, Confession, the Lord’s Supper and then some Scripture passages on how a Christian should live. If you have a hymnal handy you can find the whole Small Catechism on pages LSB 321-330 (AGPS 35-47).

The Large Catechism covers the same territory but is a little longer. Instead of Luther providing a paragraph or two of explanation he gives you a page or two (or more). Effectively, the Large Catechism is basically the Small Catechism with Luther’s explanation. (The ‘explanation’ that comes with the Small Catechism was developed by various LCMS theologians over the years, not Luther himself.) Yes, the Large Catechism is dated. Luther often rails against the Papacy in ways that are not quite as relevant today (Francis is not going to burn anybody at the stake in St. Peter’s Square tomorrow for instance). But much of what Luther teaches about living the Christian life is still pertinent for us today. Moreover, you get to hear this teaching with Luther’s hyperbole which is entertaining in itself.

Of pastors, Luther says in his preface to the Large Catechism, “shall we easily despise [God word], we especially, who claim to be pastors and teachers? If so, not only should we have nothing given us to eat, but we should also be driven out, baited with dogs, and pelted with dung.” Lovely. Perhaps I should not have shared that one with you. In the next paragraph Luther says, “we should feel bound well enough by God’s command alone. He solemnly commands in Deuteronomy 6:6-8 that we should always meditate on His precepts.” Then a little later says, “What else are such proud and arrogant saints doing who are not willing to read and study the catechism daily? They think they are much more learned than God himself.”

It is clear that Luther believes one should regularly read and study God’s word. In fact, the catechism was designed to be a simple summary of what God’s word teaches. Reading and knowing the catechism is a much easier and digestible task than reading the whole Bible (though a Christian should endeavor to do that too). Of course, I agree with Luther on this point and in doing so agree with God’s word as well. You should regularly familiarize yourself with what God’s word teaches. The catechism is a simple tool that can help you do this. I will help you in this endeavor by preaching on God’s word every week. Also, if you would like a Small Catechism (without explanation) we actually have a bunch (and can easily get more of these little pamphlets) let me know and I can get you one. The Christian life, this side of heaven, is one of continual trial and temptation. It requires continual study of God’s word, not only to know what we are doing wrong but also to learn well what God has done for us through His Son Jesus. You can never hear that enough.

Announcements — September 2, 2018

† IN OUR PRAYERS  Kady E, Ed & Betty’s granddaughter, recovering from a car accident; LuVerne C., undergoing treatment for a lymphoma; Carol L., at Webb City Health and Rehabilitation Center; Jack H., dealing with multiple health issues; Lee Ann C., recovering at home; Earl G., suffering from ALS; Kathy P., suffering health issues; Sara P., Vonda R., undergoing treatment for cancer; Stephen Ministry and their care receivers.

† SURVEY ANNOUNCEMENT  The Board of Elders is conducting a survey of the congregation concerning worship service times and number of services.  Surveys have been mailed to those who were not able to pick up a copy in person.  If you did not receive a survey and would like one, please contact the church office, 358-1325.  If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to the elders: Dave W., Michael G., John N., Shawn P., and Bradley M.

† SERVICE TIMES  GSLC will be staying on the summer service schedule until the question about one or two services is settled as per the voter’s resolution.  We will continue with church being held at 9:00 am and Adult Bible Class & Sunday School following at 10:30 am.

† JR CONFIRMATION CLASS  Jr. Confirmation Class will begin this Wednesday, September 5, at 6:15 pm.  Luther’s Large Catechism and Luther’s Small Catechism without Explanation will be provided to each new Confirmand, but each student will need to bring their own Bible to class.

† SHEPHERD’S OWN  After a summer break, the Shepherd’s Own men’s choir will be having a meeting on Wednesday, September 5, at 6:30 pm in the rear of the sanctuary to plan their new season of music ministry.  Shepherd’s Own is in need of additional voices.  If you have time to commit to a regular schedule of rehearsals and performances, a good ear for acapella harmony, and enjoy singing praises to the Lord, you are most welcome to join this group.  Please speak with John Nicholas or any other Shepherd’s Own member if you are interested or need additional information.

† GSLC FRIENDS BIBLE STUDY will not meet tomorrow evening due to Labor Day.

† LWML will meet this Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

† SUMMER QUARTER OFFERINGS  The offerings from Adult Bible class/Sunday School and VBS for the summer quarter are going to Watered   Gardens Gospel Rescue Missions in Joplin.  A donation of $15.00 provides one bed for one night.  For that amount, a shower, hygiene items, a set of clothing/shoes, a bed and laundry facilities are provided.  Our offerings for the quarter totaled over $800.00.  That money will provide over 50 nights for someone in need!  How awesome, thanks for your generosity!

† PRAYER BEARS are in the sanctuary pews and available to be signed out (notebook in narthex by nursery) and given to anyone that needs God’s love, comfort, and peace.

† ASSISTIVE LISTENING  If you are having a hard time hearing the service, assistive listening devices are available from the ushers.  They work like a transistor radio and you can control the volume.