CHRIST LUTHERAN NEWSLETTER

Official Newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Augusta, MO 63332

June 2008

Bible Study/Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Church Phone: (636) 228-4642

Worship Service: 10:00 a.m. Pastor’s Home Phone: 228-4773

Website Address: http://clcaugustamo.org

From the Pastor’s Desk……

“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction...but flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:9, 11)

In 1988 William Post III of Pennsylvania had less than $3 to his name. He pawned a ring for $40 and gave it to his landlady to buy some lottery tickets. He won the jackpot prize of $16.2 million and promptly went on a spending spree. He bought a car, a restaurant, a mansion, and an airplane (which he didn’t know how to fly). Within a few years his wife had left him, his brother was arrested for hiring a hit man to kill him, and Post himself was arrested for firing a shotgun over the head of a bill collector. On top of that, his landlady sued him, saying that he’d promised her half of the winnings. She was awarded a third, but Post didn’t have it—he’d spent it all. He had to sell his house, and in 1992 auctioned off his 17 remaining lottery payments (valued at $500,000 a year) for $2.65 million. He then proceeded to lose that money in a series of business blunders and finally declared bankruptcy and lived the rest of his life on a $450-a-month disability check. He died in 2006 at the age of 66, having said, “I was much happier when I was broke,” adding that he was sorry he had ever won the “lottery of death.”

Now certainly his is an extreme case, and perhaps you’re thinking, “If I were to win such a jackpot, I wouldn’t let greed take hold of me; I would be sensible with how I spent the money.” But consider this—even the desire to get rich is greed taking hold. It’s not the “winning of money” that is a root of evil; it’s the “love of money” that is.

Instead of desiring riches, God wants us to desire Him. Too much money can be destructive, but we can never have too much of God’s grace. The desire for riches can plunge men into ruin, but the desire for righteousness, godliness, and faith only serves to help us on our path through life.

This is not to say that money is wrong. It, too, is a blessing from God. What is wrong and destructive is when money, and the love of it, controls us—instead of us controlling it. In a properly balanced life, money is a useful tool. A Christian who seeks God’s Kingdom first will use money, even much money, in ways that are God-pleasing. Abraham was such a man who put God’s Kingdom first even though he was very wealthy. And because he had such a properly balanced life, Abraham used his money in service to God and for the welfare of others. Abraham, however, was the exception. Most of us could not handle his wealth very well. The temptation for such wealth to control us would be too great for us to fight against.

So we could say: May God guard against us ever winning a lottery jackpot. May He also guard against us ever having the desire to win such a jackpot. Instead, may He give us the strong desire to hear His words of life, receive our Lord’s body and blood, and live according to His gracious will.

In Christ’s service,

Pastor Bell

Christ Lutheran Church

Council Meeting Highlights

May 13, 2008

Treasurer’s Report – the April 2008 monthly report was read. The report showed income of $13,873.66 which is made up of 3,029.08 balance on hand and $10,844.58 in deposits. Total expenses were $9,460.07, and dedicated accounts of $31,609.78. Total church assets of $34,693.71, which is made up of the following: $5,183.18 in the Church Extension Savings (Bldg/Improvement) fund, $13,025 in the Sausage dinner account (from the money market), $13,360.53 in the money market, $1000 in Ladies Aid, $225 in Lay Activities, and $1900 in Youth Group account. The total Church debt is: $51,396.64, which is made up by the following: $8,428.09 (garage note), plus $11,358.77 (First Bank line of credit), plus $31,609.78 (dedicated accounts). The report was approved with a noted correction of approximately $1600 in the Youth Group Account.

Financial Secretary Report – the April 2008 income report was approved. The report showed the following income: total budgeted funds of $6,807 ($2,201.33 under budget), non-budgeted funds of $0, and total dedicated funds of $4,037.58. Total income was $10,844.58.

Volunteering

Need volunteers to serve on Church Council.

Earthquake Update

Trustees met with St. Charles Co. building inspector and a structural engineer from SEA Limited. A final report is due from the structural engineer. Verbally, there was nothing found to stop the front door construction.

Directories

Look for information on the Pictorial and Church directories in the near future.

Church Attendance

May 4 – 80 May 11 – 57 May 18 – 78 May 25 – 65

New Member Bio

Jillynn O’Black recently became a member of our congregation. Here is a little biographical sketch:

“I was raised on a citrus farm in the central valley of California, at the foothills of Sequoia National Park. My family attended a Presbyterian Church for most of my childhood. At age 15, my folks separated. My mom, older brother and I moved to another city nearby. (My two older sisters had already moved out and were on their own.) Three years after high school, I decided to go to college to pursue a teaching career. While in school I met and married my husband, Steve, who was in the Navy. After graduation, we moved to Washington State where I obtained a teaching certificate and taught for one year. In September of 2000 we were blessed with Ben. Nine months later we were living in Japan while Steve was assigned to the Kitty Hawk. In June of 2003 we moved to St. Charles, Missouri. Shortly after Steve retired from the Navy we moved to our current residence here in Augusta. I began attending Christ Lutheran May 14, 2007 and was confirmed on March 9, 2008.”

From the Elders

We recently added something new in our church. That’s right, we’ve added one hundred sixty four of the new Lutheran Hymnals (Lutheran Service Book or LSB)! The cost of the books was eighteen dollars fifty cents each if purchased before May 12, 2008. After that date the cost increased to twenty three dollars each. We made the purchase prior to May 12. Nine hundred thirty dollars ($930.00) was designated for the new hymnals in a memorial given in honor of a life-long member some years back. Thanks to the members who contributed additional monies making this hymnal purchase possible.

We feel the LSB is put together very well and the members of the congregation will enjoy learning a number of the new hymns and orders of service. We at Christ Lutheran are blessed to have organist(s) and a pastor who can truly lead the members in learning the different orders of service and the new hymns. It is our intention to bring in a new hymn or order of service from time to time. We encourage your participation in making this a joyful experience for all of us.

THEOLOGIAN’S CORNER

A good work disappears when it appears. A good work is no longer a good work when we "out" it, by telling people about it. When we seek to receive honor and glory among people with our "good" works, then they are no longer good, but evil. Our works are truly good when they are done in faith, for the benefit of the neighbor according to the Ten Commandments. Where our hearts are set on God and his treasures, our works are considered by Him to be good. If our hearts are set on praise in this world, then our works become evil. Our works must remain under the cross; only under that shadow will they be considered truly good and under that shadow they will always remain hidden from the world. Good works appear when they disappear.

Rev. Scott Murray, Memorial Moment

On the Lighter Side

An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, “They wouldn't take me out while I was alive; I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.”

A little girl is out in the backyard brushing the dog’s teeth, and her father stops by and says, “What are you doing?” She says, “Well, I’m brushing Scruffy’s teeth.” She pauses and says to her father, “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll put your toothbrush back like I always do.”

When Edward Everett Hale was Chaplain of the Senate, someone asked him, “Do you pray for the senators, Dr. Hale?” He replied, “No, I look at the senators and pray for the country.”

A five-year-old boy had a very keen interest in motorcycles. Whenever he saw one, he would let out a howl of joy, accompanied by animated remarks like, “Look at that! Look at that! I’m going to get a motorcycle some day.” His father’s answer was always the same, “Not so long as I’m alive, you won’t.” One day, while the boy was talking to his friend, a brand new stylish bike zoomed by. He excitedly pointed it out to the boy and exclaimed, “Look at that! I’m getting one of those—as soon as my dad dies!”