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First English Lutheran Church

The mission of First English Lutheran Church is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to love one another as He has loved us.

Christian Education News for September

Woman of the Word

Dr. David Jeremiah presents, “Spiritual Warfare”

We will begin on Tuesday, September 24th,

starting at 6:00 PM in the Parlor.

 You're in a battle and your opponent is seeking to destroy you! So, how do you protect yourself against Satan's attacks? Dr. Jeremiah presents a field manual for the Christian soldier. Don't leave your spiritual protection up to chance. Learn how to utilize the full armor of God and defeat the work of Satan in your life. This is a nine week study with our last session ending on November 19th.  All are welcome to join in the battle.

 

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“RALLY Service DAY 2013”

Sunday, September 8th

Just a reminder that the kick-off for Sunday School, FaithWeavers, Sunday morning Adult Bible Study with Jennie Kline, Lunch Bunch and Women of the Word will start with a carry-in meal, for example an entrée, salad or dessert, after Church.  Shredded chicken, Arby’s Roast Beef and hot dog sandwiches and beverages will be provided. 

SAMARITANS PURSE

We are once again filling Christmas boxes for children around the world, except this year we are providing boxes which were purchased from Samaritan’s Purse.  As was with last year they are to be filled with goodies (suggestions listed below), for a girl or boy, either, 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 years of age.  Included in each box should be a $7.00 shipping fee.    This project is sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, the President being Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham.  To read more about this ministry go to samaritanspurse.org/occ.  This can be an individual or family project or it can be done by more than one family each family making donations to fill a box.  We ask that you bring your box(es) back by Sunday, October 20th.  We will then pray over them for the children who will be receiving them.  They will be delivered to a drop-off center in November.

There will be a film shown during Children’s Time explaining further about the Christmas Boxes on Rally Day 

Gift Suggestions

School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, stickers, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

 

Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc.

 

Hygiene Items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb washcloth, etc.

 

Other: T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family.  (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)  There will be special sheets provided at Church for this purpose or you can do your own thing. 

 

Do Not Include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy, liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins, breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; or aerosol cans.

Have fun with this folks & be creative for your child/children!

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Come learn and live the Word of our God as you…

Come out of the Desert and into the OASIS with              FAITHWEAVERS

Wednesday, September 11th starting with a meal in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30.

Teachers: Kara Schneider, Michelle Bowen and Jaime Hindenlang

September 15th Sunday School Sets Sail

Lisa Kirby will again be at the helm with the able bodied assistance of Deanna Ronan for Pre-School through elementary. Paul Eckert and Bridget Kentner are taking over for the Middle School, Bob Shenk and Robin Klock will again lead the High School class.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14

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Children and Parents

Don’t forget that the offering given at Children’s Time is used to support our Compassion International child, Paul Waswa.  As Paul prays and thanks God for us, Paul and his family would appreciate our prayers for them and their country, Kenya.

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September Birthdays

Keaton Pulfer   9-07-01       Cort Shoffstall   9-10-08     Noah Biederman  9-11-05   Michael Robbins   9-17-01

Joshua Tabler       9-12-08      Sally Robbins  9-22-03

Natalia Kantner     9-22-04        Michaela Ary  9-23-97     Emma McCullough  9-25-06     Emma Wittenbrink     9-30-05

If you see any of these youth, please remember to wish them a “Happy Birthday” or just give them the gift of a prayer for God’s blessing on their birthday and the year to follow.

Questions of the Month

gotquestions.org

Question: "What is the origin and purpose of church bells?"

Answer: The tradition of ringing church bells dates back to AD 400 when Paulinus of Nola first introduced bells in association with a church. In AD 604 Pope Sabinianus officially sanctioned bells’ usage. By the early Middle Ages, church bells had become common in northern Europe, reflecting the influence of Irish missionaries. The Eastern Orthodox Church has a long and complex history of bell ringing. The custom is particularly sophisticated in the Russian Orthodox Church.

The primary purpose of ringing church bells today is to signify the time for worshippers to gather for a church service. Many Anglican, Catholic and Lutheran churches also ring their bell tower bells three times a day (6:00 A.M., noon, and 6:00 P.M.), summoning the faithful to recite the Lord’s Prayer. This tradition was influenced by the Jewish practice of praying three times a day (see Psalm 55:17 and Daniel 6:10). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Lord’s Prayer was prayed three times a day in the early church. However, the Bible makes no mention of this, and it would appear that the Catholic Church was trying to supplant the Amidah of Hebrew tradition. The thrice-daily ringing of church bells also resembles the Islamic tradition of the adhan in which the faithful are called to prayer from a minaret.

Bells are also rung during most Catholic and High Church services. A small hand bell or set of hand bells (called altar bells or sanctus bells) is rung shortly before the consecration of the bread and wine and again when the elements are shown to the people. Please note that not all Anglican churches follow the Catholic traditions surrounding the Eucharist. The High Anglican Church is very similar to Catholicism, but the Low Anglican Church is closer to Protestantism in several ways.

The idea that the sound of bells ringing has spiritual value is thought to have originated with pagan winter celebrations in which bells were rung to drive out evil spirits. Some churches still refer to the so-called apotropaic power of bells in their descriptions of sanctus bells. The belief that bells drive away demons is pure superstition and should have no place in the church.

In later centuries, bells were rung on Christmas Eve to welcome Christmas with a “joyful noise” (Psalm 95:1; 98:4). Of course, bells are sometimes used as musical instruments in their own right, and many church services feature the music of bell choirs.

To conclude, the Bible neither promotes nor forbids the ringing of church bells. The tradition of ringing bells at a certain time of day or during certain rituals seems to be a Catholic tradition, infused with superstition. But, for many Christians, the ringing of bells from a church tower is certainly a “joyful noise,” reminding them of God’s presence in the world. And the music produced by bell choirs has blessed many.

 

We welcome back the sounds of praise to the LORD with the Choir and the Bell Choir!

 

Yours in Christ,

Robin Klock