The Fortress

June 2014

Timeless Treasures

8:00am. Divine Service Setting 4.

Hymns 490, 556, 616, 725, 655, 842.

Readings: Acts 17:16-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21

9:25am Bible Class & Sunday School.

10:30am Divine Service Setting 4.

Look familiar? This is a snapshot of Sunday Morning, May 25 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Carson

City, NV. As we were vacationing with family, my family and I were with you in spirit. The Holy Christian

Church congregated together from all places and through all times around the altar of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ. Immersed within His Means of Grace in a sister Lutheran church, hearing from a pastor I am

comfortable with and participating in a familiar liturgy with no surprises, I was brought to joyful thanksgiving

that I could allow myself to be completely receptive to the gifts of God in Word and Sacrament. I did not need

to aggressively critique or discern the worship forms and preaching for it was the same as it has always been in

the Church. With sheer heavenly joy and comfort, my family and I received and treasured our Lord's

forgiveness and grace by the exact same Means He has always given His Church to employ. He died and rose

for the people of Bethlehem, just as He died and rose for us as Concordia, and for all people everywhere, that

though Him we will have life everlasting.

Bethlehem Lutheran is celebrating their 55th year as we celebrate our 150th. The churches out west are

younger in age, but their message is as timeless as the churches "over in the east" (as some say). Together with

all Christian churches of the world we celebrate all the years our Lord grants the Church to be the entranceway

to heaven through the sharing of Jesus Christ. As we look forward to His coming, we continue to meet together

as the apostles of Jesus did, around the treasures of heaven He gives in rich supply.

This month, on June 22nd, Pastor Wohlrabe will be returning to visit with us and celebrate Concordia's many

years of God's blessings. On July 6th, our Anniversary Celebration Day (see special flier in the Fortress), after

the 10am Divine Service, CID President Rev. Mark Miller will be with us for our Anniversary Service at

2:00pm. Both of these men will be doing nothing different from what they or Bethlehem, or Concordia, or any

other true Christian church has done in the past, which is share Jesus and His treasures with the Church and the

world.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is unwavering and unchanging; He is the way, the

truth, and the life. Thanks be to God He never changes or modifies the way of salvation, nor allows His Means

of Grace to be discontinued. May we always richly treasure all He has blessed us with, and gladly hear, learn

and be ever immersed in the Holy Treasures of the Christ's Church.

Peace in Christ, our risen and ascended Lord,

Pastor Mueller

June 2014

1st Kenneth & Jacqueline Cherry Sr. 59 years

3rd

Jim & Marilyn Yerkey 53 years

5th Kris & Paula Johnson 15 years

6th Terry & Sharon Blackert 49 years

6th James & Della Boehmke 44 years

9th Rich & Barb Kraft 46 years

13th Scott & Jackie Rice 27 years

14th Herman & Diane Reschke 55 years

17th Wilmer & Carla Emerick Jr. 8 years

18th Dick & Rogene McMullen 32 years

19th Scott & Stephanie Hull 15 years

19th Bill & Kathy Kramer 38 years

21st Jonathon & Denise Fuqua 12 years

24th Daniel & Martha Fleming 37 years

30th Lloyd & Carmen Foster 24 years

6/1 Rich Conley

Nicholas Vandevoord

6/2 Macallister Blakley

Russ Coulter

6/2 Hillary Minnaert

6/3 Carla Emerick

Audra Oliver

Jim Wethington

6/4 Zackary Johnson

6/4 Robert Orendorff

6/6 Mark Pamperin

Michael Pamperin

6/7 Frances Drews

Annabelle Ropp ©

Marvin Wagle Jr.

6/10 Jeremy Dodge

Patrick Gordon

Troy Rowold

Linda Stockton

6/11 Gary Joseph

Ken Peal

Daegan Printy

6/12 Garth Mingo

6/13 Marcia Himmelman

6/14 Noah Hansen

Helen Ludwig

6/15 Carolyn Burt

Jacob Johnson

6/16 David Noard

6/17 Paige Wates

6/19 Tony Gordon

6/20 Kris Anderson

Catherine Rothschild

6/21 Lucus Bruns

6/23 Drew Deriemacker

Brian Ludwig

6/24 Martin DePauw

Tyler Heilman

Garrett Miller

6/26 Cory Miller

6/27 Brent Teerlinck

6/28 Robert Brown II

Ryan Brown

Kathy Kramer

6/29 Kenneth Cherry Sr.

© child under the age of 12

*Senior Birthday

members under 19

6/6 Jake Grunwald

6/9 Kellan McBee

6/10 Andy Foster

6/13 Sage Windisch

6/18 Russell Brown

6/23 Gage Blackert

Addison Jenkins

6/26 Riley Ott

6/28 Remlee Dwyer

6/30 James Jagers

Concordia Ladies League

CLL members met May 8th

with 12 members

present. Jeanette Shoemaker and Judy Deutsch

provided refreshments and Jeanette had crocheted

placemats and nut cups for everyone to take home

and enjoy! Fama Prokup gave the devotional

reading.

President, Kathryn Nelson, called the meeting to

order with roll call. The reading and approving of

the minutes from the last meeting followed. Janett

Farnam gave the treasurer's report. Dorothy

Johnson reported on cards sent to church members

in the last month.

Kathryn presented a sample of the napkins which

were ordered for the upcoming 150th anniversary

events. The printing is in red on a white napkin with

an open book symbol. She ordered 1000 and this is

CLL's contribution to the anniversary. She reported

on the Mother/Daughter banquet that took place

May 9th

. We have sold 99 tickets and she has

recruited 10 men to help in the kitchen. Sharon

Blackert reported on the menu which is Chicken

Croissant Almondine, fruit, green salad with 2

dressings, lemon bars, brownies and iced tea. We

will provide the coffee, etc. The cost for 110

servings is $965.00. Jeanette Shoemaker, Florence

Hendrickson and Bonnie Weniger worked on the

ideas for prizes and Jeanette will present them at the

banquet.

The church float for the Father's Day parade will be

built in the Deutsch barn and they will also supply a

trailer. Joan Sears reported on the giveaways that

are planned for the coming celebrations. They won't

all be ready for Pastor Kuhn's visit but will be sent

to him afterwards.

There will be no meeting in June. The July meeting

is a potluck -- the officers will supply the meat and

everyone is asked to bring just one dish to pass. The

members are also encouraged to "bring a friend."

We closed with the Lord's Prayer. We then

adjourned to decorate the tables for the banquet.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Deutsch, Secretary

REMEMBER: Please contact the office and inform

us of any changes of name, address, marital status,

email, phone, and cell phone.

Join

Concordia

Lutheran

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Name to number 1-309-751-4812.

FAITH’N’FAMILY --- on your Lutheran Radio

Station Worldwide KFUO. Join us as we talk about

“Marriage as a Social Construct?” on Tuesday, “The

Role of Traditional Marriage and Family in Passing

on the Faith” on Wednesday, “Grieving Parents at

the Loss of a Child” on Thursday, and “Your

Marriage by God’s Design” & “Confessing Christ in

a Contrary Culture” on Friday. Listen this Monday-

Friday @ 11:00am-Noon CT. Find us at kfuo.org

and follow us at Facebook.com/KFUOradio.

Our website has been updated!

Check it out at www.geneseolutheranchurch.com

Anniversary Choir- For this

year only and in honor of Concordia’s 150th

anniversary we will be having

an Anniversary choir. This is

for both men and women.

Middle School and High school

students are invited to

participate also. This choir will

meet from May-June for sole purpose of providing

extra music for the July 6th celebration. We will

sing a couple different pieces for Divine Service at

2:00PM the afternoon Celebration Service and for

the Evening Hymn Festival. June 3rd

June 10th

June

17th

June 24th

July 1st

Concordia family, please check our selection of

cards. They can be found in the card rack in the

Fellowship Hall. We have a new selection of

Graduation & Father’s Day cards. Your card

purchases help LWML make mission contributions

to the church and other charities. Thank you for

helping us.

LUNCHEON

The Board of

Education is

planning a luncheon

for September 28th

to honor all

members and a few past members of Concordia who

have contributed in any way to educating both adults

and children over the past 150 years. It may be

Sunday School, Weekday School, VBS, leader for a

Bible Class, Special Education class, or helping with

Confirmation. The Board needs your help. How

you might ask? We are compiling a list and if you

are one of the “educators” or know of some names,

please contact the church office or talk to Martha

Fleming, or email her (marthafleming4@gmail.com)

with your list of names. Emilie has a list for the last

5 years so we are especially interested in any names

form the previous years. Thank you for your help.

Abstinence workshop

Holy Cross - Moline invites all members and friends

of LCMS Rock Island Circuit sister churches to join

them at an Abstinence Workshop. This discussion

will be led by Trisha Wilson from Pregnancy

Resources. She will give a 20 minute talk (followed

by discussion and questions) entitled God's Plan for

Sex and Purity. Several of us from Holy Cross heard

her at this year's Pregnancy Resources spring

fundraising banquet and she was very engaging.

This event will take place at Holy Cross on June

18th at 6:30PM. Please inform your youth and their

leaders. The presentation is aimed for youth; but

parents and other adults are also welcomed.

Concordia LWML

Concordia LWML met on

May 13th

with nine

members present. The

opening devotion was given

by Pat Kohrell. Members

answered roll call by

sharing a special thought or

memory of our Mother.

The hymn of the month was "Christ the Eternal

Lord." which we sang. A short film was viewed

about the work of the Abigail Women's Clinic in

Mendota, IL. Baby bottles are on display for people

to take home and fill with donations for the clinic.

Frances Drews and Katy Kramer gave a report on

the CID Convention that was held in Effingham,

Illinois in May.

Our next meeting will be on June 10th at the church.

We welcome all ladies to come and join us.

God's Blessings.

LWML

NEED REPAIRS? Need some minor maintenance done around your

house? The Men’s Group would like to help you.

Call the church office if you need help.

The Fortress is a monthly newsletter published for

members and friends of Concordia Evangelical

Lutheran Church. Concordia is a member of the

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

July-August Deadline

Is June 14th

Do you need a ride to church

on Sunday morning?

The Church Council has approved a “pick-up”

service for Sunday mornings. If you need a ride to

church please call the church office by noon on

Friday at 944-3993. We will make those

arrangements for you.

The ladies of LWML of Concordia and Saint John’s,

Edford are planning a quilting day for Sat. July 19th

from 9AM to 3PM. Like last year we will be

sewing and tying quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

There is something for everyone to do! If you can’t

sew you can cut fabric, put layers of the quilt

together or tie them. Plan now to come and spend

all or part of the day making quilts that will bless

poor people all around the world. Bring your

sewing machines if you wish, scissors, a sack lunch

and a willing heart. It’s a day of fun and fellowship.

Join us!

There will be a Voters

Assembly on June 1st at 1:30 PM.

We put our newsletter up on the website every

month in color, check us out at

www.geneseolutheranchurch.com. The Fortress

will be available online and in the Fellowship hall.

We will continue to mail the Fortress to shut-ins.

Budget Update Approved 2014 Budget is $324,041.00. The weekly

offering required to meet our budget is $6,241.

APRIL YTD

Income $23,915 $118,302

Expenses $24,181 $110,686

Income less expenses $ - 266 $ 7,615

Please continue to pray for Concordia and the

important work planned and approved by the Voters

of Concordia. As Christian stewards, let us

constantly be reminded and thankful that all gifts –

time, talent, and treasure – are gifts from God; and

be encouraged to use them in God pleasing ways.

Sign up NOW

for VBS!!!! VBS is June 9

th-13

th from

9:00am-11:30am. There are

two ways to sign up. We are

again using an online

registration form. Use the

church web address

http://www.geneseolutheranchurch.com go to the

ABOUT tab on the top menu and click on

UPCOMING EVENTs. Then click on VBS 2014

Registration.

Or:

You can pick up a registration sheet by the office.

We look forward to having your child in VBS!!!

Did you know that LWML recycles for mission

money? Here is a list of items that can be recycled

and the “mites” are used to spread the Word and

love of God around the world:

ink jet cartridges

laser cartridges

cell phones& smart phones (regardless of condition)

lap-top computers

Tablets (Kindles, etc.)

Digital cameras

MP3 players (I-pods)

GPS devices

(TONER TUBES CANNOT BE RECYCLED)

If you would like to donate any of these items for

recycling they can be given to any LWML member.

God bless you for all you do to support the mission

of the LWML.

CONCORDIA PRESCHOOL

It just seems like yesterday that the school

year began. At the end of each school year, I

always take great pleasure in the progress the

preschoolers have made. I love how much the

children grow spiritually, academically, and

socially throughout the year. I know I say that

every year, however, it’s a great blessing to be

able to be a part of their lives. At the end of

school year, I know that the preschoolers are ready for kindergarten. But the best gift that I see is that these

children truly love Jesus and want to share the Gospel with others.

I asked the preschoolers to tell me what they have learned during Jesus Time. This is what they said:

Jesus loves you. Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins.

Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins.

Jesus is loving, caring.

We love because Jesus first loved us. We can forgive

people.

Jesus is strong. He is powerful. Jesus follows you

wherever you go.

Jesus died on the cross. He took away our sins. He rose

on Easter day.

Jesus died on the cross. He took away our sins and we

can go to heaven someday.

Jesus is strong. He is mighty. He is great.

Jesus always loves you. Jesus is with you always.

I love Jesus.

I like learning about Jesus.

Jesus will always be there for me. Jesus is alive.

Jesus making people. Jesus died on the cross.

We will go to heaven someday. Jesus loves me.

Jesus died on the brown cross. Jesus went up to the

clouds.

Sickness how he healed people. He healed a blind man.

Jesus died on a cross. Jesus rode a donkey.

Jesus ran and play.

Jesus died on the cross.

We sang Jesus Loves Me. We prayed to Jesus.

I prayed to God.

Jesus takes my sins away.

Stephanie Hagaman

Preschool Teacher/Director

CID Early Childhood Consultant Region 1

June

Vicki Wahlheim &

Kim Kennett

June

1

st Joan Sears

8th

Rich & Barb Kraft

15th

This Sunday is available.

22nd

Sarah & J.D Segelhorst Wedding

29th

This Sunday is available.

Reminder…when you

enter a hospital, be sure to

say you are a member of

Concordia Lutheran, or

have a family member or

friend call the office or

Pastor Mueller. Otherwise

we may not be aware of

your hospitalization.

Thank you.

The June Blood pressure checks after both services

will be June 8, 2014.

Sick and infirm: Jean Woolley, Marv Kading,

Bob Thon, Steve Blakely, Eldon Sigwalt, Robin,

Eugenia Giebel, Jon Bond, Judy Cross, Missy

Merkel, Phill Emmerson, Luanne O’Donnell,

Christine Henry, Pastor Robert Yount, Tom

Yerkey, Lois Misfeldt, Joan Maier, Violet

Causemaker, Nancy Tieken and Joanne Struss.

Also in our prayers: Joe Schweitzer, Marion

Windisch, Marjorie Rahn, James Dean, Sylvia

Simms, Florence Kuchirka, and Bob Mason.

Pray for our inactive members.

June 2014

Deacons

Worship Services Altar Guild

8:00 Greg Wisely &

Kevin Parker

10:30 John Kohrell &

Bob Thon

Thank you to all for donating to the annual Postal

Carrier’s Food Drive. Total collected was 5,025

pounds of non-perishable food items. We are so

grateful for the postal employees and their families

for all the hard work and dedication they put into

this project. We would also like to thank the

volunteers who spent the entire day sorting and

stocking the food once it was brought to the Food

Pantry.

With warmer weather on the way, we have already

had a few requests for fans. Please consider

donating a new or used fan as most our clients do

not have air conditioning. Fans are especially

appreciated by our older clients.

We will be collecting school supplies during the

summer months for the 2014-15 school year. All

supplies donated to the Food Pantry stay in our

school district. Some ideas of needed supplies are

spiral bound sketch pads, composition notebooks,

wide lined loose leaf paper, red/blue/black pens,

pencils, colored pencils, red marking pencils, large

pink erasers, dry erase markers, 1 or 1 ½ in. three

ring binders, and folders. Complete lists can be

found at www.dist228.org . The generosity and

blessings you give to the Food Pantry each month

are a true testament of God’s love at work. You are

making a difference in the lives of many families

who are struggling due to circumstances beyond

their control. We would like to pass along their

gratitude, as well as our own.

Peace and happiness!

**For your convenience we now have a red “drop

box” located in the vestibule at Fareway for non-

perishable food donations. Please consider

purchasing extra items for the Food Pantry during

your next shopping trip. Just drop them in the box

on your way out the door!

Food needs for the month of

June are: sugar, flour, tomato

sauce, diced tomatoes, ramen

noodles, and graham crackers.

Non-food needs are: fabric

softener, baby wipes,

household cleaners, tissues, and paper plates.

Prayer Requests

If you have a prayer request to be added to the

Sunday service, there are three ways to do so. Call

the church office and speak to Pat/Joy and the

Pastor and ask them to add your name to our prayer

list. You may also fill out a prayer request card that

are now at the Greeter stands, then hand them to the

Deacon before the service begins so they can be

given to Pastor. And during or after the service you

can fill out the bottom of your attendance card and

they will be also be given to Pastor.

VBS is almost here!!!! There are a few volunteer

slots that need to be filled particularly in the

kitchen. If you are interested please contact Emilie

Glaw. VBS is June 9th

-13th

and all volunteers will

get a super cool t-shirt.

Wellness &

Health

From the

Parish Nurse

The State of

Prostate Cancer

Did you know that in 2000, one million men had

prostate cancer and in 2010, 2.6 million men had

it? It is the second most common cancer in men,

with skin cancer being the most common.

In 1975, only 65% of men with prostate cancer

lived over 5 years. In 2010, the percentage of men

with prostate cancer who lived over 5 years was

99%.

The prostate is a gland only found in men that is

located below the urinary bladder. Because the

prostate surrounds the urethra (tube that drains

urine from the bladder), most of the symptoms of

prostate cancer are urinary problems. There are no

early symptoms of prostate cancer and only

God knows what causes it.

The chances of prostate cancer increases at age 50

with 6 out of 10 cases are in men over age 65.

African Americans and men with a family history

of prostate cancer are also at higher risk.

Although there are some fast growing prostate

cancer cells, most are slow growing. Some men

do not need treatment since the cancer is slow

growing. Instead, the cancer is watched closely to

make sure

it doesn't change or grow quickly.

Screening can be done every one or two years by

having a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test

and a DRE (digital rectal exam). As the PSA

increases, so does the chance of having prostate

cancer.

However, the PSA blood test is not totally

accurate. The DRE may feel any lumps on the

prostate, but it is not totally accurate either.

There has been some research that uses dogs to

smell urine to determine if the man has prostate

cancer. This is something new and depending on

the dog, can have a high accuracy rate. There is

other research being done to find better diagnosing

and treating prostate cancer.

Check with your doctor about getting a PSA and

DRE if you are a man over age 50.

Jesus loves us no matter what our

state!

Holy Cross - Moline invites all members and

friends of LCMS Rock Island Circuit sister

churches to join them in celebrating the 30th

ordination anniversary of Pastor Wilfred Karsten

with a hymn festival on Sunday June 29 at 2:00

p.m., followed by a reception. The organist will

be Matthew Gerhardt, a graduate of the parish

music program at Concordia University

Wisconsin, who has also studied organ at St. Olaf

College, The Oberlin Conservatory, The

Westphalian Institute for Church Music in

Hereford, Germany, and who this fall will be a

student and graduate assistant at the Jacobs

School of Music at Indiana University -

Bloomington. Matthew is the son-in-law of Pastor

& Lynette Karsten.

VBS Registration Card One form per child, please.

Name ______________________________________________

Grade Completed ________Birthday __________ Age _______

Parents’ names _______________________________________

Address _____________________________________________

Home Phone ________________ Alt. Phone _______________

Emergency contact person ______________________________

Relationship to student _________________________________

Home phone ________________ Alt. phone _______________

Food allergies or other medical problems __________________

Family doctor _______________ Telephone _______________

Siblings attending VBS (names and ages)

Church affiliation _____________________________________

Church membership at _________________________________

Brought by __________________________________________

VBS leaders have permission to photograph/film the

minor(s) designated above in any manner or form for any

lawful purpose associated with this VBS program.

Parent(s) signature __________________________________

Register early!! Students who register before June 1st will have

their shirt on the first day of VBS.

Youth: S M L Adult: S M L XL

If your child may participate in this

event, please complete, sign and return

the following statement of consent and

release of liability. As parent/guardian,

you remain fully responsible for any

liability, which may result from

personal actions taken by your

son/daughter. If your youth engages in

reckless or violent behavior, you will

be expected to retrieve your

son/daughter immediately.

I hereby consent to the participation of

my child in the event described above. I

release Concordia Lutheran and their

agents and volunteers from any injuries

which may be incurred by my youth. I

give permission for my child, in case of

emergency, to be taken to a physician or

hospital by either an adult youth leader

or Church personnel. I understand that

every effort will be made to contact me.

If I cannot be reached, however, I

hereby give permission to the physician

selected by the adult in charge, to

hospitalize and secure proper treatment,

including surgery, for my son/daughter.

Parents/guardians of participants are

advised that photographs of

participants may be used in

publications, websites or other

materials produced from time to time

by the Church. Participants would

not be identified unless with specific

written consent.

Parents/guardians who do not wish

their children to be photographed

or filmed should so notify us

immediately.

Parent(s) signature ______________

Thanks,

Emilie Glaw

ANNOUNCING!

150th

Anniversary Booklets are here!

The 150th

Anniversary Committee of Concordia has completed their work and has printed our 150

th

Anniversary History booklet! “Lord, Keep Us

Steadfast In Your Word”.! Gleaning from past

history books, and current church history, you can

learn of the history of your church, her groups, her

pastors, and more.

The Deacons have also had printed a booklet

describing the architecture and stained glass

windows of Concordia as well as the Church’s

liturgy. “Heaven comes to us…”. These booklets

are also available for you in the narthex Library.

On Sunday, June

22nd

Concordia

will welcome our

second

Anniversary

guest preacher to

celebrate the

sesquicentennial.

Pastor Wohlrabe will preach at both services.

Both services will have communion. We will

have a potluck after the late service.

The Rev. Dr. John C. Wohlrabe, Jr. was installed

as Concordia’s fifteenth pastor on June 28, 2009.

Pastor Wohlrabe was born September 2, 1953 to

John C. and Lillian Anna (Haar) Wohlrabe, Sr. and

he has four sisters. His father was a medical doctor,

psychiatrist. He graduated from St. Paul’s Lutheran

High School, Concordia, MO in 1971, and graduated

Concordia College, Ann Arbor, MI in 1978. He

served as an enlisted sailor on the USS John F.

Kennedy from January 1974 to August 1976. He

graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, St.

Louis, MO in 1981 after serving as vicar at Zion

Lutheran Church, in Anchorage, AK. While at Zion,

he met Julie Ann Schultz who became his wife on

August 16, 1980. Pastor Wohlrabe and Julie were

blessed with a daughter and two sons. Pastor

Wohlrabe served in the US Navy as a Chaplain from

1987 until his retirement from active duty in May

2009. During his service, he was assigned to the

Marines in Iraq during the Battle of Fallujah, and in

Anbar province. Prior to his US Navy service, he

was pastor at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Ft.

Lupton, CO. In service to the LCMS, Pastor

Wohlrabe has written numerous articles, was Guest

Instructor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO,

and Assistant Director/Archivist at Concordia

Historical Institute, St. Louis, MO. He has also

served as 3rd Vice-president of the LCMS from

2007 to 2010, and serving as 2nd Vice-president of

the LCMS since 2010. He has also served as the

Presidents Representative to the Board of Governors,

and Editor-in-Chief, Concordia Historical Institute,

St. Louis, MO since 2009. Pastor Wohlrabe retired

from Concordia in June, 2012. He and his wife live

in St. Francis, WI.

The following members of Concordia graduated

either from high school or college. We

congratulate them and praise God for giving these

young people their many talents. We pray God

will bless them as they continue with their

education or seek employment.

Congratulations Graduates!

Annawan High School

Ben Foster, son of

Lloyd & Carmen Foster,

graduated from

Annawan High School

on May 18th

. Ben will

be taking some business

management classes at

Blackhawk College and

beginning work with

DeDecker Heating/Cooling and Plumbing in

Atkinson after graduation.

Geneseo High School

Jessa Coulter, daughter of

Russ & De Anna Coulter,

graduated from Geneseo

High School. Jessa plans on

attending Southern Illinois

University, Edwardsville in

the fall. She plans to study

Human Resource

Management.

CONCORDIA 150TH

ANNIVERSARY

JULY 6, 2014

We are quickly approaching the day of our big

celebration of God’s Grace given to Geneseo and

the world through Concordia.

The plan for that day includes time for pie tasting,

ice cream, games and more.

We are asking members of the congregation to

assist by providing any of the following:

Old-fashioned ice cream makers, pop-up tent

coverings that we can put in the front yard and use

for outside events, horseshoes, bean bag and other

toss games, bingo, trivia, games for all ages, etc.,

as well as anything you think might be useful.

Yes, I can assist the Concordia 150th

Anniversary

celebration.

Name: ___________________________________

Address: _________________________________

City: ____________________________________

Phone number: ____________________________

Item(s) available for use on July 6, 2014.

Please provide the above information to the church

office.

Thank you!

GOD'S BLESSINGS AND CONGRATULATIONS

To the following young people who were confirmed at Concordia last month:

Kayla Ann Miller Baptized: December 10, 2000

Daughter of Tony & Kelly Miller

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:4

Melanie Marie Parker

Baptized: March 10, 2000

Daughter of Kevin & Christy Parker

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,

that whoever believes in him should not

perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Madison Leigh Paxton

Baptized: December 10, 2000

Granddaughter of Diana Paxton

“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you,

for so their families did to the false prophets.”

Luke 6:26

Carson Marie Dodge Baptized: August 3, 2000

Daughter of Jeremy & Amy Dodge

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

Jake Ryan Grunwald Baptized: June 6, 1999

Son of Jon & Wendy Grunwald

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Isiah William Robert Hansen

Baptized: December 31, 2000

Son of Larry & Mary Hansen

“To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing

with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:1(b)

Laney Jo Fuqua

Baptized: July 15, 2012

Daughter of Jonathan & Denise Fuqua

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 2: 8

When it comes to stewardship, a favorite Bible verse is the account of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–4). It’s

a moving account. Our Lord praises the seemingly small gift of two copper coins given by a poor widow

above the abundance of gifts given by the rich, saying, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more

than all of them” (Luke 21:3). And that is usually where we stop. But the text goes on. “For they all

contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4).

“She . . . put in all she had to live on.” She gave everything. She held nothing back. She trusted that the Lord

who made her and all creatures, who gave her everything she had, who redeemed her from her own sin,

from death, and the power of the devil, who called her by the gospel and enlightened her with His gifts of

Word and Sacrament, would continue to do this. He would provide her with all that she needed for this body

and life because that is the character of the God she had.

But this is not why we give small gifts. We give small gifts precisely because we don’t trust the Lord to

provide for us. We give small gifts because we lack faith in the One who created us, redeemed us, sanctifies

and keeps us in the one true faith. We give small gifts because we doubt that God will really give us what

we need and desire. We give small gifts because we are not content with what God has already given.

We are not slaves, children of the slave woman, under the Old Covenant, who must give a tithe. We are

adopted sons of the free woman. And since we are sons, we are also heirs. And heirs receive the inheritance.

For everything is already ours in Christ. And thus moved by the willing spirit of adoption, we do the will of

God in financial matters far beyond all that was done by those under the Old Covenant who were forced by

legal demands.

So what have you decided to give? How do I decide what to give? Let the Scriptures be your guide.

We are to give proportionally to what we have received from God’s giving to us (Luke 12:48; 1 Corinthians

16:1–2, 2 Corinthians 8:12). And what proportion is that? We are free, for we are not slaves but sons.

Nevertheless, ten percent, the amount demanded for those under the Old Covenant, is a good starting point,

unless there is a reason not to. For we have received more from God in Christ, and we are free now to give

more also. So use ten percent unless there is a reason to use five percent or fifteen percent.

But you have not been set free to give nothing. See that you excel in the grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7)!

We are not free to live selfishly outside the Gospel, without regard for God who gives us all good gifts,

without generosity for our neighbor who needs us and our gifts, without supporting the community of faith

in which we live, without care for our spiritual fathers and those who teach and help raise our children in the

faith, without resources for the poor and needy—in short, we are not free to live unto ourselves, hoarding

what God has given us only for us. For love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). And the sum of

the law is this: Love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:34–40). We love because He first loved us.

We give because He has given to us.

Luther once said “Possessions belong in your hands, not in your heart” (LW 14:240). There is a reason your

ten fingers spread apart. You catch with your hands God’s gifts for what you need so that the rest may fall

through your fingers to your neighbors—your family, your friends, your community, your church.

THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY TRUE!

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CONCORDIA EVANGELICAL

LUTHERAN CHURCH

316 S. Oakwood Ave.

Geneseo, IL 61254-1445

Lutheran Hour Ministry Radio Program

Join Us for Worship at Concordia:

IMPORTANT DATES: June 1

st Voters Assembly 1:30 PM

June 9th

VBS Week

June 15th

Father’s Day Parade

June 22nd

Pastor Wohlrabe Preaching 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM

Station City, State Freq Day Time

WGEN Kewanee, IL 1500 AM Sun 5:30 AM

WKEI Kewanee, IL 1450 AM Sun 5:30 AM

WGN Chicago, IL 720 AM Sun 6:00 AM

WMT Cedar Rapids, IA 600 AM Sun 6:30 AM

KCLN Clinton, IA 1390 AM Sun 9:30 AM

We are on the web!

Come visit us at: www.geneseolutheranchurch.com

Worship Schedule

Sunday 8:00 A.M.

Sunday school/Adult Classes

at 9:15 A.M.

Sunday 10:30 A.M

Rev. Stephen M. Mueller, Pastor

Parsonage phone (309) 944-2827