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January 2016
The Praise Pulse A Publication of Praise Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Pastor Randy Thank You, Epiphany Choral Evening Prayer, Worship Ministry, Facebook Women’s Bible Study, Shepherd’s House, Prayer Chain, Birthdays & Anniversaries, Newsletter Deadline Pray for Us Calendar Worship for Shut-Ins Calendar
In This Issue
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A bit of holiday humor: A young couple had drifted from the church early in their marriage, but now with a young child they felt the urge to get reconnected and intro-duce their daughter to the reason for the season. So they dressed up the three year old for her first worship service on that Christmas Eve and made sure they got to the church early for a good seat. Getting impatient while waiting for the service to start, the fidgety little girl turned to her parents and asked, "What time does Jesus get here?"
I love the transparency of children, don’t you? Somehow, we all are to be like them in spirit. But to move on from “milk” to “meat” as the Apostle Paul describes a maturing in faith. God our Father wants us to “grow up” in faith and He provides all that is needed to do so.
1. He has provided His Word: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. They equip God’s servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things.
2. He has provided the Gift of “faith to believe.” Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message that is heard is what Christ spoke.
3. He has provided forgiveness of sins. Romans 6:23 The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is ever-lasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. He has provided His Son Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. John 17:3 This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
That is a lot to grow into but the Lord is helping us every step of the way. We receive it as a free gift from Him and it changes us forever.
I heard a radio announcer telling the story of a grandmother who was able to lead her granddaughter to saving faith in Jesus. The 8 year old girl describes it this way: “Heaven was already having a party for me. All I had to do is invite myself!”
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD. HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY 2016 GROWING IN FAITH!!
YOU ARE BLESSED I AM BLESSED PASTOR RANDY
Become our friend on Facebook.
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Worship Ministry Worship Ministry is looking for a couple more volunteers to help with communion and other miscellaneous items. If you are interested or have any questions, please see Kathy Mildred.
Music of the Christmas and Epiphany seasons presented by the Kantorei of Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne
Sunday, January 17 — 4 p.m.
Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne
2016 Epiphany
Choral Evening Prayer
Thank you again for all your prayers and support during my second surgery. Also I have been blessed with all the food and goodies I have received. As of now, I plan to return to work the end of January.
With gratitude, Mike Lehman
Thank you to all who took tags off the Giving Tree and purchased the gifts that were requested. When we still had 21 tags left on the tree, everyone stepped up to the plate and made sure there were no tags left. Because of your generosity and loving hearts, many people will be filled with joy when they find presents to open on Christmas. May God bless each of you. Sandy Wright
Thank you to everyone that helped make “Hope for Holidays” a special evening. You are appreciated! Our hope was to help provide encouragement, faith and peace to those that are struggling during the holiday season.
Here is a card that Praise received in the mail:
Many thanks, can’t say it enough! Thank you for a lovely evening on Dec. 6th in celebration of Christ’s birth. The food was delicious too. JoAnne Fox invited me and our friend Marilyn. She appreciated it all too. A blessed Christmas to all. Barbara Garrison
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January Birthdays
6-Corey Lehman, Greg Marcom, Graham Whitehead 8-Dan Stewart 9-Tim Anger, Matthan Deogracias Christian Nitz, Ashley Peppler 16-Catherine Hissong 17-Charlotte Gumbert 19-Greg Calkins, Micaela Deogracias 21-Marilyn Koenig 23-Mary Voorhees 24-Bob Bultemeyer 27-Tyson Bennett, Al Clendenen 28-Kristie Lehman, Miles Scherer 29-Jaiden Lightning, Marilyn Van Dolah 30-Lenore Serstad 31-Brad Trimble
January Anniversaries
18-Robert & Kelly Minnich
E-mail your articles for the February Pulse by January 18th to:
[email protected] or call Karen
in the church office.
Our Prayer Chain will gladly offer prayers for you or a loved one who is suffering a
crisis in their life.
Requests should be directed to: Lois Gumbert at 637-3010
or [email protected] “Keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.”
Ephesians 6:18 TLB
Just a reminder that Women's Bible Study will start back up on Thursday, January 7th at 7:00 PM in the conference room. We are studying The Fruits of the Spirit. All women are welcome to attend. For questions or concerns, contact Sandy Wright.
Outreach continues to collect donations for Shepherd's House. Collection basket in the narthex, list of donations that are needed is next to it, please take one. They especially need hats, gloves and regular coffee.
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Pray For Us Calendar These prayer requests were submitted by coworkers in the Lord’s mission. Congregations and individuals are invited to copy these pages for newsletters or other distribution. Download at lcms.org/prayforus or call 888-843-5267 to request a copy. NATIONAL WITNESS — JANUARY 1-31 While The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is sending a growing number of missionaries around the globe through the Office of International Mission, we no longer have to travel very far to share the Gospel with those who do not yet know Christ or believe in Him. There is much work to be done in the U.S. As we enter an increasingly secularized age, the LCMS is poised to bring Christ to those in our communities who are overwhelmed, suffering and separated from our loving Lord. Remember God’s work through the Synod’s partners as you pray:
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1. for the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM), which is charged with serving and supporting our districts and congregations in their various settings and contexts. 2. for the ONM’s Mission Field: USA initiative, which is partnering with districts, congregations and Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) to send domestic mission-aries to places where the opportu-nity is great but the resources are limited. Please ask God to bless the work of these new missionaries as they reach out to the lost here at home. 3. for the work of LCMS Black Ministry, that it would be effective in connecting and encouraging workers, congregations and schools engaged in ministry to African- Americans and people from different ethnic groups. 4. for LCMS U, that the Synod’s campus-ministry initiative would support Lutheran students who are facing trials and challenges to their beliefs on America’s college campuses.
5. for the work of LCMS Hispanic Ministry, that it would be successful in raising up a new generation of Latino leaders for the Church. 6. that God would strengthen church workers in rural contexts through the training and resources provided by LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission. 7. that God would use LCMS Ur-ban & Inner-City Mission to support ministries working in difficult urban environments. 8. for new church plants and mission starts, that the Lord would help faithful congregations sprout up in every corner of the United States. 9. for church planters in the LCMS, that the Lord would provide support systems and encouragement to sustain them despite setbacks. Ask that He would bless their efforts. 10. for LCMS congregations that are struggling in any way, that the Lord would provide the resources necessary to help these congregations undergo a lasting revitalization.
11. with thanksgiving for all of the Synod’s faithful church workers, that they might be re-energized daily and find great joy in their service. 12. for opportunities to witness to friends, family members and strangers who do not yet know Christ. Please send Your Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and faithful words to use during these encounters. 13. for passion and conviction. Please ask God to make us bold witnesses to the Good News in our homes and communities. 14. that God would strengthen our faith so that God’s Word has free course in our congregations and homes. 15. that God would strengthen hope by encouraging partnerships in the Gospel that clearly confess Christ. 16. that the Lord would guide the LCMS in reaching out to America’s young people. Ask that He would help us raise our children in the faith, as well as point unchurched young people to the hope and salvation found only in Christ.
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17. for the revitalization of our Synod’s school system, the second-largest parochial school system in the U.S. Pray that our schools would grow and flourish. 18. that our schools would be faithful mission outposts, reaching unchurched families with the Gospel and strengthening the faith of churched families. 19. that the LCMS would find effective ways of reaching out to people of different ethnicities who are living in our neighborhoods and communities. Pray that the Lord would use us as His instruments to make the LCMS a reflection of the Church Triumphant. 20. for bivocational pastors, who are called to serve the church but who also serve in a full-time or part-time position outside the congrega-tion. Pray that God would provide refreshment and encouragement. 21. for the members of our Synod’s ethnic congregations, that they would faithfully tell their neighbors, family members and friends about the incredible free gifts of forgiveness, salvation and everlasting life that Christ gives to all people through His death and resurrection. 22. for strong districts, congregations and RSOs. When our Synod is strong at home, we can better reach out across the country and around the world. 23. for mission work in suburban areas, that we would not become complacent in the work God has called us to do in our own communities
24. for the Synod’s 35 districts, that they might have the resources and wisdom to effectively reach out to their communities. 25. with thanksgiving for the recent chartering of several new Hispanic congregations. Pray that God would guide these new con-gregations and use them to encourage others. 26. that the work of the ONM would be effective, efficient and relevant in a world that is increas-ingly turning its back on Christ and His life-saving cross. 27. that God would strengthen our congregations by fostering a faithful Lutheran approach to confessing Christ to neighbors and to planting daughter congregations.
28. that God would strengthen church workers by fostering in-tentional care of body, soul and healthy relationships. 29. for college students, who are struggling with many different issues and challenges. Ask God to make them receptive to the peace and healing of the Gospel. 30. for all people who turn away from the loving arms of their Savior. Pray that the Holy Spirit would transform their hearts and minds. 31. with thanksgiving that God has called and equipped us to join in His mission to seek and save the lost. Ask God to give you courage to be His witness in your daily life.
Church member Orlando Cabrera chats with a Puerto Rican man during a fellowship meal following a bilingual service at Salem Lutheran Church in Springdale, Ark.
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January, 2016 January 3, 2016 – Ephesians 1:7-9a “Your Grace Realities” by Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier III, Concordia Theological Seminary~Fort Wayne, IN Because of God’s grace there are wonderful realities in your life. You are redeemed, you know God’s mystery, you are forgiven, you have spiritual understanding and wisdom.
January 10, 2016 – Luke 3:15-22 “One Hand Washes the Other” by Rev. Paul E. Shoemaker, Emanuel Lutheran Church~New Haven, IN Jesus never sinned but was baptized. He did so not for Himself but for us. We have been baptized. But our baptism was for our good, making us part of God’s eternal family, receiving all of the gifts that come with be-ing a child of God. Jesus’ baptism assures us that He came to take our place and pay in full the debt of our sin. Our baptism assures us that we are part of God’s eternal family.
January 17, 2016 – John 2:1-11
“Confidence in Christ” by Rev. James L. Elsner, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church~Stroh, IN Where is your confidence? People? Programs? Possessions? Yourself? These are bound to fail. Let your con-fidence be in Christ!
January 24, 2016 – Luke 4:16-21 “The Christ, For You” by Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege, St. Paul Lutheran Church~Decatur, IN Jesus is the Christ. He has come to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. That which backs this preaching is Christ's death and resurrection.
January 31, 2016 – Luke 4:31-44 “With Authority and Power” by Rev. Paul E. Shoemaker, Emanuel Lutheran Church~New Haven, IN Jesus did not teach like other rabbis. They quoted other authorities to give validity to their teachings. Jesus did no such thing. He spoke on His own authority and He spoke with power. We have Jesus’ authoritative and powerful teaching to share with others. Like Jeremiah the prophet we have God’s own words to proclaim the truth of His Son, our Savior, Jesus.
Sundays 6:30 AM WPTA, Channel 21 Sundays 8:00 AM Frontier 9, Digital 33.2 & Comcast 252
Sundays 11:30 AM TCT Network Channels, Direct TV 377 Sundays 4:00 PM & Mondays 10:00 AM Comcast 55 & Frontier 25
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Praising God in vibrant Worship Reaching out with Christ-centered witness Anchored in God's Word and Sacraments Interceding for others Stewards of God's varied gifts for the building up of His Kingdom Equipping the saints for works of service
The Praise Pulse
Praise Lutheran Church 1115 West Dupont Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULE
PRAISE LUTHERAN CHURCH VISION STATEMENT "Praise Lutheran Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, strives to be a joyous body of Christ-followers,
united by God's grace to P.R.A.I.S.E. Him; equipped to passionately serve and witness."
PRAISE LUTHERAN CHURCH
(Missouri Synod)
1115 West Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 PHONE: 260-490-7729 FAX: 260-490-0364
e-mail: [email protected] website: www.praiselutheran.org
VACANCY PASTOR
Rev. Randall Glander CELL: (260) 918-5777
E-MAIL: [email protected]
LITTLE PRAISERS CHILD CARE OFFICE: (260) 490-9529
E-MAIL: [email protected]
PRAYER CHAIN: Lois Gumbert (260) 637-3010 E-MAIL: [email protected]
Sundays
9:00 AM Worship Service 10:30 AM Bible Class & Sunday School
Wednesdays
7:00 PM Worship Service
Holy Communion 1st, 3rd, & 5th Sunday
