Pastor David Nehrenz
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear Saints in our Lord Jesus Christ!
“Standing Firm in One Spirit” is our 2026 Stewardship Theme.
Our theme verse this year is (Ephesians 4:1-6) “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call– one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
On Thanksgiving Day this month, we are indeed thankful!
Coming soon, on November 30th, is the beginning of the festival half of the church year in Advent! Rejoice that you have a wonderful place to be divinely served by God in Word and Sacrament as you receive His bountiful gifts for your body and soul! Giving proportionately means that we give a set percentage of our income for the Gospel work of the Lord Jesus Christ in our local congregation and in the church-at-large in the LCMS. God bless our receiving and our giving. We walk by faith and as cheerful givers!
The Lord bless our singing and rejoicing and thanks-giving this month!
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Nehrenz
THE FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL SERVICES THIS MONTH:
1.) This month we again celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday, Nov. 2. Communion at both services. For all the Saints who have died before us- we rejoice in their victory! We will recall all those in our congregation who have died this past year and gone into heaven. We will toll the bell as each name is read out loud during the service.
2.) On Sunday, Nov. 2 we will also focus on “International Persecuted Church Day” as we pray on behalf of the many Christians around the world who have put their lives at risk because of their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We will also have a presentation during the 9:15 a.m. Bible study about the work of “The Voice of the Martyrs.”
3.) The Last Sunday in the Church Year, also called “Christ the King Sunday” is Nov 23. The theme for the lessons is “the 2nd Coming and Return of Christ.” This is also called the “Parousia.” He is coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead. He comes to raise our bodies unto life everlasting. Come Lord Jesus!
4.) Thanksgiving Day Service
Thursday, Nov. 27 at 10:00 a.m.
Thanks for church, home and country.
5.) The First Sunday in Advent is November 30. Communion at both services. As the new church year begins, we prepare for Christmas with repentant hearts focusing on the Old Testament promises of Immanuel, God with us, born of the Virgin Mary at Bethlehem. You will receive the Lutheran Hour Ministries Advent devotional booklet that day with the theme: “Born to You a Savior!”
6.) Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. is the first Advent Vespers Service. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a soup and salad supper. The theme this year is “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” from LSB Hymn 347.
THREE PLEDGE SUNDAYS: November 2, 9, 16
You will receive a pledge letter from the stewardship committee by email, with the 2025 church work program and your annual pledge cards. Each family is asked to complete the pledge card and fill it out and bring it to church to be presented at the church altar. It will be kept in the wooden pledge box on the altar all year. May the Lord bless all of us as we cheerfully pledge our “time, talent and treasures” to invest our gifts of grace in the Lord’s work in our congregation!
Vicar Seth Horn
FROM THE VICAR
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be…sober-minded, self-controlled, hospitable… – 1 Timothy 3:1-2
Hello and God’s blessings to you once again! Last month, we continued to talk about the qualifications of overseer or pastor in the Christ’s Church. This month, we continue to look at these qualifications and ponder what it means for a pastor to be “sober-minded”, “self-controlled” and “hospitable”.
What does it mean for a pastor to be sober-minded? A pastor ought to be one who shows clear thinking and is not one who makes decisions rashly. To be sober-minded is to not be flighty, unstable, idealistic or unrealistic. He is able to look at things as they are and think rationally about the decision or situations put before him. In short, he is one who can make sound judgements.
Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and a pastor is to cultivate and display this attribute. When he is overwhelmed by the Office of Holy Ministry, he must be able to control any frustrations that may cloud his judgment. He cannot lash out, nor can he be quick to pass judgement. When he is eager to do far too much, he must restrain himself to realize his limits and do what is in front of him.
Being hospitable is certainly a gift, and we are encouraged numerous times in Scripture to be generous in love with all people. In the context of the first century, a pastor who was hospitable was willing to open his doors to Christian strangers who were in need or running from persecution. We can be quick to be cautious about what to give and who to give it to. A pastor must exhibit the attributes of sober-mindedness and self-control in these situations. He must think about what is good for his family and for the church. A single pastor with no family may be able to house someone in his home temporarily. But even then, he must think wisely about whether or not this is a good idea. Should a single pastor house a woman in need in his own home? Absolutely not. Should a pastor see if a woman in the congregation can open their homes to this woman in need or if there are community resources to aid her? Absolutely. The same can be said about goods and money. Should a pastor be handing out wads of cash to everyone who needs it? Absolutely not. Can a pastor determine what that need is and assist in getting that need directly? Absolutely, if someone needs money for food, perhaps the Church can get food directly into their hands instead of giving them money, etc.
In summary, these traits contribute to the pastor being “above reproach”. They keep him steady, able to make the right decision with all the resources available, and to do so for the benefit of others whether in his congregation or strangers in this dark world.
In Christ,
Vicar Horn
