Hi Pastor,
We just wanted to share our wonderful news. My mom's grandson (my nephew) and his wife (Chris and Jen) have returned safe and sound from a year's tour in Afghanistan as MP's. God is soooo good to us!!!!!!!
Lynn
| If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:8-9 While looking for stories for the Daily Devotions, my eye was caught by the title of an article located on another web page. The title said, "Man Dies All By Himself." Was the story about a forgotten movie star, or some homeless individual, or a hiker who had taken a climb beyond his level of expertise? Maybe this was the story of a hoarder who had been crushed by a falling pile of beloved possessions. It was the kind of title I had to investigate. Clicking on the link produced a large picture of a hollow-cheeked old man. Above his head, in very large letters were the words "Man Dies All By Himself." There was no article, nothing to explain the picture. Then it clicked. The man who had died all by himself was Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the man who had helped terminate the lives of over 130 people -- people who had incurable and painful diseases, who had no hope, no value, nothing to keep them linked to this world. At least that's what Kevorkian said. It's what many others believe. Recently, a past executive director of Lutheran Hour Ministries went home to his Lord. Rodger Hebermehl was his name. Many of you knew him. Those who didn't missed the acquaintance of a special man, a gentle, Christian man, who loved his Lord and had a tremendous longing for the lost souls of humanity. Over the last few years Rodger had suffered from an illness that he knew would end his life. Gradually the things he could do were diminished. Did Rodger say there was no hope, that he had no value or purpose, nothing to keep him here? If you think that, you don't know Rodger. Allow me to share that when Rodger no longer could get around by himself, when limitations were many and opportunities few, he prayed he might share the Savior's story with a few more unbelievers. He prayed he might be used by the Lord to let them know the transforming power of the Christ. He prayed the Holy Spirit might use him to bring a dozen people to faith. May I tell you one other thing about Rodger? Rodger did not die all by himself. Yes, he had his loving wife Cassandra at his side and, yes, there had been many others with him during those last days. But when Rodger left this life he did so in the company of Jesus who had redeemed him -- the Savior he had considered it an honor to serve. No, Rodger did not die alone. Because of Jesus, no Christian man or woman ever dies ... alone. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I give thanks for the Rodger Hebermehls of this world. By that I mean those who have clearly seen the Savior's sacrifice and wish to do all they can to make sure the whole world knows the wonders of Your love. May I, by Your grace, live in that love until the time comes when I am taken home. This I ask in the Name of Jesus. Amen. POSTSCRIPT: I don't know if Rodger's wish to touch people with the Savior's story reached everyone he wished when he was alive. But I think both the Lord and Rodger would be pleased if you shared this devotion with others who haven't yet acknowledged Jesus as Savior. Thank you. |
Adopt a youth affected by natural disaster to attend the June 24th Missouri District Sr. High Youth Gathering. The cost is $149 per person. There are at least eight sr. high youth in Immanuel, Joplin's youth group who lost their homes or had significant damage. (maybe more with friends who could be invited, need a much deserved break and would hear the Good News.)
We would like to provide full scholarships for these youth. Click here for more information.
Adopt a youth affected by natural disaster to attend the June 24th Missouri District Sr. High Youth Gathering. The cost is $149 per person. There are at least eight sr. high youth in Immanuel, Joplin's youth group who lost their homes or had significant damage. (maybe more with friends who could be invited, need a much deserved break and would hear the Good News.)
We would like to provide full scholarships for these youth. Click here for more information.
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Lutheran Church Charities | 333 W. Lake Street | Addison | IL | 60101 |
Dates July 22 - 24th
We have four campsites reserved at Onondaga Cave State Park for the night of the 22nd and 23rd. These are full hookup sites. Each site can accommodate up to 6 people and 2 sleeping units (one with wheels). Cost of camping for 2 days is $54.50 per site. If you do not camp but would like to join the fun a variety of overnight options are availabe at Ozark Outdoors which is about 2 miles away. www.ozarkoutdoors.net or 800-888-0023
The majority of Saturday will be "on your own". There are a variety of things to do at Onondoga State park. www.mostatparks.com or 573-245-6576 There is a beach on the river, a playground and trails (bring Off if you're choosing this option). There are also cave tours available. Onondaga Cave rates are $12 adult, $7 child, $10 senior. Cathedral Cave tours are $8 for adults and $6 for children. We will have a group meal on Saturday night. Meat will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. We will also have a worship service on Saturday night.
We are planning to float on Sunday leaving from Ozark Outdoors at 10:00. We will do a 5 mile float. This should take around 3-5 hours. This would allow time for anyone who wants to drive down Sunday morning to do so. (Leaving church at 8:00) Cost to float on Sunday is $17.50 per person with 2 people in a canoe. A child 12 or under can ride free in a canoe with 2 people. A raft is $22 per person on Sunday with children 7 & under free. Tubes are $20 per person. If anyone has their own canoes we can work out shuttling arrangements. (A Saturday float could also be arranged if someone wanted to float both days. Canoes are $23 on Saturday. Rafts are $33 on Saturday.)
Please contact Teresa Scott with any questions or to make your reservations. Camping reservations need to be made with Teresa by July 10th but sooner is better. Canoe/Raft reservations need to be made by July 17th but sooner is better. tscott@usmo.com or 636-359-0274 (call or text)
Please feel free to join us all weekend or for any portion of the weekend.
Urgent Appeal – Immanuel Joplin Calling for Doctors and Nurses
Immanuel Lutheran in Joplin is doing incredible work serving their members, neighbors and the entire city. They are providing food, water, clothing and medical care. The medical clinic being run out of their school building is dependent on volunteer doctors and nurses.
Pastor Gregory Mech and the leadership at Immanuel have asked us to put out this appeal asking doctors and nurses to consider coming to Joplin and serving in the clinic. Any doctors and nurses able to donate even a day or two of their time would play a crucial role in keeping the medical clinic open and available to the community.
The clinic is administering tetanus shots, doing wound care and addressing respiratory distress caused by the massive amounts of airborne debris from the rubble, among other things.
If you are a medical professional and can donate some of your time to help Immanuel please click here and register as a volunteer for Joplin. Note specifically that you are a doctor or nurse so that we can assign you to work in the clinic.
Thank you for considering this request to share the mercy and compassion of Christ with the people of Joplin.
_____________________________
"The Missouri District is to serve and to encourage congregations to fulfill the Great Commission and to promote unity of the true faith."
This e-mail message, including any attachments, is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient or recipients to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
Dates July 22 - 24th
We have four campsites reserved at Onondaga Cave State Park for the night of the 22nd and 23rd. These are full hookup sites. Each site can accommodate up to 6 people and 2 sleeping units (one with wheels). Cost of camping for 2 days is $54.50 per site. If you do not camp but would like to join the fun a variety of overnight options are availabe at Ozark Outdoors which is about 2 miles away. www.ozarkoutdoors.net or 800-888-0023
The majority of Saturday will be "on your own". There are a variety of things to do at Onondoga State park. www.mostatparks.com or 573-245-6576 There is a beach on the river, a playground and trails (bring Off if you're choosing this option). There are also cave tours available. Onondaga Cave rates are $12 adult, $7 child, $10 senior. Cathedral Cave tours are $8 for adults and $6 for children. We will have a group meal on Saturday night. Meat will be provided. Please bring a dish to share. We will also have a worship service on Saturday night.
We are planning to float on Sunday leaving from Ozark Outdoors at 10:00. We will do a 5 mile float. This should take around 3-5 hours. This would allow time for anyone who wants to drive down Sunday morning to do so. (Leaving church at 8:00) Cost to float on Sunday is $17.50 per person with 2 people in a canoe. A child 12 or under can ride free in a canoe with 2 people. A raft is $22 per person on Sunday with children 7 & under free. Tubes are $20 per person. If anyone has their own canoes we can work out shuttling arrangements. (A Saturday float could also be arranged if someone wanted to float both days. Canoes are $23 on Saturday. Rafts are $33 on Saturday.)
Please contact Teresa Scott with any questions or to make your reservations. Camping reservations need to be made with Teresa by July 10th but sooner is better. Canoe/Raft reservations need to be made by July 17th but sooner is better. tscott@usmo.com or 636-359-0274 (call or text)
Please feel free to join us all weekend or for any portion of the weekend.
Martin Luther School (Immanuel Joplin's day school) and Immanuel Lutheran Church are the epicenter of aid for the people of Joplin. There they host hot meals for lunch and dinner, distribute clothing, toiletries, household goods, food, diapers and run a medical clinic. The generosity of Lutheran churches and individuals has been overwhelming with donations pouring in from all over the country. At this point in the restoration process the staff and volunteers at Immanuel are saying their biggest need is for gift cards in any denomination. 
Click on the link below to donate online for the purchase of a card or send a check to LCC and mark it "Care Carding". Immanuel Joplin has asked Lutheran Church Charities to acknowledge all the gifts as they simply do not have the time, staff, or resources to do this. LCC will then place orders through the Scrip Coordinator at Martin Luther School. The card is issued for the full amount you order. In addition, a percentage of that amount is paid to the school through the Scrip Program. Of course your donation is passed through LCC - dollar for dollar. Your gift provides a tangible way to demonstrate the Mercy and Compassion of Christ to people in need in Joplin and helps the folks at Martin Luther School with funds to help repair the damage done to their facility from the tornado and put their facility back in shape for the coming school year. 
So many people want to help the people of Joplin, Missouri in a meaningful way - but are not sure what to do. Here is an opportunity to provide Mercy and Compassion and Help to an individual or family right now! 
This is a tangible way to show the Love of Jesus Christ to someone in need - and help them spiritually and physically! To those who already have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - this shows them the support of the Body of Christ. To those who do not - it shows them the Mercy and Compassion of Jesus Christ through his church - the Body of Christ.
