FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK - September 2006

ABLAZE . . .

We are Ablaze. On fire for the Lord. The fire comes from the Holy Spirit and it’s the fire in our hearts that glows because of the forgiveness that we have through faith in Jesus Christ, and the joy we have that we are heirs of heaven. And it’s the fire we have inside of us to make our lives a living sacrifice, making ourselves servant of God to do His work. So, what’s God want us to do? He wants us to tell others about salvation through His Son.

Our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has adopted the motto of Ablaze, and challenged all of us, who make up the Synod to make evangelism our number one priority. We’ve been challenged to look at our immediate neighborhood, as well as the entire world, as a mission field. People are dying and going to hell because they do not know Jesus as their Savior. And those people are right in front of us.

Ablaze, we have a passion for what God has a passion for – people. That’s why we do VBS in Jamaica at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, and in the city of Chicago, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. It’s why we support relief efforts for those who lost many or all of their possessions in hurricanes Katrina and Rita. And that’s why we support Mission congregations like Grace Lutheran in Peotone, and the Soup Kitchen ministry of St. Matthew’s.

To be Ablaze, we need to be in God’s Word. Word Among Us Bible study begins this month on Sept 12, meeting at 6:00 & 9:30 a.m., and at 7:30 p.m. with the option of hearing the lectures online at www.wauonline.org Come, bring a friend, bring two friends and join us as we go Cover to Cover through the whole Bible.

We will be doing 40 Days of Purpose, digging into God’s Word and discovering that God made us to be Servants and witnesses of what we know. Intensive Small Group Studies will work through the book, The Purpose Driven Life, and studying the Bible for, “What on earth am I here for?” 40 Days begins on Sunday, October 15. Many of your friends and neighbors have already read the books, invite them to join you for small group discussion and growth.

Our Pre School is ablaze with a new emphasis on reaching those who need full day Pre School. We’ve added to our time of service, to our teaching staff and to our commitment to offer quality, Christ centered, Pre School to our community. God has blesses us to keep this ministry going through your gifts, our fund-raisers, and the prayers of God’s people. Lord willing, we will continue to be able to offer this ministry where others bring their children to us so that we can teach them about Christ.

Sunday School and Sunday morning Bible Study and discussion will begin for all ages on Rally Sunday, Sept. 17. To fight the spiritual battle which we all face each day we need the weapons of God, and one of the those weapons is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Confirmation Ministry for our young people in grades 7 & 8 begins this month, and their journey into a deeper knowledge and understanding of the faith culminates with their profession of the baptismal faith on their confirmation day.

In all these things, we are ablaze. On fire by the Holy Spirit and view our whole world as the Mission field of souls who need to have a Savior, and have one in Christ. May God rekindle in us that fire and set us ablaze for His work among us.