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June 2015
Church Press Newsletter
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Greetings!
Welcome! Please come in. "Day By Day" was written by Carolina Sandell Berg. When she was 26 she experienced a tragedy which profoundly affected her life. She was with her father, a Lutheran pastor, crossing a Swedish lake. Suddenly the ship lurched, and before her eyes, her father was thrown overboard and drowned. It is sung by the Antrim Mennonite Choir. It speaks of the promises God makes to you. Go full screen. View the video, listen to or sing the words.
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Learning to Be More Content
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A new reproducible Bible study by Pastor Don Ginkel
 Lucifer, the brightest star in heaven, was not content. He wanted to sit on the Throne. A third of the angels joined in the rebellion. They were all removed from heaven. They still are not content. Eve, without sin in the Garden, was not content. She wanted to be like God. And ever since the human race has not been content. It robs you of the joy and peace that you want, and it does so on a daily basis. Here is the start of Lesson One that will lead you in the direction you want to go.
Learning to Be More Content
Lesson 1: CONCERNING MY EXISTENCE
You can tell when it's going to be a rotten day. You call Suicide Prevention and they put you on hold. Your birthday cake collapses under the weight of the candles. Your twin sister forgot your birthday. Your horn goes off accidently and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell's Angels on the highway. The bird singing outside your window is a buzzard. You put both contact lenses in the same eye. Your wife says, "Good morning, Bill," and your name is George. Ah, but there is hope!
Philippins 4:11b, "I have learned (it doesn't come automatically) to be content whatever the circumstances." Despite his high standing in Judism and his impressive education, Paul confessed that he had to learn contentment and so do we.
You can view Lesson One right now. Print it off for your personal perusal. It's free. Just click Lesson One. There are six lessons. The study includes a Student Guide and Leader's Guide, #165 $17.50. When you place your order it will be emailed to you. To order email us and ask for #165. You may reproduce the study as many times as you wish.
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| Sarah Edward's Sovereign God |
 Her husband Jonathan Edwards had been away from home for some weeks in 1758 to assume the presidency of Princeton College. On February 13 he was inoculated for smallpox; but the cure became the killer, and he died from the inoculation on March 22, 1758. He was fifty-four years old and left his wife with ten children. When Sarah heard of her husband's death, the first letter she wrote was to her daughter Esther:
My very dear child! What shall I say? A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod, and lay our hands on our mouths! The Lord has done it. He has made me adore His goodness, that we had him so long. But my God lives; and He has my heart. O what a legacy my husband, and your father, has left us! We are all given to God; and there I am and love to be. Your affectionate mother, Sarah Edwards
I believe with all my heart in the Biblical teaching of God's sovereignty over Satan is the greatest answer in the world when the very meaning of life is threatened by the horrors and tragedies of death and disease. It is the answer of Scripture and it is true and full of hope. (The Pleasures of God, p.68, John Piper)
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| Communicating Is More Than Talking | By Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
Whenever someone has done something nice for you, write a thank you note. When someone needs a lift, write a personal note of encouragement. When tragedy strikes another, express your sympathy with a heartfelt card. And here is some important small stuff:
- People are attracted to enthusiasm
- Have a ready smile and a firm handshake
- Be the first one to ask a question
- A card sent with a personal note inside is more meaningful than a card sent but only signed
- Develop exceptional listening habits
- Listen with your eyes as well as your ears
- No one will ever accuse you of being a boring conversationalist if you let people talk about themselves.
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| Ten Things You should Never Say to a Guest in a Worship Service |  By Thom Ranier, LifeWay, 5/6/15
If you want to make certain guests never return to your church, say one of these sentences to them when they visit. Indeed, these unfortunate and ill-timed comments almost always guarantee that you will offend guests and make them very uncomfortable. Most of the time guests are already ill at ease since they are in a new place and a new environment. By the way, each of these quotes was actually communicated to a guest in a worship service. My guess is that all ten of them have been said many times . . . too many times.- "You are sitting in my pew/seat." This sentence was actually said to me when I was a visiting preacher in a church. The entitled church member did not realize I was preaching that day. I had the carnal joy of watching her turn red when I was introduced. And, yes, I did move. She scared me. [read more] Note: consider putting this article in your newsletter.
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| How To Stop Fears From Stealing Your Peace | By Michele Cushatt, A Holy Experience
 It happened the moment we settled into formation and starting drifting with the current. Without explanation, my heart raced like a gas pedal stuck to the floor. Thump-thump! Thump, thump! With every screaming heartbeat, I felt more out of control. My wet suit shrunk tight around my neck.
I can't breathe! Dear God, I can't breathe! God, help! I'm going to drown! Water and the regulator muffled my screams. I was dying, but no one knew. Scanning the sea, I searched for my husband. He'd know what to do. But I couldn't find him. This is it. I'm going to die. I remember the irony of that thought. After more than a year of fearing death by cancer, I would not succumb to an ocean. It didn't seem fair, to survive the one horror only to die by another. [read more] (Please read her article and appreciate the pictures. It will change your day.)
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Stack of Stuff
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In the May Newsletter we offered a free copy of The Bible in 90 Days. There were many responses. Kimberly Beck from Immanuel Lutheran, Prior Lake, MN, wrote us: "This would be such a treat for me. Sometimes I don't feel like I know where to start. This would be it!" When we emailed her and told her that this beautiful Bible was her's, she responded: "Thank you!! How exciting! I never win anything!! Whoop Whoop!!" Good for her. Thank You, God, for Kimberly! Thank You so much!
How would you answer this question by Penn Jillette, atheist: "How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?" Anyone want to venture an answer? Click email.
Each Sunday this month encourage your people to bring back the bulletin from the church they attend when out of town. Ask them to write their name on cover and hand it to you the following Sunday. It's good to take an interest in where your people worship when out of town.
"A big error young leaders make is thinking leadership is about the leader. It's not about you. It's about serving others." - Rick Warren
Watch out for four entities: ISIS, Iran, China, and Russia. They do not wish America well.
One very brave church sign: "Our church is not full of hypocrites. There is still room for you!"
"If you think that education is expensive, try ignorance." - Derek Bok
 Is this Fall the time to take your congregation through a Bible study course like I Have Good News For You? Getting back to the "basics" can produce many blessings. Members can be encouraged to bring an unchurched friend along. You can do it on Sunday morning, the Pastor leading, or in small groups led by the Elders. An exhaustive Leader's Guide makes it possible for lay Christians to teach the course.
A monolog can be boring. Pastor, don't be afraid to ask questions in the sermon and ask the congregation to respond. They will love it and you will, too!
Ann Voskamp: "Whenever you want to light into someone is exactly when you should lighten up. Instead of giving someone a piece of your mind, it turns out far better if you give them a piece of your heart."
Is there someone you know who would enjoy reading this Newsletter? Click "Forward Email" at the lower left hand corner.
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Seven Ways Pastors (and Others) Can Develop Thicker Skin
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By Thom S. Ranier, LIfeWay
Among my top five most frequented issues from pastors is criticism. The number of "bosses" a pastor has is equal to the number of members in the church. Some of those members are very opinionated. And some of those opinionated members are critics of the pastor. So the common questions I get are:
- How can I deal with critics and cristicism?
- How can a pastor (or anyone) get thicker skin without sacfriicing a soft and compassionate heart?
Before I offer my suggestions, we must admit the realities of serving as a pastor. First, the nature of the vocation is that a pastor must often make demonstrative statements and definitive decisions. Such is the nature of preaching. Or counseling. Or teaching. Or leading. Those demonstrative statements and actions will inevitably engender opinions and perspectives from others. [ read more] (hope you do)
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America Needs Healing!
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By Rick Warren
 America is in its worst condition in our generation. Politically, our government has been paralyzed by partisanship. Culturally, we're becoming more and more secular. And internationally, our reputation has never been lower.
America needs healing. We need healing in our economy. We need healing in our businesses. We need healing in our schools. We need healing in our marriages and our families. And, most of all, we need healing in our hearts.
What is it that will heal America? We have to do the four things that God told Solomon and the nation of Israel to do. But never forget who God was speaking to. He was speaking to His people - the nation of Israel. God wants to heal His people today as well. He wants to start with the church. And pastor, he wants to start with you and me. As spiritual leaders, God has called us to model the four actions that will lead to national healing. [ read more]
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Our Helper
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"'I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper who will be with you forever' (John 14:26).
"The name Helper shows us how we should think of the Holy Spirit. A helper is not a lawgiver or someone like Moses who frightens us with the devil, death, and hell. No, a helper fills a troubled heart with joy towards God. A helper encourages us to be happy that our sins have been forgiven, death has been conquered, heaven has been opened to us, and God is smiling upon us."
A brief excerpt from one devotion in By Faith Alone, 365 devotions in today's language by Martin Luther. Click 352 $14.99 or email us.
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Our Awesome God - His Glory
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 Revelation 1:12-16, "I (John) turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands (represent the seven churches, v. 11), and among the lamp stands was someone like a son of man (a phrase Jesus used Himself while He was on earth),' dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow (He is crowned with total holiness), and His eyes were like blazing fire (before whom absolutely nothing is hidden - He is totally omniscient). His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace (a fire glowing with intense fire - total omnipotence), and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters (overwhelming power). In His right hand (authority and power) He held seven stars (messengers or pastors of the seven churches - Revelation 1:20), and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all it brilliance (What do you see when you look at the sun? Nothing. What would happen if you continued to stare at the sun? I would go blind. Why? It's too bright. The intensity of God's "brightness" or glory is infinitely greater. Our God is an awesome God!") - Our Awesome God Bible Study, p. 52, by Pastor Don Ginkel. For more info on this Bible study click Awesome.
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When I enter that beautiful City and the saved all
around me appear, I want to hear somebody tell me,
"It was you who invited me here."
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