August 2024 Newsletter
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchman for the morning, more than watchman for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6
Waiting is a hard thing. Especially when there seems to be an emergency. Emergencies have a habit of making us throw caution to the wind to act right now, regardless of if it is right or wrong.
King Saul from 1 Samuel, knows a bit about failing to wait. King Saul was told by the prophet Samuel to assemble the Israelite army at the place of Gilgal and there Samuel tells Saul to await his coming on the 8th day so Samuel could beseech the LORD’s favor and pray and offer sacrifice before letting King Saul lead the hosts of Israel in battle against the Philistines.
As Saul and the Israelites waited for Samuel to come while at Gilgal, the Philistines also gathered for battle across from them. A great army assembled before them, and the sight of the gathering forces caused Israel and Saul to freak out. Finally, on the 8th Day, Samuel was a no show. As a result, Israel’s army began to leave and hide, and Saul was increasingly feeling besieged. Hope seemed to be dim.
It is at this point that King Saul could wait no more. Saul figured that if he waited any longer for the late Samuel then there would be no army left to fight the Philistines and the battle would be lost. In all of this, Saul forgets God.
Saul decided that if Samuel was not coming, then it was best to take matters into his own hand. Saul demanded that the offerings and sacrifices be brought to him and King Saul decided to offer the sacrifices instead of Samuel. He figured that just doing the act of sacrifice was good enough. As long as the sacrifice was offered, it doesn’t matter who or how it was done, right?
Sadly, Saul was wrong. Saul didn’t offer the sacrifices in faith and since Saul was not a Levite, this meant his offering was against God’s expressed commands. His offering was breaking faith with God! The outward work of the sacrifices means nothing if there is not faith.
Tragically, and ironically, it happened that just as Saul had finished offering the sacrifices that Samuel arrives. Samuel sighs at Saul’s faithlessness, Saul gives a lame excuse blaming everyone but himself, and then the LORD lets Saul know that God rejects Saul as king and God will instead choose a man after his own heart, which ends up being David. God then uses only a few men, one being Saul’s Son Jonathan, to stir up confusion and chaos among the Philistines who are then routed by their own mass confusion. God was able to win the battle with just a few men, Saul needed not fear if his army fled to begin with. Saul was rather called to be an example in trusting in God.
Waiting is hard. Perhaps you feel the need to act gnawing at you. As it eats at you, feel may think this: “I can’t wait! If God doesn’t heal me now, I will die!” Or even this, “If God doesn’t act now, my life with fall apart! I can’t wait!” It is in those times that we need to steel our hearts. Saul shows us that acting foolishly and rashly against what God has spoken is far worse than even if we died and life falls apart.
But that leads us to Jesus. Jesus knows something of waiting too. Waiting for God’s salvation and vindication as his enemies surrounded him. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.” Psalm 27:3.
Jesus was arrested and tried in a kangaroo court. Beaten and mocked, scourged and crucified on the cross humiliated in front of all. He commands no angels to come. His followers all scamper away and hide in their own holes too.
But Jesus waits. He for sure feels the bitterness of it all, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me!” Psalm 22:1. Jesus receives no answer for this. Silence from God. Jesus’ life ebbs away as God does nothing. Jesus perhaps could act rashly. “He trusts in the LORD, let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Psalm 22:8. Jesus could provide himself the answer, come down off the cross. He could save himself, and eternally doom us all. But Jesus doesn’t do that.
Jesus knows to wait for God regardless of it all. “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31. So Jesus waits and entrusts himself to his Father. “Into your hands, I commit my spirit.” Psalm 31:5. Jesus leaves the ball in God’s court. If any action is to be taken, it will be by God’s own initiative.
And indeed, Jesus’ waiting is vindicated. On the 3rd day, or the 8th day of the week, the Father answers by raising Jesus from the dead. Jesus was right to put his faith in his Father, Jesus was right to wait, for Jesus was not put to shame. And as a result, Jesus has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You can wait now, too.
Waiting for God takes into account that it is never too late when you are in the hands of God who can raise the dead. You are not past the point of God’s aid. God has made promises to you. Never to leave you nor forsake. Jesus promises that all your sins are covered and because of him, you have eternal life.
So instead wait for Jesus. The situation is never beyond our Lord’s reach. Not even death can thwart the one who is risen from the dead. So even if you die, yet shall you live.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Psalm 27:14
Bible Studies/Sunday School/Confirmation/Chapel: It is that time of year again! On Sunday, September 8th, rally day kicks off a new year of Sunday School, Bible classes, Confirmation, and Chapel. Pray for all of these ministry offerings and also participate in them by attending and volunteering and growing in Jesus and with fellow disciples!
Here is the line up of action:
Confirmation:
2nd Years: with Pastor Andrew Belt on September 4th at 6:30pm
1st Years: with DCE Tammy Schwartz on September 4th at 6:30pm
Bible Classes:
Sunday September 15th 10:30am: Lutheran Confessions
Monday’s at 7:30am: Men’s Bible Class and Breakfast
Tuesday’s at 3:00pm: Yvonne’s Bible Class
Wednesday September 4th at 9:30am: Amos
Chapel:
Beginning Wednesday, September 4th at 9:00am. (Great way to begin Wednesday!)
Sunday School:
Rally Day is on September 8th at 10:15am.
Election Day Prayer Service November 5th 6:30pm: St. Paul tells us to pray for our leaders and those who God has put in authority over us. Election season is always tense and a bit nerve wracking for everyone in the country. We decided it would be a good idea for us as Christians to gather on Election night and pray and hear God’s Word and to put our confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, please come out on Tuesday, November 5th at 6:30pm. We will have a chapel like service where we pray, hear God’s Word, sing hymns to our Lord Jesus, and ask that God watch over our country and provide us with peace that we may be good citizens and be good witnesses of a new creation that we are apart of in Jesus.
As Jeremiah told the exiles of Judea, pray for the wellbeing of Babylon and do good in it. Let’s practice that here by gathering and praying. Please make every effort to join us that night, no doubt it will calm nerves and give us hope in Jesus.
Nebraska Choir September 8th at 7:00pm: We have the joy of having the Concordia University Nebraska choir join us on September 8th at 7:00pm for a music concert. The concert will be an hour long and feature many great works of music that will be sung in our sanctuary. A group of 14 college students make up the choir and are looking forward to singing in our church. Let’s show them support and help spread word and pack the house to listen to them sing! Mark the time and date on your calendar.
Voters Meeting Summary: The Voters Meeting on July 21st was a good meeting. We approved our new Financial Secretary, Anna K. The Land Committee also gave us an update on where they are at. A group has been meeting since February to pursue all options on the field we own along 14th and Schmidt. The options are to leave as is, develop it at some point into an outdoor worship space/orchard/community area that would be developed in phases, or to sell the land. The group presented a great document at the meeting and if you want to read it, let us know. The Committee wanted feedback from the congregation at the meeting and now we will meet and get to ready to present to the congregation at the October Meeting with the intention of voting on it at the January 2025 Voters Meeting.
We also brought up Budget and Financial Concerns. The Church Council started a group in June to meet and come up with ways to communicate to the congregation concerning budget needs and assistance. We noted that as of June 30th we are $59,000 behind on budget. We had a good conversation on this and a need for us all to realize that Christ Lutheran Church is our family and our house and to remember to support it. I noted to the congregation as well this interesting fact. In 2023 we were down $52,000 in July 2023 but yet ended 2023 with a net of $1500.
I also noted that a lot of ground work has been done by people who have wanted to help. We saved nearly $10,000 on landscaping through the men’s maintenance group. We have saved 2,000 dollars on electricity by switching out to LED, contracts have been looked into and redrafted or companies switched which has saved several thousand dollars. People have been responsible and continue to find ways to be responsible. To take a line from our Parish Administrator who said it just as well as could be said, “Don’t give to the Church out of fear of us not making budget. Give because you care about this congregation and its workers and want to see it succeed. Give because God has blessed you with everything you have and none of it really belongs to you anyway.” Well said.
This is a reminder that we do need to always support the Gospel and the Preaching of the Word and Sacraments, but also that Jesus knows how to help us, so join with Jesus in promoting that. Continue to keep that in prayer, and may God change all our hearts. Jesus is generous after all.
We also brought up Property needs. The roof will be done here in the fall, the electricity issue we had is waiting for dryer weather to trench and begin work switching out the corroded system and updating the code. The bell tower will also need a facelift in the years to come. The next section of the parking lot has been delayed due to electrical issues being a priority.
The District also asked us to make a change in our constitution that they wanted stated more direct and clearly. That was quick and painless and was approved at a separate meeting on August 4.
Lastly, the elders and council discussed Christmas Eve service times for this year. With attendance, manpower, and needs, we decided that Christmas Eve Service Times will be at 10am, 3pm, and 6pm. The Congregation understood and agreed and it was approved.
With that, I have run out of space for this Newsletter! The Lord Jesus be with you all! Jesus loves you! In Christ, Pastor Andrew Belt
Waiting is a hard thing. Especially when there seems to be an emergency. Emergencies have a habit of making us throw caution to the wind to act right now, regardless of if it is right or wrong.
King Saul from 1 Samuel, knows a bit about failing to wait. King Saul was told by the prophet Samuel to assemble the Israelite army at the place of Gilgal and there Samuel tells Saul to await his coming on the 8th day so Samuel could beseech the LORD’s favor and pray and offer sacrifice before letting King Saul lead the hosts of Israel in battle against the Philistines.
As Saul and the Israelites waited for Samuel to come while at Gilgal, the Philistines also gathered for battle across from them. A great army assembled before them, and the sight of the gathering forces caused Israel and Saul to freak out. Finally, on the 8th Day, Samuel was a no show. As a result, Israel’s army began to leave and hide, and Saul was increasingly feeling besieged. Hope seemed to be dim.
It is at this point that King Saul could wait no more. Saul figured that if he waited any longer for the late Samuel then there would be no army left to fight the Philistines and the battle would be lost. In all of this, Saul forgets God.
Saul decided that if Samuel was not coming, then it was best to take matters into his own hand. Saul demanded that the offerings and sacrifices be brought to him and King Saul decided to offer the sacrifices instead of Samuel. He figured that just doing the act of sacrifice was good enough. As long as the sacrifice was offered, it doesn’t matter who or how it was done, right?
Sadly, Saul was wrong. Saul didn’t offer the sacrifices in faith and since Saul was not a Levite, this meant his offering was against God’s expressed commands. His offering was breaking faith with God! The outward work of the sacrifices means nothing if there is not faith.
Tragically, and ironically, it happened that just as Saul had finished offering the sacrifices that Samuel arrives. Samuel sighs at Saul’s faithlessness, Saul gives a lame excuse blaming everyone but himself, and then the LORD lets Saul know that God rejects Saul as king and God will instead choose a man after his own heart, which ends up being David. God then uses only a few men, one being Saul’s Son Jonathan, to stir up confusion and chaos among the Philistines who are then routed by their own mass confusion. God was able to win the battle with just a few men, Saul needed not fear if his army fled to begin with. Saul was rather called to be an example in trusting in God.
Waiting is hard. Perhaps you feel the need to act gnawing at you. As it eats at you, feel may think this: “I can’t wait! If God doesn’t heal me now, I will die!” Or even this, “If God doesn’t act now, my life with fall apart! I can’t wait!” It is in those times that we need to steel our hearts. Saul shows us that acting foolishly and rashly against what God has spoken is far worse than even if we died and life falls apart.
But that leads us to Jesus. Jesus knows something of waiting too. Waiting for God’s salvation and vindication as his enemies surrounded him. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.” Psalm 27:3.
Jesus was arrested and tried in a kangaroo court. Beaten and mocked, scourged and crucified on the cross humiliated in front of all. He commands no angels to come. His followers all scamper away and hide in their own holes too.
But Jesus waits. He for sure feels the bitterness of it all, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me!” Psalm 22:1. Jesus receives no answer for this. Silence from God. Jesus’ life ebbs away as God does nothing. Jesus perhaps could act rashly. “He trusts in the LORD, let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Psalm 22:8. Jesus could provide himself the answer, come down off the cross. He could save himself, and eternally doom us all. But Jesus doesn’t do that.
Jesus knows to wait for God regardless of it all. “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31. So Jesus waits and entrusts himself to his Father. “Into your hands, I commit my spirit.” Psalm 31:5. Jesus leaves the ball in God’s court. If any action is to be taken, it will be by God’s own initiative.
And indeed, Jesus’ waiting is vindicated. On the 3rd day, or the 8th day of the week, the Father answers by raising Jesus from the dead. Jesus was right to put his faith in his Father, Jesus was right to wait, for Jesus was not put to shame. And as a result, Jesus has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You can wait now, too.
Waiting for God takes into account that it is never too late when you are in the hands of God who can raise the dead. You are not past the point of God’s aid. God has made promises to you. Never to leave you nor forsake. Jesus promises that all your sins are covered and because of him, you have eternal life.
So instead wait for Jesus. The situation is never beyond our Lord’s reach. Not even death can thwart the one who is risen from the dead. So even if you die, yet shall you live.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Psalm 27:14
Bible Studies/Sunday School/Confirmation/Chapel: It is that time of year again! On Sunday, September 8th, rally day kicks off a new year of Sunday School, Bible classes, Confirmation, and Chapel. Pray for all of these ministry offerings and also participate in them by attending and volunteering and growing in Jesus and with fellow disciples!
Here is the line up of action:
Confirmation:
2nd Years: with Pastor Andrew Belt on September 4th at 6:30pm
1st Years: with DCE Tammy Schwartz on September 4th at 6:30pm
Bible Classes:
Sunday September 15th 10:30am: Lutheran Confessions
Monday’s at 7:30am: Men’s Bible Class and Breakfast
Tuesday’s at 3:00pm: Yvonne’s Bible Class
Wednesday September 4th at 9:30am: Amos
Chapel:
Beginning Wednesday, September 4th at 9:00am. (Great way to begin Wednesday!)
Sunday School:
Rally Day is on September 8th at 10:15am.
Election Day Prayer Service November 5th 6:30pm: St. Paul tells us to pray for our leaders and those who God has put in authority over us. Election season is always tense and a bit nerve wracking for everyone in the country. We decided it would be a good idea for us as Christians to gather on Election night and pray and hear God’s Word and to put our confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, please come out on Tuesday, November 5th at 6:30pm. We will have a chapel like service where we pray, hear God’s Word, sing hymns to our Lord Jesus, and ask that God watch over our country and provide us with peace that we may be good citizens and be good witnesses of a new creation that we are apart of in Jesus.
As Jeremiah told the exiles of Judea, pray for the wellbeing of Babylon and do good in it. Let’s practice that here by gathering and praying. Please make every effort to join us that night, no doubt it will calm nerves and give us hope in Jesus.
Nebraska Choir September 8th at 7:00pm: We have the joy of having the Concordia University Nebraska choir join us on September 8th at 7:00pm for a music concert. The concert will be an hour long and feature many great works of music that will be sung in our sanctuary. A group of 14 college students make up the choir and are looking forward to singing in our church. Let’s show them support and help spread word and pack the house to listen to them sing! Mark the time and date on your calendar.
Voters Meeting Summary: The Voters Meeting on July 21st was a good meeting. We approved our new Financial Secretary, Anna K. The Land Committee also gave us an update on where they are at. A group has been meeting since February to pursue all options on the field we own along 14th and Schmidt. The options are to leave as is, develop it at some point into an outdoor worship space/orchard/community area that would be developed in phases, or to sell the land. The group presented a great document at the meeting and if you want to read it, let us know. The Committee wanted feedback from the congregation at the meeting and now we will meet and get to ready to present to the congregation at the October Meeting with the intention of voting on it at the January 2025 Voters Meeting.
We also brought up Budget and Financial Concerns. The Church Council started a group in June to meet and come up with ways to communicate to the congregation concerning budget needs and assistance. We noted that as of June 30th we are $59,000 behind on budget. We had a good conversation on this and a need for us all to realize that Christ Lutheran Church is our family and our house and to remember to support it. I noted to the congregation as well this interesting fact. In 2023 we were down $52,000 in July 2023 but yet ended 2023 with a net of $1500.
I also noted that a lot of ground work has been done by people who have wanted to help. We saved nearly $10,000 on landscaping through the men’s maintenance group. We have saved 2,000 dollars on electricity by switching out to LED, contracts have been looked into and redrafted or companies switched which has saved several thousand dollars. People have been responsible and continue to find ways to be responsible. To take a line from our Parish Administrator who said it just as well as could be said, “Don’t give to the Church out of fear of us not making budget. Give because you care about this congregation and its workers and want to see it succeed. Give because God has blessed you with everything you have and none of it really belongs to you anyway.” Well said.
This is a reminder that we do need to always support the Gospel and the Preaching of the Word and Sacraments, but also that Jesus knows how to help us, so join with Jesus in promoting that. Continue to keep that in prayer, and may God change all our hearts. Jesus is generous after all.
We also brought up Property needs. The roof will be done here in the fall, the electricity issue we had is waiting for dryer weather to trench and begin work switching out the corroded system and updating the code. The bell tower will also need a facelift in the years to come. The next section of the parking lot has been delayed due to electrical issues being a priority.
The District also asked us to make a change in our constitution that they wanted stated more direct and clearly. That was quick and painless and was approved at a separate meeting on August 4.
Lastly, the elders and council discussed Christmas Eve service times for this year. With attendance, manpower, and needs, we decided that Christmas Eve Service Times will be at 10am, 3pm, and 6pm. The Congregation understood and agreed and it was approved.
With that, I have run out of space for this Newsletter! The Lord Jesus be with you all! Jesus loves you! In Christ, Pastor Andrew Belt
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Lent Devotional - March 1, 2023Lent Devotional - March 2, 2023Lent Devotional - March 3, 2023Lent Devotional - March 4, 2023Lent Devotional - March 7, 2023Lent Devotional - March 6, 2023Lent Devotional - March 8, 2023Lent Devotional - March 9, 2023Lent Devotional - March 10, 2023Lent Devotional - March 11, 2023March 2023 NewsletterLent Devotional - March 13, 2023Lent Devotional - March 14, 2023Lent Devotional - March 15, 2023Lent Devotional - March 16, 2023Lent Devotional - March 17, 2023Lent Devotional - March 18, 2023Lent Devotional - March 20, 2023Lent Devotional - March 21, 2023Lent Devotional - March 22, 2023Lent Devotional - March 23, 2023Lent Devotional - March 24, 2023Lent Devotional - March 25, 2023Lent Devotional - March 27, 2023Lent Devotional - March 28, 2023Lent Devotional - March 29, 2023Lent Devotional - March 30, 2023Lent Devotional - March 31, 2023
April
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September
October
November
Advent 2023 Devotional: “Immanuel, Jesus with us.” Advent 2023: November 6Advent 2023: November 7 - PromiseAdvent 2023: November 8 - PeopleAdvent 2023: November 9 - PsalmAdvent 2023: November 10 - HymnAdvent 2023: November 13 - PresenceAdvent 2023: November 14 - PromiseAdvent 2023: November 15 - PeopleAdvent 2023: November 16 - PsalmAdvent 2023: November 17 - HymnAdvent 2023: November 20 - PresenceAdvent 2023: November 21 - PromiseAdvent 2023: November 23 - PsalmAdvent 2023: November 24 - HymnAdvent 2023: November 27 - PresenceAdvent 2023: November 28 - PromiseAdvent 2023: November 29 - PeopleAdvent 2023: November 30 - Psalm
December
Advent 2023: December 1 - HymnAdvent 2023: December 4 - PresenceAdvent 2023: December 5 - PromiseAdvent 2023: December 6 - PeopleAdvent 2023: December 7 - PsalmAdvent 2023: December 8 - HymnAdvent 2023: December 11 - PresenceAdvent 2023: December 12 - PromiseAdvent 2023: December 13 - PeopleAdvent 2023: December 14 - PsalmAdvent 2023: December 15 - HymnAdvent 2023: December 18 - PresenceAdvent 2023: December 19 - PromiseDecember 2023 NewsletterAdvent 2023: December 20 - PeopleAdvent 2023: December 21 - PsalmAdvent 2023: December 22 - HymnAdvent 2023 Devotional: Conclusion