Monday, September 8, 2014

Parent Connection September 8th Issue# 4

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”  At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. – John 5:6-8

“Do you want to get well?”
Why would Jesus ask such an obvious question? The man had laid next to the pool of Bethesda for many years. This was the place to be if you wanted healing. Yet Jesus asks the question anyways. Perhaps it was simply to get the man’s attention. From his answer it seems that this man had no idea who Jesus was, and that he was only moments away from healing. If he had recognized Jesus for who he is, he would have simply said “Yes! Please heal me!”
However, it is interesting to see the man’s response. It seems to express the attitude that it’s everyone else’s fault that he’s not been able to get healing. Nobody will help me. Someone else always cuts in front of me. I’m the victim here. No one will help me.
I can’t speak to the heart of this paralyzed man. But don’t we often do the same as he did with regard to the situations and attitudes, the sins and the difficulties that we face? We struggle with a recurring sin that we just can’t seem to shake. We worry and fret about a difficulty in our life. We refuse to forgive a real or perceived wrong done to us by another, or claim that we do, yet continue to hold a grudge. We try to solve the problem through our own power. Then we fail again, and try to rationalize our behavior by making the same kind of excuses, saying that it’s just too difficult, or laying blame for our failures on others. All the while, we forget to (or refuse to) recognize that we are redeemed, restored and forgiven children of God by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has forgiven our sins, restored our relationship with God and made us new creations, empowering us with his Holy Spirit to “pick up our mat and walk” every day, trusting in the power that he provides. He stands ready to help.
Do you want to get well?
May God through his Holy Spirit bring us daily to the cross, to lay our burdens on Christ and trust in his promise to empower us to truly follow him.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:4
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Chapel Service
You are invited to join us for our weekly chapel service this Thursday, September 11th, from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. This week Pastor Seiltz from Evergreen Lutheran High School, our WELS area Lutheran high school in Tacoma, Washington will be leading our worship. This week’s message:  Living for Jesus Means Forgiving Others (Joseph). Families and friends are invited to come join us in starting our day with the Lord.
Following our chapel service, Pastor Seiltz will be making a presentation about Evergreen Lutheran High School to the students of grades 3-8, as well as any parents or others who are interested in the program. Parents and family are welcome to stay after chapel for the presentation if they wish. (The presentation will be about 35 minutes long).
The Faith Lutheran School “Night at the Museum” Social Studies Fair will be held on Friday, October 10th!
Information about projects and presentations went home last Friday for the students of grades 3-8. Grades 1-2 will be working on a group project together in their classroom. Kindergarten will be working on projects at their level.
Students working on individual projects, please make sure to get your project topic to your teacher by next Monday, September 15th!

Thanks to all those who helped with and donated to the PTF/Camp Luther Fall Parking Lot Sale! A little over $808 was raised to be divided between PTF and Camp Luther. Thanks to all those who helped set up, tear down and run the sale, as well as letting your light shine in our community.
Cross Country Running
There is no Cross Country practice on Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, September 9th, Mt. Zarnstorff is encouraging the team to participate in the Bonny Sosa Family Fun Run at Kincaid Park at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Z will send home an information sheet with details with the team today. Registration is online at muni.org.

There will be practice on Thursday, September 11th this week. Practice will be from 4-5:30 p.m.

The ACSAA cross-country meet will be held on September 20th, details TBA.

Junior Choir meets Wednesday, September 10th. Students should be in the church for practice at 12:20 p.m.

Handchime Choir meets Thursday, September 11th. Students should be in the church for practice at 12:30 p.m.

Water Discovery Days
The students of Mr. Zarnstorff’s room (grades 3,4, and 5) will be going on a field trip to the Campbell Creek Science Center for Water Discovery Days this Friday, September 12th. They will be arriving there around 12:30 p.m. and will spend most of the afternoon there. Mr. Zarnstorff has space for two parents to join them. Any parents that are interested in accompanying them for this activity and a little hiking, please contact Mr. Zarnstorff.


We are still waiting for earthquake comfort kits for some students. Please return your child’s comfort kit if you have not already done so.

  
School Calendar for this week:

Tuesday, September 9th
  • Cross Country  - Bonny Sosa Fun Run
  • @ Kincaid Park 6:30 p.m.
 Wednesday, September 10th   
  • Junior Choir    12:20 – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 11th   

  • School Chapel Service  8:30 a.m.
  • Handchime Choir  12:30-1:00 p.m.
  • Cross Country Practice 4-5:30 p.m.

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