A Note From Pastor Al-link-Foundations

Use the link below for the Note from Pastor Al

Foundations

Encouragement from Pastor Al

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” // Isaiah 43:2

On-Line Worship Link for September 5, 2021

To view Pastor Al's online worship link for September 5, 2021, use the link below.

On-line Message-September 5, 2021 

Dig Deeper: 
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 5:30
Bible Project
Oh, that the Lord Would Guide My Ways

Invitation to RibFest and Outdoor Service

Immanuel Hmong is having an outdoor RibFest on the 19^th of September. The outdoor worship will start at 11:30 AM, following with games and Ribs.  St. John members are invited to join us on that day.

Good Newsletter-September 2021-Dress Yourself With Kindness

 September 2021 

They often embarrassed their mother by the way they acted in public. It seemed to her that her sons were always arguing.
 
At the supermarket, the brothers would fight about which cereal she should buy. When they were home they could never agree which movie to watch. Sometimes she doubted that her two boys would ever survive their childhood together.

While they often bickered, the brothers were also fiercely loyal to each other. If another child from the neighborhood made fun of one of them, the other was sure to come to his defense. It baffled their mother!
 
How could they quarrel so, yet a short time later seek to protect their would-be rival? Blood truly must be thicker than water!
 
This scenario is a reality for many of us. Sibling rivalry, it seems, is universal. And for the most part, defense of one’s own family is equally universal. Playground conversations usually prove this true.
 
God has another scenario he wants us to follow. He encourages us in the Bible to treat all people as though they were family. “Make every effort to add to your faith … brotherly kindness” 

(2 Peter 1:5,7).
 
There are dozens of things that make each of us different from everyone else in the world. They include where we live, the color of our eyes, our talents, the size of our paycheck, and so on.
 
Even though we enjoy associating with people who are like us, God wants us to treat everyone the way we would treat an idolized brother or sweet sister. After all, God’s love prompted him to send his Son, so that everyone who believes in him has life in his name.
 
Blood is not always thicker than water.
 
Every person who is made a child of God through his Word and the water of baptism also becomes our brother or sister in Christ. They are family.
 
Why don’t you stop by for a visit at church some weekend and meet some of your spiritual family?
 
Upcoming Events at St John
 
Worship Services: Sunday at 8:30 AM
Adult Bible Study: 9:45 AM
Visit our website at stjohnev.net
Call us at 651-771-6406

SCLA Fine Arts Addition Dedication

Fine Arts Addition Dedication

Join us for the dedication and open house of the new fine arts addition on Wednesday, September 15 from 6:30-8:30. The service will take place in the chapel followed by an open house with tours of the new front commons, band, choir, and practice rooms. Student musicians will share their talents with you in the new spaces. RSVP at StCroixLutheran.org/Dedicationi

A Note From Pastor Al

Foundations 

The foundations of America are shifting. Time will tell if this is a shift for the good or for our peril. A foundation is the basis on which a building stands, is founded, or is supported. When it comes to foundations of a nation, foundations of a church, or foundations of  individual human lives, we are referring to moral principles, guiding truths, fundamental beliefs, and supporting values. These determine if a country will stand or fall. They arbitrate the outcome of a church’s future and they decide whether an individual Christian [or non-Christian] will stand or fall.

WHere must our foundations be as a church and as the people of God? Psalm 11 gives us some good insight.

Psalm 11

In the Lord I take refuge;

how can you say to my soul,

    “Flee like a bird to your mountain,

2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;

    they have fitted their arrow to the string

    to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

3 if the foundations are destroyed,

    what can the righteous do?”

4 The Lord is in his holy temple;

    the Lord's throne is in heaven;

    his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

5 The Lord tests the righteous,

    but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;

    fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the Lord is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

    the upright shall behold his face.

Verse 7 gives us hope as believers: “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” God loves what is right. His eyes are forever seeing and testing humanity. He’s looking for those who are upright in thought, in actions and in words. He knows who is righteous; He knows who does the right thing even if the right thing is difficult. If we do what is right, we shall behold his face. 

But aren’t we all sinners? (YES!) And don’t we all fall short of the full list of righteous requirements of God? (Yes again) In last week’s message we heard briefly about the progress that is to take place: we are to make progress from immature believer to mature believer. Ephesians 4:13-14 stresses a development that grows us; we are no longer infants or children but have progressed and matured. in the life of a Christian church and in the lives of its individual members, we are to grow up into the fullness of CHrist. We are to live, speak, work, walk, surf the internet, react to my neighbors, more and more the way Jesus would. This is the Sanctified life of a believer. We have been saved by grace but not for the purpose of stagnant living. Jesus’ death saved us from the pit of hellish debris and bad, sinful decisions - now we can walk in a new way of life (Romans 6:4). We can progress as a believer. This is by God’s design. Are we making progress?

So what are those foundational stones of our faith, on which we build for the sake of maturing in the faith? This weekend we will focus on the necessity to closely listen to all the laws and counsel of God AND obey His direction for life (Sanctified living). This, of course, must build off the one essential foundational stone, Jesus Christ!

The Church’s One Foundation CW 538

The Church’s One Foundation

is Jesus Christ, her Lord;

She is His new creation

by water and the Word.

From heav’n he came sought her

To be His holy bride;

With His own blood He bought her

And for her life, He died.

.

May God bless us as individuals, building on His foundation. May God bless us as a church, building on the bedrock of Jesus Christ. May God bless us as a nation.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Al