Weekly News, Reformation - 2010

October has been a hectic month:  

• Pastor Beane and his family were away for a week visiting family out of town, and we are grateful to Pastor Warren Schulingkamp for filling in both the Sunday and the Wednesday for both Bible Class and Divine Service.
• Our dear brother in Christ Vic Nunez went home to be with his Lord on October 20, while Pastor Beane was out of town.  Pastor Kelly Bedard officiated at Vic's funeral service and beautifully proclaimed the comfort of the resurrection.  Please keep Elaine Nunez and her family in your prayers, even as we grieve, and yet knowing that we do not grieve as the unbelievers (1 Thess 4:13).  Vic's name (Victor) is a reminder to all Christians and a confession of faith in our Lord's victory over death and the grave.  Vic is missed here in the fallen world by his family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ, but we look forward to our heavenly reunion!
• Our 41st annual Ladies' Retreat was a great success, was well-attended, and retreat speaker, pastor and author Rev. Dr. Peter Kurowski did a superlative job in leading a study of women in the Bible and leading a retreat covering the topic of women in the church.  It was a great blessing to all attendees - thank you Pastor Kurowski!  
• Pastor Beane has just concluded an adult confirmation class, and is happy to announce that Janice Favaloro has joined Salem as of Reformation Day (October 31) and her fiance, Robert Ritter (who had moved away during Katrina) has been officially reinstated as a member of Salem.  Welcome home!
• Corrie Coyne was married to Brodie Benoit on 10-10-10 on the Creole Queen River Boat.  The boat captain officiated over the ceremony, and Pastor Beane gave a blessing over the newly married couple.  Congratulations Brodie and Corrie, and may the Lord grant you many years!
• You will notice the extraordinary work of our Board of Trustees: Ron Cantrelle, Gary Green, and Martin Hidalgo.  All of our church's doors have been repaired and repainted, the red surfaces on the external parts of our school building have likewise been repainted, overgrown shrubs and bushes have been pruned and trimmed (and this work is ongoing), and the parking lines and foursquare courts in the parking lot and playground have been freshly painted.  And the guys have even more ambitious plans for repair and improvements to our campus!
• Our Saturday night Confessions class, while having a bumpy schedule in October, is going strong.  We have completed the Augsburg Confession, and have made a good start on the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.
• Our Reformation Day service (using the festival setting Divine Service 5 - known as Luther's German Mass) was a great celebration of our Lutheran heritage, with Shelly Kiletico leading several musicians to enhance our worship.  We are especially grateful to Kyle Bergeron for his playing of the trumpet during the service.
• Our Reformation Day potluck was also well-attended and fun.  It included a good turnout of children in costume who trick-or-treated from table to table.  Some of our "former children" were decked out in Halloween costumes as well. We even had Luther's 95 Theses posted on the wall!

This just in...

Book of Concord Class: will meet this Saturday, November 6.  We will study Article 3 and part of Article 4 of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.  See pages 108-118 in the first edition Concordia Reader's Edition (Ap 3 and Ap 4:1-74).  We start at about 7:00 pm with fellowship, a brief prayer service, and we usually continue our reading and discussion until about 9:00 am.  Questions, a sense of humor, food, and Lutheran beverages are encouraged!

Salem School Choir to Sing This Sunday:  Salem's Sanctus Singers will be singing at this Sunday's All Saints Day Divine Service (November 7) under the direction of Miss Rehema Kavugha.  They will sing during the Gradual ("Blessed Are They"), the Offering ("May the Angels Lead You") and during communion distribution ("Thine The Amen," LSB 680).

This Sunday is a brunch Sunday!:  You are welcome (but not required!) to bring something to share at Sunday's Bible class. 

Hymnals for Africa: Thanks to the generosity of your mission box donations and the chapel offerings from Salem Lutherean School's Wednesday chapel offerings, we sent a gift of $1014 to Lutherans in Africa to purchase hymnals.  This amounts to 50 much-needed hymnals for use in Africa, where Christianity is growing more rapidly than anywhere else on earth.  Please keep our missionaries and all brothers and sisters in Christ in Africa in your prayers!

Stoles for Holy Spirit - Chelyabinsk:  Thank you to the several people who generously donated money so that we can now send two deacon's stoles (one white and one purple) to our sister congregation in Russia.  These will be ordered and delivered as soon as possible.  To assist Pastor Vladislav Ivanov, Deacon Victor Shtraube will soon begin work at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.  Please keep our brothers and sisters in your prayers, especially Pastor Ivanov's wife Svetlana who is expecting their second child!

What's Happening This Week...

God is the great Provider

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 145:16, “You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Indeed, God is the great Provider, the One who supplies each of us with what we need to support this body and life.

All that we have materially in this life is a blessing from God. In Deuteronomy 8:17-18, we read, “Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.”

As Christians we are led to realize that God gives us His blessings for our benefit and for us to serve our neighbor. The way we use these blessings glorifies God. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Through the atoning blood of Christ, we are free to use our God-given blessings to God’s glory. Through the working of the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament, we “lay up for” for ourselves “treasures in heaven . . . ” for where our treasure is, there our “heart will be also” (Matt. 6:20-21).

Through baptism Christ lives in us, and the life we live in this body is by faith in Him. In Christ, we glorify God by giving generously of ourselves, of our possessions and of our money.

Weekly News, Trinity 17 - 2010

This just in...

Book of Concord Class: Due to some upcoming schedule conflicts in the month of October, we will only be meeting on the 9th and the 30th. We start at 7:00 pm with a brief prayer service, and we usually continue our reading and discussion until about 9:00 am.  Please mark your calendars!

Salem School Choir to Sing This Sunday:  Salem's Glory Givers will be singing at this Sunday's Divine Service under the direction of Miss Rehema Kavugha.  They will sing during the Introit, the Offering ("Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart," LSB 708) and during communion distribution ("One Thing's Needful," LSB 536).

This Sunday is a brunch Sunday!:  You are welcome (but not required!) to bring something to share at Sunday's Bible class. 

News Items of Interest: The Times-Picayune had an article about Robert Ziifle's 98th birthday party, the Rev. Matthew Harrison was installed as the Missouri Synod president and the sermon was preached by the Lutheran Archbishop of Kenya (who was warmly received in St. Louis), and here are some updates about Salem's support of mission work in Siberia and in Africa. 

What's Happening This Week...

Elders: Wednesday (September 25): Rick Iverson, Sunday (October 3): Brent Matherne

Altar Guild (for October): Set-up: Louise Davenport, Kelli Barrois; Clean-up: Lisa and Madison Matherne; Linens: Bonnie Orndorff, Lisa Matherne

Sunday School (For September): Younger kids: Grace Beane, Older kids: Allison Clement.

Book of Concord Class: won't meet this Saturday due to the Gretna Heritage Festival. We will resume class on Saturday, October 9.  See above.

Salem Bible Classes: Our Sunday Bible class is studying the Book of Acts (currently on chapter 2). Wednesday's class is studying Ephesians (currently on chapter 5). Bible class is held in Schmid Hall one hour before services (Wednesday's Bible class is held at 6:30 pm with Divine Service at 7:30 pm; Sunday's Bible class is held at 9:00 am - the same time as Sunday School - with Divine Service at 10:00 am). All are welcome!

New Youth Confirmation Class: is being held right after the Sunday Divine Service.

This Coming Wednesday's Readings (September 29)

MICHAELMAS

Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3; Revelation 12:7-12; Luke 10:17-20

The name of the archangel St. Michael means “Who is like God?” Michael is mentioned in the book of Daniel (12:1), as well as Jude (v.9) and Revelation (12:7). Daniel portrays Michael as the angelic helper of Israel who leads the battle against the forces of evil. In Revelation, Michael and his angels fight against and defeat Satan and the evil angels, driving them from heaven. Their victory is made possible by Christ’s own victory over Satan in His death and resurrection, a victory announced by the voice in heaven; “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come” (Revelation 12:10). Michael is often associated with Gabriel and Raphael, the other chief angels or archangels who surround the throne of God. Tradition names Michael as the patron and protector of the Church, especially as the protector of Christians at the hour of death. (from Treasury of Daily Prayer, pg. 768. CPH 2008)

This Coming Sunday's Readings (October 3)

TRINITY 18 

Deuteronomy 10:12-21
1 Corinthians 1:(1-3) 4-9
Matthew 22:34-46

In Life and Death, Christ Fulfills the Law of God

The Pharisees ask a Law question. Jesus asks a Gospel question. The Pharisees seek to test Jesus in His own words. Jesus seeks to “test” them in the saving reality of who He is as the Messiah (Matt. 22:34–46). The Law requires you to “fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul” and to “love the sojouner” (Deut. 10:12–21). Failure to keep the Law perfectly brings judgment. On the other hand, the Gospel brings the grace of God given by Jesus Christ, that you may be blameless in the day of His return (1 Cor. 1:1–9). Jesus is David's Son yet David's Lord, true God and true man. He is Love incarnate who fulfilled all the demands of God's Law on our behalf, that we might be saved from the Law's condemnation and sanctified in the Gospel's forgiveness. Thereby we see that “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9)..

Coming soon...

41st Annual Salem Ladies' Retreat: will take place October 15-17, 2010. Speaker: Rev. Dr. Peter Kurowski - Topic: A Lady's Greatest Resource. Dr. Kurowski will be returning again this year. We all knew he had much more to share with us last time, and are blessed to have him available to return again this year. The cost is $150.00. Registration is $30.00 and the forms are available and the forms are available in the narthex. If you have any questions, speak with Sharon McSherry at 504-367-8155, Sheila Begnaud at 504-340-6551, or Judy Enos at 504-361-3732.

Reformation Trick or Treat and Potluck: will take place in the Family Life Center after the Reformation Day Divine Service on October 31. 

Be sure to check the Salem Church Calendar often for updates! 

Other announcements...

Mission Work and Acts of Mercy: Salem has been supporting the Gretna Food Bank for quite some time now.  They appreciate our donations very much.  You can continue to bring food and clothing to Pastor Beane's office.  Offerings placed into the misson box are currently set aside to provide hymnals for Lutherans in Africa.  If you would like to commit to support our sister church in Russia, please contact Pastor Beane (pastorbeane@gmail.com).

Pink Envelopes: From now until the end of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) we will collect funds in memory of the sainted Barbara Althage to be donated for breast cancer research. Please use the pink envelopes in the pew.

Please remember the following in your prayers...

Salem's shut-ins: Betty LaChute, Helen Adams, Cora Teate, Errol Michell, Earsking "Gate" Gatechair, Ruth Calzada, Anna Maness, Anne Rhodes, John Ryan

The sick, suffering, and in difficult circumstances: Nancy Daigneault, Vic Nunez, Debra Murry, Charles Gelbke, Loretta Chandler, Nick Hatzgionidis, Beverly Scales, Aimee Wolf, Andrea Tilley, Joseph Bethancourt, Joseph Althage, Louise Davenport, Pat Stoltz, Gretel Verret, Juanita St. Clair, Jan Bateman, Dale Michell, Marshall Kline, Stacie Smith, Mike Marchetta, the Hall family, Gretchen Allman, the Ikpe family

Persecuted Christians: Please pray for persecuted Christians in Iran.  Nine foreign Christians were recently arrested in Hamedan and charged with "engaging in journalistic activities" due to their involvement with Christian television networks.  You can read more here.  Please visit Voice of the Martyrs for more information about our persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide.

Peace in Christ!

Pastor Beane

Salem Mission Work Update: Africa

The above video was made by Pr. Jonathan Fisk in his unique style. He presents the wonderful mission opportunities in Africa. We have wonderful and faithful servants of the Lord working tirelessly across the continent of Africa - where Christianity is spreading rapidly.

There are more Lutherans in Madagascar than in North America. There are also numerous political challenges facing African Christians - including persecution from non-Christians. The multiplicity of languages and poverty are also great challenges.

We can help by supporting the hymnal project mentioned in the above video. The Board of Elders has approved mission box funds to be used to purchase hymnals for Africa.  Every $20 puts a hymnal in the hands of a Christian in Africa.  So far, there has been a tremendous response from the congregation!  Please keep Pastor James May (LCMS missionary to Africa) and his family in your prayers, as well as the many African pastors and laypeople who are working around the clock for the sake of the spread of the Gospel.

Here is a link to Lutherans in Africa, including their latest newsletter.  Here is additional video from a recent theological seminar in Kenya.

Salem Mission Work Update: Siberia

Based on ongoing committed gifts from Salem members, we now support a sister parish, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Chelyabinsk, Siberia, with $250 per month for their ongoing missionary work in Russia, where Lutheranism was all but destroyed and Christianity severely suppressed under the heel of Communism.

If you are unfamiliar with the story of Russian Lutheranism, its survival and revival, here is a must-see short online video.

Our brethren in Russia are both gracious and grateful.  The bishop of the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Most Rev. Vselodod Lytkin, has been very appreciative of Salem for our support of his flock that is small in numbers but the largest Lutheran church in the world in terms of geography.  The work of the SELC is nothing short of miraculous in bringing the Gospel to what was once the land of the Gulag and concentration camps.  Their stories are compelling, and you can read them in their own words in the outstanding and inspiring newsletters of the U.S.-based Siberian Lutheran Mission Society.

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church is located in Chelyabinsk, an industrial center of some one million people.  The fledgling congregation is led by Pastor Vladislav Ivanov ("Father Vlad"), who is married to Svetlana.  The Ivanovs have a daughter Sophia, and another child on the way.  Pastor Ivanov is one of the earliest graduates of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Novisibirsk (note: the LTS website may be down temporarily at this time) - a seminary that began with great help from Concordia Theological Seminary - Fort Wayne.  Holy Spirit Lutheran Church also has a deacon, Victor Shtraube, who is, like Pastor Ivanov, a Ukranian.  He is getting his work permits so that he can assist in the ministry of the Word in Russia.  Pastor Ivanov also has a close working relationship to Pastor Sergey Glushkov in the city of Ekaterinburg.  They often make missionary trips and pastoral visitations together.

Bishop Lytkin, Pastor Ivanov, Deacon Shtraube, and Pastor Glushkov are all on facebook (as are several other Russian Lutheran clergy and laypeople) - and several Salem members communicate with them on a regular basis.  Some gifts from our parish and our parishioners are in transit to Chelyabinsk.  You can see pictures of the congregation here.  Holy Spirit rents a civic hall for worship services and Bible classes.  They are a young congregation with great missionary zeal for the Word of God and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you would like to commit to send a gift every month - no matter how large or small - please contact Pastor Beane.  We would like to be able to increase our support of our sister church.  And please do keep them in your prayers!

A Beautiful Picture of World Lutheranism

On the left is the Rev. Rich Heinz, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Chicago, and on the right is the Most Rev. Walter Obare, archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK). The picture is published on Pastor Heinz's facebook page.

Our church bodies are in full altar and pulpit fellowship. Bp. Obare is a hero of world Lutheranism and an inspiration for all Christians around the globe who believe in God's Word - even in the face of rank unbelief and outright persecution.

Lutherans are white, black, brown, yellow, and everything in between. Lutherans speak Germanic languages, Romance languages, Oriental languages, African languages, Indian languages, and nearly every dialect known to man. Lutherans are governed episcopally by bishops in apostolic succession, as well as in more congregational forms of polity. Our church buildings are Gothic cathedrals with organs and bells and incense and beautifully chanted liturgies located in the world's great cities, and our church buildings are mud huts in the bush with simple tables and chairs and liturgies sung with the aid of guitars. Among the world's Lutherans, diversity is not just some silly politically-correct bromide. We are truly as diverse in tribe and tongue as the heavenly choir in Rev 5:9.

And yet, in matters of doctrine, we biblical and confessional Lutherans rally around the divinely inspired Scriptures and their correct exposition in the Book of Concord. We flock to the Gospel in Word and Sacrament, proclaimed in preaching and partaken of in the Church's worship life of liturgy, prayer, and hymnody. We find unity at the baptismal font and in the holy words of Absolution. Though there is a healthy diversity of members in the body, we serve the head, who is Christ. And it is His blood that gives us life, and His body in us that makes us one body in Him.

Among the world's confessional Lutherans there is a glorious Augustinian melding of diversity in non-essentials with unity in the essentials of confessed doctrine and lived-out practice.

This picture showing the brotherly handshake and the joyful smiles of these devoted servants of the Lord from opposite hemispheres of the globe says it all. Both pastors are vested in the red of the martyrs' blood and of the Holy Spirit's fire, both bearing the stole of the yoke of the Holy Office established by the Lord Jesus Himself, both wearing the cross upon their chests and both bearing the cross in their ministries.

What a glorious picture of the Church Militant and an inspiring icon of Christian hope as we move toward the Church Triumphant in the hope of the resurrection and the new creation!

Archbishop Obare Preaches at Pres. Harrison's Installation

On September 11, 2010, the Rev Matthew Harrison was officially installed as the president of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Above is an all-too brief snippet of the sermon delivered in the chapel of Concordia Seminary - St. Louis by the archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya, the Most Rev. Walter Obare.

Bishop Obare is a true hero of the faith. He bucked the extremely powerful (and apostate) Lutheran (sic) World Federation and the condescending and defied the threatening archbishop of the Church (sic) of Sweden on February 5, 2005 when he consecrated the Rt. Rev. Arne Olssen to be an indigenous Mission Province bishop to serve the faithful remnant within Sweden (and later Finland) by providing a path for faithful priests and deacons to be ordained. Bishop Obare was awarded the Sabre of Boldness award by Gottesdienst - a tribute to his courage, fidelity, and status as a true Lutheran confessor. Bishop Obare paid a high price in terms of LWF retribution - but he remains faithful and steadfast to the Bible and the Lutheran confessions. His courage is an inspiration to Bible-believing Christians everywhere - especially Lutheran clergy and laypeople.

It is impressive that he was chosen to be the preacher at this critical juncture in the LCMS.

Here is the link to Archbishop Obare's sermon at the LCMS website.  It includes a video of the sermon as well as an audio version and a written transcript.

As a postscript, here is Pr. Weedon's description of the Installation Service.