Concordia Lutheran Church

November 2008 apex

...to bring about in all Christians such an enthusiasm for their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with
others.

From Pastor Becker’s Heart to Yours...

O give thanks to the LORD for He is good; and His mercy endures forever!

Let me share these thoughts from Pr. Paul Anderson (October 2008 issue of Lutheran Renewal): Should we pray for revival (read: revitalization)? How about praying for true humility, for a more gracious response to a spouse, for a positive spirit rather than a spirit of judgment? Some people (certainly not all) who pray for revitalization develop a critical spirit. Others develop an edge and start majoring in minors. I like to say to couple who have “fallen out of love”, ‘What would you do if you knew that you were in love?’ I hear things like, ‘I’d probably pick up my clothes…I would be kinder in my responses…I would respect him/her and not criticize.’ My response, ‘Okay, those are what you need to do now. Act as if you are in love, because that will change your heart.’

How about asking those who are praying for revitalization, ‘What would you do differently if you knew that you were in revitalization? If they answer,’ I might go to my neighbors and see if they had any needs…I would probably rejoice in the work of God…I would expect more to happen…I would pray with more confidence…’ then I would say, ‘Okay, do it. That is the fruit of repentance that can help to bring what you are longing for.’ The prayer for revitalization can actually create passivity in our hearts. We may be asking God to do what we are disinclined to do.

As we discover our vision for revitalization in our new life cycle here at Concordia, let’s remember to pray as if it all depended upon God and work as if it all depended upon us, and give thanks in all things for that is the will of God in Christ Jesusconcerning us!

Rejoicing in hope, patiently enduring in affliction, steadfastly persevering in prayer!

Pastor Paul Becker Isaiah 33:22

Message from Your Church Secretary

I am beginning my third week here at Concordia Lutheran Church as your church secretary. I want to take a moment to thank you for your kindness, patience and understanding as I learn my duties. Although I am an experienced secretary, each and every office is different. This is my first experience working in a church office environment and I must say it is quite pleasant. I look forward to working with each of you. If I can be of help in any way, please give me a call.

Carol Robinette

Getting to Know Our New Secretary

This month we would like to introduce you to our new secretary, Carol Robinette. Carol was born in Greeneville, KY and was the second in a family of five. Her four brothers taught her well how to climb trees! She graduated from High School in Elizabethtown KY and attended college at ETSU when she moved to Kingsport after she was married. Carol has not remarried since her marriage ended almost 30 years ago. She chose to stay in Kingsport rather than return to KY because she liked the area, particularly the surrounding mountains.

She began working at Eastman as a department secretary and then worked for Congressman James Quillen’s office for awhile. From there she began working for Holston Defense, where she stayed for 20 years.

In 1987 she began working for the City of Kingsport, being secretary to the Chief of Police. In 1997 she transferred to City Hall and became the secretary to the

mayor and city manager until she retired in the spring of 2006.

After deciding she needed a part-time job to get some structure back in her life, she applied for Concordia’s secretarial position and was selected from over three dozen applicants.

Carol is a graduate of Bible Study Fellowship having participated for nine years, serving as an usher for three of those years. She also serves as an adult tutor for the Literacy Council of Kingsport.

Carol is active in her church, First Christian in downtown Kingsport, and loves the Wednesday night suppers, where she can try out new recipes. In addition to loving to cook and bake, she enjoys working in her yard, wrapping fancy packages, reading and walking.

Why don’t you come by the church Monday through Friday mornings to meet Carol and introduce yourself? You’ll be glad you did! 

-Submitted by Ladell McWhirter

A Thanksgiving Blessing

We are grateful for our bountiful and innumerable blessings. We are thankful that God has brought us to this very day, this very hour, this very minute. And we are hopeful that God’s providential care will enable us to see the unbounded possibilities of the future.

REPORT ON PRAYER WALK—

On Saturday, October 18, our 2nd Prayer Walk was taken. Twenty-one people divided into five teams to cover different areas in the neighborhoods around our church. Special door hangers were printed to hang on the doors of the houses, informing them that we had prayed for them and letting them know if they had any prayer needs they could contact the church.

After the prayer walk six of us spent an hour surveying some of the houses in lower Sevier Terrace. We found 14 people at home, many of whom gave a great witness to their faith in Christ. We found two homes on which we can do some follow-up . Thanks to all who participated.! We will probably never know the effect of our prayers, but we know God heard them and can answer our petitions in powerful ways!

Social Ministry News

A BIG thank you to all who contributed to our Social Ministry Basket Fundraiser for the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for our community families-in-need! Social Ministry thanks you for sharing and wishes you and your family a joyous Thanksgiving and Christ-centered Christmas. Thank you, Thrivent, for the matching funds!

Thanksgiving baskets will be delivered Sunday, November 23, after worship service to our community families-in-need. Please contact Joyce McEntire if you can help deliver a basket.

Thank you to all who served as receptionists or interviewers for Kingsport Community Ministry Center in October.

Reminder: Your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes with small gifts for children-in-need are due in the Fellowship Hall by Sunday, November 2, 2008. For details of what items to put into a shoebox, pick up an Operation Christmas Child flyer from the Operation Christmas Child mailbox in the Narthex. Thank you in advance for sharing God’s love with these children.

Stewardship Focus — Fishing In Deep Water by Dick Grese

In Luke chapter 5, there is the story in which Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John, who were experienced fisherman, to cast their nets into deep water. This was an unusual request and they reluctantly obeyed but not after Peter rebuffed Jesus since they had fished all night and had caught nothing. You’ll remember that their catch of fish was so large they couldn’t pull the nets in.

Peter, James and John were not stupid men. They knew the lake, the ledges where the fish congregated, the kind of weather you had to have to bring in a good catch. Their families had been working the lake for generations. They knew the time to fish - and where to fish and they had gone fishing - at the right time - and at the right place and come up empty. Jesus was calling them to fish in new territory. To fish in deep water, which looks like a poor place to fish. Jesus was asking them to go against their traditional ways of fishing and to trust in His direction.

Whether we are talking about an individual or congregation, Jesus is also calling us to trust His direction. Jesus is calling us to do things different - to fish in new areas and to try things different.

In November, we remember the Reformation and the work of Martin Luther who God used to transform and revitalize the church. Now, 500 years later, God continues to transform churches and people. As Concordia continues on our Revitalization journey, each of us will be making decisions on how we will use God’s gifts of time, talent, and treasures. We need to think about what are the “deep waters” that God is leading us to? Could they include Sevier Terrace and Lynn Garden neighborhoods? Also, what are the new fishing techniques which God is wanting to teach us? Could these include Prayer Walks, Net Fishing Events, new ways for communication, a new Board, and new worship styles? Is God calling you to try something new, to step out of your comfort zone? Or to give more of your time and money to support the work of Concordia?

In the coming year, as we discern the vision for Concordia Lutheran Church, we must listen for Jesus’ wisdom, lest we cast our nets into shallow water. We, who are willing to set aside our preconceived ideas and be open to God's new future for us, might just discover our boat being overloaded with new fish. As we live under His Grace, we trust in Jesus’ direction for Concordia and for us as His Christian Stewards.

November Small Group Meetings

Bits and Pieces

Need a Thought-Provoking Study for a Small Group?

Try a Nooma Video. The December issue of the APEX will provide all the information. The study involves a collection of 18 short videos with accompanying discussion booklets. The studies are contemporary. BE SURE TO CHECK THE DECEMBER APEX FOR ALL THE DETAILS.

Thanks to all who participated in making our Fall Rummage Sale a big success. Our profit was $538.79 and with the $500 that came from our matching funds from Thrivent, we will have over $1,000 to ensure that we have money to pay for the sound buffers in the Fellowship Hall.  

Many of you brought items to sell, helped out on Sunday to carry all the boxes into the Fellowship Hall and worked tirelessly on Saturday to ensure a successful sale.

College Student of the Month

Julie Edwards
University of Tennessee
Volunteer Hall KNX 1039B
1527 White Ave.
Knoxville TN 37916
423-948-9485
jedwar27@utk.edu
jules9332@yahoo.com

Work Day at Concordia
Saturday, November 1, 8:30 a.m.  

Contact Jim Robertson

423-791-1750

For a listing of daily scripture readings, check out

anonymouslutheran.com.