Hanover Lutheran Church

Hymn of the Month (March 2010)

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:58:00 +0000

Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

This is the first verse of "Amazing Grace," a Christian hymn written by English poet and clergyman John Newton(1725–1807)and published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption is possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the God’s grace and mercy,"Amazing Grace" is one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world.

The hymn is found in both the Lutheran Worship page 509 and the Lutheran Service Book page 744. There are a wide variety of verses of that can be found for the hymn because of its popularity but the best (and original) theme is that we as sinners are “wretched” but it is “amazing” that God loves us so much!

Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He was in the Royal Navy and became a sailor, eventually participating in the slave trade. One night a terrible storm battered his vessel so severely that he became frightened enough to call out to God for mercy, a moment that marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. Eventually,he was ordained in the Church of England where “Amazing Grace” was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year's Day of 1773. It debuted in print in 1779, but settled into relative obscurity in England. In the United States however, "Amazing Grace" was used extensively during the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century.

It has been associated with more than 20 melodies, but in 1835 it was joined to a tune named "New Britain" to which it is most frequently sung today.

Music Notes from the Director

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +0000

It is such a joy to read the book of Psalm and reflect on its connection to life here at Hanover. Psalm 100 begins “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.” Praise God for the opportunities we have to come before God with our witness to the world. Please remember in your prayers that we would do His will.

If it is in your heart, please join us for fellowship in making music with any of our musical offerings. The Resurrection Selections choir is meeting after Wednesday night services during Lent, the Hanover Handbellers are meeting at 6 pm on Wednesdays and special music opportunities are gladly arranged. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

And don’t forget to remember in special prayers our youth in music, especially those who will be offering their talents at the Men’s Club Sausage supper on March 7, 2010.

Hanover Work Day

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:58:00 +0000

The Board of Trustees has scheduled a day to do some needed chores around the church to beautify, clean and improve the facilities.

Mark your calendars now for Saturday, March 20 beginning at 8:00 am for the annual Work Day at Hanover. It’s that time of year again to do some chores. Please sign up on the sheet in the window.

Here’s some of the jobs to be done:

clean out gutters fix bell tower re-do flower beds
shampoo red carpet clean pews replace ceiling tiles
do something with the front and back parking islands
check out air conditioning units and do any duct work as needed

There is a possibility that the roof will be done by then and the mess will have to be cleaned up also.

If the 20th gets rained out the next Saturday, March 27 is planned as the Work Day.

Memorial Contributions

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:57:00 +0000

OLD CHURCH:
Given in memory of Mr. George W. Moore by
Mrs. Ruth Farrow
Mr. and Mrs. James Sinn
Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Conklin, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Bromstad
Doris Jansen, Betty Graham, Donna Dubbs, Brenda Hinkle,Wanda Perry
Mr. and Mrs. John Moore
Mr. Leonard Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Robertson
Kandi, Randy, Amy & Travis Fuchs
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kolb
Mrs. Glenda Nalley
Mrs. Lisa Blanchard Davis
Gary Schweer

Given in memory of Mr. Paul Kuntze by
Mrs. Dortha Strack & Family

BUILDING FUND:
Given in memory of Mr. Glen Kirchhoff by
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Gerlach

Given in memory of Mr. George W. Moore by
Mr. and Mrs. Junior Frank
Mrs. Josephine Schuessler

Ladies Aid - March Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:56:00 +0000

The Ladies Aid will meet on Wednesday, March 10 at 1:00 pm in the Meeting Room for the meeting. The hostesses will be Ruby Meyer, Christie Renner and Josie Schuessler.

Devotion / Program:
Report on February 20 Cape Zone LWML Prayer & Praise Service
March 24 Lutheran Chapel of Hope Lunch

Looking Ahead:
April 14—MITES Ingathering at Meeting
April 20—Cape Zone LWML Spring Rally—Good Shepherd

Pastor Kobak's Ponderings (March 2010)

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:51:00 +0000

I was asked an odd question this week;

"If I were to read only one individual book of the bible which one should I read?"

That is a powerful and intriguing question. The bible is needed as a whole to understand. The gospels are essential to understand who Jesus is; God revealed. The Old Testament explains why we need a savior; the fall of sin and establishment of the covenant. The Epistles proclaim the grace of God; delivered through his Son, our Redeemer. All of these are essential…but, I have to pick only one.

Which one would you choose? Why?

I would have to side with Luther. I would choose Romans.

This letter I consider is the most important piece in the New Testament. It is the purest Gospel. It is well worth your while not only to read it word for word but also to occupy yourself with it daily, You could look at the words as though they were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much. This isn't merely a happy meal. The text of Romans is like the choicest Filet Mignon cooked to perfection. The more one chews on it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes. Therefore you have to read it more than once to gain the fullest possible understanding of it.

To begin with, you and I have to become familiar with the word usage in the letter and know what St. Paul means by the words law, grace, sin, faith, justice, flesh, spirit, etc. Otherwise there is no use in reading it.

To begin you and I cannot understand the word law here as you understand it when watching Mattlock reruns or Law and Order; as in a regulation about what sort of works must be done or must not be done. With our modern day dictionary description of law: you satisfy the demands of the law with works, whether your heart is in it or not.

The true biblical definition of "Law" is actually wrapped up entirely in the first 5 books of the bible, A.K.A. "the TORAH". You could accurately describe the LAW as something which saturates your soul

Think of a sponge soaking up water in a bowl.

The law is encompassed in what God has done for us and expects out of us all. God judges what is in the depths of the heart. Therefore his law also makes demands from depths of your heart and doesn't let the heart rest content in works; rather it punishes as hypocrisy and lies all works done apart from the truth found only in depths of your heart. All human beings, whether we like it or not, are called liars (Psalm 116), since none of us keep God's law in the depths of our heart. Everyone finds inside himself in an aversion to good and a craving for evil.

Where there is no free desire for good, there the heart has not set itself on God's law. There also sin is surely to be found and the deserved wrath of God, whether good works and an honorable life appear outwardly or not. Where do we then find hope?

Romans 3 gives us our answer. "Fix your attention first of all on Christ and the Gospel, so that you may recognize your sin and (most importantly) His grace."

Where do we find hope? What do I need to have peace in my heart when I fail to accomplish the law daily. You and I need the gospel. We need it daily. We need it now as a free gift. and we receive the righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference in people from the poorest to the richest, whether you are black or white, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood."

Paul encourages us to "Fix your attention first of all on Christ and the Gospel, so that you may recognize your sin and (most importantly) His grace."

As we dig in, we find included in this letter the richest possible teaching about what every Christian should know: the meaning of law, Gospel, sin, punishment, grace, faith, justice, Christ, God, good works, love, hope and the cross. We learn how we are to act toward everyone, toward the honorable and the sinful, toward the strong and the weak, friend and foe, and toward ourselves. Paul bases everything firmly on Scripture and proves his points with examples from his own experience and from the Prophets, so that nothing more could be desired. Therefore it seems that Paul, in writing this letter to the Romans, wanted to compose a summary of the whole idea of what it means to be a Christian.

I Love how Luther describes it, "Without a doubt, whoever takes this (letter of Paul to the Romans) to heart, possesses the light and power of the bible. Therefore each and every Christian should make this letter a habitual and constant object of study."

God grant us His grace to do so. Amen."
Pastor Kobak

Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:02:00 +0000

This blog post is about someone's memories of a bike route in Cape Girardeau as a young man and passing Hanover Lutheran Cemetery. There are a few photos.

Sermon 3.7.10

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:25:00 +0000

R U Redy 4 a Servalution
Pastor Anthony Kobak

Handbell Choir - Onward Christian Soldiers (1st video)
Lutheran School Children - Lamb of God (3rd video)

Day 1 - Sausage Preparation

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:17:00 +0000

There are three videos for Day 1 to share with you how the Men's Club makes the sausage for the famous bi-annual sausage supper. There is much more that goes into the production of sausage than most realize.

Day 2 and Day 3 will be in future posts.

If you are sensitive to photos of raw meat (and especially pig eyes being plucked in the second video), please close your browser now!

Sausage Supper - March 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:35:00 +0000

The bi-annual sausage supper is tomorrow, Sunday, March 6, 2010. Won't you join us?

I have been spending two days in the Men's Club building video taping and photographing a documentary to share with everyone what work goes into this supper. I have learned a lot and am anxious to share with you.

Keep watch for the upcoming videos!

For now, all of the photos are uploaded (183 so far, but more to come tomorrow!).

Lenten Sermon 2/24/10

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:28:00 +0000

Lenten Sermon 2/24/10
The Word of the Lord Came to Jonah
Pastor Anthony Kobak

Sermon 2/21/10

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:07:00 +0000

Sermon 2/21/10
I believe in....
Pastor Anthony Kobak

Special Music
(in first video) Handbells "Rondo"
(in third video) "On Eagles Wings"

Trinity Lutheran School Alumni and Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:28:00 +0000

Trinity Lutheran School Alumni Association is on Facebook (click here). Yes, we're new, but growing (89 fans and counting!). We also have a site on Classmates.com.

Help us spread the word by becoming a fan of our Facebook page. PLEASE pass this on to your children or grandchildren that might have attended Trinity Lutheran School. You can check out our photo albums and see old photos of the school, see recent accomplishments of the current students, or information on the upcoming dinner auction.

We are also represented on the school's website under the alumni tab at www.t-lutheranschool.org.

PLEASE take a minute and fill out the request form for alumni (click here) on the school’s website and let us know where you are. You can submit the information online.

Our goal at this point is to reconnect with as many people as possible. After all, we have 156 years of alumnus out there! If you have an interest in helping develop the alumni association please contact me at jayne_schrader@t-lutheranschool.org.

Sermon 2/14/10

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:21:00 +0000

Sermon 2/14/10
Pastor Anthony Kobak

Tis Good, Lord, to be Here

Special Music - Onward Christian Soldiars

Special Music - Change my Heart, Oh God

Easter Pageant

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:18:00 +0000

The Hanover Ladies Aid is planning to attend the Easter Pageant at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Missouri, on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. We are planning to have dinner at Delmonico's prior to the pageant. If you would like to join us, please contact Donna Heuer to secure your free ticket.

LWML Prayer and Praise Service

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:17:00 +0000

The LWML Prayer and Praise Service will be at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, 1020, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

New Lutheran Study Bibles have Arrived!

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:15:00 +0000

The new Lutheran Study Bibles have arrived! If you have not picked up your Bible yet, please stop by the church office to get it. If you would like to get a copy and did not pre-order a copy, we have extra copies available for only $45 each (original price is $59.99).

Youth Lock-in

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:14:00 +0000

The Sr. High Youth Group is planning a lock-in on Friday, February 19, beginning at 6:00 p.m. until Saturday, February 20, 8:00 a.m.

What is Ash Wednesday?

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:17:00 +0000

Since the Middle Ages (7th century), Christians have observed Ash Wednesday (the seventh Wednesday before Easter) as the first day of Lent. It is so called from ancient practice of springling ashes upon the heads of penitent people after confessing their sins.

On this day, worshipers receive ashes on the forehead in the sign of the cross as a reminder of their sorrow for their sins. The ashes are often made by burning palm branches left over from the previous year's Palm Sunday. The ashes are mixed with oil to form a paste.

As Pastor says "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," we are reminded that we are but dust. The mark on the forehead is a mark of repentance.

"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:19

Before you come forth for the imposition of ashes, take a serious check of your heart. Pray to God and ask forgiveness of your sins and repent of them. Repentance is the turning away from your sins. Make a commitment to God to try your hardest to refrain from those bad habits and sins that you are often under temptation.

(Job 42:106) Then Job replied to the Lord: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,things too wonderful for me to know. You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you,and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season as we prepare for the joy of Easter. Our sins condemn us for all eternity, in our humanity which is returned to dust, but our faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross saves us from those sins for all eternity. Do you believe in what Jesus has done for you?

The Work of His Hands

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:54:00 +0000

Astronaut Jeff Williams, an LCMS member, will be featured on the CBS Evening News tonight (February 15, 2010) in its “Everyone Has a Story’’ series with correspondent Steve Hartman. Williams is currently serving as commander aboard the International Space Station. He is scheduled to return to Earth in March. You can pre-order his book, “The Work of His Hands,’’ from Concordia Publishing House.

What is Mardi Gras?

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:33:00 +0000

The day before Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove Tuesday. The French call it Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") and the Germons call it Fasching (Carnival). This day is celebrated with feasting and originated as a custom to use up all household fats prior to the 40 days of Lenten fasting.

Shrovetide (shrove) is recognized the week prior to Lent during which one obtains absolution of sins by confession and penance. Pope Gregory XIII declared it a holiday in 1582 indicating that "all the debauchery would be finished when it came time to fat and pray." (reference)

Lent is not a time of fasting or of giving up certain sins. If a thing (ie. gluttony and drunkenness) is wrong on any other day of the year, it is also wrong on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Confession of sins and repentance (turning from one's sins) should be daily recognized.

However, if giving up something for Lent brings you closer to God, then do it, but let it be between you and God, not something that is done to be seen by men. Giving up something for Lent should put the focus on God, not on a person's efforts.

In Matthew 6, we read Jesus's words to the Pharisees (See also Luke 18:9-14 and Luke 5:33-39) regarding fasting:

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites[Pharisees] do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:16)

Jesus fasted: Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:1-4)

Fasting should not be utilized as a way to get God to answer prayers, but rather as a way to direct your attention to God and His purposes. Fasting is a time to feed the spirit, not the flesh. Are you hungry for God's Word? What other means might you feast upon God's Word?

Read more about fasting at LCMS.org.

Kieschnick Gives Update on LCMS Efforts in Haiti

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:58:00 +0000

Video- Kieschnick Gives Update on LCMS Efforts in Haiti

Vicarage Assignment

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:58:00 +0000

A Special Meeting of the Voters' Assembly will be held on Sunday, February 21, at 11:00 a.m. immediately following the 10 o'clock church service. The item of business for consideration is whether Hanover will apply for a vicarage assignment for 2010-2011.

The application to be considered would be for a vicar assigned solely to Hanover.

Hanover is to take careful consideration of an application for vicarage since Pastor Kobak is in his first year of pastorage (having previously been our vicar here) and, therefore, discretion may be taken by the seminary in assigning a vicar to Hanover at this time.

It is Hanover's sincere desire to apply for a vicarage; however, there is a possibility that the seminary will not assign a vicar to Hanover should application be made as a sole vicarage, rather than jointly with another congregation.

We move forward in prayer.

Sausage Supper

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:30:00 +0000

It will be here before we know it…
Sunday, March 7
3:30 pm

February's Hymn Spotlight

noreply@blogger.com (Your Writer) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:28:00 +0000

Go Tell It

This month’s hymn to reflect on is "Go Tell It on the Mountain". It is an African-American
spiritual compiled by John W. Work II dating back to at least 1865 that is found in both the Lutheran Worship hymnal page 504 and the Lutheran Service Book page 388. It is considered a
Christmas carol because its original lyric celebrates the Nativity of Jesus: "Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born." May we never forget God’s first coming to earth and to share the news with everyone.

Refrain
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.

Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth.

Refrain

Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn