THE PARISH NEWS

November,  2003                                           Volume 8, No. 10

 

FROM THE PASTOR

 

Thanks Living

 

    Before the days of state welfare and social security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc., a wealthy man gave a poor family the money they needed for an operation to save the life of one of their children.  The recipients were very grateful and told the man,  “We’ll tell him about his benefactor, and he’ll thank you all the days of his life.”   But the man replied, “Nonsense!  You don’t thank the clouds for the rain.  Teach him to thank God!”

    Teach your child to thank God; teach your child how to live with a grateful heart.  Some parents and families make it a point to teach their children to say “thank you” when they receive a gift.  It’s nice when you hear that from children, or even get some kind of a thank you card in the mail.  Yet, it seems to have become more common that both children and adults will say nothing in response to a gift given or a service rendered.  Oftentimes clerks at the counter of a business don’t even offer a word of thanks for your business.

    Have we replaced an attitude of gratitude with that mindset that says “I’m entitled to this?”  Some people speak of this – that we have become a generation, a society of takers rather than givers.  We talk of entitlements, and of what is “rightfully” mine.  We speak of what is owed us, whether from the government treasuries or from businesses, or from the schools, or even from the church, or even being so bold as to say, “GOD owes me this!”

    The famous writer and poet, Oliver Wendell Homes, writes this:  “If anyone should give me a dish of sand and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes and search for them with my clumsy fingers, and be unable to find them.  But let me take a magnet and sweep through it, and how it would draw to itself the most invisible particles by the sheer power of attraction.  The unthankful heart, like my fingers in the sand, discovers no blessings; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find in every hour some blessings, only the iron in GOD’S hand is gold.”

    Here’s wishing you and yours a most blessed time of Thanksgiving.  With an attitude of gratitude, may you be blessed to see all that God’s gracious hand has placed before you, and that it truly is golden.

 

PASTOR JOHN 

END TIMES

 

    November includes the final days of our church calendar season.  As such, it is a time when, through the Sunday scripture lessons, the church gives focus to end-times.  Such texts seem to go hand-in-hand with what is going in nature in our Northern Hemisphere.  It is “end time” for grass, flowers, trees and crops.  It is a time for harvest, and so we hear about the harvest of souls.  God has made plans for a time of reaping.

    The last day of October and the first day of November sets this up for us.  October 31st is “Hallowed Eve.”  We know it better as “Halloween.”  It is the eve of All Saints Day in the church.  In the early Middle Ages, the Church adapted some practices of the cultures who were being converted from their pagan religions to Christianity.  They had some Fall-Winter rituals that focused on matters of death and dying.  It was a time when people believed more acutely in demons, ghosts, monsters, and evil spirits.  Thus, on the eve before All Saints Day, people believed that these “death spirits” were out to get and capture people and take them away into their underworld.  And so, people would paint their faces white and put on old, raggedy clothes and pretend that they were already dead, so that those evil death spirits would leave them alone.  People would gather into the churches to pray and to “hide” in the “Light of Christ,” for protection from death.  They would pray for the saints to protect them.  If they made it through that very scary night, they would come to church again on that All Saints Day to give thanks to God for the saints and to remember loved ones whom God in Christ had saved from the clutches of the evil one, and given them the light and eternity of heaven.

    This is a time to remember that Christ is the Lord of life, and has won the victory over death.  St. Paul is eloquent in I Corinthians 15 about death as the final enemy.  At the same time, of course, death is a present reality and must be seen, to some extent, as a good part of God’s creation.  Death feeds further life, as Jesus alluded to in his teaching:  “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”  (Jn. 12:24)  What’s more, if death, though still with us, has lost its sting, its ultimate authority, then St. Francis of Assisi was right in addressing it as “sister”, like us a servant of God.  Death ushers most of us into the heavenly presence of God, and so it is that most saints are commemorated, not on their birth day, but on their death day. 

    And so this month of November begins with All Saints Day and All Saints Sunday, and leads us into a remembrance of those well- known and little known people who have died in the faith.  And then, at the close of the month, we gather together to give our worship and praise to Christ the King, He who is Lord over life and death and creation and church and angels and devils.  We celebrate that Christ, who died and who is risen, will come again to gather his kingdom to himself and deliver it to God.  Then we, together with all who have died, will be reunited in eternal life.  Thanks be to God!

 

OPPORTUNITIES  FOR  HOLY COMMUNION

 

November 2 – All Saints Sunday

November 23 – Christ the King Sunday

 

WOULD YOUR COLLEGE STUDENT LIKE TO RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTER?

 

    If you would like your college student to receive the monthly newsletter from Trondhjem and Hayward Lutheran, you may send us their address by e-mail (hlc@smig.net),  put it in the Pastor/Secretary mailbox in the narthex or call the church office (373-8479).

 

THRIVENT FRATERNAL – YOUR VERY IMPORTANT VOTE

 

   On Sunday, November 2nd, during the coffee hour at both Trondhjem and Hayward churches, Thrivent members are asked to come and cast a very crucial and important ballot for elected positions in this valuable fraternal organization.  In fact, this vote is so important and crucial, that if Thrivent doesn’t get a good turnout of members voting this year, it could put in jeopardy its long-standing federal and state tax exemption as a fraternal insurance company.  If that happens, congregations and communities around the nation will forfeit all the many benefits they enjoy for gaining matching funds from Thrivent for important and needed projects.

    If you or a family member has a Thrivent financial product, either insurance or investment, then you are considered a voting member in our church and county chapter, and your vote is very essential.  Sunday, November 2nd, will be a day to vote for the county chapter leadership and also to vote for those you wish to see in place on the Thrivent company Board of Directors.  If you have received the recent Thrivent Magazine for September, there is a pullout section that lists the candidates for the national Board and something about each of them.  We will have copies of these available at both churches ahead of time so that you can make an informed decision for

when you come to vote.  If you are wondering if you are an eligible voter, we can also help you with that.

   Don’t forget – Sunday, November 2nd, during the morning coffee hour.

 

OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED FOR GOOD EARTH VILLAGE

 

    On Sunday, November 30, the loose offering will be designated for the “Connecting with the Spirit”  Fund Raising Campaign for Good Earth Village.  Your generosity will be much appreciated.

 

 

THE PARISH CHOIR WILL SING FOR THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE

 

    The Parish Choir will sing for the Thanksgiving Service at Trondhjem Lutheran on Wednesday, November 26 at 7:30 p.m.  

    Come and join us!!  The Trondhjem  choir will have an opportunity to practice at 8:30 a.m. Sunday mornings on November 9 and November 16.   The Hayward Choir will practice at 11:30 a.m. Sunday mornings on November 2, 9, 16  and 23.

    On  Sunday evening, November 23, we will have a joint choir practice at 6:30 p.m.  The location has not yet been determined.

COME AND JOIN US!!.

 

TRONDHJEM NEWS

 

TRONDHJEM

NOVEMBER  ASSIGNMENTS

 

Altar Guild

            Linda Kraushaar

Coffee Servers

            November 2 – Ed & Barb Prantner

            November 9 – Dale & Elaine Lukes

            November 16 – Kiven & Cheryl Lukes

            November 26 (Thanksgiving) – WELCA, Elna

                        Severtson, Hostess

            November 30 – Dick & Shirley Kraushaar               

Communion Assistant                           

            Kiven Lukes

 

NOVEMBER  ACOLYTE/USHER

ASSIGNMENTS

 

November 2    Sean Kraushaar & Andrew Reese

November 9    Kyle Thompson & Daniel Jax

November 16  Zach Kestner & Matt Reese

November 23  Daniel Jax & Brad Thompson

November 26 (Thanksgiving Service)

                        Jessica Naatz & Megan Thompson

November 30  Scott Kraushaar & Cameron Kolbe

 

TRONDHJEM  BIRTHDAYS

 

November 6    Kiven Lukes

November 7    Doug Thompson

November 8    Debra Brekke 

November 13  Mark Severtson

November 14  Emily Cech

November 17  Arlyn Krause

November 18  Steve Reese

November 21  John Lukes

November 26  Cheryl Lukes

November 27  Clifford Kermes

November 28  Brian Kraushaar

November 30  Dale Lukes

 

TRONDHJEM  ANNIVERSARIES

 

November 29  Arlene & Don Chapek

 

ATTENTION TRONDHJEM LADIES!!

 

Remember your monetary donation for our special Fall Project.  Our offerings will be used for window coverings for the basement.  We ask that each member give their contribution by November 1.  Also, a reminder that on November 20, at our regular meeting, we will receive your Thank Offering. – Betty Krause, President

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU To all who helped with the clean-up work outside at Trondhjem.  It looks great!!

 

 

HAYWARD NEWS

 

 MISSION STATEMENT

    We the people of Hayward Lutheran Church confess the Triune God, and strive to follow the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.

 

VISION STATEMENT

   As a community of faith in Jesus Christ, we will demonstrate care and compassion for one another and also to a world in much need.  God’s Word and the Holy Sacraments are central to our life of faith.  As we grow and are nourished by these, we will bring the good news of God’s forgiveness, life and salvation to those around us.

 

NOVEMBER   ASSIGNMENTS

 

Altar Guild

            Cammie Tennis & Barb Miller

 

Coffee Servers

    November 2 – Vicki & Mike Larson/DeeAnn & Harold Kuchera

    November 9 – Dave Westland/Min & Paul Westland

    November 16 – Barb & Paul Miller/Sue & Jim Hoiseth

    November 23 - Colleen & Bruce Lein/Bev & Vern Lunde

    November 30 – Janet & Keith Iverson/Sandy Ruble

 

    Ushers    

   *Darrell, Vicki & Vanessa Storlie

       Jerry & Bev Noland

        Bob & Cindy Armon

        Bruce & Colleen Lein

 

Communion and Offering Duty

    Vickie Storlie

    Bob Armon

           

 NOVEMBER ACOLYTE/USHER SCHEDULE

 

November 2         Zoe Hill & Samantha Anderson

November 9         Cecilia Hill & Josselyn Hill

November 16      Julie Erickson & Lacy Wright

November 23      Louis Tufte & Hunter Gilby

November 30      Chelsea Hill & Caylee Tennis

HAYWARD BIRTHDAYS

 

November 1    Dawn Nelson

November 4    Darcy Schroeder

November 5    Heather VandeKamp

November 6    Kasie Habana

November 7    Eugene Flusek

                        Rebecca Skaar

November 8    H.C. Nelson

November 13  Graden Hanson

November 15  Doran Gray     

November 15  Virginia VandeKamp

November 16  Helmer Brandt

                        Faye Learn

November 18  Tate Tufte

November 19  Brie Matson

November 21  Kadie Habana

November 22  Helen Dockwell

November 26  Bruce Jensen

                        Karin Shelton

November 27  Merle Anderson

November 28  Nancy Skaar

 

HAYWARD ANNIVERSARIES

 

November 1    Curtis Sr. & Lucille Larson

November 24  Keith & Janet Iverson

 

ALTAR GUILD

NEWS

ALTAR FLOWERS

    Fresh flowers for the altar are a beautiful addition to our worship service.  If you wish to furnish flowers, all you need to do is call the Altar Guild president, Diane Ladlie, 256-7514.  The Guild will purchase and display the flowers for you, and if you wish, will put an acknowledgement in the Sunday bulletin.  Cost of the flowers is usually about $15.  Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

 

HAYWARD MEMORIALS

 

LIFT FUND

            In memory of LaVonne Stieler

 

KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED

 

Paul Olson at Naeve in Albert Lea

 

 

HAYWARD LUTHERAN – 2003

Where We Are

            End of Month   End of Month     Variance       

            Budget Goal     Actual

Jan.      $8,455                        $8,186                        -$268

Feb.     $16,910          $13.296          -$3,613

March  $25,366           $19,770           -$5,595

April     $33,821           $28,535           -$5,286

May     $42,277           $34,009           -$8,268

June    $50,732           $45,001           -$5,731

July      $59,187           $50,247           -$8,940

Aug.     $67,643           $56,483           -$11,160

Sept.   $76,098           $63,160           -$12,938

Oct.     $84,553           $72,167            -$12,386

 

 

ABOVE AND BEYOND

 

    Your Congregation Council continues to express much thanks to you for the gifts you have given this year for the various ministries and programs we seek to support.  At the same time, we continue to express our concern for the welfare of the General Fund.  In order to make ends meet, we continue to borrow significantly from the Building Fund in order to keep bills paid through the General Fund.  This means that our giving to the General Fund needs to be significantly improved as we head into the final two months of our fiscal year.

    Whenever a congregation enters into the kind of building program that we have undertaken during this last year, the General Fund always seems to suffer.  It is because we forget that, in our case, our giving to the Elevator or Handicapped Lift Fund needs to be “above and beyond” our regular giving to the General Fund, and not in place of it.

    Because of that pattern of giving, we now have to ask one another to give “above and beyond” to the General Fund, so that this fund, along with the Building Fund, are not “handicapped” going into the future.

    Please take these thoughts and concerns to heart as you consider your giving to your church in these next two months.  Thank you.

                            Your Congregation Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU , SUE!!!

    As we close out October, the Congregation Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Sue Skaar for being the Treasurer the past few years.  As many church members know, this position not only requires active participation at the Council meetings, but also requires weekly and sometimes daily reviewing of bills and deposits of the church funds.  So again, thanks for keeping the “books straight”, asking good questions and committing the time.

    P.S.  What we will probably miss most, though, is seeing Shayna at the meetings.

                                Congregation Council

 

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU!!

 

I want to thank everyone for the cards, gifts, visits and food while I was at St. Johns.  I also want to thank all the nurses – especially Judy Nishimura and Karen Nyhenhuis.  God bless you all!

                Love,

                Sylvia Kycek

 

 

REMEMBER- - - -

 

- - -your gifts to the Marie Sandvik Christmas Shoe Boxes.  Our trunk in the narthex is filling up.  Thank you for that.  We have until November 30 to bring in more gifts, paper and shoe boxes.  There is a list located by the trunk informing us of the needs.  Thank you for your generosity.

 

FOR ALL THE SAINTS……..

 

HAYWARD LUTHERAN

                Olive  R. Westrum

                                Born:  October 29, 1905

                                Died: January 6, 2003

                Melvin Albert Wacholz

                                Born: November 3, l922

                                Died: January 22, 2003

                LaVonne Louise Stieler   (NM)

                                Born: December 14, 1955

                                Died: August 9, 2003

TRONDHJEM LUTHERAN

                Ethyl Moen

                                Born: February 22, l908

                                Died: December 8, 2002

                Marie Pondelicek Belshan

                                Born: July 12, l913

                                Died: May 27, 2003

               

 

 

FOR SALE

The following items will be for sale on November 2 or in the church office: 

    3  Size 10-12 Children’s T-Shirts                 $2.00

    6 Size Large Adult T-Shirts                            $3.00

    4 Size Large Adult Sweatshirts                     $5.00

    Brass and Pewter Ornaments                      $4.00

    Cookbooks                                                       $10.00

    Picture Directory                                              $2.00

    Anniversary Books                                           Free

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENTION HAYWARD WELCA LADIES

 

The Hayward WELCA will not meet on November 5th as previously scheduled.  Their meeting will be on November 19th at 2 p.m.

 

On Sunday, November 9th there will be a WELCA Thank Offering Service as a part of the morning Worship Service.  Bring your Thank offering boxes or envelopes to place in a special box as a part of the service.

 

REMEMBER – All confirmed women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America are Evangelical Lutheran Church Women and, therefore, a member of the Hayward WELCA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAYWARD CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEETING

Sunday, October 26, 2003 – 11:55 a.m.

 

    Present:  Steve Tufte, Bob Armon, Randy Eggum, Sonja Johnson, Jean Skaar, Pastor Malm, Sue Skaar.  Absent:  Vickie Storlie.

    Steve Tufte presided over the meeting.

    The agenda was discussed and approved.

    Secretary’s Minutes:

Sonja Johnson made a motion to accept the report as printed from the September 21, 2003 meeting.  Randy Eggum seconded the motion.  Motion carried.   

     Treasurer’s Report:   Sue Skaar presented her final Treasurer’s Report.

    Bob Armon moved to accept the Treasurer’s report with a special thanks to Sue for all her work.  Sonja Johnson seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

    ITEMS TO CONSIDER:

A.       Calendar:

1.       FORUM HOUR:  ELCA Studies in Sexuality – Part II, continues until Thanksgiving time.  We have four sessions remaining.

2.       Synod Theological Conference begins Sunday evening, Nov. 2nd through Nov. 4th, at LaCrosse, under the theme “Please…Show us Jesus.”

3.       Parish Thanksgiving Service at Trondhjem on Wednesday, Nov. 26th, 7:30 p.m.  A Parish Choir will sing.

4.       Next Council meeting after worship on Sunday, November 16th.

5.       Pastor, Steve T. and Obert H. will meet on Monday, December 15th, 5:00 p.m. to work on Parish Budget items.

6.       Joint Council at Trondhjem on Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00 p.m. to set both Parish budget items and congregational budgets. 

B.       Building Projects, Etc.:

1.       Ceiling tile remains to be replaced and then whole area ceiling probably painted.

2.       Cross wall in chancel area has been repapered and looks nice.

3.       Report remains to come at next meeting regarding Social Hall roof.

4.       Area direction signs ordered and up.

5.       Restroom project: Dick Hanson reported to the Council that he and Vernon Lunde will remove the tile in the basement bathrooms.  WELCA plans to put ceramic tile in the Men’s restroom.

6.       Dick Hanson reported the church needs a new 12 foot stepladder.  He will look into this.  Dick will also be gone Nov. 17th – Dec. 4th.

C.      Kim Portz Invoice:

Haven’t heard any response as yet.  If there isn’t one by the end of the year, we will consider the matter closed.

D.      Telephone Answering System and Fax Machine:

1.       The telephone lines had been cut and are now repaired.

2.       Bob Armon has a 2-year=old fax answering machine that he will sell to the church at ½ price.  Randy Eggum made a motion that we purchase the machine from Bob for $72.50.  Jean Skaar seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

3.       It was suggested that Sharon check with Freeborn Mower Co-Op for a cheaper long distance carrier.

        E.  Letter from  LSS:

                The Council opted to not give out the names and addresses of members to Lutheran Social Service.  This coincides with the action taken by the Trondhjem Council.  Pastor will write a letter regarding this to LSS.

E.       Advent Men’s Breakfast Series:

The Council approved Pastor Malm’s plan to proceed with holding a series of Parish Advent Men’s breakfast meetings.  Format would be to meet at the Hayward Social Hall at 6:45 a.m. for a pancake breakfast ($3.00 donation).  At about 7:10, have a simple devotional – hymn, scripture, talk – and be done by 7:30-7:40 a.m.  Those who don’t have to be to work can linger for more coffee and conversation.  Dates would be December 2, 9, 15 and 23.

 

The next  Council meeting will be Sunday, November 16th, following the church  service.

 

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Skaar, Sec. Pro-Tem

 

 

 

 

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO BE A PART OF THE LIVE NATIVITY!!

   

    Volunteers are needed to be a part of the Live Nativity for the Christmas celebration in Hayward this coming holiday season.  Adults and youth are needed to portray the parts for the Nativity.  If you or someone you know would be willing to volunteer, please CALL BEV NOLAND AT 373-1986 BY NOVEMBER 11.

 

                        Thank you!

 

GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER IS ASKING FOR OUR HELP

 

        Good Samaritan would like to give an additional gift to each of the residents.  Your past donations have given the residents a feeling of belonging to the community. 

    The Activity Department  would like to give the residents a special gift from you.  If you would like to participate in the program, please send a cash donation and a card with your name or your group’s name will be attached to the gift.  If you prefer to send a check, please make the check out to “Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center” with the notation for Resident Christmas gifts and mail it to: 

                Attention:  Theresa Thorland, Activity Director

                Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center

                75507 – 240th Street

                Albert Lea, MN  56007

    If you are interested in helping, please send your donation be December 2.   Thank you!!

 

 

ATTENTION STUDENTS IN GRADES 8-12

 

LUTHERAN SUMMER MUSIC  ACADEMY AND FESTIVAL

 JUNE 20-JULY 18, 2004

 

    The Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival will be held at Luther College, Decorah, IA June 20 – July 18.  This Festival includes intensive music study for students in Grades 8-12.  Generous financial aid is available for all qualified students.  You will find musical excellence in a caring, Christian environment.  Applications are now being accepted for the summer of 2004. 

    If you are interested in attending the Festival and would like more information, you make pick up an Information Reply Card in the church office.

PUTTING A FACE ON FARMING

 

    The Synod Rural Life Team invites you to take part in a special meal and informal discussion event on Thursday evening, November 6th – 6 to 8 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie.

    The team is asking you to join with your neighbors and ponder with them these questions:

-          How can a person who wants to farm as their chosen vocation do so?

-          What are the costs involved in farming – not only $ costs, but also of time, anxiety, stewardship of land, etc.?

-          To what extent is the church’s role to try and change the system in which farmers struggle?

-          To what extent is the church’s role to help farmers discover new options for doing what they love?

    At the core of all agricultural issues, whether farm or agribusiness, are people.  On every side of an issue, people are affected.  Lives of people are improved or lives are hurt.  This is why a healthy discussion about farming is so important to churches in our synod.

    Thus, you are invited to gather with your neighbors on Thursday night and have some discussion in and around these issues.

    If you are interested in attending, there is a cost of $5 for the meal, and we need to make reservations.  Please let Pr. Malm know by NOVEMBER 2 if you would like to attend.  Need a ride?  We’ll work it out.

 

 

 

 

THORNCREST HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND LUNCHEON

 

      Join us on Saturday, November 8th for our Holiday Bazaar and Sloppy Joe Luncheon at Thorncrest Retirement Community, 1201 Garfield Ave. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

 

 

 

ALBERT LEA AREA YOUTH CHOIR

 

    Come and hear the Albert Lea Area Youth Choir lift their voice in song at their Benefit Concert and Silent Auction on November 2, 2003 at 3 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, Albert Lea.  LOGAN AND TATE TUFTE, sons of Steve and Kaye Tufte, are members of this choir.  The benefit is to raise funds for a tour that they will be taking in January.

 

 

 

THANK YOU!!!

 

   There was a school with a class of students that no teacher had been able to handle.  Two or three teachers had been run off from this school in one year by the unruly students.  A young man, just out of college, heard about the class and applied to the school.

   The principal asked the young man, “Do you know what you are asking for?  No one else has been able to handle these students.  You are just asking for a terrible beating.  After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said, “Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge.  Just give me a trial basis.”

   The next morning the young man stood before the class.  He said to the class, “Young people, I came here today to conduct school.  But I realize I can’t do it by myself.  I must have your help.

   “On big boy, they called Big Tom, in the back of the room whispered to his buddies, “I won’t need any help.  I can lick that little bird all by myself.”

   The young teacher told the class that if they were to have school, there would have to be some rules to go by.  But he also added that he would allow the students to make up the rules and that he would list them on the blackboard.  This was certainly different, the students thought!

   One young man suggested “NO STEALING.”  Another one shouted “BE ON TIME FOR CLASS.”  Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board.  The teacher then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rules.  “Rules are no good unless they are enforced”, he said.  Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off.  The teacher thought that this was pretty harsh, so he asked the class if they would stand by this punishment.  The class agreed.

   Everything went along pretty good for two or three days.  Then Big Tom came in one day very upset.  He declared that someone had stolen his lunch.  After talking with the students, they came to the conclusion that little Timmy had stolen Big Tom’s lunch.  Someone had seen little Timmy with Big Tom’s lunch!

   The teacher called little Timmy up to the front of the room. Little Timmy admitted he had taken Big Tom’s lunch.  So the teacher asked him, “Do you know the punishment? “  Little Timmy nodded that he did.  “You must remove your coat,” the teacher said.

   The little fellow had come with a great big coat on.  Little Timmy said to the teacher, “I am guilty and I am willing to take my punishment, but please don’t make me take off my coat.  The teacher reminded little Timmy of the rules and punishments and again told him he must remove his coat and take his punishment like a man.

   The little fellow started to unbutton that old coat.  As he did so, the teacher saw he did not have a shirt on under the coat.  And even worse, he saw a frail and bony frame hidden beneath that coat.  The teacher asked little Timmy why he had come to school without a shirt on.  Little Timmy replied, “My daddy’s dead and my mother is very poor.  I don’t have but one shirt , and my mother is washing it today.  I wore my big brother’s coat so that I could keep warm.”

   That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back with the spine protruding against the skin, and his ribs sticking out.  He wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back and without even a shirt on.  Still, he knew he must enforce the punishment or the children would not obey the rules.  So he drew back to strike little Timmy.

   Just then Big Tom stood up and came down the aisle.  He asked, “Is there anything that says that I can’t take little Timmy’s whipping for him?”  The teacher thought about it and agreed.  With that Big Tom ripped his coat off and stooped and stood over little Timmy at the desk.  Hesitatingly the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back.  But for some strange reason after only five licks that old rod just broke in half.

   The young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob.  He heard a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the room.  Little Timmy had turned and grabbed Big Tom around the neck apologizing to him for stealinghis lunch.  Little Timmy begged Big Tom to forgive him.  He told Big Tom that he would love him till the day he died for taking his whipping for him.

   Aren’t you glad that Jesus took our whipping for us?  That He shed His precious blood on Calvary so that you and I can have eternal life in Glory with Him”

  We are unworthy of the price He paid for us, but aren’t you glad He loves us that much?

 

THANK YOU!!

 

 

 

 

 

PARISH NEWS DEADLINE                   

 The deadline for turning in articles and calendar information for the Parish News is the 20th of each month.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

ADDRESS CHANGE?  If you or someone you know has had a change of address or phone number within this past year, please inform the Church Office as soon as possible.  Thank you for your help!

 

 

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