Dear Family and Friends of St



For All The Saints

The Epistle of St. Paul Lutheran Church, The Grove, Texas

June 2016

Dear Fellow Redeemed:

This month we consider the fact that the giving Christian gives gracefully. The apostle Paul asks in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all-how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

Everything we have - everything - is a gift from God. I can't think of anything that I have in my life, big or small, no matter what it is, and tell you truthfully that I earned it or deserve it. The house my family lives in, the cars we drive, the clothes I wear, the food I eat, the money in our bank account - whatever it is, without exception, I have because God graciously gave it to me. He does the same for you as He gives graciously.

So, when it comes down to how I am going to give, I look first to how my Heavenly Father constantly deals with me. I see that He gives graciously, and I know that He would have me give graciously too. Graceful giving draws no attention to itself, but directs attention to God. Graceful giving seeks to glorify God, not to better one's bottom line.

That my friends is how the giving Christian gives gracefully. Next month we will consider how the giving Christian gives proportionately.

In HIS service and yours,

Pastor Heckmann

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Mission Plant 2016

Reaching the 190 Corridor with the Good News of Jesus Christ

Here is the latest.

• You can continue to pray for the Parenting Team as we take the next steps in the Third Phase of this incredible opportunity from God. If you would like to pray for this team by name, they are: Alexander Ball, James and Janet Bilberry, Liz Giertz, Terry Hickman, Nick and Cassi Kohel, Pastor Mengsteab, Pastor Green, Pastor Heckmann.

• The latest update is that we have learned from friends and family of a couple of possible church planters. The names need to be run through our Texas District Officials. We will get information on these pastors and your Parenting Team will get to work. After the Texas District assesses them in their ability to be a Church Planter, we will call them and ask if they are open to considering a Call right now. We do this in case there are circumstances that would keep them from considering a Call at this time. (Things like they still have a year to go in a study program and can’t leave, etc.) After we have narrowed the list down that way, we will gather to pray about and decide who the Lord is leading us to Call. We will then issue them a Call and await their reply.

• In regard to a place for this new church. We had the opportunity to ride around for a couple of hours with one of the leading developers in the Killeen/Harker Heights area a few weeks ago. She showed us potential sites for a church plant. She put us in touch with a lady who may be able to sell us some land, not at the going rate of 4 dollars a square foot, but maybe for a price closer to what she sold some land to the local school district. (If you are doing the math, $4.00 a square foot comes out to about $175,000 an acre. The school district was able to purchase the land for $31,000 an acre.) I was praying first that she might see her way to give us 10 acres or so, and if not, to sell it to us at the $30,000 price. None of that panned out for her son and daughter said they wanted to put all of the land they have into homes, and interestingly enough, to build a day care on that very corner.

• It would have been a wonderful place, in my mind, to plant. Thousands of new homes are ready to be built and thousands of new homes (less than three years old) have been built in that area. My dream was to start with a daycare there, then a preschool or before and after school program for the students right next door in the school, to use the elementary school’s cafetorium to worship in as we got this started, to let them use our green space for their activities until we needed it, to be in partnership with the school to begin our outreach, BUT our Father said, this was not the time, or the place. Frustrating? YES!! For a time anyway. Now we continue seeking His will and direction.

• You can also begin and/or continue to give your gifts, over and above your usual gifts to your church family, to the Church Planting Fund. Our dream is to be able to plant this congregation without having to borrow any money from the Texas District and thus let this daughter congregation begin life without a mortgage around her neck.

We will try to keep you updated on how these steps are progressing as we press forward to the goal which I truly believe our Heavenly Father has laid before us.

SUNDAY MORNING SANCTUARY BIBLE CLASS

A Man Named Martin - Part 1: The Man

In this video based Bible study dealing with the Reformation, we are considering the 15th-century religious reformer from Germany who separated from the Roman Catholic Church. This Bible study is the first of a three-part series devoted to Martin Luther -- a monk whose Holy Spirit given and driven understanding of justification through faith in the Savior Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation.

This first part is five sessions long and each sessions examines a portion of Dr. Luther’s life and times. The video tapes contain input from some of the leading theologians of our time as they strive to give us a picture of this extraordinary human being and gift from God.

This is a very timely study as it deals with a man who is much like us and much like those who are a part of our lives. He was a man who knew the weight of his sin, feeling lost and desperate as he stood before, what he considered, a stern and demanding Judge. Luther had little hope in this life and even less hope that the life to come would be worth living. When His heavenly Father, working through the Holy Spirit opened Dr. Luther’s eyes to the truth of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, he knew that the message had to be shared with the world.

The studies we have left to consider in June deal with Martin Luther’s university studies, his decision to become a monk, his desire to reform the Catholic practices that were contrary to the Word of God, his writings, his life in hiding, and his roles as husband and father.

I encourage you to join us Sunday after Sunday as we continue our preparation for the celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.

SIX LITTLE STORIES WITH GREAT MEANINGS

{1} Once all villagers decided to pray for rain, on the day of prayer all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella.

That's FAITH

{2} When you throw a baby in the air, she laughs because she knows you will catch her.

That's TRUST

{3} Every night we go to bed, without any assurance of being alive the next morning but still we set the alarms to wake up.

That's HOPE

{4} We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future.

That's CONFIDENCE

{5} We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children.

That's LOVE

{6} On an old man's shirt was written a sentence 'I am not 90 years old,

I am sweet 16 with 74 years of experience.

That's ATTITUDE

FAMILY CELL GROUP

Come join our Family Cell Group as we will keep on meeting throughout the summer. We will kick off our summer study at the Bangsund/Winkler Pool on June 11, 2016. Families can start showing up at 4:00 p.m., and start to fellowship and swim. At 5:00 p.m., we will eat and start our study. Around 6:00 p.m., we will continue with our fellowship and swimming until 8:00 p.m. Don’t forget your towel and sunscreen. Also, there will be no lifeguard so we encourage the weak and non-swimmers to stay where they can safely touch. We strongly encourage all families with children from pre-school through high school to join us to listen and teach God’s Word in both serious conversations and fun activities. We will have small internal family discussions, large church family discussions, and activities and/or games. We will also provide some take home opportunities so you can continue to teach God’s Word to your children for the remainder of the month. If you have any questions please talk to Doug and Mellissa Boswell. If you plan on attending, please sign-up in the Narthex.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

SUNDAY MORNING MULTIPURPOSE ROOM BIBLE CLASS

The Multipurpose Room Bible Class is studying The Biblical Cloud as revealed in the Old and New Testaments from Genesis to Revelation. Upcoming Sundays: THE CLOUD OVER THE ARK OF THE COVENANT, THE CLOUD OF THE TRANSFIGURATION, THE CLOUD OF THE ASCENSION AND THE CLOUD OF JUDGEMENT DAY. The study brings to life the Biblical Cloud in our personal faith and daily life. S/Dr. Sohns

YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY TOPIC

The Sunday Morning Young Adult Bible Study is studying the book entitled Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges.

“Have Christians become so preoccupied with the major sins of our society that we have lost sight of our need to deal with our own more subtle sins? Jerry Bridges returns to his trademark theme of holiness and addresses a dozen clusters of specific ‘acceptable’ sins that we tend to tolerate in ourselves—such as jealousy, anger, pride, unthankfulness and judgmentalism…In his admonitions, Bridges offers a message of hope in the profound mercy of the gospel and the transforming grace of God as the means to overcome our subtle sins.”

Funding the Building Expansion

By: Dr. Sohns

| | | | | | |LOAN TOTAL |

| | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

| | | | | | |$276,376.23 |

| | | | | | | |

| | | | | | |$143,303.51 |

| | | | | | | |

| | | | | | |$133,072.72 |

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |AS OF |5/22/2016 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |YOUR LOVE IS SHOWING! YOUR SACRIFICIAL LOVE IS SHOWING! YOUR COMMITMENT IS SHOWING! CHRIST’S LOVE FOR YOU IS SHOWING! Our Building Fund offerings from April 24th to May 22nd were $ 5,194.

❖ One year after the execution of a loan with the Texas District Church Extension Fund (The dedication of our expansion was on May 10, 2015), our loan balance is now $133,072.72.

❖ YOUR LACK OF WEARINESS IS ALSO SHOWING! Here is God’s Word of encouragement to us:

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Through Christ, who did not grow weary in his task to redeem us, will keep empowering us to complete our task.

❖ We are seeking to complete this task by the end of 2017, the year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the building of our church sanctuary (1917). 2017 is also the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. WHAT A PACKED FULL CELEBRATION IN 2017!

Nearly every kitchen has a pantry. And we have a new

and more efficient kitchen pantry in our FAC kitchen –

another blessing of our building expansion. The

Fellowship Committee pictured in the “new” pantry is:

Darlene and Alton Riske, chairman, Cindy Bond and

Janell Winkler. Committee member not pictured:

Terri Dow.

S/Dr. Will Sohns

Sign up for our free weekly eNewsletters hereSunday School News

By Betty Tatge

June Birthdays June Baptism Birthdays

Arieanna Reigle 4th Brock Winkler 1st

Alyra McNeill 7th Alexzander Whisenant 20th

Madilyn Alsup 10th

Paige Falkenberg 18th

Kenna Richter 20th

Faith Vaculin 24th

Perfect Attendance

Shaylei Wrisk Brianna Boswell Brendan Wrisk

Grace Smith Ashley Rainer Kyndall Houchin

Daniel Sharp Alaynah Wrisk Amber Boswell

Kinsley Wrisk Nathan Michalk Abbey Kohel

K W Hyde

Offering

This month we join with VBS to support Tin Roofs for Africa. Many rural churches in Africa are built by members using locally found materials. Metal sheets of tin are best for the roofs but are financially beyond the reach of church members. With our help a roof can be added that will keep out the rain and hot sun as people who are eager to learn about their Savior, Jesus, fill their churches.

Upcoming Events

Vacation Bible School – Barnyard Roundup – June 13th – 17th

Doughnuts With Dad – June 19th at 8:30 a.m.

Children, Dads, and Grandads are invited to join us in the Multipurpose Room for a light breakfast and fellowship. Then stay for a special Bible class led by Dr. Sohns.

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By: Staci Geiger

June Mission Project

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 3rd Annual Ladies Tea! We had a fabulous time being your hostesses, and we hope you are able to join us next year! To learn more about LWML and to read our mission statement, please go to . Our goal is to “assist each woman…in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world.” Our primary focus is to “help every woman find personal opportunities in her daily life and in her congregation to be nurtured in her faith in Jesus Christ and to discover her unique gifts and value in God’s family.”

Our June mission project will be to collect in-gathering items for the June 2016 Texas District LWML Convention in Lubbock, Texas. If you are attending the convention, you will bring your items with you when you go. If you are unable to attend the convention, give your items to someone who is going. You can collect any of the following items.

The Stockings Project:

- New or previously used Christmas cards

- Glitter glue

Neighborhood House Hygiene Kits

- Shampoo

- any size Deodorant

- unisex type Toothpaste and/or Toothbrush

- Disposable razors

- Lotion

- Toilet paper

- Laundry detergent (powdered or pods)

Lutheran World Relief

For constructing blankets:

- Fleece material, 58” - 59” wide x 80” long (nothing with US flag, patriotic or military symbols, references to the armed forces including camouflage, or religious symbols/messages)

For Personal Care kits:

- Bath-size towels, dark color

- 8 oz or 9 oz bars of soap in original wrapping

- Adult-size toothbrushes in original packaging (single or multi-packs)

- Sturdy combs

- Metal nail clippers – attached file is optional

Upcoming Events

June 21—LWML Bible study and business meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room.

The LWML ladies invite all ladies in our congregation to come join us for Bible Study and fellowship on the THIRD TUESDAY of each month.

LWML IS FOR EACH WOMAN OF THE LCMS...

WE ARE ALL WOMEN IN MISSION!!

C.L.A.S.S.I.C.S. Page

By: Mary Alsup

Pastor Heckmann continued our Bible Study on “Focus Lost, Focus Restored”. The study was centered on Jonah and John the Baptist. One of the first Bible stories you were taught as a child was the story of Jonah and how he was swallowed by a “whale”. The Bible does not say it was a whale but a large fish. God told Jonah to go to Ninevah but Jonah ran and tried to hide by getting on a boat headed for Tarshish. A storm arose and before the boat would sink Jonah told the sailors to throw him over because he had already told them he was running away from God. God sent a large fish to swallow Jonah and for three days Jonah could think about what he had done. God had the fish spew Jonah on dry land and he went to Ninevah. God gave Jonah the opportunity to restore his focus.

John the Baptist wondered if Jesus was really who he said he was. He too lost his focus but God gave him the opportunity and strength to witness until he was beheaded by Herod.

We too lose our focus by having doubts and fears and we start to question what God has in store for us. But through Jesus we can have the assurance that no matter what our situation in life, He is our Savior from sin, death and the devil.

We sang the Birthday Song for Pastor Heckmann, Deb Heckmann, Darlene Riske, and Janell Winkler. Happy Birthday to all of you and wishing all of you many more years filled with God’s Blessings!!!!!!

Our meal of steak tips over rice, sweet potato casserole, green beans and green salad was once again provided by Pastor and Deb. Betty Tatge, Cindy Bond and Lydia Winkler provided the desserts. The meal was delicious!!! Thank you from all of us who came and enjoyed.

Our next Bible Study will be on August 18, 2016. I challenge each of you to ask a friend to join us as we continue our study of “Focus Lost, Focus Restored”.

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Wednesday Evening

Bible Study

We will begin meeting again the first Wednesday of September, 7, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

Final Youth Gathering Payment

Final payment for the National Youth Gathering is due to Mary Thoe NO LATER THAN Father’s Day, June 19th.

Hosting Plainview Youth

We will host the LYF from St. Paul, Plainview on July 14th as they make their way to New Orleans. We will feed them, play games with them and have a lock in. All of our youth group members, whether you are going to the Gathering or not, are invited to join us and them as we get to know each other.

High School Perfect Sunday School Attendance

Holly Sohns Emily Thoe

To Ponder: Psalm 46:10 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

“Stop your fighting – and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” [pic][pic][pic][pic][pic]

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Upcoming events:

June 18th, Set up Father’s Day and Meeting at 9:00 a.m.

June 19th, Father’s Day Banquet

Menu: Hamburgers, Hot dogs, Chips, Baked beans, Fruit

June 19th, Final payment for National Youth Gathering is DUE

July 14th, Supper and game night with the youth group from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Plainview, Texas,

July 15th, Leaving at Noon for National Youth Gathering

July 20th, Returning from National Youth Gathering around 11:00 p.m.

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