OUR THREE PART 9-11 OBSERVANCE

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.  The small, country church of Saint John’s Lutheran (Wapakoneta, Ohio) will mark the anniversary with a three-part observance.

Pastor Long, of Saint John’s, designed an emblem for their three-part 9-11 Observance.
- The two columns are the World Trade Center towers
- The Pentagon appears in the center
- The four 4-point stars represent the four planes involved, and the stars are heaven bound, as were the victims.
- The design at the center of the pentagon represents the Mountain Laurel, which is the state flower of Pennsylvania, where passengers defeated terrorists’ efforts aboard flight 93

Saint John’s three-part 9-11 Observance consists of the 9-11 Challenge, the 9-11 Prayer Vigil, and the 9-11 Worship Service.

Pastor Long gave his congregation a 9-11 Challenge.  The challenge is for the congregation to collect 911 items of non-perishable food and hygiene supplies, for distribution.  Saint John’s urges help from the community in reaching this goal.  People can bring their items to the 10 am worship, or drop off their item at the church on Saturday, 10 September, between 11am and 2pm.

On Saturday, 10 September, from 11am through 2pm, Saint John’s will hold a 9-11 Prayer Vigil, at the church.  Further hours of the prayer vigil take place in congregants’ homes, to total seven hours of continual prayers.  The community is welcome to submit prayer requests via email to Pastor Long: rev.long@yahoo.com, for this prayer vigil that precedes their 9-11 Worship Service.

Saint John’s special 9-11 Sunday Worship Service will be on Sunday, 11 Sept, beginning at 10:00am.  This service will include a special hymn written especially for the 10th Anniversary; special prayers and readings; and display of the 9-11 Banner of Honor.

The 9-11 Banner of Honor, displays names of the nearly 3,000 who died, because of the attacks.  This includes victims in the planes; in the buildings; and rescue workers.

YOUR FAVORITE VERSES AND FAVORITE HYMNS

Please complete the questionnaire, asking for your favorite verses and your favorite hymns.  Pastor Long has asked members of all ages to answer these questions.   It contains information that will assist him to better serve our flock.

At the time of this printing, only FIVE people had completed the questionnaire.  Please help Pastor Long.  He is working very hard to serve our flock, and this is one small way in which we can assist him.

Questionnaires are available in the Narthex, saving us postage.  The questionnaire was also part of an email message distributed on Wednesday (6 July).

You can just give completed questionnaires to Pastor Long, or place them in his mail box.  Thank you for your time.

Here are the questions:

Name:
Favorite Verses:
Favorite Hymns:
Favorite part of worship
Favorite memory of St John’s
Favorite Activities not church related

MY NEW PROJECT

Brothers and Sisters of Saint John’s;

During my last VA checkup, the docs ordered a lung x-ray.  They found scar tissue that had not been visible before – possibly from one of my bouts with pneumonia in the past.  The docs also found a “nodule.”

The nodule is small, but they aren’t sure what it is.  Their plan of action, is no action.  They will wait 12 months, and then determine if the nodule has grown.  If that is the case, they will run more tests to identify it.

While I have done my share of ‘waiting for test results,’ my brothers and sisters at Saint John’s have most certainly been good examples of Christian patience.  To help pass the time, I have decided to add a three-point “project” to my duties.

1. Set a goal and reduce my weight.  Not being able to exercise has taken its toll, and it is about time I “push through the pain – like John Wayne.”  Besides, we “mighty men of girth” do not travel well.
2. Save funds for myself, and at least one family member, to travel to Israel.  I sign up with Imagine Tours and their Lutheran Pastor Itinerary, or I can create my own itinerary for the grand adventure.  Either way, I will add some awesome tee-shirts to my collection.
3. Learn enough conversational Hebrew to be polite.  Yes, most Israeli business people speak English, but my bride and I always had more fun traveling when we spoke a bit of the language.

I share this with you, in order to establish a bit of accountability.  God designed us to be accountable to one another.  When we make ourselves accountable, our plans have greater possibility for success – if it be God’s will.

Mazel Tov!

ATTACKING 4-H - REALLY?

DOES 4-H DESENSITIZE KIDS TO KILLING?
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/23/does-4-h-desensitize-kids-to-killing/

4-H stands for "Head, heart, hands, health" and apparently a fifth - for  "haters."

To many, 4-H Clubs are all about nurturing sweet little calves, adorable children winning ribbons, urban garden patches and proud future farmers grooming prized pigs for show. To others, it's a calculated system for turning the youth of America into cold, unfeeling animal killers…

That is an excerpt from an article placed on CNN.  Ignoring bullies like these only encourages them to become more brave and outrageous with their lies.  Also, CNN may be hoping to get some mileage from resulting controversy.  These kind of comments are similar to those that state and national legislators use to ‘de-fund’ programs.


Growing up, I was a member of 4H.  I grew up rural, live rural, and my church is rural.


So, we can do nothing, or we can do something that will take a little of our time – write a couple letters.  Real-live, pen-on-paper, stamp on the envelope, LETTERS.

1. Write a positive letter-to-the-editor about 4-H, not mentioning the CNN article.
2. Write state congressmen about the article, and the need to make mention of the benefits of 4-H on the “floor.”
3. Write the U.S. Dept. of Ag. Secretary about the article and the need to make announcement of the positive impact 4-H has had on the nation.

I am also helping by doing the following:

1. Place this message on my Church Blog.
2. Place this message in my Church Newsletter.
3. Encourage other rural pastors to do the same.

What are you willing to do?

Questions About the Cherokee Nation and People

Rev Long,

I appreciate your calling me back and giving me your e-mail address is I could ask my questions about the Cherokee Tribe.

They are as follows:


Nathan,

I answered each of your questions below, in the order you asked them.  I gave more info in some answers than others.  I'm afraid I also failed to write much of my answers in correct paragraph format.  Feel free to write back if you have more specific questions.


What was the Cherokees way of life?

Here are some basics, most of which applies before the 1800s:

Cherokee lived in small villages, and large cities with homes to hundreds of families.

They had a Peace Chief during times of peace, and a War Chief during times of war.
They had a great council building in the center of each town.  They would meet to decide all the important things like whether or not they should go to war.  Even if the council decided to go to war, they had to first get the permission of their group of “Beloved Women.”

There are seven clans, each with traditional responsibilities in the Nation.  For example:
Deer Clan – Run messages between groups and hunters
Paint Clan – Healers and Medicine People
Long Hair Clan – Peace Chief comes from this clan
Wolf Clan – Special Forces and Policing.  War Chief comes from this clan
People could not marry within their own clan

After marriage, the husband moved to the wife’s family.
Children were named by elder women known as a “Beloved Women.”  This ceremony took place after two visits by their Holy Man, and a baptism.
Girls were taught basic skills by the women of the family.  Boys were taught basic skills by an uncle.

If a young person wanted to learn a special skill from an Elder, they would not ask, “Teach me...”  They would ask, “Can I help you the next time you...”
Punishment of children, for misbehaving, usually took the form of a form of ignoring.  EVERYONE would ignore the child until he or she learned the lesson.
As the child grew, he or she may be given new names, even into adulthood.  A Cherokee may be given a new name because of an event, accomplishment, attribute, or characteristic.

Here is one good story about names:
A young boy had been given a name related to the marks left on his body, after surviving small pox.  When he was about 13 years old, some men were going to attack an enemy and he wanted to go.  They said he could go if he could put the canoe in the water.  Now, these were not the light, birch-bark canoes used by some American Indians.  Cherokee canoes were large dugout canoes, made from heavy tree trunks.

The men were surprised as the boy used all his strength to drag the heavy canoe the distance to the water.  That day, they began calling his “Dragging Canoe.”

As he grew to be a man, his European/white enemies mispronounced his name.  They came to know him as “The Cherokee Dragon.”


What were there beliefs?

Since the 1800’s most Cherokee are Baptist, with many being memorable Pastors.  The stories of their ancient traditional beliefs are interesting.  Here are links to two of the stories I like to share.

Two stories I recommend is Grandmother Water Spider Brings Fire http://indians.org/welker/fire.htm
and The Cherokee Creation Story
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/CherokeeCreationStory-Cherokee.html

Two things to keep in mind with these stories:  First, think of the beings as different types of people.  Animal people, tree people (tall standing ones), rivers (long ones) are all types of people.  Second, Cherokee stories often use the smallest, the less graceful, and the “people” others do not expect to succeed to be the stories’ heroes.  A little water spider (not the long-legged type) is heroine of the “fire” story.  A little water beetle is the hero of the “creation” story.  This is just as God uses the youngest, the awkward, and people others rejected to do His work in this world.


What did they use for hunting?

At a young age, a boy was given a blowgun.  The boy must practice with the blowgun and hunt small game with it.  Once he has proven himself with the blowgun, he can begin training with the bow.  Both blowgun and the bow are used in hunting.  In fact, these skills are often part of celebrations which include blowgun and bow competitions.

One traditional fishing method was interesting.  The fisherman would make a concoction from local plants.  When ready, the fisherman made a sort of “boat” of a small log, with a groove in it.  The fisherman placed the concoction in the groove and pushed the boat out into the water.  The boat slowly released the concoction into the water, and there it acted as a fish tranquilizer.  The fisherman would pickup the fish he wanted.  The remaining fish would gain consciousness later, and swim on.


Where were they located and where are they located now?

Before contact with Europeans, the Cherokee Nation encompassed thousands of miles of land in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama.
(You can find a graphic showing this: http://cherokee1838.tripod.com/land_cessions.htm)

After each war, and each broken treaty, the government took more and more land.  Today, because of theft and the “Trail of Tears” (I give some info below about the “Trail”) the Cherokee nation exists in two parts.

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation is headquartered in Cherokee, North Carolina.  Their land consists of about 56,000 acres of their original holdings.  Most of their ancestors are those who fled into the mountains, and were able to elude the federal troops when they came to remove the Cherokee.  Others were able to escape the “Trail of Tears” and return to Cherokee land.  Here is their official web site:  http://nc-cherokee.com/

There is also a western Cherokee Nation, headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  The Nation’s land consists of 66,000 acres.  Most of the people’s ancestors are those who survive the “Trail of Tears,” and made a live for themselves in the foreign environment.  Here is their official web site:  http://www.cherokee.org/

Though each has its own Chief and government, many family connections still exist between the people of this divided nation.  This is evident during the Nations’ annual celebrations.  Cherokee from Oklahoma attend the celebrations in the east, and the Cherokee from North Carolina attend the celebrations in the west.


What is it like being a Cherokee?

For me, personally, I am known as a “Lost Cherokee.”  My Grandpa, Ray Long Sr. was half Cherokee from North Carolina.  His Mother was Carrie Nifong, from a family of German heritage.  His Father was Nathan Long, a Cherokee.

My Grandpa Ray was born in 1903.  His parents were not married and Nathan died of scarlet fever before Grandpa was born, so they had no record of his birth.  I have no documentation tracing me to Nathan Long, but I grew up with my Grandpa’s stories.

To officially belong to the nation, I must have that documentation.  Because I cannot prove my lineage, I am considered a “Lost Cherokee,” and cannot be a member  So, I make up for it by telling the stories and teaching the history and culture where I can - schools, churches, and youth groups.

I have taught my children and my brothers children.  We have visited both nations, in Oklahoma and in North Carolina, and are eager to return.  We attend area powwows each year, where we enjoy spending time surrounded by the American Indian Culture.


What is the difference between Cherokee and other Indian Tribes?

Here are some basic differences from Cherokee tradition:

Homes:
Though the Cherokee would use temporary housing during hunting trips and other travel, their homes were permanent structures.  Each family had two homes – one for summer, and one for winter.

Summer Home – Shaped like the log homes pioneers constructed; rectangular walls with a peaked roof.  Walls were made of “wattle and daub.”  Each wall was first made by weaving small branches into a framework of larger branches, probably no more than 2 – 3 inches thick.  These were affixed to corner posts to form the rectangular shape of the home.  Then each wall was smeared, inside and out, with a thick mixture of mud and grasses.

One opening was left for a door, only – no windows.  The door was just a rectangular opening, over which they hung an animal hide, or some other covering

The family made the peaked roof of wood frame, which they covered with a variety of materials from bark to heavy grasses similar to a thatch.  They left the eaves, ends of the house beneath the roof, open.  This allowed the smoke from the fire to exit from either end.

Home “fires,” in summer or winter, were not like a camp fire.  The mother and daughters would start a fire outside the home.  After there was a supply of coals, they would scoop these up on bark, and carry these into the home.

They constructed a “fire” of hot coals in the center of the home.  The coals laid in a small circle, about ten inches across, cut about two inches into the topsoil.  These coals slowly burned, for a long period of time, giving off more heat than smoke, a little light, and no flame.

Winter Home – The family constructed their winter home using the “wattle and daub” method, as with their Summer Home.  The shape was drastically different.
The family made their Winter Home beside their Summer Home, and it was dome-shaped.  They made their Winter Home focused on heat.

The family made their Winter Home just big enough for everyone to sleep and live comfortably.  The ceiling was only high enough for them to walk around hunched over.  They made a small “smoke-hole” on the lee-ward side of the home, a few feet down from the peak.  The door was very small, only big enough for everyone to crawl in and out.  All these engineering features combined to save heat, during the cold, snowy winters.

The Cherokee used no teepees like the western nations.  No long-houses or wigwams like the other woodland nations.

Dress:
Before contact with Europeans, Cherokee men and wore buckskin.  Women wore a skirt and top, or full dress.  Men wore shirts, breech cloth, and leggings.  The breech cloth is a rectangle of material, about one foot by four feet for adults.  The man would pass it between his legs, tie it in place with a “belt,” leaving a flap in front and back.  The leggings were like pant-legs, held up with “ties” on the breach cloth “belt.”

After contact with Europeans, the women began wearing dresses made of trade-cloth, and men wore trade-shirts.  Often, men began wearing leggings of red trade cloth – usually a thin wool.  While these clothing items are not that different from other American Indian nations, there was one clear difference – headwear.

Cherokee never wore the feathered headdresses you see the western horse-culture nations wearing.  Cherokee, originally wore no feathers in their headwear.  They did tattoo symbols of strength and power on their heads and faces, but no feathers like the horse-cultures.

Cherokee wore their hair in a “warrior’s cut.”  The men plucked their hair from their ears, forward, making it appear clean shaven.  They left the hair on the back of their head, behind their ears.  This they may have platted and decorated.

Now, there was a time, during the Cherokee’s early contact with the British, that the British invited three Cherokee leaders to meet the queen.  The day they were to meet the queen, the British thought the Cherokee’s fierce appearance, with tattooed heads, may frighten the ladies of the court.  On that same day, there was a visiting delegation from India, wearing their traditional dress.  The British came upon the idea, of having the Cherokee leaders wear India-style turbans, to cover most of the tattoos.  The visit went well.

Once the Cherokee leaders returned home, they continued to wear the turbans.  Soon, all Cherokee men wore turbans, and this became part of their traditional dress.  In these turbans, the Cherokee men did, indeed wear a feather.  The feather they normally wore, however, was not the eagle feather most Horse Culture nations wear, but it was an ostrich feather they acquired by trading with Europeans.

The traditional women’s dress was affected by events, too.  As trade with Europeans increased, women quit wearing the buckskins, because the skins were valuable in trade to the Europeans.  The traded for cloth, which was easier to work, and came in many colors and patterns – and turned these into dresses similar to those of European women.

White encroachment continued onto Cherokee lands, began nearly as soon as they met, and into the mid 1800’s.  As the Cherokee fought battles and lost, they came to see the whites as more powerful because of their weapon technology.

The Cherokee did not want to become like many tribes on the east coast – landless, and nearly extinct.  Many Cherokee believed if they gave up their ways, and adopted “white ways” they would be accepted by the whites.

They dressed, built homes, owned plantations, became doctors, lawyers, and Baptist preachers like the whites.  If you walked into a Cherokee home of the 1800’s, you would find it difficult to see any difference between it and a white family’s home.

But the whites would not accept them, mainly because of money.  Gold was found on Cherokee land, and the U.S. government helped whites to take the land.

Around 1838, the government moved all Cherokee off their land and into concentration camps – many were not much more than big animal stockades.  Conditions were terrible and the Cherokee were not allowed to take anything from their homes so there were few blankets and other protection from the weather.

Then the government moved the Cherokee on a 1,000 mile march to Oklahoma.  One-fourth of the Cherokee died in the concentration camps and on the march.  Mostly it was the very young and the very old who died – the “Cherokee future,” and the “Cherokee past.”  This march was known as the Trail of Tears.

On the march, clothing wore out.  By trade and other means, the Cherokee were able to get bolts of cloth from time-to-time.  Since they were not able to take scissors and things, when taken from their homes, they devised a way to make a woman’s dress from parts of cloth, torn in straight lines from the bolt.  This dress became known as a “Tear Dress.”

The “Tear Dress” reminds us of two things.  That the women had to make the dress by “tearing” the cloth, because they were not allowed to take their things from their homes, when the soldiers came.  AND that the women created these dresses out of necessity during the “Trail of Tears.”

Today, the traditional Cherokee women’s dress it the “Tear Dress.”  Women wear them with pride, and in a variety of colors.  No other nation has this as their traditional dress.

Here is one site for a photo: http://www.shadowwolf.org/cherokee_tear_dress.html
(My wife’s Tear Dress is of a light purple print, with dark purple ribbons.)
Another difference between Cherokee and most other Nations is in the use of the blow gun, which I wrote about above.  The Seminole Nation, of the Florida may also use a blow gun, but I’m not positive.  (Interesting fact about the Seminole:  They never signed a “peace treaty” with the U.S.)

The Cherokee national game is Stick-ball.  Many other tribes play lacrosse with a ball and a stick, and Cherokee Stickball can appear similar.  One difference is that Cherokee play with two sticks.  Instead of trying to get the ball into a goal, Cherokee try to get the ball and throw the ball, striking a goal post.

Cherokee Stick-ball is so brutal that it is known as the “Little Brother of War.”  Many feel playing Cherokee Stick-ball is good training for war.  Here is an interesting link to a short video by the Eastern Band: http://www.cherokee-nc.com/index.php?page=56
Thank you for any help you could give me with my English project.

Nathan

Comments from a Lenten Visitor

I wanted to share some comments about our church, from a letter I received from a recent visitor:

“Enjoyed your Mid-Week Lenten Service last night.  Your hymn Jesus Refuge of the Weary and your sermon on Vocation was perfect for a traveling Sales Manager...”

“I enjoyed your country church, your people were very friendly.”

“When in the area again I would definitely  visit.”

“The Spirit of God is definitely in your church!”

You may remember Steve, who visited during our Mid-Week Lenten worship service on 23 March 2011.  Keep up the good work.

DISASTER IN JAPAN: QUAKE, AFTERSHOCK, AND TSUNAMI

JAPAN’S DISASTER:  The 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan March 11, also resulting in a 50-foot tsunami, strong aftershocks and as many as 80 fires.  Recent reports are that more than 1,000 are dead and thousands missing.
PRAY for hope, strength, healing, and comfort for the people affected.
LEARN MORE at: http://www.lcms.org/help/

If I entered this correctly, this link will take you to a map of the quake, aftershock, and tsunami events in Japan: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=203747932570530016442.00049e2f9f7ecb92e6f1c&ll=38.108628,141.569824&spn=1.430609,2.015991&z=8

Letter of Encouragement to Our Third Graders

What follows is a letter I wrote for the children at a local elementary school.  I had visited several of their classes in November, teaching them about Cherokee traditions, culture, and history.  They seemed to enjoy my visit, and listened well.

I remember how the first signs of spring effected me when I was that age (and still does).  I thought I might draw some capital on my association with them, and encourage them to keep hands to the plow, until school was officially out for summer.  This letter is my attempt, which I sent to a local newspaper for publishing.

Ribbon Shirt & Medicine Wheel for Story Telling

O-see-yoh (Cherokee greeting) to the 3rd Graders of our Elementary School,

I am Ray Long.  Last November, Mrs. King asked me to visit and tell you about the stories, history, and everyday life of my Cherokee ancestors – a Woodlands Nation.

We talked about many things, but I only told you a little about something that is very important to you right now.  I want to tell you more about your “power.”

You see the Cherokee were proud of their power to be a great hunter, a fast runner, a strong warrior – but that was not all.  The Cherokee were equally proud of their power to be a great speaker, a brave peacemaker, and a wise person.  All these things are kinds of “power.”  These days can be difficult for your powers.

Each day in school, you make your powers grow stronger.  Working at school grows your power to do math, power to speak and write well, and power to help others learn.  Right now, the days are growing longer.  The sun is beginning to warm the earth.  Soon we will see the return of migratory birds, and buds will appear on the trees.  This is a happy time, but can be a difficult time for you.

You have gone through many months of school work, which has made your power, stronger.  But, the weather has been cold, and dark.  You know that summer is near, and you are looking forward to your summer vacation.

It is during times like this, that the trickster will whisper in your ear, “Take it easy.  Don’t work so hard.  You deserve to just have fun.”

People with weak power, will decide to stop working at school and act like summer is already here.  They will decide to stop doing all their studies and homework.  They will decide to stop listening to their teacher.  By doing this, they decide to let the trickster win, and they will loose their power.

If you want your power to grow stronger, you must decide right now, to fight the trickster until the end of school.  You must decide to work hard at your studies and homework.  You must decide to listen closely to your teacher.  This is the way to fight the trickster, and make your power stronger.

The choice is yours.  You must decide.  Use your power and choose wisely.

Next November, if I am still Mrs. King’s pastor, and she wants me to visit her new class, maybe we will see each other in the halls.  Good trails to you.

Suggested Recipes for St Patrick's Feast

Around each Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March, my family holds a great Irish Feast.  We listen to traditional Irish Music, drink a Guinness Draught, and share some great traditional Irish food.  Afterward, we watch a few DVDs with an Irish theme like Father Ted, The Quiet Man, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, The Matchmaker, etc...

I want to share a couple of the recipes from our menu.  Enjoy!

Long Family’s Irish Stew for Crock-pot
1.5 LB Beef cubed/browned (Lamb is more traditional)1 Onion diced (sautéed with the meat)

 4 Potatoes diced
1 Turnip diced
1 LB Carrots chopped
2.5 cup beef stock
3 Bay leaves (remove when serving)
S&P to taste
*ROUX (if you want thick stew/broth)

Place everything in pot, except for roux.
Adjust ingredients to fit your crock-pot and your tastes.
Add water leaving room for about 2 cups liquid without being too high.  You don't want to spill any broth.
Cook on low for about 6 - 7 hours – until root veggies are soft.  (You can cook on "high," but the time will depend on your crock-pot.)

If you prefer a thicker broth make the *roux.

*Roux: In a frying pan melt 1/2 cup butter over low heat.
Stir in 1/2 cup flour.
Stir constantly until lightly browned.
Stir 2 cups stew broth into roux, from your crock-pot.
Stir the roux mixture back into the stew.

Remove the Bay Leaves and serve with the Oatmeal Brown Bread!

Oatmeal Brown Bread
1 cup Irish oatmeal (regular oatmeal works, but it just isn't the same)
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking power
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp honey
2/3 cup buttermilk

Mix oatmeal, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and brown sugar in a large bowl.
Make a hollow in the center; add the honey.
Using a wooden spoon, gradually stir in as much of the buttermilk as needed until the dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened, but not runny.
Turn the mixture onto a floured board; kneed gently into a round loaf.
Cut a cross into the top of the loaf.
Place the loaf on a baking sheet and bake in a 325-degree F oven for 10 minutes
Then turn up the oven to 350-degrees F and continue baking another 25 minutes.
To test for doneness, turn the loaf over and tap the bottom with a spoon.  A hollow sound indicates the bread is done.

Note: This is not a sweet bread like Gingerbread.  This is a more rustic bread, eaten with stews.  "Great fer soppin' up the broth."

Assassination, Labor Disputes and Abortion: "Nothing New Under the Son."

This post comes from Synod President Harrison's blog.  It contains some good, relevant stuff.  It is both comforting and disturbing in that, while we suffer no more than has already been - still we have not learned from our past.  Please read here, or at  Synod Pres Harrison's Blog: Mercy Journeys:


The following paragraphs are taken from an article written by Dr. Franz Pieper (LCMS President 1899-1911), at the assassination of William McKinley in 1901.

Pastor H.

In our country, labor and capital are for the most part enemies of each other. Workers join together. But they are not satisfied merely to unite. In many cases they use their union in order to harm their neighbors. They demand that workers who do not belong to their union should be given no work. To achieve this end, people often grab hold of stones, knives, revolvers, and dynamite. That is the murderous spirit of anarchy.

On the other side, the capitalists join together. But they are not satisfied merely with such unity. In many cases they use it to ruin the businesses of and trample neighbors who are not in the “trust.” That is the murderous anarchical spirit of the capitalists.
Furthermore, in recent decades, the number of children, particularly among the American-born population, has taken a dive. The chief cause is that hundreds of thousands of American women consistently murder their unborn children, with and without the consent of their husbands. This murderous spirit has become so prevalent that the well-known preacher Parkhurst [Charles Henry Parkhurst, 1842–1932] has accused a portion of American women of seeking to save the children of heathen while they murder their own progeny. This year a well-known professor of medicine admonished a class of beginning doctors that they reject abortion, which is commonly practiced.

...Enough of the examples taken from the life of our nation. Let’s take a look at ourselves. If we also—which is certainly not the case—were entirely free of the particular manifestation of the murderous spirit that we find among the capitalists and workers, the abortionists and the secret societies, the lynchers, etc., we still stand before the Law of God judged as murderers. The Scriptures say (1 John 3:15): “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer.” Indeed, the wrath that rises in our hearts against the neighbor is murder before God. The desires that we have to harm our neighbor are murderous in God’s sight. Luther is quite right in his explication of the Gospel on the Sixth Sunday after Trinity regarding the sin against the Fifth Commandment: “Now whether indeed one grade is worse than another, still all of it—the lowest as much as the highest—is sin against this (Fifth) commandment. Thus whoever merely bears loathing in his heart, anger or disfavor against another, is a murderer before God.” May this act of murder, which has thrown all of us citizens of this land into horror and travail, remind us all precisely of this. And may we recognize and confess that we all would burn in hell as murderers if the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did not cleanse us also from the sin of murder.

A completely wretched spectacle has played out right before our eyes in the murder of our president. Something that should humble and lead a people to repentance is used for self-glorification. “You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; You have consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent” (Jeremiah 5:3). But we throw ourselves in the dust before God and say:

Christ, Thou Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us! Christ, Thou Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us! Christ, Thou Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace!

Amen.
"At Home in the House of My Fathers," p. 612

Action-Ideas From Children of God

A few Sunday’s ago, I gave our congregation an opportunity to be a verbal vessel for the Holy Spirit.  An opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to communicate through them, His guidance concerning Saint John’s activities in the coming months.

Most of the action-ideas involved the congregation working together, en masse.  Still, many of the  action-ideas, are those which individual Children of God can take, on their own.

Here are some of those action-ideas which you can choose to make part of your life.

• Increase your volunteerism - greeter, washing communion-ware, help with events, etc...
• Let your beliefs be known.
• Care about others.
• Be kind and friendly to those you meet.
• Invite other members to our Bible Studies, so we all spend more time in God's Word.
• Think on God’s presence in your daily life.
• Support your church and pastor with your time and treasure.
• Pray often.
• Pray for God to make you a blessing to others.
• Get your church's name out there, so others know about our worship and activities!
• Visit and call our church members who do not attend regularly.
• Pray for everyone to experience the joy of Christ.
• Tell others about your faith.
• Invite your family, friends, co-workers, and others to worship with you.

Our Prayer for Law Enforcement Personnel

Since the end of 2010 there has been a marked increase in violence toward our brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement.  I urge everyone to increase their special intercessory prayers for these our guardians, in the coming weeks.

We contacted the four agencies in our community, and invited them to submit prayer requests, which we will bring to God during our next worship service.  After this Sunday’s worship, we will send ‘thank you” cards to each of the agencies.

We will also include a special prayer during our worship, spoken on behalf of all Law Enforcement Personnel.  You can view it on my church blog:

OUR PRAYER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL
by Pastor Ray Long
(L - leader / C - congregation)

L:    Heavenly Father,
    As I leave my loved ones’ side, to begin each of my tours;
    guard and protect them well, as I go to protect all others.

C:  May it always be so, Lord.

L:    Let my badge serve to remind me, You’re my shield and strong right arm;
    Let my badge shine in darkness, as a beacon to those alarmed.

C:  May it always be so, Lord.

L:    Let my weapon serve as a sign, to halt suspects’ foolish acts;
    but if I must draw and fire, let my aim be true and fast.

C:  May it always be so, Lord.

L:    Your grace carries me with courage, where others fear to tread;
    that I may free from danger, all those who are in need.

C:  May it always be so, Lord.

L:    Let my radio be a link, to brother and sister sentinels;
    that I may heed the call, when sounds the warning bells.

C:  May it always be so, Lord.

L:    At the end of each tour of service, remind me I’ve done my best;
    then prepare my heart and my mind, for the loved ones with whom I’m blest.

C:  May it always be so, Lord.

L:    If harm should ever befall me, and my tour not quietly end;
    comfort my loved ones knowing, I served where I could defend.

C:  May it always be so, Lord.

L:    I pray this for all Law Enforcement Personnel, in the name of
       Christ Jesus, Your Son, Our Savior;

ALL:  AMEN!

Church versus Sports

Some say the Nazis invented "Sunday Sports," to discourage church attendance.  Of course the numbers of Christian clergy sent to concentration camps most certainly advanced that result.

Still, I have a difficult time bringing myself to blame the Nazis, or whoever started it, for the current "Church verses sports" priority fiasco.  For the sake of sports, I have been asked to reschedule Bible Studies, Confirmation Classes, Church Dinners, and even Marriage Counseling.

One of my pastor brothers found a way to respond to this problem.  His church is a few miles from a MAJOR sporting event, which takes place on a Sunday.  Sooooo, he holds worship on the Wednesday night before the event, and then, everyone goes to the event on Sunday and works their Church Booth.

Right or wrong?  A discussion for another time.

The point is that the Children of God must be certain of their priorities - must sweep away the idols in their lives - and must make God's Will their own.

Being Super Bowl SUNDAY, last week I used football as a sermon illustration.  Football's coaches, trainers, coordinators, backing up the players on the field, compares with the fellow Christians backing us up when Christians are fulfilling our call in our field.  Greater still, we have the Triune God behind us, above us, around us... (A little St Patrick's Breastplate there.)

All this reminded me of an old standby illustration, that is a humorous way to look at a disturbing trend taking place at churches - excuses for not attending church.  Imagine if people considered their sports attendance activity, the way they consider their church attendance:

"I am not going to another sporting event because..."

• every time I go, they asked me for money.
• the people I sat with, didn't seem very friendly.
• the seats were too hard, and not comfortable.
• I went to many games, but the coach never visited me.
• the referee made a decision with which I did not agree.
• I suspected that I was sitting with some hypocrites.  I think they just came to see their friends and what others were wearing – not to see the game.
• some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.
• the band played some music that I didn't like.
• the games are scheduled when I want to do other things. 
• I didn't get anything out of the game.
• I was taken to too many games by my parents, when I was a child.
• I recently read a book on sports, and now I know more than the coaches do.
• I don't want to take my children to any games, because I want them to choose a favorite sport for themselves.

Bye and God Bless.

LENT APPROACHES

Since the first of the year, many pastors have been considering themes for Lent 2011.  I have chosen the theme Lutheran Spirituality based on the book by the same title.  As I study my chosen resources, I wanted to share with you some helpful Spiritual Exercises from those resources.  I recommend you try them out, and determine if they are helpful to you:

1. The Lord’s Prayer is both God’s Words to us, and our words to God.  It is a template for all our praying.  Prepare your personal list of intercessions and thanksgiving using the Lord’s Prayer as your guide.
Examples might be:

• Thy Will be done:
• help me follow Your Will, thank You for showing me Your Will concerning...
• Give us this day our daily bread:
• help me pay my home mortgage, thank You for helping us find the money to repair...

2. Begin each day, praying for the people you will meet during that day: fellow students, co-workers, friends, etc...  Do so at the end of the day, including those you forgot that morning.

May you experience the blessings of Lent, as we prepare for the joy of Easter.

SECOND TEE SHIRT DESIGN

We got a second tee shirt design proposal.  This one looks to have the words on the back.  Pretty neat.

SAINT JOHN'S TEE SHIRT PROPOSAL

One of our ideas, from our efforts a couple Sundays ago, was to develop a "Church Tee-Shirt."  I completely agree with that.

You may recall I made a shirt for myself, to wear while walking around Wapakoneta.  I made it using do-it-yourself iron-ons, but it looked pretty bad.  Still, the words were clear, and because of my massive bulk, it did includ a map.

That being said, I went to an online printer and came up with the design you see before you.

The small printing says:

15321 Pusheta Rd.
Wapakoneta, Ohio

Worship with us
Sunday @ 10am

bright.net/~stjohnlc

There would be shipping cost and a setup fee of $5.
Sizes S-XL - $9.49.      XXL is +$2.

If we order as a group, we would probably ask $10 and $12 to cover the shipping, or something close to that price, depending on actual costs.

Ash (grey) and other color shirts, increase the cost.
Any design needs to be in high quality graphic format, for upload to the company.
Drawings print out better than photographs.
Fewer colors (3 is suggested) print out better than several colors

I invite you to offer other designs for the next two weeks.  The final day would be Sunday, 13 February.  Then we can choose one design and take orders soon after.

Two Announcements to Share from Wapakoneta's WAMA

(Yeah, the photo is just us showing off.)

Here is some neat stuff happening in our community.  The information comes via the WAMA (Wapakoneta Area Ministerial Alliance).

St. Joseph Church will host an Open House on Sunday, February 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the church building.  The current structure, dedicated on October 8, 1911, replaced a smaller 1858 building on the same site.  The Open House will provide an opportunity for local residents to take an extended look at the just-installed church history exhibit of original artifacts.  Visitors will also learn more about the building's beautiful architecture, especially the stained glass windows, which feature characters from the Bible and from our Christian heritage.  Refreshments will be served.  Everyone is invited.

It's not too soon to mark your calendars for Servants Day 2011!  On Saturday, September 17, teams of volunteers will repair houses throughout Wapakoneta.  Plan now to participate in this community-strengthening event.

Bye and God Bless,
Pastor Long

Welcome to Our Blog!

We are a small Lutheran Church, located in farm country, just a few miles south of Wapakoneta, Ohio.  We have less than 60 worshipers, and we schedule our regular Worship Services for Sunday’s beginning at 10:00 am.  Our Worship Services last for about an hour.

If you can come to worship with us, our address is 15321 Pusheta Road, Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895.  Everyone is welcome to worship with us.

If you have questions, you can:
See our Web Site: www.bright.net/~stjohnlc
Email me: rev.long@yahoo.com
Phone: 419-738-6746

Our church building looks like the “little, white, country chapel” you might see on the front of some Christmas Cards.  Because of that, we do not have a very big parking lot.  As a rule, we “park each other in,” and if someone has to leave quick, we gladly move for them.  Maybe one day, we will acquire more land to expand our parking lot.

People “in the know” say a church will not grow any bigger than the pews will hold backsides, or the lot will hold cars.  We have rooms in the pews – I will keep praying for a bigger lot.

We worship God using His Words in a Liturgical Order.  That just mean we use a pattern each week, but 70 percent of the things in that pattern change for each Sunday.

For example:
We pray the Lord’s Prayer each Sunday, but our Prayers of the Church are different each week – praying about what is going on in our lives and in the world.

Well, this is probably more than most people will read at one time, so if you have any questions, just contact me using any of the methods above.