In our Bible and catechism classes (Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings), we talked a lot about modern Christian movements, what questions are being asked, and how we may respond to this changing world.

We live in a growing secular society. In a strange way, Christianity is becoming a secular religion and many people are not aware of it. Science has become a dominate force of how we view humanity. Christianity is frequently reduced to a statement, “Just believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you shall be saved.” But if this is all that it takes to be a Christian, then we can accept all sorts of life styles and beliefs as long as one accepts this statement.

Christianity has never been reduced to a mere statement, because it had all to do with the life God has given us in the Person, namely Jesus Christ, our Lord's work (what He did and does) and His Person (who He is). Our life is shaped by the Person and work of Christ.

A Christian philosopher named Blaise Pascal, defended Christianity against Descartes “scientific method” and the loss of a Christ centered Christianity. Pascal had a very nice quote in his book called Pensées. He writes: “Not only do we only know God through Jesus Christ, but we only know ourselves through Jesus Christ; we only know life and death through Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ we cannot know the meaning of our life or our death, of God, or of ourselves.” (no. 417)

Christianity is all about a life in God through Christ. We begin and end with Christ. The point of Job in the Bible is that when we have nothing, we have everything because we have God, and the point of Ecclesiastes is that even though we have everything, we have nothing because everything is vanity. When we live a life before God then life is no longer vain.

Peter Kreeft, in his book on Pascal’s Pensées entitled, “Christianity for Modern Pagans,” writes, “The major obstacle to faith for modern man is the secular utopian idea that he can find wisdom and happiness without God, Ecclesiastes demolishes this illusion.” (ref. no. 75)

Today, I always say, “We know more about ourselves than we know about God.” In Christianity, God has come to us, revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ, and bestowed His mercy and forgiveness to us. (Jn 17:3) According to the Bible He does this through Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution and the Lord's Supper.

The bulletin is slowly moving its way into maturity. It will go through a couple more changes for the better, thank you for comments and recommendations.

We are also working on the church’s website since young and old are taking advantage of what it has to offer. One new aspect is our church’s blog (the link is on the church website). This blog will have the bulletin and announcements for the following Sunday (usually downloaded by Friday) and up to date announcements and pastoral articles throughout the week.

We will have a Social Committee meeting on Monday, August 17, from 7:00-9:00 pm. Everyone young and old are welcome. This meeting will plan for various social activities for St. John Bingen for the upcoming academic year. You are welcome to come and go as you please during this meeting. Please come with a variety of ideas.

On Sunday, August 23, we will begin using the Divine Service IV for the rest of August and September. It is found on page 203 of the Lutheran Service Book. This will give us an opportunity to learn a very well known liturgy that is being used within our synod today.

In view of the recent Voter’s Meeting decision, we welcome Pastor Hinkle and Pastor Barnes who will be assisting me on an as needed basis with some shut-in and hospital visitations.

Pr. Dreyer

church Office

For any secretarial questions please call Dawn during the office hours of Tuesday-Friday between the hours of 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Or you may email the secretary at her new email address: churchoffice@stjohnbingen.com. Pastoral appointments now may also be made through the church secretary.

adult catechesis classes

Adult Catechesis classes are being held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm. All members wanting a refresher course are also welcome to attend.

THE LUTHERAN STUDY BIBLE

The new Lutheran Study Bible is now available for preordering. It will be available in October 2009. There are several different choices available including: black or sangria (burgundy) colors, large print or regular, hard cover, bonded leather, leather and with or without thumb indexes. There is a very large discount on all styles, if the bible is preordered. There is a price list and a small sample booklet to look at in the secretary’s office for anyone interested.

LADIES GUILD

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 18. Roll Call: Share your summer fun. Program: Mite boxes, LWML Convention, Lea Ann Fifer.

This year’s Treatshop will be held at Carmel Lutheran Church, Carmel, Indiana on August 15.

lwml

Indiana District LWML is going electronic. Information will be sent out via email. If you would like to receive information, please see Lea Ann Fifer (623-3166) for a form that needs to be completed and signed.

CANCER PADS

We will next meet on Tuesday, August 18, at 8:00 am in the parish hall to make cancer pads.

couples club

We are planning a get away weekend to Little Nashville for August 28-30. For reservations or more information contact Shirley Braun (724-7502).

LADIES AID

In August we will only meet on Wednesday August 12, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. All ladies of the congregation are welcome to come and quilt, visit and have fellowship together.

NEWS ITEMS

News items from all organizations for the August/September Newsletter are due Monday, August 17. Drop off at church or call Dawn Norton at 639-6178.

YOUTH

There are currently no meetings planned for August. Normally meetings are on the second and fourth Sundays. See Mr. Dicke and the bulletin for more information on dates and times for helping hands events.

changes for your directory

ADDRESS/TELEPHONE CHANGES:

Landis, L. Sue 312-3540

P.O. Box 48

New Haven, IN 46774

MEMBERSHIP CHANGE:

BABIES:

Miles born to Dylan and Abigail McKean

Please contact the church office if you have an address or telephone number change.

DISHES, DISHES, DISHES

Are you missing some? Please check above the parish hallway coat rack for items left after several past dinners.

Thrivent Tin caps night

The Thrivent Tin Caps Night will be Saturday, August 15. Special tickets have been received by our Thrivent Coordinators. If you are interested in purchasing these specially priced tickets contact Glendolyn Rhymer (547-4712), Kathleen Krey (724-9554) or Alicia Kneuss (724-8549). Also consider volunteering at the Kids Against Hunger event (more information below). Since the game starts at 7:05 pm, the possibility of tailgating prior to the game is being discussed. Contact the Thrivent Coordinators for more information on this.

Help Strike Out Hunger with the Fort Wayne Tin Caps-on Saturday, August 15, 400 volunteers are needed to pack 100,000 meals! Two shifts are needed from 9:00 am-Noon or 2:00-5:00 pm. To volunteer, register online by August 3, at www.lutheransonline.com/rfo270.

THRIVENT

Day: August 15^th

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Place: Adams Memorial Hospital

Meetings are open to all members and we encourage all coordinators to attend. Meetings are on the second Thursday of each month except Saturday, August 15 and Saturday, November 14. They are at 8:00 am at Adams Memorial Hospital.

DIRECT ACCESS LAB TESTING

Adams Memorial Hospital is offering a new service called Direct Access Lab Testing. This will be available Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm. Simply go to the Emergency Department Entrance, proceed to Corporate Medical Services for registration, payment, and the testing. Prices are affordable and results will be sent directly to your home within a week. See the church office for a complete listing of tests available and prices.

Scrip

Remember Scrip when planning for gifts as well as any gatherings you may be planning. If you frequent Sam's Club, Walmart Scrip can be used there just like cash, along with your membership.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We need volunteers on Saturday, August 8, at 8:00 am to install the new playground equipment for the daycare. Please contact Mark Scheumann (639-6067), Mr. Timm at school or any school board member if you can help.

Wyneken Association Meeting

Monday, August 3, at 7:00 pm in the parish hall. Everyone should attend whether you have school age children or not.

STAFF NEEDED

Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School is hiring a teacher's aide for the 2009-2010 school year. This is a part time position of 20-25 hours per week. If you are interested in this position, please contact a member of our Personnel Committee - Mark Scheumann (639-6067), Mitch Baumann (547-0014), or Mike Macke (724-7230). Mr. Timm is on vacation until August 1. Applications will be available after August 3.

CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

FIRST SUNDAY BRUNCH–Please join us for brunch at CTS on August 2, from 11:00 am–1:30 pm in Katherine Luther Dining Hall. Please note that CTS and Concordia Lutheran High School are “Partnering in Education” with our Sunday brunches. When you purchase brunch tickets at the high school, one half of the $11.00 ticket price ($10 for seniors) will be donated to the CLHS Tuition Assistance Fund. If you need help getting to the dining hall, transportation is provided at the Welcome Center (1^st parking lot upon entering campus from Clinton Street). For more information or to reserve seating for parties over eight, call 452-2118.

this ‘n that

New Hope Lutheran Church-Ossian-Senior’s Dinner on Thursday, August 6, from 11:30 am-1:00 pm. RSVP to 622-7954 by Monday, August 3.

BLOODMOBILE

The next bloodmobile will be Monday, August 10, from 11:30 am-5:30 pm at the Decatur Riverside Center. All blood types are needed.

LUTHERAN HOME NEWS

BIRTHDAY CAKES: Bingen is responsible for providing birthday cakes on Wednesday, August 12.

UPCOMING TRIPS: September 25-29 – Branson, MO Trip

WYNEKEN REGISTRATION

School registration materials for the 2009-10 school year were mailed out to each family. If you have not received your materials please contact the school office. School registration will be on Tuesday, August 4, from 3:00-5:00 and 6:00-7:30 pm.

SPORTS PHYSICALS

Wyneken Athletics Physicals Day will be held at Wyneken on Thursday, August 6, from 6:00-8:00 pm. A sign-up sheet for times will be available at registration; do not call the school office.

Wyneken Golf outing

Enjoy a great day of golf and win a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle from Ehlerding Motorsports/Ehlerding’s River City Harley-Davidson for sinking a hole in one! The 8^th grade class is sponsoring the annual golf outing at Cross Creek Golf Course on Saturday, August 15, with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. Individual fees are $50 and teams of four are $200. Cost includes eighteen holes, carts, a great meal, door prizes, and a team picture. Please call Tim Ehlerding at 724-8760 to reserve your team slot. Support our 8^th grade trip to Washington, D.C. and have a great time!

Concordia lutheran high school

CLHS Thrift Shop–The Thrift Shop is located at 3436 N. Anthony Shopping Center. Hours are Monday, 10:00 am–7:30 pm, Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm. Volunteers to help out are always welcome at the Thrift Shop. Volunteer for the day, a part of a day or as often as you like. To volunteer contact the Thrift Shop at 482-1403.

Student Registration-at CLHS for 2009-2010 school year will be held 1:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 5, and Thursday, August 6, in the school Auditorium Lobby. Please bring all downloaded forms completed with you to registration. Check out the website www.clhscadets.com for registration information. Students are required to accompany parents to registration. After registering and receiving a class schedule and locker assignment, students will proceed to the Instructional Media Center (IMC) to pick up their books to be placed in their locker. New student orientation will be Tuesday, August 18, from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Regular classes begin Wednesday, August 19, from 8:00 am-3:05 pm.

Craft Bazaar-Reservations are being accepted from anyone interested in booth space for Concordia Lutheran High School’s Craft Bazaar. The bazaar will be held at the high school on Saturday, October 3, from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. The JROTC Cadets will be available to help all participants unload for set-up. For information regarding table/booth reservations please contact Tammy Stauffer (422-6735) or tksws@verizon.net.

WORSHIP FOR SHUT-INS

“Worship for Shut-Ins” can be seen every Sunday on the new Comcast Cable Channel 19 (MY TV) at 8:00 am, on WPTA-TV21 at 6:30 am and repeated on Comcast Cable Channel 55 on Sundays and Mondays at 4:00 pm.

8/2/2009	Psalm 145:13-14	“Does God Love Me?”	The Lord is faithful to His promises. His love in Christ is unconditional and absolute, for Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises.	Rev. Richard Koehneke Holy Cross Fort Wayne, IN
8/9/2009	John 6:35-51	“Jesus: Life-giving Bread”	Jesus is the Bread of Life. He came down from heaven to accomplish the Father’s will of reuniting you to Him. So the Father seeks to draw you to Jesus, fill you with Jesus, that your whole being--soul and body--may finally be made whole and raised to life everlasting. In Jesus, even now, you have this eternal life.	Rev. David C. Fleming Our Savior Grand Rapids, MI
8/16/2009	John 6:60-61	“Powerless”	When confronted with challenging teachings the disciples “grumbled about this”. Many “no longer walked with Him”. They were offended by the Gospel. They were powerless to save themselves.	Rev. Paul E. Shoemaker Emanuel New Haven, IN
8/23/2009	Ephesians 5:21	“Who's in Charge Here?”	Authority is a critical issue in all human relationships. In Christian relationships, Christ is in charge, and we honor Him by serving each other in love.	Rev. Richard Koehneke Holy Cross Fort Wayne, IN
8/30/2009	Mark 7:14-23	“More than Doing Good”	Have you been good lately? We try to do good and not the bad. But righteousness before God comes by more than doing good. It comes by faith in Jesus Christ!	Rev. James Elsner Peace Hudson, IN