A "see you later" to Pastor Haak

Funeral and Memorial Services can be such a difficult time for family and friends.  For many these services are a coming together to say "goodbye" to a loved one or friend, an opportunity to try and remember good times with the individual and a smack-in-the-face moment to realize one's own mortality.

But for believers in Christ Jesus, a Funeral or Memorial Service can be a different thing.  Such a service is not a "goodbye;" because of the Lord's promise that "whoever lives and believes in me will never die," we have the hope of the resurrection of the dead and a homecoming with our loved ones and friends in heaven.

So today we say "see you later" to Pastor Loel Haak.  After faithfully serving the Lord's Church as pastor and shepherd, Pastor Haak helped to plant the congregation I serve - Life in Christ.  He even worked with us for a time as a pastoral assistant and helped to start our Stephen Ministry.  The Lord used Pastor Haak to bring His good news of new life in Jesus to many people.  And we've heard from many of them this week.

Our "see you later" takes place at 1 pm this afternoon with a Memorial Service.  Special music is planned.  A number of Pastor Haak's friends will participate in the service.  It will offer a great opportunity to show and share our love for Pastor Haak with his wife, Annemarie, their four children and many grandchildren.

We anticipate a full-to-overflowing attendance and a packed parking lot.  If you are planning to come please consider parking at the professional center at Thunderbird and Greenway and walking a couple of blocks south to the church.  It will be a beautiful day and the walk will do you good! And doing so will enable those unable to walk that far to have a place in the church parking lot.

Later today, will have a worship service at 5 pm; music will be provided by the Kevin Svec Group and Deacon Jerry Klink will serve as preacher.

Tomorrow we'll worship at LICL at 8 and 10:45 am.  I'll speak on how the Lord needs a voice - our voice - to share His message of forgiveness and love with the world.  Sunday school and Bible classes will meet at 9:20 am.  This will be the first Sunday that our children will not meet in the Ed. Building.  Classes for the kids will be held in the offices on the west side of the main building.  This will be the location for Sunday school for the next seven to nine months as we construct a new Education and Fellowship facility.

Join us, won't you, for worship this weekend at Life in Christ? See you soon!

It's been a good week

On Monday evening we learned that Pastor Loel Haak was called home by the Lord.  Even in the midst of grief we thank the Lord for His perfect timing and are comforted by the promise that in the resurrection of the dead, we will be reunited with Loel and will spend eternity with him and the communion of saints praising the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world.

I've marveled as so many of our church family have stepped up to help with preparing for tomorrow's Memorial Service for Loel.

Our Building Committee had plans for this weekend.  Our hope was to move everything out of the Ed. Building on Saturday.  Because the Memorial Service was set for Saturday, the Committee changed their plans without one complaint.  A great group of people, indeed.

Last night's Bible Class really dug into the idea of "inheritance" as is presented in Joshua.  Good questions, good discussion and much encouragement from God's Word.

Connie Kanzler, our lead Administrative Assistant, never seems to have an easy week of work.  How she keeps smiling and maintaining her good humor is a testimony to her faith in and love for her Savior.

Today, we'll put the finishing touches on tomorrow afternoon's service.  I'll also prepare for the Committal Service that will take place tomorrow morning.  Ash Wednesday is fast approaching so there is service planning to be done.  There are also calls to make on those who are ill or suffering.

All in all, I'm praying for a good Friday.  I hope you have one too.

Lord, take away from us...

Our Father, we would not weary You in always asking for something.  This morning we would pray You would take something from us.  Take out of our hearts any bitterness that lies there, any resentment that curdles and corrodes our peace.

Take away the stubborn pride that keeps us from apology and confessing fault and makes us unwilling to open our hearts to one another.  For if our hearts are closed to our colleagues, they are not open to You.  We ask Your mercy in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Peter Marshall, from "For All the Saints," page790

At the Death of a Friend

In thinking about the passing of Pastor Loel Haak, I remembered this prayer of Donald Deffner's:

O God I know
Yours was the first tear to fall
when my friend died
Because of our sinful state
death reigns in this world
So comfort us Lord
with the certain hope
of life to come
Turn our mourning 
into dancing
and weeping into joy
knowing the resurrection
is near
And teach us so
to number our days
that we are always ready
And not just now
as the family nods 
in stunned grief
but in the weeks to come
move me Lord
in true compassion
to aid the bereaved
with a ministry of presence
and the assurance
of Your sacred promise
that our loved one is forever
"with the Lord!"

From "Prayers For People Under Pressure" page 39

Bible texts used as inspiration: Psalm 116:15; Romans 5:12; Psalm 30:5 b, 11, 12; 126:9; 90:12; 39:4-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:17

What is worry?

Worry is dealing with tomorrow's problem on today's pasture.

A Jewish Rabbi as told by Ray Vander Lann

Rise up Red Sea!

There is no joy in Mudville
Or Glendale or Phoenix or Peoria
All gone is our euphoria

We had our favorite spot on the couch
We were ready to see
A great Cardinals victory

We had Palmer, we had Fitz
We had Dwight Freeney ready to blitz

We had Peterson P and Peterson D
And come to think of it, the Cardinals even had me!

But, alas, it was not to be.

One day this game will be forgotten
After all it was a great season
And it stands to reason

The Cardinals will be back
They'll come back with fire in their eyes
Focused on the Super Bowl trophy - the ultimate prize

We have Palmer, we have Fitz
Will Dwight Freeny be back to blitz?

We have Peterson P and Peterson D
And come to think of it, the Cardinals still have me!

Rise up Red Sea!

Worship this weekend!

Saturday, 5 pm.  Communion service with Pastor Marcus preaching.  The Kevin Svec group provides the music.

Sunday 8 am.  Sanctity of Life Sunday with Pastor Marcus preaching.

Sunday 9:20 am. Sunday school and Bible classes for all ages.

Sunday 10:45 am.  Sanctity of Life Sunday with Communion and Pastor Marcus preaching.

Hope to see you this weekend at LICL!