ST. MICHAEL CONNEC IONS May, 2015 You Make a Difference Special Points of Interest (see calendar for complete list) As I write this article for this month’s newsletter it is Some of you may be familiar with the “StarFish Volunteer Appreciation Week. One of the strengths Story.” A young man is walking along the ocean May 3, 10:15 AM of the ministry we share here at St. Michael Lutheran and sees a beach on which thousands and Discovering St. Michael is the large number of volunteers who so willingly thousands of starfish have washed ashore. give of their time, talents and love of the Lord in so Further along he sees an old man, walking May 9, 8:00 AM many and varied ways. To God be the glory! slowly and stooping often, picking up one starfish Brown Ministry after another and tossing each one gently into May 15, 7:00 PM As St. Paul writes in Romans 12:6ff, “We have different the ocean. “Why are you throwing starfish into Mitch McVicker Concert gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift the ocean,” he asks. “Because the sun is up and is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. the tide is going out and if I don’t throw them May 16, 9:30 AM If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him further in they will die.” “But old man, don’t you Kids Against Hunger teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is realize there are miles and miles of beach and May 17 contributing to the needs of others, let him give starfish all along it” You can’t even save one-tenth Sunday School Wrap Up generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; of them.” In fact, even if you work all day, your if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” efforts won’t make any difference at all.” The old May 18 man listened calmly Newsletter Deadline St. Paul also discusses and then bent down May 20, 8:00 PM the use of spiritual gifts to pick up another Church Council in 1 Corinthians 12:4 ff, starfish and threw it in “There are different to the sea. “ It made a May 25 ~ Memorial Day kinds of gifts, but the difference to that one.” Church Offices Closed same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, Each of us are called ST. MICHAEL but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, to live a life of service to our Lord, utilizing our gifts CONNECTIONS but the same God works all of them in all men.” Our and talents to serve our Lord and our fellow men A publication of gifts and the opportunities to serve our Lord and and women, in response to the tremendous love St. Michael Lutheran Church fellow man come from God. After speaking of gifts and grace that God has first shown us. There are 7000 Sheldon Rd. throughout 1 Corinthians 12, Paul then segues into so many “starfish” out there that do not know the Canton, MI 48187 1 Corinthians 13, “And now I will show you the most Lord, who can use a word of encouragement and (734)459-3333 excellent way.” This is the way of love, Biblical love. help, who need to hear the good news of what Editor: Karen Peoples Love is God’s greatest gift! Jesus Christ has done for us. By the power of the [email protected] Holy Spirit, may we continue to make a difference When we use our gifts, whatever they may be — as we live out our lives, to even just one person, St. Michael Connections is published teaching, mercy, helping, faith, leadership, that they may become connected to the one true monthly to keep members and knowledge, hospitality, etc. we can share the Living God. A most blessed and service-filled friends informed of programs and love and kindness of the Lord that He has first Spring to each of you! ministries of the church. Deadline showed to us. On occasion, perhaps, we struggle for copy is generally the 3rd Monday with does it make a difference — teaching a class, In Jesus, of each month, but watch the bulletin ushering, greeting, tending to the flower beds, Pastor Tim for specific dates. serving on a committee, helping in the nursery, For weekly updates, visit our Web preparing a meal, etc. By God’s grace, power and site at: www.connectingwithGod.org love, it does make a difference in the hearts and Articles may be submitted for lives of those we care called to serve here at church, publication subject to content. in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, work places Please submit articles to the and community at large. God provides us many church office or email to the editor avenues to put our faith into action. (at above email address) prior to 3rd Monday deadline. VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 ST. MICHAEL CONNECTIONS PRAYERFUL CONSIDERATIONS A Matter of the Heart “Whoever can be trusted with very little can be was promptly summoned back and given the of Zarephath had to demonstrate obedience. trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest job. The employer’s comment: “Anyone who Jesus used the loaves and fish of a young boy with very little will also be dishonest with much” pays attention to the small things as you just to reveal how God can magnify a small gift. ~ Luke 16:10. Jesus is saying that a faithful did needs to work here.” God commended their faith with small things, and He didn’t overlook what faithful people did person will handle God’s gifts faithfully regardless Unfortunately, we of whether they have few or many gifts entrusted with small things. Christians may to them. Faithfulness is not determined by the incorrectly think Through God’s Word, we understand that small amount entrusted but by the character of the that small things things do count. Because we understand person who uses it. aren’t important our need to be faithful with all things, we A faithful person will do the small thing well. to God. We may should ask ourselves how we are handling One day a young man went to a bank to apply have the attitude the seemingly small things in our lives. Are we for a job. After his interview, he was leaving the that God won’t be concerned with the small handling small things well in our homes, jobs, bank and happened to notice some small trash amount of money or other gifts that we have and churches? Can others see a difference in on the floor. He picked it up and put it in the been given. In the Bible, God spoke mightily us? With God’s help, we can be faithful with waste paper basket. Seconds later, he helped through the little that people had. God used ALL that we’ve been given. Through our an elderly lady out the door. Unknown to the the widow and her two mites to teach us a faithfulness, God will be glorified. young man, the man who had interviewed him lesson about sacrificial giving. He used the for the job was observing him. The young man small amount of flour and oil that the Widow “Faith is to the soul what life is to the body. Prayer is to faith what breath is to the body. How a person can live and not breathe is past my comprehension, and how a person can believe and not pray is past my comprehension, too.” — J.C. Ryle National Day of Prayer The 64th annual National Day of Prayer, May 7, circumstances facing us. May the Lord’s and pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may 2015, will have profound significance for our peace fill your heart as you rest in Him walk in obedience to Your Word. country. It is an unprecedented opportunity to throughout the days ahead. We are desperate for Your tender mercies. We see the Lord’s healing and renewing power are broken and humbled before You. made manifest as we call on citizens to humbly Forgive us, and in the power of Your great come before His throne. love, lift us up to live in Your righteousness. The theme for 2015 is Lord, Hear Our Cry, We pray for our beloved nation. May we repent emphasizing the need for individuals, corporately and return to You and be a light to the nations. and individually, to place their faith in the unfailing And we pray for our leaders and ask that You character of their Creator, who is sovereign over give them wisdom and faith to follow You. all governments, authorities, and men. To further Preserve and protect us, for You are our refuge highlight this theme, I Kings 8:28 has been and only hope. Heavenly Father, chosen as the Scripture for this year: “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying We come to You in the Name that is above Deliver us from all fears except to fear You, and may we courageously stand in the Truth in your presence this day.” every name—Jesus Christ our Lord and that sets us free. Savior. Our hearts cry out to You. For the May 7th observances, Dr. Jack Graham, Knowing that You are a prayer-answering, We pray with expectant faith and grateful the 2015 Honorary Chairman, wrote a special hearts.