<<<< The Pastor’s Page Sacred Books- Dianetics As we continue our series on the sacred books of various religions, this month we will focus on Dianetics. While this book is not as popularly circulated as the Qu’ran, Book of Mormon, and New World Translation, it is the backbone of a religion which gets some attention in the media. The full name for this book is Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Who uses it? Dianetics is one of the main books of Scientology. Scientology is a very mysterious religion which keeps many of their teachings from Dianetics secret. They believe every person is an immortal “thetan” who has to confront our “engrams” in order to make ourselves more powerful. This process is known as “auditing” and allows some people to be become aliens after they die. Since the process of “auditing” and becoming more powerful is very expensive, this religion is more popular among celebrities. John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Nancy Cartwright, Kirstie Alley, and Lisa Marie Presley are just a few of the celebrities involved with this religion. However, the teachings of Dianetics and Scientology are present in several other forms. Scientology sponsors and teaches through the Narconon anti-drug program, the Criminon prison rehabilitation program, the Study Tech education methodology, and the organization The Way to Happiness. Scientology even has one of their large meeting places right here in St. Paul! When and how was it written? L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986) was an author who primarily wrote science fiction and self-help resources. Hubbard himself admits that he was trying to earn a living and make money off of these books. After first publishing Dianetics as a self-help resource in 1950, he noticed its rising popularity. Hubbard quickly devoted his time to traveling and teaching people about this book. As he started making money from these seminars, Hubbard soon formed the religion of Scientology. Before Hubbard passed away in 1986, he made a net worth of approximately $600 million from Scientology. How do we understand this book as Christians? As Christians, we understand Dianetics to be a false book filled with the teachings of a strange religion. Dianetics and any of the other resources from Scientology are very dangerous to a person’s salvation. We are not alien beings who need to unlock our inner power. We are God’s baptized and loved children! God “has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:9). While some of the self-help teachings of Dianetics will sound good to people’s ears, they are incorrect and are based on an unchristian understanding of the world. Anyone who has been deceived by the false teachings of Dianetics needs our prayers and our love as we show them the truth about life. As Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). If you have questions about this or any other sacred book, just let me know! -Pastor Tim The USED A BIT Sale at will be held at New Life May 9, 10, 11 Hours on Thursday and Friday are 9 am­5 pm and Sat. 9-12 noon. You may begin bringing items after 12:00 on Sunday, May 5th. All non Used A Bit clothing items should be priced if possible, — nothing less than 25 cents. Clothing need not be priced but should be marked clearly with the size. There will be a separate selling area for antique or more valuable items.. Large items can brought, but must be taken back if not sold. Donation receipts will be available. Set Up Dates May 6-7-8 Workers needed to help with set up and days of sale. Look for the sign up sheet on the bulletin board; questions see Judy W. or Kathy B. Help will also be needed to pack them up on Saturday at 12:00 pm. Lots of help will be needed all week. All remaining items will be donated to a charity. Funds raised from the sale will be used for Mission Projects. See the sign up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board to sign up to help . Start saving items and tell others of the sale. Altar Preparation: Kathy Brevig Cleaning: Audio Visual: David Streitz May 2 Cleaning Authority Elder on duty: Paul Luecke May 9-10-11 Jayn Fritsche and Sonja Trombley Communion Assistants: Jerry Gunderson and Lyle Nelson May 16– Cleaning Authority Ushers: Eric Grunwald, Cheryl Grunwald, Brent Krause, May 23-24-25 Phyllis Trippel and Leah Hageman Wally Jenson, and Anthony Endthoff May 30 Cleaning Authority May Sunday School Teacher: April Sunday School Assistants: Bill Fritsche Jayn Fritsche, Tim Trombley, Pastor John, Chris Steensland and James Kiewel May 26 May 5 Greeters: Linda Anderson and Linda Wiegert Greeters: Brent Krause and Jerry Gunderson Power Point Tech: Olivia Pyle Power Point Tech: Anthony Endthoff Reader: Wane Gartland Reader: Jerry Gunderson Acolytes Windows: Charity Fitzhugh and Delaney Pyle Acolytes Windows: Elvis Onduko and Brody Schllundt Acolylte Candles: Zach Kollos Acolylte Candles: Anthony Endthoff Snacks: Dorothy Meilinger, Brenda Hudalla and Jane Krause Snacks: Dorothy Meilinger, Darlene Sutton, and Judy West June 2 May 12 Greeters: To Be Determined Greeters: Judy West and Pat Martin Power Point Tech: To be determined Power Point Tech: Samara Springer Reader: Delaney Pyle Reader: Kay Walfoort Acolytes Windows: To be determined Acolytes Windows: Amelia Butcher and Lila Heinecke Acolytes Candles: To be determined Acolylte Candles: John Aufderhar Snacks: James Kiewel, Lynn Nelson, and Linda Wiegert Snacks: Mother’s Day Brunch served by New Life Men May 19 Greeters: John and Helen Schildwachter Power Point Tech: John Hageman Reader: John Hageman Acolytes Windows: Abigail Broz and Natalie Steensland Acolylte Candles: Mia Hageman Snacks: Joan Arndt, Kathy Brevig, and Carole Swiden 5-2 Kathy Afderhar 5-19 Alexandria Endthoff 5-3 Pastor Tim 5-19 John Schildwachter 5-9 Arianna Sutton 5-21 Rick Garmaker 5-10 Adam Hausladen, Jr 5-21 Brenda Hudalla 5-15 Joshua Udstuen 5-26 Kate Watkins 5-17 Elaine Whalen Church Summer Picnic Sunday, June 9, at New Life Church. Potluck @11:45 - Games from 12:30—2:30 pm. Fellowship Board will provide fried chicken for the potluck and ice cream after the Tug of War finale around 2:30 pm. What to bring? - A dish to share. Invite your neighbors, friends, and family. Sharpen the axe Go and make disciples. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Love your enemies. Serve one another. Know “Give me six hours to chop down a tree that you are blessed when you are persecuted. and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe”—Abraham Lincoln That huge task means we need to make sure we spend enough time preparing for the task. Hebrews 10:24,25 tells us how: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” It is so much easier to do the work Jesus has for us when we first meet together and encourage each other. That is what keeps us sharp and gives us the motivation to seek out those who don’t know Jesus— both the ones who are hurting and the ones who are President Lincoln had it right. The time you spend hostile. Trying to do this by yourself will only wear preparing for your work makes the work so much you down and make you dull. easier. Has one of your fellow Christians missed out on their Jesus gave us work to do too. Be salt and light in the Christian axe sharpening? Give them a call and invite world. Feed the hungry. Care for widows and orphans. them to come back. Check the UPDATE BOX monthly for any change of address or phone numbers of our members. **NOTE ** If you have any contact information changes please send them to Phyllis at [email protected] or Pastor Tim. No updates this month 5-4 Joan and Jim Arndt 5-11 Dennis and Linda Garner 5-18 James and Anna Kiewel 5-20 Pastor and Lisa Heinecke 5-24 Michael and Betsy Walcheski JUNE 3 POTLUCK PICNIC FOR WOMEN AT KATHY B'S HOME @ 6:30 pm. We will vote on which Missions to donate Used a Bit proceeds to. Pastor: Tim Heinecke Assistant to the Pastor: Rev John Schildwachter Administrative Assistant: Lisa Heinecke Church Officers Committee & Working Group Coordinators President: Eric Grunwald Acolytes/PowerPoint Techs: Dee Winter Vice President: Dave Wallner Altar Care: Judy West Audio & Visual: Elders Treasurer: Zach Trippel Bulletin: Lisa Heinecke Secretary: Carole Swiden Church Cleaning: Phyllis Trippel Financial Secretary: Dave Streitz Church Decorating: Betsy Walcheski Church Property Use/Rental: BoCP – Dave Streitz Church Council & Board Members Garden Maintenance: Jeanne Woeltge Elders: Brent Krause (chair) , Paul Luecke, Greeters: Lynn Nelson Wally Jensen, Michael Walcheski Lawn Maintenance: Phil Watkins Board of Education: Linda Wiegert (chair), LifeLine: Phyllis Trippel Penny Butcher, Leah Hageman, Pat Martin, New Life Women: Kathy Brevig, Judy West Phyllis Trippel Readers: Phyllis Trippel SEM Board (Stewardship, Evangelism, Missions): Snacks: Dorothy Meilinger Jane Streitz (chair), John Schildwachter, Soul Purpose: Cheryl Grunwald Ginny Mullin Sunday flowers pick up: Kathy Brevig Sunday flowers payment: Judy West Fellowship Board: Mary Watkins (chair), Ushers: Elders Darlene Sutton, Jayn Fritsche, Website: Kay Walfoort Carol Larson, Joan Arndt Board of Church Properties: Dave Streitz (chair), Phil Watkins, Brent Krause, Wally Jensen, Dave Swiden Weekly Bible Readings In May, we are in the “Easter Season.” Overall, our readings are continuing to celebrate Jesus’ victory over death as we look forward to His Second Coming.