October 2024 Friendship Circle News
Our next meeting is October 16th at 1:30 p.m. at St. John Memorial Hall.
THEME: Seasons of Life
HYMN: "In Holy Conversation" (LSB 772)
DEVOTION: "Seasons" given by Jo-Ann Miller
ROLL CALL: Where were you baptized or confirmed?
BIBLE STUDY: "Stillness on the Seasons of Life" led by Debbie MacGregor
BUSINESS: Slate of Officers; set date for Christmas Meeting
September Meeting News
•Nominating Committee appointed – Jo-Ann Miller and Ruth Wille.
•Program Committee appointed – Gayle Grimm and Paula Moege.
•Nest NOISY SUNDAY is December 31.
•Fall Zone Event date is September 21st at St. Luke’s in Manhattan.
•LWML Sunday and NOISY SUNDAY is September 29th.
MISSION GRANT NO. 20 is the focus for October Mite Offerings. “Sharing Christ with Women and Children in Kazakhstan” Lutheran Hour Ministries - $100,000
Kazakhstan is a large and landlocked country in central Asia and a former member of the USSR.
The population is 70% Muslim and about 26% Christian. Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) is working
with local churches to serve women and children and uses digital outreach and printed Christian
resources to reach the unchurched.
LHM-Kazakhstan is one of few Christian organizations that is allowed by the government to share
the Gospel throughout the whole country. The outreach is primarily done through training programs
for youth and women church leaders, providing children and youth programs, holistic ministry,
providing Christian materials in Kazakh and Russian languages, and digital outreach and online
Bible courses. LHM broadcasts radio and TV programs on the internet where it is even more
widely viewed. LHM would like to expand their Gospel outreach to share the hope and love of Jesus
to a country of spiritual and physical poverty.
We pray: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth” (Isaiah 12:4-5)
JUBELLATION: JuBellation rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
VOICES FOR GOD: This season, the choir practices on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. We have ordered new songs and selected some of our favorites which we plan to sing throughout the rest of the calendar year. We are always listening for new voices to join us.
LUNCH BUNCH will meet October 13th at El Corral in Alma at 11:00. Please tell Kathy Schultz, or call Cheryl in the church office, or sign up so we can let the restaurant know how many are coming.
YOUTH GROUP MEETING: The youth will gather at the home of Jim and Kim Diehl’s, 26803 Hessdale Road. They will meet October 27th at noon for lunch and pumpkin carving afterwards.
BOOK STUDY: The book study group is meeting October 3rd at Elaine Becker’s home. Please read chapters 7-11. The location for the next meeting is not set.
FLINT HILLS LUTHERANS FOR LIFE will host an event at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Wamego at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 13th. Nate Bruns of LifeLine Children’s Services will discuss care for the vulnerable, adoption (including “wrap around care,” i.e. care given to adoptive parents and families as they navigate the process and ultimately adopt), and “standing for life.”
PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: A community event will be hosted by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Topeka on October 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They will feature German food consisting of bierocks, German potato salad, brats, hot dogs, apple streusel, and more. For the adults, there will be a free ball drop and a $250 free cash drawing. Crafts, artwork, baked goods, vendors, and food trucks will be there along with a free cake walk every 15 minutes and free pumpkin painting. A play area for the children will be there including blow-ups, lollipops, face painting, and games. Dogs and puppies there will be up for adoption. Prince of Peace is located at 3625 SW Wanamaker Rd. in Topeka. For more information, check their website at www.princeofpeacetopeka.com.
FLINT HILLS LUTHERANS FOR LIFE is hosting a fostering/adoption event on October 13th at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Wamego at 2:00 p.m. Nate Bruns of LifeLine Children’s Services will discuss care for the vulnerable, adoption (including “wrap around care,” i.e., care given to adoptive parents and families as they navigate the process and ultimately adopt), and “standing for life.”
STAY STRONG, STAY HEALTHY: K-State Research and Extension is conducting a strength training program for older adults. Strength training is no longer for bodybuilders. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is an eight-week, evidence-based strength training program designed for older adults who want to improve their quality of life and stay active. Classes will be held at St. John Luther Church Memorial Hall, not the gym. The exercises are easy to learn, safe, and effective. No need to wear special clothes – just comfortable, loose-fitting pants and shirt along with sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes. To register, call 785-765-3821 or email btrieb@ksu.edu.
ST. LUKE LUTHERAN CHURCH, WHEATON: The annual fried chicken and ham supper at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wheaton will be held Sunday, October 6th. Serving begins at 4:30 p.m. Cost for adults is $12.00, for children ages 5-10 is $6.00, and for children under 4 it is free. Along with the fried chicken and ham, there will be mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, salads, coleslaw, and homemade breads and pies. Homemade goodies and crafts will also be available for purchase.
Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you for the birds that sing.
Thank you God for everything.
From the Parish Nurse…
PERFECTIONISM AND FORGIVENESS
We have often heard the phrase, “Good is the enemy of Great.” In the right context it can serve as a motivation to inspire people to higher achievement. However, when striving for excellence becomes confused with unrealistic expectations, fault finding in others, or a fear of failure, then life becomes an endless report card and well-worn path of unhappiness. These characteristics are the hallmarks of perfectionism.
Perfectionism can affect young people as well as adults, making one feel unhappy with one’s life. It can lead to depression and anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm. Even mild cases can interfere with the quality of life, affecting personal relationships, education, and work. Perfectionism can occur in a range and may impact one or more areas of one’s life. Signs of perfectionism include the following:
•Pressure to meet increasing expectations
•Difficulty overlooking small mistakes
•Needing exact rules, expectations,
•Self-worth that is contingent upon success
When left unchecked, these unrelenting requirements can lead to a need for professional counseling to deal with the damaging effects that perfectionism has for so many people. In the United States, the universal hotline for mental health services is 988 and operates 24 hours a day. Counseling is a wonderful tool for many people and should be encouraged. Services are available such as Lutheran Social Services. Christian counselors work in many agencies including online. Counseling often involves learning how to forgive. For many forgiving others, as well as one’s self, is not easy.
The Greek word in the Bible translated for “forgiveness” literally means “to let go,” as when a person does not demand payment for a debt. Jesus used the comparison in His parable of the unmerciful servant (Matt. 18:23-35). Forgiving means letting go of resentments and unrealistic expectation for others and self. It keeps no record of wrongs (1 Cor. 13:5).
Forgiveness involves confession. Confession is an acknowledgement, ultimately, of our sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn. 1:9-10)
Forgiveness involves remembering God’s forgiveness. Recounting the great debt paid by Jesus dying on the cross for our sins is the power to forgive ourselves and others. Jesus stressed the importance of forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer: “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,” and that includes ourselves. Forgiveness also involves persistence and prayer. Behavior and thought patterns do not change overnight. Often we need to work overtime at forgiveness and be persistent in prayer for real change. As we tackle the issues, we do with the confidence that, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION PLAN RENEWAL TIME
Each year beneficiaries have the opportunity to review their health and drug coverage for the next year during the Open Enrollment Period, October 15th through December 7th. SHICK counselors are available to answer questions and assist beneficiaries with their shopping and enrollment.
The Medicare Prescription Drug Finder provides a way to make specific plan comparisons. It is available electronically at www.medicare.gov orby calling the Wabaunsee County Extension Office at 785-765-3821. You may also call a customer service representative at 1-800-633-4227. Do not assume that last year’s plan is good for you for the coming year.
For additional information, call the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KSADS) Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) at 800-860-5260.
(from the Parish Nurse Newsletter – Fall email from Mary Hume.)
HEALTH CHECK: The Parish Nurse will be available after the service on September 8th to check blood pressures and address any health-related concerns. This is a free service and available for anyone.
Blessings in Christ,
Janet Wertzberger, RN Parish Nurse