KING
OF
Phone: 314-469-2224
Email: churchoffice@kokstl.org
The Messenger
July/August 2008
Summer with the King
Wednesday evening worship
now through August 6, at
6:15 p.m.
During the summer,
whether you will be gone for Sunday services or need a mid-week pick-me-up,
join us for Summer with the King praise worship services as we “Travel With
Jesus.”
* * *
“Keep Your Sump Pump
Running!”
Dear friends,
Last September my mother-in-law moved from her
100+ year old house on the farm to a much newer house in town. She was thrilled with all the closet space,
the attached garage, the open floor plan and the convenience of living in town. We shared her joy, but we were also thrilled
because she no longer had a basement that constantly leaked.
Whenever it would rain (or even when it would not
rain) she would have water leaking in from various places around the very old
foundation. She often had repairmen out
to work on it, but it seemed that once they took care of one problem, a new
leak appeared. The greatest help was a
couple of sump pumps that she had installed.
The pumps often ran continually to stay above the water problem. If you’ve ever battled a leaky basement, you
can sympathize with this story. If
you’ve never battled a leaky basement, be thankful. It’s no fun.
We, too, are constantly bombarded by showers of
troubles and temptations, many of which find ways of seeping into our lives:
little sins we fail to consider as dangerous…waves of doubt that make us
question God’s goodness…undercurrents of discontentment that echo in our minds
and whisper in our ears.
We also need sump pumps to pump out murky waters
that seep in despite our best efforts of resistance. These sump pumps come in the form of daily
Bible reading, ongoing prayer, regular worship, and accountability to other
Christians. They help us address the
problem and take care of it before it floods our lives.
Many people unintentionally “take a break” from
church, Bible reading and prayer during the summer, giving the excuse that they
are simply too busy. Believe me, if my
mother-in-law’s sump pump had ever stopped, she would have gone out that day to
replace it. It was much too valuable for
her to do without. The sump pumps of
life’s foundation, daily Bible reading, ongoing prayer, regular worship and
accountability are much too valuable to be without!
As I write this message, I am reminded of what the
writer to the Hebrews said in his New Testament letter. He said in Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up
meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Today I want to encourage you to be intentional
about spending some time with our Heavenly Father. If you are gone on the weekends (or if you
would simply enjoy a mid-week time of worship and fellowship), please consider
attending Summer with the King each Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.
“Let the Word of God dwell in you richly as you
teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns
and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16). May your hearts be filled with gratitude as
you live in close fellowship with Jesus our King!
God’s presence, peace, and power
be yours now and always!
Pastor Doug Chinberg
* * *
Hymn-Sings and Other
Preservice “Stuff”
So, did you enjoy the patriotic sing-along we had
Memorial Day weekend? We hope so! We know many did, because they were quite
vocal in expressing their delight. We
also heard from several who liked the song presented prior to the traditional
worship on June 8.
Please let me suggest that you are missing out on
worship opportunities if you arrive when the bells are ringing, or later. Over the summer months, many musical
offerings will be presented to God and to you as part of the preservice
time. There will be the occasional
hymn-sing, vocal solos, instrumental music, piano music, and, yes, appropriate
music for organ.
All is intended to make preservice a time for
prayer, meditation and, of course, for greeting your fellow
worshippers--without disturbing the prayer and meditation which also is taking
place before worship.
Effective worship requires preparation of heart,
mind and soul. Try to make it to church
early so we can help you prepare to worship our King of Kings.
Soli Deo Gloria
Minister of Music
* * *
Summer
Choir
The King of Kings Summer Choir will sing at 8:00
a.m. on the last Sunday of each month.
Songs can be easily learned, and we will be able to get each one “under
our belts” with a single rehearsal.
Everyone is welcome!
This is the schedule:
Rehearse: July 23, 7:00 p.m.
Sing: July 27, 8:00 a.m.
Rehearse: August 27, 7:00 p.m.
Sing: August 31, 8:00 a.m.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Minister of Music
* * *
AN IDEA!
Bring healthy, “kid
friendly” food for Grace’s food pantry.
* * *
God truly blessed our
We thank God for our effective leaders who gave so
much of their time, talents and themselves. We, also, give thanks and the Lord’s blessings
to all our workers who did a fantastic job:
Thanks, too, to the countless people that prayed
for our VBS, our staff and the children, and thanks to the many people who
donated items and funds! Together, we all
helped share the Gospel message with the 112 children and their families.
PRAISE GOD!
* * *
The ChristCare Corner
Do you care about Christ? Do you
care about people? Do you have a track
record of effective involvement in caring ministries, either in the church or
in the community? Do you genuinely have
a reputation for sensitivity, warmth, and affirmation? Are you someone who has never served
because you have never been asked? Well,
I was one of those people and now I am asking you!
Please prayerfully consider this “SPECIAL
CALL.” If you feel that this article is
speaking directly to you and feel an urge to just CHECK IT OUT, then email me
at the church office!
“God whispers in our pleasures
but shouts in our pain.” ~ C.S.
Lewis Is he whispering to you to come
and experience one of His greatest pleasures: caring for each other? Read the comments of how ChristCare is
working in the lives of the people attending ChristCare. Pray about becoming a Christ Care
Leader. We need You!
“Our group
has grown spiritually in such a short time, thanks to the Beginnings
Book!! Most of us are new!” ~Member
“As a new
member of King of Kings Lutheran Church, I was surprised that the members of
KOK were so caring and more than ready to show you how to become more involved
in the ministries of the church. The
members of our ChristCare group gave us so much support when our daughter had
to be hospitalized and subsequently my grandson had to be delivered by caesarian
section due to her developing pre-eclampsia.
In addition to the support of our ChristCare group and the entire KOK
members’ prayers made the outcome so very good for us and our grandson. I do not believe that the baby's prognosis
would have turned out so well if not for the efforts of our C.C. group and the
entire King of Kings congregation. God
Bless All of You!!!” ~Member
“I don't know
what it is, whether it is the covenant, the lesson or the people, nonetheless,
I am experiencing a desire of those in attendance to share their hearts of
things that, in the past, didn't seem to happen as freely. Of course, I am certain that our wonderful
leader has a lot to do with this.” ~Member
“I look
forward to ChristCare because it is a night out with good friends and we are
lifted up by being with other Christians.” ~Member
“I enjoy
looking for the Bible verse applications in our lives during Biblical Equipping
Apart.” ~Member
“The
ChristCare group is a new way of studying the Bible.” ~Member
“The small
group makes sharing more personal.” ~Member
“Certainly,
with God's guidance, we unite with all others.
We blend our unique qualities to complement and support one
another. We connect and harmonize in new
ways with loving respect.” ~Member
“Our
‘Beginnings’ class is better than our past small group experiences. Because of the ChristCare training, God has
made us close. We're learning a lot
about our God from His Word and each other!
Thank You to our Equippers for their teaching and continuing
support.” ~Leader
“Much like
Koinonia, Highway 40 is now closed! But
ChristCare is now open to new adventures and experiences which will widen our
views and open up areas for more people to travel, so that we can ALL find that
straighter path to the end of our journey.” ~Members/Leader
2 Timothy 1:9: “(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.
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”
The word fellowship has lost most of its
biblical meaning. “Fellowship” now
usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food, and fun. Real fellowship is experiencing life
together.
Share each other’s troubles and
problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ~Galatians 6:2
- ChristCare Small Group Ministry Team
* * *
Sharing The Heart of The
King:
Stewardship of Love
Through Giving
At King of Kings, we proclaim that we “Share
The Heart of The King.” What does
that mean? What is in the heart of the
King that we are sharing?
Is God’s heart filled with love of earthly
wealth? I think we would agree this is
not the case. So what is in God’s heart
that we are sharing? Reflect a moment on
the Bible references below to confirm what is and is not in God’s heart.
“Therefore, as God's chosen
people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12
“’Teacher, which is the greatest
commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on
these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
“Do not store up for yourselves
treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and
steal. But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do
not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
“No one can serve two masters.
Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the
one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24
Is there any doubt that the Heart of the King is
full of love for us? Is there any doubt
that we are to share God’s love with others?
Individually we share the Heart of the King through whole life
stewardship, by giving back to God what He has first given us because He loves
us.
We share God’s love together through ministries at
King of Kings. Ministries require people
who are gifted to teach and preach and serve on committees and boards. Ministries also require continued faithful
giving of our earthly wealth.
Thank you for supporting our ministries at King of
Kings through your financial support thus far this year. Financial giving takes disciplined maturity
and patient perseverance. Please
continue your financial support of King of Kings as we work through some difficult
financial times in our country.
“May the Lord direct your hearts
into God's love and Christ's perseverance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5
- Board
of Stewardship
* * *
YOUTH NEWS
Let's Go to the Movies!
Starting July 2nd, Wednesday nights are Youth
Movie Nights. Following the Summer
With the King praise service, all youth are invited to enjoy movies and
refreshments in the youth room. We look
forward to seeing you at the movies!
* * *
Christian Family Day
The entire King of Kings family and friends are
invited to sign up for Christian Family Day at Six Flags to be held on August
9th. The cost is only $29.99 per person,
which includes a buffet lunch. For an additional
$4.00, you can add a concert by national recording artist, Newsboys. Please sign up in the lobby at the
Connection Corner by July 27, or contact the church office.
* * *
Sewing for Jesus
Remember the seventy-three lap robes KOK members
made last year? They were so beautiful
and so appreciated, and we would like to continue this ministry. Our Sewing for
We would like to include everyone who enjoys
knitting, crocheting, sewing, weaving, embroidering, or quilting. We have many ideas of items to make,
including lap robes, shawls, chemo caps, baby caps, baby blankets, and preemie
blankets. Or, you might have ideas of
your own.
There will be a box in the lobby at the Connection
Corner for any donations of fabric, yarn, etc., as well as a three-ring binder
where you will find patterns and prayers.
Our KOK Women’s Craft Group is busy making cards which will be included
with each item given to a recipient.
These shawls (etc.) will be given to persons experiencing an illness, a
loss, a new babies or is in crisis. This
ministry is under the umbrella of the Prayer Ministry, and we praise God for
that.
If you are interested in making something, just
start creating. If you are not a
creator, please pray. If you want more
information, please contact the church office.
Also, watch for classes where you can learn and we can work together.
* * *
School Supplies
Beginning in July, we will collect school supplies
for needy clients of Grace Lutheran Food Pantry in Pagedale. Many of the big discount stores will soon be
offering school supplies at very low prices.
Please bring your donations to Strickert Hall and put them in the boxes
marked “School Supplies” .
Items needed are:
wide ruled spiral notebooks, wide ruled notebook paper, 3-ring notebooks
(2” capacity), 3-brad pocket folders,
16-count crayons, rulers, erasers, glue sticks, #2 lead pencils, black or blue
ballpoint pens, pocket calculators, Fiskars scissors, backpacks, etc. Your donations are appreciated.
- Board of Social
Ministry
* * *
Women’s Guild-LWML Book
Club
2008-2009 Books
Ladies, plan to join the Women’s Book Club this
fall and now is a good time to start reading.
These are the books that have been chosen for the upcoming year.
September
23 -
“Bruchko” by Bruce Olson
October
28 -
“The Perfect Life” by Robin Lee Hatcher
January
27 -
“God of Our Mothers: Face to Face with Powerful Women of the Old
Testament” by M.R. Ritley
February
24 -
“Winter Birds” by Jamie Langston Turner
March 24 - “Garlic
and Sapphire” by Ruth Reichi
April 28 -
“Joshua” by Joseph F. Girzone
May 26 - “A
Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini
These books are available in the church library to
Book Club participants until the date the books are discussed. (Books are available to everyone after they
have been discussed.) The group meets at
7:00 p.m. in the Concordia Room.
Refreshments are served. The May
meeting is held at a restaurant. The
group would love to have all you women join them. Questions, call the church office.
* * *
Gals’ Movie Nights
5:30 p.m.
in the youth room
Gals, you are invited to come and watch movies with your KOK gal friends,
and why not invite your teenage daughters to join you. We weren’t able to watch the movie in June,
so it was postponed until July.
Monday, July 14 - “Secondhand
Lions”
Monday, August 11 - “The
Last Sin Eater”
Be sure to come, bring a friend, a snack to share, money for pizza and your
own beverage.
Questions, call the church office.
* * *
KOK Restaurant Night
Monday, July 28,
4:00-9:00 p.m. at
Fortel’s Pizza Den on
Clayton Road
This month, our KOK Restaurant Night is the same,
but a little different. Two Fortel’s
Pizza Den coupons are included in this newsletter: one so you can join us on
July 28th at the Ballwin location, and the second which you can use anytime
during the month of July at either of Fortel’s locations (Creve Coeur or
Ballwin).
Please hand the coupon to the server and King of
Kings will receive 10% of your check.
The coupon is also valid anytime during the month of July for
dine in, carry out or delivery at either the Creve Coeur or the Ballwin
locations. More coupons will be
available in the lobby at the Connection Corner for you to use all month.
Women’s Guild appreciates your participation. Funds raised will be used for our church
library, Friends of Mercy (see Yellow Corn article below), and other KOK
and mission projects. Questions, call
the church office.
- Women’s Guild’s Book
Club-LWML
* * *
* * *
Yellow Corn is a Sign of
Desperation
The next couple of years look desperate for the
poor in
In a recent phone interview with Deaconess Lorna,
she simply said, “They’re eating yellow corn in Kibera” (
To you and me, the significance goes over our
head. Kenyan corn is white. Yellow corn means that they are eating corn
from the
What is most worrisome is when you combine the sky-rocketing
price of food and the fact that their crops were destroyed, many wonder if we
will begin to see pictures of malnutrition and starvation coming out of
Friends of Mercy (a recognized service
organization of LCMS World Relief and Human Care)
Note: Friends of
Mercy’s mission is primarily in
King of Kings’ Women’s Guild has chosen Friends
of Mercy as their mission project for 2008 and has already, with your help,
sent them $500. Please continue to enjoy
eating at our KOK Restaurant Nights, knowing that you are helping hungry people
in
* * *
Freedom from Hunger
Freedom from Hunger is a special effort to
collect food and raise awareness about hunger.
One in seven persons in
* * *
It’s Summer!
Don’t forget that your King of Kings library is a
great source of vacation time reading materials. Check it out.
- Librarian
* * *
Help us Recycle!
Paper - a paper recycling bin is in our parking lot for newspapers,
magazines, catalogs, mail, copy paper, posters and envelopes. Please No phone books, plastic, metal
or glass items. We also recycle Inkjet
Cartridges and Cell Phones (not
cell phone accessories). Please bring
them to the church office or place them in the plastic recycling cart in
Strickert Hall. Questions, talk with the
church office.