Deerfield Lutheran Church

2009 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Welcome to a new decade. The words “new decade” seem even more intimidating in print than they sound aloud.

As we enter into the new twenty-ten era, I can say that it has truly been an honor and spiritually uplifting experience to serve as your Congregation Council President in 2009. I can vividly remember the first time I served some 10 years ago (or so). DLC was facing some challenging times. We were wondering how we would ever be able to pay our bills. We were looking into reducing our benevolence to the ELCA and cutting the funding of various other ministries that we were committed to. An overwhelming sense of anxiety and nervousness came over me. This was shortly replaced by an even larger feeling of peace and calmness that Pastor Larry invoked upon us when he stated that the Lord will provide what we need. Here we are 10 years later still faced with the same questions and emotions yet DLC continues to survive and even thrive.

Deerfield Lutheran Church is not about the building, organ, pews or parking lot. It is the people that make DLC. Our mission statement reads “Called in Worship to Care for Others by Sharing Christ’s Love”. Every week this mission is carried out by all the outstanding members of our congregation. From the Pastor preaching on Sunday or Wednesday, all the way to a precious 3 year old singing in the Sunday school program, everyone who ministers to others is fulfilling our mission. The People are the church. As long as we remember that, DLC will continue be a much needed beacon of hope.

The established core group of leaders we have at DLC continue to demonstrate their passion and love they have toward their God and fellow DLC members by volunteering their time to serve God. Council members, committee members, Worship service leaders, and various other volunteers all play a vital role in the success of DLC. In addition, we have members joining the leadership ranks and performing other needed services for the first time every year. This fresh infuse of talent will serve us well into the 2010’s. Please accept my heartfelt thanks to all of you.

My message today is one of peace, hope, and continued faith.

Peace: May the peace of the Lord which surpasses all understanding be with you now and forever. This statement which is spoken at most all worship services rejuvenates the soul.

Hope: Our baptism and confirmation give us the hope we need for the future. We are children of God and He will watch over us. It’s like I told my children when they went off to college: When you’re down and troubled, when all seems to be lost, God is always there to pick you up.

Faith: The resurrection of our Lord provides us with the faith we need to carry on. Without faith we are nothing more than bodies of water and minerals taking up space on this planet. Because of the faith we have in our God we are much more than this.

Our peace, hope, and faith are all nurtured by the time we spend as members of Deerfield Lutheran Church.

God’s Blessings,

John Connor - DLC President 2009

Stay tuned for Confirmation Information

Time Schedule for 2010-2011

Wednesday Nights

6:00 pm Worship

Orientation - Wednesday, September 8^th

with parents, students and mentors

7-8 pm 7^th Grade begins again September

7-8 pm 8^th Grade begins again September

7-8 pm 9^th Grade with Mentor begins again September

Monthly Meetings

(To be set by group)

Orientation Wednesday, September 8^th at 6:30 pm

6^th Grade with parents

A Few Thoughts on The Lord's Prayer

I cannot pray Our, if my faith has no room for others and their need.

I cannot pray Father, if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.

I cannot pray who art in heaven, if all of my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot pray hallowed by thy name, if I am not striving, with God's help, to be holy.

I cannot pray thy kingdom come, if I am unwilling to accept God's rule in my life.

I cannot pray thy will be done, if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot pray on earth as it is in Heaven, unless I am truly ready to give my self to God's service here and now.

I cannot pray give us this day our daily bread, without expending honest effort for it, or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread that I receive.

I cannot pray forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot pray lead us not into temptation, if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot pray deliver us from evil, if I am not prepared to fight evil with my life and my prayer.

I cannot pray thine is the kingdom, if I an unwilling to obey the King.

I cannot pray thine is the power and the glory, if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.

I cannot pray forever and ever, if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.

I cannot pray Amen, unless I honestly say, "Cost what it may, this is my prayer."

Anonymous

Adult Bible Study starting in September .... TBA

Weekly Events

Other Special Ministries at Deerfield Lutheran:

Prayer shawl ministry (NEW)

The Prayer Shawl Ministry, practiced in many churches throughout the world, is now part of the ministry at Deerfield Lutheran. It is a way to send a message of our love, hope and comfort to those in Biloxi, Mississippi who survived Hurricane Katrina. Currently over twenty shawls, knit or crocheted, will be sent to Biloxi. They are now on display in the church and will be blessed on Sunday, May 20th. This ministry will be continuing to help those in need of comfort, love, and hope to those in need.

Prayer Chain

Fifth Sunday Ministries:
    Dane country Jail ministry
    Lutherdale Bible Camp
    ELCA World Hunger

Youth and Adult Mission Trips