THE PARSON ’S PEN. . .

THE KEY TO ST. PETER

Phone: 940.872.1886 Fax: 940.872.8837

E-mail: stpetertexscty@att.net

906 Hwy 59 N. P. O. Box 133

Bowie, TX 76230

ST. PETER

LUTHERAN

CHURCH

INSIDE THIS ISSUE :

THE PARSON’S

PEN

1-2

BIBLE STUDY /

TRUTH

2

SERVING GOD’S

HOUSE / LWML /

COOKBOOK

3

S.P.A. P ICS &

NEWS

4

ST PETER

MEMORIAL BOOK /

WALSTON FAMILY /

MARRIAGE ENC.

5

KID ’S PAGE 6

APRIL CALENDAR 7

HOLY WEEK

SCHEDULE

8

APRIL 2012

NEWSLETTER Matthew 27:3-5 (ESV) “Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned,

he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and

the elders saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that

to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he

departed, and he went and hanged himself.”

One cold night, as an Arab sat in his tent, a camel gently thrust his nose under the flap

and looked in. “Master,” he said, “let me put my nose in your tent for it is cold and

stormy out here.” “By all means and welcome,” said the Arab, and he turned and went to

sleep. A little while later he awoke and found that the camel had not only put his nose in

the tent, but his head and neck as well. The camel said, “I will take just a little more room

if I place my forelegs within. It is difficult standing without.” “You may also plant your

forelegs within,” said the Arab, moving a little to make room because the tent was small.

Finally the camel said, “May I not stand wholly within? I keep the tent open by standing

as I do.” “Yes, yes,” said the Arab, “come wholly inside.” So the camel crowded in. The

next time the Arab woke up he was outside in the cold and the camel had the tent to

himself.

Sin is like that camel. It moves in. It takes its time, seeking permission. It moves in

slowly, trying to take over. Sin is trying to capture the whole thing so that you will be out

in the cold. Sin is progressive. Sin will never be satisfied to have just a part of you. It

must have all of you so that you are left defeated. You no longer have a problem, now

you are the problem.

With Holy Week upon us, we will be looking closely at Jesus very quickly losing

popularity from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to His betrayal, to the cross. Now

might be a time to take a brief look at Jesus’ betrayer.

If we were to ask Judas, “Judas—what’s your problem?” chances are that he would have

replied, “Problem? What problem?” His betrayal of Jesus didn’t occur suddenly. It was

not a spur of the moment thing. Earlier, when Mary had poured expensive perfume on

Jesus’ feet, Judas objected. We read in John 12:4-6 that he said, “Why was this ointment

not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (300 denarii was roughly a

years wages) Now listen to the next sentence: “He said this, not because he cared about

the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help

himself to what was put into it.”

He then developed into a habit. The camel took his time until he finally had the tent all to

himself, and the Arab was left out in the cold. Judas’ love of money took its time until

finally the sin became a monster. Before he knew it, Judas was left out in the cold, and it

destroyed him.

What’s the problem? Jesus had chosen him as one of the twelve. He was called to be an

apostle, to help lay the foundation for the New Testament Church of Christianity. He

heard Jesus’ messages and saw His miracles. He went out with the other disciples to

preach and teach. He let Jesus wash his feet on Thursday of Holy Week. How is it

possible that a respectful man like this ends up where he did?

Maundy Thursday is this week and every time we take the Lord’s Supper we’re reminded

of Judas’ problem as we hear the words of institution, “Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the

night He was betrayed.” Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray Him. One

after the other they ask, “Is it I, Lord?” In Matthew 26 we read, “He [Jesus]

answered,“He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me”. Then Judas,

the one who would betray Him, said, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him,“You have said

so.” (Matthew 26:22-23,25).

Pastor’s Bible Study A Closer Look at the Lessons 9:30 a.m. — Sunday mornings In the Sanctuary Led by Pastor Knobloch

Young Adults Bible Study Join the young adults to explore scripture 9:30 a.m. — Sunday mornings In the Nelson Street house Led by Arn Anderson

Wednesday Night Bible Study Study of Second Corinthians 7:00 p.m. — Wednesday evenings In the Nelson Street House Led by Jim Atkinson

Women’s Bible Study Studying Ephesians “Finding your identity and purpose in Christ” 9:30 a.m. — Thursday mornings In the Nelson Street House Led by Wanda Brummett

Men’s Bible Study Studying Joseph, Carpenter of Steel 6:45 a.m. — Friday mornings In the Nelson Street House Led by Pastor Knobloch

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES After the Last Supper we read in Luke 22:4-5, “He

[Judas] went away and conferred with the chief

priests and officers how he might betray him to

them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him

money.”

He sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. Greed had

completely taken over. Judas gave it permission to move

in and stay in. Then he found himself out in the cold.

We look at what Judas did and think, “How could he do

such a thing!”, yet, have we allowed the camel’s nose of

sin to work its way into our hearts? It starts innocent

enough, a little thing here or there and soon, we have sin

sitting on top of us, weighing us down and we can’t see a

way out. But keep in mind, we are not alone in this:

We have no problem with sin that Christ can’t

overcome.

We have no problem with sin that Christ hasn’t

already solved.

We have no sin that Christ won’t forgive.

We have no problem with sin that Christ hasn’t

already dealt with on the cross.

You may have a money problem, a weight problem, or a

drug problem, but no problem is worse than living and

dying without a Savior. Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a

fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Some of you may believe that Judas’ sin was so horrible

that he could not be forgiven. Some of you may believe

at times that your sins are too numerous that you cannot

be saved. Listen to 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow

to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is

patient toward you, not wishing that any should

perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Did you get that? The Lord is not wanting anyone to

perish, not Judas, not you. Christ’s forgiveness does not

depend on your behavior; it doesn’t even matter whether

you deserve it or not. I’m sure that you believe in the

miracles of the Bible. You believe in the parting of the

Red Sea, the feeding of the 5,000, the raising of Lazarus

from the dead. These are great miracles of God and every

one of them is true. Yet the greatest miracle in the Bible

is the forgiveness of your sins! It’s the greatest miracle

that can happen in anyone’s life. It’s impossible to for-

give yourself your sins. Forgiveness is impossible until

Christ brings His miracle into your life and says, “I for-

give you.” When that happens, sin becomes His problem,

He defeated it on the cross and it’s gone! The wonderful

news is that by faith in Jesus as your Savior, it’s gone for

you—totally, completely, and forever.

In Christ, Pastor K.

SERVING IN GOD’S HOUSE APRIL

Altar Guild - Rebecca Horton

Altar Care– Carla Hughes, Donna Unger, Anna Bell Wolsey Acolytes — 4/1 - Victoria Lasch & Shelby Horton 4/8 - Mary Atkinson & Josh Knobloch 4/15 - Aubrey Gill & Lauren Gill 4/22 - Katie Jones & Will Jones 4/29 - Travis Fechtler & Dalton Fechtler 5/6 - Shelby Keyes & Isaac Babineaux

Elder — William Pickett

Counters — Jimmie Little, Bob Aune, Mel Hargrove

Lay Readers — 4/1 - Bryan Roth 4/8 - Monty Moeller 4/15 - Arn Anderson 4/22 - Bob Aune 4/29 - William Pickett 5/6 - Bryan Roth

PAGE 3

Lutheran Women’s Mission League The ladies attending the LWML meeting in March had the chance to hear a wonderful book review by Mary Whatley. The book was "Roadkill on the Highway to Heaven" by Chanda Pierce (Christian comedian & speaker). The review was filled with hilarious stories of

real life and real faith. The meeting continued with discussion of the Spring Rally, LWML Convention being

held June 28 - July 1 in College Station, and also the dedication of 52 quilts on March 25. New business included discussion of making paraments for the new church, Holy Week lunch volunteers and progression on

the St. Peter Cookbook. Our next meeting will be held on April 10 at 7 p.m.

St. Peter Cookbook Recipes still needed for the cookbook: only cookies, candy, breads

and miscellaneous (like kid’s recipes, jams, jelly, canning, sauces or irregular items).

Thank you!

PAGE 4 St. Peter Activity (SPA) S.P.A. TRIP - We will be taking a trip to the Grapevine Mall on Saturday, April 14. We will meet

at the Nelson St. House at 12:00 and return by 7:00. Options include Legoland Discovery Center, SeaLife Aquarium Grapevine or just wandering the mall for a while. Legoland and

SeaLife require an entry fee and reservations.

Legoland Discovery Center DFW is like stepping into the biggest box of LEGO bricks in the world. With over two million bricks under one roof, this exciting indoor attraction also offers its visitors a fun and highly interactive experience that is made up of a series of interactive features includ-ing hands-on play areas, a 4D cinema and a LEGO themed ride.

Grapevine SeaLife Aquarium includes a 360 degree ocean tunnel, a shark walk and over 5,000 creatures. Dive in and be wowed by the many strange, beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep as you journey through the amazing underwater world of SeaLife Grapevine. If you get any closer, you will have to get wet!

Reservations must be made by Thursday, April 5. Contact Cyndi at revksfrau@yahoo.com or 936.546.3127 or the church office 872-1886. Cost is $8 per person per attraction.

Sixteen youth and adults joined for a few hours of games and fellowship at

Salona on Game Day, March 17.

On March 12, 14 youth and adults took a trip to the Boyd Exotic Animal Park. They learned about the rescued animals and enjoyed getting really close to see them.

PAGE 5

As we begin planning the dedication of our new church building, we are striving to keep everyone informed about our

construction. We are planning to have a special memorial book and memory book to honor loved ones and need the names of friends, former members and extended family members of our

congregation that would be interested in contributing a memory or a memorial. Please place any names and addresses in the

basket on top of the organ, drop them by the church office or e-mail them to stpetertexscty@att.net

To the members of St. Peter,

We have been so blessed by your ongo-ing support of our family. Thank you for your generosity, prayers and encourage-

ment. We plan to make a trip “home” in May and will be in

contact about setting up a time to visit and

thank you all in

person.

Blessings,

The Walstons

Making a Good Marriage Better

A Marriage Encounter Weekend is for married couples who value their

relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. A marriage can never be too

good! Marriage Encounter is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple share together,

whether they have been married for

only a short time or for many years. The weekend starts late

Friday night and ends Sunday

afternoon. That’s an entire Weekend just for the two of you –

away from jobs, kids, in-laws, and chores! The next week-end will be held on August 3-5. Contact Pastor & Cyndi Knobloch or find out more

at http://godlovesmarriage.org

“To educate a man in mind and not in morals

is to educate a menace to society. ”

~ Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)

26th U.S. President

The next day the large crowd that had

come to the feast heard

that Jesus was coming to

Jerusalem. So they took

branches of palm trees

and went out to meet him,

crying out, “Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in

the name of the Lord,

even the King of Israel!”

And Jesus found a young

donkey and sat on it, just

as it is written, “Fear not,

daughter of Zion; behold,

your king is coming, sitting

on a donkey’s colt!”

John 12:12-15

PAGE 6 KID’S PAGE

St. Peter Lutheran Church

P.O. Box 133

Bowie, Texas 76230

Holy Week April 1 Palm Sunday Service 10:30 am

April 5 Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 pm

April 6 Good Friday Tenebrae Service 7:00 pm

April 7 Saturday Easter Egg Hunt 1:00 pm

April 8 Easter Sunrise Service 7:00 am

Easter Celebration 10:00 am

Holy Communion during both

Sunday Services