From Pastor's Desk:
Every summer we look forward to the fourth of July where we celebrate our nation’s founding. One of the best things about America is we have the Bill of Rights, especially the First Amendment. The Amendment starts by stating, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. (1) We often times forget Freedom of Religion is the first freedom given. It’s stated before Freedom of speech, press, assembly or petition. I think it points how important and central freedom of Religion is to all the other freedoms. In other words, if you don’t have Freedom of Religion, you don’t really have any freedoms.
Often you will hear Modern day people state we have freedom FROM religion. I always thought that the Government and people of the founding were far more worried about Government having influence over organized religion, than the other way around. I have one example of why I think this is true. In the early days of our founding, the Federal government allowed religious services to be held in the buildings in Washington DC.(2) Not only that, but Thomas Jefferson when he was president would often times attend the Services! (3) Even Today Christians should not be afraid to use their faith to mold how they feel about their Government and its proper role.
Pastor Stuenkel
(See footnotes below)
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript. Quoted on 6/28/2017
2 Hecht, Bill. Two Wars We Must Not Lose. Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne IN, 2012. 415.
3 Hecht, Bill. 415.
St Peter - Lutheran Witness Subscriptions are due –
If you would like to subscribe to our Synod’s official publication The Lutheran Witness you can do so by using the special offering envelope in your box. If you are not familiar with this publication there are several issues in the Narthex for you to borrow. If interested the annual cost is $15.96.
Congratulations to Brian and Dana Tietje on the birth of their daughter Emma Danielle on May 18th.
Congratulations to Mike and Erin (Rettig) Terry on the birth of their son Henry Dunbar on June 9th.
Congratulations to Andy and Emilie Parsons on the birth of their daughter Anna Emilie on June 25th.
Homemade Ice Cream Social
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2017, 11:30 AM - ?
ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH, FLORIDA, OHIO
NEEDED ARE: HELPERS TO MAKE ICE CREAM ON SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 5
HELPERS TO MAKE AND SERVE FOOD ON DAY OF THE SOCIAL
MEMBERS TO DONATE ITEMS FOR MENU (LIST ON NARTHEX BULLETIN BOARD.)
MENU: HOMEMADE ICE CREAM HOMEMADE PIES AND CAKES;
GRILLED BRATS, SAUERKRAUT, CHICKEN AND HOT DOG SANDWICHES;
POTATO CHIPS; BAKED BEANS AND BEVERAGES.
FREE WILL OFFERING WITH PROCEEDS TO FINANCIAL AID FOR SEMINARIANS
THIS IS A THRIVENT ACTION TEAM EVENT
