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HeraldWheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran ChurchThe Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod8600 West 38th Avenue--Wheat Ridge CO 80033303-424-3161www.wrlutheran.orgRev. Kent A. Peck, Pastor“FEAR NOT”JULY 2014Page 1Pastor’s MessagePage 2Pastor’s MessagePage 24 of JulythPage 3 Christian EducationPage 3L.F.S.Page 3KeysPage 3LWRPage 4LWMLPage 5Voters’ ReportPage 6Hymn of the MonthIn my visitations with folks since I have been here, one common theme hasbeen discussed; the craziness of our world. The world has changed so rapidly in thelast few generations that it is almost unrecognizable from when folks were younger.And these changes, most of them viewed as bad, cause people to fear. They fear forthemselves and for their families. They fear what the world will be like for theirchildren or grandchildren. Internet news sites, social media, and television newsnetworks work their hardest to keep us informed and up to date on the latest goings onin the world. As a result, fear rules the day.Well, how do we begin to deal with all this fear?I’ve got a suggestion. Cut yourself from the streams and sources of informationpurporting to deliver you news and current events. Stop the paper. Don’t turn to CNNor Fox News. Don’t click on the link someone just sent you about some story you needto get upset about. No radio talk shows either. Go cold turkey.After all, what would happen? Maybe you’d be happier – not bothering about alot of stuff that you can’t do anything about.Why are we obsessed with current events? I think it has something to do withwhat we were taught in school. We were indoctrinated with the idea that responsiblecitizenship demands our being informed. Maybe that’s right. But do I really need to beinformed on whatever some celebrity or sport personality said in regards to politics?Instead, why not read a good book on political philosophy; or take a course in logic orthe art of argumentation? Why listen to a bunch of hacks who have only one object inmind – to stir up; rile up; to incite fear.It’s all about fear. It’s all about scaring people into action. Tell the old peoplethat they’re going to take away their social security. Tell young people they’ll beswimming in debt from college with no jobs to be had. The state is going to take yourkids away. The state is going to make us keep them! The government is going toconfiscate our guns! The government is going to take our guns and give them to ourkids! Don’t forget the threat of terrorists, epidemics, and the country just generallygoing to hell in a hand basket.You know what? They’re just yanking your chain.What would you have to get worked up about if you stopped baiting the veryhook you keep biting on?I know – it’s a radical position to take – tuning out, turning off and droppingout of that particular circus. But anything looks extreme when we’ve simply neverthought about it.One of the most profound fairy tales I’ve ever read is “The Emperor’s NewClothes.” Nobody will stand up to say that the emperor is naked.Cont. pg. 2

HERALDMaybe I’m wrong. Maybe the emperor actually is well-dressed and I’m off base. But it may beworth taking a second look. Is it doing you any good keeping an eye on the wide world around you andthings you cannot change; and that as well a rather skewed view of the world? What has all of thatworrying drawn you away from – attention to your family, your local community?What got me started on this line of thinking was the story in the Gospel wherein some Phariseescome and tell Jesus that He had better lay low because Herod was out to get Him.I think that their story was concocted. But .true or not, their object in reporting this bit of news isto incite fear from Jesus. They want a reaction.Our Lord disappointed their expectations. He didn’t jump. He did not react. The reason is reallyquite simple. Jesus was a dead man already. He tells the Pharisee news anchormen, “I’ve got this to dotoday and that tomorrow, and the next day I’ll go die in Jerusalem.” You see, you can’t scare a dead man orone who counts himself already dead. What the use of threatening a man on death row?And you too have been buried with Jesus, in Baptism, and raised. You are, while in the world, notof the world.Maybe we pay too much attention to the world that we’re not a part of. We think we have to keepon top of current events and the goings-on of the world; but it’s really the world that needs to catch up onthe true news the good news the Gospel. If we know that news, we know what is most needful.Pastor PeckTHE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCEOn July 4, 1776, fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. They were not wild-eyedradicals; they were dedicated men of means and education.Twenty-four of them were lawyers. Eleven of them were merchants. Nine of them were plantationowners. Of the fifty-six, nine of them died in the Revolutionary War. Five were captured and executedby the British. The homes of twelve of them were ransacked and burned.Corder Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy trader, saw his ships swept from the sea by the British Navy.Thomas KcKean lost all his possessions and died in poverty. Ellery, Clamer, Hall, Walton, Guinette,Hayward, Rutledge, and Middleton saw their homes looted and destroyed.The signers of the Declaration of Independence valued freedom and God’s will more than they valuedtheir properties and their lives. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged for the support ofthis declaration, a firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence of almighty God. These arethose who laid the foundation of our nation. A Prayer for Independence DayAt this time, O God, we are especially mindful of Thy dealings with us as a nation. Your hand prepared this land forhuman habitation, Your spirit moved our fathers and mothers to seek its shores; by their trust in Thee our foundingparents made declaration of the inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; through the loyalty ofmany persons, a great heritage is in our possession.Forgive us our national and personal sins. May we be humble in the acceptance of our heritage. Help us to share ourblessings with others.Lead us in paths of peace. Inspire us with earnestness in the building of Thy Kingdom. Bless, we pray, the officials ofour nation and all who labor with them. May they be guided by Thy spirit in all the difficult decisions they face.Help us, O God, to be loyal citizens of our country and true followers of Thy way. When our duties to the nation and toThy Kingdom conflict, give us the wisdom and the courage to follow Your higher way.In Your holy name we pray. Amen2 Page

HERALDChristian Board of EducationBy the time you receive this newsletter we will havefinished VBS for 2014. We just want to thankeveryone who helped with prayers, supplies,teaching, all the volunteers, and especially thechildren who came to learn some Amazing GraceAdventures at the “Gangway to Galilee”. Moreinformation will be in the August Newsletter.GOD BLESS YOU andTHANKS AGAIN, EVERYONELUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES1. Lutheran Family Services (LFS) is proud of itsLutheran heritage in community service. We havebeen extending a healing hand to people for 66years. We believe that all people, from the newborninfant to the most elderly person, deserve to bevalued in our community. If you are interested inlearning more about LFS or would like to have an LFSstaff member share the LFS story with yourcongregation, please contact Becca Sager at303.217.5841 or at becca.sager@lfsrm.org.1. Foster Homes Needed: There is a large andgrowing group of children and youthSherry DuValleneeding foster care in Colorado. Everthought of opening your home for thisministry? To learn more, contact ShannonWILL YOU PLEASE HELP?Stricker, Program Specialist, at 303.217.5069or at shannon.stricker@lfsrm.org.The insurance company for the church properties2. Furniture Needed: Lutheran Family Servicesstrongly suggests that the church have an up-to-dateis running low on furniture for newlylist of all members who are in possession of outsidearriving refugee families. We could use yourdoor keys, west, north or both. Please tell Don Kuglergently used furniture, as well as householdor James Broscheit if you have a key (s). Also, if youitems such as bedding and silverware.no longer need the key to take care of churchContact Jaime at 303.217.5181 to see if yourfunctions, please return it to Don or James.furniture is eligible for a pick up or if youThank you.have questions.Board of Church -------Dear Wheat Ridge,Around the world, communities living in poverty struggle for something you and I probably take forgranted — water.Water is essential to every aspect of life and yet so many people suffer from lack of water to drink, cook,bathe or grow food. But you can bring the gift of water to the world’s poorest communities — and doublethe impact of your gift!Some generous friends have offered to match your gifts until July 31, up to 137,149! That means yourgift will go twice as far to bring water to communities in need.Please give as generously as you can during this special opportunity. And please encourage your friendsto do the same. Thank you and God bless you!If you are a Thrivent member, you can DOUBLE YOUR GIFT! Contact your Thrivent Rep.In Gratitude,Jeff WisenhuntInterim President and CEOLutheran World Relief3 PageLutheran World Relief700 Light StreetBaltimore, Maryland 21230 USA800.597.5972 lwr@lwr.org