Christ of the Bay Lutheran Church
http://ChristBayLutheran.com
450 Laverne Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311
(920) 468-4246
Staff
Thomas R. Zehnder, interim pastor
Curtis DeCoste, vicar
Ron Stieglitz, congregation chairman
Ginny Turner, administrative assistant
July Message from Vicar DeCoste
Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful..."‚ It was the truth then, and it is the truth today. The neighborhoods adjoining Christ of the Bay Lutheran Church, and the surrounding communities are full of people who are: haunted by the sins of today and the sins of their youth; puzzled by the sudden constraints of their deteriorating bodies; challenged to raise their children in the midst of broken marriages, rising prices, long hours at work and unwholesome television programming. So, they put up defenses, guarding and insulating themselves from unwanted human interaction.
Terrorists crashing airplanes into buildings, being "wanded" at the airport, aggressive telemarketers, spam emails, pop-up ads, Internet predators, door-to-door salesmen, tainted produce, AIDS, saturated fats and tempting credit card applications have all contributed to this wariness of unwanted intrusions. Our cars, that get us miles down the road in our own cocoons, can also make it hard for us to interact with people, to talk with our neighbors. How can you talk with your neighbors when you enter and exit your car in your garage and speed past them, both coming and going?
People all around us are weighed down by heavy burdens, and guarded, but some are also desperately waiting for someone, anyone, you, a Christian, to lift the load of their sins and proclaim in the name and by the works of our Lord Jesus Christ (in His life, suffering, death on the cross, resurrection from the dead and ascension, and with the promise of His coming again), "Your sins are forgiven!"
You too were guarded and dead in your sins. And, it was God's act of grace, through an intrusion into your space, your time, your ears, that you heard this same Gospel from the lips of another Christian. You have been given faith in your baptism! You are being saved! You are hearing God's Word and receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Lord's Supper. Your faith is being preserved by the Holy Spirit until Christ's return!
Therefore, as Christ's "laborers", who enter into the harvest, walk boldly by the Spirit down the street (or in your workplace, at school, at the beach, in the mall, in the convenience store, in community service projects, at church) in Christ. Rub shoulders with people. Look at people around you as you do your daily duties. Reach out your hand in friendship. Speak to them and listen to them, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Console them. Forgive their sins!
God's peace and blessings to you in Christ Jesus,
Curtis DeCoste, Vicar
June 2007 Good-bye Message from Pastor Boettcher
It was just last week (or so it seems), that we came to C-B and Zion.
But it's fifteen years. (So we heard last week). The time has been a'flyin'.
In November of '91 we came, some of you still remember.
Installed on the 10th - it snowed that day - C-B at 1:00 p.m. and then Zion.
For seven years we burned up the road:
Monday and Thursday at C.O.B., Tuesday and Wednesday at Zion.
Sunday morning was preach and run -- no time for BC or chatting.
But God is good! Both churches grew -- and we hit no deer on the highway.
Although I did see the "thirty point buck" more than once as he zoomed across my way.
In '99 we came here to stay. Pastor Tom took over at Zion.
No hours on the road, same office each day, for sermon prep now there was time.
Little by little more people came, but we seemed to be stuck at 140.
Then Olga came and suddenly left us, but said, "Build now and use this."
We developed a plan and pledged and saved and asked the Laborers to help us.
In 2001 (C-B's 25th year), we started to build the new house.
Everyone helped; we laughed and we cried when the trusses rose close to the sky.
Old bricks were cleaned, steel beams were made.
We dry-walled and painted and flooring was laid.
Among piles of lumber during the rain,
On lawn chairs with flashlights, on 9-11 we prayed.
Thanksgiving was awesome 'cause we were "in" --
One toilet and exit lights glowing.
Little by little more people came -- with VBS bigger each year.
"Purpose" and "Gifts" and new groups were tried;
Students' and couples' nights out and breakfast (some fried).
The praise team sang and musicians played
And worship was almost, well, "fun" (dare we say that?)
And the goal of it all is that Christ shines through. He is the Head of it all.
He is Lord of the church -- your Savior and mine.
It's love that binds us together.
We say "thanks" for your kindness, your patience, your love.
And the party and gifts were just awesome.
Be as kind to "the new guy" (that was us just last week).
Love him and listen and laugh at his jokes
As he tells us of Jesus and keeps us His folks.
May 22, 2007
David Boettcher
