St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter The .

Page 6Cornerstone — March 2018The Dukes to PeruBuilding Relationships & Growing the MissionDuring February, the Lord presented us with manyopportunities to share the Gospel with more people, to continue building relationships and to servein some special ways. One of the highlights was Pr.Cullen’s second baptism in Lima, this time in themission congregation in Los Olivos, a northernsuburb of Lima. It was a privilege to welcome Escarly Miani into the body of Christ through the water and Word of Holy Baptism. She is a niece ofone of the earliest members of the congregation.The family gave a reception afterwards, which provided a great opportunity for the congregation toenjoy fellowship together in the Lord.Pr. Cullen continues his confirmation class in LosOlivos with a man from a very different faith background, who is eagerly soaking up the catechismand the Lutheran doctrines that assure us of salvation by our three “Solas.” Another individual fromVenezuela has settled in the area and has been attending. His Lutheran church in Venezuela is notin fellowship with the LCMS, so Pr. Cullen hasbeen working with him to be received into communicate fellowship in our mission congregation.Our San Borja Coffee and Conversation and biblestudy mission continue to bring in new and“renewed” members. A few of our regular memberswho faithfully attend each week have started turning to us for spiritual care as their pastor and deaconess in connection with illness and relationshipissues among them or their family and friends. It issuch a joy for us to be able to comfort them withthe Gospel, telling them about God’s love for us,His mercy and care in all our needs, and to praywith and for them. Just last week, Pr. Cullen alsohad the privilege of providing spiritual care for ayoung woman who was invited by a friend who hasbeen a long-time participant. She was greatly comforted by God’s Word and prayer and we hope thatshe will be a regular participant from now on. Pr.Cullen’s bible study with members from Coffee andConversation has now settled into a “core” groupof six others who come from time to time.There are a handful who also come irregularly. Weare praying that later this year, our regular participants will want to publicly confess their faith inthe Rite of Confirmation. That would mean that wewould need to integrate a Divine Service into ourCoffee and Conversation concluding Service of theWord. What a great problem that would be. In themeantime, we are truly blessed to continue developing relationships that lead to individuals turningto us as with confidence for spiritual care.The summer program at Castillo Fuerte in La Victoria concluded last week with great attendance ata presentation for the parents of the 50 childrenwho participated. Deac. Jackie had the honor ofspeaking to the parents to explain her role and thefaith-based activities she leads. We’re so excited toannounce that there may be as many as 40 children attending when our regular school-year program begins early in March, many of them newchildrenwhowere introducedto Castillo Fuerteduring the summer program.Cont’d on next page

Cornerstone — March 2018In the meantime, Deac. Jackie is set for her schoolday activities to begin while also continuing herSaturday bible study and youth activities, including her confirmation class that will move to Saturday afternoons with five very eager learners. Godwilling, we will have our second group of youthconfirmands publicly confess their faith in the Riteof Confirmation in the late fall before we leave Lima for our scheduled home service in the U.S.Page 7*A third missionary family has now joined ourteam: Rev. Steven C. Mahlburg and his wife Martha and children Autumn, Liberty, Skye, Rose, andDuncan. They are still getting acclimated to theirnew life, but Steve’s pastoral experience and joyfuldesire to spread the gospel is truly a blessing to ourwork. When it was just Amy and I, it could getpretty lonely, but now we are blessed with a truecommunity of missionaries, since we have beenjoined by the Naumann and the Mahlburg family.* A new Lutheran church has been formed, theCeylon Evangelical Lutheran Church (CELC). Thiswas one of the main goals from when we first deployed May 2014. Now it is a reality.We are so thankful that God continues to open somany doors for us to build relationships that leadto sharing the Gospel.Yours in Christ,Rev. Cullen and Deac. Jackie Duke Serendip NewsThis month we are introducing the LCMS Missionary Pastor Roger James toour Newsletter readership. Pastor James will serve as a guest preacher andteach bible class here at St. Paul’s on May 13. The name of his newsletter“Serendip” is an old name for the island nation of Sri Lanka (once known asCeylon). From this comes the English word serendipity, meaning, “happysurprise” or better, “unexpected blessing.”Some pretty momentous things have been happening here in Sri Lanka over the last few months—things that we have been working on and prayingabout for years. Now, thanks be to God, we are seeing progress.*The first new Lutheranpastor in over ten years hasbeen ordained here in SriLanka. Thanks be to Godfor Rev. P. Gnanakumar.This was another goal fromthe time of our deployment. Another pastor, God grant, will also be ordained within the next months.God will do His work and will, but the blessed factis that He will do it through broken vessels, like usmissionaries, who stumble along, doing the bestwe can. But we are dependent upon you. Withoutthe support that you have shown over these years,we would not have been able to do these things. Sothe Mahlburg coming into the field and the CELCbeing formed and the ordination of Rev. Gnanakumar—all of these things are your accomplishments—or better God’s work done through ourvoices and hands, and through your gifts and prayers.Yours in Jesus,Rev. Roger James

Page 8Cornerstone — March 2018A Good ConfessionOn March 1, Connor McArthur recited an abridgedversion of Martin Luther’s response to the Holy Roman Emperor from the Diet of Worms (18 April1521). Connor’s hard work reminds us of the tremendous God-given ability to commit texts/stories/poetry to memory. We rejoice in Martin Luther’sconfession and the powerful echo heard throughConnor.As for the second question: In some writings I havediscussed Faith and Good Works, in a spirit atonce so pure, clear, and Christian, that even myadversaries confess that these writings are profitable, and deserve to be read by devout persons I have composed other works against false doctrines, irregular lives, and scandal. If I were to revoke what I have written on that subject, it wouldonly strengthen tyranny Now I have written some books against private individuals. I freely confess that I may have attackedsuch persons with more violence than was properfor a churchman. I do not think of myself as asaint; but I cannot retract these books. By doing so,it would sanction lies.So since your most serene majesty and your highlords require of me a simple, clear and direct answer, I will give one, and it is this:Most Serene Emperor, Illustrious Princes, GraciousLords:I this day appear before you in all humility, according to your command, and I implore your majestyand lords by the mercies of God, to listen with favor to the defense of a cause which I am well assured is just and right.I ask pardon, if by reason of my ignorance, mymanners in court are not proper. I have not beenbrought up in king’s palaces, but in a cloister; and Ihave spoken and written with the simplicity ofmind which regards nothing but the glory of Godand the pure instruction of the people of Christ.Two questions were yesterday put to me by his imperial majesty; the first, whether I was the authorof the books whose titles were read; the second,whether I wished to withdraw or defend the doctrine I have taught. I answered the first directly,and I adhere to that answer: that these books aremine If I am not convinced by proof from Holy Scripture, or by clear reason, and if my judgment is notin this way brought into subjection to God’s word,I neither can nor will retract anything; for it is neither safe or wise for a Christian to speak against hisconscience.Here I stand;I cannot dootherwise;God help me!Amen.

Cornerstone — March 2018Page 9Stewardship: Writing a Will Won’t Jinx YouAccording to a recent survey done by Michigan State University for the Planned Giving Roundtable ofSoutheast Michigan, less than half of Michigan adults have written a Will or Revocable Living Trust. A 2016Gallup poll showed 1/3 of people 65 or older don’t have a Will or Trust. Are you included in the statistics?What is your reason for putting it off? Many people don’t like facing their own mortality by planning fortheir future. Writing your Will doesn’t mean you’ll die – tomorrow!If not for you, consider writing your Estate Plan, including a Will or Trust, for your family. Your writtenplan can help avoid arguments, reduce potential taxes and legal fees. A well thought out Will or Trustgives you control. Without a Will or Revocable Living Trust, the Probate Court will decide how your estate is handled. Probate Court will decide your Personal Rep, Guardians of Minor Children and how yourEstate Assets will be distributed.There are several things needed as you prepare to write your planning documents. The attorney may wantproof of ownership of “Real Property”, like your home. That could be a deed or bill of sale. Also bring a listof bank or investment accounts along with any debts owed to banks, insurance companies, the IRS or individuals.Pray about who you want to be given authority for the various positions in your plan. Who do you want asPersonal Representative or Successor Trustee? Who do you wish to be Guardians of your minor children ifsomething happens to both of you? How will you decide who becomes Durable Power of Attorney orHealthcare Power of Attorney? For all of these positions of responsibility you may want to list a Successorin case the person isn’t able to fulfill the duties if called upon.Many people also include a Christian Preamble. The Preamble can be a source of comfort for the familybut may also be some encouragement for them in their faith. Most attorneys won’t have Christian Preamble language as part of their typical planning verbiage but are happy to include it if you ask and show themwhat you want included.You may have specific personal property you want given to specific people. Instead of using “sticky notes”,include a memo that states your wishes to give the ring or necklace to your daughter or the wood craftingtools to your son. Who do want to have that special keepsake? This Personal

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Newsletter The Cornerstone March 2018 Palm Sunday, March 25 12:00PM Family Luncheon Maundy Thursday, March 29 12:15 & 7 PM Divine Service Good Friday, March 30 12:15 & 7 PM Tenebrae Vespers Holy Saturday , March 31 7 PM Easter Vigil Feast of our Lord’s Resurrection 6 AM Bonfire