Recipe from Jenny

Jenny writes:

Thursdays are our busy days. We have Cub Scouts with Joseph right after school until just about 5. Lukas has his trumpet lesson on the north side of Omaha at 6 which means, to get through traffic, he and I leave right from the scout meeting. So Jon takes the other two home for supper. Needless to say, Thursday has become my crock pot night. Thought I’d share a simple but yummy recipe for the crock pot.

Hamburger Casserole

4 potatoes, peeled and sliced

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 onions, sliced

1 can peas, drained ( or frozen)

2 stalks celery, diced

2 lb. hamburger, browned

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can water

Place potatoes in bottom of crock pot, top with carrots and other veggies. Place ground beef on top. Combine soup and water and pour over ground beef. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Do you have any favorites to share that get you through busy days?

October 31st. What does your family do on this day? Celebrate the Reformation? Dress up and go "Trick-or-Treat"ing? Both?

I'll admit it, I really like Halloween. I like the decorations (not the gory ones), the costumes, the candy. I grew up dressing up (I loved coming up with a costume idea.) and going door to door getting candy. The Baptist church I grew up in eventually decided to have carnivals on that evening as an alternative to this, but kids still got to dress up. We called it "Stomp the Devil Night" until someone decided this "gave too much attention to the Devil", then we called it "Praise the Lord Night". Whatever they called it, it still seemed like "Halloween" to me, I dressed up, I got candy but somewhere in the mix I learned to feel a little guilty for liking Halloween, "the Devil's night".

But just as my mom never gave up drinking a glass of wine every once in a while (gasp!) I never gave up Halloween.

I found this program on Issues Etc. on Halloween to be interesting. Listen HERE.

After my Baptist days I learned about the Reformation and the other significance of October 31st. I'm glad the church remembers this day and of course I intend to teach my children about Luther and the Reformation. I'll spend this week talking about Martin Luther, about church and singing hymns about the Word and certainly "A Mighty Fortress is our God". I'll also make sure they now that Sunday (Reformation Sunday) is a special day.

I didn't want this to be a long post. I just wondered what some of you do around this day and what your thoughts on Halloween are. Please share!

Prayer Request from BethAnn S.

BethAnn S. is asking for prayers.

"I went to see my midwife today and I have a minor medical issue...pray that the medicine works so I don't have to have any procedures. Thanks. God's love and my smiles always."

I'll provide an update when I can.

Pastor Appreciation Month

I know you ladies out there love your pastors so I wanted to make sure you knew that October is Pastor Appreciation Month. If your husband is like mine he'll poo-poo this and may even throw the letter and poster about this (from Synod) that comes in the mail away when (or if) he gets it. Last year I managed to secretly intercept these and had our church secretary put something in the newsletter about it.

We all know very well that our pastor husbands do a lot for their congregation. I think our husbands need to know that what they do doesn't go unnoticed and is, hopefully, appreciated.

Here is a list I found on Synod's website of ways your congregation can show this appreciation. You may want to have it added to next Sunday's bulletin.

Simple acts that feed a shepherd…

1. Pray for your pastor.

Ask God to shower your pastor with an abundance of love, hope, and joy, as he pursues the activities of ministry for you and your family.

2. Identify a special committee to “care for pastor”.

This is a group of people in your congregation with the gift for caring. Their work is completely separate from the elders, church council, or other governing board of the congregation. They represent, serve, and advocate for the needs of the pastor, and lead the rest of the congregation in the dynamics of caring for him and his family.

3. Express appreciation, spoken and written.

A spoken compliment is always welcome. A written one can be read over and over again. Tell pastor’s wife something nice about him, she’ll appreciate it and he will hear about it later. For the same reason, compliment him to his children.

4. Celebrate with a special meal

Host an annual celebration at which your pastor and his family are the honored guests.

5. Respect his time.

When possible, give advance notice about meetings, confirmation parties, invitation to rehearsal dinners, and other events to which he will be invited.

6. Live in peace.

Appreciation is more than cards and gifts, it’s an attitude. Pastors sometimes face a great deal of criticism, both to their face, and behind their back. Speak well of your pastor when you hear him criticized.

7. Encourage his personal interests.

Find out what your pastor likes. Is he interested in baseball? How about music? Does he golf? He will feel appreciated when you discover and support the interests of his wife as well.

8. Lovingly insist on “time off”.

Your pastor will need to take time for renewal and rest, but may feel as though there is too much work to get done. Help him know that he not only has permission to get appropriate rest and relaxation, but that it will benefit his ministry and provide a good model for the members.

9. Support a strategy for professional connections.

Your pastor desires to be the best he can be in serving you, and will need to remain current with continuing education. Encourage him to meet regularly with other pastors. Your financial and emotional support in this regard is vital.

10. Encourage time with his loved ones.

Ask if he has scheduled a “date night” and “family night”? Offer ideas about babysitting, if that would help.

11. Respect the dinner hour.

Your pastor will feel obligated to answer the phone when it rings, so discover when he and his family typically sit down for dinner, and plan to contact him at a different time.

12. Show special attention to his wife, but treat his children the same way you treat other children.