Church Blog

CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2011

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:48:00 GMT

Confirmation will soon be underway for the Guardian Class of 2011. Pastor A is really looking forward to meeting with the parents and students as they work together moving them to further grow in faith and in love for Jesus.

Sharing the heart of Jesus with confirmation students is one of Pastor A's greatest joys in ministry. Not only will the students have a great time learning more about the Lord, but there will be laugher and smiles along the way!

The parents of Confirmation students are asked to set aside Wednesday night, August 18 at 7pm to meet with Pastor A in the sanctuary for an orientation meeting. He will have a packet of information for you at this meeting, will answer any questions you have, and hope to have a few really good stories about his Uncle Stosh (one of the great Polish heroes of all time).

Classes for Guardian students will begin on Monday, August 30. They will meet during school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes for public school students will begin on Tuesday, September 14. Classes will continue to meet on Tuesdays from 7-8pm, unless otherwise indicated. A full public schedule will be included with the info packet.

Because of an unusually late date for Easter (Apr. 24), Confirmation for the class of 2011 will be later than usual: Sunday, May 15. Please make note of this date.

The church’s goal in this undertaking is to help parents build a firm foundation for their children... Confirmation is by no means graduation. But by working together, we can share with your children the faith in which the world hopes – and the endurance for the heavenly race which is found only in Jesus.

Pastor A hopes to see you there!

Please call the church office at 313-274-1414 if you are unable so that we can make sure to send you the Confirmation information.

Financial Peace University Returns

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:04:00 GMT

A new session of Dave Ramsey's Fincancial Peace University is coming to Guardian. The new class starts on Sunday, September 12 at 7 p.m. FPU is a 13 week life-changing program that empowers and teaches you how to make the right decisions to achieve your financial goals and God's plan for your life. The course includes practical lessons on eliminating debt, building wealth, giving like never before, and much, much more! Register for the class in the church office or on Dave Ramsey's FPU website. A limited number of membership kits are available for $75; otherwise the kits are $99.

If you have any questions, call the church office at 133-274-1414.

For more information or to register online go to www.daveramsey.com

Guardian Secures A Booth At Dearborn Homecoming

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:17:00 GMT

Guardian Lutheran Church and School has secured a booth in the "Civic Tent" during Dearborn Homecoming. Many congregation members and ministry and mission groups will be on hand to distribute information about all that Guardian offers our community.

The city of Dearborn's 2010 Homecoming festival in Ford Field Park has been a true summer tradition for 31 years. This year, the festival runs from Friday, Aug. 6 to Sunday, Aug. 8. Homecoming inspires residents, former residents and regional visitors to meet up with old friends and neighbors and enjoy continuous entertainment, activities for all ages, a classic car cruise and show, a Living History Hill with a craft show and camp exhibits, great food served by more than 30 different nonprofit organizations, a carnival, and of course spectacular fireworks on Saturday and Sunday evenings. For more information about Dearborn homecoming visit www.cityofdearborn.org.

For more information about Guardian feel free to call the church office at 313-274-1414 or visit us during this three day event.

Guardian launches the 5 plus 5 plus 5 Campaign!

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:40:00 GMT

Guardian Lutheran Church and School has been serving the city of Dearborn, Michigan for over 63 years. Located on the corner of Cherry Hill Road and Denwood Street in west Dearborn, Guardian has been touching the lives of many area residents through weekly worship and it’s Lutheran Day School.

On Sunday, May 30, 2010, Guardian Lutheran Church and School officially launched the new “5+5+5” offering campaign to the congregation. Developed by the Board of Stewardship, this campaign is a new way of looking at how a small increase in weekly offerings, just $5 per family per week, can have a broad impact in correcting the church’s financial status. Each year following, the family is asked to contribute an additional $5 per week on top of the previous year. After three years of implementation, it is envisioned that the $15 per week that each family provides will balance the financial books of the congregation and allow us to move forward with our growing mission in ministry.

A video of Pastor Darryl Andrzejewski describing this new campaign was played during the Offerings at the 8 AM and 11 AM services. To reach more of our members, we are hosting this video online to allow you to listen to Pastor A’s words, and to review the two additional slide shows that show how and why it is important for Guardian to regain is fiscal health and remain a voice for Jesus in the years to come in Dearborn!

The first posting is the video of Pastor A introducing the 5+5+5 offering appeal.

The second posting is a slide show of our church and various church related activities of Guardian Lutheran set to the voices of the congregation. For over 60 years, Guardian has been richly blessed by God.

The third posting is a slide show of various school related activities of Guardian Lutheran set to the voices of the school children. Celebrating it's 50 year anniversary in the 2009/2010 school year, Guardian’s Lutheran Day School has provided a quality Christian education to Guardian’s members and non-members alike.

Pastor Andrzejewski, the Board of Stewardship, and the Parish Planning Council of Guardian Lutheran Church and School appreciate your continued support as we move forward in our mission in ministry. Your support, in prayer and in offerings, is critical in allowing us to continue to serve long into the future. Thank you for taking the time to view these videos and prayerfully considering your ability to support our mission.

God’s richest blessings to you…

Guardian puts faith in action at Vista Maria

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:07:00 GMT

It’s a joy to serve together, as we remember the words of Jesus, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me,” (Matt 25:40). And it certainly was a joy to be part of the transformation which blessed the girls and staff at Vista Maria.

Vista Maria, located in Dearborn Heights, is Michigan's largest, private, non-profit child welfare agency for girls and their families and has been rebuilding lives for 150 years. On October 10th, Guardian Lutheran Dearborn members joined forces with Enchanted Makeovers to bring about change, both in the surroundings and the lives of the girls and young women of Vista Maria. Enchanted Makeovers is an internationally recognized non-profit organization that “transforms shelters for women and children into places of peace and possibilities—not just where basic needs are met, but spiritual needs for hope and beauty also.”

Guardian members volunteered over 243 hours of time and talent to patch, prep, tape, caulk and paint alongside other Enchanted Makeover volunteers. Under the direction of Enchanted Makeovers founder, Terry Grahl, they primed and painted walls and furniture, installed doors, fixtures and personal touches, and provided a delicious lunch for the final day and Makeover reveal on November 15th.

Time, talents and treasures were shared as the Guardian Foundation also contributed a sizable financial donation. Several other members provided additional monetary support as well as food donations for the luncheon on the final day. This was truly an inspiring outpouring of Christian love and service. Some of the girls responded with shrieks of excitement, some cried, some quietly took it in, and others hugged volunteers and whispered, “Thank you.” A staff member of Vista Maria said, “My friends, one of the greatest things about working at Vista Maria is when I see how volunteers and supporters, like you, make the girls feel like they are worthy of spectacular things. You and I both know that they are more than worthy of greatness. But when they realize it for themselves, it is a very special thing. Thank you SO MUCH to Terry and all the volunteers at Enchanted Makeovers for doing this special project for our girls.”

The project at Vista Maria touched all those involved-the volunteers, the staff, the donors, and the residents. “No words or amount of hugs could ever match how much I appreciate how Guardian Lutheran stepped up and put ''faith'' into action.” As we fulfill our mission of transforming shelters into heartwarming havens we gather people together. Whether they are a donor of handmade items, monetary support, or physical work, their special talents and love are ingredients in the final product. It is a thing of beauty to behold. It oozes of love and wraps its arms around the women and children. It exults, "You are loved. You are special. You are worthy of beauty. You too can create beauty," Enchanted Makeovers founder, Terry Grahl.

View a slideshow of the makeovers and excitement at www.terrysenchantedcottage.com. For more information about Guardian Lutheran Dearborn, visit www.guardianlutheran.org. To learn more about the programs offered by Vista Maria and for volunteer opportunities, visit www.vistamaria.org.

Early Communion at Guardian?

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:27:00 GMT

A CASE-STUDY FOR EARLY COMMUNION AT GUARDIAN LUTHERAN

Preface

In 2010, Guardian will be asked to consider offering communion to our young people before the traditional reception after Confirmation. This would occur toward the end of the fifth grade, approximately ages 10-11. Needless to say, this is a significant decision. We would like to explore all options, giving you as much information to study and opportunity to discuss before making as informed a decision as possible.

Two helpful primers may be found at the following websites:

http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/CTCR/admisup.pdf

http://lutheranlogomaniac.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2009confirmation.pdf

A Biblical Basis

1 Corinthians 11. The occasion for Paul’s writing to the Corinthians was his growing concern over the church’s behavior and attitudes, in part, with reference to two aspects of church: Worship and Communion. In chapter eleven, Paul highlights his concerns, and with respect to communion he gives these “directives (v17)”:

v28- “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup”. The LCMS has long believed that it is imperative to recognize the bread as the body of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper, and the wine as the blood of Jesus.

The Greek word “examine”- diakrino- means to “judge rightly” or to “recognize”. This calls for the simple ability to weigh evidence. In this case, the bread is body, the wine is blood. There is no call to “understand” or “comprehend”, just an identification of the facts (I recognize nuclear engineering, but neither comprehend nor understand its dynamics).

v27- “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.” The critical point of reception is recognition of and faith in the real presence. And in so doing, recognizing the connection of the forgiveness of sins to the body given, and the blood shed (cf. Matthew 26:28).

v29- “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” The result of poor examination: “Judgment”/ “Condemnation”.

Lutheran Confessions

Luther highlights three preparatory questions for self-examination (Small Catechism, p.238ff):

1. Am I sorry for my sins? (2 Co 7:10-11)

2. Do I believe in the words of institution? (Lk 22:19-20, 2 Co 13:5)

3. Do I plan, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to change my sinful life? (Eph 4:22ff)

The Sacrament must not be given to the following:

1. Those who are openly ungodly and unrepentant, including those who take part in non-Christian religious worship.

2. Those who are unforgiving, refusing to be reconciled.

3. Those who are of a different confession of faith, since the Lord’s Supper is a testimony of the unity of faith.

4. Those who are unable to examine themselves, such as infants, people who have not received proper instruction, or the unconscious.

The classic statement on “communing worthily” comes from the Small Catechism’s teaching concerning “The Sacrament of the Altar”: Who, then, receives this sacrament worthily?

Answer: Fasting and bodily preparation are a good external discipline, but he is truly worthy and well prepared who believes these words: “for you” and “for the forgiveness of sins.” On the other hand, he who does not believe these words, or doubts them, is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require truly believing hearts. (SC VI, 9–10; Tappert, 352)

Faith, as that means by which a sinner receives the gifts of God, takes front and center in all of the confessional teaching regarding the reception of the Eucharist in a worthy manner (that is, to one’s blessing). Faith in these words is necessary, and faith in these words is sufficient for an individual to commune worthily.

Luther notes (Large Catechism, Tappert, p. 456):

“Therefore let every head of a household remember that it is his duty, by God’s injunction and command, to teach or have taught to his children the things they ought to know. Since they are received into the Christian church, they should also enjoy this fellowship of the sacrament so that they may serve us and be useful. For they must all help us to believe, to love, to pray, and to fight the devil.”

FAQ

1. Why are we offering the option of receiving communion before confirmation?

Based on Scriptural and confessional teachings, many of our students should be spiritually ready to receive the Lord’s Supper long before the end of 8th grade. We want them to be able to receive the benefits of the Lord’s Supper as soon as they are ready. We also hope by separating the communion experience from the confirmation experience will help students to not view confirmation as graduation, but as simply one of many other faith stepping stones in their spiritual development.

2. Is receiving communion before confirmation an approved practice within the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS)?

Yes. The LCMS has discussed this practice for several years and has concluded that there is no Biblical reason to prevent offering communion before confirmation. Increasing numbers of LCMS congregations are moving to the practice. Latest estimates run roughly 30-35% of LCMS congregations.

3. What does the Bible say about the “right age” for receiving the Lord’s Supper?

The Bible gives no specifics on “the right age.” First Corinthians 11:27-29 simply says that communicants must be able to examine themselves and discern what is happening in the Lord’s Supper. Again, we believe that many children are able to do this long before the end of 8th grade.

4. How did we decide on 5th grade as the starting point for offering “early communion?”

This was the practice we found most common among other churches that offer communion before confirmation.

5. What if I don’t want my child to receive the Lord’s Supper until after confirmation?

The First Communion class is optional. Parents and students who would rather wait until confirmation to receive the Lord’s Supper may continue to do so. Parents will determine when their student is ready to receive the sacrament.

6. Will the Lord’s Supper continue to be taught in regular Confirmation Classes?

Yes… absolutely! Students who choose not to receive communion before completing the confirmation program will still need this instruction and it will be a great review for the students already receiving the sacrament.

7. If the Lord’s Supper is still taught in 8th Grade, what benefit is there to taking the First Communion class?

Because the confirmation experience entails so many topics that need to be discussed, the content of First Communion is unable to be covered as thoroughly as we would like. The First Communion class allows us an opportunity for more teaching so that students fully understand the meaning, benefits and honor of partaking of the Lord’s Body.

8. Do I need to be baptized before taking communion?

Yes.

9. If my student takes the First Communion class, does that mean they still need to take confirmation classes?

Yes. The First Communion class has a different purpose than confirmation classes. The First Communion class covers our beliefs about the Lord’s Supper only. Confirmation covers our doctrinal beliefs and practices. The First Communion class will definitely enhance a student’s confirmation experience, but can’t replace it.

The Results are In: Guardian's Top Ten Favorite Christmas Hymns Are...

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:05:00 GMT

In Voting of Guardian members from Nov 12- Dec 6, 2009, here are our Top Ten Favorite Christmas Hymns:

1-Joy to the World

2-Silent Night

3-Hark the Herald Angels Sing

4-Away in a Manger

5-O Come, All Ye Faithful

6-O Little Town of Bethlehem

7-O Holy Night

8-O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

9-It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

10-Angels We Have Heard on High (tie) The First Noel

Guardian... Around the World

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:42:00 GMT

It's striking and profound that in our last monthly website Source of Origin report, visits to guardianlutheran.org were made from these (and many other) locations:

Brisbane, Australia

Jakarta, Indonesia

George Town, Malasia

San Juan, Philippines

Capetown, South Africa

New Dehli, India

Honjo, Japan

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Singapore, Singapore

Bangkok, Thailand

Shanghai, China

Seoul, Korea

Hanoi, Vietnam

St. Petersberg, Russian Federation

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Riahda, Saudia Arabia

Ramat Hasharon, Israel

Tehran, Iran

Istanbul, Turkey

Kiev, Ukraine

Iasi, Romania

Budapest, Hungary

Cesena, Italy

Athens, Greece

Salzburg, Austria

Prague, Czech Republic

Munich, Germany

Warsaw, Poland

Turku, Finland

Tallinn, Estonia

Riga, Latvia

Steinkjar, Norway

Linkoping, Sweden

Copenhagen, Denmark

Eindoven, Netherlands

London, UK

Paris, France

Sevilla, Spain

Buenos Aries, Argentina

Sante Fe DeBogota, Columbia

Caracas, Venezuela

LCMS President Kieschnick Addresses the ELCA

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:59:00 GMT

October 1, 2009

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Conference of Bishops

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world and Lord of the universe, through whom alone we receive forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation!

At the regular meeting of the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation in Baltimore September 28-29, decisions made by the recent ELCA Churchwide Assembly were discussed at length. Toward the end of our meeting, Bishop Hanson indicated his desire to receive a summary of my comments regarding the LCMS response to these developments. That is the purpose of this letter.

In all likelihood many of you were in the convention hall in Minneapolis August 22 when I brought greetings from the congregations and people of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Perhaps you recall these words that I spoke to your Assembly:

"I speak these next words in deep humility, with a heavy heart and no desire whatsoever to offend. The decisions by this assembly to grant non-celibate homosexual ministers the privilege of serving as rostered leaders in the ELCA and the affirmation of same-gender unions as pleasing to God will undoubtedly cause additional stress and disharmony within the ELCA. It will also negatively affect the relationships between our two church bodies. The current division between our churches threatens to become a chasm. This grieves my heart and the hearts of all in the ELCA, the LCMS, and other Christian church bodies throughout the world who do not see these decisions as compatible with the Word of God, or in agreement with the consensus of 2,000 years of Christian theological affirmation regarding what Scripture teaches about human sexuality. Simply stated, this matter is fundamentally related to significant differences in how we [our two church bodies] understand the authority of Holy Scripture and the interpretation of God's revealed and infallible Word."

In the days following the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, a number of LCMS District Presidents contacted me with questions about how the Assembly decisions might affect their own administration, particularly with respect to inter-Lutheran agencies within their Districts. In response, I sent a memo to the LCMS Council of Presidents reviewing some of the past LCMS convention actions regarding joint ELCA and LCMS ministry endeavors and offering to them my counsel. I provided to Bishop Hanson and Rev. Don McCoid a courtesy copy of that September 10 memo.

In particular, the 2001 LCMS convention resolved, among other things, to ask the LCMS Praesidium (President and Vice Presidents) to evaluate our cooperative working arrangements with the ELCA and to make any recommendations regarding these arrangements to the 2004 convention. The 2004 and 2007 LCMS conventions took similar actions. The report of the Praesidium to both the 2004 and 2007 LCMS conventions recommended no change in working relationships between the LCMS and the ELCA. The Praesidium will again submit a report to the 2010 LCMS convention regarding this matter.

This brief background may be helpful for your understanding of what I wrote to the Council of Presidents on September 10, 2009, stating in part:

"Obviously, no LCMS convention action in response to the actions of this year's ELCA Churchwide Assembly has yet been taken. In accord with the 2004 convention resolution referenced above, the Praesidium will continue in its monitoring role, confident of the Synod members' further pledge in that resolution to 'commit ourselves as members of the Synod to walk together in supporting the leadership of the President in consultation with the Praesidium of Synod regarding this relationship between conventions.'

"Therefore, following consultation with and concurrence from all five Vice Presidents of the Synod, I'm sharing with you this memo. Pending further action by the Synod in convention, as you approach and engage in joint work with members of the ELCA (such as a social ministry organization, school, campus ministry, chaplaincy, etc.), when matters related to the action of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly arise, please consider and heed the following counsel:

1. Evangelically, yet unequivocally, bear witness to the truth of Holy Scripture regarding homosexual behavior.

2. Indicate, as I did in my remarks to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, that the action of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly threatens to deepen the division between our church bodies.

3. Communicate that any action taken by the group or organization in which you are participating that is contrary to the position of the LCMS will be taken seriously and will be cause for evaluation of continued LCMS participation in that group or organization.

4. Maintain ministry practices that are in accord with Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions and are consistent with the position of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.

5. Seek ecclesiastical supervision from the president of the Synod for questions that may arise in case-by-case situations.

"These matters are very serious and need to be handled carefully and evangelically, always endeavoring to speak the truth in love. In the process of so doing, we remain committed to 'reach out in love and support' to the 'many of our brothers and sisters of the ELCA [who] remain faithful to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.' "

We in the LCMS have a genuine concern for the people whose lives are impacted, both temporally and eternally, by the cooperative ministry of the many inter-Lutheran agencies that currently exist. I'm certain you share that concern. For many years we have worked cooperatively with the ELCA and its predecessor church bodies through Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Lutheran Services in America, and numerous other agencies. It is our desire to be able to continue to provide Christ-centered ministry through such agencies, always doing so in faithfulness to the doctrinal positions of our church.

Bishop Hanson and Conference of Bishops, I share this letter with you to confirm what I have already stated, namely, that this is a very serious matter, one that we cannot ignore. To the greatest extent possible, it would be a blessing to our ongoing cooperative relationships if the actions taken at the ELCA Assembly were not implemented, nor given influence, in the context of inter-Lutheran ministries involving the LCMS and the ELCA, so that these relationships would be neither damaged nor destroyed. Out of deep concern for the people who receive ministry from such organizations and for the continuation of those ministries, I share with you this letter and pray that it will be received in the spirit of fraternal, collegial dialogue with which it is sent.

May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

Picnic Pictures 2

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:53:00 GMT

Picnic Pictures 1

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:28:00 GMT

Outdoor Worship

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:59:00 GMT

On September 13, some 300 worshippers crammed the South Pavilion at Ford Field park in Dearborn to enjoy an outdoor worship kicking off a year-long celebration of jubilee, marking the 50th anniversary of Guardian Lutheran School.

It was so much fun, I don't think we'll wait another 50 years to worship the Lord in the beauty of His natural handiwork!

Would you be up to an annual outdoor worship and picnic?

Going the Extra Mile?

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:31:00 GMT

Here's an interesting intersection of Christian generosity vs. Christian stewardship.

Matthew 5 says, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also... If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."

Guardian has a long history of helping the needy. We experience regular traffic through the church office, where the Lord has blessed us with generous donations to provide boxes of food, and gift cards for groceries. This week a man called the office and asked for food. He was quite upset to learn that we didn't provide fresh food, such as bread and meat. He loudly shared his disappointment that we did not allow him to "shop" for his free food, and he was generally appalled to discover that we don't deliver.

Still, we told him that a large box of food (Mac and Cheese, Peanut Butter, Hamburger Helper, Canned Veggies and Fruits, Cheez-Its, etc.) was waiting for him if he could use it.

One hour later, to our befuddlement, a UPS truck arrived to pick up the box of food... with an assumption that we would pay to ship a 20 lb. box of food to the place of his choosing.

We made a decision. The question is... what would you do? And why?

Guardian's Favorites Numbers 11-25

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:41:00 GMT

This summer, we counted down our Top Ten Favorite Hymns as voted on by the people of Guardian in Jan-Feb 2009. Added to this list are our favorites, numbers 11-25. Which ones do you think we are missing in the Top 25?

1- Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today

2- I Know that My Redeemer Lives

3- Lift High the Cross

4- Crown Him with Many Crowns

5- Abide with Me

6- Beautiful Savior

7- Amazing Grace

8- A Mighty Fortress

9- How Great Thou Art

10- What a Friend We Have in Jesus

11- Were You There?

12- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

13- On Eagles Wings

14- Holy, Holy, Holy

15- Just As I Am, Without one Plea

16- The Church’s One Foundation

17- Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

18- The Lamb

19- My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

20- For All the Saints

21- Thy Strong Word

22- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

23- Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

24- Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus

25- The Old Rugged Cross

Name That Caption

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:21:00 GMT

NAME THAT CAPTION...

What bible verse or creative comment would best accompany this picture?