FROM THE DESK OF . . .
Sunday & Monday, February 8 & 9, 2026
From the desk of Pastor Ernie Green:
Question:
“Can you be married in the eyes of God, but not in the eyes of the state?”
The answer to this question is no, if you are to be married in the eyes of God, you must also be married according to the laws of the state. Even though Christian marriage is controlled by Scripture, it also needs to meet the rules and regulations of the secular authorities to be considered a valid marriage. For example, I cannot officiate a marriage unless a valid marriage license from the state has been issued.
While I can understand that there are financial considerations that could be problematic if people of retirement age were to marry, the simple act of committing to each other is not enough for the union to be considered marriage in the eyes of God or the state.
There is also the opposite situation here in that you can be married in the eyes of the state, but not in the eyes of God, and that would be true of same-sex marriages where the state gives them a stamp of approval, but Scripture does not. In the same way, I also cannot officiate a same-sex marriage because Scripture and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod forbid it.
Once again you are welcome to turn to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s website for more information: LCMS.ORG
Roswell News:
I had a PET Scan last week at Roswell and the report chilled me to the bone. It stated that I had an active malignancy in the same lung and location that the original tumor was found. I saw my oncologist at Roswell on Tuesday and in comparing the most recent CT Scan with the new PET Scan, everything appears to be exactly the same as it was three months ago. It is their belief that the area that was highlighted in the newest scan is simply due to damage from the radiation I received. They will scan me again at the end of March to see if there is any change for the worse. I’m praying that they are correct. I could use your prayers as well. They’ve worked well so far! Thank you.
You are never forgotten because Christ is always near.
Pastor Ernie Green
All are welcome at St. Paul Lutheran – Please allow God’s love to work in and through you to brighten the lives of members and visitors alike.
+ PRAYER CONCERNS for our St. Paul Family +
HEALING: Bill Baessler, Paul Baessler, April Carlin, Lorraine Carroll, Karen Cowell, Zachary Dawson, Bev Deer, Elijah Desouza, Carmen Dexheimer, Miguel Diaz, Vicki Doucette, Dean Durow, Mildred Enney, Ryan Essenburg, Maureen Finch and her sister Colleen, Amy and David Fleischman, Bob Fritz, Aiden Gallineau, Cindy Green, Pastor Green, Anne Gross, Marlyn Gross, Margie Hadsell, Bonnie Haskell, Steve Heuer, Amanda Hughey, Loraine Jensen, Steve Keller, Paula Kopf, Pastor Dennis Krueger, MaryBeth Lee, Sue & Jeff Licht, Connie Maerten, Jackie Malinowski, Eunice & Jim Manth, Jason McNair, Mel Miller, Ron Moll, Mike Mueller, Kathy Nagel, Maryanne Novack, McKenna O’Neil, Jim Peron, Gloria & Bill Pittler, Doris Rae, Meredith Roberts, Joy Rohring, Wayne Reichert, Jane Ruppert, Joe Sarzyniak, Leni Schofield, Paul Stolzenfels, Chris Thomas, Audrey Truax, Deb Tyler, Kathy Warriner, Jean Watters, Frank Wendt, Gail Wolf, Shirley Wurl, Barbara Yates and her son, Ron.
AT HOME: Joyce Dolpp HEALTHCARE FACILITIES: Mary Jo Bishop
MILITARY: Matthew Daugherty, Eric Davis, Aaron Fix, Zachary Kijowski, Joe Kloc, Jack Lambros, Joshua Lindsley, Christopher Manth, Kyle Rae and Travis Shaffer.
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LUTHERAN WOMEN IN MISSION (LWML) NEWS:
LUTHERAN WOMEN IN MISSION (LWML) YOUNG REP: Looking for a young woman, preferably between the ages of 22-35, that could attend the Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML) 2026 Eastern District Convention, June 12-14,2026 at the Double Tree Resort in Lancaster, PA, as a Young Woman Representative(YWR). Transportation, registration, meals and hotel expenses will be paid by the district. If interested contact Marge Stoelting at mesandmds@yahoo.com.
UPDATE: We are also looking for two people to be voting delegates at the convention. There will be a vote on the proposed mission grants, officers and proposed bylaw changes. Registration deadline is April 1, 2026. Further information can be found in the current news letter, the LINK, found on the Information Center in The Gathering Place. You may also contact Marge Stoelting at 716-449-1688.
- See the bulletin board in the Gathering Place for the most current Mite and Mission Grant Reports or go to the national web site organd the district web site east-distrlwml.org. Your continued prayers and support is greatly appreciated.
- For questions on any Lutheran Women in Mission news, you may contact either Bea Hapeman (716 -327-2400) or Marge Stoelting (716-693-7555).
***Mite boxes, Eastern District Newsletter, The LINK etc. can all be found on The Information Center in The Gathering Place.
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Confirmation Class Assignments – Thursday, February 12, 2026
First Year Class – Read “The Apostles’ Creed; The Second Article, “The Savior in the State of Humiliation” Questions 126 -132, pages 130 – 133 from Luther’s Small Catechism.
Read Chapter 16 from The Story, “The Beginning of the End (of the Kingdom of Israel).” Attend church and complete a Worship Report Form.
Mentor Question: How do we know that Jesus was both true man and also true God?
Second Year Class – Read “The Apostles’ Creed; The Second Article, The Savior in the State of Humiliation” Questions 126 -132, pages 130 – 133 from Luther’s Small Catechism. Complete Lesson 18“The Savior In The State of Humiliation” from Exploring Luther’s Small Catechism. Attend church and complete a Worship Report Form.
Mentor Question: How do we know that Jesus was both true man and also true God?