Kal's Korner 5.6

Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • May 6, 2018

For the Week of May 6-12, 2018

The Word: Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…”

This week I’d like to share a whole lot of “matters under heaven…” that are taking place right here at St. Paul’s/Bella Vista…Impressive to say the least…read on!

  • Mother’s Day

You do not want to miss out on a powerful message for this Mother’s Day entitled, “Depression & Hope in the Psalms.” It is based on Psalm 42. I have no doubt that God will encourage each heart this coming Sunday, May 13, 2018. Come at 8:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.

Here’s a story to share with your mom on mother’s day this year. Pancake Breakfast. A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity to teach. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’”

Kevin, the older brother, turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!”

  • Bus For Ghana School

The bus for the school children in Ghana keeps breaking down. Miss Haase (St. Paul’s missionary to Ghana) is asking us for prayers and support for God’s provision. The estimated cost is $12,000. We would love to see this bus “hit the road!!” Take some time in prayer to ask God how you can help.

  • Rockemann Family Return

The Rockemann family (St. Paul’s missionary family to Haiti) will be returning to Tracy this Summer/Fall. Joel will be working off-site and studying full-time toward Pastoral Ordination through the CrossCultural-Ministry-Center out of Concordia University, Irvine. We are seeking funding support for their return to the States.

  • Farewell to O’Hara Family

Jacob and Kari along with Gloria and Abel are moving back to Ohio. Jacob has accepted the call to a teaching position as a High School Religion teacher. Jacob’s family is there in Ohio and Kari’s will be a lot closer too. Join us for a farewell send off, Sunday, June 3 . Plan on prayer over them in worship at the 10:00 a.m. worship service followed by a

Swim Party/Taco Bar Fest (taco’s/burritos, taco salad fixins provided) @ the Waetzig home… 1460 Divine Lane Tracy CA 95376. Bring any side dish of your choice, your own beverage and a swim suit/towel. Plan on 3:00 p.m. start. Again, Sunday, June 3, 2018 .

  • Retirement of Diana Schmidt

Diana Schmidt will be turning in her teaching keys after a long and illustrious teaching career. I’m not sure how many years, but I do know that she has been a great blessing to all BVCA and along with her husband, Ron, to all St. Paul’s ministry. They are planning to keep Tracy as home base, but will be taking some site seeing trips to Montana and beyond.

  • May Membership Meeting

Plan on Sunday, May 20, 2018 @ 11:15 a.m. for St. Paul’s Spring Membership Meeting. Along with a delicious pot-luck lunch, Pastor Kal and St. Paul’s leadership will be sharing updates on St. Paul’s/Bella Vista ministry past, present and future.

  • Top Ten Ways of Giving

Rev. David Bennett has been enlisted to help St. Paul’s plan for strong financial footing. Don’t miss this Top 10 Ways to Support St. Paul’s Without Writing a Check” workshop. Sunday, June 10, 2018 @ 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. includes lunch. He will cover such topics as estate planning trusts and wills, nursing home and health care issues, retirement planning, financial planning, reducing taxes, low cost life insurance, and remembering St. Paul’s in my will.

  • Father’s Day 2018

You will not want to miss out on Father’s Day, 2018 at St. Paul’s. Pastor Kal is set to cover the following theme: “You Have What it Takes…What Every Father Needs to Know.” Every father will receive a small booklet by the powerful men’s ministry author, John Eldredge.

  • Vacation Bible School

If you were here last week you heard about this amazing outreach opportunity for our church this coming summer. VBS is set for the week of July 9-13 with VBS Sunday set for July 15 . Each member of St. Paul’s is asked to participate in some capacity for this event. Indicate on the connection card in worship… “I’m open to help. Contact me via phone or email.” Or see the sign up sheet in the entryway of the sanctuary of our church. Or you may email Kayla Montoya directly at kmontoya@stpaulstracy.org

  • Finally – Experience the Holy Lands – March 4-13, 2019

With Pastor Kal and Lori Waetzig. San Francisco to Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, Cana, Galilee, Mt of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee Boat Ride, Bethsaida, Jordan River, Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, Gideon Springs, Beit Shean, Jerusalem, Qumran, En Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea Swim/Float, Mt. of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, Garden of Gethsemane, Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, Bethlehem, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, and the Garden Tomb. You will never be the same again. This trip is inspiring in all mind, body, and spirit. Join us March 4-13, 2019 . Email Pastor Kal @ kwaetzig@stpaulstracy.org with any questions you may have.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…”


Told ya!!!

God bless your days
In Jesus

Pastor Kal

Kal's Korner 3/8

By Audio Tech • March 15, 2020
The Word : 1 Corinthians 15 – Resurrection – Life 1 Cor. 15:20,23, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” ESV God’s Promise IX: 1 Corinthians 15:54, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ESV For the believer in Christ, this promise is one of the blocks in the foundation of our unshakable hope. The grave brings sorrow, for sure. But it need not bring despair. The tomb could not hold Jesus, and since Christ is in you, the tomb will not be able to hold you either. I urge you, beg you, implore you to set your heart on this hope! Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken…” Looking forward to connecting in worship with you at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Tracy CA this Sunday, March 8, 2020. Unshakable Hope Series. Worship times at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. God bless you this day In Jesus Pastor Kal P.S. – Don’t Forget Daylight Saving Time – Spring Forward this coming weekend, Sunday March 8. P.S.S. Here is a listing of all the promises we’ve looked at to date in our current series: Unshakable Hope – Building Our Lives on the Promises of God. God’s Promise I: Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man (mankind) in our image, after our likeness.” ESV God’s Promise II: Romans 16:20, “The God who brings peace will soon defeat Satan and give you power over him.” NCV God’s Promise III: Romans 8:17, “We are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” NIV God’s Promise IV: James 5:16: “When a believing person prays, great things happen.” NCV God’s Promise V: 1 Peter 5:5, ““God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ESV God’s Promise VI: Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…” ESV God’s Promise VII: Romans 8:34, “Jesus…is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” ESV God’s Promise VIII: Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” ESV God’s Promise IX: 1 Corinthians 15:54, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ESV

Kal's Korner 3/1

By Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • March 6, 2020
The Word : 1 Corinthians 15 – Resurrection – Life 1 Cor. 15:20,23, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” ESV God’s Promise IX: 1 Corinthians 15:54, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ESV For the believer in Christ, this promise is one of the blocks in the foundation of our unshakable hope. The grave brings sorrow, for sure. But it need not bring despair. The tomb could not hold Jesus, and since Christ is in you, the tomb will not be able to hold you either. I urge you, beg you, implore you to set your heart on this hope! Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken…” Looking forward to connecting in worship with you at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Tracy CA this Sunday, March 8, 2020. Unshakable Hope Series. Worship times at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. God bless you this day In Jesus Pastor Kal P.S. – Don’t Forget Daylight Saving Time – Spring Forward this coming weekend, Sunday March 8. P.S.S. Here is a listing of all the promises we’ve looked at to date in our current series: Unshakable Hope – Building Our Lives on the Promises of God. God’s Promise I: Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man (mankind) in our image, after our likeness.” ESV God’s Promise II: Romans 16:20, “The God who brings peace will soon defeat Satan and give you power over him.” NCV God’s Promise III: Romans 8:17, “We are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” NIV God’s Promise IV: James 5:16: “When a believing person prays, great things happen.” NCV God’s Promise V: 1 Peter 5:5, ““God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ESV God’s Promise VI: Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…” ESV God’s Promise VII: Romans 8:34, “Jesus…is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” ESV God’s Promise VIII: Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” ESV God’s Promise IX: 1 Corinthians 15:54, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ESV 

Kal's Korner 2/23

By Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • February 27, 2020
No Condemnation

Kal's Korner 2/9

By Audio Tech • February 14, 2020
The Word: God Gets You – Hebrews 4:15 Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ESV God’s Promise VI: Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…” ESV God’s promise: He gets us. He understands our condition. And because He understands and has acted on our behalf… We receive mercy and grace. We are not left to languish on our own. When we fall, we are not forgotten. When we stumble, we are not abandoned. It’s called the Incarnation and its stunning display of God’s grace and favor. God, limited Himself to time and space and became one of us. John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” ESV Had Jesus come to earth only in the form of mighty God, we would respect Him but would never draw near to him. After all, how could God understand what it means to be human? If Jesus were merely a human baby only, conceived by two biological parents, we would draw near to Him, but would never worship him. He would be no different that you and me. But with Jesus we have both – God and man at the same time. Fully human. Fully God. Because of his humanity we can draw near unafraid. Because He is God, we also worship and praise him. Looking forward to connecting in worship with you at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Tracy CA this Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. Unshakable Hope Series. Worship times at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. God bless you this day In Jesus Pastor Kal

Kal's Korner 2/2

By Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • February 5, 2020
The Word: 1 Peter 5:5-7 – Grace for the Humble God’s Promise V – 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ESV Four Incentives for Humility Verse 5b: “God opposes the proud…” ESV Nothing could be worse than to have an infinitely powerful and holy God opposed to you. Verse 5b: "God gives grace to the humble." And nothing could be better than to have an infinitely powerful and wise God treat us graciously. He does that to the humble. The reason is not that humility is a performance of virtue that earns grace but that humility is a confession of emptiness that receives grace. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Verse 6: God will use his mighty hand to exalt the humble: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…” ESV Verse 7: God will use his mighty hand to care for the humble: "Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you." ESV All of which can help us to be less anxious in our lives…so that we might be truly present with God and with others. Looking forward to connecting in worship with you at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Tracy CA this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Unshakable Hope Series. Worship times at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. God bless you this day In Jesus Pastor Kal

Kal's Korner 1/26

By Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • January 28, 2020
The Word: James 5:16b-18 – The Power of Prayer “…The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.” ESV Well it’s been an incredible journey – Unshakable Hope – Building our Lives on the Promises of God. Here’s our journey so far… God’s Promise I: Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man (mankind) in our image, after our likeness.” ESV God’s Promise II: Romans 16:20, “The God who brings peace will soon defeat Satan and give you power over him.” NCV God’s Promise III: Romans 8:17, “We are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” NIV Coming Sunday, February 2, 2020 - God’s Promise IV: James 5:16: “When a believing person prays, great things happen.” NCV God hears our prayers as quickly as they are offered. Why”? Because they come from his child. Will God do everything you ask? Perhaps. Or he will do more than you imagined. He alone knows what is best. Our role is to stand firmly on the promise… James 5:16: “When a believing person prays, great things happen.” NCV You are never without hope, because you are never without access to God through prayer. Prayer is not the last resort. It is the first step. Looking forward to connecting in worship with you at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Tracy CA this Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. Unshakable Hope Series. Worship times at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. -- Pastor Kalvin L. Waetzig

Kal's Korner 1/19

By Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • January 25, 2020
The Word: Rom. 8:17, “We are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” NIV Dec. 31, 2012 — -- A homeless man found dead under a Wyoming overpass last week stood to inherit $19 million from his deceased adopted great aunt , a copper heiress net worth of $300 million fortune The body of Timothy Henry Gray, 60, was found Dec. 27 underneath the overpass of Union Pacific Railroad in Evanston, Wyoming. Gray died of hypothermia, according to a coroner's report, and police said there is no sign of foul play. "He appeared to have died from exposure," Lt. Bill Jeffers with the Evanston police told ABCNews.com. "He was just wearing a lighter jacket and jeans." Jeffers said that Evanston police had spoken to Gray last winter as part of a welfare check, and at that point he had an apartment in the area. Gray said that he appeared to not have a domicile at the time of his death. If you stood to inherit millions would you do all in your power to access that fortune? Yes? Really? Let’s talk about your inheritance. Glistening in the jewel box of God’s promises is this guarantee of your inheritance: God’s Promise III: Romans 8:17, “We are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” NIV As believers in Jesus Christ and all he has done for us, we are named by God as heirs – co-heirs with Christ. All that is of Jesus is ours. Everything. Life. Salvation. Forgiveness. Love. Is ours. In abundance. Join us at St. Paul's Lutheran Church this coming Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 for this powerful series – Unshakable Hope. Worship at 8:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. God bless you this day In His great and precious promises In Jesus Pastor Kal

Kal's Korner 1/12

By Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • January 25, 2020
The Word: Rom. 16:20, “The God who brings peace will soon defeat Satan and give you power over him.” NCV Join us at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tracy CA this coming Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 for this powerful series – Unshakable Hope. God’s Promise II – Overcoming Deception Worship at 8:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. Stand on the promises of God regarding Satan’s influence: Rom. 16:20, “The God who brings peace will soon defeat Satan and give you power over him.” NCV 1 John 4:4, “God’s Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world.” NCV 1 Cor. 10:13, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” NIV James 4:7, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” NIV We are building our lives on the promises of God. Because his Word is unbreakable, our hope is unshakable. We do not stand on the problems of life or the pain of life. We stand on the great and precious promises of God. God bless you this week In His Promises In Jesus Pastor Kal

Kal's Korner 1/5

By Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • January 8, 2020
The Word: Genesis 1:26 - God’s Promise I: In God’s Image. Ever felt small? Ever felt insignificant? Ever thought of yourself as unimportant? Ever been told you are a lost cause. Don’t listen to that. You are God’s idea. You are God’s child. You are created in His image. CEO or unemployed – it doesn’t matter. Hot list or not list – doesn’t matter. Blue-blooded or orphaned – doesn’t matter. High IQ or low standing – doesn’t matter. First string or cut from the squad – doesn’t matter. According to the Bible you are good simply because God made you in his image. Period. You are precious to him because you bear a resemblance to him. You are His. God has created you and won you back through the sacrificial work of His One and Only Son, Jesus on the cross. God’s Promise I: Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man (mankind) in our image, after our likeness.” ESV You will only be satisfied in life when you engage in your role as an image bearer of God. Join us at St. Paul's Lutheran Church for Unshakable Hope Week 1: Created in God’s Image for His Glory. This Sunday, January 12, 2020 Worship at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. -- Rev. Kalvin L. Waetzig

Kal's Korner 12/15

By Pastor Kalvin Waetzig • December 17, 2019
The Word: Colossians 2 – Keep God at Arm’s Length! Col 2:2-3, “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” ESV I wonder what would have happened if the shepherds had had the attitude of non-connection the night the angels announced the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The dialog might have sounded something like this… “Wow, those angels were really great! I haven’t seen anything that bright since the 4th of July.” Would they have said, “You know if I get the time, like maybe when I retire, I think I’ll do some follow-up on this thing that the Lord has told us about.” Or they might have said, “I really don’t want to loose this shepherding job. It may not pay much, but it’s all I have. If the boss would ever find out we left the sheep, it would be over, over man, I tell you.” “A baby? What’s to see in a baby?” Or “Look, I’m really tired from shopping all day, you guys go ahead and let me know what you find.” There are so many ways we open the door ever so slightly to God, but often it is not enough for Him to really shape our hearts and lives. More on this – Sunday, December 22, 2019 @ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 1635 Chester Drive Tracy CA 95376 Worship at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Give God your best this end of year and not because Santa is watching but because you know, truly know, and believe that God is good. His love us sure. His favor is without limit in the love of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Share yourself and your gifts with joy and grace…as has been done for you…in Jesus. Amen. Plan now to attend Christmas @ St. Paul’s Christmas Eve: 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Christmas Day: 10:00 a.m. God bless you this day In Jesus Pastor Kal