Newsletter
November 16.2025
St. Paul Lutheran LCMS
Julesburg, CO
970.474.2592
The Pathlight
Your Word Is A Lamp To My Feet and a
Light To My Path.
Ps 119:105
Zion Lutheran LCMS
Big Springs, NE
308.289.5148
____________________________________________________________________________________________
God of the Living
“Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”
Luke 20:38
Dead men don’t rise. That’s common sense. Dead is dead! That’s what the Sadducees would have told you.
This Jewish sect did not believe in an afterlife and certainly not in the resurrection of the dead. As a matter of
fact, they limited the authority of the Scriptures to the first five books of Moses; no resurrection there they
supposed.
Call it irony that they ask a question about the resurrection to the one who is “the Resurrection.” Jesus takes
the Sadducees right to the book of Exodus! God declares to Moses, “I am the God of your father, the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Jesus demonstrates that God is the God of the living, not
of the dead!
It is passages like this one that Jesus had in mind when he taught his disciples on the evening of his
resurrection, that “the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise again from the dead” (Luke 24:44-46).
Jesus’ resurrection made the impossible now possible; the dead do rise again to life. Jesus’ resurrection
conquered the grave for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and for you!
The tomb is still empty. Christ is risen from the dead, and his resurrection means life for you. Jesus is the
“firstfruits of those who have died” (1 Corinthians 15:20), which means there are more fruits to follow. If
Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead” (Colossians 1:18). God’s will for all people is to look to Jesus with eyes
of faith for the forgiveness sins and have eternal life and themselves be raised on the Last Day (John 16:40).
With Jesus’ answer to their question, the Jewish scholars said, “‘Teacher, you have spoken well,’ and they no
longer dared to ask him any questions.” Jesus has the last word, not death, not your sin, not your grave, and
not your reasoning. Our Lord’s cross declares to you that your sins are forgiven. His empty grave and
resurrection proclaim to you that you, too, will one day rise and live with him forever.
Pastor Christensen
For now we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have
been fully known. 1Cor. 13:12
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Lutheran Worship Service Book
Order of Worship
HYMN #873 “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”
LITURGY pg.184 Divine Service (setting Three) with Communion
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION pg184
INTROIT pg.186
SALUTATION and COLLECT pg. 189
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Malachi:4:1-6
EPISTLE: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 21:5-28
NICENE CREED pg.191
HYMN of THE DAY #508 “The Day Is Surely Drawing Near”
SERMON
OFFERING
OFFERATORY pg.192
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT pg.194
DISTRIBUTION HYMN
HYMN #636 “Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness”
BENEDICTION pg. 202
CLOSING HYMN #733 “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
SILENT PRAYER
Today’s Servants
St.Paul
Ushers/Greeters-Les Ebke/Jeff Larsen
Organist-Gail Nicolaus
Zion
Greeters and Ushers – Dayton & Jodi, Altar Guild-Jodi/Shelle
Organist-Gail Nicolaus
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St. Paul
Nov.17-9:00AM-Bible Study
7:00PM-Council Meeting
Nov.19-5:00PM-Catechism
Nov.23-8:00AM-Bible Study
9:00AM-Worship Service
2:00PM-Voters Meeting
Servants for Worship Service-Murl Abts/Jay Lindsay/Jeanie Boehm
Zion
Nov. 17-3:30PM-Midweek
Nov. 23-10:00AM-Sunday School
11:00AM-Worship Service
Servants for Worship Service- Dayton & Jodi/Shelle & Jodi/Jeanie Boehm
Voters Meeting – Sunday, November 23 at 2:00 PM
All members of the congregation are warmly invited to attend our upcoming Voters
Meeting at St. Paul. This important gathering is a time for us to come together as a faith
family to discuss upcoming plans and make decisions that shape the life of our church. A
key item on the agenda will be discerning what to do with the parsonage-whether to sell,
rent, or leave it vacant. During the meeting, members will have the opportunity to ask
questions, and the committee will respond as we are able. Your voice and presence
matter. Please join us as we prayerfully steward the mission and future of our
congregation.
MIRIAM CIRCLE would like to thank everyone who donated and helped with the
Hippodrome Fair on Saturday, November 8. Miriam Circle will have $825.00 to use for
special ministry projects in the coming year. May God bless everyone who helped in any
way with the Fair.
Happy Birthday……… 11/17-Chris Michael/Holly (Christensen) Goodell
11/21-Aiden Law
11/23-Cameron Miller
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AT THE VOTERS' MEETING OF NOVEMBER 23rd at 2PM - A CONGREGATIONAL VOTE
WILL DETERMINE THE FINAL RESOLUTION OF THE PARSONAGE.
It will be your opportunity to vote for : RENT the parsonage - SELL the parsonage - Leave it
VACANT
1 Meetings / Emails -
The Parsonage Resolution Committee has had approximately 60 meetings / calls / and/or email conversations
since February 2025. Our purpose was to perform due diligence and fact-gathering regarding the future
status of the parsonage. A prime goal was to always give consideration to NOT putting St Paul in jeopardy
and keep all communication facts - not opinions.
2 Attorneys -
Keeping in mind our desire to provide legal-based facts … we contacted and spoke to five (5) real-estate
attorneys. The fifth attorney felt we should be speaking to a CPA with expertise in the nuances of 501(C)(3).
3 CPAs -
An individual CPA and a group of CPAs was contacted. After much discussion, Austin Bump was selected
as our contact.
4 Fair Market Value -
The monthly rent amount must be set at Fair Market Value. We contacted two Julesburg-based entities
familiar with this process. $975 to $1,100 per month was deemed to be the Fair Market Value for the
parsonage.
5 Insurance -
We spoke with our current insurance company representative multiple times. Final "Brotherhood Mutual
Insurance DOES insure vacant properties" with no set limit of time. She recommended Basic & Vandalism
coverage. It will be more expensive than the current policy with the status of 'occupied'. Part of that change
would require a weekly check on the dwelling to ensure there are no water leaks or other long-term
consequence situations.
6 Appraisal -
The dwelling was appraised to ensure current property value.
7 Condition of the Parsonage -
Both the Parsonage Resolution Committee and the Trustees did an 'eyes-on' evaluation of the home. It's in
good condition.
8 IF NEEDED - Rental Agreement -
A local attorney was contacted and is willing to draft a Rental Agreement if it is necessary.
The above information will be included to the Pathlight mailings. It will also be available in the narthex
November 9th forward.
Your questions and the answers will be provided to the congregation.
If you have any questions, or need additional clarification on the above - please contact one of the Parsonage
Committee Members: Gene Bauerle - Judy Abts - Linda Pitzer - Lori Ehmke - Murl Abts - Sharon
Robison
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND THE VOTERS' MEETING OF NOVEMBER 23rd at 2PM - A
CONGREGATIONAL VOTE WILL DETERMINE THE FINAL RESOLUTION OF THE
PARSONAGE ..... SELL - RENT - LEAVE VACANT
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1. Which Old Testament figure
offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving
after surviving the flood?
A. Noah
B. Moses
C. Abraham
D. Job
Your Answer: ___________
2. In Psalm 100, which phrase directly
connects thanksgiving to worship?
A. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
B. Serve the Lord with gladness
C. Enter his gates with thanksgiving
D. Know ye that the Lord he is
God
Your Answer: ___________
3. Which New Testament epistle
commands: “Give thanks in all
circumstances”?
A. Romans
B. Ephesians
C. 1 Thessalonians
D. Hebrews
Your Answer: ___________
4. Which prophet rebuked the people
for offering sacrifices without true
thanksgiving?
A. Isaiah
B. Jeremiah
C. Amos
D. Ezekiel
Your Answer: ___________
5. In Luke 17, how many lepers
returned to thank Jesus after being
healed?
A. Three
B. Ten
C. Five
D. One
Your Answer: ___________
6. Which Psalm begins with the line:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is
good”?
A. Psalm 23
B. Psalm 118
C. Psalm 51
D. Psalm 42
Your Answer: ___________
7. What kind of offering was
specifically designated as a “thank
offering” in Levitical law?
A. Burnt offering
B. Guilt offering
C. Fellowship offering
D. Grain offering
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Your Answer: ___________
8. Which apostle often began his
letters with thanksgiving for the
recipients?
A. Peter
B. Paul
C. James
D. John
Your Answer: ___________
9. In the book of Jonah, what did
Jonah do from the belly of the fish?
A. Cried out in fear
B. Sang a hymn
C. Gave a thank offering
D. Prayed with thanksgiving
Your Answer: ___________
10. Which festival in the Old
Testament most closely resembles
modern Thanksgiving in its focus on
harvest and gratitude?
A. Passover
B. Feast of Trumpets
C. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
D. Day of Atonement
Your Answer: ___________
Answer Key
1. Noah
Genesis 8:20 – Offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving after the flood.
2. Enter his gates with thanksgiving
Psalm 100:4 – Connects thanksgiving directly to worship.
3. 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances.”
4. Amos
Amos 5:21–24 – Rebuked empty sacrifices lacking justice and true gratitude.
5. One
Luke 17:15–16 – Only one leper returned to thank Jesus.
6. Psalm 118
Psalm 118:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.”
7. Fellowship offering
Leviticus 7:11–15 – The thank offering was a type of fellowship offering.
8. Paul
Paul often began his letters with thanksgiving for the churches.
9. Prayed with thanksgiving
Jonah 2:9 – Jonah praised God from the belly of the fish.
10. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
Leviticus 23:15–21 – Celebrated the firstfruits of the wheat harvest.
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A Heart of Thanksgiving
Devotion for the Season
It started with a pie……
Miss Clara, age 87, had baked her famous cranberry-apple pie for the
church potluck every Thanksgiving since 1972. But this year, she was
recovering from a fall and couldn’t make it. So, the youth group decided
to surprise her. They showed up at her door with a homemade pie—lumpy
crust, uneven filling, and a note that read: “We tried to make it like yours.
We’re thankful for you.”
Clara cried. Not because of the pie (though it was terrible), but because
she felt remembered. Seen. Loved.
Thanksgiving isn’t just about food or tradition—it’s about remembering.
Remembering God’s goodness. Remembering each other. Remembering
that even in seasons of loss, loneliness, or change, gratitude can still
bloom.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."
— Psalm 107:1
In Scripture, thanksgiving often appears in moments of deliverance,
abundance, and even suffering. Noah built an altar after the flood. David
sang praises while fleeing enemies. Paul, imprisoned, urged believers to
“give thanks in all circumstances.” These weren’t empty gestures—they
were declarations of trust.
Gratitude shifts our gaze. It reminds us that God’s goodness isn’t
dependent on our circumstances. When we give thanks, we acknowledge
that every breath, every blessing, and every breakthrough comes fro
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Him. But thanksgiving also invites us to see His hand in the waiting, the
wilderness, and the wounds.
This season, reflect not just on what you’re thankful for, but why. What
has God revealed about Himself through your journey? What moments of
grace have carried you? Who has shown you His love in action?
Let your thanksgiving be more than words—let it be worship. Let it be a
rhythm that carries you beyond November, into every ordinary day where
God’s goodness still reigns.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of remembrance.
Thank You for the pies, the people, and the quiet moments where Your
goodness shines through.
Help us to carry thanksgiving beyond the table—into our words, our work,
and our worship.
Teach us to see Your hand in every season,
To give thanks not just for what we have, but for who You are.
Let our hearts be altars of praise,
And our lives a reflection of Your enduring love.
Amen.