Feb. 1, 2012

Greetings,

The Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning study groups will be starting a new topic. We're going to read and discuss the book, "My Conversations with Martin Luther". It's a clever format. The author, the late Timothy Lull (who was a professor at the Philly Seminary beginning in my senior year), is "visited" by Martin Luther on 6 occasions to discuss Luther's life and writings. Topics will include family and sexuality, roles of men and women, enemies and friends, renewal in the church, politics and ecumenism, interpreting the Bible, stubborn congregations, and "insights" of what heaven is like.

This is going to be light-hearted but extremely educational. I'm about to order books; if you'd like one, please "reply" or call the church office (995-0133). If you "reply" be sure you give us your name in case we don't recognize who you are by your email address. Books are $9.50 (includes postage). You can also download it on your Kindle and by-pass buying the book.

Blessings,

Pr Rusty

Jan 31, 2012

Greetings,

Please keep in prayer: Fred Holder (recovering at home) and Barb Weider (recovering from some falls). The families of President Obama and those vying to become president as they live within the turbulence of politics, victims of violence, homeless families, those who protect the environment, Lutheran Social Service agencies and the people they serve, couples struggling to save their marriages, nursing home residents who lack visitors to brighten their days, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson of the ELCA and Synod Bishop Ed Benoway, those recovering from addictions, research scientists.

Please pray for Messiah each day at 4:24.

This week pray especially for our fund drive for the Capital Fund Appeal.

Blessed Epiphany Season!

On Eagles' Wings: At this point I'm planning to preach on the Gospel text this coming weekend; it's another miracle story that occurs on the same day as the casting out of the demon that occurred in last weekend's text. And so in this space I want to tell you a bit about the text from Isaiah. It's yet another passage dealing with the spiritual angst of the Hebrew people in exile in Babylon. And throughout the passage there are a number of rhetorical questions that are designed to both express the despair of God's people and deliver them from that despair by reminding them of the everlasting faithfulness of God who created them and whose steadfast love sustains God's people. There are times in our own lives when we may experience despair, fear, uncertainty, and doubt; but the words of Isaiah and Jesus, the Word made flesh, are our source of hope and confidence. And they bear us up on eagles' wings. Someone should write a song with that as lyrics :)

Street Seats Fundraiser: Our Boy Scout Troop 716 will arrange for you to have a street seat for the Edison Pageant of Lights Parade. Donation is $10. For more information please call 239-810-9421.

Midweek Adult Education: We continue (and are finishing up) our study of St. Paul's letter to the congregation in Rome. Tuesday we meet at 7:00 pm and on Wednesday at 10:30 am. Next up will be a study of Luther and the reformation. Come out and join the conversation and the fellowship!!

SPECIAL SUNDAY EVENTS!!

FEB. 5TH - 9:30 AM

DEBBIE WOLF: Dave Samuel's daughter will share her experiences from a recent mission trip to South America. Debbie is a highly read "blogger" focusing on issues of faith. Check it out at: http://www.countingmyblessings.typepad.com/

FEB 25TH & 26TH

CLOWNS: actually, a Sat. and a Sun. Our clown troupe will be presenting the sermon at the 5:00 pm Sat. service and at the 11:00 AM service. They have been developing a brand new sermon. Be sure to be a part of one of those services. The 8:00 service will have a traditional sermon.

OTHER REMINDERS !!

Messiah Golf: join others from church for a fun golf league on Wednesday mornings (Hunter's Run Executive Golf Course in Cape Coral) at 8:00. It's normally a scramble format and it's always a lot of fun. For both men and women.

Have a blessed week!

Pr Rusty

Health Tip of the Week: Thyroid Awareness

This month is Thyroid Awareness month so we thought we'd test your knowledge about this small but powerful gland. True or False? (Answers below, but don't peek!)

Blood sugar testing is the most useful test for thyroid screening.              True              False

Thyroid disorders tend to run in families.                                                   True              False

Thyroid disorders are equally common among men and women.              True              False

Fatigue is a common complaint for both under and

overactive thyroid conditions.                                                                     True              False

Changes to thyroid medication doses should only be done

with guidance from a physician.                                                                  True              False

Five correct answers? You should be writing these health tips! Three correct answers? Not bad - but keep reading this article. Less than 3 correct answers? Your homework assignment is to go to www.empoweryourhealth.org and read the entire article on "How your thyroid works."

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly shaped organ that sits in front of the throat below the "Adam's apple." Your thyroid sets the pace at which your cells operate by manufacturing thyroid hormone. Like a car needing fuel (gas) to produce energy to run, the thyroid needs fuel to produce hormones. This fuel is iodine, a mineral that the body does not make and so is dependent on getting it from things in our diet like iodized table salt, seafood, bread and milk. Those who do not get enough iodine in their diets may develop swelling in the thyroid called a goiter.

The thyroid gets direction from the pituitary gland in the form of another hormone - thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Blood tests for TSH are most useful for thyroid screening. A number of things can disrupt the optimum functioning of the thyroid gland leading to either an overactive gland or underactive gland. When this happens, your physician will need to discuss with you your condition and the appropriate steps to correct the underlying problem.

Thyroid disorders do tend to run in families and are more common in women rather than men. Fatigue is a symptom often experienced by people with both under and overactive thyroid conditions and one of the reasons your physician may regularly check your TSH levels when ordering blood tests. Depending on the cause, your age, and other conditions you may have, your physician may order synthetic thyroid replacement medication intended to reduce symptoms and regulate the functioning of the thyroid. Doses are measured in micrograms - very tiny amounts - and any changes to your medication dosing should only be made in consultation with your physician.

As with any medication, synthetic thyroid medications react with other medications and may cause dangerous side effects. Some of the medications that are affected by synthetic thyroid medications include (but are not limited to): oral anticoagulant medications, digoxin, amiodarone and lovostatin. Thyroid replacement medication is best taken on an empty stomach, ½ - 1 hour before eating breakfast.

Source: www.empoweryourhealth.org , www.rxlist.com

Answers to Thyroid Trivia Test: 1 – False, 2 –True, 3 – False, 4 – True, 5 – True.