STANDING STONE BIBLE

WEEKLY

May 5, 2025

A Point from pastor

A pastor once shared, "Easter is the worst thing to happen to Christ."   His point was that we are to be living as resurrection people every day and having the one holiday has relegated the conversation to one day a year.   Worthy of reflection.

As followers of Christ, we understand the celebration of the Lord's Day is each Sunday.  The first day of the week or, more accurately the day after the final day - the eight day of the week - is when we celebrate the Lord's Day.  Celebrating the Resurrected Christ each Sunday speaks to Him being the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.   It reminds us of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It reminds us that, as each week ends, there is a new week of resurrection life.  It reminds us that we look forward to an "eighth day" that will follow our seven days of creation.  The start of a new beginning, a new creation, is coming as Jesus will make all things new.  

As these days after Resurrection Sunday spill over into weeks and months, let us hold to those words of Jesus to Martha:  “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26).   Each Sunday morning is an opportunity for us to answer that question Jesus then asked her, "Do you believe this?”  Our worship each Sunday and our living out each day this resurrection life is our affirmation, like Martha, that "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world" (John 11:27).  

THIS WEEK

Here are the highlights of classes and events THIS week

The end of OA:sis!   -  Our regular Wednesday night season ends this week.  For the summer, there will be no regular meal, kid's programs or adult Bible study.   Prayer Force (prayer service) and LIGHThouse (youth) will continue through the summer.  Join us Wednesday!

Four the Master - The gospel quartet will minister this Wednesday (3pm) at the Easter Nebraska Veteran's Home (12505 Harrison Tull Dr in Bellevue).

Senior Ceremony - 
Sunday morning,  we will bless our new high school graduates with a special ceremony charging them to serve and submit Jesus.  Be in prayer for Aaron, Elijah, Isaiah, and Timmy.

upcoming events

Make note of the classes and events available in the near future

Joyous Hearts - Wednesday, May 14 is the monthly gathering for those age 55 and older.   Join in for this time of food and fellowship beginning at 10am.  

TLT, Teen Life Truths - This is a 10-week study of basic life principles for those entering 6th grade.  This will begin on May 21 from 6:30 to 8:00pm.  Older grades may also join in.  

CCS, Colossae Collaborative School - This homeschool help offered by SSB is preparing for the upcoming school year beginning in the fall.  If you are interested, please ask for information.

The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

- Proverbs 10:22

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

- 2 Corinthians 8:9

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:19

the Lord's day

We were reminded of May 6th, 2007 - Mel and Monica's son, Corporal Matthew Alexander was tragically killed in Iraq.  We are tremendously thankful for his life and service.  Thank you, Mel and Monica as well .   Everyone reading this, is doing so, in part, because Matthew fought to protect our freedom (and this is just the first amendment!).  

We spent significant time reflecting on what Jesus did including some helps on handling temptation (using 1st Corinthians 10).  Thanks to Jesus and His body/blood given for us, the curse of sin is broken.  We can be encouraged, when facing temptation, that temptation is not sin, that it is common to all Christians, that God can and will use temptation for our good, that Christ sympathizes and helps us with temptation, that it does not cancel God's love, and that we can turn temptation into prayer.   We need God's new mercies every morning (Lam. 3:23) because we are tempted every day ...  we need a fresh start every day!  Thank you God!  

This Month in Christian History

May 3, 1891
Friedrich August Crämer (1812–1891) was a German Lutheran pastor and missionary who answered the call to serve on the American frontier. Born in Klein-Langheim, Bavaria, he was arrested as a university student at Erlangen for participating in a revolutionary plot. While in prison, Crämer experienced a spiritual transformation, reasoning that if Christ redeemed sinners, He had also redeemed him.

Pastor Wilhelm Loehe recruited Crämer to lead a mission settlement in Michigan to serve the Chippewa people. In 1845, Crämer led a group of Lutheran immigrants to the Saginaw Valley, founding the town of Frankenmuth ("Courage of Franconia"). Crämer began teaching Indian children with the help of Jim Grant, a half-Chippewa interpreter, and baptized 31 Native Americans. He also established three mission stations and visited them monthly despite harsh conditions.

As the settlement grew, the community built St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, dedicated on Christmas Day 1846. However, the mission to the Chippewa declined as the tribe migrated westward. Facing theological conflicts with less-confessional Lutheran teachings, Crämer helped found the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and became a professor at its seminaries. While teaching in St. Louis, he also organized and led a congregation of Irish and German immigrants without pay.

Crämer endured personal tragedies, losing three grown children and two grandchildren in 1881, followed by his wife’s death in 1884. Despite declining health, he led the relocation of the seminary to Springfield, Illinois. He died on May 3, 1891, from complications of influenza after training 635 ministry candidates. His legacy includes his missionary work, his contribution to the Missouri Synod, and his role in establishing Frankenmuth as a center of Lutheran faith.

“To come to the Word for anything less than meeting God borders on sacrilege.  Many come to prove a point. Some come to establish a doctrine. This, however, is quite wrong. We must discipline ourselves to come to the Word with holy anticipation to meet with God. To come to the Bible and not be fed is the sad plight of many people today.”


- A.W Tozer

Prayer Prods

  1. Marsh B and family, mourning her mom's passing
  2. Mel and Monica as they remember 18-years ago
  3. Elaine back home after a hospital stay from seizures.  Daughter and family visiting this week
  4. Joyce N, Ron M, Peggy O, Joe R, Kathie P, and Tami N all under cancer treatments
  5. Heather F & Elijah B - after baptism
  6. Sue P - recovering from tibia fracture/meniscus tear
  7. Marco recovering from ankle surgery (Steve Br, Becky M, Mike N, Nancy S also recovering from surgeries)
  8. Sharon P needing knee surgery / Mary T needing back surgery
  9.  Aaron, Elijah, Isaiah, and Timmy - graduating seniors
10.  Bockman and McRae families as they grieve

General Calendar