Approximately 90 % of Americans will die a ‘managed death’ and will need to decide how long they will live and under what conditions. You can help make these decisions through the use of Advanced Directives (a statement of your health care choices or naming someone to make decisions for you). However, if you become seriously ill and incapable of speech or action, your loved ones will be faced with these decisions. Take time now to review your end –of –life wishes. Are they based on Biblical truths?

The following principles are adapted from Christian Care at Life’s End and may be useful in guiding your health care decisions.

• Each person is created in God’s image and deserves to be treated with the same standard of care (regardless of age or infirmity).
• As Creator, God alone knows with certainty if a condition is incurable.
• It is good ethical practice for doctors to receive a statement signed by the patient indicating wishes to end life-sustaining treatment in case of a terminal condition.

The Five Wishes document is a useful guide for planning your personal Advanced Directives. If you would like a copy, call Lydia Volz @ 651-644-7241.

We are comforted with this promise ”Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there…who…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Phil.3:20-21)

Many of us recently gathered around a table heavily laden with turkey and dressing, vegetables, cranberries and pie, to celebrate the Day of Thanksgiving. As we gave thanks for the abundance of God’s gifts, we cannot forget those in many areas of our world who are less fortunate.

Many in our community are without work, resulting in home foreclosure for some and severe restriction in spending for others. Others are struggling to rebuild after tornado or flood damage. Civil unrest with daily news of death and destruction are present in many countries around the world, with families barely maintaining their existence. Suffering seems to be a human experience and yet it remains a disturbing and perplexing situation for both the person suffering and those around. him/her. The Bible contains many references to human suffering. We are all familiar with the account of Job, which also contains words of comfort, “But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction” (Job 36:15)

Suffering may not mean the same thing to everyone, but generally it is a state of distress that affects the whole person. It is different from pain in that suffering does not have an immediate remedy, floods the whole of a person and impacts our sense of meaning and drives us toward God (adapted from Amato ,1990).

Our Lord’s charge to the early church directed the faithful to preach, teach and heal (Mt.10, 7,8). Jesus healing life empowers the church to do healing ministry for a hurting and broken world. As children of God, all of us are called to share these gifts of healing with one another. There are several specific things that we can do when we confront suffering.

First, we can offer a ministry of presence, or share with a suffering person our gifts of time, selves and compassion. Second, we can help people to discover meaning in the midst of their suffering and third, we can take action directed at alleviating suffering (adapted from Johnstone, 1989). May the revelation of Jesus’ suffering evermore challenge us to be a part of healing ministry in our hurting world.

Ways to help and give at Jehovah: Work with the Careteam Ministry to visit and support homebound members. Call Lydia at 644-7241 if you have questions.
The Spirit of Giving– Gifts valued at $10-$15 will be collected for the 237 residents at Lyngblomsten Care Center. Place them unwrapped in the green bin by the office before Dec.19
Sponsor-a-Youth gifts for homeless at Rezek House –See bulletin board for details and to pick up a gift tag. The deadline for bringing gifts to the office is December 12.
Gifts Given -Donations of food and money will be given to the Concordia University food shelf.