“Where you are going is more important than where you have been.”
I just finished reading an article about churches. Most of us look back to other times when things were good and life was easier. But reality is we cannot go back, we can only go forward. With that in mind, I am asking all of us to make a bold step.
On Sunday, October 14, we as a congregation have an opportunity to reach into our community. For a long time we have said, “We are a caring community.” At times that has been with projects that have helped others. On Faith In Action Sunday, we can do it with a big splash. On that Sunday morning we will have Sunday School but instead of worshipping we will do caring projects.
Let me list a few:
· Put together school kits for Lutheran World Relief. This will be done in the fellowship hall.
· Minor repairs for seniors. We have collected some names of seniors who need some simple
repairs. Come to church and get your assignment.
· Help out at the North Boone Food pantry. We will meet here and carpool to Capron to
stock shelves.
· Road clean up. We will meet at church, pick up our gear and go out to our assigned area on
Genoa Road.
· Visit shut ins. Stop by church, get the information on one of our members who is home
bound and go visit them.
· Our Sunday School children will be visiting members of our congregation at Northwoods
and Maple Crest. They will need some help with transportation.
This all will begin at 9:00 AM.
Then we all will gather back at Zion at 11:00 AM (note change of time) for a celebration of putting our words into action, not just by going to church but by being the church.
Check out the sign up sheets in the narthex and reserve October 14 as Faith In Action Sunday.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Saturday, September 1, 2007
From the Pastor
“Be content with what you have but not with who you are.” That statement has been on our lawn sign and every time I see it, it makes me think. The texts for the past few weeks really have revolved around that theme. In the gospel lesson, we have heard how to be rich in God but not in things. We truly are a blessed people and we do need to focus on what we need and not what we want.
Then as I read over the series of texts from Hebrews, I remember the heroes of faith where those who “pressed on.” Yes, we can learn from our past. Yes, there are things that need to be done now. But the writer of Hebrews encourages us to keep looking forward to the work God has called us to do.
So mark your calendars for some unique events:
On September 9, we will not only begin our schedule of two worship times and Sunday school but we are going to host a neighborhood party. We will feature the band Epiphany and have some special kid friendly activities. On Thursday, August 23, your church council will be walking through the neighborhood of our church buildings, inviting people to come.
What can you do? Invite a friend or relative to come with you to the music event at 3:00 pm. Then bring your lawn chairs and join us in the parking lot (in fellowship hall if it rains).
Watch for Faith In Action Sunday, October 14th!
See you in church,
Pastor Otto
Then as I read over the series of texts from Hebrews, I remember the heroes of faith where those who “pressed on.” Yes, we can learn from our past. Yes, there are things that need to be done now. But the writer of Hebrews encourages us to keep looking forward to the work God has called us to do.
So mark your calendars for some unique events:
On September 9, we will not only begin our schedule of two worship times and Sunday school but we are going to host a neighborhood party. We will feature the band Epiphany and have some special kid friendly activities. On Thursday, August 23, your church council will be walking through the neighborhood of our church buildings, inviting people to come.
What can you do? Invite a friend or relative to come with you to the music event at 3:00 pm. Then bring your lawn chairs and join us in the parking lot (in fellowship hall if it rains).
Watch for Faith In Action Sunday, October 14th!
See you in church,
Pastor Otto
Applying Bible Principles
God's Word has more to say about money and material possessions than about heaven and hell combined. Obviously, how we as His children handle what God has entrusted to us is a very important subject to Him.
Money is also the only subject about which God says, in essence, "Prove Me. Trust Me. Try Me." He does not issue that challenge concerning any other aspect of our Christian walk of faith. Not about prayer; not about sharing our faith with others; not even about salvation. Just money.
God said to Malachi, the prophet, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test . . . See if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing."
Some promises in the Bible are unconditional in nature. They are going to be fulfilled, regardless of what we might or might not do. Others could be described as "if . . . then" promises. If we will do our part, then God will do His part. This passage from Malachi 3:10 is one of the latter. If we will bring our tithes to God's storehouse, then He will open for us the windows of heaven and pour out for us such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
The question is whether we really believe God when He makes a promise like this. If we do, we will take Him at His Word. We will accept His challenge and "test" Him by giving to Him as He directs. And if we do that by faith, then we can be confident that God will meet that "test" by providing all we need and more.
Money is also the only subject about which God says, in essence, "Prove Me. Trust Me. Try Me." He does not issue that challenge concerning any other aspect of our Christian walk of faith. Not about prayer; not about sharing our faith with others; not even about salvation. Just money.
God said to Malachi, the prophet, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test . . . See if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing."
Some promises in the Bible are unconditional in nature. They are going to be fulfilled, regardless of what we might or might not do. Others could be described as "if . . . then" promises. If we will do our part, then God will do His part. This passage from Malachi 3:10 is one of the latter. If we will bring our tithes to God's storehouse, then He will open for us the windows of heaven and pour out for us such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
The question is whether we really believe God when He makes a promise like this. If we do, we will take Him at His Word. We will accept His challenge and "test" Him by giving to Him as He directs. And if we do that by faith, then we can be confident that God will meet that "test" by providing all we need and more.
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