Picture this...
A hushed hospital room, a dying patient who has struggled bravely
against cancer to gain more years of life. The cancer has not been
conquered and it will soon win the battle.
Standing around the hospital bed is the family, holding hands in a
circle that includes the patient and the chaplain. After all that they
have been through together, knowing that the end is near, these weary
and grieving people start to sing ever so softly.
“Away in the manger... the little Lord Jesus ...”
Is this appropriate? Is that only song they know?
Wait, “Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay.”
It not only brought peace to their hearts but hope.
“Close by me forever and love me I pray.”
Those words hung on for a long time. And fit the time.
(I thank Andréa Nesdahl- Degroot for this story.)
As we gather for Advent Worship on Wednesdays November 28,
December 5, 12, and 19, we invite you to sing with us these familiar
and meaningful songs.
We worship at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
From the Pastor’s desk
It was a unique Sunday. Our first Faith In Action Sunday began with lots of people showing up to church in work clothes. They were met by seven young adults, proudly wearing their Faith In Action T-shirts. Very shortly after 9:00 AM, the narthex emptied.
What happened?
· 50 school kits were assembled; we also viewed a DVD on where the quilts and kits end up.
Timbuktu?
· 100 boxes of food were assembled and lots of shelves were stocked at the food pantry.
· 1 family in real need of home repairs was helped. Another family had lots of things
removed from their home and yard to help them get ready to sell the property.
· 10 of our homebound members received a visit.
· 6 of our members who live in a nursing home were entertained by our Sunday school
youth.
· 10 young adults saw their faith come alive.
· Our youth did some cleaning up and will do the Road Clean Up when it is sunny.
I think the best part was our worship time. The choir did a terrific job to set the theme with their song, “This is God’s Church”. The sermon was full of stories from people who went out and put their faith into action. Not only did those present feel proud to be a part of a church who puts feet to their faith but there was a spirit alive in the sanctuary that I would like to bottle up and open each Sunday.
Know that our Faith In action team is planning another Sunday.
What happened?
· 50 school kits were assembled; we also viewed a DVD on where the quilts and kits end up.
Timbuktu?
· 100 boxes of food were assembled and lots of shelves were stocked at the food pantry.
· 1 family in real need of home repairs was helped. Another family had lots of things
removed from their home and yard to help them get ready to sell the property.
· 10 of our homebound members received a visit.
· 6 of our members who live in a nursing home were entertained by our Sunday school
youth.
· 10 young adults saw their faith come alive.
· Our youth did some cleaning up and will do the Road Clean Up when it is sunny.
I think the best part was our worship time. The choir did a terrific job to set the theme with their song, “This is God’s Church”. The sermon was full of stories from people who went out and put their faith into action. Not only did those present feel proud to be a part of a church who puts feet to their faith but there was a spirit alive in the sanctuary that I would like to bottle up and open each Sunday.
Know that our Faith In action team is planning another Sunday.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
From the Pastor
“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.
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.
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.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Applying Bible Principles
God uses money in a variety of ways in the lives of His children. One of the most important ways God uses money is to confirm direction. Simply stated, God uses the supply of money or the lack of it to confirm His direction for many of the decisions we must make in life.
If God gives us clear direction which is confirmed by His Word, then He will provide whatever is needed to carry out that direction. The only problem is that He expects us to step out in faith in obedience to His leading and His Word, usually without knowing in full the pathway that lies ahead.
Living that kind of life requires faith in God's person and His promises. It requires taking God at His Word and basing how we live on His Word. It requires trusting Him, even when circumstances appear to be contrary. It requires seeking first His kingdom, and then being confident that He will provide what we need. It requires as the writer of Hebrews observed, believing that God " . . . exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China who lived in the 19th century, summed it up beautifully this way: "God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supply." This means that if we are not experiencing God's supply, either we are not doing God's work (that is, we are not seeking first His kingdom) or we are not doing God's work in His way.
Make no mistake about it: God is not a God of disorder. He will not provide specific direction which He confirms by his Word if He does not intend to provide what is necessary for us to obey Him fully. But He looks to us to be willing to trust Him by taking the first step, and then another, and yet another.
By the way, has God been speaking to you lately? Has He confirmed that direction through His Word? If so, remember this: You can be confident that as God works in your life, He will use money or the lack of it to confirm His direction.
If God gives us clear direction which is confirmed by His Word, then He will provide whatever is needed to carry out that direction. The only problem is that He expects us to step out in faith in obedience to His leading and His Word, usually without knowing in full the pathway that lies ahead.
Living that kind of life requires faith in God's person and His promises. It requires taking God at His Word and basing how we live on His Word. It requires trusting Him, even when circumstances appear to be contrary. It requires seeking first His kingdom, and then being confident that He will provide what we need. It requires as the writer of Hebrews observed, believing that God " . . . exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China who lived in the 19th century, summed it up beautifully this way: "God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supply." This means that if we are not experiencing God's supply, either we are not doing God's work (that is, we are not seeking first His kingdom) or we are not doing God's work in His way.
Make no mistake about it: God is not a God of disorder. He will not provide specific direction which He confirms by his Word if He does not intend to provide what is necessary for us to obey Him fully. But He looks to us to be willing to trust Him by taking the first step, and then another, and yet another.
By the way, has God been speaking to you lately? Has He confirmed that direction through His Word? If so, remember this: You can be confident that as God works in your life, He will use money or the lack of it to confirm His direction.
From the Pastor
During the month of August, a small group of members are joining me in a book discussion. The book we are reading is called Giving to God by Mark Allan Powell. Dr. Powell asks an interesting set of questions about why we give to God.
Do you write a check to Zion Lutheran because you are worried about meeting the budget? Do you put money in the offering plate because it is a great way to empty your wallet?
I think not. We give because it is a way to offer our thanks to God for all that he has given us. The problem is that lots of us think giving $5 a week or less to God is an adequate way to say thanks.
Giving is an act of worship that is to take us beyond duty to delight. When we enjoy giving our money away, we may come close to an actual love offering. So when the plate comes by in worship remember, like the creed here is another way of saying “I love Jesus.”
My mother taught me a long time ago that the main reason for going to church is not getting my own needs met. The main reason, the most important reason for going to church, is to worship God.
See you at worship,
Pastor Otto
Do you write a check to Zion Lutheran because you are worried about meeting the budget? Do you put money in the offering plate because it is a great way to empty your wallet?
I think not. We give because it is a way to offer our thanks to God for all that he has given us. The problem is that lots of us think giving $5 a week or less to God is an adequate way to say thanks.
Giving is an act of worship that is to take us beyond duty to delight. When we enjoy giving our money away, we may come close to an actual love offering. So when the plate comes by in worship remember, like the creed here is another way of saying “I love Jesus.”
My mother taught me a long time ago that the main reason for going to church is not getting my own needs met. The main reason, the most important reason for going to church, is to worship God.
See you at worship,
Pastor Otto
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