This past Sunday, on the way out of worship, a visitor said to me, “There sure is a lot of love in this place.” My reply was something like, “Yes, there certainly is.” I could have gone on to say, “And my, how great it is to see it being sent in so many different directions by so many different people.” By the end of the day, my description of it would be “overwhelming.”
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. He is the God of our salvation who has defeated our enemies, atoned for our sins, overcome death and the devil, and authorized me to proclaim this good news to you: As a called and ordained servant of Jesus, I therefore forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
February 26, 2023 Bulletin Read Post »
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name.
February 19, 2023 Bulletin Read Post »
“Yesterday” (the song) was released by the Beatles in 1965. While today I am thinking about many “yesterdays”, I am not really singing the lyrics to this song. “Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they’re here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday,” is what McCartney wrote as the beginning of the song. Rather than focusing upon regrets (thankfully “his grace is sufficient for me” too – not just St. Paul), I am more thinking about the blessings of yesterday – while at the same time anticipating the additional new ones that tomorrow will bring.
Yesterday … and Tomorrow Read Post »
You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains will break into singing before you, and all
the trees of the field will clap their hands, for Jesus, the Word made flesh, was given to die for you, and by his blood
you are made new. As a called and ordained servant of Jesus, I therefore forgive you all your sins, in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
February 12, 2023 Bulletin Read Post »
So, which is it? Is it winding things up or is it winding things down? As I am writing this, I am coming to the conclusion that it is a combination of the two – or at least I hope so. Maybe it’s similar to watches in the “pre-battery” days. You wound them up and then they would wind down. … (on a side note, I wonder how many people who laugh at the electrification of vehicles still wear a windup watch that was made in Switzerland?)
Winding Up … or Down? Read Post »
GriefShare is a support group that meets weekly. You’ll find it to be a warm, caring environment and will come to see your group as an “oasis” on your long journey through grief.
At some point early in the pandemic Monica and I binge-watched a series on Netflix called “Heartland”. We think it was my brother and his late wife who introduced us to it. To this day we are still hooked. We are currently recording and watching season 16! The previous seasons we have watched multiple times. However, I must warn you – suspense, bloodshed, and similar scenarios are not a part of it (so it might not be for you).
Dark and cheerless is the morn Unaccompanied by Thee; Joyless is the day’s return Till Thy mercy’s beams I see, Till they inward light impart, Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.
February 5, 2023 Bulletin Read Post »
Blessèd Jesus, at Your Word We are gathered all to hear You. Let our hearts and souls be stirred Now to seek and love and fear You, By Your teachings, sweet and holy, Drawn from earth to love You solely.
January 29, 2023 Bulletin Read Post »
