Let those who seek the Lord give praise!

                                                May your hearts live forever!

~Psalm 22:26b    

 

Pastor’s Thoughts:

As you may have read here or in other Grace places, Bishop Daniel Beaudoin has designated 2024 as a Year of Rest for the Northwestern Ohio Synod. The idea is that we focus on the concept of rest, considering how and why it is important for us as the people of God. The concept of holy rest or Sabbath comes from the scripture, when God commanded the people to take some times to worship, to rest, and to re-create from all of life’s activities.

At the recent Prayer Breakfast, we explored seven types of rest together. These include physical rest, mental rest, emotional rest, sensory rest, creative rest, social rest, and spiritual rest. I plan to share something about each of these over the next weeks, beginning with “sensory rest.” 

If your life is at all like mine, you might find yourself overstimulated by all the sounds and sights of life; from screen time including work, social media and entertainment) to text message alerts and computer alerts … from ring tones to TVs and car radios. As I write this, one neighbor is trimming the lawn and the other is fighting with a chain saw! it seems there is never a moment that is free from some kind of sensory input, and that can become wearying.

Technology is a gift. It can help us stay connected. It can help us learn,. It can help us do everyday tasks. But screen time can strain our eyes. Social media can raise our blood pressure. The amount of information on the Internet about any given topic can be tough to sift through and process. The perceived demand to reply to every message or email can feel like a burden.

How can we rest from the sensory overload that can wear us out? For me, it has become necessary to take time every morning free of as much as I can step away from. I sit in our dark family room, and leave my phone where it is and focus on my breathing and my sense of my body. There are still sounds and sights of course; the birds are waking up and our two dogs are rustling around. But those moments have become a needed rest for me, when I can give intentional attention to things which might otherwise go unnoticed. When I don’t do this, I find myself more stressed by the demands of the beeps, dings, and other “noise” of the day.

Can you find a few quiet moments each day, free from the demands of the “noisy” world? Can you listen for God in these moments and rest in the knowledge that you are profoundly loved?

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

 

Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time

In Fellowship Hall

April 28th – Cindy Wood and Sherry Hammond  

May 5th – Sue Wagner and Brenda Holderman  

May12th Mother’s Day – Muffins for Mom

If anyone is willing to donate a dozen muffins,

please let Sue Wagner know at Suegrade@aol.com

or 419.475.8972.

Healthy People! Healthy Parish!

A big thank you to all who donated blood last Thursday! We were able to collect 15 units which can go to help 45 people! We had 2 new donors!

Please hold the date for the next blood drive – the Interfaith Blood Drive – -Saturday June 29^th from 8-200pm!

You can schedule on the Red Cross web site or Gretchen will be able to schedule starting on April 30^th.

This is the 35^th Anniversary for the Interfaith Blood Drive which is the largest and longest running Blood Drive in the United States!!

 

Adult Class—Death and Dying:

For our Adult Class topic, we are discussing death and dying. Our society   teaches us not to avoid discussing this in-depth, but it is something that we should all confront and ponder in conjunction with our faith. Our faith gives us  a powerful perspective through which to view and discuss the reality of death.

We began our discussions and learning with an introductory session on Wednesday, 3 April (6:00 p.m.) and Sunday, 7 April (8:15 a.m.). Both class    options use the same materials each week. The class is anticipated to run through 15/19 May.

We will discuss the concept of death (both from a physical perspective and a Christian perspective), the grieving process, how to plan our funerals (both at the church and the funeral home), and the importance of Advance Directives (Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Living Wills).

 

The Readings for Sunday April 28, 2024

Acts 8:26-40

Psalm 22:25-31

1 John 4:7-21

John 15:1-8

 

Moving With Angela

(aka-Boom Muscle)

Where:

Grace Lutheran Church Gym (Entrance back of parking lot)

4441 Monroe St. (near Secor)

Cost: FREE

When:

1st and 3rd Saturday each month

Class Includes:

Aerobics, hand weights, core, balance and stretching

Anyone 18 or older is welcome

This class is not associated with Silver Sneakers

This is a general exercise class and is neither a HITT or Chair Class

Some hand weights and small plastic balls are available

but you may wish to bring your own

Any questions, call Deb at 419.346.8995

 

Meditation

by Vicar Dave

Life can look very different depending on your perspective. When I worked at the prison, I frequently saw things in a very different way than I do now. Prison is a very dark place and it’s easy when you’re there, either as an employee or as an inmate, to become skeptical of most everything you hear and everyone you meet. That place can weigh heavily on you. But even there, you can see a glimmer of light from time to time. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Think about the story of Elijah. When Queen Jezebel wanted to have him killed, he became afraid and went and hid. He even asked God to kill him. I guess he  figured that a death at God’s hand would be more merciful than what Jezebel had planned for him. And this was right after Elijah had witnessed miracles performed by God when Elijah had prayed for them. From his perspective, he was doomed if Jezebel got her hands on him. From God’s perspective, however, all He had to do was send an angel to be with and to feed him. This gave Elijah the courage to continue on.

Not so long ago, I was working with a victim of domestic violence. From her point of view, despite the fact that the abuse had been going on for some time and had been escalating, she still thought of her partner as someone who loved her. She thought that all he needed was treatment of some sort. In her mind, he only hurt her when he’d been drinking. From my perspective, I saw a man who wanted to assert power and control over those around him.

Sometimes, people do things that we might consider incomprehensible. For example, the way some folks without much money spend what little they have. Before we condemn someone for acting in what we think is a foolish manner, we should try to look at things from their point of view. It’s important as we try to help others that we not judge their actions or opinions. My Grandmother once told me that I should never judge a man until I’ve walked a mile in his shoes.

 

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

2024

JULY 8 – 12

5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

3 YRS – ADULT

Each fun night will begin with a light supper together.

The ADULTS will attend a fun Bible Study with Pastor Brenda.

The KIDS will dive into exploring BREAKER ROCK BEACH – and learn about God’s rock-solid truth in a world of shifting sands.

Everyone will meet up again later in the evening for crafts,

games, music, and worship!

Our final night of VBS will be an outdoor ‘bonfire” where we will roast hotdogs, have s’mores, play games, and “sing around the campfire”!

Make sure you mark your calendars!

Keep watching for more updates and ways to register!

All are welcome to join in the fun!

 

Prayer Corner

By Grace Prayer Team

Praying for Peace

Peace starts within us – we cannot bring to the world what we do not have to offer.

Often we look at the outside world and find it in a state of seeming chaos and disorder.  We feel compelled to transform the situation from one of turmoil into one of peace, yet we are often disappointed in our best attempts to do so.  One reason for this is we cannot bring to the world or others what we do not have to offer.  Peace starts in our minds and hearts, not outside of ourselves, and until the roots of peace are firmly in ourselves, we cannot fully share it with others.  Once we have found peace within, we can share it with our family, our community, and the whole world.

What is peace?

Peace is a state of tranquility, calmness, and freedom from disturbance. It can refer to both inner peace, a sense of mental and emotional well-being, and      external peace, which is the absence of conflict or war. Peace can symbolize harmony, balance, and a lack of tension or strife. It’s often associated with    contentment, serenity, and a sense of unity with oneself and others.

Where can we find peace?

The Bible has many verses relating to peace;

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27.

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

But, if we read the verses that come before verses 6-7, we will see that verses 4-5 tell us to: Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.

And reading the verses after verses 6-7, we see verses 8-9 tell us: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

Along with clinging onto the promise of peace which “transcends all understanding”, there are action steps that could help you attain that peace:  they can seem so simple but can be so hard when you are going through difficult times – but persevere!

• Rejoice in the Lord
• Give thanks
• Pray
• Think about good things

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 

 

 

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24

 

The Lord is my shepherd;
                               I shall not be in want. 

~Psalm 23:1         

 

Pastor’s Thoughts:

      As I write this, it is early Sunday morning. I am the only one here in the church building, as we are still a little while away from the Adult Class and worship. The building is quiet, except for the wind causing the wooden roof in the nave to creak and the occasional mechanical noises of the heating system. I poured water into the font just a few moments ago, and the splash of it hitting the bowl was the noisiest sound in the building. A small sound, but one that called powerfully to mind for me the presence of God: in the water, in the Meal, in our prayers, in our music, in our service in Jesus’ name.

I treasure these times when I am alone here. Not to avoid people and activity, but rather to have a few moments alone with God in our sacred space and to pray for all of you in our family of faith as you begin your preparations for whatever your Sunday will look like. Some of you will gather here soon to learn together, to worship, to engage in fellowship, to have conversations, and to catch up on each other’s lives. Others will find rest in other ways on this day.

The door just opened, and people have started to arrive. Soon, we will gather as the Body of Christ in this place. I am grateful for that blessing and for the many ways we live, love, and serve together. I pray that you find hope, grace, mercy, peace, and love when you are here and that all the moments of your life are marked by a deep sense of how much God loves us, treasures us, and desires for us to be in mission together to make the risen Christ known.

And if I don’t see you today, I pray that the Spirit leads you here the next time we gather, so we can pray, sing, eat, and confess the love of God together in this holy place.

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

 

The Readings for Sunday April 21, 2024

Acts 4:5-12

Psalm 23

1 John 3:16-24

John 10:11-18

 

Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time

In Fellowship Hall

April 21st – Wendy McCall and Debbie Fallon

 

Meditation

by Vicar Dave

I’m told that Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said that if you board the wrong train, it’s no use running along the corridor in the other direction. I remember going for a walk with Joyce in Wildwood one time. We were in the west portion of the park, a part we weren’t terribly familiar with at that time. All of the twists and turns in the trail got us turned around so bad that we didn’t know where we were. On top of that, the skies became cloudy while we were lost, so I couldn’t use the position of the sun to help me find our way back to a familiar trail. Being someone who prides himself on not getting lost, I felt rather sheepish when we finally came across someone to ask for directions back to the Manor House, where we had parked.

Being the sheep of Christ’s flock can be like that sometimes too. We might think we know what direction we need to go in. We might even start off down the right path. But if we rely on our own resources, we can get very lost and may not be able to find our way back without help. But that’s what Jesus does for us when we get ourselves lost, or in a fix. He’ll lead us away from the wolves of sin and guide us back to the paths we need to be on.

Thanks be to God!

 

Adult Class—Death and Dying:

For our next Adult Class topic, we will discuss death and dying. Our society   teaches us not to avoid discussing this in-depth, but it is something that we should all confront and ponder in conjunction with our faith. Our faith gives us  a powerful perspective through which to view and discuss the reality of death.

We will begin our discussions and learning with an introductory session on Wednesday, 3 April (6:00 p.m.) and Sunday, 7 April (8:15 a.m.). Both class    options will use the same materials each week. The class is anticipated to run through 15/19 May.

We will discuss the concept of death (both from a physical perspective and a Christian perspective), the grieving process, how to plan our funerals (both at the church and the funeral home), and the importance of Advance Directives (Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Living Wills).

 

Council Highlights by Cindy Wood, Secretary

A Gardening Group has been formed. Please see Nancy Lockard or contact   office if you are interested in joining this group.

We are offering Kroger gift cards to Whitmer High School as an outreach    program.   Cards will be $10 with a restriction on them from purchasing alcohol or      tobacco products. There is a great need, and closer schools in Grace’s neighborhood could not use our help at this time.  More info to follow.

Nancy is making laminated cards for the pews listing ways to give at Grace.

As part of outreach, Council has approved the purchase of a new camera  system and a new sound board, pending approval of the congregation at our May 19 meeting.  This will include training and will greatly improve with viewing and hearing online services”.

Council received Sherry Hammond as a member of Grace. She will be welcomed “officially” during a worship service soon. 

Our first women’s breakfast potluck was a huge success.  Plans discussed for future gatherings.

 

Moving With Angela

(aka-Boom Muscle)

Where:

Grace Lutheran Church Gym (Entrance back of parking lot)

4441 Monroe St. (near Secor)

Cost: FREE

When:

1st and 3rd Saturday each month

Class Includes:

Aerobics, hand weights, core, balance and stretching

Anyone 18 or older is welcome

This class is not associated with Silver Sneakers

This is a general exercise class and is neither a HITT or Chair Class

Some hand weights and small plastic balls are available

but you may wish to bring your own

Any questions, call Deb at 419.346.8995

Join us Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

 

For coffee and conversation.

Just a time to get together and enjoy each other’s company.

10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

Coffee provided

If you are interested in reading at either the 9:30 or 11:30 service or you are interested in presenting the children’s sermon at the 9:30 service, please let Pastor Brenda or Mary Schneider know.  We are always looking for additional people to help with these ministries. 

 

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.

(Audrey Hepburn)

If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like

sunbeams and you will always look lovely

(Rolad Dahl)

 

We are also collecting treasures on Tuesday, April 23rd from 530p until 730p.

 

Behind the scenes at Grace ….by Gretchen

1. WOW ! The empty spaces are filling up fast for the Youth Rummage Sale BUT we will always find room for more “Treasurers”!
2. Have you seen the beautiful daffodils around the office and Brenner Hall – it is a sure sign of Spring!
3. The stakes to mark off for snow removal are also gone which is a for sure sign Spring has Sprung!
4. Remember: Grace is not the building but the people of Grace carrying out God’s mission.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

2024

JULY 8^TH – 12^TH

5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

3 YRS – ADULT

Each fun night will begin with a light supper together.

The ADULTS will attend a fun Bible Study with Pastor Brenda.

The KIDS will dive into exploring BREAKER ROCK BEACH – and learn about God’s rock-solid truth in a world of shifting sands.

Everyone will meet up again later in the evening for crafts,

games, music, and worship!

Our final night of VBS will be an outdoor ‘bonfire” where we will roast hotdogs, have s’mores, play games, and “sing around the campfire”!

Make sure you mark your calendars!

Keep watching for more updates and ways to register!

All are welcome to join in the fun!

More Pastor’s Thoughts:

I continue to be grateful for the way we came together at the end of 2023 to eliminate our deficit. That was a wonderful testimony to the love, trust, and sense of mission we have here at Grace!

We have so many Gospel-centered and exciting things happening—from Burrito Blessings to Personal Needs, from Sunday School to VBS, from pickleball to exercise classes, from worship to fellowship. We also open our building to many community organizations, which is another way we witness to the world. Our community would be different without us, and the love and witness we show make a difference in the lives of many, both members of Grace and others.

As we enter the second quarter of 2024, I ask that we all continue to be mindful and prayerful about how we financially support Grace’s mission so that we can avoid the need for an end-of-year financial appeal.

We can achieve this by continuing a commitment to be robust and consistent in our financial support of Grace, even when we must miss a Sunday of worship. While the people of Grace make the mission visible, the financial support lays a solid foundation for our witness. These things together make it possible for us to Bless the World: Be God’s Grace!

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

 

Prayer Corner

By Grace Prayer Team

Grace Prayer List and Prayer Requests –

The Grace Prayer List is updated each Monday morning by 10:00 am.  It is published in the Newsletter that gets mailed out, put in the electronic version of the Newsletter on Fridays, and then hard copies are printed for the Sunday services.

All specific prayer requests stay on the Prayer List for 3 weeks.

The Prayer Team prays over each specific request.

When making a prayer request, the Prayer team has always followed basic HIPPA (privacy) requirements. What does that mean?  It means unless we (the Prayer Team) have permission from the person for whom the prayer request is being made, we are unable to publish last names. We will publish first names and sometimes first names with the initial of the last name.

So, how can a person make a Prayer Request?  There are a couple of ways to make a Prayer Request:

There are Prayer Request forms in the pockets of the pews in the Chapel and Nave that can be filled out and put in the offering plate or the Prayer Request Box on the table outside the Prayer Chapel by Fellowship Hall.

There are Prayer Request forms and a Prayer Request Box on the table outside the Prayer Chapel by Fellowship Hall.

A person can reach out to a member of The Grace Prayer Team, Ann Fleck, Ron Hiatt, Connie Thomas, Steve Rife, and Nancy Lockard.  Please note: Any personal Prayer Requests are held in strict confidence unless we have your permission to publish the request.

A person can email a request to the Grace Prayer email address – www.GRACEPRAYER3@gmail.com

Each Sunday, following the first service, a member of the Prayer Team, Ann Fleck, is in the Prayer Chapel for anyone desiring personal prayer.

The Prayer request box is emptied on Sunday and Monday mornings, Thursday, and Saturday.

We hope this gives a clearer overview of the Prayer List and making a Prayer Request and encourages you to reach out for prayer.

 

Do you laugh ?

 

 

Being miserable is a habit; being happy is a habit: and the choice is yours. (Tom Hopkins)

April is National Humor Month so up your Laughter!

So, really what can laughter do for us??

Physical Benefits  –

• Boost immunity.
• Lowers stress hormones.
• Can decrease pain.
• Relaxes muscles.
• Can help prevent heart disease.

Mental Health Benefits –

• Add joy and zest to life
• Ease anxiety and tension
• Relieves stress
• Improves mood
• Strengthens resilience

Social Benefits

• Strengthens relationships
• Attracts others to us
• Better teamwork
• Helps resolve conflicts
• Promotes groups working well together

What do you do if your “Laughter Muscle” needs some work?  Maybe it has become lazy and needs some work. Research has shown that it is important to get all 4 types of exercise: Endurance, balance, strength and flexibility.

Endurance – how long can you laugh? The longer the better.

Balance – can you laugh really hard and not spill the bowl of popcorn!

Strength – Can you out laugh someone?

Flexibility – Are you able to laugh at yourself and with others and not at others?

Laughter Exercise Program

1. Smile. Smiling is the beginning of laughter and like laughter it can be contagious. Take the opportunity to not look down but to look up and smile. Watch the effect on others!
2. Count your blessings. Make a list. Looking at the positive things in your life can make the negative thoughts not look as great.
3. When you hear someone laughing check it out – make a point of seeing “what is so funny”. Many people want to share funny or crazy things.
4. Spend time with fun, playful people. These are the people who laugh easily – both at themselves and the crazy stuff that happens every day. You want to catch their laughter and playful point of view.
5. Bring humor into your conversations. Ask people what is the funniest thing that happened to them today, this week?

What other kinds of things can you do to get a good laugh?

1. Watch a funny movie, TV show.
2. Host a game night and go for funny games and snacks!
3. Read the comics.
4. Look for the funny people. Kids are great to watch! Goof off with kids – think bubbles!
5. Check out the bookstore or the library humor section – there really is such a thing!
6. Play with a pet.
7. Go to a “laughter yoga class.”
8. DO something silly – wear the wildest clothing!
9. Make time to do something fun every day! Even a walk can be fun or just sitting outside and watching the crazy squirrels!

Admit that you are human! People who master Living 101 – take their work seriously but not themselves.

Start laughing more! A study of Americans say they laugh15 times a day so why not increase that to 20-25!!

Good humor helps with understanding, communication and cooperation. See how many smiles you can get in a day !

Remember laughter and longevity go hand in hand. Grumps don’t live longer – it just seems like it

 

 

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24

 

In peace, I will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me rest secure.

~Psalm 4:8

 

 

As I write this, it is the eve of the total solar eclipse. The last time there was an eclipse of this magnitude I was in elementary school. I remember making devices in school to be able to safely watch the event, but I don’t remember all the conversation about the eclipse being a sign of the apocalypse. Perhaps that was a function of my age, but I think there is more to it.

This time, that way of looking at things is rampant. Many folks see current events as a sure sign of the End Times. The power of the internet makes it so easy for this line of thought to be repeated and discussed. Add earthquakes and lightning strikes and political strife to the equation, and it adds up to a considerable amount of anxiety for some.

An eclipse is a natural phenomenon caused by the alignment of celestial bodies. Eclipses have been observed and understood by scientists for centuries, and they occur regularly.  I don’t believe this one is a direct sign from God with political, cultural, or social meaning. We have known about this eclipse for quite some time.  If we take the proper precautions, everything will be fine. By the time you read this, the fervor will have died down

… and the End Time likely has yet to come.

But such big events shake us in some foundational way.  Perhaps it is that we come close to the amazing power of the universe God has created. Perhaps we realize we are not in control of everything. Perhaps we sense both the finite and infinite in a different way.

Perhaps all of that is good. Perhaps this event is a time to think about what dark shadows lie over our hearts and minds and pray about how they might be removed. Perhaps we might consider how we can offer the light of the Good News of Jesus to those who dwell in darkness.

Jesus tells us not to worry about when the End will come.  Instead, he calls us to be about the Gospel NOW, through our deeds and our words.

The rest will come in God’s time.

In Christ,

Pastor Brenda

 

The Readings for Sunday April 14, 2024

Acts 3:12-19

Psalm 4

1 John 3:1-7

Luke 24:36b-48

 

Thank you to all who faithfully contribute items for this most worthwhile, world-wide ministry to children providing a gift box of toys, school supplies, health care items and the opportunity to know of Christ and his free gift of salvation for all who believe.

This month we are asking for contributions especially of wash cloths.

I would like to add a personal note that some of you have already heard. I attended an event to kickoff Operation Christmas Child for a certain year.  One of the speakers had lived in an orphanage where boxes from Operation Christmas Child were received and told how she was excited to have a toothbrush among the contents of her gift box. Previously the children in her orphanage passed a toothbrush from person to person for use. Your gifts to this ministry can have a great impact on the lives of children around the world.

Thank you again for your support to this ministry.

Grace Lutheran Church Operation Christmas Child Ministry

 

 

Please join us – Sunday Fellowship Time

In Fellowship Hall

April14th – Lynda Currie and Deb Damschroder

 

It is the most counterintuitive aspect of Christianity

that we are declared right with God, not once we

begin to get our act together, but once we collapse

Into honest acknowledgement that we never will.

~Dave Ortlund

Truth suffers, but never dies.     

~St. Teresa of Avila

Contributed by Connie

 

Adult Class—Death and Dying:

For our next Adult Class topic, we will discuss death and dying. Our society   teaches us not to avoid discussing this in-depth, but it is something that we should all confront and ponder in conjunction with our faith. Our faith gives us  a powerful perspective through which to view and discuss the reality of death.

We will begin our discussions and learning with an introductory session on Wednesday, 3 April (6:00 p.m.) and Sunday, 7 April (8:15 a.m.). Both class    options will use the same materials each week. The class is anticipated to run through 15/19 May.

We will discuss the concept of death (both from a physical perspective and a Christian perspective), the grieving process, how to plan our funerals (both at the church and the funeral home), and the importance of Advance Directives (Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Living Wills).

 

Meditation

By Vicar Dave

I wonder sometimes about where this world is going. I read about the various wars going on and all the accompanying human suffering and I feel for all the innocent victims caught in the middle. In particular right now, I’m distressed about the Gaza war. I remember when Hamas attacked civilians at a concert and the outrage that sparked. Israel’s reaction to it was to try to destroy Hamas. People asked why Israel hasn’t tried to negotiate with them long ago, but I’ve also read that Hamas has, as a part of their charter, a statement seeking the destruction of Israel. How do you negotiate with someone whose stated goal is your destruction? So, I thought that maybe Israel doesn’t have much of a choice if it wants to protect its citizens. But then the causalities start coming in. More than 30,000 civilians dead! Many more starving    because humanitarian aid is not able to reach them. And after the recent strike on a convoy of aid workers, many of those who were willing to help have decided to end their operations in Gaza because they can’t guarantee the safety of their volunteers.

I talk about Gaza because that’s one of the wars we hear a lot about, but there are many more, and many more atrocities that we never hear about. With all of these things happening, it can be difficult to be optimistic about the future. But that’s the message we Christians are called to spread. The good news of our salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. We live in anticipation Jesus bringing the fullness of God’s kingdom, and with it, the peace that only He can bring.

Jesus tells us that until He comes again, we are to love each other. In a world so full of violence, that can be a difficult thing to do. Sometimes that can mean putting our lives on the line, like those aid workers in Gaza, but it’s important that we do what we can. For those of us here, maybe that means pushing our government to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts, or perhaps donating to agencies that promote peace and try to aid those caught in the conflict. Or perhaps all we are able to do is talk about Jesus and try to express His love to those around us.

Whatever we do, it’s important that we don’t give up hope. Hope for a day when all of us will live in the light of God’s love and the peace of His kingdom. We know that day will come. When things are at their darkest, let’s try to focus on that.

Dona nobis pacem.

 

If you are interested in reading at either the 9:30 or 11:30 service or you are interested in presenting the children’s sermon at the 9:30 service, please let Pastor Brenda or Mary Schneider know.  We are always looking for additional people to help with these ministries.

 

Join us Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

 

For coffee and conversation.

Just a time to get together and enjoy each other’s company.

10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

Coffee provided

 

 

This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

~Psalm 118:24