On this 7th Sunday of Easter we began with the Bible readings as follows: Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 and the New Testament 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; Gospel: John 17: 1- 11. Our lector was Mary Ann Niemi.
Today we prayed for all the survivors and the victims of that terrible tornado in Joplin as well as the devastation all over our country. There will be more people from our church going to help the people of Joplin.
Pastor Wayne Strohschein’s sermon was based on the lesson from the 1st chapter of Acts that is the story of the Ascension of Our Lord. It was the Ascension that changed the disciples from being students of Jesus to taking on new responsibilities for furthering the work started by Jesus.
Jesus promised them they would not be alone in this work. The Holy Spirit would come among them as they did the work of spreading the good news of Easter – Jesus is the Christ, He is not here, He has risen!
Pastor Strohschein made the point that we are now the disciples of this time and place with the mission of making Jesus the Christ known. We have the same promise given to us as he gave to the disciples upon his Ascension – the promise of the Holy Spirit being with us, indeed in us.
We are now the ones to tell the good news. We, the church have become the imperfect vessel through whom God works, for the sake of the world.
Next Sunday we will recount the story of Pentecost, the exciting story of the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit. That is the same Holy Spirit we pray will fill us at our baptism. That is the same Holy Spirit that accompanies us on our journey of life and living.
Today we had a person from Trivent Financial for Lutherans to speak to us about the service and many ways they can be of service to us through insurance and financial needs that are available to us. Laura Wittorff arranged the program and the information.
Monday at 5 p.m. at the church the Sunshine Singers will meet. Wednesday at 8:30 meet at the church to go to exercise class.
Thursday at 9:30 a.m. women’s workday and Bible Study (this was changed due to members going to exercise class).
We wish to welcome all visitors and the new members that have joined us.
Please come join us Sunday as we have adult Bible study at 9:30 a.m. and children Sunday School, the church service at 10:45 a.m.
Communion is the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and potluck luncheons are on the 1st and 3rd Sunday after the service.
