Young children like to pretend they are adults. How many of you women – when you were young – used to dress up in your mother’s clothes or put on her makeup? How many of you men would sit in the car and pretend you were driving? I use to stand in the pulpit and pretend that I was preaching. When we are young, we want to grow up so that we can do grown-up things.
We are proud of our kids when they mature and learn to do new things. We say things like, “Cammie can now ride her bike.” “Donavan is really learning to treat people with respect.” Parents know what their kids need to grow and mature.
How about in the church?
At Good Shepherd we have in our bulletin announcements every week this: “We believe children belong in worship.” And they do, you know? Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” Isn’t it such a blessing to watch our kids mature in their faith? They learn by our example to participate in the liturgy, to sing the hymns, to pray the Lord’s Prayer. They see older siblings serve as acolytes or ushers and then they move into that role. We nurture our children in the worship life of the church.
I have always given my wife Toni a lot of credit for this with Karson and Holden. She was the one in the pew with them. I was leading worship. I am proud of all of their accomplishments but to see them worship their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the greatest gift the Lord can give a parent. I look forward to them being the spiritual leaders of their own household.
Many times over the years it has been the children of the parish that point out something amiss in the liturgy or something not positioned right in the sanctuary. They even like to point out when the Pastor speaks an incorrect word! To me, that is a blessing because they are paying attention.
We are all part of the church together – what a blessing! May the Lord lead us to help one another to grow in our Christian faith.
Blood Drive Our 2nd annual blood drive will be on Monday, September 29th from 2-6pm. You may sign-up on the sheet in the narthex or at www.redcross.org and follow the “donate blood” box. Sign-ups are also available for baked goods, helping at the reception desk or in the canteen (where food and drink are served after giving the gift of life). If you have never given and need a reassuring word, please speak with Pastor Lueck, a long-time blood donor.
Portals of Prayer The October – December Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack located in the narthex. Large print also available. Pick up your free copy today.
Dave Orr Website Our family has created a page about Dave’s health issues and what is still needed for him on a website entitled caringbridge.com. Once the website is accessed just enter Dave Orr to access his page. We truly are blessed with the outpouring of prayers and concern the members of Good Shepherd have shown us. Many thanks and God Bless! Dave and Pat Orr
Thank you The church has received a “Thank you” note from Seminarian Chris Suggitt thanking the congregation for your continued support. The letter is posted on the bulletin board outside of the church office.
Fellowship Hosts The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell. We need an individual/family to sign up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee. If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled. We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.
Lost & Found If you are missing an item please check out the Lost & Found located on the bulletin board in the church office.
LWML Lutheran World Relief The LWML ladies will be working on Health Kits again this year. We would like to solicit your help in purchasing items for the Health Kits which will be sent to Lutheran World Relief. The stores will soon have these items marked down for the college students that will be returning. This is a wonderful opportunity to get great specials. A list of items needed is on the table in the narthex. If you have questions, please feel free to call Joann Hart. Thank you.
You are invited Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Eureka will hold its 25th annual hog roast on this coming Saturday, October 4th from 4-7 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $11 at the door for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Carryout is also available. The menu is roast pork, barbeque sauce, potato salad, applesauce, baked beans, rolls and butter, cake or pie, and a drink. Pastor Lueck has two complimentary tickets. You can reserve tickets by calling Our Redeemer’s church office.
The Lutheran HourShow Me the Money? No, Show Me Jesus! is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Ephesians 2:8-10. St. Paul urges us to get down to brass tacks, face faith facts, and trust in the Good News of God’s grace in Jesus. (Footsteps of St. Paul; Part 4) The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz. Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720 AM) at 6am; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3pm. Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7am and 7pm. Tune in! You can listen to the Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org
Don’t fall out of your pew on this one – but I watch a lot of sports. I know you are shocked, but it is true. One thing I hear the announcers talk about periodically is that a certain player is “a difference maker.” They are conveying to the audience that some players have skills and abilities that can change a game. They run faster, hit harder, pitch better than their fellow players. They make a difference for their team, which usually leads to winning.
How about you? Do you consider yourself a difference maker? Not in the sports arena but in the life arena. Do you like to just sit on the sidelines and complain about people and the world? Or do you like to get in the game, use your God-given skills and abilities to further advance the cause of Christianity down the field?
This morning Paul is addressing his brothers and sisters in Christ at Philippi. A congregation founded by Paul and one he still watched over. He knew the challenges they were up against. But he had a game plan they could each be a part of. This morning so can you . . .
“BEING A DIFFERENCE MAKER”
Paul knew what his fellow Christians were battling. He said they were “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.” (v. 15b) Don’t we hear the same words being used about the times we live in? Crooked in the generation that has left the straight paths of the Lord. Crooked in mind and in heart and thus in acts means lying thought. Truth is straight but lies are crooked or twisted.
Have you heard or seen this one? It is called “the blasphemy challenge” and it is used by atheists to further their agenda and to expose the “crock that is Christian doctrine.” They want their followers to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and this verse from Mark 3:29: “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” This is how twisted things are. People who supposedly don’t believe in the Trinity want to sin against it. But, of course, they wouldn’t call it a sin.
In the political arena two agendas have been advanced. Marijuana and same-sex marriage. Having grown up in the 70’s and 80’s I didn’t think I would see a day when marijuana was looked on more favorably than smoking. I don’t want to argue the medicinal purposes but we know this will lead to abuses as we are already seeing.
When it comes to same-sex marriage and parenting I read this interesting quote: “You encourage a consumerist model of parenting. It encourages the idea that individuals have a right to a kid, instead of viewing children as a gift and a great blessing.”
In this crooked and twisted generation we live in a “social revolution that attempts to define what you’re allowed to think and do in the public square.”
So, how do you and I make a difference? First, Paul’s advice: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (vs. 3-4) These admonitions all come because of our connection to Christ.
Gandhi had this interesting quote during his lifetime: “I don’t refuse Christianity because of the Christian Scriptures but because of Christians.” Ouch! We can’t be self-righteous but we must make an honest assessment of ourselves. We can be crooked in thoughts and deeds. We can become twisted in our thinking if it fits an agenda or manipulates a situation. We are not immune to the garbage that is coming our way, day by day by day. And then some of us don’t want to be difference-makers because we think there isn’t anything that can stop the tide that is sweeping over us. Satan and sin and the world win when we become apathetic. Talk about the sidelines, some don’t want to leave the locker room.
But leave it we must. Contact with the world cannot be avoided. Ever and ever we must have it impressed upon us that we are different from the world, must be told what is the matter with the world, and what we have that makes us different. Look at Paul’s encouragement, “Holding fast to the word of life.” (16a) Paul labored because of his confidence in the Word of God.
Do you have that same confidence in the Word? As Scripture says, “These words…are life.” They increase our spiritual life. This Word called us in the waters of Holy Baptism. This Word strengthens are daily walk. Holding fast to the Word of Life continuously reminds us of the forgiveness and life we have in Christ. This Word of Life is power as the Holy Spirit helps us to become difference makers. The Word of Life in Holy Communion can make the weak strong. It is a spiritual boost for the days ahead.
As the text tells us, we are to “shine as lights in the world.” (v. 15c) Even imperfect Christians shine. When Jesus spoke to his imperfect disciples he did not use the future tense: “You shall be the light of the world,” but the present: “You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14) And you are you know? The littlest things you do for others can make a difference. The big things you shout from the rooftops can make a difference. As with a ballplayer, God has gifted you with certain gifts and abilities that start to make the crooked straight, and the twisted start to untangle.
The social scientist I quoted earlier on same-sex parenting had this to say later in his presentation. France is proof “of signs that people are fed up with the fruits of the sexual revolution. Human nature is reasserting itself.”
Be faithful. That is all that is asked of a difference maker.
Adult Instruction Class continues tomorrow, Monday, September 15th at 7pm and lasts about an hour. The class is designed for non-members who would like to learn more about the Lutheran Church and its teachings. It is also a good refresher course for members.
Today is our monthly door offering for Reverend Michael Kearney and Seminarian Chris Suggitt.
The Ladies Morning Bible Study will meet this Tuesday, September 16th at 9:30 am at the church. If you have any questions please see or contact Angelina Isaac.
Next Sunday is the deadline for items to be submitted for the October Newsletter. Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com.
Quilting We will be pinning and sewing quilt hems this coming Saturday, September 20th from 9am – 12pm for Lutheran World Relief. If you have a portable machine to bring and would like to sew hems or pin hems, we would appreciate your help. Any questions, call Luanne Huth.
Blood Drive Our 2nd annual blood drive will be on Monday, September 29th from 2-6pm. You may sign-up on the sheet in the narthex or at www.redcross.org and follow the “donate blood” box. Sign-ups are also available for baked goods, helping at the reception desk or in the canteen (where food and drink are served after giving the gift of life). If you have never given and need a reassuring word, please speak with Pastor Lueck, a long-time blood donor.
Dave Orr Website Our family has created a page about Dave’s health issues and what is still needed for him on a website entitled caringbridge.com. Once the website is accessed just enter Dave Orr to access his page. We truly are blessed with the outpouring of prayers and concern the members of Good Shepherd have shown us. Many thanks and God Bless! Dave and Pat Orr
Fellowship Hosts The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell. We need an individual/family to sign up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee. If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled. We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.
The Pregnancy Resource Center’s Annual Life Banquet is Thursday, September 18th from 7-9pm at the Double Tree Hotel. Advance reservations can be made until Monday, September 15th at Bloomington@hopeforafuture.com or by calling (309)454-5433. There is no cost to attend. This year’s speaker is former Presidential candidate and Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.
LWML Lutheran World Relief The LWML ladies will be working on Health Kits again this year. We would like to solicit your help in purchasing items for the Health Kits which will be sent to Lutheran World Relief. The stores will soon have these items marked down for the college students that will be returning. This is a wonderful opportunity to get great specials. A list of items needed is on the table in the narthex. If you have questions, please feel free to call Joann Hart. Thank you.
Marriage Seminar Christ Lutheran Church is Normal is hosting a Marriage Seminar on Saturday, September 20, 2014. Details on the Seminar and information on how to register is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.
The Lutheran HourThe Gospel Comes to Law and Order People is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Acts 28:11-16,28-31. God used the Roman Legal system to bring the Apostle Paul and the Gospel message to Rome. (Footsteps of St. Paul; Part2.) The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz. Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720 AM) at 6am; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3pm. Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7am and 7pm. Tune in! You can listen to the Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org
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