Some helpful thoughts on the 3rd commandment from James Kushiner

We Are Invited

Too often Sunday worship is thought of as a religious obligation to be fulfilled lest God be disappointed at our absence, even counting it as a strike against us. Grudgingly we go, maybe after sleeping in later than we do on other days of the week.

It is true that the sense of obligation is difficult to erase--not that we should attempt to erase it. But the sense obligation toward God should be lost in the joy and gratitude and anticipation we can experience when we realize that in coming we are responding to a divine invitation to receive more than we can ever bring. Indeed, especially coming to the Table of the Lord in Communion, we come as the invited "poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind," who cannot repay the One who invites us, but we receive healing in our coming.

We believe and we confess that apart from Christ we can do nothing, and also that we have no life in us apart from having His life in us (John 6:53). 

Admittedly, the world presses in on us throughout the week, including on Sundays, so that we find it a struggle to serve God, rather than mammon, and hard to love God and not the things of the world. 

Sunday can be our touchstone. Sunday worship can put us in touch with our true home and the table around which the saints through all eternity enjoy the fellowship of the Lord. We receive the words of the Gospel and the forgiveness of sins; we gather with the heavenly hosts, in the heavenly Jerusalem. We are invited to a rich feast provided for us by a gracious Lord, who blesses us beyond anything we can imagine or deserve.

Sunday is, then, first and foremost a Day of Invitation. If the King invites us to his table, it is natural that we should be very pleased to attend. It's an obligation only when the obvious has to be pointed out to us--that it's not only for our own good, but also for our very best good. It is a day of Rest in the Lord, a foretaste of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

Yours for Christ, Creed & Culture,

James M. Kushiner

Executive Director, The Fellowship of St. James

October 20 Weekly News

TODAY HAS BEEN designated LWML Sunday to give thanks to God for the mission of this organization.  The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is the official women’s auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, the LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries, and to support global missions. Please note the special insert in today's bulletin.  We are using the order of service designed for LWML Sunday, so all will need to use the hymnbooks in the pews for the hymns.

 

THRIVENT CHOICE:  Thrivent Financial is now offering a special campaign doubling Thrivent Choice Dollars.  If you would like to direct your Choice Dollars to our church, and if you are not able to do that online or by phone, please note that paper forms to sign up for this are available TODAY IN THE NARTHEX.

 

SENIOR LEAGUE MEMBERS are reminded to meet THIS EVENING at 5:30 PM at the Waymansville Fish Fry for supper and then return to the Fellowship Room for the monthly meeting and socializing.

 

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH will meet THIS EVENING at 7:00 PM.

 

NOVEMBER CALENDAR AND NEWS items need to be submitted to Becky by TOMORROW.

 

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help with the organ installation this week.  Work times are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday morning from 9:00 AM - Noon, Monday evening, 6-10 PM, Tuesday afternoon, 1-5 PM, Thursday afternoon, 1-4:30 PM, and Friday evening, 6-10 PM.  Check the church blog for more information as to what work will be done during each time.

 

LADIES AID MEMBERS are reminded of their meeting this Wednesday, October 23, beginning with the workday at 9:00 AM, followed by Bible study and the monthly meeting at 11:00 AM.

THE LWML FALL RALLY will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Columbus, next Saturday, October 26, beginning at 8:30 AM.  Penny Letterman and Iris Wittman will share some of their experiences and observations gained on several mission trips they have made to Guatemala.  All ladies are invited.

 

LWML INGATHERING:  An in-gathering of vitamins (children’s chewable, pre-natal, and adult multi-vitamin) for the mission in Guatemala will be collected at the LWML Fall Rally at Grace Lutheran Church on October 26.  A box is located in the narthex to receive these donations.  Please have donations in by Wednesday.

 

NORMAN SCHROER has been moved to Silver Oaks for rehabilitation.  His address is Silver Oaks Health Care Center, Room 607, 2011 Chapa Dr., Columbus  47203.

 

DINNER/AUCTION:  Camp Lakeview will hold its 9th annual dinner/auction on Saturday, November 23, at the Clarion Hotel, Columbus.  Tickets are $65 per person or a table of 10 for $600.  All proceeds benefit the ministry at Camp Lakeview.  For more information, contact Camp Lakeview at 342-4815 or Keith & Amy Mensendiek at 342-4981.  Come out for a night of fun, fellowship, and possibly a bargain or two!

 

EXERCISE CLASSES will begin a new 8-week session today.  A total of 8 classes are being offered each week, from Yoga in a chair to a regular strength Yoga class, and a Senior Strength class to a Pump class that mixes cardio, strength, and flexibility.   Purchase a one or two class-a-week session or drop in for a single class.  A schedule of class times, descriptions, and days are available in the narthex or see Janet Morey for more information (812-350-6238).

 

FISH FRY:  St. Peter, Waymansville, will be hosting its annual Fish Fry THIS EVENING from 4:00-7:00 PM.  Dine in or carry-out available.  Everyone invited.  Thrivent will be providing matching funds.

 

SOUP SUPPER:  St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Brownstown, is hosting their annual Soup Supper next Sunday, October 27, from 4:00-7:00 PM.  The menu includes various soups and sandwiches, as well as assorted homemade salads and desserts.  Also featured will be a Country Store, offering fresh garden produce, handmade crafts, and homemade baked items.  Everyone invited.