The sword

Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34 (read the entire Gospel reading here)

God takes us through trial to peace with Him, and the sword of His Word can be painful indeed.  His law pierces our hearts, revealing that we are indeed not worthy of Him.  The mirror of His Word reveals the muddy sinful mess of this world and our own hearts.  What can we do but come to Him for cleansing?

Listen to Sunday's Sermon here.

Create in me a clean heart, O God!

NOTE:  We apologize for the technical problems with the link for last week's sermon.  It should be working now.

Congrats to the Smith family!

Broc Evan Smith was born this afternoon to Mark and Linda Smith.

He weighs 6lbs 10 oz and has lots of dark hair!

We rejoice with the Smith family and pray for continued good health for Linda and Broc!

June 26 Weekly News

TODAY’S ALTAR FLOWERS have been given by Brian & Linda Jo Hauersperger to the glory of God and in celebration of their marriage last evening.

JULY CALENDAR AND NEWS will be available from the
ushers after today’s worship.

THE QUARTERLY VOTERS’ MEETING will be held on Sunday, July 10, after worship in the Fellowship Room. This is one week later than usual due to the July 4th holiday and will be held after worship due to the Bartholomew County Fair going on also that day.

PORTALS OF PRAYER devotional booklets for July – September are available in the narthex.

“MANY THANKS to all for the prayers, cards, and visits as I recuperated from a fall. It’s such a blessing to have such caring friends!” – Jane Hoffman

BRICK ORDERS will be taken anytime from now through Labor Day. Cost is $100 per brick. Contact Ernie & Donna Dettmer, Larry & Janice Claycamp, or Lloyd & Jean Meyer. Bricks will be ordered after Labor Day, with placement sometime in October.

born dying

We are born dying.
Like an infant in the NICU, we are sick, dying, and unable to free ourselves from our sinful condition.

Our God does not forsake us in our great need.  The blessed Trinity, Three in One, is God for us.

Our Father develops the plan of salvation; the Son fulfills the law in our place; the Holy Spirit brings us the Son.

Our Father writes the prescription; the Son fills the prescription; the Holy Spirit gives it to us.  Oh, blessed Trinity!  God is for us!

Praise we the Father and the Son

And Holy Spirit, with them One,

And may the Son on us bestow

The gifts that from the Spirit flow!

(Come Holy Ghost Creator Blest verse 7)

Listen to the sermon for Trinity Sunday here.

June 19 Weekly News

TODAY’S ALTAR FLOWERS have been given by Joan & Leon Schlehuser in loving memory of Don Linnemeier, who went to his heavenly home 34 years ago June 22.

VBS: Thanks to the many volunteers who helped with last week’s VBS. An average of 67 children participated each evening!

LADIES AID MEMBERS are reminded of their workday/meeting this Wednesday, June 22, beginning at 9 AM.

CONGRATULATIONS TO Brent & Charissa Reedy on the birth of their daughter, BROOKLYN ARIANNA, on Saturday, June 11. Brooklyn arrived weighing 6 lbs. 8 ozs. and measuring 19 inches. Everyone is doing fine - God’s blessings to them!

PORTALS OF PRAYER devotional booklets for July-September will be available after worship today.

JULY CALENDAR AND NEWS ITEMS need to be submitted to Becky by TOMORROW.

A life-giving flood

We in Columbus know quite a bit about stagnant water.  It stinks.  It ruins things.  It breeds nasty mosquitoes.

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Cook reminds us that our hearts without Jesus are much like stagnant water: stinking, ugly, and yielding only death.  Just as land cannot clean itself, we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition.  But God's mercy is poured on us through Christ, in Baptism, and by the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Thanks to His life-saving flood of grace, we are cleansed and refreshed.  We receive, and we live.

For Sunday's Pentecost sermon, click here.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold I freely give

The living water, thirsty one,

Stoop down and drink and live

I came to Jesus and I drank of that life-giving stream

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived

And now I live in Him.

(LSB 699, I Heard the Voice of Jesus say, verse 2)

June 12 Weekly News

WE REJOICE WITH April Middendorf as she brings her sons, JASON CALEB TURNER and TRISTAN NATHANIEL TURNER to be baptized this morning. Jason is a second grader at White Creek Lutheran. God’s blessings to them!

COOKIE FELLOWSHIP will be held today after worship. Enjoy a light snack and visit with your church family! (Many thanks to those who donated cookies!) Vacation Bible School crafts will be on display in the front hall of school – stop by and take a look!

CLOTHES NEEDED: The Bartholomew County Center of the Pregnancy Care Center is in great need of children’s clothing, sizes 4T, 5T, and 6Girls as well as sizes 3T and 6Boys. Items may be dropped off at the PCC at 2420 7th Street in Columbus (the former Columbus Pediatrics office).


CHOICE DOLLARS: A deposit of $226.00 has been made to our church account on behalf of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Thrivent Choice Program by the following who have directed their Choice Dollars: Bettie Burbrink, Lloyd & Jean Meyer, and Carolyn Peters. A deposit of $715.00 was made to our school account by the directed Choice Dollars of the following: Ken Bode, Mark Bushur, Jan Buss, Dean & Clara Claycamp, Scott Hildreth, Carmen Kreinhagen, Matthew May, Amy Mensendiek, Mike Mensendiek, Kathy Sanders, Linda Schroer, Herb Stiltz, Lawrence & Norma Tiemeyer, Louis & Jean Voelker, Lindsey Von Fange, Joel Wise.

BRICK ORDERS will be taken anytime from now through Labor Day. Cost is $100 per brick. Contact Ernie & Donna Dettmer, Larry & Janice Claycamp, or Lloyd & Jean Meyer. Bricks will be ordered after Labor Day, with placement sometime in October.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS and save the date of Sunday, August 14, for our second annual church picnic! Watch for more details as the time nears….