Pastor’s Reflection #24

MAKING      CHRIST      KNOWN     “Expressing our Faith in Love to All”   Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!    Progress To see a family grow closer and stronger, to hear love ones speak about the joy of attending worship together, to hear someone share their strange opinion of the resurrection of Christ, to cry tears of joy, to sing in unison “Let us build a house where love can dwell”, to get a call “I need prayer”, to hear the question “why do little girls scream?”,  to see a wife fix her husband’s hair, to see a smile when you are really doing your best singing the liturgy, to have a visitor say “I will be back”, to see healing take place, to have prayer with the laying on of hands, to hear the spoken Word of God, to be moved by the presence of the Holy Spirit, to share the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to say “God Loves You”…  This is progress at Lord of Love Lutheran Church.   Riverview Center and Lord of Love Lutheran Church   YOU CAN HELP BY LEARNING HOW TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE   This Sunday, 9am,  8-8-20   At the Ramada, Tabethe Schemmel the Violence Prevention Educator and Professional Trainer for Riverview Center covering Jo Daviess County will be conducting a forum on the services offered by Riverview Center and Choices. RiverviewCenter envisions a society free of sexual violence and through education and awareness they hope to prevent sexual violence in our community.  The mission of Riverview Center is to provide free, comprehensive sexual assault prevention, intervention, and advocacy services to citizens of Jo Daviess and Carroll counties, Illinois and Buchanan, Delaware and Dubuque counties, Iowa.”  CHOICES for Family Peace and Justice, is ending domestic violence through safety, healing and education for individuals, families and our community. Tabethe became a part of Riverview center four years ago, after she had a personal encounter with domestic violence while she was teaching at an elementary school, when a 4th grade student disclose that she was being sexually abused at home by a family member.  Tabethe, will touch on the prevalence of domestic violence/sexual violence and will speak about the cycle of violence, reasons why people stay in abusive relationships, how to be a supportive listener/how to talk to someone who is abusive, and people (like our pastors, family, friends) that victims can turn to for help/support.   People will not desert a leader; they only desert a boss. People will not quit a mission; they only quit a job. -Joe Tyre (borrowed from Pastor Gene Ridlin) We had at least 52 at worship this past Sunday.  Our sermon topic was, “How to Relax, Eat, Drink and be Merry.” The gospel text was Luke 12:31-21.  It is a discourse where Jesus shares the parable of a rich man who had excess in material goods but had not stored treasures up in heaven.  He had prepare for life before death but had not prepared for life after death.  He was rich in material goods but he was not rich toward God.  Malcome Forbes once said, “He who dies with the most toys wins.”  In contrast Jesus states, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”  What we have, what we are experiencing, what is external does not define us.  Our joy is found in the security and strength of Christ who will be with us beyond this present land of the dying, to the land of the living, where there will be no more death.      We were blessed with the presence of Prophet Gene Redlin, who throughly enriched our worship, and Pastor Laila Barr, who when introduced verified that real Lutherans do come from MN.      Hans Stucki blessed us with sharing in song, ‘Because He Lives’ and also shared the testimony behind the writing of the song by the Gaithers.      Steven Morehead filled in for Mary Hill, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.      Not wanting to take the space to include all of the wonderful things I heard about worship from our members: Below, taken from his facebook page, are two of Prophet’s Redlin comments on LOLLC worship service (you can see his facebook page for further comments):   Pastor Gene Redlin:   “This morning I was blessed to take part in a church service in Galena IL. It is a new church, not yet a year old. Running about 50 a Sunday. About 70 on the “Rolls”. It’s a Lutheran Church. What makes it unique and with a special flavor is it is led by a Black Baptist Pastor. I greeted the people, gave communion and laid hands on the sick for healing. It was not your normal Lutheran church Service. Yet not Pentecostal. Just free and spirit led.”   “I was in two church services yesterday. One was anointed, moving, passionate and lasted an hour and fifteen minutes. The other was “good church” but lacking in the other essentials, it also lasted an hour fifteen.  How can two services be so different? I know the difference. Not everyone who claims to move by the Power of the Holy Ghost does. You can go a long way in the flesh, but flesh will fail.” Pastor David Vidler Who was that guy?  Was the question I was asked, after the church met in circle prayer.  That guy, was Pastor David Vidler, who along with his wife Adrienne, visited our worship on July 11, 2010.  We met and prayed for one of the members of the church who was diagnosed with returning cancer.   Like a lamb in the bush, Pastor Vidler on the spot agreed and led the church in a powerful prayer and closed with the laying on of hands for healing.   It was a touching spiritual moment.  David Vidler is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Elizabeth and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hanover.  Pastor Vidler is also my mentor, assigned to me by the Theological Review Panel of Wartburg Seminary of the ELCA, to help me as I continue this journey of being a rostered pastor of the NISynod and developing this community of Lord of Love Lutheran Church.  So in many ways he is not only my mentor but he is also the mentor for Lord of Love.  Thanks be to God. Thanks to all who helped make Lord of Love’s presence at the Midwest Medical Center firstGolf Outing,asuccess. Lord of Love has been the recipient of so much generosity on the part of MMC. Sunday School & Confirmation   Rallying Sunday September 5th 9am. It is that time of the year that we begin our classes.  We have a challange to be able to secure places for all to meet.  Put on your thinking caps and send me all bright ideas.   It was great having such a good turnout for our orientation meeting of Welca.  Our first regular meeting will be held on September 2nd. at the home of Mary Grant at 1:P.M.   Mark your calendars now!   Let’s get off to a good start. We have a great group. We will be meeting on the first Thursday each month. It will be necessary to have a subscription to the Lutheran Women Today magazine which we use for Bible Study.  To order, call 800-328-4648.  Also, if anyone might be interested in attending the 22nd. Annual Convention of the Northern IllinoisSynodical Women’s Organization in DeKalb, IL. on Sept. 18th, please see Judy Cormack or Marge Olivier for details.        Women’s Bible Study, led by Bobbie Freres   “Becoming a Woman of Prayer”    Prayer is our response to the One who has called out to us and desires to be in a relationship with us.  No matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, no matter what your age, Becoming a Woman of Prayer bible study will lift up and enrich your life in ways you cannot imagine.    Our study will use the book by Cynthia Heald, noted speaker, and author of numerous Christian books, devotionals & bible studies. This will be a 6 week study   WHEN:  Starts Wed., Aug. 25 & will continue every Wed. to  Sept. 29, 2010 at 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. WHERE:  The Conference Room (next to dining room) at Midwest Medical Center WHAT:  The book,”Becoming a Woman of Prayer” is available for $7 from Bobbie Freres, 777-2319.  Cks can be made payable to “Lord of Love”.  Also, you will need a bible & notebook and you will need to have read the first 2 chapters prior to our 1st session.  Any questions please call Bobbie.  OPTIONAL:  We can arrive early to have lunch at the hospital prior to study. August 22nd:Grace in The Garden- 9am(Note time change) services outdoors at Murphy’s Gardens followed by a picnic/brunch (weather permitting) Details to follow. Bring your lawn chairs and dress comfortable!!!   August 22nd: Youth Group swimming party at the Galena Territory Association Pool. 1-4pm   August 29th: Youth Sunday! Our special returning guest will be Minister Dennis Vernon Hill! Join us for a special service prepared by the Youth Group! We always have a surprise up our sleeves. And stay for fellowship and fundraising. Several work-from-home representatives will be here offering specials with a percentage going back to the youth group.   August 29th: Ice Cream Social at the home of Mary and Tom Grant, 11351 Golf View Drive. Details to follow.   September 12th: LOL Church picnic at the home of Judy Dixon and Ed Schmit, 1520 Field Street, across from Recreation Park.  Details to follow.   Prayer List:  Judy Dixon, John Morehead, Reece Meyer, Brett Faulkner, Alice Toebaas, Teresa Hannaman, Mary Cook Kmucha and her son, Michael & Brandie Brown, Debra Shappell, Ed & Leonard Schmit, Marilyn Stucki, Queen Brown, Bishop Gary Wollersheim & NIS, Marilyn Muhliep, Pat Terry, Andrea Niccoli, Fern Moyer, Mary Hill, Erin Kropp, Jean Derrico, Gladace, Mary Nelson, Nancy Bahr, Leaders of our Country and our World.   Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you sent your holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church.  Open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may be ready to receive you wherever you appear, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.    Amen! Sincerely,  Rev. Dennis Hill, Pastor Lord of Love Lutheran Church Lord of Love Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 6483, Galena, Illinois 60136, 815-291-9195 Meeting at:  Ramada, 10am, 11383 W US Highway 20, Galena, IL 60136Website: www.lord-of-love-galena.org  Facebook: Lord of Love Lutheran Church Galena Twitter: http://twitter.com/RevdhillLOL:  Blog:http://revdhilllol.wordpress.com/  “A  WELCOMING  COMMUNITY”       Save 100% Admission is totally free!  With this coupon you are admitted to our church, Lord of Love.  We are a welcoming church, we truly believe the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all…”   All means All; single, divorced, widowed, parents, children, addicted, recovering, white, black, red, short, tall, old, young, employed, unemployed, Sox fans, Cubs fans, alternate lifestyle, Democrats, Republicans, believers, non-believers, homeless, pro-life, pro-choice, bald, long haired, rich, poor, breathing, and you can bring anybody!    Offer Expires: Never

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