| Pastor’s Reflection #31 October 21, 2010 |
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Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
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“Expressing our Faith in Love to All”
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“Congregation Meeting after worship this Sunday”
please come out to share what we have done and help us plan what we are to do
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Chosen to Succeed
The selection for our Gospel text, Luke 18:1-8, started back in 1969 when the Catholic Church produced a three year lectionary: Ordo Lectionum Missae. A revision of this was assembled in 1983 and in 1994, after a nine year trial period, what we have today; the Revised Common Lectionary was released.
And yet, 41 years later, how appropriate is this scripture as we head toward first year anniversary. For this scripture tells of Jesus sharing a parable that concludes: God will grant justice to those chosen. And for this justification, he starts by telling us what we need to do: pray and not lose heart. It is a recipe for Success.
We really ought always to pray. Communicating with God reminds us to not forget that God is there. Studies have actually shown that those who pray are physically and emotionally healthier than those who do not. The book of Matthew 6:6 says we are rewarded by God when we pray. And here it says we need to pray.
We also need to not lose heart. The implication is that nobody can make us lose heart. Our boss, that is really overbearing; our child, who does not do everything we tell them; the loss of our love ones, who we miss so dearly; our parents, who just don’t understand; our used-to-be friend that stabbed us in the back; our partner who cheated us out of our money; nor our pastor/church member who disappointed us so gravely; nobody can make us lose heart. But we do have to be careful; we can certainly let them make us lose it if we are not careful to guard against it.
We have to be like the widow in the parable. We have to be persistent and not let the fact that there are some people who have no respect for God (kind of hard to believe) and have no respect for you or anyone else stop you from seeking Justice, Justice for yourself and justice for others.
Then Jesus closes with a statement that says what it is all about, ‘When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Some see this question as one of defeat or as a denouncement, but I see it as one of victory. You see sometimes I have been as the unjust judge and made callous and uncaring decisions, sometimes I have not been as the widow, and have not been persistent in standing for justice; I have not been perfect. But thanks be to God, when the Son of Man comes he is not looking for perfection, he is not looking for one on a certain place on the social-economic ladder, he is not looking for how rich or poor, he is looking for faith. Faith, as stated last week, faith the size of a grain of mustard seed will do.
Our success is that we are justified by faith, and it is a gift of God. I might not be able to do perfection but I can do faith, Can’t you? God be our help.
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| Choir Rehearsal ?
Beginning Today, 10-21-10, Every Thursday, Meeting around the piano at Midwest Medical Center at 7pm. To review the hymns for Sunday! And start a Choir? Call Mary 815-291-9196 for info. |
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Click on line above for October’s Church Calendar
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Lord of Love Lutheran Church,
“1st ANNIVERSARY PARTY”
We are celebrating: Sunday, November 21, 1pm at Galena Elks Club. Cost $10. Includes FAMILY STYLE Broasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Veggie, Salad, Rolls, Coffee or Milk, Appetizers and Desserts. Cash Bar Available.
Judy Dixon is collecting reservations and all funds, let her know ASAP if you plan to attend, there will also be a sign up sheet at church, make checks out to Lord of Love.
Anyone needing financial help and wanting to attend the dinner, please contact Pastor Hill.
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The tentative names for the Pastor’s Reflection are:
1. LOL !
2. LOL News
3. LOL Happenings
3. LOL Happening at LOL
4. Lord of Love In Action
5. Love in Action
6. Love Letter
7. Love Notes
Please reply to this email and state your favorite name from above. Thanks to all those that made suggestions. The winner will be made known next month. You have until the end of October to pick a name.
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| “…but I have called you friends…” Jn 15:15
I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
We sat across the table from different churches, both ELCA churches, both in Galena. We discussed differences. I felt like I had been where she is now, she felt I had abandoned something much too soon.
She shared of ELCA policies and of thoughts of Lutheran protocal. I shared of visions changed and of paths determined.
We shared of what ifs’, of our personal journeys, of our mutual respect, we shared that God is still God, that Christ still saves, that the Spirit still gathers us all together, and we said Good-bye.
It was a time of reflection and of learning and of once again being reminded what we have in common is so much more than our differences. Thanks be to God. |
| LOL CHRISTIAN THEATER CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION: This Sunday, Oct. 24th immediately following service Jack Kirkby will be measuring all participants for their costumes. Parents please stay for information concerning the two performances of the production. This should not take long if all assemble quickly following service. After being measured all will be able to attend the Congregational Meeting. |
| DON’T FORGET the Halloween Parade Oct. 30, line-up at 5:15. Still in need of volunteers to be on the float in costume, candy/water donations (can be brought to church on Sunday), and walkers to pass out candy with or without a costume. Call Zach Gronewold 777-3856 if you have questions. Thanks. |
Lord of Love Lutheran Church Galena Take our your calendar:
October 31-Reformation Day: Martin Luther (Pastor E. Dean) will visit our worship service!
November 14: John Califf: 9am-Outdoor Ministries, 10am-ELCA Missions to Africa-India, 11am-Tanzania Slide Show.
November 21: 1st Year Anniversary, 1pm-Party at the Elks.
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Lord of Love Lutheran Church of is an
ELCA - Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community
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Rev. Dennis Hill, Pastor Mary Hill and Steven Morehead, Musicians
Steering Committee Members
Nancy Peterson, President Diane Beemster
Milan Blaho, Vice President Jim Lynn
Duane Olivier, Treasurer Judy Dixon
Liz Mitchell, Secretary Paul Murphy
Zach Gronewold
Meeting at the:
Ramada 10am, 11383 W US Highway 20, Galena, IL 60136
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WEEKLY SCHEDULE
KIDS CLUB Wednesday, 6pm, Midwest Medical Center
CONFIRMATION Wed., 6pm, MMC., except 2nd Wed.
YOUTH GROUP Wed., 6pm, MMC., every 2nd Wed.
ADULT EDUCATION Sunday, 9am., Ramada
WORSHIP Sunday, 10am., Ramada
I am also thankful for all those who have become members and participants of our Lord of Love community.
We are working on advertising and on a brochure for LOL. Be praying as we reach out into this community and this world to make a difference by letting all know that God cares and that we are instruments of God’s grace and love.
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| Prayer List: Judy Dixon, Janel Geisert, Ed Paschke’s brother Paul, the Moms of Anita & Russ, Jim & Linda Lynn grandson Ethan Fuller, Connie Basso and her grandson Patrick, Kathy & Tom, John Morehead, Reece Meyer, Brett Faulkner, Mary Cook Kmucha and her son, Michael & Brandie Brown, Debra Shappell, Ed & Leonard Schmit, Marilyn Stucki, Bishop Gary Wollersheim & NIS, Andrea Niccoli, Fern Moyer, Erin Kropp, Jean Derrico, Nancy Bahr, Joan Pecina’s granddaughter Sophie, Liz & Dick and daughter Maria Laubhan, Susan Robinson, Whitney Womack, Gail Hallman, Royal Luna, Clint Sitzmann, Doug Vandigo and his family and Leaders of our Country and our World.
Thanking God for answered prayer, those being taken off the prayer list: Sue Stone, Allison Gillies, Alice Toebaas, Mairi Douglas, Mary Nelson, Gladace, and Bobbie Freres.
“A special prayer for the families and those with ADHD” Jesus heals!
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| Prayer of the Day: O God, rich in mercy, you look with compassion on this troubled world. Feed us with your grace, and grant us the treasure that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen |
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| 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! |
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| Offer Expires: Never |
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