My brothers and sisters in Christ,
Well, you did it again. Not surprised but full of gratitude for this congregation. Another board wiped clean. There were just a few items left before Saturday’s service. But as I was leaving, I took a look at the chalkboard and found it clean. Here is the cool thing about this. First of all, a ten-dollar meal for adults is a very good price these days. The other thing is that all the money collected goes directly to the Sunday school children of the congregation. Thank you all for your open-handedness. Come join us for a wonderful spaghetti dinner on October 13. You can purchase tickets from Missy or Eloide.
I am so proud of this church for taking a weekend and celebrating our grandparents. I don’t remember my grandparents very well. As a young child, I remember them as being old and cranky. Granted, they lived through the depression and two world wars. I remember my grandfather always had a pack of cigarettes in his pocket. I later learned that it was batteries for his pacemaker. I also remember reading the Dick Tracy comics, thinking it was really cool that he was talking into his watch, using it as a phone. No way was that going to happen. Oops.
But the neat thing is that it seems that grandparents are much more involved in the lives of their grandchildren. Parenting never ends, as some of you know very well. I hope you take advantage of it if you can. I had someone come up to me after service, saying that they had just found out that they were going to be great-grandparents. A chance to show God’s love to three generations. Wow!
The garden is now going crazy. It seems that the tomatoes are all turning. Please help yourself and pick anything that you like. I know there is basil also, which sounds like a tasty combination. There are also peppers for those who like to spice things up a little.
At my old congregation, you had to lock your doors before you went to church. If you didn’t, you would find tomatoes and zucchini on your seat. Seriously. Can you imagine your pastor checking car doors before church?
As I drive to Lake Wildwood, I take Highway 89. It is pretty much all farm fields before and after McNabb. I see the farmers already working, harvesting their fields. Some fields are already clean. Maybe it is a mistake, but I remember harvesting happening in mid-October. As I look at my weather app, I see we have a string of mid-80s for the whole week. It just seems a little weird. Am I wrong?
I talked about what my wife heard on a podcast last week. She heard the podcaster say, “Do we worship God or do we worship God and obey Jesus’ teachings?” There is a big difference. First of all, I think we can all be accused of not always following the way of Jesus. We are all sinners, and Jesus died for us for that reason. We are sinful people.
But sometimes we get it right. However, I ask myself, if I had to make a decision right now, whether I would be a follower of Jesus, from what I see is happening in our world and country, I wouldn’t be sure. We have too many people just worshipping. We have too many people saying they are Christian, but blatantly not following and obeying what he taught. Do I have to give you examples?
The men’s group that meets at church ends with sharing their closest to “God moment.”
I would like to share with you mine. I didn’t really know much about Mr. Kirk, who was assassinated a couple of weeks ago. As I learn more about him, I definitely do not agree with many things that he said. But no one should be killed because of what they say and believe. It almost happened to President Trump. It happened to legislators in Minnesota. It happened to Mr. Kirk. What are we doing? Is this the way we are now? I know some of you don’t believe in some of the things I say. Should I be worried? (I’m not)
But out of this craziness, I saw Jesus working. As Mrs. Kirk came up to the podium. She was barely holding it together. She said that she forgave the shooter for what he had done. It blew me away. Who would do that? Well, someone who not only worships God but also obeys the teachings of his Son. Here in this awfulness, Jesus was making crap – fertilizer. Sign me up. Again, not for a second do I believe that God sent the shooter. That is not the God I worship. We live in a sinful world. Unfortunately, this is happening way too often. Where is God? At this moment, I saw him in Mrs. Kirk.
Crossed marked and spirit sealed,
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the 17 Weekend after Pentecost– Weekend of October 4 & 5.
Habakkuk 1:1-4 Psalm 37:1-9 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10