There are plenty of people that, if I saw them coming toward me, I would hesitate to greet them, and even try to avoid eye contact. I may even walk the other way. I don't want to face them for any number of reasons. Maybe they hurt me and I am angry with them. Maybe I hurt them and they are angry at me. Maybe I hurt someone they love and they just don't have any love for me.
I have seen it and felt it many times in other people. For some it is because they haven't been to church in a long time and so they feel sheepish and guilty. When they see me they are embarrassed and they don't really want to face their guilt. Al I really want is for them to see that I love them and forgive them. All I really want is for them to come back home to Jesus where they belong and where God can feed them and fill them with himself.
I understand it completely. I have felt the shame and guilt of sins I have committed against others and the last thing I want to do is face them and face up to my sin. I want to ignore it, sweep it under the rug, and deny that it ever happened. It is very uncomfortable and painful to face up to our wrongs as well as it is to confront and deal with the wrongs of others toward us.
At the same time, if we don't deal with these grievances and hurts what will happen? Bitterness will grow. Anger will spill over into our other relationships. Resentment will cause us to break the eighth commandment and speak ill of the offender. Relationships will be hurt and even destroyed. And the worst possible thing that could happen is that one or both parties could lose their faith all together.
In the second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul is very explicit in dealing with the unrepentant and unforgiven sin in the congregation. He commands the offending parties to confess their sins and repent or when he comes he is going to have to deal with it severely. He will cast the unrepentant sinners out of the congregation. He will excommunicate them.
He doesn't want that. He wants reconciliation and restoration. yet, he knows that won't happen until the sin is confronted and dealt with in God's way. It's not something that can be ignored. it can't simply be forgotten. It needs to be realized and acknowledged, dealt with and done away with.
I urge you, in fact I command you in the name of Jesus to confess your sins to one another, repent of your sins, and give them to God so that times of reconciliation, and restoration can come. So that you can live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another, especially those against whom you have sinned, and those who have sinned against you, with a holy kiss, a handshake, or even a hug. Tell them that their sin is forgiven!
Prayer: Lord, you command us to forgive and be forgiven. You command us to confess and repent. Make us do what you command. Amen.
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LAST TIME'S QUIZ: Approximately what year were the Israelites taken into captivity to Babylon? 597. It took many years to deport them all with the last bunch being deported around 581. The remnant began to return to Jerusalem around 539.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who were Oholah and Oholibah?
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Hellebusch/Neeley wedding rehearsal 6:30; Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- Bus trip leaves 1pm; Wedding- 1:30; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Hannah Johnson; 11- Cara Klaustermeier
Ushers- Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- John and Anna Hoenig; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone 8:30- John Hachtel 11- Steve Robine
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; Sun- 8:30- Terry McKenzie
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NEWS!!!! PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!
KELSEY OVERBECK WILL BE INSTALLED THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, at 11am FOLLOWED BY A TACO BAR LUNCH AT NOON!!!
Come and show your support for her and give her God's blessings.
Call church or Karin Klaustermeier to let us know you're coming for lunch!!!
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LUTHERANS FOR LIFE NEEDS YOUR HELP
Due to some unfortunate circumstances, Thrivent is no longer financially supporting Lutherans for Life. This was a huge portion of their yearly income. Therefore they are in need of your help. They need the congregations and individuals within the congregations who support Lutherans for Life to give an extra offering to them to replace the funds that Thrivent has taken away.
Last Sunday we had a door offering for this cause and many of you gave generously! Thank you! If you weren't here or were unable to give yesterday you can still give. Just go to www.LutheransforLife.org and click on the "Give" tab. You can also find all the information you need to know on their website.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE CARNIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 12 from 11am-7pm
The carnival committee is in need of the following items for our carnival on Sept. 12!!
1. POP UP CANOPIES-- for stations and coolers. Make sure yours is marked clearly with your name so you get it back.
2. EMAIL ADDRESSES-- If we have your email address you will get an invitation to share with others and a coupon to use for free food. This email list will not be used for any other purpose.
#. VOLUNTEERS!!! It will take a small army to make this the huge success we want it to be!! Please sign up on the counter in the narthex or call the church office!
Here is the link to find out more about it.
warroomthemovie.com
It is called "First Step Back Home. It is run by Paul and Lana Kruse.
Attached you will find their newsletter and a flyer for a concert coming up at Warrenton Christian Church to support them.
Here's a link to their website.
www.firststepbackhome.net
Check it out and see if this is an organization that could use your help as a volunteer or as a donor
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UPDATED CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!
You'll have to come to church to pick them up!
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Do you enjoy the outdoors? Do you like to float down lazy rivers with friends? Do you enjoy rafts and coolers filled with all sorts of beverages and snacks? Then sign up and join us for the fourth annual Labor Day float trip!
DETAILS:
1. We will once again go through Ozark Outdoors.
A. Canoe rental is $20 per person. A child can ride for free as the THIRD person in the canoe.
B. Single person kayaks are available at $28 per person.
C. Rafts are available at $29 per person. Children 7-12 yrs old can ride for $15 and children under 7 are free if raft minimums are met.
D. Tubes are $25 per person
E. Rides on the bus are $30 a person if you have your own equipment.
2. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IS IT IS A FLOAT AND NOT A RACE! Float a little, stop, have a snakcc and a drink, wait for the rest of the group and then move on.
3. What will you need? Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, cooler, drinks, lunch, and a positive attitude.
4. Contact Teresa Scott to sign up tscott@usmo.com , 359-5041, or Schraer Heating and Cooling at 456-5041. When signing up please provide your email address and BEST contact number.
5. If you choose to spend the weekend down there, please make camping, hotel, or cabin arrangements through Ozark Outdoors, www.ozarkoutdoors.net or with Onondaga State Park. Currently there are reservable basic sites available for the weekend at Onandaga.
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UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that! Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
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DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD? ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs.
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For thanksgiving for the EBERT FAMILY as Brooks and Anderson were born early Tuesday morning. Both of them are in the NICU as they were born six weeks early and have a bit of developing to do before they can go home. Andrea is doing well.
For MARILYN FOSTER'S SISTER MARCIE, as she is recovering from minor surgery to clean out an infection after cancer surgery..
For the GLASTETTER FAMILY (Marcella Linke's family) as her brother TONY died in a car accident Sunday morning.
For NINA BRENDEL, Barb Dreyer's mom, as she is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
For JOYCE SCHIEN as she remains on hospice care and is nearing the end of her earthly life. (She and Ken moved down to a nursing home in Oklahoma close to their son a year and a half ago.)
For GENE HILGENDDORF as he continues to recover from a motorcycle accident.
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in the USA for a short furlough and as she travels to gain more support for her mission work.
For CORA CLUVER'S DAD, who is recovering from a severe motorcycle accident that paralyzed him from the neck down.
For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are BOTH on hospice care.
For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord's will is done concerning her call to a church to be a full time DCE.
For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.
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