Its Shoes for Kids Time!

Posted on August 7, 2008 by admin

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Love, Inc. and our wonderful area churches will be combining their efforts to give a new pair of shoes and some needed school supplies to students in Western Racine County.

Monetary donations as well as new school supplies will be accepted at any time.

Last year over 400 children received shoes and new school supplies.

This year, together, we can continue our efforts to help children start the school year off on a positive note.

You can drop off school supplies at the church office or you can make a special donation with the envelopes that will be handed out at church this Sunday…or you can write a check with "love inc shoes for kids" in the memo line  ..or you can just stop by at Love and make your donations directly!

school-supplies

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God Works in Secret

Posted on August 6, 2008 by admin

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Genesis 37:31-33

Accordingly, God humbles those who are His to exalt them; He kills them to make them alive; He confounds them to glorify them; He makes them subject to raise them up. This is the art of arts and science of sciences which is not usually learned or discovered except with great toil and by a few; but it is nevertheless sure and certain, as this example testifies, for what is stated in Psalm 105:21 is true: “The Lord appointed Joseph king of Egypt and lord and savior of many.” How? By having him sold, cast off, killed. These are works of God which are not understood unless they are fulfilled and completed. In the meantime, however, while they are being carried out, they cannot be grasped except by faith alone. For it is necessary simply to hold fast to this: “I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, Maker of heaven and earth, etc.”

In the same manner, when I am about to depart from this life, I support myself with this consolation that I believe in God’s Son. And yet I am buried; I am eaten by worms; I am consumed by the most foul rottenness, as Job says (Job 17:14): “I said to the rottenness, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worms, ‘My mother,’ or ‘My sister.’ ” Here I do not discern God’s plan, that although I die and rot away, I must at some time be revived. But God has promised and said (John 14:19): “You will live, for I live, and you will live. I am the Lord your God!” How? In eternal life and with a more beautiful and brighter body than the body of the sun. At present I do not see or feel this, but I believe it and suffer this very short delay. For this life has already been prepared, and in the meantime the crown of the kingdom and glory is being prepared “which the Lord will give me on that Day, the righteous Judge,” as Paul says (2 Timothy 4:8), “and not only to me, but also to those who love His coming.”

But all these things are done in a hidden manner, and so the wonderful concealment of God must be borne and endured. Jacob and Joseph do not see the crown of the kingdom, nor do the brothers adore him on bended knees, as will happen later in Egypt, but by this selling future events are being prepared, and before God they are regarded as past and over. With our God this is as if it had already taken place. It certainly comes to pass!

Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, Vol. 6 : Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 31-37, ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald and Helmut T. Lehmann, Luther’s Works (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999, c1970). 6:401.

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Worship Service for August 10, 2008

Posted on August 5, 2008 by admin

Communion Assistants: Rev. Ron Bachman & Toni Rowntree
Ushers: The Hatlen Family
Offering: The Puntney Family

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The Pastor Recommends…A Quest For More: Living for Something Bigger Than You

Posted on August 4, 2008 by admin

 

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There are many books available in the marketplace that seek to promote a thing called "Christian living". Most of these books end up driving us away from God’s grace because they put the focus on what YOU can do to overcome obstacles while finding greater wealth and prosperity in this life. Books that put the emphasis on YOU, YOU, and YOU are bound to sell well because we love to hear about new and improved ways of find self-fulfillment. As you read this book you will find all your self-centered approaches to believing and living cut off at the knees. Instead you will find yourself led to a more deeply satisfying focus on who God is and what God  is doing as a result of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

I wish the author would have spent even more time proclaiming the compassion of God demonstrated on the Cross, but Christ is central to Tripp’s work and for this we can be grateful. He also does an important service by drawing our attention to the importance of humble Christ centered communities, the necessity of a life marked by "groaning", and how asking for forgiveness reveals the goodness of God. If you are the kind of  person who works hard to succeed  or does whatever you can to ensure that your loved ones have every advantage, and yet still find that something is missing, then this book will be very helpful. God willing you will consider reading this book and take time to ponder the ways that the Glory of God is greater than the cheap imitations offered up by this world or by our own sinful nature. You will be humbled by what you read here, but I’m willing to bet that you will also be refreshed once again by the beauty revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Read a book review HERE

Order the book, read chapters 1-3 in PDF format, and view a video of the author discussing how transcendence figures into being a disciple by clicking HERE

If you would like to borrow our copy of this book please let me know.

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Bible Study for August 10, 2008: Matthew 14:22-36

Posted on August 4, 2008 by admin

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Jesus Walks on the Water – Matthew 14:22-36

The fourth watch (Matthew 14:25). According to Roman reckoning, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. The Jews had only three watches of the night.

» The Gospels give three reasons why Jesus stayed behind and dismissed his disciples.. what are they?:
1. Matthew 14:23 and Mark 6:46 :
2. Mark 6:31-32:
3. John 6:14-15

» Pious Jews normally set aside two hours a day for prayer. Jesus spends the rest of the day in prayer although how long this time was is uncertain, given the ambiguous use of word “evening”. Mountains were places of prayer for Moses and Elijah.

» Read Matthew 14:24-26. Where were the disciples when evening came and what conditions were they encountering? What miracle did Christ perform and how did the disciples react to what they saw?

» Read Matthew 14:27. How did Jesus try to calm the disciples’ fears? Jesus’ answer is literally “I am” pointing back to God’s self-revelation in Exodus 3:11-15 and Isaiah 43:10…. And to his own divine nature. Recognizing who he is, the disciples offer him their worship.. this the first time the disciples are said to have worshiped Jesus..an act reserved only for God (Matthew 14:33). See also and Job 9:1-10.

» Read Matthew 14:28-30. Peter gets himself in trouble throughout the New Testament because of his impulsivity. It may be that we are intended to see him here as an example of foolhardiness instead of faith. However Jesus encouraged the attempt, and the fact that it started well suggests that we should understand this as a genuine act of faith. In the end Peter is an object-lesson for disciples who are tempted to take their eyes off Jesus and pay more attention to the threatening world around them. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. How might understanding WHO Jesus is guide us as we try to figure out HOW to live?

» Read Matthew 14:31. Who does the saving and how does he do it? (See also Psalm 89:1-17) Notice Jesus’ rebuke in verse 31 is not for Peter’s impetuous faith but for his vacillating faith once he started out. Can you think of times when you or some you know doubted God’s word and suffered as a result? Can you think of any times when you or someone you know was too presumptuous and did something that they were not called to do and floundered as a result? Read Revelation 3:14-22. How do Christ’s words to the church at Laodicea reveal some ways that Christians can be tempted to vacillate between righteousness and sin? How might floundering be a sign of God’s loving discipline? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24. How might the Apostle Paul’s advice guide us as we seek to walk by faith?

» Read Matthew 14:35-36. What happened when Jesus and His disciples arrived at their destination? The hem of His garment. Matthew 14:36. One of the tassels (zizith) worn by Jewish men, in obedience to Numbers 15:38-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12, on the four corners of their outer garment, and later on the prayer shawl (tallith). The tassels were made of blue and white cords woven together.

» What situations cause you the most fear in life? What causes you to take your eyes off Jesus Christ and waver in your faith?

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Join Us as We Serve the Homeless This Week at TLC

Posted on August 2, 2008 by admin

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We thank God that we were granted the privilege of following Christ’s example and obeying his command by serving meals to 6 adults and children at the Transitional Living Center (homeless shelter) this Saturday. Many thanks to the people who donated money to buy food and those who prepared the meals.

We are also continuing the Summer Youth Service Project for TLC for an additional week. So we hope you will help by bringing the following supplies to the worship service this week:

  • Paper plates, disposable cups & plastic silverware

  • Paper towels and napkins

  • Laundry detergent

  • Dishwashing soap

  • Diapers and baby wipes

  • Toilet paper and feminine hygiene products

  • Cleaning supplies

PS: Cash donations are also welcome (Shelter and housing for 20 people for one night costs $125.) Please make checks payable to Peace Lutheran Church with TLC in the memo line.

See Luke 14:7-15

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How Do You Measure the Quality of A Life?

Posted on August 1, 2008 by admin

See also Psalm 139, Romans 8:28,  Romans 5:1-5, Job 1:20-22, Philippians 4:11-13

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Our Savior’s Lutheran Church completes its Mission Trip with Habitat for humanity in El Salvador

Posted on August 1, 2008 by admin

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You can see pictures of the build by clicking HERE

You can read an executive summary of the trip by clicking HERE.

Remember to sign up for our next Habitat for Humanity service trip to Milwaukee

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Partners2 Meeting Set for August 5th

Posted on August 1, 2008 by admin

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Please join the parents, students, school personnel and other community members of Burlington at the August informational meeting of Partners2
on Tuesday, August 5th in the BHS Library at 6:30 PM

Our speaker will be Christopher Duesing of Habush, Habush, & Rottier speaking about legal consequences of supplying alcohol to minors and our unique Wisconsin laws from 7 to 7:30 PM. Please come and join the members of our Burlington community who are collecting more information to help our youth make healthy choices about alcohol and other drugs.

Partners2 is a networking organization.  Our mission is to promote positive cultural change and healthy choices, with an emphasis on preventing tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use by our youth.  We meet monthly and have an adult and student advisory committee.

Please consider joining us and creating a better Burlington.

All are welcome, adult and students!
Check out our website by clicking HERE

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Monthly Reminder About The Pastor’s Sermons

Posted on August 1, 2008 by admin

I just wanted to remind everyone again about the importance of preaching in the life of an individual Christian and in our life together (Matthew 11:1-6; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:44-51; 2 Timothy 4:1-4; Acts 10:34-42;1 Corinthians 1:17-31; Romans 10:1-17). Preaching is an essential means by which God has chosen to make Jesus Christ known and liberate us from our natural desire to put our trust in false idols (i.e self, wealth, power, prestige etc). You will get the most out of your relationship with Jesus Christ and become a more faithful disciple when you do the following:

  • Pray that God would lead you to hunger and thirst for the things of God: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation– if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2-3).
  • Strive to apply your life to the scriptures by meditating and acting on the text in the days before the sermon.
  • Talk and pray with others about the text and the sermon after church.
  • Get in the habit of seeking answers to any questions that are triggered by the text. When in doubt just give me a call!
  • Hold me (and all preachers) accountable to keep the sermon Christ centered and Cross focused. Ask yourself…and ask me….How does this sermon draw us to acknowledge the centrality of Jesus Christ? Who is driving the important verbs in this sermon .. God or humans? Does this sermon celebrate God’s grace or human effort? What does this sermon reveal about our sin that requires redemption? What does this sermon reveal about God that provides redemption? How does this sermon highlight the centrality of Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation? Are you being invited to respond in a way that points others to the glory God revealed in Jesus Christ and brings blessings to the lost and the needy?

I am striving to be ever more faithful in my preaching and teaching so your feedback is essential. I would encourage you to tell me what questions you would like addressed in sermons. If you have any ideas for sermon series (books of Bible, themes, or topics) please let me know. I also want to encourage you to give me negative feedback if you think it is warranted, especially when you think I have said something confusing or contrary to what you see elsewhere in Bible. Remember, I’m a sinful human in need of redemption and I love doing what I have been called to do, so it’s natural that I might get a little defensive, but I’m a "big boy" who is dependent upon God’s grace and by God’s grace I will get over it!

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Prayer of Saint Ephraim

Posted on July 30, 2008 by admin

O Lord and Master of my life,
Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness,
of discouragement,
of lust for power,
and of vain speaking.

But bestow upon me, Thy servant,
the spirit of chastity,
of meekness,
of patience,
and of love.

Yea, O Lord and King,
grant that I may perceive
my own transgressions,
and judge not my brother,
for blessed art Thou
unto ages of ages.
Amen.

Ephrem the Syrian ca. 306 – 373

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A Clay-Footed People

Posted on July 28, 2008 by admin

Here is a good quote from an excellent article on the dangers of idol worship and the blessings of Grace:

I’ve got to believe that nothing would profoundly change the focus, direction, praxis, and reflection of each Christian in this country than to stop asking the question, “How is it that good Christians can do bad things?” and start asking, “How is it that any of us can do even one good thing?” If that latter question ever caught on, we’d stop propping up Christian heroes who inevitably fail (and then suffer our public savaging) and start acting like humble servants who know our place. We would comprehend and embrace that each of us, should we stray from grace for even a moment, would be capable of the most vile evils. We’re lying to ourselves if we practice Christianity otherwise……..

Isn’t it about time we Christians stopped spending all our free time attempting to hide our clay feet, started living under grace, and actually extended genuine forgiveness to others?

A Clay-Footed People | Cerulean Sanctum

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Just a Reminder: Jesus Desires Mercy Not Sacrifice

Posted on July 28, 2008 by admin

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Tonight as I was out visiting I was blessed to relearn that full power of that great truth:

Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:13

There are probably people quite close to you at this very moment who desperately need the mercy that the Holy Spirit wants to pour out through you. Rejoice that God has called you to such a ministry of mercy..just keep your eyes and ears open…and let that mercy flow!

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Bible Study for August 3, 2008 – Matthew 14:13-22

Posted on July 28, 2008 by admin

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Click HERE and HERE and HERE to find out more about Tabgha AKA Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes

Lectionary Texts for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A – Lectionary 18)

Isaiah 55:1-7

» Read Isaiah 55:1. Whom does God invite to come eat and drink in abundance? What does God ask in return for the abundant provisions He makes?

» Read Isaiah 55:2. "Listen, listen," God begs, giving reasons why the thirsty and poor should listen, come, buy, and eat. How do modern people spend their money, energy, and time on "what is not bread" and "what does not satisfy"

» Read Isaiah 55:3. Why does God invite us to listen and to come to Him?

» Read Isaiah 55:7. What will God do for an the evil person turns to God?

Romans 9:1-8

» Read Romans 9:1-3. How does Paul feel about the fact that most of his fellow Jews have rejected Christ?

» Read Romans 9:6-8. What makes a person a "child of God"?

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Matthew 14:13-21 – Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

» Read Matthew 14:1-13: How did Jesus respond to the death of his close relative (cousin? See Luke 1:35-45) John the Baptist? Read Matthew 14:13. How did the "crowds" respond to the news?

» Read Matthew 14:14. What was Jesus’ response to the people that came to see Him? What implications does His response have for us?

» Matthew 14:15-16. What did the disciples want Jesus to tell the crowds? Why? What is it about "desolation" that draw us away from others? How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ suggestion?

» Read John 6:14-15. How did the crowds respond after the meal? In what ways do you think they understood and misunderstood Jesus?

» Read Matthew 14:16. Jesus tells his disciples.."you give them something to eat"..in what ways is it tempting to spiritualize this command? In what ways is this a command to us? See also Matthew 25:31-46.

» What is it about eating food together brings people together? What connections do you see between this meal and other meals in the Bible? Who is the most gracious host? See Exodus 16, Deuteronomy 16:1-8, 2 Kings 4:42–44, Isaiah 25:6-7, Matthew 26:26-35, Luke 22:30, Acts 2:46- 47, 1 Corinthians 10:1–20, Revelation 3:20, Revelation 19:9, Revelation 22:17.

» Why is it important for us to spend regular time alone with God?

» Why is it harder to be kind to others when we are down?  In what ways does the sacrifice involved in being compassionate effect the quality and worth of our good works? 

» In what areas have you seen Jesus multiply what little has been given to Him? Are there any "little" areas you hold back from Him? If so, what are they? Why do you think you might hold these things back?

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By Order of the Pastor’s Wife

Posted on July 27, 2008 by admin

Gail says I should put something on the blog that is a little more winsome..so I give you … A puppy and some bunnies!

Psalm 148:1-14

(This Psalm was one of the texts for today’s VBS session about being thankful for the all the gifts we receive from God)

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