Dear beloved in the Lord,
If you have been a participant with me in the effort/challenge/discipline of reading through the Bible in one year, along with me you have already reaped so many benefits. The Holy Spirit works through the Word of God and enlightens us to the truth and strengthens us in faith. Not only have the daily readings been a blessing but so also have the preparatory prayers (provided with the reading schedule) been a blessing. I felt the challenge to continue my daily Bible reading while away on vacation this past week, but with the Lord’s help was able to continue on and remain on course. Having said that, I admit that I have some catching up to do just today to get back on schedule.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we must see the priority that His Word is to have in our daily lives. We need His Word preached to us every Sunday. We need His Word etched into our hearts and minds every single day. We need God’s Law and Gospel as a daily spiritual diet for the wellbeing of our souls. By the Word of God, we live; without it, we wither and die.
Our sinful nature wants nothing to do with God’s Word. However, our new nature in Christ–given in our baptism–delights in the Word. So, put off the thinking and attitude of the sinful mind and flesh; rise up in true faith by the power of Christ and His forgiveness and firmly embrace the Word of God and the blessings it reveals and gives to us, through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jr. Confirmation Class has been cancelled for this evening due to the weather.
Wednesday AM Bible Study is pending based on road conditions. Call pastor in the morning if you want to know if we will be meeting or not.
Confessions Study resumes Thursday at 6:00PM.
Choir meets Thursday at 7:00PM.
ReVitality (Outreach) is scheduled to meet this Saturday at 9:00AM.
This Sunday we will observe “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.”
After Divine Service, a special “Here We Stand [For Life]” Bible study will be held in the church basement. Please plan on joining us for this study.
Speaking of LIFE, Pastor will be attending the LCMS Life Conference in Washington D.C. next week–January 27th through 29th, and will join hundreds of thousands of people in a peaceful protest in the national March For Life at the national mall in D.C. Please continue to pray for all mothers and for the unborn children they carry in their wombs–that their lives would be upheld, supported, and defended–that they would enjoy God’s gift of life–ultimately, life in His Son, Jesus Christ.
On Sunday, January 29th, Rev. Timothy Yeadon, President of the New England District–LCMS, will be here to cover for Pastor Kotila.
Church officers, board chairs, music director, and all in leadership positions in our congregation are asked to get their 2016 annual reports into the church office within the next two weeks. Thank you.
OGT Hygiene Kit Sunday is coming on February 5th. A door offering will be held for the hygiene kits. Please bring a donation on that Sunday. You may bring a financial gift or items that go into the hygiene kits: bath towels, wash cloths, full-size band-aids, adult toothbrushes, combs, shower-size bar soap.
SERVING THE LORD THIS WEEK:
Ushers: Brian Lassy
Matt Hendrickson
Elder: Steve Ayers
Altar: Laurie Sonstroem
Acolyte: Ben Lassy
Coffee: J/K Kotila
Have a blessed week in the Lord!
Pastor Kotila