Need and Responsibility

   The tradition of community members bringing gifts to the community liturgy reaches back to our Jewish roots.  The Israelites acknowledged that the land was a gift to them from God and they offered the first tenth of the land's produce as a tribute in gratitude to God's goodness. The tithe was given as a sacrifice, but most importantly was accompanied by a spirit of great joy:

   In generous spirit, pay homage to the Lord, be not sparing of freewill gifts.  With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.  Give to the Most High as God has given to you, generously, according to your means. (Sirach, 35:6-9)

   Tithing is still one mode whereby Christians can live their commitment. However, the necessity of giving in the New Testament is not tied to a particular percentage of one's goods. Jesus calls us to "hold loosely" our possessions so we can let them all go when someone else is in need.

   The practice of Christian giving is based on the need and responsibility to share with others what God has given to us. We need to give because our giving serves as a sign of our call to love. It is the concrete way we say to ourselves and to others who we are as Christians and what our purpose and priorities are here on earth.

  Giving - of time, talent and treasure — is the way we vitalize our faith. The precepts of our faith - that God loves us, that God has given us all that we have, and that God calls us to share what we have with each other — are the reasons why we give.

This Week

Today
10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship
10:45 a.m. Bible Adventures

Monday
4:30 p.m. Confirmation Class

Tuesday
9:30 a.m. Prayer Group
7:00 p.m. Board of Directors

Wednesday
10:00 a.m. LWML Meets
7:00 p.m. Choir

Saturday
5:00 p.m. Praise Worship
with Little Lambs

Sunday
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
10:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship
10:45 a.m. Bible Adventures

November 25
Thanksgiving Eve
11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Worship

 

Serving God and Us

Today:
Acolyte: Chandler Harkins
Reader: Bea Cook
Greeter: Richard/Glenna Hoemann
Coffee:  Gail Berkesch
Usher: Effertz

Sunday School:
Pre-K-2nd:  Britney & Tieler
3rd—6th Grade: Jayne Harkins

Next Sunday:
Acolyte: Kyle Effertz
Reader: Andy Anderson
Greeter: Lou and Patty Basham
Coffee: Jane Steuland
Usher: Nelson/Wells

Sunday School:
Pre-K-2nd Grade: Stephanie/Dallas
3rd—6th Grade: Ed LaSelle

Attendance: (last week)
Saturday – 18 & Sunday – 74

Altar Flowers – In praise and thanksgiving to God the chancel flowers are given by Kay Stade and Lou and Patti Basham.  The Basham’s remember Joe Bohde as they give their gift.  We are thankful members provide flowers to beautiful our sanctuary.

We’re Sorry
   The flowers for last Sunday were provided by David and Kathy Hendrick in memory of Kathy’s brother Ralph.  Flowers were also provided by Richard and Glenna Hoemann thanking God for 59 years of blessings as husband and wife.  We appreciate their gift and apologize for not properly recognizing their contribution.

Off to Babylon
   We invite all to join us for Bible Adventures.  We meet in the sanctuary following our morning fellowship.  Today Pastor will provide a presentation on the account of Three Men in the Fiery Furnace from Daniel 3.  Next Sunday we investigate the events of Daniel in the Lion’s Den in Daniel 6.

Thank the Lord
   This year we offer two opportunities for Thanksgiving Eve Worship.  We have both a service at 11:00 a.m. and the evening service at 7:00.  Both services will be the same with a focus on “How to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner.”

Saturday Service
   Our next Saturday worship will include a presentation by our Little Lambs for their Thanksgiving program.  We begin at 5:00 p.m.