 Reflections on God the Father from a Father-To-Be
As I write this newsletter article Megan and I are still waiting for our little boy to be born. Perhaps by the time you are reading this I could be a father. As for now as I write I am still waiting. I am a father-to-be. I have wanted to be a dad for a long time. I have a great dad, and hope to carry that forward. With that in mind, here are three characteristics of the world’s dad, God the Father, that I hope to parent with when I go from father-to-be to full-fledged daddy.
The Father Provides Guidance:
Our Holy Father constantly provides direction for the world and God’s children. Our Holy Father guided earth into shape (Gen 1), told Adam and Eve what they could do (Gen 2:16-17), guided the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus), guided Joseph and Mary to flee back to Egypt when King Herod was going to kill the children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-23), and gave guidance to who Jesus Christ was at his baptism when God proclaimed, “This is my Son, the Beloved,” (Matthew 3:17). These are just a few of the examples of the Father’s guidance. Each and every time the guidance always has what is truly best for the child in mind.
Lesson: Fatherhood is about being a teacher and guide for my children.
The Father Provides Loving Mercy:
Our Holy Father may be firm in guidance and rules, but in the end it is the Father’s Loving Mercy (or compassion) for God’s children which influences how the Father acts and judges. a) God told Adam and Eve if they ate of the forbidden fruit they would die, and yet when they ate the forbidden fruit he did not kill them. God banished them. b) God was infuriated with the Israelites when they initially refused to go to the Promised Land. Because of this they wandered the desert for 40 years, but God still protected and provided for them while they waited and wandered. c) Of course the loving mercy of the Father is seen in what the Father gives up for God’s children (i.e. Jesus, the Son, on the cross).
Lesson: Fatherhood is more than just being firm. It is about being loving towards your children, too.
The Father Provides Closeness:
Our Holy Father is not absent from our lives. While there are other examples, I think the biggest portrayal of The Father’s closeness to God’s children is in how Jesus addresses God when he prays in Gethsemane, “Abba, Father,” (Mark 14:36). The use of Abba is informal speech. Some have equated it to using ‘papa’, ‘dad’, or even ‘daddy’. It is the kind of language that shows the closeness God the Father and Jesus the Son had. It is the same bond we too share with Our Holy Father. The Father is present, close, and does not need a formal,unapproachable, or distant title or impression.
Lesson: Fatherhood is about being present in your children’s lives.
Here’s to hoping these three characteristic of The Father can show through me,
when I graduate to dad from father-to-be.
Here’s to hoping these characteristics of the Father show through you,
with everyone you meet and everything you do.
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 The following have been elected to positions of leadership and trust at Augustana Lutheran Church:
Kathy Atwell, Bonnie Bandelow secretary, Bryan Johnson vice chairman, Nicholas Swanson, Emily Maertens, Jeanine Lees, Mindy Poppy, Linda Papoccia, Jeanine Westerlund, Michael Carlson and Pastor Reed Pedersen
Contact info. for all Council members found on Website Leadership Page...Link HERE
May God bless them, and direct their deeds in peace, that they may be faithful servants of Christ.
Congregation Council Meeting
Highlights
July 12, 2020
- Council met on the lawn outside the Library at 1:00 PM with all members participating.
- Scholarship Committee has received 3 applications to date. Still time to apply.
- Virtual worship will continue each Sunday
- Depending on the arrival of Baby Pedersen, there will be no drive-up services until August 30.
- The next Church Council meeting will be 10:45 AM, Sunday, August 16.
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 We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Harold W. “Bert” Rehn, Jr. Bert died Tuesday July 14, 2020 at Hillcrest Home in Geneseo. Cremation has been accorded. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association. Peterson-Wallin-Knox Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences can be made at www. Petersonwallinknox.com
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 Where do I begin? I can’t thank you enough for all your cards, well wishes and phone calls during my recuperation following my surgery. Who knew getting dressed in the morning would cause my femur to break!!
The cards and get well wishes gave me hope and put a smile on my face and in my heart. The flowers brightened my room and put a smile on those who came into my room.
Thanks also to Pastor Reed for his visits and prayers. Thank you for your encouragement.
I am blessed beyond measure to have friends like all of you. God bless and thank you so much for your love and support.
Love, Deanna
PS: I am so glad to be back and doing bulletins and the Spire albeit from home and cannot wait until the time is right to get back to the office! |
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August Birthdays01 Dick Gunnerson
03 Paul Larson,
Mary Bizarri
04 Luke Nimrick
Kollin Poppy
08 Lara Newman
09 Brynlee Peterson
10 Brock Peterson
12 Vanessa Johnson
Emily Johnson
13 Jessie Kettler
14 Heather Angel
15 Leslie LaMont
17 Mandy Ferry
18 Ray Newman
Kathy Swanson
Brian Nelson
21 Brandon Youngberg
Jessica Lingle
23 Jim Johnson
Kevin Isaacson
24 Kevin Johnson
26 Breanna McLaughlin
27 Nikkie Kettler
28 Kristin Burns
29 Carol Engnell
30 Mark Carlson
31 Richard Hutchison
Allison Rickey
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August Anniversaries
02 Richard and Natalie Parrett
06 Paul and Nicole Rehder
08 Kevin and Mindy Poppy
18 Roger and Skeeter Catlett
19 Zach and Amanda Nelson
20 Steve and Nancy Gray
21 Jeanine and Jerry Lees
22 Mandy and Ryan Ferry
23 Breanna and Wade McLaughlin
31 Wendy and Nicholas Rossi
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Click Here to see status of Sanctuary Modernization Fund Appeal (updated weekly)
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Worship in August
Starting Sunday, August 2, there will be a four week worship series called, “The Season of Creation”. All of these services will be virtual. You will find them on our YouTube Channel on their respective Sundays. These worship services were filmed on the church grounds and focus on different aspects of God’s Creation. This four week virtual worship series will allow for Pastor Reed to take parental leave following the birth of his first child.
These services have two main focuses:
- All of God’s Creation is a sanctuary.
- Connecting God’s Word to God’s world.
During Pastor Reed’s parental leave Pr. Mike Clark, Assistant to the Bishop for the Northern Illinois Synod, has graciously offered to be on call for any emergency pastoral needs that may come up. You can reach him by phone: (309) 368-9102. Pastor Matt and Laura Kamprath will also be covering for Pastor Reed.
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Chapel Vesper Service
A virtual evening service from the Jenny Lind Chapel will premiere at 7:00 o'clock on Sunday, August 30, and can also be viewed after that time. For information on accessing the service website, go to jennylindchapel.org. Pastor Randy Willers from Salem Lutheran Church in Moline will lead the service, which will include a baptism and special music. This is the same day Pastor Randy will be retiring from Salem. He has led the final summer vespers at the Chapel for several years. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chapel has been closed for in-person services and visitors, and will remain closed until Phase 5 in Illinois is reached. In previous years, vespers had been held every Sunday evening during the summer months
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Prayer for
First Day of School
 God of wisdom and might, be with all children as they begin a new school year. Bless them and their teachers and staff. Give them strength and grace as their bodies grow; wisdom and knowledge to their minds as they search for understanding; and peace and zeal to their hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen |
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College Bound Students
 We would like to keep in touch with you by sending you the monthly Spire and other news. If you have not left for college and know your address, please use the communion card and give us your address. Parents, if your child has left for college, would you please use the communion card and give us the address? It’s amazing how mail from home can make any day a great day! |
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Words of Wisdom on behalf of the
Stewardship Committee:
“Stewardship is everything we do after we say I believe.” -Clarence Stoughton
“Every Christian goes through three
conversions, first, the heart; then the head; and finally the purse.”
Martin Luther
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There will be no
God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday
this year!
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Fun Thoughts
- If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.
- On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.
- My reality check bounced.
- I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow is not looking good either.
- If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
- Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor while dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons?
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Giving is an act of love...
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