Paul says to Live is Christ and to Die is Gain! How is that a WIN-WIN situation?!
ISN'T IT GREAT!! Our God is NOT FAIR!!!
That is the running theme in our service this Sunday. God is not fair! Thank the Lord that he is not fair. If he was fair and judged things as I judge people and things, I would be done and so would you. We would already be done away with in hell! But our God is gracious and full of mercy. He does not give us what we deserve (which is mercy), but shows us his abundant grace (undeserved love). God does not treat us as our sins deserve. Rather he promises us forgiveness and eternal life. He frees us to serve him every day. He frees us to come and worship, to come to him with our prayers and to commune with him in the Lord's Supper! All this is certain because of what Jesus, our Lord, has done to make us right and his coming to us, sharing this good news (Gospel) with us!!
The Apostle Paul also reminds us that "To Live is Christ and to Die is Gain!" He reminds us that our lives are in the Lord's hands. No, he does not direct us like marionette puppets, but our life and death is still in his hands. How this melts any fear we have living in this world. He still always goes with us. Heaven is ours! I am privileged to live each day, serving my Lord! Yes, I can live with an eye to my eternal home and with an eternal purpose, serving my God in my daily life, sharing Jesus' good news for sinners, like me!! You see, it is a WIN-WIN! If I die, I go to be with Jesus in paradise! What could be better?? If I am still here, I live to God's glory with the certainty of his love and blessing! WIN-WIN!
Here are the readings for Sunday with summaries. https://mywels.com/pentecost18-readings
I look forward to seeing you soon!! May Jesus be with you!! Pastor Green
Sunday school lessons were again sent out to 36 students connected to our church. The lesson sheets should be in the hands of the parents. Parents, you can find links to the lesson level for your child at www.mywels.com/SundaySchoolBible Study on 2 Peter
2 Peter 1:10–11 —10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Because of Jesus, we know we have been called and redeemed. May we strive to live up to what Jesus calls us: priests, kingdom workers, family of God!!)
1 Note to Share
Violet Drazkowski called home to paradise on Sunday afternoon - The Lord chose to call Violet out of this veil of tears to her heavenly home on Sunday afternoon. Pastor Green was able to get into the nursing home to see her after church and she passed in the afternoon. She has been looking forward to seeing her Lord. Her funeral service will be Saturday, October 10 at 2:00 pm at St. Peter's with visitation 1 hour before starting at 1:00 pm.
The Deists in England and colonial America in the 1700s believed in a God who created the world, but they had no confidence that he was still engaged, that he actually intervened and acted in human history.
Scripture tells the stories of a God intensely interested in everything going on here. Though he dwells in heaven’s resplendent light, his fingerprints are all over the human story as it has unfolded. Read the Word! Hear the stories! “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (1 Chronicles 16:12). Imagine the crash of Jericho’s walls coming down. Listen for Goliath’s grunt as David’s stone crashed into his forehead. See the Israelites cross the Jordan River on dry ground, the waters on the north end piling up as they waited for God’s invisible hand to let the flow resume.
Worship is remembering. Remember how ferocious the power of the angel armies must be as they swiftly and silently slew 185,000 Assyrians besieging Jerusalem. Imagine how good miraculous bread and fish tasted on a Galilean hillside after you had missed several meals. Pretend that you were the parents of a demon-possessed boy who was liberated from his tormentor. Imagine the stunning joy when the early visitors to Jesus’ empty grave were told by angel messengers that he was alive.
Remember what God has done for you personally—prayers answered, gifts given, spirits lifted, sins forgiven. Remember what it cost Jesus to do these things for you as you worship him.
WORSHIP. We will again have worship at St. Peter's, Sunday, at 9:00 am and Monday at 7:00 pm. Communion will be offered at both services. We will be trying to go live at 9:00 am. Go here: www.youtube.com/c/stpetersmonticello/live.
Marriage Moments
Every marriage has its “moments.” That’s why marriage needs moments of encouragement and refreshment. Beginning this October, Marriage Moments are short, weekly videos highlighting one Biblical marriage thought accompanied by a discussion question. Check out the couple's introduction HERE: https://vimeo.com/449296979
You and couples in your congregation can subscribe to receive the devotions in a weekly e-mail. Congregations can upload them to their social media page as well as encourage members to sign up for the e-mail. Further use could be as part of marriage counseling or a church Bible study series.
Healthy congregations need healthy homes. And healthy homes benefit when couples hear what God has to say about their marriages. Whether a marriage is great or struggling, may God use his Word to bless it! Subscribe HERE:https://welscongregationalservices.net/subscriptions/
OFFERINGS - The Council and I would also ask that you prayerfully consider the Lord's blessings and continue to give offerings according to your plan in support of our Kingdom work. You are welcome to use our online giving at mywels.com/giveonline or send in your envelope and/or offerings to church. If you have any questions, please just contact pastor.
IN NEED OF HELP - if you are need of any help during this time, whether it is getting groceries or supplies, whatever it may be, please just call and ask. It is important for us to show the love of Christ in action at this time. Look for opportunities to show love and kindness for your neighbors. Go out of your way to help others. AND especially keep praying for your neighbors, your governing officials, health care workers, people working in the grocery stores and our senior citizens that are isolated in their apartments or nursing facilities. It is a challenging time, but our Lord promises to answer our prayers and never leave us!
Marriage Moments
