Pastor Dean in the McPherson Sentinel, Oct 1, 2010

"For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands..." - Paul, 2 Timothy 1:6

Whether Paul is referring here to Timothy's baptism or to his ordination, he puts his finger on a spiritual phenomenon which is common to most of us who have known the Lord a long time. Sooner or later, our faith can grow cold and stale. We no longer have that flush of first love (Rev. 2:4); we no longer thrill to open God's Word or to gather with God's people to receive His body and blood or to pray together. There can be several causes for this kind of spiritual doldrums. One is simply the distance in time between now and our first realization of God's mercy "for me." Another is that we become disappointed that God does not respond to our prayers in the ways we wish. We sometimes become angry with God for the bad things that happen to us and our loved ones in this life. Paul himself suffered for the gospel and this may have been a source of shame to both Paul and his followers. Why wasn't the gospel always going onwards and upwards? Finally, Paul's letters to Timothy also present another kind of spiritual discouragement: many people in the name of religion or Christianity are preaching and teaching heresy, teaching not "sound doctrine" (2 Tim 1:13), but instead "myths," "doctrines that soothe itching ears," (2 Tim 4:3) and the "teachings of demons." (1 Tim 4:10)

What is the cure for spiritual discouragement? On the one hand, Paul assumes that we can do something about it: "rekindle the gift of God." He recommends "self-discipline." (2 Tim 1:7) However repugnant it might seem to us at a particular time, we ought to continue to expose ourselves to God's Word - to read the Bible daily and hear it preached at least weekly; we ought not give up on meeting with other Christians (Heb 10:25); we ought to continue to share in the Lord's Supper; and we ought to pray for the fire of Christ to grow again deep in our hearts. On the other hand, what Paul prescribes is not about you. Regardless of your feelings and experiences, your failures and questions and doubts, there is a God who loves you enough to send His Son to die on your behalf. (Jn 3:16) Let us not gauge the quality of God's love by our varying and vacillating receptions of it. Instead, let us recognize that the God who has called us to the Christian life has done so by His grace and purpose (2 Tim 1:9) and He will complete His work. (Phil 1:6) Amen.

Weekend Reminder, Friday, Oct 1, 2010

Pray for faith with us...
this weekend!

SATURDAY, October 2
8am Men's Bible Study

SUNDAY, October 3
8:30 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
6:30 pm Sr High Youth at Methodist Church

MONDAY, October 4
2 pm Women's Coordinators Meeting
7 pm SS Teachers/Education Committee

TUESDAY, October 5
10 am Arthritis Foundation, Tai Chi

WEDNESDAY, October 6
3:30 pm KICK and
children's choir rehearsal at Bethany Church
3:45 pm Blessing of the Animals
5:30 pm Family Meal
6:30 pm Confirmation at Bethany Church
6:30 pm Adult Study at Bethany Church (Nooma)

THURSDAY, October 7
7:30 pm Caring and Outreach Committee

SATURDAY, October 9
8 am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)
6 pm Hootenanny at Presleys'
7:30 pm Folk Dance Mass at Presser Hall

SUNDAY, October 10
8:30 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Holy Communion with the
baptism of Kylan J. Lindquist (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
3:30 pm Ordination of Amy Truhe
at Scherer Memorial LC in Chapman, KS
4:30 pm Ephesians Study at K & M Sjogrens
5:30 pm Contemporary Praise Service
6:30 pm Sr High Youth at Methodist Church

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, Kansas

"If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."
- Luke 16:31

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son."
- Heb 1:1-2

"This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased, listen to him!"
- Matthew 17:5

Listen to the Son with us this weekend!
Enjoy some happening music with us at our "4th Sunday" worship, 9:30am, Sunday.

SATURDAY, September 25
8 am Men's Bible Study

SUNDAY, September 26
8:30 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
4 pm Joshua Lindgren Organ Recital, Presser
4:30 pm Ephesians Study at B. Carlsons'
5:30 pm Service of Healing (Holden Evening Prayer)
7 pm Sr High Devotions & Games at Bethany LC

MONDAY, September 27
3 pm Bethany Home Bible Study

TUESDAY, September 28
10 am Arthritis Foundation, Tai Chi

WEDNESDAY, September 29
3:30 pm K.I.C.K. and children's choir rehearsal at Bethany Church
5:30 pm Family Meal
6:30 pm Confirmation at Bethany Church
6:30 pm Adult Study at Bethany Church (Nooma)
6:30 pm Confirmation Mentor Orientation

SATURDAY, October 2
8 am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)

NEXT SUNDAY, October 3
8:30 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, KS

For there is one God;
there is also one mediator
between God and humankind,
Christ Jesus, himself human,
who gave himself a ransom for all... - Paul (1 Tim 2:5-6)

Meet the Mediator with us...
this weekend!


SATURDAY, September 18
8am Men's Bible Study

SUNDAY, September 19
8:15am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30am Fellowship
10:50am Sunday School for All Ages
2-4pm Jr High Youth at Bethany Church

MONDAY, September 20
7pm Council

TUESDAY, September 21
10am Tai Chi Exercise (Arthritis Foundation)
6pm Global Mission Committee

WEDNESDAY, September 22
10am Martha Circle at Dorothy Peterson's
3:30pm K.I.C.K. and children's choir rehearsal at Bethany Church
5:30pm Family Meal
6:30pm Confirmation at Bethany Church
6:30pm Adult Study at Bethany Church (Nooma)
7pm Hannah Circle at Dorene Anderson's
7pm Mary Ruth Circle at Donna Forsberg's

FRIDAY, September 24
8pm BYMT Mock Lock

SATURDAY, September 25
8am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)
9am Move the Apels!

NEXT SUNDAY, September 26
8:30am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30am Fellowship
10:50am Sunday School for All Ages
4pm Joshua Lindgren Organ Recital, Presser Hall
4:30pm Ephesians Study @ B. Carlsons
5:30pm Service of Healing (Holden Evening Prayer)

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, Kansas

MELC Weekend Reminder, Fri, Sept 10, 2010

"...there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner who repents."
Luke 15:10

Let God rejoice over you... with us this weekend!

Notice many "school year" activities resume or start this week:
Senior Choir, Children's Choirs, Sunday School, KICK
Join us for Rally Day fun after worship on Sunday!

This Fall, we will have services on some Sunday evenings
(as opposed to Saturdays last Spring).
Can't make it Sunday morning?
Join us for some contemporary Christian music at 5:30pm,
THIS Sunday afternoon!

SATURDAY, September 11
8am Men's Bible Study

SUNDAY, September 12
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Holy Communion (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship
10:50 am Rally Day Skit and Fun (SS kick-off)
10:50 am Adult Forum (Genetics)
11:30 am Fellowship Meal (spaghetti lunch)
4:30 pm Ephesians Bible Study at Kessingers'
5:30 pm Contemporary Praise Service

MONDAY, September 13
10:00 am Staff meeting
2:00 pm Women's Ministry Coordinating Committee meeting
6:00 pm Executive Council
7:00 pm [Women in Ag] FH
9:00 pm [BYMT]

TUESDAY, September 14
10:00 am Area 3 Pastor's Study in Salina
5:45 pm [Girl Scouts]

WEDNESDAY, September 15
11:00 am [Bethany Aux. Salad Luncheon]
3:30 pm K.I.C.K. and children's choir rehearsal at Bethany Church
5:30 pm Family Meal
6:30 pm Confirmation at Bethany Church
6:30 pm Adult Study at Bethany Church (Nooma)
7:00 pm Genetics Hearing at Bethany

THURSDAY, September 16
7:00 pm Worship and Music meeting

SATURDAY, September 18
8:00 am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)

NEXT SUNDAY, September 19
8:30 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship
10:50 am Sunday School for All Ages

MESSIAH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
LINDSBORG, KANSAS

RALLY DAY—SEPTEMBER 12

All are invited to join us following fellowship for our Rally Day,

which is our Sunday School kick-off.
The festivities will include:
Recognizing our Sunday School Teachers
Presenting Bibles to first graders
Visiting with our prayer partners
Enjoying a skit by “Messiah’s almost prime-time players” entitled
“A DIRTY STORY FOR SEEDY PEOPLE”

Sharing a spaghetti lunch at 11:30 am
Spaghetti, dirt cake, drinks, and table service will be provided.
Please bring relishes, salads, vegetables, or bread
All are invited to come in your favorite farming/gardening clothes.
Join us for a relaxing and inspiring kick-off to Sunday School

SHARE THE FUN, INVITE A NEIGHBOR OR FRIEND TO COME WITH YOU

Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,
loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him;
for that means life to you and length of days -
Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Love, Obey and Hold Fast to God
with us this weekend!

SATURDAY, September 4

8am Men's Bible Study

SUNDAY, September 5

9:30am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30am Fellowship

MONDAY, September 6
Labor Day - office closed

TUESDAY, September 7
10am Area 3 Pastor's Study in Salina
1pm [Pathways-Prairie View]

WEDNESDAY, September 8
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
11:30am S.A.L.T. lunch
6pm Sunday School teacher meeting
7pm Confirmation at Messiah (parents and students)
7:45pm Mutual Ministry Committee

THURSDAY, September 9
6pm [SAI Pizza supper and meeting]

SATURDAY, September 11
8am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)

NEXT SUNDAY, September 12
9:30am Service of the Word (ELW10)
10:30am Fellowship
10:50am Adult Forum (Family Room)
11am Sunday School Rally Day
4:30pm Bible Study
5:30pm Contemporary Praise Service (sanctuary)

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church