11/27/2019 4:03:26 PM
First Things November 27, 2019
Devotion
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1
Many of us speak these words at meal time, right after Come Lord Jesus…although we may substitute mercy for love.
Psalm 136 is an unusual psalm. It’s a medium-length psalm, 26 verses long. Each verse as two parts. The first part of every verse is different. But the second part of every verse is exactly the same, His love endures forever. When you read the psalm, those four words keep ringing in you brain.
His love endures forever. WDTM (What does this mean)?
His – Who is the one whose love endures forever? In the first half of verse 1 the psalm writer says Give thanks to the LORD. That’s the special name for God, the God who loves and who forgives.
Love – Different translations use different words to translate this Hebrew noun: love, faithful love, mercy, goodness, kindness. Obviously, this love is not some fickle emotion, here today and gone tomorrow. No, this love is action, continuous and kind action. We see aspects of this continuous and kind action in Jesus’ birth, in Jesus’ death, and his resurrection. And we will continue to see new aspects of this continuous and kind action as our lives go on, as the LORD helps us out of every hole we fall into, or are pushed into.
Endures Forever – In Hebrew it’s only one word which means eternity, long time. The idea that the psalm writer wants us to understand is that the continuous and kind action of the LORD will never end, that he will continue to bless us.
As we look back on the past year, let’s take the time to remember all the ways in which our loving God has blessed us. Let us thank him for it.
But the best news is that he will continue to bless us in the future. That’s what he always does.
Thanksgiving Food Drive For La Crescent Food Shelf
Through the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we will be conducting a food drive for the La Crescent Food Shelf which is just up from us on Main Street.
Right now, the Food Shelf is low on: canned fruit, boxed meals like Hamburger Helper, canned meats, breakfast cereals, canned meals like chili or ravioli, and toiletries like shampoo, toothpaste, toilet tissue, deodorant, body lotion.
Other suggested items include instant potatoes, rice and muffin mixes, peanut butter, and jelly. You may make donations in a gray container in the church entryway.
Upcoming Special Worship Services
- Thanksgiving Worship – 11/27 at 6:30 PM & 11/28 at 9:00 AM
- Sunday School’s Christmas Program – 12/22 at 9:00 AM
- Christmas Eve Worship – 12/24 at 6:30 PM
- Christmas Day Worship – 12/25 at 9:00 AM
- New Year’s Eve Worship with Communion – 12/31 at 6:30 PM
Christmas Decorations At Church
The First M’s – that is the members of First Lutheran Church whose last name begins with “M” – will be meeting to decorate the church on Friday, November 29 at 10:30 AM. Those whose names begin with other letters of the alphabet are also welcome to come and help!
Special Holiday Events In The Area
- First – La Crosse’s Ladies Aid Christmas luncheon, Thursday, December 5, RSVP, see details on bulletin board.
- St. John’s Nodine Old Fashion Christmas potluck meal, Saturday, December 7 at noon.
- LHS Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 PM
Sunday School Dates to Remember
12/1 – No Sunday School due to Thanksgiving Holiday.
12/8 – Rehearsal for Christmas Program during class time.
12/15 – Rehearsal for Christmas Program during class time.
12/21 – Saturday Rehearsal, 9:30-11:00 AM.
12/22 – Sunday School’s Christmas Program, 9:00 AM.
Live Nativity Update
This is the 25th year of Rotary Lights and of the Live Nativity.
More people are still needed:
- Saturday, November 30 – 1 Joseph, 2 Mary’s, 4 wise men, 11 Roman soldiers, 11 citizens.
- Sunday, December 1 - 1 Joseph, 2 Mary’s, 1 wise man, 12 Roman soldiers, 12 Citizens, 2 Tax Collectors, 11 Shepherds, and many angels.
Volunteers can sign up online at: http://www.slyreply.com/app/
Dress in First Lutheran School basement (520 West. Ave. Lax) starting at 4:00 PM. Buses to the park leave at 4:30 and 4:45 PM.
Our congregation & St. John’s - Caledonia are in charge of the refreshments on November 29. Food donations need to be received BY NOON on Friday, November 29.
Call News
Pastor Nate Kassukle from Grace, in Tucson, AZ, declined a call to be an associate pastor at the new Life Lutheran Campus in Rochester.
Debra Hamilton declined the call to be the new director of our Early Learning Center. We will call again on Sunday, December 15 after worship.
New Meditations
The new Meditations devotion booklet with devotions from December 1 through February 28 are available in the church entryway.
Repatriation Retreat
Recognizing that it isn’t always so easy for those who have lived in international locations to return and begin ministry in the USA, the WELS Board for World Missions will be hosting a “repatriation retreat” next week Tuesday and Wednesday outside of Milwaukee.
Sue and I were invited and will be attending, leaving on Monday afternoon and returning Wednesday evening. If you need to contact me during this time, I’ll have my cell phone with me at all times (608-881-4041).
There will be no confirmation class on Wednesday, December 4.
A Most Blessed Thanksgiving To All Of You!