1/16/2020 3:50:19 PM
First Things January 16, 2020
Devotion
30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.
Deuteronomy 4:30,31
One of the biggest concerns that many Christians have is that members of their family – brothers and sisters, kids and grandkids – appear to have fallen away from the faith, that from all appearances the Lord has no place in their life. It is the source of a lot of grief…and guilt. It is also the subject of many a prayer.
As Moses spoke to the People of Israel in our text, shortly before they would cross the Jordan into the promised land, he told them that many of them – and their children and grandchildren – would fall away from the Lord. Moses warned of the consequences of this: arousing God’s anger, being defeated and scattered.
But then Moses says: When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. How amazing is that! But more amazing still is the reason they will return to the LORD. It’s not because they have become mature or seen the error of their ways. Rather Moses says: For [or better because] the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath. The reason the Israelites would return to him is because God was and is merciful, because he would lead them back to him.
Moses' words are a reminder that while the Lord is not on the radar of some of our family members, they are always and will always be on the radar of our merciful God. Through his word – often patiently spoken by us – the Lord continues to draw our loved ones back to himself. More than that, he is waiting for their return with open arms.
Prayer: Lord, I am concerned about my family members who no longer make time for you in their lives. Please, lead them back to you through your word, and what I say and do. Forgive and encourage through the works of your Son Jesus Christ, their Savior and mine. Amen.
Annual Voters’ Meeting
Our annual voters’ meeting will take place this coming Sunday, January 19 in the church basement after the worship service. Coffee and donuts will be available.
Besides reviewing what took place in 2019, the two major items of business are:
- Election of new Board for Lay Ministry members
- 2020 budget
Monday Worship Services
Weekday worship services are now held on Monday evenings at 6:30 PM.
The liturgy is a little shorter and the sermon is what was preached on the previous Sunday.
Call Meeting
We will call for a director for our Early Learning Center on Sunday, February 2 after the worship service.
Lent Is Coming
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26. Lenten services will be held at 6:30 PM.
Pastor Rieke will preach here at First Lutheran for the first two Wednesdays. After that, other area pastors will preach here while Pastor Rieke preaches at their congregations.
The theme of the Sermons for both Lent and Holy Week will be The Son Of God Goes Forth To War.
In The Narthex:
· Chapter-A-Day Bible Reading Guides on yellow sheets
· WELS Together Bi-Weekly Newsletters on orange sheets
· Forward In Christ magazine