Our homes are always under construction.
We built a home in Greenville three years before we moved to Holland; I never
did finish the kitchenette in the basemen. Our cottage on the Kalamazoo River
is missing an entire bathroom. The condo we just moved into was built for us,
and the toe kick's still missing on the cabinets in the garage. It seems like
there's always one more thing to build.
What's true of our homes is true for most of our relationships with Jesus Christ
- they always need work, they're always under construction. We live in a world
that tries to tear that relationship apart, to separate us from the love of
God in Christ Jesus, to lure us into trusting only ourselves and only taking
care of ourselves. The world lies to us: it says there's not enough to go around,
there's not enough to share, there won't be enough for you. The world tries
to teach us that we don't need anyone else, we can't trust anyone else, we can
do it by ourselves if we just work a little harder. The world says our God is
weak and his Son is a fool, that your money will take care of you or exercise
will take care of you or a good diet or drugs or a better car or better job
will take care of you. It's easy to fall for that stuff - especially if you're
not building a relationship with Christ.
To give you tools for building that relationship, we offer ministries of learning
and fellowship. Sunday School for children follows the lessons we share during
the worship service. Adults have a variety of opportunities Sunday mornings:
one for those who seek to pray and work on prayer, one for those experienced
in the study of scripture and need to deepen their studies; one for those who
don't know their way around the Bible but would like to learn; one after Sunday
worship to discuss the sermon. We're also offering Bible studies Wednesday evenings
and Friday at noon, on centering our lives in prayer, and Tuesday mornings to
discuss the upcoming Sunday lessons. There are play dates and family nights
for kids and adults, Good Company outings for grownups. A retreat is coming
up in November to weave prayer into the lives of women, and there's a bunch
of guys who worship God through the work of their hands.
To help you practice trusting God, give back to God and share the love of God,
we have the capital campaign. Two different consultants have told us we can
raise over $250,000 in pledges for our building over a three year period, if
we are willing to sacrifice to put Christ first, if we are willing to be generous.
We launch Building to Share God's Love this Sunday, September 9, with
presentations by a special guest, Pastor Michael Meier, during Adult Sunday
School, the worship service, lunch following the service, and a small group
session Sunday evening. We believe this is so important that our Build a
Sandwich - Build a Church lunch is free, with childcare provided. And that's
just the beginning!
I hope you'll join us Sunday, September 9, my friends, and renew the construction
of a deeper relationship with your Christ - the one who's dying to build a relationship
with you!
Pastor Jim
Speak to the people of Israel, that they may take for me an offering, from everyone whose heart makes them willing... And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exodus 25:2,8
From the Shepherd's Song Newsletter -- September 2007
Copyright 2007 by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
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E-mail your comments and questions to Pastor Jim in care of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at gslc@sirus.com.