Pain: Weakness Leaving the Body

Pastor Terry White welcomed us warmly and began with announcements that included a reminder that Ash Wednesday is this week. There will be a soup and bread supper at 6:00 and special service at 6:30 p.m. here in the sanctuary.

After reading from Psalm 57 we entered into a time of worship that ended with "My Jesus I Love Thee." Darlene then invited the ushers forward to take the offering and introduced her granddaughter who played a beautiful tune on the clarinet. We shared a time of prayer before Terry White preached the message.

Pain: Weakness Leaving the Body

Today's sermon was a continuation of our study of II Timothy. Today's passage was II Timothy 2:3-13. Pastor White began by showing us a photo of a breakwall that the Army Corps of Engineers built at Canal Park to help keep erosion from occurring.

The breakwall image was then contrasted with a photo of the abandoned building that sits askew in the water 100 yards from the beach, destroyed because its arrogant builders didn't think they needed the breakwall.

There's a sense in which God is our breakwall, helping shield us from the damage the storms of life can bring.

Today's passage begins, "Join with me in suffering." Not usually selected as a life verse. Here's the passage in its entirety.

"Join with me in suffering." This is an aspect of leadership. Then Paul uses three word pictures to illustrate some ideas for Timothy.

In verse four, Paul uses the illustration of a soldier to make a point: that soldiers must keep focused on their objectives, and we need to live the same way, undistracted. Keep your focus on what matters.

In verse five Paul uses the image of an athlete who can only receive a victor's crown by competing by the rules. Terry asked us what the rules of volley ball are and cited a number of them. Rules are part of basketball, tennis, baseball and all other sports. The focus of the game is on competing, not complaining about the rules. Rules are something everyone must abide by.

The rules are part of what make the game. Eliminate the rules and what do you have? Chaos.

Then Paul notes the farmer as a metaphor. The hardworking farmer is entitled to get the first of the crops. Paul encourages Timothy to reflect on these things.

Leadership is not always fair. All leaders are subject to criticism. Paul was in chains because of the Gospel. Sometimes we pay a price to do what is right.

Life isn't always easy. For each of us there are moments of crisis, moments when we need someone else to be the breakwall. Being part of the body of Christ gives opportunity to step back into the safe places where we're receiving the necessary nurturing, shelter from the storms.

The goal is for us to grow up and become that shield for others.

Everything involved balance, however. There are times when becoming a shield goes too far and we become enablers who keep others from being able to mature into fullness. This is where we need to exercise discernment.

Pastor White closed by reading once again from Psalm 57.

One Foundation

A surprisingly chilly weekend here after setting new high temperature records just nine days ago. Nevertheless, with a blue sky and sunshine, all is right with the world.

Today's Bible Gateway verse is from Ecclesiastes: "As you do not know how the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything." Eccles. 11:5

Pastor Brad in white shirt and tie welcomed us and then shared that today's focus is on who God is God. But he got a bit choked up when he shared his feelings about his upcoming move to the next phase of Shannon's ministry. Brad will be leaving to become director of Adventurous Christians in the wilderness near Grand Marais. He wanted us to know "you are loved." He also briefly shared the process that will be coming as the church family seeks and prays for a new pastor.

Darlene transitioned us into worship with the classic hymn The Church's One Foundation. Then we sang it together, "The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord." While the offering was being taken we were led in singing "Ten Thousand Reasons."

Today was Confirmation Sunday. One of the important things our church does is work with our youth. Noah Brewer, Caleb Carlson and Madie Heine were today confirmed, having begun the faith journey many of us have been on for a lifetime. They shared the Old Testament story by means of various gestures, sounds and actions, which was obviously a means of becoming familiar with a range key Biblical concepts in a light-hearted but serious way. They then made a public confession of their faith. After Brad shared Matthew 5:13-15 the church family affirmed its support.

One Foundation

In 1995 Brad ran a mission site in Mexico where kids would come in for ten day projects building shelters for homeless. For that summer Brad's theme was taken from I Corinthians 3: 10, "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it." Part of his work included laying a literal foundation for a church. Years later Brad had a chance to go back and see that this church which he had helped lay the foundation for was now completed by the many others who came after. It was a powerful illustration of the way God works, that we do our part and others complete the work.

In Acts 18 Paul went to Corinth and after he stayed quite some time he left for where God had next called him. After he left he learned that there were divisions in the church with some claiming to be followers of Paul and others of Apollos. Paul sent a letter scolding the Corinthians for having become divided in this manner. I Corinthians 3:6 states that Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

We each have different tasks assigned by God. God can pick us up and put us down wherever He wants. We become co-workers with each other and with God.

Keep in mind, we must each assume responsibility to be faithful servants wherever He calls us, and He will make our work flourish. In the end, all belongs to Him. The only sure foundation is Jesus Christ. When we do our part, we're partnering with those who came before us.

Brad shared how various times in his life were spent in various places, and those experiences each contributed to his spiritual development. The foundation for his life was laid when he prayed, "I believe, Lord help my unbelief," a verse he didn't even know was in the Bible. Many builders continued to build on that foundation in his life to help him grow.

During this next six weeks of transition, Brad urged us to keep our eyes on God. This is His church. If you are faithful to do your part, God will be faithful to do His part.

The Cathedral of the Christian Faith

The sanctuary was boisterous and alive this morning as we gathered for worship this sunny Sunday morning. Sunshine and smiles were exuberantly displayed everywhere. Pastor Brad welcomed us and noted that we were embarking on a new summer series devoted to the Book of Romans, a New Testament book which at least one theologian called, "The Cathedral of the Christian Faith."

Announcements included several regarding Vacation Bible School which begins June 13. There will be a meeting of volunteers at the Twig Town Hall after the service next Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
They are also looking for 5'x3' self standing boards as well as monetary donations for craft supplies.
Even if you are not involved as a volunteer, you're invited to the Family Fun Night on the very last day, Friday the 17th.
It was also noted that the Bloodmobile will be here on June 26th after the service. Please sign up to give blood if you are able.

The worship team sang for us and led us in song, which was followed by the offering. Eric Borndal read to us from Acts 1:6-14.

This week we honored the many grad who are among us by having them come to the front to be recognized. Steven Borndal, Monica Mullvain and Casie Westgard have now graduated from high school. Sara Borndal finished college and will be going to South Korea in a few months to teach English. Lisa Smith completed four years of post-grad studies in the pharmaceuticals field. Their lives are ahead of them, and we pray for them to make good choices while following their dreams. (See photo of the grads at bottom of this page)

The Cathedral of the Christian Faith

Martin Luther called the book of Romans the purest Gospel, noting that even a cursory study of this book will have life-changing consequences. Pastor Brad began by breaking today introductory passages into three sections as we lay the foundation for the weeks to come.

Romans 1:1-7 Paul's introduces himself, the writer of this letter to the church in Rome.
Verses 8-10 Paul sentiments toward the church in Rome.
Verses 11-17 Paul's dreams for the church and his intentions.

How Paul saw himself

Unlike many of the letters which were written to churches he founded, this one is different. Paul had never been to Rome and did not found this church, so he begins by introducing himself.

¹ Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God...

Even the first word is pregnant with meaning. Paul, each time he reflected on it, could no doubt remember that he had once been Saul, a legalist and persecutor of the early church. The name Paul had been given to him by Jesus, who called him to be an Apostle, specially chosen and commissioned, set apart to proclaim the Gospel, the good news of salvation through the Jesus.

But Paul was not a ladder climber and did not aspire to this high position. Rather he saw himself simply as a bondservant, which is to say slave, of Jesus Christ. There were six million slaves in the Roman world. To be a slave is to be someone's property, and when Paul used this language, everyone knew what it meant. He was the property of Jesus, in service to the wishes of his master.

The letter begins with Paul citing his new name, new status, new calling and proceeds to outline his new passion.

At this point Brad paused and asked what we would say about ourselves in the opening of a letter of introduction? What is your status, your ministry, your passion?

Paul's sentiments toward the church

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. ⁹ God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

Paul is so in love with Jesus that he loves what Jesus loves. Jesus once compared the church to a bride, an object of love rich with meaning. Paul, too, loved the church, and upon hearing the good things happening at the church in Rome, he earnestly prayed for that church as well as prayed to be able to one day visit.

How much do you love the church? Do you love the people there? Brad said that while growing up it seemed that for a lot of people church was simply something to be endured or that others endured.

This church in Rome was interesting. There were liberals and conservatives, educated and uneducated "barbarians"... but they shared a common love for Christ. Paul longed to go there.

Paul's dreams and intentions

¹¹ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Why does Paul say he is so eager to preach the Gospel in Rome? Because he wants to witness and be a part of the unleashing of God's power in Rome. He had seen it elsewhere and longed to see it here.

Brad said he identifies with this longing. It's not about new buildings or new carpets, new liturgies or new styles of worship. It's about the power of God, and Paul was confident that when he reached Rome and preached the Word of God, powerful things would happen.

God's word gives strength, direction and nourishment. And it isn't one person that makes it happen. It happens in communities of faith working together. God can do that here if we speak the truth and are not ashamed. Go the second mile and watch what happens.

Paul was ever dreaming about the church. "I'm never going to stop dreaming about what God can do when unleashed," Brad said.

When was the last time you dreamed about the church? It's not about me doing this alone. It's about us.

After a closing hymn we proceeded to share communion together.

And You Shall Receive Power

It was a cold one this morning as we bundled up for the 9:30 service, temperatures about twenty degrees below average for the first weekend in June. But things got warmer once we'd gathered for worship with many new faces in our midst today. Brad warmly welcomed all, and we quickly forgot all that chill outside.

I can't say enough about how much fun it is to hear the quartet sing for us to kick off the worship time. Thank you to Darlene, Chuck, Ken and Dale for their faithfulness. We're very blessed to have you and we don't take it for granted.

Amongst the announcements, two are especially important. VBS begins Monday June 15, a week from tomorrow. And the Church Rummage Sale is coming up, so bring your things to sell, and your wallet to buy.

Guest Alan Finnifrock shared with us about a ministry in Alaska called Alaska Christian College. ACC is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska. Its mission is whole life discipleship.

Today's Scripture readings were from Isaiah 6:1-8 and Romans 8:12-17.

Our prayer time revealed that we have a range of needs in our church to continue praying for. This was followed by the breaking of bread as we celebrated the sacrament of communion, a participatory even in which God says, "I am with you."

And You Shall Receive Power

Pastor Brad began the message with a series of questions. "Suppose you picked up a paper and read a story about a church where they had what they described as an apostolic outpouring of the Holy Spirit so strong that miraculous healings were commonplace. What would be your honest first response after reading an article like that? Would you tend to be skeptical? Or would you take it at face value?

"Suppose you were to see a television report about a church in downtown Duluth that had been dying and then they had some real dramatic services and people started speaking in tongues, and long time members said they'd been baptized in the Spirit and understood what Christianity was about like never before. Would that be a good thing or bad thing? How sure are you?"

Brad followed with more questions. When someone says we should expect a miracle every day, can I expect a miracle every day? Can God speak to us in dreams?

Finally, leading into our topic, "How certain and clear is your understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit?"

Brad began by reading this passage from John 16.
6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Can you believe this? Jesus said it is better to live in the era of the Spirit than to have lived when Jesus was here on earth.

The Lord's very last words to His disciples after the resurrection and before the ascension were these: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Jesus did not promise a starter kit or more instructions. He promised power. This was before Pentecost and the disciples no doubt talked about what it could possibly mean. Then it happened. These men, who had been hiding in fear, were no emboldened. Acts chapter 2 tells the details. Flames of fire, a mighty wind, and emboldened disciples preaching the Gospel in a whole assortment of languages including Greek and Egyptian and even Swedish, which Brad TIC called "the original language of heaven."

Peter, who only weeks earlier had betrayed Jesus three times, was so emboldened that when he stood and preached there were 3000 people saved in a single day. All barriers were torn down, and, according to the book of Acts, nobody claimed any of his possessions as his own, but they shared everything they had. "And there were no needy persons among them."

In short, when the Holy Spirit came, everything was changed and nothing would ever be the same again.

Brad cited Acts 19 where it is recorded that, "God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them."

In another place it was written that "everyone was filled with awe and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles."

He then returned to his theme. "You will receive power." For 2000 years Christians wrestled with this. What does it mean? What if we devoted ourselves to understanding this truth?

One thing it does not mean is that our church will look like a first century church. Here are some things we can take away from this promise from Jesus.

1) Reverence the Spirit's mystery. There are many things in life we can control and put into a box. The Holy Spirit is not one of them. While talking with Nicodemus in John 3 Jesus said "the wind blows where it will." Like the wind, the work of the Spirit is uncontrolled. It is not our genie in a bottle.

2) Align yourselves with the Spirit's work in your life. Mystery is not to be confused with randomness. The Holy Spirit operates on clear guidelines. For example, the Bible says "do not grieve the Holy Spirit." We grieve the Spirit when we knowingly and willingly sin. He is grieved when human beings choose to defy what is the good will of God.

3) Walk in the Spirit. Walking is a picture of fellowship and relationship. The idea is to engage in activities that keep you connected to the Holy Spirit.

4) Request the Holy Spirit in our church, to manifest his power in our lives. This is Brad's prayer and he desires it to be ours, that we earnestly ask the Holy Spirit to manifest His power in our lives and in our church.

Does anyone here need any power? Paul's prayer in Ephesians was that we would be strengthened with power in our innermost being. What if we had the power to heal marriages, the power to knit the hearts of parents and children together?

I don't know a lot about the Holy Spirit, Pastor Brad, but I do know one thing. Jesus promised... "You shall receive power."

This is the Gospel.

When the Market Crashes

“I’m glad you’re here today,” Pastor Brad Shannon said as he welcomed us this morning. As has been his custom he briefly summarized the message he would be sharing this morning. “We’re going to talk about money.” In particular, some of the perils of money.

Announcements included an invitation to all to have a pork loin dinner at the Swamp Sisters on November 2 after the service. The free will offering will go toward the church building fund. Also, on Wednesday November 5 everyone is invited to the church for Operation Christmas Child, in which shoe boxes will be decorated and assembled for needy children. In addition, on November 16 the conference superintendent will be joining us.

Darlene played a loving, delicate interpretation of Fairest Lord Jesus to begin the service. After a time of worship, Pastor Brad gave a children’s talk about money noting that our worth as people is not based on how much money we have.

The Scripture readings were from Psalm 99 and Matthew 22:15-22, which was followed by a time of prayer, a hymn and our practical pointed message.

When the Market Crashes

The way we handle our money is a spiritual issue, Pastor Brad began. To a large degree our lives revolve around money to some extent. Money plays a key role in our lives, and the Bible is realistic about it.

Half of Jesus’ parables deal with money. And there are nearly 2000 verses in Scripture that deal with every facet of money, from how to earn it and spend it to how we can abuse it, or share it.

Many people look for money to save them from pain, but no amount of money can insulate you from trouble. This message today was about the perils of money, drawn from I Timothy 6:6-10.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The first peril is lack of contentment. “But godliness with contentment is great gain,” wrote Paul to Timothy. Contentment is an inward disposition unrelated to external circumstances. You don’t need anything outside of your self to make you happy.

Columnist John Rosemond once wrote about boredom amongst affluent suburban kids. He stated that the typical kid these days has 250 toys by age five, an average of nearly one a week.

Does contentment for you come from having more “toys” and more clothes, etc. Seeking contentment in that manner can never be achieved, because how many or how much is enough? Contentment comes from within.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, noted that he had found the secret of contentment. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

In other words, trust Jesus with your life as Savior and Lord, that is forgiver and leader.

For Paul, contentment was a learned disposition. He had learned the habit of gratitude.

It is also important to stop teasing yourself by going to malls, paging through catalogs. The world will always push your to need more, bigger or newer things.

A second peril of money, Brad noted, is the serious issue of loving money. The love of money is a root of evil. If our favorite indoor sport is shopping, we’re in trouble.

Money loving leads to sin, he said, including lying for money, shading the truth for personal advantage on our taxes, coveting (One of the Big Ten, as in Commandments), becoming angry or hateful due to money, spending too much, working too hard to have more things. Many sins can be traced to love for money.

Paul pointed out that many sins can be traced to love for money. As verse nine puts it, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” And in verse ten he warns, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

The story of the rich young ruler is a case in point. In Mark 10 a rich young ruler came to Jesus, and Jesus knew what ruled this man’s heart. He was told to choose, money or Jesus. In this tragic instance, the man turned his back on the freedom and joy set before him, and chose instead his designer clothes.

In another passage Jesus pointed out to His disciples that you can gain the whole world and lose your own soul.

In Paul’s admonition money is a sword of sadness that pierces us through with many griefs. Actually the word “pierced” that Paul uses is akin to a spike or spit upon which a pig is roasted over a fire. It’s a graphic image.

Debt, workaholism, foolish investments and get rich quick schemes, gambling are just a few of the troubles we are roasted by when we pursue our love for money.

Years ago Brad saw a list of ten reasons why Christians don’t give. Number two was that they can’t. Too much debt.

What can we do? There are two things Brad cited. First, get serious about it. It’s a serious matter. Second, get help from others if you need help with financial management and money related matters.

Don’t let the perils of money put you on the spit and roast you. Ask yourself the question, “How can I do things God’s way?”

It is a practical message. God cares about our practical needs.

Having the Mind of Christ

The sun emerged from an overcast weekend to make brilliant the beautiful maples and other trees that line our rural roads, especially colorful in our Northland autumns. We had a guest minister this morning, so the initial portion of the service was conducted by Chuck Vanderscheuren who welcomed us warmly and shared announcements.

Announcements
1. Adventure Club will begin this Wednesday night, 5:30 – 7:00. All kids welcome for fun, food, and fellowship.
2. Building Committee will meet Tuesday evening.
3. Women: be sure to fill out the survey in the back of the church pertaining to women’s Bible study. If you have additional questions, contact Joanne Winship.

Following a brief introit by Darlene, the quartet led us into worship with singing.

Today’s Scripture Readings
Exodus 17:1-7
Philippians 2:1-3

During our praise and prayer time it was apparent that there are some real needs and hurts among us and much to pray for. We are grateful to have a God who hears and is not indifferent to our pain.

Having the Mind of Christ
Our guest speaker this week was the Rev. Ben Larson who began by expressing his being grateful to be here. In 2008 he has held issues that kept him from the pulpit and even this week he was uncertain as to whether he’s be able to join us, noting that for fifty years he has had difficulties caused by a disease called French polio.

He opened his remarks with an anecdote told by T. Boone Pickens this past Monday at the National Press Club. The billionaire oil man was addressing wind power and alternate energy issues, but during the Q & A was asked what he thought about the presidential race. He replied by telling a story about ninety year old man who had recently been honored in his own community. Some one commented to the old man, “You must have seen a lot of changes these past ninety years,” to which the old man abruptly replied, “Yes, and I was against all of them.”

The text for today’s message was taken from Philippians 2, specifically verse 5 where Paul writes, “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…”

It is interesting to note that God has a mind, and that we, being made in God’s image, have a mind, the mind of the Son of God.

In one place Scripture notes that God searches the minds and hearts of all. In Romans 12 Paul admonished us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Today’s message, therefore, was an outline of what it means to have the mind of Christ.

A Mind of Love
Rev. Larson shared how there was a black velvet banner with gold letters on it in the church where he grew up. The letters spelled out the verse in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His son…”

“I didn’t always love God,” Rev. Larson noted as he told us the story of how he came to encounter God during a Bible camp. He said it was there that he learned that the many of the stupid things he had done were sin, and when he couldn’t sleep one night he went out and prayed. There were no lightning flashes, but there was a blanket of peace that came over him.

He shared, too, his brother’s testimony, how he came to find salvation while a sailor. God loves us and pursues us.

A Mind of Wisdom
Wisdom comes from having the mind of Christ.

Rev. Larson told an anecdote about an African American minister he once knew names S.M. Lockridge. Rev. Lockridge said to him, “When you get angry, you get red. And when you are scared, you get yellow. When you are cold you turn blue. So how is it that you call us colored?”

Lockridge offered this practical advice regarding wisdom. “Get some learning so people don’t look down on you. Then get more learning so you don’t look down on others.”

God emptied Himself of his deity. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve others.

The Cross is follishness to the Greeks, Paul said, and a stumbling block to the Jews. But it’s central in our faith because it reveals the wisdom of God.

A Mind of Compelling Strength
The letter to the Philippians was written while Paul was imprisoned in Rom. “Have this mind in you…” he wrote. There are actually two meanings for this word in the New Testament. In this instance it encompasses both: intellect and knowledge.

Paul had spent time with the Philippian church (as well as time in the Philippian jail) and had a deep love for this church. He had evidently gotten word that there was trouble there between two women in the church and he appeals to them to work out their differences. Small things can get under our skin and fester, becoming big things.

The Holy Spirit was given to be our comforter and our strength, as well as our coach.

“I’d rather attempt something great and fail than to do nothing and succeed,” Norman Vincent Peale once said.

Jesus said, “I lay down my life…”

The Mind of Glory
It is a mind that understands glory, that understands God and His orientation. It’s a wonderful mind. It is not by imitating Him that we obtain this, but by yielding to Him who dwells within us.

He then told a story about Aunt Selma. Aunt Selma was a dear Christian woman who loved everyone. She was wise, and never condemned. Everyone loved her. She knew what was right and lived it. One day, she asked the pastor to come over, and after visiting a little said she wanted to discuss her funeral arrangements with him. She said when she was in her coffin she wanted a Bible in her left hand and a fork in her right.

The pastor understood the Bible in one hand, but was confused by the request to have a fork in the other. She explained. “At church dinners as they clear the tables after you’ve eaten, they sometimes say keep your fork. When they say ‘keep your fork’ then I always know the best is yet to come.”

So it is that when we have the mind of Christ, we know… the best is yet to come.

Morality Above the Law

It was Grandma’s Marathon weekend here in the Northland, and though a chill had come into the air this a.m. our hearts remained warm. Pastor Brad Shannon gave a heartfelt welcome, which was followed by several announcements. Brooke thanked the forty volunteers who made this week’s Vacation Bible School experience a success for so many children. And everyone was reminded that next week New Life Covenant will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary with an exceptional dinner prepared by Leonard Armstrong to be enjoyed 11:00 p.m. after the service.

The Call to Worship began with Chuck reading David’s prayer from I Chronicles 29:10-13 and the quartet singing Holy, Holy, Holy. After a time of worship and singing Brad presented the Children’s Challenge.

Today’s Scripture readings were:
Jeremiah 20:7-13
Roman 6:1-11
Matthew 10:24-39

This morning we had a guest pastor present this week’s message. Pastor Jim Swanson, husband of the eldest of the Armstrong girls, had preached here 35 years ago and said it was good to be back in our pulpit.

Morality Above the Law
There is a tendency in church history for truths to lose their weight or significance after two or three generations. The circumstances which motivated the founders of a movement to react are different three generations later.

The truths of Scripture transcend time, but different circumstances affect what is highlighted or has more relevance.

Pastor Swanson spoke from Paul’s Letter to the Romans this morning. Most of Paul’s letters dealt with specific situations within the various churches for whom he cared. But Romans has a different purpose. It is a book of written to condense the theological insights he gained from his three year study of the meaning of the Gospel and how we relate to God.

For the purposes of context it is occasionally good to be reminded of Paul’s story preceding the many letters he wrote which became Scripture. Formerly Saul of Tarsus, Paul was a persecutor of the early church. He stood by at the stoning of Steven, a deacon of the early church, and led an entourage that was serious about maintaining the current order of things.

While heading toward Damascus, with murderous intent, Paul had a life changing experience. A light suddenly flashed around him and he fell to the ground whereupon he heard God’s voice, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” According to the book of Acts:

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

But it was a disciple named Ananias who’s obedience was really tested. The Lord spoke to him in a vision saying to go see the Saul who was murdering Christians for their faith. Nevertheless, Ananias obeyed and went to see the man whom had done so much harm in Jerusalem. Paul indeed had had his heart prepared by his ordeal and not only received the Word from this man but had his eyesight restored.

Changing his name to Paul, he went into the desert for three years to study the Scriptures and make sense of this new way to encounter God.

Paul’s Book of Romans is essentially a compilation of condensed theological insights, summarizing his distilled thinking regarding the meaning of the Gospel. In chapter three he writes about justification by faith. Justification does not simply mean we have been declared Not Guilty. It contains a bigger idea than this. God fills us out to the dimensions God intends us to be.

In chapter six of the Romans, Paul writes about the implications of baptism for believers. Baptism in the early church often took place in caves with streams, Pastor Swanson said. The one being baptized would enter the stream on one side and emerge on the other side to be clothed in a white robe. What it meant was that our sinful self was destroyed and a new life was now ours.

Pastor Swanson, then shared the story of a woman named Cindy whose alcoholism nearly destroyed her marriage. After a stint at Hazeldon, a prestigious clinic that treats alcoholism and other addictions, he saw her again with a new glow in her face. “I don’t have to do that any more,” she said.

It was Christ who met her there. And for the first time she had hope.

In closing we were reminded that there is a possibility of a whole different kind of life when we have been crucified with Christ…. in order that we might live a new life together.

A Weird Gift

At the beginning of the service we were reminded that today was Pentecost Sunday and Mother’s Day, two important remembrances. The men of the church provided a special breakfast for Mom’s which was quite tasty, with both pork and buffalo sausages, waffles, French toast and strawberries. Yummm. Scroll down to see a few photos from our breakfast.

During the announcements Pastor Brad Shannon noted two graduations: Cheyenne MacGregor and Ryan Vanderscheuren were graduating from St. Scholastica this afternoon.

To open the service, the Quartet performed a medley consisting of “I Will Serve Thee,” “Freely, Freely,” and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

For the children’s message, Pearl and Ruth Anne shared a cute puppet show about the meaning of Mother’s Day.

The Gospel reading was from John 14:8-17 and the sermon titled A Weird Gift.

Pastor Brad began with a Corrie Ten Boom story about an old Russian woman who was suffering so badly with MS who was working on typing portions of the Bible and other significant books for her people during the days of the Iron Curtain. People felt bad for her because it was such a painstaking task, with such limited use of her one crippled hand, pecking keys with one finger. But she did not feel it bad to have this illness. Because she was an invalid, the Russian police did not bother her and she was able to accomplish more. Throughout the process she prayed for those who would read these pages.

Paul the Apostle wrote that God is revealed in our weakness. It’s not our intellect, our power, our strength… Christ’s strength is revealed in our weakness.

In II Corinthians 11 Paul shared how he had every reason to boast. He had the pedigree, the performance (achievements), had suffered more persecution, endured greater pressures, yet did not glory in any of these things. At one point Paul mentions being caught up into the third heaven, but this isn’t what he boasted about either.

Paul cites the thorn he had in his flesh, and that when he asked God to remove it, God said no. We learn more from our thorns, from hardship, than from our highs.

Pastor Brad shared a personal story of his time in Chicago when he was seeking work after seminary. He was hoping for something that would make him feel important, but God had other ideas, and he ultimately was cleaning toilets. Brad concluded this anecdote by saying, “Cleaning toilets taught me more than a ‘great job.’”

God’s grace is always sufficient…. just the right amount at the right time.

Another point Brad drew from the story of Paul’s thorn is that we often try to figure out the source of the thorn. Is this trouble from God or the devil?

Job tried to understand. Habukuk likewise sought to understand. Paul, likewise eventually had to learn the answer to this impossible question, which is, “I’m God and you’re not.”

Brad then read from a devotional written a hundred years ago by G.D. Watson called Others May, You Cannot

It’s a powerful truth. “I’m God and you’re not.” And when we understand this, it changes everything.

It’s the strangest gift… the Gift of Weakness.