Bible Verses for Sunday Service October 29, 2023
Psalms 143:8
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Philippians 4:6-7
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Announcements:
Next Sunday is the first Sunday in November so fellowship Sunday, and we will serve refreshments between Sunday School and the church service. Come early to church or come to Sunday School and enjoy a treat and spend some time fellowshipping with one another.
On November 12, we will have our Thanksgiving Dinner right after Church on Sunday. We look forward to a delicious dinner with all the Thanksgiving dishes. After lunch, we will also have a music program. Please sign up for what food items you can bring to help out with dinner. Also, please invite family and friends to join us, and let us know if they plan to come.
Also on November 12 is Christmas Box Sunday. At Awana on November 8 the children will put together the boxes. We will send them on their way to the local collection center on November 13. On the 12th, we will send them off with prayer of God’s blessing. We thank all who contributed items or funds for shipping. Please check with either Natasha or Gaylene if you have any questions about how you could help.
On November 16, we will have a deacons’ meeting at the home of Phil and Rosemary Witschi.
Sermon:
Today, Pastor Jim spoke to us on Luke 12:35-46 in a sermon titled “Is the End Near.” In this section of Luke, Jesus instructs on His return, and how to wait in interim. Pastor introduced his sermon by reminding us that all the prophecies about Jesus’ first coming came true. We should then pay attention to those prophecies about His second coming. To further connect Jesus’s words in this section of Luke to us, Pastor analogized to a child’s game of hide and seek. That game begins with the seeker saying I coming, ready or not. And so it will be with Jesus.
As we have so much in scripture on the Lord’s return, we know to be ready for it. We will be waiting. Pastor explained that Jesus’ comparison to His return, a wedding is very relevant to the times then, not now. Now a wedding is planned months in advance. Then, the wedding was over a week, and no one knew when the groom might show up. Our watchfulness in these circumstances will be rewarded. Jesus is very clear that he will serve those who faithfully wait for Him on His return. What a promise! Pastor also went over how Jesus talked about those who neglect to be watchful. These will receive a punishment, but of degrees, some punished more than others depending how each has spent his or her time.
Also, in this section of Scripture, Pastor Jim what Jesus expects us to be doing while mindfully waiting for Him. We will be working for the Lord. Our faithful service here results in greater service later. Unfortunately, the reverse of this is true too. Opportunities forfeited here will result in lost opportunities later.
Pastor concluded by reminding us of quote from Martin Luther: “There are only two days on my calendar: this day and that day.” In other words, don’t put off from today things that you could do to serve the Lord while we patiently wait for His return.
Accessing the Service, Bulletin and Sermon Outline:
Here are the pages from the bulletin, click on the images below to see them full size:
If you would like to have the sermon outline, you can download it here, a pdf file.
If you would like a link to this service you can find it here. Perhaps you would like to share it with your friends. You could also share that link on social media, if you use any of the providers. We use Rumble, a safe alternative to Google’s YouTube.