Luverne United Methodist Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy February! Look how close we are to Spring! I’m trying to be hopeful and forget what went on last year! How about you? Some of us will be reading this in warm climates….keep smiling!

 

So, as we continue to move forward in all things worship, we are focused on the idea of the message portion of our worship service. What if someone were to ask you about your feelings of God’s Word? What would your answer be, would you feel strongly about it? Does is play a part in your everyday life?

As we continue to move through the Bible on Sunday afternoon Bible Study, we continue to realize many things…one of which is, that just as much as we learn about what was happening to the people highlighted in the Bible, some of those moments and people can be verified in other historical documents. There are actually people who would say that the archaeological evidence behind this time in history and the writings available make the Bible one of the most verifiable and documented books from the ancient time.

 

The Bible is made up of 66 individual books, written on three separate continents. In more than one language over about 1500 years by over 40 authors, the Bible proves to be one of the most read, unified books that has ever been written. There are prophecies about its future; over one hundred, prophecies about Jesus, all of which have come true – except his coming back – and are very detailed.

 

There are those who read the words of this book and find peace, direction, hope and love. Certainly, there are parts of it that are hard to understand, but also parts that make more sense than we give it credit. It teaches us about prayer and life and our futures and so much more. It is life giving, transforming and important. When we share it in worship, we are bringing our faith to life in more ways than we know. When we learn from it, we plant a seed that God can use to walk with us in many ways every day, like making decisions!

 

Something we don’t think about a lot is that the Bible teaches us about God and His will for lives. God talks to us about the plans in place for us. We would come to know more deeply how much God loves us, as we are reminded about Jesus and his walk on Earth.

 

So, when we think about God’s Word, it becomes very apparent its purpose is very important and it makes a difference if it is a regular part of our daily lives.

This makes worship one of the most important things we do in life…..

Thank you Lord…and Praise be to God! AMEN!

 

As we begin this new year, this pastor prays for a year that doesn’t imitate this last year in her family’s life,

but yet one that is just as good for her church as 2018 came to be.

 

Luther, Dorie and family give thanks to those of you who reached out in many ways in all the personal family

issues that went on this last year. The phone calls, the cards, the visits, the being there at a drop of the hat,

the sharing of burdens and most especially the prayers. They have brought blessings and peace.

 

In whatever way you reached out to us in this overwhelming year, we are thankful for you. As this beautiful faith

family continues to grow together, your love continues to lift us and fill us with Jesus!

 

Most of the time, Advent and the month of December follow a pre ordered or regular subject of scriptures. We hold up the traditional scriptures, which point to the coming of the Messiah, an amazing and exciting time all in and of itself.

Do you ever wonder sometimes, as we go through these annual seasons, how much of it settles us into a time of complacency? We’ve heard the story…how many times? An angel visits Mary and Joseph and Elizabeth, Zechariah loses the ability to speak because he didn’t believe, Joseph struggles with this situation, shepherds are watching their flocks and celebrate, angels sing from heaven, the wisemen watch and follow a star…Jesus is born…hope and peace and love and joy are alive and well! Children offer their fun and seriousness for a special program, we decorate the sanctuary, celebrate family….the routine plays on….

 

As we met, discussed and pondered the idea of returning to one service, one of the comments we heard was that Sunday had become more like “Bible Study.” Certainly we know that Worship is a time for us to give thanks and praise to a God who is present in our lives…but, “Bible Study” seems like a strange word…how can we give thanks and praise to a God for the things he does in our lives and for the ways he moves in our lives, without really being able to recognize how God might do that…by learning from his word?

 

In studying this very subject, we learn that God reveals himself as the Word and by the Word. In this way, we learn how God wants us to live and breathe and move in our lives. Without the word of God, we wouldn’t have all that he calls us to, our faith, life in our spirits, or the ability to worship and praise God. In one place, the author writes, “the Word of God is to worship, as air is to breathing.”

 

Second Timothy teaches us that: “16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God [a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Right after that, in Chapter 4:1-2, Paul reminds us with the utmost seriousness…”I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word.”

 

In other words, learning from God’s word, is how we learn the way God wants us to walk in life. Isn’t that a great thing? Hearing from and learning how to apply his word is the way of life…giving us a reason to give him praise. “Bible Study” and learning God’s word is what keeps our annual seasons fresh and exciting. Studying the Bible and going deeper, allows us to avoid the complacency in our faith that can shut down any semblance of growing closer to a God who gave us so much. Let us be in prayer and offer thanks that worship can be a time of learning and being energized! We are in charge of building God’s Kingdom here on earth aren’t we?

 

So as we move forward and embrace the message and how it is built from God’s Word, let us also be thankful and blessed by the way it goes deep and helps us celebrate this amazing time of year!