Thursday, September 2, 2010
An E-Note from the Pastor.....
Dear Members and Friends of First Pres,
Last Saturday, Kari Osborn and Pat Narey were married in our sanctuary. It was a blessed event that was enjoyed by all.
Last Sunday, I preached from Romans 8:31-39, on what is perhaps the most sublime piece of scripture ever penned by the great Apostle. There he asked the most important question you and I as children of God can ever ask: “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” The answer of course was NOTHING!
Following worship, there was an Anniversary Open House to celebrate the 65th wedding anniversary of Lloyd and Dorothy Hummel in Calvin Hall. There were many friends and family members on hand to celebrate this day with them!
This Sunday, I am preaching during both services (8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.) a sermon I have entitled “A Gospel For Outcasts.” It is based on Mark 7:24-30 and Jesus’ meeting with the Syro-Phoenician woman, a scene in which every Jewish law in the book was broken and yet who still finds favor in the eyes of our Lord. I want to ask the question of whether or not God’s grace and favor extend today to persons the Church in general, or even ourselves in particular would ordinarily deny. I think you will find this to be a very interesting topic for our consideration this week.
Russ Tepaske’s class on the prophets has concluded and this Sunday, Russ and Jan Schwab will facilitate a discussion about the future classes for the Adult Forum and solicit ideas from everyone. That will start at 8:45 a.m. in Calvin Hall.
The Adult Study led by Lynn McDowell on the Book of James will continue from 8:45-9:45 a.m. in Knox Hall.
Hospitality House Volunteers are needed for the Hospitality House for September 20: two people to prepare and deliver food before 11:30 a.m. If you volunteer for this, please note that the church does not pick up the expense for this, it is a donation on your part. Contact Marsha Platt (290-4078) if you’re interested in volunteering (Lois Nanke will be gone for the next three weeks).
For Your Information: Bascom Tuckpointing of Vinton is finished with the work on the Carillon. Thank you for your patience.
May God be with you this week,
Pastor Dave
Prayers for:
Gale Quirk, who dislocated her hip; Margaret Diestelmeier, recovering at Iowa City Hospital; Tom Campbell, who finished second round of chemo treatments; Jim Gann having chemo treatments, and Betty Gann; Mary Hassis, recovering from recent cancer surgery.
“BE WITH THEM IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED,
AND KEEP THEM IN OUR LOVING CARE.”
