This Sunday we return to the Old Testament and the book of Isaiah. And through our text we are reminded that as human beings, we are all looking for something to satisfy us - something to meet our deepest hunger and thirst. However, nothing we work for or buy will actually meet that need. What we need is something that is totally free for us, but infinitely costly at the same time. Come join us at God's table of grace.
This week we have the privilege of having Dan Venberg (Director of Lutheran Brethren International Missions) bring us God's Word. Dan will be preaching from Matthew, chapter 13, and reminding us of the treasure we have in Christ and in His Word.
This Sunday we get back into the New Testament and look at a passage from Romans, chapter 8. And in this powerful text we are reminded that suffering is a part of life in this broken and fallen world. Both we, and the creation around us, groan for something better. Come hear the good news that Christ has secured for us a glory that is incomparable to the suffering we may now experience.
Throughout the rest of the summer we will be looking at Scripture passages from different parts of the Bible. And in each we are going to see that God's grace abounds. This week we are going to be in Psalm 65, where we are reminded why our God is worthy of praise. We don't praise God because life is always good. We praise God because He is always good.
This Sunday, as we gather together outside at the Kirkbride with other local congregations, we'll be in 2 Corinthians, chapter 5. Pastor Dale will be one of the three who will be preaching from this amazing passage. Come and be reminded of why we need reconciliation with God. And even more so, how we get reconciliation with God.
This Sunday we find ourselves in the Gospel of Luke, as Jesus is invited into the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath. The simple dinner changes, however, when Jesus compassionately heals a man who was suffering. Come and hear the teaching that followed, that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. Jesus is king of an upside down kingdom!
In the book of Isaiah, the prophet brings messages from God that at times declare judgment and at other times proclaim hope. This Sunday we jump into the very end of the book, where the prophet shares amazing hope right in the midst of judgment. Come and hear the good news that God's salvation is for all the nations, and that our entrance into that salvation is through a narrow door - the One Isaiah called Emmanuel.
This Sunday we go back to the book of Genesis and see an amazing interchange between Abraham and God. In this conversation/prayer, Abraham appeals to both the Lord's justice and the Lord's mercy while interceding for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. And while the prayer wasn't answered in the way Abraham desired, we see that justice and mercy (and grace) were ultimately found somewhere else.
In Luke 10, an expert in the law, seeking to justify himself, came to Jesus to test him. In response to his question, Jesus ends up giving him on of the most famous parables he ever spoke: the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Come hear how futile it is to try to justify ourselves. And then find out who the true hero of the story is.
As we continue in our series Grace Abounds, we come across a teaching from Jesus that might at first glance not seem to abound with much grace. Jesus warns his followers to avoid all kinds of covetousness. For when we hold on to what we have we are blinded from the truth that all we have is a gift from God and it is to be used in service for others. Even though we are prone to hold back what we have, God did not hold back his Son so that our sins might be covered. It is for this reason followers of Christ are called to generosity.
