“The EXTENDED CHRISTIAN FAMILY”

Of Cornelius, St. Luke wrote in Acts 10:2: “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing, he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.”

Since May, Pastor Ted and I have been preaching and teaching through the Book of Acts for worship & summer Bible Studies. This series will end on Sept. 19 and that Sunday will be based on Acts chapter 29 (be sure to check it out!) with the theme: “The Mark of Today’s Church.” My article for the August Record, while not developing the content or context of the above verse from Acts, does relate to the above verse in relation to the value of the Extended Christian Family and the importance the family being devout, God-fearing people who regularly pray and give generously. I will develop that by just commenting on random “10 Family Happenings” in the past and in the near future…so here we go!

1. Since Gwen used up her vacation time earlier this year recovering from surgery we have chosen to use most of my vacation for once a month extended weekend times to be with our family: May – to Wisconsin for Bethany’s college graduation; June- 4 days with our grandchildren in our home!; July- family weekend at Lutheran Island Camp with Rachel’s family; August – we are planning for a weekend with son, Dan, in Lincoln, NE. It has been great to have this time with each of our children and to see them growing in their “devotion” to the Lord.

2. The Appreciation Dinner hosted by our youth and the adult chaperones from the Montana Mission Trip. It was an enjoyable evening to hear about their experience and to see and hear about the spiritual growth that God produced in the youth and adults through this trip.

3. WE STILL DO OFFER 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, but it seems we are missing more of our Christian Family at a time of the year when that service sought to be seeing 75+ of God’s Family coming together for spiritual growth and fellowship. As I run into our members in the summer, so many say, “I just keep forgetting that we have the service on Wed. night.” Pray that God restores the memory of our members and instills within them the First & Third Commandments of God & our worship of Him as their 1 st Priority!

4. If you missed reading the July devotions in the Portals or Prayer, go back and read them (or re-read them) as the author does an excellent job of connecting the Word with everyday life happening. If you have children at home you will especially connect with her. There still are copies of this edition at church. Reading this together with your spouse and family will help enable you to grow in your devotion to the Lord as God fearing people.

5. Our extended Christian family at our sister church at St. John’s Lutheran in Barnesville will be installing a new pastor, Rev. Thomas Eaves, on Sunday, August 8 at 4 p.m.. Pastor George Krueger (who has served this pastoral vacancy) will be delivering the message. It would be good for a number of us to be present to support this congregation and celebrate this special event with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

6. Speaking of Pastor George, he and Annette will be celebrating their 50 th Wedding Anniversary here at Our Redeemer on August 15 th. All of their children and grandchildren are planning to be here for worship that morning and there will be an Open House from 2-5 p.m. that afternoon with a program at 3:30 p.m.. They request “no presents” except for your PRESENCE! This God-fearing couple has been a rich blessing of God to us, I encourage you to carve out the time to come and give thanks and celebrate with them.

7. August 16-20 marks the dates for Our Redeemer’s SPECIAL EDUCATION VBS! Gwen Bolster and her staff continue to provide loving care and Bible instruction for God’s Special People. If you know of a special student in the area, please invite them (and also let Gwen know about them). If you would like to help with the VBS, give Gwen a call.

8. RALLY DAY – Sept. 12! Yes, it is that close when we return to our regular fall Sunday worship and education hour. A time when all ages come together to continue to grow in our devotion to the Lord, who through His Word molds and shapes us into God-fearing people. We are in need of some “spiritual leaders” to step forward to be teachers and modelers of the faith to our children, if you are willing to grow and learn yourself as you teach the Word of Life please give either our new Sunday School Superintendent, Eileen Kangas, a call (303-4617) or our DCE Emily Wolf (701-866-4025). PRAY daily for this ministry and pray that God the Holy Spirit instills in our families and members a hunger and thirst for God’s Life Giving and life sustaining WORD!

9. Soon you will receive in the mail a letter and financial chart from the Church Council. The letter says it well, this serves as a reminder to pray and discuss this with your family and seek God’s guidance in your generous support of the Lord’s work among us.

10. September 26 – We will be blessed to have Pastor David Strohshein, Mission facilitator from our District Office in Brainerd, present with us to deliver the message in the worship service and to teach the Dining Room Bible Class in which he will give helpful hints and ideas on how to make worship meaningful to “The Wigglers” (little children) as well as their parents. So young families and grandparents, mark that date and plan to be present for Bible Class and Worship. In worship, Pastor Dave will address the value and important role the family plays in our spiritual growth and development.

As you can see from the 10 items above, the Extended Christian Family covers much territory – Actively BE a PART of it!

Pastor Bruce Noennig