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Be Grateful To Me
No Old Testament saint attests to God's grace quite like King David. Raised from the sheepfold to the throne of the house of Israel; raised again (and again, and again) from sin: pride, murder, adultery, and despising of God; lifted clear of the snare of the wicked (Psalm 119:110), of the pit (Psalm 30:3), of the very gates of death (Psalm 9:13); with no merit or worthiness in himself, David was continually raised by God's grace and favor.
God's grace wells up in Psalm 41, where David exults in divine mercy amid his weakness, powerful enemies, and treacherous friends. In this psalm, David tracks the flow of divine grace back to its source at the cross and, with prophetic vision, finds it springing forth in the lives of all baptized believers—including you.
How has God's grace raised you? If you haven't been set on a royal throne or made ruler over a great people, maybe you've seen improvements in your finances or employment. Or perhaps family strife has been quieted. Or maybe a compassionate helper or valuable ally has entered the picture at just the right moment. Have you shaken off a bad illness, a bad habit, or a bad influence? If so, rejoice and thank God for His grace and favor!
But if you feel like you're sinking instead of rising, what then? Is there any comfort for the saint of God who looks around to find that "the waters have come up to my neck" (Psalm 69:1)? David knows that saint's fortunes because they are his as well.
In the day of trouble, the Lord delivers him.
The Lord protects him and keeps him alive.
He is called blessed in the land.
You do not give him up to the will of his enemies. (Psalm 41:1–2)
You have a sure hope! Therefore, do not look for hope in your experiences or your emotions, which will portray for you the same bleak scene that David captures in Psalm 41:
* My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?" (v. 5)
* When one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity. (v. 6)
* Even my close friend, whom I trusted and who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. (v. 9)
Faith offers a better vision: despite all that binds, bruises, and bleeds you, God will raise you. He has raised you already! In Holy Baptism, God has "raised us with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). If you are in Christ, how can you sink? How can you fall?
Lent is the ideal time to meditate on David's ordeals and your secure position in Christ. Psalm 41 provides the ideal guide for your meditation. If the laments of Psalm 41 call to mind your numerous difficulties and need for deliverance, they depict even more the work by which your deliverance has been won.
David "prophesied about the grace that was to be yours" and "searched and inquired carefully" concerning your salvation (1 Peter 1:10). And that salvation is this: the Son of David, by grace, "might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9).
Are the scheming enemies of Psalm 41:5 not the foes of Christ, who is sustained on His sickbed (v. 3), but the one by whose wounds you are healed (Isaiah 53:5)? Even the close friend of our Lord has lifted his heel against Him (Psalm 41:9). God be praised; all these sufferings are yours too! Or "do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death" (Romans 6:3)?
Because you are in Christ, you share in all things with Him, even the prophetic word. David's vision in Psalm 41 has become your reality in Christ. In the day of trouble, the Lord delivers you; the Lord protects you and keeps you alive; you are called blessed in the land (see Psalm 41:1–2). Press on to know the Lord's suffering, death, and word. As surely as the Lenten journey ascends to the victory of Easter, you shall be raised.
Midweek Lenten Schedule
Midweek Lenten suppers will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (free will offerings).
Midweek Lenten Services will start at 7:00 p.m.
February 14 - Ash Wednesday "Mutual Consideration" Psalm 41:1–2
February 21: Midweek of Lent 1: "Sustained in Sickness" (Psalm 41:3)
February 28: Midweek of Lent 2 "I Have Sinned" Psalm 41:4
March 6: Midweek of Lent 3: "Soon and Never" Psalm 41:5
March 13: Midweek of Lent 4: "Empty Words" Psalm 41:6
March 20 - Midweek of Lent 5 "Vindication" (Psalm 41:7-8)
March 28 - Maundy (Holy) Thursday "My Close Friend" Psalm 41:9
March 29, Good Friday "Be Gracious To Me!" Psalm 41:10
March 31 – Easter Sunrise (7:00 a.m.) "Contradiction" Psalm 41:11
March 31: Easter Breakfast (8:30 a.m.)
March 31: The Resurrection of Our Lord (10:30 a.m.) "Because of My Integrity" (Psalm 41:12–13)
LENT SUPPERS: Free will offering Lenten Suppers served throughout Lent from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Ash Wednesday, February 14th, LWML—Ladies Guild serving: beef noodle soup and potato soup
February 21: LYF and LYT youth groups serving: Taco Bar
February 28: Youth Ministry Committee serving: Baked Potato Bar
March 6: Board of Christian Education Serving: A Variety of Crock-Pot Soups
March 13: Board of Witnesses and Outreach serving: Chicken Noodle Soup and Sausage and Corn Chowder
March 20: Board of Stewardship serving: (to be announced)
Maundy Thursday, March 28: Board of Elders serving: pancakes and sausage
Worship to follow at 7:00 p.m. with the CPH Lenten series, "Be Gracious to Me."
February Elders
Dwayne Taylor, Ted Schreiber
The new chair of elders and new congregation vice president is Dwayne Taylor, elected by the Board of Elders on January 4, 2024.
Call News: On January 21, 2024, the congregation voted to call Rev. Sean Smith of Mason City, Iowa. He has agreed to prayerfully consider the pastoral call. Please keep him, his wife Heather, their family, and his current congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran in prayer.
Call News: Trinity Lutheran Classical School, M.C., has called Christina Heiss of Cary, Illinois, who has agreed to prayerfully consider the teacher's call. Please keep her, her husband Charles, and her current school, Holy Cross, in your prayers.
Publication SubscriptionsÂ
The church orders bulk subscriptions of "The Lutheran Witness" ($19.20), and "Portals of Prayer" ($8.60), and offers envelopes ($4.80) for its members and prints the MT. District Newsletter—The Montana Reflections ($4.40) for our congregation. To help offset these costs (total of $37), please use the All Subscriptions envelope found in the front of your 2024 offering envelope box.
Trinity Mission Statement
The mission of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Miles City, is to strengthen the faith of its members, to reach out to the unchurched in the community at large by proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to further support the mission of our Circuit, District, and Synod.
Death
Betty (McClure) Grebe was born July 29, 1933, to Pete and Clara McClure and passed away January 22, 2024.
Betty lived in several different states during her childhood, as her dad worked in the oil fields. She attended all four years of high school in Billings, graduating from Billings Senior High School in 1951. She attended college in Missoula and helped her mother with the family grocery store in Bridger when she could.
Betty married Dale Grebe on February 6, 1954. They farmed at Belfry, where she enjoyed attending church and Bible studies and serving as a Sunday school teacher. Betty worked for 25 years at the Belfry Post Office. She was postmaster for 13 years before retiring in 1996.
In 2005, Betty and Dale sold the farm and moved to Miles City, where they joined the Trinity, M.C., church family. In 2018, they moved to Aspen View Retirement Community in Billings. After Dale passed away in 2020, Betty moved to Legacy Assisted Living. In October 2023, she had her church membership transferred to Mt. Olive Lutheran in Billings.
Betty is survived by her children Bernie, Karla (Lyle), and Becky (Bob), seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Belfry, MT, on February 3, 2024.
*** 20th Annual Pie Social ***
Sunday, March 3, 2024
(Time to be announced)
Trinity Lutheran Church fellowship hall.
Sign up today to bring pies for this event.
Pie by the slice (free-will offering).
Auction of whole pies.
For All People
Mark 2:13-17, 18-22
Jesus' earthly ministry reminds us that God's love and care are for all people, even those whom we would consider "outcasts." As Christians, we are to bring God's mercy and grace to all people, not just those we consider worthy. May God enable you to step out of your comfort zone and reach those who truly need to hear the gospel message.
Nothing Can Compare
Mark 2:1-12
Advertisements bombard us with messages saying, "You've never seen anything like this before." Many times, that claim is not backed up by the product. However, when we speak of the goodness and mercy of God, we can truly tell others, "You've never seen anything like this before." Why? Because there is nothing else in this world that can compare with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. You have God's Word to prove it!
Preschool News
January was a busy month, getting back to routines and learning new letters (3 and 5-day students) and shapes (2-day students). The children learned about Arctic animals, Inuits, and modes of transportation.
The 3 and 5-day students studied the letters M, N, O, and P and did a review. They turned an M into a mouse, an N into a night sky with stars, an O into an ostrich, and a P into a piano. They are working very hard on writing their names on the back of their papers.
The five-day students work in their journals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The two-day students studied rectangles, stars, ovals, and diamonds. They are working on their cutting and gluing skills.
For science, we learned about Arctic animals like polar bears, arctic foxes, and whales. We also learned about the Inuit way of life and how to get around in the Arctic. The 3 and 5-day students made Arctic animal scenes and finger-painted Arctic owls. The two-day students made paper plate walruses and cotton ball igloo scenes. We also studied modes of transportation. The 3 and 5-day students made tissue paper hot air balloons. The two-day-old students colored hot air balloon scenes with cloud stickers. The 3 and 5-day students made rockets with paper towel tubes, markers, space stickers, and tissue paper flames. The 2 and 5-day students painted cardboard egg carton trains; the 3-day students made egg carton fishing boats.
The students learned about all the different modes of transportation by land, sea, and air, from their feet and bicycles to cars and trains, boats, airplanes and hot air balloons, and all sorts of animals that can be ridden.
In chapel, we learned about Jesus growing up and being baptized by John. Jesus started his preaching and picked his disciples. Jesus also started working on His miracles, like turning water into wine and healing people.
Our snack and dessert sale fundraiser will begin on February 6th and end on February 27th. Each child will receive a sales packet. Children who do sell will receive some cool prizes and earn money for our school. If you are not going to sell, please note it on the packet and return it.
Preschool Valentine's Day parties will be held on February 13th and 14th. The 3-day class has 15 kids, the 5-day class has 11 kids, and the 2-day class has 13 kids. Please have your child sign their name on the cards. We will have a sign-up sheet if you want to bring goodies for the party.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday and Tuesday, February 19th and 20th, with no school for students on those days. There will be a sign-up sheet posted in the hallway outside of the classroom. Our winter break will be Wednesday through Friday, February 21st–23rd, so there will be no school for students this whole week.
Sharing God's Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Virginia and Mrs. Haley
TlCS K–8th Grade News
Established August 25, 2008
We have started the 3rd quarter, which means that half the school year is almost over! It is hard to believe how fast time can go!
We are working hard at learning every day. As the students grow and learn, they are strengthening their faith as they study God's Word. Kindergarten and first grade are going through the New Testament and learning about Jesus. Second through fourth grades are hearing the Old Testament and learning about God's promise to send a Savior and how God protects His people. 5th through 8th grades are digging deeper into the same accounts that the younger ones are learning. It is amazing to see these children grow in their faith!
We will be taking our Lutheran Hour Ministries online mission trip to Australia this year. The offerings that are collected during 3rd quarter chapels will go to help support this ministry. Every day, the students will get to watch video clips about what living in Australia is like. They get to learn about children their age and what it is like to grow up in that culture. They will get to see how LHM is sharing God's love with the people there.
TLCS would like to welcome Christina Ostendorf as a new 2nd–4th grade aide. We are very excited to have her join us here! We would also like to welcome our new 7th-grade student, Lillian Lockie.
The CART Sales snack and dessert fund-raiser will run from February 6th to 27th. Valentine's Day is Wednesday, February 14th.
TLCS Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on Monday and Tuesday, February 19 and 20. There will be no school for students on those days, followed by winter break, Feb. 21–23. Parents should watch for a PTC sign-up sheet to be posted soon outside of the classrooms.
The Board of Christian Education will serve a Lenten Supper from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th, followed by a worship service at 7:00 p.m. with TLCS student participation.
Love in Christ, Michelle Rice
TLCS K-8 Head Teacher
Where will your child be attending school in the fall? PLEASE INFORM US OF YOUR INTENTIONS. THANK YOU!
"Connected"
Celebrate Lutheran education at Trinity Lutheran Classical School
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is that bears much fruit, for apart from me You can do nothing." John 15:5
TLCS Pre-8th Cart
Snack and Dessert Sales
February 6- 27, 2024
See any TLCS preschool or K–8th-grade student or staff to place your order.
Youth Dynamics
Partnering with people to build strong foundations and a sense of belonging.
Youth Dynamics is a non-profit children's mental health agency that helps families and youth in our community as well as surrounding communities. The mentoring program is designed to help kids learn the skills they need to thrive in school, in the community, and at home. This program provided one-on-one support to children in need. The therapeutic relationship built with children through our mentoring program helps them learn healthy relationship skills with peers and caregivers.
How this program works is that a child is assigned a mentor who can work anywhere from 2 to 36 hours a week. Mentors with the children at school and in the community.
Youth Dynamics is currently looking for youth mentors for the Miles City and Forsyth areas. You can make your schedule; you can work anywhere from 2 to 36 hours per week. No experience is needed, so we provide training.
To apply, go to www.youthdynamics.org and go to employment; the position is under Miles City, Youth Mentor. Thank you for your interest and for your time.
Cassidy Roldan, Youth Mentor Manager
2900 Mallet Lane, Miles City, MT. 59301
406-233-6043
Life Quotes
"There is hope in Jesus, the Light of Life!"
"Please rejoice in knowing prayer works and keep praying for the states that still haven't banned abortions and for those states trying to ward off those who want to bring it back. We are not done praying and never will be. God is on our side, and He has a plan. We need to stand firm and, with faith, never give up praying. God controls the power of prayer, and He is amazing." Virginia Flo, Lutherans For Life
"We live dripping with the promise of baptism. We live fueled by the fire of God's Word. We were created on the sixth day and recreated by God's grace to be followers of Jesus seven days of the week until that great eighth day, called eternity when we will sing praise in His presence forever. We live and we love, and we are loved in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, sin forgiven, shame erased, status: all very good." Rev. Dr. John Nunes, guest speaker on "The Lutheran Hour"
"The state can punish offenders, but it can't give birth to law-abiding citizens. The state cannot love or nurture a child. It takes a family. A radical thought, but off limits in our public conversations, swept clean of moral discourse. Pray that this will change." James M. Kushiner, The Fellowship of St. James
"Our Heavenly Father remains active and almighty, especially in difficult circumstances.
that life issues involve. In joining Himself to us with His incarnation, wisdom, power, atonement, and resurrection, Jesus makes every human life blessed—and a blessing! He lovingly and ably handles decisions about welfare and affliction, life and death, so that we don't have to do it on our own." Pastor Michael Salemink
The mission of Lutherans for Life is to witness the sanctity of human life through education based on God's Word. www.lutheransforlife.org
Hurting from abortion? A word of hope can help. www.word-of-hope.org; 888-271-8679.
Witness And Outreach
Mark 1:40-45
Even though he was instructed otherwise, the recently healed leper couldn't help but go out and share the incredible news of what Jesus had done for him. What has Jesus done for you in your life? Just as the leper was healed of his disease, you have been healed of the disease of sin. Don't hold that message in; instead, go and tell others what Jesus has done for you with great joy!
The Role Of A Lifetime
We grow up when we see our life and our role from God's perspective; when we thank God for the role He has assigned us and begin to see our cup as a gift instead of a cross; when each morning we ask, "God, how can I glorify You today in my given role?"
--Linda Dillow, Calm My Anxious Heart
Free Tax Appointments
Miles City Public Library
Tuesday and Wednesday
Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Appointments: Call 406-234-1496 to schedule your appointment today.
AARP Foundation: Free Tax-Aide
Stewardship Ministry
The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod
If any of the Ten Commandments might tempt us to think that keeping the law is easy, it would be the Fifth Commandment. After all, how hard is it to get through life without murdering someone? The vast majority of people can handle that!
But Jesus famously blows up this notion by pointing out that the command "you shall not murder" goes much deeper—down to the heart.
You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be liable to judgment." But I say to you that everyone angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, "You fool!" will be liable to the hell of fire. (Matthew 5:21–22)
Hatred and disdain come from the same sort of crookedness of heart as murder. With both murder and hatred, you look down on another person and think of them as of little worth.
In the Small Catechism, Luther also points out that every "do not" in the commandments also includes a "do this." "We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body but help and support him in every physical need" (SC, Fifth Commandment, emphasis added).
We are not called merely to avoid evil; we must also do positive good.
So when Jesus drew near to us and became our neighbor by taking up our humanity, He came not only to avoid harming us, but He came to positively help us, bless us, and serve us.
We are now called to show the love to our neighbors that Christ showed us. Your neighbor is yet another gift that God has given you that requires your stewardship. We are called to show mercy, to be kind, and to love and serve our neighbor. One aspect of this stewardship is financial: our neighbors need us to support the church's work so that they can hear the gospel and come to faith. Our neighbors need the church's alms and mercy work. Our neighbors need our faithful service in all we do in the name of Christ.
- LCMS Stewardship Ministry: lcms.org/stewardship
Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." There's the ultimate word on stewardship: your heart goes where you put the treasure that God has given you to manage in this life.
Thrivent Members
You are asked to designate their Thrivent Choice $'s. This must be done annually. Have your member ID or contract number available. Call 1-800-847-4836 and, when prompted, say "Thrivent Choice." Please designate your dollars to Trinity Lutheran Classical School, Miles City, MT, or Trinity Lutheran Church, Miles City, MT. For help, contact Rep. Jessica Cayko at 1-406-433-2689 or Elnora O. at 406-234-6211. Thank you for your support.
Thrivent Action Grants
Each member of Thrivent is eligible to apply for two $250 Action Team grants per year for the local community or world mission ministry of their choice. The money comes in the form of a $250 pre-paid VISA card to be used to purchase service project materials, food for dinners, advertising, etc. If you have recently applied for and received a Thrivent grant to help with some project, be it a local or world mission, please inform the office so we may mention it in our bulletin or newsletter.
You may contact Elnora Ottenbacher at 406-234-6211 for help in applying for one of these grants online. Grants must be applied for a minimum of 21 days in advance of the event, although it is best to apply at least 30 days in advance.
Tune into The Lutheran Hour each Sunday at 8:00 a.m. on radio station KIKC 101.3 FM, Forsyth, MT, or at 3:00 p.m. on radio station KGLE 590, Glendive, MT.
Please encourage shut-ins and others to tune in, and also thank the radio stations for these airings.
God's Love
How would you finish this sentence: "Romantic love is..."?
Hearts and flowers? Hearts, flowers—and a box of chocolates? Is romantic love a walk together in the rain? A picnic in a field of daffodils? A stroll along a moonlit beach? Someone's hand to hold on a cold night as the logs in the fireplace snap, pop, and crackle?
Poems and songs quite often celebrate romantic love using images just like these. In every place, every time, and in every language, romantic love is the stuff of sonnets, plays, and even legends. Romantic love sweeps you off your feet. It puts your heart in your throat and your head in the clouds. Who wouldn't want that?
Some people want that so much that they fall in love with being in love rather than in love with a person. Once the romantic love fades, they start to lose interest in the person. Romantic love can be great while it lasts. But, as perhaps most of us have learned from experience, romantic love rarely lasts.
You see, when there are diapers to be changed—in the nursery or the nursing home—romantic love puts on its shoes and walks out the door. Frankly, romantic love doesn't do diapers. Romantic love doesn't do the Urgent Care waiting room, either, and when there are dishes to be done, paint to be scraped, or parent-teacher conferences to attend, romantic love is usually nowhere to be found.
Now, that's bad news, to be sure. I wouldn't blame you if, right about now, you were thinking, "Well, that's not quite the uplifting message I was expecting to hear." It's not my intention to rain on your picnic, wilt your daffodils, or leave you with a box of empty chocolate wrappers. If you find yourself in the throes of romantic love right now, by all means, enjoy it. Carpe diem! Seize the day! Enjoy the sonnets and the cracking in the fireplace.
But as you enjoy, remember! Remember that ultimately, enduring love is what we want. Enduring love is what we need. All of us enjoy romantic love, but most of us recognize our deep yearning for love that lasts, for love that endures, for love that keeps on going long after sweet feelings fade.
If you're looking for love like that, you need deeper love—love that's much more substantial than romantic love. You need love like this:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
God's kind of love is patient. It is kind. It does not boast or envy. God's love is not arrogant, rude, self-seeking, or resentful. God's kind of love doesn't deceive others, but instead finds joy in the truth. God's love never fails. It prevails. Forever. (Read 1 Corinthians 13:4–7.)
Consistent, authentic, mature, and enduring love did not begin with any human being. It wasn't our idea. We couldn't conjure it up in our hearts. That kind of love comes only from God. It existed in the heart of God before He began creating our universe. He is the One who fills human hearts with true love, but even that love is only a shadow of His love. The love of God is a fierce, committed love. His love had no beginning, and it will never end. This is God's love for you!
This love gave it all it had, pouring itself out—for you and me, doing that for us when we deserved it the least. In fact, this love died for us when we did not merit it in any way. This love died for us when we scorned, mocked, and rejected it. This love died so we could truly live, live forever, be forgiven, and be free.
Love like that—God's love—never quits. It never gives up. It just keeps on going, through thick and thin, because, as the apostle John tells us, "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Giving, caring, sheltering, comforting, and forgiving—all this and much more besides—is our triune God's nature. It's who he is. It's who he has always been.
From all eternity, this God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has loved you. From all eternity, He has held you in His heart. Do you need proof? Then look to Christ on Calvary, arms outstretched. There, on His cross, is love personified—love in person. There, on the cross, is enduring love in the person of our Savior, Jesus.
CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization but not for resale. The Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. CTA: His Message, Your Mission.
Shining His Light
The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27:1
There's nothing quite as beautiful as a stained-glass window with the afternoon sun beaming through it. But did you know that the colored glass isn't technically a window at all? A stained-glass window with no light source behind it is dark, colorless, and opaque. Light passes through windows. But stained glass catches light. The light intensifies each part of the design. Without the light, it's impossible to see the masterpiece.
In medieval times, stained-glass windows were used to teach an illiterate population about God. When light shone through the glass, the individual pieces of colored glass captured the light, telling stories about God's people who had lived long before. The gospel message was displayed in deep reds, rich blues, brilliant greens, and sparkling gold.
Some stained glass has been around for centuries, and even aged glass remains beautiful. As long as light gleams through the finely cut shapes, the colors never lose their luster. They continue to awe and delight.
Senior adults who love the Lord are a little like stained glass. It isn't the light from the sun overhead that makes you special. Rather, it's the Sonlight of Jesus Christ shining into your lives, creating living works of art in response to His love.
Like Christians of all ages, you have looked at God's perfect law and realized you couldn't keep even one of His commands. Through faith, you've trusted in Jesus' sinless death on the cross—a death that made us right again with God. You know and believe three important things:
God will keep His promise to give you the gift of life with Him in heaven when life on this earth ends. (See Jude 1:20–21.) Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, your lives shine with the real blood of Christ, who died to win that life for you.
God will not only keep His promise of life in heaven; He has kept His promises for this life too. Your Lord has been there for you in good times and bad, never abandoning you. (See Psalm 59:16; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20.) The bright green hues of God's faithfulness to you permeate your life.
No one can go it alone. As an insider to tragedy, life's inequities, and loss, you've learned—sometimes the hard way—that when Christ isn't part of the equation, your life becomes dark and colorless. But when the Lord's presence radiates through you, the golds and blues of peace light up each difficult challenge.
Like stained glass windows, you are filled with sun and have a brilliant story to tell. In the Old Testament, God commanded the elders to teach the young. (See Deuteronomy 4:9.) You have that same joyous responsibility. You have experienced God's grace in your life. You still do! So make the gospel message known to those around you!
But where to start? Start with those closest to you. Many of you are grandparents or have nieces, nephews, or neighbors within your sphere of influence. Many of you enjoy seeing and interacting with the children right here in our church. Children are vessels built by God to collect the wisdom you have to share. The bright colors of your love and care will capture their attention. It will model Jesus' own love and care for them. Your life will serve as an example they will emulate when they themselves are parents and grandparents.
What can you share? You can share insights about life, the beauty of a speckled rock, the glory of a sunset, the dubious humor of a knock-knock joke, and even stories from your own childhood—the ancient days of long ago before the wireless Internet and iPhones! In other words, you can share almost anything. Most importantly, you can shine with the brilliant love of Jesus. Your words can radiate the vivid hues of the gospel story of God's love for His children.
We live in confusing times. Where everyone used to see clearly between right and wrong, many people now detect many shades of gray. The 'truths" the world proclaims often conflict with God's word. You have the joy and responsibility to explain that God's ways are best. Your own life experiences can serve as examples, pointing children to a loving God who blesses those who honor Him and forgives us on the cross of His Son when we fail.
Your role in this life is important. God's light shines through you, making your life vibrant and attractive—a masterpiece! Through you, the beauty of the Word is passed on and revered; through you, a godly heritage is preserved. Go and share your stories, your inspiration, and your faith.
CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization but not for resale. Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible. CTA: His Message, Your Mission.
"Be gracious to me."
Lenten Series
Our Lenten series centers around Psalm 41, where God's grace wells up and King David exults God, tracing the flow of divine grace from the source to its believers. He watches the current flow and spring forth in the lives of all believers through baptism. Discover how Christ's sufferings are your sufferings, and more importantly, how David's words in Psalm 41 have become your reality through Christ. In the day of trouble, the Lord delivers you. The Lord protects you and keeps you alive. You are called blessed in the land.
Join us each Wednesday throughout Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14th, for supper served from 5:30–6:30 p.m. and worship at 7 p.m.
One
"There is one body and one spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6
Lenten Devotions
Written by Rev. Dan Jacobs, Crow Agency, MT.
A limited number of these devotional booklets will soon be available on the table in the narthex. Be sure to pick one up to help you on your Lenten journey.
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