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Sermon Reflections for 4/24/11

4/20/2011

Holy Week greetings…

Worship on Palm Sunday captured both the essence of the Parade of Palms and the story of Jesus’ Passion. We celebrated with palm leaves and a song by our children along with baptism and confirmation. Then, through scripture and meditation we entered into the solemnity of Holy Week. And we left worship having been inspired once again by the DVD “Watch the Lamb”. After worship three families gathered together for a potluck in honor of our new members. The food was abundant and delicious!

You still have these Holy Week opportunities

Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. at the Congo UCC Church; sponsored by the RCA
Saturday prayer vigil; we have lots of empty spaces on our signup sheet. If you are willing to fill a half-an-hour prayer period contact the church office. If you will be out of town you can still offer prayers at a time most convenient for you. Prayer guides are now available.
Easter sunrise service at the Carson cemetery followed by breakfast at the Carson community center begins at 6:30 a.m.; in case of rain the service will be at the community center
Sunday School and worship are at their usual times Easter Sunday; adult choir practice is at 9:30 a.m.

This week please pray for

Bev Zuch’s mother, Bea, who is now responding and making small improvements each day
Rev. Textor while on vacation April 26 through May 10 and for Merlin Jones who is in charge of worship May 1
The appointment of our new pastor
Peace in Libya and other “hot spots” around the world

For this Sunday (24th)

Scripture: John 20:1-18
Sermon Title: “Rising to the Occasion”

Reflection

What do the hymn “I Come to the Garden Alone” and our scripture message for today have in common?
What does it mean to rise to the situation or to rise above it?
In light of his betrayal and denial, his false arrest and crucifixion, how did Jesus rise to the occasion?
Consider how this statement relates to today’s scripture—“Resurrection picks us up when we are let down.

LOVE & JOY

TEXtor

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Sermon Reflections for 4/10/11

4/7/2011

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Would you believe—Holy Week is just around the corner!

Two coming church events you don’t want to miss out on—Confirmation on Palm Sunday April 17 and Saturday May 14 for activities to show our appreciation for the community of Oakland.

This week please pray for

The ongoing threat of radiation in Japan
Peace in Libya and other “hot spots” around the world
Edith Haines, Don Eylers and others who are recovering for surgery
The mothers of Chuck and Bev Zuch and others who are hospitalized
Our church staff: Sheryl is on her third round of bronchitis and Gordon’s leg is refusing to heal.
Nancy Allen, a retired pastor friend of mine, who was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma

For this Sunday (10th)

Scripture: John 11:17-27, 32-44
Sermon Title: “Called Out of the Tomb”

Reflection

For further light on this scripture read John 11:1-53
Why was it dangerous for Jesus to go to Lazarus’ family?
What did Martha believe when she first visited with Jesus?
Whom did she finally recognize Jesus to be?
What did people say about Jesus when he wept?
What did Jesus do for Lazarus?
Do we have any tombs Jesus needs to command us to come out of?
How did the Pharisees react to Jesus for bring Lazarus back to life?

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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sermon reflections for 1/16/11

1/14/2011

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Greetings friends,

Our service of baptismal renewal Sunday was very meaningful. Sorry if weather or other concerns kept you away.

By now you’ve received word that I will be retiring as of June 30. That will mean changes for you and for me. Right now my intention is to move to Southeast Iowa. When I know more I’ll let you know. Also, your Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee is working with the District Superintendent, Brian Milford, to make way for a new pastor. When they know more, they’ll let you know!

This week our specific prayer concerns include Ilene Parkhill (out of hospital, will have port put in place, hopes to resume chemo soon), Gordon Frizzell (broken bone in leg), Jim Johnson (hospitalized in Jenny Ed for gall bladder removal), Mark Martens (slow progress with migraine headaches and back problems), Wanda Seydel (Shirley’s preacher friend confined to bed until further notice), Roma Smith family (her funeral is this week), and victims of recent shootings (Millard, Nebraska and Tucson, Arizona).

Check the newsletter--if you are on the church officer list be sure to save Sunday, January 23 from noon to 3:00 p.m. for our annual program planning event. This is a chance to touch base with your work committee and determine how your group can support our 2011 church goals. Also, be thinking—how can we extend our ministries into the community? The lunch will be catered.

Members of the Administrative council, you will begin your regular monthly meetings Thursday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m.

For this Sunday (16th)

•       Scripture: John 1:29-42
•       Sermon Title: Take This Name and Live It

For Reflection

1.      What do you think John meant when he called Jesus the Lamb of God?
2.      What other titles are given Jesus in this scripture passage?
3.      How did Peter come to know Jesus?
4.      Have you ever had an “Andrew” introduce you to Jesus?
5.      Have you ever been an “Andrew” for someone else?
6.      In what ways can you live out the name Christian?

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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Sermon Reflections for 12/26/10

12/21/2010

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Season’s greetings everyone!

On the 19th I turned a year older. So far I don’t feel it! Thanks for your greetings, gifts, cards, prayers and best wishes; also for singing Happy Birthday to me during our Sharing of Joys.

If you didn’t make it to our Sunday School Christmas program, you missed out on some good singing and a meaningful message. You also missed out on kids being kids-- several struggles for control of microphones a tearfully reluctant Mary; a wandering wise man and another with his crown stuck over his ears, an angel crawling under the Communion rail, etc. I’m really sorry you had to miss out.

Our Christmas Eve Candle Light worship service begins at 10:00 p.m. Friday. Hopefully the snowy weather will be over before that. Thanks to everyone who will be helping make this an inspirational and meaningful occasion.

Sunday we’ll be singing a number of Christmas carols (pp. 217-254 in our hymnbook). Be ready to choose your favorites.

This week be sure to offer up prayers for our members or friends serving in the military; especially those who will not be able to celebrate Christmas or the New Year with family.

For this Sunday (26th)
•       Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23
•       Sermon Title: Holy Refugees

For Reflection
1.      What events surrounding your celebration of Christmas will likely be less than perfect?
2.      What events surrounding the birth of Jesus were less than picture-perfect?
3.      How did Herod react to the news that a new king was to be born? Does that kind of behavior
             happen in our time?
4.      What part did “divine intervention” play in this scripture passage?

God is with us—let’s celebrate!

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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Sermon Reflections for 12/19/10

12/14/2010

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Hi Friends!

Not much to report this week

We had to cancel our “movie night” on the 11th because of the weather.
We’re in for a treat this Sunday (19th) during worship—the Sunday School Christmas program!
The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is Friday the 24th at 10:00 p.m.
During the worship service Sunday the 26th you’ll have the chance to choose some of your favorite Christmas carols to sing

This week be sure to offer up prayers for our members or friends who are homebound or in nursing homes or living in assisted living.

For this Sunday (19th)

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon: none

For Reflection

1.      Before they were married Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant—but not by him! What
            led him to go ahead and marry her?
2.      Why was the child to be called Jesus?
3.      What does Emmanuel/Immanuel mean?

Blessings on you!

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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Sermon Reflections for 12/12/10

12/10/2010

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It’s me again…

Don’t forget our movie night this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. We’re showing a movie for the young at heart—“The Santa Claus” with Tim Allen. This is an occasion for all age groups so come and bring guests with you. The movie is free, and there will be cookies and drinks available at intermission for a free will offering.

Our Sunday School Christmas program will be during worship the 19th. The Christmas Eve Service is Friday the 24th at 10:00 p.m.

Please pray for Ilene Parkhill who has gone to stay with her daughter in Virginia for the duration of her chemo treatments. Her address will be in this Sunday’s bulletin. Also keep in mind Shirley Frizzell. Her knee replacement is doing well, but she has had a prolonged stay in the hospital to get her potassium level back on an even keel. In addition, several families who have lost loved ones recently can use your prayers and words of support.

For this Sunday (12th)
•       Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10
•       Scripture: Matthew 11:2-6
•       Sermon Title: Signs of the Kingdom

For Reflection
1.      This is the third Sunday of Advent; the theme is joy. Where do you see joy reflected in our scripture passages?
2.      What words and phrases in these two scriptures are similar?
3.      Why do you think John the Baptist might have been wondering if Jesus was really the Messiah?
4.      How did Jesus respond to John’s question?
5.      The sermon has to do with signs of the kingdom. Where do you find signs of the presence of God’s kingdom in our time and in our midst?

May you be blessed as you wait and prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and at the same time live in anticipation of his glorious appearance and final triumph.

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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Sermon Reflections for 4/24/11

Sermon Reflections for 4/10/11

sermon reflections for 1/16/11

Sermon Reflections for 12/26/10

Sermon Reflections for 12/19/10

Sermon Reflections for 12/12/10

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