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6/12/11 sermon reflections

6/10/2011

Hello once again…

Events are moving faster than my packing process. According to my last conversation with the moving company they will need to load my things onto a van on Friday the 17th rather than Monday the 20th. This is because I will be sharing the van with a UM pastor in Council Bluffs who wants to move out before the flood waters get in the way. That means that I will have to leave AFTER the farewell on Sunday the 19th in order to meet the truck in Washington on Monday.

What this means is that I now need help with packing. If you can help out during any of these times please show up at the parsonage—Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to noon or those same evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Don’t worry if you aren’t up to heavy lifting; some of what I need done is sorting and shredding paperwork.

The Administrative Council meeting is this Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Vacation Bible School registration is in the city park on Saturday the 18th. VBS itself will be at the Christian Church Monday through Friday, June 20-24. A light evening meal will be served for students, helpers, and teachers.

Remember in prayer

•       Those who are battling cancer or are seriously ill
•       Persons recovering from surgery
•       Persons grieving the loss of loved ones
•       For the communities, businesses, and churches along the Missouri River
•       Our church family and Pastors Karen Hoff and Shirley Textor in this time of transition

For this Sunday (12th)

•       Scripture: Acts 2:1-20
•       Sermon Title: “When God’s People Gather”

Reflection

This is Pentecost Sunday; the birthday of the church. WEAR RED! If you need to know why red is the color of the day Kyler Rieken can explain it to you!
This particular biblical account takes place when the believers are gathered together in prayer; does this have something to say about the importance of God’s people gathering together in worship, fellowship, service, or even PACKING!
What difference does it make when individuals and the church receive the Holy Spirit.? What does it give them the power to do? Have you experienced this power? It’s part of what it means to be saved!

LOVE & JOY
TEXtor

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Sermon Reflections for 4/24/11

4/20/2011

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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 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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6/12/11 sermon reflections

Sermon Reflections for 4/24/11

Sermon Reflections for 4/10/11

Sermon Reflections for 12/26/10

Sermon Reflections for 12/19/10

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