SUMMER,
PRAYER AND OTHER THINGS.
I am writing this article just
before leaving on vacation. I hope you
have had some time this summer to slow
down and rest and contemplate the
goodness of the Lord during this
beautiful time of the year.
A few weeks ago in the 11th
chapter of Luke we heard the disciples
come to Jesus with a request, “teach
us to pray.” And Jesus honors that
by saying when you pray, say:
“Father hallowed be your name”…
From that moment on the church was
given its chief prayer that we love so
dearly. This chief prayer of the
church is the foundation for all other
prayers. For prayer is the very gift
of this loving relationship with Our
Father in heaven.
As I am preparing to go on vacation
I am thinking about things like, what
devotional materials to bring along,
and where to worship when we are on
the road. Sometimes prayer will take
place in the car, other times around
the camp fire, first thing in the
morning or last thing in the evening.
I will be praying for specific people,
the congregation and its mission at
Gloria Dei, and many other concerns.
But mostly I hope to slow down a bit
and give thanks to God for his
goodness, for the gift of daily bread,
for the Holy Spirit that helps me keep
the most hallowed name hallowed.
Prayer is God’s way of getting us to
slow down and to give ourselves
completely to his love.
Prayer is also a joyful time
because it is time spent first
listening to our loving Father and
then being bold enough even to speak.
What about you? How has your prayer
life been this summer? When you are
not able to be at Gloria Dei, you
certainly kept the Sabbath holy
elsewhere because that is what
Christians do. Have you enjoyed the
beautiful mornings in prayer? The
summer evenings at sunset can be
another great time to pray, or perhaps
the pause at midday. After all it was
at midday that God visited Abraham and
Sarah with surprising news. It was at
midday that this same God was
reconciling the world unto himself on
a cross outside Jerusalem. But
whenever you pray let it be
consistent, persistent, disciplined
and joyful. With this gift and
discipline of prayer Our Father in
heaven will surely surround you with
his peace, a peace that the world
cannot give.
By the goodness of the Lord
September will soon be here. I will be
looking forward to seeing you all
again, praying with you, sharing the
sacred meal with you and simply living
out our baptismal lives together in
the wonder and mystery of the Triune
God who teaches us how to pray.
Your brother in prayer,
Mark W. Knappe, Pastor
Rally
Sunday—September 9, 2007
at 10:15 a.m.
Worship on Thursday
at 7:00 p.m. & Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School &
Adult Education at 10:15 a.m.
Please join us for
Sunday School at 10:15 a.m.
on Sunday, September
9, 2007 for Rally Sunday festivities!
Join us for a brand new year filled
with exciting curriculum, lessons and
lots of FUN! Please come for Jesus is
inviting you to continue to grow in
His ways. We welcome all parents to
join their children for registration,
roasting marshmallows, refreshments,
and Pastor Mark’s discussion on
candles.
Ministry Night/All
Committee Night
on September 5th
Join us on September
5th for the next Ministry Night/
All Committee
Meetings at 7:00 p.m.
All are welcome,
become involved in your church!
Church Council
Meeting will be held on September
12th.
Vocal
Choir and Handbell Choir Practice
starting up in September!
Now is the time to start thinking
about your own abilities. Do you sing
in the shower or whistle a little tune
when you swing your hammer? Then you
may be the people Candy and I are
looking for. Working with a group of
people, to make music, could be the
most rewarding project you would ever
try. For me, it is like tilling a
garden, planting seeds, weeding, and
bearing fruit. We are all working
towards one goal and that goal is to
help the congregation to make music to
the worship and praise God.
Handbell choir practices are on
Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
starting September 13th.
Vocal choir practices are on Sunday
mornings starting September 2nd .
Check the bulletins for times because
they vary the first two weeks.
Any question contact Candy Ebling
at candy_ebling@yahoo.com or Kelly
Kuhl at 262-642-6303
Looking forward to seeing you,
Kelly Kuhl and Candy Ebling
