| Do you spend enough time with your family? It probably depends on what your family is like.
In the very last verses of his God-inspired letter to the Corinthians, Paul greeted that congregation as brothers—as family. God created the family and, when it functions as he designed it, you have a place like no other. So, what is a family supposed to be? Notice the five commands that Paul uses for His Corinthian church family. “Rejoice. Set things in order. Be encouraged. Agree with one another. Be at peace.” When God created family, he made a place where we can share joy. Family will reflect it, share it, and intensify it. That’s why we love to share good news with family. That’s why our Christian family worships together. We share the joy of God’s grace and salvation. Next, family is a place where things are put back the way they’re supposed to be. When your heart is broken, when your hopes are dashed—when life just isn’t the way it’s supposed to be—you come to family. That’s where people care. They will listen to you, support you, stick with you, correct you, and help make things right again. And when it’s your own fault, family forgives you. That’s why our Christian family learns together and admonishes each other. We grow together to be more like Christ and to share his love and his grace. Jesus came to make things right between us and God. We share that grace with each other. Third, he tells them to be encouraged. Pursing life can be a frightening proposition. Family reminds you that you can do it, that you’re not alone, that they will be right there with you, rain or shine. In our Christian family, God encourages us to remember that He is with us. With God, nothing is impossible. Our Good Shepherd is leading us right to the gates of heaven. Then he commands them to agree with one another. That doesn’t mean that there are no individual thoughts in a family. It means that there is such a thing as truth, God’s truth. We share that truth. That foundation of truth makes it possible for people with disparate opinions and personalities to support each other and to love each other. There is such a thing as right and wrong—and God wants us to live in the truth he reveals in His Word. That’s why we study Scripture—God reveals his truth to us and we walk together in it. Finally, He tells us to be at peace. Our family is our safe place. Family is where we belong, regardless of what anybody else thinks of us—even what we think of ourselves sometimes. Family is possible because God is with us—with his grace, his love, and his fellowship. Let’s get together with our family soon—and often. God has opened the doors. And he is there with us. 2 Corinthians 13:11–14 (EHV) 11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Set things in order. Be encouraged. Agree with one another. Be at peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13All the saints greet you. 14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
God bless you, Pastor Tesch
Worship at Trinity This Sunday and Monday, we have a chance to commune together! You can sign up for worship and communion here: https://trinitymarinette.com/events/communion-worship-service/ or you can respond to this email or call Pastor or call the church office to let us know which service you prefer. It is wise to wait a bit if you are at risk or would just like to wait for the pandemic to fade. God willing, we will worship together when he ends this plague. Here is this week’s bulletin: https://trinitymarinette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2020-05-31-Announcements-Pentecost-Sunday.pdf Don’t Forget – Our next Voters’ Meeting is scheduled for June 14 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. We’ll observe social distancing and we’ll be very sensitive to the length of the meeting. You will be able to pick up the agenda and the reports next Sunday in church or you can contact the office and we’ll send them to you!
If you would like to support the Lord’s work at Trinity, you may contribute at trinitymarinette.com/contribute or you can mail it to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 1501 Thomas St. Marinette, WI 54143 |
