Week of Thursday, May 23, 2002
• MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
• BRIEFS
Getting the most
from our ‘re-creation’
By PASTOR JONATHAN BOMGREN
Emmanuel Lutheran
Church
Ahh! Those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer."
The phrase is from a long time ago, but the "official"
beginning of that time many, if not most, of us call vacation is about to
begin with Memorial Day. I invite you to reflect with me on two things,
Memorial Day itself, and the days of "vacationing."
Years ago, shortly after the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend,
I was challenged as to why worship had not been more focused on the holiday
and remembering those who had served their country.
I replied that the church did indeed have a special day to
remember both those who had served their country and all those who have gone
before and that it was called All Saints Day. I think I may have missed a
point.
These days Memorial Day seems to have become nothing more
than a three-day weekend.
Roads are clogged with travelers, road rage increases, and
people seek to escape from the regular humdrum of life.
At the same time men and women of our armed forces are
engaged in combat that seems so far away that it doesn’t impact our little
corner of the world.
Sunday we offered prayers, as one of ours is about to ship
off to Afghanistan.
Surely we ought to keep those who have served and those who
serve in our thoughts and prayers. Equally we should be asking God for peace
throughout the world. Take some time this weekend to remember, not only our
own, but also those opposed to us, remembering Jesus’ words that we are to
pray for our enemy.
Shifting slightly. Have you ever heard someone say, I had to
get back to work to rest up from vacation? Take another look at our
vacationing and recreation. Think of it as re-creation.
A time God gives us to be renewed, spiritually and
physically as well. We are given a time to be refreshed and renewed in our
own being and in our relationships with one another. Relax in the beauty of
creation and be renewed and refreshed by the very gift of time.
Working at having fun and vacation is simply an oxymoron. So
as some teens remind me, just "chill."
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY
The Christian Science Society,
123 N. Adams, will meet at 10:30
a.m. May 26 for a church service for the lesson-sermon "Soul and Body."
Sunday School for young people up to the age of 20 years to become familiar
with the Bible meets at the same time. The Christian Science Reading Room is
located in the church edifice. For information, call 483-3314.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
The Rev. Randy Johnson will
preach at the 9:30 a.m. May 26 worship service at First Baptist Church,
1110 W. Cross, with Sunday school beginning at 11 a.m. The evening
praise service begins at 6 p.m. A Bible study will be held at 7 p.m. May 28
and the women’s Bible study meets at 9:30 a.m. May 29. The choir rehearses
at 7 p.m. May 29 and the men’s Bible study meets at 7:30 a.m. on June 1. For
information, call 482-7380.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Education for all ages begins
at 9:30 a.m. May 26 at First Presbyterian Church, 300 N. Washington,
with the worship service at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Keith Geiselman will be
preaching. For information, call 482-1525.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Rev. Ventra Asana will be
preaching at the 9:45 a.m. worship service on May 26 at First United
Methodist Church, 209 Washtenaw. Nursery care is provided during worship
and Sunday school is at 10 a.m. For more information, call 482-8374.
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
The summer worship schedule
begins this Sunday, May 26 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 201 N. River,
with Holy Communion being offered at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Bomgren will be
preaching. Child care is available for this service. For more information
call 482-7121.
BURNING BUSH CHURCH
The Burning Bush Church,
2069 Tyler Road, is sponsoring the annual
XARA Conference (pronounced haar-rah, the Greek word for joy). The
conference will take place from June 10 through June 13 with nightly
services beginning at 7 p.m. The conference will feature gospel singer and
preacher Marvin Sapp, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels and Bishop Brian Keith
Williams. The event will also feature several other gospel music artists.
Activities will be available for children and youth as well. For more
information contact the church office at 487-7054. |
