Dear beloved in Christ,

[Jesus said:] “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

So light is intended to be used by us in practical, needed ways.  Imagine moving the lamp from your living room and putting it in the hall closet, finding a way to turn it on, but then shut the closet door.  That’s crazy!  Light is a necessity for life.  Without it we would be miserable creatures.

He who is the one, true LIGHT, Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:5, 9; 9:5), calls us as His disciples to shine His light before the world.  He even calls us light, saying: “You are the light of the world.”  What a blessed and noble calling!  We are children of the LIght (Eph. 5:8-10) to shine His light before others–whenever and then wherever we are.  Always!  So that, when people observe us–what we say (CONFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH) and what we do (SHOWING KINDNESS AND LOVE IN CHRIST BY SHOWING MERCY TO OUR NEIGHBOR)–so doing these things…WE SHINE!  We shine JESUS!  That’s what people need the most.  People need to see our good works, in both words and deeds, so that they may see Jesus the Christ, because our good works that are done in faith are brilliant “lights” of Christ before the world.

I was told of the wonderful “Light-shining” done through our new Orphan Grain Train Branch (of which it is our honor and delight to have its warehouse right here in Terryville).  A local occupational therapist/visiting nurse revealed a particular need for one of her patients in Bristol.  He was a man–a double-amputee–in need of improved means for mobility.  Our Orphan Grain Train Branch provided for his use an electric wheelchair.  Two of our members delivered the chair to him and he joyfully received it.  A week later, the visiting nurse shared with our members how greatly that electric wheelchair changed his circumstance and life.  She shared how happy this man is and how grateful he is–even to the point of wanting to go and play billiards where he lives.  This is one example of how the Orphan Grain Train has been a blessing to people in our local area.  And it is another example of being a shining light of Christ to others.

Pray to the Lord our God that through faith in Christ, empowered by His Gospel, you and I would shine His Light in our daily lives.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our Church Schedule for the Week:

Tuesday:  6:30PM  Jr. Confirmation Class

                 7:00PM  Ladies of Holy Trinity

Wednesday:  10:00AM  Bible Study

                        6:45PM  Youth Pizza Night and Jumping at Flight (Oh my!!!)

Thursday:  7:00AM  Emmaus Walkers Men’s Bible Study

                  9:00AM  Pastors’ Circuit Conference at Immanuel – Bristol

                  6:00PM  Bible Study

                  7:00PM  Choir

Sunday:     9:00AM  Divine Service

                10:30AM  SS/Bible Study

We will observe LIFE SUNDAY this Sunday, January 18th.  Pastor’s Sermon Theme: “Speak Lord, for Your Servant Hears–Matters of the Heart” based on the Old Testament reading from 1 Samuel 3:1-10.  Pastor will lead a special Bible study on LIFE at 10:30AM.

Our annual Youth Grinder Sale is February 1st.  Grinder tickets are on sale.  Call the church office for more information.  Tickets are on sale after church on Sunday.  The absolute deadline for getting tickets is Sunday, January 25th.

We are very grateful for those who have given of their time to clean our church facility.  A January Cleaning Calendar is posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.  Please consider signing up for even a portion of the cleaning needs.

St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Hartford invites our church family to attend the Ordination and Installation Service of Kevin Mongeau this Sunday, January 18th at 3:00PM.  New England District President Rev. Timothy Yeadon will be conducting the Rite of Ordination and Installation and will preach the sermon.  A reception dinner will follow in the fellowship hall.

The Elders’ Meeting for January 20th has been moved to Tuesday, January 27th at 7:30PM.

SERVING THE LORD THIS WEEK:

Ushers:   Tom Wollenberg

                Dan Wollenberg

Elder:      Jeff Sonstroem

Altar:       Laurie Sonstroem

Acolyte:   Richeeba Frederick

Coffee:    S/S Radke

Have a blessed week in the Lord!

Pastor Kotila