Radical Love Triumphs
What stories will you hear this Sunday? For most of human history wisdom was largely part of an oral tradition. From one generation to the next, wisdom was passed down. These days it sometimes seems that we can have wisdom at our fingertips—maybe. Could it be that something is lost in the process?  In the Gospel story, we hear how Jesus lifts up the mysteriously gracious and life-transforming values of the kingdom of God. Jesus lifts up the humility required to take the lowest seat at the table. Jesus invites his followers to practice the hospitality that offers the finest of foods for people who cannot repay. Jesus invites his followers to embody the kind of radical-yet-relational love of Jesus himself. This radical love is taught by both individuals and congregations. Communities of faith by their practices of generosity and compassion embody the love of Jesus in their communities. A special service for God’s special people.

SUNDAY:  September 1
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship

Pastor David Aanonson will be filling the pulpit on Sunday, September 1, at Chariton and Corydon.

MONDAY: September 2
Labor Day Holiday
Office Closed

TUESDAY: September 3
10 am – FLC Worship Committee
11:30 am – Lucas Co. ICC at Russell Methodist
1:30 pm – CTS Women’s Bible Study at CTS

WEDNESDAY: September 4
1:30 pm – Prayer Shawl Ministry at FLC

THURSDAY: September 5
7 pm – Slavic Worship

FRIDAY: September 6
Office Closed

SATURDAY: September 7

NEXT SUNDAY:  September 8
“God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
10:15 am – FLC Sunday School Begins
10:15 am – Executive Committee at FLC
1 pm – Slavic Worship
6 pm – Lutheran Adult Fellowship at FLC

Our 150^th Anniversary will be celebrated on 
Sunday, September 15, 2019
                9 am – Coffee and Conversation 
                10 am – Worship with
Bishop Michael Burk 
                              Joint Service for CTS & FLC
                11:30 am – Lunch served at
Carpenter’s Hall
Please RSVP for the lunch by September 8.  A sign-up form will be passed during all worship services prior to the celebration, or you can call or email the church office. (641-774-4875 or flcchariton@iowatelecom.net)
Please come and celebrate with us!

God’s use of Verbs
Through the lens of the gospel, today’s readings tell us what God is doing. What is God doing? God is reaching out to the bound-up to proclaim release from captivity. God is lifting up the oppressed. God is satisfying the needs of the afflicted. God raisesup foundations. God restores and rebuilds, reconciles and sets free. God, whose word can shake the very foundations of the earth, speaks a better word than we’ve ever heard, or that we could ever speak.
And, why is the prophet so confident that light will conquer darkness and needs will be satisfied? Because this is already God’s work, or as the prophet says, because “the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
These readings will help us to focus on the verbs, the actions, of God. They might make it easier to see and give witness to God’s work and all the verbs around us right now.

SUNDAY:  August 25
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship
2 pm – Homestead Service
3 pm – Chariton Specialty Care Service

Pastor Mark Mattes will be filling the pulpit on Sunday, August 25, at Chariton and Corydon, while Pastor Sally is on vacation.

PASTOR SALLY WILL BE on vacation out of state from AUGUST 25-31.  In case of an emergency, please call Wendy during office hours (641-774-4875).  After hours, please call Gayle Bortz (641-203-0677).

MONDAY: August 26

TUESDAY: August 27

WEDNESDAY: August 28

THURSDAY: August 29
7 pm – Slavic Worship

FRIDAY: August 30
Office Closed

SATURDAY: August 31

NEXT SUNDAY:  September 1
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship

Pastor David Aanonson will be filling the pulpit on Sunday, September 1, at Chariton and Corydon.

The Reality of Division
Really? Really? Today both congregations are gathering outside for worship. Music and liturgy will be informal and relaxed.

In that setting, together we will consider what the prophet Jeremiah, and Luke, our gospel story teller until December, have to say about fire and turning from anxious self-preservation to faithful self-giving. But this goes against our nature, so we see how conflict replaces Jesus’ peace-filled activity. In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks to the reality of division. It may be hard to hear. Jesus’ words are fiery and speak of broken relationships. He is telling the people to lay aside anxiety and greed. He is inviting them to turn their hearts to the true treasures of God’s promised kingdom.
And then, through God’s trusted prophet, Jeremiah, God challenges the false prophets who lie and deceive others. God’s compassion and yearning for a restored relationship with us, and among us, shows through.

While fully aware of the realities of conflict and division, we get to live as hopeful people, praying fervently for God’s compassion and for the restoration of right relationships.

SUNDAY:  August 18
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship

The services on August 18 will be held
outside on the church grounds at each location.
You might want to bring your lawn chairs!
* At First Lutheran, worship will be followed by brunch.  Please bring a main course or side dish to share (see note below regarding pie.)
* At Christ the Servant, worship will be followed by refreshments and a time of fellowship as usual.

THERE WERE 84 PIECES OF PIE LEFTOVER AND FROZEN FROM THE RAGBRAI PROJECT.  We will enjoy it as a congregation at First Lutheran on Sunday, August 18, at the brunch following our outdoor worship service.  Please consider bringing a main course or side dishes instead of desserts.

MONDAY: August 19
7 pm – Quilt Guild in Fireside Room

TUESDAY: August 20
Noon – CTS Women’s Bible Study
at Christ the Servant
3:30 pm – CTS Worship Committee
4:30 pm – CTS Task Force
6:30 pm – Southgate Service

WEDNESDAY: August 21
PASTOR SALLY WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE FROM AUGUST 21-24.  In case of an emergency, please call Wendy during office hours (641-774-4875).  After hours, please call Gayle Bortz (641-203-0677).

THURSDAY: August 22
Noon – Wayne Co. Ministers meet at LaBota’s
7 pm – Slavic Worship

FRIDAY: August 23
Office Closed

SATURDAY: August 24

NEXT SUNDAY:  August 25
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship
2 pm – Homestead Service
3 pm – Chariton Specialty Care Service

PASTOR SALLY WILL BE on vacation out of state from AUGUST 25-31.  In case of an emergency, please call Wendy during office hours (641-774-4875).  After hours, please call Gayle Bortz (641-203-0677).