Today’s readings invite us into seeing prosperity with the eyes of God. First, we hear how God delights in our fruitfulness and ask God to show us the ways and teach us the paths. The Gospel story of the merciful Samaritan shows us in what kind of fruitfulness God finds delight. Remember: The story of the Samaritan, the priest, and the Levite (uh-oh, sounds like a joke is coming) is a parable and parables are always mysteries. What will the Holy Spirit reveal to you this Sunday in this parable? Will you learn more about God who relentlessly cares for those in need, who embraces us with tender compassion? Jesus is not just reminding us to be nice, helpful, and generous. He is proclaiming the good news that God’s grace comes to us even—and especially—when we are at our worst, even before we cry out for help.

SUNDAY:  July 14
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship

MONDAY: July 15
10 am – 3 pm: GiF Retreat at Jericho Hills
7 pm – Quilt Guild in Fireside Room

TUESDAY: July 16
Noon: CTS Women’s Bible Study
(location to be announced)
4:30 pm – CTS Task Force

WEDNESDAY: July 17

THURSDAY: July 18
9 am – FLC Quilting
7 pm – Slavic Worship

FRIDAY: July 19
Office Closed
Newsletter Deadline

SATURDAY: July 20

NEXT SUNDAY:  July 21
Cinnamon Roll Sunday
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship

Doug Thiel is leading worship today at Christ the Servant. Don’t think this is a good time to stay home. He needs people to assist with the worship and provide support. Doug is a natural leader. The theme for the day is “Follow me.” Love is the whole of the law and we are called to follow Jesus and live the love he shows.
The annual 4^th of July ecumenical worship on the square in Chariton will be held today at 2 p.m. (It was too late to change our plans at First Lutheran by the time we discovered it would not be a morning service.) Don’t know the theme, but you will worship, and…………enjoy ice cream after the service.

SUNDAY:  June 30
11 am – Worship at Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship
2 pm – Chariton Community Worship on the square
followed by ice cream social
(Please note: there will not be a service at the First
Lutheran Church on June 30.)

MONDAY: July 1

TUESDAY: July 2
1:30 pm – CTS Women’s Bible Study at CTS

WEDNESDAY: July 3

THURSDAY: July 4
4th of July Holiday
Office Closed

FRIDAY: July 5
Office Closed

SATURDAY: July 6

NEXT SUNDAY:  July 7
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
10:15 am – Executive Committee at FLC
1 pm – Slavic Worship

We feel powerless when life’s storms rage about us. Despite our best efforts, we cannot navigate those dangers without the hand of God to guide and free us. In the gospel, the man with demons was unable to help himself. His affliction had caused him to be chained and shackled by his community. He remained helpless and ostracized on his own until he was freed by the power of God in Christ. Even though he was an outsider from the land of the Geresenes, Jesus came to his aid. He cast out the legion of demons in the man and sent them into the nearby herd of pigs, who then flung themselves off the bank. Though that dramatic event caused fear and confusion, the man was at last set free and commissioned by Jesus as a witness to his stunning liberation. Hear the good news on Sunday as our readings recount the journey of faith from bondage to freedom, from separation to unity, from death to new life. And this is a path open to all, no matter who we are or from where we’ve come.

SUNDAY:  June 23
Holy Communion
9 am – First, Chariton
11 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship

Pastor Sally out of town June 23 – July 1.
In case of emergency, please call Pastor Sally
on her cell phone (906-231-0048).
All other needs, please call Wendy during office hours (641-774-4875).  After hours, please call Gayle Bortz (641-203-0677).

MONDAY: June 24

TUESDAY: June 25

WEDNESDAY: June 26
Wendy will be out of the office
due to an appointment.

THURSDAY: June 27
7 pm – Slavic Worship

FRIDAY: June 28
Office Closed

SATURDAY: June 29

NEXT SUNDAY:  June 30
11 am – Worship at Christ the Servant, Corydon
1 pm – Slavic Worship
2 pm – Chariton Community Worship on the square
followed by ice cream social
(Please note: there will not be a service at the First Lutheran Church on June 30.)