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).

Trusting God’s Kingdom
^“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8).” Want to know how your pastor actually ended up in your faith community? It’s a long story, but a short sermon.
We gather around the Gospel each Sunday even when the sermon is based on another reading. In today’s reading from Luke, Jesus promises the kingdom to us, his little flock, straining our minds with this uninhibited generosity. Even to us, so little and undeserving? Even to us, in the face of so many things to be afraid of? Suddenly everything we hold dear in this world is repriced, and the true value of things becomes plainly clear. In Christ, God has freely given us the kingdom.
So, why not sell our possessions and give to those in need?

SUNDAY:  August 11
9 am – First, Chariton
10 am – Christ the Servant, Corydon
CTS will be worshiping at the Ecumenical
Worship Service for Old Settler’s Day on
the Corydon square.
There will not be a worship service
at the Corydon church building
on this day.
10:15 am – Executive Committee at FLC
1 pm – Slavic Worship
6 pm – Lutheran Adult Fellowship

MONDAY: August 12
2 pm – Laplanders Quilt Guild at CTS
6:30 pm – Council at FLC

TUESDAY: August 13
8 am – Breakfast Gals
9 am-3 pm:  Blanket Making at CTS
5 pm – Lucas Co. “Back to School” Night
at Carpenter’s Hall

WEDNESDAY: August 14

THURSDAY: August 15
9 am – FLC Quilting
7 pm – Slavic Worship

FRIDAY: August 16
9 – 11 am – CCC at CTS
Office Closed
Newsletter Deadline

SATURDAY: August 17

NEXT 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.