Dear friend,
It was a great Reformation Sunday yesterday at Bethlehem, as we heard once again the beautiful news of the saving Gospel: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” This is the central truth of the universe!
We also enjoyed a positive and harmonious voters meeting, where a deficit budget was adopted for 2026. The good news in that? The Lord is supplying all that we need to carry out the ministry He has called us to! There is no lack when the Good Shepherd provides. That could include a new electronic message board for the church—following prayerful consideration, a decision will be made by the voters on November 16.
Until then, we have opportunities this week to be connected to Christ in Community with Compassion. Wednesday’s GracePlace will include Bible study of Revelation 2 with the objective of hearing how the Lord speaks to our church today. Food and conversation at 5, Bible study at 6, Prayer at 7.
This coming Sunday will be celebrated as All Saints Day with Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. If you would like to remember a Christian family member or friend who died since last November, call or email the church office with their name this week.
You can pray this prayer penned by George Matheson (1842-1906):
O Thou, who hast taught us to seek first Thy kingdom and its righteousness, teach me to say, “Thy will be done” before I say, “give me my daily bread.” Teach me to accept Thy will as the foundation of my happiness, and other things as only its superstructure. I am more afraid of the hunger of the body than of the hunger of the spirit. Convince me that it would not profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul. Show me that it is only the possession of my soul that makes the possession of the world any gain. Impress me with the truth that nothing can give me joy, if I myself am not already joyful. Inspire me with the knowledge that the issues of life are not from without but from within. Guide me into the discovery that the pleasures at Thy right hand are the only things that are “pleasures for evermore.” Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Heckmann
