May 17 - Four Things on Friday


Four Things on Friday
May 17, 2019

An Interesting Article/Podcast
I recently discovered a couple podcasts by LCMS pastors. There is a team of six or seven pastors who regularly appear in this podcast, although there are two who are regulars: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide. I am intrigued by this group partly because most of the pastors did not grow up Lutheran – and one wasn’t even a Christian until later in life. That’s very different from my experience at seminary and it makes me hopeful. None of the participants have been in the ministry for very long – maybe five years at the most – but they have great zeal for mission, ministry, and theology. This episode on Mission in America was particularly interesting and inspiring.

Bible Passage I’m Pondering
Luke 10:41
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about much, but there is one need.” - Jesus (my translation)

One Good Thing This Week
Preschool graduation was Thursday, May 16. The church was packed with parents, grandparents and children. It was fantastic. The children dressed in little caps and gowns and they sang songs they had learned from their teachers, from Sharon Alberson, and from me. Several people talked to me afterward about how great their child’s experience has been in our Preschool.

One of the things that I am most proud of in that area of our ministry is our staff’s commitment to share the love of Jesus with these children. Yes, we do a very good job of preparing the children for kindergarten, and that is important! But the heart of our teachers is focused on helping those children know Jesus and how much He loves them. Part of that commitment is seen in the gift that every student who matriculates to kindergarten receives from the preschool. We give them a children’s Bible and encourage them to read it and ask the parents to read them to their children.

Our Scripture readings for Fifth Sunday of Easter are:
Over the years, I have learned that those who read the Scripture lessons and spend a little time thinking about them before church on Sunday get more out of the service.
The sermon is: More to Say

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