May 18: A Weekly Word - Summer Faith Life


 

This Sunday, May 22, is the Sixth Sunday of Easter

This week’s sermon will be: New Jerusalem

This week’s readings are:

Acts 16:9-15

Revelation 21:9-14,21-27

John 16:23-33

Psalm 67


Message: Summer Faith Life

The church’s schedule is influenced by the local school’s schedule.

-        Summer Programs like VBS. www.gloriadeihudson.org 

o   2 in ‘22 - Starting the week of June 13

-        Young families – vacation.

o   As do many others since the weather is nicer.

Decreased attendance

-        2019

-        June to Mid-August about 165.

-        Mid-March to June about 220.

-        Picks back up after the kids go back to school.

Decreased attendance does not mean that our faith life needs to decrease.

-        Word and Sacrament are a priority!

Some ideas to bolster your faith life in the summer.

-        Find a local church on your vacation and worship with them.

-        Add a time of prayer and Bible reading.

o   A Psalm every morning and evening.

o   Paul’s epistles.

o   Pick a prophet – or Twelve.

o   Work through a Prayer Book

§  Lutheran Book of Prayer

§  A Diary of Daily Prayer by John Baillie (This link is for the modern version. If you want the original you will have to search somewhere like eBay.) 

o   The Lord’s Prayer

-        Read some “Christian” Literature

o   C.S. Lewis

o   Dostoevsky

o   Flannery O’Connor

o   A lot of great literature has strong Christian themes.

-        Practice some devotion to the Creator by serving His creation.

o   Garden

o   Watch birds

o   Take a hike

o   Clean up litter

o   All with the thought of being fellow creatures.

The devil, the world and our flesh do not take the summer off!

-        We still need what Jesus gives.

-        Give yourself some grace … literally!

Comments

Unknown said…
Thanks, Pastor. Great inspiration as we get overwhelmed sometimes with all the summer activities, work and play. Taking a stroll on a CVNP trail seems to be good for my soul and reminding me of all our Blessings.
Dave Lutz