“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” - Jeremiah 31:25
Summer is the time for rest and relaxation. The weather is usually nice. The kids are out of school. And many head to the outdoors to enjoy some time away from it all in God’s beautiful creation.
We all need time to unwind. In fact at the very beginning of time our all-knowing God set aside one day out of seven for rest. Rest is one of God’s good gifts. But like so many other gifts of God, it can be easily abused. This happens when our lives become consumed by planning, saving, or enjoying our next little get away. The Lord God will not put up with being “second place” in our hearts. We also misuse God’s gift of rest if we think that physical rest alone can strengthen our faith in Christ. God has not promised to draw us closer to himself through rest, recreation, or relaxation by themselves.
But God has promised to “refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” The Lord would do this in Jeremiah’s day by bringing his people back from exile in Babylon and by nurturing them on his promises of love and salvation. We enjoy lasting rest as we come to our Savior by listening to his life-giving Word. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 ). Here our souls are refreshed every time we are reminded of Jesus’ unconditional love for us. Even though at times we have lost focus of what’s truly important in our pursuit of personal pleasure and rest, Christ was willing to surrender every pleasure to suffer and die for us. In him we find the refreshment that comes from knowing that all of our sins have been forgiven and that God will one day bring us into everlasting rest in heaven.
As the summer winds down, I hope that you have had some time for rest. But as you find time for physical refreshment, don’t neglect God’s greatest refreshment. Try starting your day at the cabin with a cup of coffee next to your Bible, as you begin your day with the Word of God and prayer. Or hold an evening devotional service around the campfire with your family. Or try singing some hymns and reviewing memory verses as you cast fishing bait or hike along a path. And finally, make the most of every opportunity that you have to gather with fellow Christians for public worship and listen to your Savior’s voice that gives you the enjoyment of lasting refreshment.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of rest. Thank you most of all for the rest that my soul finds in your forgiving Word. Help me to always cherish that Word and to enjoy the lasting refreshment that you bring. Amen.
OUR SPECIAL OUTDOOR SERVICE will be held on Sunday August 22. We will have the service outside under the shade trees, weather permitting. In case of rain or real hot and humid weather, we will move inside. The service is planned for 10:00 a.m. All ushers are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the service to assist with parking, bulletins, etc. Members are asked to bring the following: lawn chairs, salad and dessert to pass, and one additional family or person.
The lunch will follow the service. We will have brats, hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as chips provided. Lemonade, root beer, and beer will also be available. For those who prefer a Roly Poly please sign up in church or call the church office. We are asking for a $5.00 donation to cover the costs of the food and beverages.
Following the lunch we have games planned for the kids as well as entertainment for the adults. This will be a fun-filled day.
Invitation flyers are available at church that you can give to your friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives, etc. You can even pass them around the neighborhood. Please note, there will NOT be a Monday service on Aug. 23.
SPECIAL CONCERT AUGUST 19: Christian singer, songwriter and recording artist Chris Driesbach will be in concert at Trinity – South Mequon on Thursday night August 19th at 7pm. He presently also serves Crown of Life Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Orleans as their musician. Chris will share his life story and the love of Jesus that reached out to him. He will share some of his thoughts as he was one of the first to enter the church after hurricane Katrina. A free will offering will be received. His CDs will also be available that evening. See the poster on the back of the calendar.
THE LADIES’ AID will meet on Wednesday, September 1, at noon. All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend. Please bring a sandwich. Dessert as well as coffee will be provided.
PUBLIC SCHOOL CONFIRMATION CLASSES will resume for the children in grades 6-8 on Wednesday September 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary in Thiensville. The 6th grade class will meet every week just as the 7th and 8th grade class does. All families who have children attending should receive letters shortly. If you did not receive a letter please speak to Pastor.
M-T BOWLING LEAGUE: We are planning to begin bowling on September 12 at 5:30 PM and bowl on the second Sunday of each month. Get your team together now. Two couples or 4 singles make up a team. We bowl at Circle B in Cedarburg. The cost is supposed to be about $80.00 per person for the entire season (September through May.)
Get your team together. Contact Mary Weinrich with your full team or a partial team by September 1. Plan on meeting at Circle B at 5:00 p.m. on September 12 for a rules meeting. Bowling will follow.
LUTHERAN PIONEERS: The Pioneer program will resume for the fall on Tuesday September 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity South. The program offers skill training and activities for boys and girls in grades 1-8. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. At this time it appears we will only have Boy Pioneers this year due to a lack of interest on the part of girls and girl leaders.
Have a blessed month!
Pastor S. Weinrich