Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. Matthew 9:20-22
We don't know the woman's condition, but she had suffered a long time. The woman had weakly grasped at the hem of Jesus' cloak, but it was her faith strongly grasping at Jesus himself that was important. She believed Jesus could and would help her.
Jesus knew her condition, as Jesus knows all of our troubles. He knows us inside and out, and he knows what we need.
By his almighty power, he instantly healed that faithful woman and released her from her affliction. We, too, can count on Jesus to exercise his power over our lives to relieve our suffering and remove our sicknesses. While he can help us instantly and miraculously as he did that woman who came to him, and sometimes does, he also gives power to the medicines that he has led us to develop and works through doctors and medical professionals to accomplish his good and gracious purpose for us. Even if, in his wisdom, he chooses to allow us to bear a physical distress for a time, this is also for our good – to keep our eyes focused him as our true source of help and hope.
The most important healing that Jesus gives you is the forgiveness of sins. The Bible says, “by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24 ). No matter what your physical condition in life, by faith in Jesus you are in the best spiritual health for life with God now and forever.
Trust in Jesus. He is the LORD and “the LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7 ).
Prayer (Psalm 103:2-3 ): Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Amen.
SUMMER IS VACATION TIME: As we are now well into the summer months, keep in mind that our Lord never takes a vacation from loving us, caring for us, protecting us, and above all, forgiving us. His love is with us constantly just as Jesus promised when he said, “I will be with you always, even to the very end of the age.” Please don’t think that you can take a vacation from the Lord. You certainly don’t want him to be far from you. As you travel, plan to attend worship at a nearby WELS congregation. It will be a rewarding experience. Just call Pastor Weinrich as you are making your plans and he will be happy to give you the names, addresses, phone numbers, and times of services for the WELS congregations along the way or you can get the information from www.wels.net.
OUR QUARTERLY CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held on Sunday, July 25, 2010 following the service
AUGUST 22 OUTDOOR SERVICE: We will have the service at 10:00 with a meal to follow. The details of the meal and events of the day will be finalized soon. Watch your Sunday bulletin for all the information. Please remember to invite your friends and neighbors to this special service for worship, fellowship and food. It will be a great day for everyone.
SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT CONVENTION: On 06/08 & 06/09, I had the privilege of attending our synod’s 47th Biennial District Convention – Southeastern Wisconsin District – at Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) in Milwaukee.
The theme of this year’s convention was “Grow in Grace” and the underlying focus, equally applicable to pastors, teachers, and lay delegates, was the importance of continuing education in our daily lives. In the opening service, we learned from Pastor Ed Schuppe that “Continuing Education is NOT a Maybe, it is a Must”; and, in the keynote address, presented by Professor Gurgel, we learned that continuing education is the key to spiritual growth. I found Professor Gurgle’s presentation to be inspirational; and one of the highlights of this year’s convention. If anyone would like to read this year’s keynote address, I would be happy to make my copy available.
While there are numerous administrative issues associated with all district conventions i.e. committee reports, long range planning, and elections, I found it reassuring that, unlike other church bodies, resolutions involving doctrinal issues were NOT on the agenda.
Pastor Weinrich was re-elected as Circuit Pastor for the Kettle Moraine Conference – Ozaukee Circuit; and he will serve in that capacity for an additional two years. The Ozaukee Circuit consists of eight member congregations i.e. St John (Newburg), Trinity West (Mequon), Redeemer (Cedarburg), Calvary (Thiensville), Our Savior (Grafton), Trinity South (Mequon), St Matthew (Port Washington), and St John (Mequon).
I found this year’s convention to be uplifting and very rewarding; and would encourage others to consider attending future conventions if presented with the opportunity. Also, if you have never visited WLC, I would suggest you do so; it is an absolutely beautiful facility. – J. Rushton
BOWLING: We plan to again have a WELS bowling league at Circle B in Cedarburg. The league bowls on the second Sunday of the month beginning in September. Each team consists of four bowlers. If you have a full team, give the names of your team members to Mary Weinrich by mid August. If you don’t have four, let Mary know about that and we will try to come up with a full team by matching you up with someone from one of the other congregations. We will also need a few substitute bowlers, if you would be interested in doing that. Speak to Mary Weinrich if you have questions.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Pastor S. Weinrich