|
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
 |
|||||
One of the graduates and her friend stopped by to visit. Jana had not seen her in two years. She gave Jana a hug and talked a bit, and then she said,”Would you tell my friend about Jesus?” Then she said, “Get out those eggs that tell about Jesus.”
Jana got out the set of plastic eggs, each containing something to remind us of an event during Holy Week. This little graduate remembered every item in the eggs and what each meant. She actually told the story, Jana just opened the eggs!! The last egg, of course, was empty to signify the empty tomb.
Then she said, “Get out that big book that tells what all Jesus made.” Jana read that book, and another, and another! The little girls were there for about an hour and a half.
The best part was that this little six year old girl got herself ready and walked to Sunday School and church all by herself that next Sunday morning. Praise God that many of the seeds that are planted here are falling on good soil, and that God is faithful to His promise that His Word will not return void.
Last week I was taken aback by what a patient asked me during a hospital visit. After sharing the story of Gabriel announcing to Zechariah the birth of a son and John the Baptist's mission, I was asked, "Why do you always talk about sin!" I didn't know what to say. My first thought was defensive. I began by saying, "Thank you for letting me know that." She went on to say that she has been to other churches and they don't always talk about sin. I wondered what that could mean?
I asked her, "What is your favorite Bible story?" Part of the reason for this was for me to pray and to collect my thoughts. I was wondering what part of God's Word does not deal with sin in one way or another. She told me that she did not know what her favorite Bible story was.
I proceeded to tell her that the Lord's Prayer includes these words, "and forgive us our trespasses (sins) as we forgive those who trespass against us." Every time we pray that prayer we are talking about sin.
I closed my visit by saying that I was sorry that my talking about sin bothered her. I am not sure if that was proper. I went on to say that the reason for Christmas was due to sin, and God offers forgiveness through Jesus. I offered a word of prayer asking that God would speak to her heart.
I have been encouraged by my brother pastors to visit her again. I plan to do so. Please pray that God will give me the proper words and boldness to speak the truth in love.
Yes, there are countless opportunities to share God's saving Word of grace! God bless you as you celebrate and share the joy of the world, Jesus our Savior, who is our hope, peace, joy, and love!
On the 29th of October, the Holy Cross Youth Group went to Winnebago, Nebraska, for a mission trip. While in Winnebago, we helped make the playground safer by digging out the gravel under the swings to it was a softer landing if the kids fell. We also fixed a board on the ramp so that they would not trip while walking to the door. Later that day we had children of a variety of ages come to the church to carve prayer pumpkins. When we were done carving pumpkins we went to the river and had a campfire. We roasted hot dogs and made smores.
On Sunday we did a skit on the story of Ruth for the Sunday school class. Then we had church. Their church was in a trailer house. They did their church service the way Indians would have done. They only had one church service. After church we had to head back to Kearney. Everyone who went said they had a good time and can't wait until we go again.
On Sunday, February 20, Nila Marie Masquat confirmed her baptism at Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Outreach. I, by the grace of God, baptized Nila into God’s family some ten years ago at the age of seven. She had attended our first
What a joy it was to hear Nila pledge her life to God, even to the point of death! It is our practice to go around the circle during prayer time. When it was her time to pray she had tears of joy and thanks in her eyes. She thanked God for the gift of her faith. She thanked God for loving people who care for her. She asked that God would lead the rest of her family to share in her faith.
Praise God for His Spirit working through the Word and bringing this one soul into fellowship with us. Join me in praying that this is one of many in the days, weeks, months, and years to come!
There are many who don’t yet believe, many in Nila’s own family. That is very sad when you think about it. There is much work yet to be done. Thank you for your support. The blessings of it were quite evident in the life of Nila, our dear sister in Christ!
The photos to the right and below show how District churches are partnering with this ministry. Groups from Peace, Hastings; Zion, Hastings; and Trinity, Madison are pictured here. The youth group from Trinity, Madison, led a one-day Saturday Bible school, as seen in these pictures. Contact Pastor Ricky Jacob for information on how your congregation can get involoved.
 |
||
 |
 |
|