MMC: 1st week of October in Minnesota

Good Morning from beautiful Minnesota where the forecasted high for today is 16 degrees higher than Georgetown.  Sorry to make you jealous but I wanted to let you know that it doesn't always snow in Minnesota.

A Few Announcements

• I am in Minnesota this week for a continuing education conference at Luther Seminary.  I will have my cell phone on me and access to email throughout the week but in case of pastoral emergency please contact Pastor Rip H at. Rip is an ELCA pastor and member of Bethlehem who is currently serving as the interim rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Weston. 
• Mark your calendars:
  Council Sunday Sun Oct 16, after worship
  Grow 2 Gather Sun Oct 16 & 30, 9am
  Senior Lunch Wed Oct 19, noon at the Bluebird Inn in Easton
  
  

Book of Faith Puzzler

The last weeks question was: How many visitors told Abraham that Sarah would have a son within a year?

In Genesis 18, Abraham and Sarah have 3 visitors who tell Abraham that Sarah will have a child within a year.  Since both Sarah and Abraham were both quite old, Sarah laughed when she heard this news. Hence why they named their son Isaac which means laughter.  Congratulations to Cheryl M for winning this week's puzzler. 

This week’s question:  Who planted the first vineyard?  A) Adam B)Noah C)Abraham D)King David  Think you know the answer? Willing to Google it?  Email me the answer by noon on Wednesday to be entered into this week's drawing.  

 Yesterday's Sermon

 If you missed if you can read it here.  How have you experienced God's crazy love?  How have you experienced pain when others reject God's crazy love for us?  

Serving this Sunday

The following people have signed up to serve in worship this coming Sunday

Worship Assistant: Mark H (Well I believe it is Mark, Ellen and Mark keep switching the schedule around on me)

Reader: Paul D

Communion Assistant: Cheryl M

Ushers: _____ & ______

Bread baker/Bringer: ______

Communion set-up: ________

Counter: Lillian J

Coffee Hour Host: Lillian J

If you would like to serve in one of the ways that is currently open, please let me know.

This Sunday's text

The first reading is Isaiah 25:1-9, a hymn of praise which is often read at funerals as it celebrates God being able to "swallow up death forever."  When has God wiped the tears from your face?  How have you experienced God's victory of salvation.  

The second reading is Philippians 4:1-9 which includes the famous verse "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice" (which is what my red stole's design is based upon).  Paul wrote this when he was imprisoned for his faith and yet he was able to still celebrate his faith.   What do you rejoice about?  How do you rejoice in the Lord?  

The gospel reading is Matthew 22:1-14, the parable of the wedding banquet.  This parable is a frustrating for many preachers because one of the people invited last minute is thrown out for now being dressed appropriately and those who were first invited were deemed unworthy because they rejected the invitation.   How are we unworthy when we reject Jesus?  How have people received the invitation but still feel or act as if they are unworthy? How are we called to extend the invitation to others?

Hope you all have a great week!  Meanwhile just saw the forecast for Minneapolis this week - high 70's all week.  (okay I'll stop making you envious now)