Onward, part 4

Here's an audio version of the message (preached yesterday) that you may have been reading over the past few days (click this link to listen to the mp3, about 14 minutes). Some of the scriptures we read in worship connect with this message: the story of David and Goliath, part of Psalm 9 (verses 9-20), 2nd Corinthians 6:1-13, and Mark 4:25-5:20.

Thanks to youth director and seminarian, Nate Bendorf, for his insights on the gospel lesson that really helped bring these scriptures to life for me. Thank you also to Lutheran Hour speaker Ken Klaus for the statistics on the importance of fathers. You can read Pastor Ken's message, and his statistics, here.

Many fathers are among those who are lost and who God wants to be found. Men, I especially pray that you would be in prayer for them, and, when the Lord leads you, share with them, man to man, father to father, the amazing love of God, which always allows us to begin again. Receiving that love, we can pass it on to our families and the other kids God loves so much.

If you know a father who seems, for one reason or another, lost or alone, don't forget about him. And stay connected to the Christian community yourself, through Sunday worship and Bible studies. There's a men's Bible study that meets regularly at the Morris Excavating shop on Tuesday evenings (8:00 in the summer). Another meets at 7:00 a.m. Saturdays here at church.

Also - I added a link to audio of part of the June 14 "Lay Led" worship (beginning with his children's message and the scripture readings)... just look at the end of the June 14 Lay-led Worship item posted June 1 to find the link. If you haven't heard Tim Robbins sermon, I'd encourage you to listen. Tim (and his late wife Dell) have taught youth Sunday school at our church for years. Tim's sermon itself begins about 10 minutes into the mp3.