Pastor Andy Keltner

Thankful 

The narrative of Jesus healing the ten lepers is familiar to many. The leper was considered unclean. He was not allowed to have any contact with those who were whole and healthy. He was destined to a miserable existence of begging and decay. The lepers sat by the road on the way to Jerusalem. When Jesus passed by they cried out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." The hopeless leper cries out with hope that Jesus can change his situation of desperation.

The Biblical narrative tells us there are ten lepers. The narrative tells us that at the word of Jesus these lepers are healed. "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks." (Luke 17:15, 16) One turned and gave thanks. One, who was doomed by his disease, when healed, turns and gives thanks to the one who heals.

As I visit with people many of them focus on their desperate condition. They understand the temporary nature of life on this planet. They are bombarded daily by messages of doom and gloom. Some are social outcasts. Some are sick and suffering. Some face financial setbacks. Some struggle with relationships. Some teeter on the brink of despair. Our cry should be the same as the leper. "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." Jesus hears our cry he gives hope and healing.

God's Word communicates that we are sinners. And the wages of sin is death. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Our cries of mercy are met with our Lord's declaration that we are redeemed. His suffering sanctifies our suffering. He takes our punishment on the cross and we receive his righteousness. We are healed. We have hope. We are declared righteous. We are redeemed and chosen children of the King.

Luther's explanation of the first article of the Apostles Creed: All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. Ten lepers were healed. One of them turned and gave thanks. Christ died for all. He pays the price our sin demands. What a privilege to cry out with a loud voice our thanks and praise to our God.

Reading: Luke 17:11-19

Back to top

Plan now to attend the Community Thanksgiving Service at First Christian Church , 602 N. 1st Street on Sunday, November 8th at 5:00 p.m.  Dan Rhodes, pastor at First Baptist Church, will preach the sermon.

 

The Craft Group event for November is a "field trip" to the Louisburg Holiday Mart on Saturday November 14th.  Join us at 8:45 am when we meet at church and head over to the Middle School.  Doors open at 9:00 am and the Mart is open until 3:00 pm.  The event promises 100+ vendors, concessions and a bake sale.  Contact Cindy Karrow at 913-269-1935 (cell) or ckarrow524@yahoo.com for more information and to let her know you want to attend.

 

The Christmas season is right around the corner. We will again host 3 dinners before the Wednesday night Advent Services this year.

Join us for a meal and fellowship on:
December 2nd
December 9th
December 16th
(No dinner during the week of Christmas)

Everyone is welcome. The meals will begin at 5:30 pm and end at 6:30 pm. Church is at 7:00 pm. Watch the weekly bulletins for menus, sponsors, etc. If you or your group would like to provide a meal, please contact Cindy Karrow at 913-269-1935 (cell) or ckarrow524@yahoo.com.

 Back to top

 

Thank YOU!  We had a great turnout on Sunday October 18th to celebrate our stewardship of the resources the God has entrusted to us.  LWML members along with Paul Richards, Bill Richards, and Nadine Wells provided the meal and we had some very short presentations about LWML Mite boxes, Simply Giving a Thrivent sponsored program for electronic contributions, Operation Christmas Child sponsored by the "YOUth" group and Thrivent Action Teams.

 

 

We would like to say "Thank You" to all those who purchase Bierocks from the youth group this year.  Thank you to the Varns family for donating the hamburger this year for our bierocks - you rock!  Thank you to Paulette and Drake Varns; Allison and Grace Walania; Micaela Eickhoff; Koell and Bill Smith for waking up early on Saturday to bake 16 batches plus 6 (246 bierocks).  We certainly had a fun time making them!  ☺

 

We will be leaving on Friday, November 20 @ 5:00 p.m. from the church and heading to Hutchinson for the Kansas District Youth Gathering.  We all excited and can't wait!  We will be there through Sunday, November 24- going to various events, meeting other youth across the state who shares the same faith as us, and worshiping together as one.  What an experience!  Then we will be heading back after morning church services.  We'll share our experiences with the congregation and others in our youth group once we organize it into a presentation.

 

When:	Sunday, November 15
Time:	After 2nd church service
Where:	COS Church Basement
What:	Enjoy eating some chilidogs, sides and desserts as you prepare for the chiefs game at 3:00 p.m.  We hope to have the pre-game on in the basement to watch as we eat!
Cost:	Suggested donation $5 a plate.

So come cheer on the chiefs, tailgate with some friends and help support the youth at the same time!

Back to top