Friends-
There is a very tiny word in the Bible that carries way more weight than you think it might. The word is "if".
"if" often indicates the reality of free will. It shows up when a choice must be made. For example: "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, and the new has come." A choice must be made. Do you want to be "in Christ"? If so, invite him in. Then you will become a new creation. If not, you won't. You have been given free will. The choice is yours to make.
In our lesson from last week, the man who had the demon-possessed boy said to Jesus, "...if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Here, "if " indicates uncertainty or doubt. The man isn't certain Jesus can or will help them.
I'm pointing this out because "if " is a big part of our lives too. God is wholly reliable and can be counted on to fulfill his promises. Learning to make your decisions based on that truth is always a good idea. "If" you don't believe me, try it!
Have a good month!
Gary
October 2026 Calendar
Sundays -
10/4 - Communion Sunday
- Socktober Collection Kickoff - flyers out to the village
10/18 - Collecting Socks in the village
10/25 - Socktoberfest Potluck
- Last day to bring in socks
Wednesdays - Bible Study Every Wednesday via Zoom - 7 PM
Thursdays - 10/8 - Church Board Meeting via Zoom - 7 PM
Saturdays - 10/31 - Daylight Saving Time ends. Turn your clock back 1 hour tonight.
Other News -
Zoom Link - Contact Gary at [email protected] for Zoom link.
Socktober - In October, we will be collecting new warm men's socks for the Boone County Veterans Assistance Commission. We will have a collection bin in the fellowship room. We are going to involve the village in our collection. We will take a flyer around this Sunday, 10/4. We will go back on 10/18 to pick up any socks from people's porches. Several have volunteered to take the flyers around, but we could certainly use more if you are interested. We will need volunteers to go back on 10/18 for pickup. Those of us in the church can bring socks up until the last Sunday in October, 10/25. We did this event back in 2018, and it was very successful.
Socktoberfest Potluck - 10/25 - We will end our month of sock collecting with a Socktoberfest potluck after worship on Sunday 10/25. Please plan on staying and bring a dish or two to pass. You can bring some Oktoberfest foods if you want. But truly, any kind of food will do; we leave that up to you. We will count and pray over our socks as well. We want to have sock monkeys for centerpieces, so let Judy or Jennifer know if you have one.
Food Pantry - We have an ongoing food pantry collection. The bins are in the front entryway. Thanks to those who have brought groceries. Please continue to bring non-perishables if you are able.
Thanks - Garage Sale - Once again, thanks to everyone who helped in some way with the garage sale fundraiser for Carpenter's Place. A special thanks to Karen and Jess for letting us be a part of their sale. Our final total was $388! Amazing!
Thanks - Lunch Making - Thanks also to everyone who helped make and deliver lunches on September 30 for Carpenter's Place. We were able to do this because of our garage sale. We only used a portion of the money, and we will think about other ways we can support Carpenter's Place in the future. Thank you to Diane Upton for coordinating all of this.
Trustees at work - The trustees did a big project at the church. But you have to look and see if you can figure out what it is! Thank you, trustees!
Sunday Fellowship - Please consider taking a turn to bring some simple refreshments for Sunday morning. The time after church is a great way to connect and get to know one another. There is a sign-up sheet right on the refreshment table.
Finances - Don't miss the offering plate as you walk into the sanctuary. If you can't make it for a while, you can always mail in your offering.
Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church - 10/3 - They have let us know that they are having a used book and puzzle sale this Saturday, 10/3, from 9 am - 1 PM.
Looking Ahead -
Garage Sale in 2027 - We want to plan on doing another Candlewick garage sale at Jess and Karen's next year. Candlewick does these every year. We are telling you now so you can start saving things for our next sale.
There is a very tiny word in the Bible that carries way more weight than you think it might. The word is "if".
"if" often indicates the reality of free will. It shows up when a choice must be made. For example: "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, and the new has come." A choice must be made. Do you want to be "in Christ"? If so, invite him in. Then you will become a new creation. If not, you won't. You have been given free will. The choice is yours to make.
In our lesson from last week, the man who had the demon-possessed boy said to Jesus, "...if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Here, "if " indicates uncertainty or doubt. The man isn't certain Jesus can or will help them.
I'm pointing this out because "if " is a big part of our lives too. God is wholly reliable and can be counted on to fulfill his promises. Learning to make your decisions based on that truth is always a good idea. "If" you don't believe me, try it!
Have a good month!
Gary
October 2026 Calendar
Sundays -
10/4 - Communion Sunday
- Socktober Collection Kickoff - flyers out to the village
10/18 - Collecting Socks in the village
10/25 - Socktoberfest Potluck
- Last day to bring in socks
Wednesdays - Bible Study Every Wednesday via Zoom - 7 PM
Thursdays - 10/8 - Church Board Meeting via Zoom - 7 PM
Saturdays - 10/31 - Daylight Saving Time ends. Turn your clock back 1 hour tonight.
Other News -
Zoom Link - Contact Gary at [email protected] for Zoom link.
Socktober - In October, we will be collecting new warm men's socks for the Boone County Veterans Assistance Commission. We will have a collection bin in the fellowship room. We are going to involve the village in our collection. We will take a flyer around this Sunday, 10/4. We will go back on 10/18 to pick up any socks from people's porches. Several have volunteered to take the flyers around, but we could certainly use more if you are interested. We will need volunteers to go back on 10/18 for pickup. Those of us in the church can bring socks up until the last Sunday in October, 10/25. We did this event back in 2018, and it was very successful.
Socktoberfest Potluck - 10/25 - We will end our month of sock collecting with a Socktoberfest potluck after worship on Sunday 10/25. Please plan on staying and bring a dish or two to pass. You can bring some Oktoberfest foods if you want. But truly, any kind of food will do; we leave that up to you. We will count and pray over our socks as well. We want to have sock monkeys for centerpieces, so let Judy or Jennifer know if you have one.
Food Pantry - We have an ongoing food pantry collection. The bins are in the front entryway. Thanks to those who have brought groceries. Please continue to bring non-perishables if you are able.
Thanks - Garage Sale - Once again, thanks to everyone who helped in some way with the garage sale fundraiser for Carpenter's Place. A special thanks to Karen and Jess for letting us be a part of their sale. Our final total was $388! Amazing!
Thanks - Lunch Making - Thanks also to everyone who helped make and deliver lunches on September 30 for Carpenter's Place. We were able to do this because of our garage sale. We only used a portion of the money, and we will think about other ways we can support Carpenter's Place in the future. Thank you to Diane Upton for coordinating all of this.
Trustees at work - The trustees did a big project at the church. But you have to look and see if you can figure out what it is! Thank you, trustees!
Sunday Fellowship - Please consider taking a turn to bring some simple refreshments for Sunday morning. The time after church is a great way to connect and get to know one another. There is a sign-up sheet right on the refreshment table.
Finances - Don't miss the offering plate as you walk into the sanctuary. If you can't make it for a while, you can always mail in your offering.
Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church - 10/3 - They have let us know that they are having a used book and puzzle sale this Saturday, 10/3, from 9 am - 1 PM.
Looking Ahead -
Garage Sale in 2027 - We want to plan on doing another Candlewick garage sale at Jess and Karen's next year. Candlewick does these every year. We are telling you now so you can start saving things for our next sale.
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