Galilee Lutheran Church
In today’s lessons, we hear a lot of woe. Jeremiah tells God that he’s been set up for ridicule and blame. Psalm 69 bemoans scorn and shame suffered, and becoming a stranger in the poet’s own mother’s house.
The Apostle Paul tells us that we should count ourselves “dead to sin,” but that at least death, once experienced, has no power over us. And Jesus says that he has come to earth not to bring peace, but a sword that will divide families and friends, and that if we lose our lives for His sake, we’ll find a greater life in God.
Real uplifting stuff. In today’s world, faith is often seen as Walt Disney would have pictured it…long walks in the garden, little birds chirping, butterflies and bunnies and rainbows. But the reality is that being a Christian can be a hard and demanding life.
And the reality of our lives is that they’re not all peaches and cream, either. Loved ones die, the ill suffer, rent comes due too early and too often, and the car breaks down. How do we maintain a cheerful disposition in the face of real difficulties?
After the 10 a.m. outdoor service, we will gather for a potluck lunch and a viewing of the film “William Tyndale: God’s Outlaw.” A fitting end to this Sunday, as we explore one more Reformation hero who risks his life and reputation for the truth.
Galilee Lutheran is located at 8860 Soda Bay Road in the Kelseyville Rivieras.
Lay leaders Debra Blum and Janis Andre
Local pastor to testify
The news is full these days about people who are being asked or required to testify on a variety of topics from politics to racial profiling to sexual assault. And the people eat it up. This is why the media prints this stuff, people eat it up.
Why does testimony capture the interests of the populace? At heart, testimony is about telling what one has seen or experienced. First hand, or eye witness accounts, have traditionally held more weight than, “well, I think…”
Your story matters. Your testimony matters.
As Christians we are also called to testify to what we have seen and experienced. So why is the church in a twist because of rules and doctrines; often about things outside of our personal experience? What if WHAT we focused on was testifying to the love we have come to know in Christ?
We do not have to think alike, but as John Wesley once asked, “May we not love alike?”
The theme of the Northern California Nevada United Methodist Conference this year is “Testify to Love.”
This Sunday at both the United Methodist Church in Kelseyville (Sunday at 9 a.m.) and Middletown (Sunday at 11:30 a.m.) Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth will speak about the commitment to Testify to Love and the impact it could have on our lives, churches and world. She won’t just speak about it – she will testify to it. All are welcome.
Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth
Clearlake Baptist Church
This Sunday, the Church will be discussing leadership in church and attitude towards them. The Church says society is increasingly resistant to any form of authority. How should the church view their leaders? To learn more about the topic, a Sunday at 10:45 a.m. will be held. There will be a more in-depth study of 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. Bible studies for all ages at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday are also available. On Wednesday, a prayer meeting and Bible study will take place. Sermons are available online, but there is no substitute for live interaction and engagement, the Church said. The Vacation Bible Club starts next week, June 26-30 for children ages 3 to 6th grade. Clear Lake Baptist Church is located at 555 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. For more information visit www.clearlakebaptistchurch.org.
