Make Time for Worship

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’m writing this newsletter article toward the end of July and about a week ago I had to make a stop at Walmart to get some ink for the printer in my office. As I walked down the aisle, I saw the big displays of “Back to School” supplies. I immediately thought to myself, “Wow! Is it that time already? We have so much summer left!” But the reality is, there isn’t that much summer left. In about a month, many of the children in our Lutheran schools will be back in class, all summer vacations will have come to an end, and we will be getting back to the routine of a busy life again.

One of the things that I’ve noticed in my years of ministry in Green Bay is that quite a few families take a break from God and church during the summer months. Maybe they are traveling or enjoying the outdoors on the weekends, but most of the children that we see in church during the school year seem to be absent during the summer. And if the children aren’t there, then neither are their parents.

I’d like everyone to take a moment and remember one very important thing: God gave us the sunshine, and the water with the beaches, and the campgrounds, and the beautiful landscapes, and the gentle, cool evening breezes. God created and gave for our use and enjoyment everything bright and beautiful in the world. So, don’t we owe Him some thanks, and praise and worship for all that He has created and given us to enjoy? And even more so, God gave us the gift of our salvation through Jesus Christ, His Son. Shouldn’t we take the time to worship Him for that eternal gift of hope and peace?

God gave us all these things because of His great, and steadfast, and unconditional love for us. He calls us to spend time in His house, to hear His Word, be fed with His own body and blood, and given the abundance of His grace and favor. So, as we talk about and start our planning to get back into our routines, start one of those a little bit earlier. Come and enjoy the grace and love of God in His house at church. He loves you and wants to spend more time together with you in His house.

Get back into the routine of receiving the abundance of God’s grace, mercy, and love!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Paul Pett