Service Schedule for October 31st - "Reformation Sunday"

Sunday Morning Worship

“Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right with them, but the righteous live by their faith.”

- Habakkuk 2:4

How familiar are you with the Book of Habakkuk? I will confess that I was not too familiar with this prophet either. But, there is an important lesson that we can gain from his conversation with God. That's right! Habakkuk asks God a question, several questions in fact. He asks the same questions that we do: Why does evil prosper? Why doesn't God listen to me? Why is justice not done?

God has an answer for us; he has answer for these difficult questions. I hope you will be able to join us in our morning worship services as we explore whether or not we are ready to accept his answer!

The scripture lessons for this Sunday morning are:

• Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4
• 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12
• Luke 19:1-10

Sunday Evening Worship at Oakfield

At 7:00PM, you are welcome to join us for an evening worship that addresses the question: How do we prepare for worship? Let us discuss together how we can prepare before a worship service, how we can get the most out of worship and how we can put into practice that which we experience in worship. Also join us for Holy Communion during the service.

Our November evening worship services will look at four different questions relating to prayer:

• Why do we pray?
• How do we pray?
• For whom or for what do we pray?
• When do we pray?

A Call for Prayers

I received word this morning that Dave Gremminger, a part of our extended church family at Oakfield United Methodist Church, passed away on Wednesday. I would ask that you pray for his family and friends through this difficult time. Thank you. More additional information, this is the obituary that was published this morning in the Fond du Lac Newspaper:

David P. Gremminger, 77, of Campbellsport, passed away of natural causes on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, at his home.

He was born on the family farm southeast of Campbellsport on Jan. 8, 1933, the son of Paul K. and Frances Fox Gremminger.

Dave graduated from Campbellsport High School and served in the U.S. Army.

He worked at B & H Lumber in Campbellsport and owned his own business called "The Woodshed" in Fond du Lac until he retired.

Dave served his community through the Campbellsport Fire Department. He was well known for his efforts and involvement with the fire department and made memories there that he cherished.

Dave loved the community of Campbellsport and fishing the area lakes. He is now reunited with his fishing buddies Syl Wenzlaff and Roderick Reese.

Dave was the beloved father of Kristin, Allen and Mike; father-in-law of Jeanie and Carey; grandfather of Jared Jerue, Cody, Lucas, Tanner, Evan and Erica; and brother of Sister Elaine, SSSF, Bob (Bonnie), Carol Jones, Ruth, Roger (Kasem) and Sue (Jim) Hohl. He was a special friend of Beulah Oppermann.

Dave was previously married to Eleanora Gremminger (nee Waldschmidt).

He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances; his father, Paul; his brothers, Donald and Eugene "Bud"; and his brother-in-law, Ernie Jones.

Visitation: Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 6, from 5 p.m. until time of Mass at the St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Campbellsport.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Sept 6, 2010, at 7 p.m. at St. Mattthew's Catholic Church in Campbellsport. Rev. Neil Zinthefer will celebrate and burial services will be Tuesday at the Veteran Memorial Gardens at Ledgeview Memorial Park, Fond du Lac.

Prayer for All

I'm not sure how much you been keeping up to date with the Tiger Woods controversy, but it has gotten to the point where I wanted to offer a few thoughts on this situation. I talked with Christa about it a little last night, but an article that I found on the Drudge Report really put me over the edge.

Last week, there was a report that Tiger was in a car accident. Rumors flew immediately about what happened. Perhaps Tiger was drunk. His wife came at him with a golf club. He got into the accident to get away from his crazy wife. On the accident front, he was issued a citation for the accident and that was done.

On his website, Tiger has admitted to transgressions in his life. We can't be sure what that exactly has to do with the accident, but the media has assumed that he has been involved in some kind of an affair. I would say that is probably a good assumption to make. Now there women coming out saying they were involved in affairs with Tiger Woods. They have some evidence to prove it. It's an ugly situation.

Tiger is arguably the best golfer we have ever seen. He has dominated the sport, has been involved with various endorsements and has accrued a fortune. He does a great deal for charity and is considered a role model. In a time when heroes in our culture are hard to find anymore, this story hits deep. Sure, I have heard that Tiger is a little arrogant and full of himself...but, I sometimes wonder if you need to be like that to be the golfer that he is. His alleged "transgressions" really hurt when you think of what he means to people around the world.

On his website, he says that this is a situation that he would like to work out with his family. Despite his celebrity status, he would like some privacy to be able to work this out.

We don't know for sure if he has had an extra-marital affair, but it would seem that this is the case. If this is the case, I am glad to read that is going to try to work things out with his family. His wife will ultimately decide whether or not to stay with him or not. I am hopeful that they can work it out, and I would be thankful if they would be able to work it out without the media sticking their noses into every part of it. I realize that won't happen.

Being a celebrity comes with its price; you will be hounded. But celebrity or not, we are all capable of making mistakes, hurting others and engaging. I feel like our world progressively moves in a direction where sinning becomes easier and easier. There was a comment on Tiger's website saying that we shouldn't pray for Tiger because he already has plenty of money.

We pray for Tiger so that he might realize the magnitude of his transgression, and that the family can hopefully work things out and stay together. I pray for Tiger. Celebrities need our prayers, too. We must realize that no one is perfect. No amount of fortune or fame can hide us from the capability of sin. It's also not an excuse to sin. But regardless of one's social standing, they need prayer...prayer for healing and prayer for forgiveness.

Too Small to Ignore

After attending the teleconference put on by the Willow Creek Church, their pastor talked about spiritual disciplines. Among his recommendations, he said that we should set aside 30 minutes a day for reading. That's a great idea! But, I tended to set that time aside right before I go to bed. Bad idea. I usually fall asleep after about four pages, because I'm just ready to sleep.

With my evening strategy, it took me forever to get through unChristian. I have decided now to take the advice of the pastor and read in the morning for 30 minutes. I am much more awake and I will make more progress through the book. I am currently reading Too Small to Ignore by Wess Stafford.

The books talks about the importance of children in our lives. It also talks about his traumatic upbringing in a missionary school in Africa. There are already some great messages that I look forward to sharing with you when I am done.

Prayer Note: Please pray for the community of Fond du Lac and they struggle with the future of the Mercury Marine corporation. From what I have read, it is likely that the factory will be closing in the next 2-3 years. This will greatly affect the Fond du Lac community, and not for the better. They need our prayers!