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?

New Programs Have Found a Home

We started a Bible Study and an Evening Worship Service which rotated between the two churches. This was definitely confusing for folks, but I wanted to give each church an opportunity to try it out. I wanted to see if there was any interest in one or both churches.

It became pretty evident pretty quickly that each of the churches responded more to one of the new initiatives.

In the three times that the evening worship service has been offered, we have had 10, 11 and 13 people in attendance. I realize that this rate of growth will likely not continue, but I can sense that this service is fulfilling a need in Oakfield. Perhaps with some community marketing and word of mouth advertising we might be able to grow this service!

In the times that the Bible study has been offered in Tabor, we have seen a consistent attendance that peeked with 13 folks in attendance on one Wednesday. It seemed to be a good idea to move the Bible study to Tabor.

Now we have a new event and program that is taking place in each church!

The Dunnemans

It was wonderful to have Gretchen and Reg Dunneman here in Oakfield and Eden to lead worship yesterday. They are both deeply spiritual people that sing, preach and speak the word of God. They are very engaging and provided a lively and meaningful worship service for both congregations. I can see why we have had them here so many times before!

They joined Christa and I to watch the second half of the Packer game. Sadly, the Packer game did not end in a victory for the Pack, but it was a nice time to chat. We are both glad to have had the opportunity to get to know them better. They have a wonderful music ministry going!

Where Two or Three Are Gathered...

We have had evening worship services at the Oakfield and Tabor church for the last month or so. These services have had mixed results as far as attendance goes. At the Oakfield church, we have had ten and 11 folks at the first two worship services. I feel as though we are gaining a relatively consistent group of folks that will attend this service. It still makes singing difficult with such a small group, but I appreciate the atmosphere and community that we have with a small group.

At Tabor church, our attendance has been less. Our first service had three folks and last night I had two folks. I had a young person from confirmation and her mother come to worship. As the three of us moved from the spacious sanctuary to my office, I couldn't help but be reminded of Matthew 20:18: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with them."

It would be easy to be discouraged by the lack of attendance at the service. What pastor doesn't want to see large attendance at their worship services. It was easy to get discouraged by only having two people come to worship. As we began to read from the Bible, and study together the importance of Sabbath rest in our lives, I realized that Christ was present with us in worship. We read the Word and shared the Cup together.

Although more brief because some parts of the service would not work with three people, we still spent 30 minutes in worship. From now on, I won't mind smaller church service. In fact, they can be just as, or more, meaningful than a larger service.

True Worship

My daily devotional asked a good question: What does true worship look like? Here is what they had to say:

Asking what true worship looks like is sort of like asking what true love looks like. Like love, worship is an issue of the heart, not just of the mind. Worship may involve music, prayers, and religious symbols, but if your heart is not engaged in what you are doing, your worship will be empty.

I agree! Why do we come to worship each week? Do you feel as though you have to? Do you feel as though it's a requirement? Are you enjoying worship? Are you worshiping with your heart and your mind? Are you engaged in what is going on?

These are questions that we should ask ourselves before we come to worship. We shouldn't come out of obligation. We should come because we are excited for the opportunity we have to worship God. We should come because we are excited for the opportunity to thank God for all that he has done for us. We should come because we want to lift up our prayers and concerns to God.

Especially during Holy Week, let us think about why we worship. Let us come prepared for worship: body, mind and heart.