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June 11, 2008
SMLC Midweek Devotions
Happy Father’s Day!
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Our Mission
Invite others to hear the gospel and together grow as faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
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In this issue:
June 15th Lessons
Weekly Devotions
Quote of the Week
Chuckle of the Week
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Sunday, June 15th James Doherty preaching: “Forgive Us Our Trespasses”
Lesson: Colossians 1:12-20
giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Supremacy of Christ
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Gospel: Luke 15:1-24
Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’
The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
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Weekly Devotion
By Geneva Jones
Forgive us our trespasses
It was a hot June day and my Dad was visiting with friends. He told us to get acquainted with the kids there on Dairy Creek, outside of North Plains. We got permission to walk the short distance to the creek and were given a stern warning NOT to be in the creek, as the current was swift from recent storms and the underbrush could easily pull us under.
But the day was hot and the water was cool. It didn’t take long before I was swept off the rock and just as he said, the current was swift and the underbrush tangled around me. One of the older boys grabbed me and pulled me to the shore. Someone ran to tell my Dad.
It was a long ride home that day. I could take just about anything, except him telling me that I had disappointed him or let him down. He did say just those things and I sat silent in the back seat, wanting to shrink for embarrassment while my brothers and sisters chattered and retold the story. When we finally got home, everyone got out of the car and I moved up and sat beside him in the front seat. Tears rolled down and I told him that I was very sorry that I had disobeyed and very sorry that I made him worry. The thought of me drowning in the creek would have broken his heart. I was sorry most of all, because I knew he was disappointed in me, in my eyes the worst of all. What happened next still stands out in my memory that hot summer day, so long ago.
He cried. It was the first time that I had ever seen my Dad cry. The tears rolled down and his chest heaved. He reached over and put his hand over mine. “Don’t”, he said, “Honey, please don’t cry. I can’t stand to see you cry, it’s OK.”
We all disobey. We all get cocky. The hardest part is the coming home, the head hung low and facing broken hearts that we were a part of. The most surprising part is the father, the accepting and loving father who, while we expected the grounding, the lecture, the punishment, through his tears tells us that he knows we’re sorry and he can’t bear to see us hurt.
That’s a father’s love. That’s the heart of the father and the lesson of our Heavenly Father when we come home to confess we messed things up and we’re sorry. We expect just about anything and everything we deserve, and much to our surprise and wonder, we have strong arms around us, as only a Father can give. More wonder, as He celebrates having us to hug and hold.
What wondrous love is this.
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Quote of the Week
“I grew up with six brothers. That's how I learned to dance - waiting for the bathroom.”
Bob Hope
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Chuckle of the Week
On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League base ball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was.
"We're behind 14 to nothing," he answered with a smile.
"Really," I said. "I have to say you don't look very discouraged."
"Discouraged?” the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face...
"Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet."
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Invitation for a Friend ~ Please clip & deliver!
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St. Matthew Lutheran Church
10390 SW Canyon Road
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
(503) 644-9148
Sunday Services at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 a.m.
Childcare available during all three services.
Visit us at: http://www.stmatthewlutheran.org/
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