Dear Church Family,
It’s weirdly fitting (in a fallen world kind of way) that this weekend our eyes would be focused on the approach of a hurricane here in Florida. Why do I say that? Because the first part of our Bible lesson for this Sunday in Romans chapter 8 actually talks about this! Not about destructive hurricanes per se, but about how even nature itself is hurting and held in a type of bondage to decay—such is the impact of sin. Paul describes how “the creation was subjected to frustration” and how “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:21, 22).
Of course we too are part of God’s creation. This means we are not exempt from this kind of groaning either. Life can be painful. Frustratingly unpredictable. Full of groans and sighs. Suffering can sneak up and hit us like a punch in the gut. So little is within our control, if we’re honest.
Yet even so, grace wins…because we know who is in control—our gracious God! We have God’s promise that in all things he works for the good of those who love him (see Romans 8:28). So we know where all this groaning is aimed…towards future glory one day in heaven. After all, since God has already given us his own Son, how will he not also along with him graciously give us all things?
Therefore, no matter what kind of storm runs into us over the next couple days and no matter what storms of life we might run into in the future…we can have the same kind of confidence like Paul did that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him loved us” (Romans 8:37)!
So if you’re able, as of this moment, please join me this Sunday for worship at 9:30 am before hunkering down for the hurricane as we reach the grand finale of our series Grace Wins! If you can’t make it because of the weather or hurricane prep that you need to do, we will do our best to have our livestreaming up and running right here on our YouTube streaming channel. And if anything changes we will send you an email and post updates on our church social media accounts. And speaking of social media, here’s a prayer I posted yesterday on our church Facebook page.
ICYMI – Watch the message that Pastor Steve and I co-preached last Sunday based on Romans 7:14-8:4 about how grace wins even when we’re weak.
Thank You! to all of you who helped set up and take down our worship space, bring yummy food, greet our guests, sing, play, teach, usher, and altogether serve Jesus this past weekend for our Get To Know Us Service.
A Team on Which to Serve – If you call Divine Savior your church home, please take 5 minutes to fill out this serve form if you haven’t yet. This Fall we want to help all of you find a place in our church where you can serve using your time and talents. We currently at about at a 30% completion rate and would love to see 100% of our members and regular attenders get connected on a team to serve.
DSYouth – All students in the middle or high school level (beginning with grade 6 through 12th grade) are invited to be part of DSYouth! Our first event is for students AND PARENTS on Friday, September 6 at 7:00 pm. Please REGISTER HERE before the event! Questions? Contact Dr. Erik Landwehr.
Saturday Worship – Starts Next Weekend! Every Saturday during the school year at 5:00 pm starting September 7.
Donate Blood Next Sunday – OneBlood will be here with their big red bus parked in front of church next Sunday, September 8 from 8:30 am-1:30 pm. All donors will receive a FREE OneBlood Cancer Awareness T-Shirt and a wellness checkup including blood pressure and cholesterol screening. ID required. Wants be at least 16 years old.
Teen Confirmation Class: Any young person who will be in seventh grade this year and is NOT enrolled in Divine Savior Academy, is invited to take Confirmation Class on Mondays from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm from September 9. The course lasts two years and in the end they receive their first communion and are confirmed. Registration or questions: steve.mueller@divinesaviorchurch.com
BaptismClass – Baptism Sunday is coming this November. Learn what blessings come from baptism and why it is important. Understand what the Bible says about it. Ask questions and find out answers, with no obligation. Come to our Baptism Info Class offered in English and Spanish. The first one is Sunday, Sept 8 at 11:00 am. The class is free and so is baptism! Click here to choose which class you’d like to attend.
Represent DSC? – Weather permitting, on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 there is an Ice Cream Social scheduled by the DSA PTO to welcome new parents to the school from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. It is a wonderful opportunity for us as a church to have a presence and connect with these new families. If you are willing and able to serve in this way, please contact Staff Minister Becky. She will have a table ready and be there as well.
Weekly Offerings: Last week: $7,302.10 | Average weekly August: $7,469.27 / wk. | Average weekly fiscal year to date: $7,975.29 / wk. | Needed weekly to carry out our ministry plan: $8,374 / wk.
Sunday Playlist – My Hope Is In You | Grace Has a Thrilling Sound CW 381 | If God Himself Be For Me CW 419 | I Am Not Alone (solo during offering) | More Than Conquerors
Changing Lives with Jesus,
Pastor Ben
