Sunday Order of Worship:
Welcome
God Bless Our Native Land
Confession and Forgiveness
We All Are One in Mission
Prayer for the Day
Welcome and Announcements
1 Samuel 8:4-7, 12:13-17
Gospel ~ Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Message
Offering/Will You Let Me Be Your Servant
Prayer of Blessing
Prayers of the Church
Lord’s Prayer
Blessing
Sent Forth By God’s Blessing
Sending
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In This Issue:
- Note from Pastor Jim
- June Communion
- Pork Chop Recap
- Good News Library
- VBS
- Looking for Lawn Helpers
- Finding YouTube
- Online Store
- Food Rescue
- Rejoice Activities
- Community Activities
- Community Prayers and Links
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Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ ”
16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
The highlighted verse 19 above has been used by many a quack Christian to allow snakes to bite them. It is easy to stray from reality and Biblical truth and the consequences bring harm to Christ and his mission. People have died. People have been misled, found feverous euphoria, and ignored the core tenets of the Kingdom of God, like distributive justice, the lifting of the poor, and even loving even your enemy. Over the last ten years we have seen Christians turn to nationalism that has ignored Kingdom values for political power. Studies have shown that more than 40% of Americans believe our country is "Christian" and the result has been a Christianity that ignores Jesus' teachings and at the same time, is un-American.
This coming Sunday I want to talk about why Christian nationalism is contrary to what Jesus meant by the "Kingdom of God," and how it harms his good news. We are at a crossroads for American Christianity and America, and this Fourth of July is a good time for the reminder.
Dear God, "Your kingdom come." May it not just come but that it comes to each of us. May its values shape our lives and our country. At the same time, may we understand that only You are king and no other. Draw American Christians back to this key relationship you desire with us as we seek to live faithful lives. Amen
Pastor Jim
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Pork Chop Dinner
We defeated the big bad wolf of hunger last Sunday. Our Pork Chop Dinner was a success! Thank you everyone! Our profit after expenses was $962.29.
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Read, Learn, Discover
Rejoice's Good News Library is open weekdays during office hours and Sunday mornings. Come discover the magic of books!
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Rocky Railway Vacation Bible School will take place August 8-10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for children 4 years old through those entering 5th grade. Find registration forms on the Welcome table or register your child online.
- story time
- snack time
- crafts
- music
Older children are welcome to be helpers. A light meal will be served each evening at 5:30 p.m. It'll be mountains of fun!
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Lawn Care
Can you spare a couple hours on Thursday mornings to help care for Rejoice's lawn? We are looking for people to mow lawn. Lawn mowers are gassed up and ready to go. Thank you for your help!
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Finding Rejoice's YouTube channel is simple! Just click on the YouTube icon found at the bottom of each weekly update in the What's Happening section. |
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Rejoice Store
Rejoice wear is available at our online store, you can choose for a variety of items from coffee cups to sweatshirts. Orders can be shipped directly to you or can be picked up at church. Anyone can purchase and there is not a minimum purchase amount so support and promote Rejoice. Remember, it is not too early to think about Christmas presents.
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Community Food Rescue
You are welcome to stroll to the Education Wing after Sunday worship each week and take food offerings that you and your family will enjoy. Good for you, good for the environment!
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Happening at Rejoice
Women's Bible Study
- 3rd Tuesday monthly
- 10:00 a.m.
Yoga for All
- Wednesday mornings
- 9:00 a.m.
- $10 per class or $32 per month
- Senior discount: $9 per class or $25 per month
Stitch and Pray
- Wednesday afternoons
- 1:00 p.m. in the Rejoice Good News Library
- Bring your knitting needles and crochet hooks to make prayer shawls for those that are experiencing health or spiritual challenges
- All levels of skill are welcome
Young @ Heart
- Thursday, July 21
- Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for card playing and fellowship
- Lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by an old-fashioned sing along with our own Kathy Langva!
- Mark your calendar and call Carol at 320.558.6851 to reserve your spot for a couple of hours of fun and fellowship! Don't forget to invite a friend to join you!
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Area Happenings
Vacation Bible Camp
- Monday-Thursday, July 18-21
- Salem Lutheran Church
- 90 Riverside Dr SE, St Cloud
- For kids who have completed grades K-6
- Enthusiastic and experienced Luther Crest staff members will lead the kids with worship, arts & crafts, songs & games and bible study
- Cost is $100 with lunch and snacks provided
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Register by Wednesday, July 13
Music in the Park
- Thursday evenings
- 6-9:00 p.m.
- Eldorado Park
- 800 Kelsey Ave, Clearwater
- Bring your lawn chair
- Food available to purchase
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If you have a loved one or friend in need of prayer, fill out a prayer request or use one of the prayer concern requests located on the Interest table and in the sanctuary welcome pads. The star(*) in front of a name denotes a Rejoice member. This is a dynamic list. Requests will be printed for up to four weeks; call the church office at 320.558.6851 to extend listing. If a name of a friend or loved one has been omitted please resubmit the name and/or concern using one of the prayer concern forms found in the red Welcome Pads in the worship area.
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Receiving Treatment for Cancer:
Sami (neighbor's friend, Jim & Lori Lanes)
*Mike Barrett
Karen Emberton (Kari Line)
Kris (sister, Rosemary Monk)
JoAnn Stegura (wife, Jerry Stegura)
Kathy Ryan (sister, Brad Johnson)
John Swan (friend, Ron & Lynn Schneider)
Lester Dupont (father, Linda Painter)
*Pete Lidberg
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Others:
Rod Grandstrand (friend, Linda Agre)
Steve (brother, Lori Lanes)
Marcia (sister, Pam Bender)
Lil Doenges (friend’s mom, Lori Lanes)
Dick Suchomel (father, Kirk Suchomel)
Jody Lanes (youngest brother, Jim Lanes)
Liam (friend, Lee & Rosemary Monk)
Kent Petersen (brother, Rhoda Senkler)
Jeff Lamb family (friend, Mark & Karie Gohman)
Cris Gears (friend, Linda Agre)
Travis Kent
Brian and family (nephew, Scott & Doris Scharmer)
Brad Johnson (son, Darlene & Duane Johnson)
Bob Stangler (son-in-law, Dayle & Jean Meyer)
*Duane & Darlene Johnson
*Charlie Johnson
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Active Duty:
Eli Mulqueen (son, Janet Moeller)
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