We enter this Back to School month of August with God’s grace and love as we gather to worship.
Remember, whether you are here or not, God is present with you and loves you more than you and I can ever know. We do what the church does, around the globe, every Sunday morning, as we gather together around Word and Sacrament. If you are not here in person, we send love and grace to you.
In our Summer Sermon Series, Just Like Jesus, by Max Lucado we see today a Rejoicing Heart! I have always thought “re-joice” meant to refill with joy. Our joy is in Jesus, and Jesus is why we gather, and why we go out to serve and share with others. Life can take away our joy and make us feel helpless. Certainly 15 months and counting in a Pandemic affects us deeply on every level.
So we come to God, the true source of our joy to be refilled. In Jesus, our cups are filled and we drink from our saucer because joy overflows from us. Joy rides deeper than just being happy. I am happy to be your pastor but my joy is in the Lord!
As we gather, remove the negative pictures leaving your problems in your car and rejoice in our time of worship. “Sing to the Lord a new song” says Max Lucado quoting Ps. 96. Jesus announces today “I am the Bread of Life” so we are fed, always. And, because of Jesus feeding us in mind, body and spirit, we can rejoice and be glad. Amen!
Introduction
Apparently not satisfied by Jesus’ feeding of thousands, some who were there press him for a sign of his power; perhaps it is daily manna they want. As always in John’s gospel when people want a sign, Jesus offers himself. He is the bread come from heaven to give life to the world. He calls us to come to him and believe in him, and through that relationship to know the one who sent him.
