September 3rd , 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
Sabbath has always been God’s gift to the people of God. From the very beginning, God built Sabbath into creation; a rhythm of work and rest, labor and renewal. Later, when the Israelites were freed from slavery, Sabbath became a reminder that they belonged to God, not Pharaoh. To stop working was to remember: We are free.
In Luke 13, which we read a couple of weeks ago, Jesus shows us that Sabbath is not about rigid rules but about freedom. He heals a woman who had been bent over for eighteen years. “You are set free,” he tells her. Sabbath is about being restored to community, to joy, to life.
We know that in today’s world, keeping Sabbath is not easy. Our culture prizes busyness, and even Sunday can become crowded with errands, sports, and obligations. Across the church, worship attendance has decreased and become more sporadic. I hear people express concern about this, worrying about how to “get more people to come to church.”
But maybe the first step is simpler: to reflect on what Sabbath and worship mean in our own lives. What role has the church played in shaping your faith, your rest, your sense of belonging? How does gathering with others around Word and Sacrament remind you of who you are and whose you are?
As we approach Rally Sunday, we are invited to renew our commitment to Sabbath. Worship is not just another item on the calendar; it is time set apart, holy time, when God restores us and sets us free. It is also the place where we are sent back into the world with energy to love our neighbors.
This fall, may we hear God’s invitation again: Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. Not as a burden, but as freedom, life, and joy.
Blessings,
Pastor Joe
WNW (K-8th) starts at 5:45p (with supper) on September 10th classes finish at 7:30p
CONFIRMATION SERVICE: is on October 5th at the 8:30am service.
Rice County Activity Center is asking for ‘standard size’ i.e. Minnesota Star Trib newspapers, (not Faribault Daily News- tabloid size) You can drop off at the center, 21 10th St NW (just off Central Ave)
Trick a Trunk, Sunday, October 26th 9:45a– 11:00am
We need decorated cars & people in costumes for this fun event We will be serving lunch 9:45-10:30am
Worship time is 8:30am Sunday mornings
(Until Jan 4th, 2026)
CROP WALK- on Saturday, October 4th starts at The Cathedral with registration at 8:25am Walk starts at 9am. Forms, for donations, can be picked up in the office here at CLC.
Keep In Prayer
Brian Gunderson
Anna Havumaki & Phoebe
THRIVENT CARDS for the Christmas Market
Please consider getting one.
We will need four/ five Thrivent cards for our Christmas Market: This year held on
November 14th 3-7pm & November15th 9am-1pm
To help with expenses we could use Thrivent Action Grants, and they are now available to none Thrivent members. You can become an “Associate member”, it cost $19.95 per person and allows you to apply for one grant of $250, per year. Apply online at: https://www.thrivent.com/about-us/membership#apply-1
Fall dates for your calendar
September
We change worship time to 8:30am on Sept 7th
Wednesday Night Workshop (all K– 8thgrade)
starts Sept 10th.
October – Stewardship month
October 5th Confirmation Sunday, 8:30am worship.
October 11th Runza making
October 12th Men’s Bible Study Breakfast
October 26th Trick -A-Truck
November
November 8th Porch Pot making,
November 14th & 15th Christmas Market.
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