September17th, 2025 Dear Siblings in Christ, The headlines of the past few weeks have been upsetting. More lives have been lost to violence, more families are grieving, and the shouting across political and cultural divides seems to have gotten louder. It weighs heavily on my heart. Too often it feels like division and despair are winning the day. And it might feel like these issues are just too big to do anything about, or we might be tempted to just accept this as the new status quo. But our lectionary readings for this week have something to say about that. The prophet Amos had strong words for his own generation, warning those who grew comfortable while their neighbors suffered. Jesus teaches that “whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much,” but also, “whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). In other words, the world we live in is not built only by the powerful. It is shaped day by day by the choices made by ordinary people like us. That means our words matter. Our habits of giving and serving matter. The way we notice—or fail to notice—the needs of our neighbor matters. None of these small things are neutral. They either feed cycles of fear and division, or they plant seeds of trust and reconciliation. As followers of Jesus, we are called to something different. Luther reminds us in his explanation of the Eighth Commandment that we are to ““come to your neighbor’s defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.” Imagine how different our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities could be if we made this our daily practice. Such faithfulness may not draw headlines, but God delights in it. And God multiplies it. A kind word spoken in a tense moment, a meal shared, an act of generosity—all can ripple outward in ways we may never fully see. In a world so full of violence and hostility, perhaps the most powerful witness we can offer is to be faithful in the small things, trusting that God is at work through us to bring peace, justice, and new life.
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)
we got away from our cleaning routine due to the covid period, and sadly we never got reorganized. I do thank the folks that come in and keep us tidy, but we really need some regular deep cleaning and floor scrubbing. Council thought if we used the Christian Service Groups, we could indeed get the place spruced up: Please be courteous when called or emailed. Not sure of your group, check the Narthex Area for the lists.
2025 2026
September Feb July Group 2 Chair: Doug & Liz Tanglia October March Aug Group 3 Chair: John & Nita Kramer November April Sept Group 4 Chair: Mark & Pat Freeman December May Oct Group 5 Chair: Jenny Coulsey January June Nov Group 6 Chair: Jane Lee
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
Our condolences to the family of Gary Bruggeman who died late August. He will be missed.
All Day Quilting Oct18th 9:30 – 3:30. Please bring a dish to share.
WNW (K-8th) is up and running, still time to join us at 5:45p (with supper) 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) .
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
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.
Our thanks to Tod Vaudrin for the repair to the walls in the women’s bathroom. Also, shout -out to Tod & Chad Schuler for replacing all the Exit sign batteries in the building. Thanks to Paul & Kelly for yard work this week, seen & appreciated. Talking of grounds upkeep…..special shout out to Linda Foemlli for the striking garden flowers this year & those that help plant them. Thanks to Carol Breimhorst for the flowers on the altar this past weekend.
Monday Night Women’s Bible Study, September 22nd at CLC. Note: new time, 5:30-8pm.
Looking for kitchen help on Monday Sept 29th for a funeral here at CLC 10-2pm. Talk to Jenny C.
Come play Bingo……..Bring a wrapped white elephant ‘gift’ Sunday Sept 21st 9:30am …. . Serving an Egg Bake Breakfast
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