First Divine Service

 Yesterday we had our first Divine Service at St. Silas Lutheran Church.  We met at the North Liberty Living Center's chapel and there were 22 in attendance.  Now I personally hate reporting numbers because it's too easy to base success on numbers, which when it comes to Christ's Church is completely unsafe.  But Luke reports a few numbers in the book of Acts, mostly at the beginning, and since we have to stay under 30 people in that room per fire code it's somewhat necessary at this point to know the number of people present.  But here's what's really important: Yesterday Jesus gathered people to forgive their sins and give his body and blood to them, to cause them to hear the Word and give them life and peace.

Now concerning the 22, some I knew would be coming, some perhaps would be coming, some I had never met before.  But of all the people in the room this is the number I sought out myself: 0.  Working through unseen connections, odd coincidences, and a myriad of other things that are a complete mystery to me, Christ gathered this group and is continuing to add to it.

Our order of service was Divine Service Setting 3 in Lutheran Service Book.  Adam Fosse served as organist (red shirt, second from the right in the picture).  We sang hymns 901, Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty, 666, O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe, and 839, O Christ, Our True and Only Light.  The sermon was on the Gospel, Luke 4:31-44, titled after the chief hymn, "O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe."  We received Christ's body and blood at the altar.

We're on again for next Sunday at the NLLC chapel at 11:00am.  Next Sunday is the Transfiguration, which certainly takes precedence (or Quinquagesima if you're on the one year lectionary), but it is also the Commemoration of St. Silas, fellow worker of St. Peter and St. Paul.  If your congregation sees fit we would appreciate you remembering us in your prayers again next Sunday.

In Christ

Pastor Andrew Richard

St. Silas Lutheran Church
www.stsilaslutheran.org
www.facebook.com/stsilaslutheran
stsilaslutheran@gmail.com