Paul wrote a letter of joy. It is four chapters. It has 104 verses made up of 2002 words. Paul wrote a letter of joy from jail. With his arms in shackles and chained up between two soldiers, Paul wrote this letter. He used words like “joy” and “rejoice” at least 16 times. Even chained up, Paul had joy overflowing, abounding, excessive.
He knew that God was awesome and that God makes life awesome, even when life isn’t awesome. We want that.
We need that. But it seems so difficult. Circumstances crush joy. Pain steals it.
That’s why we’re going to spend the next four weeks in this letter of joy. Paul wants to help us discover real joy. Paul wants to give us true happiness. That’s why this sermon series will not define for us what joy is. That’s why we’re not going to sit down and tell you that this is what joy is.
We’re going to preach and teach about the things that give us joy. See, joy is not something that we can manufacture. Joy is not something that we can go out and get. It is not something that we can attain. It is something that God gives.
Challenge: Read the letter to the Philippians before worship this weekend!
We’d love to see you in worship:
Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in-person.
Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in-person.
Sunday at 9:30 a.m. online broadcast here.
Some have asked the question: How does the new mandate by Governor Evers affect us? There are two answers to that question and both of them bring us to the same conclusion. 1) Governor Evers mandate does not apply to churches. 2) The orders by the city of Milwaukee supersede the governors orders; Milwaukee is standing her ground. In either case, this does not affect our worship plans or practices. We will continue to abide by the mask mandates and social distancing. We will continue all of the safe practices we have begun.
We hope you will feel safe to come to worship. If you plan to continue worshipping at home, please let us know so that we can bring you communion. We are happy to make personal visits with the Lord’s Supper.
Welcome Home Sunday AND TAILGATE.
On Sunday, November 1, we will be holding our second annual “Welcome Home” Sunday. This is also Reformation Sunday! What a wonderful day on which to celebrate not only our Lutheran faith heritage, but also to celebrate the family that we have in Christ. After worship, we’ll set up for a tailgate for the football game that afternoon. More information will come! Please mark this Sunday and make plans to be there.
Can you help? Last year we sent cards to all our members who hadn’t been to church for quite a while. We’d like to send personal invitations to them all once again. We will do this after church on Sunday, October 18. If you would like to write cards, but can’t stay after church that day (or you’re in your Connect Group), contact the church office to pick some up.
For all other announcements, check out this week’s “The Mount Weekly.”