Pilot Knob Lutheran Bless You 8/14/2024 I believe most of us are familiar with the closing benediction (blessing) at the close of a worship service. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26. This is a reminder that God will never shame any of you. The you is italicized in the above verses because I want to point out that it is a singular personal pronoun, not plural. So it’s you and not you all. The singular you focuses on you as an individual, it’s intimate, particular and personal. This surely emphasizes the value he places on you. How many times does this benediction say you? Count them. Also consider the benediction is like the Mississippi River. At its beginning it’s a small creek in Itasca, Northern Minnesota and continues to widen and gain water as it moves south. The benediction begins with three words in Hebrew (the Lord bless you and keep you): the next line is five words (the Lord make….you): the next is seven words (the Lord lift….peace). The Lord’s blessing upon his faithful people begins small and ends like a rushing river. Recall a baby that was placed in a basket and placed on the still waters of the Nile? Remember how he would up end the Egyptian empire? I realize most people barely hear the benediction at the end of the service because it’s either not understood, they don’t care, or they’re focused on getting out. In either case it is worth thinking about the blessing that is pronounced and received by faith. After all God’s word is alive and active in the life of all who believe and receive. ~ More on this benediction next week. ~ Pr. Bob Snitzer By the Way: Sunday 18, 9:00 AM Morning worship service & Holy Communion. Sermon: Miraculous Manna ~ Tuesday 20, Women’s bible study 2:00 If you have any article or God sighting you would like to share with the congregation please submit it for publication in the Briefings. pastorbob@pilotknob.org GriefShare will begin a new session beginning October 6, 2:00-3:30 at the Church. For more information go to: https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup or contact Pr. Bob or Sue Reese. ~ Sunday 25, 11:00 Church picnic at the Abele farm. Bring a dish to share, utensils, drink and a chair. ~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Fear
There is a lot of fear in our world and our lives these days. The fear of the unknown, illness, natural disasters, violence, being make to look like a fool, dark spirits, failure, and the list goes on. Jesus repeatedly said to His people, ‘Do not fear,” “fear not,” and “do not be afraid.” How could he say that to those living in a violent world in both the Old Testament and the New?
