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
Many Ways
Recently it was reported that a very high-profile denominational leader stated that all religions are paths to the same God. This was said to Christians living in Singapore. It’s like different religions are simply a different language talking about the same God. Really!? Can we lump all the world’s religions into one basket and say they all lead to the God who created and redeemed us? Hardly! They all have their own god and sacred writings and none of them completely agree on everything, therefore, religious doctrine will be contradicted.
