(The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod)

210 East Pleasant Street Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066

Church Office: 262-567-5001 Daily Devotions: 262-567-1001 Website: www.splco.org

Worship Schedule: *Saturday 5:30 pm * Sunday 8:00 am Traditional in the Church * * Sunday 10:30 am Contemporary in the Church

St. Paul’s Mission Statement: “Reaching, Serving and Growing Disciples”

Rev. Lance Armstrong O’Donnell, Senior Pastor Steven Scharnell, Vicar Rev. Ronald P. Krug, Pastor Emeritus Ben Mueller, Youth Director Rev. Paul Borgman, Pastor Emeritus Diane Bleke, Organist/Choir Director Fred Boldt, Interim Principal Kelly Kulas, Kinder Place Director Volume 21 Office Hours - 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Number 22

BIBLE STUDIES

Survey of Luke & Acts

567-5001 Sun. - 9:15 a.m. Fellowship Hall

Being Christian

567-8195 Tues. – 7:00 p.m. Muecke’s Home

June 15th & 16th, 2013

WELCOME to everyone, especially our guests.

Your presence is important to us.

St. Paul’s is an evangelical Christian

congregation, embracing historic Christian

teaching on all doctrines, centered on Jesus

Christ. Our desire is to bring the Gospel both

to those who are searching for answers to the

meaning of life and to those who desire a

closer relationship with God. We here at St.

Paul's have chosen to align ourselves with the

teachings of the Lutheran Reformation, due

to the clarity with which these help us to see

the true meaning of God's Word.

Specifically, St. Paul's is a ministry of the

Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod, one of

America's truly biblical churches!

• Members and guests: please fill out an

attendance card and place it in the

offering plate to indicate your presence

today. For Holy Communion, please read

our confession and indicate your

agreement with our beliefs by checking

the box next to the names of those

communing.

• Those sharing our beliefs, especially from

parishes in fellowship with us, are

welcome to receive.

• If you desire Holy Communion but hold a

confession differing from that of this

congregation, please speak with a Pastor

or an Elder.

• Non-communing, baptized children are

welcome to come to the table for a

blessing.

Please note: Half the inner circle of individual

glasses in each tray contains water with one

drop of communion wine for those hesitant to

drink larger amounts of wine. Those glasses

with wine are rose in color. 2

4444thththth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Come to worship. As the prelude begins, worshippers are encouraged to conclude

conversation and quietly prepare to enter

into the experience of worship.

Theme: Theme: Theme: Theme: Good News, Galatians - You Are Cursed!

Vicar: Vicar: Vicar: Vicar: Steven Scharnell

Traditional Service LSB Divine Service 5 FolderLSB Divine Service 5 FolderLSB Divine Service 5 FolderLSB Divine Service 5 Folder

Contemporary Service Special OrderSpecial OrderSpecial OrderSpecial Order

The radio broadcast radio broadcast radio broadcast radio broadcast this Sunday is sponsored

by Bob Bratz in praise to God for blessings

received. St. Paul’s 8:00 am church service can

be heard Sunday over WTKM (104.9 FM &

1540 AM) and/or on the web at

www.wtkm.com.

Diane Bleke, Organist/Choir Director

PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18

Those sick or hospitalized: MEMBERS – Cindy Peartree; Dorothy Zillmer; George Wisser (spinal stenosis);

Susie Meyer; Laura Gruen (undergoing Chemotherapy); Ewald Baumann (Virginia Rehab); Howard O’Dell

(St. Luke’s); Andy Stenson; Quinn Bandomir; Marie Wisser (brain tumor); Mike Tanner; Frederic Marohn;

Vanessa (nee Stock) Hood - Leukemia; Bill Duchow; Dorothy Peterson (Shorehaven); Barb Krug (surgery

postponed); Betty Chatos; Crystal Parker.

FAMILY & FRIENDS OF MEMBERS – Those with cancer: Velma Moore (Pastor Krug’s friend) - stage 4

cancer; Kelly Kalies (hospice); Cheri Benz - breast cancer; Carol - end stages of cancer; a friend of Mary

Hickenbottom undergoing melanoma surgery; Cami - healing; Tim - lung cancer; Cris Runge - breast cancer

surgery; Jenny Streubing; Pastor William Meyer (Don Meyer’s brother) - Lymphoma; Luca - baby with brain

cancer; Kathleen Converse (Jessica Groenke’s sister) - breast cancer; Crystal Schultz - starting breast cancer

chemo; Clarence Hesse (Dale’s brother); Susie; Joann Romain - kidney cancer; Ron Rafalski - throat cancer;

Grace Wilhelm - Multiple Myeloma; Nancy - breast cancer; Lisa’s mom - colon & liver cancer; Sarah Beine

(stage 4 cancer); Marian Lippert (Les’s mother) Other: Lori Ford (David & Louise Lang’s daughter) - healing;

unborn baby with potential complications; Jane Ebert; Kayleigh - recurring health issues; Allanah - Scoliosis

complications; John Krecioch - critically injured at work; Ray Miner (Lisa Steele’s father) - recovering from a

stroke; Chuck Wickert (Jessica Groenke’s friend) - heart trouble; Charles Tuff (Alzheimer’s); Carrie Synder

(Gwen & Carl Nicholson’s niece) - continued healing; Patrick Duchow - diagnosed with MS; Dan (stage 4

prostate cancer); Jon Franke - continued healing; Kim Pomeroy (Cindy Lippert’s cousin) - diagnosed with MS;

Laura (continued healing); Paul Fellin.

Those serving in the military-deployed: Patrick Lippert; Zach Howard, Theresa; Jim Carney; Phil Preston;

Chad Kelling, Casey, Phil, Andy & Steve Koth; Luke, Jacob, Brian, Wayne Klamp, Randy, Jeff, Matt, Tom,

Brad, Ben, Mike, Rob & Fabian Beats.

Those serving God as missionaries: Christie Nelson (China); Ray Wigdal (China); Dennis Denow (Thailand);

Jeff & Julie Vigil (Kenya); Bob & Chris Prouty (Australia); Pastor Reinke (Deaf Ministry); Rev. Bud Palmer;

St. John’s, Sullivan, WI; Brian & Jeanette Keller and the LCMS mission in the Dominican Republic.

Those in need: Our Shut-Ins; for Mr. Aaron Hoeppner as he deliberates the Divine Call he has received to

serve at Grace Lutheran School in Menomonee Falls; prayer of comfort for the family of Nathaniel Starbuck

(Howard & Georgeann O’Dell’s son-in-law), who passed away last week; Jamie (Heather Gartzke’s friend) -

struggling with depression; those struggling with drug addiction; Camp LuWiSoMo - for campers to continue

to sign up as final preparations are made for the summer.

Birthdays: LuAnn Wolter - June 28th; William Voss - 91st - June 24th

Thanksgiving: For a job for Darryl & Kathy Wickersham’s son-in-law

For successful surgery for George Wisser

For favorable test results for Keith Pagenkopf

The Prayer Warriors of St. Paul's are praying daily

for these families and their needs..

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REACHINGREACHINGREACHINGREACHING DISCIPLESDISCIPLESDISCIPLESDISCIPLES

LWML QUILT TYING

Lend a hand! Anyone interested is invited to help tie quilts at 9:00 am on Saturday, June

22nd, in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a scissors and a friend!

LCMS PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, 2013 Pastor John Reinke, Pastor Bud Palmer and Dr. Rodney Rynearson (National Director for

Deaf Ministry) have established the Lutheran Deaf Mission Society in southern Wisconsin.

Pastor Reinke is also pastor of Our Savior Deaf Lutheran Church in Madison, and Pastor

Palmer serves as pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in West Allis.

NEEDED: APARTMENT/HOUSE FOR RENT

We have a family that is in need of housing. They are looking for a 2-3 bedroom home that will accept pets. They will need to have it available by August 1st. If you know of a home or apartment, please call the school office at 567-5001.

THANK YOU GARDEN HELPERS A special thanks to Ralph Andrus for rototilling the gardens, to Mary Ann Ashworth, Kathy Mueller and Don Gauerke for helping with planting, to the Ladies Aid for purchasing the mulch, to Gary Flanagan for delivering the mulch, to Don Schmitt for trimming the bushes and especially to Ebert’s Greenhouse Village for donating the plants to beautify our gardens. The Lord blesses us with the needed sunshine and rain, and for this we say, “Thank You, Lord.”

WHEN DO WE NEED GOD’S LOVE MOST? When do we need God’s love most? Of course we need that love every second of our lives. But at times God’s love is especially precious to us, times when:

� we lose a loved one;

� life becomes so confusing that we do not know where to turn; or

� life just becomes meaningless and depression sets in.

At times like these, it is very important to have someone who cares. Our congregation has trained lay people, Stephen Ministers, who offer a ministry of Christian caring here at St. Paul’s. Should you or someone you know have need for a Stephen Minister, contact Pastor Ronald Krug at 262-567-5001 extension 229 or email Pastor Ronald at pKrug@splco.org.

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SERVINGSERVINGSERVINGSERVING DISCIPLESDISCIPLESDISCIPLESDISCIPLES

COMMUNION ASSISTANT TRAINING Communion Assistant Training for all new and current communion assistants will be on Tuesday, June 18th, in the church nave at 8:00 pm. Contact Dave Meyer at 920-279-5860 or dmeyer124@att.net with any questions,

MAINTENANCE POSITION The Board of Church Properties has an opening for a part-time maintenance person. Hours are 6:00 am to 9:00 am M-F. Please email resume to cindy@splco.org. Applications are also available in the church office.

JUNE CARING TREE During the month of June we will be collecting items for VBS and the Romania Mission Trip Team. Tags are located upstairs and downstairs. The following is a list of needed items for VBS: boxes of graham crackers, jars of creamy peanut butter, bags of mini jelly beans, bags of Hershey Chocolate Kisses, gold-covered chocolate coins, bags of pretzel sticks, bags of mini marshmallows, bags of thin red licorice rope, bags of original Bugles, cans of spray cheddar cheese, boxes of chocolate cake mix, boxes of yellow cake mix, containers of regular sized muffin liners, tubs of vanilla frosting, chocolate sprinkles, assorted sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, $25 gift cards to Roundy’s or Piggly Wiggly (gift cards available through Scrip) certificates to Ben Franklin (available through Script) bags of small safety pins and bags of medium safety pins and an assortment of colors of seed beads. Assortment of Sharpie pens and Crayola Fabric Markers (10 colors per box). Drinks: Apple Juice, Hawaiian Punch, Lemonade. Also needed are paper products, napkins, snack paper plates, and regular sized paper plates, plastic spoons, juice cups, hand sanitizer and baby wipes. Note: Gift certificates will be used for fresh fruit, bagels and other needed items.

And, for Romania: Bible coloring books, crayons, glue, glue sticks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, markers, scissors, sidewalk chalk. A variety of art supplies: string, felt, buttons, ribbon, craft eyes, yarn, paper plates (all sizes), beads, foam craft sheets, tissue paper, glitter, adhesive magnets, jingle bells, fabric paint, stamp pads and stamps, coffee filters and hand puppets. And, finally, NEW children’s undergarments in packages, prenatal vitamins, chewable (gummie) multi vitamins for children, chewable children’s ibuprofen and chewable children’s acetaminophen, gauze pads, roller bandages, band aids, triple antibiotic ointment, etc. for simple wound dressings. Also, some black Sharpie permanent markers and white board markers in different colors. THESE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS NEEDED: toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, and hairbrushes.

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PART-TIME TEACHER WANTED We are looking for a part-time teacher (20 hours per week) with strengths in Math and Science preferred but not necessary. If you are interested or know someone who is, drop off or mail your resume to St. Paul’s office as soon as possible for consideration.

FAMILY PROMISE OF WESTERN WAUKESHA COUNTY The Board of Service and Mission Outreach is excited to report a new mission opportunity for St. Paul’s! It is Family Promise of Western Waukesha County. It is a program that teams up with congregations, volunteers, the business community and other local agencies to provide shelter, meals and support services for homeless families. The goal is to work with the families to achieve permanent housing and sustainable independence. We will begin by asking for your help in filling up the "Houses for Change" by the end of June which are located in the narthex. The estimate is that there are 105 persons that are homeless in Western Waukesha County at any given time (30 pre-school age children + 30 school age children + 45 parents/guardians). Please find more information in the narthex. You can also go to their website-www.fpowwc.org/

LUTHERAN WITNESSLUTHERAN WITNESSLUTHERAN WITNESSLUTHERAN WITNESS

The Lutheran Witness magazine is available again this year. If you are currently on the list and receiving the magazine, please call the church office at 567-5001 to let us know if you would like to continue your subscription or cancel it. If you would like to start receiving The Lutheran Witness, please call the church office so that we can get you on the subscription list. The cost for the magazine is $15.60 for 11 issues (the July/August issue is combined). The deadline for renewal or new subscriptions is June 28th.

Our radio broadcast over WTKM is a very important outreach for our congregation.

Below are the dates open for the year 2013. Please prayerfully consider sponsoring one of these Sundays. The cost is $95.00. We praise God for this valuable community outreach. You may also contribute any amount to the “radio fund” at any time.

November 3

November 10

November 17

November 28

December 1

If you are interested in sponsoring a Broadcast please fill out the bottom portion of this

page and hand it into the church office. Thank you. Any questions please call Heather

in the church office 567-5001.

NAME__________________________________DATE: 1ST CHOICE________ 2ND CHOICE_______

Please dedicate to (i.e. in memory of, wedding anniversary, to the Glory of God, in

honor of...etc.)_______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPONSOR A RADIO BROADCAST?

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GROWINGGROWINGGROWINGGROWING DISCIPLESDISCIPLESDISCIPLESDISCIPLES

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St. Paul’s 2013 Vacation Bible School July 15th -18th 9:00 am-12:00 noon

Volunteer Registration Form

GOTTA MOVE! Keepin’ in Step with the Spirit!

Looking for all ages 11 and up (or graduating from 4th grade in June).

We take any, and all, who want to promote living God’s Word.

Please fill out the information below so we can include you in this awesome

opportunity. Contact information for any additional questions listed at bottom of

page.

Name: __________________________________Birthdate: __________________

Parents’ Name:______________________________ (if under 18)

Street Address: ____________________________________________

City: ______________________________State: ____ Zip: _________

E-mail address :___________________________(A MUST IF YOU HAVE ONE)

Home phone: _______________________ Mobile: ________________

In case of emergency, contact: _________________________________

Home phone: _______________________ Mobile: ________________

Age you would prefer to work with: (3 years to 4th grade) ________________

Thank you!! For volunteering to this wonderful event.

Your VBS coordinators

Kate Stache angelk8stache@yahoo.com

262-313-8232 cell

Jamie Stache jamie@gemstarmarketing.com

608-444-3556 cell

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GOTTA MOVE! Keepin’ in Step with the Spirit!

Child’s Name: __________________________ Birthdate: _____________ Last grade completed as of 6-15-12: (Circle one) T- Shirt Size (Circle one) 3 year preschool 4K 5K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Child sm md lg xlg Adult sm md lg xlg

Parents’ Name(s)_____________________________________________

Mailing Address: _____________________________________________

City: ______________________State: _______ Zip: _________________

Email address :______________________________ (a must if you have one)

Home phone: _____________________ Mobile: ____________________

In case of emergency, contact: ____________________________________

Home phone: ____________________ Mobile: _____________________

Persons allowed to pick up your child(ren):____________________________

_________________________________________________________

Allergies or other medical conditions: _______________________________

________________________ (Please bring own snack for any child with food allergies.)

Church affiliation: ____________________________________________

**Cost: $8 per child or $15 per Family MAX Please return to St Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church office at

210 E. Pleasant St., Oconomowoc, WI 53066

Any questions or additional information go to:www.splco.org or CALL at 262.567.5001

Get the VBS CD for $5! It has 6 songs to help get you ramped up for “Keepin’ in Step with the Spirit!”

Get CD when you register!! CD’s will be available throughout VBS week. Cash_______ Check#______________

CD-Y or N initials-received CD________ Total $____________ Total # of children___________

St. Paul’s 2013 Vacation Bible School

July 15th -18th 9:00 am -12:00 noon

Registration Form (one per child please) Please register by July 3rd

What’s the date today?What’s the date today?What’s the date today?What’s the date today? Usually when someone asks this question, you might look to the calendar hanging on your wall for the answer. Once you have figured out the answer, I might help determine what you will wear, where you will go, and what you might do. For example, if the date were January 15th, you would probably decide to wear warm clothes because it could be cold outside. As you can see, calendars help keep things in order

What does this have to do with the Divine Service?What does this have to do with the Divine Service?What does this have to do with the Divine Service?What does this have to do with the Divine Service? Did you know that the church has its own calendar? That’s right! It even has its own seasons. Instead of seasons based on the weather, the church’s seasons are based on the life of Christ and He church. The calendar that you use everyday has summer, fall, winter and spring. The church year calendar has Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent and many more. Look in the front part of your hymnal (page x in LSB) to see if you can tell which season we are in now. As you can see, the church year calendar helps put order to the seasons and festivals of the church.

Kids in the Divine Service by Christopher I. Thoma. Copyright © 2000 by the Commission on Worship of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. All rights reserved. To order, please phone (314) 996-1741. Art work copyright ©1995, Concordia Publishing House. Used with permission.

FOR PARENTS

Before or after the service, direct your children to the front part of the hymnal (pg. x in LSB). Go through the calendar and discuss the different seasons. Remind them that many of the special dates we have on our everyday calendars come from the church year calendar, i.e., Christmas, Easter, etc.

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The Board of Stewardship is seeking a Financial Secretary, as called for in St. Paul’s Constitution

The Financial Secretaries duties are defined as

� Being responsible for the accurate counting, recording and depositing of congregation receipts

� Assuring safe deposit of those receipts in a local bank

� Assure safe keeping of receipts between time of services and the counting teams perform their

activities

� Enlist a staff of recording secretaries (counting teams) who will count and record all donations

� Schedule counting teams and assure that teams are adequately staffed at all times.

Any candidate should know that the counting teams are in place and continue to willingly perform

their duties. What is needed is essentially a leader to perform scheduling and oversee these

activities. If you have any interest, please contact Mark Prange at 262 966 4953.

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June 17th June 17th June 17th June 17th ---- June 23rd June 23rd June 23rd June 23rd ADVANCE THE MISSIONADVANCE THE MISSIONADVANCE THE MISSIONADVANCE THE MISSION

REACHING, SERVING & GROWING DISCIPLESREACHING, SERVING & GROWING DISCIPLESREACHING, SERVING & GROWING DISCIPLESREACHING, SERVING & GROWING DISCIPLES

MONDAY June 17th

Lord’s Cupboard Meal Fellowship Hall 5:30 pm

TUESDAY June 18th

MAC 150th Anniversary Committee Meeting

Maxim’s Room 219

6:00 am 6:30 pm

WEDNESDAY June 19th

New Member Classes Praise Team Practice

Room 201 Church

6:00 pm 7:30 pm

THURSDAY June 20th

Stephen Ministry Continuing Education Praise Team Practice

Room 201 Church

7:00 pm 7:00 pm

SATURDAY June 22nd

Journey Men Traditional Worship

AA Meeting

Maxim’s Church

Fellowship Hall

7:30 am 5:30 pm 8:30 pm

SUNDAY June 23rd

Traditional Worship Bible Study

Contemporary Worship

Church Fellowship Hall

Church Church

8:00 am 9:15 am 10:30 am 11:45 am

For the most current

information on St. Paul’s

happenings, please visit our

website at splco.org.

June 22/23 5:30 8:00 10:30

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June 8th & 9th

5:30 pm - 71

8:00 am - 132

10:30 am - 136

Church Attendance:

339 Total; 25 visitors; 314 members

ST. PAUL’S JUNE/JULY EPISTLE IS NOW ST. PAUL’S JUNE/JULY EPISTLE IS NOW ST. PAUL’S JUNE/JULY EPISTLE IS NOW ST. PAUL’S JUNE/JULY EPISTLE IS NOW

AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT

SPLCO.ORG. SPLCO.ORG. SPLCO.ORG. SPLCO.ORG.

FAMILIES WITH SMALL CHILDREN We rejoice to have families with small

children participating in our worship

services. There are baskets available

with items that might be helpful for your

children behind the back pews.

THIS WEEKEND 5:30 8:00 10:30

For the most current

information on St. Paul’s

Music Leaders Diane Bleke Diane Bleke In His Light

Acolytes Jack Binder Savannah Steinmann & Erika Reiner Ben Stache & Sam Swanson

Altar Guild Martha & Emilie Blanck Kayleigh Rather Audrey Martens & Gerri Zwieg

Elders Bruce Bain Rick Zastrow Scott Kalien

Greeters John Melvin Don & Harriet Groose (church) Gary & Becca Pribnow (school)

Shirley Smart

Lectors Russ Meyer Al Mueller

Power Point N/A N/A Jamie Stache

Radio Host N/A Jim Juneau N/A

Ushers Gary Flanagan Rick Zastrow Scott Kalien

Special Music

Acolytes Jordan Weber & Amber Nagel Trevor & Colin Leonhardt Makenna Meunier & Ben Stache

Altar Guild Jamie Stache Barb Hentz Barb Star

Elders Tom Truebenbach Mike Tesch Kyle Swanson

Greeters Rick Zastrow John & Margie Hertneky (8:00 church)

Elsie Rupnow (8:00 school) Jamie Stache

Lectors Barb Krug Dave Meyer

Power Point N/A N/A Cheryl Oelsner

Radio Host N/A Chuck Muecke N/A

Ushers Mike Papa Dave Meyer Truman Seifert

Readings OT: Isaiah 55:6-11 NT: Galatians 3:23-4:7 Gospel: St. John 15:1-11

Emily Poytinger & Angela Bleke

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THE 4th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

2 Samuel 11:26—12:10; 12:13–14 (ESV) When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.”

Galatians 2:15–21; 3:10–14 (ESV) We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I

do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might

receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Luke 7:36—8:3 (ESV) One of the Pharisees asked [Jesus] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

June 15th & 16th, 2013