I got confused last week and led you astray concerning the Wednesday Bible Study. I thought we were on lesson 6. We did lesson 4 the previous week and I guess after 4 comes 6! I never was very good at math! Anyway, we will focus this week on Isaiah chapters 9 and 10. Last week we saw Isaiah’s amazing prophecy of the virgin birth of the Messiah. This week we encounter another wonderful prophecy concerning the coming Messiah.

Following Bible study the choir will rehearse,

On Reformation Sunday (October 27) I will be speaking on the nature of biblical faith. The reformers in the 16th century were very clear that salvation comes to us by faith alone. But what exactly is faith? The biblical definition differs from what some folks think. If we are saved by faith it goes without saying that we must have a clear understanding of the meaning of that word.

May you all have a wonderful week, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Pastor Bowman

The Cornwell Twins have come and gone. I think many of you enjoy this change of pace.
This Sunday I will wrap up the sermon series on the Holy Spirit. Again, if you want the entire series (manuscript version) we will be happy to provide it. There is a difference between the manuscript version and the preached version. I use an outline in the pulpit. I say things that are not in the manuscript, and there are things in the manuscript I do not say! The manuscript version is more suitable for further study and reflection.
I am really looking forward to preaching the sermon on Oct. 27 (Reformation Sunday). The reformers. beginning with Luther in 1517, taught that we are saved by faith alone. I fear there are many who have a false understanding of that word “faith.” There are those who believe God exists, and that Jesus is our Savior, and they assume they have true faith. We need to understand the biblical definition of faith. How does the Bible define faith? We will pursue that question on Oct. 27.
Our Wednesday Bible study will move into Isaiah 9 and 10. Last week we saw the amazing prophecy concerning a virgin conceiving a child, a prophecy made 600 years before the birth of Jesus. This week we will see another astonishing prophecy fulfilled by Jesus.
Choir follows Bible study. We could certainly use a few more voices.
On Thursday Marie and I will be attending the annual Gideon;s Pastor;s banquet in Sedalia.
Have a blessed week and make church attendance a high priority.
Pastor Bowman

My 65th high school reunion was a bit of a let down. With 450 graduates I knew only a handful personally and none of my old friend were there. On the positive side we sat and visited with a wonderful Christian woman. I did not know her at good ole Washburn High, but Marie and I definitely made a new friend. We also enjoyed our visit to the Minneapolis Zoo.

Thanks to Justine Barb for sharing her faith Sunday. I have heard excellent reports on her message. With all the talk about bad teenagers we are blessed to have Justine, Jaylyn and Kamryn in our congregation. Our young people are few, but wonderful Christians.

This week the FCM meets tomorrow at 8 AM for their monthly breakfast and meeting. FCW meets on Wednesday at 9:30 AM. Wednesday Bible study meets at 3:30 PM. We will continue our study of the Book of Isaiah with Jack Salyer serving as leader.

Sunday’s sermon will continue our study of the Holy Spirit. We will be looking once again at spiritual gifts. We are considering putting this Holy Spirit series into a binder for further individual study. If you would like to have the entire series in a binder please let me or Marie know.

A reminder we are just a few weeks away from a visit from the Cornwell Twins. We are always blessed by their music. They will be with us on Oct. 13th. A fellowship dinner will follow.

Pastor Bowman

In my sermon series on the Holy Spirit last Sunday I made some comments about the gift of tongues. Because of time restraints I did not address all the issues concerning this gift. I do not want to take sermon time to address this issue further but I hope to answer some questions people have asked in an essay I am preparing which will be available on October 5th. If you would like a copy please let me know so I will have an idea regarding how many to print.

Marie and I will be leaving for a short vacation this week. On Thursday we are heading to Minneapolis to attend a reunion of my high school graduation class of 1954. It doesn’t seem possible that I graduated 65 years ago! The last time I checked about 50 of us are still alive and well and signed up to attend.

Sharing her faith this Sunday will be Justine Barb. Justine is not only a great basketball player for Skyline High School, she is also a strong Christian and we are very proud of her. I know you will be encouraged and inspired by her message.

I will be leading Wednesday’s Bible study at 3:30. I haven’t decided yet what to do. We are in the Book of Isaiah and I may continue that study. The second option is to have a study/discussion on the gift of tongues since there was some confusion about that issue after last Sunday. I will ask the group their preference.

Choir will follow Bible study at 4:45. We are very grateful for our small but loyal choir, and our director.

Looking ahead, the Cornwell Twins will be with us on October 13 to present a concert during the morning worship service. A fellowship dinner will follow the morning service.

Pastor Bowman

Bible Study, Wednesday at 3:30, continuation of the Book of Isaiah, Mark Simmons, leader. Choir, Wednesday, 4:45.On Wednesday at 11:00 AM I will be conducting funeral services for Darrell Smith. He was not a member of our church.  I was his Hospice chaplain. The sermon on Sunday will be a continuation of our study on the work of the Holy Spirit. We will continue our examination of spiritual gifts.