If you wish to volunteer for Oktoberfest, sign up at church or contact Nikki Anderson at sunflowernikki11@gmail.com
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Or you can join Facebook Live to view our video stream. Go to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Facebook Page.
You can watch it anytime after the service as well as it will be recorded.
If you are interested in learning more about Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, click HERE.
What are your thoughts on unexpected guests? Welcome or woeful? What if they don't actually show up at your house - does that change anything? Last night I got a message from a seminarian wondering if I had any time to meet up today as he passes through Topeka. We've talked several times, but never actually met. Our connection is that he's from the first church I served and is now studying to be a Pastor himself. So, I'm excited to meet him, and curious what he'll be like in person, though I'm not sure when he'll be here. I hope to be a good host and perhaps share a meal with my traveler.
I started thinking of all the unexpected visitors in the bible. Perhaps you think of an unexpected appearance from and angel, and they immediately speak "peace" or "do not be afraid". Abram and Sari are greeted by the Lord with unexpected travelers in Genesis 18. During this visit they share a meal with the travelers and are promised a child in their old age, and that their descendants will be numerous through him. Sarah laughs at God because she thinks this impossible. We know from Luke 1:37 that "nothing is impossible with God". These are the words of the angel who announces the virgin birth to Mary, the mother of our Lord, as he also delivers the good news that her barren cousin Elizabeth is now, also with child. God delights in blessing his people - with his peace, with his presence, and with the forgiveness of sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - son of Mary, and son of God.
While I don't expect any miracles today at lunch with my new friend, I do pray for the Lord's blessings on our time together, on his travels, his studies, and our work in the kingdom of God for the sake of the Gospel. I'm confident God will hear our prayer and bless us beyond our wildest imagination. That is what he does.
This week I hope that you will be in prayer to the Lord for yourself, for others, and for his kingdom. May he give you eyes to see his many blessings in all their forms. Lord, give us eyes to see you clearly in the person and work of your Son Jesus, for us. Amen.
Blessings on your week,
