Thought of the Month
Becoming a Christian is Easy; Living Like One is Much Harder
The title of this article and the following story from Our Daily Bread may jolt some of us to behave differently.
In the Driver’s Seat
I love the story of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they drove on a busy boulevard. When he slowed to stop at a yellow light, the woman hit the horn, cussing and screaming in frustration and gesturing angrily. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a police officer, who ordered her to exit the car with her hands up. He took her to the police station and placed her in a holding cell.
And hour later, the officer returned and said, “I’m sorry, Ma’am. This has been a big mistake. When I pulled behind you, I noticed your ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ license plate holder and your ‘Follow me to Sunday School’ bumper sticker. When I saw how you were acting, I assumed the car was stolen!”
Satan doesn’t care if you’re a Christian or not, as long as you don’t act like one. And the lady in our story proves that living like a Christian is much harder than becoming one. If Satan can get you to live by his signals, he can damage and disarm you every time and dishonor the name of Jesus in the process.
An old saying summarizes this story very well: “What you do speaks so loudly, that I can’t hear what you’re saying.” And a more up-to-date saying is my new favorite when it comes to this type of behavior: “Your behavior may be the only Bible some people read.”
So, let’s follow Matthew’s advice in 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise the Father in heaven.”
Food Drive - Our next food drive runs from October 2 through November 6. At this time, most needed items are cereal, oatmeal, canned fruit, canned chicken and tuna. Of course, gift cards to Pick n' Save are always welcome.
Sunday School
St. Jacobi Sunday School is looking for students! We would like our members to ask around to their neighbors and friends if they know of any school age children that would like to learn about Jesus, and invite the children/parents/grandparents to visit our church. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let Julie know.
All Saints Day - On November 6 we will have our annual All Saints Day Remembrance. If you lost a family member or friend in the last year, please add his/her name to the sheet in the rear of the sanctuary so we can remember them on All Saints Day.
Operation Christmas Child – Again this year we will be participating in Operation Christmas Child. Their current needs are sewing tote bags, making cross beaded necklaces, or assembling necklace kits. Supplies and directions will be supplied. Items would need to be completed and dropped off by November 6th. Please let Kathy know if you are interested. Below are the links to sign up for the following events:
Here is the link to our Packing Event sign up.
Dates: Friday, 11/11 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 11/12 9:00-11:00 a.m.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4eaaa72ba0f49-20222
Here is the link to help with Collection Week.
Dates are: 11/14-11/21 - Times vary depending on day selected.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4BAAAE2CA2FD0-202
Veterans Day – Our annual Veterans Day Remembrance will be held on Nov. 13. If you have a vet in your family that you would like remembered please get his/her photo to Paul Isaacson.
Scrip Update - Festival Foods is now open in Hartford and Festival Foods gift cards can be ordered through the Scrip program. Also, many of you order scrip gift cards to use as Christmas gifts. If you plan to do that this year, your order must be received by November 27 in order to have them by Christmas. And please take one of the new up-to-date retailer lists located in the reading rack at the rear of the sanctuary.
Hanging of the Greens – Please plan to stay after worship on Nov. 20 to help decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. And please note that we will not be having a potluck that day.
Hat and Mitten Tree – It’s that time again! The hat and mitten tree will soon be in the sanctuary waiting for your handmade or store bought creations.
Prayer Requests
We pray for all our members, friends and family having health issues.
We pray for peace in the world.
We pray for the people of Ukraine.
We pray for all of our members and families that have lost a loved one.
We pray that we may love as Jesus taught us all the year through.
If you have someone to add to the prayer requests, contact Jerry Eisner, (jerome7549@att.net) or 414-534-1750
