Reconnect and Reset.  In the Old Testament of our Bible, there is a special time that is celebrated every 50 years.  The year would be considered, the year of Jubilee.

It is a time of reconnection and reset.  The fields are rested, restored, they are reset.  So are many other aspects of life.  I invite you to read the full text of Leviticus chapter 25.  Below are some excerpts of God’s commands.

11The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields.  13“ ‘In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to their own property.  14“ ‘If you sell land to any of your own people or buy land from them, do not take advantage of each other. 15You are to buy from your own people on the basis of the number of years since the Jubilee.  (TNIV Le 25:11–15)

23“ ‘The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers. 24Throughout the land that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.  (TNIV Le 25:23–24)

39“ ‘If any of your own people become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves. 40They are to be treated as hired workers or temporary residents among you; they are to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. 41Then they and their children are to be released, and they will go back to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors. (TNIV Le 25:39–41)

Sadly there is no record in history, that the actions called for by God took place.  The idea was a reset, putting all on equal footing.  Putting everyone at the same starting point.

We have an opportunity of sorts for our own Jubilee.  No, I am not asking for you to give lands, cars, houses or anything back.  I am suggesting a Jubilation, a reset in coming to Church.  After a long and hopefully joyful summer, school has already started back up.  People that have been away and busy, will have the chance to walk into First Lutheran.  September 10th is Rally Day for Sunday school.  It is also the day we move back to two services and it is the day we debut the new format of the 10:30 service, now known as the Spirit Connection service.  Reconnect and Reset.

It is a time of reconnection and reset, of sorts, for all.  If you have been gone for most of the summer, come on back.  If you have been away for longer than that, maybe months or years, now is the time to come back.  I know that this newsletter gets out to a wider group than just active members, so if you are reading this, connect and reset and come on back.  Enroll your children in Sunday School.  Enroll the children in Confirmation classes.  Get involved in worship and the many other activities we have.  Even start a new activity for others to be involved in.  Try out the new contemporary, Spirit Connection service or show up for the Traditional service.  Reconnect and Reset.

God is still reaching out to you.  God is waiting for you to show up, because the Spirit is already here.  Your family at First Lutheran, is waiting for you.  We and God are calling to you to Reconnect and Reset.

On September 8th, J.R. and I will be appearing on Siouxland News around 6:45 AM, during the “Talk of the Town” segment.  This is another opportunity for a Reconnect and

Reset.  Hopefully some people will see us, decide they want to reconnect with God and reset their lives, and show up for Sunday service and join in some of the other activities.  It is a time of Reconnect and Reset……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peace and blessings, from the Lord that invites you to a Reconnect and Reset.

 

Pastor Doug