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Listen to Last Sunday’s Sermon: What is your Name?
Jesus asked the Gerasene man, “What is your name?” and the demons that had possessed him answered, “Legion.” The demons had robbed this man of his name, his life, and his identity. When Jesus saves this man, he gives him back his name. That is the kind of transformation that Jesus has to offer. Sometimes we need a new identity. Jesus can help us find our true identity, true name, and true purpose in life.
Listen to the Sermon
Read Next Sunday’s Lessons
There is an urgency to the lessons for this coming Sunday. Something is happening. Something is new is going to occur. God is calling. Will we answer? Will we follow? We all make our own way as we struggle to trust and love God. We have questions, doubts,concerns and outright skepticism. The closer we get to knowing God, the more urgent those questions seem to become.
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Broken People
What does the world do with broken people? The word rejects us when we are grieving. It marginalizes us when we are hungry or poor. We are invisible to the world when we are suffering.
What does God do with broken people? We become instruments of blessing and healing. Moses, a banished murder, is chosen to lead God’s people to the Promised Land. Paul, a zealous Pharisee persecuting the followers of Jesus, becomes the apostle to the gentiles.
What will God do with your life? The world has a habit of breaking people. Life hands us grief and loss so great that we cannot imagine continuing. Great careers are punctuated with failures, and relationships fall apart.
Chances are, your life is broken. Chances are, you don’t see yourself as God’s chosen instrument to begin fixing this broken world.
But how does God see your life? What does God do with broken people? God loves us. God gave us Jesus who shows us how to live as brothers and sisters in Christ. God takes us, a broken people, and uses us to bless the world. God takes our broken lives and weaves them together with grace and love to be Christ’s heart and hands in and for a broken world.
If you feel that your life is broken, offer that broken life to God and receive abundant joy and love as God uses you to bless the world. If you are ashamed of failure, give that failure to God. Ask God to use the broken version of you to bless others. If you have suffered great loss, offer your grief to God, and God will use your broken heart to bless others in ways you cannot imagine.
Your brother in Christ,
The Rev. David Marshall
Click here to repond to this posting in my blog.
Coming Soon: Summer Service Time Change
Starting July 4th and ending September 5th, we will start the second service at 10:00 AM. This is just an experiment to see how it works. We’ll try it through Labor Day weekend, and then go back to the familiar 9:30 start. This will allow us to make an informed decision about our schedule down the road.
Announcements
Community Engagement
See our picture helping the Greenwood Food Bank meet their goals for donations during the summer: The theme for the summer months focuses on children and toddlers. Therefore, the Food Bank has requested donations of peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, juice boxes, Top Ramon noodles, crackers, and canned fruit. Please give generously, since schools are out and no lunches will be provided to children. The goal is 300 lbs. per donation. For more information, please contact Warren Broderick at 206-362-3217 or Al Bahlkow at 206-282-4431.
Upcoming Events in our Congreational Life
Celebrate July 4th with St. Dunstan’s! This year, Independence Day falls on the first Sunday of July. We are planning a potluck church picnic following the service in the back church yard (weather permitting). Please contact Peggy Broderick at 206-362-3217 or pebroderick@msn.com if you would like more information.
Children’s Chapel Returns! Children’s Chapel will be held again on July 11, 25, and August 8 during the Sunday Service. This opportunity allows the children to experience the same liturgy as the adults, providing a time of worship, music, treats, and fellowship for them. If you would like to volunteer to lead a session, please contact Mary E. Pacher at 425-308-1469 or cmpacher7@comcast.net.
Kids Will Love our Vacation Bible Camp! Registration forms will be available in the office and on-line at our website for our Vacation Bible Camp this summer at St. Dunstan’s. The dates are Monday through Friday, August 16–20 from 9 am until noon. The theme for camp is “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and will include bible stories, games, music, treats and crafts. The cost is $25 for each participant. Invite many friends as the camp is open to all children, ages kindergarten through 5th grade. If you would like to volunteer and participate in our camp,please contact Mary Pacher by phone 425-308-1469, or by e-mail cmpacher@comcast.net.
Medieval Murder Mystery & Auction September 17! The Stewardship Committee is planning this funding raising murder mystery dinner and auction to raise operating funds. The mystery play will be set in the time of St. Dunstan. In addition to "Medieval" cuisine, the plan is to auction 4-5 high-ticket items, for example: Dinner/Movie/Hotel for 2; a weekend or week's accommodation at a resort or holiday spot; wine cellar collection; spa package, ski package, etc. How can you help? Do you have business/merchant contacts that might be willing to donate items or services? Do you have a vacation/resort condo or home that you would be willing to donate for a weekend or a week? Would you like to participate in the play or help cook or serve? We'll need actors, musicians, costumes, props, cooks, servers, etc. Please contact Dawn Miller ( kris_ten@live.com) or Diana Rall ( dtoshiba@comcast.net - 206-660-9156).
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