FRIDAY, May 22, 2026

Happy Friday, friends! Today we hear some scripture from Mark's Gospel account...
 
                    John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!"  So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him.  
                                      (Mark 6: 18-19 HCSB)
 
The world we live in loves the idea of knowing the truth. Scientists dedicate their lives to the quest for knowledge. Celebrities are idolized for being honest about their personal lives. And countless books, movies, and songs repeatedly quote Jesus' famous line: "The truth will set you free" (John 8:32 AMPC).  
   
But what happens when the truth is something that people don't want to hear? What happens when the world that's in love with it's sin, hears that Jesus died to rescue them from sin? Do they stick to their guns and accept it like they do everything else? For some people, yes. Otherwise, the Church would be long gone. But usually people react much the same way Herodias acted when John told Herod the truth: anger. Even we Christians can become upset when brothers and sisters in Christ point out flaws in our lives that need to change.  
   
But it's our responsibility to uphold the truth, whether they (or we) like it or not. When confronted with hostility, strong faith doesn't back down --- it doubles down. By planting your roots in the truth, your faith will stand when the world's lies turn to ashes.  
 
                    Jesus, You are the truth upon which I want to build my life.  
                     May I never succumb to the easy lies around me. Amen. 
 
+++  Sunday worship is at 8:30am and 10:00am as we gather to celebrate PENTECOST! That's right... It's the celebration of the arrival of God's Holy Spirit. It is also international WEAR RED TO CHURCH DAY! Check your closets to see what red apparel you might have for worship on Sunday! Our Gospel lesson hears Jesus teaching about life-giving waters and that is also the title of my message!  We will, of course, be "live-streaming" the worship service on the church's Facebook page at 10:00am and then "uploading" the recorded  worship to our YouTube channel after it is completed. We hope to "see you" for worship on Sunday morning!  

+++ The church office will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen the office on Tuesday morning at 9:00am.

+++ On Tuesday, 5/26 St. Michael's Lutheran Church is offering another of their Grab and Go dinners. The serving starts at 5:00pm in the parking lot and don't be late for this Chicken cacciatore dinner!   

+++ Next week Pam, Helen Forward and I will attend the Annual Conference sessions in Syracuse. I will have my cell phone in the case of pastoral emergencies and the office will be staffed by volunteers each morning. Thanks to those who offered to help out!  

+++ This is the last call for summer campership scholarships to be into the office!  Thanks! 
 
Make this day a great day and always stand on the truth of Jesus!   
​Pastor Jack