Good morning: The 2009 movie “Hachi” recounts the true story of a dog who accompanied his college professor master to the train station each morning and then returned each afternoon at 3 p.m. to welcome him home. However, one day the professor suddenly died at school and so did not get off the train to greet Hachi. But the next day and the day after that, Hachi again went to the station exactly at 3 p.m. to wait. The days turned into weeks, the weeks into months, and the months into years. Old age, arthritis, and weather didn’t stop Hachi from his loyal vigil for nearly a decade! Such faithfulness is incredibly rare not just in animals, but in people too. Are we that faithful? We too are waiting, waiting for our Lord and Master Jesus Christ to return on the last day. Unlike Hachi’s master, Jesus’ return is certain. He tells us to wait, watch, and be ready at all times. We have every reason to gladly do so. In coming weeks we are looking forward to celebrating how He came the first time as a humble child to grow up as our brother in order to reconcile us to God by His holy life and sacrifice on the cross. He came to die that we might live forever in the mansions of heaven. We are all children of God by faith in Jesus. Because of His saving work, we have nothing to fear on the last day and everything to look forward to. Jesus is coming to give us an inheritance we don’t deserve and could never gain on our own. Tomorrow we begin a new church year with the season of Advent, the season of waiting. Are you looking forward to it or are you tired of waiting? Shopping, parties, entertainment, and focusing on our possessions can seem so much more important than daily Bible reading and midweek Advent services, can’t they? The last day seems so far off, while the work, activities, and pleasures of today are so real. That is why this season is so vital. With it the Lord through His Word calls us back to Him in repentance, re-focuses our eyes on the cross, and reminds us that whether it is in days, weeks, months, or years, Jesus is coming back. May He find us listening, watching, and ready! See you tomorrow. Yours in Christ, Pastor Service times tomorrow are 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. The intergenerational Sunday school will meet in the fellowship area at 9:30 a.m. to view the final part of a mission presentation by the CLC Committee on Domestic Fields. All ages are welcome. Teacher call meeting: The voters will meet after second service for the purpose of calling a teacher/principal for the next school year. All voters are encouraged to attend this important meeting. Here is the link for service signup: https://tinyurl.com/y2j5r8sn Signing up for the Sunday service by 6 p.m. Saturday is appreciated and helpful and a way of showing Christian love for one another. It gives the Elders and ushers an idea of how many people to prepare for. When you sign up you can also see how full the service will be, and if you wish, consider attending the other service. By signing up, you can easily be informed if that were advisable because of contact with someone at the service who later became ill. The governor’s mask order is still in effect for all indoor spaces, including churches. Masks are available in the entry if you forget yours.
