Good morning:
At one time multitasking was praised as the answer to everyone’s time crunch. After all, if you can do several things at the same time, you can get much more done, right? It sounds wonderful. You can talk on the phone as you’re making a grocery run. You can listen to music, text a friend, and do your homework all at the same time. Watch TV, talk with your spouse, and email someone at work simultaneously. Suddenly, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish! Especially at Christmastime with all the extras of the season, multitasking could be just what you need to squeeze more into your day.
There’s only one problem. It doesn’t really work all that well. Recent studies suggest that multitasking does more harm than good. Constantly shifting attention from one thing to another may mean that nothing gets done well. Rather than feeling good about a list of accomplishments, multitasking may leave you more stressed and your planning more disjointed than ever.
When Jesus’ good friend Martha was upset by all she wasn’t getting done, Jesus told her only one thing was needed, and that was to hear His word. In the sermon on the mount Jesus said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:31-33).
Does it seem as though your Christmas preparations get more time consuming and complicated every year? Do you try to fit everything in with weeks of multitasking, only to end up distracted and frustrated? Simplify. Don’t try to do it all. Focus on one thing: the kingdom of God which Jesus came to establish. That kingdom is His gracious rule in our hearts based on the message of God’s love for the world of sinners.
No matter how intense and frantic our efforts, we could never undo our sins or avoid the eternal punishment we deserve. Nothing we might offer could make peace between us and God. But God sent His Son to do it all for us. That is the heart of the season. The gospel message is the key to contentment, joy, and the warmth of knowing all is well, for Jesus is our Savior. Instead of multitasking today, seek first the Lord’s kingdom, and see how He keeps His promises. See you tomorrow.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Service times tomorrow are 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated in both services.
Christmas Eve rehearsals begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
The adult Bible class will meet in the multipurpose room. We’ll begin a study of Luther’s Large Catechism.
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.
Possible COVID exposure: An adult who attended the second service on Thanksgiving morning has tested positive for COVID. Those sitting nearby have been contacted.
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.
