Good morning: Have you ever had your name flashed on a huge screen in a ballpark filled with 30,000 other fans? It could happen if you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, receiving an award, or proposing to your fiancée. Or imagine the President mentioning you in a speech televised nationwide. To be called by your name shows personal interest. We call family and friends by their names because we care about them as precious people in our lives. How comforting then when God says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Is. 43:1). You are so precious to God that when he sent his Son to earth, he had you in mind. He already knew your name and loved you with his everlasting love. He called you by your name in baptism, washed you in Jesus’ blood, and put his name on you. He invites you to pray to him as the heavenly “Father” who will always hear and help, no matter what the situation. In love he not only knows your name, he reveals his name, that we may know, love, and trust in him. He is “the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Ex. 34:6). The Lord calls us today by name to come with all our failings, impatience, selfishness, and other sins, and to humbly confess them before his throne. Listen as he tells you personally, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Is. 1:18). With that confidence and peace, take all your troubles and burdens to him. He already knows how he will help. Remember, he knows your name! In Christ, Pastor Our service tomorrow is at 9:00 a.m. Remember, VBS starts Monday. Next Sunday, July 23, is Friendship Sunday. Do you know someone whom you could invite to join us in hearing the news everyone needs during these uncertain, turbulent times? Following Sunday worship, the church picnic will get underway at Valley View Park, New Berlin. Everyone is welcome!
