Welcome
Rev. Ron Rafferty, Pastor
Pastor Rafferty serves Our Redeemer in a variety of pastoral roles, including preaching and teaching, counseling, discipleship. Pastor shows genuine concern and compassion for the congregation and the community and is very approachable.. He has served congregations throughout the states. His professional back ground includes a degree in Management, and Pastoral training at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Please feel free to come and hear Pastor preach as he shares God's Word in a very practical down to earth way. God Bless!
Sunday worship services - 10:45 a.m. Adult S.S. lessons at 9:30 a.m. in the metal bldg. next to the church.
TIME TO GO FISHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you ever find yourself putting limits on what you think you can accomplish?Does our Lutheran church put limits on what God's Word can do in our own community concerning spreading the Gospel and caring for one another?
There once was a young fisherman who was really confused by the old man fishing next to him. It seems that every time the elderly gentleman caught a fish he measured it carefully to see whether he should throw it back or keep it. THERE WAS AN 8 inch minimum! So to measure the fish was not too surprising and actually the right thing to do; However, what was confusing to the young fisherman was that the old guy was keeping the 8 inch fish and releasing some nice 20 inchers back into the lake.
After watching this for an entire afternoon, the young fisherman's curiosity got the best of him; so he goes to the old guy and asked; "Why are you throwing the big ones back and only keeping the smaller ones?" Most fisherman would think the little ones were better eating.... or maybe there was a limit to the number of larger fish you could keep... Well that wasn't the case at all. The old fella replied; " you have to understand youngster; I ONLY HAVE A 10 inch frying pan to cook the fish in.... and the 8 inchers are the only ones that fit the pan." ( Ok, readers were you expecting that answer)
As we get ready for all of the summer and fall activities... prayerfully ask yourself; Do you put limitations on yourself regarding worship, evangelism and out reach? Have you become complacent and content with your worship experience and your prayer life? Have you put limitations on what you might be able to do for your church or for yourself during these upcoming months?
This is a great time for you to think about what you can do for God... and of course with the help and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT leading you. Only God knows where this will take you...but it will be all good.
As a congregation we have been blessed beyond measure with the unique and working relationship that we have developed over these past few years.
Let each and everyone of us make the most of it and appreciate it and develop it in a way that God wants us to move forward. We must further Jesus' ministry!!!!
Jesus is asking you today.... How big is your frying pan?
Serving Christ Jesus and His Church, Pastor
Adult S.S. update.
Food for Thought
Check out "Food for Thought" under the News and Events. A great article titled "It's a Small World After All" is featured right now!
New Adult Sunday School!
We have had so many great Adult S.S. experiences. You will be amazed! Try it out. 9:30 a.m. every Sunday morning in the metal building east of the church.
Food Pantry
We will have a food drive on the 5th Sunday of qualifying months. We are dedicated to help the Cushing Food Pantry supply much needed food for anyone in need. Your donations of nonperishable food items may also be brought any Sunday you wish.
Did You Know:
Having faith and being a Christian doesn't mean we will never make mistakes. It means that through our mistakes, we experience God's grace and mercy, which are ours in Christ. This week, look for opportunities to practice mercy, grace, and forgiveness in your family.
Excerpt from Portals of Prayer
True joy continues even when daily happenings don't justify it. Happiness is a mood. Joyfulness is a state of being. It's what we as Christians hope nonbelievers see in us every time they meet us. It's the ultimate "we know something they don't" situation. We haven't just heard the Gospel. We know it to be true. That knowledge changes everything for us and in us. We are not alone in this world, without meaning. We're here for a purpose. We're here to love and be loved by God and to love our neighbors. We're here to share the joy that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose from the grave for all people of all nations. This earthly life is no longer all we have, for once this life ends, eternity awaits. And for each person who believes that Gospel, the angels in heaven rejoice!
