Forgive ... Forgiven

Today, we finish our brief series on forgiveness from the Large Catechism.  And our focus today is the practical application of forgiveness.

There are two important parts of forgiveness.  One is the forgiveness we receive from God.  The other is the forgiveness we receive from our neighbors.  And both are essential to our faith and life in the community. 

When people come to me with a guilty conscience, I ask them if they would like a word of absolution.  Sometimes, though, I can see that before they are forgiven by God, they need to seek forgiveness from their spouse, child, parent, neighbor, or friend.  Other times, they have been forgiven by the person they’ve wronged, but they cannot forgive themselves.  Other times, still, they have offered the sincerest apology they can and have not been forgiven.  And a strong word of forgiveness from God is needed – and we pray that the one they have wronged will forgive them in time.

So when guilt arises in you, seek out the one you have wronged.  And if someone has wronged you, seek out the one who has offended you and hopefully they will apologize, too.  And all the while, know that we can come to our pastor or fellow believer (yes! All Christians have this authority!) and seek a word of forgiveness on behalf of God.

In this Advent season, we are to prepare the way of the Lord.  What better way to prepare for His presence among us than to seek reconciliation between one another?

P.S. – This is my last note for 2021.  I’m not sure if I will resume this practice of writing to you each week or not.  If you value these posts/emails, be sure to let me know.

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Christmas Eve Services
Join us this Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24) for worship!  We will gather at 3:30pm and 5:30pm for lessons and carols.  Worshipers can gather in the sanctuary or in the fellowship hall for either service.  The 3:30pm service will also be live streamed on our Facebook page.  The 5:30pm service will include Holy Communion.  Please join us for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

Wednesday Evenings "Leveling Up" in January!
Starting Wednesday, January 5, our great Wednesday evening opportunities will get even greater!  We will gather for a meal at 5:30p; worship at 6p; and then break into groups at 6:30.  There will be a class for K-2 grade, 3-6 grade, 7-9 grade, and 10-12 grade!  And we're hoping for an adult class at that time, too.  Of course, the choir rehearses at 7p as well.  Join us for these exciting evenings of faith formation.  Visit www.wadenaimmanuel.org/wednesdays for more information -- including ways you can help!

In our Prayers This Week
Keith Wood
Dale Hendrickson
Jim Lawton
Gail Johnson
Jerry Buse (Doug and Ellen Carlstrom’s brother-in-law)
Elizabeth Teeuwen (Stephanie Drange’s mother)
Matt Schiller (Diane and Jerry Anderson’s son)
Ann Leeseberg Standahl (Curt Leesberg’s sister
Jenna Lawton and Skye Hammond (Jana Lawton’s daughter and granddaughter)
Braxton Grewe (Debby Berndt and Iona Wood’s nephew)

Craig & Tina Reece and family in the death of Craig’s brother, Crispin
Peggy Larson and Eunice Larson & family in the death of Peggy’s husband and Eunice’s son, Aaron Larson

Military Prayers
Members of Immanuel:
Max Labarre
James Kloss

Friends of Immanuel:
Victor Barbado (Darlene Hennagir’s son-in-law)
Sean Evans (Greg & Alicia Johnson’s nephew)
Joe Holweger (Charles & Gladys Chase’s grandson)
John Kloss (David Kloss’ son)
Erik Naley (Wayne & Carol Aspengren’s nephew)

If you or someone you know would like to be included in our weekly prayers, please email (church@wadenaimmanuel.org) or call (631-2738) the church office.  Or fill out this form: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/prayerrequest Names will stay on our prayer list for 4 weeks.  Military prayers will remain on the list for six months, unless a request to remove comes sooner.

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