“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” John 15:16a

Life is filled with choices – what car to drive, what clothes to buy, which TV channels to watch, which foods to eat. Sometimes the choices bring satisfaction, and sometimes they bring great disappointment.

In and of ourselves, there is one choice we cannot make. We cannot choose God. Instead, Jesus assures us, I chose you… It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to hear God’s call.  And what is our response? We know how to handle life’s other choices: we drive the car, we wear the clothes, we laugh and learn from TV, we get nourishment from foods.

Our response to God’s choice is to follow His direction, … go and bear fruit …  The fruit may be as simple as smiling at the harried supermarket clerk or helping the toddler get his shoes on the right feet. It may be as difficult as “parenting” an aged parent or working in a special church or community ministry. These are fruits that will last because they are responses to God’s gifts to us.

• We thank you along with Vernon & Sandra Jaeger the occasion of their 30th wedding anniversary. We ask that you keep them in your love, strengthen them for the challenges of life and grow their confidence in your promises.
• We pray for the family of Jerry Gall, Joanne Breitenstein’s father. Dear Lord, in your mercy and wisdom you have called Jerry home to heaven this past week. We seek comfort for his wife, his children, and grandchildren as they cling to your promise of the resurrection and find strength in the certainty of your grace. Help them to walk through the coming days and weeks with the assurance that in Christ we too shall rise.
• As Justin Kraft, son of Mark & Shary Kraft, married Katie Lindfors on Friday, we pray that you bind them and their family close to your Word. Bless them with your joy as they learn to serve each other as you have served us – with grace, forgiveness and unconditional love.
• We delight to celebrate along with Dave & Terry Schiessl as they observe 62 years of marriage. Your love to them has continued to hold them through the challenges of life, and they know your grace and peace and joy in their oneness.  Be their guide and strength in the years to come.
• Lord, we give you thanks for your wisdom and guidance in providing us with a middle grades teacher for this coming school year, Mrs. Emily Rodrigue (Rŏd’ rĭg).   Her husband, Kenneth, is currently vicaring at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Princeton, WI. We are excited to welcome Mrs. Rodrigue later this summer and pray that you would be with them as they finish up his vicar year and soon transition to our ministry.
• Continued prayers for Tom Ade (now home from rehab); Sharon Kirsch (awaiting word on surgery); Zac Lippert; Rebekah Sueflow (continuing to make progress);.

 Saviour of the Nations, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – Lord Jesus, we thank you for blessing the mission efforts of Pastor Geoff Cortright and the small group of Christians at Saviour of the Nations in Vancouver, British Columbia. Your gospel, O Lord, is reaching a variety of cultures and people to bring people into your kingdom. We ask that you continue to bless their commitment to you and your saving Word, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.