He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

Tonight’s the night you’re supposed to go out with friends. It’s only once a week, but sometimes you wonder if, now that you’re married, you should give it up. Maybe you really want to go, but you feel guilty because you think you should want to spend every minute of every day with your new spouse. Perhaps you’re afraid that your friends aren’t “good for you” anymore.  As you consider the situation, be honest with yourself about your feelings and your reasons. God has given you friends to fill needs that your spouse cannot.

Spending time with friends away from your spouse is important, and even healthy, as long as such relationships are supportive of your marriage. Be honest with your spouse, too. Talking about what you do with your friends will help lessen any jealousy your partner may feel about the time you spend apart. Assure your spouse that your marriage is your priority and that your friends are just that – friends.

• Prayers of intercession and concern for Sharon Kirsch who will be going through surgery following cancer treatments throughout the summer. Spirit of life, give her courage and comfort as she seeks your will for her future and a successful surgery which allows her to regain her strength.  And also for Roxanne Griffin who went through knee surgery on Friday.  Grant healing, dear Lord.
• 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.
• 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);.

 Prison Ministry – O Lord, many are weighed down with sin and its consequences. We thank you for people who are willing to share your gospel with those in prison. We pray for their ministry as they offer rest to souls burdened with guilt. Bless their gospel message that many of their hearers may come to know Jesus and, by faith, receive the eternal rest of heaven. Amen.

Addition:  We add Jacque Kolesari (Doug & Sue Schnell’s daughter) who is going to have surgery in early August.