Sunday, January 15, 2017

Second Sunday After Epiphany

A PEEK AT THE SUNDAY SERMON

The 2017 Auto Show is in full swing!
Thousands are flocking to Cobo Hall
for a glimpse at whats new, whats
dazzling, whats current and exciting.
Competition in auto manufacturing is
a risky business. GM, Ford and
Chrysler are doing their best to keep
up with the competition and they
are doing some daring things
taking some big risks that will keep
them in the auto race.
Building and selling cars its a risky
business.
And so it is in the spiritual realm. The sermon text for Sunday is Luke 14:25-33. Crowds
are clamoring to see Jesus, hear what he has to say, and what he has to offer. And He
does have something that is new and exciting but its also risky. And today, being a
Christian can be a perilous venture its a Risky Business.
25

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them,

26

If you want

to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else your father and
mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters yes, even your own life. Otherwise,
you cannot be my disciple.27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you
cannot be my disciple.
28

But dont begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a

building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish
it?

29

Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money,

and then everyone would laugh at you.

30

They would say, Theres the person who

started that building and couldnt afford to finish it!

31

Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with

his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers
marching against him?

32

And if he cant, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of

peace while the enemy is still far away.

giving up everything you own.

33

So you cannot become my disciple without

The Lords Servant Commissioned

Isaiah 49:1-7 is the suggested daily Bible reading for Sunday, January 15,
2017. (The United Church of Christ Calendar).

Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away!
The LORD called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.
2
He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the
shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. 3 He said to me, You
are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.
4

I replied, But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing
and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the LORDs hand; I will trust God for my
reward.
5

And now the LORD speaks the one who formed me in my mothers womb to be
his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The LORD has
honored me, and my God has given me strength. 6 He says, You will do more
than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and
7
you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.
The LORD, the
Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected
by the nations, to the one who is the servant of rulers: Kings will stand at
attention when you pass by. Princes will also bow low because of the LORD, the
faithful one, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.

Paraments and altar linens have been changed to green

- symbolizing the renewal of vegetation and generally of
living things and the promise of new life.

Pastor Krens Sermon for

January 8, 2017 is now on
YouTube. Just click on the
image!

If you havent why not Like Us on

Facebook? Just click on the signs
to the right you will be transported
to the Dearborn Congregational
Facebook Page! Maybe you like to
tweet? You can follow Pastor Kren
on Twitter: @william_kren.

BLOGGING ALONG!
Blog (noun) A regularly updated website or web page, typically
one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal
or conversational style.

Ive been blogging about church work and my life in

the ministry since arriving at Dearborn Congregational.
You can learn more about the Pastor and how he thinks,
by clicking on the link (picture) to the right!

Prayer Requests
Edith Schwartz. Now home and in hospice care.
Irene Moxon. Serious medical problems.
Marilyn Beardsley. Continuing medical concerns.
Pat Stacho. Continuing medical concerns.
Shirley Fedraw. Medical concerns.
Suzanne Van Ranst. Medical concerns.
Pauline Gourlay. Medical concerns.
David Allen. Medical concerns.

Tom Schlaff. Serious medical concerns.

Frank Kren. This is Pastor Bills younger brother. Serious medical concerns.
Arthur Triplett. Sue Krens brother has a serious medical condition.
Carol Thompson. Sue Krens sister has a serious medical concern.

A complete list of prayer requests is also printed in the Sunday bulletin. If

you have a special request please phone the Church Office: 313-2718552. You can also phone Pastor Kren at 313-344-9808.

Gordon and Colleen Grozdanoff Memorial Service

Colleen Grozdanoff passed away on November 23,
2016, after a brief illness. Her husband, Gordon,
passed away on January 1, 2017.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday,
January 14, 2017 at Dearborn Congregational
Church, 16350 Rotunda Drive, Dearborn, MI 48120,
at 11:00 AM. Following the service a luncheon will
be served, in the Mayflower Room.

Receiving Donations Helping the Needy

At a recent meeting of the Diaconate, it was voted that nonperishable food donations be delivered to the Fish & Loaves
food pantry, in Taylor. This organization was first launched
by an ecumenical group of churches, led by St. Paul United
Church of Christ in Taylor and their Pastor, Rev. Geoff
Drutchas.
Fish & Loaves offers needy families and individuals a wide range of canned goods,
refrigerated and frozen foods, dairy products, and seasonal produce is offered at no
cost to clients. Since opening its doors in 2008, the Fish & Loaves Pantry has assisted
more than 9100 households and over 13,000 men, women, and children. They
distribute over two million pounds of food annually. The advantages of a client-choice
pantry are:

A sense of dignity for clients and their families -- thanks to our store-like setting.
Higher client satisfaction with food they are able to choose.
Less waste and, therefore, less cost in providing food to clients.
Greater opportunities for positive and supportive social interaction between Fish
& Loaves volunteers and clients.

Im looking forward to Sunday see you at 10:00 AM!!

Blessings,

Pastor Bill