This Sunday, July 15, 2018, is the SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY The readings for this Sunday are: Genesis 2:7–17, Romans 6:19–23 and Mark 8:1–9

Jesus Restores Paradise and Feeds Us Freely

In the Garden of Eden, our first parents received food freely from the gracious hand of God, apart from any burdensome work (Gen 2:7–17). But after the fall, food would be received only through toil and labor. The curse declared, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground . . .” (Gen. 3:19). In other words, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). But into this wilderness world came Jesus the Messiah to restore creation. Having compassion on the weary multitudes, He renewed the bounty of Eden on the third day, freely granting an abundance of bread to the 4,000 (Mark 8:1–9). So also our Lord Jesus, having endured the burden of our sin, was raised on the third day to bring us back to Paradise. He now miraculously turns the bread of death into the Bread of Life in the Sacrament, giving you His very body and blood for your forgiveness. For “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

Our Servants for the Day are: Elder: Brian Wilcox Lector: David Latimer Greeter(s): The Tiews

Activities of the week include: Monday: 10:30 am Catechesis; 12:00 PM Lunch with Pastor; 6-8 PM Vacation Bible School Tuesday-Thursday: 608 PM VBS Our VBS begins July 16th at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Monday-Thursday. Children 3-12 are invited to come learn about a Mighty Fortress. Adults are invited to participate also. We will discuss Rod Dreher’s influential book The Benedict Option (Sentinel, 2017). . Our Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Christian C. Tiews, and Trinity Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, cordially invite you to worship with us on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s. Our church is located at 1314 E. 6th in Okmulgee. Our office phone number is 918-756-6046 and the office hours are 9:30 am - 5 pm Monday-Thursday and 1-5 pm on Friday.