Dear Sir:
This is in regard to you posting “Church Cancels Sunday Morning Worship in Lieu of Service Projects.” I recently listened to Leviticus with Dr. John Kleinig of Australian Lutheran Seminary on Issues, Etc. 24 http://issuesetc.org/archive/. It was really worthwhile. I wonder if one of the points he made isn’t relevant to your posting. He was talking about Leviticus 26 and God’s blessing. We all want God’s blessing and we think it is dependent upon our efforts. Dr. Kleinig stated that it begins with God and flows out of us worshipping God according to how He has told us to so that He may cleanse, purify and bless us.
I enjoy your blog, one of my first stops every morning.
Leviticus 26:12
1. The climax of Leviticus comes with Leviticus 26
2. Four Blessings, if you walk in my statutes, meaning the Sabath and divine service, if you worship me as I have established:
a. Rain and good harvest
b. National security and peace and victory over enemies
c. Growth of families and food to feed them
d. If you worship me in the right way, then I will make my blessing among you and my soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God and you shall be my people. Right worship  Presence. “And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” Result of right worship is God tabernacles among us. Only other place where God walks among his people, Genesis 3. Paradise restored. Completely fulfilled, John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt [tabernacle] among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

UGH! A local United Methodist Church did this in our area as well (Lancaster Pa). This kind of thinking comes from a Theology of Glory. It comes from a Zwinglian view of the Sacraments. It comes from a misunderstanding of the pure Gospel. Did you see the people coming to hear the Gospel? They were turned away. This was the work of Satan. Not all United Methodists are like this. Though two UMCs doing this really disturbs me.

There is more information at http://putyourfaithinaction.org/ . Service projects may be scheduled outside of Sunday morning worship times. 47 Lutheran churches have reported participating.

Trinity Lutheran Church, LCMS, Mission, KS (1300 mbrs) did it March 21 this year. Who says Lutherans can’t be Methodist.

What if there was a soul at the end of their rope who needed comfort and consolation, and then couldn’t get it, all because this church was engaged in just what that poor soul was trying to avoid: more doing stuff for God, and failing at it miserably. Sadly, based on the cancellation of services they probably wouldn’t have heard the Gospel anyway had the church met. Kyrie Elaison.

Deeds without creeds? Many churches are being redefined as “faith-based” government-funded social service agencies, happily promoting all of the “politically correct” social justice issues. How does the UMC headquarters view the actions of this congregation?

Would Jesus have been crucified by the Romans if his teachings were politically correct? I guess I will skip services this Sunday. I want to mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn.

This is what it looks like when the church becomes a characiture of itself. You have cliches in place of doctrine “instead of going to church we’re being the church.’ I think if I were one of those who were turned away at the door I would not have returned the next Sunday. Ironically one man said ‘I suppose there are some who didn’t get the message and went to church anyway.’ Worship is the most important thing that Christians do, and I’m fairly certain God does mind if decide we’re going to run a chop saw instead of hearing his word, that we’re going to bake a pizza instead of being one with him through is body and blood.

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him. Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many thing s, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:38-42

@Jeff
Did you catch the name of the church? Manchester United Methodist Church. Did you know that England’s most famous soccer team is Manchester United? Did you also know that their nickname is “The Red Devils?” Seems appropriate, don’t you think?

Rev. Lee Wenskay :@Jeff Did you catch the name of the church? Manchester United Methodist Church. Did you know that England’s most famous soccer team is Manchester United? Did you also know that their nickname is “The Red Devils?” Seems appropriate, don’t you think?

Open minds, open hearts, open sewer.