Weekly Lent Devotion

During Lent 2023, we will receive a weekly devotion, written by someone active in the ministry at Elim Lutheran Church-Marshalltown. These devotions are one way that we can connect a life of faith to daily life, lifting up the voices of some within our congregation. These will be posted to the church Facebook page, the website, and through the email distribution list. Thank you, Terry Gray, for this weeks devotion. 

 

 

       During Lent 2023, we will receive regular devotions, written by someone active in the ministry at Elim Lutheran Church-Marshalltown. These devotions are one way that we can connect a life of faith to daily life, lifting up the voices of some within our congregation. These will be posted to the church Facebook page, the website, and through the email distribution list. Thank you, Terry Gray, for being willing to share this Lent reflection!

       We all know a lot about the Don’t Do List.  The Ten Commandments, our parents, teachers and public laws all have admonitions—don’t do this and don’t do that. In Isaiah 58:3-5, we are told how NOT to fast, but instead verses 6-9 gives us a TO DO List.  Matthew’s text (25:31-40) also tells us what to do. It pretty much matches the TO DO List in Isaiah. I find that the TO DO List is often much harder than following the Don’t Do List.

       Growing up we lived near a single-line railroad track that was not used often.  However, it did attract a few hobos, as they are often called. My mother talked about the time there was a knock on the door. She answered it to find someone she assumed was a hobo who was asking for food. Did she feed him? That part of the story is not clear to me, but knowing my mother, she did.  Have you ever received a knock at your door?  It doesn’t seem to happen often these days, but would I answer it if it were a stranger? Would you?

       When Isaiah was discounting the type of fasting he saw happening, he replaced it with what we should be doing to please God instead.  Matthews’s text has a TO DO List telling us about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison, showing justice and mercy, helping the homeless and the sick.  Jesus says when you do this to the least of these, you do it also to me.  Was the hobo Jesus?  Are any of those eating at the House of Compassion or standing with a sign on the street corner Jesus? How am I responding to those in need? 

       If we even fast at all, do we fast in a way that pleases God?  Our fasts are often denying ourselves something that are actually serving our own interests. No chocolate during Lent (maybe I can lose a few pounds)!  I watch a lot of sports on TV: golf, tennis, college basketball.  What if I turned off the TV and instead studied the Bible, helped at the Emergency Food Box, volunteered at the Caring Center, or the Veterans Home or Elim Children’s Center?  Would that be more pleasing to God?  And then I found myself bartering.  Well, what if for every hour I watch sports on TV I dedicate an hour to one of those endeavors.  Would that count?   No, I decided that was missing the point.  We need to deny ourselves, to sacrifice something of ourselves to help us better understand what God in Jesus Christ has done for us.  Sacrificial giving is important.

       So that TO DO List has been nagging at me to do better this Lenten season.   Ridding myself of selfish habits, developing a closer, deeper relationship with God, and seeing the face of Jesus in those in need around us is my Lenten prayer.

 

Terry Gray
Lent 2023

 

 

WELCOME TO ELIM

Many people ask “What does the name Elim mean?” It is mentioned in Exodus 15 as an oasis that the people of Israel found in the desert of Sinai. The founding families of Elim in the 19th century were Norwegian immigrants to Marshalltown and found the church an oasis for them in a new and strange land.
 
Now, in the 21st century, we at Elim strive to make this congregation an oasis of refreshment for anyone and everyone who comes to us, through our worship, education and fellowship but also for our community in a variety of social ministries. We invite you to come, be refreshed, nourished for your spiritual journey and in turn, join us in helping others to receive that same aid and comfort.
 

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WORSHIP

 
Saturday Evening – 5:00 PM
Sunday Morning – 9:00 AM
 
Sunday Morning Radio Ministry broadcast from 11:05 AM until noon. Tune into KFJB 1230AM 
 
For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. — Psalm 50:10-11
 
 
 
 
 

MINISTRIES

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

CALENDAR

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

            ABOUT OUR CHURCH
 
 
 
Worship Concert Website Banner
Just Josh
THE BEGINNING
Program No 1
 
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
All People That on Earth Do Dwell
A Wonderful Savior
All Creatures of Our God and King
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Be Still My Soul
Go, My Children, with My Blessing
Amazing Grace
Remember and Rejoice
Abide with Me
God Will Take Care of You
Just Josh
AND MUCH MORE
Program No 2
 

      Crown Him with Many Crowns
Be Thou My Vision
      Beautiful Isle of Somewhere
      Count Your Blessings
      Come, Thou Almighty King
      Come, Christians, Join to Sing
      Blessed Assurance
      Down in My Heart
      Day by Day
      Beautiful Savior (Organ)
      Beautiful Savior (Keyboard)
      Blest Be the Tie That Binds w/God Be With You

Just Josh
OUR FAVORITES
Program No 3
 
Holy, Holy, Holy w/Holy Is the Lord
Jesus Loves Me w/Jesus Loves the Little Children
Rock of Ages
Softly and Tenderly
I Love to Tell the Story
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
This Is My Father’s World
Faith of Our Fathers w/My Faith Looks Up to Thee
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
I Come to Garden Alone
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
Just Josh
A REVIVAL
Program No 4
 
Revive Us Again
Leaning on the Everlasting Arm
The Church in the Wildwood
Sweet By and By
When We All Get to Heaven
Onward, Christian Soldiers

Whispering Hope
It’s Me (Standin’ in the Need of Prayer)
Sweet Hour of Prayer
To God Be the Glory
When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
The Lord Bless You and Keep You

Just Josh
THE CLASSICS
Program No 5
 
      All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
O Thou Fount of Every Blessing
      Canon in D
      At the Cross

      Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed
      When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
      Fur Elise
      How Firm a Foundation
      It Is Well with My Soul
      Moonlight Sonata
      All Creatures of Our God and King
      A Mighty Fortress

Just Josh
WHAT SONG WAS THAT?
Program No 6
 
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2.__________
3.__________
4.__________
5.__________
6.__________
7.__________
8a__________
8b__________
9.__________
10._________
11._________
12._________
Just Josh
THE CHURCH YEAR IN MUSIC
Program No 7
 
    O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Joy to the World
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Brightest and Best of the Stars
Jesus Paid It All
All Glory, Laud and Honor
Where You There
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
A Mighty Fortress
O Worship the King
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
 
 
 
 

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