Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Thoughts:            The parable in Matthew 12:1-9 makes farmers shudder.  Seed is precious.  It is not to be wasted.  Either seed has been carefully culled from previous crops – labor intensive – or it has been bought – expensive.  No sower worth shooting would fling seed about so irresponsibly.
 
Seeds do not choose where they fall.  So this parable must have been directed toward sowers.   
 
Discussion:         What seeds may fall near us that we do not want to nurture?
 
Activity:               The old hymn “Bringing in the Sheaves” admonished us to sow seeds of kindness “in the morning, at noontide, and the dewy eve.”
Remember in prayer this week Vivian Hansard, Mildred Parker, and Mike and Tina Stefanski.
 
Tonight at 7:30pm our softball team will take the field at Good Shepherd Lutheran School.
Tomorrow the softball team will take the field at 6:15pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran School.  Both games need fans.
This Sunday is Communion with Pastor Weatherly and Rev. Jane.  Following coffee fellowship at 11:30am will be a service in our chapel celebrating Wanda Payne.
Next Monday is the August Tidings deadline.
Next Monday is also Baldwin servers.  Meet at church at 9:30am to carpool.
 
Concerns from Sunday, July 9, 2017:
Janice and Bob Drager – Request prayers for a close friend who has been on a ventilator for 10 days.
Aurand Family – Prayers for Scott’s brother, Rodney, who is recovering from a heart attack on Friday.
Terry Oliver – Granddaughter Kaylee (6 years old) having tonsils removed tomorrow at Beaumont Royal Oak.
Carley Gordon – Prayers for my grandma, Sue Nurek, as she is home recovering from a fall last Thursday.
Bill & Sue Wesp – Concerned for my mom as she deals with the loss of my dad.
Joys:
Aurand Family – Prayers for Andrew as he starts his job with Parker this week.
Bob Whitford – I will race on my 4th Port Huron to Mackinack sailboat race later this month.
Dick & Millie Parker – Continued thanks for cards, notes, calls, and visits during Millie’s recovery.  Thanks also for support with the passing of Dick’s sister, Helen.
Cathy Miller – Thanks for your prayers and cards.  I’m feeling better.
Linda & Rick Wright – Marriage of our daughter, Cori, to Justin Cannon.  May God bless them.
Megan Steiger – Update on Troy Co-op Parent Lisa whom we prayed for two weeks ago after she experienced cardiac arrest during a weekend away in Grand Rapids.  Lisa was able to return home a week later and is on the mend, following many medical interventions, including a temporary heart pump.  Thank you for your prayers for her, her husband, and their 3 young children.
Finance – As of today, $4895 has been raised for “Paving the Way Through Faith!”  We’re looking for more Faith so we can restore our Capital Replacement Fund for the next non-budgeted, but needed, Project!  Many thanks to all who have already contributed.