…give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe…  Deuteronomy 4:1

Rules, commandments, ordinances, laws, the keeping of these and the violation of the same is a theme that runs through the readings for Sunday.

Who sets the rules in your life?  In your house?  Maybe you imagine that you are above rules. Protestant Christianity has helped bring us to this thought with respect to religion. Faith frees us from laws and rules, or so we imagine. I think that’s a serious misunderstanding. That way of thinking has made Protestants apathetic on one hand, selfish and mean on the other hand.

Rules still govern our lives in many ways, and that’s a good thing.

Having to obey rules might mean that someone else is in control of our lives, and that might make us resentful. Having rules to keep might also mean that we are in the game (a good thing) or that we are members of a community (another good thing).  Rules govern games and community life. Rules allow us to live together.

I have been thinking about our young people going back to college or off to college for the first time, and about our younger kids starting school in a few days. Sunday I’ll read a poem to you about rules and school. We’ll say a prayer of blessing for our kids.

The first day of Sunday school is right around the corner. Remember to return your registration forms and begin to plan to make your children’s faith formation a regular part of your weekend routine during the school year.

Plan to take some tomatoes home with you!

Canned goods for the Wayland Food Pantry. Let’s fill up the basket this Sunday.

Susie Kuzma’s voice students are giving a recital here Sunday night,  Songs for a Starry Night. You are welcome to attend. The singers rehearse here Saturday. The recital begins at 7:00 pm Sunday.