I recall parts of God's Word that indicate that God's people are to oppose unjust institutions. I have heard preachers call God's people to work to change a law that needs changing and to speak out on behalf of those who have no voice. But slaves are to submit to their masters, even the harsh and mean ones??? Something seems very wrong with these words.

But, I have remembered the words of St. Francis, that we are to have the courage to change the things we can, the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference. When Peter wrote his epistle, he knew that the institution of slavery would be intact for all who would read his letter.

There was no way at that time in history that slavery would be ended. To be sure, other parts of God's Word speak against slavery and encourage God's people to always work to abolish this horrible sin from the face of the earth. But Peter knew the recipients of his letter would not be able to get out from under this terrible yoke. So, he wrote to provide them insights for living as slaves, even though slavery is not God's will.

In other words, Peter was seeking to answer this question: Now that we slaves have become Christians, how are we supposed to live? It was a situation that was not going to change any time soon. So Peter sought to encourage these Christian slaves with Christ's example and His hope, to bear up in an unjust an awful situation. God hates slavery. But Peter wanted to provide hope and guidance to those who had no power or rights. Since it was not a situation that the slaves could change at that time in history, they needed the "serenity to accept the things we cannot change."

May we be people who always oppose evils such as slavery. Such is never God's way. But sometimes we find ourselves enslaved to things that do not seem to be changeable. We find ourselves in one of those "serenity to accept the things we cannot change" situations. Like our first century sisters an brothers, we may feel like giving up. We may become stoic. We may become resigned or fatalistic. There is another option. Peter goes on to say of our example, Jesus, that "He entrusted Himself to the one who judges justly." That is, judgment will come to those who abuse people. But we must release our feelings, our hurts, our wounds upon God. Even when we are helpless to change things, we are called to take an ACTIVE stance. "Cast all your cares on God," says Peter.

Give your situation into God's hands. To entrust is to be anything but stoic, resigned, or fatalistic. Release your situation to God and make him an active partner in what you are facing. The situation may indeed be unchangeable. But we change as we release our predicament to God.

Let us never cease to change the injustices that we can. But, when faced with what may be a more permanent problem, let us learn to find the serenity that overcomes. Make God be your active partner in the trial you may face. Release yourself, your feelings, your situation to him. And as the ravages of injustice nip at your heels, may you nevertheless find the peace that passes understanding. The situation may not change. But I pray that you will!

Pastor Brad

I can’t believe I am writing this for the August Visitor, where has the summer gone? It seems we can’t wait for the summer to come and then it goes by too quickly. I hope you have seen the improvements that have been done to our building. The new cement work at the front of our church looks great and is much safer. You can’t tell, but we had some work done on the roof to stop a leak, but we found out the flat roof is in very bad condition. Next year we will have to address this problem, so if anyone has a good fund raising idea, please share it with the Church Council.

We had a beautiful day for our Yard Sale on July 11th. With the current economic slump, it was a great opportunity for us to help out the community. Our Share Wear closet also did a bang up job, thanks to Dorothy Schreiner and Betty Muscato who sold a record 40 items in just one day. On August 1st, Share Wear will hold a "Back to School" special, so please tell all of your friends and neighbors to come out for some great bargains. Remember, all items are $1.00 each.

Our next fun-raiser is an ice cream social after church on August 16th. We will have piano entertainment while we are enjoying our ice cream. Be sure to come to church and stay for the treats. You can’t beat ice cream, friends and great piano music on a hot summer day! Invite your family and friends—to church and the ice cream social!

With fall approaching, it is a good time to get back to our regular routine. We need to see everyone back again and see our pews full. Have you asked your neighbor or friends if they would like to come to church with you? Give it a try, you never know what will happen. Have a great August and enjoy the summer while we can.

God Bless You,

Debbie Wisowaty
Council President