Look up and discover life
Rachel Mendell — StaffThe fifth in the Lenten worship series was held at First Lutheran Church, Galion. Pastor Matthew S. Wheeler welcomed visitors and conducted the service. Pastor Rich Genzman gave the message “Look Up and Discover Life!” Thomas Palmer served as organist and pianist.
Hymns sung included “The Old Rugged Cross,” “How Great Thou Art” and “I Love to Tell the Story.” Bible readings were Numbers 21:4–9, the story of the children of Israel in the desert and bronze serpent; Ephesians 2:1–10; Paul writing to the Ephesian Christians about being saved by faith in Jesus Christ; and John 3:14–21, Jesus speaks with Nicodemus in the middle of the night about being born again and how Jesus was like the bronze serpent.
Genzman opened his message with a reference to The Picture of Dorian Grey. Dorian was a man who was beautiful on the outside, having everything he needed and more. But he was ugly and corrupt on the inside, only living for himself. He died a tortured man, never having come to grips with who he really was.
The sermon was based on all three Bible readings. Genzman noted that God allowed the Israelites to be bitten by poisonous snakes in the desert as discipline for not obeying Him. When they cried out for help, Moses, by God’s command, built a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. When those who were bitten looked upon the serpent they lived. Years later, Jesus would tell Nicodemus that He would be put upon a tree just like the serpent and all those who looked upon Him would live.
Today, said Genzman, we are to look up and discover the life Jesus has for us.
The next in the Lenten worship series will be held at First United Church of Christ April 1 at 7 p.m. This will be a concert. There will be a Community Good Friday Service April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Galion Community Theatre.
Rachel Mendell — Staff
Posted by Rachel Mendell
on Mar 28 2012.
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