Dear members & Friends of PLC: Last month Minnesota hosted the best male golfers n the world as the PA Tournament was held at the Hazeltine National Golf Course n Chaska. A lot of media buzz surrounded Tiger Woods as he sought his fifteenth “major title” in his illustrious career to date. He lost by one stroke on the last day to another rising star, a guy from South Korea named, Y.E. Yang. The top 100 highest rated golfers in the world competed just up the road from Sibley County. For golf enthusiasts I guess, of whom I’m not, it was a big thrill. However, on August 21st, I did participate in an entertaining afternoon of golf. It was my second annual “go at it” as I played with DH, KZ, and MK. (Perhaps I should change the names to protect the innocent?) anyway, we volunteered to play this “pro-am” fundraiser for the Winthrop Foundation Fund. My teammates played profoundly well, while I played amazingly average. It was good for my immune system because I read n a health magazine that laughter boosts your natural immunity to pathogens. And the way we played led to a lot of laughter. Speaking of laughter, I heard a golf and church joke. It seems that one particular church member loved golfing and often skipped Sunday morning worship so that he could golf. He figured that the course was less busy at that time so that he could he could cover many more holes n the same amount of time. Of course his pastor knew this habit well. One Monday morning the guy’s pastor met him coming around the corner by the bank building. The pastor said,” Say I heard you had a pretty good round yesterday morning.” “Well, pastor that’s not so, I didn’t play golf Sunday morning,” was the reply. “Oh, I thought I heard from your brother-n-law that you missed worship so you could play a round.” Said the pastor. “Nope, he’s wrong again about me,” the guy said getting a little hot under the collar. “Sorry I assumed you were sinning by not remember the Sabbath due to your tee time,” replied the pastor. The guy was tired of havn this conversation and blurted out, “That’s right pastor, I didn’t skip church just to play golf and I got the fish to prove it!” Once I was asked, “Hey PB, is it better to be at worship and think about golfing, or be at the golf course and think about worship?” I wonder if Jesus ever had to out up with such kidding around. I hope he did. Again, it’s good for the immune system. But I‘ve been thinking, why not come for worship and enjoy GOLF? What? Sure, at worship on Sundays we all have the opportunity to enjoy GOLF. Did you uses that I was on to describe an “acronym?” If so, you are correct, and I will do so using a literary device championed by the TV preacher Dr. Robert Schuler of the Crystal Cathedral at Garden Grove, CA. Pastor Schuler often teaches and preaches via “alliteration” which is using words that start with the same letter so that hopefully people will have an easier time remembering the message you speak. So how does G-O-L-F relate to Sunday Worship? GIVE GLORY TO GOD We gather to give thanks and praise to God for blessings of life and salvation. God gives us daily bread, forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life. Our heavenly Father bestows upon us sufficient spiritual gifts for service in his kingdom. God honors us with a partnership in the Gospel. As Christians, we are never completely “unemployed.” Even without pay we have an ever steady job. We call it our “vocation.” We are called to serve Christ. A combined sense of these understandings can’t help but leave us with a sense of giving God glory.So, a big part of Sunday morning worship is entering with a sense of gratitude and expressing it to the Lord God Almighty in the form of our joyful worship. OFFER OURSELVES TO OTHERS Sometimes people say they don’t need to go to church to worship God. Hopefully this is not an excuse to always avoid congregational life. Sure, we give God glory throughout the day, everyday besides just Sunday morning at PLC. We show up at PLC on a regular basis because the Holy Spirit “gathers” us together. Jesus gives us a commandment to love others as he loves us. In Luke 7:47 we hear Jesus teach that whoever is forgiven much will love much. In John 21 Jesus says to Peter three times, “If you love me, then care for and feed my lambs.” We show up to be there for each other to: listen, pray, befriend, forgive, encourage, extend help, etc. Many well intentioned people love God and give God glory as they refrain from congregational life, but we are called to live in community, the “Body of Christ.” So, a big part of worship is to be present for one another. Notice how much more fun it is to sing with a lot of people present? We offer ourselves for others in the various “chores of life.” FIND A FANTASTIC FAITH Advertisements bombard us daily. “You need this, why go without it?” “Try this kind, it’s the best!” “Hey, take our word, you won’t regret it!” “This will fix what’s missing in your life!” Etc. So many offers, so little time to evaluate, and the trade-offs can be crucial! Where should we put our trust? Who can we count on? What power delivers us from despair, Satan, judgment, temptation, self-centered sin, destructive addictions, apathy, etc.? The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – or the Gospel of our Lord is the answer. At worship we hear the Good News preached, sung, read, proclaimed in the Sacraments, and we see the Gospel embodied in the friendship of others, etc. Where can you find a faith to carry you 24/7? Where can you get filled up on appreciating life Worship is the heart of PLC life. People die when their hearts stop beating. So, many come for worship to keep the rhythm of faith beating loud and strong. G.O.L.F. ON SUNDAYS…I HOPE SO! Our summer worship average attendance is less in comparison to that during the school year. For those who have missed worship, whether or not you have the fish to prove it, I hope you believe your presence is missed. Welcome back to Worship everyone whether you missed last week or the whole summer! I work hard as do our worship music participants and other volunteers in hope of proving a meaningful worship gathering time for all present. I want you to “enjoy GOLF on Sundays!” May God bless our G.O.L.F. game! Thanks for your partnership in the Gospel.