This Week at Clyde Park

A Note from Pastor Ryan

If you're doing the reading the Bible in a year plan, then you've likely read about the restitution expected from certain sins or mistakes in Exodus 22. It made me think of that wee little man Zaccheus who paid restitution upon meeting Jesus. Jesus told him that salvation had come to his house. 

Restitution is not something with which contemporary Christians are often comfortable. People tend to think, "Jesus died for my sins, why should I do anything else?" We can often equate anything else we do with "penance" that the Catholics do. 

At the same time, we recognize when our apologies are insignificant. When we create a debt, the honest are more than willing to correct it. In Exodus 22 it "If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution. 15 But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss." When we read this, it seems quite logical. There wasn't a sin here, but a debt was incurred and it is right to make restitution. 

When we don't think this way, we likely have a cheap imagination of cheap grace. This is a category which Dietrich Bonhoeffer sought to correct. I almost paraphrased him, but his words are too rich. So here is what brother Bonhoeffer has to say about grace 

“Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheap jacks' wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, and the consolations of religion are thrown away at cut prices. Grace is represented as the Church's inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessings with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits. Grace without price; grace without cost! The essence of grace, we suppose, is that the account has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing. Since the cost was infinite, the possibilities of using and spending it are infinite. What would grace be if it were not cheap? Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.” - The Cost of Discipleship

Tonight's Dinner:

Red Beans and Rice

Women’s Ministry

We will be having a craft day on Saturday, February 28th from 1:00 to 4:00. The craft will have a cost of $5. Please come even if you don't do a craft! Childcare will be provided! We will have soup, salads and desserts. Please sign up at the welcome center if you can help with food.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alabaster offering will be taken on February 15^th and 22^nd. Don’t forget your alabaster boxes!! The Alabaster Offering provides funds for property and buildings around the world.

Upcoming Events

Feb. 14        9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Pancake Breakfast

(Teen Fundraiser)

Feb. 15        Alabaster Offering       

**Valentine Potluck following the

                     morning worship service.

Feb. 17        5:30 p.m.  Pancake/Pazcki

Fat Tuesday Dinner

Feb. 18        6:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service

                    NO COMMUNITY DINNER

Feb. 22        Alabaster Offering

Feb. 28        1:00-`4:00 p.m. Women’s Craft Day