Wednesday Message

November 12, 2025

 

Feed My Sheep

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
— John 21:15

When Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” it’s not a rhetorical question.  Three times Peter must answer.  Three times Jesus responds the same way: Feed my lambs.  Tend my sheep.  Feed my sheep.

It’s as if Jesus is saying, Love isn’t proved in words—it’s shown in nourishment.  Love feeds.  Love makes sure people have what they need to live.

That’s one of the things that makes Christian compassion unique.  Lots of good people care for the hungry, and thank God for that.  But Christians feed the hungry not just because it’s the right thing to do; it’s the Jesus thing to do. 

Feeding hungry people was central to Jesus’ ministry.  The story of Jesus miraculously feeding thousands with just a few loaves and fish shows up six times in four Gospels—more than any other miracle.  More than the resurrection.  And after the resurrection, Jesus’ disciples didn’t recognize him until “he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” 

Over and over again, the message is clear: the kingdom of God looks like a table where everyone has enough.

Last week, our church lived out that uniquely Christian call to feed the hungry when we served The Banquet meal at Grace Lutheran Church, offering food and fellowship to our neighbors.  Earlier this year, we doubled our giving to the Salvation Army’s “One Roof” program, ensuring that more families in Watertown have help when times are hard.  And just two days ago, our Church Council approved a one-time donation to Feeding South Dakota to help people impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits.

Every act of feeding is an act of faith.  Every meal shared, every donation given, every hungry person fed is one more “I love you” spoken to Christ himself.

Let us never forget: when Jesus said, “If you love me, then feed my sheep,” he was speaking to us.

Prayer:
God of abundance, you fill the hungry with good things and call us to do the same.  Keep us faithful in feeding your sheep—in our city, in our state, and in every corner of your world.  May every meal we serve and every gift we give be a sign of our love for you.  Amen.

 

Coffee  November 16, 2025 ~  Youth Group

  Bible Study, the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month at 3pm with Pastor Dustin, everyone is welcome

Sign up in the narthex if you would like to volunteer to serve coffee on Sunday mornings,

join us upstairs before church and downstairs in the Fellowship Hall following the worship service

on Sunday mornings for coffee and treats, everyone is always welcome.  

 

The Funeral for Waneta Anderson, is today, Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 2:00pm at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel, visitation starts at 1:00 pm.

 

    

 Money Counters:   

             

             Nov. 16  Wayne Johnson

             Nov. 23   Sue Pearson

             Nov. 30   Shari Wirkus