"Blessing Always"
Association Minister Message
Rev. Daniel L. Busch
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JUSTIFICATION. There is a national debate about who should get medical, financial, and food services. Statements claim that “we” are a wealthy nation and have the ability to provide healthcare for everyone, no one should be in poverty, and no one should go hungry in the land of abundance. Arguments try to JUSTIFY limiting care for certain classes or groups of people with the reasons such as “If ‘they’ weren’t so lazy or incompetent, ‘they’ could have it all, too.” Many try to make the issues ideological, rather than compassion and mercy.
This Sunday’s Gospel lesson about the Good Samaritan is known by faith and secular communities. In Luke 10, we often focus on the one being robbed (“What is mine has been taken from me”), the robber (“what is yours is mine”), the priest (“keeper of the law” concerning cleanliness), the Levite (“religious ‘employee’ probably keeping task schedule), and GOOD Samaritan (“What is mine I graciously share with you”). There is one character that we often overlook: “A legal expert stood up to test Jesus.” (Luke 10:25). His arrogance was trying to JUSTIFY his importance as an expert, intentionally TESTING Jesus. His first question would have been arrogant (“..what must I do to gain eternal life?”). Eternal life was not prominent for Jews, but rather Jews focused on how they lived their earthly life. Jesus counters by asking the legal expert what the law stated: “Love God” with your entire being, and “…love your neighbor as yourself.” (vs. 27). Jesus responds, “You have answered correctly.” However the arrogance of the legal expert “wanted to prove that he was right, so he said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?” (vs. 29).
Jesus responds to the expert—and to us—that knowing the law is not as important as the grace in offering mercy, compassion, care, and love. To question who neighbor is self-serving and selfish. Taking care of neighbor by sharing mercy and kindness is God’s way, not “a have -to” legality. Limiting who neighbor is restricts God’s grace. It is, as the expert said, “The one who demonstrated mercy toward him.” Jesus told him AND US, “Go and do likewise,” BLESSINGS ALWAYS.
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Travel with Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister
July 10, 2025-July 16, 2025-General Synod (Kansas City, MO)
July 27, 2025-Lyme Congregational Church, Bellevue at 8:45 am
July 27, 2025-Bloomville UCC, Bloomville at 10:15 am
August 10, 2025-First UCC, Marblehead-Farewell to Doug Williamson at 10:30 am
August 17, 2025-First UCC, Marblehead at 10:30 am
September 14, 2025-Sylvania UCC, Sylvania at 10:00 am
September 21, 2025-Salem UCC, Kenton at 10:30 am/165th Anniversary of Salem UCC, Kenton
October 5, 2025-St. Stephen UCC, Sandusky at 8:00 am & 10:15 am
October 12, 2025-St.Peter's UCC, Millbury/150th Anniversary Special Worship
October 26, 2025-Trinity UCC, Tiffin-Release of Service Dan Busch at 3:00 pm
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Prayer Concerns / Request
Continuing prayer for: Dee Schroer, Rev. Daniel Johnson, Rev. Jim Garner, Rev. Don Corbin, Rev. Randall Forester, Rev. Gale Gebhart, Rev. Don Giesmann, Rev. David Culp, Rev. Diane Christopherson, Rev. Patrick McKinney, Regena Mummert, Rev. Mike Ebersole, Susan Bishop, Rev. Diane Thomas, Rev. Jeanette Tangeman, & David Weininger is home, Adrian Sunday is in the hospital, Peggy George is home recovering from shoulder surgery.
Please keep them in your prayers.
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If you want to jump start your thinking about Stewardship and Generosity, our 5 videos collection of topics covered with noted consultant Don Hill is available. As you click on the resources page, a short synopsis of each video is available. Can be used effectively in small group settings or you can take a segment for use in worship.
Permission is granted for the churches of Northwest Ohio Association, UCC to use the series as they wish with proper credit given.
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From the Pastoral Relations Working Group
of the NWOA Church and Ministry Team
Spiritual Directors
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Anti-Racism and White Privilege
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We hope that these resources meet the needs of pastors looking for resources to begin conversations regarding anti-racism within their congregations. If you have other ideas for how we may assist in bringing resources/training to you regarding this topic, please contact Nanette Warnecke-Flood at nanettef@syctelco.com
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| George Graham, Adam Shanaman, & Nick Nicholson | Michelle Wilkey, Joe Kirk, & Leila Jindra | | PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. offers a full range of theological courses which embrace your doubts and questions while giving you a firm foundation. For more information visit us at: www.PATHWAYSTheological.org | PATHWAYS Theological Education continues expanding its offerings. Look for information coming soon on the Environmental Justice Certificate, the Advanced Faith Formation Practitioner's Certificate, and new preaching and Bible courses in conjunction with the Southern New England UCC Conference Project Proclaim (funded by the Lilly Foundation). Go to the website to see a schedule of upcoming courses. | | | Your generous gift makes our ministry possible. | |
Stay Connected
Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister
cell: 419-934-5386 email: dlbusch@nwoa.org
Kim Nye, Office Administrator/Search Coordinator
email: kim@nwoa.org
Deb Long, Bookkeeper
email: deb@nwoa.org
OFFICE PHONE: 419-447-8323
OFFICE EMAIL: office@nwoa.org
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