Weekly Message
The Weekly Message
August, 5 2025
Faith in Action: A Devotional Reflection from James
In the sermon series we are wrapping up this Sunday, we have been looking at the
letter of James from the New Testament to assist in our summer reflections on
how we are doing when it comes to key aspects of how we are to live as God’s
people. James reminds us that faith is
not just what we believe—it’s how we live. James calls believers to a faith
that transforms our hearts, our words, our priorities, and our perseverance. Specifically, our four-sermon series has
highlighted the following.
- Faith That Works
Faith without action is like a toy without batteries—it cannot fulfill its
purpose. God has given us His Word not simply for information but for
transformation. Like a mirror, it reflects both who we are and who we are
called to be. True faith results in works of love, service, and compassion. If
we claim to follow Christ, our lives should show it through tangible acts of
kindness, justice, and mercy.
2.Faith That Speaks Life
Words have the power to heal or to harm, to build up or to tear down. James
warns that our tongues, though small, can cause great destruction if left
unchecked. As followers of Christ, we are called to speak words seasoned with
grace—words that encourage, comfort, and point others toward God. When our
hearts are transformed by His Spirit, our speech will reflect His love
consistently, not just in worship but in everyday conversations.
3.Faith That Chooses God Over the World
James confronts the divided heart—trying to live for both God and the world’s
values. Friendship with the world’s pride, greed, and self-centeredness pulls
us away from God. The antidote is humility: submitting to God, resisting the
enemy, and drawing near to the Lord with sincerity and repentance. God longs
for our full devotion and offers abundant grace to help us return to Him.
4.Faith That Waits with Hope
Patience is not passive—it’s active trust. Like a farmer waiting for the
harvest, we must endure through seasons of hardship, confident that God is at
work even when we cannot see it. James points to the prophets and to Job, who
persevered through trials and were blessed for their steadfast faith. Our hope
rests in the certainty that God’s compassion and glory far outweigh our present
suffering, giving us strength to endure with patience and peace.
Reflection for the Week:
How is your faith showing up in your daily actions?
Do your words reflect the heart of Christ?
Are there areas where you need to humbly submit to God rather than cling to the world’s values?
In what challenges do you need to adopt the farmer’s patient hope, trusting God’s timing?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the wisdom of Your Word and the example of faithful
believers who have gone before us. Teach us to live a faith that works through
love, speaks life, chooses You over worldly ways, and waits patiently in hope.
Shape our hearts to reflect Jesus in every action, every word, and every
season. In His name we pray, Amen.
Have a great week and God Bless.
Pastor George J. Kafer
Joys & Concerns
Joys
For an 80th birthday celebration for the Elzinga’s celebrated with family and friends. And for Jan’s sister visiting.
For a safe return for the CDF mission trip team.
For a generous congregation.
Concerns
Steve Knight’s dad who is in hospice.
For Dave Dobrowski’s mom Gloria who fell, and for Patty having surgery on tendons and ligaments in her right ankle &
foot on Wednesday. Prayers for healing and recovery and for Dave as caregiver.
Continued prayers for Kathy
Peterson, Heidi Slife, The Bixler Family, Bob Knudson, Trish Poole, Sandy
Gavin, Joyce Laehr, Anne Herman, Chris Ruud, Kim & Zoey Voss, Jeanette Marchetti-Hamm, Bob Herman, Ron Hansen,
Cadyn Albright & her family, Debbie Knudson, Pastor Awilda Nolla, Evie Fell,
Bob & Kim Dewey & Wendy Kumbier, Becca and Blake Kube, the Mcllvaine
Family and the Kolmer Family.
*** CHURCH OFFICE HOURS***
MONDAY- 8:30am – 3 pm
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY - 9 am – 3 pm
THURSDAY 9 am – 2:30 pm
FRIDAY – Office Closed
CALENDAR
Tues Aug 5 Handbell Practice – 6:30 pm Friendship Room
Thurs Aug 7 Crafting Group – 6 pm Room 16
Friday Aug 8 Church Office Closed
Prayer Shawl - 1 pm
Sun Aug 10 Band Practice – 9 am
Worship/Children’s Church 10 am
Link to register and pay online https://40196.people.myamplify.io/external/form/1ef51288-68f5-4101-9fe2-6fa2efba5fa7
Link to register and pay cash https://40196.people.myamplify.io/external/form/0c7c6169-3f26-419a-b35d-80d31bbcb0d5
You can also click on the link to sign up https://40196.people.myamplify.io/external/form/b8250552-54e1-449d-b1e5-3be77ddd9c84
You can also click on the link to sign up https://40196.people.myamplify.io/external/form/9041b398-835d-4a65-bb25-920e1fb1fae8
You can also click on the link to sign up https://40196.people.myamplify.io/external/form/fc86c274-e383-41df-b789-5743fbb58af2
September/October Upper
Rooms are now located in the library.
Announcer: You will find copies
in each entryway. You can also access it online clinking on the link:
August Announcer
https://cloud-1de12d.b-cdn.net/customfile/d9eff2c5347d5d111a6a9f75663054a4974aba1274c8c307ebb5bf780f2ce4c7/August-2025-AnnouncerFinalBPDF.pdf
If you have a change in phone number or address, please call the church
office at 262-632-1607 or email at christcumc@gmail.com. You can also change information on your
profile on you app as well.
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*Please remember to be careful with emails that appear to come from Christ Church but are, indeed, fake. If
you hover over the sender address, it should show as this email does, notifications@emails.church
or christcumc@gmail.com
. The fake emails will usually have a
name on them that is not mine (Cassie Kafer) or Pastor George’s. For those who receive messages from
Josh/Family Ministries, it should look like this: christchurchracinefamily@gmail.com
Fake emails usually have misspelled words and/or contain links they want
you to click. They often say to click to
see pictures and could be other things. Please be mindful of the things that
are not per our usual format and do not click any links. You can call the office if you would like to
verify the authenticity of a message.
