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This week\u2019s topic and parable in our \u201cFrom God\u2014For Others\u201d sermon series may be a little confusing for us. Church is definitely \u201cfrom God\u201d...He is the Giver and Sustainer of our congregation and all Christian congregations as well. But what about \u201cfor others\u201d? What does that mean? How is \u201cChurch\u201d \u201cFrom God\u2014For Others\u201d, after all...Church is \u201cFor ME.\u201d Or is it? The truth about the Body of Christ, known as \u201cThe Church\u201d, is that the Lord gave it as the outlet for His grace and mercy and love and Word and Sacraments...for ALL. What does that look like? When God\u2019s people, assembled in the Church, take seriously His charge to reach out in Jesus name and bring others into the Church through His Word and Gospel...then Church is being the Church and being what God wanted it to be all along. A \u201cclub\u201d for certain people? An enclave of friends who huddle-up and keep others out? A closed circle where no one else can get in? Nope. The Church, this church, Gloria Dei, is to be a place where we bring people who need Jesus and all are welcomed. We will look in the mirror of our parable today, recognize where we need to change, and grow in our understanding that even Church is \u201cFrom God\u2014For Others\u201d