Sabbath!

 For Sunday, April 26, 2026:

Luke 4:16 NLT: “When Jesus came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.”

 Looking at that text, we already know about Jesus, we know about Nazareth, we know about synagogues and the Sabbath. What strikes me as the teachable moment are the words, “as usual.” It was normal and customary to attend a religious gathering, to praise God and worship him on the Sabbath. It would have been far more unusual to NOT attend!

 I know a pastor whose son asked on Sunday morning, “Dad, do we have to go to church today?”

Dad: “That‘s about the dumbest question I’ve ever heard! We don’t HAVE to go to church; we WANT to go to church!”

 Church is where we meet our best friends, like-minded individuals. Church is our community, our fellowship. But most of all, we gather to praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, giving thanks for our creation and rescue from sin. We worship God as the head of everything. We’re thankful for the offer of life after this life, and for God honoring us with the offer of eternity in his Kingdom. We get to hear scripture from the Bible to inspire us to face another week!

 Church is a good, safe place to invite others. Bring your new friends. Help make disciples of all nations!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship
The Father’s House
Truth and Freedom Church

Obedient and Thankful!

For Sunday, November 30, 2025:

Luke 1:46-47 NLT: Mary responded: “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”

Mary was both obedient and thankful. This young woman finds herself with child, never having been with a man. Strange situation! She is about to marry Joseph. How’s that going to look to all the neighborhood gossips? God would have to send his messenger angel again to explain the situation to Joseph!

Gabriel had told her that the child would be known as the Son of God. That convinces Mary that this is a good thing. She’s awestruck at being chosen by the Lord. This simple woman has been given a huge honor! May those gossiping shut their mouths! Mary could get away, perhaps visit her cousin Elizabeth for a while. Elizabeth had been visited by an angel too, and was pregnant with John the Baptist.

Thankfulness flowed out of Mary as she prayed the Magnificat, her song of praise for being honored by God. (Luke 1:46-55) The Lord has a unique task for each of us, and we should all get ready to serve. We should be obedient, and – just like Mary – we should be filled with gratitude for what we have been given.

God is good!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Happy Thanksgiving!

For Thursday, November 28, 2024:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

In the US, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day to thank the Lord for all his goodness. The exact day moved, but the tradition continued. Many other countries have adopted a similar celebration.

It’s easy to forget some of the things God provides for mankind. We take a lot of things for granted. God gives us air to breathe and sunshine every morning to warm the earth and to warm mankind. Our planet raises enough food to feed everyone. If you hear of people starving, it’s because countries are at war and distribution channels are closed. But God provides enough food and water for everyone.

It’s good to acknowledge God’s goodness on a special day, but we should really thank him daily. After all, God remembers us every day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Father's House!

June 23, 2024 Monday Message:

Psalm 84:4 NLT: “What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.”

Jesus said that when believers enter the next reality, he will have prepared a place for them in his Father’s house. We believe God is a ‘spirit-being.’ Human practices such as living in a house are written so that we can better understand our God. The point here isn’t about where God lives, or how he lives. It’s about spending eternity in God’s presence, living in a state of perpetual worship. I call it ‘immersion.’

You will find no one in heaven who doesn’t like God. God (including Jesus and the Holy Spirit) will be the center of attention, our reason for constant worship. On-going perpetual worship is best. We no longer make a big deal about God because it’s the Sabbath or because it’s a special occasion. We honor God every day, 24/7! God has no competition. There are no other gods in heaven.

While in heaven, remember to thank God for including you. Remember to thank Jesus for paying your sin-penalty. And thank the Holy Spirit for nudging us in the right direction!

Enjoy heaven!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Thankful!

For Thursday, November 23, 2023:

1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Today, the fourth Thursday in November, is celebrated as Thanksgiving Day in the US. Most people get the day off, and families gather to eat too much turkey and watch football — and hopefully to remember to be thankful for all God has given us.

I’m thankful for my wife, our children and their spouses, and our grandchildren. I’m thankful for good friends, my house, my car, my work and for always having more than I truly need. God has been very good to me.

The best thing to be thankful for is Assurance of Salvation. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare our places in the hereafter. Those who believe on His name will get to see heaven from the inside!

Take some time today to thank the Lord for all the goodness he has poured into your life.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Born Again!

 For Sunday, October 16, 2022:

John 3:5 NLT: “Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’”

"Born again” – It sounds odd, but Jesus spoke these words, so let’s investigate. Nicodemus was confused too! “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

We all understand the first birth, being brought into this world as a human. The second birth, being born AGAIN, refers to an enlightenment given by the Holy Spirit. Our eyes and ears are opened to God’s Son, our heart is opened to carry Jesus with us, and our mind is radically transformed to think more like our Savior. Being human, we’re not perfect at this, but as time goes by, we get closer and closer to Jesus. Progress is good; perfection may not be possible.

The Bible says that every good thing we have comes from the Father. So our enlightenment is a priceless gift from above. And now knowing the Son, we also receive the gift of eternal life in God’s Kingdom!

Remember to thank the Lord for all his precious gifts!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Thanksgiving Prep!

For Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Psalm 95:2 NLT: “Let us come to the Lord with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.”

What comes into your mind when you hear the word, “Thanksgiving?” Does the whole family get together? Do you roast a big turkey with dressing and mashed potatoes? The US celebrates Thanksgiving on Nov. 25 this year, one week from tomorrow. You still have time to get ready. Franklin D. Rosevelt established the fourth Thursday in November as our country’s Thanksgiving holiday. It’s both a secular and a sacred celebration.

To believers, Thanksgiving is a time to acknowledge all the good things the Lord has bestowed upon us. We say, “God is good, all the time,” so we should thank Him every day. But with Thanksgiving in mind, perhaps we should do a little extra on that day. Find a few minutes to list all the goodness God has poured into your life, things that keep hope alive.

Then thank Him with your prayer!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Thank God!

For Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Ephesians 5:20 NLT: “Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It seems like people want to pray more when things go wrong. But today, let’s pray for things that have gone right! Think about it – there are only a few things wrong, but millions of things go right every single day, things we may not even see if we’re on autopilot.

God keeps us alive until it’s time to call us home. Our heart keeps on thumping, and our blood keeps on pumping, and we don’t do that on our own – it’s Intelligent Design! Every day we get something to eat. Granted, some people have fancy dinners, and some go to the food shelf, but God looks after us. We have a place to live, we have clothes, we have freedom to worship our God in our country. We have friends, we have family, we have a church!

Today, let’s give thanks for the colossal number of things that have gone right!

Blessings,

Pastor Norton

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Psalms 98 - Jubilant Gratitude

June 19, 2017 Monday Message:

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” Psalms 98:1a NIV

We ask God to help us; we pray. God answers our prayers, showering us with his blessings. I’m amazed each day at the good things God drops into our lives! Knowing God gives us hope and fills us with the joy of the Lord.

Therefore we rightfully should show gratitude for all God has done. Pray. Shout! Share the Good News with others! Sing a new song to the Lord. If you play a musical instrument, learn to make music for the Lord. Ask your friends to play with you. Accompany any of the Psalms, or write your own words praising God. Then it will be a new song!

“Shout with joy, burst into jubilant song; make music with singing, harps, trumpets and blasts of the ram’s horn!” from Psalms 98:4-6 Nowadays we include guitars, keyboards, and percussion!

The Bible says that Jesus will return to rule the earth. Pray for him to return quickly. He will do much better than any government!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla brings the message, guest worship leader David Boeltl.

Be Thankful Always

January 30, 2012 Monday Message:

We’re looking at Paul’s instructions for Christian living, in chapter 5 of 1st Thessalonians.

•Always be joyful.
•Never stop praying.
•Be thankful in all circumstances (for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.)
•Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
•Do not scoff at prophecies.
•Test everything that is said.
•Hold on to what is good.
•Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thess. 5:16-20 NLT)

The 3rd point, be thankful in all circumstances, may seem difficult at first. Life isn’t always fair. But when things seem to be going the wrong direction, God could be using that to teach you a valuable skill to use in the kingdom. That makes being thankful the right thing to do, though it may not seem like it at the time. God is still on the throne, even when life seems to have dealt you a crummy hand.

Don’t miss the point that remaining thankful in all things isn’t so much a command; it’s a privilege! It’s not that you HAVE to do it because God said so. It’s that you’re ALLOWED to give thanks in all things, knowing that God is still in charge and that he will use everything for good. Giving thanks in all things is God’s idea, and He only has good ideas!

About these first three points, Spurgeon writes, “When joy and prayer are married, their firstborn child is gratitude.”

May the Spirit fill you this week.

Norton Lawellin