9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax

collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and
sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw
this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors
and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor,
but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
“For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Matthew 9:9-12

Grace and peace,

One of the changes the pandemic brought to Salem and Sauk Valley, was the way the Lord’s Supper has been
distributed. Previously, it was distributed from the rail and since it has been handed at the foot of the step. The
deacons and I have had conversations about whether to transition back to the rail or stay at the foot of the step
and after discussing with members and deliberating, the decision was made to return to the rail for the Lord’s
Supper starting in September. Along this theme of the Lord’s Supper, I wanted to take this opportunity to
address a couple of matters.

Who is the Lord’s Supper for? In the verse above, Jesus makes is clear he is concerned with the sick, the sinner,
not the well. Those who are burdened with sin, fear of death, the attacks of the flesh and the devil. If you are
burdened and feel your weakness, go joyfully to the Lord’s Supper and let yourself be refreshed comforted, and
strengthened. Don’t wait until you take care of your burden in order to come to the Lord’s Supper, don’t wait
until you are “worthy” because as Paul writes in Romans 7, “For I know that nothing good dwells within me,
that is in my flesh.” We run to the Lord’s Supper because it is “food of the soul” it nourishes and strengthens us,
so that our faith may be refreshed and strengthened. When our hearts feel sorely pressed, this comfort of the
Lord’s Supper is given to bring us new strength. 1

The Lord’s Supper is for the sick and for the sinners but more specifically for their ear. This treasure of the Lord’s
Supper comes through the word that is spoken “given and shed for you.” On its own, sitting on the altar, it is
bread and wine but when God’s Word is spoken, the Words of Institution spoken “In the night in which he was
betrayed…” it is no longer just bread and wine, it is the Lord’s Supper. This is Jesus’ body and blood given for
you. What I am most concerned with at the Lord’s Supper is your ears and that they are hearing Christ’s word.

Your knees may not be able to bend anymore, so stand by the rail or stay seated in your pew and we will come
to you, I am not worried about what your knees are doing. I am concerned with your ears and that they are
hearing Christ’s promise, his treasure and gift of mercy given in his body and blood specifically for you. Whether
you are laying in bed, seated in a wheelchair or kneeling at the rail the Lord’s Supper holds the same promise
for you. His promise is not dependent on your abilities, it is a gift from Jesus to you, for your ears to hear.

The Lord’s Supper is for you, for the burdens that are weighing on your conscience, for your grief, for your
anger, for your bitterness, for your sickness, for every mistake you ever made, even the sins you committed on
your way to church, even the ones committed during church. Our Lord’s Supper is a gift for you, for your ear to
hear that you are forgiven, that this is the body and blood of Christ for you.

In Christ,
Pastor Lexy Carson

1 Luther’s Large Catechism, 468-469

 Please continue When Pastor Lexy will be in
to pray for… Parish…
~Pastor Lexy & those in leadership in the church Pastor Lexy will be in Parish on Tuesday
~Our Missionaries & Ministries: morning/afternoon, Wednesday afternoon &
*Simon Muhota in Kenya & Crying Children of Thursday morning/afternoon. She can also be reached
Africa Orphanage anytime by phone or email.
*Don & Marge Cook of Hands on House, India email: lexyacarson@gmail.com
*Dave Greaver & Midwest Chaplaincy Phone: 605.590.0140
*Love Inc Please call or email any questions or concerns.
*Hospitality Center for Chinese
*Chris & Amanda Mikkelson
~United States, for our economy, leaders, protection Sunday Services
from disasters & terrorists If you can't make it to our Sunday Service you can
~Our Police, Military & Medical Professionals watch the Live Stream at 10:30 on our Facebook
Our Parish Members page, Salem/Sauk Valley Lutheran Churches or on
~Our elderly our website, salem-saukvalleychurches.com when it
~Hilda Johnson is posted after the service.
~JoAnn Clay
~Dorte Hagen
~Delores Gillan
~Chuck Hector
~Jim Torstenson
~John Johnson Readers
~Jim Johnson Readers for September are:
~Neil Johnson
September 3: Paul Matthys
Our Friends & Family September 10:
~Shelly Triebenbach September 17: Lorie Haider
~Loriane Buzik September 24:
~Barb Tabbat
~Bob Sherman
~Rochelle Peyton
~Bill Price
Cleaning Groups
~Anna Pastian Cleaning Groups for
~James Opie September are:
~Tanner Clay
~Jessie Hoppe Salem: Group 2
~Deb Quistorff-Larsen Sauk Valley: Bonnie Larson
~Linda Zins
~Terri Meyers
~Dawn Henriksen If you have anything for the newsletter please e-mail
~Dennis Johnson Anne at:
~Shane & Jake Broundhousen salemsaukvalley@gmail.com
~Dru, Crissy, Freya & Finn DeLange or call or text at
~Jeff Schuster 320.760.4620
~Rita Hiltner Thanks!
~Missy Bakwell
~Connie Halley
On Sunday August 6th we
had Service at the Lake
on Fairy Lake. After the
service we had a potluck
dinner and lots of
visiting.

Join us for an outdoor

Print or E-mail?
movie night
If you would rather receive your Mark your calendars for September 15th
newsletter via email instead of print at 8 pm at
please let Pastor Lexy or Anne know. Sauk Valley.
This time we will be showing the movie
Jesus Revolution.
 Backpack Attack
The Backpack Attack Committee is serving a meal
at the School Open House on Wednesday, August
30th. If you are willing to help serve the meal
please let Pastor Lexy know. The time frame is 4-7
but we are hoping to get enough help to break into
2 shifts.

Sunday School & Adult Bible Study will

begin Sunday, September 10th at 9:15.
After the Worship Service there will be a
lunch.

Dakotah Pastian was busy at the fair this year.

She earned:
*Blue ribbon for her birdhouse
*4 Blue ribbons for her paintings
*Blue ribbon for her cookies
*Reserve champion for her cinnamon rolls
*2 Red & 1 Blue for her goats
*1 Red ribbon for her horse
*Blue grand champion for novice showmanship with her horse
*And Best Senior Interview with her horse.
Congraulations Dakotah!!
A Few Laughs