Wednesday Words for August 15, 2012
From Pastor Carrie Smith
Two Thoughts for the Day!
The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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When schools flourish, all flourishes.
Martin Luther
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In our prayers this week: Michelle Johnson, daughter of Cindy and Bob Denny, who is having surgery for thyroid cancer next week; Kathy Williams, starting a new cancer therapy; Jean Cima, undergoing radiation therapy; Fred Becker, continued health problems; the Keller family as they prepare to move.
This Sunday at Bethany: We will be lifting up the next few gifts to the ELCA Malaria campaign. This week, we will celebrate gifts made by Tom Leahy (in memory of Jody) and donations from Vacation Bible School and all you faithful givers in the pews! Pastor Paul will be presiding at the communion table for the first time at Bethany. Thanks be to God!
Next Sunday, August 26th: Outdoor Worship! One service only, at 10 a.m., at the Nunda Township Picnic Barn (3510 Bay Road). What to bring: lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic lunch. In case of rain, worship will take place back at the church.
It’s time for school! Some schools have started already; some are starting classes soon. Let us lift up in prayer all teachers, teaching assistants, bus drivers, school office and janitorial staff, and students.
There are many exciting things coming this fall at Bethany! Here are a few dates to add to your calendar right now:
September 9: “Back to Church Bluegrass Round-Up” (aka Rally Day!) Y’all come back to church now, y’hear?! This is the first Sunday back to the fall worship schedule (7:45, 9, and 10:45 a.m.) We’ll be joined by The Chordfields, an area bluegrass band that is proud to have been “playing area barns for years!” Sunday School registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Y’all come!
September 16: New member class, 4-6 pm
September 23: Baptism Festival and Reception of New Members at 9 and 10:45 a.m.
And…watch your mail for more details about the 2012 Bethany Women’s Event! (hint, hint…)
September 30: 25th anniversary of the P.A.D.S. ministry at Bethany!
And…African Children’s Choir Concert at 7 p.m. Learn more about this organization at http://africanchildrenschoir.com/ This is an exciting opportunity, sponsored by Tom Leahy in memory of his wife (and longtime Bethany member) Jody Leahy.
October 28th: Reformation Day, Confirmation, and the Ordination of Pastor Paul Cannon. Watch for more information, coming soon!
This Week’s Texts:
Proverbs 9:1-6
9Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars.
2She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.
3She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town,
4“You that are simple, turn in here!” To those without sense she says,
5“Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
Psalm 34:9-14 (Message Version)
9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.
11 Come, children, listen closely; I'll give you a lesson in God worship.
12 Who out there has a lust for life? Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace—don't let it get away!
Ephesians 5:15-20
15Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 6:51-58
51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” 52The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
Peace,
+Pastor Carrie Smith
