Wednesday Words for October 17, 2012
from Pastor Carrie Smith
2 Thoughts for the Day:
We can do no great things, only small things with great love.
~Mother Teresa
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.
~Dr. Seuss
In our prayers: Gary Summers, John Michaels (who had a procedure Monday), June Ouart (who had cataract surgery Monday), Larry Kohn (beginning cancer treatments), the George Pauls family at the death of Anthony (a friend of the Gaffney family), the Hallberg family at the death of Lox, Betty Klehfoth (eye infection).
Sunday at Bethany: Worship at 7:45 am, 9 am, and 10:45 am. The confirmation students will be providing the Child’s Word this week! Pastor Paul will be preaching and presiding at all three services.
Sunday at 4 pm: Come to the next Bethany Arts Series concert, a fantastic piano duo recital! As always, there is no admission to this great musical opportunity.
Pastoral Emergencies: Robert and I will in California from Friday-Sunday, where Robert will be presiding at the wedding of his best high school friend. For pastoral emergencies, please contact the office or Pastor Paul at (815)404-7248.
Sojourners Magazine: Several Bethany members responded saying they would like to join in a bulk subscription to Sojourners Magazine: Faith in Action for Social Justice.
There is still time to join in! Regular price for one year, one person is $39.95. We can save a lot by having our magazines shipped to the church all together:
2 to 5 $17.95
6 to 9 $15.95
10 to 25 $13.95
26 to 50 $11.95
51 to 99 $9.95
100 or more $7.95
Shoot me an email, or sign up at church on Sunday at the information desk!
Important dates for your calendar:
Confirmation 2012: Rehearsal on Wednesday, October 24th at 7:30 pm, sanctuary.
Sunday, October 28:
7:45 am and 9 am: Reformation Day Worship
10:45 am: Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) for 22 young people
4 pm: Pastor Paul Cannon’s ordination into the ministry of word and sacrament, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Rockford (1829 N. Rockton Avenue)
“Red Letter Revolution: What if Jesus really meant what he said?” This new book was just released by Christian authors Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne. My copy is still fresh on my desk—can’t wait to read it!
“Red Letter Revolution is about politics, but it's fresh. It's about theology, but it's real. It's about economics, but it's interesting. It's about Jesus, who longs to transform the world despite the embarrassing things His followers have done in His name. For conservatives and progressives, skeptics and believers, Red Letter Revolution undertakes the world-shaping mission to understand how Jesus' words could change everything—if we'd only give them a chance.” You can learn more about it here: Red Letter Christians
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This Week’s Texts: 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 53:4-12
4Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. 9They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. 11Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Psalm 91:9-16
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!”
Hebrews 5:1-10
5Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; 3and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Mark 10:35-45
35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Peace,
+ Pastor Carrie Smith
carrie.smith@bethanylc.com
