Wednesday Words for November 14, 2012
from Pastor Carrie Smith
2 Thoughts for the Day:
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
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In our prayers: Dorothy Heisler, in ICU for congestive heart failure; John Michaels, now at the Springs; returning veterans; all those who are grieving during the upcoming holiday season.
Sunday at Bethany: This is the last “regular” Sunday before Thanksgiving Eve, Christ the King, and then Advent! We will begin worship with Thanksgiving for Baptism, and will sing some favorite hymns, including “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” and “Canticle of the Turning.” The Sonshine Singers will provide a musical offering at 9 am, and the Bethany Choir will sing at 10:45 am.
Sunday evening: Come back to church at 7 pm for the FaithBridge Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Often we think about the things that separate us from people of other faiths—but gratitude to God is a theme found in all religions. Come for music, prayer, dancing, storytelling, and a chance to give thanks to God as Thanksgiving week begins!
Community Harvest Donations: Don’t forget to bring back your grocery bag this Sunday, filled with goodies for our hungry neighbors! If you didn’t pick up a shopping bag, now worries—any and all food donations will be gratefully accepted.
Church clean-up day: We’re all scrambling to clean our homes before the family arrives, and the church needs the same attention! Please come on Saturday from 9-noon and help the Property Team with the Indoor Work Day. Many hands make light work!
Saturday is National Suicide Awareness Day. Clergy, counselors, and hospitals will be holding an information fair and a short remembrance ritual in the Woodstock Square from 4:30 -6:00 pm, to draw attention to the resources available for families affected by suicide.
Tomorrow night (Thursday) is Theology on Tap! Join Pastor Paul and others at Duke’s Alehouse, 7:30 pm, for a beverage and a discussion of “Jesus in Pop Culture”. You are encouraged to bring examples of movies, books, music, pictures or memes to share with the group!
As you make your Thanksgiving week plans, don’t forget to include time for prayer. The Thanksgiving Eve service will be Wednesday, November 21 at 7 pm. We will gather for Evening Prayer (Vespers), with an opportunity to light candles, sing favorite hymns of thanksgiving, and hear a short reflection. And then—PIE! The annual pie fest will take place in Luther Hall immediately following the service.
Senior Breakfast: Monday morning at 8:30 am is the monthly senior breakfast. All seniors are invited to gather at Colonial Café for coffee, breakfast, and conversation! This month’s “guest” speaker is Pastor Paul.
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This week’s texts: 25th Sunday after Pentecost
Daniel 12:1-13
12“At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Psalm 16 (The Message Version)
Keep me safe, O God,
I’ve run for dear life to you.
I say to God, “Be my Lord!”
Without you, nothing makes sense.
And these God-chosen lives all around—
what splendid friends they make!
Don’t just go shopping for a god.
Gods are not for sale.
I swear I’ll never treat god-names
like brand-names.
My choice is you, God, first and only.
And now I find I’m your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
And then you made me your heir!
The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.
I’m happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that’s not my destination!
Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I’m on the right way.
Hebrews 10:11-25
11And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” 13and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” 14For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 16“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” 17he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. 19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Mark 13:1-8
13As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” 3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.
Peace,
+Pastor Carrie Smith
carrie.smith@bethanylc.com
