Wednesday Words for February 20, 2013
from Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day:
If we are worth anything,
it is not because we have more money
or more talent
or more human qualities.
Insofar as we are worth anything,
it is because we are grafted onto Christ’s life,
his cross and resurrection.
This is a person’s measure.
--Archbishop Oscar Romero, March 4, 1979
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In our prayers: Bill Kohl; Carol Stupar (moving to rehab soon); Bruce Johnson; John Therrien (hospitalized for tests). We give thanks to God for the birth of Emily Grace Johnson to Seth and Kristin on Feb. 13.
Tonight at Bethany: Please take some time out of the busy week to be renewed by worship at the foot of the cross at 7 pm. A soup supper begins at 6 pm in Luther Hall. See you there!
Lubbock or leave it! Tomorrow I will be flying to Texas to see my family. My father is receiving an award from the city of Lubbock for his contribution to the arts. I’m proud of him and happy to have the opportunity to be there to celebrate with him! You can read about how he ran 1,000 miles to save the pipe organ at his university here: Run Bill, Run!
Pr. Paul will be on call for pastoral emergencies while I’m away.
Happy Birthday, Bethany Lutheran! February 23 is the 90th anniversary of the founding of this congregation. You can read some of the history here: Bethany Website On Saturday, take a moment to give thanks to God for the witness of our ancestors in the faith, and pray for the next 90 years of ministry in the name of Christ in this community!
Do Lutherans have rhythm? Check out this new ad from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and decide for yourself: LSTC Style
Are kids in church a “distraction?” I love this perspective on the issue, from a Catholic perspective: Your Screaming Kids Are Distracting Me
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This Week’s Texts: 2nd Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:1-18
15After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” 8But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
17When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
Psalm 27 (Message Version)
Light, space, zest—that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.
When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.
When besieged, I’m calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool.
I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing:
To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.
That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.
God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.
Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs: “Be good to me! Answer me!”
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,” my whole being replied,
“I’m seeking him!” Don’t hide from me now!
You’ve always been right there for me; don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me; you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.
Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street;
show my enemies whose side you’re on.
Don’t throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.
I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again: Stay with God.
Philippians 3:17 - 4:1
17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Luke 13:31-35
31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Peace,
Pr. Carrie Smith
