Wednesday Words for February 19, 2014
From Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day:
“Let us plant dates even though those who plant them will never eat them. We must live by the love of what we will never see. . . . Such disciplined love is what has given prophets, revolutionaries, and saints the courage to die for the future they envisaged. They make their own bodies the seed of their highest hope.”
Rubem Alves, Brazilian Liberation Theologian, born 1933
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Scroll down for the link to your weekly newsletter!
Sunday at Bethany: This Sunday is the 7th Sunday after Epiphany, and we’ll be hearing more of the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapter 5. We’ll be singing two older hymns (“Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” and “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”) as well as some newer ones (“You are Holy”, “Goodness is Stronger than Evil”) and the Bell Canto Choir will be playing “Shine, Jesus Shine”, which is a newer song that’s become an old favorite! As a result of a few guest preachers, I haven’t preached in a month, so I’m eager to get back in the pulpit (hopefully you won’t be disappointed!) J
Sunday Education Forum: Between services, grab a cup of coffee and then come back into the sanctuary for a forum on the ELCA theology of mission, known as accompaniment. Rev. Rafael Malpica-Padilla (a member of Bethany and also Executive Director of ELCA Global Mission) will be presenting this session. All are welcome!
New Member Luncheon after worship: After the 10:30 service, we’ve invited those who are interested in membership to join us for a new member luncheon and introductory class. It would be great to have some “older” members in attendance, too! If you would like to attend this luncheon to welcome new members to Bethany, please RSVP right away to me at carrie.smith@bethanylc.com so we have enough food.
Sunday afternoon: Sunday at 4 pm, come back to church for a fabulous organ recital by Dr. Anthony Williams of Fisk University. As usual, Bethany Arts Series concerts have free admission. The freewill offering goes to pay for future concerts.
Good news! Felix Malpica, who grew up here at Bethany, has been officially called as associate pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. Thanks be to God! Even better news: His ordination is scheduled to take place here at Bethany on Saturday, April 5. Watch for more information to come!
40 years ago today, students and faculty at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis walked off campus and formed what became known as Seminex (Seminary in Exile). Many of my own seminary professors were part of this walkout (as students). You can see pictures of this event here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elcaarchives/2489435623/ and can read more about what lead up to the Seminex walkout here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminex
Bethany Adventure Seekers this Saturday! You are invited to a Game Night & Wine Tasting Event on Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 7 pm to 9 pm. Bring a snack and your favorite game. If you are interested in participating in the wine tasting, please bring a bottle. Babysitting is provided.
Contact April at a.frog@cai-chicago.com or Joyce at jmeier1@gmail.com with any questions.
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This Week’s Texts: 7th Sunday after Epiphany
Prayer of the Day:
Holy God of compassion,
you invite us into your way of forgiveness and peace.
Lead us to love our enemies,
and transform our words and deeds
to be like his through whom we pray,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING Leviticus 19:1–2, 9–18
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
2Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. 9When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.
11You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. 12And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.
13You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. 14You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
15You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. 16You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.
17You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
PSALM (ELW) Psalm 119:33–40
33Teach me, O LORD, the way | of your statutes,
and I shall keep it | to the end.
34Give me understanding, and I shall | keep your teaching;
I shall keep it with | all my heart.
35Lead me in the path of | your commandments,
for that is | my desire.
36Incline my heart to | your decrees
and not to | unjust gain. R
37Turn my eyes from be- | holding falsehood;
give me life | in your way.
38Fulfill your promise | to your servant,
which is for | those who fear you.
39Turn away the reproach | that I dread,
because your judg- | ments are good.
40Behold, I long for | your commandments;
by your righteousness en- | liven me. R
SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 3:10–11, 16–23
10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 16Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
18Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
"He catches the wise in their craftiness,"
20and again,
"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile."
21So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all belong to you, 23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
GOSPEL Matthew 5:38–48
38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
43"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Peace,
Pastor Carrie Smith
(815)459-2690
