Wednesday Words for May 7, 2014
From Pastor Carrie Smith
Thought for the Day:
“The way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third through humility. If humility does not precede and accompany and follow every good work we do, if it is not before us to focus on, if it is not beside us to lean upon, if it is not behind us to fence us in, pride will wrench from our hand any good deed we do at the very moment we do it.”
Augustine of Hippo, 5th C. bishop and theologian
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Tonight at Bethany: Only two more Confirmation sessions left for the year! Choirs will be meeting as well, in preparation for some special upcoming worship services, including Pentecost on June 8.
Theology on Tap: It’s that time again! Meet at Duke’s Alehouse in Crystal Lake at 7:30 pm Thursday for cocktails and conversation; or beer and the Bible; or a jigger of Jesus; or a Guinness and some God-talk! (Beverages optional)
Volunteer Spot: Please check out your Bethany Weekly Newsletter for information about a new way to sign-up for activities at the church! With Volunteer Spot, you can sign up 24/7, and the program will send automated reminders. Please help us to test it out!
End of the year: The end of the school year is right around the corner, and that means the last day for lots of church activities:
Last day of Confirmation: May 14
Last day of Sunday School: May 18
Preschool graduation: May 21
Last choir rehearsals: June 4
Pr. Carrie’s last Sunday: June 15
Living Lutheran: What does it mean to you to “live Lutheran”? Check out this great resource, full of stories about living your faith in the world today: Living Lutheran
Jerusalem church: Some of you have asked me about the church I’ll be serving in Jerusalem. Here is a link with some information about the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. I’ll be serving the (very small) English-speaking congregation. Redeemer Church
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This Week’s Texts: 4th Sunday of Easter
Prayer of the Day:
O God our shepherd,
you know your sheep by name
and lead us to safety through the valleys of death.
Guide us by your voice,
that we may walk in certainty and security
to the joyous feast prepared in your house,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING Acts 2:42–47
Today's reading is a description of life in the community following Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was outpoured on God's people. This new community is founded on the teachings of the apostles and sustained in the breaking of the bread.
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
PSALM (ELW) Psalm 23
1The LORD | is my shepherd;
I shall not | be in want.
2The LORD makes me lie down | in green pastures
and leads me be- | side still waters.
3You restore my | soul, O LORD,
and guide me along right pathways | for your name's sake.
4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall | fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they | comfort me. R
5You prepare a table before me in the presence | of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is | running over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days | of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the | LORD forever. R
SECOND READING 1 Peter 2:19–25
Doing the right things does not guarantee that one will not experience difficulties, hardships, rejection, or even suffering. Here Christ is presented as the model for our path of endurance and loyalty to God, particularly in the midst of adversity.
19For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
GOSPEL John 10:1–10
Jesus uses an image familiar to the people of his day to make a point about spiritual leadership. Good shepherds bring people to life through Jesus, but those who avoid Jesus are dangerous to the flock.
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Peace,
Pr. Carrie Smith
