[Bethany Lutheran Church] Thursday Thoughts! and your Bethany Newsletter

Thursday Thoughts for October 24, 2013

From Pastor Carrie Smith

Scroll down to find the Bethany Weekly newsletter!

You can print it, forward it to friends, and read it on your phone, tablet, or computer.

You can also find the weekly newsletter on the main page of the Bethany website each week:

www.bethanylc.com

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Thought for the Day:

“A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. 

A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all.”

― Martin Luther, “The Freedom of a Christian”

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We hold in prayer the family of Bruce Johnson, who died on Monday after a long struggle with a brain tumor. There will be a visitation at the church tonight at 6 pm, and the funeral service is at 7 pm. Please remember Diane, Tessa, Adam and Drew in your prayers.

Sunday at Bethany: This is Reformation Sunday, the day when we remember Martin Luther and the other reformers who sought to move the church away from certain excesses and back to a focus on grace, faith, and the Word of God. The reformers of the church wrote, in various places, of the Five Solas that define Protestant theology:

• Sola Fide, by faith alone.
• Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
• Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
• Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
• Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.

 

Today, we don’t celebrate Reformation Sunday to separate ourselves from our brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church, but to honor our history of looking to Scripture to guide our lives; to encourage the church of today that “ecclesia semper reformanda est” (“the church is always to be reforming”); and, of course, to sing “A Mighty Fortress is Our God!” 

Wear red this Sunday and come ready to hear wonderful music at both 8:30 am and 10:30 am. See you then!

Sunday is also Confirmation Day for 15 of our young people. The Affirmation of Baptism service will be at 4 pm, and all are invited. Congratulations to each of you! You are not the future of the church: you ARE the church! Our 2013 confirmands are:

Chase Barneveld, Meghan Coates, Morgan Dahlke, William Effinger, Ryan Elliot, Kendall Johnson, Luke Klinefelter, Tyler Lentz, Robert Masini, Nathaniel Meador, Jarrett Natrop, Sarah Sirotzki, Caleb Smith, Logan Sorenson, and Ethan Ticknor.  

 

One week left: There is one week left to give a gift to the ELCA’s 25^th Anniversary campaign for mission! For a gift of $25, you will receive an ELCA logo window cling. Click here to give now! https://community.elca.org/page.aspx?pid=574&srctid=1&erid=6070905&trid=59beb2ed-a1ff-4f31-847d-f7b5f651220d

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This Week’s Texts: Reformation

Prayer of the Day:

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, 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

Jeremiah 31:31–34

The renewed covenant will not be breakable, but like the old covenant it will expect the people to live upright lives. To know the Lord means that one will defend the cause of the poor and needy (Jer. 22:16). The renewed covenant is possible only because the Lord will forgive iniquity and not remember sin. Our hope lies in a God who forgets

³¹The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ³²It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt — a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. ³³But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ³⁴No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

 

PSALM (ELW)

Psalm 46

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)

¹God is our ref- ^| uge and strength,

     a very present ^| help in trouble.

²Therefore we will not fear, though the ^| earth be moved,

     and though the mountains shake in the depths ^| of the sea;

³though its waters ^| rage and foam,

     and though the mountains tremble ^| with its tumult.

⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- ^| y of God,

     the holy habitation of ^| the Most High.

⁵God is in the midst of the city; it shall ^| not be shaken;

     God shall help it at the ^| break of day.

⁶The nations rage, and the ^| kingdoms shake;

     God speaks, and the earth ^| melts away.   R

⁷The LORD of ^| hosts is with us;

     the God of Jacob ^| is our stronghold.

⁸Come now, regard the works ^| of the LORD,

     what desolations God has brought up- ^| on the earth;

⁹behold the one who makes war to cease in ^| all the world;

     who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,

     and burns the ^| shields with fire.

¹⁰"Be still, then, and know that ^| I am God;

     I will be exalted among the nations;

     I will be exalted ^| in the earth."

¹¹The LORD of ^| hosts is with us;

     the God of Jacob ^| is our stronghold.   R

 

SECOND READING

Romans 3:19–28

Paul's words stand at the heart of the preaching of Martin Luther and the other Reformation leaders. No human beings make themselves right with God through works of the law. We are brought into a right relationship with God through the divine activity centered in Christ's death. This act is a gift of grace that liberates us from sin and empowers our faith in Jesus Christ.

¹⁹Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. ²⁰For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
²¹But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction,²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
²⁷Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

 

 

GOSPEL

John 8:31–36

Jesus speaks of truth and freedom as spiritual realities known through his word. He reveals the truth that sets people free from sin.

³¹Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." ³³They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"
³⁴Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. ³⁵The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. ³⁶So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

 

Peace,

Pr. Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@Bethanylc.com

 

Attachments:

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Funeral Arrangements for Bruce Johnson

Bethany member Bruce Johnson died on Monday, October 21, 2013. 

Visitation will be at Davenport Funeral Home in Crystal Lake on Wednesday, October 23, from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Service will be at Bethany Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m.

Visitation at the church will begin at 6:00 p.m. on October 24.

Please keep the Johnson family in your prayers.

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Newsletter for October 16, 2013

Wednesday Words for October 16, 2013

From Pastor Carrie Smith

 

**Please scroll down to find the link for your Bethany Weekly Newsletter. Enjoy!**

 

Thought for the Day: 

“Remember that you have only one soul; that you have only one death to die; that you have only one life, which is short and has to be lived by you alone; and that there is only one glory, which is eternal. If you do this, there will be many things about which you care nothing.”

St. Teresa of Avila

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Sunday at Bethany: Pastor Paul will be preaching and Pastor Carrie will be presiding at communion. The Bethany choir will be singing at 8:30 am, and we will have special music at 10:30 am!

 

The Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Worship will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 7:00 pm at the synagogue of the McHenry County Jewish Congregation, 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake. The theme, "Coming Together in Gratitude", will shape an evening of sharing various traditions of word and music, including food and fellowship following the service. A free will offering for local food shelves will be collected. This community tradition is sponsored by FaithBridge, an interfaith consortium of local faith communities.

 

Movie Night at Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church - Friday, October 18, 7:00pm,  Fellowship Hall: “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence”

“Trigger” is a documentary produced by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. The film looks at how shootings impact individuals, families and communities.  Trigger moves from - "Why did this happen to us?"  to - "What can we do to prevent it from happening to others?"  All are welcome. Sponsored by the RCLPC Compassion, Peace and Justice Team. Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church is located at 8505 Church Street (in Ridgefield), near Crystal Lake.

 

Ask a Pastoris an interesting page where you can find out answers to things like: “Why do we have bishops in the ELCA?” , “Once saved, am I always saved?” and others. Check it out! http://www.livinglutheran.com/ask/

 

Confirmation is coming up! Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 27 at 4 pm. Please come to show your support for our newly confirmed young people.

 

Mainline Protestants: Vintage or Vibrant? An interesting article from The Christian Century. http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2013-10/mainline-protestants-vintage-or-vibrant

 

This Week’s Texts: 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost

Prayer of the Day

O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people,
you are always ready to hear our cries.
Teach us to rely day and night on your care.
Inspire us to seek your enduring justice
for all this suffering world,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

First Reading

Genesis 32:22–31

Returning to the home he had fled many years before after stealing his brother's birthright and his father's blessing, Jacob wrestles all night long with a divine adversary who ultimately blesses him and changes his name to "Israel," a name that means "he wrestles with God."

²²The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. ²⁴Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. ²⁵When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. ²⁶Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." ²⁷So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." ²⁸Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." ²⁹Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. ³⁰So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." ³¹The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

 

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 121

My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:2)

¹I lift up my eyes ^| to the hills;

     from where is my ^| help to come?

²My help comes ^| from the LORD,

     the maker of heav- ^| en and earth.

³The LORD will not let your ^| foot be moved

     nor will the one who watches over you ^| fall asleep.

⁴Behold, the keep- ^| er of Israel

     will neither slum- ^| ber nor sleep;   R

⁵the LORD watches ^| over you;

     the LORD is your shade at ^| your right hand;

⁶the sun will not strike ^| you by day,

     nor the ^| moon by night.

⁷The LORD will preserve you ^| from all evil

     and will ^| keep your life.

⁸The LORD will watch over your going out and your ^| coming in,

     from this time forth for- ^| evermore.   R

 

Second Reading

2 Timothy 3:14—4:5

Paul continues his instruction of Timothy, his younger colleague in ministry, by emphasizing the importance of faithful teaching despite opposition.

Chapter 3

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

 

Chapter 4

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: ²proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. ³For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

 

Gospel

Luke 18:1–8

Jesus tells a parable of a hateful judge who is worn down by a widow's pleas. Jesus is calling God's people to cry out for justice and deliverance. For if an unethical judge will ultimately grant the plea of a persistent widow, how much more will God respond to those who call.

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. ²He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. ³In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' ⁴For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, ⁵yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" ⁶And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? ⁸I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

 

 

Peace,

+ Pastor Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

Attachments:

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Oops! Bethany Newsletter, attempt #2.

Thanks to the many who e-mailed and said I had attached the wrong document! Here's the good news: I now know that many of you are reading the newsletter! :-) 

 

Here it is again. Enjoy!

 

Pr. Carrie 

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 10-9-13.pdf

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Newsletter for October 9

Wednesday Words for October 9, 2013

From Pastor Carrie Smith

Thought for the Day:

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” 
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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***Please scroll down to find the link to your Bethany Weekly Newsletter! You can print it, forward it, hang it on your fridge—but please do read it!*** 

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In our prayers: You can find the list of members who have been hospitalized in the attached newsletter. If you need to submit a prayer request to this list or to the prayer chain, please email churchoffice@bethanylc.com or call (815)459-2690.

Sunday at Bethany: This week we’ll hear the story of how Jesus healed 10 lepers, and only one took the time to say “Thanks.” Therefore, we’ll be singing some wonderful hymns of thanks to God: “Praise the Lord, the Almighty”, “Now Thank We All Our God”, “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” and even “How Great Thou Art!” The fabulous Bell Canto choir will grace us with their music at both 8:30 am and 10:30 am.

Bibles for 3^rd graders: At the 10:30 am service, our 3^rd graders will be receiving Bibles as a gift from the church! (Families: If you are not here because of the long weekend, your child will receive one on another Sunday.)

Constitution News! The Bethany Council has FINALLY finished the new Bethany constitution, which was long overdue for updating. Soon this document will be available to you on MemberConnect and in the church office, and watch for news of an upcoming congregational meeting to vote on it. Thanks to John Engebretson and Joel Thoreson for their efforts to get this done!

Why the Government Shutdown is Unbiblical: an article by Jim Wallis of Sojourners magazine. 

Did you miss the installation of Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton? You can watch it here: Installation Service

Do you receive the Northern Illinois Synod e-newsletter?You can keep up with the happenings of our area ELCA churches by subscribing here.

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This Week’s Texts: 21^st Sunday after Pentecost

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty and most merciful God,

your bountiful goodness fills all creation.

Keep us safe from all that may hurt us,

that, whole and well in body and spirit,

we may with grateful hearts

accomplish all that you would have us do,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

FIRST READING

2 Kings 5:1–3, 7–15c

Naaman, a Syrian general, suffers from leprosy. In this passage Elisha miraculously cures his illness, but only after Naaman realizes, with the help of his servants, that he also needs healing for his pride. This foreign general then acknowledges the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy.²Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. ³She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." ⁷When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me."
⁸But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel."⁹So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. ¹⁰Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." ¹¹But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! ¹²Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. ¹³But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, 'Wash, and be clean'?" ¹⁴So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
¹⁵Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company;he came and stood before him and said,"Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.

 

 

PSALM

Psalm 111

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart. (Ps. 111:1)

¹Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with ^| my whole heart,

     in the assembly of the upright, in the ^| congregation.

²Great are your ^| works, O LORD,

     pondered by all who de- ^| light in them.   R

³Majesty and splendor ^| mark your deeds,

     and your righteousness en- ^| dures forever.

⁴You cause your wonders to ^| be remembered;

     you are gracious and full ^| of compassion.

⁵You give food to ^| those who fear you,

     remembering forev- ^| er your covenant.

⁶You have shown your people the power ^| of your works

     in giving them the lands ^| of the nations.   R

⁷The works of your hands are faithful- ^| ness and justice;

     all of your pre- ^| cepts are sure.

⁸They stand fast forev- ^| er and ever,

     because they are done in ^| truth and equity.

⁹You sent redemption to your people

and commanded your cove- ^| nant forever;

     holy and awesome ^| is your name.

¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the begin- ^| ning of wisdom;

     all who practice this have a good understanding.

     God's praise en- ^| dures forever.   R

 

SECOND READING

2 Timothy 2:8–15

Though Paul is chained as a prisoner, he reminds Timothy that the word of God is never shackled or confined. He encourages his young friend to proclaim that word of freedom in an honest and upright life as well as in his teaching and preaching.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David — that is my gospel, ⁹for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. ¹¹The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
¹²if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
¹³if we are faithless, he remains faithful — 
for he cannot deny himself.
¹⁴Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. ¹⁵Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

 

 

GOSPEL

Luke 17:11–19

Jesus' mission includes making the unclean clean again. Unexpectedly, a cleansed Samaritan leper becomes a model for those who would praise and worship God and give thanks for God's mercy.

¹¹On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. ¹²As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, ¹³they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" ¹⁴When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. ¹⁵Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. ¹⁶He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? ¹⁸Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" ¹⁹Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

 

 

Peace,

+ Pastor Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

 

 

 

 

 

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[Bethany Lutheran Church] Wednesday Words and Bethany Newsletter

Wednesday Words for October 2, 2013

From Pastor Carrie Smith

 

Scroll to the bottom to find your weekly Bethany newsletter! Remember that it appears as a link at the bottom of this e-mail. You can also pick up a printed copy at church on Sunday.

Enjoy!

 

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Thought for the Day: 

“’The times are bad! The times are troublesome!’ This is what humans say. But we are our times. Let us live well and our times will be good. Such as we are, such are our times.”

 

• Church father Augustine of Hippo

 

 

Sunday at Bethany: This Sunday at 10:30 a.m. we will witness 2 more baptisms: Oliver Johansen and Jordyn Carpenter. Oliver and Jordyn are baptisms #26 & 27 since Easter! Thanks be to God!

This is Global Church Sunday! At both services we will honor the 10^th anniversary of our partnership with the Kiutu Lutheran Parish in Tanzania, by re-affirming our covenant with them. Pr. Robert Smith (my spouse, and a part of the ELCA Global Mission Unit) will be the guest preacher at both services.

 

We’ll begin the worship services by singing “God is Here!”, which speaks of how we find God in this sacred place, Bethany Lutheran. We’ll then end the service by singing “This Little Light of Mine”, sending us out to share that light with the rest of the world. At 8:30 a.m. we’ll be serenaded by the SonShine singers, and at 10:30 a.m. we’ll hear from the Bethany Adult choir.

 

Coffee hour will feature guests from Thrivent Financial, with information for you as well as some extra snacks. See you on Sunday!

 

Saturday at 2:30 p.m. is the installation of Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. The Rev. Jessica R. Crist, bishop of the ELCA Montana Synod and chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, will preach the sermon. Scripture texts for the installation service are Isaiah 42:5-9, 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 and Mark 4:1-9. Among the guests attending are representatives from the ELCA’s full communion partners, members from The Lutheran World Federation, ELCA companions from around the world, members of this church and others. The liturgy will include a diversity of music led by organ, piano, bagpipes, brass, choir, soloists, drum, guitar and more. You can watch the live stream of this event 

 

And you can read more about Bishop Eaton here.

 

Candlelight Vigil: On Wednesday, October 9 at 6 pm is a candlelight vigil in honor of the survivors and families of domestic violence. This vigil is sponsored by Turning Point, Direct Services, and Mathers Clinic, and will take place in the Historic Woodstock Square.

 

Do you read Sojourners? I have been a subscriber to this Christian magazine for more than 20 years. Here’s an interesting article called “Stop Blaming Youth for Christianity’s ‘Demise’”

http://sojo.net/blogs/2013/09/30/stop-blaming-youth-christianity%E2%80%99s-demise

 

 

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This Week’s Texts: 20^th Sunday after Pentecost

 

Prayer of the Day

Benevolent, merciful God:
When we are empty, fill us.
When we are weak in faith, strengthen us.
When we are cold in love, warm us,
that with fervor we may love our neighbors
and serve them for the sake of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

 

First Reading

Habakkuk 1:1–4; 2:1–4

Injustice and violence in the time leading up to the Babylonian exile move this prophet to lament: How can a good and all-powerful God see evil in the world and seemingly remain indifferent? God answers by proclaiming that the wicked will perish, but the righteous will live by faith.

Chapter 1

The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw.
²O LORD, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not listen?
Or cry to you "Violence!"
and you will not save?
³Why do you make me see wrongdoing
and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.
⁴So the law becomes slack
and justice never prevails.
The wicked surround the righteous —
therefore judgment comes forth perverted.

Chapter 2

I will stand at my watchpost,
and station myself on the rampart;
I will keep watch to see what he will say to me,
and what he will answer concerning my complaint.
²Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so that a runner may read it.
³For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
it speaks of the end, and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
it will surely come, it will not delay.
⁴Look at the proud!
Their spirit is not right in them,
but the righteous live by their faith.

 

 

Psalm (ELW)

Psalm 37:1–9

Commit your way to the LORD; put your trust in the LORD. (Ps. 37:5)

¹Do not be provoked by ^| evildoers;

     do not be jealous of those ^| who do wrong.

²For they shall soon wither ^| like the grass,

     and like the green grass ^| fade away.

³Put your trust in the LORD ^| and do good;

     dwell in the land and ^| find safe pasture.

⁴Take delight ^| in the LORD,

     who shall give you your ^| heart's desire.   R

⁵Commit your way to the LORD; put your trust ^| in the LORD,

     and see what ^| God will do.

⁶The LORD will make your vindication as clear ^| as the light

     and the justice of your case like the ^| noonday sun.

⁷Be still before the LORD and wait ^| patiently.

     Do not be provoked by the one who prospers,

     the one who succeeds in ^| evil schemes.

⁸Refrain from anger, leave ^| rage alone;

     do not be provoked; it leads on- ^| ly to evil.

⁹For evildoers shall ^| be cut off,

     but those who hope in the LORD shall pos- ^| sess the land.   R

 

 

 

Second Reading

2 Timothy 1:1–14

This message written from Paul to Timothy is a personal message of encouragement. In the face of hardship and persecution, Timothy is reminded that his faith is a gift of God. He is encouraged to exercise that faith with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
²To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
³I am grateful to God — whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did — when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. ⁴Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. ⁶For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; ⁷for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
⁸Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, ⁹who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, ¹²and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. ¹³Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

 

 

Gospel

Luke 17:5–10

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus instructs his followers about the power of faith and the duties of discipleship. He calls his disciples to adopt the attitude of servants whose actions are responses to their identity rather than works seeking reward.

⁵The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" ⁶The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
⁷Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here at once and take your place at the table'? ⁸Would you not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? ⁹Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? ¹⁰So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'"

 

 

Peace,

+ Pastor Carrie Smith

Carrie.smith@bethanylc.com

Attachments:

Bethany Weekly 10-2-13.pdf

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Carrie Smith