07/25 & 26/2020 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 25, 2020
Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Hope Lutheran Church, At Hope Lutheran Church, our God-given purpose is that we are to be led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all. At Hope, we live in hope-the hope of God’s saving forgiveness, the hope of an accepting and loving family of faith, the hope that in spite of what is going on in the world, our God is stronger and more powerful and God’s love, God’s forgiveness, and God’s hope will prevail.
In Emily Dickinson’s poem entitled Hope, she wrote:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all – And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard – And sore must be the storm – That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm – I’ve heard it in the chillest land – And on the strangest Sea – Yet – never – in Extremity, It asked a crumb – of me.
I believe our hope in Christ comes through the gift of the Spirit-the Holy Spirit who leads us, the Holy Spirit who is often shared in images like wind and fire and even a dove “with feathers.” That is the same Spirit planted within us at our Baptism-a gift that keeps on giving as it perches in our soul-forgiving, protecting, keeping, encouraging, guiding, singing the faith of our hope in God’s love and God’s power and God’s Will to be with us, around us, and within us. Hope is a precious thing. It is the thing that comforts us as we shelter in place in the midst of the storm. It is the gift that warms us as we worry and fret over family and friends both near and far. It is the blanket of comfort that reminds us that we are valued, wanted, and accepted, imperfect and sinful as we are. It is the presence that assures us that we are never alone, no matter the circumstance. Hope is the gift of the Holy Spirit that God gives us, through Jesus and his love. Hold onto the hope, my friends-it is God’s gift for YOU! With love for each of you in Christ, Pr. Jen+
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost July 25-26, 2020
PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Beloved and sovereign God, through the death and resurrection of your Son you bring us into your kingdom of justice and mercy. By your Spirit, give us your wisdom, that we may treasure the life that comes from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
READING Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Throughout Matthew’s gospel, Jesus and his disciples proclaim the good news that “the kingdom of heaven is near!” Here, Jesus offers several brief parables that explore the implications of this announcement for people’s lives.
A reading from Matthew. 31 [Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
HOMILY It’s good for those who preach and those who hear preachers to step back and remember how Jesus communicated with his disciples and the crowds that followed him. Today’s appointed Gospel text gives us a wonderful example. As we hear Jesus talking about planting seeds, baking bread, and fishing, we are on familiar ground. Most of us have planted a seed, if only in a pot. Perhaps not all of us bake bread or fish, but we know people who do. For once, we can hear Jesus with much the same mind as his hearers.
~~~These three illustrations are not quite the same. The first two refer to something tiny and insignificant that grows or expands enormously. We could be simple and merely say that all good things have tiny beginnings, and this sermon, to your relief, would be over. Or we could say that the best things come in tiny packages-but we all know that wouldn’t cut it for kids at Christmas when they are opening gifts under the tree.
~~~Perhaps you have noticed that we’ve omitted two of Jesus’ illustrations; they may not be so familiar. They talk of a man who finds hidden treasure in a field and sells everything to buy the field, obviously without telling the owner about the treasure trove. Then there’s a jeweler who comes across a costly and rare pearl and sells his entire stock in order to buy it. In both these illustrations, there’s an element of giving away everything in order to gain something of enormous value.
~~~Again, the fishing parable has a sting in its tail. It talks about judgment, some final reckoning based on our choice: “The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” As if to finally confuse us, Jesus reveals his meaning in these words: “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” We can imagine the surprise on the faces of those listening to him. They thought they understood him and indicated that they did. But here’s a curveball.
~~~What was a scribe? In a day when most had only the most elementary education, scribes who could read and write were highly respected. They wrote letters for people and seem to have acted for clients in local courts. Jesus usually presented a rather low view of the scribes, lumping them together with Pharisees. In this parable, Jesus talks about good scribes, just as there were also good Pharisees like Nicodemus and Gamaliel. What, then, is a scribe who has been trained for the Kingdom of Heaven?
~~~This person is someone who has decided to dedicate her or his life to being part of Kingdom Folk. One of the biggest temptations we confront is to regard our faith as an add-on, a pursuit for our spare time. It’s a temptation to put others things-our citizenship as Americans or our family -or anything really-ahead of our allegiance to our faith as God’s family. There’s much talk nowadays about “America first.” The Gospel dispels such a notion; for Kingdom Folk, God’s reign is first. It means as people of faith, God is first, our faith in Jesus as Lord as Savior is first, and while we are Americans, yes, and people with families, yes, our first allegiance is to be for God and to uphold God’s Will, God’s call to love, God’s invitation to love him by loving our brothers and sisters-and according to God’s definition, everyone is our brother and our sister. Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God.”
~~~It is so easy for us to put our political and social opinions first-especially when they are so loud and so present in so many ways in our world, especially in an election year– and then somehow we shape and mold our faith to accommodate these views. In so doing, we often imagine Jesus shares our passion for what WE thing is just and true. Our form of justice becomes God’s justice and our form of mercy becomes God’s mercy to our way of thinking. In other words, we move into the area of thinking God follows our ideas and laws, forget that it’s supposed to be the other way around. We end up boxing God into our perception and our opinions rather than letting the Spirit lead us and guide us and correct us when we are heading down wrong paths. God’s call is to love him by loving others. We do that as we allow ourselves to be led by his Spirit to serve him and share his love with all people through the love Jesus shows us. That’s the pearl of great price-the yeast that grows our faith, the tiny seed of faith planted in us at our Baptism out of God’s extreme and overflowing love for us. Cross shaped lives is what we are called to-loving God by loving others. That’s to be our first allegiance.
~~~We have been called to be kingdom folk, disciples, followers of Jesus, who work for God. We are to work and pray for God in our homes, streets, communities and our nation. We plant little seeds of goodness and mercy and they blossom into visible signs of God’s presence. We give up the things that clutter our lives in order to live as people welcoming the return of Christ. In the meantime, we fish for people, and in some manner, the way we do this fishing will determine how we will be judged. The Kingdom is yet to come. We can’t create it. But we can create communities dedicated to God’s mission, places where people selflessly serve each other in serving Christ, so that the watching world may catch a glimpse of what God intend through what we do in Jesus’ name. Is that what we are doing? That’s our challenge! Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need. A brief silence. Merciful God, your reign is revealed to us in common things: a mustard shrub, a woman baking bread, a fishing net. Help your church witness to the surprising yet common ways you encounter us in daily life. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. When your word is opened, it gives light and understanding. Increase our understanding and awe of your creation; guide the work of scientists and researchers. Treasuring the earth, may we live as grateful and healing caretakers of our home. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As the birds of the air nest in branches of trees, gather the nations of the world into the welcoming shade of your merciful reign. Direct leaders of nations to build trust with each other and walk in the way of peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Your Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for the saints according to your will. Help us when we do not know how to pray. Give comfort to the dying, refuge to the weary, justice to those who are oppressed, and healing to the sick (especially). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You show steadfast love and direct us to ask of you what we need. Help this congregation ask boldly for what is most needed. Refresh us with new dreams of being your people in this place and time. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. In you our lives are never lost. Strengthen us by the inspiring witness of your people in all times and places. Embolden our witness now and one day gather us with all your saints in light Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR FATHER…
BLESSING Almighty God, the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with us now and always. Amen.
DISMISSAL We go in peace. Christ is with us as together we are led by your Spirit to serve you and share your love with all people. Thanks be to God!!!
Hope Lutheran Church-Gulf Cove 14200 Hopewell Ave, Port Charlotte, FL 33981
Church phone: 941-697-2345 Email: hopeluthern@comcast.net
Pr. Jen Schaefer-cell-813-391-2027 Pr. Jen’s email: hopeluthern1@comcast.net
Our purpose at Hope is that we are led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all!
HOPE HAPPENINGS
We welcome all who worship with us today. Please complete one of the visitor cards at our guest table. If you would like to make Hope your church home, please speak to Pastor Jen. Everyone is welcome at Hope Lutheran Church.
Next Week’s Readings: Isaiah 55:1-5; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
The July thru September Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
Attendance last week Income Information
Saturday 11 FY 2020 Actual thru June $72,919.79
Sunday 8:30 17 FY 2020 Budget thru June $76,583.41
Sunday 10:00 24 FY 2019 Actual thru June $74,581.41
LAY SERVANTS Altar Guild – Gail Zahs & Delores Hall Ushers – Alan & Cindy Beicht
Counters – Alan & Cindy Beicht
PRAYER LIST
Please call the church office or email Pr. Jen with any prayer requests you may have so they may be shared with the congregation.
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Laura Everill, daughter of Phyllis and Tom Agness, residing in a healthcare facility
Walter Crowley, husband of Kathryn & father of Ginger Toomire recovering from pneumonia
Peter Schwenke, uncle of Lorraine Maass in need of healing
Joyce, sister in law of Elaine Dougan, recovering from brain cancer surgery
Arthur St. Amand and Joanne, in need of God’s healing touch
John Greene, Millie’s husband , recovering from surgery
Suzette, Katie McClay’s friend who is recovering after colon cancer surgery,
Florence, Bob Kostrowsky’s aunt who is recovering in New Jersey
Lois, Lorraine Maass’ friend, in need of God’s healing presence
Kaye Miller, friend of Elaine Dougan, needing God’s comfort and healing
Chery Burke who is in need of healing
Lindsey, asking for God’s protection
Sandy Johnson who is in need of healing.
Jean Miller facing breast cancer
Those who are in need or ill in any way, those who are lonely, those who are frightened, those who grieve, those caring for those who are ill, those who are victimized by racism
NEW AT HOPE
BLOOD DRIVE – The Suncoast Blood Drive Mobile Unit has been rescheduled for August 16th between 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM in our parking lot. A Covid antibody test will be done on all successful blood donations. Please sign up in the narthex if you would like to donate.
MASKS – Our supply of masks is getting low. Any donation of additional masks would be greatly appreciated.
HOPE’S LOVE PANTRY. Big thank you to Linda Kraigenow who donated and initiated our new Hope’s Love Pantry. If anyone would like to donate nonperishable goods for our pantry please put items on the shelves of our pantry located on the walkway to the left of the main entrance. Also, please let people in our area who may be in need, know that they may take some food from our pantry. No need to sign up. It is anonymous, no questions asked.
NEW FM RADIO STATION. Anyone can now listen to worship in their vehicles by tuning into FM Radio station 88.3. All services will be broadcast on radio station FM 88.3.
HYMN REQUESTS If there are any particular hymns that you would like to hear at worship, please submit the names to Pastor Jen at hopeluthern1@comcast.net. If our licensing agreement permits, look forward to hearing them soon.
HOPES AND DREAMS FOR HOPE – If you have a suggestion for a Hope or Dream for Hope Lutheran Church, Pastor Jen and your council would love to hear it. Please feel free to place any Hope or Dream in the mailbox in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall. All requests will be kept confidential and you will receive a timely response.
BIBLES AND BAGELS (or muffins or individually wrapped goodies) Please join us Mondays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM for Bible Study and sharing in the Fellowship Hall. Physical Distancing and sharing in Scripture and discussion are blessings we can share together!! All are welcome!!
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