08/15-16/2020 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 19, 2020
Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Hope Lutheran Church,
It’s been said that when you can’t go anywhere, reading allows you to go everywhere. One of the great gifts in my life is reading. From the time I was a kid making a tent under my blankets with a flashlight and a book after my mom called “Lights out, Jennifer!” to today, I can easily get lost in a good book and can be transported anywhere and to any time-God blesses our world with beauty in many ways, and one of the blessings is the gift of those who paint with words.
During this time of increased quiet and some isolation, have you read any good books? Have you been transported? Has something taught you, or enlightened you, or given you a few thrilling glory bumps (as Donna Turner calls them)?
I have had the blessing of reading Pr. Lenny Duncan’s Dear Church in recent weeks-a love letter to the ELCA from a black pastor who both instructs and lifts up much of what we do and who we are in the church. It was a challenging read but such a good one! I have also read Praying on Empty by Pr. Marjorie Weiss, a memoir of a colleague of mine who was ordained about five years before me-her reflections of our seminary and ministry sites brought such good memories! I have also read Megan Miranda’s All the Missing Girls , a thriller that I couldn’t put down not only because of the story but also because how it was told. Eric Metaxas’ book 7 Women was lent to me and what a joy that was-reading about some of my favorite heroes in the church and in the world and learning about some new ones-so inspiring!!
I have also been spending more time reading the book of Psalms, thanks to the bible study shared by Pr. Cheryll. It spurred me on to keep reading them and praying them-not only because of the poetic beauty of these words, but also because I find in them is reflected just about every emotion a person could feel-joy, praise, despair, anguish, fear, triumph, and so much more. In our Monday bible study of God Sightings, we share readings each week that, if followed, take us through the entire Bible in one year. I am following this list-and falling in love with the Psalms all over again because there is so much new and different to find in this time of my life compared to other times. That’s the thing about Scripture-it is meant to be relevant-and when we read it at one time in our lives, it says one thing, but it may appear to be speaking other things to us at another time under different circumstances. God does that through God’s Word-how cool is that?
SOOOO-have you read any good books lately? Please feel free to recommend or share any titles-there are so many places we can go and things we can learn with a good book!! Lists can be shared with the other readers of our congregation!
My next book is calling! I pray your days are blessed! Love, Pr. Jen+
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost August 15-16, 2020
PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
READING Matthew 15: 21-28 Jesus teaches his disciples that true purity is a matter of the heart rather than outward religious observances. Almost immediately, this teaching is tested when a woman considered to be a religious outsider approaches him for help.
A reading from Matthew. 21Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
HOMILY When Martin Luther died, they went through the pockets of his clothing and they found a scrap of paper in his pocket that read these words: “This is true. We are beggars.” It is interesting to think that of all the things that Luther wrote about and did throughout his life, that this thought was on his mind before he died. This is probably because he saw how true it was as he wrote and preached about God’s grace. God’s grace helped him to see that before Him, he truly was just an undeserving, pitiful, and poor beggar. He had nothing in him that would have God desire or listen to him. As we look at the Gospel today, we see how Luther’s observation is entirely true. We are beggars before God.
~~~Jesus begins our text by going into the Gentile territory of Tyre and Sidon. After offending the scribes and Pharisees with his words, he found it best to leave and lay low for a while. As Jesus is in this Gentile land, he is approached by a woman with a request. This was woman was a Canaanite. The Canaanites were an idolatrous people who were Israel’s ancient enemies. They did not believe God’s Word nor follow God’s laws. When the people of Israel entered into the Promised Land, they were supposed to wipe them out because of their idol worship. A Canaanite would certainly have no claim on God when compared to a Jew.
~~~But this woman is different. She gives Jesus an unlikely address as a Canaanite. She calls Jesus, “Lord,” acknowledging his role and believing Him to be God. She also calls Him, “Son of David,” believing Him to be the Promised Messiah and Savior of Israel. With this address, she makes her request. She begs, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David.” She asks Jesus to help her poor daughter. Her daughter is horribly afflicted by a demon. What a helpless and hopeless situation. When your child has a cold, you can give them medicine, or take them to the doctor. You can make them rest, or feed them foods like soup to help them heal. But what do you do with demon possession-or cancer, or seizures, or mental illness? It’s a truly helpless feeling So, she goes to the only person that can help—Jesus.
~~~Matthew records what happens next. He says, “But He did not answer her a word.” Jesus hears this lady begging for help, but doesn’t do a thing. She pleads for her daughter, her pride and joy, to the only One who can help, and he doesn’t say a thing. He doesn’t even say a word to acknowledge what she said. He is silent!
~~~Bottom of Form How would you respond in her place? Would you yell at him in anger? Would you throw up your hands in frustration, and turn around? Would you grab his robe, and continue to plead with him? Might you try to persuade him with some cash or promises? How would your faith be in this? Would you lose heart? Would you no longer believe in him? Or would you keep your trust in him?
~~~The woman in the text seems to do the latter and keeps begging Jesus to help her daughter. She is making a scene and won’t stop crying out. She continues and the disciples beg Jesus to do something. They say, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” They want Jesus to heal her daughter so that she can leave them alone. They don’t want to hear her anymore. Jesus responds with these words: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He essentially says, “No..” What crushing words. Hearing “no” is never an easy thing, especially when it comes from God.
~~~But the lady is persistent. She comes and kneels before Jesus. Her faith and trust in Him do not seem to waver. The Greek word for “kneel” is also the same as worship. She comes to the Lord’s feet and begs again, “Lord, help me.” The woman doesn’t try to bribe him, or tell him something that she will do to make him change his mind. She asks on the basis of his goodness and mercy. Jesus won’t say no, right?
~~~Our Lord does though. He sticks to his answer and uses imagery to help prove his point. He says, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” He is right. The dog does not have the same place as the child. At dinner, the dog doesn’t sit at the table and have the juicy and grilled steak while the child sits on the floor and eats mysteriously canned meat. Jesus will not take what belongs to Israel and give it to her. He won’t take the children’s bread and give it to a dog.
~~~At this point, what would you do? She has already heard the answer “No” three times. It seems quite evident that her daughter will not get better or the help that she needs. It looks to be the time to fly the white flag or to throw in the towel. This woman doesn’t do that though. Her faith does not waver, and she responds with imagery of her own. She replies, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the masters’ table.” She won’t give up. Notice that she doesn’t argue with what Jesus says or try to prove to him why he should help. She doesn’t say, “I’m a good person, you should do this!” Or “If you help, I’ll become a Jew and be the best one ever!” Instead, the woman believes in Jesus’ mission to Israel’s lost sheep, but she also believes in God’s overflowing love and mercy, which also provide for the dogs that are under the master’s table.
~~~~This amazes Jesus. There aren’t too many things that amaze the Lord of the Universe, the One Who has seen it all, but this does. He says, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed. This woman is quite remarkable. She was persistent despite the constant rejection she faced. She continued to approach him in faith and clung to the Lord’s mercy and goodness. She never pointed to herself and the things that she did or could do. The woman never tried to bribe God with a “good work” or resorted to sweet talking. She didn’t try to barter with a gift or promise. She had absolutely nothing to give or offer. She had nothing. She was a beggar in every sense of the word.
~~~But what about us? Are we beggars before God? Do we base our requests on who we are or on what we have done? Do we try to goad God into helping us by saying things like, “If you help me, I’ll go to church every week, and join a team!” Or “If you do this, I promise I will never do that again!” In times of trial and trouble, do we lose heart and faith in God? Do we hang on to his promises and Word or do we cast them aside and look elsewhere for hope and comfort? The reality is that we do these things. The reality is that this life and world reveals that we are truly beggars before God. We have nothing to offer or give Him. We only have sin and brokenness. We are poor, pitiful, and helpless beggars who are clothed in sin and misery.
~~~The Good News-The BEST news is that our God is good and merciful to poor, pitiful, and helpless beggars like you and me. Our God clothes us in Christ’s righteousness through the baptismal waters that make us his children. Through faith in him, we have a spot at his table, where we are fed with his body and blood given for the forgiveness of our sin. We are his sheep that he rescues, cares, and searches for. We are part of the true Israel, a people based on what Christ has done for them and not on geography or ethnicity.
~~~As his people, as his children, we approach Our God through Jesus. We don’t need to bring anything or do anything, because Jesus has done it all for us through his life, death, and resurrection. Our God hears our prayers, petitions, and pleas through his Holy Spirit. He hears the prayers offered in his name, and he will answer them in his own way and time as is best for us. In trials and troubles, he holds onto us with his mercy and love. We are beggars before God, and that is absolutely okay when you have a loving and good God like ours. With Jesus, crumbs aren’t so bad. 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.
Lord, you gather the church to be part of your mission as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. As Jesus acknowledged the great faith of a woman from outside his people, help your church discover and find blessing in the faith of people we might reject. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You have blessed us with the bounty of the earth. Grant your grace to all your creatures, that the earth will flourish. Relieve waters choked by garbage, renew soils stripped of nutrients, and refresh the air all creatures need to live. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You call the nations to be glad and sing for joy. Let your way be known among all the nations of the world, now divided by competing interests, contending alliances, and consumed by enormous worry. Bless us and make your face shine upon all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You show unexpected mercy, kindness, and generosity. We pray for those who do not have enough, for outcasts in our villages, cities, and town, and for those who need your healing (especially). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In you we live and move and have our being. Grant Hope Lutheran Church grace to find our life refreshed in you. Accompany us in the rhythms of late summer. Give us rest and renewal, and strengthen us for mission in your name. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Your eternal promises are more than we could ever imagine. As you gather all the saints, join us also with them on the great day of your salvation. 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 with grateful hearts for all God has done for us as together we are led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all! 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 51:1-6; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20
The July thru September Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS
Altar Guild – Barb & Larry Brady
Ushers – Alan & Cindy Beicht
Counters – Barb & Larry Brady
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 and father of Ginger Toomire recovering from pneumonia
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
Cheryl Burke who is in need of healing
Rachel and Gavin, for continued healing
Ava for healing
Jan Quinn as she mourns the death of her husband, Dick
Pr. Marilyn Robinson for healing and a safe move
The Family and Friends of Lisa as they mourn her death
Christine as she faces lung cancer treatment
Eddie and his family as they mourn the death of his son
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
JESUS LOVES YOU MINISTRY have an immediate need for bottled water, disposable razors and a countertop microwave.
BIBLE STUDY ON THE ACT OF THE APOSTLES ONLINE!!!! – Pr. Cheryll Armstrong-Kaukis is hosting a new Bible Study based on the amazing book of Acts. If you would like to be a part of this group, please contact either the church office or Pr Cheryll directly at cheryll.kaukis@gmail.com and let her know to sign you up! Please join us as we discover anew the growth of the church in the earliest days and how that impacts our faith today!!
BLOOD DRIVE – The Suncoast Blood Drive Mobile Unit has been rescheduled for August 16 th between 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM in our parking lot. A Covid-19 antibody test will be done on all successful blood donations.
MASKS – Our supply of masks is getting low. Any donation of additional masks would be greatly appreciated.
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!!
Leave a Reply