Dearest Brothers and Sisters of Hope Lutheran Church.
A local doctor has a commercial on the radio, and the tagline is: “Don’t be a spreader.” It talks about how we might prevent sharing the Coronavirus with others through physical distancing, wearing masks, and limiting exposure with one another until more vaccinations are available. Again, the tagline is: “Don’t be a spreader.” We take that advice to heart.
But in this season of being more apart than usual in order to protect one another from illness, there ARE things we are invited to spread and share by Jesus. As Henri Nouwen wrote: “Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions.” Spreading peace and kindness, sharing healing and hope, offering forgiveness and love-these are the things we are called to spread and to share in our world in Jesus’ name.
They don’t have to be done in huge ways, but in the simplest and smallest acts of kindness and love, we can make a difference in someone’s life. Remember, you might be the ONLY person who makes a difference in that person’s life. When we share Jesus’ love with our brothers and sisters, we do it to and for Jesus. A smile, a wave, a kind word, a text or note, a call, a thank you, sharing a bit of money or food or drink or clothing with those in need, a prayer on behalf of someone else…they may only take a moment of our time, but they might mean the world to the person who was blessed by them.
As St. Teresa of Calcutta wrote: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Our purpose at Hope invites us to do the same-to be led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all. We show our love for God by loving others-that cross-shaped life to which we are called in Baptism!
So – my friends, when it comes to COVID, don’t be a spreader – but when it comes to love in Jesus’ name, go ahead – BE a spreader!!!!!! 😊
In Jesus’ love, Pr. Jen Schaefer+
First Sunday in Lent – February 20-21, 2021
PRAYER OF THE DAY – Let us pray. Holy God, heavenly Father, in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
READING Mark 1:9-15 – The Spirit that comes upon Jesus at his baptism sustains him when he is tested by Satan so that he might proclaim the good news of God’s reign. A reading from Mark. 9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
HOMILY – I am struck by Mark 1:12 “12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness” coming as it does just moments behind another event involving the same Spirit -where, at the Baptism of Jesus, the Spirit descended upon him like a dove and God spoke and said that Jesus is his Beloved Son, with whom he is well pleased. Two very different actions by the very same Spirit. Think about it for a moment-the Spirit descends with blessing and then the Spirit drives the one blessed out into the wilderness – into the barren place – the dangerous place – and allows him to be tested – to be tempted, to be placed at risk by the Devil. ~~~I suspect we often don’t think of the Spirit like that – we see the high moments, the good moments, the God-given moments, the God-filled moments like at Christ’s baptism – the Transfiguration-Spirit-filled moments. But the wilderness experiences, those times when we are alone, times we are surrounded by danger and assaulted by temptation to take the easy way out – to just plain give up – those are moments that are bad, moments which don’t feel God-given or God-filled – not led by the Spirit. The reason that this Gospel is so important is that it serves to remind us that wilderness experiences are, or can be, just as much a part of God’s plan for our lives as those other obviously blessed experiences.
~~~The journey of Jesus is like our journey-progressing through stages – growing to maturity -being called to do the work that God wants us to do – and being equipped for that work, and then the wilderness – the testing of our skills, our faith, our trust.
~~~The striking feature of Jesus is his willingness to be Spirit-driven and to enter into the wilderness. Jesus was confident because he was equipped for the journey. Jesus knew the Word of God – quoted the Word of God. To be prepared to enter the wilderness, it helps if we have learned the Word that we need to carry with us – a Word that helps us see the wilderness for what it is, a wilderness that can allow us to grow and learn and develop in our faith as much as, if not more than those blessed events.
~~~A true story by Stephen Covey tells about a man who experienced a time in his life when everything seemed depressing, tedious, dull, uninspiring. He went to his doctor who found nothing physically wrong with him. The doctor then suggested that he take a day for some spiritual renewal. He was to go to a place that had meaning for him as a child. He could take food, but nothing else. The doctor then handed him four prescriptions – one to be read at 9am, one at noon, one for 3pm and the final one at 6pm. The patient agreed and the next day, he drove to the beach. ~~~At 9am, he opened the first prescription which read “Listen carefully”. Three hours of doing nothing but listening? He was annoyed to say the least. But he decided to obey. At first he heard the wind, the birds, the surf – beach sounds. Then he found himself listening to his inner voice, reminding him of some of the lessons the beach had taught him as a child – patience, respect, the interdependence of the part of nature, the power of God. Soon, our friend was feeling more peaceful than he had in a long time. ~~~At noon, he opened the second prescription, and it read; “Try reaching back.” His mind began to wander, and he discovered himself being overwhelmed by all the moments of joy and blessing and giftedness he had been given over the years.
~~~At 3pm he opened the third prescription. This one was difficult. It read; “Examine your motives.” Defensively, he listed all the motivating facts of his life-success, recognition, security, and found satisfactory explanation for all of them. But finally it occurred to him, in a shattering moment of clarity, that those motives were not enough, that the lack of a deeper motive probably accounted for the staleness and boredom of his life. He wrote: “In a flash of certainty, I saw that if one’s motives are wrong, nothing can be right. It makes no difference if you are a scientist, a housewife, a mail carrier, or an attorney. It is only when you are serving others, that you do the job well and feel good. This is a law as irrefutable as gravity.”
~~~At 6pm he read the final prescription. It read; “Write your worries on the wind.” He took a stick, scratched out a few words in the air in front of him, then walked away, never turning back. As the breezes blew, he knew with a sense of relief, that all of his anxieties would simply be blown away.”
~~~My friends, the wilderness, the aloneness, the solitude that the wilderness affords, the hardship, is an opportunity , a blessing, from the Spirit of God. IT is a place where we can be tested, a place where we can grow into the maturity that we require so that we can indeed face the world. In both good times and in bad, we can develop the strength in the wilderness to withstand whatever life throws at us-with God-and continue to do what God would have us do. We grow in good time and bad-maybe even more so in the difficult times. ~~~Jesus matures in the wilderness. He listened to his inner voice, he connected the blessing of the past with his need to rely on God and God alone foe the day at hand and for the days to come. In the loneliness of the wilderness, Jesus knew that he was not alone – that God went with him -that the angels cared for him – and that with the help of God’s prescriptions, the Word of God, he could survive, even prosper, no matter the situation. I’ve seen this in my life – when I was at my lowest, I felt God’s presence through his Holy Spirit – and through YOU, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
~~~The journey of Jesus is like our own journey. But we can also say our journey is like that of Jesus. How often have we felt filled with the Spirit, determined to walk in faith and serve God, pumped up and ready to go to make a difference in Jesus’ name, but then the trouble begins, the time of testing comes. I am pretty sure that is the Devil working on us, tying to draw us away from God, tempting us to turn our back on God and our faith. However, if we continue to follow the Word, continue to pray even if it feels God isn’t listening, if we allow our brothers and sisters to pray with and for us, we can emerge from these wilderness moments even stronger and more faithful, just as Jesus did.
~~~I am reminded of something called “The Testimony of a Confederate Soldier.” It was written during the Civil War-and it goes like this: “I asked God for strength, that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of others. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for – but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all people most richly blessed.”
~~~My brothers and sisters, in this season of Lent as we follow the Discipline of Lent calling for repentance, fasting, prayer, and works of love, let’s follow our purpose to be led by the Spirit, as Jesus was, to serve God and share Christ’s love with all people. Together, let’s BE the presence of Jesus and share his love in th lives of others. That is our Lenten call, our Lenten responsibility, and our Lenten privilege. Thanks be to God. Amen and Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION – Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.
In Jesus your kingdom has come near to us in every place and time. Give your church throughout the world a spirit of humility and repentance; teach us to trust always in the good news of your salvation. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You have made a covenant of mercy with every living creature. Protect all the earth’s creatures from destruction. Empower the work of biologists, conservationists, and science educators. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
All your paths are steadfast love and faithfulness. Direct the words and actions of leaders in our community and throughout the world, that they may maintain justice for the lowly. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Even in the wilderness you are with us. Walk alongside migrants and refugees crossing dangerous lands. Tend to those whose lives feel desolate. Give healing and strength to all who suffer ( especially). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
In the covenant of baptism you claim us as beloved children. Nurture us in our baptismal identity and teach us to live within it for the sake of others. Strengthen this congregation’s ministries of care and concern especially through our Hope Food Pantry. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
In baptism you join us to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We praise you for all those who have died trusting in your faithfulness. Bring us with them to the fullness of your reign. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, O faithful God, 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 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: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38
The January thru March Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS
Altar Guild: Candy Ogden
Usher: Roger McGill
Counters: Pr. Cheryll A-K and Karl Kaukis
Flowers donated by Jill Mead in honor of her Deacon Commissioning.
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:
Josh for God’s peace and comfort
Dale for healing and Sue for God’s loving presence and strength
Ian for sure and strong presence of God’s healing grace
Beth Bercaw for prayers for protection and strength
Doris Puerner for healing
Marirose for a healthy pregnancy
Helen for healing
Kristin, Ron and Carolyn Rasmussen’s daughter, for healing after surgery
Jean Holcomb for healing
Florence, Lou Szepi’s mom, for God’s comforting presence
Dawn Seibert for healing
Carol for healing, hope, and God’s will.
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
John Greene, Millie’s husband, for strength and healing
Cheryl Burke who is in need of healing
Larry and Barbara Brady, as they focus on healing
Pr. Pat for healing
Susan for healing
Jason for healing
The Miller family for healing and God’s strength
NEW AT HOPE
LENT AT HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH – Leading up to Holy Week, we will meet on Wednesdays in worship to share in prayer and learning on the subject of “The Liturgical Year That Wasn’t” as we explore the seasons of the church year and why we do what we do in worship. Please be sure to join us as we follow the Discipline of Lent with repentance, fasting, prayer, and works of love and focus on walking with Jesus to the cross and beyond.
The schedule for Lenten worship is as follows: Wednesdays=
Mid-week Lent 1 – Feb 24 10am and 4:30pm in the parking lot
Mid-week Lent 2 – March 3 10am and 4:30pm in the parking lot
Mid-week Lent 3 – March 10 10am and 4:30pm in the parking lot
Mid-week Lent 4 – March 17 10am and 4:30pm pin the parking lot
Mid-week Lent 5 – March 24 10am and 4:30pm in the parking lot
Holy Week Worship Schedule
Passion/Palm Weekend – March 27 Saturday 5:30pm. Sunday 8:30 & 10am
Maundy Thursday – April 1 10am and 4:30pm
Good Friday – April 2 10am and 4:30pm
Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil April 3 Saturday 5:30pm
Easter – The Resurrection of our Lord Sunday, April 4- 7 & 8:30am parking lot and 10am
Please join us as we grow in faith and love together throughout the Lenten season and prepare our lives and our hearts to celebrate the saving events of Holy Week and Jesus’ glorious resurrection at Easter. ALL ARE WELCOME!
DORIS PUERNER is currently recuperating in Windsor House of Canfield. If you would like to send her a card, her address is Windsor House of Canfield, 6445 State Route 446, Canfield, OH 44406-8475.
LUTHERANISM 101!! Monday from 11:00 to 12:00PM. If you have never studied Luther’s Small Catechism or have questions about why we do what we do as Lutherans in our worship and faith, this class is for YOU! Please join Pr. Jen as we explore the five principle parts of the Catechism-Baptism, Holy Communion, The Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments as well as worship and liturgy and more so together we can grow in our understanding of our Christian faith and our Lutheran expression of that faith.
MONDAY BIBLE STUDY on God sightings every Monday at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
WOMEN OF HOPE – Next meeting February 21, 2021.
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.
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