My dearest Hope Family-
As we begin these hazy and hotter-than -hot days of summer, in worship we move into the season after Pentecost, also known as the Green season-ordinary time in the life of the church. In our worship, we will hear of Jesus teaching his followers, us, how to be his disciples, how to be CHURCH together. In the green season, we see how Jesus’ teaching planted seeds of love and compassion and kindness and faith, so that with the nourishing gift of God’s Word and Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, these seeds can grow among us with the Spirit’s help. As we grow and learn together in this season, we also plan and work together for opportunities through Hope to spread the love and kindness in the months to come in Jesus’ name. This is indeed a green season-a season of growth and renewal-time for refreshing vacation and slower schedules and time to think and discern where God is leading us next.
In this green season, think about where you see God leading us in the days to come. Share those thoughts planted within you by the Holy Spirit with me or a council member so that they might be shared and acted upon by our leadership team. It may be quieter in these next few month, but that doesn’t mean that there’s not a huge amount happening as we prepare and plan for the Fall and stand ready to fulfill our purpose to be led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all with even more boldness and energy.
We are starting a Kindness Initiative with our book study mid-June to id-July and will be developing some strategies for increasing the level of kindness shown in our community. I will share ideas and results as we work through this process and hope to get your input as well-reading Brad Aronson’s Human Kind as a starting off point for discussion and idea-gnerating.
It may seem quiet around here, but God is at work through you and me and together we will see an abundant harvest of kindness, love, and faith in the months to come! My love is with each of you and my prayers are for you ~~ Pr. Jen Schaefer+
2 nd Sunday after Pentecost~~June 5-6, 202
The Prayer of the Day All-powerful God, in Jesus Christ you turned death into life and defeat into victory. Increase our faith and trust in him, that we may triumph over all evil in the strength of the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Gospel : Mark 3:20-35 In response to charges that he is possessed, Jesus wonders aloud how anyone who is demon-possessed can cast out demons. Those who do the will of God are possessed by the Holy Spirit, siblings of Christ.
[Jesus went home;] 20and the crowd came together again, so that [Jesus and the disciples] could not even eat. 21When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” 22And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” 23And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. 27But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.
28“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
31Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. 32A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” 33And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
28“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
31Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. 32A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” 33And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY : When Jesus goes home in today’s Gospel, people noticed something different-he had changed. I imagine someone went up to Mary and said; “Mary, I saw your boy, Jesus-the one who went off to be a preacher. Boy, he sure talks funny. And it isn’t just the way he talks-it’s what he says. He’s got some funny ideas. People are talking like he’s nuts or something. Whatcha’ gonna’ do about it? “
~~~So Mary gathers up the family and sets out to find her boy. Probably two motivations at work here-first, Mary and the family still live in Nazareth and what Jesus does reflects on them. Family honor and business are on the line. Secondly, a powerful motivation is love. Mary loves Jesus. The family love Jesus. They may not always understand him but they certainly love him. ~~~When they found Jesus, things were worse than they had feared. Not only was Jesus talking funny and doing weird things, he was also openly defying the public officials and engaging in arguments with the temple scribes. The scribes were accusing Jesus of being a Satanist-in league with the Devil. Can you imagine the fear that struck at Mary’s heart when she heard that said about her precious, God-given son =that he was evil? And Jesus only made it worse by arguing with them and making them look like fools. ~~~Mary had to act quickly. She sends someone in with a message for Jesus to come ut and go home. And Jesus rejects her pleas. He looks around the crowd and says; “Who are my mother and my brothers? Here are my mother and my sisters and my brothers-those who do the will of God.” In that moment, Jesus redefined for all time the meaning of family. Pretty shocking then-maybe even shocking today.
~~~For the people of Jesus’ time and place, family wasn’t just important-it was EVERYTHING! Who you were, what you did, who you married, your entire relationship in society and to God were defined by your family. Jesus wasn’t just Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph of Nazareth, now a Rabbi. Jesus was also of the house and lineage of David-a descendent of Abraham. Without those family connections, Jesus a nobody-not someone to be respected or listened to. ~~~You hear it said; Blood is thicker than water.” But in that moment when Jesus declared people of faith are his family, Je declared that the waters of Baptism are thicker than the blood of family. Baptismal water ties were tighter than birth ties-baptismal water is truly the tie that binds. ~~~Now this doesn’t mean Jesus didn’t love his mom or family anymore. He was, however, rearranging the order of his relationships=for him and for us. Those who do the will of God and live according to God’s rule are the family God has chosen for us.
~~~I am a daughter, a sister, a mom, and grandmother, pastor, neighbor, and friend. But all of those relationships are secondary to the one over-arching and defining relationship-I am a child of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and I am a disciple of Jesus who is my Lord and Savior. That relationship takes priority over all others and helps make sense of all others. As long as I try to keep Christ first in my life, everything else falls in line. While I often fail in keeping Christ first in my life, in following the first Commandment from God that we are to have no other gods and keep God first, The best I can do as a sinful, fault-filled human is to confess my failings and wake up each day to try again. To keep trying to be what God calls me to be through Jesus and his Spirit. To remember that I am a baptized child of God-called to show the love of Jesus and rely on God’s forgiveness.
~~~Whoever else you may be, whatever other relationships you have, there is one name, one relationship that can never be taken away from you. You are ALWAYS a child of God, born out of the waters of Baptism, and sealed with Holy Spirit forever. A beloved member of God’s family, chosen by God, sharing in God’s mission to be led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all wherever you find yourself. ~~~You are first and foremost a beloved child of God. Even though sometimes that means that we will be considered a bit odd or strange because we live out our lives in a selfish society that doesn’t’ understand our call to love God by loving others, your name, your family name Christian, Christ-follower-means that God CHOSE YOU, Jesus loves you, and the Holy Spirit fills you-and you are ALWAYS welcome and wanted and at home in the family and the kingdom of God. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Let us come before the triune God in prayer. A brief silence.
God of wholeness, we pray for believers all over the globe ( global mission partners may be named). Unify us in service of the gospel, that we may work together as beloved siblings to share your love with all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of the cosmos, we pray for creation; the gardens, waterways and creatures near to us and diverse forms of life that remain unseen. Teach us to treat the natural world with reverence, seeking restoration when human divisions have caused harm to your beloved creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all people, we pray for harmony among the nations. Cast out from us unclean spirits of greed and fear, that we may work in solidarity with one another for the common good. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of abundance, we pray for those who are oppressed or in any need. Encourage those who have begun to lose heart. Strengthen and renew us with your Spirit. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of righteousness, we pray for this holy house of worship. Set our gaze upon things eternal, that in thanksgiving for your mercy, we may extend grace to more and more people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of the ages, in your goodness you have sent us faithful witnesses for every time and place. We give you thanks for those saints who now rest in your eternal mercy ( especially). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your abiding grace. Amen.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The blessing of the living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, surround and sustain us, keep us from harm, and fill us with courage. Amen.
Let us go out into the world in peace, sharing the Good News of Jesus and his love, 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: Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 [11-13] 14-17; Mark 4:26-34
The July thru September Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Altar Guild: Candy Ogden Contributions Year to Date
Usher: Alan Beicht FY 2021 $60,612
Counters: Pr. Cheryll & Karl Kaukis FY 2020 $64,710
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:
Tammy for healing
Linda Ainsworth for healing after surgery
Larry Spencer for healing
Kim for healing
Family and friends of Madeline Ostrowski as they mourn her passing.
Ellie & Tom Wescott for healing
Jennifer Stubbs for healing
Monica for healing and God’s presence
Pat Hinton for prayers for ongoing healing
Cyndi and Fred for healing
Family and friend of Vinny as they mourn his passing.
Bob for safety in travel.
Ian for sure and strong presence of God’s healing grace
Doris Puerner for healing
Marirose for a healthy pregnancy
Helen for healing
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.
John Greene, Millie’s husband, for strength and healing & healing for all their family
Cheryl Burke who is in need of healing
Larry and Barbara Brady, as they focus on healing.
Jason and family for healing
NEW AT HOPE
HOPE BOOK CLUB Beginning June 16, we will begin a book club for 5-6 consecutive Wednesdays between 10:00-11:00AM in the Fellowship Hall. The book Human Kind by Brad Aronson will be discussed over these weeks in order to produce ideas and strategies to implement more kindness in our world.
KIWANIS SHOES FOR KIDS PROJECT –will begin the week of June 20 and run through July 25, 2021.
CRAFT SALE Linda Kraigenow will be selling her gorgeous homemade gemstone jewelry at the North Port Craft Fair on July 17, 2021 between 10:00 and 3:00 at the George Mullen Center Gymnasium, 1602 Krame Way, North Port, FL. Linda generously donates all proceeds to support Hope Lutheran Church.
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY evenings will be returning this summer. Get ready for some socialization and game playing. If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact Pr. Jen or Fran
SAVE THE DATE – Hope Lutheran Bazaar scheduled for December 4, 2021. If you know of any vendors that would like to rent space, please contact Fran Kostrowsky.
HOPE LOVE PANTRY – The pantry could use tuna, crackers, pastas, tomato sauce, peanut butter, shampoo, boxed milk (dollar tree has best price), juices and canned fruits. Thank you for your continued support and donations. This is our opportunity to serve God and share Christ’s love with all.
MONDAY BIBLE STUDY on God sightings every Monday at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.
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.
2021 HOPE LUTHERAN COUNCIL MEMBERS
Pastor Jennifer Schaefer 813.391.2027 hopeluthern1@comcast.net
President Jill Mead 941.350.5209 jillmead3059@gmail.com
Vice President Linda Kraignow 941.623.9188 lindak41549@gmail.com
Secretary Roberta Balint 941.830.2381 roberta.in.paradise@gmail.com
Treasurer Karl Kaukis 405.334.1511 karl@kaukis.com
Financial Secretary Lorraine Maass 540.419.5961 yar0227@ymail.com
Pr. Cheryll Armstrong-Kaukis 405.762.0564 cheryll.kaukis@gmail.com
Fran Kostrowsky 813.316.5295 fkostrowsky@gmail.com
Candy Ogden 217.899.7086 roncandyogden92@gmail.com
Donna Turner 941.276.4696 jag01@embarqmail.com
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