My dearest Hope Family-
There’s a quote from Mother Teresa, St Teresa of Calcutta, that keeps coming back to me: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” Together, let’s pray that God gifts us with the ability to speak kind words so that the love of Jesus can spread endlessly.
My love is with each of you and my prayers are for you ~~ Pr. Jen Schaefer+
3rd Sunday after Pentecost~~June 12-13, 2021
The Prayer of the Day O God, you are the tree of life, offering shelter to all the world. Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth, that we may bear your truth and love to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord Amen.
Gospel : Gospel: Mark 4:26-34 Jesus frequently uses parables to teach ordinary people as they are able to hear and understand. Images of sowing and growing show the vitality of God’s kingdom.
26[Jesus] said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”
30He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
30He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY : Remember the story of Chicken Little? Chicken Little was the chick who thought the sky was falling. I loved hearing that story when I was a child, but honestly, after the past year and a half of so many Chicken Littles running around, I am kinda over it. But in all honestly, there have been enormous strains on us. The pandemic, of course, and the division in opinion about how to handle it. Economic challenges and isolation from family and friends impacted us. The rise of overt racism and terrorism, mostly from domestic groups, is truly alarming. Our elected leaders constantly bickering and fighting over imagined election fraud and grabs for power without considering how they are duly sworn to support we the people. Words of Jesus and Scripture are used as weapons against people. International conflicts are present, too. There is a feeling that the sky is falling.
~~~And we are not the only ones who have ever been afraid or living in anxious times. The early Christians, too, were afraid of the events surrounding them. The author of the Gospel of Mark wrote to the people of Rome who were then facing the bloody reign of Nero. It looked like Christianity and the world as they knew it would be wiped out. ~~~But then into the midst of this fear comes the Word of God describing the Kingdom of Heaven-like a seed planted in the ground-like a tiny mustard seed. When you look at the tiny mustard seed, you don’t expect too much from it-a tiny plant at best. But the mustard seed grows into a good-sized shrub, reaching a height of 12-15 feet, extending branches so large that they become the shelter and refuge for nesting birds. From tiny origins come great things. Such good news for people who live in fear of the sky falling. What joy and comfort to hear this kingdom is among us. ~~~These two parables from our gospel tell us that God is at work. We may not see that work, it may start out in small and apparently insignificant ways to our human eyes. In our country, we have been trained to look for the big stuff in life, big buildings, big cars, big money, big and loud people can impress us. But God doesn’t necessarily work that way. God works in ways that sometimes we hardly notice.
~~~Who would have thought that God was at work in a baby born in a stable in Bethlehem? Who would have thought that God was at work in the crucifixion of a homeless guy on a garbage dump outside of Jerusalem around 30 A. D.?
~~~God’s Word today invites our eyes to look away from the sky that we think may be falling toward the little quiet places where God is working. God is at work right now in your life and mine, even if we consider ourselves too small or insignificant to matter. ~~~As I was growing in the faith, one of my favorite authors was Corrie Ten Boom. She repeats over and over again the theme that God uses small people to do great things. Corrie considered herself a small person, yet, this tiny Dutch woman hid Jews in her home during WWII, endured years in a concentration camp, and then, until in her early 90’s, travelled the world sharing the Gospel love of Jesus with people everywhere. A small person? A humble, loving woman who allowed God to use her as God saw fit. ~~~And like Corrie, each of us is given gifts from God to be equipped to share the Good News, to make a difference in the world in Jesus’ name. God works in each of us-in literally down to earth ways-like seeds planted in the grounds.
~~~Seeds are a fairly common thing, ordinary even. When we think of God, we often think of something otherworldly, but seeds? And yet, Jesus directs us to an awareness that God’s activity is in the ordinary things-the here and now.
~~~The kingdom is at work as you live your daily life-trying to be kind and faithful, working for justice and honesty in our world. The kingdom takes place at your dinner table, in family conversations, as you deal with others in healthy and loving relationships. The kingdom is at work when you share a meal with someone who needs it, or bring items for the food pantry, or bring clothing to share with those who have none. Even in our worship – in the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, God gives us signs of his kingdom as he uses ordinary earthly elements like water and bread and wine and then makes them something more with his Word of love for us. ~~~It is God who makes the difference – turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. As Corrie ten Boom often said, she could do nothing – God did it all. Just like a seed, when planted it may produce a tiny leaf or two, but we can’t force it to grow. I am not known for my green thumb, but thanks be to God, a green thumb isn’t necessary to help in the garden that grows the kingdom of God. God takes the gifts he has planted within us at our Baptism, sometimes as tiny as a mustard seed, and his Holy Spirit nurtures and grows those gifts, and invites us to share them in Jesus’ name so that we experience light out of darkness, hope out of despair, love in the midst of sorrow. God’s kingdom is among us in the small and ordinary, the simple and the profound, growing God’s will in, with, and through us as we fulfill our purpose to be led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all people.
~~~Chicken Little ran around crying that the sky was falling – BUT God’s people run around telling the Good News of Jesus and his love and pointing others to see it, too. God’s people live lives intentionally filled with love and kindness to make a difference in the world in Jesus’ name, spreading the seeds of his love and allowing God to help them grow. The kingdom of God is like a seed planted in the ground….Hear it and tell it! And be sure to celebrate it! Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Let us come before the triune God in prayer. A brief silence.
Holy God, you plant the seeds of faith in every nation. Enliven your church, so that the good news of your grace may root and grow throughout the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Creator, even the trees, shrubs, and flowers delight in your goodness. From the depths of the soil to the highest mountain, bring forth new plants. Restore growth to places suffering drought. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Judge of nations, we pray for our leaders and those in power. Grant them the ability to regard those under their charge with humility, dedicating their lives in service to others. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Divine comforter, you show compassion to those in need and provide relief to those who call on you. Bless all who suffer, especially people trapped in cycles of poverty and homelessness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Eternal God, we give thanks for our ancestors in the faith who are now at home with you ( especially)……We look forward to that day when we are reunited in your new creation. 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: Job 38:1-11; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41
The July thru September Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS
Altar Guild: Candy Ogden Usher: Alan Beicht
Counters: Barb Johnson & Lorraine Maass
Flowers donated by Wendell & Sue Spisak in honor of their 50 th Anniversary.
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:
Paul for God’s presence
T.J. for strength on the passing of his wife
Alan for safe travels
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
Ian for sure and strong presence of God’s healing grace
Doris Puerner for healing
Marirose for a healthy pregnancy
Helen for healing after surgery
Dawn Seibert for healing
Carol for healing, hope, and God’s will.
Laura Everill, daughter of Phyllis and Tom Agness, for healing.
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
Laura Everill, daughter of Phyllis and Tom Agness is healing after surgery and could use prayers and good wishes from our Hope family. Her address is Laura Everill, Room 601, Ashton Creek, 4111 Park Place Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46845. He email address is leverill@comcast.net.
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 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 Baliant 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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