4th Sunday After Epiphany, January 30-31, 2021
February 7, 2021
Dearest Brothers and Sisters of Hope Lutheran Church.
Writer Lauren Fortenberry wrote: “And it will be our love, not our anger, that heals the world.” Our world, our country is sure in need of some healing, huh? We need emotional healing from all the division and anger that has been expressed in both verbal as well as physical ways. We need emotional healing from all the isolation we have experienced because of the pandemic and the differing information and opinions expressed on that subject. We need emotional healing for all of those who have been ill and for all who have lost loved ones to death during this time – we are edging up to 500,000 deaths in our country alone, not to mention worldwide. We need emotional healing from all the changes we have had to make in our daily existence and the economic suffering that is experienced by so many of our fellow citizens. We need emotional healing.
We need physical healing – from the pandemic, yes, but also from all the other illnesses that have struck us or our loved ones – cancer, stroke, heart issues, pulmonary issues, and more. Because of restrictions, reaching out in love and support to those we love who are ill is so much more complicated and difficult. We need physical healing. And we need spiritual healing. Too many conflicting voices have claimed to speak on behalf of God without really speaking God’s truth or wisdom. Too many folks have employed words like “Christian” or “evangelical”- hijacking those words and distorting truth for their own agenda, leaving those who wish to truly be Christian and evangelical confused, hurt, and looked at with skepticism and hatred. All too often, racism and sexism and all the isms and phobias we humans employ to build walls between us and our brothers and sisters use religious language to make their point. We need spiritual healing. Jesus calls us to love. If there is anything said that does not promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, then it probably isn’t of Jesus. Jesus calls us to love. “And it will be our love, not our anger, that heals the world.” Jesus calls us to love – to love in his name boldly, fiercely, uncompromisingly, without question. It’s all about the love of Jesus – the love Jesus gives to us and our love for Jesus that we share with others. It’s all about the love of Jesus. In Jesus’ love, Pr. Jen Schaefer+
4th Sunday after Epiphany, January 30-31, 2021
PRAYER OF THE DAY – Let us pray. Compassionate God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Savior. Bring wholeness to all that is broken and speak truth to us in our confusion, that all creation will see and know your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
READING Mark 1:21-28 – Forces that would bring death and disease have taken hold of a man, yet they recognize Jesus and know what his power means for them. Jesus commands these forces to leave and people are amazed at his authority.
A reading from Mark. 21[Jesus and his disciples] went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
HOMILY: Jesus – a man with authority. As our Gospel tells us today in verse 22: They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”: Interestingly, there is no record of what Jesus said at that time. What Jesus said made people wonder at his teaching and his authority He didn’t preach like the other rabbis who quoted rabbinical sources to support the points they were making. Jesus spoke with authority because he heard directly from his Father. ~~~Not long ago, I read about President Franklin D. Roosevelt. FDR got tired of the same inane small talk and smiles that he had to put up with at all the White House receptions that he attended. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was really listening to what he was saying. As each person came up to him with extended hand, he flashed that big smile and said, “I smacked my grandmother this morning.” People would automatically respond with comments like “How lovely!” or “Just continue your great work!” Nobody listened to what he was actually saying, except for one foreign diplomat. When the president said, “I smacked my grandmother this morning,” the diplomat responded softly, “I’m sure she had it coming.” ~~~In contrast, people in Jesus’ day listened to what he said -they recognized he had a natural authority that the religious leaders didn’t have. On this day, Jesus was confronted by a man with an unclean spirit. And Jesus dealt with the situation with 7 short words: “Be silent, and come out of him.” 7 little words that changed everything for that man as Jesus healed him. ~~~We live in a world of words. Words can captivate us, manipulate us, frighten or delight us. The words spoken by poet Amanda Gorman at the Inauguration got so much attention-words coming from such a young but incredibly wise 22 year old woman – powerful and moving whether you like the new President or not. To us humans, words matter – they can build us up or tear us down. They can invite or turn away. They can plant seeds of hope or dig a pit of despair. Words matter to us humans. And there are so many words out there, clamoring for our attention.
~~~I remember when my girls were little, my words mattered to them. Even if they challenged me or questioned what I asked them to do, if they asked “Why?” and I would say “Because I said so” that was enough. Then as they got older, as the voices of friends, and teachers and the world got louder in their lives, I marveled at how diminished the authority of my words were to them…especially when they were teenagers. Anyone else experience that? They thought I was smart when they were little, then as they grew, they thought I wasn’t so smart….teenagers, am I right?? The world is a loud place and the power of words matter to us humans.
~~~News outlets share words-and it’s hard to tell if they are sharing fact or opinion because they are all shared as if they are fact. Words can incite violence or heal wounded hearts and lives. Words have power and meaning and words matter. We have seen evidence of the power of words in our own country in these past years. Words matter.
~~~And isn’t it true that often the loudest voice or the one that speaks with authority gets our attention. Satan’s voice can be pretty loud – and also very attractive. One of my favorite movies when my kids were small was “Bedazzled” with Brendan Frazier. And the Devil was portrayed by a super model. It really highlighted that the Devil wants to be attractive and interesting and appealing to us. The Devil speaks to our human desire to do things our way instead of God’s way…leading us away in things big and small, speaking seductively and invitingly so it’s hard for us to not listen or look or go. The Devil lies, deceives, and is always trying to lead us from God. If the Devil really looked or sounded like he is often portrayed-with scaly skin and horns, that pitchfork tail and ugly fangs and a frightening roar, it would be easy to identify the Devil and know when to not listen or look away. But when the Devil is presented as a super model -with an English accent no less – it can be confusing for us humans to have the strength of will to resist.
~~~But Jesus is the Word of God who speaks the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God who speaks with the authority of God-and it is a Word that heals. We see that in those 7 words spoken to the man with the unclean spirit: “Be silent, and come out of him.” Jesus’ Word is a word that calls us to love. “Love one another”, Jesus said. It is a word that unites, and forgives, builds up and promises. It is a Word that gives us meaning for this life and gives us a hope for the life to come. “This is my Body, given for you. This is my Blood shed for you, for the forgiveness of sin. ..May my followers be one as you, Father, and I are one….Today you will be with me in paradise. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them in the way I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age….”
~~~In Scripture, in prayer, in meditation and pondering, in the godly words of people we know who love the Lord and people God has sent our way, we can hear the Words meant for us from God, often spoken by Jesus, the Word of God.
~~~Words matter. Words are powerful. Words have the ability to heal or to hurt. And my friends, as Christians we have the ability, we have been given free will by our God , to choose which words to which we will listen. There are lots of words, loud words coming at us from all directions. Words from people, words from friends and family, written and spoken, words from the Devil, and Words from the Word – the still small voice of God which wants to speak peace and forgiveness to our hearts and invites us to walk with the Word, Jesus in this life , all the way to eternal life. Words matter, Words are powerful. And we can choose to which words we will listen. Will we listen to Jesus the Word of God, the one who speaks with the authority of God, or others? The choice is ours. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION – Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need. A brief silence.
For all who share the gospel and proclaim freedom in Christ throughout the world, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For all God’s works in creation: plants and animals, water and soil, forests and farms; and for those tasked with protecting our natural resources and all that exists, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For government and leaders: cities and nations, rescue professionals and legal aid attorneys, elected officials and grassroots organizers; for all responsible for the well-being of civil society, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: those who are sick and hospitalized, those struggling with mental illness, those who are hungry or homeless, and all in any need (especially); for caregivers, hospice workers, and home health aides, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For the concerns of this congregation, for the people of God in this place and for other needs in our community, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For the covenant God made with us in the waters of baptism, in thanksgiving for the baptized who have died in the Lord, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. 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: Isaiah 40:21-31; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
The January thru March Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS
Altar Guild: Gail Zahs & Delores Hall
Usher: Alan Beicht
Counters: Lorraine Maass & Fran Kostrowsky
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:
Lavelle, for God’s peace and comfort
Josh for God’s peace and comfort
Dale for healing and Sue for God’s loving presence and strength
Patti for healing and comforyt
Ian for sure and strong presence of God’s healing grace
Beth Bercaw for prayers for protection and strength
Doris Puerner for healing
Ron Ogden for healing
Joann Ogden, Ron’s mother for healing
Marirose for a healing
Helen for healing
George 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
NEWS AT HOPE
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!! A new class is beginning on Monday, Feb 1 from 11-12noon. 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.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY AT HOPE!! Wednesdays at 10:00 AM there will be worship in the parking lot for all those who wish to join us for prayer, a brief homily and study of Scripture and sharing in the Eucharist.
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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