5th Sunday After Epiphany, February 6 – 7, 2021
February 7, 2021
Dearest Brothers and Sisters of Hope Lutheran Church.
In St, Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus, he wrote (Ephesians 4:32) “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” He also wrote in Galatians e:14 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” All of these phrases are echoes of Jesus’ words to “Love one another.”
When I was a kid, we often sang “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” It was sung in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was a frequent request by all of us. Here are the lyrics:
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one int he Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.
Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride.All praise to the Father, from whom all things come;
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one.
We are one int he Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.
Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride.All praise to the Father, from whom all things come;
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one.
We are called to love one another – and it is by our love that they (others around us) will know that we follow Jesus our Savior, who calls us to love. Jesus calls us to love. St. Paul reminds us to love. We aren’t asked to judge others, or define others or separate ourselves from others. We are called to love others. It is this love, not kissy huggy love, but true compassion and care and respect for every single person that defines our very lives as followers of Christ. They will know we are Christians, Christ followers, by our love. Jesus says; “Love one another.”
In Jesus’ love, Pr. Jen Schaefer+
5th Sunday after Epiphany, February 6-7, 2021
PRAYER OF THE DAY – Let us pray. Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, that your good news may be made known to the ends of your creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
READING Mark 1:29-39 – Everywhere Jesus goes, many people expect him to set them free from oppression. Everywhere he goes, he heals people and sets them free. Disease, devils, and death are running for their lives. The forces that diminish human life are rendered powerless by Jesus.
A reading from Mark. 29As soon as [Jesus and the disciples] left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
32That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY – One of my favorite singers is Josh Groban. When he sings “You Raise Me Up” I get tears in my eyes every time. The words speak to my heart because I KNOW that these are words about Jesus who supports and lifts the Peter’s mother in law, and yes, Jesus lifts me up day by day. If you have heard this song, please bear with me-and if you don’t know it already, I share these words that they may inspire you as well. I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
There is no life – no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when you come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when you come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
~~~You know, there is an old story about the devil and his henchmen and how they planned to keep people away from the faith. Basically, the devil’s plan was this: to keep people busy in the nonessentials of life. To let them do as they wished as long as they were kept so busy that they didn’t have time to develop a relationship with Jesus. The Devil invited his little devils to encourage the people to spend, spend, spend and work, work, work, and play endlessly. Over -stimulate the human minds with entertainment and sounds and sights so that they could never hear the still, small voice of God speaking to them. Never let them read the Bible – instead focus on magazines and emails and texts and tweets and on TV. Flood their minds with images of perfect hair, perfect smiles, and perfect bodies as the media present them so that they never feel confident or satisfied with themselves. If they do go out to the mountaintops or the shore, typical places of encounters with Jesus, make sure it happens on Sundays so that they don’t connect with their Christian brothers and sisters. Keep them so busy, busy, busy, that they don’t have time to pray, time to think, time to reflect or ponder or remember that God is the source of all their blessings. The final words of the Devil to his followers? “Keep the people busy, busy, busy and it will work.” Did it work?
~~~Do you feel drained? Are you losing hope or finding it harder and harder to find joy? Is time for peace and quiet and prayer and study of the Word a thing of the past, or at least so hard to come by that it is a rarity? Do you listen to the hopes and dreams God has placed on your heart? Do you feel besieged from all sides-family, sickness, pandemic, worry, work, everything-and feel it is impossible to get it all together? Do you feel pushed down, exhausted, perhaps even defeated, overwhelmed by busy-ness-feeling low and wanting to feel raised up and lifted up? If you feel ANY of that, you’re not alone!
~~~Today, notice how Jesus spent the Sabbath day – he went to worship then he went to his friends’ house and brought healing to Simon Peter’s mother in law – it was a full day, very full, very busy. The next morning, we hear that Jesus went out early to pray and after spending time with God, he went on with his teaching and healing and proclaiming the kingdom of God, In all this, Jesus provides us with two examples of being raised up. ~~~First of all, Simon Peter’s mother in law. Jesus came to her and healed her, and our Gospel says he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and then she began to serve. And isn’t that what Jesus does for us? He heals us-of whatever is hurting or hindering us-worries, anxieties, anguish, sin – he heals us perfectly and completely as he lavishes upon us his healing love and forgiveness and we are lifted up. As the song says: When I am down and o my soul so weary. When troubles come and my heart burdened be….You raise me up to more than I can be.
~~~Jesus does that – taking our burdens upon himself when we let him, taking our hurting hearts and comforting us with his presence and peace. Filling us with wonder and joy as he provides us with a promise and hope of heaven with him. Filling us with the gifts we need to be more with him than we could ever be on our own through Baptism and Holy Communion, the cleansing and forgiving waters, and his very Body and Blood. Yes, Jesus raises us up. ~~~But the other example that Jesus provides is his time for worship and prayer to restore him and his energies with God-time apart from the busy-ness. This is power. Do we remember why we came here to worship in the first place? Do we recall the simplicity of what God wants of us? Do we recall the promises God has given us? Do we remember how God has helped us in the past? Do we remember there is fuel for our spiritual tanks, food for our journey, supplies for our task, recovery for our soul, hope for our hearts, and direction for our days? Do we turn aside from the hustle and bustle, the worries of the day, the busy-ness, and allow God to dwell with in, to fill us up, to restore us, to guide us so that we can do and be what God wants and what God wills us to be – so much more than we could ever be on our own?
~~~Jesus went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath to worship, re-energize and pray, then went out to heal and forgive and fill up and raise up those who needed him. Then he went off to pray and reconnect with God again. He gave himself time to be fed as he fed others, not just pouring himself out, but also allowing the Spirit of God to be poured into him so that he had the energy he needed for the task ahead, allowing himself to be lifted up by God’s love and then going out to share that love with others. ~~~We can learn and take heart from Jesus’ example, allowing God to feed us with his Word and Sacraments, allowing his Word of love and forgiveness spoken from the cross to raise us up from our sin to new life in him. We can allow his very Body and Blood to pour into us his hope, his freedom, his joy as we are then sent out to fulfill our purpose to be led by his Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all people. Today we celebrate that the Lord raises us up, so that we can share his love as we raise up others to know hi m and love him as we do. He raises us up to be more than we can be on our own. Jesus raises us up. Thanks be to God! 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 the church: for ministries of healing and wholeness, for hospital, hospice, and military chaplains, for those serving in prison ministry, for all who proclaim freedom and release in the name of Christ, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For creation: for insects in the grass, clouds on the mountaintops, for cattle and the rainwater they drink, for the humility to take our place among all creatures of the earth, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For the nations: for all who lead in cities and towns, states and countries; for community organizers, school officials, and CEOs; for international health organizations, that in times of trial, fear, or hopelessness, they find freedom in service to those most in need, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For all wearied by life’s burdens: for those who are poor, for those lacking supportive relationships, for those crushed by debt, for those struggling with chronic pain or other sickness, for those exhausted from overwork or stress, and for all who cry out to you (especially), let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For this congregation: for outreach and social ministries like our Hope pantry – for all who support it and all who need its blessings, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
In thanksgiving for the faithful departed, who were called by name and now rest from their labors, that their lives serve as witnesses to the goodness of God, 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: 2 Kings 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9
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
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
Josh for healing
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
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 healingJason for healing
NEW AT HOPE
ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT AT HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
On Wednesday, February 17, the church throughout the world begins the 40-day journey through Lent with Ash Wednesday. We begin this journey with the mark of our mortality in ash on our foreheads in the shape of the cross which is the symbol of our hope in Christ. Then, leading up to Holy Week, we will meet for five 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 =
Ash Wednesday Feb. 17 10am and 4:30pm in the parking lot
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, March 28, 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!! 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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