My dearest Hope Family:
Author A. A Malee wrote: Ah, kindness. What a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in the world.” Such a profound statement on two levels – this acknowledges that we are all struggling in one way or another as humans – as Christians – struggling between our natural sinful self and our willingness to be the saints God has called us to be in our Baptism. Martin Luther said we are “simul justus et peccator”- simultaneously saint and sinner. That is what we are – struggling folks with a natural inclination to do things our way (the sinful self), all the while trying in our faith to be the saints we are called to be . We are all indeed struggling souls. It’s the human condition.
However, being a part of this Christian family can make such a difference in our struggle. We have companions on the way – people who understand our struggles. Each of us may have different challenges, but we are all in the same boat when it comes being both saint and sinners. In this community, we pray for each other, support each other, love each other. The Holy Spirit also prays on our behalf when we are too weak or burdened to do it. Such is God’s love for us! And that is often reflected by our brothers and sisters in the acts of kindness and love shown us, the words of encouragement shared with us, and the presence reminding us that we are not alone in all this. In each other, we are reminded of God’s love and we can represent God’s love to others so that they, too, can feel less alone.
Our Book Club shared the following suggestions this week from chapters 5 & from our Human Kind conversations:
Kindness suggestions in weekly bulletin for us all to embrace:
Christmas Jar project in Advent
Blood/Organ/Marrow/Plasma donations organized through HopeLC
Say/do something nice for someone TODAY-everyday!
Smile at a stranger or everyone
YOU MATTER cards handed out-being sensitive to those receiving-
Card ministry to St, Jude’s kids or others, including cards from the YOU MATTER website
Offer words of encouragement whenever we can
Share magazines with Southport Square or local elementary school
Partner with Kindness Kids-a school program
be patient in listening-especially with Seniors-allowing peole to express themselves in their own time and own way
Be sensitive to Seniors
Lead with Yes
Collecting Senior Stories
Partner with Phoenix House (homeless ministry) in Englewood
Offer Pancake breakfast-donations accepted
Volunteer anywhere as you can
Don’t get discouraged-plant the seeds
The list is growing!!! I am so excited about the possibilities-I hope you are too! My love is with each of you and my prayers are for you
~~~ Pr. Jen Schaefer+
6 th Sunday after Pentecost~~July 3-4, 2021
The Prayer of the Day God of the covenant, in our baptism you call us to proclaim the coming of your kingdom. Give us the courage you gave the apostles, that we may faithfully witness to your love and peace in every circumstance of life, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Gospel : Mark 6:1-13 At home and abroad, Jesus and his disciples encounter resistance as they seek to proclaim God’s word and relieve affliction. 1[Jesus] came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY :. How did your hometown celebrate the 4 th of July? Parades? Firetrucks and convertibles? Sparklers and firecrackers? Cookouts with burgers and dogs, corn on the cob, cherry pie? Flags waving? Trips to the beach? Ice ream or watermelon? Hometowns and their memories can bring great comfort and a cozy feeling. It isn’t that way for everyone but many experience some nostalgia when they think of the front porches, the neighbors, the holidays celebrated.
Jesus went to his hometown in our Gospel, but it wasn’t a great reunion, unfortunately. People couldn’t accept that the little guy who had grown up among them could now heal and teach and preach better than anyone else. It just wasn’t possible to see him like that. That old phrase “familiarity breeds contempt” was really being lived out that day.
Jesus wasn’t the only one Stories abound in history of folks who are disrespected and disregarded, not recognized for their brilliance by some of those closest to them. Beethoven had an awkward playing style and his teacher called him a hopeless composer. Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four and didn’t read til he was 9. His teacher called him mentally slow, unsociable, and adrift in his foolish dreams. Louisa May Alcott’s family thought she was uneducable and encouraged her to work as a seamstress of house servant. F.W. Woolworth was told by his employer that he didn’t have the intelligence to wait on customers. Richard Hooker, author of the novel MASH, had his book rejected by 21 publishers. Thomas Edison’s teachers advised his parents to keep him home from school, stating that he was too stupid to learn anything. Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor who said he lacked creative ideas. The father of the sculptor Rodin said he had an idiot for a son. He was repeatedly rejected to a school of art. Fred Astaire was described by a testing director as one who can’t act, slightly bald, and can dance a little. Sheesh – pretty brutal, right? And Jesus, preaching and teaching in his hometown, was rejected.
Because they had known him before, they figured he had nothing in him that could amount to being great. Their lack of faith proved to be an obstacle – Jesus was too much for them. He didn’t fit into their mold or box of the kid next door who grew up to be a carpenter. How dare he try to preach to them!! And because they figured that they had him all figured out, they missed out on the amazing and wonderful miracles he wanted to share with them – as the Gospel says; “And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cared them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.”
OK – there’s a real warning here for us. For those of us who know Jesus-for those of us who grew up in the church or have spent time in the church – for those of us who have read part or all of the Bible or studied parts of it in groups – for those of us who live a daily discipleship as we follow the teachings of Jesus, there is a real warning here for us – We can assume that we know Jesus so well that there’s not anything more to learn. We have been through the liturgical calendar and experienced his birth and life and death and resurrection. We might be able to quote Scripture and we pray and ve relationship with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
BUT my friends, there is always more to know about Jesus. Just as our world and country change, so too does our faith change and grow. There is always more to experience about Jesus and his love. There is always more to absorb, more to live out, more to cherish about our Lord and Savior. That’s why bible Study and worship and working together to follow Jesus’ directives is so important for our daily discipleship. We can never assume that we know it all or have an edge over anyone else in the faith department. Honestly, as we grow and learn and live, things about Jesus’ teaching may strike us differently today than they did a decade or even a year ago. As the world changes, our response to those changes shift, too-and Scripture always rises to the challenge to direct us and guide us. God is always new, always changing, always challenging us to continue to grow and learn and live and love – all in Jesus’ name. Having a hometown of faith in our hearts can be cozy and warm and gives us a feeling of peace, but we can never become complacent in thinking we know it all, have it all, or have done it all. No matter who you, where you are in life, or what you are planning to do next, there is always more in Jesus. Don’t let familiarity fill you with a contempt for learning and growing and changing in Jesus’ name – let it simply feed your thirst for more -MORE of Jesus!!! Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Let us come before the triune God in prayer. A brief silence.
God of all, through the waters of baptism you claim people of all races, ethnicities, and languages as your beloved children. Sustain the baptized and increase their faith, that your gospel may be proclaimed throughout the earth. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of the heavens, your creating Spirit animates the universe. We give you thanks for the moon and stars, for the planets and the Milky Way Galaxy, and for all of the mysteries of the cosmos that remain unknown to us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of freedom, you have liberated us from sin and death and rescue us from all forms of spiritual, social, and political oppression. Defend us from tyrants in our midst and deliver us from all forms of slavery or corruption. Direct our freedom for works of liberation and wholeness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of compassion, you became vulnerable in the person of Jesus Christ in solidarity with the disempowered. Strengthen those who feel faint, give courage to those who fear, and bring wholeness to those in need (especially). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of holiness, you send us out into the world to proclaim your love. We pray for our outreach ministries, especially our Hope Love Food Pantry and all our guests who benefit from it. Equip us as we leave this place to witness and serve our neighbors. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We give you thanks that in every time and place you call forth prophets who move us towards freedom. Thank you for those who work for human rights, community organizers, and all who strive for liberty for all. 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: Amos 7:7-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29
The July thru September Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS FINANCIAL INFO
Altar Guild: Delores Hall & Gail Zahs Income thru June $64,615
Usher: Karl Kaukis Expenses thru June $73,061
Counters: Pr. Cheryl AK & Karl Kaukis Expenses more than Income $ 8,446
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:
Eileen & Harold for comfort
John for healing
Mike Litsky for healing
Bobby & Ginger Toomire for healing
Bill for healing
Herb Sixbury for healing
Neil Lohmeyer for healing
Pastor Tom Barbret for healing
Al Bucharelli for healing
Kim for healing
Monica for healing and God’s presence
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.
NEW AT HOPE
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY begins this Wednesday July 7th. Between 5:30 and 6:00 PM we will provide some light snacks but feel free to bring your own food. At 6:00 PM the games begin. All are welcome and bring some friends. The more the merrier.
HOPE LOVE PANTRY is looking for a volunteer to restock the pantry on Thursday mornings during office hours which is 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. If you can assist, please contact Linda Kraigenow.
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. Her email address is leverill@comcast.net.
HOPE BOOK CLUB The book Human Kind by Brad Aronson will be discussed on Wednesdays between 10:00-11:00AM in the Fellowship Hall to produce ideas and strategies to implement more kindness in our world.
KIWANIS SHOES FOR KIDS PROJECT runs through July 25, 2021. Please consider dropping off shoes or making a monetary donation and we will purchase the shoes for you.-
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.
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 Balint 941.830.2381 roberta.in.paradise@gmail.com
Treasurer Karl Kaukis 405.334.1511 karl@kaukis.com
Financial Sec’y 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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