Sunday, August 15, 2021 Mary, Mother of Our Lord
August 15, 2021
My dearest Hope Family-
~~~This weekend, we take a detour off the regular lectionary readings to focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord. Martin Luther held the Virgin Mary in high regard and had a deep devotion for her witness and example his entire life. The Blessed Virgin Mary is on the calendar of the Saints for the Lutheran Church, as are other saints-examples of faith, obedience, truth, and a bold witness that serve to encourage and embolden us in our faith journey.
~~~All of us are both saints and sinners by virtue of our Baptism. The saints we hold up on the church calendar are shining examples of the faith, but they are truly human as you me. One of the blessings of learning about the lives of the saints is knowing that they were indeed sinners as well as saints-just like us. That should be of tremendous comfort on those days when we feel less than what God is calling us to be.
~~~The Virgin Mary is a bold witness to Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Angel Gabriel told her of this amazing Son of God -an event we celebrate on the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25. Throughout Advent, we hear of The Blessed Virgin Mary’s expecting and pondering and her faithful obedience to the birth of this Holy Child as she submitted to Gd’s Will. She was present at the most important events in the life of her son, including standing at the foot of his cross on the day of his crucifixion. Mary’s obedience to God as the God-bearer is an example to each of us in our lives of faith who are tasked to bring Jesus to the world in our time and in our place.
~~~Today, we get a hint of Advent in the midst of these hazy and hot days of August. Please pray for me as I pray for you! In love
Pr. Jen Schaefer+
Please be advised – due to a rise of Covid infection in our community and country, masks will be required for everyone entering our building beginning Monday, August 2 until further notice. Thanks for complying to this directive! Be safe!
Sunday, August 15, 2021Mary, Mother of Our Lord
~~Mary’s role is not limited to giving birth to Jesus and mothering him in his childhood. In John’s gospel, she is among the women standing near the cross; in Acts, she is among the disciples awaiting the gift of the Spirit. Through all that happened she continued to see how God was at work through her son, keeping the ancient promises to her ancestors, brushing aside the rich and powerful, and focusing on those as poor and powerless as Mary herself.
The Prayer of the Day Almighty God, in choosing the virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son, you made known your gracious regard for the poor, the lowly, and the despised. Grant us grace to receive your word in humility, and so to be made one with your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
The Prayer of the Day Almighty God, in choosing the virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son, you made known your gracious regard for the poor, the lowly, and the despised. Grant us grace to receive your word in humility, and so to be made one with your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Gospel : Luke 1:46-55 Mary’s song, the Magnificat, serves as a thematic anthem for God’s work in the world and therefore for the ministry of her son, Jesus. In Mary’s praise we hear of a saving God who remembers the humble, scatters the proud, lifts up the lowly, and fulfills all things.
46Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY :. It started during World War I. Flags outside homes. Each blue star represented a family member in the service. The greatest fear of a military mother or father-then or now—was to get a knock on the door, notifying them that their child had been killed in action. The blue star would be replaced by a gold star. Since then, the mothers and fathers of sons or daughters who have died while on military duty are called Gold Star Mothers and Fathers. ~~~Every year in our country, countless mothers and fathers get a knock on the door that can bring the bitter, heartbreaking news that a child was killed by a shooting, a car accident, a suicide, violence or disaster. Today on this Feast of Mary, the mother of our Lord, we imagine Mary holding her dead son’s body, depicted in Michelangelo’s pieta and other renderings. Mary’s life—like ours—was full of contradictions. She pondered Gabriel’s greeting that would change her life. She pondered a birth that brought joyful angels and shepherds. She pondered Simeon’s prophesy that a sword would pierce her soul. And then she watched her son executed-crucified on a cross. ~~~What does the name Mary mean? The Hebrew word mara means bitter, and also suggests strength. Moses’ sister, Miriam, is a Mary, derived from the word mara. In addition to Mary, Mother of Jesus, we have Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, the Marys at the cross, and the Marys at the resurrection. So many Marys in the Bible! What’s going on? Well, during the time of Jesus, Mary was a common name among lower classes of people. Poor girls were called Mary, meaning bitter. Back in those days the birth of a daughter was not cause for much rejoicing-only sons counted and the women, the Mary’s were not valued. Sons brought honor and support, daughters were property. Mary’s in the time of Jesus had difficult lives at best. And yet–
~~~In Mary’s song, the Magnificat, praise to God flows from bitterness. Lowly Mary—her own reputation tarnished by an unwed pregnancy—sings of a mighty God who lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things. God’s tender care is for all humanity. All lives matter, of course. But this mercy, this favor is especially for those at the bottom of life’s heap: the little ones, the poor, the wretched of the earth. Those heartbroken and grieving. Those unfairly treated. Those whose lives do not begin on equal footing with others. Those marked by the bitter and harsh realities of an unfair world.
~~~So black lives matter to God—and we need to say Black lives matter because for too long in our country, black lives haven’t mattered. People of color, indigenous people, sexual minorities matter. Those who are homeless, incarcerated matter. Those who are exiles and immigrants. Those living with sickness and mental illness. All those left behind, all those ignored, all those rejected matter. And all of us, who turn away our eyes from the suffering of others, who turn our eyes from our own deep need, our own deep human vulnerability. All matter to the Holy One. ~~~On this feast of Mary, mother of our Lord, the world looks to strong Mary . . . to Mary, woman of justice . . . to Mary, the one who sings of God’s mercy . . . to Mary, whose life is one of openness and praise. For generations, the faithful have turned to Mary as a source of compassion and comfort. Finding in her—even without knowing it—an example of perfect faith, perfect obedience, perfect discipleship. Icons portray as Mary as the Comforter, or the Sorrowful Mother. the Blessed Mother.
~~~Martin Luther is known for his devotion and abiding honor of The Blessed Virgin Mary Of her he wrote: “She became the Mother of God, in which work so many and such great good things are bestowed on her as pass man’s understanding. For on this there follows all honor, all blessedness, and her unique place in the whole of mankind, among which she has no equal, namely, that she had a child by the Father in heaven, and such a Child…. “Hence men have crowded all her glory into a single word, calling her the Mother of God…. None can say of her nor announce to her greater things, even though he had as many tongues as the earth possesses flowers and blades of grass: the sky, stars; and the sea, grains of sand. It needs to be pondered in the heart what it means to be the Mother of God
~~~Mary reminds us of divine comfort, mercy and grace. She births the One who is Lord and Savior. Through our connection to her, we proclaim a God who is not only Father, Creator, and Mighty One, but a Parenting God.. A fierce God who will do anything to defend God’s children. A lvoing God who suffers with us when a knock on the door, or a phone call or a news story, brings bitter, soul-piercing reality that breaks our hearts ~~~Mary sings a revolutionary song: God lifts up the lowly. But there is more. Mary sings not of us remembering God, but of God remembering us. God comes to our help, remembering the promise of mercy to our forebears. Then and now, God promises to be faithful even when we are not. When bitterness overwhelms us, like a tsunami. When we set our sights too low. When we focus on our own ego and security, rather than on the lowly of the earth, not to mention the creation itself. Even when bitter sorrow pierces our hearts, Mary teaches us to sing the sweet praise of a tender God of mercy. A compassionate One who holds us close, even through our loss, even through our tears. Mary, mother of our Lord was the theotokos, the God-bearer. As his disciples, in our Baptism, we too are called to bear Christ to the world through love and kindness, faith, and joy. As Luther reminds us: : “It needs to be pondered in the heart what it means to be the mother of God.” Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Rooted in Christ and sustained by the Spirit, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all of creation. A brief silence.
God of wisdom, enlighten your church. Teach us to ask faithful questions and open our minds to new ideas. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of creation, mend the earth. Increase our awareness of changing climate patterns and reveal new approaches to the ecological challenges we face. Shield those in the path of hurricanes , fires, or tropical storms. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all nations, direct our leaders. Grant them courage to lay aside political grudges and renew their determination to address difficult conflicts. Guide them in the work of reconciliation. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of compassion, tend to the wounded. Rescue those tormented by mental illness or mired in addiction. Ease the anxiety of those struggling with dementia. Come quickly to help all who are grieving and all those who suffer (especially). God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of beauty, inspire artists. Bless all who bring music to us. Bless the creative work of poets, hymnwriters, composers, painters, sculptors, and others that enrich our worship and daily life. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of resurrection, bring us to new life. Give us the living bread from heaven through which we abide in your love, and on the last day raise us with Mary, mother of Jesus and all the saints to eternal life. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We lift these and all our prayers to you, O God, confident in the promise of your saving love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69
The July thru September Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Altar Guild: Candy Ogden YTD Income through July $71,991
Usher: Karl Kaukis YTD Expense through July $83,939
Counters: Pr Cheryll and Karl Kaukis YTD Deficit through July $11,948
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:
William & Jeannie for healing and peace
Jan for healing
Vanessa for healing
Richard Massey and Rick for healing
Bill for healing
Doreen Parkinson for healing
John for healing
Herb Sixbury for healing
Monica for healing and God’s presence
Cyndi and Fred for healing
Doris Puerner for healing
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.
Pastor Pat for healing
Pastor Marilyn for healing
Pat for comfort
Gini for healing
NEW AT HOPE
SHOES FOR KIDS – Kiwanis’ collected 4634 new pairs of sneakers, which surpassed their goal. Thank you for your contributions.
UNDIES & SCHOOL SUPPLIES Between now and Sunday Sept. 12, Gods Work Our Hands Sunday, lets collect underwear and school supplies for our local students. Our collection will be blessed the weekend of Sept. 11 and 12 and then shared with or community. Help us as we make a difference in Jesus’ name.
KINDNESS KORNER Following along with Book Club suggestions, this week’s act of kindness will be to wave at people with a smile as they pass by.
CRAFT SHOW Linda Kraigenow will be selling her beautiful handmade jewelry at TheSummer Bazaar on August 21, 2021 at the George Mullen Center Gym, 1602 Kramer Way, North Port, from 10:00 to 3:00. Please come out and support Linda. All proceeds are donated to Hope Lutheran Church.
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY . Unfortunately suspended for the time being.
HOPE LOVE PANTRY is looking for a volunteer to restock the pantry on Thursday mornings during office hours which are 9:00 AM to Noon. 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.
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 will resume in the fall.
2021 HOPE LUTHERAN COUNCIL MEMBERS
Pr Jennifer Schaefer 813.391.2027 hopeluthern1@comcast.net
Pres Jill Mead 941.350.5209 jillmead3059@gmail.com
V P Linda Kraigenow 941.623.9188 lindak41549@gmail.com
Sec’y Roberta Balint 941.830.2381 roberta.in.paradise@gmail.com
Treas Karl Kaukis 405.334.1511 karl@kaukis.com
Fin’l Sec’y Lorraine Maass 540.419.5961 yar0227@ymail.com
Pr. Cheryll A-K 405.762.0564 cheryll.kaukis@gmail.com
Candy Ogden 217.899.7086 roncandyogden92@gmail.com
Donna Turner 941.276.4696 jag01@embarqmail.com
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