Sabbath from Internet?

We are reconfiguring our internet service this week (cables, lines, the works), so the best way to reach anyone at the church will be by phone: 419-287-4182. If the phone lines are down too (a slight possibility), the US Postal Service is reliable and I'm told two tin cans and a string work wonders too.

This of course means that there will probably not be devotions posted this week, though the readings are available.

Of course, I can't resist commenting on how sometimes it's nice to be off the grid. A seminary professor of mine makes it a discipline to not turn on his computer at least once a week.

Peace be with you this week.

Mary Magdalene and James Zebedee

On July 22 the Church commemorates Saint Mary Magdalene. Today (July 25) the Church commemorates Saint James, son of Zebedee. What do these two have to teach us about the Faith? A lot, I think.

This Sunday we will hear the Kingdom of Heaven compared to a number of things: a mustard seed that grows, leaven that works its way through 50 pounds of dough, a treasure hidden in a field, a merchant in search of fine pearls, a net that gathers in a large catch of fish. If there were two in the history of the Church that "got it" about the Kingdom of Heaven, they were St. Mary Magdalene and St. James the Apostle. St. Mary was the first to run from the tomb and was enTRUSTed with proclaiming the Easter Gospel; St. James was the first of the Twelve to be martyred and so was enCRUSTed with the same glorious Gospel, caked in his own blood.

May we run from the tomb with Mary and witness unto death with James and in so doing behold our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus in all his glory!

Parable of the Sower: Week of July 13-19

Lucy Joy

It has been a few weeks since I have been writing these devotions. We were honored and blessed to welcome our second daughter and third child, Lucy Joy, on July 2nd. Thank you for rejoicing with us at her birth.

Devotional Readings

I have posted devotional readings (based on the Sunday lectionary) from now until July 26 at http://7daydevos.blogspot.com/. You can also view archived devotions on that site.

Voice of the Martyrs

Some of you may be familiar with the group Voice of the Martyrs. They support those around the world who are being persecuted for their Christian faith. In September and October, they are holding several regional (Saturday) conferences. The ones closest to us are:

October 4: Aurora, Ohio

October 18: Ann Arbor, Michigan

For more specific information on each conference, please see http://www.VOMMeetings.com. On the left hand side of the home page, please see Conference Schedule, Regional, and click on the link for the conference nearest you.

Trip to Islamic Center: Tuesday, July 22

For those who might be interested (several members have already expressed interest), this coming Tuesday morning (7/22) we will take a trip to the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo. This tour is part of the Toledo Area Ministries tours of houses of worship. If you are interested, call the church office or see me on Sunday. We will leave Bethlehem's east parking lot at 10:30 am on Tuesday morning to be there by 11 am. The tour is expected to last two hours.

Youth Gathering: New Orleans 2009

Here are a few words from our synod coordinator about the New Orleans youth gathering in 2009:

The ELCA is offering scholarships for youth who desire to attend the 2009 National Youth Gathering but may struggle with the financial means to do so. Scholarships for paying the full price of registration fees are available for up to 1000 youth across the country. Scholarship information can be found at this website: archive.elca.org/youth/gathering_financial.html . Deadline is July 31, 2008.

Also, if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for the Gathering, the ELCA is accepting up to 800 volunteers. The information here is posted at this website: archive.elca.org/youth/gathering_volunteers.html.

Registration for the Gathering begins September 15, 2008 (that's only 3 ½ months away!) and ends January 15, 2009. As of now, the Gathering is open to all young people in the ELCA entering high school by September 2009, those already in high school, and those who will graduate in 2009. (In past gatherings, incoming freshmen were not included in the event. Incoming freshmen are invited!)

New Pastor at Calvary, Northwood

From the synod office…

We are pleased to announce to the Congregations, Pastors, and Associates in Ministry of the North Central Conference that on Sunday, July 20, Robert Scott Noble will be installed as Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Northwood, Ohio. The Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary. A Picnic will be held following the service. If you will attend the picnic, please call the church office at 419-836-8986. (Calvary is located at 1930 Bradner Road, Northwood.) Please pray for Calvary and Pastor Noble.

Four Lutheran Agency Golf Outing

The 12th Annual 4 Lutheran Agencies of NW Ohio Golf Outing will be held on Friday, August 1st. This is an important way for folks to learn about and give support for the missions of the four agencies: Filling Home of Mercy, Luther Home of Mercy, Lutheran Homes Society, and LSS of Northwest Ohio. If you have any questions or need further info, please contact Pastor Jerry Rayl, Filling Home - (419-579-0207) or Karen Schanke, Luther Home - (419-725-5188) or Joyce Willier, LSS of NW Ohio - (419-726-8653) or Pastor Don Wiess, Lutheran Homes Society - (419-861-511).

+Pastor Matt

Books

I probably love books a little too much, so I've decided to embark on an ambitious project: not buying any books for a year. I have yet to work out the details (e.g., Does trading used books at my favorite coffee shop count as a violation? What about required textbooks for a class or work?)

Anyway, I will be cataloging my journey at my blog: No Books for a Year.

In other news, I've posted books I'm reading or want to read (and in some cases have read) in a list below the archive section to the right.

Project Description: No Book Buying for a Year

To test my own discipline, I am embarking on a project to see if I can make it a whole year without buying a book. You see, I love books and buy them like candy when I have the money. For one year I want to rely on the graces of family and friends as well as the public library. Will you join me? We begin August 1, 2008.

Now, we'll obviously have to come up with some ground rules. Here are some reflections:

[1] Does this mean I cannot buy books as a gift? Yes, I think so. But I can give away books I already own as gifts.

[2] What about students who are required to purchase texts? These are exempt if they are required texts. Recommended texts are not exempt.

[3] What about homeschoolers? Books for such instruction would fall under the "textbook" rule (#2) and are exempt.

Lucy Joy

Welcome Lucy Joy! We are so glad you're here.