Reflections on Sunday: Faith and Life
It is probably helpful to give a bit of context for understanding where we are in the Gospel of Matthew. After all, except for a few readings during Holy Week, we've been milling around John's Gospel since early Lent. But it is the "year of Matthew" in the lectionary, so what's up with that?
During this "time after Pentecost," we will be, more or less, moving through the Gospel of Matthew chapter by chapter. Right now we are in the section known as the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7). It is the first of five "discourses" (sets of teaching instructions) in the Gospel:
ch. 5-7: Sermon on the Mount
ch. 10: Missionary Instruction
ch. 11-12: Instruction through Parables
ch. 18: Church/Community Instruction
ch. 23-25: Sermon on Eschatology ("Last Things")
Some have suggested that these five discourses are meant to parallel the Pentateuch, the first Five Books of Moses of the Old Testament. Whether that is the case or not, Matthew's Gospel is very much a teaching Gospel. And we, like the first disciples, are invited to sit at Jesus' feet and listen. So, like the stained glass window on the west wall of our sanctuary invites us, we sit with Mary at the feet of Jesus and listen intently.
May 31: The Visitation
On May 31 the Church celebrates the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. This festival marks the occasion when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth who was herself pregnant with John. Elizabeth pronounced Mary "blessed among women," and Mary responded with the song called the Magnificat. You may want to consider praying the Magnificat this Saturday: Luke 1:47-55.
Memorial Day
If you would like to continue the celebration of Memorial Day, you can help our servicemen and women through sending care packages. There is an article on p. 6 of our monthly newsletter.
On the Web
Our denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has recently launched a new version of its website. You may want to explore a bit and see what you can find there.
You may also want to explore what is going on with global missions in our own synod.
Summer Sunday School
Summer Sunday School begins this week. Children will begin a series from Concordia called "Journey with Jesus". Lisa's class continues with a study of the lectionary readings called Daily Discipleship. And the pastors' class will be watching and discussing various films in the Nooma series by Pastor Rob Bell of Mars Hill Church. This week's video is called "Rain" and explores what it means when the rain comes in our lives--where is God in all this?
Baccalaureate
The Eastwood High School Baccalaureate service is Sunday, June 1 @ 7pm at St. John's Lutheran in Stony Ridge. Come and celebrate with our graduates and pray for them as they begin new chapters in their faith journeys.
Preparing for Sunday (June 1)
In preparation for Sunday, read Deuteronomy 11:18-28 and Matthew 7:21-29. You may also want to read Deuteronomy, chapter 6. Taken together, these two texts speak of the integration of faith and life. What does it mean when the word of the Lord moves from the page into the very marrow of our bones? The rest of the readings for Sunday are available here.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Week of Holy Trinity Sunday: May 18-24
New Format
Welcome to the new format for our weekly devotions. Why the change? Our hope is that it will make accessing the readings each week easier (see links at the right) and that it will now be possible to find previous devotional writings (see archives, also on the right).
Holy Trinity Sunday
Pastor Wietelmann reminded us Sunday of God's persistent love for us. English poet Francis Thompson is famous for writing a short verse in which he describes Christ as a "hound of heaven" who persistently searches for us to redeem us. I was reminded of this beautiful poem when our preschoolers this week gathered for "pet days." May God relentlessly pursue you this week!
Cross Training Event
Thanks to all who attended the Cross Training event this past weekend in Bowling Green featuring Tony Campolo, Ken Medema, Steve Marsh and Lost & Found. It was a great time. Look for another "revival" of sorts December 5-6 called Revive Us, Again in Bowling Green at St. Mark's and a Lost & Found concert coming up on Sunday, September 28. Members who attended all or part of this year's event included Dale Bruning, Rick Rahe, Renee Farmer and Don Gerke. Ask them what they thought of the experience and what they learned.
Bible Reading
How often is Bible reading a part of your routine? Daily? Weekly (besides worship)? Monthly? Hardly ever? Our denomination is promoting an initiative called Book of Faith to encourage us to be more familiar with and immersed in the Scriptures.
Summertime: Summer Sunday School begins June 1st
A big thank you to all teachers, helpers, confirmation guides, as well as our parish ed deacons Lisa and Becky for a lot of hard work during this past school year.
This summer there will several opportunities to continue our growth in faith. Children (preschool - grade 5) will meet in the basement and begin a summerlong "Journey with Jesus," complete with passport. Come travel with them!
For adults there will be two opportunities: a class on the Sunday readings in the chapel and another class exploring faith questions/issues using Rob Bell's Nooma series. Check out the website for some previews. The high school youth will also be invited to join the Nooma class as we watch the short videos together and then break into smaller groups for discussion.
Summertime: Vacation Bible School: June 16-20 from 9:00 - 11:30 am
Summertime is also VBS time. This year the emphasis will be on service. Come and learn what it means to serve others in the name of Jesus. New this year is an adult component called Lord, Teach us to Pray. Come learn some new prayer forms with Pastor Matt. We will join the children and youth for the opening and then learn about and practice some lesser-know Christian prayer forms.
Looking to Sunday
In preparation for Sunday, read Psalm 131 (it's a short one you could easily memorize), Isaiah 49:16a and Matthew 6:24-34. You may also want to bring a short scribbled list of things you worry about.
Welcome to the new format for our weekly devotions. Why the change? Our hope is that it will make accessing the readings each week easier (see links at the right) and that it will now be possible to find previous devotional writings (see archives, also on the right).
Holy Trinity Sunday
Pastor Wietelmann reminded us Sunday of God's persistent love for us. English poet Francis Thompson is famous for writing a short verse in which he describes Christ as a "hound of heaven" who persistently searches for us to redeem us. I was reminded of this beautiful poem when our preschoolers this week gathered for "pet days." May God relentlessly pursue you this week!
Cross Training Event
Thanks to all who attended the Cross Training event this past weekend in Bowling Green featuring Tony Campolo, Ken Medema, Steve Marsh and Lost & Found. It was a great time. Look for another "revival" of sorts December 5-6 called Revive Us, Again in Bowling Green at St. Mark's and a Lost & Found concert coming up on Sunday, September 28. Members who attended all or part of this year's event included Dale Bruning, Rick Rahe, Renee Farmer and Don Gerke. Ask them what they thought of the experience and what they learned.
Bible Reading
How often is Bible reading a part of your routine? Daily? Weekly (besides worship)? Monthly? Hardly ever? Our denomination is promoting an initiative called Book of Faith to encourage us to be more familiar with and immersed in the Scriptures.
Summertime: Summer Sunday School begins June 1st
A big thank you to all teachers, helpers, confirmation guides, as well as our parish ed deacons Lisa and Becky for a lot of hard work during this past school year.
This summer there will several opportunities to continue our growth in faith. Children (preschool - grade 5) will meet in the basement and begin a summerlong "Journey with Jesus," complete with passport. Come travel with them!
For adults there will be two opportunities: a class on the Sunday readings in the chapel and another class exploring faith questions/issues using Rob Bell's Nooma series. Check out the website for some previews. The high school youth will also be invited to join the Nooma class as we watch the short videos together and then break into smaller groups for discussion.
Summertime: Vacation Bible School: June 16-20 from 9:00 - 11:30 am
Summertime is also VBS time. This year the emphasis will be on service. Come and learn what it means to serve others in the name of Jesus. New this year is an adult component called Lord, Teach us to Pray. Come learn some new prayer forms with Pastor Matt. We will join the children and youth for the opening and then learn about and practice some lesser-know Christian prayer forms.
Looking to Sunday
In preparation for Sunday, read Psalm 131 (it's a short one you could easily memorize), Isaiah 49:16a and Matthew 6:24-34. You may also want to bring a short scribbled list of things you worry about.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Small Catechism and Daily Devotions
I was reading something by Martin Luther several months ago (I believe it was in his introduction to the Small Catechism or Large Catechism) in which he encouraged everyone--including himself--to be daily a student of the catechism: to approach it, to learn from it, to sit and learn.
In this spirit, I have added portions of the Small Catechism to my daily prayer routine. For those interested, I offer this as another possibility for daily devotions. Here is the schedule I use:
Mondays: Ten Commandments and explanation
Tuesday: Apostles' Creed and explanation
Wednesday: Lord's Prayer and explanation
Thursday: Sacrament of Holy Baptism and explanation
Friday: Confession and explanation
Saturday: Sacrament of the Altar (Holy Communion) and explanation
Sunday: Review of all parts or "Daily Prayers," "Table of Duties" and "Christian Questions with Their Answers"
It is a great way to review the basics of our Faith and doctrine and to be a student of the catechism, as Luther encourages us to be.
The version of the Small Catechism I use is published by Concordia ($10).
In this spirit, I have added portions of the Small Catechism to my daily prayer routine. For those interested, I offer this as another possibility for daily devotions. Here is the schedule I use:
Mondays: Ten Commandments and explanation
Tuesday: Apostles' Creed and explanation
Wednesday: Lord's Prayer and explanation
Thursday: Sacrament of Holy Baptism and explanation
Friday: Confession and explanation
Saturday: Sacrament of the Altar (Holy Communion) and explanation
Sunday: Review of all parts or "Daily Prayers," "Table of Duties" and "Christian Questions with Their Answers"
It is a great way to review the basics of our Faith and doctrine and to be a student of the catechism, as Luther encourages us to be.
The version of the Small Catechism I use is published by Concordia ($10).
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