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February 5 Worship

1/26/2017

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Do you feel you can be of influence in helping to shape the morals of others?  Do you believe that you could enrich the lives of others?  These are questions we can ask ourselves and that pertain to the message this Sunday.  We are brought to our Gospel reading where we have these words of our Lord:

"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot."   Matthew 5:13

In the same breath, Jesus would say to his followers that they are the light of the world and to let their light shine before others.  My message will, however, focus on the aspect of salt.  It is a common ingredient and yet quite powerful when only a little is needed!

We notice here how Jesus gives them an identity.  They ARE salt and as salt serves to be a preservative or add flavor, it can have a strong impact. Think about the morals of those around you?  Maybe they don't match how you live as a Christian.  Do you think you could be of influence? Think, too, of trying to preserve the Christian witness and values in organizations to which you might be a member.

Now, think also about adding flavor to those around you.  Maybe you befriend someone in a way that brings encouragement and support.  You find yourself uplifting that spirit in a moment of despair.  You might have more influence than what you believe.  I would invite you in preparation for this Sunday to think of the decay or corruption around you and how you might be of influence.  After all, we are called to go forward and not be in retreat!  How might you add flavor to those around you?

May God's blessing be upon your preparation and worship for this Sunday. The full Gospel reading is Matthew 5:13 - 20.

Pastor Marty
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January 29 Worship

1/19/2017

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What does God require of us?  If you were asked this question point blank, you might just answer that it is to believe in Christ and keep the faith.   However, there is more to what God requires and maybe you would have felt as such in your answer.

We get a glimpse of what goes beyond just believing to doing as we come to the First Reading for this Sunday.  Here is an excerpt:

"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  Micah 6:8

The scene is one of a courtroom where God is bringing a case against Israel,  The people were not living well in God's ways - there was bribery, misuse of prophesy, and other abuses. Now Micah comes on the scene to state that God is aware of such conditions.  What God requires is not more burnt offerings or even human sacrifice (Micah 6: 6-7), but that the people would do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with their God.  

Think about your own life?  How are you living it out as a person of faith? Do you have a concern for justice - i.e., looking at where there are systemic problems versus just giving immediate aid?  Do you show kindness toward others?  Do you have a sincere way of being in communion with God?  This Sunday invites us to examine our living as people of faith.

You may want to read Micah 6:1-8 in preparation for Sunday's worship. May God's blessing be upon your reading and worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty
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January 22 Worship

1/11/2017

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In this season of Epiphany we would think of God's light shining upon us. This emphasis brings us to the reading from Isaiah 9:1-4 for this Sunday which will form the text of my message.  We have these words:

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness --on them light has shined.  You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.  For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian."  Isaiah 9:2-4

Israel was in deep darkness having lost land to the country of Assyria and being taken captive.  Now the prophet is talking about a new time of reclaiming the land.  God's intervention - God's light - would win them the victory!

I would invite you to think about the "darkness" in our world today - how people are being oppressed, where evil might abound, where people are neglected or maginalized.  How might God's light bring some good news to them and how might the church play a role here?  You probably could name some instances where the church has helped to combat evil and bring hope to people.

Think of your own invidual life and times of despair.  Are you able to let God's word shed some light into your life?  If you are going through a time of darkness, I would invite you to search the Scriptures. You will be able to find hope in God's word.

For this Sunday, I would ask you to reflect on this power of God's light. May the meditation of these words and your preparation be a blessing to you.   

Pastor Marty










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January 15 Worship

1/5/2017

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There are many images of Jesus in the New Testament and our Gospel reading brings us to one of them.  Here is an excerpt of the text for this Sunday about the words spoken byJohn the Baptist:

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, 'Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'"  John 1:29-30


Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God.  Certainly, this way of referring to Jesus is rich in meaning especially as derived from the Old Testament Passover sacrifice of a lamb as well as to the conquering lamb in apocalyptic writings.

Two of John's disciples begin to follow Jesus and a brief conversation takes place between them and Jesus.  The disciples ask Jesus where he is staying and Jesus responds by saying, "Come and see."  How readily are we willing to give an invitation to someone who might be unchurched and is searching? Maybe we can't fully explain the gospel in a way we would like or can't fully explain the experience of our worship!  Yet, we can extend the invitation to others to 'come and see.'  There is so much to the good news to understand, let alone to our own worship.  Yet, it might take time and someone just has to come and see; i.e. actually experience worship itself.

Andrew as one of the two disciples left and found his brother Peter and brought him to the Lord.  We also have the challenge of inviting others to come and experience all that Jesus has to offer.  I would encourage you to consider what you would say to someone about what Jesus offers to an individual and also about what your church has to offer.  You might give a quick answer, but I would ask you to think deeply about this in preparation for worship this Sunday.

Pastor Marty





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January 8 Worship

1/2/2017

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As we enter the season of Epiphany (beginning January 6), we come to celebrate the ways that Jesus' glory is manifested.   The baptism of our Lord was one of those ways.  The voice from heaven confirms Jesus as God's Son as John the Baptist baptizes Jesus.

The season of Epiphany is also one of focusing on missions.  Yes, even the wise men (Gentiles) from the East come to pay homage to the Christ-child.  My message will focus on the reading from Acts 10:34 - 43.  Here is an excerpt:


"Then Peter began to speak to Cornlius and his household: I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."...
That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him."  Acts 10:34, 38.


Peter here has visited the home of a Roman by the name of Cornelius and soon he will come to faith.  God's mission is expanding beyond the Jews.

We also have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and power through our baptism.  It enables us to do works that we thought were never really possible.  Think for yourself how you are empowered to do good to others and manifest how Christ is in you.  You have been commissioned and empowered by God to go out into the world and be part of Jesus' mission.  

I hope that in the beginning of this new year, you will focus on the power that you have with your faith.  It's all going back to your baptism.  May you also remember that God has made you a child of the heavenly family through this sacrament!


Pastor Marty
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    I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

    Picture
    Pastor Marty Pauschke

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