It has been a stressful week in our community – especially with the false school shooting alarms. Please hold in prayer our students and educators and their families – as well as our society – as we walk together thru these days. In the midst of life’s ups and downs and the fleetingness of this world, Sunday’s words from Psalm 111 offer encouragement: “O Lord the works of your hands are faithfulness and justice – all your precepts are sure, they stand fast forever and ever!”
We had such a joyous time last week with the visit from Pastor Jesse and our Lutheran Campus Ministry students – as well as the afternoon Animal Blessing. This Sunday, we’re packing 65 food bags before and after worship for school children – stop on your way in or out of worship to help assemble a bag! Also at 9:20, we have a final Justice Ministry gathering in the fellowship hall. If you weren’t able to attend a house gathering, please come be a part of this time together. Whether or not you can be a Justice Member, these are important times for all of us to share what is in our hearts and come closer as a family of faith!
On Sunday, we hear the story of Jesus bringing hope through his healing of ten outcaste lepers – and how the Samaritan leper alone returns to thank Jesus – thus experiencing the fullness of life-changing faith. The Old Testament reading remembers how Elisha brought hope into the life of another person suffering from leprosy: Naaman, commander of a foreign army. The New Testament reading from 2 Timothy reminds us of the ability to see hope more clearly even in the midst of suffering we endure.
In whatever way you need most deeply, I pray the Spirit is at work to help you see God’s hope more clearly in your life. We look forward to worshipping together this Sunday, as we continue to find hope in our praise of God, the sharing of God’s life-giving word, and the Lord’s meal of grace!
