These two words translate as "Lord, have mercy." They are words we sing most every Sunday at the beginning of worship. These two words are our cry to God who promises to pour out mercy and grace in our lives, and this week we ask God to pour out mercy upon our nation. God, help us heal. God, help us see and spend the hard time it takes to know others we just don't get. God, help us form a vision for our country that all can be inspired by.

I wonder if Baptism of our Lord Sunday (this Sunday) is the perfect Sunday to help us reflect on a week such as this in our country. In our Genesis reading, it is the voice of God that brings order to the chaos. In times of chaos and unrest, we need to hear this voice of God that spoke all things into creation, that was at Jesus' baptism (and our own). We need to hear it like a Kyrie refrain across our day...a voice that has the power to soak deep down into our bones to center and re-center us as people of faith, as people not just washed for show on some Sunday, but washed into a particular way of living in the world...washed into a calling that comes from God's own voice.

Soak in these words from the baptismal rite...

As you come to baptism...you are entrusted with responsibilities:

This week in confirmation we looked at the First Article of the Apostles' Creed (I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth). We looked at the two Genesis creation accounts. NOTE: There are as many creation stories as there are ancient cultures. Yet, in Genesis' first account of creation, the author points to one God who brings order to chaos OUT OF LOVE and with a singular voice. For Greeks and Romans and others, it had always been many gods bringing order to chaos through violence, where one generation of gods killed the previous to bring the world into existence.

Genesis is a radical reorientation to who God is...but also a radical reorientation in how we see ourselves created. Likewise, Jesus' baptism isn't Jesus just playing God...but revealing for us all to see how near and deep God's love will go to show us how powerless violence truly is.

So, as we remember our baptism this Sunday, it's a reminder that we don't gather to sing and pray and share in communion just to play church...but to practice our baptismal life and receive God's promises, so we might know how to go BE the BOLD church of God for others...to hear the voice of God reminding us once again WHOSE WE ARE and WHO WE ARE called to be in Christ...for our family...for our friends...for the stranger...for enemies...for those we like the least...for our country...and for the sake of the whole world.

Go and be God's beloved dear church.

Kyrie Eleison,

Pastor Vanicek

Meals On Wheels Cookies are due. Remember to bring these cookies pre-bagged and labeled. We still need 9 Dozen cookies.

You can drop them off at church any day of the week from 9a.m. to 3p.m.

It is time to update the church directory! Send any changes in address, phone number, and email address along with current photographs to katherine@splcmf.org. You can check your current information by going to the Online Directory and using the password MFLutherans2020

At Lutheran Camp Chrysalis

Saturday only event

February 13th 9a.m.-3p.m.

Cost is 25$ per adult

12.50$ for children 4-12

Lunch is provided.

The Jan-Feb worship leader schedule is up on our website. CLICK HERE

Please check your scheduled dates, and "swap" or "request a sub" as needed. Contact Tristan in the office with any questions.

BYOBible Study - not meeting.

Contact Dusty Knight

Deborah Bible Study - not meeting in person, email check in.

Contact Pam Wettstein

Agape Bible Study - Contact Belva Latshaw for next meeting.

Book club will be meeting in person at church and via Zoom on the third Monday at 2:30 pm.

Titles to read and discuss include:

January 18, 2021--Trouble in Nuala by Harriet Steel

Contact Susan Bailey for more information.

This week, we hear how the Bible is a series of crossroad decisions between choosing for ourselves what good and evil are, or living into how God defines good and evil. Jesus comes to teach that real power is serving others. Those who know they are loved and forgiven by God can become people who love and forgive others in return.

Week 1: What is the Bible?

Week 3: Literary Styles.

Week 4: Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature.

Texas currently has limited supply of the COVID vaccine for healthcare workers and long-term care facilities. While statewide we have begun to vaccinate people 65 and older and people 16 and older with at least one chronic condition, vaccine supplies are very limited. Vaccine is available at no charge regardless of insurance status. But the local pharmacies are only vaccinating healthcare workers so far, as are the local hospitals. Please do not call HEB. HEB will put in place an online scheduling tool before they extend to vaccinating the general public. Please continue to check their website for updates under the heading pharmacy. So too, Atkins is asking you to email them at mail@atkinspharmacy.com. Do not call.

Please send Tristan any notes that you would like to share with the congregation. Thank you. tristan@splcmf.org