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12TH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST - AUG 23, 2020
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AUGUST 23RD - 12TH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST |
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“Who do you say that I am?”
How would you answer this question if Jesus asked it of you? We will hear in this Sunday’s gospel reading that folks have called him a prophet, maybe even the reincarnation of Elijah or John the Baptist. With Jesus looking him directly in the eyes, Peter says for himself…”you are the Messiah”…the anointed one of God promised to save the world.
I wonder if we sometimes stop at a verbal commitment to Jesus’ question. Yep, even pastors find it challenging to take the words of a sermon and put them into action in our lives. Note that Jesus doesn’t let Peter tap out after calling him the Messiah. No, Jesus now points to what saying that means…that Peter’s life will be “rock”y…because saying “Jesus is Messiah” (verses “friend” or “nice guy”) will shape everything Peter says and does from then on.
Like Peter, our response to Jesus’ question is with our voice…but also with our entire life. When we tip someone this week…how does it answer Jesus’ question, “who do you say that I am?” When we hear of a need in our community or world, we should also hear Jesus’ question to his followers. When WE find ourselves in need, are we willing to be open to others responding to Jesus’ question on our behalf?
Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt of our Southwestern Texas Synod staff will be preaching in worship this week. You may remember her when she preached among us back in September 2019. I don’t know what words she will bring into our lives this weekend…but I do know she will bring into our lives Jesus…who challenges his followers lives to be a living testimony to the question, ”who do you say that I am?”
Peace to your weekend,
Pastor Vanicek
Special thanks to those who helped make our online worship possible this morning, a powerful witness that even though space may separate us, it is the love of God in Christ which connects and re-connects us this day and always (The Brown Family, Matthew Cheesman, Janette Clausen, Pat Erickson, Amanda Hammel, Darcy Mittelstaedt, Dale Moquist, Craig Orton, Tom Pfaff, Faith Trapp, Pastor Vanicek, and The Veres Family).
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The live-stream worship begins at 9AM on Sunday on YouTube and Facebook. Visit our website (CLICK HERE) for links to all our online resources for worship and communication.
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This Sunday's worship is printed in a downloadable bulletin to aid in your worship this weekend. |
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Deacon Darcy Mittelstaedt is Bishop's Associate for Faith Formation, Communication, and Administration. She received her B.A. from Midland University in Fremont, NE and did her seminary studies through Luther Seminary. Darcy has served in two parishes (Omaha, NE & Chandler, AZ) as the Director of Youth and Family Ministry for over nineteen years. She has served on various Synodical and Church-wide boards, committees, and teams. She is originally from South Korea and grew up in Nebraska. Her hobbies include crocheting and making Viking Knitting bracelets. |
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Martin Luther argued that “the ears are the only organs of a Christian,” since it is through the ear that life begins, through hearing the preached Word of God.
Read scripture from YOUR Bible at home. Remember the story of who gave you or how you got your Bible. May this story remind you of your connection to Christ & others.
READINGS FOR PENTECOST+12
Isaiah 51:1-6 (The enduring foundation of God's salvation)
Psalm 138 (O Lord, your steadfast love endures forever)
Matthew 16:13-20 (The profession of Peter's faith)
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REMEMBERING OUR COMMUNION |
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One thing that many miss is sharing in Holy Communion. This time invites us to turn our question from, "How do we receive Holy Communion?” to “How does the Word of God come to us and how do we receive the Word of God?
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Prayer is central to the life of faith because it connects us to God and each other, a reminder that we are never socially distanced in Christ. Please say these names aloud as a way of lifting them up to God this day. Names in bold were added this past week. You are welcome in this time of prayer to include your own joys and concerns.
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MEMBERS
Ruby Sanders
Nik Schappe
Shanna Murrell
Marci Wilde
Joe Manno
Jim Dipprey
Ken Tate
Wyatt Crouse
Jenny Braeutigam
Vondean Schmidt
Vince Wesch
Sandra Conners
Laverne Pullin
Dick Schroer
Jolene Williams
Annie Woods
Doris Tate
Linda Williams
Mary Posey
Harold Brueckner
Mary Langehennig
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FRIENDS/FAMILY
Peggy Parks
Larry Fritz
Jane Swan
Kristen Kuenstler
Kathy Bushrow
Matt Vella
Mike Wilde
Chris Tretter
Ellen Adams
Philip Salyers
Mike Knigge
Craig Fields
Julia Reitz
Lincoln Cortez
Wayne Rhoades
Marnie Casteneda
Wade Herrington
Wanda Center
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Charles Butler
Diane and Bill Burke
Amanda Morris
Danette DeMont
Shane Carpenter
Anne Hunnafin
Greg Schoonmaker
Bob Lenz
Toby Green
Tammy Whitman
Sibi & Don Kraemer
Brayden Ybarra
Larry Stahl
Margo Stahl
Bob & Kris Ward
Ron Burke
Greg Butler
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For the family of Gene Zimmerman in his sudden death, a friend of the Bohmann Family. |
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OFFERINGS AND GIFTS TO GOD |
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Thank you for your continued generosity toward our operating budget during this time.
Stewardship quote for the week:
“Because we were created in the image of a generous God, we were created for generosity to be the regular rhythm of our lives.”
-Adam Hamilton “The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life”
If you’re not using electronic giving, you can still mail your offering to the church at 1803 Highway 1431 West, Marble Falls, TX 78654. And if you’re not already a sustaining member of our ministry through our Consecration Sunday process, this is a great time to ask the question, "What % of my income is God calling me to give?" Even a commitment of $5 or $10 a week can make a huge difference in our community.
or to set up a recurring offering.
Or simply text the amount
you want to give to 830-460-5757.
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BLESSING FOR THE WEEK AHEAD |
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May the God of Life
be your guide on the road every day,
be your refuge in times of uncertainty,
and be your rest in times of fatigue.
May the God of Life
strengthen you when you feel weak,
comfort you when you feel sad,
and hug you when you feel alone.
May the God of Life,
who loves you and knows you,
cover you with the tenderness of a Mother.
Forever.
Amen.
- Gerardo Oberman, Argentina
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GO IN PEACE...TOGETHER, BOLDLY LIVING AND SHARING GOD'S GRACE WITH ALL! |
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LIVE STREAMS FROM OUR SISTER CHURCHES |
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If you would like to tune into a live-stream or recorded worship from one of our sister ELCA congregations, click the button below to visit our synod's website archiving a cornucopia of options of how God's people are worshipping.
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PRAYER RESOURCES FOR YOUR WEEK |
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This is wonderfully elegant website with a daily scripture reading, music to go along with the reading, and a reflection.
It's also an app for your smartphone. Search for "pray as you go" and take it with you for a way to recenter your day, anytime.
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