Reflections from your Co-Pastors March 4 2021
Luke 16:19-31
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linens...and lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores…" (verses 19-20)
What a graphic representation we have of Lazarus in today's Gospel. A poor man, a beggar, homeless, lying outside the home of a wealthy man who "dines sumptuously each day." Lazarus would gladly have eaten the scraps from this rich man's table, as the dogs did, but no scraps were ever offered to him.
Lazarus, covered with open sores, possibly leprosy.
Lazarus, soothed only by the dogs that would come to lick his sores.
Lazarus, ignored by those in a position to feed and minister to him.
This parable begins like a once upon a time tale. "There was once a rich man... and once a poor man…" Like we should be glad that this no longer exists in our world today.
Unfortunately, that is not so. We often catch glimpses of our brothers and sisters in other countries looking despondent, under fed, disfigured, homeless. And while we do have resources for the homeless and hungry in our Fort Collins community, there is a greater need than what we can accommodate.
All one has to do to witness many Lazarus figures with us today, is to sit in the courtyard of Catholic Charities Mission at about 11:30 a.m. when people gather for lunch which is served daily at noon. For some of these folks, this is their only meal of the day. The noon meal is open to anyone who is hungry, anyone
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suffering the effects of food insecurity. (a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active healthy life) Food insecurity impacts every community in the United States, so Lazarus exists still in 2021.
During this Lenten season, let us pray in thanksgiving and gratitude for our local resources working round the clock to help alleviate homelessness and food insecurity in Fort Collins, and for all those who staff and volunteer to keep these programs alive.
Loving God, we are so grateful for the abundance you have given to us this day. Please keep us forever mindful of the needs of others.
Amen
Below please find contact information for some of the resources for the homeless and food insecure in Larimer County:
- Family Housing Network 970-484-3342
- Food Bank for Larimer County 970-493-4477
- Catholic Charities, The Mission 970-484-5010
- Fort Collins Rescue Mission 970-224-4302
- The Murphy Center for Hope 970-494-9940
- Homeward Alliance 970-658-9878
- FOCO Cafe 309-368-1659
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McBackpack Program mbp@mcbackpack.org
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301 Faith Partners - Joint Ecological Team (JET) |
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Community Garden - Is the community garden back?
The 301 Faith Partners will be discussing the possibility of having a garden this year. Join us tonight (March 4) at 6:00pm. The main purpose is to explore the feasibility and logistics.
If you are interested but cannot attend, reach out to Julie Shoenbauer via this email.
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Did you know about 'Kans for Kids'?
There is a container at the East side of the Trinity parking lot that is for collecting aluminum cans. It is part of a program called Kans for Kids. The money helps fund youth programs. In 2020 $107 was earned for 323 lbs. of cans.
Help us fund youth programs and help the environment at the same time, a win-win. Bring your aluminum cans here!
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**Please note - Daily prayer session will NOT be held on Thursday, March 4th**
Lenten Daily Prayer
Join us for daily prayer, week days at 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) This 15 min prayer time will include contemplative practices prayer, sharing prayers for our own Lenten journey.
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Recordings and Prayer Requests |
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Service Recordings
View the 301 Faith Partners Service here (Celebrating with St. Paul's and Trinity) - Second Sunday in Lent February 28th - Feast of the Transfiguration. Here is a printed version to assist with prayer.
The video recording of just the children's homily by Pastor Rick Reiten (Trinity Lutheran) and homily by Laurie Gudim (St. Paul's Episcopal) is available here.
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Prayer Requests
Healing prayers for Jeff, Erin and Levi - members. For Lisa Moos - member, Joanne Gallagher - member, and for her sister, Dr. Barbara Immroth. For Aidan - grandson of Mother Kae. Prayers for Lisa McCann - member, for personal challenges.
For Jim Berry - member, for his new journey to chaplain. For Lauren Roob - friend of Rosanna Bateman.
Healing prayers for Dianna Padilla, sister of Lisa Jones, who underwent surgery for cancer. For Liz and Ken Zornes and family, friends of Sandra and Dick Life, whose daughter is struggling with addiction.
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For Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe. For Dona Bosse - community member and Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - niece of the Cloyds and Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Suzanne King, Robert Browell
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For the peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the families.
For Clint Wisdom - brother-in-law of Joan Chapman-Smith. For Leon - father of Mother Cynthia. For Kristin - daughter of ECC priest Scott Jenkins. For Joan Kneeland - sister-in-law of Bill Kneeland.
For Rita Ortiz, friend of Deacon Rosean, and for Margie Weitz - member. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones.
For Bob, husband of Joyce Dehaven -
friend of Cathy Engel
For David Heyman - member, Teri Kent - member, Bill McClellan - Father of Jennifer Pfeister, Father of Julie Shoenbauer, member, and Edwin White - brother in law of Pastor Jane
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry here up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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