Reflections from your Co-Pastors March 2 2021
Matthew 23: 1-12
" Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."(verse 12)
"To be humble is not to think less of oneself, but to think of oneself less" Anonymous
The basis of humility and self-esteem is found in reflecting on the humility of our God as shown in Jesus. God sent Gabriel to ask Mary to be the body that would contain Jesus and birth him into the world. Jesus' survival was dependent on Mary's "Yes!" and Joseph's "Yes!" He grew unrecognized in Mary's womb. He accepted a feeding trough for his throne. And Jesus lived the majority of his life engaged in ordinary human activity. In fact, the people of Nazareth knew him only as a carpenter, the son of Mary and Joseph. Jesus was humble unto death, even death on a cross.
Becoming a mature Christian begins with recognizing our humble God in one human being-- Jesus-- and then going on to recognize God in every person. To complete our faith we have to believe not only in God, but in God's people, just as God does. Faith is completed in humility by entering the presence of others and letting
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them teach you who they are. The way we connect with God's people is an accurate picture of our connection to God.
For Saint Teresa of Avila, humility was the foundation of the spiritual life and prayer. "Humility is truth," said Saint Teresa, and "only through the growth of humility can we measure our progress in the spiritual life."
Jesus practiced the presence of people. To live our vocation we must do the same. To do so, we enter the prayer life of God, seeing people as God sees them. We join the human race and cast off our separateness. This is the opening to charity.
AMEN
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Adapted from the Center for Spirituality at Work, Denver, Colorado. (Now renamed, Restoring Connections: Transforming the World One Relationship at a Time)
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Lenten Opportunities this Week |
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Join us
Tuesday at 10 am or Wednesday at 9 am during Lent
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Our co-pastors are offering a Lenten study using the Daily Catholic Devotions from Living Faith booklet sent to each member.
Explore and reflect on the scriptures and share thoughts and insights with each other. Join us every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. or Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. for the five weeks of lent via Zoom. The link below will the same for the five weeks of study.
Meeting ID: 846 7486 0646 Passcode: Lent
Call-in Audio Only - +1 669 900 6833 Meeting ID: 846 7486 0646
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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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GOOD NEWS! Sanctuary Open for Silent Prayer
We are pleased to announce that the Sanctuary at 301 East Stuart will be open every Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 pm for silent prayer.
We are still limited to only 10 people within the space at one time. Please wear a mask and remain at least 6 feet apart. Hand sanitizer is available at the church.
This brings us a step closer to gathering in person as time, vaccinations, and safety permit. Thanks be to God!
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Wednesday Night Lenten Soup Supper - 301 Faith Partners
Trinity will host a weekly Lenten Fellowship for the 301 Faith Partners followed by an Evening Prayer. We are encouraging everyone to make a soup each week.
Wednesdays during Lent
- February 24, March 3, 10, 17, & 24
- 6:30 pm Fellowship
- 6:45 pm Lenten Drama w/Holden Evening Prayer
Meeting ID: 894 3735 9149 | Passcode: 408538
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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. For Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe.
For Dona Bosse - community member and Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother.
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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 Marietta Ricke - sister of Jim DeMuth and 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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