Sunday, August 26, 2018

blessed with the gift of sabbath Aug 26, 2018

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY,  August 26 …

We are blessed to have Pr. Brad Fuerst, pastor of Lutheran Campus Ministry/UT preaching and presiding at Communion as we continue to explore our theme of Sabbath:  “Re-Engaging!”


╬ “Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart!”  We have been blessed with the gift of sabbath, by the God of sabbath!  We have known what it is to dwell in the “chesed,” the blessing of God’s lovingkindness experienced in sabbath rest.  The challenge becomes holding to our identity as sabbath people as we resume our busy lives with their array of often conflicting demands.  The Jewish practice of phylacteries – little boxes of Scripture – as prescribed in Deuteronomy, emphasizes keeping God’s truth foremost in our minds and lives.  It comes down to balance.  Being God’s sabbath people in contemporary life means embracing the Martha as well as the Mary in us all.



 Readings and the Prayer of the Day are below.

 Pr. Fuerst will also bring our Children’s Message and will be leading a conversation about Lutheran Campus Ministry between the services in the Sanctuary.
Blessings to all!
- Pr. Brad Highum
bhighum@abidinglove.org

 Prayer of the Day:
Gracious God, as we emerge from times of Sabbath, go with us and remember in us the blessings we have received.  As we re-engage in busy lives and responsibilities, help us to remain centered and live in the balance we have learned in Sabbath. Amen.

 Readings:

 First Reading:  Deuteronomy 6:1-9
6 Now this is the commandment — the statutes and the ordinances — that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, 2 so that you and your children and your children's children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.  4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

 Psalm 111
1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who revere him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.  Holy and awesome is his name.
10 Reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

 Second Reading:  Romans 12:1-2,9-21
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.  9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.  14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 Gospel:  Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
Posted by at