Monday, October 4, 2010

MMC: Leprosy and Thanksgiving

Good Morning Bethlehem!

Yesterday was a wonderful day for worship as we celebrated World Communion Sunday.  Thank you to everyone who donated money to Healing Hope Mission Inc, in Malawi and for all who offered their voices and hands in making beautiful music.  A special thank you goes to Nancy Beck who planned the majority of yesterday's service.

Some notes about upcoming dates:
  • Tonight at 7:30 is the Congregational Council meeting.  All are welcome to attend. 
  • Wednesday October 6 is Senior Lunch at the Bluebird Inn in Easton, all are welcomed to join us at noon!
  • Wednesday nights at 7:30 is The Finer Things in Life, a woman's bible study at the parsonage.  All women are invited for chocolate, wine, scripture and possibly fire.
  • Worship Together is every Saturday at 10:30am.  Come enjoy songs, stories and praise geared towards young children and their families.
  • There is no Sunday School this coming Sunday, October 10, due to the Columbus Day weekend.  Bible Study is still meeting at 9am as well as choir practice.
  • Every Sunday night at 7pm is Theology Pub at the Lumberyard.  Last night we topics included the virgin birth, baptism, communion, and worship.  
  • Mark your calendars: Blessing of the Animals is Sunday October 17th at 2pm.  All leashed or caged pets and their owners are invited to attend.  You can also bring pictures of animals or stuff animals to represent pets that are not able to be there in the flesh/fur/feathers/scales.  
Now onto the text for this coming Sunday

The first reading is 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c.  Naaman has leprosy and is told by Elisha that to be cured he must first wash 7 times in the Jordan.  However Naaman is upset thinking that because he is so powerful Elisha would be able to cure him by just waving his arms and he would not have to do anything to be cured.  Naaman eventually gets over his pride and washes in the Jordan to be cured.  When have you thought you were worthy of an easier cure/life/treatment than others?  When have you had to swallow your pride?

The second reading is 2 Timothy 2:8-15.  Timothy is reminded that "If we have died with (Jesus), we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful"  Timothy is reminded that faith is not always easy but the rewards are great and even in moments of doubt, Jesus is still faithful to us.  When has your faith been difficult but also wonderful in the long run?  When have you doubted but realized that Jesus was still with you?

The gospel is Luke 17:11-19.  Jesus heals ten people with leprosy by telling them to go show themselves to the priests (the people who would officially declare them clean).  Only one, a Samaritan, an outsider, came back to thank Jesus.  When have we forgotten to thank Jesus for what he has done?  When have you been so caught up in joy you forget to thank the person who made it possible?  Is this a lesson about thanksgiving or about praising God?

Many blessing in your week!

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