Devotion- Be awake in the Light

 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-13 In yesterday’s epistle lesson Paul encourages early disciples By reminding them of the uniqueness Of the Christian perspective By using contrasting imagery Of darkness vs light Being asleep vs being awake Paul makes the difference clear We are called to meet other’s needs Before we satisfy our own wants We are called to be shrouded in humility Not surrounded by pride We are called to be people of hope  And not be trapped in despair We are called to live each day with wonder And to face difficulty with courage We look at life and death differently Not as hopeless romantics  But out of a compelling belief that God’s love is our truest companion              Our perspective differs from society As much as day from darkness Or sleep from wakefulness So we are labeled as fools Nevertheless we persist Encouraging each other So that our collective lives May incarnate the gospel hope As we do, others through us Catch a glimpse of how faith Can satisfy the wandering heart And lead it to joy A Devotion By Rev. Donald Shaefer, Northern Region Mission Engagement Facilitator The photo is Temple Mount in Jerusalem after a rain storm. This spot also brings together the Christian  and Muslim faith traditions on such a Holy spot. The building is bright with the gold dome  but this is still in the darkness without Jesus.  photo by Connie Denninger

Ordination and Installation at Peace in Christ- Walkersville, MD

 

An ordination and installation service 

was held on September 13, 2020

 at Peace in Christ Lutheran Church

in Walkersville, Maryland.

Rev. John Jakupciak (left) and 

Rev. Richard Benjamin were ordained

 as Specific Ministry Pastors and installed 

as Co-Vacancy Pastors at this service.

                                Southeastern District President

 Rev. Dr. John R. Denninger  (Left) 

officiated at the service.

Rev. David Betzner (Right) has been serving as the 

Interim Vacancy Pastor.

Rev. Benjamin

                                          Rev. Jakupciak

                               We give thanks for your ministry

 in the Southeastern District.

                         The photo that reminds us that this day 

was during the COVID19 2020 Season of life.

Devotion - Resilient Courage

 

1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10

In this week's epistle lesson         Paul affirms a house church in Thessalonica He praises the members for their “work of faith,  Labors of love, and enduring hope”   That three legged stool is  the Christian life Faith’s certainty in our mind Drives the compassion of our heart Both of which hang on hope   This hope is not wishful thinking         But a resilient courage To accept the gospel’s promise         Through every season of our life   It is sometimes hard to hold onto such hope         As life often wars against it Caught by our fears and societal doubt         Faith’s promise seems fragile   Then we  recall that  our hope is grounded  in the singular event of the cross  God’s extraordinary love offered freely         For we most ordinary people   Life events may wound us         People’s actions may hurt us But no one and no thing         Can change God’s love for us    Filled with that certainty         We live our life With unequivocal faith         And unending servanthood   By doing so, we offer to others         A glimpse of what life was meant to be And an invitation to enter         God’s unending embrace Thanks to Rev. Don Schaefer- Southeastern District Mission and Ministry Facilitator for this Devotion.

Devotion- Divisions to Cease

 

Philippians 4: 1-9 Differences of opinion Create divisions of heart Changing how we look at  And think about each other Yesterday’s epistle lesson Acknowledges such a division Two faithful Christians in the church at Philippi Were divided and creating disunity Paul’s response is a plea For the divisions to cease He encourages instead an overall rejoicing So that the community can refocus on mission In our present moment in America We live among many differences of opinion Driven by big questions with elusive answers There is among us a great division of heart Paul’s words encourage us to refocus To learn again how to rejoice This begins with seeing one another  As children of God with gifts to share The encouragement to do so Comes from the cross Through which all are equally redeemed Each one precious in God’s sight It is easier to see differences Before we see likenesses But the gospel calls us to a larger vision Shaped by God’s unconditional love As we live less in a spirit of dividing And more in a spirit of dividing All are brought closer to God’s infinite love And a wholeness of heart

Thank you to LCMS Southeastern District facilitator- Rev. Donald Schaefer for this devotional reflection.