connecting individuals to Jesus
Sunday mornings immediately after 9:30 worship … Today’s Gospel with Deacon Don …. For Women Only with Elizabeth Kruse
Are you wondering how you might take the next step in your faith, but are afraid you might be too busy, or it might be too much work, or too complicated?
over a week ago, and it is still clean. I will take the sub-zero wind chill with clear (or cloudy) skies that is soon to return over snow covered roads any and every day (except Christmas – maybe!).
The Michigan District invites everyone to the 2022 Theological Conference on Saturday, February 5, at Our Savior, Lansing.
Our Primary Prayer focus for this week is on Christ’s people on earth:
For the Holy Spirit to be at work enriching faith through our Barnabas Ministry. Giving us hearts that are growing in the joy of giving generously to the mission of STL. For children to be raised in the nurture and encouragement of the Gospel. For new individuals to become members of the STL Prayer Chain.
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
It was a long, but productive day. It started earlier than usual, and my evening was scheduled too. The day fell in the middle of a ten day stretch that was particularly busy, so when my head hit the pillow at 9:30 p.m. sleep came almost instantly. I opened my eyes at 2:00 a.m., glanced at the clock, and immediately fell back asleep. The next thing I knew it was 5:30 a.m. and time to rise to a new day.
Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in his name faithful in their calling as your children and inheritors with him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
So, how as 2022 started off for you? Did you start the year off with multiple resolutions … or did you rid yourself of that practice in years gone by? Are you briming with optimism and hope, trembling with fear and trepidation, or somewhere in-between? I guess it also could be true that your response is, “2022? I am not done with 2021 yet!” (though it seems as though I have mostly heard people saying “good riddance” to 2021) I know of more than a few who started the year with a foul taste in their mouth following the Orange Bowl debacle the night before.
O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence and to further the mission of Bethlehem’s star; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
This year was like the last few Christmases. When family members asked me what I would like for Christmas, nothing came to my mind except sox and underwear – and this year I didn’t even need underwear! Fortunately for me, my family is both generous beyond what I deserve and very creative. I am truly blessed … and always come away feeling inadequate in the “gifting” department.
When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. … Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
