Readings — II Samuel 23: 1-7; Psalm 132: 1-19; Revelation 1: 4b-8; John 18: 33-37 This Jesus, I think he was a blue-collar guy. It is written that his father Joseph was a village carpenter, and his mother Mary has traditionally been depicted as a peasant, perhaps a seamstress and weaver. So, Jesus grew up…
In Flanders Fields we hear the works of challenge – “To you, from failing hands, we throw the torch”. The poem was penned almost thirty months before the Armistice took hold at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month. The author surgeon Lt. Col. John McCrea died of pneumonia on January 1918,…
Readings – Isaiah 25: 6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21: 1-6a, John 11: 32-44 How many have ever visited Hyner View? You go to Lock Haven, past the University, and west on Route 116, and turn off just a bit before Renovo. There is Hyner View State Park, and to get to the summit you go…
Readings – Ruth 1: 1-18; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9: 11-14; Mark 12: 28-34 A reading from the Old Testament Book of Ezra – At that time those who had come from captivity, returned exiles, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel…. The officials approached… and said, ‘the people of Israel, the priests, and the…
Readings – Job 42: 1-6, 10-17; Psalm 34: 1-8, 19-22; Hebrews 7: 23-28; Mark 10: 46-52 Jesus was on the road again, the road to Jerusalem, which passed through Jericho. He was on his way to celebrate the Passover, as all male Jews were required to do if they were within 15 miles of Jerusalem. …
Readings – Job 38: 1-7, 34-41; Psalm 104: 1-9, 25, 37b; Hebrews 5: 1-10; Mark 10:35-45 As you may know, I enjoy watching sports, as many of you do, too. I especially enjoy watching in person soccer, baseball, and basketball. It is very exciting when points are put up on the board by our grandson…
Readings – Galatians 6: 14- 8; Psalm 121; Matthew 11: 25-30 Today as part of our blessing of pets, traditional for the celebration of St. Francis, we will sing Hymn #405, “All things bright and beautiful”. The hymn was first published in 1848. The author, Cecil Frances Alexander, was inspired by the very beginning of…
Readings – Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10, 9: 20-22; Psalm 124; James 5: 13-20, Mark 9: 38-50 The Lutheran Church outdoor sign on Ridge Road in Northumberland reads “God’s Work; Our Hands”. I find these words to be a good reminder – “God’s Work; Our Hands”. We are invited to join in God’s work. We can…
Readings – Proverbs 31: 10-31; Psalm 1; James 3: 13-4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9: 30-37 The beginning of our proper collect for today is – “Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things”. My Grandmother Donecker used to tell us, “This, too will pass”. Yes, “we are placed among things that are passing away”,…
Readings – Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125; James 2: 1-17; Mark 7: 24-37 On September 18 – 20, 1863 in Chickamauga, Georgia the Union and Confederate armies fought the second largest battle of the Civil War, second only to Gettysburg. There were over 34,000 casualties. A few years following the war the veterans…