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Jesus’ Inaugural Message

by Vicar Lisa

We don’t have to look far into the teaching and ministry of Jesus to see the many ways in which he identified with, cared for, and elevates the poor and the vulnerable. In Luke 4, Jesus was announcing the arrival of God’s kingdom, and the author records a pivotal moment in Nazareth. Jesus has returned to his hometown and went to the temple as was customary. He was handed the scroll of Isaiah so that he could offer the daily reading. He read:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

He concluded by saying, “Today this scripture is fulfilled at your hearing.”

  • Of all the words Jesus could have chosen to inaugurate his ministry in Nazareth and beyond, he declared:
  • good news for the poor
  • freedom for the oppressed
  • hope for the vulnerable

Jesus proclaimed the Lord’s favor and generosity for all who need forgiveness, relief, and restoration. Given that this was the start of his public ministry, we must ask ourselves: Is our version of the gospel actually good news for the poor, oppressed, and vulnerable? Or is it mostly good news for people “like us”?

Something to ponder this week.

14th Sunday After Pentecost -- August 25

10 a.m. Worship with Communion

Announcements

  • 5 Loaves Volunteer Sought: If you can help with 5-Loaves preparation next Friday, Aug. 30, or with meal delivery on Saturday, Aug. 31, please let Norine Hazen, Peggy Gustafson, or Jo Moss know.
  • First Sunday Potluck: To join us after worship next Sunday, Sept. 1, for our first-Sunday potluck. Bring your favorite dish and enjoy the food and fellowship.
  • Newsletter Deadline: The deadline for the September newsletter Connections, is Thursday, Aug. 22. Please share your contributions with Jo Moss.
  • God's Work Our Hands: Save the date for GWOH Sunday (Sept. 8), following worship, we will be preparing meals and feeding the needy at Cimino Park in support of Pastor Clay and the Way ministry. Then Sunday, Sept. 15, we will have our celebration worship and picnic at Round-up Park (near the fairgrounds).

Special Congregational Meeting Minutes

A Special Congregational Meeting was held after worship on August 18. A motion was made to "affirm the unanimous church council decision to continue the RIC (Reconciling in Christ) discernment process.

After much discussion, the motion passed with a vote of 30 to 9 (77% affirmative). We thank all who attended and participated in thoughtful discussion.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Wersal, Church Council President

E-formation – 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 25

Granting the cosmic power of evil, we don God’s armor, which is faith in Christ and prayer in the Spirit. Granting the reality of death, we gather to eat the bread of heaven.

John 6:56-69

In concluding a chapter that speaks repeatedly of eating Christ’s flesh, the fourth evangelist writes that the flesh is useless. Thus, he has elaborated on a metaphor, yet then reminds the reader that it was only a metaphor. The metaphors are the vehicles that proclaim the “words of eternal life.” The gospel calls also us, along with the Twelve, to receive Christ, to live in him.

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

The conclusion of John 6, in presenting a choice of whether to remain a believer or to turn away, has suggested the parallel of Joshua 24. The deities that reign in our land are as attractive as were the Amorites’ gods and goddesses. Believers help one another acknowledge that God was always there, doing great signs in our midst.

Ephesians 6:10-20

The military imagery of the armor of God stresses protection and peace, not violent response. Even the “sword,” as the word of God, is the gospel of peace. Since the first century, Christians have debated the morality of their involvement in the military, which indicates that there is no easy answer to this question. In the complex descriptions typical of the author of Ephesians, we speak the “mystery” of the gospel with “boldness.” This passage concludes the lectionary’s semi continuous reading of Ephesians. Preceding this passage is the household codes, which advocate ethics in terms of the patriarchal slave culture of the Roman Empire; in both past and present.  The household codes have been omitted from the lectionary’s selections.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785