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Romans 1:11-12

By Pr. Lisa Rygiel

Scripture Basis

For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened— or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

To ponder

In Africa there is a concept known as “ubuntu”—the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; if we are to accomplish anything in this life it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievements of others. —Nelson Mandela, in Mandela’s Way

Faith is not a solo act 

The United States is one of the most individualistic societies in the world. A drawback to this is that we often approach faith individualistically—as if it’s simply about “me and God,” without influence from others. Most Christians, historically and globally, have not seen things this way. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he expresses a hope to visit them and anticipates a reciprocal encouragement when he does: “that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

His words depict his and the Romans’ faith as a singular entity: “the faith that is yours and mine” (my translation). Paul never thought of faith as a solo endeavor: It was shared, encouraged, and lived out with others. When I reflect on the most spiritually rich seasons in my life, I notice they have always been connected to experiences of Christian community: summers at Christian camps, seasons of a close-knit Bible study group, service trips with my church, and periods when I relied heavily on others’ support.

Our faith is a gift from God, nurtured by community, and inherently tied to others through our shared connection to Christ.

Prayer

Lord, help me to serve others and to embrace the grace of living out my faith in community. Amen.

March 1, 2nd Sunday of Lent

10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Announcements

  • Fellowship: Join us after worship Sunday in the Fellowship Hall for our First Sunday Potluck. All are welcome.
  • Wednesday Book Club: The Wednesday Book Club focusing upon What if Jesus was Serious – A Visual Guide to the Teachings of Jesus We Love to Ignore meets at 10:30 each Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Lenten Greenery: During Lent Zion’s will opt for green foliage instead of flowers to reflect the austerity and simplicity of the season. We know that some people want to sponsor flowers even during Lent. Prayerfully consider instead another option: select a Sunday after Lent, help sponsor flowers on Easter Sunday, or donate to one of our many ministries and missions, in the name of the person or event that flowers would have recognized.
  • Children’s Choir Resumes: Children’s choir practice is at 3 p.m. each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Lenten Soup Suppers: At 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday during Lent, Zion’s will share a soup supper and devotion. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall to bring soup, bread, beverages, or dessert. Our next soup supper is at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
  • Time of Prayer and Coffee: The Zion’s family is invited to join our siblings in Christ from the Methodist church for a time of prayer and coffee at 10:30 a.m. each Thursday at Kangaroo Coffee -- in the Marketplace on Commercial Street.
  • 5-Loaves Volunteers Needed: We will prepare and deliver 5-Loaves meals Feb. 27-28. We need help with preparation beginning about 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, and with deliveries starting about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. If you can help, let Norine Hazen, Terri Watson, or Jo Moss know.
  • God’s Work Our Hands: Terri Watson continues to identify members of our congregation who are willing to help our siblings in Christ with basic assistance, such as rides and errands. Terri has sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall, which help her to match individual needs with people who can assist. For more information talk to Terri.
  • The Way Ministry: At 1 p.m. each Sunday through March 29, Zion’s welcomes The Way ministry to our Fellowship Hall as they offer food and worship to those in need.
  • We’re Here for You: For pastoral care, call Pastor Lisa at 719-846-7785 or send an email: zionsluth@gmail.com.

E-formation

Those who designed the three-year lectionary anticipated that the church of the future will resemble the church of the fourth century, more than that of the nineteenth. In the fourth century, Lent was understood as the time for catechumens to prepare for baptism at Easter, and baptismal preparation included meditation on the Johannine discourses about the meaning of Christ for the baptized community. Thus, Lent in Year A revives the pattern of proclaiming the Johannine signs and discourses as a way to interpret baptism and the new life of the resurrection. This Sunday begins with the first of four: Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.

John 3:1-17

The four Lenten Johannine discourses begin with Jesus’ teaching about being born again. Until the nineteenth century, the church understood “being born again” as referring to baptism. In Lent, catechumens are prepared for Easter baptism, and the community, as Martin Luther says, daily crawls back to the font, to be renewed in the promises of this second birth.

Genesis 12:1-4a

As with many of the lectionary’s first readings, Genesis 12 is chosen to parallel the gospel reading. Jesus calls on Nicodemus to be born again, and in parallel, we recall the story of the Lord calling Abram to begin a new life in a new land in the sight of God.

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

As is usual with the second readings for about half of the church year, this second reading is chosen to coordinate with the first reading and the gospel. Romans is seen as particularly appropriate for Lent; thus, four of the Lenten epistle readings come from Romans. On this Sunday, Paul’s commentary on Abraham presents the Christian interpretation of the call of Abram: God blessed Abraham, not because he obeyed the Jewish law, but because he had faith in the promises of God, the same faith into which Nicodemus and all the baptized are invited.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785