Hello, Lisa Rygiel here with this week’s e-formation.
“Grace” is one of the most important concepts in Christianity and one of the ways Christianity is different than the other world religions. It is most clearly expressed in the promises of God revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus Christ. Grace is the love of God shown to the unlovely; the peace of God given to the restless; the unmerited favor of God.
In Adult Bible Study yesterday, we touched on the topic of being saved by grace through faith rather than being saved by works. The Bible does teach that those who are being saved are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). It does not, however, teach that a person is saved “by faith alone” without any further acts of obedience. Even Martin Luther recognized that water baptism is not a meritorious work that earns a person salvation. On the other hand, it is an obedient act required by God in order for people to obtain salvation.
I love the beauty and the simplicity of being saved by grace. I grew up in a denomination where there was a lot of focus on doing works, and little on the reliance of God’s Grace. In Christian terms, grace can be generally defined as “God’s favor toward the unworthy” or “God’s benevolence on the undeserving.” In His grace, God is willing to forgive us and bless us, despite the fact that we fall short of living righteously. Let us enjoy the peace we have through His Grace while seeking ways to do his will!
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)
Announcements:
This week (other meetings/gatherings will be taking place as well but here are some things to note):
Sunday June 19, The 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
· 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning Bible study
We are studying "The Wesley Challenge". This is a study intended to develop our spiritual lives and help us become more deeply committed Christians.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/907628370?pwd=eFVCTEVhb0xqMXcxY2xaUG5JMUZEdz09 Or Dial 1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 907 628 370 -- Passcode: 332397.
· 10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion
Please join us, either in person OR via ZOOM ('hybrid' worship). If you will be worshiping via Zoom, log on or call in using these links: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/91739214242?pwd=b1QrZzk0QzBtM1RXZnZuaVFVMDNmZz09 -- or Dial: 1 301 715 8592 -- Meeting ID: 917 3921 4242 -- Password: 731771. For those of you who will be worshiping in person, masks will now be at the discretion of each individual. We continue to be mindful all the different ways people are compromised that may not be known and so please continue to practice healthy community habits such as staying home when you are sick etc.
Worship leader: Lisa Rygiel;
Assistant: Julie Wersal;
Pianist: Melody Lanosga;
Ushering: Pierce Family;
Reading: Megan Pierce;
Communion prep/cleanup: Peggy Gustafson & JoAnn Karspeck
Flowers: Donated by Jeff and Carol Smith in thankfulness for Fathers, especially our Heavenly Father!
· Fellowship time at approximately 11:15 a.m. to share a cup of coffee/soda and conversation!
· Bread and Belonging on summer hiatus.
Other important stuff of note:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83136424723?pwd=TkxsQVllMmo2bVlSekN0dGZqbzF1Zz09 Meeting ID: 831 3642 4723 Passcode: 865505 (or call in 1-312-626-6799).
3. The flower ministry blesses our worship space, and they bring such joy to our sanctuary. Please coordinate with Lynn Chase to sponsor the flowers.
4. Prayer Shawl Ministry: Are you interested in knitting one/some to share? Join the knitters who bless so many.
E-formation
This coming Sunday we hear about a naked madman who would break out of his restraints and run around in a cemetery. Come to worship, to hear what happens when this man encounters Christ. Come to worship, and yourself encounter Christ.
The Readings in the Bible
Luke 8:26-39
Luke’s gospel, written in the 80s, situated Jesus’ ministry first in Jerusalem and mainly in Galilee, from which the word then goes out (Book of Acts) to all the Roman Empire and beyond. This miracle story, edited from the earlier version in Mark 5:1-20, takes place near Galilee, across the Jordan, which was Gentile territory: thus the pig herding. The gospels identify demons with a wide range of physical or mental illness: this man acts mentally deranged and uncontrollable. As in Mark 1:21-28, this man’s demons recognize Jesus for who he is. Once healed, Luke makes the healed man an evangelist. Legion, a vast number, was also the name of a military unit of 6000 Roman soldiers. The abyss refers to the realm of the dead or of Satan. For Jewish readers of the gospels, the destruction of the unclean pigs would be welcome. The engaging narrative challenges Luke’s Gentile audience: will they beg Jesus to leave, or will they proclaim him the Son of the Most High God?
Isaiah 65:1-9
Isaiah, compiled in perhaps the fifth century bce, speaks to Jews after their return from the exile, calling them to renewed faithfulness. In this poem, God—”here I am”—describes the wayward Jews who have been corrupted by life in a foreign land. Their heterodox religious practices are likened to those of the Canaanite nature cults. Visiting tombs and eating pig rendered a Jew unclean. Yet God continues to call the people and promise them their homeland.
Galatians 3:23 – 29
In concluding his argument in chapter 3 validating Abraham’s faith, rather than his works, Paul contrasts the role of law, that is the Torah, with believers’ life in Christ. Verse 28 presents a contrast to the traditional Jewish male’s morning prayer, in which a man thanks God that he is a Jewish free male. Paul’s claims about Christ erasing the distinctions of ethnicity, economic status, and gender, would be heard as surprising, even outrageous, by most first-century Jews.
Zion's Lutheran Church
719-846-7785