All posts by Kristen Reece

Communications, Newsletter, Word for the week

Word for the Week

Sunday, October 22, 2017 Lectionary 29 Introduction

In today’s first reading God uses the Gentile ruler Cyrus to accomplish divine purposes. When the Pharisees try to trap Jesus, he tells them to give the emperor what belongs to him and to God what belongs to God. To gather for worship reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to God rather than to any earthly authority. Created in the image of God, we offer our entire selves in the service of God and for the sake of the world.

Prayer of the Day

Sovereign God, raise your throne in our hearts. Created by you, let us live in your image; created for you, let us act for your glory; redeemed by you, let us give you what is yours, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7

The prophet announces that Cyrus the Persian emperor is the one the Lord has anointed to end Israel’s exile. The Lord makes this choice so that the whole world will recognize this Lord as the only God. Persia had a god of light and a god of darkness; the Lord claims sovereignty over both light and darkness.

Psalm:  Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]

Ascribe to the Lord honor and power. (Ps. 96:7)

Second Reading:  1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Most likely this letter is the first written by Paul. Paul is giving pastoral encouragement and reassurances to new Christians living in an antagonistic pagan environment. Their commitment of faith, love, and hope makes them a model for other new Christian communities.

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22

After Jesus begins teaching in the temple, religious leaders try to trap him with questions. First they ask if God’s people should pay taxes to an earthly tyrant like Caesar.

Communications, Newsletter, Worship & the Seasons

Theme for the Pentecost season (Autumn)

Be still
We live in a world constantly vying for our attention. Loud and insistent mixed messages attempt to convince us where our focus should be, who we should pay attention to, and how we should utilize our energy and resources. We are inundated with noise as our multitasking world screams for us to keep going – keep doing – keep moving.  In the process of juggling these worldly demands, we can find ourselves off balance, confused, and at times wandering aimlessly.

The remainder of this Pentecost season we are encouraged to “be still”. While this goes against everything the world tells us to do, we are encouraged to listen past the noise to hear what truly is important: God’s purpose and path for our lives.

Turn us
There are so many different directions we are pulled every day, and we can find ourselves lost on shaky ground. God remains our sure and steady foundation.

Holy God, as we wander and stray on our own – turn us towards You.

Refocus us
Jesus sets his eyes on the cross with unwavering focus. He knows where he is headed, what he has to do, and refuses to be led astray by an easier path. We too have a path before us, and we are called to follow Jesus’ example.

Holy God, as we are drawn to other priorities – refocus our eyes on You.

Reform us
Every day is an opportunity to begin new, better than we were the day before. As we were formed from the clay of the earth, each day we are molded and shaped by God’s loving hands.

As we are shaped by the world around us – reform us into Your people.

Again and Again
We do not walk alone – every day God is with us, and every day He continues to lead, guide, and teach us to live as He intends. Our personal journeys may be different, but our destination is the same: to share God’s love with a sick and hurting world, to heal and comfort God’s people in our midst, to praise God for the abundance he provides, and to pray without ceasing.

Holy God, this is our prayer: Turn Us, Refocus Us, Reform Us … Again and Again

Communications, Events, Newsletter, Together in Christ Parish

Together in Christ Parish

Pastor Amy’s Office Hours
For the month of October, Pastor Amy’s office hours will be:
+ Pastor Amy will not be in the office(s) on Mondays, but please don’t hesitate to contact her via phone (662.292-6185) in case of emergencies.
+ Tuesday and Thursday 9 am – 1 pm at All Saints
+ Wednesday and Friday 9 am – 1 pm at St. James
+ Tuesday – Friday afternoons (from 1 – 5 pm) are times Pastor Amy will have appointments, visit shut-ins, do hospital visits, meetings, etc. and flexible as to which church she will be in.
+ Saturdays will be reserved for special projects and Pastor Amy will be available by appointment. 

Joint Parish Faith Formation
This Sunday, October 8th, we will be gathering for study and conversation around Luther’s small catechism. Week #4 will focus on the Lord’s Prayer. This 7-week study will meet weekly on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 pm to form faith as joint people of God. We will be using the curriculum “by heart: Conversations with Martin Luther’s Small Catechism”. Drop in any time between October 1st and November 12th. Location: All Saints Lutheran Church (sanctuary/gathering space).

Lifetouch Photo Directory
Thank you to all who have had their photo taken for the Together in Christ Parish photo directory!

If you were unable to make any of the photo sessions @ All Saints or St. James there are multiple churches in the area are doing photo sessions for their photo directory as well. You can have your photograph taken at any of these churches and it will be submitted for our parish directory. Please call 1-866-756-0281 to schedule a photo at a different church in our area.

If you are unable to make any photography session, please call or e-mail the church office to find out how to submit a portrait for the directory.                            

Please make sure the office (office@allsaintsdavenport.org) has your current contact information, this includes mailing address, e-mail address(es), home phone number, cell phone number(s), etc. We have not made sure our records are up-to-date for several years. Thanks!

Live Nativity
There will be a Live Nativity planning meeting Sunday, October 22nd beginning at 6:00 pm at All Saints Lutheran Church in the gathering space. If you are interested in helping with this event in any way, please plan on attending the meeting. The Live Nativity will be held on December 16th & 17th, 2017 at St. James Lutheran Church.

Communications, Newsletter

Thank you

Thank you for refreshing the office hallway restrooms, Julie! They are much brighter now.

Thank you to all who have been tending to and harvesting the garden. It is still producing!

Thank you to all that have helped in the clothing closet on the work days the past several weeks.