Wednesday, December 16
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
Christmas is the season of giving. And not just giving to family and friends. Americans give more to charity this time of year than any other time. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians reminds us to be thoughtful and purposeful in how and what we give. Are we giving from our heart? Are we sowing seeds that promote good?
In my role as a fundraiser with Liberty Lutheran, I am blessed to frequently witness cheerful givers who give with purpose, sowing in faith seeds that grow and flourish.
Some invest in the future of our children, providing a safe, supportive environment that helps children achieve academically and develop strong characters to succeed in life. They plant seeds of love and hope –showing children from low income families that their lives matter, that they are loved; and hope that their future can be as bright and beautiful as their dreams.
Others invest in older adults, providing programs and services that help seniors age with dignity and quality of life. They sow seeds of peace, comfort and joy so that seniors can live life to the fullest, knowing that their needs, regardless of their circumstances, will be met.
Still others invest in newcomers, families fleeing persecution and torture for a safe, secure place to start over. They sow seeds of peace, freedom and hope – peace and freedom from the trauma these newcomers endured; and hope that they can regain their humanity and truly live again.
God of hope, inspire us to sow the seeds of your love with cheerful giving. Make us generous and compassionate every day. Amen.
Patty Cline is the Director of Major Gifts with Liberty Lutheran Services.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Tuesday, December 15
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Psalm 80:3
I always enjoyed participating in the Christmas Gift program at Artman. I would receive the name of a resident with some suggested gift requests, and was asked to purchase and wrap the gift for them to receive at Christmas. Since both of my parents have died and entered the Kingdom of God, I thought this would be a nice way of remembering and honoring them at Christmas.
One year, I was eager to receive the gift request. What interesting items would they want? When I received the name of my resident and their gift request I was a bit surprised. Batteries! He wanted batteries in two specific sizes. I admit that I was a little bummed out because it was not very creative or exciting. Bit I complied and got batteries. And I got creative in the wrapping of the gift.
After Christmas, I talked with a staff member who told me how thrilled the resident was to receive the batteries. He now had a big enough supply that he didn’t worry about burning them out. I gave him a lot!
This verse from Psalm 80 put this into perspective. “Let YOUR face shine.” God let me know what it would take to bring a smile to this resident’s face. I wasn’t bummed out anymore. It wasn’t about what I thought would be a good gift. It was about letting God use me to celebrate his Son’s birth by bringing joy to someone else.
Gracious God, may people see your face shine through the ways you use me to do your work. Amen.
Rev. Bruce Todd serves as pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette Hill and on the Advancement Committee of Liberty Lutheran.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Psalm 80:3
I always enjoyed participating in the Christmas Gift program at Artman. I would receive the name of a resident with some suggested gift requests, and was asked to purchase and wrap the gift for them to receive at Christmas. Since both of my parents have died and entered the Kingdom of God, I thought this would be a nice way of remembering and honoring them at Christmas.
One year, I was eager to receive the gift request. What interesting items would they want? When I received the name of my resident and their gift request I was a bit surprised. Batteries! He wanted batteries in two specific sizes. I admit that I was a little bummed out because it was not very creative or exciting. Bit I complied and got batteries. And I got creative in the wrapping of the gift.
After Christmas, I talked with a staff member who told me how thrilled the resident was to receive the batteries. He now had a big enough supply that he didn’t worry about burning them out. I gave him a lot!
This verse from Psalm 80 put this into perspective. “Let YOUR face shine.” God let me know what it would take to bring a smile to this resident’s face. I wasn’t bummed out anymore. It wasn’t about what I thought would be a good gift. It was about letting God use me to celebrate his Son’s birth by bringing joy to someone else.
Gracious God, may people see your face shine through the ways you use me to do your work. Amen.
Rev. Bruce Todd serves as pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lafayette Hill and on the Advancement Committee of Liberty Lutheran.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Monday, December 14
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:78-79
There is a time to be born and a time to die. We are all united to this common reality. As Chaplain with Liberty Hospice, I have the privilege of assisting patients and their families as they transition in their final stage of life.
We are gifted with the skills and abilities to help families decrease their fear and anxiety as it relates to death and the dying process. We encourage patients and families to discuss end of life issues, fears, and concerns related to the dying process. We provide active, compassionate listening and encouragement. We address the physical and spiritual needs of the individual. We foster spiritual and emotional exploration, life review, and joy of life. We provide pastoral and supportive counseling. We also play music, sing to, and pray with our patients--one of my favorite things to do with families.
It is a privilege and an honor to serve the patients, families, and team members. I do not take this task lightly or half-heartedly. I am firmly grounded in Jesus’s proclamation that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. I have seen God working through the team doing works of emotional and spiritual healing, reconciliation, and bringing joy and comfort to the families that we serve. I am so very thankful for the privilege to serve those who are in need and through God and His love, bring comfort, light, and hope to those who are suffering and in need.
Loving God, open our eyes to see the light and hope even in the face of death. Help us to care for one another in all stages of life. Amen.
Rev. Matthew Hopkins serves as Chaplain for Liberty Lutheran’s Hospice and as Associate Pastor at the Second Baptist Church of Doylestown.
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:78-79
There is a time to be born and a time to die. We are all united to this common reality. As Chaplain with Liberty Hospice, I have the privilege of assisting patients and their families as they transition in their final stage of life.
We are gifted with the skills and abilities to help families decrease their fear and anxiety as it relates to death and the dying process. We encourage patients and families to discuss end of life issues, fears, and concerns related to the dying process. We provide active, compassionate listening and encouragement. We address the physical and spiritual needs of the individual. We foster spiritual and emotional exploration, life review, and joy of life. We provide pastoral and supportive counseling. We also play music, sing to, and pray with our patients--one of my favorite things to do with families.
It is a privilege and an honor to serve the patients, families, and team members. I do not take this task lightly or half-heartedly. I am firmly grounded in Jesus’s proclamation that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. I have seen God working through the team doing works of emotional and spiritual healing, reconciliation, and bringing joy and comfort to the families that we serve. I am so very thankful for the privilege to serve those who are in need and through God and His love, bring comfort, light, and hope to those who are suffering and in need.
Loving God, open our eyes to see the light and hope even in the face of death. Help us to care for one another in all stages of life. Amen.
Rev. Matthew Hopkins serves as Chaplain for Liberty Lutheran’s Hospice and as Associate Pastor at the Second Baptist Church of Doylestown.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2015
And the crowds asked [John], “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’Luke 3:10-12
As a child in Sunday School, whenever I heard these verses about sharing my extra coat with those who had none, I would feel guilty. After all, I had two coats: one for playing and one for school and special occasions. Surely, I could give one of them away.
But, the more I contemplate John the Baptist as prophet, the more I realize that people may not have asked, “What should we do?” out of fear and guilt. They asked because they believed John’s message and were ready to participate in his mission to bring repentance and healing to a weary world. John made it uncomplicated. Share what you have, even something small. Be fair and compassionate as you deal with others, especially those weaker than or different from you.
That’s what Lutheran Congregational Services seeks to help individuals and congregations to do. It’s as uncomplicated as providing sponges for LDR cleaning buckets or socks for a Christmas Ingathering. It’s as compassionate as offering pots and pans for Refugee Resettlement welcome boxes or volunteering for Camp Noah, a day camp for children who have survived disasters.
In this reflective time of Advent, how can the fire of God’s Spirit within us help us show the light of God’s loving grace to the world? In what uncomplicated way can you participate in the mission of God to a weary world?
Loving God, help us notice the small, simple ways you invite us to participate in your grace-filled mission for this world. Thank you for these opportunities. Amen.
Rev. Paulette Obrecht is a pastor in Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod who serves as a hospital chaplain and on the Advisory Board of Lutheran Congregational Services.
As a child in Sunday School, whenever I heard these verses about sharing my extra coat with those who had none, I would feel guilty. After all, I had two coats: one for playing and one for school and special occasions. Surely, I could give one of them away.
But, the more I contemplate John the Baptist as prophet, the more I realize that people may not have asked, “What should we do?” out of fear and guilt. They asked because they believed John’s message and were ready to participate in his mission to bring repentance and healing to a weary world. John made it uncomplicated. Share what you have, even something small. Be fair and compassionate as you deal with others, especially those weaker than or different from you.
That’s what Lutheran Congregational Services seeks to help individuals and congregations to do. It’s as uncomplicated as providing sponges for LDR cleaning buckets or socks for a Christmas Ingathering. It’s as compassionate as offering pots and pans for Refugee Resettlement welcome boxes or volunteering for Camp Noah, a day camp for children who have survived disasters.
In this reflective time of Advent, how can the fire of God’s Spirit within us help us show the light of God’s loving grace to the world? In what uncomplicated way can you participate in the mission of God to a weary world?
Loving God, help us notice the small, simple ways you invite us to participate in your grace-filled mission for this world. Thank you for these opportunities. Amen.
Rev. Paulette Obrecht is a pastor in Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod who serves as a hospital chaplain and on the Advisory Board of Lutheran Congregational Services.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Friday, December 11, 2015
May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1: 2-3
What do we have that we can give away? As the reading states, God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Therefore, we will always have enough to give some away. However, it takes compassion on our part.
A high school boy walked into our Share Our Surplus warehouse last fall and asked what we were doing. When we explained that we distribute laundry detergent and fabric softener for those who come to food banks and agencies, his very first reaction was, “How can I help?” I shared with him the schedule and he loaded them into his phone calendar. Honestly, I never expected to see him again. Was I wrong!
This young man showed up several times and even brought his brother with him. Since most of us who volunteer in the warehouse have gray hair, we were grateful for their strong backs and delighted with their compassionate attitude toward others they did not know.
There is a strange thing about compassion. You can never use it up. The more you give away the more you will have. God will make sure that you will never run out of the opportunity to be compassionate. We all learned something from those two young men.
Dear Lord, continue to put people in our lives that show us and teach us that you work in the hearts of all your people. We are grateful to be reminded and inspired by the compassion youth have for others.
Rev. Ginny Goodwin is the coordinator of Lutheran Congregational Services’ Share Our Surplus warehouse ministry.
2 Peter 1: 2-3
What do we have that we can give away? As the reading states, God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Therefore, we will always have enough to give some away. However, it takes compassion on our part.
A high school boy walked into our Share Our Surplus warehouse last fall and asked what we were doing. When we explained that we distribute laundry detergent and fabric softener for those who come to food banks and agencies, his very first reaction was, “How can I help?” I shared with him the schedule and he loaded them into his phone calendar. Honestly, I never expected to see him again. Was I wrong!
This young man showed up several times and even brought his brother with him. Since most of us who volunteer in the warehouse have gray hair, we were grateful for their strong backs and delighted with their compassionate attitude toward others they did not know.
There is a strange thing about compassion. You can never use it up. The more you give away the more you will have. God will make sure that you will never run out of the opportunity to be compassionate. We all learned something from those two young men.
Dear Lord, continue to put people in our lives that show us and teach us that you work in the hearts of all your people. We are grateful to be reminded and inspired by the compassion youth have for others.
Rev. Ginny Goodwin is the coordinator of Lutheran Congregational Services’ Share Our Surplus warehouse ministry.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Thursday, December 10
He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
Isaiah 40:11
Like all communities across America and around the world, the city of Easton continues to see families and individuals who struggle to reliably put nutritious food on their table. God has provided enough bounty for all, yet we cannot seem to find the universal compassion to see that it is distributed fairly. Some of us have too much while others have too little. Faith leads me to seek a way to share God’s blessing and light with care and balance.
As a Christian, I seek comfort and insight through worship within our congregation at Arndt’s Lutheran Church in Forks Township, Pennsylvania. And through Lutheran Congregational Services, a Lutheran Social Ministry Organization, I have connected with other Christian soldiers beyond my congregation, people who share my mission to support the changes needed to relieve food insufficiency in our community, our region, our country and our world. Our work together helps me know that the path that God has shown me is the one to follow and that God will always provide the light to guide us.
Lord of light, help us see the need in our midst. Support and grow our collective compassionate hearts so that every lamb is carried in your arms, every lamb is fed as you intended. Amen.
Nancy Walters leads the “Make It Take It” kitchen in Easton. It is a program that teaches people who are food insecure to cook healthy, economical dishes.
Isaiah 40:11
Like all communities across America and around the world, the city of Easton continues to see families and individuals who struggle to reliably put nutritious food on their table. God has provided enough bounty for all, yet we cannot seem to find the universal compassion to see that it is distributed fairly. Some of us have too much while others have too little. Faith leads me to seek a way to share God’s blessing and light with care and balance.
As a Christian, I seek comfort and insight through worship within our congregation at Arndt’s Lutheran Church in Forks Township, Pennsylvania. And through Lutheran Congregational Services, a Lutheran Social Ministry Organization, I have connected with other Christian soldiers beyond my congregation, people who share my mission to support the changes needed to relieve food insufficiency in our community, our region, our country and our world. Our work together helps me know that the path that God has shown me is the one to follow and that God will always provide the light to guide us.
Lord of light, help us see the need in our midst. Support and grow our collective compassionate hearts so that every lamb is carried in your arms, every lamb is fed as you intended. Amen.
Nancy Walters leads the “Make It Take It” kitchen in Easton. It is a program that teaches people who are food insecure to cook healthy, economical dishes.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Wednesday, December 9
Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
Luke 9:1-2
Several of our residents at Artman had a lively discussion about this verse with me. What follows is from the wisdom of our elders.
One resident observed that there are things which “sit on our shoulders” or dwell “in the pit of our stomachs.” In the end, these things hurt and even destroy us. It is the power of Jesus that frees us from these “demons” of anger, helplessness, grief, guilt, fear, intolerance, injustice, lack of trust, and selfishness.
I asked the residents about the “kingdom of God” which the disciples were sent to proclaim. They shared that this proclamation was centered in the forgiveness and peace God gives to us. Trusting that God yearns to help us, we find what we need to handle all those things in life which are so difficult. God brings the healing and peace we need. It is the very opposite of the “demons” which seek to demand our attention.
The disciples were called to proclaim this forgiveness and peace. And we are called to do this, too. We share the Kingdom of God through the way in which we treat others, wherever we find ourselves in life. The residents shared that they through listening to the sorrows of others, giving support, praying for one another, being a friend, and welcoming the new resident.
Our proclamation doesn’t always have to be something spectacular. You don’t have to be rich and powerful, or eloquent and able-bodied to do this work. God calls each one of us to share God’s love in whatever way we can.
Loving God, help us share your love through the ways we treat others with compassion, patience and prayer. Amen.
Rev. Linda Hatcher is Chaplin at Artman.
Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
Luke 9:1-2
Several of our residents at Artman had a lively discussion about this verse with me. What follows is from the wisdom of our elders.
One resident observed that there are things which “sit on our shoulders” or dwell “in the pit of our stomachs.” In the end, these things hurt and even destroy us. It is the power of Jesus that frees us from these “demons” of anger, helplessness, grief, guilt, fear, intolerance, injustice, lack of trust, and selfishness.
I asked the residents about the “kingdom of God” which the disciples were sent to proclaim. They shared that this proclamation was centered in the forgiveness and peace God gives to us. Trusting that God yearns to help us, we find what we need to handle all those things in life which are so difficult. God brings the healing and peace we need. It is the very opposite of the “demons” which seek to demand our attention.
The disciples were called to proclaim this forgiveness and peace. And we are called to do this, too. We share the Kingdom of God through the way in which we treat others, wherever we find ourselves in life. The residents shared that they through listening to the sorrows of others, giving support, praying for one another, being a friend, and welcoming the new resident.
Our proclamation doesn’t always have to be something spectacular. You don’t have to be rich and powerful, or eloquent and able-bodied to do this work. God calls each one of us to share God’s love in whatever way we can.
Loving God, help us share your love through the ways we treat others with compassion, patience and prayer. Amen.
Rev. Linda Hatcher is Chaplin at Artman.
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