Friday, December 2, 2022

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5

Small glimpses of walking in the light across Liberty throughout the year:

• Residents at the Hearth knit blankets for those in the local community who need them so that they know the warmth of compassion.
• Volunteers and staff recreate prom at Artman so that residents like Ginny and Bill can dance once again while reminiscing about their last prom together in 1956.
• Dedicated heroes help survivors of disasters find temporary shelter and walk with them through the long journey of rebuilding their lives.
• Nancy and Bob, residents at the Village, devote much of their lives in prison ministry, offering hope to those who are incarcerated, helping them chart a path for a good life to follow.
• The community service club at Paul’s Run works tirelessly to make and package food or assemble personal hygiene bags for some of the most vulnerable among us, offering much more than necessities – an extension of love and respect.
• Ms. Talbot at the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center wears many hats and volunteers wherever she’s needed so that older adults get what they need and have a warm, welcoming place to come so that they’re not staying home in isolation.
• Ed, a resident at the Manor, eagerly and joyfully leads several projects in the community, providing energy and fun to nurture hearts and souls.
• Sylvia, grief counselor for Lutheran Congregational Services, listens to and encourages those who are grieving a loss, providing comfort and peace.

Regardless of where each of us are in our personal journey through life, even the smallest gestures of kindness and compassion shine brightly as we walk in the light of the Lord. 

God of Jacob, we give you thanks for people who walk in your light, leading the way. May we, too, with wisdom and courage, walk in your light so that others may see and follow. Amen. 

Excerpts taken from some of the many stories about the Liberty family as recorded in recent publications. 

Thursday, December 1, 2022

 By faith, Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith. Hebrews 11:7 

In The Message translation of the passage from Hebrews, it says that “By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told.” How many of us have done the same thing? Isn’t that what we celebrate during Advent – the promise of the Christ child coming into our lives? Something unseen, but something we have believed and, perhaps, acted on through lives of helping others in service. We are the disciples of that Christ child. 

When my husband and I were told about 20 years ago that he needed to have his failing heart valve replaced, doctors explained that the procedure was more risky than before, for a lot of reasons. And, I remember saying to the surgeon, “I’m not worried, Doctor, because I have a lot of faith in God and everything will be all right.” The concerned doctor cautioned that even with faith in God, things might still go wrong, but I assured him that faith in God would help us deal with whatever happened. 

In my work as a pastor, as a chaplain, as a volunteer for Lutheran Disaster Response, I have witnessed countless people telling me the same thing. Through unexpected illness or family tragedy, through instances of dealing with destruction from hurricanes and flood waters, I’m always amazed at the acclamations of faith that I hear from people dealing with uncertainty and heartache. It seems to be the difference between an unbelieving world and the feeling of “rightness” of a believing world, as Hebrews tell us. Our faith truly is the creation of an intimate relationship with a God who loves us and wants us to enjoy the peace that only God can bring.

Faithful God, thank you for being with us through all things and for helping our faith in you to flourish and grow. Amen. 

Pastor Paulette Obrecht serves on the Lutheran Congregational Services’ Advisory Board and is a volunteer for Lutheran Disaster Response.

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up, and it shall serve as food for you and for them. Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. Genesis 6: 21-22

Noah has no verbal exchange with God recorded in Genesis. In fact, Noah has no speaking lines recorded until 9:25, after the waters of the flood have subsided. We imagine the exchange between God and Noah, asking ourselves the questions we assume perplexed Noah. “Why me? Why a flood? What about all of my neighbors, and the creatures not brought onto this ark? How am I supposed to build this thing, old as I am, in the time you ask?” 

Questions are not a bad thing. God created us to be curious, and curiosity begets creativity, leading us to participate in God’s ongoing creative work. But Noah asked no questions. “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” No questions asked. God had already provided Noah with everything he and his family needed: instructions. Store up food for yourselves and the animals. Take the opportunity to prepare for uncertain circumstances, difficult days, and the unknown that will come after the waters recede. 

It’s hard to know when to ask questions and when to take the leap, put our heads down, and follow where God is leading. Questions are often healthy, but sometimes we use our inquisitive nature to delay what God is already doing to transform the world around us. Along the way, God provides opportunities for us to prepare for the journey in many ways. Noah built the ark. He prepared his family, gathered the food, and took care of the animals. Each careful step prepared him for the next step. 

Surround yourself with people who will accompany you. Gather those who will depend on you for care. Store up resources that will nurture you through flood, fire, and famine. Serve God by tending to creation and be on the lookout for what God is doing as we build up a refuge for those displaced and discouraged.

God of wonder, give us the curiosity to join your creative work and the faithfulness to follow your commandments, trusting that you carry us through the storm and provide for the journey ahead. Amen. 

Rev. Brandon M. Heavner currently serves as pastor of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, PA, and is a member of Lutheran Congregational Services’ Advisory Board.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. Genesis 6: 17-18

Let’s be honest: this isn’t an easy text. We’re preparing for Christmas— aren’t we supposed to be remembering the joy and wonder of Jesus’ birth? We should be wrapping presents, decorating our homes, and celebrating the wonders of the season with friends and family, not remembering a time when God promised to destroy all living things! 

Except we all know the harsh realities of life don’t stop when December begins. Maybe this is precisely the right time to tell the truth—life is hard. Life is hard and there are things we don’t understand. Life is hard and we’ve suffered losses that are even harder to bear at Christmas time. We should be honest with ourselves and with God about these harsh realities. 

This is where our grief and despair collide with another powerful truth— God’s unfailing love, and promise of new life in Jesus. 

Friends, this Advent season may we give ourselves permission to acknowledge our struggles and grief and look forward with hope to the new life Jesus promises to give.

God of light, shine your love into the darkness of life. May we be reminded today that this season is about a Love that will never let us go. In the holy name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. 

Jennifer Heavner is Pastor of Star of Bethlehem and a member of the Lutheran Congregational Services’ Advisory Board.

Monday, November 28, 2022

Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

As I read Matthew 11:28 I couldn’t help thinking about my last two years as church council president at Friedens Church, Shartlesville.

First off, with COVID in full swing, council decided no more in-house services. We went to ZOOM and Facebook. Contributions kept coming in but at a slower pace.

Then, our oil delivery company let us run out of fuel oil on a cold, Sunday morning. We took care of that. Then in spring we had two new fuel tanks installed with a reader gauge. The same summer, our central air-conditioning units quit. While council helped make the decisions, as council president, I felt there was a lot to carry on my shoulders.

Things were starting to go along well when our pastor called and wanted to talk to me and our council VP. When we met, our pastor said she was just diagnosed with cancer. She needed further testing and would keep us informed. Pastor helped us schedule supply pastors when she could. And then chemo started. COVID was still going strong. These were trying times but we kept going forward.

Finally, COVID was lessening and we opened church with masks. We continued virtual broadcasts along with continued prayers for our pastor.

Often, I wonder what is next, how much can we take, why are we getting tested like this?

As I reflect at all the things going on in this world, there are others that have a much heavier burden on their shoulders than I do. And I am now happy to report that our pastor rang the bell to indicate her final chemo treatment.

Lifter of all burdens, please be with church leaders, those facing difficult diagnoses, and all who carry so much on their shoulders. Amen.

Randy Haag is long-time member and council president of Friedens Church, Shartlesville.

Sunday, November 27, 2022

He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3a

The Letter to the Hebrews begins with a declaration that Jesus is the “reflection of God’s glory” and “the exact imprint of God’s very being.”

People who knew my mother say I look just like her. Indeed, when I sawmy cousin, I thought I was seeing my uncle. We ARE a reflection of our ancestors. When the announcement is made, “today’s reading is from the letters to the Hebrews”, my mind goes to “by faith.” This phrase is used many times in Chapter 11 and goes through a genealogy of Biblical characters.

By faith, my ancestors left their homes to go to a new place. By faith, my ancestors took a boat ride across the Atlantic Ocean, a ride that many did not survive. By faith, my ancestors settled on property in Penn’s woods. By faith, my ancestors organized Lutheran congregations in their neighborhood. By faith, my life path has taken me to being a professional educator in the Church.

Am I also a “reflection of God’s glory” and “the exact imprint of God’s very being”? Whoa, that is scary and carries a lot of responsibility - to pass on the love God has for all of us. Because of Jesus and the words he spoke of God’s loving grace, I am sustained by faith as my ancestors were throughout their lives. May you too be a reflection of God’s love this day.

Loving Savior, thank you for sustaining my daily life through your word and deed of sacrifice pointing me to God’s gracious love. Amen.

Deacon Marlane Druckenmiller is retired after 46 years serving 7 congregations in Northeastern PA as Director of Christian Education, working with children, youth, volunteers, women’s groups and leader in all aspects of congregational life.

Daily Advent Devotional Posts Will Start on Sunday, November 27, 2022