sixteenth service of healing sunday after pentecost receive anointing...
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1
Sixteenth
Sunday
After
Pentecost
September
29, 2019
Welcome to Emmanuel !
It is wonderful to worship with you today!
All are welcome regardless of your faith affiliation.
If you are a visitor worshiping today, we are blessed
by your presence. Please sign the guest book in the
Gathering Space, so we can keep in touch.
All parts of today’s worship service are printed in
this bulletin. Words to all songs are provided.
If you would like to use the hymnals to sing with
music, most songs are noted with the hymnal color
and song number for easy look up. Music is
provided for songs not in one of the hymn books.
This is a service of Holy Communion. All God's
people are invited to the table by our Lord Jesus
Christ. You will find instructions for Holy
Communion later in the bulletin.
Assistive hearing devices are available in the
Gathering Space.
Restrooms are located in the hall off the Gathering
Space immediately to the left.
Parents with children are welcome to use the
children’s activity bags, located by the entrance to
the Sanctuary. If needed, our nursery room is at the
end of the hall off the Gathering Space.
Please silence your phones, but feel free to post
pictures, videos, tweets or texts to social media.
Join us to share the Word of God!
Service of Healing
Today, we offer a service of healing during the
Distribution of Communion. If you would like to
receive anointing and or a special healing prayer,
please see Deacon Marlene Natali who will be
available at the rear of the sanctuary to assist you.
Introduction to the Day
Consideration of and care for those in need
(especially those “at our gate,” visible to us,
of whom we are aware) is an essential
component of good stewardship.
It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid
the snare of wealth. Jesus is the one whom
death could not hold; the one who comes to
us risen from the dead; the one who can free
us from the death grip of greed.
____________________________________
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his
courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
(Psalm 100:4)
_____________________________________
THE SERVICE
PRELUDE
“Come Thou Almighty King" - (Richard Proulx)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please stand as you are able.
2
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
the fountain of living water,
the rock who gave us birth,
our light and our salvation.
Amen.
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are
clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning
your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word
you created the world, calling forth life in which you
took delight. Through the waters of the flood you
delivered Noah and his family.
Through the sea you led your people Israel
from slavery into freedom. At the river
your Son was baptized by John
and anointed with the Holy Spirit.
By water and your Word you claim us as daughters
and sons, making us heirs of your promise and
servants of all.
We praise you for the gift of water that
sustains life, and above all we praise you
for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.
Shower us with your Spirit,
and renew our lives
with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise through Jesus
Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now
and forever.
Amen.
GATHERING SONG Crown Him with Many Crowns (Green 170)
1 Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne;
hark, how the heav'nly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity.
2 Crown him the virgin's Son,
the God incarnate born,
whose arm those crimson trophies won
which now his brow adorn;
fruit of the mystic rose,
yet of that rose the stem,
the root whence mercy ever flows,
the babe of Bethlehem.
3 Crown him the Lord of love.
Behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bend their burning eyes
at mysteries so bright.
4 Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o'er the grave
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save.
His glories now we sing,
who died and rose on high,
who died, eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.
5 Crown him the Lord of peace,
whose pow'r a scepter sways
from pole to pole, that wars may cease,
absorbed in prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end,
and round his pierced feet
fair flow'rs of paradise extend
their fragrance ever sweet.
6 Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For thou hast died for me;
thy praise and glory shall not fail
throughout eternity.
3
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you
all.
And also with you.
SONG OF PRAISE
Come, All You People (Blue 717)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, rich in mercy, you look with compassion on
this troubled world. Feed us with your grace, and
grant us the treasure that comes only from you,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Please be seated.
4
FIRST READING: Amos 6:1a, 4-7
A reading from Amos.
Alas for those who are at ease in Zion,
and for those who feel secure
on Mount Samaria,
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory,
and lounge on their couches,
and eat lambs from the flock,
and calves from the stall;
who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp,
and like David improvise on instruments
of music; who drink wine from bowls,
and anoint themselves with the finest oils,
but are not grieved
over the ruin of Joseph!
Therefore they shall now be the first to go into
exile, and the revelry of the loungers
shall pass away.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 146
(Read responsively)
Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God
while I have my being.
Put not your trust in rulers,
in mortals in whom there is no help.
When they breathe their last, they return to
earth, and in that day
their thoughts perish.
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their
help, whose hope is in the LORD their God;
who made heaven and earth, the seas,
and all that is in them;
who keeps promises forever;
who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and
food to those who hunger.
The LORD sets the captive free.
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the
LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD cares for the stranger; the LORD sustains
the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
The LORD shall reign forever, your God,
O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!
5
SECOND READING: 1 Timothy 6:6-19
A Reading from 1 Timothy.
Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined
with contentment; for we brought nothing into the
world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we
have food and clothing, we will be content with
these. But those who want to be rich fall into
temptation and are trapped by many senseless and
harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,
and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered
away from the faith and pierced themselves with
many pains.
But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance,
gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take
hold of the eternal life, to which you were called
and for which you made the good confession in
the presence of many witnesses. In the presence
of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ
Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate
made the good confession, I charge you to keep
the commandment without spot or blame until
the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
he will bring about at the right time—he who is
the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of
kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has
immortality and dwells in unapproachable light,
whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be
honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
As for those who in the present age are rich,
command them not to be haughty, or to set their
hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on
God who richly provides us with everything for
our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in
good works, generous, and ready to share, thus
storing up for themselves the treasure of a good
foundation for the future, so that they may take
hold of the life that really is life.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil
Please sing once before, and once following the
reading of the Gospel.
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GOSPEL: Luke 16: 19-31
The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “There was a rich man who was dressed
in purple and fine linen; who feasted sumptuously
every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named
Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy
his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table;
even the dogs would come and lick his sores.
The poor man died and was carried away by the
angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died
and was buried. In Hades, where he was being
tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away
with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father
Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to
dip the tip of his finger in water and
cool my tongue; for I am in agony in
these flames.’ But Abraham said,
‘Child, remember that during your
lifetime you received your good things,
and Lazarus in like manner evil things;
but now he is comforted here, and you
are in agony. Besides all this, between
you and us a great chasm has been
fixed, so that those who might want to
pass from here to you cannot do so, and
no one can cross from there to us.’
He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to
send him to my father’s house—for I
have five brothers—that he may warn
them, so that they will not also come
into this place of torment.’ Abraham
replied, ‘They have Moses and the
prophets; they should listen to them.’
He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if
someone goes to them from the dead,
they will repent.’
He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to
Moses and the prophets, neither will
they be convinced even if someone
rises from the dead.’”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil
(words on previous page)
SERMON
The Rev. John T. Heidgerd
At conclusion of the sermon, please stand as you are
able for the Hymn of the Day
HYMN OF THE DAY
Let Streams of Living Justice Flow
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THE APOSTLES CREED
Let us profess our faith in the words of the Apostles
Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
At the end of each petition, the minister will say
"Let us pray."
The congregation responds:
"Have mercy, O God."
SHARING OF THE PEACE
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
Let us now share a sign of God’s peace with each
other.
OFFERING
Please be seated as we gather our offerings and
present them to God.
OFFERTORY
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – (Hopson)
Please stand as you are able.
OFFERING SONG
As the Grains of Wheat (Blue 705)
Refrain
As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill
were gathered into one to become our bread;
so may all your people from all the ends of earth
be gathered into one in you.
1 As this cup of blessing is shared within our
midst, may we share the presence of your love.
Refrain
2 Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come
when all creation shares this feast with you.
Refrain
OFFERING PRAYER
Together, let us pray.
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things.
Through your goodness you have blessed us
with these gifts: ourselves, our time, and our
possessions.
Use us, and what we have gathered, in
feeding the world with your love, through the
one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
8
GREAT THANKSGIVING
(Spoken by pastor)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we
should at all times and in all places give thanks and
praise to you, almighty and merciful God through
our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame
death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection
opened to us the way of everlasting life.
And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church
on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your
name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (please sing)
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
We give you thanks, Father, through Jesus Christ,
your beloved Son, whom you sent to us to save and
redeem us and to proclaim to us your will.
He is your Word, inseparable from you, through
whom you created all things, and in whom
you take delight.
He took on our nature and our lot and was shown
forth as your Son, born of the Holy Spirit
and of the virgin Mary.
He is the one who, handed over to a death he freely
accepted, in order to destroy death, to break the
bonds of the evil one, to crush hell underfoot, to give
light to the righteous, to establish his covenant, and
to show forth the resurrection, taking bread and
giving thanks to you, said:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
In the same way he took the cup, gave thanks, and
gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for
you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, then, his death and resurrection,
we take this bread and cup, giving you thanks that
you have made us worthy to stand before you and
to serve you as your priestly people.
Send your Spirit upon these gifts of your church;
gather into one all who share this bread and wine;
fill us with your Holy Spirit to establish our faith
in truth, that we may praise and glorify you
through your Son Jesus Christ; through whom all
glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with
the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now
and forever.
Amen.
9
LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to
pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet. The feast is now ready.
Thanks be to God.
LAMB OF GOD (Please sing)
Please be seated.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION
All God's people are invited by our Lord Jesus
Christ to receive Holy Communion. We receive
these gifts of bread and wine, of Christ's body and
blood in faith, trusting that in this meal our Lord
comes to us, forgives our sins, renews us in faith and
leads us into new life.
Emmanuel’s tradition is that communion is
distributed continuously. After the sacraments are
consecrated, the ushers will direct those in the
congregation by row to proceed down the center
aisle toward the pastor or assisting minister who will
distribute the bread.
If you prefer gluten-free bread, please signal to the
pastor or assisting minister as you approach.
As you walk down the aisle on the left or right side,
there are tables on which there are trays holding
individual cups. If you wish to receive wine,
please take an empty cup with you prior to receiving
the bread. If you prefer grape juice, please take a
pre-filled cup as you pass.
After receiving the bread turn to the left or right
where an assistant will pour wine into the empty
cup. After you have consumed the bread and
wine (or juice), please return to your seat via the
side aisle, placing the empty cup in the receptacle
provided on your way to your seat.
If you do not wish to receive Holy Communion,
you are invited to come forward and receive a
blessing. Please come forward with your arms
folded across your chest in the form of the St.
Andrew's cross. (X)
10
SONGS DURING COMMUNION
We Come to the Hungry Feast (Blue 766)
1 We come to the hungry feast
hungry for a word of peace.
To hungry hearts unsatisfied
the love of God is not denied.
We come, we come to the hungry feast.
2 We come to the hungry feast
hungry for a world released
from hungry people of ev'ry kind,
the poor in body, poor in mind.
We come, we come to the hungry feast.
3 We come to the hungry feast
hungry that the hunger cease,
and knowing, though we eat our fill,
the hunger will stay with us; still
we come, we come to the hungry feast.
__________________________________________
One Bread, One Body (Blue 710)
Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
1 Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more.
Refrain
2 Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all.
Refrain
3 Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all.
Refrain
Please stand as you are able.
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Together, let us pray.
O God, our life, our strength, our food, we
give you thanks for sustaining us with the
body and blood of your Son.
By your Holy Spirit, enliven us to be his
body in the world, that more and more we
will give you praise and serve your earth
and its many peoples, through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you
peace.
Amen.
11
SENDING HYMN
My Life Flows On in Endless Song (Blue 781)
1 My life flows on in endless song;
above earth's lamentation,
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Refrain
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
2 Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
Refrain
3 What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
Refrain
4 The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his!
How can I keep from singing?
Refrain
DISMISSAL
Go in peace and thanksgiving to love and serve the
Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
“For the Beauty of the Earth” – (Hobby)
Today – Sept. 29
Ministers: All God’s people gathered
Acolytes: Lily Pifer, Dylan Drissel
Assisting Minister: Jen Casta
Altar Guild: Fran Hunsicker, Gerry Blaich,
Liesl Stroup, Kathleen Coll
CD Delivery: Pat Frankenfield
Communion Assts: Chris Harubin, Jane Vogel
Counters: Team 3: Bill Morral, Cheryl Starke,
Co-captains.
Greeters: Dave & Marlene Natali
Lector: Cory Gilbert
Ushers: Team 1, Daniel Vogel, Capt.
Next Week – Oct. 6
Ministers: All God’s people gathered
Acolytes: Cole Pifer, Krieg Pierce
Assisting Minister: Julie Freed
Altar Guild: Becky Hartman, Melinda Ferrara,
Blythe Bealer
CD Delivery: Rich Landis
Communion Assts: Harry Seeley, Cindy Crouthamel
Counters: Team 4: Carole Darragh, Michelle Gilbert,
Co-captains.
Greeters: Roy & Kathy Becker
Lector: Pat Frankenfield
Ushers: Team 2, John Wellington, Capt.
________________________________________
Attendance for Sunday, September 29, 2019 – 97
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2019 Augsburg Fortress.
All rights reserved.
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Emmanuel Worships !
Coming to Emmanuel THIS Friday, October 4
New Path is a faith community where people in recovery and the people who love
them can worship God, explore spiritual practices for recovery, and find company on
the journey.
Come as you are and experience God’s grace and unconditional love.
Sponsored by Kairos Communities For more information:
Info@kairoscommunities.org Facebook.com/kairos
This week I was asked a question I’ve never been asked before: Why do you have 3 keyboards on the organ? You only have 2 hands!
What a good question! I invite you to come up to see and listen. Each keyboard connects to pipes that function differently in how the organ plays.
Since the time of the most famous organist of all time, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 to 1750) most organs have been built with multiple keyboards. Emmanuel’s organ has three such keyboards. The top keyboard is called “The Swell Manual”. The middle keyboard is known as “The Great Manual” and the lowest keyboard we call “The Choir Manual”.
Each of the three manuals controls a different set of pips and can be used in different ways to give us the many sounds that an organ can create. For example, it is possible to play a melody on one keyboard and its harmony on another one that is set to play more softly.
This week, I’m writing about the work horse of the organ which is the middle keyboard or “Great Manual”. This keyboard is connected to the pipes that are built to create a strong, firm sound. The “Great” pipes usually generate more sound than similar pipes in other divisions.
The “Great Manual” is the group of pipes that lead the congregation in singing. When pressing one key, you will often hear 5 different pitches simultaneously, ranging from quite low to very high. On most instruments, the loudness of these pipes is established when the organ is built. The organist makes the sound louder or softer by adding or taking away “stops” (smaller groups of pipes. Stops are controlled by white tabs above the keyboards are the sets of stops that connect the organist to any or all of the three keyboards.
Next week I’ll give you some information about the other two keyboards and sets of pipes!
Musical Notes from Deacon Ethel Geist,
Dir. of Music Ministries
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Emmanuel
Worships!
Weekly Schedule
*Sundays after
Worship
*Wednesdays at
7:30PM
Singers may come to either or both rehearsals. A
second rehearsal gives singers the option of coming
for extra work, or to make up for a missed session.
____________________________________
Weekly Schedule
Wednesdays - 6:30PM
You don’t need to know
much about music, just how
to count!
__________________________________________
_
Wednesdays: 8:30 – 9:00 PM
For anyone who wants to get more joy from music
and for those who know a little or nothing about
reading music.
__________________________________________
Join Us For Worship!
October 13 at 4:00 PM
And Every 2nd Sunday at 4 PM
“Creating Inclusive Worship
and Fellowship”
Emmanuel
Nurtures !
___________________________________
Coming Up Soon:
Wed. Oct. 16th
@ Noon
Location: Hometown Family
Restaurant (formerly O’Grady’s)
For information, and transportation needs,
contact: Gloria Heckler 215-799-2264
Join us for lunch, conversation and
fellowship every 3rd Wednesday
_______________________________
Next Meeting
Monday, October 14
@ 7:00 PM
October’s Book:
“Before We Were
Yours”
by Lisa Wingate
Join the ladies of Emmanuel for fun conversation
and fellowship – and always a good read!
For information, e-mail Mary Anne Morral
morral@verizon.net
__________________________________________
Knitters and Crocheters !
“Come and gather
to make shawls for those
in need of comfort.”
Next Meeting:
Sunday, October 6 @
1PM
And every first Sunday of the month.
Instruction available for all who are interested.
_______________________________________
MUSIC 101 COURSE
14
Emmanuel Nurtures !
All New Curriculum
Using
Augsburg’s
“Book of
Faith”
Materials
If you have any questions, please
contact Fred Crouthamel
215-721-1953
Led by Deacon Marlene Natali
Feel the power of God’s Word
revealed though Scripture
and community discussion.
In the Parlor
Sundays at 9 AM
___________________________________
Have fun! Form faith!
Make friends!
Sunday at 10AM
“A New Kind of Sunday School”
This week: We continue the story of creation. Children learn about Adam and Eve.
Next week: Why did Noah build
the ark for all those animals?
All new energetic and interactive curriculum !
Guaranteed
to be “Faith - Tastic!
Sing the songs of faith.
Hear the stories of faith.
Do the acts of faith.
Drop-Off begins at 9:45 AM
15
Emmanuel Nurtures !
+ Gloria Buschmann +
God has cal led God’s servant Gloria
Buschmann into eternal l i fe . Gloria died
at the Peter Becker Community on
September 25, 2019. Information on a
memorial service wi l l be provided as i t
becomes avai lable. Please pray for her
husband, Werner , and their family
during this t ime of loss .
Learn to hear God
in the midst of your
busy life. (Yes,
really!!)
Join us for an
interactive
workshop as you
discover your story!
Saturday, Oct. 19,
9:30 am - 4:00pm
This interactive workshop will help you
re-claim a calling spirituality as a unique
gift of the Christian faith
identify God’s various callings in
YOUR life and relationships
share stories of God’s calling activity in
your life
Members 16 years or older of any SEPA
Synod congregation are invited to attend the
workshop on Saturday, October 19, from 9:30
am – 4:00 pm.
This innovative workshop was developed and
will be facilitated by Vibrant Faith Institute.
Funding has been provided by a SEPA Synod
Forward Together in Faith grant.
Register online by October 11, 2019.
For our Homebound Members
Doris Alderfer
William & Helen De Turk
Norma Detweiler
Mary & Bill Frank
Rita Fritz
Louella Gehringer
John Kemmerer
Kitty Kramer
Jane Niemczyk
Kathryn Stover
Joseph Sykes
Faye Wetzel
Dorothy Wohlgemuth
Current addresses for our homebound are posted in the
Gathering Space
For Health and Healing Members of Emmanuel
Roy Becker
Anthony Campolei
Elaine Cash
Pat Conard
Dominick DeSalvo
Keira Drissel
Craig Freed
Craig Kulp
Doug Landis
Kermit Schnable
Anita Sykes
Shirley Treichler
Robert Ziegler
Friends of Emmanuel
Donna Clemens (friend of Janel and Barry Gibson)
Luca Condo (friend of Ruth Miller)
Helen Freed (Craig Freed’s Mom)
Sabrina Haap (Ruth Miller’s Niece)
Donald Heller (Shirley’s Brother-in-law)
Dixie Kephart (Darlene’s Mother)
Ed Natali (David’s Brother)
Samir Nowar (friend of Pastor John)
Stewart Schrauger (Julie Freed’s Brother)
Michael Smith (friend of Cheryl Starke)
Eric Sykes (Anita & Joe’s Son)
Pam Valenti (Lou Gehringer’s Sister)
Alexander & Sylvia Wagwicz (Friends of DeSalvos)
Suzanne Willauer (Ed Cash’s Sister)
Alicia Ranberg (Friend of the Crouthamels)
Chase Ziegler (Christman’s Great-Grandson)
While Away at School
David Henry
Samantha Plinke
Abby Steinly
In order to keep our Prayer List up to date, names will remain
for four weeks unless otherwise notified
16
Emmanuel Nurtures !
Thoughts on
God’s Word for
Today
Sept. 29, 2019
Let’s start by reading the Gospel lesson on page 6.
Last week, Jesus told the story of the “Unjust
Manager” – a parable that is hard for us to
understand without a great deal of explanation.
In this week’s parable of the “Rich Man and
Lazarus”, the message of the story is a lot more
obvious – more to the point. The rich are doomed to
eternal punishment. The poor are those whom God
will save and take to heaven.
Not so much “Good News” there for the average
person, is there? I mean most of us would be
considered “rich” when compared with much of the
world that lives in abject poverty. Does Jesus mean
that we are to suffer throughout eternity?
I think the key to understanding this parable is not to
make our association too closely with either the Rich
Man, or with Lazarus. Yes, they are the main
characters in the parable and the source of the
parable’s moral message. However, we have to
remember that parables are aimed at particular
audiences – and Jesus often uses vivid and
exaggerated metaphor to drive a point across.
Instead of placing ourselves in the story as either the
Rich Man or Lazarus, it is more useful, perhaps, to
identify with the Rich Man’s five brothers – the ones
for whom he begs Abraham to have Lazarus seek out
and warn them of what is to come. Like us, the
brothers still have a chance to avoid the Rich Man’s
outcome. And like the brothers, we already know
what God calls us to do. To use all that we have
been given to care for those whom God loves. And
God always has a special love for the poor ones.
A fundamental element of what is known as
Liberation Theology is “God’s Preference for the
Poor”. Liberation Theology originated in Latin
America as a way to help the world notice the plight
of the poor, and to assist the poor in being liberated
from the poverty that oppresses them.
“God’s Preference for the Poor” is not a fabrication
of some theologians to benefit a special interest
group. We can see this reflected in passages like
“The Rich Man and Lazarus”, and in many places
throughout our scriptures and traditions.
In the Old Testament, the first laws of the nation of
Israel always have provisions to care for the poor,
widows and orphans. These laws were made not
only to protect the poor from poverty, oppression,
and injustice but they also protected the rich from
being consumed by greed, ignoring the plight of the
poor and falling victim to the false god of wealth.
The prophets of the Hebrew scriptures were very
concerned with the plight of the poor. They are
often found in scripture calling the people back to
“God’s Preference” – even to the point of blaming
the people’s callousness toward the poor for their
fate as conquered people in exile.
The Gospels - Luke, in particular, lift up the needs of
the poor. In Luke’s version of The Beatitudes, the
blessings of Jesus given at the Sermon on the Plain,
Jesus says “Blessed are the poor, for yours is the
Kingdom of God.
When Jesus opened the scroll at the synagogue, he
read his “mission statement” from the prophet Isaiah
and said, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to
preach good news to the poor.” It doesn’t stop there.
In addition to the parable of the Rich Man and
Lazarus, we have the Widow who was lifted up for
giving all that she had out of her poverty. The
parable of the Wedding Banquet gives us a picture of
the poor being favored by God. God loves the poor,
wants us to take notice of this – and act on it now.
This is good news for us because we get to act on
what God calls us to do – to use all that we have
been given to benefit those who have so little. To
notice those who God notices. To love those who
God loves. To avoid the trap that wealth is for all of
us. That false sense of security where we are fooled
into believing that our wealth can save us.
My prayer for us as a people of faith is that we work
together to reach out into the community to notice
the poverty around us, and work to do what we can
to free people from its oppression. May God open
our eyes so it can be so
17
Emmanuel Serves !
Sponsored by:
Emmanuel’s Men in Mission
Saturday, Oct. 12
8:30 – 10:00 AM
Did we say it’s
F R E E !
Eggs, Pancakes, Sausage
Community and Conversation
Join us every 2nd Saturday!
Emmanuel Reaches Out !
Lutheran Disaster Response to
Help Recovery from Dorian
“About 17% of Bahamians are suddenly
homeless after Hurricane Dorian wiped out
neighborhoods and ripped houses off
foundations,” (CNN, 9/10/19 .“That’s 70,000
people who have lost almost everything.”
Lutheran Disaster Response is monitoring the
situation closely and keeping in touch with our
synods, partners and various social ministry
organizations throughout the areas expected to
feel the greatest impact – from the Carolinas
through Florida. We are ready to respond and
stand by our neighbors as they recover from
this hurricane others this season may bring.
Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern PA, a
ministry of Lutheran Congregation Services
(LCS), a service of Liberty Lutheran, is taking
these actions to keep up to date on the events
related to Hurricane Dorian.
Keeping up to date on information
provided by LDR, ECLA Churchwide
news, FEMA and other organizations
providing assistance.
Reaching out to partner agencies and
synods in the South Atlantic states,
including the Florida/Bahamas Synod.
Keeping up to date on efforts of partner
agencies in Pennsylvania (especially
early responders)
If you would like to make a donation to help
Hurricane Dorian disaster relief efforts,
please insert it into an envelope and mark it:
“LDR – Dorian 2019”
18
Emmanuel Reaches Out !
“PIE DAY” WHEN: Tuesday, October 1st
DROP-OFF: By 10:30am
(in the Gathering Space)
*Please only bring Nut Free baked items!
The kids enjoy Brownies, Cookies and Cupcakes too –
not just Pie!
_________________________________________
Bishop Davenport
Joins Forum On Racial Policies
Bishop Davenport will join Dr. Jim Wallis, Bishop
Gregory Ingram, Dr. William Shaw and Rev. Luis
Cortes in “The Elders Speak,” a forum on a Christian
response to the racialized public and corporate
policies and practices impacting communities of
color on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6:30 pm at Teatro
Esperanza, 4261 N. Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA
19140.
RSVP’s are required at
https://elderspeaks.eventbrite.com.
A meal is being prepared for confirmed guests
_____________________________________
Open House
at Feast of Justice Oct. 1
Feast of Justice,
at St. John's, Mayfair, 3101 Tyson
Ave., Philadelphia 19149, will hold an
open house on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from
6-8 pm.
See their newly renovated space, learn
about their expanded programming, and
see how you can support
this vital work.
RSVP's appreciated to 215.268.3510.
Learn more at feastofjustice.org
or fb.com/FeastOfJusticePhiladelphia
_____________________
19
Emmanuel Reaches Out !
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH’S
TRUNK or TREAT Saturday, October 26 2PM - 5Pm
Decorate your cars and hand out treats!!
*feel free to come in costume!
We need volunteers to set-up, clean-up also! Sign-up TODAY in the Gathering Space!
20
Emmanuel
Evangelical Lutheran
Church
New Sunday Schedule Starting September 22
Bible Study/Discussion – 9AM
Worship and Sunday’s Kids – 10 AM
Fellowship Time – 11 AM
Contact Us:
69 W. Broad Street • Souderton, PA 18964
Church Telephone: 215-723-7514
Church Fax: 215-723-1846
Office Hours:
Mon – Thu: 9 AM – 2 PM
Fri: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Other Times by Appointment
E-mail:
Emmanuel@emmanuellutheranchurch.net
On the Web:
www.emmanuellutheranchurch.net
Facebook.com/EmmanuelSouderton
Church Staff
Reverend John T. Heidgerd, Pastor
Mobile Phone: 914-275-3106
Email Address: jheidgerd@gmail.com
Dcn. Ethel Geist, Dir. of Music Ministries
Michael B. Geiger, Facilities Manager
Richelle L. Jones, Parish Administrator
Rev. Richard G. Miller, Jr., Pastor Emeritus
Marlene H. Natali, Parish Deacon
THE BULLETINS TODAY
ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD
BY MIKE AND KATHLEEN COLL
Here is What’s
Happening
@ Emmanuel
9/29 – 10/6
Sun 9:00 AM Bible Study/Discussion
10:00 AM Worship
10:00 AM Sunday’s Kids
11:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
Mon 5:30 PM Bushi Karate
8:00 PM AA Group
Tue 5:30 PM Bushi Karate
7:30 PM AA Step Group
Wed 10:30 AM “PIE DAY” drop-off for
Martin Luther Silver Spring
School
5:30 PM Bushi Karate
6:00 PM Finance Committee
6:30 PM Bible Study/Discussion
6:30 PM Handbell Choir Rehearsal
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
8:30 PM Intro to Music
Thu 5:30 PM Bushi Karate
Fri 7:00 PM New Path Gathering and
Worship Service.
Sat 9:00 AM Bushi Karate
Sun 9:00 AM Bible Study/Discussion
10:00 AM Worship
10:00 AM Sunday’s Kids
11:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
1:00 PM Prayer Shawl Ministry
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