ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJuly 8, 2021Scripture: Matthew 18:21Then Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJuly 7, 2021Scripture: Proverbs 18:13If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. Thought for the Day: Catholic Priest and author, Henri Nouwen, wrote:The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not healing, not curing… that is a friend
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJuly 6, 2021Scripture: Psalm 42:5-6Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Thought for the Day: The author, Solomon Bellow, once wrote: “Everyone needs
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJuly 5, 2021Prayer for the Week: As the haze from the fireworks greets us this morning, Merciful Creator, we are mindful of all those who feel as if they live in a haze precipitated by oppressive and abusive powers. Let us never be naive about the complexity of the world in which we live and the many who suffer daily. Give us a voice that speaks on
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJuly 4, 2021Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. Thought for the Day: I know it is not what most people think about on July 4th, but today is the anniversary of my Ordination. Twenty-eight years ago, a wonderful group of people participated in my ordination service, including the laying on of hands. It was held at my home
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJuly 3, 2021Scripture: Psalm 51:2-3Wash me completely clean of my guilt; purify me from my sin! Because I know my wrongdoings, my sin is always right in front of me. Thought for the Day: After yesterday’s Etching, I got to thinking some more about the importance of making an apology – of confessing our sins/mistakes and expressing genuine regret. With that in mind, I am struck by
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJuly 2, 2021Scripture: Ephesian 4:32Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ. Thought for the Day: On this day in 1964, President Johnson (who was a member of our denomination), signed the Civil Rights Act. It might have been the most important step in the area of civil rights since the Emancipation Proclamation. It called this country to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJuly 1, 2021Scripture: Galatians 6:18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen. Thought for the Day: Paul closes his letter with a fairly traditional blessing. The word grace describes God’s loving kindness extended to all. This might be Paul’s last communication with the people of the Galatian churches, so despite his disagreements and frustrations, he concluded with a kind
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 30, 2021Scripture: James 1:2My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. Thought for the Day: I read these words and immediately thought about the building collapse in Florida. It is horrifying and heartbreaking, but once again, all the major networks are asking absolutely ridiculous questions when they interview residents who survived or folks who lived close by. With that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 29, 2021Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all