ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 16, 2021A Prayer for Our Educators: In the next few days, some of the last details will be checked off the long list of things to do in classrooms around our community. In the next few days, bulletin boards will have a few final touches added. In the next few days, the basic tools of education will be gathered up and put in place. O Creator
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 15, 2021Scripture: Mark 16:15And Jesus said to the disciples, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” Thought for the Day: I have become convinced that a lot of people believe Jesus said, “Go and make the world in your own image, making sure it meets all your personal needs.” Starting back in the 1970’s, the church became primarily concerned
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 14, 2021A Prayer for Our Children: You, O Gracious God, created us with an inquisitiveness and curiosity that should never be met with simple or dismissive answers. You created us to explore and examine, to challenge and test. For all the children and youth who will return to school in the days ahead, we pray for their growing brains to expand in every direction possible. As
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 13, 2021Scripture: Psalm 40:3The LORD put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise for our God. Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the LORD. Thought for the Day: We always think of January 1 as the beginning of a new year, but for families with children, youth or even college age, there is a sense that somewhere
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 12, 2021Guest Writer: Rev Paula GembalaI was in my mid 30’s when I attended a Wednesday night service while my kids were involved with the children’s groups. I was sitting in the pew, alone, when they started talking about taking communion. I started to panic, I had never taken communion before. As they shared the words about the bread being Christ’s body broken for me, and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 11, 2021Scripture: Psalm 119:15-18I will think about your precepts and examine all your paths. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget what you have said.Be good to your servant so I can go on living and keeping your word. Open my eyes so I can examine the wonders of your Instruction! Thought for the Day: For the last two weeks, my Etchings have
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 10, 2021Scripture: Colossians 1:27-29To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 9, 2021Scripture: Colossians 1:25-26I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. Prayer for the Week: Could it have been summarized any better? Could Paul have presented our purpose, our mission with anymore
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 8, 2021Scripture: Colossians 1:23b-24I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. Thought for the Day: Maybe you’re fine with it, but I feel a little uncomfortable with Paul’s use of the word ‘lacking.’
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 7, 2021Scripture: Colossians 1:19-23aFor in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so