ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 12, 2019 Scripture: Luke 1:49-50 …for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Thought for the Day: I will spent only a few moments on my soapbox, but while I’m here, I wish to reinforce something I’ve shared many times. These words are found in Mary’s
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 11, 2019 Scripture: Luke 1:48 …for the Lord has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; Thought for the Day: Lowliness is not a word I use often, except in the Christmas Season. It is one of the go-to words for describing Mary. The Greek word we translate as lowliness has as its
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 10, 2019 Scripture: Luke 1:46-47 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Thought for the Day: The soul of Mary Megaluno the Lord. This is the word we translate as magnify, and it appears a few other places in the New Testament. Paul uses it in his letter to the Philippians where he writes: It is
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 9, 2019 Prayer for the Week: In the shadows of the valley, where light is eclipsed by the height of walls that feel insurmountable, give me peace. In the shadows of the valley, where hopelessness lingers, provide me a vision of the possible announced by the prophets. In the shadows of the valley, where the weight of despair pulls me deeper, bestow a hint of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 8, 2019 Scripture: Isaiah 2:4 God will judge between the nations, and settle disputes of mighty nations. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation; they will no longer learn how to make war. Thought for the Day: In my sermon today, I will reference the late Rev. Dr. William Sloane
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 7, 2019 Guest Writer: Bob Aghamalian Scripture: Isaiah 2:5 Come, house of Jacob, let us walk by the light of the Lord. Did you know there is no such thing as a “dark detector”? Photocells and other such devices look for the presence of light and if they don’t sense some threshold of “light”, they conclude it must be “dark”. You might ask : “What’s
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 6, 2019 Scripture: Luke 1:26-30 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 5, 2019 Scripture: Number 6:26 The LORD lift up his face to you and grant you peace. Thought for the Day: The Hebrew word we translate as peace in the Old Testament is Shalom. It most definitely means peace, but peace that includes contentment and completeness, health and wellbeing. Too often the goal of peace is too short-sided, hoping to simply squelch the current violence.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 4, 2019 Scripture: Colossians 3:14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Thought for the Day: On this day in 1945, the United States voted to join the United Nations. I know not everyone will agree with me, and I am not seeking agreement or even an argument, but I am one that believes that there are needed places,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 3, 2019 Scripture: John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Thought for the Day: I was speaking to a fellow clergy person a few months back, and this individual has had some wonderful moments in his/her current ministry along with a few struggles. I was surprised to hear how the struggles defined the ministry, entirely overshadowing the