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A Deeply Spiritual Act

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton

The first-century church in Corinth must have been a lively place. Its members were competitive, jealous, divided into factions and litigious. The congregation was diverse. There were Jews and gentiles, rich and poor, men and women, young and old, those brand new to the faith and those with more maturity. 

Paul spent over 18 months establishing the church in Corinth. He worked with, lived with and loved these people. Paul wanted them to know the risen Christ and the life of love and freedom found in Christ.

While the Corinthians were enthusiastic, they weren’t very disciplined. They argued about which of them had the superior spiritual pedigree—those baptized by Paul or those baptized by Apollos. They took each other to court. And when they gathered for the Lord’s Supper—neither decently nor in good order—Paul wrote, “When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk” (1 Corinthians 11:20-21).

At his ascension, Jesus told his disciples that they would “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The church in Jerusalem was the foundation of the Christian movement. It became the parent of the churches founded by the apostles throughout the world.

The decision had been taken at the Council at Jerusalem to welcome gentiles into the way of Jesus. This was a critically important decision and a difficult one. It wasn’t universally embraced by everyone. And the saints in Jerusalem had fallen on hard times. Famine threatened the city. Paul organized a massive stewardship campaign among the gentile churches to send aid to the church in Jerusalem.
Paul would have done well as a development officer. He urged the believers to give generously and cheerfully. He set them up to compete with each other to see which church could be most generous. The enthusiastic Corinthians jumped at the chance, especially if they could do better than the Macedonians! But their lack of discipline was stronger than their zeal, and their stewardship campaign faltered.

Paul wasn’t going to have it. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he laid out the spiritual basis for giving: it was about opening the self and the community, it was about glorifying God, it was a new way of thinking about sufficiency. “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). 

The concept of sufficiency had changed over the centuries. In Cynic and Stoic philosophy, true self-sufficiency was attained when a person became completely independent, with no need of anyone or anything else. By the time Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, self-sufficiency meant not just having enough for oneself but having enough to give away to others. One could have all the wealth and power and status in the world, but if one didn’t share with others, that person was not self-sufficient. Contrast the rich young man who could give nothing away with the poor widow who gave everything. The rich young man went away grieving. The widow gave freely.

Stewardship is a deeply spiritual act. It moves us out of ourselves and toward the neighbor in need. It glorifies God. It brings freedom from wealth and status. It unclenches our hands and hearts. It lets us rest in the promise of God’s abundance. We become cheerful givers.

Summer Worship, Communion, and Fellowship 2021

In person and on Zoom
​
As we continue with our rotation of in-person worship, please note that protocols for Covid-19 safety do require non-vaccinated persons over the age of 2 to wear masks. For everyone else, masks are optional.

Here’s the schedule:

July 18 – Emmanuel Church, Eastsound, 1:00 p.m.
July 25 – San Juan at St. David's Church
August 1 – Lopez
August 8 – Orcas, 1:15pm
August 15 – San Juan
August 22 – Lopez
August 29 – Orcas

Why not take a trip to another island and share Eucharist with your neighbors on a summer Sunday?

Why not invite your friends and include an island stop for church on your boating adventure?

We are one amazing Lutheran Congregation!
See you at church!

Weekly Prayer Message
Northwest Washington Synod, ELCA

​God of life and breath, you are our source of hope.
+ We give thanks for your gifts of life and love;
+ sustain us when we are feeling broken, lost or frightened; 
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call; 
+ inspire us to be your hands and voice in your world; 
+ strengthen us to take action to seek justice for our neighbors;
+ grant us courage and creativity to joyfully share your Good News.

We pray for our world, nation, and local communities.
+ God of all people, we lift to you this nation. We pray for reconciliation and healing in this country. We pray for a way forward where all people are treasured and supported. Instill in us the strength and wisdom to join in your way of peace, justice, and love.

+ As we approach the end of this school year, we hold in prayer teachers and all who work in education. We honor the hard work, dedication, creativity, and compassion they have shown over this last academic year and beyond. May they know our appreciation and respect. 

+ We celebrate with all who are graduating this year. We give thanks for each graduate - for the gifts they have been given, the knowledge they have gained, the skills they have honed, and for the perseverance they have shown - especially in this last year. As they begin new phases of their lives, may they continue to know God's love and experience God's peace in all the experiences they encounter

+ We give thanks for the expansive diversity of your creation. During this Pride Month, we especially honor and celebrate the gifts of our LGBTQIA+ siblings. Teach us to love people, just as they are, and embrace their identity fully, as you have embraced us. Help us continue to seek ways to support all of your people - beautifully and wonderfully made, all in Your image. (Find congregational resources here: www.reconcilingworks.org/virtualpride2021/)

+ Guide us to recognize our prejudices and empower us take action to eliminate the persistent institutional racism that permeates our world, country, communities, courts, church, and hearts. 

+ We lift up those communities where insecurity, violence, and fear are the norm. Help us to bring healing, wholeness, and safety to these siblings. Inspire our leaders and guide us to be better advocates for the sake of each member in our community - especially those who have little power and no voice.

+ We pray for those who are hungry. Stir us to action to lift up our neighbors and seek policies that support them. We give thanks for our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us find sustainable solutions to end hunger and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.

+ We pray for seasonal workers who depend on summer income for their livelihood, that they will find safe, fulfilling employment that pays a fair wage. We pray that we will express our gratitude and respect for their work and service.

+ We pray for those places, people, and animals affected by natural disasters. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response and encourage our mindful work in disaster preparedness: www.region1beprepared.org.

+ We lift up all in our communities who provide emergency services - those who respond first to bring aid: emergency medical workers, firefighters, community volunteers, and police. Grant them wisdom and safety in their work.

We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns:

+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.

+ We mourn with our fellow siblings as this pandemic continues to claim lives and livelihoods.. Bring peace and comfort to the families whose loved ones have died. Grant healing for those diagnosed and recovering. Protect and sustain medical workers, care providers, first responders, and chaplains. Guide those working distribute the vaccines. Sustain for those who are facing financial uncertainty due to loss of income. Help us all to be wise, vigilant, and compassionate in our actions. 

+ We pray for our neighbors who are fearful or in danger in their relationships. Sustain those who protect, support, and advocate for people who are experiencing domestic violence. (Reach out here for help: https://wscadv.org/get-help-now/)

+ We lift up those experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Empower us to reach out to those who need care and support. 

+ For those who are in despair, remember you are loved. You are never beyond God's mercy, grace, and love. 
1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
1-888-628-9454 (Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio)
1-800-799-4889 (TTY)
1-877-574-4729 (Trevor project/ LGBTQIA+ under 24)
1-877-565-8860 (Trans Lifeline/Trans Folx)
1-800-273-8255 (Veterans Crisis Line)
https://suicidepreventionministry.org/

We pray for those who are grieving:
+ Loving God, wrap your arms of love and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness. 

We pray for your church:
+ We pray for those who will be ordained this weekend

+ We celebrate the many years of service of our retired pastors and deacons. 
This week we give thanks for these retired rostered ministers:

+ We pray for ministries and leaders in transition.
-- grant all in transition wisdom and patience as they discern where it is that you are leading them;
-- we lift up the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition pastors, congregation staff and lay leaders, and synod staff.

May our prayers rise before you as incense.
+ Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age.
+ Sustain, uplift, and encourage us as we live into your calling.
+ Trusting in your mercy and grace, we lift our prayers to you.

Amen.