Why Worry? ASAP

Matthew 6:24-34

After worship this morning, several commented on the poem that was read at the end of the sermon.  They told me that it was a message that either they or people they cared about needed to hear.  I've printed it below for those who would like a copy to print out as a reminder of a new meaning of ASAP.

We all have worries- some big and some small.  Worry takes the light and energy out of our lives.  It causes us to lose sleep. It wears us down (see Proverbs 12:25).  In large doses, it is bad for our health- physical, emotional and spiritual.  Many things we worry about may never happen or are things that happened in the past that we can't change. When we are anxious, we lose perspective on what really matters. 

As children of God, we have a very special means of dealing with the worries and anxieties of life:  prayer.  Throughout the Holy Scriptures, we are reminded that we have a loving, forgiving God who cares for his children and provides what they need.  We can trust in this amazing God because he promised his people:  "I will not forget you.  See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:15-16).  To seal this promise, the nails of the cross became tine inscriptions upon Jesus' hands.

During his "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew, chapters 5-7, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray in order to comfort them and give them encouragement for their lives of faith.  The prayer he taught is known as "The Lord's Prayer."   If you can't think of any other words to pray, the Lord's Prayer is a model prayer for "worry warts."

"Why Worry?  A.S.A.P."

"There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
 You've got no time to spare,

 But as you hurry and scurry-
 ASAP-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.

 Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is,
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond to all your needs
ASAP-ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

I hope this brings some light into those dark periods of worry that we all face.  Remember:  "Worry replaced with Prayer equals Trust"

Peace be with you,

Pastor JMe

An Answered Prayer

About 15 or more years ago Zion had a family whose high school age son suffered from extreme headaches.  It was eventually diagnosed as a brain tumor.

The family was put on our prayer chain and there did not seem to be any relief.  The boy’s mother was one of our more charismatic members who maintained a positive attitude about an eventual healing.  She and her son were guests on the 700 Club TV show.

One evening she and the boy attended a Bible study here at Zion and the minister and several of us men adjourned to another room and we prayed and laid hands on the young man.  The following morning the boy became severally ill and was throwing up.  He was rushed to the hospital and his condition began to improve.  The hospital staff examined him and could no longer find the brain tumor.

Eventually the boy returned to school and graduated from Hempfield High School.  Also the family transferred their membership from Zion, and the boy joined the U.S. Marine Corp.  Apparently the brain tumor was gone and the boy was well.

This was an answered prayer.

Burnell Hostetter.

Journal Entry #2- Valentine’s Day Kindness

This morning, I “crashed” the Zion Nursery School Valentine’s Day party.  Imagine my surprise to learn that the director, Diane Fry, was “at a meeting”!   Instead, there was a wonderful “Valentine Lady”  all dressed up in red, pink and white hearts with a crazy hat covered in heart figures.   I think she called herself “The Mystery Mail Person”.

 Mystery Mail Person led the children in learning activities and games all on the Valentine’s theme.  Two of these games were “Jumping Hearts” (a number game) and “Mend a Broken Heart” (a puzzle completion game).  The children had a great time!

My favorite activity was one in which a Valentine with a child’s name was drawn, and the classmates were asked to say “kind things” about the child.  It was obvious that these children were learning to be salt and light for one another through their kindness and caring.

A lot of nice things were said.  The children mentioned how this little girl or boy played nicely with them.  Quite a few were complimented on their shoes and clothes.  Others were told that they were “good at jumping.”  Appreciative and caring comments were given by their teachers and classmates to each child.

Two of these “kind words” were particularly memorable.  One little boy raised his hand when his twin brother’s valentine was shown.  He said, “I love him!”  When a little boy’s name was shown, a girl sitting next to me said, “He’s my best friend.”

Kind words are a valentine’s gift that we can give every day!

Journal Entry #1 - Mark 9:41

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say onto you, he shall not lose his reward.

On entering church one Sunday morning before the service began, I happened to notice a young boy using a cup to get a drink from the water fountain.  “Did you get that cup of water for me?” I asked him jokingly.  He smiled and shook his head, “No,” and I continued on my way.  When I stopped to talk to another couple for a few minutes, I happened to notice this same young boy standing by my side.  As I looked down at him to acknowledge his presence, he gave a shy smile and reached out his hands.  He was holding another cup filled with cold water.  “Is that for me?” I asked.  He nodded his head, “Yes,” and continued on his way.

From Linda Bear

Epiphany Salt and Light

On Sunday, February 6, I made a request of those attending worship at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Landisville.  I asked them to share stories of ways in which they or others they knew had been "salt" or "light". 

In Matthew 5: 13-20, Jesus says to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anyting, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.  You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on ther lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the sam way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see you good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

Jesus says, "You are salt...You are light", not "be" salt and light.  The salt and light of Christ are who we are as his followers, as those for whom he died.  As Jesus' people, we are the essential salt of the earth that provides seasoning, purification, preservation, healing for humanity and the creation by sharing the grace,mercy and peace of God through our actions and words.  We are the light that brightens the darkness by providing for those who are in need, by assuring the fearful, and by freeing the guilt-laden.  From a friendly smile to sacrificial giving of time, talent and finances in honor of our Lord, all that we do in our lives is a means for God to provide glimpses of the Kingdom's presence for others.  This is what it means to be "salt" and "light".

I will be honest and admit that this "Salt and Light Journal" was not my original idea.  The idea came from a preaching blog from Lutheran Seminary that I read in preparation for writing sermons. 

This is what Dr. David Lose suggests, "Start asking people to collect examples of where God has worked through them to help someone else...[T]he goal is 1) to help people start looking for God in the world (thereby gaining a skill many of us sorely lack) and 2) come to believe that they are vessels through which God is working (thereby growing in the name and identity you have called them)."

"You are salt of the earth."  "You are the light of the world."  Take a few moments to share, via email or a note in my church mail box, the ways in which God has worked through you or someone you know to be salt and light in Jesus' name.  I'll share these stories here.

"If salt has lost its saltiness..."  One way to refresh our own "saltiness" is to find encouragement and inspiration in the testimonies of brothers and sisters who share their salt and light experiences.  In this way, and through this journal, we can be salt and light to one another as we, also, give witness to the amazing ways of God so that others may "see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven."