Devotion

September 15, 2019
14th Sunday after Pentecost 
Worship
7:30 &10:00 AM

Scripture Readings for this Sunday:

Exodus 32: 7 - 14
 
Psalm 51: 1-10

1 Timothy 1:12-17



 

Our gospel for this Sunday tells us that the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling about Jesus because he welcomed sinners and ate with them. In response, Jesus questions: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?”
 
You’d have to be a crazy shepherd to leave 99 sheep to fend for themselves while you squandered your efforts on one lost sheep. One sheep out of a hundred should be acceptable collateral damage. Not by God’s standard; when we are lost and last, when it seems that we don’t matter, we matter to God. Especially in out lost-ness, this extravagant, overgenerous, and foolish shepherd doesn’t give up on us.
 
God searches and seeks diligently for us. God will pay any price – even death - to claim us, to deliver us when we’re lost, and carry us back home. In every kind of wilderness where we’ve lost our way, God in Jesus Christ continues to search diligently and endlessly until we’re found.
 
Even though we might tell ourselves that we’re not worth the effort, this foolish and outlandish shepherd continues to tell us that we are. God knows our weaknesses, our faults, our sinfulness, and the secrets we hide from others. And yet, Jesus continues to treat us with unlimited love, faithfulness, compassion and mercy. I’ll see you in worship this Sunday where we will continue to rejoice in this good news.

~Pastor David

 

 Additional announcements:
 

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"Are you interested in membership at Calvary by the Sea? If so, please talk to Pastor David and complete an "Application for Membership."
A two-session class for membership will be scheduled soon."  Any questions please contact Pastor at 377-5477 or via email: pastor@calvarybythesea.org.



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For those of you who are interested in Bible Study, there will be an initial meeting at 8:45 am on Sunday, September 15 in Pastor David's
office. We will determine the most convenient time for all who would like to participate in a Bible Study.

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Within the ELCA "God's Work, Our Hands" has been observed for several years, and the intent for this day is to make God's work more visible among the community and our members. In these four simple words, God's Work, Our Hands" we summarize one of the basic foundations of the Christian faith - God comes to people through people.

At Calvary "God's Work. Our Hands." will be observed on Sunday, September 29.  On this Sunday, members and friends may participate in the giving of blood, or Calvary In the Sea (ocean clean up) and/or to volunteer at Angel Network.

We will have a shortened worship service at 7:30; then do service work from 8:00 - 10:00 am  for all members, followed by worship at 10:00 am.

The Blood drive will be happening throughout the morning from 
7:00 am - noon. Please make a point of participating in one or more of these ministries to God's world. If interested in DONATING BLOOD and SAVING LIVES, please contact Roxy or Kimberlee at 377-5477 or stop by the church office to schedule an appointment. Pat Wong is also available to answer any questions about the blood drive.

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MAHALO!!

Flowers for the Altar were provided by:

Aug. 25th - Sheri Kaiser-Botsai

Sept. 8th - Lew Harrington

Also to those members who continue to  generously donate their time to prepare for service in various ways. 
 

Renee Ako

Monika Day

Lew and Vicky Harrington

Jim and Pat Wong

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