We’re a little late to the party, the Sun Current Readers’ Choice Awards Voting has begun:
https://apgecm.secondstreetapp.com/BLOOMINGTON-2024-RCA/gallery?group=462854

Thank you to all who have voted for St. Luke’s and those who will be voting. You can do so once per day. St. Luke’s won the award last year 2023, and many previous years. It is a wonderful recognition to have members and friends who take the time to vote.

I feel blessed to attend worship at St. Luke’s and enjoy the music of the Choir, Bells, and Jubilee. Thank you to all of our singers and musicians and especially to our Music Leadership:

Greg Anderson – Jubilee Director
Patrick Lair – Choir Director
Lori Murray – Organist and Choir Accompanist
Alanna Teragawa – Bell Director

Also a thank you to all who serve in worship. I count every person who helps worship be pleasing to God and all who attend, inside and outside of the sanctuary: Lectors, Worship Assistants, Ushers, Altar Guild, Sound-Video-Camera Techs, Greeters, Welcome Desk, Treat Providers, Hosts, Communion Assistants, Snow Shovelers, Acolytes, Office Staff, and the Prayground/Children Church Leaders.

Furthermore, to all who attend, lifting their voice in praise and prayers, welcoming one another and most importantly guests.

Thank you especially to those who remember the 2-Minute Rule. Following worship, please take the first 2 minutes to greet someone you don’t know. It makes all the difference. And you can still meet up with your friend, even better introduce them to the guest.

And for those of you online, may you do the same.

Last, but not least, may worship help you serve as you go out into the world. Hold St. Luke’s in your prayers. Share God’s love, Jesus’ peace, and the Holy Spirit’s joy with all you meet.

Take all of this one step further and invite someone to join you this Sunday or in the weeks ahead. You can tell them, “Come to the best place of worship in Bloomington that has the best choir and music program and the best Vacation Bible School. Thank you Emily Schoeller, Director of Children and Family Ministry.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker – Psalm 95:1-6

As a typical American boy rooting for the team that both of sides of his family followed, Walter Payton was my first hero and in many ways he still is today. His nickname spoke of his personality, “Sweetness.” However he was not sweet when he touched the football, he was a gritty, hard-nosed Chicago Bears running back who would take on contact often deliver a wicked stiff arm before being tackled, almost never running out of bounds. Former Bear Tight-End and Super Bowl Coach Mike Ditka described Payton as the greatest football player he had ever seen—but an even greater human being
​
A Christian, Payton, in February 1999, Payton announced that he had a rare liver disease. Earlier in his prognosis he had the opportunity to purchase a liver on the black market, but said, he was no more special than anyone else and decided to wait his turn in line. He spent his final months as an advocate for organ transplants, and encouraged others to donate organs, although by the time his first appeal was recorded, his illness was already too far advanced for a transplant to have been a viable option. He started many other charitable organizations and in response, the NFL Man of the Year Award which recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field, established in 1970, was renamed in 1999 after Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community, representing the best of the NFL's commitment to philanthropy and community impact.
 
A Hero – is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. I would add a hero seeks the best for all people and the common good. That is what we find in the Bible time and time again.
 
As I shared in the Labor Day Weekend Message (Genesis 4:3-15), the first hero in the Bible is God. God’s response to Cain’s fear is amazing. The unreconciled, although punished is still protected. As it was shared in an August message– Jesus tells the people that God treats the righteous and the unrighteous the same (Matthew 5:43-47), while justice prevails.
 
Last Sunday we looked at the Apostle Paul. He is famous for being probably the greatest evangelist ever, but he was previously Saul, infamous for being a Zealot religious leader who persecuted and killed Christians. Again, a hero wants the best for all people and the common good. Jesus, the Son of God, took one who was an enemy and transformed him.

Over the next ten weeks we will hear many more Biblical people who trusted God and kept the faith – well, most of the time. Qualifiers are required because as you hear their stories they are far from perfect. What we can take from all of this is that perfection is not a requirement to be a hero. Neither is unwavering faith or blind trust, each of these characters had their faults and failures; as do we – which allows us to become everyday heroes as we seek to be the best person God made us to be and strive for the common good.

We will hear the story of two unlikely heroes this coming Sunday. God takes an old couple, Abram and Sarai, blesses them by to be a blessing to all nations.
There is a hero in each one of us. But I’m still curious, “Who is one of your heroes?” Share in the comment below.
Ongoing prayers and blessings, Rob

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” — Romans 12:6–8

I realized early in life that I was happiest when I was serving. This led me to seek positions that allowed me to serve. From wait staff to Orderly to Nursing.
 
As a former Registered Nurse, I have witnessed the deleterious effects of poor nutrition and malnutrition. When I discovered that I could make a difference in children’s lives by the simple act of packing meals that would then be sent to those same children and then that the organization (FMSC) has a 99.8% success rate of getting the meals that I helped to pack to get to those kids.

As a member of your Mission’s Team I coordinate the scheduling of volunteers who pack meals from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington. My wife and I also participate in each scheduled packing session – putting our sweat equity into each session. I am also the St. Luke’s point of contact for FMSC, so I forward their email and mailings to the office to share with you.
 
Logistically speaking each bag packed equals six one cup meals. There are 36 bags per box which is the same as 216 meals per box. There are 36 boxes to each pallet which equals 7,776 meals per pallet.

So far this year we have participated in eight sessions. Packing 137,520 meals, feeding 490 children. Breaking down St. Luke’s participation, we supplied 148 volunteers and we packed 48,191 meals, or 132.1 children fed for a year.
 
We packed for Children in Malawi, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Mozambique and Panama.

We have three sessions currently in need of Volunteers:
1.     Saturday, September 16th starting at 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM. (This is Roger Lyson’s 70th Birthday and we are hoping for one Volunteer for each year of life, so far, he’s only 13… The Join Code is MYB9KG.
2.     Monday, October 16th starting at 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM.This is World Food Day and there is a $15,000.00 Matching Gift available for each session on this day. World Food Day is a designation from the UN and there is a bit more information about it to follow. The Join Code is L35VXZ.
3.     Tuesday, October 31st starting at 7:00 PM - 8:45 PM. Yes, this is Halloween. Kim and I thought about it and have decided that in lieu of staying home and passing out candy to kids we don’t know, we would rather pack nutritious meals for children we don’t know! We know this might not be popular right now, but we did it last year so it’s going to be our new tradition. Besides, if you participate in Trunk or Treat – then maybe you’ve have had your fill! The Join Code is 7X7D63.

Four Ways to Sign up:
1.     As always, put your name and children’s name and age (5-18) on the back of the yellow card and the Church Office will forward this information to me so I can sign you up.
2.     Go to: http://www.fmsc.org/join-group?joincode=MYB9KG (This is Septembers Code!)
3.     Text me at 612-799-7561 with the Volunteers Names and ages.
4.     E-mail me at craigbrandt_9@msn.com with the Volunteers Names and ages.

From Feed My Starving Children Web Site:
 Food insecurity in the Caribbean has taken a sharp turn upward since 2020. Increasing food prices are an especially heavy burden in a region where 30% of the population lives in poverty.
Natural disasters are arguably the biggest threat to the Caribbean’s food security. In fact, a single disaster can cause losses to a country totaling 200% of their GDP. Droughts, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and landslides cause an annual $3 billion of damage and other losses.
By all measures, Haiti is the hungriest country in the Caribbean — and one of the hungriest places on the planet. Our partners in Haiti are reporting the worst situation they’ve ever seen. A new spike in violence and a cholera outbreak have intensified already-severe conditions. In Port-au-Prince, people are facing famine-like conditions. And, across the nation, food shortages prove devastating.

FMSC food is distributed by our network of partners across the Caribbean. Since 2009, FMSC has sent more than 1.3 billion meals to the Caribbean. This food has been used to support the work of dozens of our partners. This work includes:
·        Clean water projects
·        Sustainable agriculture
·        Microenterprise initiatives

From the World Food Day Web Site:
 
Water is essential to life on Earth. It makes up over 50% of our bodies and covers about 71% of the Earth's surface. Only 2.5% of water is fresh, suitable for drinking, agriculture, and most industrial uses. Water is a driving force for people, economies and nature and the foundation of our food. Indeed, agriculture accounts for 72% of global freshwater withdrawals, but like all natural resources, fresh water is not infinite.  
Rapid population growth, urbanization, economic development, and climate change are putting the planet’s water resources under increasing stress. At the same time, freshwater resources per person have declined 20% in the past decades and water availability and quality are deteriorating fast due to decades of poor use and management, over extraction of groundwater, pollution and climate change. We risk stretching this precious resource to a point of no return. 

Today, 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries. Many are smallholder farmers who already struggle to meet their daily needs, particularly women, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, and refugees. Competition for this priceless resource is increasing as water scarcity becomes an ever-increasing cause of conflict.  

Around 600 million people who depend, at least partially, on aquatic food systems for a living are suffering the effects of pollution, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable practices and climate change.

​From the FMSC Web site: 12 verses to guide your mercy-focused prayer
Each of the 12 Scripture passages below focuses on mercy. A question for meditation follows each passage. You may choose to use the passages one at a time throughout the day, perhaps hourly, or all at once, or whatever works for you.

1. “Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” — Psalm 25:6 Where in my life story have I especially experienced the mercy of God?
2. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” -- Psalm 51:1 For what moral failures do I ask God for mercy today?
3. “Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.” — Psalm 119:77 How is my life today enriched by God’s mercy, especially in God’s Word?
4. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” —Lamentations 3:22 How steady and consistent in my own life are the emotion and the action of showing mercy?
5. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8 How deeply do I love showing mercy to others?
6. “[Jesus said,] ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.’” — Matthew 5:7 What mercies of God have I received as I show mercy toward the hungry?
7. “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy.” — Luke 1:53-54 How will I respond to God for remembering His mercy toward His hungry children?
8. “[Jesus said,) ‘Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” — Luke 10:37 What specifically do Jesus’ words, “You go, and do likewise,” mean for me?
9. “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” — Romans 12:6–8 How cheerful am I in my acts of mercy on behalf of the hungry?
10. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16 How confident am I that God’s mercy will always be there for me and for the hungry?
11. “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” — James 2:13 Where have I seen this precept at work in my life?  
12. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” — James 3:17 In what ways is showing mercy a sign of wisdom?

From the FMSC Web site: 12 verses to guide your mercy-focused prayer
Each of the 12 Scripture passages below focuses on mercy. A question for meditation follows each passage. You may choose to use the passages one at a time throughout the day, perhaps hourly, or all at once, or whatever works for you.
From the FMSC Web site: 12 verses to guide your mercy-focused prayer
Each of the 12 Scripture passages below focuses on mercy. A question for meditation follows each passage. You may choose to use the passages one at a time throughout the day, perhaps hourly, or all at once, or whatever works for you.

Fellowship Hall, Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
 
Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing skillfully with a shout of joy!
Psalm 33:3 (paraphrased)
Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1
 
As we enter a new program year, St. Luke’s staff are busy planning ahead, getting calendars in order, finding and selecting resources for their ministry areas, connecting with returning and new ministry members and much more.

St. Luke’s Choir and their new director, Patrick Lair, is one such area excited for and busy preparing for the year ahead. It is their commitment to help enhance our 8:30 AM Worship and special worships by leading congregational hymns and providing special music and anthems. You could say Psalms 33:3 and 96:1 define the theme for the Choir this year to “sing a new song to the Lord with skill, confidence passion and joy”. We want the Choir to continue the long history (100 years) of music playing a vital role in how this congregation worships and becomes closer to God.

To that end, we need your (the congregation’s) help and input. All are welcome! Join Patrick and the St. Luke’s Choir in Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 p.m. for a chance to greet returning choir members, to invite new singers, and to have a conversation about the Choir’s role in worship. And, of course, fellowship and treats to follow.

Here are some questions to consider for the evening’s discussion:

• How would you like St. Luke’s Choir to enhance your worship experience?
• What kinds of music would you like to hear from the Choir?
• What do you expect from the Choir?
• What do you expect from its director?
• What things have we done in the past you wish to see continued or brought back (i.e. hymn sings, Holden Evening prayer, Hallelujah Chorus, Psalm singing, preludes, choral processions, etc.)?
• What are your favorite hymns?
• What are your favorite choir anthems?
  
• Others?

 And here are some things Patrick will share with you regarding the choir and its role:

• His vision for the Choir in the coming year.
• His expectations for choir members.
• Defining basic choir etiquette.
• Description of how a typical choir rehearsal is conducted.
• Sharing the choir calendar as it stands now for September through December 2023.
• And more?

 
Prayerfully consider being a part of this September 6th event to prepare all of us to “Sing a New Song Unto the Lord”.

​If you would like to welcome Patrick or have questions you can do so after his official start date September 1, 2023. patrickl@stlukesbloomington.org / 952-881-5801 ext. 107

Sunday, August 27, 2023
The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1

In the days and weeks ahead there will be children putting things into backpacks to head off to school and animals being left at home for the day. Lord we ask for your blessing for both and much more…

Lord we ask for your blessings for the teachers, para-professionals, administrators, custodians, bus drivers, school nurses and social workers, volunteers, lunch room and hallway monitors, parents and especially the children.

Lord we ask for your blessings on not only our pets, but all animals and creation itself; for veterinarians, farmers, forest rangers, and conservationists.

Join us Sunday, August 27 as we offering blessings for the start of the school year, for our pets and all creation.

8:30 AM – Worship in the Sanctuary

10 AM Worship outside welcoming our pets to join and receive a blessing

Let us extend our blessings to our neighbors by supporting VEAP, the Twin Cities’ largest food pantry, providing access to healthy foods (for both humans and pets), social services, and financial assistance. They also do a collection every year for school supplies. See the list below and prayerfully consider bringing a donation to share.
Food Pantries list of most needed items:

• Dog and cat food (particularly wet food, treats, litter, etc.)
• Whole grain rice (1-2 pound bags)
• Whole grain pasta
• Hearty soups (high protein, low sodium)
• Whole grain cereal (like Shredded Wheat, Kashi, bran cereals, Chex, etc.)
• Canned proteins (meat and beans)
• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Diapers (all sizes) and baby wipes
• Cooking oil
• Coffee
• Baking essentials (flour, sugar, spices, baking soda/powder)
• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap
• Personal care items (shampoo, toothpaste, hand soap, shaving cream, toiletries, etc.)
• Gluten-free products (whole grains like brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, cornmeal; nut flours and butters; rice crackers, GF snacks, etc. Check for gluten-free product label.)
• Birthday candles, cake frosting, birthday-themed napkins/plates, cake mix, small birthday party favors like chalk, bubbles or bags of balloons
• Paper bags and re-usable, cloth totes (We’ll always take your extra paper grocery bags. We are not accepting plastic bag or totes donations).

School supplies most needed: (Please make sure all items are new.)

• Backpacks
• Scientific calculators
• Wireless heaphones/earbuds
  (These three are high-demand items and the most impactful as they’re the most expensive for families to purchase on their own.)

Traditional supplies requested:

• Spiral notebooks
• Crayons
• Washable markers

For more information go to: VEAP.ORG

This is a follow up on last week’s blog: Worship - Why do you or do not attend worship? (8/8/2023)There were a total of 30 people took time to respond.

Last Sunday in worship we looked at the book of Ecclesiastes, the second of our August Four Week Series on Biblical Wisdom. The first week was Proverbs, next week is Song of Songs and we will close with the Psalms – specifically Psalm 148 as a part of the Blessing of the Animals and Backpacks. The author of Ecclesiastes is described as a critical and sometimes crotchety teacher has to much to say about life and death, God and love, sorrow and joy, and worship.

We had a little fun with a questionnaire last week. We have two winners who will each receive a $15 gift card, splitting the prize based on the number of responders.

1.     St. Luke’s has how many people in its database? – d.
a.     400     b. 2000           c. 1400            d. 1000   e. 750
 
2.     St. Luke’s has how many households in its database? – c.
a.     150     b. 350             c. 550              d. 750            e. 950
 
3.     St. Luke’s had how many individuals attended Worship last year based on Welcome Cards? – d.
a.     70       b. 170             c. 270              d. 370             e. 1,070
 
4.     St. Luke’s had how many people attend monthly last year based on Welcome Cards? – c.
a.     60       b. 120             c. 180              d. 240             e. 300
 
5.     One (nonstaff) St. Luke’s member attended the most worships totaling? – d.
a.      72      b. 78               c. 85                d. 89               e. 114

Bonus Question: Who was the member who attended the most worships? No one put down the right answer, and the person who did probably wouldn’t want to be mentioned.

I share these statistics to show the number of people and families who have or had a connection with St. Luke’s. How many different people attended worship in the past year.

The number of different people who come each month – the new average used by many churches. And to note the number of times four individuals attended during the year, sometimes attending both the 8:30 AND 10 AM worships on the same Sunday, plus Lent worships and other holiday worships.

For them and the people who responded worship is important, valuable, and gives meaning and purpose to life….

“Why do you or do not attend worship?” Here are the responses…

“I attend for fellowship and to praise God. I miss when I’m out of town.”
“I attend to feel good. I miss when out of town or ill.”
“Because I enjoy it.”
“Love Pastor Rob. Love the people!”
“To receive God’s blessings through the word and the sacrament and to commune with members.”
“It’s time that I can focus on my faith with my church family.”
“I love the Lord Jesus!”
“Pastor. People. It’s home.”
“Community. Serve. Fellowship. Worship.”
“It’s Family!”
“One of the most important days of my week. Feels like something is missing in my week when I am unable to attend.”
“Spiritual and Community.”
“I love worshiping at St. Luke’s and seeing the children.”
“St. Luke’s has always felt like ‘home’”
“I am part of the church as we all are and to hear words of reassurance.”
“I always want to come but will watch online when ill or weather is an issue.”
“I give uninterrupted, full attention, to God who deserves my loyalty.”
“Need to stop and smell the roses. To stop and think about life.”
“Community.”
“I need to be here for my heart, soul, mind, as I worship my God. Peace. Love of our faith community.”
“Worship. Community. Family. Outreach.”
“Fellowship with others, faith.”
“Worship. Fellowship.”
“Keeps me centered.”

One more question, was asked from the article by John DeRose, May 16, 2023 on NPR who reported in the The importance of religion in the lives of Americans is shrinking: “Despite the downward trends in overall church attendance, PRRI found that those still going are happy. 82% say they're optimistic about the future of their church.”

100% of the people who responded stated – “Yes” They were optimistic about the future of St. Luke’s. A few had explanation points - Yes!
There were three who followed their Yes with…
… for the older members.
… with a little elbow grease.
…. ,but concerned.

If you didn’t have a chance to share your answers, please do so in the comments below.

Why I worship and I’m optimistic about St. Luke’s? If a picture paints a thousand words, then a video must be a million. Take a look at Easter 2023 Video.

(For those being mailed out use this ending… I encourage you to go to the St. Luke’s Website and on the bottom of the home page is a picture of St. Luke’s. That is a link to the 2023 St. Luke’s Easter Worship. Christ has risen! Christ has risen indeed. Hallelujah!
Ongoing prayers and blessings, Rob

Thank you to all those who helped the tree bloom with over 100 Acts of Kindness.


“They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.” – Isaiah 61:3c


Community Life has been encouraging us to spread leaves of righteousness, 100 acts of kindness and service in honor of our 100th Anniversary. Again this is not a command, but an invitation. We are free to do or not do acts of kindness to glorify the Lord.
As the Prophet Isaiah declared to the people of his time – We are free to follow, keep the faith, be grateful, enjoy the comfort of the Lord and share it with others.
Look at how St. Luke’s Members lived out their freedom…
(Number indicates similar notes.)
 
1.      Feed My Starving Children – 11
2.      VEAP – 7
3.      Meals on Wheels Driver – 4
4.      Big smile for people when I’m out – 2
5.      Loaves & Fishes – 2
6.      Sunday Treats - 2
7.      Assist with livestreaming worship services - 2
8.      Tending St. Luke’s gardens – 2
9.      Quilting - 2
10.  Sharing and helping with neighbors – 2
11.  Brought food to a friend – 2
12.  Delivered a prayer shawl - 2
13.  Helped a co-worker put up a bulletin board
14.  I try to be kind to everyone I meet
15.  Elder Valentine Project
16.   Compassion Child Support
17.   Helped my brother and sister-in-law complete an application for subsidized housing
18.  Made Sunday coffee
19.  We continue to pay it forward by picking up tabs for strangers
20.   Gave a donation to a needy individual
21.   Provided home goods for someone in need
22.   Shared items and food with people in need
23.   Gift card to homeless
24.   Sharing the love of family
25.   Supporting ill family and friends
26.   Share the peace
27.   I provide transportation to church
28.   Care Team Member
29.   Cat sitting for a friend
30.   Handmade cards of encouragement for the elderly
31.   Card Ministry notes each month
32.   Delivered blank greeting cards to a nursing home for residents to use
33.   Volunteer Teaching Assistant for adult ESL students
34.   Drive through difference (KTIS)
35.   Allowed someone at Cub to check out before us
36.   Took care of my sister
37.   We pick up garbage on our walks
38.   Hold the door open for our neighbor, who is older
39.   Mowed our neighbor’s lawn and watered flowers while they were gone
40.   Shoveled out young neighbor’s car
41.   Plowed the neighbor’s driveway after the plow went through
42.   Drove neighbor to doctor appointment
43.   Took a lady from Church to her hearing aid appointment
44.   Helped neighbors with flooded basement
45.   Raked snow off neighbor’s roof
46.   Brought meals to neighbors, both who were seriously ill
47.   I carried the cross for Church
48.   I carried the cross for work
49.   I carried the light
50.   Inspire others to pay it forward with random generosity
51.   Bought a week’s worth of groceries for a stranger
52.   Bought coffee for a stranger
53.   I gave a veteran a ride to Sam’s Club for groceries
54.   I held the door
55.   I share my toys and games
56.   Invited someone to attend St. Luke’s with me
57.   Helped neighbors
58.   I babysit for a neighbor in need
59.   Worked in the rain garden
60.   Helping a grieving friend
61.   I helped a friend
62.   Took a friend shopping who needs help and uses a walker
63.   Helped an elderly lady who fell in the grocery store
64.   I cared for an ill person
65.   Cleaned street drain of ice and snow
66.   Made cookies for our elevator installers
67.   Fostering community through hosting
68.   Donated blood
69.   Helped clean up
70.   I helped my Mom with cat poop
71.   Gave flower plants to a new home owner gardener
72.   Go out with my dog doing therapy work
73.   Mentoring youth
74.   Helped clean up after children’s church
75.   Said a prayer for the ill
76.   VINES & BRANCHES clothing donation
77.   Donation to ARC
78.   Help others figure out their future
79.   Bill from Armstrong Carpet Cleaning for coming out at short notice to clean St. Luke’s Narthex carpet
80.   Writing down and typing out all the Acts of Kindness


 For the next 100 years…
 
Let us spur one another on toward love and good deeds “in Jesus’ name”.
 – Hebrews 10:24

​What does it mean to be grateful? Gratefulness is a feeling of appreciation by a recipient of another's kindness. This kindness can be gifts, help, favors, or another form of generosity to another person. The word comes from the Latin word gratus, which means "pleasing" or "thankful". For what are you grateful?

Sunday’s readings pointed out much for which we should be grateful.

From our Isaiah 40:21-26 reading:

• The very foundation of the earth and its orbit
• All creation, including humanity
• God will ultimately provide justice over princes and rulers
• And that we have a creator who calls us by name – with not one of us is missing

​And from the Gospel of John 1:1-14:

• The Word that was with God, was God
• All things came into being through him
• Including Life which is the light of all people
• The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it
• Power to become children of God
• The Word becoming flesh
• That is full of Grace and Truth

All of these things to be grateful for in just 20 of the 31,102 verses found in the Bible. Imagine how many more are found in scripture?

The problem is that many people do not read their Bibles. However, God knew that it wasn’t the best source of communicating with us that is why the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus, God with us, was born, raised in a family, and lived his life as the embodiment of God’s Word.
As followers of Jesus we are called to be witnesses of God. We do so best when we recognize for that for which we are grateful, and have the desire to help others do likewise as we share kindness, gifts, help, favors, or another form of generosity. In doing hopefully gratefulness is felt by that person and they can join us in giving thanks to God and passing on gratefulness.

I encourage you to take a moment to write a quick list of which you are grateful; in fact, I invite you to do so every day. Many people keep a gratitude journal, it helps them focus on what is good and going well in their lives, and in doing so gives them a foundation and strength when facing difficulties in life.

​Below are the responses from those who shared theirs on Sunday. Are you surprised by the list?  Are the things you are grateful for already listed? If not, share yours in the comments. (A number in front indicates multiple responses).

May you be grateful for all the blessings you have received, giving thanks in Jesus’ name. Amen