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Luke 2: 28-32
he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."
Simeon’s words in Luke 2, which are part of the early chapters of Luke’s Gospel that are unique in their look into Jesus’ early life with Mary and Joseph following his birth, apply to us as we work to spread the Gospel not just overseas, but with those around us, at work, at school, neighbors living in homes on the same roads we live and drive on. We are not expected to have all the answers, I know I don’t, but we are all called to invite others to join us in worship and fellowship.
We started the month with All Saints Sunday and are thankful that so many are done with the harvest already this year as such was not the case last year. We will also thanks for the bounty that comes from God with our Thanksgiving celebrations . This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday and we acknowledge that Jesus is a very different type of King from what we normally think of when the language of kingdoms is raised. When people in modern countries that still have monarchies think of kings, they think in terms of someone who is above it all and certainly above them and their concerns, worries and cares. When we celebrate Jesus as King, we do so acknowledging that Jesus is King of all and Lord of our lives in the midst of all that we deal with. This is true not just of church on Sunday, but of work, home, school and other places we spend significant parts of our lives. This is also especially true when we feel alone, abandoned or are suffering. These are the times when we frequently search for God and a sign that God is with us and it is all too frequently those who care about us who provide those signs in word, deed and just being there.
Our PALs program this past Sunday is an example of what I’m talking about as many of members made casseroles to take to those in a variety of need and circumstances. This coming Sunday, several of our members will join myself and our bishop at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Beatrice as we make tie blankets for the “least of these” in our communities and state.
We also need to be mindful of those facing adversity, fears and struggle in our own midst. As your pastor, I want to know when you face these times. If or when you find yourself hospitalized; I won’t know unless someone tells me as area hospitals do not notify your pastor, even if you ask them too. I will visit, pray and be there with you but I need to ask that you have someone you know and/or someone in your family give me a call, send me an email or contact me in some way. My hope and prayer is of course that you do not need this information anytime soon but I feel I need offer this information as a reminder just in case. My prayer is also that each of us has a blessed Thanksgiving and that we remember all the many reasons we have to give thanks.
Shalom
Pastor Rick
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