LIVING
and LOVING IN LODI Sunday, November 8, 2020
From Pastor Pam:
This week I find myself reflecting on Veteran's Day. Over the
years, I have made it my practice that whenever I see an identifiable veteran,
I thank them for their service. This has been at times, an emotional
moment for me-- especially when I am blessed to meet and greet a WWII Veteran.
These vets touch my heart because my dad and uncles were all veterans of
that war, and because these aged heroes are the valiant few living reminders of
a time when actions spoke louder than words and patriotism was not a slogan by
which one would seek to elevate oneself and castigate others, but rather
patriotism brought people together in a cause greater than self. I recall an
amazing conversation with a delightful WWII vet in a Walmart. After I greeted
him and thanked him for his service, he shared his fears and hopes for our
nation with a zeal that was free of guile or shallow self- promotion. His
selfless service gave his words a power that
transcended slogans.
In like manner, I recall greeting a Vietnam vet on Kenmore Blvd.
in Akron; we stopped and talked for a while; he carried a great deal of
spiritual and emotional pain from that tumultuous time. Sometimes simply seeing
and hearing another person is the greatest gift we can offer; that was all I
could offer this wounded warrior. But we also need to understand that like true
discipleship, authentic patriotism is costly. Boots get worn and dirty, hands
calloused, and hearts and minds often hunger for healing long after the last
shot has been fired. Not all of us are called to serve on the battlefield, but
all of us are called to serve. As a pastor I know well that one cannot truly
lead, unless one is willing to serve. Actions speak louder than
words.
We would do well to heed the words of the American revolutionary
hero, Thomas Paine who warned his fellow citizens against barroom braggarts
whose acts belied the "patriotism" they loudly espoused: " THE
SUMMER SOLDIER AND THE SUNSHINE PATRIOT WILL, IN THIS CRISIS, SHRINK FROM THE
SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY; BUT HE THAT STANDS IT NOW, DESERVES THE LOVE AND
THANKS OF MAN AND WOMEN."
**During worship, this Sunday, Our Vets will be invited to stand
and share where and when they served so that we might thank them!**
Weekly Scripture: Matthew. 6: 1-6, 16-21
6 “Beware of practicing your piety before
others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your
Father in heaven.
2 “So
whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do
in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others.
Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But
when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is
doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[a]
5 “And
whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and
pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by
others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But
whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father
who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[b]
16 “And
whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure
their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they
have received their reward. 17 But when you fast,
put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that
your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and
your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[f]
19 “Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[g] consume
and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store
up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust[h] consumes
and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Hymns: #696 “America the Beautiful”
#581 Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service
#585“This Little Light of Mine”
Noteworthy News and Needs
Advent
Study: Pastor Pam will lead an Advent Bible
study on Zoom and / or e mail on Adam Hamilton’s book: Incarnation. If
you would like to engage in this study or have any questions, please contact
Pastor Pam. (216)-704-0307 pamelab23@hotmail.com (Your
copy of the book will be $13.50)
~We are back in the sanctuary, BUT still on Facebook AND
YouTube!!!! The link will come Sunday afternoon (after the service) in an
e-mail. You MUST click the link to be able to watch the service as it is
private on YouTube.
~Have you checked out the ramp project! It is coming right
along – isn’t it amazing how 100 year old bricks are being matched right up?
Got News or Needs or Prayer Concerns? Please share them with Dottie or Pastor Pam so we
can include them for learning and loving.
The Lodi Tech Team: We could use
a few more members on our team! Text Katrina if interested or with ideas.
(330-819-6890)
The
Celebrate “100” group is laying the groundwork for celebrating our
church building turning 100 next year. If you have anything you would
like to contribute or help with contact Larry Scott 330-887-5224 or
You can mail your offerings to: Lodi UMC, PO Box 3, Lodi, OH 44254
Rev. Pamela Buzalka
(216)-704-0307 pamelab23@hotmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment