The Fourth day of Advent is December 23!

The Third day of Advent is December 16

A Christmas Chime Social

Christmas Morning Service is December 25 at Genesee Valley Church!

Celebrating Christmas at our Church Home is such a comforting family tradition! Make plans to bundle up the kids and grab Grandma and Grandpa or come by yourself to participate. We'll see you Christmas morning for service.

Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service is December 24 at 7 pm! We'll see you at St. John's!

Celebrating Christmas at our Church Home is such a comforting family tradition! Make plans to bundle up the kids and grab Grandma and Grandpa or come by yourself to participate. We'll see you Christmas Eve at 7 pm for the beautiful candlelight ceremony!

The Second day of Advent is December 9!

High School Youth Christmas Party

First Day of Advent is on December 2! See you at worship as we prepare for the coming of Jesus!

Theology on Tap

Dana and Dan Carter will be hosting Theology on Tap Nov 30 at 7. Let's gather and discuss our thought about theology and our lives while we enjoy snacks and beverages and laughter!

Outreach Committee post

At Council Meeting on Sunday, I reported that for outreach this month: 1. The congregation members are participating in the Giving Tree. Dana Carter will bring information to church next Sunday. We have a shorter turnaround time this year, so please respond quickly. Thank you! 2. The children are collecting coins to purchase some item for one or more families in Africa (through ELCA). Only $10 will buy some chicks for a family to raise food for their family! 3. INSPIRE group is busy each month, with members of the community joining GLP members for crafting and sharing. Last week, Sandi Lowther of Lewiston led the group in creating note cards with dried flowers! Toward the end of the month, Verna is hosting a gathering for the folks to work on their Christmas cards, to exchange ornaments, and to drink some wine! 4. The Community Garden of Moscow's Emmanuel Lutheran Church is closing. Emmanuel donated the community garden tools to our Community Garden by St. John! We're so grateful to Emmanuel! 5. The November newsletter was distributed in church at the beginning of the month. The remaining letters were mailed. The newsletter can be found on the church blog. Thank you! Verna

2018 November Newsletter

Article With a Picture of the Valley Church

Here's an article with a picture of the Valley Church
The article is rather interesting too

https://www.agweb.com/mobile/article/john-phipps-hospice-for-small-churches/

High School Youth Group

High School Youth Group TONIGHT 5-7pm! Join us for dinner, faith and fun!
Come one, come all, bring a friend or a few friends!!

Mural is Enhanced by the Kids!

During today's Children's Sermon, Rosanna told us that the kids added to the wall mural in the Sunday school room!  They added a baby lamb, grass and trees, and more faces to the multitude of children who are with Jesus!  Nice job!

Folks, when you have a moment, pop into the room and see the mural that has been changing and developing in beauty and in its message over the years by all the children of Genesee Lutheran Parish.

2018 October Newsletter

WELCA on the Palouse.

Many women of WELCA attended the Fall 2018 Retreat at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pullman Saturday, October 6, from 9 to 3 p.m. Pastor Janine Goodrich of Newport was the outstanding speaker who inspired and surprised us with "That You May Have Life!"

 A physical offering of dry goods and of a quilt that was tied during the meeting (!) was given to representative of Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, Vanessa Corwin.

 Thank you to the WELCA leaders who traveled from Idaho and Washington to share their ideas and zeal with us. And thank you to the Trinity women who fed, housed, and hosted us! You were awesome!

New Member Training Begins

New Member Training began today, Sunday, October 7 at 11:30! Today we looked at the Timeline of the Bible first. We discussed some of the important events which led to our Church today.

Next week, we'll discuss Martin Luther and his role in the development of our church.  We'll look at the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments.  We'll discuss the two Sacraments:  Holy Baptism and the Sacrament of the Altar (communion, the Eucharist).  We'll also visit about the morning, evening, and meal prayers.

We'll also look at a document which will help us understand how Protestants began and broke into the different churches. GLP members, please join us as we discuss how our church and our faith came to be.

This six-week training session is a wonderful way to review your confirmation lessons and church history!

Sunday School Changes, New Member Classes, Confirmation, Youth Group

Sunday School
Tonight the Education Committee met to plan out the next month. We also decided that Sunday School was going to go back to 9-9:50 am starting this Sunday, Oct. 7. The Sunday School schedule will be 9 am singing, 9:10 lesson and activity, 9:50 dismissal. Please take note of this time change, we hope to see all the children on Sunday.
We are planning on having the children sing This Little Light of Mine on November 4th during worship service, in honor of All Saints Sunday.

New Member Classes
New member classes will be starting also on Oct. 7th at around 11:30 and continue each Sunday through Nov. 4th. Anyone interested in becoming a member please join Pastor Helsing for the next 5 Sundays. In new member training you will learn a little about our churches history what it means to be a member of Genesee Lutheran Perish, plus Lutheran history and philosophy.

Confirmation
Confirmation students will be joining the confirmation students at Grace Lutheran, in Lewiston every third Sunday of the month. The first class our students will be attending is Oct. 21.

Youth Group
High School Youth Group: Oct. 7, 5-7 pm Fellowship Hall. Food, faith, fellowship and fun!

Middle school and high school youth groups: Oct 27th the m.s. and h.s. middle school youth groups have been invited to join the Grace Lutheran Youth Group for a Haunted Hayride at Hell's Canyon. Grace Lutheran for pizza and games at 5 pm then on to Hell's Canyon for the hayride. Cost is cars are $5 for entry without the state park, and $2 per person for the hayride.

LET'S CELEBRATE the 70TH ANNIVERSARY of Bertle and Norma!

Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Genesee Senior Center from 2 - 4 p.m.

Bertle and Norma Spence were married at St. Johns on December 29, 1948, but since we are hoping to do the 70th anniversary celebration while family are still in Idaho, we are celebrating early. The family hopes their church family will be able to attend.

OUTREACH COMMITTEE: Upcoming Events!

Lots has been happening with the Outreach Committee!

BAPTISM:  Ashlynn Herman, daughter of Melissa and Ryan and sister of  Makayla, Lindsey, and Kendall, will be baptized on Sunday, October 14!

CONFIRMATION:  Our kids will join those at Grace Lutheran Church in the Orchards at Lewiston once a month for a 3-hour confirmation class which includes pizza!  Contact Pastor Dana for more information and to arrange a ride to the October 21 class!

NEW MEMBER TRAINING:  New Member Training curriculum is being developed for six weeks of class this fall, dates and time to be announced soon!  Find out what being a Lutheran means to you!  Classes will start about October 7 and run through November 11.  Affirmation of Baptism and Baptism will be held Sunday, November 25.  Please contact Pastor Dana for more information!

Moving Back to St John's

We're moving back to St. John's on the 9th, there are some fun changes coming up, please join us.
Sunday School starts at 9:30, it's going to be different, exciting and fun this year so parents please bring yourselves and your children to join in on all the fun.
Worship service will be at 10.
Following worship service on the 9th we are having a barbecue, everyone is invited to join us.
Through the month of Sept. we are having a Food Drive for the Genesee Food Bank, please bring a canned food item or toiletries, your name will be entered in a drawing for fun a prize.

All are welcome to the barbeque! Enjoy visiting with your neighbors and friends!
Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket!

Come Celebrate!!!

Bertle & Norma Spence were married at St. Johns on December 29, 1948 but since we are hoping to do the 70th anniversary celebration while family are still in Idaho, we are celebrating early. The family hopes their church family will be able to attend.

Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Genesee Senior Center from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Council Meeting

There will be a Church Council meeting, on Thurs., August 30, 5:30, at St. John's Lutheran Church regarding personnel.

2018 September Newsletter (click the icon in upper right corner)

Prepping for September Rally Sunday? Consider This!

Please click on this site to read  the article, "Inviting, Informing, and Including Newcomers" in The Parish Paper by  Cynthia Woolever (July 2018). 

As Ms. Woolever says, "Three Pillars of Evangelism.   Three complementary efforts serve the congregation’s ministry goals: inviting, informing, and including new people. Just like a three-pillared tower, without one support, the overall purpose becomes unstable. To invite is to increase the church’s visibility and relevance, to inform is to offer opportunities for connection, and to include means spiritual experiences that promote Christian maturity and growth. Which effort needs more intention and planning in your congregation?"

http://www.ewaidsynod.org/images/July_Parish_Paper_2018_Inviting_Informing_and_Including_Newcomers_1_.pdf

GLP Newsletter is coming!

The printed September 2018 edition of the Genesee Lutheran Parish newsletter will be available at church on August 26.  For those of you who do not pick up your copy, we will mail the copy to you so that you know what's happening with the parish.  Emailed copies will go to all members with email addresses.

Thank you to all of the contributors who make the newsletter possible:  Phyllis, Louise, Rosanna,  Devanie, Linda, Darlene, Pastor Dana, Hannah and Bryon, and Verna.  Anyone may contribute to the newsletter, and all suggestions and articles are welcomed.

Rally Sunday Sept 9th With A New Look

EVERYONE WELCOME-PLEASE JOIN US ON SEPT. 9TH AT 9:30.

Sunday School is going to have a new look this year. We are changing the name to Family Time. This will start at 9:30, from 9:30 to 9:55 will be music and craft time. At 9:55 everyone will go up to Worship Service. After the children's sermon the children and a couple of teachers will go downstairs to lesson time (we are planning in following the gospel) and will return back to the worship service in time to share the peace, probably about 20-30 minutes.

We will be kicking off Sunday School/Family Time on Sept. 9th at St. John's Lutheran Church, at 9:30. Following Worship Service there will be a BarBQue and ice cream social along with some fun children/family games.

Rally Sunday coming up!

Mark September 9, 9:30 a.m., on your calendar for Rally Sunday!  See the exciting changes to Sunday school which will involve your kids with you, your parents, and all the family!  We will have a big community celebration that day to celebrate the start of a new and different type of Sunday school.   Barbecue and fun!  Stay tuned for more information!

Best wishes to our Cluster Dean, Pastor Phil Misner!

Rosanna Cartwright and Verna Studer represented Genesee Lutheran Parish at the farewell party for Pastor Phil Misner and his family at Trinity Lutheran church in Endicott, Washington, Wednesday evening.  Pastor Phil, current Palouse Cluster dean, has taken the position as assistant to Bishop Kristen Kuemple.  He and his family will be moving to Post Falls in September. 

You may remember Pastor and his family when they joined our congregation at the Oregon coast a few years ago.  

Pastor Phil will be a great representative of small rural churches to the bishop!  He knows the struggles that we have been going through and can speak to those struggles.  We wish him well!

Genesee Lutheran Parish Youth Group

Genesee Lutheran Parish Youth Group

• Aug. 5 
• 5 pm 
• Church Yard
• Hawaii Luau Theme
• Most creative outfit wins a prize
• Bring a friend who hasn't come before-the more the merrier!!
• Food, games, faith and fun!!!

Changes for week of July 30th through Aug. 6th!

There will be no bible study this Wednesday. The pastor is out of town.

There will be Gospel on the Porch at 7 pm at the personage, Aug 1st.

Education committee meeting postponed, until Aug. 6th, at 7 at St. John's.

Sunday Morning Choir

Do you enjoy singing, would you like to be in a small choir?
Join us Sunday morning at 8:30 to practice a song we will sing during church services.

We are still at the Valley Church for the next 6 weeks.

July 22 Sunday Service at the Valley recap

What fun to see past Pastor Mike and his wife at Genesee Valley church! Pastor served communion for us! Yvonne Watt's daughter Latricia and her partner Corey and baby Asher joined Yvonne, Kelly, and Shay. Welcome!

The music was awesome. Thank you, Louise! Rosanna did a great job in leading the service. Betty, thank you for your work in making the church ready for company! Phyllis, thanks for thinking of having Pastor Mike offer our communion!

Linda, your message was right on point--directly speaking to the Gospel! Our American culture has changed so that nowadays, families don't seem to have time to gather and talk!

Linda said that the Education Committee is fleshing out a plan to offer simple meals at the St. John Fellowship hall on Wednesdays this fall so that families who are running between sports and committee meetings, etc, can drop by at the hall for a bite to eat before their next commitments! Great idea!

I'm so proud to be a part of this remarkable congregation and the Lutheran church! I feel renewed!

Genesee Day Float 2018

Genesee Day Float

Here are few pictures from the float we entered in the Genesee Day Parade. Even though everyone got pretty soaked I am told a good time was had by all. We are already coming up with ideas for next year. Thank you to all who helped decorate and who braved the wind and rain to ride on our float!!!

Genesee Day Float Decorating

COME ONE, COME ALL!!!

Friday evening at 6 pm we will be meeting at St. John's to decorate the float we will have in Genesee Day!! Please come help decorate it!!

WHO WANTS TO RIDE!!

We would love to get more people to ride on the float, please come join us. Line-up usually starts at 10 am and the parade starts at 11 am, be there before 11 to load up. Young and old are all invited.

PLEASE JOIN US!!!!

Dayle Mundy

It is with great sorrow that I am sharing that Dayle Mundy passed away on June 4th. 

Here are the details for services:

June 11, 2018

Graveside service will be at St. John's cemetery 10 AM

Funeral will be at St. John's Lutheran Church 11 AM

Food and fellowship to follow at the Genesee Senior Center.

Please join in sending prayers of comfort to the family and loved ones.

Baking Communion Bread

I'm baking communion bread for tomorrow.   Rosanna shared with me a link to a wonderful video of ELCA Churchwide Ron Glusenkamp, baking communion bread!  He is awesome.

https://vimeo.com/48145113

I hope that you enjoy the video!

Prayer Requests

Our Sister Dayle Mundee is in need of prayers. Hospice is now involved. She is still trying to be active when she can. Please keep her in your prayers. 

Norma Spence is also in need of prayers she has been experiencing discomfort from a hernia and is going in next week to schedule surgery to have this taken care of.

Former pastor Grube, Genesee, who designed parsonage has passed away please include his family in your prayers. If you would like to send cards they may be sent to:

Claire and Sally Grube

821 12th Ave North

Edmonds, WA 98020.

There will be a card in the Fellowship Hall of the Valley Church after service this Sunday to sign if you would like to sign that also.

Marilyn Jenkins Burial Service

The family of Marilyn Jenkins would like to invite you to attend a burial service at St. John's Graveyard in Genesee on Saturday, May 12th, at 3 p.m. 
Cookies and coffee will be served afterwards at St. John's Lutheran Church. 

A Look At What is Coming Up!!

Wednesday Morning Bible Study will continue through the summer, it will be moving to the park summer (weather permitting) at 10 am. No Bible Study on May 9th.

Sunday May 6th is our last day at St. John's before moving to the Valley for the summer.
This will be the last day of Sunday School until September.
Six of our young people will be receiving their First Communion:
Shaylyna Watts, Chloe and Miley Greiser, Mikayla Herman, Jackson Stutzman and Evie Ramor.

Sunday May 13th: Service will be moving to the Valley Church services will be at 9 am.
Mother's Day so please remember to celebrate the women in your lives that have help in the role of being your mother.

Pastor Helsing will be gone on May 13th.

Tuesday May 15th at 7 pm Church Council meeting

Sunday May 20th: Pentecostal Sunday

Sunday June 3rd: Last Youth Group activity before summer break, time and activity to be determined.

Saturday June 9th: 11 am our church will participate in the Community Day Parade with a float, the theme is Making a Difference.

Other fun activities planned for the summer (more details to come): 
a Camp out at Lutherhaven in July
Outdoor Movie and bbq

October 19-20th Idaho Discipline Conference at Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise. For more information see flyer on the Fellowship Bulletin Board.

Some photos from Assembly 2018

2018 EWAID Synod Assembly
Rosanna stands behind Bishop Kuempel in the center; I am a couple folks to the right.

Ron G, Churchwide representative, Verna and Rosanna
REV. RONALD T. GLUSENKAMP (Keynote speaker, Q & A with your Churchwide) serves as the Director of ELCA Campaign Always Being Made New. Glusenkamp says, "Our baptismal identity calls us to be claimed, gathered and sent into the world. The (campaign) is a great way to do so much more together for the sake of the world in Jesus' name." Prior to this time, Glusenkamp served as senior pastor of Bethany, the largest congregation in the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod and as vice president of customer outreach at the ELCA Board of Pensions (now Portico Benefit Services). Glusenkamp has also served as pastor at three ELCA congregations across the Midwest. Ordained in 1981, he holds his a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from the former Christ Seminary-Seminex in St. Louis and his B.A. from the former Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was ordained in 1981. Glusenkamp is married to Sue Ann Glusenkamp, a clinical nurse educator. Together they have three adult children.

Bishop K Kuempel with Verna and Rosanna

Verna, Pastor Andy of Bonners Ferry Trinity Lutheran, Rosanna

Rosanna and Verna with huge assembly behind us

Rosanna with  Pastor Kimmie who used to be at Bonners Ferry

Tousled Rosanna and Verna after LONG DAY at Assembly

Palouse Cluster representatives, Rosanna and Verna, top middle

Sandy  and Rosanna

SANDY BRYANT (“Praying Life through the Liturgy” which Rosanna will be reporting on, is the Anchoress at Lake Chelan Lutheran Church. She is a Benedictine Oblate, a woman of prayer and a teacher of prayer. She is also a catechist.  During the entire Assembly, Sandy is in the prayer room praying for all of the people who are attending.  She is WONDERFUL!

Diana becoming a DEACON! with Bishop Kuemple

2018 EWAID Synod Assembly was GREAT!

Pastor Dana, Rosanna, and I will be sharing the different things that we learned last weekend at Synod Assembly over the next few weeks, here and before worship.  Most important is that we connected with people who are eager to support us in our ministry!  Next Sunday, I'll be visiting with the congregation about one of the sessions which I attended!  Can't wait to see you Sunday!

Theology on Tap

THEOLOGY ON TAP

Friday, April 20th at 7 p.m.

Dave and Caroline Troy are hosting Theology on Tap at their home Friday, Apr. 20th at 7 p.m.
At Theology on Tap we have a fulfilling discussion on a theological subject while enjoying some snacks, and drinks.
PLEASE COME JOIN US!
If you need directions please contact Dave Troy, or Pastor Helsing, or Jennifer Perkins, or Linda Chilson.

2794 HWY 95, Genesee

Education Committee Meeting Rescheduled

The Education Committee meeting has been rescheduled to April 18th at 7:30 p.m. 
If you are interested in being on the Education Committee please take note of the new date and time. 

Important Dates to Remember

Important Dates to Remember

Sun		9 a.m	Children’s and Adult Sunday School
Wed		10 a.m.	Bible Study, Plaid and Pearls.  Please come and invite your friends
Sun	Apr 15	9 am	First Communion Class begin First communion classes will be held during Sunday school today and Sun. Apr 22nd
Fri	Apr 20	7 p.m.	Theology on Tap, home of Dave and Caroline Troy
Sun	Apr 22	9 a.m.	Second First Communion Class
Sun	May 6	9 a.m.	Last day of Sunday school
Sun	May 6	10 a.m,.	First Communion Ceremony
Sun	May 13	9 a.m.	Move to Valley; services begin at 9 a.m.
Sun	May 13	10 a.m.	Mothers’ Day Breakfast, served by men of church

Committee Meetings

Mon	Apr 16	6:30 p.m.	Buildings and Grounds Committee
Tues Thur Mon Thur	Apr 17 Apr 19 Apr 23 Apr 26	6:30 p.m 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.	Worship Committee Outreach Committee Activities Committee Education Committee

These meetings are for forming each committee and to explain what each committees duties would be. Anyone interested in being on any of these committees is welcome to attend the meetings. If you are unable to attend but are interested please talk to Jennifer Parkins.

Preparing for EWAID Synod Assembly 2018

Rosanna and I are joining Pastor Dana at EWAIS Synod Assembly in Yakima, Washington, April 27 - 29.

Two of my favorite parts of attending Assembly are (1) the Sunday Bits and (2) the Workshops!  If you want to see descriptions of all of the topics, please go to:  2018 EWAID SYNOD ASSEMBLY WORKSHOPS.  Some of the topics include:

• Church Growth Guaranteed:  Holy Spirit Dependent
• Feeding God's Children:  ELCA World Hunger
• Our Homeless Friends:  Providing Shelter and Building Relationships
• ELCA Walk for Wagter
• Visual Arts in church Growth:  "Inside the box--outside the box"
• Lutheran Camps on Steroids!
• Youth--Meeting them where they are.
• Camarata Club Choir
• The Rocky Road to Latino Ministry
• Nurturing a Prayerful Culture
• Praying Life through the Liturgy Part I
• Praying Life through the Liturgy Part II
• Praying Life through the Liturgy Part III
• Worship and Prayer through music
• Proposed ELCA Social Statement on Women and Justice
• "E" is for Evangelical:  Sharing the gospel in a graceful, loving, and non-scary way
• Growth through Coaching
• Technology & Your Church:  Leveraging Technology for Effective Communications & Collaboration
• Keynote with Ron Gulsenkamp
• Statement on Inter-Religious Commitments
• Faith Action Network of WA
• Constitution
• Budget Hearings

If you see a topic and description which you believe would be helpful for Genesee Lutheran Parish, please add your comment to this post so that we can ensure that one of us attends the workshop!  

Thank you!

Verna

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Dates To Remember

Sun         9 a.m.        Children’s and Adult Sunday School

Wed        10 a.m.     Bible Study, Plaid and Pearls.  Please come and invite your                                                                                        friends!
Th.           Mar 29  7 p.m.        Maundy Thursday Valley Church

Fri.          Mar 30   7 p.m.        Good Friday Valley Church

Sat.          Mar 31   7 p.m.        Easter Vigil  

Sun         Apr 1       5:47 a.m   Stations of the Cross St Mary’s Catholic Church
                                 6:20 a.m  Sunrise Service, St Mary’s Cemetery We will gather near the                                                                                      cross
                                 6:40 am    Refreshments and Fellowship St. John’s
                                 10 a.m.      Easter Service; no Sunday School. There will be an Easter Egg                                                                                  hunt for children following services.There will be                                                                                                          no Fellowship after church on                                                                                                                                            Easter.
Tues Apr 10    7 p.m.     Church Council 

Sat         Apr 14 9 a.m.     Batik Workshop St. John’s fellowship hall $25 bring a white                                                                                      T-shirt  with you

Fri         Apr 20 7 p.m.     Theology on Tap, home of Dave and Caroline Troy

Sun          May 6 9 a.m.     Last day of Sunday school

Sun          May 13 9 a.m.     Move to Valley; services begin at 9 a.m.

Sun          May 13 10 a.m.     Mothers’ Day Breakfast, served by men of church

Committee Meetings

Mon Apr 16 6:30 p.m. Buildings and Grounds Committee

Tues       Apr 17 6:30 p.m.      Worship Committee

Th.        Apr 19 6:30 p.m.      Outreach Committee

Mon.     Apr 23 6:30 p.m. Activities Committee


Th.        Apr 26 6:30 p.m. Education Committee

These meetings will be open to any one interested in serving on a committee. At each meeting Jennifer Parkins will explain what each committee's duties will be. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in being on one or more of the committees please come to the meeting. If the date or time does not work please let Jennifer Parkins know.

Daily Lent Reading 3/22/2018

Deuteronomy 16:1-8 
16 Observe the month of Aviv and celebrate the Passover of the Lord your God, because in the month of Aviv he brought you out of Egypt by night. 2 Sacrifice as the Passover to the Lord your God an animal from your flock or herd at the place the Lord will choose as a dwelling for his Name. 3 Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste—so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt. 4 Let no yeast be found in your possession in all your land for seven days. Do not let any of the meat you sacrifice on the evening of the first day remain until morning.
5 You must not sacrifice the Passover in any town the Lord your God gives you 6 except in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name. There you must sacrifice the Passover in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the anniversary of your departure from Egypt. 7 Roast it and eat it at the place the Lord your God will choose. Then in the morning return to your tents. 8 For six days eat unleavened bread and on the seventh day hold an assembly to the Lord your God and do no work.

Philippians 2:1-11 
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Daily Lent Reading 3/21/2018

Haggai 2:1-9, 20-23
2 1 on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 2 “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. 5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’
6 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. 8 ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. 9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
23 “‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

John 12:34-50
34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews
37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
“Lord, who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
    nor understand with their hearts,
    nor turn—and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Daily Lent Reading 3/20/2018

Isaiah 44:1-8
44 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant,
    Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what the Lord says—
    he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
    and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
    Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
    and my blessing on your descendants.
4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
    like poplar trees by flowing streams.
5 Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’;
    others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’
    and will take the name Israel.
6 “This is what the Lord says—
    Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
    apart from me there is no God.
7 Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
    and what is yet to come—
    yes, let them foretell what will come.
8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
    Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?
    No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

Acts 2:14-24 
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[b] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Daily Lent Reading 3/17/2018

Habakkuk 3:2-13 

2 Lord, I have heard of your fame;
    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
    in our time make them known;
    in wrath remember mercy.
3 God came from Teman,
    the Holy One from Mount Paran.
His glory covered the heavens
    and his praise filled the earth.
4 His splendor was like the sunrise;
    rays flashed from his hand,
    where his power was hidden.
5 Plague went before him;
    pestilence followed his steps.
6 He stood, and shook the earth;
    he looked, and made the nations tremble.
The ancient mountains crumbled
    and the age-old hills collapsed—
    but he marches on forever.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in distress,
    the dwellings of Midian in anguish.
8 Were you angry with the rivers, Lord?
    Was your wrath against the streams?
Did you rage against the sea
    when you rode your horses
    and your chariots to victory?
9 You uncovered your bow,
    you called for many arrows.
You split the earth with rivers;
10     the mountains saw you and writhed.
Torrents of water swept by;
    the deep roared
    and lifted its waves on high.
11 Sun and moon stood still in the heavens
    at the glint of your flying arrows,
    at the lightning of your flashing spear.
12 In wrath you strode through the earth
    and in anger you threshed the nations.
13 You came out to deliver your people,
    to save your anointed one.
You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness,
    you stripped him from head to foot.

John 12:1-11 

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.