| A Midweek MessageMarch 3, 2021 Dear friends at St. Paul,This week I am delighted to share with you a devotion to this coming week’s Gospel Message, from my dear friend and colleague, Inge Williams. Pr. Inge and I attend seminary together and share a love for folk music and dancing. Pr. Inge is the pastor of Friedens Lutheran Church in Shartlesville, PA and is also a great banjo player. I hope you enjoy her message. Remember we have now returned to in person worship for both Sunday (10AM) and Midweek (7PM) Worship. All services will also be livestreamed, please join us however you feel most comfortable. -In Peace Rev. Aaron Baughman (interim pastor) *IN PERSON MIDWEEK WORSHIP TONIGHT!* Same social distancing guidelines apply as to our sunday worship. Join us for in person midweek service at 7PM. You are also welcome to join us via our live stream.  Christ driving the moneychangers | 1626 | Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn“13The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” – John 2:13-22 |
This week, we will hear the story of Jesus “cleansing” the temple: he drives out the people involved in selling animals for sacrifice. “Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” he yells, brandishing a whip, turning over their tables, and dumping out their purses. No one is injured, but it certainly was a disruptive moment, akin to marches or protests that disrupt life temporarily in order to make change. Jesus’ actions are a “demonstration” against the practice of the money changers, those who are abusing the sanctity of the temple.Rev. Tom Boomershine says, “This is the action of a prophet: One who believes in God and is willing to express his opposition to whatever defiles the things of God.”I wonder what would bother Jesus if he showed up at our churches. What kinds of behavior have we gotten used to that he would want to drive out? Jesus’ frustration can shake us out of our complacency and wake us up to the true meaning of our relationship with God.In the words of the hymn, “God of Grace and God of Glory:”Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore.Let the gift of your salvation be our glory evermore.Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore!Yours in Christ,Pastor Inge  This coming Sunday will be in person and livestream We have have returned to in person worship. If you do not feel comfortable joining us in person, we will continue to live stream our services. Please remember that all social distancing guidelines still apply. Please wear a mask and sit in only the open pews. Please no congregating before or after services. We look forward to seeing you in person! Instructions to watch Live StreamYou don’t have to watch it live. You can watch it anytime during or after the service.You can go to youtube.com and search: “St. Paul Lutheran Church New Rome, OH” You can subscribe and get an email when we are live. It is also posted on our website and Facebook page.Facebook-www.facebook.com/stpaullutherancolumbusohiochurch website: http://stpaulnewrome.comAt-Home Communion for Everyone Would you like to participate in communion from home? St. Paul is now offering at home communion to everyone who is worshiping from home. Simply send an email to Jeanine at jeanine_secretary@sbcglobal.net or call her at 614-563-3230 to sign up communion kits will be blessed by Rev. Aaron before distribution. Be sure to note how many people are in your family. If you are interested in helping with distribution please let us know! |
Midweek Message from Rev. Aaron Baughman: (3/3/21)
- Link to service: (2/28/21) 2nd Sunday of Lent @ 9:55 am
- Link to service: (3/3/21) Lent Service @ 7:00 pm