Food for Soul and Body

A pork patty sandwich with fresh corn on the cob.

You can have all the good things in life and still be left unsatisfied. Deep within we long for love even though we may try to fill our life with stuff. Jesus offers to fill us with food for soul and body, and sends us to share our love and to help the needy.

Word

In this week’s gospel, people followed Jesus looking for spiritual satisfaction. And yet, he also recognized their need for physical nourishment.
We read in John 6: When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. (Verses 5-6)

Jesus blesses and shares the lunch of a little boy to feed thousands.

Connection

What we think we can do seems not nearly enough with all the needs in the world. But all of us together have more than enough because God provides abundantly.

After we feed our spirits with God’s Word in Christian Education learning activities , we feed people hungry for basics of life such as food, healing or justice.

Jesus tells us to do God’s work with our hands, as the motto of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declares and encourages.

Message

The good news is: Happiness does not come from bread or material luxuries alone. It comes by also hearing and living the Word of God’s love in the Bible.
Jesus says to you: I am the Bread of life. Be nourished and sustained with encouragement from God’s Word. And share your faith, hope, and love with each other and those in need.

Comments

Give Praise

Church vocal and bell choir in worship leads the assembled congregation to give God praise. Throughout the Bible, God and humans have used music to communicate with each other and about God’s greatness. Word In the Old testament, King David instructed the worship leaders of Israel to praise God for the kind and powerful help they received: “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. ” (2 Chronicles 16:7-9) The songbook of the Bible encourages creativity and diversity for giving glory to God with a new song. In one of its poetic hymns we are told that it is not only fitting but pleasing to God to join all creation “... with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!” (Psalm 98:6) And the early church saw spiritual songs as an expression of their new life in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote to believ

Invitation

The Weekly Word will be brief, so it can be read or viewed easily, yet without compromising on faithful and meaningful content. It will consist of four parts which will draw your interest, help connect with the topic, learn about biblical stories or ideas, and share a transformative and encouraging message for your life. There will usually be a topic introduction, some real-life connection, biblical reflections, and the good news God’s message from Jesus. Get God’s message for your life. Sunday worship offers a unique way to celebrate God’s love and experience the love of faith community. Throughout your week, read my Weekly Word blog or watch the Weekly Word video online. May the Spirit deepen your understanding of God’s message of love, keep you encouraged to follow and serve Jesus, and invite you to practice trust in God’s promises and join a local faith community. Your Weekly Word author Pastor Stefan Munker

Spreading the Love

This is a childhood photo of myself. I learned about love from my parents. God wants everyone to share love with others. Do you realize that you are commissioned to be God’s messenger of good news, and an instrument for sharing the experience of love? Word The prophet Jeremiah is told there are no excuses not to spread God’s message of love, “I appointed you a prophet to the nations ...” And, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you ...” That is, everyone is chosen to speak and show love to everyone. Jesus announced his mission to bring good news of God’s life changing love. But he did not stop there. He went on to renew people’s lives by setting them free from guilt of sins, suffering with disease, and loneliness from exclusion. Connection Church experience can be comforting like a cozy quilt. You got your friends, the familiar words and hymns of worship, or the comfort that comes from the feel and look of the place. But God wants o

Weekly Word

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