Comfort through ... Love

A Valentine's cake declares a lover's sentiments.

Love is many things. Romance sung about in love songs, and exchanged when you feel in love with someone. It is physical intimacy. Care of parent for their child. Kindness of help for neighbors in need.

“In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us.” (Luke 1:78)

So we hear in the song of Zechariah about the God’s love that brings us comfort when we are forsaken, despairing, afraid.

Think of a lover tenderly wiping the tears off her grieving face. Think of a mother, grabbing her sobbing child in a hug. Think of a skilled nurse treating the sore burn wounds of a forest fire victim in the ICU.

The good news is: We may be captive to the darkness of bullying, death of loved ones, or tragedies out of our control. But love brings light into our situations. Do you need comfort? God loves you.

Jesus says to you: The dawn from on high has come to show you the light of God’s love. Feel the tender compassion of your God. It changes you and your world as Zechariah sang in anticipation.

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Renewing Devotion

My wife and I showed our devotion to Jesus by packing food for starving children. 'Why give money to World Hunger when they should help themselves and there’s people to take care of your own family or church or country?’ Or, one could say, why waste expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet when you could have used the money to feed the poor? That’s rational, selfish, and sarcastic Judas speaking to willfully discredit Mary. Mary however, responded with love, generosity, and extravagant devotion. Word The lectionary gospel on the Sunday before Holy Week tells of Mary sharing her devotion for Jesus. She uses expensive oil, and outrageously, her hair and tears, to express her love, her service, her faith in Jesus. While they are at dinner, “Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.” (John 12:3) Guess what? Mary doesn’t care about the cost, or what other people might say. She does what feels right to her....

Welcome

Thank you for checking out Weekly Word, a weekly online summary of my sermons for review during the week, catch-up after being away, or sharing with others. I am Stefan Munker. I have been serving as a pastor in congregations since 2004. In that time, I have preached quite a few sermons to convey God’s message for member’s lives. I’m excited about reaching more people online. The Weekly Word blog is based on requests for spiritual support in daily life, a desire to share biblical insights from Sunday worship, and the question how to connect more people with the church and God. It is an evolving experiment, so give it a try, keep an open mind, and share your feedback. Welcome to Weekly Word.

Everyday Gratitude

The altar at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with donations for local food pantries. This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. How do you celebrate the holiday? It’s well and good to be thankful for family and food on Thanksgiving Day. But as Christians we can show our genuine gratitude to a gracious God every day by 1. remembering to thank God for everything, 2. praying for those who are in positions of authority, and 3. sharing the gifts we have received with others in need. According to Matthew’s gospel, Jesus encourages us: “... do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ ... But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (vv. 31, 33) God blesses us all in abundance. Let’s not forget to be thankful. And remember those who lack basic needs.

Weekly Word

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