Dear St. Paul’s Family,
There are only two miracle stories that are recorded in all four gospels. One, of course, is the resurrection of Jesus. The other is the feeding of the multitude. While the four versions of the feeding miracle maintain the same essential elements, there are a few subtle differences. Of interest to me are the versions in Matthew and Mark, which record the following:
When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. (Matthew 14:14)
As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)
Matthew and Mark are the only gospels to give us a glimpse into the mind and heart of Jesus at this moment: deep down inside, Jesus felt compassion for the hungry crowd. Now, compassion in the original Greek has a highly nuanced meaning. Jesus did not feel mere pity toward the people. He didn’t just “feel sorry” for them, or empathy, or understanding. Jesus’ feelings were deeper than sentiment or opinion.
The Greek word for compassion is splanchnizomai (“splunk – NEEDS – oh – my”), which shares the same root as the word for “gut” or “abdomen”. The splanchnic nerve is the nerve in our abdomen that controls our diaphragm. (Pardon the biology reference – your pastor craves any opportunity to use his pre-med degree.) Literally translated, Jesus’ reaction to the hungry crowd was a gut-wrenching, stomach-knotting, visceral compulsion to meet the needs of these people. His compassion was more than an exercise of mind and heart – it was a response that touched him in his innermost being.
We’ve seen this reaction in the Bible before. Moses fumed when he saw a fellow Israelite subjected to slavery. Esther was deeply distressed when she learned of the plot to kill her fellow Jews. Jeremiah wept when he witnessed the disobedience of Israel. And here, Jesus felt a soul-stirring compassion for the people he had come to save.
If we are called to live out our Christian commitment by living in the example of Christ, then this must be our motivation as well. God has placed a “holy discontent” within you that must be channeled to meet the deepest needs of the world around you. Determining and satisfying that discontent is critical part of every Christian’s spiritual journey. As Frederick Buechner said, our primary vocation is found where “our deep gladness and the world’s hunger meet.” What needs of the world and of your community strike you in your gut? What is God calling you to do?
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
This relates to the other interesting variation among the gospel stories, which will be the subject of this Sunday’s service. It is only in John’s gospel where Andrew brought to Jesus a little boy, who offered the five loaves and two fish that would eventually feed a starving crowd. We continue our “Child-Like Faith” sermon series with a sermon called “Bread for the World: Making a Child-Like Sacrifice”. Like this little boy, each of us has the capacity to make a big difference with even the smallest of sacrifices.
We will join with Christians around the world at the table of Christ, in joint celebration of the Eucharist. Thanks to Judi Klee, owner of The Spice Rack, for providing breads from around the world that will symbolize our global connection. You can visit her website at www.homemadepizzelles.com.
We will also be receiving a World Communion Sunday special offering, joining with Methodists throughout the connection in providing scholarships for American and International students focusing on mission in church and society. To learn more, visit www.umcgiving.org.
We look forward to joining with you in this unique global celebration!
Grace and Peace,
Magrey
John 6:1-14
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.
2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick.
3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples.
4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near.
5 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?"
6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?"
10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost."
13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.
14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."
GREAT SUNDAY!
What a great time we had last Sunday! 268 people were in worship experiencing the Children’s Sabbath, and we give thanks to Linda Christensen, Carmen Teoli, Marilyn Brubaker, and the numerous kids and adults who worked hard to lead us in worship.
And thanks to the tremendous turnout at the Pork Feed, we met our goal of serving 250 people, including dozens of folks from the public and people from other local churches. And thanks to your generosity, the event raised a record $1,600 toward the reduction of the sanctuary debt. We are very grateful for the Parker family for supplying the delicious, slow-cooked pork tenderloins, Jeff Blum and members of the Finance Committee for all their preparations, and for all who provided such wonderful desserts and side dishes. Great day!
UMW BAZAAR NOVEMBER 6th
This year’s UMW Bazaar is themed “The Pumpkin Patch” and will take place on Tuesday, November 6. We would encourage the whole church to play even a small part in its success.
1. Consider baking some of your favorite pastries for the morning coffee, bake sale, or dessert table.
2. Donate items for the “nearly new” sale and by dropping them off on the fellowship hall stage.
3. Volunteer some time making items for the craft sale (contact Jeanine Schroder, 225-6001).
4. Make a salad for the salad bar (contact Kathy Simonsen for instructions, 225-5544).
And, of course, your best participation will be from attending the bazaar and bringing a friend! All of your donations, your help, and your attendance will be greatly appreciated.
There are only two miracle stories that are recorded in all four gospels. One, of course, is the resurrection of Jesus. The other is the feeding of the multitude. While the four versions of the feeding miracle maintain the same essential elements, there are a few subtle differences. Of interest to me are the versions in Matthew and Mark, which record the following:
When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. (Matthew 14:14)
As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)
Matthew and Mark are the only gospels to give us a glimpse into the mind and heart of Jesus at this moment: deep down inside, Jesus felt compassion for the hungry crowd. Now, compassion in the original Greek has a highly nuanced meaning. Jesus did not feel mere pity toward the people. He didn’t just “feel sorry” for them, or empathy, or understanding. Jesus’ feelings were deeper than sentiment or opinion.
The Greek word for compassion is splanchnizomai (“splunk – NEEDS – oh – my”), which shares the same root as the word for “gut” or “abdomen”. The splanchnic nerve is the nerve in our abdomen that controls our diaphragm. (Pardon the biology reference – your pastor craves any opportunity to use his pre-med degree.) Literally translated, Jesus’ reaction to the hungry crowd was a gut-wrenching, stomach-knotting, visceral compulsion to meet the needs of these people. His compassion was more than an exercise of mind and heart – it was a response that touched him in his innermost being.
We’ve seen this reaction in the Bible before. Moses fumed when he saw a fellow Israelite subjected to slavery. Esther was deeply distressed when she learned of the plot to kill her fellow Jews. Jeremiah wept when he witnessed the disobedience of Israel. And here, Jesus felt a soul-stirring compassion for the people he had come to save.
If we are called to live out our Christian commitment by living in the example of Christ, then this must be our motivation as well. God has placed a “holy discontent” within you that must be channeled to meet the deepest needs of the world around you. Determining and satisfying that discontent is critical part of every Christian’s spiritual journey. As Frederick Buechner said, our primary vocation is found where “our deep gladness and the world’s hunger meet.” What needs of the world and of your community strike you in your gut? What is God calling you to do?
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
This relates to the other interesting variation among the gospel stories, which will be the subject of this Sunday’s service. It is only in John’s gospel where Andrew brought to Jesus a little boy, who offered the five loaves and two fish that would eventually feed a starving crowd. We continue our “Child-Like Faith” sermon series with a sermon called “Bread for the World: Making a Child-Like Sacrifice”. Like this little boy, each of us has the capacity to make a big difference with even the smallest of sacrifices.
We will join with Christians around the world at the table of Christ, in joint celebration of the Eucharist. Thanks to Judi Klee, owner of The Spice Rack, for providing breads from around the world that will symbolize our global connection. You can visit her website at www.homemadepizzelles.com.
We will also be receiving a World Communion Sunday special offering, joining with Methodists throughout the connection in providing scholarships for American and International students focusing on mission in church and society. To learn more, visit www.umcgiving.org.
We look forward to joining with you in this unique global celebration!
Grace and Peace,
Magrey
John 6:1-14
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.
2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick.
3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples.
4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near.
5 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?"
6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?"
10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost."
13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.
14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."
GREAT SUNDAY!
What a great time we had last Sunday! 268 people were in worship experiencing the Children’s Sabbath, and we give thanks to Linda Christensen, Carmen Teoli, Marilyn Brubaker, and the numerous kids and adults who worked hard to lead us in worship.
And thanks to the tremendous turnout at the Pork Feed, we met our goal of serving 250 people, including dozens of folks from the public and people from other local churches. And thanks to your generosity, the event raised a record $1,600 toward the reduction of the sanctuary debt. We are very grateful for the Parker family for supplying the delicious, slow-cooked pork tenderloins, Jeff Blum and members of the Finance Committee for all their preparations, and for all who provided such wonderful desserts and side dishes. Great day!
UMW BAZAAR NOVEMBER 6th
This year’s UMW Bazaar is themed “The Pumpkin Patch” and will take place on Tuesday, November 6. We would encourage the whole church to play even a small part in its success.
1. Consider baking some of your favorite pastries for the morning coffee, bake sale, or dessert table.
2. Donate items for the “nearly new” sale and by dropping them off on the fellowship hall stage.
3. Volunteer some time making items for the craft sale (contact Jeanine Schroder, 225-6001).
4. Make a salad for the salad bar (contact Kathy Simonsen for instructions, 225-5544).
And, of course, your best participation will be from attending the bazaar and bringing a friend! All of your donations, your help, and your attendance will be greatly appreciated.
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