RCL Reflection, Fourth Sunday ater the Epiphany, Year A. January 29, 2023.
God’s teachings help us know what’s important, but it’s so easy for us to follow the world’s “script” for our lives. This week’s lessons help us find new scripts to follow as God’s people. Joel Bergeland explores
Religious donors are more likely to be regular in their giving than other philanthropically inclined folks, but that doesn’t mean we can take them for granted, says David King of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving. He offers great tips.
As the opioid crisis continues to cause thousands of overdose deaths per year, many churches keep NARCAN on hand and train congregants in its use. Given at the onset of an overdose, it can save a life. This CDC resource provides solid information on the medication.
RCL Reflection, Third Sunday after Epiphany, Year A – January 22, 2023
How do we follow Jesus’ instruction that we become “fishers of people”? One surefire way is for us to establish and nurture spiritual friendships. Elisabeth Hartwell explores. (Photo: Hannah Nelson, Pexels)
How much of your time can you invest to grow in deeper discipleship? The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod suggests “1 percent” — 14 minutes a day – as a starting point. Explore and share this bulletin insert. How can you live into it? (Photo: Mat Brown, Pexels.com)
Smart phones are costly to buy, and manufacturing them takes a toll on the environment. So why do we insist on replacing so frequently as opposed to fixing them, as we do with our cars, asks Brian Chen of the New York Times. (Photo: Johann Larsson, Creative Commons)
Economic, social and philanthropic trends point to difficulty ahead for congregation funding, Joe Park of Horizons Stewardship writes, but he suggests ways to position your church to cope. (Photo: Steve Jurvetson, Creative Commons)
RCL reflection, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Year A. January 15, 2015.
Strong Epiphany themes can be seen in this week’s lections, including baptism, calling and light. They can intersect in how how we understand the “light” our lives bring to the world through our baptismal calling. (Photo: twodolla, Creative Commons)
February’s Toolkit looks at Ash Wednesday’s “wake-up call” — reminding us that we are dust and we are mortal. It gives stewards sobering realizations. Free newsletter article and stewardship snippets.
In winter, some people feel blue or depressed because of seasonal affective disorder, believed to be related to brain chemical changes caused by winter’s shorter days and less sun. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains and offers tips on coping.
