11th Sunday After Pentecost
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
Remember the Sabbath Day. Call the Sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s Day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 58: 9-14
The Lord promises those who have returned from Exile that where justice and mercy prevail, the ruins will be rebuilt and light will rise in the darkness. It is a day for new beginnings.
PSALM: Psalm 103: 1-8
SECOND READING: Hebrews 12: 18-29
Using images of Moses from the Old Testament, the writer presents a striking vision of the new covenant of God made possible in Christ. There is no longer fear; only awe in the new promise in Christ into which we are invited.
GOSPEL: Luke 13: 10-17
Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, offering her a new beginning for her life. When challenged by a narrow reading of the Sabbath command, Jesus responds by expanding “Sabbath work” to include setting people free from bondage.
Announcements!
OX ROAST IS COMING
Zion will again be serving refreshments for the Ox Roast Community Church Service on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. Please contact Carol Mahon (614 879-6032, 614 256-2102, or cmrph@sbcglobal.net) if you are interested in helping or donating breakfast items or funds to cover expenses.
COMMUNITY MOVIE SERIES
The Village Community Center is hosting a Movie Series. If you are looking to get out on a Friday evening, this is a good time to have fellowship with the community. The next movie will be Wonder at the Community Center, October 5, 2019. This movie night will focus on “Bully Prevention Awareness Month”.
MORE COMMUNITY ACTIVITY NEWS
The Concert in the Park will continue with the next concert on Aug. 13, when Whiskey Business Duo comes to Garrett Park. If you enjoy music, come out and have a great time. The last concert scheduled is Purk and Jones, Tuesday, Sept. 10, beginning at 7 p.m. at Garrett Park.
ELCA ADVOCACY ACTION ALERT
HUNGRY AMERICANS FACE ANOTHER THREAT
Comment by Sept. 23 on new SNAP rule
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rule that would eliminate an estimated 3.1 million children, families, disabled and older adults from access to SNAP benefits. This blockage of nutrition support for vulnerable and hungry people ignores the will of Congress when it considered this very issue in the 2018 Farm Bill.
SNAP serves about 36 million people, the majority of whom are children, the elderly or people with disabilities. The rule eliminates broad based categorical eligibility (“Cat El”), which is a mechanism used by states to reduce bureaucratic red tape and ensure that vulnerable populations receive the support they need. By eliminating Cat El, states are forced to follow procedures adding to the cost of providing SNAP to low-income populations in areas of wide-spread poverty. People in serious need of healthy, life-sustaining food are qualifying for SNAP by Cat El yet would be denied access if the proposed rule is adopted.
ELCA social teaching urges Lutherans to engage in service and advocacy for our neighbors in need of daily bread. These faith practices express our relationship with Jesus Christ, rooted in baptism that sends us out for the sake of the world.
The following is from the ELCA social statement Sufficient, Sustainable Living for All:
“When we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, 'Give us this day our daily bread,' we place ourselves in tension with economic assumptions of our society. Rather than being self-sufficient, we need and depend on what God gives or provides through people, practices, and systems. 'Daily bread' is not earned by efforts of individuals alone, but is made possible through a variety of relationships and institutions [note to Martin Luther's 'The Large Catechism']. God gives in ways that expand our notions of who 'us' includes, from people close at hand to those around the globe. In stark contrast to those who seek unchecked accumulation and profit, our attention is drawn to those who are desperate for what will sustain their lives for just this day.”
ELCA World Hunger works to change the systems that perpetuate poverty based on extensive ministry with our membership, congregations and communities, knowing we can't do it alone. Elected officials must carry out the essential role government plays to help people who need nutritious food.
The comment period ends Sept. 23. Time is short, and your voice is essential now. The proposed rule is harmful because it:
- Increases hunger for families by eliminating access to SNAP for 3.1 million vulnerable members of our communities
- Ignores the will of Congress when it addressed this issue in the 2018 Farm Bill
- Harms grocery retailers and agricultural producers by reducing the amount of SNAP dollars available to spur local economic activity
- Threatens the health outcomes and learning potential of children
How you can help!
- Submit a comment at support.elca.org/site/Advocacy that shows your opposition to this rule.
- Speak out against the SNAP draft rule at a town hall meeting hosted by your senator or representative.
- Sign up for ELCA Advocacy Action Alerts from elca.org/advocacy/signup to receive the most up-to-date information on the SNAP rule.
Want to learn more?
- About the ELCA social statement on economic life: read Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All. (elca.org/ELCA Resource Repository/Economic_LifeSS.pdf)
- About SNAP's role in improving nutrition and food security: read a Research Brief from our partners at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and a SNAP Fact Sheet from Bread for the World.
Register your opposition to the Proposed Rule by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service by making a public comment by Sept. 23, on "Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.”
PRAYERS
Please keep these people in your prayers: Esther Mae Baker, Al Bausch, Dortha Feddern, Wesley and JoAnn Porter and George Wendel. Please remember all of our shut-ins and sick. (Also, pray for the families and caretakers of those on the prayer list.)
THE BREAKFAST BUNCH
“The Breakfast Bunch” meets the first Saturday of every month at Der Dutchman in Plain City, at 8:30 a.m. “Come one, Come all” for a great breakfast, fellowship and more!
SIGN-UPS
Please check the bulletin board behind the office door for all of the sign-up sheets for this year. Communion, birthday Sundays, and Worship Assistants/helpers. Thank you so much!
You can also remember special occasions or special people by contributing money that would normally be used for altar flowers. Instead the donation goes to our local food pantry.
