All Saints’
The Weekly WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany — February 9, 2014
The Light of Peace –By The Rev. Rick Matters
Jesus concludes the Beatitudes by pronouncing that we are the light of the world. This light is not our own greatness, but the love of Jesus Christ kindled in our lives. Together we form a shining city that summons people everywhere to live justly and walk humbly with one another. I experienced Lagos, Nigeria, as a city with power to both darken and enlighten its people and the world. In the 1960’s I discovered the brightness of its seeming innocence, as well as the gloom of Nigeria’s civil war. Today cities in South Sudan lie blackened, with their people killed or exiled. Our sacred duty is to extend the light of Jesus Christ across continents and oceans so that God may restore South Sudan to peace.
Upcoming Birthday Celebrations February 10 February 13 February 16 February 17 February 20 February 24 February 25 February 26
Alison Craig Linda Dowd, Gary Turner Dennis and Pinkie Terry LeAnn Keaton Frederick Stanley Nancy Collins John Stivers Schwartz Booth
Watch over thy children, O Lord,
as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today we begin a week of prayer for peace in South Sudan and around the world. The power of our prayers is not measured by our spiritual depth. No one need wax eloquent or speak in the tongues of angels. We only need to pray with simple faith, hope, and love. God will ignite a city brilliant with peace extending from Carmel in the United States to Bentiu in Unity State, South Sudan.
Scripture lessons for today
Isaiah 58:1-9a, (9b-12) 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, (13-16) Matthew 5:13-20 Psalm 112:1-9, (10)
Scripture lessons for next week Wisdom 3:1-9 Psalm 116:10-17 Hebrews 10:32-39 Matthew 24:9-14