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August 16, 2020 11th Sunday after Pentecost
www.livingfaithracine.org www.facebook.com/livingfaithracine
Dear Friends in Christ,
My goal for this week’s article is
to help you be aware of what’s
going on with parts of Living
Faith’s on-going ministries.
If you’ve been watching our video
worship services or listening to
our audio service by phone, you
probably noticed several changes. Rather than see-
ing my face or hearing my voice for the whole ser-
vice, we’ve been working on getting others involved
in the service as well. Last week and this week, our
worship musician, Jill Wanggaard, gave some an-
nouncements about what’s happening and read the
first and second Scripture lessons. We’d like to ex-
pand that so that others can read the lessons or a
part of the Intercessory Prayers. If that’s something
you’d like to help with, please email or call one of
us and we’ll add you to the list.
One of my goals for the next several weeks is to
make contact with people who primarily attended
West before the COViD-19 situation threw a mon-
key wrench into the works. I want to listen to people
from West describe their experiences at West.
Besides getting to know people, I’m hoping to ex-
pand my understanding of the two parts of this con-
gregation. That understanding will help in accurate-
ly updating our Ministry Site Profile (MSP) so we
can send it in to the Synod and
begin the process of seeking a
new pastor. The more open and
honest our MSP is, the better our
opportunities for finding a pastor
who can meet our needs. If you to
share your experience at West,
please email me at
I just learned that a long time employee at Atone-
ment died this last May. Maria Cruz worked with the
Atonement Lutheran Childcare for 23 years. Please
give thanks to God for her faithful service and keep
her family in prayer.
We’re working on getting a letter out this week to
the entire congregation with more information about
what the process will be like when we’re able to
meet again in person. A starting date will be deter-
mined by the coronavirus statistics Racine County
is experiencing. We’ll try hard to keep you posted.
Finally, thank you for your continued support of the
mission and ministries of Living Faith. Your gifts for
God’s work have enable this congregation to con-
tinue to reach out to one another in different ways
while we continue to reach out to the community
around us with food assistance. We continue to
work at being a blessing in the lives of all.
Yours in Christ’s Service, Pastor Bill
Lutheran World Relief Boxcar Loading - CORRECTION!!
Mark your calendars for Lutheran World Relief's annual Boxcar Loading!
October 10, 2020 | 9-11 am | Hwy 11 & Hwy H, Sturtevant
(Head north to railroad tracks on the right/east side of Hwy H.)
Please sign up with Angie Olsen (262-939-7512).
Volunteers will need to arrive no later than 8:30am and will need to wear masks and gloves as donations
are unloaded to keep everyone safe.
Introducing Larry Borchert
Larry is a 1982 graduate of UW - Parkside, with degrees in Accounting & Eco-
nomics. He served as the Finance Director for the Village of Caledonia for 21
years, Controller at Guaranty Bank Mortgage for 16 years as well as Treasurer
at Messiah Lutheran Church for 14 years.
Larry was baptized, confirmed and married at Messiah Lutheran Church. He
and wife Jodi have been married for 36 years and have one son, Kevin. His
hobbies include computers, car shows, and auto racing.
Larry joins the Living Faith staff as Bookkeeper on Monday, August 17.
Ways to Give to the Church
Electronic giving:
• Through your bank or credit union’s on-line bill pay
• Living Faith Website - Open the Give tab (Checking, Savings, or Credit
Card may be used)
• Give Plus Mobile - Download the free App to your iPhone or Android device
(Checking, Savings, or Credit Card may be used)
• Simply Giving - Monthly automated withdrawal from your checking/savings account through Thrivent &
Vanco. Download form at: thefellowship.com/downloadssimplygiving.pdf
Via U.S. mail:
• Checks payable to: Living Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave., Racine, WI 53405
The Time Has Come...
Well, the time has come to say goodbye to our office staff members, Jill Steiner
and Kim Saunders. It’s hard to be happy and sad at the same time. After so
many years of dedicated service to our congregation, no one deserves retire-
ment more than these two wonderful women, and we’re happy to wish them all
the best in the next phase of their lives. And yet, we’re sad to see them go. We
will miss their smiles, their laughter, and their caring hearts. We’ll hear the ech-
oes of their voices in our halls for a long time to come. May God
bless them in their journeys!
Please take a moment to wish them Godspeed.
In non-COVID times, we would have gathered together to send them off. Since we can’t do that, please help us send them off with a card shower, and let them know what they have meant to you and our congregation. Cards can be sent to the church office address, and we’ll make sure they get them.
Update Your Address Books!
• Candy Hernandez - [email protected]
• Larry Borchert - [email protected]
NOTE: Effective today, anything you would historically have sent to Jill should be sent to
Candy ([email protected]) or to the office email ([email protected]). Continue to send
information to be included in the weekly or monthly Journey to Diane ([email protected].)
Word of life
“… for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevo-cable.” (Romans 11:29 NRSV)
Read Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
The Apostle Paul begins this passage with a pointed question concerning the Jews: “I ask then, has God rejected his people?” (Romans 11:1 NRSV) This is a question which has deep implications for Paul, a Jew since birth. In his writings, Paul proudly claims his Jewish roots, “I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benja-min.” (Romans 11:2a NRSV)
At first this question might seem abrupt and out of place, but this question is part of the larger independ-ent unit of Romans 9:1-11:36 which reflects on salva-tion history. Paul is not focusing on individuals, but rather the salvation of Jews and Gentiles.
Just as Paul is not able to disclaim his Jewish connec-tion, so it is with God. Paul cannot imagine God disin-heriting the Israelites—those whom God adopted in the first covenant. Despite the Jew’s rejection of Je-sus and his message, God’s adoption holds. Thus Paul asks his question, but offers a resounding re-sponse. “I ask then, has God rejected his people? By no means!” (Romans 11:1a NRSV)
1. Does Paul’s response to his own question about the Jews surprise you?
2. How could Paul write with such clarity and confi-dence?
This lectionary passage jumps from verses 1-2a to verses 29-32, skipping over a lengthy commentary about the Gentile’s need to improve their attitudes to-wards the Jews. Then, Paul resumes his reflection about God’s acceptance of the Jews, for Paul is con-vinced God has not forgotten God’s own covenant made with them. He writes “… for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29 NRSV). Irrevocable is a strong, binding word. Note how God’s gifts and calling are a dynamic duo. There is no calling without gifts; there are no gifts without a calling. God will not take back either gifts or calling. God chose the Jews first, electing them for a purpose.
3. What does the word “irrevocable” mean?
4. Why link gifts and calling? Can they be considered separate from each other?
It might be surprising to hear Paul’s reasons behind the Jews rejection of Christ. He writes, “Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy
ELCA Daily Faith Practices - 11th Sunday after Pentecost
Focus: God’s Irrevocable Grace
Readings for the Week of August 16
Sunday, August 16 Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 Psalm 67 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28
Monday, August 17 2 Kings 5:1-14 Acts 15:15-21 Psalm 87
Tuesday, August 18 Isaiah 43:8-13 Romans 11:13-29 Psalm 87
Wednesday, August 19 Isaiah 66:18-23 Matthew 8:1-13 Psalm 87
Thursday, August 20 Ezekiel 28:11-19 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 Psalm 138
Friday, August 21 Ezekiel 31:15-18 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 Psalm 138
Saturday, August 22 Ezekiel 36:33-38 Matthew 16:5-12 Psalm 138
God of all peoples, your arms reach out to embrace all those who call upon you. Teach us as disciples
of your Son to love the world with compassion and constancy, that your name may be known through-
out the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Worship Opportunities!
Online: Services are posted to the following locations:
• Website: www.livingfaithracine.org/news/sermons
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/livingfaithracine (you do not need a
Facebook account to view them.)
Church by Phone: Dial 1-262-475-1237 and follow the prompts
shown to you, they too may now receive mer-cy.” (Romans 11:30-32 NRSV). Paul argues that the Gentiles have gained because of the disobedience of the Jews. Paul believed God will use the Gentiles to bring the Jews into an obedient relationship with God. This line of reasoning has left some Biblical scholars perplexed.
And yet, the letter to the Romans underscores God’s grace extended through Jesus Christ to both Jews and Gentiles. Just as God chose to extend grace to the Gentiles, so God can choose to be gracious to the Jews. God can bring death from life; faith from unbe-lief. As much as God has been revealed, there is much we do not understand. Paul writes, “O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! . . . For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for-ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33, 36 NRSV)
5. Do you agree with Paul? Explain your answer.
Word among us
Paul writes “…for the gifts and the calling of God are
irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29 NRSV)
What does the word irrevocable mean? The root of
the word is revoke which means to take back or to
make null. Thus, ir-revocable means the opposite: to
never take back or nullify. Irrevocable means it is im-
possible to take back what has already been given.
In the original Greek language the root is metanoia, a
word which means to repent and change direction.
During Lent, people are called to repent and have a
change of heart—towards God. It implies an inten-
tional changing of ways to face a new direction.
This word is used in the Old Testament in regards to
both humans and God; it leaves open the possibility
of God who might change the direction from favoring
humanity towards judgment.
1. What are examples in the Old Testament when
God shows favor on humanity?
2. What are examples in the Old Testament which
demonstrate God changing from favor towards
judgment?
Paul believes God’s actions in Christ reflect a change
in God’s relationship to humanity. God will not allow
the rejection by some humans to sway God from ex-
tending grace. Paul believes Israel will be saved—not
because Israel has acted faithfully, but because God
is gracious. “As regards the gospel they are enemies
of God for your sake; but as regards election they are
beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; for the gifts
and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans
11:28-29 NRSV)
These words written about Israel have implications for
us as well. Paul describes the gifts and calling of God
to be irrevocable. Despite a person avoiding God’s
call or squandering God-given gifts, God chooses to
extend grace. And that is unchangeable.
3. When have you heard the word “irrevocable”
used? What is the context?
4. What does it mean to you that the gifts and calling
of God are irrevocable?
Faith practice in daily life
Proclaim the good news of God in Christ through
word and deed.
Paul viewed the world from his Jewish heritage, but
he also looked through the lens of grace as a new
creation in Christ. No longer bound by the law, he
was set free to receive God’s grace and invite others
to do likewise. It’s difficult to read this passage about
the irrevocable quality of the gifts and calling extend-
ed by God without reflecting on our own gifts and call-
ing. Even if we have squandered gifts and have run
from our calling, God has no intention to take them
away that which has been given.
5. Describe your gifts and calling of God.
6. How might the Holy Spirit be stirring you to use
your gifts?
In Prayer
Gracious God, help us to understand your vision for
us, give us courage to claim our gifts and pursue your
calling. Amen.
Last word
Spend time this week reflecting
on your God–given gifts and calling.
Daily Faith Practices
Written by John and Robin McCullough-Bade,
Copyright © 2014 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
www.elca.org/dailyfaithpractices
Weekly Journey deadline: Tuesdays at Noon.
September Journey deadline: August 20.
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