Wisdom cries out ...

 

 

20Wisdom cries out in the street;

in the squares she raises her voice.

21At the busiest corner she cries out;

at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

22"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

and fools hate knowledge?

23Give heed to my reproof;

I will pour out my thoughts to you;

I will make my words known to you.

24Because I have called and you refused,

have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,

25and because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

26I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when panic strikes you,

27when panic strikes you like a storm,

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.

29Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

30would have none of my counsel,

and despised all my reproof,

31therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way

and be sated with their own devices.

32For waywardness kills the simple,

and the complacency of fools destroys them;

33but those who listen to me will be secure

and will live at ease, without dread of disaster."

 

Proverbs 1:20-33

 

 

Hypocrite and Slanderer

MESSERSCHMIDT, Franz Xaver

1770-1783

Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, NY

United States

 

 

 

 

Do not condemn the judgment of another

because if differs from your own.

You may both be wrong.

~ Dandemis

 

 

 

 

Somewhere in us a dignity presides

That is more gracious than the smallness

That fuels us with fear and force.

~ John O'Donahue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such a difference!!!

September 8, 2020

We had at least six inches of snow!

 

September 8, 2021

And today it is 88°!

 

Carol Carper was our speaker.  Carol is one of our former members who became totally involved

with Sasa Harambee and now lives full time in western Kenya.  She is amazing!!!

 

Sasa Harambee

https://www.sasaharambee.org/leadership

 

 

We were also entertained by two numbers from “Fiddler on the Roof."

 

"Fiddler on the Roof” will be opening soon at Center Stage.

 

https://ovationwest.org/fiddlerontheroof

 

 

Rebecca Martin led us in casting away our sins** as part of Rosh Hashanah.

 

 

 

As we were casting away our sins, Lena Beauchamp came by.

After explaining what we were doing, we invited her to join us.

 

Alas.  I think it is time to put it away for the season.

The elk are too insistent.

 

 

 

 

 

Walk with me for a while, my friend — you in my shoes,

I in yours — and then let us talk.

~ Richelle E. Goodrich**

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 12, 2021   Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 

                              Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

 

Previous OPQs may be found at:

 

 

*   In addition to what James tells us, Proverbs warns of the “scoffing,” “waywardness,” and “complacency” that come from a deafness to Wisdom and her “cries out in the street.”

 

**  Or … “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away and you have their shoes." ~ Jack Handey

 

 

1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8but no one can tame the tongue-a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

James 3:1-12

Agnus Day, by James Wetzstein

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

 

 

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BQMcb9HbxjgEIPLn4ZK8geDwS7pRPJzrV9P2JxBrXQOcaGFbKW-PD3QKLE-gcPbFDdjKyOcVroG37jbgyKycVAUJwgERGIhafaLIJZdglImIhwfahrs9J0n-Bq2XVw

 

 

 

Remembering

Sylvia Brockner

October 13, 1919 - September 3, 2021

 

(Photo from Sylvia’s 95th birthday celebration.)

 

Sylvia was a driving force in conservation in the Evergreen area.

She and Bill also founded our Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club.  

 

 

 

 

9-11 Icon: The 11 September Ribbon9.11.2001

 

Schools around the world vary widely in their approach to teaching 9/11, if they teach it at all.

Biz Herman, a doctoral candidate in political science at the University of California, Berkeley, has collected 850 textbooks from 90 countries.

In New York and elsewhere in the United States, the Sept. 11 curriculum has been overtly personal and emotional. Students have been asked by their teachers to explore the experiences of their own families.

But at a remove from the bloodshed, and with attitudes of varying warmth toward the U.S., other countries handle the subject with their own nationalistic tilt.

“What are textbooks and what are they for?” Ms. Herman asks. “It would seem simple: that it's for educating kids. But it’s actually for setting national agendas, for sharing a particular narrative. And sometimes it’s for educating kids.”

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/09/09/world/911-lessons-teens.html

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 1:20-33 and Psalm 19 

OR 

Isaiah 50:4-9a and Psalm 116:1-9

James 3:1-12

Mark 8:27-38

 

 

Summary

Peter goes from the honor of confessing Jesus as Christ to being rebuked as Satan in the span of just a few verses. Peter confesses rightly that Jesus is the Christ, however, he rejects the idea that the Messiah would suffer. There is likely some self-interest here, since the treatment of the master will surely fall on his servants. Indeed, Jesus makes the transference explicit in verse 34. Following Jesus means taking up a cross.

Peter, at this stage in his faith, is like the plant that springs up in shallow soil, exultant to claim the victory but scandalized by the way of the cross. Many are pleased to confess Jesus as Lord, but few are willing to suffer for his sake.

The preacher will find this a hard message if the fact of Christ’s presence in suffering is left out. Jesus does not call us to suffer alone, but with him, since he has gone before us on the way and his resurrection has transformed the way of defeat into the path to victory. It is not a matter of going out looking to suffer needlessly. But if people really follow Jesus’ way, then they will find themselves opposed on every side. The believer is to bear these trials prayerfully and with patience. This is the glory of the Christian life that the believer must not reject: that patience and endurance in suffering produces intimacy with Jesus.

https://www.preachingtoday.com/lectionary/

 

 

First Reading Proverbs 1:20-33

20Wisdom cries out in the street;

in the squares she raises her voice.

21At the busiest corner she cries out;

at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

22"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

and fools hate knowledge?

23Give heed to my reproof;

I will pour out my thoughts to you;

I will make my words known to you.

24Because I have called and you refused,

have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,

25and because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

26I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when panic strikes you,

27when panic strikes you like a storm,

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.

29Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

30would have none of my counsel,

and despised all my reproof,

31therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way

and be sated with their own devices.

32For waywardness kills the simple,

and the complacency of fools destroys them;

33but those who listen to me will be secure

and will live at ease, without dread of disaster."

Psalm 19:1-14

1The heavens are telling the glory of God;

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2Day to day pours forth speech,

and night to night declares knowledge.

3There is no speech, nor are there words;

their voice is not heard;

4yet their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.



In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

5which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,

and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

6Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

and its circuit to the end of them;

and nothing is hidden from its heat.



7The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the decrees of the LORD are sure,

making wise the simple;

8the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is clear,

enlightening the eyes;

9the fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring for ever;

the ordinances of the LORD are true

and righteous altogether.

10More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey,

and drippings of the honeycomb.



11Moreover by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12But who can detect their errors?

Clear me from hidden faults.

13Keep back your servant also from the insolent;

do not let them have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless,

and innocent of great transgression.



14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to you,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Second Reading James 3:1-12

1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8but no one can tame the tongue-a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Gospel Mark 8:27-38

27Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 28And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." 30And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

31Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

34He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."