“Too Much Too Fast“, by Rev. Mike Holly
From an early age we are taught by our loving parents to be wary of strangers. In one sense, this is advice meant to teach us that not everyone has the best intentions for us. We must be careful that this good advice does not create within us a fear of the other, for it is Jesus Christ who reminds us time and time again that part of our role in Creation is to care for one another, and in particular — the stranger. Just as Jesus approached a man he did not know in order to help liberate him from a legion of demons possessing him, we are also called to go out to others in our own communities seeking to bless and assist them as they have need.
Leap of Faith Weekly Prayer
Prayer for Our New Pastor
God of us all, help us as a congregation to welcome a new pastor into our midst. Help us all to become the kind of disciples of Jesus Christ who empower our leaders to challenge and equip us for ministry and service both in our church and in our community. Bless Rev. John Carl Hastings and his family as they move into our community and as he begins new ministries in our congregation. By your Holy Spirit draw all in our church family closer together. Amen.
The Word
Luke 8:26-39
Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”— for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
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