A Table or Booth?
Pentecost Greetings -
When you go into a restaurant do you prefer a table or a booth? I always ask for a table. At a table my feet always touch the floor. A problem for short people in some booths. Also, the table is sometimes not movable in a booth and can be confining. The bench seat also can dictate the posture I take based upon those who have sat there before. I really like sitting at a table eating dinner with a friend, talking over different topics, laughing, sharing and building relationships.
This week I was fortunate enough to sit around a table in Chicago at Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen for lunch with my Monday morning Bible study friends. We were enjoying great food and great conversations. I had a Knish for the first time. Others shared a pastrami sandwich which is Obama’s first choice when he eats there. In walked CNN. We sat around that table and talked with the CNN reporter and were live on TV. Amazing!
This week I was fortunate enough to sit around my dining room table with my friends who put on a Halloween party for the kids at Our Redeemer’s Jump Start after school program. We talked over the event, laughed a lot, ate chili I made that wasn’t my best; yet, it was so good to visit with them.
This week I was fortunate enough to take the time to read some of Martin Luther’s Table Talks which were written down by people who ate and talked with Luther around the table. He was quite a character.
Most of the things written are very insightful. “The Anabaptists pretend that children, not as yet having reason, ought not to receive baptism. I answer: That reason in no way contributes to faith. Nay, in that children are destitute of reason, they are all the more fit and proper recipients of baptism. For reason is the greatest enemy that faith has: it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but - more frequently than not - struggles against the Divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God. If God can communicate the Holy Ghost to grown persons, he can, a fortiori, communicate it to young children. Faith comes of the Word of God, when this is heard; little children hear that Word when they receive baptism, and therewith they receive also faith.”
Some of Luther’s table talks make me shake my head and smile: “Some one sent to know whether it was permissible to use warm water in baptism? Doctor Luther replied: "Tell the blockhead that water, warm or cold, is water.”
Others surprise me at their boldness: “Cannons and firearms are cruel and damnable machines. I believe them to have been the direct suggestion of the devil. Against the flying ball no valor avails; the soldier is dead, ere he sees the means of his destruction. If Adam had seen in a vision the horrible instruments his children were to invent, he would have died of grief.”
It is so good and valuable to sit around a table and talk with people. We learn so much about them and about life. May I always take the time to do so.
God is with us!
Hope
Announcements for First Trinity Lutheran Church, 5321 E 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46226.
Sunday is Reformation Day! The color of the day is red! What an exciting day in our church year! See you at 10:45am.
Sunday School: This week we will look at “5 Things You Should Know about the Reformation” at 10am.
Sunday, November 7 is Consecration Sunday when we will make our 2011 financial pledges to God in thanksgiving for all God has blessed us with. We will also celebrate All Saints Sunday when we remember all those who have consecrated their lives to God and now live with God eternally. After worship we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by Sandra Morton for all in the fellowship hall. Remember to turn your clocks and fall back one hour.
Men’s Gathering on Saturday, November 13 from 8:30am (fully cooked breakfast) - 11am with a presentation by the ELCA Men in Mission Representative Tom Green.
Women’s Bible Study: Monday mornings at 11:30am we are looking at Joyce Rupp’s book A Cup of Our Life. We have two books left. You are welcome to join us or to buy a book if you are unable to attend. See Gina.
Sharing Place Food Bank: First Trinity has committed to donating 75 cans of cranberry sauce or cranberries to the Sharing Place for their Thanksgiving baskets. They also are in need of spaghetti, jelly, spaghetti sauce, hamburger and tuna helper, toilet paper, saltines, boxed potatoes and bar soap.
Moran Family News
Erin and Jason’s baby will be born on November 2 if not before.
Faisa and Aaron’s baby is due the end of February.
Detman’s varsity football team that he coaches plays their first play off game tonight, and Shannon’s school kids will do a 5K run with her tomorrow.
I am happier than ever. Life is good. Thanks be to God for all this and more!
