You give them something to eat. (Mark 6:37)

“You give them something to eat.” (Mark 6:37) It’s easy to miss those words from Jesus. A huge crowd had gathered to hear him. Late in the day, the disciples got nervous and started pressing him to send them away. (v.36) “You give them something to eat,” Jesus replied. (v.37)

Why would he say that? John 6:6 says he was testing them. Did he want to see if they would trust him to perform a miracle? Maybe, but it seems more likely he wanted his disciples involved in caring for the crowd, to be hands-on in working with and for him. He then blessed what they brought to him – five loaves of bread and two fish – and performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000.

Jesus uses those words with us, too. A need presents itself in the lives of those around us, and we bring it to Jesus in prayer. “You do something,” Jesus often says. “But Lord,” we object, “we don’t have enough time or money or energy.” We’re wrong of course. When Jesus asks us to get involved, he already knows how he will accomplish his work through us.

What we need is faith and vision – the ability to see that God wants us to be his instruments, and that he will supply what we need.

A devotional taken from Our Daily Bread.

Sunday, October 25 is Reformation Sunday. The scripture readings for this Sunday are Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36. 

Commissioned Lay Pastor Mary Ellen Lucas will lead the service in the Lutheran Order in the church building and as a Zoom meeting beginning at 11 a.m. To join the Zoom meeting, use the email contact on the website [dpflc.org] to ask for an invitation. The handbell choir will play during the service.

The congregations of Delta Presbyterian (PCUSA) and Faith Lutheran (ELCA) meet together and alternate orders of worship weekly in the log church building located at 1760 Richardson Highway, near the Delta Community Library and just south of the Delta Community Center. Our website is www.dpflc.org – click the link on the website to follow us on Facebook.

The Alcoholics Anonymous Buffalo Group is a group of individuals who strive for sobriety and seek others for support and encouragement. The group holds open meetings at 7:30 p.m. in the church basement on Mondays for discussion and Thursdays for the 12-step recovery program. Call 907-978-5575 or 760-835-2274, or see fairbanksaa.org for more information about Alcoholics Anonymous.

The Al-Anon group (people who have been affected by someone else’s drinking) meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Sue at 907-687-9682 or online at al-anon.org for more information.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

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