Mt. Carmel Evangelical Lutheran Church
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
We warmly welcome all people regardless of race,
ethnicity or sexual orientation or identity.
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Mt. Carmel Evangelical Lutheran ChurchA Reconciling in Christ Congregation We warmly welcome all people regardless of race, |
Spirituality: Our Life in Christ
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The Decision at Mt. Carmel1 Kings 18:21-39 |
Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets number four hundred fifty. Let two bulls be given to us; let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it; I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord; the god who answers by fire is indeed God.” All the people answered, “Well spoken!” Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many; then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no answer. They limped about the altar that they had made. At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud! Surely he is a god; either he is meditating, or he has wandered away, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” Then they cried aloud and, as was their custom, they cut themselves with swords and lances until the blood gushed out over them. As midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice, no answer, and no response. Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come closer to me”; and all the people came closer to him. First he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down; Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name”; with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. Then he made a trench around the altar, large enough to contain two measures of seed. Next he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” Then he said, “Do it a second time”; and they did it a second time. Again he said, “Do it a third time”; and they did it a third time, so that the water ran all around the altar, and filled the trench also with water. At the time of the offering of the oblation, the prophet Elijah came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord indeed is God; the Lord indeed is God |
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Adult Forum meets after worship to take a deeper look at our relationship with God through the study of the Bible. Taking what we learn with us into our daily lives and into the world helps us to see opportunities to share the love of Christ with our neighbors and friends. (top) (bottom)
Topical Bible Study meets several times a year. For schedules and topics check our Calendar. We usually meet at 6:30pm for a hosted dinner and continue with the study. (top) (bottom)
Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out: "To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live. O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who lack it. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right; for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. . . . My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries. . . . To those without sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight." Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; prudence will watch over you; and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:6-11.
Prayer Chain is a group of people in our community who have dedicated themselves to praying for others. This daily ministry is a vital part of Mt. Carmel's community. (top) (bottom)
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.. James 5:13-16
Prayer Circle meets every Sunday before worship around 9:30 a.m. to pray for the community of Mt. Carmel and personal concerns of members and friends. Special prayer concerns may be left in the Secret Prayer Box in the sanctuary. These concerns are confidential and left in the box. The Circle prays for those concerns without looking at them. No one reads them. (top) (bottom)
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be caring towards you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Amen.
Women's Payer Partners draw a Prayer Partner Necklace. The two women with the matching Necklaces are Prayer Partners for the year. Once a year at our Prayer Partner Tea, all the Necklaces are pooled and new Partners are chosen. All that's required is that you remember to keep your partner in your prayers. Contact the office if you would like to join the Prayer Partners. We wear our Prayer Partner Necklaces as a sign of our commitment to prayer. (top) (bottom)
Prayers, Liturgies, Litanies, etc. which have been used at Mt. Carmel (top) (bottom)
While we do use Orders of Worship from "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" and "With One Voice", etc. we also use liturgies which we have created. Below are links to a couple of the special services we have done in the past.
Samples of litanies used at Mt. Carmel
Worship Service of Remembrance and Healing
Call to Worship, Litany, and Prayer of Affirmation and Inclusivity
Top of Liturgies webpage.
The Holy Bible:
New Revised Standard Version
Various Translations
More Translations and links
Revised Common Lectionary
Lectionary Helps
ELCA Church Calendar
E.L.C.A. The Bible, Prayer Center, Worship Aids, Social Issues
Resources for the Church
from Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg PA
Daily Devotions
from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Essays and Sermons
from Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago
The Lutheran the magazine of
the E.L.C.A. with articles, study guides and discussion boards
Sermons by Pastor Ron Nitz when at Mt. Carmel (1993-2009)
Daily Reflections from Creighton University.
World Council of Churches prayer resources (do a site search on "prayer").
Pax Christi USA prayer resources.
Martin Niemoller a short biography. "In Germany they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up."
A Litany of Affirmation
On Being Gay and Christian
Being
Lutheran and Gay Stories and thoughts on Christianity from gay Lutherans
SacredFlight music for those suffering from terminal illness.
A prayer in time of conflict:
Lord, you are indeed the healer of all our ills. We bring to you, Lord, our bodies, minds and spirits hurting and broken by the violence, ills, trauma and cares of a world separated from you. Come to us now with your healing powers. Breathe on me, O God, and make me whole.
O God, we ask that you heal us. Give us the strength, health, wisdom and knowledge found only through you. Send your life-giving Spirit so that we may live our lives with courage in the profound peace of your love. Come to us now with your healing powers. Breathe on me, O God, and make me whole.
O God, we ask that you sustain those who seek to alleviate the pain and suffering of this world. Give strength, courage, wisdom and knowledge to all doctors and orderlies, nurses and clerks, psychiatrists, researchers, and all other medical care givers, volunteers and professionals. Send your life-giving Spirit so that their ministries may bring healing and promote health. Come to us now with your healing powers. Breathe on me, O God, and make me whole.
Be also with those who work to heal the wounds of societies and nations. Guide, protect and strengthen our lawyers and police, chaplains and pastors, healthcare and social workers, politicians, military, diplomats and all others who work for economic and social reform. Send your life-giving Spirit that they may promote your love and grace, bringing healing to those in conflict and stability to those who are vulnerable. Come to us now with your healing powers. Breathe on me, O God, and make me whole. Amen.
Lord God, Healer of us all, you hear our cries of pain, even those so deep that they are silent. You see every wound of body, mind, and spirit; those inflicted upon us and those we have inflicted. You see us: imperfect, guilty, hurting, angry, scared, helpless, confused. You see us; touch us; mend us. Amen.
God so loved this world and this people that God sent Christ to suffer and die for all. Accept now that gift of love for we are forgiven, reconciled, accepted and loved.
Amen.
(Lisa Frenz copyright 2003)On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Isaiah 25:6-9
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:38-48
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Mt. Carmel is a community which expresses its spirituality through thoughtful creative poetic worship, prayer, meditation, and the pursuit of wisdom. |
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Mt. Carmel Evangelical Lutheran Church
515 S.W. Maplecrest Drive, Portland, OR 97219
503-244-5143
Updated:
May 26, 2010