"The Gift of Love"

The Gospel lesson this weekend (Luke 7:36-8:3) is about an encounter between Jesus, a Pharisee who asks Jesus to eat with him, and "a woman in the city, who was a sinner." The woman washes Jesus' feet and annoints them with ointment. The Pharisee criticizes Jesus for associating with the woman. Jesus, however, forgives the woman's sins, and speaks to the Pharisee about the great love that she has shown toward Jesus.

In showing love to others, we show our love of Jesus as he would have us do. Hal Hopson's song The Gift of Love asks for inspiration to act toward others in love: "Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship, and are freed."

The Gift of Love will be sung this Sunday during the offering by Laurie and Elyse Fenstermacher. Laurie is a member of the Chancel Choir. Laurie's daughter, Elyse, sang with the Chancel Choir while she was in high school. Elyse currently attends St. Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota, where she is a member of the renowned St. Olaf Choir. We look forward to hearing Laurie and Elyse sing.

The lyrics of The Gift of Love are by Hal Hopson (1933- ), who set them to a traditional melody. Mr. Hopson is prolific American composer of church music who has (among other things) arranged many classic pieces for small ensembles.

Other music this Sunday:

• Setting Four of the Service of Communion from Evangelical Lutheran Worship
• Prelude: My Faith Looks Up to Thee, Dale Wood
• Entrance Hymn: Praise My Soul, The King of Heaven, ELW 864
• Hymn of the Day: Borning Cry, ELW 732
• Hymns during Communion: Healer of Every Ill, ELW 612; O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts, ELW 658; My Faith Looks Up to Thee, ELW 759
• Sending Hymn: Give to Our God Immortal Praise, ELW 848
• Postlude: Give to Our God Immortal Praise, Michael Burkhardt