Empowering the faith and healthcare conversation

MARSHALLTOWN MEDICAL & SURGICAL CENTER

Faith on FridaysConnecting Faith and Healthcare

One of the greatest gifts of the reformation was renewed though on human
beings daily workor vocation. Considering what guidance scripture offers
concerning vocation or daily work we know that God has given gifts of various
kinds for us to be about holy work. Whether we are a nurse, doctor, food and
nutrition worker, social worker, etc. God uses our hands to do amazing things.
Noted Swedish theologian Gustaf Wingren offers the following thought on
vocation:









We are Gods coworkers in our daily work! What a blessed thought that is and
how that very thought could empower us to be agents of change in the lives of
our patients and families. Gods love flows down through us and our vocation
blessing others with healing, wholeness, and yes indeed beloved hope.
What can I possibly do to bring change, hope, and promise to others in my dai-
ly work? We could doubt or challenge this promise by saying that what I do
does not bless others, does not bring hope or change directly. Look at your
hands and feet and imagine where they may take you. An encouraging smile,
and compassionate thought, and offer to pray for someone these all com-
municate the smile, the love, and the light of Christ. Just imagine the places we
will go together when consumed by the hope of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
God bless you in your vocations as various and blessed as they are.
Peace in your Journey!
Chaplain Kris L. Snyder
Friday, 19 September 2014

O God, early in the morn-
ing I cry to you. Help me
to pray and to concentrate
my thoughts on you: I
cannot do this alone. In
me there is darkness, But
with you there is light; I
am lonely, but you do not
leave me; I am feeble in
heart, but with you there is
help; I am restless, but
with you there is peace. In
me there is bitterness, but
with you there is patience;
I do not understand your
ways, But you know the
way for meRestore me
to liberty, And enable me
to live now that I may an-
swer before you and before
me. Lord, whatever this
day may bring, Your
name be praised.
Reverend Dietrich Bonhoeffer
MORNING PRAYER
ON CALL CHAPLAIN
Chaplain Mike Hershberger
will be on call through Mon-
day, September 22. at 8 AM

Thoughts on vocation
In his vocation man does works which effect the well-being
of others; for so God has made all offices. Through this
work in man's offices, God's creative work goes forward,
and that creative work is love, a profusion of good gifts.
With persons as his "hands" or "coworkers," God gives his
gifts through the earthly vocations, toward man's life on
earth (food through farmers, fishermen and hunters; external
peace through princes, judges, and orderly powers;
knowledge and education through teachers and parents, etc.,
etc.). Through the preacher's vocation, God gives the for-
giveness of sins. Thus love comes from God, flowing down
to human beings on earth through all vocations, through
both spiritual and earthly governments.

Luther on Vocation (Evansville, IN: Ballast Press, 1994), 27-28
SAVE THE DATE
CENTENNIAL CHAPEL DAY FOR MMSC AT FIRST UCC MARSHALTOWN
Thursday, October 9, 2014
GRADUATES OF THE EVANGELICAL DEACONESS SCHOOL OF NURSING
ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND
6 PM

Fellowship/Gathering Time
Historical items relating to the Evangelical and
Reformed Church roots of the hospital and
Peace E/R Church (now First UCC) will be
available.
6:30 PM Address from the Hospital
A representative of the current hospital admin-
istration will address those gathered. Acknowl-
edgement of past nursing classes and spiritual
care volunteers will be presented.
7 PM Evening Vespers with Rev. Kim Wilson
Current pastor of First UCC will preside over
Evening Vespers in the main sanctuary of the
church.