Making it Possible for Disabled Friends to be with Jesus
The Open Roof Award is presented every other year to a Western Iowa Synod congregation that has found ways to make its church building and ministries more inclusive. The name 'Open Roof' reminds us of the four men in Mark 2:3-4 who were trying to bring their paralytic friend to Jesus for healing. These men did not give up when the crowd was so large. They decided to lower their friend from the roof so he could be healed by Jesus. What would it be like if no one gave up? If we look for ways to include all people in worship life?? We cannot stop until all of God's people are able to come to church and participate fully in ministry!
Previous Open Roof award winners include: St. John Lutheran, Carroll; Bethany Lutheran, Emmetsburg; Mamrelund Lutheran, Stanton; Emanuel-St. John Lutheran, Lytton; St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran, Manson; Immanuel Lutheran, Forest City; and Bethlehem, Cherokee.
Previous Open Roof award winners include: St. John Lutheran, Carroll; Bethany Lutheran, Emmetsburg; Mamrelund Lutheran, Stanton; Emanuel-St. John Lutheran, Lytton; St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran, Manson; Immanuel Lutheran, Forest City; and Bethlehem, Cherokee.
Mar 2:1-12
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. (2) So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. (3) Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. (4) And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. (5) When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (6) Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, (7) "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (8) At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? (9) Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? (10) But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- (11) "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home." (12) And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. (2) So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. (3) Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. (4) And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. (5) When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (6) Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, (7) "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (8) At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? (9) Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and take your mat and walk'? (10) But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- (11) "I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home." (12) And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
