Got this message after Bill’s blog calling Minot a “forgotten City” (Sept 1).

Some of us can’t get involved with the clean up because we are very allergic to dust and mold. I’ve battled a sinus infection for over a year and don’t dare place myself there.  I could bake and make meals for those working and that could be my contribution. Anyway, knowing many want to help but may be in my situation are there other things that need doing. What about a prayer chain with specific needs, do any of the workers/families ever need baked items? I might be really stretching myself but do they need winter hats/scarves/mittens? Who do I contact to get a number of affected families in each congregation.?

These are great questions and we will try to get some answers.  Right now we need workers as they did in Wadena after the tornado.  For those frustrated with not being able to do something here is a great quote from President Harrison regarding the quote that is our title –

“Fight, work and pray…” These words from Luther grabbed my heart and won’t let go. It was eye-opening to find them right at the epicenter of Luther’s theological writing on a topic most dear to him: The Lord’s Supper. Because Christ serves you with his body and blood, you are freed and fed so that you may serve your neighbor in love. For receiving Christ’s body and blood in the Supper makes you one with Christ. He makes all your suffering his own, that you may do the same for your neighbor in need, Christian or not. And the Lord’s Supper is “token of all this.”

Here is Luthers quote –

This sacrament is a sacrament of love. Love and service are given you and you again must render love and service to Christ and His needy ones. You must feel with sorrow all the dishonor done to Christ… all the unjust suffering of the innocent, which fills the world: You must fight, work, pray, or at least have heartfelt sympathy …He said “This is my body…” As though he said: I am the head, I will first give myself for you, will make your suffering and misfortune Mine own and bear if for you, that you in your turn may do the same for Me and for one another, have all things in common in Me and with Me and let this sacrament be unto you a sure token of this all, that you may not forget Me, but daily call to mind and admonish one another by what I have done for you and still am doing, that you may be strengthened thereby and also bear with one another.” —Martin Luther

 

Luther