Today is the commemoration of Faithful Women like Dorcas, Lydia, and Phoebe. Phoebe was a Deaconess who carried St. Paul's epistle to Rome, and Lydia was maker of purple dye that, upon hearing the Gospel through the mouth of St. Paul, became a ardent follower of the Way. Dorcas was a generous giver to the church, that was even raised from the dead by St. Peter. The Scriptures are full of faithful women who are beautiful examples for us today of faithfulness to the Gospel and generosity toward their brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Maybe we should do this today. We should pray and thank God for not just the faithful women we commemorate today, but for the faithful women we have in our lives. Let us pray in thanksgiving for faithful mother's who brought us to church and lived lives as examples of what it means to be a virtuous Christian woman. Let us pray in thanksgiving for faithful wives that Christ has given to us, to support us, to encourage us, to build us up no matter what the world throws at us. Let us pray and thank Jesus for faithful women who have taught Sunday School, who teach little children the faith and help parents raise them up in the Gospel. Let us pray and thank Jesus for faithful women who are steadfast to the Gospel, who cling to Jesus alone, who don't follow a doctrine just because a popular female evangelist taught it, but rather they reject such heresy and trust instead in the faithful preaching and teaching of their pastor. 

In addition to our prayers, let us show our love and thankfulness in acts of kindness and sacrifice toward the women in our lives today. Let us encourage them as they continue to bear the many crosses in their lives as they continue to receive the gifts of the cross that Jesus purchased and won for them. What a blessing to have faithful women in our lives as we continue to all receive the grace and mercy of our Lord, Jesus the Christ.

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you. I love you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull