Dear Friends in Christ,
It continues to be a privilege and a joy to serve with you in the mission and ministry of Abiding Love. We thank you for your support, and encouragement. The partnership that we share in doing God’s work is a blessing that gives purpose to our lives.
We know that all things are made possible through the power of God’s Spirit of love made known to us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ..
May the miracle of Christmas which is the gift of Jesus bring you hope, joy, peace, and love today and in the New Year.
JESUS, God with us!
God is with us… we need not fear.
God is with us… we have everything we need.
God is with us… we are never alone.
“They shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” —Matthew 1:23
Pastor David Fetter
Pastor Lynnae Sorensen
Cindy Kunz
Karron G. Lewis
Joan Hokanson
Dona Brooks
Laurie Donovan
Sherry Petriella
Donna Eassty
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Come Celebrate Jesus!
Dear Friends in Christ:
Our choir is preparing a musical cantata for Sunday, December 20, 11:00 a.m. It is titled, “COME CELEBRATE JESUS”. I hope that many of you will be able to attend worship that day.
As I have been rehearsing for this, the thought came to me that this is exactly what we do whenever we gather to worship, year-around. Why do we come to church? We come to celebrate Jesus!
In my daily meditations last week, I read the following article. As you read it, my prayer is that you will celebrate the love of Jesus who always meets you here in your church home:
Some of you know the story of writer Anne Lamott. When she was twenty-five, her father died after a long struggle with brain cancer. Over the next few years Anne herself began to suffer from an overwhelming sense of desperation and fear which she tried to suppress with alcohol and pills. Although she was managing to write and publish successful novels at the time, it was clear that her life was spinning out of control. In her memoir, Traveling Mercies, she writes about this dark period of her life. And most importantly she tells how a community of Christian faith, a neighborhood church called St. Andrew, came to her rescue.
In her book, she tells the time-honored story of a little girl who was lost. This girl ran up and down the streets of the big town where her family lived, but she couldn’t find a single landmark. She was frightened. Finally, a policeman stopped to help her. He put her in the passenger seat of his car, and they drove around until she finally saw her church. She pointed it out to the policeman, and then she told him firmly, “You can let me out now. This is my church, and I can always find my way home from here.”
Anne Lamott writes, “And that is why I have stayed so close to mine—because no matter how bad I am feeling, how lost or lonely or frightened, when I see the faces of the people at my church, when I hear their voices, I can always find my way home!”
--Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Imagine: Ministry & Generosity Beyond Belierf!
Dear Friends in Christ:
Every Sunday is important for us as God’s people, but the NEXT 3 SUNDAYS have special importance for our congregation at this time in our life together:
† This Sunday, Nov. 15th, we will celebrate our unity with one worship service at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Jana Swenson with Kairos and Associates, our Christian Consulting Resource Partner, will be the guest preacher.
I am praying that as many as possible of you will be present to hear an “Invitation to Respond” that can have a major impact on your spiritual growth in faith and commitment to Christ’s Church!
Following the worship service at 11:15 a.m., a potluck smorgasbord will be served. You are asked to please bring a side dish or dessert with an “international flavor”. Meat will be provided.
(Note: There will be no Sunday School.)
† November 22nd will be “Response Sunday” when you bring your giving plan to place on the altar in support of the 2010 Mission and Ministry of Abiding Love, as well as our 3-year Capital Appeal.
These loving commitments are to be your celebration in praise of Christ the King on this Festival Sunday that concludes the Church Year!
† November 29th will be “Thanksgiving Sunday — the First Sunday in Advent”. This will be a day to give thanks for your generosity in support of our “ministry beyond belief!”
This day will also be an “Invitation to Christmas: Come Celebrate Jesus!”
What do I IMAGINE will happen during these next three Sundays? I imagine that God will bless us so that we might prove to be faithful in our continued vision of a ministry and mission that is growing in God’s abiding love, serving God by sharing God’s love with our community, and celebrating the love Jesus Christ has for all people, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit!
Believing that with God all things are possible,
Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Every Sunday is important for us as God’s people, but the NEXT 3 SUNDAYS have special importance for our congregation at this time in our life together:
† This Sunday, Nov. 15th, we will celebrate our unity with one worship service at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Jana Swenson with Kairos and Associates, our Christian Consulting Resource Partner, will be the guest preacher.
I am praying that as many as possible of you will be present to hear an “Invitation to Respond” that can have a major impact on your spiritual growth in faith and commitment to Christ’s Church!
Following the worship service at 11:15 a.m., a potluck smorgasbord will be served. You are asked to please bring a side dish or dessert with an “international flavor”. Meat will be provided.
(Note: There will be no Sunday School.)
† November 22nd will be “Response Sunday” when you bring your giving plan to place on the altar in support of the 2010 Mission and Ministry of Abiding Love, as well as our 3-year Capital Appeal.
These loving commitments are to be your celebration in praise of Christ the King on this Festival Sunday that concludes the Church Year!
† November 29th will be “Thanksgiving Sunday — the First Sunday in Advent”. This will be a day to give thanks for your generosity in support of our “ministry beyond belief!”
This day will also be an “Invitation to Christmas: Come Celebrate Jesus!”
What do I IMAGINE will happen during these next three Sundays? I imagine that God will bless us so that we might prove to be faithful in our continued vision of a ministry and mission that is growing in God’s abiding love, serving God by sharing God’s love with our community, and celebrating the love Jesus Christ has for all people, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit!
Believing that with God all things are possible,
Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
All Saints Day - "Faith of our Fathers & Mothers Living Still!"
Dear Friends in Christ:
This Sunday, as we gather for worship, we will remember those saints of God who have died over the past 30 years of our congregation’s history. Our theme for this day is “Looking Backward”. It is important to celebrate the blessings these members of our church family have left us. And, in giving thanks for their lives of faith, we are inspired to continue this legacy in letting our light shine through generous giving and faithful living!
This past Sunday, we celebrated the Confirmation of Faith by ten of our 9th grade youth. These young saints of God reaffirmed their Baptisms by sharing with us their personal statements of faith. This certainly shows that Abiding Love Lutheran Church is making a difference in people’s lives. Our present “Imagine: Ministry Beyond Belief” emphasis is calling us to LOOK FORWARD in belief that even as we LOOK BACKWARD who could have fully imagined all that God has accomplished?
May we be blessed by these words of those ten young disciples who said “I Believe” last Sunday:
† “Faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit means hope, and knowing that God is always there for you.”
† “The Church is a place where I always feel I belong.”
† “We come to church to study God’s Word together, and to grow in our understanding of God and others.”
† “What the Church means to me can be summed up in one word— LOVE.”
† I will show my love for God through my actions.”
† “We are to live by Christ’s example. We are called to be servants of God.”
† I would never hesitate if ever tested or asked about my faith!”
A Bible Truth:
“Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become ever stronger in your fiath, as you were taught. And be filled with Thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
— Pastor David Fetter
This Sunday, as we gather for worship, we will remember those saints of God who have died over the past 30 years of our congregation’s history. Our theme for this day is “Looking Backward”. It is important to celebrate the blessings these members of our church family have left us. And, in giving thanks for their lives of faith, we are inspired to continue this legacy in letting our light shine through generous giving and faithful living!
This past Sunday, we celebrated the Confirmation of Faith by ten of our 9th grade youth. These young saints of God reaffirmed their Baptisms by sharing with us their personal statements of faith. This certainly shows that Abiding Love Lutheran Church is making a difference in people’s lives. Our present “Imagine: Ministry Beyond Belief” emphasis is calling us to LOOK FORWARD in belief that even as we LOOK BACKWARD who could have fully imagined all that God has accomplished?
May we be blessed by these words of those ten young disciples who said “I Believe” last Sunday:
† “Faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit means hope, and knowing that God is always there for you.”
† “The Church is a place where I always feel I belong.”
† “We come to church to study God’s Word together, and to grow in our understanding of God and others.”
† “What the Church means to me can be summed up in one word— LOVE.”
† I will show my love for God through my actions.”
† “We are to live by Christ’s example. We are called to be servants of God.”
† I would never hesitate if ever tested or asked about my faith!”
† † †
A Bible Truth:
“Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become ever stronger in your fiath, as you were taught. And be filled with Thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
— Pastor David Fetter
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Imagine: Ministry and Generosity Beyond Belief
Dear Friends in Christ:
The past six weeks have been a very special opportunity for us as a congregation to intentionally lift up the subject of CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP. We have used a book titled, Giving to GOD - The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life, by Lutheran Pastor Mark Allan Powell, as a resource to guide us.
I hope the Sunday Sermon Series, take-home meditation cards, and Bible Study classes have been a blessing in your spiritual growth. I thank our Stewardship Ministry Team for coordinating this emphasis of “Imagine Generosity Beyond Belief.”
On Sunday, October 18, at both worship serivces, we will begin another 6-week emphasis of “Imagine Ministry Beyond Belief”. By now you should have received a special letter from Diane Albin, Congregation Presisdent, that explains this. What follows is a brief outline of our themes for these six special Sundays of celebration from October 18th through November 22nd:
† Sunday, October 18th — “Looking Inward” — A day to celebrate the faith-stories of Our Congregation’s Members!
† Sunday, October 25th — “Looking Forward” — A day to celebrate the hope and joy we have at Abiding Love because of the growing faith in our Children and Youth!
(Note: A “Ceremony of Confirmation” will be celebrated for ten of our 9th grade youth at the 11:00 a.m. service.)
† All Saints’ Sunday, November 1st — “Looking Backward” — A day to celebrate all those Saints who have gone before us, leaving a Legacy of Faith for us, the living saints, during the past 30 years of Abiding Love’s Mission and Ministry. Come, and remember our blessings!
† Sunday, November 8th — “Looking Outward” — A day to celebrate the Community Outreach Ministries of Abiding Love, even to “the ends of the earth”!
† Sunday, November 15th — “Looking Upward” — ONE WORSHIP SERVICE at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate the promise we have that “For God all things are possible”! (Mark 10:27) Come, celebrate our unity in Christ as we “Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow”!
(Note: An “All-Congregation Meal” will follow worship.)
† “Response” Sunday, November 22nd — We bring our “Covenants of Support” for the 2010 mission and ministry of Abiding Love, as well as our 3-year “Capital Appeal Commitments”! “We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
I thank God for all who are involved in planning and presenting these special worship celebrations.
I believe we can IMAGINE that God’s promise to “bless us and keep us” as a church family is true. “Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20,21)
— Pastor David Fetter
The past six weeks have been a very special opportunity for us as a congregation to intentionally lift up the subject of CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP. We have used a book titled, Giving to GOD - The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life, by Lutheran Pastor Mark Allan Powell, as a resource to guide us.
I hope the Sunday Sermon Series, take-home meditation cards, and Bible Study classes have been a blessing in your spiritual growth. I thank our Stewardship Ministry Team for coordinating this emphasis of “Imagine Generosity Beyond Belief.”
On Sunday, October 18, at both worship serivces, we will begin another 6-week emphasis of “Imagine Ministry Beyond Belief”. By now you should have received a special letter from Diane Albin, Congregation Presisdent, that explains this. What follows is a brief outline of our themes for these six special Sundays of celebration from October 18th through November 22nd:
† Sunday, October 18th — “Looking Inward” — A day to celebrate the faith-stories of Our Congregation’s Members!
† Sunday, October 25th — “Looking Forward” — A day to celebrate the hope and joy we have at Abiding Love because of the growing faith in our Children and Youth!
(Note: A “Ceremony of Confirmation” will be celebrated for ten of our 9th grade youth at the 11:00 a.m. service.)
† All Saints’ Sunday, November 1st — “Looking Backward” — A day to celebrate all those Saints who have gone before us, leaving a Legacy of Faith for us, the living saints, during the past 30 years of Abiding Love’s Mission and Ministry. Come, and remember our blessings!
† Sunday, November 8th — “Looking Outward” — A day to celebrate the Community Outreach Ministries of Abiding Love, even to “the ends of the earth”!
† Sunday, November 15th — “Looking Upward” — ONE WORSHIP SERVICE at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate the promise we have that “For God all things are possible”! (Mark 10:27) Come, celebrate our unity in Christ as we “Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow”!
(Note: An “All-Congregation Meal” will follow worship.)
† “Response” Sunday, November 22nd — We bring our “Covenants of Support” for the 2010 mission and ministry of Abiding Love, as well as our 3-year “Capital Appeal Commitments”! “We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
I thank God for all who are involved in planning and presenting these special worship celebrations.
I believe we can IMAGINE that God’s promise to “bless us and keep us” as a church family is true. “Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20,21)
— Pastor David Fetter
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Stewardship
Dear Friends in Christ:
I have subscribed to a very helpful publication for many years. It’s called The Clergy Journal. It was edited for a long time by the late Lutheran Pastor Manfred Holck, a resident of Austin.
Is it just a coincidence that the most recent issue is titled “STEWARDSHIP” as we are in the midst of our “Imagine Generosity and Ministry Beyond Belief” emphasis?
In the lead article by Richard Klopp and William Enright, they write:
“American congregations are being stretched in new ways by an economic recession, the depth and length of which is impossible to predict. Clergy are being called upon to think out loud and reflect theologically on issues of money and financial security as they help congregants grapple with the relationship between faith and finances in a world numbed by institutionalized consumerism.
As difficult as these times can be, there is an opportunity here for those who would seize it — the opportunity to make conversation, preaching, and teaching about the faithful use of money and possessions a hallmark of their ministries. Congregations can benefit greatly from ascertaining where they stand, learning all they can about what others are experiencing, developing congregational coping mechanisms, and continuing to reach out to those in need. They can do all this while inviting members to ‘live the vision’ that binds them together as God’s people. Clergy can and should courageously face these issues with their members.”
God’s Word, the Bible, is filled with encouragement for us all as God’s people. Today, I am reading from St. Paul’s first letter to Timothy (6:18-19): “Do good, be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for yourselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that you may take hold of the life that really is life.”
MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAITHFUL EFFORTS!
— Pastor David Fetter
† † †
I have subscribed to a very helpful publication for many years. It’s called The Clergy Journal. It was edited for a long time by the late Lutheran Pastor Manfred Holck, a resident of Austin.
Is it just a coincidence that the most recent issue is titled “STEWARDSHIP” as we are in the midst of our “Imagine Generosity and Ministry Beyond Belief” emphasis?
In the lead article by Richard Klopp and William Enright, they write:
“American congregations are being stretched in new ways by an economic recession, the depth and length of which is impossible to predict. Clergy are being called upon to think out loud and reflect theologically on issues of money and financial security as they help congregants grapple with the relationship between faith and finances in a world numbed by institutionalized consumerism.
As difficult as these times can be, there is an opportunity here for those who would seize it — the opportunity to make conversation, preaching, and teaching about the faithful use of money and possessions a hallmark of their ministries. Congregations can benefit greatly from ascertaining where they stand, learning all they can about what others are experiencing, developing congregational coping mechanisms, and continuing to reach out to those in need. They can do all this while inviting members to ‘live the vision’ that binds them together as God’s people. Clergy can and should courageously face these issues with their members.”
God’s Word, the Bible, is filled with encouragement for us all as God’s people. Today, I am reading from St. Paul’s first letter to Timothy (6:18-19): “Do good, be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for yourselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that you may take hold of the life that really is life.”
MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAITHFUL EFFORTS!
— Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The JOY of Giving
Dear Friends in Christ:
Since Pastor Lynnae and I have begun a six-week special sermon series on Giving to God—The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life; it is apparent that we believe Christian stewardship is a serious matter.
I believe, however, that giving to God should also be a JOYFUL matter. God’s Word, the Holy Bible, states: “God loves a cheerful giver… Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Each month at our Men’s Breakfast Group, Erv Merz shares from a publication titled “Medicine for the Soul” by Dr. Jeremiah. One of these brought joy to my heart as I give to God— AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP and AS AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH.
Cheerful givers, lift up your hearts with me as you read the following vignettes from “Dr. Jeremiah”:
☺ #1 A mother wanted to teach her daughter a stewardship lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church. “Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself,” she told the girl. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given. “Well,” said the little girl, “I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I’d be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did.”
☺ #2 A church was starting a campaign to refurbish their building. The building was in very bad repair. And so they brought the congregation together. It wasn’t a large church, so they were going to have a pledge program to fix the building.
The wealthiest man in the congregation stood up in the meeting and said he would like to pledge five dollars to the program. And just as he said it, a loose piece of plaster in the ceiling fell and hit the man on the head. He said, “I’d like to up that to fifty dollars.”
A little old lady in the back said, “Hit him again, God, hit him again!”
☺ #3 A little girl was restless at the preacher’s sermon as it went on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother, and she whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, would he let us go?”
“Rejoice in the Lord always!” (Philippians 4:4)
— Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Since Pastor Lynnae and I have begun a six-week special sermon series on Giving to God—The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life; it is apparent that we believe Christian stewardship is a serious matter.
I believe, however, that giving to God should also be a JOYFUL matter. God’s Word, the Holy Bible, states: “God loves a cheerful giver… Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Each month at our Men’s Breakfast Group, Erv Merz shares from a publication titled “Medicine for the Soul” by Dr. Jeremiah. One of these brought joy to my heart as I give to God— AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP and AS AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH.
Cheerful givers, lift up your hearts with me as you read the following vignettes from “Dr. Jeremiah”:
☺ #1 A mother wanted to teach her daughter a stewardship lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church. “Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself,” she told the girl. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given. “Well,” said the little girl, “I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I’d be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did.”
☺ #2 A church was starting a campaign to refurbish their building. The building was in very bad repair. And so they brought the congregation together. It wasn’t a large church, so they were going to have a pledge program to fix the building.
The wealthiest man in the congregation stood up in the meeting and said he would like to pledge five dollars to the program. And just as he said it, a loose piece of plaster in the ceiling fell and hit the man on the head. He said, “I’d like to up that to fifty dollars.”
A little old lady in the back said, “Hit him again, God, hit him again!”
☺ #3 A little girl was restless at the preacher’s sermon as it went on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother, and she whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, would he let us go?”
“Rejoice in the Lord always!” (Philippians 4:4)
— Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Giving to God-- The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life!
Dear Friends in Christ:
I am very excited about a special Sunday sermon series that Pastor Lynnae and I will be giving September 6th — October 10th! It will be based on a wonderful new book by Lutheran Pastor Mark Allan Powell, a Texan by birth. Dr. Powell is a Bible scholar and theologian widely recognized for his work in Spiritual formation and congregational ministries. He is a Professor of New Testament Studies at our Trinity Lutheran Seminary (my alma mater) in Columbus, Ohio.
What can you expect from this sermon series?
We all know that everything we have is a gift from God. But sometimes it’s hard to know just how to give back to God. How much is enough? What does the Bible really say? What should giving look like in our everyday lives? Filled with good news for followers of Jesus, Mark Allan Powell’s Giving to God shows Christians the way to a better life and a better relationship with their money — and with God.
Powell presents stewardship as an act of worship, an expression of faith, and a discipline for spiritual growth. Faithful use of our time, talents, and money starts with a deep, satisfying relationship with the God to whom we belong. “We can then learn,” says Powell, “to give gladly and generously out of our heartfelt connection with God.” Giving to God gives us resources for best using the treasures, material and otherwise, that God has given us. **
Let’s make a covenant together to make this opportunity a priority!
I am very excited about a special Sunday sermon series that Pastor Lynnae and I will be giving September 6th — October 10th! It will be based on a wonderful new book by Lutheran Pastor Mark Allan Powell, a Texan by birth. Dr. Powell is a Bible scholar and theologian widely recognized for his work in Spiritual formation and congregational ministries. He is a Professor of New Testament Studies at our Trinity Lutheran Seminary (my alma mater) in Columbus, Ohio.
What can you expect from this sermon series?
We all know that everything we have is a gift from God. But sometimes it’s hard to know just how to give back to God. How much is enough? What does the Bible really say? What should giving look like in our everyday lives? Filled with good news for followers of Jesus, Mark Allan Powell’s Giving to God shows Christians the way to a better life and a better relationship with their money — and with God.
Powell presents stewardship as an act of worship, an expression of faith, and a discipline for spiritual growth. Faithful use of our time, talents, and money starts with a deep, satisfying relationship with the God to whom we belong. “We can then learn,” says Powell, “to give gladly and generously out of our heartfelt connection with God.” Giving to God gives us resources for best using the treasures, material and otherwise, that God has given us. **
Let’s make a covenant together to make this opportunity a priority!
— Pastor David Fetter
** Information taken from Giving to God book cover.
♥ ♥ ♥
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
From This Pastor's Heart
Dear Friends in Christ:
Thank you for blessing me with the surprise “65th Happy Birthday” recognition this past Sunday—the kind words, the cakes, balloon, cards, and other loving decorations and refreshments! I don’t have to look very far to count my blessings in being a member with you in this church family, our church home! It’s ALL about love—God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love for others.
—Pastor David Fetter
Thank you for blessing me with the surprise “65th Happy Birthday” recognition this past Sunday—the kind words, the cakes, balloon, cards, and other loving decorations and refreshments! I don’t have to look very far to count my blessings in being a member with you in this church family, our church home! It’s ALL about love—God’s love for us, our love for God, and our love for others.
♥ ♥ ♥
Our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will meet in church-wide Assembly August 17-23, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. May we be united in prayer:
“O God, direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by the light of your Spirit, as this church prepares to gather in assembly, that we might have a right judgement in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace.
Inspire the celebration of your varied works throughout the church. Instill your peace in the midst of anxious deliberations. Shape the work of this church according to your will so that we might use our hands to do your work in the world.
God of mercy, hear our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.”
From the ELCA NEWS SERVICE: “As many as 2,000 people -- 1,045 voting members elected by ELCA synods, plus staff and visitors -- will participate in the ELCA's 11th biennial assembly.
The assembly theme is "God's work. Our hands." Bible study and prayer are planned, as is daily worship, which will take place at the convention center and nearby Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.
Bible studies will be based on the Book of Faith Initiative, endorsed by the 2007 Churchwide Assembly. The initiative is intended to help ELCA members increase their biblical literacy.
The church-wide assembly is the ELCA's highest legislative authority and represents the 4.7 million members of the ELCA across the United States and Caribbean. The ELCA, the nation's largest Lutheran denomination, is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, in his eighth year as ELCA presiding bishop, will chair the assembly. Hanson is also president of the 68.5-million member Lutheran World Federation (LWF), based in Geneva, Switzerland. Assisting Hanson during plenary will be David D. Swartling, ELCA secretary, and Carlos Peña, ELCA vice president, Galveston, Texas. The assembly will elect a vice president to a six-year term, and Peña previously announced he will be available for re-election.
Each of the ELCA's 10,448 congregations may send one representative to the assembly as an official "congregational observer."
In addition to the election for vice president, the assembly will act on:
+ a proposal for full communion between the ELCA and the United Methodist Church, adopted by the UMC General Conference in 2008
+ a proposed social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," requested by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
+ a "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies" requested by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
+ a fundraising proposal for a churchwide HIV and AIDS strategy
+ a proposal for further development of a "Lutheran Malaria Initiative" (LMI) with Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the United Nations Foundation (UNF).
Peter Mayer, an ELCA member and lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band, will play a benefit concert for the HIV and AIDS strategy, and the LMI.
The assembly will elect members to various committees, boards and the ELCA Church Council, the church's board of directors and interim legislative authority between assemblies. Voting members will act on budget proposals for 2010 and 2011, memorials from synods, resolutions from voting members, and constitutional and bylaw changes. Churchwide officers and staff will report to the assembly. Representatives of ecumenical partner organizations will address the voting members.
Significant funding for the assembly is provided by the churchwide organization with some financial support from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society based in Minneapolis.
Preceding the assembly is a three-day conference, "Book of Faith Jubilee," based on the Book of Faith Initiative. Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., one of eight ELCA seminaries, will host the event.
The ELCA Conference of Bishops and Church Council will meet separately and together Aug. 16-17.
During the assembly, gatherings are planned for youth, young adult voting members and for young professional church leaders. There will also be a young adult networking event.
---
Information and the proposed schedule for the 2009 ELCA Church-wide Assembly and proposals to be considered are at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly on the ELCA Web site. For more information contact:
news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/assembly/multimedia, and
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog”
From the ELCA NEWS SERVICE: “As many as 2,000 people -- 1,045 voting members elected by ELCA synods, plus staff and visitors -- will participate in the ELCA's 11th biennial assembly.
The assembly theme is "God's work. Our hands." Bible study and prayer are planned, as is daily worship, which will take place at the convention center and nearby Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.
Bible studies will be based on the Book of Faith Initiative, endorsed by the 2007 Churchwide Assembly. The initiative is intended to help ELCA members increase their biblical literacy.
The church-wide assembly is the ELCA's highest legislative authority and represents the 4.7 million members of the ELCA across the United States and Caribbean. The ELCA, the nation's largest Lutheran denomination, is organized into 65 synods, each headed by a bishop.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, in his eighth year as ELCA presiding bishop, will chair the assembly. Hanson is also president of the 68.5-million member Lutheran World Federation (LWF), based in Geneva, Switzerland. Assisting Hanson during plenary will be David D. Swartling, ELCA secretary, and Carlos Peña, ELCA vice president, Galveston, Texas. The assembly will elect a vice president to a six-year term, and Peña previously announced he will be available for re-election.
Each of the ELCA's 10,448 congregations may send one representative to the assembly as an official "congregational observer."
In addition to the election for vice president, the assembly will act on:
+ a proposal for full communion between the ELCA and the United Methodist Church, adopted by the UMC General Conference in 2008
+ a proposed social statement, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust," requested by the 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
+ a "Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies" requested by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
+ a fundraising proposal for a churchwide HIV and AIDS strategy
+ a proposal for further development of a "Lutheran Malaria Initiative" (LMI) with Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the United Nations Foundation (UNF).
Peter Mayer, an ELCA member and lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band, will play a benefit concert for the HIV and AIDS strategy, and the LMI.
The assembly will elect members to various committees, boards and the ELCA Church Council, the church's board of directors and interim legislative authority between assemblies. Voting members will act on budget proposals for 2010 and 2011, memorials from synods, resolutions from voting members, and constitutional and bylaw changes. Churchwide officers and staff will report to the assembly. Representatives of ecumenical partner organizations will address the voting members.
Significant funding for the assembly is provided by the churchwide organization with some financial support from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society based in Minneapolis.
Preceding the assembly is a three-day conference, "Book of Faith Jubilee," based on the Book of Faith Initiative. Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., one of eight ELCA seminaries, will host the event.
The ELCA Conference of Bishops and Church Council will meet separately and together Aug. 16-17.
During the assembly, gatherings are planned for youth, young adult voting members and for young professional church leaders. There will also be a young adult networking event.
---
Information and the proposed schedule for the 2009 ELCA Church-wide Assembly and proposals to be considered are at http://www.ELCA.org/assembly on the ELCA Web site. For more information contact:
news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/assembly/multimedia, and
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog”
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Great "I AM"
Dear Friends in Christ:
Today, in my daily Bible readings, I was in in the Book of Exodus and came to this familiar passage where Moses asks God to tell him God’s name:
But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you’, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’:
This is my name forever,
And this is my title for all generations.” (Exodus 3:13-15)
The new Lutheran Study Bible gives this commentary: “In Hebrew thought, names embody the essential character of a person or god. The Hebrew root of God’s personal name is YHWH (Yahweh), which means ‘to be’ or, more accurately, ‘to be present’. The promise ‘I will be with you’ provides one interpretation of God’s name.”
An anonymous poet, reflecting on this name that God used when speaking to Moses, has written:
“My name is I AM. If you live in the past, it will be very hard, for I am not there. My name is not I WAS.
And if you live in the future, it will be very hard, for my name is not I WILL BE.
But if you live in the present, it is not hard, for my name is I AM.”
The great “I AM” is with us right now, every moment, of every day! God is always there. God is always available in whatever present situation you are facing.
I am thankful that God’s word reminded me of this promise and truth today, so I wanted to share it with you. It is Good News!
Is this why Jesus said: “And remember, I AM with you always to the very end of the age”?! (Matthew 28:20)
—Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"Another Mountaintop Experience"
Dear Friends in Christ:
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there… so Moses went up into the mountain of God… and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of Lord settled on Mount Sinai… and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses out of the cloud… and Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.” (Exodus 24:12-13, 15-16, 18)
For ten days, Mary and I were privileged to be in the beautiful mountains and clouds of the Rocky Mountains (elevation 8,400 feet) where we attended the “Luther Academy of the Rockies” continuing education retreat. We wish we could have brought back so me of the cool, refreshing air for you to enjoy. But, we did bring back another blessing. God once again “spoke” to us in our “mountaintop experience” through the three spiritually gifted teachers:
Dr. David Lull, Professor of New Testament at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Our Lutheran School in Dubuque, Iowa;
Dr. John Rottman, Professor of Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan (associated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America): and,
Dr. Kristine Stache, Professor of Youth and Young Adults Ministries at Wartburg Seminary.
What follows are some highlights from thirty-six pages of my written notes, and numerous hand-outs from the lecturers. Each of these statements need further comment, but I believe that each one has a profound inherent truth:
** The Bible is full of stories about what God is doing in the world, and in the lives of people. God is really active!
** The Church today has a great challenge to tell stories of what God is still doing in the world, and in people’s lives.
** Are we being faithful in showing what God is doing with the resources that has been given us to do God’s work?
** The “gods” of our culture are certainly active and visible. Does the God we know in Jesus have a message that fills needs that the culture does not?
** “Christian Practices” are acts of grace, and love that Christian people do together to address human needs in response to God’s active presence of peace, hope, justice, and mercy in the life of the world.
** In our Congregation it is vital that relationships among all people are nurtured across the generations, and that intentional listening and discussion is practiced in order to determine what we believe God wants to do in and through our community of faith (not just among leaders).
** Our task as a congregation is to help children, youth, and adults be Christian together. This is what defines a “missional church”.
** We are all created for relationships with others, and to crave a relationship with a Transcendent Being (God).
** Entering into the Divine Life is impossible unless we enter into the life of love with others.
** This is God’s Mission for the church where all are welceome, and all voices are heard.
** The grace and power of God are distributed to all in the church, where every member is becoming Jesus Christ for the other.
** God created every person, and God has a purpose for every person. This is what FAITH is.
** Our youth (younger persons) need 4 things:
#1 - A Creed to believe in.
#2 - A Call to live into (something to live for).
#3 - A Community to belong to.
#4 - A Hope to hold onto.
(Note: We all need these things, too!)
** Youth Ministry is about the whole church.
** God is so great! Who can ever capture all that God is doing, and how God does it?
** Whenever we are in despair and wonder “Where is God?”, prayer is our expression of faith in God. God answers us: “Trust me now. I will not let you down!”
** The future of the church doesn’t depend on us. It depends on Jesus Christ!
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there… so Moses went up into the mountain of God… and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of Lord settled on Mount Sinai… and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses out of the cloud… and Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.” (Exodus 24:12-13, 15-16, 18)
For ten days, Mary and I were privileged to be in the beautiful mountains and clouds of the Rocky Mountains (elevation 8,400 feet) where we attended the “Luther Academy of the Rockies” continuing education retreat. We wish we could have brought back so me of the cool, refreshing air for you to enjoy. But, we did bring back another blessing. God once again “spoke” to us in our “mountaintop experience” through the three spiritually gifted teachers:
Dr. David Lull, Professor of New Testament at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Our Lutheran School in Dubuque, Iowa;
Dr. John Rottman, Professor of Preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan (associated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America): and,
Dr. Kristine Stache, Professor of Youth and Young Adults Ministries at Wartburg Seminary.
What follows are some highlights from thirty-six pages of my written notes, and numerous hand-outs from the lecturers. Each of these statements need further comment, but I believe that each one has a profound inherent truth:
** The Bible is full of stories about what God is doing in the world, and in the lives of people. God is really active!
** The Church today has a great challenge to tell stories of what God is still doing in the world, and in people’s lives.
** Are we being faithful in showing what God is doing with the resources that has been given us to do God’s work?
** The “gods” of our culture are certainly active and visible. Does the God we know in Jesus have a message that fills needs that the culture does not?
** “Christian Practices” are acts of grace, and love that Christian people do together to address human needs in response to God’s active presence of peace, hope, justice, and mercy in the life of the world.
** In our Congregation it is vital that relationships among all people are nurtured across the generations, and that intentional listening and discussion is practiced in order to determine what we believe God wants to do in and through our community of faith (not just among leaders).
** Our task as a congregation is to help children, youth, and adults be Christian together. This is what defines a “missional church”.
** We are all created for relationships with others, and to crave a relationship with a Transcendent Being (God).
** Entering into the Divine Life is impossible unless we enter into the life of love with others.
** This is God’s Mission for the church where all are welceome, and all voices are heard.
** The grace and power of God are distributed to all in the church, where every member is becoming Jesus Christ for the other.
** God created every person, and God has a purpose for every person. This is what FAITH is.
** Our youth (younger persons) need 4 things:
#1 - A Creed to believe in.
#2 - A Call to live into (something to live for).
#3 - A Community to belong to.
#4 - A Hope to hold onto.
(Note: We all need these things, too!)
** Youth Ministry is about the whole church.
** God is so great! Who can ever capture all that God is doing, and how God does it?
** Whenever we are in despair and wonder “Where is God?”, prayer is our expression of faith in God. God answers us: “Trust me now. I will not let you down!”
** The future of the church doesn’t depend on us. It depends on Jesus Christ!
—Pastor David Fetter
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Luther Academy of the Rockies
Dear Friends in Christ:
As you are reading this, Mary and I are attending the ten-day “Luther Academy of the Rockies” continuing education retreat at Meeker Lodge in Allenspark, Colorado. I thank you for helping to support my attendance at this wonderful event that provides ministry growth, spiritual renewal, rest, recreation, worship, and fellowship with colleagues. The Academy is sponsored by our Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.
This year’s faculty and lecture topics include the following:
Dr. David J. Lull, Professor of New Testament at Wartburg Seminary, will explore St. Paul’s “place” as a Jew in his predominantly Gentile culture then. He will also reflect on Paul’s “place” in our world today, with its many “-isms”, “idolatries”, and “American empire”.
Dr. Kristine Stache, Assistant Professor of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Wartburg. She will present “Participating in God’s life in the world: Implications for Congregational Ministry.” She will explore how congregations as a community make a difference in the lives of people of all ages, as well as what youth ministry has to do with other generations.
Dr. John Rottman, Associate Professor at Calvin Theological Seminary (associated with the Christian Reformed Church in America), will present a series of lectures on “Fine-Tuning Grace in Your Sermons”. He will use biblical parable texts in order to discover ways of applying grace to the lives of congregational hearers of these sermons.
Our prayers will be with you all. May you find ways to continue to grow in your life of faith as you love and serve God, and others.
—Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Thursday, June 11, 2009
"Give Back the Blessings"
Dear Friends in Christ:
Last night (Sunday, June 7th) we began our week of Vacation Bible School with the theme, “The Friendship Train”. It was a wonderful evening of celebrating God’s gift of friendship! We learned a special word— “CARE”. Friends care about each other. We are God’s friends as Jesus said: “I have called you friends… And I appointed you to go and bear fruit… so that you may love one another.” (John 15:15-17)
During this week we are teaching our children that God’s friends also include people we may not know, but we can care about them. So, we are filling our “Friendship Train Cargo Bins” with food; clothing for adults, children and infants; money; children’s books; toys; and games. We are calling this our “Community Service/Caring Week”!
On Sunday as we were closing up the building, my granddaughter, Viviana came up to me and said: “Pa Pa, we’re going home to get some clothes so we can bring them tomorrow to help other people. And Pa Pa, do you have any money?” She opened the “Treasure Chest Box” for me to make a donation! Not only are we teaching the children, but they are inspiring us to remember to “Give Back the Blessings”. Abiding Love Lutheran Church exists to do that in many ways. Let’s not count what we do not have, but what we do have as blessings from God. And, let us generously “bear fruit” as we give, share, and care with our friends at Abiding Love, in our community, and even beyond. “It’s ALL about love!”
On Sunday morning, one of our members shared a copy of a newsletter from the church where she grew up in San Antonio. In the Pastor’s message, he wrote about “STEWARDSHIP”, and said: “This month let’s look at stewardship as cash, commitment, and challenge. Last month we examined the sacrificial nature of stewardship, through the example of Jesus Christ himself. We saw that sacrificial levels of giving takes people who are spiritually prepared, and who are prepared to form a joint partnership in venturing into new ministries and deepening their understanding of the Body of Christ.”
These are good words that fit very well with the present “KAIROS Stewardship Ministry and Bold Steps Emphasis” in our congregation.
Another thing that this Pastor stressed is that a biblical foundation is absolutely critical to giving spiritual direction in our stewardship. As your Pastor, I am committed to that truth. I hope that you already know that. So, I leave you with these blessings of promise from God’s Holy Word, the Bible:
“We love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
“God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
“God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
“You will glorify God by your obedience.” (2 Corinthians 9:13)
—Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Thursday, May 28, 2009
"United In Love"
Dear Friends in Christ:
Included in this newsletter is an abbreviated summary of the recent Assembly of our Southwestern Texas Synod held May 16-17 in McAllen. (Note: A more complete report will be in the June Vista publication. This issue will be available online only, as a cost-saving measure at: www.swtsynod.org/the_vista_issues ) Representing our congregation as elected lay delegates were Philip Drake, Laurie Donovan, and Joel Lehman. Pastor Lynnae and I were clergy delegates.
The theme for this Assembly was “United in Ministry— God’s Work. Our hands.” In our Synod, we have 178 congregations. We are all members of the greater Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 10,448 congregations, representing 4,709,956 baptized members.
I am thankful to be a part of a church that certainly has a diversity of people, but expresses a unity of purpose in our mission and ministry. We may not always agree on everything, but we do agree on one thing that is certainly the most important thing which is: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, Jesus” (John 3:16) so that everyone might know the saving grace of a loving God.
As I sat in our church this past Sunday worshipping with you, the Word of God spoke so strongly to me as part of the prayer of Jesus in Saint John’s Gospel, Chapter 17, was read. After church, I went to my office and read the whole prayer and these words particularly touched my heart: “May they be one as we are one … as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us … so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:11, 21 & 26)
At the Assembly we were able to save on hotel costs by staying two nights at a nearby Roman Catholic Campus Ministry Student Center adjacent to Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas. Wasn’t this an expression of the love of God that unites us even with our “differences” as Christians?
If we are to be true to the mission that Jesus has given us, we will not only be unified in the church, but we will be a unifying force in the world. As Jesus prayed: … “I have sent them into the world … so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:18 & 21)
A bishop of the United Methodist Church, Minerva Carcano, tells about being raised on a small farm outside the South Texas town of Edinburg. It was there that she learned that God’s love knows no barriers. Mr. Johnson, a black man, bought the field adjacent to their farm. He had plans to put his cattle there and raise his family there. This man spoke no Spanish.
Minerva’s father spoke no English. The black man belonged to an independent African-American Baptist Church. Minerva’s father was a Hispanic Roman Catholic turned Methodist. They became very close friends in spite of their differences! Ten years later, Mr. Johnson died. Minerva Carcano’s family attended the funeral. The Baptist Church was filled with Blacks, Hispanics, and Anglos. The entire town was represented. Mr. Carcano’s and Mr. Johnson’s love for each other had touched that little part of the world in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Bishop Carcano says: “Being ‘one’, as Jesus and God are ‘one’ is not so much about who we are, the language we speak, the color of our skin, or any other difference and barrier. Being ‘one’ in the unity of God and Christ is about the kind of love that Jesus teaches and models for us.”
Jesus Christ is still praying for us that we will be united in love for God, in love for one another, and in love for the whole world! The “Day of Pentecost” which we observe this Sunday celebrates the unifying power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-21).
—Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A Sometimes Overlooked Church-Year Holiday (Holy Day)
Dear Friends in Christ:
On our Church-Year Calendar, Thursday, May 21st, is “The Ascension of Our Lord”.
Since it doesn’t fall on a Sunday, it can very easily be overlooked. I am thankful for the following article that has helped me in my continued appreciation for this event in the life of our risen Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that it will do the same for you, and that you attach it to your weekly calendar and pause on May 21st to celebrate The Ascension:
“Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him…” (Luke 24:50-52)
“The ascension of Jesus is hardly regarded by most American Christians as a primary religious holiday. We generally find little meaning in it because we find little personal application in it.
Our first error, of course, is to place so much importance on ourselves. An event does not have to involve us in order to be important to be celebrated. The fact is that Christ’s ascension is one part of the larger truth of his exaltation, and his exaltation is a prominent theme in the New Testament.
The exaltation of Jesus completes his victory. It is also understood as a symbol of his vindication. It relocates him in his rightful place—the side of the Father, from which he had come in order to save us. We love to recall his birth in a manger, but that is not where he belongs. We give thanks for his death on the cross, but that, too, is not where he belongs. Our greatest celebration should be of his ascension: for it represents his return to the place where he really belongs.
In the meantime, there is an element of personal application in this holiday, as well. The ascension marks the end of his ministry, and the beginning of ours!” And we have his promise, “I am with you always!” (Matthew 28:20)
Prayer: “Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. Mercifully give us faith to trust that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
—Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Thursday, April 30, 2009
REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS
Dear Friends in Christ:
In our Confirmation Class of 7th & 8th grade youth on Sunday afternoon, I asked the question: “What is repentance?”
One of the youth quickly answered: “It’s turning away from our sin.”
I then asked her: “If we turn away from sin, what do we turn to?”
She thought for awhile and answered: “We turn to God for forgiveness!”
Paul said it so well: “While we were still in our sins, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) You need only repent, turn away from yourself and your ways, and believe that Jesus Christ died for you, for your sin, for your guilt.
This we can be sure of: when we do in fact turn away from our sins in repentance, there is something to turn to. God welcomes us and God will not turn us down.
Here’s a wonderful story I read this week:
A small boy had been naughty, and his mother punished him and put him to bed. In bed he said, “Now you go away Mommy, I want to talk to God.” She asked, “Is there something you want to say to God that you don’t want me to hear? ”He said, “No, Mommy, it isn’t that exactly; it’s just that if I pray to God and ask his forgiveness, he will forgive me and forget it. But if you stay and listen, you will keep remembering and reminding me of it.”
God is even better than a Mommy on this score. God is so marvelous and great. We don’t deserve it, and God knows it, but God will give us forgiveness anyway. There is a beautiful new life waiting for you just around the corner of repentance, and you are invited to turn that corner.
God says: “You want it? You’ve got it! You’re forgiven!”
Thanks be to God!
—Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Thursday, April 16, 2009
“Easter Hope is Real for You and for Me!”
Dear Friends in Christ:
Yesterday was Easter Sunday. It was a wonderful day of celebration for our Congregation! “Christ is Risen. He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!”
Today is Monday and the joy, hope, and peace of Easter is still very real for me as I write this article. It is my prayer that this is true for each one of you.
On the church-year calendar, the Easter Season is 50 days of rejoicing. And, all year long every Sunday is “a little Easter”, as Martin Luther once said. As God’s people who are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our lifetime is sustained by the daily Good News of those first witnesses of the Resurrection:
“They put Jesus to death by hanging him on a cross; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear.” (Acts 10:39-40)
“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures… was buried… and was raised on the third day…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.’” (Luke 24:1-5)
How is this message real for our daily lives? Three stories I read in my meditations today spoke to my heart and mind. I hope they will give you the VERY REAL HOPE of EASTER:
Clarence Jordan wrote The Cotton Patch Gospel, a version of the New Testament in the dialect of the rural South. He may be best known for that scripture paraphrase, but in the 1960s Jordan, a white pastor, founded an interracial community in Georgia called Koinonia Farms. The bigoted culture all around him shunned Jordan. Threats were made to his life, but he persevered.
In 1969, Clarence Jordan died of a heart attack. None of the local funeral directors was willing to help with his funeral — out of either prejudice or fear of violence — so he ended up being buried in a plain cedar box on a hillside near his farm.
Jordan’s friend, Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, officiated at the funeral. When the serivce was ended, it was time to lower to casket into the ground. Just as this was happening, Fuller’s two-year-old daughter stepped up to the grave and began to sing the only song she knew: “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Clarence, happy birthday to you.”
Yesterday was Easter Sunday. It was a wonderful day of celebration for our Congregation! “Christ is Risen. He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!”
Today is Monday and the joy, hope, and peace of Easter is still very real for me as I write this article. It is my prayer that this is true for each one of you.
On the church-year calendar, the Easter Season is 50 days of rejoicing. And, all year long every Sunday is “a little Easter”, as Martin Luther once said. As God’s people who are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our lifetime is sustained by the daily Good News of those first witnesses of the Resurrection:
“They put Jesus to death by hanging him on a cross; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear.” (Acts 10:39-40)
“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures… was buried… and was raised on the third day…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.’” (Luke 24:1-5)
How is this message real for our daily lives? Three stories I read in my meditations today spoke to my heart and mind. I hope they will give you the VERY REAL HOPE of EASTER:
Clarence Jordan wrote The Cotton Patch Gospel, a version of the New Testament in the dialect of the rural South. He may be best known for that scripture paraphrase, but in the 1960s Jordan, a white pastor, founded an interracial community in Georgia called Koinonia Farms. The bigoted culture all around him shunned Jordan. Threats were made to his life, but he persevered.
In 1969, Clarence Jordan died of a heart attack. None of the local funeral directors was willing to help with his funeral — out of either prejudice or fear of violence — so he ended up being buried in a plain cedar box on a hillside near his farm.
Jordan’s friend, Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, officiated at the funeral. When the serivce was ended, it was time to lower to casket into the ground. Just as this was happening, Fuller’s two-year-old daughter stepped up to the grave and began to sing the only song she knew: “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Clarence, happy birthday to you.”
As Fuller later told the tale, it seemed to all who were present that the Lord was somehow behind that innocent, childlike song. For what they had all been celebrating that day, on a Georgia hillside, was not a death after all: but a wonderful, glorious rebirth.
† † †
Brad was still pouting and crying in his beer at the local bar one year later, after he lost his job at the factory. His job went overseas and Brad blamed the US president, NAFTA, the congress, and everybody who ran the country. One day, a former shop worker, who also lost his factory job, came into the bar for a burger and a drink. He told Brad that there are plenty of jobs selling insurance. The company would train him. But Brad would have to believe that there is new life after the factory. Could this factory worker adapt to a white-collar sales job?
† † †
For 2,000 years there have been inquiries concerning proof of the resurrection, and questions are still being asked today. In this post-modern era we want empirical proof. To the question posed we hear over and over, “I know what I know.” That answer does not provide what people are looking for. Like “looking for love in all the wrong places”, they may be looking for Christ in all the wrong ways. The greatest testimony to a risen and living Christ is the lives that he has transformed. Look around you and observe the witness of those you know who have experienced the risen, living Christ. Their lives have been transformed by a Christ encounter, and there is no other explanation for the changes in their lifestyles and their passion to spread the good news.
When the living Christ touches your life, you know it, and you know that you are now a different person. Your joy and that peace that surpasses all understanding are the hallmarks of a new life in Christ. They are your gift by the grace of God.
† † †
—Pastor David Fetter
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A Holy Week of Prayer
Dear Friends in Christ:
For the Christian Church, there is no more holy week in our church year calendar than the eight days from Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion to Easter.
For each one of us who are called “Christians”, this week is the reason for our faith. So, I am inviting you to join me in a daily discipline of praying beginning this Sunday, April 5th through Easter Day, April 12th. Let us pray that we might focus on Jesus as “the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
† Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion—April 5th
Prayer of the Day:
“Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection.”
† Monday in Holy Week—April 6th:
Prayer of the Day:
“O God, your Son chose the path that led to pain before joy and to the cross before glory. Plant his cross in our hearts, so that in its power and love we may come at last to joy and glory.”
† Tuesday in Holy Week—April 7th:
Prayer of the Day:
“Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you. Grant that our love may not grow cold in your service, and that we may not fail or deny you in the time of trial.”
† Wednesday in Holy Week—April 8th
Prayer of the Day:
“Almighty God, your Son our Savior suffered at human hands and endured the shame of the cross. Grant that we may walk in the way of his cross and find it the way of life and peace.”
† Maundy Thursday—April 9th
Prayers of the Day:
“Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all.”
“Eternal God, in the sharing of a meal your Son established a new covenant for all people, and in the washing of feet he showed us the dignity of service. Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these signs of our life in faith may speak again to our hearts, feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies.”
† Good Friday—April 10th
Prayer of the Day:
“Almighty God, look with loving mercy on your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross.”
† Saturday Vigil of Easter—April 11th
Prayer of the Day:
“O God, you are the creator of the world, the liberator of your people, and the wisdom of the earth. By the resurrection of your Son free us from our fears, restore us in your image, and ignite us with your light, throught Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.”
† Resurrection of Our Lord/Easter Day—April 12th
Prayers of the Day:
“O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection.”
“God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”
Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!
—Pastor David Fetter
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
“Now is the Time—KAIROS Report”!
Dear Friends in Christ:
We continue to move forward in a very special process at this time in the history of our congregation’s life, mission, and ministry. The Greek word “Kairos” is used in the New Testament to speak of God’s appointed time to act. It announces joyful and hopeful times of Good News.
On Thursday, March 12th, thirty-three members of our Congregation Council, Stewardship and Finance Board, and others met with Lutheran Pastor Jeff Kjellberg, one of the two principal owners of Kairos and Associates of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a nationally recognized Christian Consulting Firm which we have chosen to help us prepare a long-term strategy that builds on our past and present strengths as a congregation, and looks to God’s plan for a hopeful, effective, and blessed future for us, our children, and our children’s children. As the prophet of old spoke: “For surely I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
The next step in this process of assessment is to hold “listening sessions” for individual interviews, or 60-minute group discussions with a cross-section of church members. Pastor Jeff Kjellberg, and Pastor Jana Swenson will facilitiate these meetings.
On Friday, an email was sent to all members who are posted on this list. It asked that if you would like to be included in these “listening times”, that you phone or email the church office at 892-4040 or abidinglove@austin.rr.com; or, contact our Council Coordinator, Steve Kikta at 443-8947 or sekikta@aol.com . These meetings will take place during the mornings, afternoons, and evenings— Tuesday, March 24; Wednesday, March 25; and Thursday, March 26.
The leaders of our congregation believe that it is crucial to get a better understanding of how our members relate to this congregation, and what their experiences of giving have meant
to them.
There may still be time to hopefully include you. Please respond as soon as possible. And, of course, everyone can be in prayer during these three days for our consultants, Jeff and Jana, and all those who participate.
At our meeting last Thursday with Pastor Jeff, I quoted something he has posted on the Kairos website: “I am passionate about the church and its call to faithfully share the transforming love of Jesus Christ to all people. It is my desire to use my gifts in helping the church become as effective and far reaching in this mission as possible.” May all of God’s people at Abiding Love say “Amen” to that!
I conclude with a favorite Bible verse that Jeff shared with us: “Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine be glory in the church of Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
—Pastor David Fetter
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Giving UP Something for Lent, or Giving TO Something for Lent?
Dear Friends in Christ:
It has become a common tradition for many Christians to practice the discipline during the 40-day Season of Lent to give up something. This is a form of “fasting” remembering that Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness where he fasted. Matthew’s Gospel says, “he was famished” (4:2). Luke’s Gospel states, “He ate nothing at all during those days” (4:2).
This can be a deeply spiritual experience for us. This year I have been led to another Lenten discipline. It was inspired by a reading in the Upper Room daily devotional guide that I use. The following thoughts were written by Pam Pointer of Wiltshire, England. It is titled, “Count your blessings and give accordingly."
Each day during Lent I put aside coins in a jar as a reminder of God’s blessings. A Christian charity made suggestions for each day: “Give a coin for every pair of shoes that you own.” I counted eight pairs, and then I thought about the many children who have to go barefoot. Another day I gave some money for each meal I’d eaten that day, as a reminder that many go hungry and die of starvation. Jesus had nowhere to lay his head (see Matt. 8:20), so another day I counted the number of beds in my home and gave an amount for each one. I have so much to be thankful for: clean water, food, clothes, shelter, work, electricity, gas, peace, freedom.
Jesus identified with those who had little. After all, as a toddler he was a refugee. As an adult he had no home of his own; he was rejected in his hometown and eventually died on the city’s rubbish dump. He ministered to all sorts of people, but he had a particular concern for people who were poor.
How much am I willing to give? At the end of Lent I’ll add up all the money I’ve collected and send it to the charity. But it will be a tiny sum compared to all that God has given me.
Bible Reading:
“All shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.” —Deuteronomy 16:17
Prayer:
Generous God, may we never take for granted all that you give us — most of all the gift of your son, Christ Jesus. Help us to respond with joyful gratitude. Amen.
—Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
“KAIROS” — Now Is the Time!
Dear Friends in Christ:
On Sunday, February 15th, at 12:15 p.m., we held a special meeting of he Congregation to employ KAIROS Christian Resource Development Consultants of Minneapolis, Minnesota to help us in:
Strategic Future Planning for our mission and ministry;
Stewardship Education and Development;
Leadership Development; and,
A Capital Fund Appeal to reduce debt, improve our building’s infrastructures, and stabilize our present financial situation.
I am thankful for the positive participation of the 91 persons present, and for the very open and honest discussion. We voted to approve entering into a contract with KAIROS, a Lutheran-based company that we used in 1997 for our “Forward in Faith” Appeal that resulted in the building of our Worship/Administrative and Education Center.
I am very confident that we have made a good decision that will help this Abiding Love Church address our present challenges, and prepare us for our future by cultivating a VISION to inspire us toward one common purpose, FAITH that embraces the truth that the good work God has begun will be completed, and COURAGE to focus on God’s dream for our ministry that has touched us, and will touch the hearts of others yet to join in the “Abiding Love Story”!
This weekend, leaders of our Congregation will be meeting with Rev. Jana Swenson, Kairos Consultant, on Saturday, Feb. 21st, 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m. for a “Visioning for the Future Together” Retreat. On Sunday, Feb. 22nd, Jana will be with us all day visiting our worship services, educational activities, youth programs, etc. To help introduce Jana to you, please read the following:
Jana Swenson
Consulting Associate
Rev. Jana Swenson comes to Kairos after 14 years of effective and innovative ministry in a variety of congregational settings, providing leadership in rural, urban, and suburban churches with worship attendance ranging from 300 to 3000. She is a perceptive and visionary leader with a pioneering spirit and a heart for people. She is passionate about the transforming power of the gospel in individuals and organizations. From her vast experience she understands that each congregation has its own unique footprint.
Skilled at helping congregations articulate a clear and compelling vision for the future, Jana is an expert in forming a plan to get there and a strategy to develop the physical and financial resources needed to make it happen. Her approach to resource development is prayerful, strategic, and inventive, with an understanding that there is both challenge and exhilaration that comes in leading a congregation through this process.
Jana's commitment is to invite people into community, bring them deeper into their relationship with God, and with one-another, cast vision for the life-changing difference they can make, and then stand back and watch as God brings them to deeper levels of faith, commitment, and generosity. She is inspired by the joy and fulfillment that accompany a life-style of generosity.
Jana has also served as a consultant and speaker to churches of various sizes, settings and denominations. She has written training materials for small group leaders and ministry directors, and has assisted numerous churches in establishing, expanding, and rejuvenating their ministries. Jana grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. She graduated from Gustavus Adolophus College and has her Masters of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. She is married to Reverend Jonathan Swenson, a Worship Pastor at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. They reside in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with their two beautiful and active teenage daughters.
I encourage you to visit the Kairos web page at:
www.kairosandassociates.com for more information.
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
—Pastor David Fetter
Note: A 12-hour “Prayer Vigil” was held at our church on Tuesday, Feb. 17th, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for this important step in our congregation’s journey. Thank you to all who participated.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
"This Good Earth" (Think Green!)
Dear Friends in Christ:
On January 26-28, Pastor Lynnae and I attended our annual Tri-Synodical Theological Leadership Conference in Arlington. Pastors and other church leaders from Texas, and Louisiana met to consider the theme, “This Good Earth”.
As I led you in our worship services this past Sunday, three things took on even more meaning for me after attending this conference:
* The first was in the Prayer of Confession: “We confess that we have sinned against you and one another. We have wounded the whole creation by the things we have done and the things we have failed to do.”
* The second was in the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.”
* The third was in the Prayers of the Church: “Almighty God, by your word creation came into being. Speak to us by your spirit when creation is groaning for rescue and relief, that we may commit ourselves to thoughtful care of all you have made.”
At this conference, we heard from four persons who are very significantly involved in raising the awareness globally that we are facing a crisis of climate change on this planet! Being followers of Jesus Christ, they take very seriously the meaning of John 3:16-- “For God so loved THE WORLD (meaning ‘the whole creation’, or ‘the cosmos’ in the original Greek) that he gave his only Son… “ We are created “in God’s image”, and “God is love”. So, as the people of God we have the responsibility to “love this world” by responding to the crises we face. Yes, we must confess that waste and over-use of resources is creating economic, social and environmental problems that cannot wait to be addressed! As God’s children, the church of Jesus Christ has the unique opportunity in our worship, our service, and in our personal lives to witness to our faith in the God who sustains us and all living things. God has commanded us to “have dominion” over the creation which means to be “caretaker”, or “good stewards” of this good earth in the original Hebrew.
Robert Corin Morris raises some very thought-provoking questions in an article titled, “An Altar of Earth—the Bible as Earth-Book”: “What kind of world will our children and grandchildren inherit? Will it be the bleak world envisioned by some, where we will live not only in the ruins of nature, but in the ruins of the civilization that ruined it? What will be the shape of this world to come? What kind of people will it take to shape it in this direction? And why should this matter to those who call Jesus Lord?”
The teaching and preaching of Jesus proclaims that heaven and earth are joined in eternal life. The incarnation of Jesus, “God’s Word made flesh who dwells with us” teaches us to pray for this good earth: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”!
On January 26-28, Pastor Lynnae and I attended our annual Tri-Synodical Theological Leadership Conference in Arlington. Pastors and other church leaders from Texas, and Louisiana met to consider the theme, “This Good Earth”.
As I led you in our worship services this past Sunday, three things took on even more meaning for me after attending this conference:
* The first was in the Prayer of Confession: “We confess that we have sinned against you and one another. We have wounded the whole creation by the things we have done and the things we have failed to do.”
* The second was in the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.”
* The third was in the Prayers of the Church: “Almighty God, by your word creation came into being. Speak to us by your spirit when creation is groaning for rescue and relief, that we may commit ourselves to thoughtful care of all you have made.”
At this conference, we heard from four persons who are very significantly involved in raising the awareness globally that we are facing a crisis of climate change on this planet! Being followers of Jesus Christ, they take very seriously the meaning of John 3:16-- “For God so loved THE WORLD (meaning ‘the whole creation’, or ‘the cosmos’ in the original Greek) that he gave his only Son… “ We are created “in God’s image”, and “God is love”. So, as the people of God we have the responsibility to “love this world” by responding to the crises we face. Yes, we must confess that waste and over-use of resources is creating economic, social and environmental problems that cannot wait to be addressed! As God’s children, the church of Jesus Christ has the unique opportunity in our worship, our service, and in our personal lives to witness to our faith in the God who sustains us and all living things. God has commanded us to “have dominion” over the creation which means to be “caretaker”, or “good stewards” of this good earth in the original Hebrew.
Robert Corin Morris raises some very thought-provoking questions in an article titled, “An Altar of Earth—the Bible as Earth-Book”: “What kind of world will our children and grandchildren inherit? Will it be the bleak world envisioned by some, where we will live not only in the ruins of nature, but in the ruins of the civilization that ruined it? What will be the shape of this world to come? What kind of people will it take to shape it in this direction? And why should this matter to those who call Jesus Lord?”
The teaching and preaching of Jesus proclaims that heaven and earth are joined in eternal life. The incarnation of Jesus, “God’s Word made flesh who dwells with us” teaches us to pray for this good earth: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”!
—Pastor David Fetter
† † †
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
"Miracle on the Hudson"
Dear Friends in Christ:
Thursday, January 15th found many of us glued to our televisions as we watched the compelling images of US Airways Flight 1549 resting in the Hudson River with its passengers standing on its wings. The flight out of New York’s La Guardia Airport was heading for Charlotte, North Carolina, when apparently some birds were sucked into the engines and caused their failure. The pilot made the incredible decision to land on the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and flight crew survived, and the potential for additional loss of life, created by an emergency in a crowded city, was avoided.
The plane floated; the passengers were able to get out and were quickly rescued. The good news was and is that lives were saved. Emergency personnel responded quickly and effectively. All those passengers made it safely home one way or another.
Some have called this “A MIRACLE!” Was it?
A miracle is defined as “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency or a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.”
Regardless, this is good news. It is something that inspires us to say, “Thanks be to God!”
I am writing this article on the eve of the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. He is being sworn into his office at a time in our history when we are facing a depressive economy, high jobless index, and unrest in the Middle East. Do we need more “miracles”? Mr. Obama has said, “I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability… I’m asking you to believe in yours.”
I am praying that we as Americans join hands and hearts to seek a better way. This is the time for all of us to stand up and be counted. As we do, I believe good things will happen!
Am I mixing politics and religion? I believe that we are God’s stewards in all things. As followers of Jesus Christ who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” we should always choose to be involved, active, counted, and committed to ”the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for all.”
Let us celebrate “the miracle” of each day even as we live through our own daily struggles!
Peace, hope, and love to you in this New Year,
—Pastor David Fetter
Note: Infomation taken from Texas Interagency Interfaith Disaster Response newsletter.
Thursday, January 15th found many of us glued to our televisions as we watched the compelling images of US Airways Flight 1549 resting in the Hudson River with its passengers standing on its wings. The flight out of New York’s La Guardia Airport was heading for Charlotte, North Carolina, when apparently some birds were sucked into the engines and caused their failure. The pilot made the incredible decision to land on the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and flight crew survived, and the potential for additional loss of life, created by an emergency in a crowded city, was avoided.
The plane floated; the passengers were able to get out and were quickly rescued. The good news was and is that lives were saved. Emergency personnel responded quickly and effectively. All those passengers made it safely home one way or another.
Some have called this “A MIRACLE!” Was it?
A miracle is defined as “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency or a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.”
Regardless, this is good news. It is something that inspires us to say, “Thanks be to God!”
I am writing this article on the eve of the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. He is being sworn into his office at a time in our history when we are facing a depressive economy, high jobless index, and unrest in the Middle East. Do we need more “miracles”? Mr. Obama has said, “I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability… I’m asking you to believe in yours.”
I am praying that we as Americans join hands and hearts to seek a better way. This is the time for all of us to stand up and be counted. As we do, I believe good things will happen!
Am I mixing politics and religion? I believe that we are God’s stewards in all things. As followers of Jesus Christ who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” we should always choose to be involved, active, counted, and committed to ”the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for all.”
Let us celebrate “the miracle” of each day even as we live through our own daily struggles!
Peace, hope, and love to you in this New Year,
—Pastor David Fetter
Note: Infomation taken from Texas Interagency Interfaith Disaster Response newsletter.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A New Year’s Resolution
Dear Friends in Christ,
On New Year’s Day I was reading in my Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide. The meditation was titled “Finding Time” and was written by Jennifer Bruner, an elementary school special education teacher in Michigan:
“One day while sitting in my dentist’s waiting room, I looked around for something to read to pass the time. As I started to grab a magazine, I noticed a Bible sitting next to the stack. I picked it up and opened to the Book of James. I immediately felt the stress and tensions of my day lift as I read:
‘My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.’
It is a daily challenge to find time to read the Bible and pray. Yet I spend much leisure time reading books or magazines that promise to help me find happiness and improve my life. From this waiting-room experience, I realized that maybe it does not have to be so hard to find time to read the Bible. If I spend less time on other reading material, I find plenty of time in the day for God’s word. The Bible is filled with all the information I need for improving my life and finding not temporary but eternal happiness. Living by its guidance will improve my earthly life and prepare me for eternal life in heaven. My goal is to read the Bible and seek God with all of my heart and with as much passion as I pursue other things in my life.”
In 2007 the churchwide assembly of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted to embrace an initiative called Book of Faith. The bold vision of this five-year initiative is: “That the whole church become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as people renewed, enlivened, empowered, and sent by the Word.”
I propose that you and I make this vision a “New Year’s Resolution for 2009”. Pastor Lynnae has been leading a Sunday School Class (9:45-10:45 a.m.) in the Activity Center based on the book, Opening the Book of Faith. There are other opportunities at Abiding Love for you to join with others in conversation as you open the Scriptures together.
The Bible is the written and living Word of God that speaks to us. It creates and nurtures faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and points us to Jesus, the center of our faith. The Bible invites us into a relationship with God, making demands on our lives and promising us new life in Christ. As the Bible tells the stories of people living their faith over the centuries, this forms us as God’s people of faith. As we live out our calling as the people of God, we are renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit!
No other book can do what the Bible does for our lives. It is a powerful book. As Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)
May you have a “Bible-Blessed Happy New Year”!
—Pastor David Fetter
On New Year’s Day I was reading in my Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide. The meditation was titled “Finding Time” and was written by Jennifer Bruner, an elementary school special education teacher in Michigan:
“One day while sitting in my dentist’s waiting room, I looked around for something to read to pass the time. As I started to grab a magazine, I noticed a Bible sitting next to the stack. I picked it up and opened to the Book of James. I immediately felt the stress and tensions of my day lift as I read:
‘My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.’
It is a daily challenge to find time to read the Bible and pray. Yet I spend much leisure time reading books or magazines that promise to help me find happiness and improve my life. From this waiting-room experience, I realized that maybe it does not have to be so hard to find time to read the Bible. If I spend less time on other reading material, I find plenty of time in the day for God’s word. The Bible is filled with all the information I need for improving my life and finding not temporary but eternal happiness. Living by its guidance will improve my earthly life and prepare me for eternal life in heaven. My goal is to read the Bible and seek God with all of my heart and with as much passion as I pursue other things in my life.”
In 2007 the churchwide assembly of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted to embrace an initiative called Book of Faith. The bold vision of this five-year initiative is: “That the whole church become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as people renewed, enlivened, empowered, and sent by the Word.”
I propose that you and I make this vision a “New Year’s Resolution for 2009”. Pastor Lynnae has been leading a Sunday School Class (9:45-10:45 a.m.) in the Activity Center based on the book, Opening the Book of Faith. There are other opportunities at Abiding Love for you to join with others in conversation as you open the Scriptures together.
The Bible is the written and living Word of God that speaks to us. It creates and nurtures faith through the work of the Holy Spirit and points us to Jesus, the center of our faith. The Bible invites us into a relationship with God, making demands on our lives and promising us new life in Christ. As the Bible tells the stories of people living their faith over the centuries, this forms us as God’s people of faith. As we live out our calling as the people of God, we are renewed, enlivened, and empowered by the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit!
No other book can do what the Bible does for our lives. It is a powerful book. As Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:31)
May you have a “Bible-Blessed Happy New Year”!
—Pastor David Fetter
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