“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

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
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