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!

— Pastor David Fetter

** Information taken from Giving to God book cover.

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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

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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.
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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”

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

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"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!

—Pastor David Fetter

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

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"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

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"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

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