THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR
October 2009
One of the things we’ve tried to do in this Jubilee year is learn about ourselves as a congregation while we celebrate. Through structured and unstructured conversations, some things are becoming clear.
We most highly value:
Worship
Youth in worship
The Band
This is an incomplete list – obviously we value more than this – but these are identified again and again as some of the things we value most.
This is important. Our central activity is worship. We gather with each other to offer praise – and ourselves —to God. There, through the Word and Sacraments, through singing and with each other, we grow in grace. And from there we are sent into the week to live in Christ.
So.... what does this mean? I think it means we need to do everything we can to strengthen our worship life. I think it means that we remind one another about the importance of worshiping each week. And I think it means this is a good time for all to think prayerfully about our worshiping together, so that it can continue to grow more powerful, and more effective in equipping us to live our faith during the week.
I believe the month of October provides a prime opportunity for this kind of prayerful reflection. There are a few less things on the calendar as more energy is given to beginning our year of Sunday School and confirmation classes in a strong way.
And so I ask each of you to think and pray, that our ministry of worship can grow stronger.
I ask you to pray for one more whom we can all value: Rev. Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA. Bishop Hanson is leading our church through a very difficult time as we live into the decisions made in August at the Churchwide Assembly. He commends us all to study and conversation about the authority of the Bible, Law and gospel, and what it means to be Christ’s church. These are weighty matters but, it is important that we find opportunities to talk together. It is important that we continue to be church together.
In Christ,
Pastor Julianne R. Smeck
