Thursday, August 18, 2011
We heard an inspiring greeting from Bishop Walker of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. You can learn more about this church, which dates back to 1801, by checking on the internet. Our two churches are working together for greater understanding and cooperation, including work to overcome the racism that still exists in our culture.
I am grateful for our ELCA's leadership, seeking to overcome human-draw lines that divide God's children.
At this morning's worship, standing next to each other, were Pastor Herbert Chilstrom, first Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, and Sayyid Sayeed, who is the National Director of the Islamic Society of North America, who spoke to the Assembly earlier in the morning. We sang "Let us build a house where ... all are welcome ... "
Our reader, young Emery, did an excellent job. And his grandfather is a pastor.
~~In His Name, Pastor Paul
I am grateful for our ELCA's leadership, seeking to overcome human-draw lines that divide God's children.
At this morning's worship, standing next to each other, were Pastor Herbert Chilstrom, first Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, and Sayyid Sayeed, who is the National Director of the Islamic Society of North America, who spoke to the Assembly earlier in the morning. We sang "Let us build a house where ... all are welcome ... "
Our reader, young Emery, did an excellent job. And his grandfather is a pastor.
~~In His Name, Pastor Paul
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Our prelude for morning worship was presented by our ELCA's Global Mission Musicians. Our sermon was given by a pastor originally from Haiti, now serving immigrants in Florida.
I am reminded that both my grandfathers came to the U.S. to serve immigrants, in their own language, whom the American church was not adequately serving.
Our Assembly is showing how much God is offering to our church (and our nation) if we let our hearts be open to those who, though different from us, the Holy Spirit is bringing our way. ~~In His Name, Pastor Paul
I am reminded that both my grandfathers came to the U.S. to serve immigrants, in their own language, whom the American church was not adequately serving.
Our Assembly is showing how much God is offering to our church (and our nation) if we let our hearts be open to those who, though different from us, the Holy Spirit is bringing our way. ~~In His Name, Pastor Paul
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Today has been devoted to Mission Encounter. We are reminded that "Lutheran" has many different looks - and that "the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8) has a different meaning today.
Check out lutherstable.org.
In His Name, Pastor Paul
Check out lutherstable.org.
In His Name, Pastor Paul
Monday, August 15, 2011 This place is huge - able to accommodate really big gatherings...
In our sessions I'm sitting next to a man from central North Carolina. Their
youth group gathers donations from nearby Bed Bath and Beyond stores, items that have been returned, will not be resold, but still are good for use. A
member of their congregation drives the transport for a NASCAR team. That
team donated use of their transport, fuel, and drivers' time to bring a full
load of these Bed Bath etc donations to Joplin.
At lunch sat at a table with a woman from Toledo, Ohio, who exclaimed what a wonderful pastor Melissa Afdahl Micham is (from St A's). ELCA's key phrase: God's work, our hands. Thanks for your prayers!
In His Name, Pastor Paul
In our sessions I'm sitting next to a man from central North Carolina. Their
youth group gathers donations from nearby Bed Bath and Beyond stores, items that have been returned, will not be resold, but still are good for use. A
member of their congregation drives the transport for a NASCAR team. That
team donated use of their transport, fuel, and drivers' time to bring a full
load of these Bed Bath etc donations to Joplin.
At lunch sat at a table with a woman from Toledo, Ohio, who exclaimed what a wonderful pastor Melissa Afdahl Micham is (from St A's). ELCA's key phrase: God's work, our hands. Thanks for your prayers!
In His Name, Pastor Paul
Hotel Lobby with huge banner for assembly "Freed in Christ to Serve"
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Hello from Orlando! I'm grateful for a bit of time to review reports before our sessions begin tomorrow. There is a lot of good stuff happening in our ELCA. I'll note some in the next few days and after I get back at the end of this week.
Why Florida? you may ask. The Church gets a good deal here in the off-season. The central Florida Lutherans have been out in force, welcoming the approx. 1500 folks who will participate. I am sharing a room with a man from Brainerd, MN (did I spell that right?)
A highlight today was at breakfast, overhearing a three-generation family group saying their table-grace, led by the grandchildren.
"Freed in Christ to Serve" has been the theme phrase of our ELCA.
Two passages will be important for our Church -- the ELCA and St. Andrews. In your prayers meditate on Hebrews 13:8 and Revelation 21:5.
In His Name, Pastor Paul
Pastor Paul - Voting Member to ELCA's Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, FL
Last June at the Central States Synod Assembly, Pastor Paul Moessner was elected to attend the ELCA Churchwide Assembly as a voting member. Pastor Paul will fly to Orlando Saturday, August 13, and return Friday, August 19. Please pray for the work of this assembly.
Director of Youth and Family Ministry Named!
Becky Rentchler has accepted the call to serve Saint Andrew’s as Director of Youth and Family Ministry! The Search Committee – Congregational President Beth Shapiro, Jacob Freyermuth, Janet Neu, Laurie Pancoast, and Nathan Thomas, along with Pastor Paul – conducted a nationwide search using youth ministry and local websites. The process pointed continually to Becky, member of Saint Andrew’s, who already is working in our ministries for children and youth. The Committee recommended, our Mutual Ministry Committee affirmed, and the Church Council voted unanimously to extend this call.
We believe the Holy Spirit’s is leading us to take this step to build our ministry. A youth ministry team will work together to set the priorities, recognizing this is part time and acknowledging the good ministry our people are already given. More details will come in the next weeks. Becky will begin in August. We join in prayers of gratitude for this exciting development even as we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to strengthen and inspire us as we build together for Christ’s mission.
Becky Rentchler has accepted the call to serve Saint Andrew’s as Director of Youth and Family Ministry! The Search Committee – Congregational President Beth Shapiro, Jacob Freyermuth, Janet Neu, Laurie Pancoast, and Nathan Thomas, along with Pastor Paul – conducted a nationwide search using youth ministry and local websites. The process pointed continually to Becky, member of Saint Andrew’s, who already is working in our ministries for children and youth. The Committee recommended, our Mutual Ministry Committee affirmed, and the Church Council voted unanimously to extend this call.
We believe the Holy Spirit’s is leading us to take this step to build our ministry. A youth ministry team will work together to set the priorities, recognizing this is part time and acknowledging the good ministry our people are already given. More details will come in the next weeks. Becky will begin in August. We join in prayers of gratitude for this exciting development even as we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to strengthen and inspire us as we build together for Christ’s mission.
