Posted by svanbaale |
This weekend and in the coming weeks, we will honor loved ones who have gone before us, celebrating All Saints Sunday at all three services. As in past years, we will light candles commemorating all the saints we have known in our lives who have gone on to heaven on a beautiful, hand-carved wooden cross. We light candles and say prayers in their memory each year on the first Sunday in November.
…Posted by jmarple |
Growing up in the Catholic Church, we didn’t hear much (if anything) about the Reformation — to the surprise of no one. I’m not positive if I knew much about Martin Luther until later in life. I’m pretty sure I had never heard “A Mighty Fortress” until I was in seminary.
For someone who didn’t grow up in the Lutheran Church, an occasion such as Reformation really excites me.…
Posted by hlewis |
Last Sunday we heard one of the many scriptures about banquets, feasts, and food in general. Sometimes they’re just about having a place at the table in fellowship with others. Sometimes they suggest we should eat with people that the world says aren’t worthy, but God says they are. “Jesus is the Bread of Life” talks about how His peace fills you, so you’ll never be hungry or thirsty again.
…Posted by svanbaale |
For something different, I thought I would write about the first and second readings for this Sunday instead of the Gospel reading. Both readings speak of rejoicing in God and the peace of God.
Rejoicing in God
In the first reading (Isaiah 25:1-9), it talks about exalting and praising God. “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you…
Posted by jmarple |
Two weeks ago, we held another town hall meeting at Atonement in our ongoing attempt to listen to pluses and pinch points of our current covenant with Atonement. About 25-30 people attended the meeting. We had a great conversation and also took another survey, and I am pleased to share the feedback and results with you as part of my Staff Trax this week! (We also offered the survey in last week’s…
Posted by hlewis |
Six years ago, an incredible team effort was started to provide a movable gaga ball pit for our youth. If you aren’t familiar with gaga ball, it’s a dodgeball-inspired game played inside a low-walled circle that you can see in many elementary school playgrounds and camps (including Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp). In September 2020 we had just started worshipping at Central Baptist Seminary and…
Posted by svanbaale |
Can you imagine working all day in the hot sun and someone else barely worked but got the same amount in pay? This is exactly what happens in the Gospel for this Sunday.
Matthew 20:1-16 tells the familiar parable of the landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter when they start work.
I can just hear them whining, “But that’s not fair!” The landowner decides to…
Posted by jmarple |
One of the privileges I get as a pastor is to sit at a funeral home table after a loved one has died. I’m there to give support, act as a liaison between the funeral home and the church, and to just be another set of listening ears.
One of the most difficult times to do this has been when a loved one has completed suicide. It is a very painful goodbye. I have been with families of those…
Posted by hlewis |
There’s a song we’ve sung over the years at Salem titled “Blessings” that says, “What if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?”
It was written by Laura Story after her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and their prayers for healing were not being answered.…
Posted by svanbaale |
It has been about three months since my heart surgery, so I thought I would give you an update in my Staff Trax this week. Things did not go as planned, but I am slowly feeling more back to normal.
I thought I would be in the hospital three or four days, but I ended up being there for 10 days. Later in the day they put in the mechanical valve and replaced the aortic valve, they discovered…