Posted by svanbaale |
This Sunday is Pentecost. We celebrate the birth of the church and wear red. But when I did a search on the internet for the word Pentecost, it was interesting to me that not only the Christian celebration came up, but also the Jewish one.
According to the book “Christianity for Dummies,” (yes, not the best title, but it…
Posted by hlewis |
Something happened last week in our church that stopped me in my tracks. On May 8, Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer was elected as a bishop in the Sierra Pacific ELCA synod, becoming the first openly transgender person in our country to do so in any major Christian denomination. They will serve almost 200 congregations in California and Nevada.
…Posted by jbrudvig |
Transitions are never easy. Are they? Change is often unsettling. It disrupts what is familiar and comfortable. Transitions also involve a lot of work, particularly the heavy lifting required of any move and the emotional energy that we invest in the forging of new relationships. As the unpacking, organizing, and establishing new relationships continues to unfold, the verse from Ecclesiastes 3:1…
Posted by rgarza |
It’s springtime! The winter seemed longer this year; I imagine it snowing last week didn't help either. The flowers and trees are blooming, lawns are being cut, and seeing people outdoors is always nice.
This week’s Gospel (John 15:1-8) is about taking care of the vine and its branches and keeping it healthy by pruning, removing dead branches so it can bear more fruit. It fits this…
Posted by wcanady |
Here are this month’s songs that have meaning to me:
Posted by svanbaale |
Sunday’s Gospel reading is the story is when the risen Christ appears to the disciples. It is shortly after he appears on the road to Emmaus, and breaks and blesses bread with those he met on the road. Then he vanishes and appears near 11 of the disciples and their companions.
At first, the disciples are frightened, feeling like they have seen a ghost. Jesus comforts them by having them…
Posted by hlewis |
I can’t help but compare Easter 2020 to Easter 2021, and I am feeling hopeful.
We are still the church. We worship together, in person and online. We pray for each other and are helping our neighbors. Let me give you some examples:
Posted by cschnaath |
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
— John 13:34-35
I have served about 18 months as interim pastor for Salem Lutheran Church. I was excited when I began to be working with a staff of four! I was…
Posted by rgarza |
This weekend is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. What a perfect time to reflect on what people thought as Jesus is riding into town hoping he will change everything. That he will restore the kingdom and free them from Roman rule. What a celebration that was.
Thinking back to those times when circumstances looked one way but turned out to be something entirely different: A year…
Posted by wcanady |
In addition to this month’s songs, I wanted to personally take some time to thank Pastor Cynthia for serving as Interim Pastor during this uniquely challenging time. Thank you for caring for and about myself and my family during this pandemic; I will never forget your kind and loving care. Lastly, as we celebrate the coming pastorate of Pastor Jon, we celebrate the work and focus that will always…