Pastor's Message

Dear Friends:

This morning I did “chapel time” with some of the younger students from the YMCA Preschool. As we entered into the First Lutheran sanctuary, these are the things the little ones first noticed: stars and doves hanging above the pews (although some of the children swore that the latter were frogs or airplanes)! And then we talked about the star and the travels of the wise men to the child Jesus, and we read the story about the Holy Spirit descending like a dove at Jesus’ baptism.

In this brief devotional experience with children from the local area, we were carrying out our church’s mission and vision of “passing on the faith” from generation to generation and walking “hand in hand.” I knew that our high school students had created the birds and stars, their parents had also helped to plan the Epiphany season worship, and that the baptismal emphasis of Sunday morning was being carried forward into the wider community throughout the week.

It is delightful to see the simple, but profound, ways in which we can walk together in nurturing faith and strengthening Christian households.

During the upcoming season of Lent (Ash Wednesday is February 17, 2010) we will add another dimension to the motif of “Walking Together in Mission.” In Lent we will draw on our partnerships around the world in global mission. For at least the past couple of years, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has coordinated the production of Epiphany and Lenten emphases with a global flavor. We are planning to incorporate the themes of these series in our six mid-week services leading up to Holy Week. What is it to practice the observance of Lent in Senegal? How is hospice care done in a Christian context in India? What does a poor woman in Santiago, Chile, have to teach us about leadership and courage? These are insights we want to incorporate into our traditions of evening prayer, fasting, and giving alms during Lent.

On each Wednesday evening (4:30 and 7:00 p.m.) we hope to include some reflections and worship practices from a distinct locale around the world. We also hope to show slides of the featured country during the evening meal (5:15-6:45 p.m.) and to designate 20% of our Lenten mid-week offerings for ELCA Global Mission.

“Walking together in mission” is both a local and a global opportunity! As we once again hear the story of Jesus’ trek to Jerusalem and his road to the cross, let us walk together as Jesus’ disciples, sharing the good news with our neighbors down the street and across the globe.

In Christ,

Steve Berke, Pastor

Volume 53, No. 2