| The
Day of Pentecost (May 15, 2005)
The
Holy Trinity (May 22, 2005)
The
Second Sunday after Pentecost (May 29, 2005—Proper 4)
The
Third Sunday after Pentecost (June 5, 2005—Proper 5)
The
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (June 12, 2005—Proper 6)
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (June 19, 2005—Proper 7)
The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (June 26, 2005—Proper 8)
The
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (July 3, 2005—Proper 9)
The
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (July 10, 2005—Proper 10)
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (July 17, 2005—Proper 11)
The
10th Sunday after Pentecost (July 24, 2005— Proper 12)
The 11th Sunday after Pentecost (July 31, 2005—Proper 13)
The 12th Sunday after Pentecost (August 7, 2005—Proper 14)
The
13th Sunday after Pentecost (August 14, 2005—Proper 15)
The 14th Sunday after Pentecost (August 21, 2005—Proper 16)
The
Day of Pentecost (May 15, 2005)
by Beverly Alexander
Division for Higher Education and Schools
FOR THOSE OF US who serve in campus ministry, the first weeks of a fall
semester can be just as amazing and perplexing as the Day of Pentecost. We
have made contacts with all the new Lutheran students we can identify. We
have practically begged them to come and be a part of a community gathered
around the cross of the Christ. All that remains is to wait and see what
“the wind blows in.” And blow she does!
At North Carolina State University “fresh” folk sail in on the wings of
the Spirit from all parts of North Carolina and states beyond. Over the
course of an academic year that same Holy Spirit “whips us into shape.” So
by the time mid-May comes around we have become a community of faith in
which we hear each other speaking about God’s deeds of power in our own
languages, dialects, accents, slang.
Then comes graduation when some among us are once again lifted onto the
wings of the Spirit that they might find employment or further academic
study in other places, other colleges and universities. This yearly leave
taking would be unbearable … except that in August we know that we can
depend on the Spirit to “blow in” another class of fresh students.
(Inspired by Acts 2:1-21)
The
Holy Trinity (May 22, 2005)
by Kathie Bender Schwich
Department for Synodical Relations
TTHE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA, through its congregations,
synods, and the churchwide organization, is called to “go and make
disciples.” The synods of this church are doing so both globally and
locally through the companion synod and partner synod programs.
Members of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod visited their companion
synod, the Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern
Africa. There they helped to make disciples by supplying labor to build an
HIV/AIDS clinic and providing financial support that includes the salary
of a full time administrator and a volunteer in HIV/AIDS ministry. Those
who made this mission trip found their faith and sense of discipleship
strengthened through the stories and testimonies they heard from men,
women, and children who continue to be filled with hope, resilience,
faith, and determination in spite of the AIDS pandemic. The Metropolitan
Chicago Synod also helped support Project Education, a program for
volunteer educators to mentor South African teachers on an interim basis.
When members of the Florida Bahamas Synod experienced devastation and
destruction when their churches and homes were hit by four successive
hurricanes last fall, their ELCA partner synod, the Metropolitan Chicago
Synod, called upon its members to donate financial and material resources
to help those who had lost homes and livelihood because of these storms.
This partner synod relationship has also resulted in the sharing of
ministry stories and mission resources as these two synods strive to “go
and make disciples” by reaching out to growing Latino populations and
changing urban environments.
(Inspired by Matthew 28:16-20)
The
Second Sunday after Pentecost (May 29, 2005—Proper 4)
by Jonathan Strandjord
Division for Ministry
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for
salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the
Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
It was late in the day. The presidents of the eight ELCA seminaries
were tired from a long day of discussions on how best to strengthen
theological education. So many challenges had been named; so many new
tasks had been identified. Rest would have been most welcome, but one more
session was on the schedule that evening. The local synod bishop, along
with a few area rostered leaders, had been invited to join us to talk
about mission in this particular place.
A weary group assembled. Then, as the local leaders shared their
stories, new energy and excitement began to flow. For these leaders spoke
with deep conviction and passion about the need for gospel ministry in
this place, about how their calling stretched them and the communities
they led, and about the joy of seeing God at work among and around them.
There were no stories of easy answers or quick success. We heard about
hard and long-term labor. But we also heard about the wonder of witnessing
the power of the gospel opening up new paths and bringing people together
in new ways.
Again and again, these mission leaders expressed their gratitude for
the preparation they had received at ELCA seminaries, for all the ways
they had been equipped to understand the gospel, to interpret it in new
contexts, and to lead communities in mission in rapidly changing times. At
the end of the day, the seminary presidents walked out of that room with
more tasks than they had had coming in. And more energy too.
(Inspired by Romans 1:16-17)
The
Third Sunday after Pentecost (June 5, 2005—Proper 5)
by Darius Larsen
Division for Outreach
“Follow me.” is the call. Some people follow, others criticize, and
still others laugh. If we are doing God’s work, should we not expect all
three reactions from the people we serve?
Pastor Jillian Ross, and ELCA mission developer in the Yakima Valley of
South Central Washington, lives on the Yakama Indian Reservation. She
ministers primarily with a Latino population that is monolingual
(Spanish), poor, and full of dignity. She is looking forward to another
summer youth program where she can enjoy watching children learn and be
proud of their accomplishments.
One boy had a tough spring last year. At ten he got his hand caught in
a tailgate of a truck and nearly severed his right index finger. He was
flown to Seattle for emergency surgery and the finger was surgically
reattached. Pr. Jillian spent many hours in a car with his mother who
neither reads nor writes, and does not drive. Through a gentle witness on
road trips to Seattle and back to Yakima, through filling out forms,
interpreting, and sharing their life stories, this family began to
consider Pastor Jillian as their pastor.
Once, after a visit to the physical therapist in Yakima, the mother
announced that she was taking the family and the pastor out for ice-cream.
As they were all trying very hard to eat their cones before the ice cream
melted or fell on their shirts, the mom began to laugh. It was a laughter
that came from deep within her soul, not in response to a joke, but rather
in response to the goodness of this sweet moment in life—and the
realization that such laughter is a response to the call to follow.
It is my hope and prayer that such a love and laughter continues to
spread throughout the Yakima Valley and beyond.
(Inspired by Matthew 9:9)
The
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (June 12, 2005—Proper 6)
by Ted Schroeder
Division for Congregational Ministries
A young pastor began his first call with determination. He worked out a
plan designed to increase attendance and enlarge the membership. But for
all his doing, the congregation stayed becalmed in a sea of traditions and
troubles. But then, gradually, things started to turn around. A gritty
farmer named Mac joined the church. At first, he seemed no asset. Often
coming to early service right from the barn, he lent a certain aura of
reality to the gathering. His gruff talk and loud, almost crude speech
irritated and embarrassed the pastor and some of the other members.
And yet, people started to come. It turned out that that Mac had a
broken down van that he'd rebuilt. He began using it on Sundays to pick up
the older folks for church and a gang of children for Sunday school. The
clanking contraption would heave into the parking lot every Sunday morning
and disgorge a gang of gleeful children right in the middle of the closing
prayers of the early service. And the second service swelled with the
town's elderly and disabled.
Somehow, in the passing months, the congregation became full of new
faces, full of spiritually alive people eager to learn. And in his deepest
moments of reflection, the pastor knew that it was Mac who was making it
happen. Mac was doing it--unqualified, unkempt, loud, and irritating Mac.
"How do you do it, Mac?" the pastor asked him one day. "How do you
manage to bring all of these people in?"
"How?" Mac was puzzled. "I don't know. I just know I must do it,
Pastor. These are my people. They're just like me. I see myself in every
one. How could I not bring them?"
(Inspired by Matthew 9:35-10:8)
The
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (June 19, 2005—Proper 7)
by Christoph Schneider-Yattara
Division for Global Mission
The Nicobar Islands belong to a cluster of 572 islands in the Gulf of
Bengal, between India and Myanmar (Burma). Only 36 of these islands are
inhabited. Known as India’s forgotten islands, they entered the limelight
when the South Asia tsunami struck.
The Nicobarese are a faithful people. On December 26, 2004, their faith
was put to the test. It was a Sunday morning and people were getting ready
for church when they felt the earth shaking. Running outside their homes,
they shouted for one another. Outside they held each other’s hands,
praising God for saving them. After the earthquake they ran to see if
there was anybody still alive under the debris. As they were rescuing
their loved ones from underneath the rubble, warning shouts came from the
beach. Soon they could see the gigantic wave coming towards them. Once
again, they ran for their lives. This time they ran towards the jungle,
away from the sea.
When they returned to where their homes had been, they realized that
everything was gone and that many lives were lost. Nevertheless, they were
determined to rebuild their lives. Knowing that they were saved by God’s
amazing grace, they began rebuilding their churches even before rebuilding
their homes.
The people of the ELCA also know the power of God’s amazing grace. We
spread that good news through participation in rebuilding and healing
ministries with our companion churches and other partners around the
world.
(Inspired by Psalm 69:15–16)
The
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (June 26, 2005—Proper 8)
by Arnold O. Pierson
Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA
I have worshiped in many ELCA congregations in my work with the Mission
Investment Fund (MIF). Many congregations I have visited were built or
renovated with MIF loans. It is a joy for me to see, in person, how MIF
assists congregations in expanding their ministries.
Although I grew up in a Lutheran church, it can still be intimidating
to visit a new congregation. It is always reassuring to be directed to the
worship area or office by a member or a sign. Knowing where the worship
space and the fellowship areas are located makes me feel comfortable in
new surroundings and helps create a more worshipful mood.
Members of ELCA congregations have some familiarity with the loans and
investments offered by MIF. But they may not know about a free service
that the Fund offers to ELCA congregations. The MIF’s church building
consultants counsel congregations on how to be more welcoming to all who
enter. Many times the changes that our consultants suggest are simple and
inexpensive, such as placing a sign in the parking area to direct
worshipers to the church entrance. The focus is always on helping a
congregation to be as hospitable as possible.
Pretend you are a first-time visitor to your congregation. Would you
know how to find the entrance? Could you locate the nursery? Making a
visitor feel at ease in a new space assists greatly in making the church a
“welcoming” place. As Jesus said, “whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and
whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
(Inspired by Matthew 10:40)
The
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (July 3, 2005—Proper 9)
by Arne Selbyg
Division for Higher Education and Schools
Like Paul, people are at times tormented by our inability to keep from
sinning. This text from Paul's letter to the Romans resonates particularly
with American high school and college students. They are constantly torn
between their desire to sin, and their desire to follow their ideals and
act with virtue. The Lutheran colleges and universities create
opportunities for young people to live out their desires to do good, to do
what, deep down, they want to do.
Lutheran colleges understand that part of their mission is to motivate
students to live lives of service to others. One way they do this is by
sponsoring alternative spring break trips. Instead of heading to the
beach, for example, a team from Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, Pa.)
hand delivered more than $40,000 worth of medication, vitamins, shoes,
school uniform shirts, videos and DVDs, educational supplies, and a laptop
computer to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Susquehanna University chaplain Mark
Radecke reports that, “Since the program’s inception in 1999, 145 members
of the Susquehanna community have served and studied for two weeks each in
Central America, delivering a combined total of more than $215,000 in
materials and donor-designated cash gifts, and contributing at least 7,100
hours of volunteer labor.”
Susquehanna University is not alone in this mission to help students
serve their neighbor. Last year, 12 of the ELCA colleges and 22 ELCA
campus ministry sites received grants totaling almost $1.8 million from
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. These grants will help fund the
development of service learning and engagement programs in cooperation
with Lutheran synods and congregations. Through such programs young people
discover that in their inmost selves they do indeed “delight in the law of
God.”
(Inspired by Romans 7:15-25a)
The
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (July 10, 2005—Proper 10)
by Elizabeth Hunter
The Lutheran magazine
Reading Romans 8:1-11, I hear anew that “there is no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus.” But I’m left to wonder: How is it that so
frequently we set our minds on fights about flesh, giving these more
importance than the ways we can care for the spirit? How is it that so
frequently we begin to condemn those with whom we disagree? In some
letters and e-mails readers have recently sent The Lutheran magazine, it’s
as if two siblings are battling for what they see as the fleshly family
inheritance—while other siblings take sides, refuse to choose sides, or
ask for various sorts of split decisions. I still remember reader Dennis
King from Apple Valley, Minn., saying in “Treasures without turmoil”
(Julie Sevig, The Lutheran, March 2004): “I don’t understand how
property becomes more important than people.”
The Lutheran magazine’s managing editor, Sonia Solomonson,
frequently wades through a stack of letters from readers. That stack
always includes letters expressing readers’ viewpoints on sexuality,
marriage, or same-sex relationships. Though the magazine’s stories related
to spirituality and faith far outnumber those related to sexuality, more
folks seem to write in about sexuality. Some letter writers offer thanks
for the variety of views within the magazine’s pages. But others (from all
perspectives) cry favoritism if we print a perspective with which they
disagree.
On those days when I’m tempted to set my mind on flesh over spirit, I
turn to page five of the magazine and reread our mission statement: “The
Lutheran magazine belongs to the people of the ELCA in all our
diversity.” It goes on to say that the magazine “provides a forum for open
discussion” and “challenges us to bring God’s grace and care to all.”
(Inspired by Romans 8:1-11)
The
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (July 17, 2005—Proper 11)
by Janet Hunt
Division for Outreach
Christ Lutheran Church in Plainfield, Illinois, is the newest mission
start in the Northern Illinois Synod. Pastor Ron Voss entered this mission
field in October, 2003 and made more than 5,000 door-to-door calls before
the fledgling congregation first gathered for Sunday worship in March
2004. He did not make decisions about which homes would more likely be
weeds or wheat before he ventured down a particular street or into a new
neighborhood. He just went and knocked on door after door and invited
people to follow Christ by being part of this new congregation.
As he met people in the community and kept inviting them to be a part
of this new ministry, leaders began to emerge. They joined him in knocking
on doors, in working in the office, in leading worship, and in serving on
the leadership team. As the mission grows, the pastor and leaders continue
to invite and invite and invite. They don’t wonder about who is weed and
who is wheat. Instead they are nurturing the field so that wheat can grow,
by emphasizing the basics of what it is to follow Jesus.
By inviting people into significant Bible study, by encouraging good
financial stewardship, and by building a welcoming community this new
congregation is a growing witness to God’s call to follow Christ. A year
after first gathering for worship, more than 50 faithful gather every
Sunday, the congregation is giving 25 percent of its income to mission
support, and half of its adult members are gathering for weekly Bible
study. Indeed, they don’t always know what will take root and grow but
they recognize it is God’s field and God’s work they are called into and
that is enough.
(Inspired by Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)
The
10th Sunday after Pentecost (July 24, 2005— Proper 12)
by Ian and Joyce Graue
Division for Global Mission
Jesus asks his disciples, "Have you understood all this?"
We could ask the same of our three children. They were eight, 10, and
13 years old when we accepted the call to serve as long-term missionaries
in Papua New Guinea. Two were excited about the move; one was not. That
was 1995.
Ten years later we have been re-assigned by the ELCA. Our children are
now 18, 20, and 23. But they are not moving with us this time. They are at
home in Australia and we are presently in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso,
learning French in preparation for serving the Evangelical Lutheran
Church-Central African Republic.
Our children marvel at our recent move. They also have a few
reservations about their parents doing this. That we not only are
undertaking to learn French, but later in the year are committed to
learning Sango, is mind-boggling to them. After all, we are old (47 and
52)! They envy their friends who have parents who are always there for
them because those parents—unlike us—are not living half-a-world away.
Some of our friends wonder too about what we are doing. Even our new
neighbor behind us here in Ouagadougou isn't so sure we know what we are
doing.
Are we crazy?
We pray that in us our children and others will glimpse God's kingdom
at work. We pray too that they will discern God's will for them and they
will respond likewise in faithfulness and with courage—despite what others
think!
(Inspired by Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52)
The
11th Sunday after Pentecost (July 31, 2005—Proper 13)
by Johanna Olson
ELCA Disaster Response
I was sitting in a meeting a few weeks ago, working with a colleague on
planning children’s programming in Florida, in response to the hurricanes
that repeatedly attacked the state in fall of 2004. We talked about Camp
Noah, a weeklong day camp for children survivors of disaster.
Specifically, we discussed how many day camps could we reasonably
sustain. In my estimates, I was conservative, suggesting we should plan
fewer to ensure quality camps. My colleague, Melanie shared that over
100,000 children had been impacted by the four successive hurricanes.
Cities and towns across the state wanted to sponsor a Camp Noah day camp,
some for a week and others for 8 weeks. I shared our resources were far
from abundant and the orchestration of training and consulting would be
insanely demanding. And yet, Melanie’s compassion was palpable. She said
God would provide. I didn’t really know what to say, for I knew she was
right but I didn’t know what would ultimately mean. I was missing the
point.
In reading today’s gospel, I feel a bit like one of those hard working
disciples balking at Christ on his suggestion of feeding thousands of
people. “You’ve got to be crazy!” But knowing God’s grace in my life, I’m
crazy not to live in the courage of my faith.
Right now, in Florida, there are Camp Noah day camps taking place
across the state…
(Inspired by Matthew 14:13-21)
The
12th Sunday after Pentecost (August 7, 2005—Proper 14)
by Kay Bengston
Division for Church in Society
As Jesus put out his hand to rescue Peter, we too can reach out to
others to rescue them from the tumultuous sea of poverty. Marilyn is the
director at an early childhood center in a Lutheran congregation. The
child care center participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP),
a nutrition program provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
CACFP helps to finance nutritious snacks and meals in centers with
low-income children.
Marilyn remembers a young woman who had two children enrolled in the
child care center a few years back. As a single mother, she was struggling
to gain a college degree and thereby improve her family’s life. The food
program as well as child care assistance were critical factors to her
success. Years later, Marilyn received a thank you letter from this woman
telling her about her graduation from college and that she now had a good
job. The young mother went on to comment on the importance of a program
which offered breakfast, snacks, and a hot lunch. In the letter was a
check for $1,000 with the request that it be used to assist another young
parent, who could only accomplish this radical change in her family’s
fortune if given assistance.
The Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, ELCA advocates for child
care and nutrition assistance such as CACFP. Advocacy is reaching out a
hand as Jesus did to rescue the poor and vulnerable from the tumultuous
seas of poverty and despair in order to provide a boat of support and
hope. All can participate!
(Inspired by Matthew 14:22-33)
The
13th Sunday after Pentecost (August 14, 2005—Proper 15)
by Rosemary Dyson
Commission for Multicultural Ministries
June 2004 was a very busy time in the ELCA Commission for Multicultural
Ministries. Final preparations for the Lift Every Voice Multicultural
Gathering being held July 2004 in Orlando, Fla. were being put into place.
Yes, this was a very exciting time for all of the people who were
preparing for this event which would draw as many as 700 participants. In
the midst of all of this frenzied activity I had received as many as six
voicemail messages from Stephanie. Stephanie had retrieved the flyer for
the Multicultural Gathering from the wastebasket in her church. She was
drawn to the flyer because it talked about an event which celebrated the
gifts of people of color. This flyer also invited young adults of color to
come for the HOLLA TIME program which was held in conjunction with the
Multicultural Gathering. This program was designed for young adults of
color. Stephanie fit the bill on both counts. She is a young adult
attending college and a person of color.
Stephanie did find a way to attend the Multicultural Gathering and
HOLLA TIME. She would recount on a videotaped interview at the event that
she felt called to do everything possible to attend this event. She also
said that she was one of the last young adults worshipping in her
congregation. A Barna Research study conducted in 2003 reported that only
3 out of 10 twentysomethings (31 percent) attend church in a typical week.
Indeed the Holy Spirit had led her to a place where she could be with
other young adults of color who were searching for their place as full
partners in their congregations. For my house shall be called a house of
prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts
of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.
(Inspired by Isaiah 56:7–8)
The
14th Sunday after Pentecost (August 21, 2005—Proper 16)
by Donna Braband
Division for Higher Education and Schools
On December 26, 2004 an earthquake struck the Indian Ocean area with a
force so strong it set off tsunamis that traveled from Southeast Asia to
Africa causing destruction. The most affected were the children of the
areas. Nikki Lambert, a preschool teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in
Marysville, Ohio knew exactly how to use this experience to teach a lesson
of giving cheerfully, leading, ministering and showing compassion to the
children of the affected areas of God’s world.
Using the idea of children’s “blankies” Ms. Lambert talked with her 46
three and four year olds about how not all children in the world have a
lot of toys, clothes or even their own “blankies.” The students shared how
that made them feel sad and they should help these children. The students
in Ms. Lambert’s class talked about how their “blankies” made them feel
safe. Here she brought her lesson into their lives and shared with her
young students how God’s love is all around them just like their “blankies.”
She reassured them that God’s love will always comfort them and all of his
children even if they don’t have a “blankie.”
Each child and their family designed a square to create a “love and
comfort blankie.” These “blankies” will be sent to Lutheran World Relief
to wrap the love of Ms. Lambert’s students around a new friend in God’s
world.
(Inspired by today's readings)
Scripture quotations are taken from the
New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 by the Division of Christian
Education of the National council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
and used by permission.
Please contact the
editor with questions, comments, or corrections.
E-mail:
wendy.mccredie@elca.org
Phone: 800.638.3522 ext. 2565
© 2005 Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. Produced by the ELCA Department for Communication, 8765 West
Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631; 800.638.3522.
Photocopy permission granted to ELCA
congregations.
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