Let it snow, let it snow, let is snow.
While Charlotte is running to the grocery store, stocking up on milk, eggs and bread (I swear, the weather forecast in Charlotte must be sponsored by Harris Teeter!), I am up in West Virginia with the senior high youth on a ski trip. It's 3:15 on Friday and we are still waiting for that much anticipated snowfall to top off our ski weekend.
After a fun day on the slopes on Friday, Neil and I are teaching on Saturday about how to articulate your faith. From Tweeter to Facebook to Texting, youth are "forced" to explain their faith in 100 characters or less. Talk about a challenge. Can you do that?
Through the use of role play, Bible reading, reflection and conversation, each youth will write down in 100 characters or less what they believe about God, the Bible, suffering, Jesus and other religions. So that when they find themselves in a conversation with a skeptic, they will be prepared. As it says in 2 Peter 3:16, "Always be prepared to give an account for the hope that you have in God."
We should all be so ready!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
It's beginning to happen.
After a couple of years working at McClintock, we are now seeing some families join us for worship on Sunday morning. Last Sunday, one mom from McClintock spoke to me after worship saying how much the message and the worship meant to her. On the verge of tears, she spoke about being unemployed for 14 months, trying to care for her two teenage boys. But just knowing that God is with her and that Christ Lutheran is supporting her, she was confident that she was going to make it. She wanted to say, "Thank you."
I embraced her and told her how glad I was that she was here.
As she left, I realized just how big a step she was taking. Walking into a full gymnasium, trying to find a seat for her family in a sea of people that doesn't look like her, stumbling along in a worship service unfamiliar to her--that has to be intimidating. But what gave her the courage to bridge that huge chasm was you.
You fed her children on Tuesday nights.
You provided a better education, the silver bullet, for her family.
But more importantly, when you welcomed her on Sunday with a smiling face and moved over to make room for her, you let her know that we were real. This faith stuff means more than a Sunday ritual. It is a way of life.
I'm not sure who felt more gratitude--that mom or me.
After a couple of years working at McClintock, we are now seeing some families join us for worship on Sunday morning. Last Sunday, one mom from McClintock spoke to me after worship saying how much the message and the worship meant to her. On the verge of tears, she spoke about being unemployed for 14 months, trying to care for her two teenage boys. But just knowing that God is with her and that Christ Lutheran is supporting her, she was confident that she was going to make it. She wanted to say, "Thank you."
I embraced her and told her how glad I was that she was here.
As she left, I realized just how big a step she was taking. Walking into a full gymnasium, trying to find a seat for her family in a sea of people that doesn't look like her, stumbling along in a worship service unfamiliar to her--that has to be intimidating. But what gave her the courage to bridge that huge chasm was you.
You fed her children on Tuesday nights.
You provided a better education, the silver bullet, for her family.
But more importantly, when you welcomed her on Sunday with a smiling face and moved over to make room for her, you let her know that we were real. This faith stuff means more than a Sunday ritual. It is a way of life.
I'm not sure who felt more gratitude--that mom or me.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Haiti. It was already the world's poorest country. And now they have sunk even further into ruin. . .but not despair.
The world has heard their cries and responded with speed and generosity. Christ Lutheran has also lent a hand. Not only have we sent a financial gift to help via Lutheran Disaster Relief where 100% of your gift goes to those in need, our youth have rolled up their sleeves.
Last Sunday evening at 6:30, the Studio at church was filled with supplies for disaster relief. Our youth, working with parents and adults, packed boxes for the Red Cross.
We will be gathering again on Sunday, January 24 at 6:30 in the Studio to finish the project. We have plenty of water. What is needed:
Summer Clothing
Medical tape to wrap gauze
YOU
Come and make a difference!
The world has heard their cries and responded with speed and generosity. Christ Lutheran has also lent a hand. Not only have we sent a financial gift to help via Lutheran Disaster Relief where 100% of your gift goes to those in need, our youth have rolled up their sleeves.
Last Sunday evening at 6:30, the Studio at church was filled with supplies for disaster relief. Our youth, working with parents and adults, packed boxes for the Red Cross.
We will be gathering again on Sunday, January 24 at 6:30 in the Studio to finish the project. We have plenty of water. What is needed:
Summer Clothing
Medical tape to wrap gauze
YOU
Come and make a difference!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Posting Comments on Pastor Scott's Blog
Great news! Making comments and answering Pastor Scott's questions is now much easier. Beneath the post you wish to comment on, click the orange "comments" button. A popup window appears with a box for you to type your comment in. When you are finished, click the drop-down box "comment as" and select "anonymous" at the bottom of the list. Then click "post comment". That's it- your comment should now be added to the list of comments for that post. Now that you know how to do it, give it a try on the January 6th and January 11th blog posts where Pastor Scott was asking for some feedback. Happy blogging!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
It seems like such a minor thing, but it's not. COFFEE.
I'm a coffee drinker. My second office is Caribou. I like the taste all day long (good thing I'm decaf only). But it is not just the taste, it's what coffee does for the conversation. You can sit down with a cup of coffee and there is something very intimate about the space and the smell and the converation. You can hand a 300 pound guy a cup of coffee and he can hang out in a crowd, hiding behind a cup of stryofoam as he meets new people. With a cup of coffee in hand, you aren't self conscience of what to do with your hands in a group. It gives you permission to linger longer and talk more.
The coffee at CLC has been bad. The swill we drink out of those R2D2 urns is little more than warmed up dirty water. And we put it at the end of a hallway, the furthest away from the traffic flow. You've got to really like bad coffee to get a cup.
So I asked Pastor Chris for a good cup of coffee on Sunday mornings.
On Sundays, we now have good coffee, prepared fresh. It is Fair Trade Coffee from Julia's Coffee Shop, part of the Restore. We have decanters that dispense it better and keep the flavor. And, we have it in a better location (next to the Adult Library). There will come a day in the new building in which we will have this large, spacious, two-story Commons area to enjoy a cup of coffee, but for now, this is the best location.
So come. Have a cup. Linger a bit longer. Strike up a conversation. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
I'm a coffee drinker. My second office is Caribou. I like the taste all day long (good thing I'm decaf only). But it is not just the taste, it's what coffee does for the conversation. You can sit down with a cup of coffee and there is something very intimate about the space and the smell and the converation. You can hand a 300 pound guy a cup of coffee and he can hang out in a crowd, hiding behind a cup of stryofoam as he meets new people. With a cup of coffee in hand, you aren't self conscience of what to do with your hands in a group. It gives you permission to linger longer and talk more.
The coffee at CLC has been bad. The swill we drink out of those R2D2 urns is little more than warmed up dirty water. And we put it at the end of a hallway, the furthest away from the traffic flow. You've got to really like bad coffee to get a cup.
So I asked Pastor Chris for a good cup of coffee on Sunday mornings.
On Sundays, we now have good coffee, prepared fresh. It is Fair Trade Coffee from Julia's Coffee Shop, part of the Restore. We have decanters that dispense it better and keep the flavor. And, we have it in a better location (next to the Adult Library). There will come a day in the new building in which we will have this large, spacious, two-story Commons area to enjoy a cup of coffee, but for now, this is the best location.
So come. Have a cup. Linger a bit longer. Strike up a conversation. Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thanks to those who commented on the blog. And an apology. Several have spoken to me that they can't seem to enter a comment. The computer sends them down a black hole of registrations, etc. We are looking into that to see what the problem is. In the meantime, if you are really dying to comment, you can do it the old fashion way (and my favorite), e-mail. suskovic@christelca.org
Have you seen the reports coming out of Haiti? Wow. You can't watch that and remain unmoved. At CLC we are going to do a couple of things.
1. You will receive through e-mail and on Sunday morning information about the Lutheran Relief organization. 100% of your donations will go to the work. There are no administrative costs. You can trust this organization in the midst of all the scams.
2. You may remember last fall that we gave people the option to designate their giving to the church so that none of their offerings goes to the ELCA (in light of the August vote). About 60 families have participated. Council has decided to use that amount that was withheld from the ELCA and put 100% of it as a one time gift to this Lutheran Relief Fund. To date, that amount is about $2400.
3. I-Praise (the youth ministy that meets Sunday nights) will host a congregational event to package supplies for the Red Cross to be shipped to Haiti. On Sunday morning, you will receive a shopping list. After church, go get the supplies and then return to the church that evening at 6:30 to help put together the boxes.
The problem in Haiti is overwhelming. But together, hand in hand, we can bring God's presence and hope to a hurting land.
Have you seen the reports coming out of Haiti? Wow. You can't watch that and remain unmoved. At CLC we are going to do a couple of things.
1. You will receive through e-mail and on Sunday morning information about the Lutheran Relief organization. 100% of your donations will go to the work. There are no administrative costs. You can trust this organization in the midst of all the scams.
2. You may remember last fall that we gave people the option to designate their giving to the church so that none of their offerings goes to the ELCA (in light of the August vote). About 60 families have participated. Council has decided to use that amount that was withheld from the ELCA and put 100% of it as a one time gift to this Lutheran Relief Fund. To date, that amount is about $2400.
3. I-Praise (the youth ministy that meets Sunday nights) will host a congregational event to package supplies for the Red Cross to be shipped to Haiti. On Sunday morning, you will receive a shopping list. After church, go get the supplies and then return to the church that evening at 6:30 to help put together the boxes.
The problem in Haiti is overwhelming. But together, hand in hand, we can bring God's presence and hope to a hurting land.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Hey, it's working. I ask for a response last blog and actually got some--five! (though I heard that a few more couldn't leave a comment for some reason--keep on trying!)
Sounds like the reasons are all across the board from sickness to work to soccer to Master's Plan fatigue. Understandable. I suppose it is good that it isn't one thing that is deeply broken but rather a couple of factors that are coming together. Just makes it harder to fix.
Here is my next question that I've been stewing about. (And I promise that not all of these blogs will turn into a Q and A). Wednesdays Together. We have some great adult classes with a wide variety. I'm teaching one called "The Truth Project" in which we will uncover the essence of humanity, the person of Jesus, and the nature of God as we understand the difference between a world view and a biblical world view. The other four classes look inviting, also. Come on out!
So here's the question. Why don't we have 500 people there? I'll give you a couple of possible answers that we think it might be.
A. Don't like the course selection
B. Don't like the food
C. Don't like the time
D. Don't like to go out after work
E. Don't know about Wednesdays Together.
Finally, no matter soccer schedule, NFL Playoffs, or even a slight fever, make sure to come to church on Sunday. We have a guest preacher, Pastor Reggie Hansome. He is starting a Lutheran Church on the west side of town and we will partner with him. He is going to help us kick off a sermon series called D.R.E.A.M. As we gather for worship on MLK weekend, dreams are a good place to begin.
Pastor Scott
Sounds like the reasons are all across the board from sickness to work to soccer to Master's Plan fatigue. Understandable. I suppose it is good that it isn't one thing that is deeply broken but rather a couple of factors that are coming together. Just makes it harder to fix.
Here is my next question that I've been stewing about. (And I promise that not all of these blogs will turn into a Q and A). Wednesdays Together. We have some great adult classes with a wide variety. I'm teaching one called "The Truth Project" in which we will uncover the essence of humanity, the person of Jesus, and the nature of God as we understand the difference between a world view and a biblical world view. The other four classes look inviting, also. Come on out!
So here's the question. Why don't we have 500 people there? I'll give you a couple of possible answers that we think it might be.
A. Don't like the course selection
B. Don't like the food
C. Don't like the time
D. Don't like to go out after work
E. Don't know about Wednesdays Together.
Finally, no matter soccer schedule, NFL Playoffs, or even a slight fever, make sure to come to church on Sunday. We have a guest preacher, Pastor Reggie Hansome. He is starting a Lutheran Church on the west side of town and we will partner with him. He is going to help us kick off a sermon series called D.R.E.A.M. As we gather for worship on MLK weekend, dreams are a good place to begin.
Pastor Scott
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
OK. I'm back after a week off following Christmas and New Years. That week after Christmas has risen in my life as one of the best weeks of the year. After the huge expenditure of energy throughout December, culminating on a fabulous Christmas Eve Worship, the time apart for relaxing, being with family and friends, reading and sleeping is the best therapy I can imagine.
Now, back at it. This year, I want to make this a bit more interactive. (So far since doing this blog thing, I've received three comments.) I would really like to see what you think about some things. And my first is this. . .We ended the year financially very well. We went over our general budget slightly (which is a rarity these days among churches), we have received just a tad below the five million dollars needed for Phase I of our campaign, First Fruits took in 740,000 and Master's Plan II is coming along nicely. That's the good news. The "bad" news is that attendance took a dip in the last quarter of 2009. Not much, but noticable. In other words, people are still committed with their money but their attendance slipped.
Why?
So, here is your part. Chime in. Why was there a slight dip in the fall even though giving was solid? What have you experience/heard. Was it. . .
a) Flu. One kid sick in the family, everyone stays home.
b) Master's Plan weariness (no more money talk, please!)
c) People are just hunkering down and not leaving the house (not even for church?)
d) Gone! Soccer (name your sport) has taken over the world!
e) Something else??????
I'm going to count the comments!
Now, back at it. This year, I want to make this a bit more interactive. (So far since doing this blog thing, I've received three comments.) I would really like to see what you think about some things. And my first is this. . .We ended the year financially very well. We went over our general budget slightly (which is a rarity these days among churches), we have received just a tad below the five million dollars needed for Phase I of our campaign, First Fruits took in 740,000 and Master's Plan II is coming along nicely. That's the good news. The "bad" news is that attendance took a dip in the last quarter of 2009. Not much, but noticable. In other words, people are still committed with their money but their attendance slipped.
Why?
So, here is your part. Chime in. Why was there a slight dip in the fall even though giving was solid? What have you experience/heard. Was it. . .
a) Flu. One kid sick in the family, everyone stays home.
b) Master's Plan weariness (no more money talk, please!)
c) People are just hunkering down and not leaving the house (not even for church?)
d) Gone! Soccer (name your sport) has taken over the world!
e) Something else??????
I'm going to count the comments!
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