I had a blast on Sunday with the kick-off of the fall program. Lots of people in attendance--1100. Wonderful food--thanks, Russell. Great displays of ministry opportunities--I hope you signed up. After the summer scattering, it was so nice to get reconnected once again with everyone.
Couple of things: First, there is a lot of excitement about this year-long sermon series of walking through the Bible that we call, "Connect the Dots." Bring your Bibles, go to the Pastor's Class, read along with Taking it Home (on-line daily devotion.) You will be a biblical scholar by June of next year (almost!)
Second, get geared up for Wednesdays Together. If you want the most out of the community here at CLC, this is the place to gather for lengthier conversation and deeper study. Dinner 5-6, classes from 6-7:30. We have a full and varied line up for classes this year beginning Wednesday, September 1, but if I can, let me put a plug in for the one that Gretchen and I are teaching--LOVE AND WAR.
We've never done this before--teach a class together. But this one rang a bell in our marriage throughout our celebrations and struggles. In an open, frank, humorous and biblical approach, we want to share with you some of the realities of marriage. Please join us in the Forum!
Welcome Back!
Pastor Scott
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Rally Sunday--August 29
By the end of May, I'm tired. May has become the new December with all the end-of-year activities for both the school and the church. By the time June rolls around, summer can't come soon enough. The longer days, the slower pace, more time with the family, vacations, beach, golf--it's all good.
However, by the end of August, I'm done with summer. The heat, the disconnect with others, the lack of schedule, the low attendance, the heat. By this time of the year, school can't come soon enough!
I am looking forward to August 29 when everything kicks off here at the church with Sunday School and fall programs. Come and plan on spending several hours in worship, meeting teachers, checking out classrooms, signing up for adult classes and staying for lunch.
Summer comes in just the nick of time. So does the fall. After a season of disjointed summer travels and schedules, it will be nice to gather as a family of believers again for a reunion.
If you've been away for awhile, come on back. There will be a place at the table waiting for you. Here, you belong.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
However, by the end of August, I'm done with summer. The heat, the disconnect with others, the lack of schedule, the low attendance, the heat. By this time of the year, school can't come soon enough!
I am looking forward to August 29 when everything kicks off here at the church with Sunday School and fall programs. Come and plan on spending several hours in worship, meeting teachers, checking out classrooms, signing up for adult classes and staying for lunch.
Summer comes in just the nick of time. So does the fall. After a season of disjointed summer travels and schedules, it will be nice to gather as a family of believers again for a reunion.
If you've been away for awhile, come on back. There will be a place at the table waiting for you. Here, you belong.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Monday, August 16, 2010
Connect the Dots
One of the biggest excuses people use for not attending a Bible study is, "I don't know enough about the Bible." It always seems odd to me that people will stay away from learning about the Bible because they don't know the Bible.
Um. . .let's take away that excuse.
Beginning on Rally Sunday, August 29, we will begin a 46-week sermon series that will walk through the entire Bible. We are calling it, "Connect the Dots." You will see how the various stories relate to one another and how they connect throughout history to show how God's story of salvation culminates with Jesus.
To supplement the sermon, there will be a Pastor's Class on Sunday and repeated at Wednesdays Together to go more in detail and field questions.
So, bring you Bibles and a pen and follow along the dotted line to discover the greatest story ever told. And I promise at the end, you won't feel as if you are done studying the Bible. You will be ready for even more.
This time, with no excuses!
Um. . .let's take away that excuse.
Beginning on Rally Sunday, August 29, we will begin a 46-week sermon series that will walk through the entire Bible. We are calling it, "Connect the Dots." You will see how the various stories relate to one another and how they connect throughout history to show how God's story of salvation culminates with Jesus.
To supplement the sermon, there will be a Pastor's Class on Sunday and repeated at Wednesdays Together to go more in detail and field questions.
So, bring you Bibles and a pen and follow along the dotted line to discover the greatest story ever told. And I promise at the end, you won't feel as if you are done studying the Bible. You will be ready for even more.
This time, with no excuses!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Back Home
Several years ago, Nathan (now 16) asked us the question, "When are we going to be from North Carolina." At first we didn't understand the question so when we asked him to explain, he said that he had heard us often use the phrase, "We are from Minnesota."
At that moment, we decided it was time to be "from North Carolina."
When we return to Minnesota for our annual Reunion, it is always a great time of family and friends. We really keep that as a priority on our calendar. But as enjoyable as that time is, we are very much aware that our trip to Minnesota is not coming home. After all, we are from North Carolina. This is our home.
When the two weeks in Minnesota have past and it is time to pack up the car and return, we are coming home. And one of the things I miss most about home is the community here at Christ Lutheran. I worshipped elsewhere on vacation but yesterday at worship here at Christ, I was glad to be back home here.
It is easy to take what we have at Christ for granted--the people, the quality, the music, the programs, the Spirit. It doesn't take much wandering away to realize the treasure that is found here. I discovered that in just two weeks away.
So if you've been away for awhile this summer, it is time to come on back home. We would love to see you again within the family here at Christ who call this community of believers their home.
At that moment, we decided it was time to be "from North Carolina."
When we return to Minnesota for our annual Reunion, it is always a great time of family and friends. We really keep that as a priority on our calendar. But as enjoyable as that time is, we are very much aware that our trip to Minnesota is not coming home. After all, we are from North Carolina. This is our home.
When the two weeks in Minnesota have past and it is time to pack up the car and return, we are coming home. And one of the things I miss most about home is the community here at Christ Lutheran. I worshipped elsewhere on vacation but yesterday at worship here at Christ, I was glad to be back home here.
It is easy to take what we have at Christ for granted--the people, the quality, the music, the programs, the Spirit. It doesn't take much wandering away to realize the treasure that is found here. I discovered that in just two weeks away.
So if you've been away for awhile this summer, it is time to come on back home. We would love to see you again within the family here at Christ who call this community of believers their home.
Monday, August 2, 2010
God at Work...through our middle school youth
During the summer months our Junior and Senior High students meet on Weds. nights for Summer Praise; a time in which they all come together for fellowship, fun and devotions. It is a great time for our kids to reconnect with God and with one another; however, a few Weds. nights ago, the Middle School kids connected with our community in a very interesting way. They meet over in Youth House #2, now known as The Crossing, for their time together. On this particular night, I gave them the opportunity to take some Sharpies and write on the walls of one of the rooms in The Crossing. I told them they could write down their favorite Bible verse or favorite saying that gives them hope and encouragement; by the end of our time together, the walls were covered with writings. It was pretty awesome seeing what they had wrote, but I had no idea the impact it would have on others.
The following Thursday night, AA was meeting in The Crossing for their weekly get together. They have a set agenda to their meetings, but on this night that agenda was given a new twist. As people gathered, they began to read what the kids had written on the wall and were moved (some even to tears). They spent a good amount of time that night talking about what the kids had written and how awesome it was to see God at work in the lives of our youth. One lady in particular said that this was what she needed in her life right now; she needed to hear from God in a big way and that is exactly what happened through the writings on the wall. God moves in so many ways in this world; we are blessed to see it happen especially when it is through the youth at Christ Lutheran Church. Jeff Taylor, Middle School Youth Director
The following Thursday night, AA was meeting in The Crossing for their weekly get together. They have a set agenda to their meetings, but on this night that agenda was given a new twist. As people gathered, they began to read what the kids had written on the wall and were moved (some even to tears). They spent a good amount of time that night talking about what the kids had written and how awesome it was to see God at work in the lives of our youth. One lady in particular said that this was what she needed in her life right now; she needed to hear from God in a big way and that is exactly what happened through the writings on the wall. God moves in so many ways in this world; we are blessed to see it happen especially when it is through the youth at Christ Lutheran Church. Jeff Taylor, Middle School Youth Director
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Finidng a Community of Faith
For a week we had a cabin full of four adults and five kids all under the age of 8 up in Ely, MN. My brother-in-law's oldest, Anna, is 3 and full of life! Her favorite words this past week were "no way" and "I don't want to." I personally found the "no way" line pretty funny myself but my brother and sister-in-law didn't quite have the same take on it as I did. Now Gina and I have been pretty lucky with what I would consider good, well behaved kids. I am not saying this to make us look good but having good manners is something we have intentionally tried to instill in our kids. By the end of the week Anna was saying "please" when she wanted something and "thank you" when she got it.
Who we surround ourselves with has an impact on us. If we hang out with folks who are a little on the wild side chances are we will drift that way. If our group of friends are more on the reserved side that will rub off on us too. It is the same way in our faith life. If we surround ourselves with people who take their faith seriously and want to grow in their faith we will find ourselves in the same boat. If we spend time with people who just go through the motions we will do the same thing.
Jesus understood the need for community. When he sent his disciples out he didn't send them out on their own but in groups of two. They were there to support one another and encourage each other in their work. I hope you have found strong community when it comes to your faith life. We were made for community, our faith grows in community and we can have an impact on each other. Hopefully when the opportunity arises for us to be a part of community we wont find ourselves saying "no way."
Who we surround ourselves with has an impact on us. If we hang out with folks who are a little on the wild side chances are we will drift that way. If our group of friends are more on the reserved side that will rub off on us too. It is the same way in our faith life. If we surround ourselves with people who take their faith seriously and want to grow in their faith we will find ourselves in the same boat. If we spend time with people who just go through the motions we will do the same thing.
Jesus understood the need for community. When he sent his disciples out he didn't send them out on their own but in groups of two. They were there to support one another and encourage each other in their work. I hope you have found strong community when it comes to your faith life. We were made for community, our faith grows in community and we can have an impact on each other. Hopefully when the opportunity arises for us to be a part of community we wont find ourselves saying "no way."
Finidng a Community of Faith
For a week we had a cabin full of four adults and five kids all under the age of 8 up in Ely, MN. My brother-in-law's oldest, Anna, is 3 and full of life! Her favorite words this past week were "no way" and "I don't want to." I personally found the "no way" line pretty funny myself but my brother and sister-in-law didn't quite have the same take on it as I did. Now Gina and I have been pretty lucky with what I would consider good, well behaved kids. I am not saying this to make us look good but having good manners is something we have intentionally tried to instill in our kids. By the end of the week Anna was saying "please" when she wanted something and "thank you" when she got it.
Who we surround ourselves with has an impact on us. If we hang out with folks who are a little on the wild side chances are we will drift that way. If our group of friends are more on the reserved side that will rub off on us too. It is the same way in our faith life. If we surround ourselves with people who take their faith seriously and want to grow in their faith we will find ourselves in the same boat. If we spend time with people who just go through the motions we will do the same thing.
Jesus understood the need for community. When he sent his disciples out he didn't send them out on their own but in groups of two. They were there to support one another and encourage each other in their work. I hope you have found strong community when it comes to your faith life. We were made for community, our faith grows in community and we can have an impact on each other. Hopefully when the opportunity arises for us to be a part of community we wont find ourselves saying "no way."
Who we surround ourselves with has an impact on us. If we hang out with folks who are a little on the wild side chances are we will drift that way. If our group of friends are more on the reserved side that will rub off on us too. It is the same way in our faith life. If we surround ourselves with people who take their faith seriously and want to grow in their faith we will find ourselves in the same boat. If we spend time with people who just go through the motions we will do the same thing.
Jesus understood the need for community. When he sent his disciples out he didn't send them out on their own but in groups of two. They were there to support one another and encourage each other in their work. I hope you have found strong community when it comes to your faith life. We were made for community, our faith grows in community and we can have an impact on each other. Hopefully when the opportunity arises for us to be a part of community we wont find ourselves saying "no way."
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