Literally!
The Boy Scouts gathered up all the food that we collected for Loaves and Fishes for the past two weeks and the total came out to 2,210 pounds! With the demand higher than ever from families struggling with finances, Loaves and Fishes found their food pantry teetering on empty. Fortunately, with your generosity, families will have something to eat. Thank you for sharing your bread with the hungry.
And speaking of food, did you hear that at McClintock every Tuesday night we are feeding 325 people! Wow. We are drowning in our success over there. But with dedicated volunteers and a very organized staff, we continue to reach out to that community to provide basic needs that we often take for granted.
Last Wednesday I stopped over after Wednesdays Together to the Youth House (The Crossings) where every Wednesday during the cold months we provide Room in the Inn. This is a wonderful program in Charlotte where churches open up their facilities once a week for about 12-15 homeless individuals. We pick them up downtown after they've been screened, bring them to CLC, feed them and provide showers and a bed for the evening. Volunteers can drive or prepare meals or spend the night. Consider doing this. It will do your heart well.
Jesus said, "As you have done it unto the least of these, you've done it unto me."
I'm thinking Jesus was well served this past week by your generous gifts of time, groceries and services.
Thank you!
Pastor Scott
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Come and See
I thought about Pastor Chris' sermon yesterday and about his challenge to be a disciple who is passionate about faith, excited about church and invites others to "come and see."
So what prevents us from extending that invitation to others? If it is lack of personal conviction, you first have to be "converted" before you can hope to be authentic with others. We can see right through posers.
If it is lack of excitement about the church, well, then you haven't seen the Experience at work or the 120 volunteers at McClintock or the numerous small groups that study and pray or SpiritSong raising the roof in praise. You can't invite someone to a place that doesn't stir you.
But I think most people don't extend that invitation because of feeling awkward or unsure of what words to say. There is no need for that. I can tell you after sitting through the new member classes for these past twelve years, most come to Christ Lutheran through a personal invitation. They are thankful for the brave souls who extend that invitation. It doesn't come in the form of a confrontation or heady, biblical knowledge. It is most often very simple. "Hey, we have a great thing going on at Christ Lutheran. You should check it out. Come and see."
That's it. That's all it takes to make an eternal difference in another person's life. Come and See!
Do you have a story about inviting someone or someone who invited you? I would love to hear about it.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
So what prevents us from extending that invitation to others? If it is lack of personal conviction, you first have to be "converted" before you can hope to be authentic with others. We can see right through posers.
If it is lack of excitement about the church, well, then you haven't seen the Experience at work or the 120 volunteers at McClintock or the numerous small groups that study and pray or SpiritSong raising the roof in praise. You can't invite someone to a place that doesn't stir you.
But I think most people don't extend that invitation because of feeling awkward or unsure of what words to say. There is no need for that. I can tell you after sitting through the new member classes for these past twelve years, most come to Christ Lutheran through a personal invitation. They are thankful for the brave souls who extend that invitation. It doesn't come in the form of a confrontation or heady, biblical knowledge. It is most often very simple. "Hey, we have a great thing going on at Christ Lutheran. You should check it out. Come and see."
That's it. That's all it takes to make an eternal difference in another person's life. Come and See!
Do you have a story about inviting someone or someone who invited you? I would love to hear about it.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Baptismal Question
We had a great celebration on Sunday, January 16, as we focused on baptism and splashed water on our faces with the words, "You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ FOREVER!"
The Sunday also brought with it many questions.
One that has lingered with me longer than most was, "What if you know a baby whose parents don't have a great interest in Christianity or in baptism. Should you deny that child the gift of baptism because of the parents' lack of interest or should you secretly dunk the kid and get 'er done?"
I'll open that up on the blog for conversation. What do you think?
As you consider your response, think of extreme cases on all sides. First, you don't want to reduce baptism to a magical incantation that you secretly perform over the child when the parents aren't looking. Second, you don't want to reduce baptism to something that only works IF the parents agree in faith to it. Third, you don't want to reduce baptism to a meaningless, man-made rite that really doesn't matter whether the child is baptized or not.
Go ahead. Give your answer. I'll respond to each comment.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
The Sunday also brought with it many questions.
One that has lingered with me longer than most was, "What if you know a baby whose parents don't have a great interest in Christianity or in baptism. Should you deny that child the gift of baptism because of the parents' lack of interest or should you secretly dunk the kid and get 'er done?"
I'll open that up on the blog for conversation. What do you think?
As you consider your response, think of extreme cases on all sides. First, you don't want to reduce baptism to a magical incantation that you secretly perform over the child when the parents aren't looking. Second, you don't want to reduce baptism to something that only works IF the parents agree in faith to it. Third, you don't want to reduce baptism to a meaningless, man-made rite that really doesn't matter whether the child is baptized or not.
Go ahead. Give your answer. I'll respond to each comment.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Do You Know How Much God Loves You?
This may seem like a weird question but pause and think about it for a minute, do you know how much God loves you? I have struggled for a while with how some churches choose to engage people with God. Some use guilt, others fear and some use incentives; if you do "x" your blessings will be "y." As I have studied and grown in my faith these different approaches have never resonated with the God that I know and have grown to know and trust. Now Lutherans are often criticized for focusing too much on grace and I agree with most of those criticisms. Too often we use grace as a "get out of jail free card" and that is not what God is about either. The love that God has for us is beyond our comprehension. In the original language of the New Testament the word that is used to describe God's love is defined using words like unconditional, perfect, unending and pure. Now, if we truly understand God's love for us I believe that we would be radically transformed by that love. We would be so blown-away that someone or something could love us so much we would want to do our best to live a life that does its best to reflect such a love. Do you know how much God loves you? I want to help us all understand that question, I want to begin a journey with you to figure out how that love can transform us and I want to help us all open up to accept a love like that, because, I think the most difficult part of this relationship is allowing ourselves to be loved. Do you know how much God loves you? Let's figure that one out together.
See you Sunday.
Pastor Chris
See you Sunday.
Pastor Chris
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
What Do Hindus Believe?
Do you know?
Beginning on Wednesday, January 5, I am hosting a new Wednesdays Together Adult Class that will explore not only Hinduism but also Unitarians, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews and Quakers. It's part of a class called, "My Neighbor's Faith."
Each Wednesday we will have a different representative from each of these faith communities come and talk about their historical background, theological principles and worship practices. There will be plenty of time for questions. The class will kick off with a person from the local Charlotte Hindu community.
I encourage you to come. Not only is learning about the faiths of other communities important in itself but there is no better way to understand the uniqueness of Christianity than when you compare it with others.
See you on Wednesday,
Pastor Scott
Beginning on Wednesday, January 5, I am hosting a new Wednesdays Together Adult Class that will explore not only Hinduism but also Unitarians, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews and Quakers. It's part of a class called, "My Neighbor's Faith."
Each Wednesday we will have a different representative from each of these faith communities come and talk about their historical background, theological principles and worship practices. There will be plenty of time for questions. The class will kick off with a person from the local Charlotte Hindu community.
I encourage you to come. Not only is learning about the faiths of other communities important in itself but there is no better way to understand the uniqueness of Christianity than when you compare it with others.
See you on Wednesday,
Pastor Scott
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Let Me Be Your Angel
That title needs a little explanation!
One of the great treats of my position is that I can be other people's angel. It happened again this past week. There was a person in the congregation who notices another person going through a difficult time in life with expenses. He just sensed that money was incredibly tight for this individual, especially with young children and the added pressure of Christmas.
He made a (generous) donation for me to hand deliver to this person. When I went to the modest apartment to bring the gift, she was utterly taken aback and so filled with gratitude and relief. Life had changed unexpectedly and quickly for her, through no fault of her own. Family was far away and she struggled very much alone. With this gift, not only were the immediate needs of the household greatly helped but more importantly, she knew that she wasn't alone.
I told her that she had an angel in the congregation and I am sworn to my grave not to reveal the name. She will never know who it is as she searches the eyes and hearts of those she sees on Sundays. That has to change your view of others, don't you think?
I tell you this because we all know people who struggle, often times privately and alone. You want to help, but you don't know how. You feel embarrassed to give that person money, knowing that it will change the relationship. And you don't want that.
So let me be your angel. I'll make the delivery. And I will take our secret to my grave.
She will have a Merry Christmas. . .and so will the angel!
Peace,
Pastor Scott
One of the great treats of my position is that I can be other people's angel. It happened again this past week. There was a person in the congregation who notices another person going through a difficult time in life with expenses. He just sensed that money was incredibly tight for this individual, especially with young children and the added pressure of Christmas.
He made a (generous) donation for me to hand deliver to this person. When I went to the modest apartment to bring the gift, she was utterly taken aback and so filled with gratitude and relief. Life had changed unexpectedly and quickly for her, through no fault of her own. Family was far away and she struggled very much alone. With this gift, not only were the immediate needs of the household greatly helped but more importantly, she knew that she wasn't alone.
I told her that she had an angel in the congregation and I am sworn to my grave not to reveal the name. She will never know who it is as she searches the eyes and hearts of those she sees on Sundays. That has to change your view of others, don't you think?
I tell you this because we all know people who struggle, often times privately and alone. You want to help, but you don't know how. You feel embarrassed to give that person money, knowing that it will change the relationship. And you don't want that.
So let me be your angel. I'll make the delivery. And I will take our secret to my grave.
She will have a Merry Christmas. . .and so will the angel!
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Shopping for 150
This Friday, the middle and high school youth are gathering at the church and then heading to Wallmart for a night of shopping. However, it is not for themselves. Each one will have a shopping list from a family from McClintock Middle School. And you should see what's on that list. Not a new phone or an IPad or a laptop computer. Things like underwear, paper towels, black socks, a pair of jeans.
After shopping, they will return to the church for pizza and gift wrapping. It is a long, crazy, confusing and all together glorious night.
What makes it so cool is that they know they will make this Christmas one to remember for these kids.
On their list are 100 kids and about 50 adults (mostly single moms). Last year we had raised enough for about $100 per kid and $50 per mom. However, giving is down. We will only be able to spend about $60 per kid and maybe $25 per mom.
Unless you help.
If you have plenty and would like to give to these families with so little, go on line to our website (www.christelca.org). In the upper right hand corner there is a link "on line giving." Click that and designate your gift "Friday Christmas Gift."
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Scott
After shopping, they will return to the church for pizza and gift wrapping. It is a long, crazy, confusing and all together glorious night.
What makes it so cool is that they know they will make this Christmas one to remember for these kids.
On their list are 100 kids and about 50 adults (mostly single moms). Last year we had raised enough for about $100 per kid and $50 per mom. However, giving is down. We will only be able to spend about $60 per kid and maybe $25 per mom.
Unless you help.
If you have plenty and would like to give to these families with so little, go on line to our website (www.christelca.org). In the upper right hand corner there is a link "on line giving." Click that and designate your gift "Friday Christmas Gift."
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Scott
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