Island of Truth and Freedom

In the Gospel for Reformation Sunday in John, chapter 8 Jesus says to us: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Those who are grasped by the truth of the Gospel have the freedom to be for the world, to serve the neighbor. That, finally, is the power of the reformation. What began as a crisis in pastoral care, in a concern that we not seek to escape from a confrontation with our mortality and a life apart from God (which we call sin), is a powerful word to us: the Gospel sets us free for truth, for service, for living for others. That alone authentically renews and reforms the church. St. Luke’s future will not come through schemes for survival, but from the truth that we are set free to serve in an always renewing and reforming mission.

The Leper’s Touching Thanks

“On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance, who lifted up their voices…” Lepers who stood at a distance. That is the heartbreaking thing about leprosy. It is a disease which not only attacks the body, but also isolates the soul. A leper is extremely contagious.

Living in God’s Abundance

First, I want to join the participants of the Adult Forum and the children in Sunday School to come together for a brief opening worship in Henderson Hall at 8:30. It will be a great blessing to “Connect in Christ,” across the generations. The children all wear Name Necklaces so that we can greet them by name and get to know them. So let’s join them at 8:30 for prayers, a brief lesson based on the Gospel for the day, and joyful songs. This invitation is to any adult at St. Luke’s, whether you attend the adult forum or share conversation around a cup of coffee. Let me repeat the invitation. Adult Forum will join Sunday School for opening worship at 8:30, then begin the Bible study in the conference room at 8:45

Connecting in Christ

Can I still say that I am a somewhat new pair of eyes? I have been amazed and grateful to observe you conduct a listening season and a Strategic Vision Planning Process with great energy and faithfulness. This vision to Connect again with one another coming out of the pandemic, to connect to our community and world through the Gospel has given us spiritual energy and holy imagination.

Quilters “Touch the Heart”

As I have had opportunity to visit some of the elders of St. Luke’s I’ve learned from them we have a long and rich history of creating tie-quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Among our “shut-ins” are women who remember day long quilt workshops with large crews of cutters and piecers and as many as three sewing machines running at any one time. However, these quilters had heard little first-hand witness to the on-the-ground impact our donated quilts had.

Spending Time with Luke

Beginning this coming Sunday at 8:45, and for the next four Sundays, we will be spending time in the Gospel of Luke. We are in Series C of the lectionary, “the year of Luke,” and most of the Gospel readings are from that gospel. I am hoping that our deep dive into the Gospel together will help enrich our hearing God’s word when we worship.

A View From the Ground

September 11 has been commodified, interpreted, and cited to support going to war, fearing and blaming immigrants, jingoistic “America First” rhetoric. It has been buried in the history which followed it. We bombed Kabul 21 years ago in the name of 9/11. And today we cringe and grieve as suicide bombs go off in Kabul, and bombs burst on civilians in Ukraine. But for me the true feelings of that day are not buried or papered over, but are as vivid and searing as ever.

And Who Are You?

Every year (at least every year pre-pandemic) Judy and I threw an Epiphany Open House in early January. It’s a
great way to extend the holiday season and bring a little light to the long, cold, dark month which is January.
Our guest list drew from the various worlds to which we are connected – co-workers, neighbors, friends,
members of our car club. There would be between thirty and forty people who attended in any given year.

Hospitality to Strangers

Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
The second reading of this Sunday comes from Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16. In verse 2, the author of the text shares a command with their readers: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”