August 2, 2007
PASTORAL PONDERINGS
Acts 20: 28Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.
Dear Friends,
It is always very exciting to see the Spirit at work. I seem to have had an extra dose of the Spirit today. Stopping for some lunch at the mall, I ran into the family of a member who was recently appointed to the Council. "He is so excited about this opportunity," his wife explained. Music to my ears.
About two hours later I visited a shut in who gave a very generous donation to our food pantry. She explained she once had been poor and knew what it was like to worry about food.
An hour later I was at the local hospital when the receptionist jumped up for joy and asked me to visit an Episcopalian whose parish was vacant and desired to be anointed. Thus I was able to live out the Formula of Agreement which promotes the sharing of ministry with our brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Church. Yes the Spirit seems alive and well.
August 15, 2007
I have always advocated openness to change in the church. As the world is changing, the church needs to change to meet the needs of her members, both spiritual and physical. However, the church also has a second mandate, to keep valuable traditions alive. It is the balance of these two that makes for a healthy congregation.
We have seen much change in Reformation over the years. But some wonderful traditions remain. This week we our offering our Vacation Bible School. And as I looked at the young people arriving on that first day, my mind was drawn back through the miles and decades to a small Alfred entering the Vacation Bible School of Covenant Lutheran Church in New York City. I still cherish those memories and hope that Reformation may play some part in the precious memories of the little ones God has entrusted to our care.
8/30/07
5 He established a decree in Jacob,
and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach to their children;
6 that the next generation might know them,
the children yet unborn,
and rise up and tell them to their children,
7 so that they should set their hope in God,
