This coming Sunday, May 19th, we celebrate Pentecost and the abilities the Holy Spirit has given us – to spread the Good News in such a way that is meaningful, felt and understood. On this same Sunday, as we have traditionally done at St. Luke’s for many years, we also celebrate music – for the way it enhances worship, how it helps us pray and praise the Lord – and for those who share their gifts of music through their voices and instruments.
“ . . . be filled with the Spirit as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts” Ephesians 5:18-19 The Bible is filled with verses related to music and its power and role in Christian faith and daily life. In many Biblical accounts, in both the Old and New Testaments, music is portrayed as a powerful way to praise God and to reflect the joy and peace we feel towards Him. “Music paints pictures and often tells stories, all of it magic, and all of it true, and all of the pictures and all of the stories and all of the magic the music is you.” John Denver Just like the Holy Spirit as it descended upon the Apostles, music has the way of touching us in such a way that it often leaves us amazed and astonished. Someone once said that “music sounds the way emotions feel”. That may be the very “magic” that John Denver is speaking about – how music can paint pictures and tell stories so that we can better comprehend and understand. In other words, the magic of the Holy Spirit and music combine to make our relationship with God deeply personal, profoundly felt, and authentically aware. So, on Sunday, let the Holy Spirit wash over you as you attend worship and may it stay with you in the days to come. Let the music touch and inspire you and make you feel closer to God. And, may you extend your thanks for the musicians who communicate the music, the words, and the emotions that you experience: Bells of Praise Jubilee St. Luke’s Choir Instrumentalists Festival Choir Lori Murray
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Over the next three Sundays we will be celebrating three distinct Holy Days:
Ascension – 40 Days after Easter. May 12. Pentecost – 50 Days after Easter. May 19. Holy Trinity – The Sunday after Pentecost. May 26. These each in their own way celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These are not events of the past, but present-day realities pointing the way to life, freedom, and hope for salvation of all creation. These days affirm that Jesus is Lord of all. The Holy Spirit has been poured out to all humankind. The true faith is found in relationship, for the nature of God is best understood in terms of a community of love – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ascension – “After Jesus’ suffering, he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God...[Jesus told his disciples], you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up (ascended) and a cloud took him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:3, 8) Question is will we live up (ascend) to Jesus’ calling? Now almost 2,000 years later, we are to be witnesses to Jesus in our home (Jerusalem), community (Judea), with those who are separated from us (Samaria), and all people (to the ends of the earth). Thankfully, we do not do this on our own, but as the church with the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost – “Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where [the followers of Jesus] were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them authority…Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear each of us in our own native tongue?” (Acts 2:2-4, 7-8) Question is, do we allow the Holy Spirit to speak in and through us to others? What does that look like? In baptism we pray, “Sustain (person’s name) with the gift of the Holy Spirit; ‘the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,’ (Isaiah 11:2) the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.” (pg. 231 ELW). If we allowed these gifts of the Holy Spirit embody us, we would be able to hear each other in their native tongue – which I believe is being able to hear another’s story and how it contributes to building the Kingdom of God. That requires being in relationship… Holy Trinity - And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My [the Father’s] beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Luke 3:22) This is one of several scriptures that identify the relationship of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the greeting at the start of worship, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2nd Corinthians 13:14) Question is, do we allow the Spirit to lead us to greet everyone we meet in this manner, whether in our homes, community, those who are separate from us, and all people. May these three Sundays lift you up, fill you with the Spirit, and invite you into relationships with others to point the way to life, freedom, and the hope for salvation of all creation. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. February 7, 2017, was my first day as Pastor here at St. Luke’s; honestly, it doesn’t feel that long. That was affirmed by a congregational member during her spouse’s funeral, who introduced me a summer ago (2022) to one of her friends, “I would like you to meet our new pastor.”
Seven years later, I’m still learning and growing, which is the mark of a healthy pastor. However, the demands of the position limit the depth of my study. Also, the schedule of a pastor can be a burden on a family. These are the two primary focuses for me in the upcoming year as I will take a disjointed sabbatical. It will be served in three phases:
The idea of a sabbatical has biblical origins. The very root of the word is the same as that of “Sabbath.” Throughout the Old Testament God instructs people to work six days and rest on the seventh. In Leviticus, God instructs people to allow the land to rest every seventh year — meaning no farming, no planting, no harvesting. Pastors find sabbaticals to be transformative experiences that strengthen and develop the clergy’s ability to serve the congregation. “We believe both congregations and pastors are strengthened by providing opportunities for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations, but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for regaining the enthusiasm and creativity for ministry, for discovering what will make the pastor’s heart sing.” (Lilly Endowment). A well-planned sabbatical includes:
Arrangements for Ministry during the Sabbatical There are several people I need to thank who will be stepping up in my absence. A Pulpit Supply Team will be commissioned this Sunday: Pastor Steve Olson, Seminary Student Tim Krieg, and members Mollee Erickson and Mark Roberts. Steve is already scheduled to preach and preside at communion on 1st and 3rd Sundays. We have an incredible staff. One of the tasks they agreed to is each will write one of the weekly blogs. I look forward to hearing their thoughts and insights. If there is a staff need, Past-President, Mark Bergherr, Chair of the Personnel Committee, has agreed to offer guidance. He is also the one who will determine if there is a need for me to be contacted if necessary. Pastoral Care will be multi-faceted. Emily Hendricks, Director of Children and Family Ministry has agreed to serve the role of being on call. She has been doing so when I’m on out-of-town. Her role is to direct the point of care. If it is an immediate emergency either Pastor Steve Olson or Seminary Student Tim Krieg will attend to the person. If it is not immediate, but the person would like follow up, Judy Sandeen will attend to the person. If the member is already connected with one of our many Care Team Members, Judy will invite that team member to follow up. In addition, Tim, as a part of his Clinical Pastoral Education, will manage the pastor’s discretionary fund. I am grateful to be a part of St. Luke’s, a welcoming and growing community of faith, busy making Christ known to the world which in this case is doing so by caring for its pastor. Thank you again for this opportunity which I believe will be mutually beneficial. “To engage in a period of renewal and reflection may well be one of the greatest gifts a pastor can give a congregation.” — Bishop Ann Svennungsen, Minneapolis Synod Ongoing prayers and blessings, Rob Wow! Can you believe it is almost 1 year since we gathered to celebrate St. Luke’s 100th anniversary in ministry. What a memorable weekend it was praising God in fellowship with current and former mayors, our Bishop, pastors, staff and church members. Participants of all ages were delighted and deeply touched with many asking…” Can we do this again next year”?!?!
And so, a new group was born in February of 2024! The Annual Outreach Event (AOE) team of about 25 individuals answered the call to brainstorm possible events/activities. Many great ideas were offered up and after conferring with staff we have found a way to partner with various ministry teams this year. Please join the AOE team on Sunday, April 28 at 11:15 am in the Fellowship Hall. At this gathering we will continue to fine tune our ideas. Your voice is important to us. Please join us for a fast-paced fun hour of planning/dreaming. Beverages and treats will be provided. It’s time to start cleaning out your closets! June 6-8, 2024 Garage Sale, Kids Jumpy Houses and Ice Cream Social Mark your calendars for the a church wide garage sale coming June 6-8, 2024. We will partner with the Faith Formation Ministry Team who will be offering Jumpy Houses and an Ice Cream Social to the public on Saturday afternoon, June 8th. Information regarding VBS and other child related activities will be handed out to all garage sale visitors. More information will be available in the coming weeks. It's never too soon to plan for the holidays. November 8 & 9, 2024 Holiday Market and Fine Arts Festival Calling all St. Luke’s artists, crafters, bakers and lovers of unique gifts. Outside vendors and St. Luke’s families will be joining together to present a festive Holiday Market and Fine Arts Festival! More information to follow soon! To join in the fun, have your questions answered or to receive more information about the Annual Outreach Events team please contact Deb Krieg 612-799-3686 / dlkrieg10516@gmail.com or Barb Roberts 952-412-5453 / barbhigleyroberts@gmail.com April 20th (9:00 AM) and 21st (after both worships)
“Many hands make light work.” – John Heywood There is some heavy lifting to do at St. Luke’s when it comes to caring for the property – both inside and out. St. Luke’s is blessed with very generous members sharing their time and resources. We are being asked to do so again this coming weekend. St. Luke’s Spring Clean Up’s primary focus is yard care. Please join us on Saturday, and/or Sunday. There is dead foliage to clean up around the irises, daylilies, and other plants. The weeds are already growing (do they ever stop?) and the mulch can be stirred. The Rain Garden needs several of the grasses and plants cut back. Please bring the tools you are comfortable using as well as gloves. Our property will never save a soul, and it will never disciple someone, however – our property has a direct impact on the church’s mission – specifically stating, “St. Luke’s is a Welcoming…” Someone visiting a church for the first time that is not cared for will be asking, “If they can’t take care of their building, how will they take care of me?” A first impression is just that, it will determine whether or not there will be a second one where they can be part of a “… and Growing faith Community, busy making Christ known to the World.” Beyond Blue Jean Weekend there are a number of other opportunities. What follows is a portion of Former Council Representative for Property, Marc Dunham’s 2023 Annual Report. It has been updated thanks to those who have stepped up to take on one of the many projects that need to be accomplished throughout the year - some are short term or one-time tasks. The greatest commitment is having the Holy Spirit stir within a member of our congregation to be the 2024-25 Council Representative for Property. Know that it is not a position carried out in isolation. There is a good crew of people already helping out. Also, I am grateful for Marc Dunham’s dedication and his willingness to mentor the person who accepts this position. Please see any one of the Council Members if you want to learn more… Property Report 2023 – Marc Dunham The Property Chair position is ideally suited to someone who is newly retired or those who have become empty nesters. There are situations that will come up where people of this vintage will be able to draw on life experiences to help problem solve. You also have the knowledge of past property chairs to solicit for help. They have been a great resource for me. The administrative side of the position is to attend the monthly council meetings and report on activities from the list below that may or not have happened. Arranging for entry into the building for contractors that are performing inspection or service. Soliciting pricing for projects that may arise or confirm/approve pricing for current vendors. There are no major infrastructure projects on the near horizon. St. Luke’s is in overall good shape. I believe the main focus will be continuing to do some of the maintenance that we use to contract out or did on our own. This includes:
Once again Larry Nelson, Julie Klein and others outdid themselves preparing and taking care of their garden areas last summer. Though it was said property committee worked hard to make St. Luke’s look nice for the 100th Anniversary, that is not entirely true. I think St. Luke’s should look like this all the time. When I was approached to take the Property Chair position, I knew from the beginning that what I wanted to accomplish most, was the improvement of St. Luke’s curb appeal. The timing was simply in God’s hands. The most rewarding time that I’ve spent as Property Chair has been starting and working with the Yard Care Group. The first year Greg Hornicke (75) showed up on many occasions. The second year Mark Bergherr (71) joined the group and Tammy Fawver (66) joined last year. This core group puts in a combined 50-60 hours per month during the growing season. The maintenance on the new rain garden alone is about 50 hours per season. Look forward to working alongside other members who love St. Luke’s and are willing and able to get a little dirty to spruce up our grounds – and light work it will be. Congregational Event, Sunday, April 14
Two Sessions: 9 AM and 11 AM Fellowship Hall What a joy to be in worship last Sunday, April 7 as 11 people joined St. Luke’s. A few of their responses to “Why did you choose St. Luke’s?”
If you are able, I’d encourage you to listen to the recording of the 10 AM Worship, April 7. The introductions are early in worship, following the announcements. Here’s the link. This coming Sunday April 14 following each Worship members are invited to attend a Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices conversation. This hour long experience will give you a sneak peak at what the St. Luke’s Practices and Neighboring Practices Team has been doing for the past seven months. It will be insightful and participatory. I guarantee you’ll enjoy your time. This project is supported by the Lilly Foundation’s Thriving Congregations initiative St. Luke’s was selected as one of the 15 Minneapolis congregations for the 2023-2025 Cohort. Over these two years six people: Leah DeShepper, currently President St. Luke’s, Adult members, Kelsey Newby, currently President-Elect, and Donna Tabat a Confirmation Adult Leader, Sadie Cinnamon Student Member, and Venessa Nelson a Community Member who serves as President of St. Luke’s Preschool, and me make up the team. Faith Practices & Neighboring Practices: Renewing Congregational Imagination is a two-year learning community for congregations in the Minneapolis Area Synod. We believe that vital congregations take seriously the small simple practices that build community, cultivate mutual relationships, and expand our awareness of God’s activity in the places where we have been called to live. Faith Practices & Neighboring Practices guides cohorts of congregations through a learning process focus on collaborative learning, community building, and spiritual practice. Congregations experiment with practices in their own community to build authentic relationships with neighbors, connect across difference, and engage contemplative spirituality. Practices are grounded in asset-based community development, intentional simplicity, and contemplative spiritual traditions. Each month, cohorts meet to process and support one another’s work, explore new practices, and build meaningful relationships. The Center for Leadership & Neighborhood Engagement guides each learner through the Intercultural Development Inventory and assists in developing an individual and community plan for growing in intercultural competence. Additionally, the cohorts engage in a parallel learning process with the Riverside Innovation Hub at Augsburg University and other Thriving Congregations Initiatives in the Twin Cities. We look forward to sharing this with you on Sunday with more to come in the weeks and months ahead. I believe this was a Spirit calling as St. Luke’s has been seeking a Director of Community Engagement. God answered our prayers with this congregational opportunity, where not one but five people are willing to lead us. It is living out our mission statement: St. Luke’s is a welcoming and growing community of faith, busy making Christ known to the world. Thank you to all who helped make St. Luke’s Easter so wonderful: Altar Guild, Brass, Camera Techs, Children Ministers, Choir, Communion Assistants, Greeters, Jubilee, Lectors, Sound Techs, Staff, Treat Hosts and Providers, Video Techs, Ushers, Welcome Desk Hosts, Worship Assistants, and all the Members who welcomed those who joined us in Worship. It was a grand day! Glory to God!
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Easter is generally the strongest attendance day of the year. Sadly, one of the lowest attendance days of the year is the Sunday after Easter. “The Roman Catholic Church has a name for each Sunday of the calendar year. Want to guess what they call the Sunday after Easter? Low Sunday. It was renamed by Pope John Paul II in 2000 to “Divine Mercy Sunday.” That was a good call for JP2. Every pastor in America is praying for Divine mercy on the Sunday after Easter – that people will return. There are at least seven such events every year…call[ed]…the seven deadly Sundays. They are the Sundays after: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Super Bowl Sunday and the two time-change Sundays.” wrote Pastor Phil Spry in his article, “The “Seven Deadly Days of Preaching” Churchplants.com. He continued, “Let me suggest: First and foremost, keep in mind that God is sovereign in all places and at all times.” The problem is that Easter, as well as Christmas, has become an event, when really it is to be a way of life. Our first reading on Easter Sunday, the Apostle Paul describes it: “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus – Philippians 2:1-5 Over the next four weeks we will be learning more about this way of life in our “Friends in Christ” sermon series. We are obviously doing a pretty good job at this when people attend St. Luke’s, as you will hear this coming Sunday from the dozen new members who are joining. The common theme when asked why they are joining was, “St. Luke’s is just so welcoming.” Here’s my encouragement, can we be just as good at inviting, which really is all about listening. In the months ahead the Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices team will be offering opportunities for St. Luke’s members to connect with one another and our neighbors. Between now and then, live the Easter message as the Apostle Paul shared with the Ephesians: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the results of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. – Ephesians 2:8-10 Christ is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia! This week we will gather at a Table, a Cross, and an Empty Tomb. We do all this in remembrance of Jesus – who did all of this for you.
Imagine being one of the disciples seated at the table when Jesus announces that “One of you will betray me?” How would you respond? Imagine being one of the disciples at the table when he takes the bread and announces, “This is my body given for you.” Then he takes the cup of wine and announces, “This is my blood shed for you? We hear these words every time we take communion. This coming Maundy Thursday, I invite you to think about this again, for the first time. Imagine being one of the disciples in the garden as he announces, “Keep Awake.” Can you? Imagine being one of the disciples who watches Judas kiss Jesus and then be arrested. Would you follow? Imagine being Simon of Cyrene on the side of the road watching Jesus collapse at the “weight” of carrying in the cross. Then a soldier tells you to pick up the cross. Would you carry it? Imagine being one of the people watching the Jesus hang on the cross and hear him cry out, “Father forgive them, they know not what you do.” Will you do likewise? Imagine being one the woman going to the tomb to find the stone rolled away, a young man sitting where Jesus laid and tell you, “He has Risen.” Would you tell anyone? We don’t need to imagine any of this. We are invited to do this in remembrance of Jesus… Maundy Thursday Worship – March 28, 7:00 PM Good Friday Worship – March 29, 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM Carrying the Cross with the Seven Last Words of Christ – March 29, 5:45 PM Easter Sunday – March 31, 8:00, 9:15, and 10:45 AM What a magnificent event to invite friends and neighbors. There will be a light meal, games, art activities, and a chance to get a picture with an Easter Bunny! Have you ever wondered what eggs have to do with Easter? Why do we dye and hunt for Easter eggs every year? What is the connection between Easter eggs and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Many of us might think Easter eggs and Easter egg hunts are a commercialized form of the Easter celebration, but the roots are deeply embedded in the practices of early Christians in eastern cultures. There is religious significance behind the Easter traditions that we still practice today. Although eggs were a symbol of fertility and rebirth in pagan cultures, early Christians used Easter eggs to symbolize parts of the Easter story. Easter eggs represent the empty tomb from which Jesus resurrected. In early Orthodox churches, Easter eggs were blessed by the priests and given to members on the day before Easter known as Holy Saturday. During worship, Easter eggs are handed out to symbolize Jesus’ resurrection. The hard shell represents the sealed tomb, The cracking of the egg represents Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. While it might seem like a strange tradition to hand out Easter eggs in worship, early Christians abstained from eating eggs and meat during Lent. The fast was a form of sacrifice to prepare for Easter. Therefore, Easter was the first time Christians could eat eggs. Christians of Mesopotamia began the custom of dyeing Easter eggs. Originally, Christians dyed eggs red to represent the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross. Over time, this tradition spread throughout eastern Orthodox churches and eventually made its way to Catholic and Protestant churches in Europe. Early Christian missionaries dyed the eggs assorted colors to represent various aspects of the Easter story. They used yellow to represent the resurrection, blue to represent love, and red to represent the blood of Christ. Sometimes, the missionaries would paint biblical scenes on the eggs and hide them. The children would find the Easter eggs and tell the story associated with the paintings. Therefore, early Easter egg hunts helped children learn about the significance of Easter. One of the earliest Easter egg hunts that most resembles the modern Easter egg hunt can be traced to Martin Luther. During this time, men would hide eggs for women and children to find. The joy the women and children experienced as they found eggs mirrored the joy the women felt when they found Jesus’ tomb empty and realized He had risen. And then there is the Easter Bunny. Writings from the 17th century in Germany describe the “Oschter Haws” (Easter hare) for the first time. According to folklore, the Easter hare would lay colorful eggs in the nests (baskets) of well-behaved children. German immigrants brought this tradition of the Easter Bunny to the United States in the 18th century. We hope our Easter Egg Extravaganza will bring the same happiness and joy Jesus’ followers experienced when they heard the Good News of His resurrection. St. Luke’s Baptism Orientation
11:15 AM-Noon, Sunday, March 17 Gather at the Font in the Sanctuary St. Luke’s “First” Communion Class and Training 11:15 AM-1 PM, Sunday, March 17 Gather in Fellowship Hall This Sunday as a congregation we will celebrate Holy Communion during worship. Following worship there will be a Baptism Class and a First Communion Class. Baptism and Communion are the only two sacraments in the Lutheran Faith. A Sacrament is something we do, which is commanded by God and we receive God’s grace. Baptism and Holy Communion are the two rites which fit both those categories. Baptism Class is for those interested in being baptized or affirming their baptism. First Communion is for those who want to learn about communion, followed by a training for those who would like to take communion for the first time. We Baptize because it’s what Jesus has commanded us to do! “Go therefore and baptize…” In Baptism, God has chosen us, and we believe that through the waters of Baptism we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which grants us faith in Jesus Christ. This gift is eternal and provides forgiveness of sins and a new birth as a child of God. Join us whether you are an adult seeking Baptism or interested in affirming your baptism, or have a child you wish to have baptized. In the Scriptures it is clear that entire households were baptized—including children—so, we welcome and encourage parents to have their children baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As they grow in years, it is our privilege as parents to help our children learn what it means to have been “marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit.” Be not afraid! You are not alone in this. The church also takes great joy in helping you raise your child in the faith. (See our Milestone Ministries.) HOLY COMMUNION With wafers (gluten-free available) and wine (dark) or grape juice (light). St. Luke’s celebrates communion the 1st and 3rd Sundays during worship along with other special worships throughout the year. Receiving communion is Jesus inviting us to the table and providing us with all that we need to live in this world and the next. We believe that Christ is present in the meal. When Jesus held up the bread and wine, He said, “This is my body . . . This is my blood.” Communion of the most intimate acts of discipleship. I imagine the curiosity of the disciples as Jesus took bread and wine and said to them, “This is my body, take and eat. This is my blood, take and drink.” Following the meal. It is always a privilege to announce, “The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.” Such a beautiful and meaningful expression of our faith sadly turns into controversy. It’s as if we didn’t even hear the Post Communion Blessing, that these earthly elements, blessed and received, fill us with Jesus’ strength and grace, as we bicker over the particulars:
Here at St. Luke’s, we invite all children four years of age and older, along with adults to attend the First Communion Class and Training. Faith Formation is a lifelong journey, so no one ever ages out of it. All are welcome. It would be fun to hear your comments on these: What does it mean to you to receive communion? What questions do you have about communion? |
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