February 2013 Newsletter Article

 Lutheran Church of the Savior Newsletter article for February 2013

Let water be the sacred sign

that we must die each day

to rise again by his design

as foll’wers of his way.

Renewing Spirit, hear our praise

for your baptismal pow’r

that washes us through all our days.

Come, cleanse again this hour.

-          Thomas E. Herbranson “This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now,” ELW 448

Recently, my wife had one of those God-is-working-here-right-now experiences that are the stuff of every pastor’s dreams. A faithful, long-time parishioner questioned her after a sermon, “Am I to understand, Pastor Sarah, that it is God, rather than the person baptized, who does the work in baptism?”

Sermon Audio, 1/27/13

Luke 4:14-21

3rd Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year C

Who are we? What are we about? By reading from the scroll of Isaiah at the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus emphatically answered this question. Can we do the same?

This sermon leads to our Mission Planning meeting next Saturday, February 2nd at 10am at Lutheran Church of the Savior. Lunch will be provided. We'll look at where we are, where we want to go, and come up with a plan for how to get there. For reference, I'll also print here the text of our current Vision and Mission statements, referenced herein.

Vision Statement

United on a life-long journey of faith, we are called to proclaim to all people, God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

(Adopted October, 2001)

Mission Statement

Lutheran Church of the Savior will strive to provide an open and welcoming environment where people may actively cultivate their faith journey.  We will strive to meet the spiritual needs of each person in our church family.  We will reach out to our entire community, encompassing all ages, through sharing ministry with its diverse cultures and people of color.

(Adopted October 2001)

Sermon Audio 1/20/13

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Year C

All our gifts come from God, and all go to God’s purpose.

Resources for a New Year

Both my first newsletter article and my first sermon of the year deal with starting fresh and a new opportunity for awesomeness. Below are links to other posts I've found helpful as I look forward to a new year. Thanks to LivingLutheran.com for most of these.

13 inspirational quotations for 2013 

- Shared by ELCA pastors 

Sermon Audio 1/6/2013

Matthew 2:1-12

Epiphany of Our Lord
Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo

How will we respond to the gift of love God has given us in Jesus Christ?

January 2013 Newsletter Article

We have no mission but to serve

in full obedience to our Lord;

to care for all, without reserve,

and spread his liberating word.

-          Fred Pratt Green, “The Church of Christ, in Every Age,” ELW 729

Our mission is to care for all and to spread God’s word. Leave it to a brilliant closing verse of a common hymn to remind me what we are about as a church. As we enter a new year, I am excited to refocus on this mission, to love and serve God and our neighbor by caring for all in need and by sharing the amazing, liberating story of God’s love for us in Jesus. What will 2013 bring for Lutheran Church of the Savior as we continue to live out this mission?

Sermon Audio 12/24/2012

Luke 2:1-20

Christmas Eve, Lectionary Year C

This is the world God loves, and God knows this world needs God's love.

This is what Christmas Eve looked like at LCS this year.