One Little Word

September 2010 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

One year ago a group of Saint Peter members and friends, along with a number of others from Our Father Lutheran Church and St. Gabriel the Archangel Episcopal Church, took ninety days to read their way through the Bible. It was, to say the least, a remarkably inspiring experience, as we immersed ourselves in God’s word for 30-60 minutes each day. We followed the story of God’s involvement in this world from the miracle of creation to the shadowy images of time’s end. Along the way we experienced glory and wonder, brokenness and forgiveness, redemption and renewal. At the end of the road, there were sighs of relief, but also expressions of deep gratitude for the chance to walk this journey together.

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Just 13 months ago, nine of us returned from Tanzania, and a visit with our friends at Selian Lutheran Hospital in the village of Ngaramtoni, 45 kilometers from Arusha (www.selianlh.habari.co.tz). It was an eye-opening trip, as we met with missionaries and health care workers, and learned about the remarkable work they are doing to improve the quality of life for so many people in and around Arusha.

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July 2010 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

Often times, when supporters of our congregation experience good fortune – say they receive a pay raise at work, or a share of an inheritance, or a bonus of some sort – they share a portion of it with the church. Occasionally, this is a larger amount of money, and makes possible a special project or ministry that wouldn’t otherwise be within our grasp. Well, visions of special projects and ministries filled my mind when I opened a letter this past month that included a check made out to Saint Peter in the amount of $34,200,000! That’s right: 34.2 million dollars.

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June 2010 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

The Times They Are a-changing was the title cut for Dylan’s 1964 release. Observers of the social, political, economic and religious scenes might make the case that the only thing that hasn’t changed since then, is that the times they still are a-changing.

We live in an era of unprecedented change. If the church intends to thrive in decades to come, it needs to respond to these changes. (When I use the word “church” I mean the church in all of its expressions: local congregations, denominations, social service agencies, schools, hospitals, disaster response efforts; even the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church” which encompasses all that God is up to through the church these days.) We are called to proclaim Christ in a world that our grandparents couldn’t have even imagined. Technology and prosperity have shrunk our world and expanded our possibilities. Social and religious diversity have surrounded us with numerous ways to understand God and human spirituality. Cynicism and individualism have eroded our sense of moral authority. In the midst of all this, we ask: “How does the church offer a ministry that is compelling and transformational in today’s world?”

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May 2010 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

Melissa was new in the Denver area, on temporary assignment with her employer. She had only been on the job a day or two. She had met a total of maybe 10 people. Her car was giving her fits. And she did what she always does on a Sunday morning: she headed out in search of an ELCA congregation where she could spend some time in worship.

She pulled up to Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Greenwood Village at 10:35 a.m. – about ten minutes before the start of the congregation’s second service. The Pastor greeted her as she pulled into the parking lot entrance – he has taken to greeting worshippers there each Sunday as a reminder to himself and to the congregation of how important it is to be a welcoming community. They exchanged greetings, and visited long enough for him to discover that she was new in town, and having car trouble.

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April 2010 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

The message of Easter shapes our life. The message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ stands at the heart of who we are, and how we understand ourselves. On Easter we celebrate that our God, who is more powerful even than death itself, loves us enough to die for us, and takes the first step in renewing our lives and granting us the gift of eternity.

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March 2010 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says sing,
I’m gonna pray when the Spirit says pray,
I’m gonna moan when the Spirit says moan,
I’m gonna shout when the Spirit says shout,
and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

Throughout the history of God’s people, the power of the Holy Spirit has had a strong presence in the midst of the faithful. Isaiah was convinced that “the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me” (Isaiah 61:1) at the beginning of his ministry. Luke understood that “the Holy Spirit descended upon [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove” (Luke 3:22) at his baptism, and soon after led him into the wilderness (Luke 4:1). The early church, throughout the book of Acts, is described as led by the Holy Spirit. The same is true for our beginnings as Lutherans. Martin Luther was convinced that “the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith” (Small Catechism; Third Article of the Creed).

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February 2010 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

What does it mean to be a member of Saint Peter Lutheran Church? Based on Romans 5 and St. Matthew 28, we have chosen to declare it means to be welcomed into God’s love, just as we are; and sent into God’s world, to be a reflection of Christ’s love.

I especially like the first half of this mission statement, because I believe that in Jesus Christ, God is offering a radical welcome to any and all who hear the proclamation of his death and resurrection. Paul got it right in his letter to the Romans: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Before we could earn it, deserve it, even ask for it, Christ died for us, and God welcomed us into salvation. This is not a deal, offered to us, that we will receive if we hold up our end of the bargain. It is a reality proclaimed to us. It is God’s reality for us.

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January 2010 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

“On a New Year, and New Year’s Resolutions”

Who would have imagined that during the Fall of 2009, more than fifty members of Saint Peter Lutheran Church (a congregation numbering about 275 adults) would read the entire Bible, cover-to-cover? But we did it: beginning on September 13^th, and continuing through the middle of December, we traveled together through the pages of this sacred text. Friends: I congratulate you for your persistence, and for your desire to allow God’s word to play a larger role in your life and in your faith.

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December 2009 Pastor’s Monthly Newsletter Article

What is on your Christmas wish list this year? What do you hope to find under the Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? At the heart of the Christmas season, for many 21^st Century Americans, is the tradition of exchanging gifts with those we love. This is a labor of love for some, and an overwhelming burden for others. In far too many instances, however, it becomes the focus of the season.

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