Christ the King Lutheran Church - New Brighton, MN

Pastoral Transition Information
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  • Home
    • Values and Mission
    • New Here
    • Staff
    • CtK Council
    • Contact Us
  • News & Updates
    • Calendar
    • The Herald (E-news)
    • Life@CtK Blog
    • Pastoral Transition
  • Faith Formation
    • Ministry Overview
    • Children
    • Youth
    • Confirmation
    • CtK Library Catalog
  • Worship & Music
    • Worship
    • Music Ensembles
    • Worship Volunteers
    • Special Services
  • Get Involved
    • Giving >
      • Donate Now
    • Summer at CtK
    • Community >
      • Bread Oven Ministry
      • Community Garden
      • Caring for Creation
    • Mission >
      • Global Mission
      • Local Mission Partners
      • Social Ministry
    • Christ the King Foundation
    • Members >
      • Members Resources
      • Member Info Form
      • ELCA Scholarship Application
Pastoral Transition Information

Light Four Candles                                                                  Luke 1:26-38

12/19/2020

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Reflection for December 20th by Peter Hanson, Lead Pastor

Nearly every day since mid-February, I have listened to a recording of Kim André Arnesen’s Magnificat. Early on, this was to help learn my part, as I was to be part of the CtK choir group singing in Carnegie Hall in April. Later, on, especially during my sabbatical, when the Covid-related shutdowns postponed the concert, I continued to listen to it more as a spiritual practice. Its Latin words were at once familiar enough to be comforting, yet foreign enough not to be a distraction to reading, writing or prayer. Paradoxically, this piece that we never got to sing in public speaks a word of hope about the future possibilities 

While the text for today is not the Magnificat, but rather the Annunciation that precedes it, I tend to combine these two passages—these two events—in how I relate to this story. Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel, who announces that she will bear God’s own child. Caught off guard, she wonders how this will be; yet when the news is further unpacked, she says “yes” to this surprising blessing. And later, as she visits her relative, Elizabeth, she sings of a magnificent God who overturns the status quo, who upends our expectations, who lifts up the lowly. That such a disruptive thing could be so soothing, so calming to us these days is nothing less than an Advent miracle. 

A prayer: God of surprises, God of blessing, God of promise: you come to us and call us to bear your word to the world. Help us to respond to you, so that our very lives my sing “Here am I, a servant of my God; let it be with me according to your word!” Amen.
 
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Christ the King Lutheran Church
1900 7th Street NW
New Brighton, MN 55112
Phone: 651-633-4674
Email: info@lifeatctk.org
Office Hours: 9 am - 2 pm Mon - Thurs or by appointment

Sunday Schedule
Sunday Morning Worship at 9:30 am
12 pm Cristo Rey Servicio en Español
Christ the King Lutheran Church

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