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By Nate Crary
When I was 12 years old, my family moved from Blue Earth to Hutchinson. I vividly remember how overwhelming it was to say goodbye to so many things I had only known up to that point in order to make a way for new replacements. I had to say goodbye to our green house on main street, and to my fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Zabel and Mr. Bly, and to my best friend, Adam, and to Pastor Clark and Pastor Steve at Trinity Lutheran. And that was just the beginning! Once we got settled in Hutchinson, I had to find a new violin teacher, and a new place to get my haircut. I had to figure out where the school bus was going to pick me up in the mornings. Should I still go by “Nathan” or make a permanent shift to be known as a less-formal, “Nate”? This Sunday at church, we continue to be surprised by what God is up to in the midst of transitions. We will take time to bless members of Christ the King / Cristo Rey who are committing themselves to shepherding us in their service on the Transition Task Force. We will walk alongside our young ones who are stepping out in their faith in a new way by taking communion for the first time, while lifting up the incredible gifts for music ministry in this place. And this is just the beginning! In the coming weeks we will give thanks for the abundant blessings we’ve received from KC and Amity while they served so faithfully by our side as they now prepare to leave us and lean into a new calling in their vocational lives. There’s no question that transitions can bring setbacks and hiccups and be filled with new discoveries and a sense of deep relief. Transitions can be jarring and life-giving all at once. And, in the thick of it, please remember that you are allowed to feel exactly how you feel. It’s okay to feel sad and impatient and confused. It’s okay to feel excited and hopeful and confident. Through it all, God is making good on a promise to be with us always, leading the way to where exactly God is asking us to go. Is this just the beginning? Maybe. Thanks be to God.
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By Amity Lantz-Trier and 2022 confirmation students
Our confirmation students recently gathered for an end of the year retreat filled with too much soda, the right amount of pizza, 6 dozen cupcakes, and a faith focus on the Lord’s prayer. We wrestled with the questions; what even is the Lord’s Prayer? What does it teach us about ourselves and how we pray, and how did Jesus use it to teach us about God? After reading Martin Luther’s explanations and understanding of the Lord' Prayer, we came to the conclusion that sometimes using such formal language makes the prayer feel unrelatable and maybe even confusing. Together as a group we looked at this very familiar prayer and line by line and explored what it means to us, and how we can put it into language that is more comfortable and gives a closer connection to God. Our Father who art in heaven. Big Pal, chillin' in Big Pal place. Often we get caught up in God the Father being conformed into our human understanding of gender but we know God is so much bigger than that. This God is a creator, a father, a mother, a caregiver, a forgiver, and so much more. This God is our pal, the biggest pal we have. We know that where God is, we are not, but we know that place is amazing and wonderful and better than where we are now. Hallowed be thy name, You are holy, please share some holiness with us, When coming up with adjectives to describe God we found that something that we can’t achieve on our own is being holy. That is very much a God thing, and can only be shared with us. We cannot achieve holiness on our own. Thy kingdom come, Share some of the energy from Big Pal place with us here on earth. We know where God is, it is free of so many of the things that make Earth a hard place to be. We ask that some of that is shared with us, both to give us a glimpse of what is to come and to make being here a little easier sometimes. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven We will try to be your hands and feet to share your holiness with everyone We are called to do God’s will in the world. To be our best selves through the holiness God shares, and we want to share that with every person we encounter. Give us today our daily bread. Please remind us that you give us everything we need to survive. Everything we need. Every day. Both physically and spiritually. We need to be reminded daily of the amazing gift of love we received from Jesus and also that our daily needs are being met. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us Forgive us when we do wrong, and help us be as forgiving as you to others Forgiveness is one of God’s most amazing gifts for us, and we ask that we can share that forgiveness with those around us even when it's very hard and we definitely don't want to. Save us from the time of trial Be with us when the world is chaotic, hard and messy Life is hard, and we ask God to be with us through the ups and downs. And deliver us from evil. And when we get caught in a sticky situation, step in and save us. We know that there will be hard times but we also know that sometimes only God can be with us through the hardest, toughest times. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, Forever and ever. Amen You are everywhere and everything, be with us always. Amen and Amen. Amity Lantz-Trier and the 2022 confirmation students By Priscilla Berg
In Luke 10 a lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The point of the parable? In Bread for the Journey, Henri Nouwen explains, “We become neighbors when we are willing to cross the road for one another (…). There is a lot of road crossing to do. We are very busy with our own circles. We have our own people to go to and our own affairs to take care of. But if we could cross the road once in a while and pay attention to what is happening on the other side, we might indeed become neighbors.” This Sunday we have the opportunity to learn more about our neighbors. Mark Suggs, New Brighton’s Commissioner of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will lead our SALT session. He will present information about the increasing diversity in New Brighton and surrounding communities, and discuss what New Brighton is doing to respond. As we at Christ the King explore our mission during this time of transition, let’s look at opportunities to interact with our community, to do more “road crossing”. Mr. Suggs can provide a window for those opportunities. As Eric Overby has said, “The only way we will love our neighbors as ourselves is by getting to know our neighbors, even in the midst of our differences.” In Legacy. By Pastor Sonja Hagander
Recently, I have been drawn to the word COURAGE. More on that in a moment. When I was a very young child, my Dad had a 3-sided mirrored paperweight. I recall putting that heavy paperweight up to my forehead and somehow, because of the mirrors, I could see the ceiling of our hallways and rooms. I would hold the paperweight up to my forehead, walk around, and pretend to stumble over, or step over, the doorway mantels of our home. Ok, you may be wondering why; we had access to plenty of other games:). Silly kid. I also recall visiting Norway with my grandparents; the older homes in Setesdal had significant 6-inch thresholds. I would stand on the threshold and rock: back and forth, back and forth. Sometimes I would almost fall on my back; other times I would almost fall forward onto my face. It was a risky game. I had to have COURAGE. We are entering a significant phase of our transition time. It is a liminal time: that time of crossing and transitioning across borders and boundaries. Did you know that the word “limen” comes from the Latin word for threshold. This faith community is standing on a threshold; in the midst of this good transition work, we will be rocking back and forth. Sometimes rocking back, exploring and celebrating important moments in the life of the congregation. Other times rocking forward, drawn into the future by the Holy Spirit. It takes COURAGE! I forgot to mention one important detail from my rocking on those Setesdal thresholds: there were always people around ready to catch me. And this faith community, too, is full of people ready to pray, hold, release, catch, call, care, listen, worship, sing, speak, give, lead, confess, forgive, wonder, pause, nudge, notice, pray some more, as we rock on this threshold call transition. It is holy work, grounded in the promise that Christ is risen and makes all things new. Christ the King Lutheran Church/Cristo Rey Transition Task Force launches on Sunday, May 1 with 31 members on 5 teams. We will spend time Dwelling in the Word with our scripture texts; I will overview the Transition Task Force process; Cindy Halvorson, consultant with LeaderWise will lead the Task Force into the 8 Pillars of Trust. And, during the month of May I will orient each team: Mission & Vision, Self-Study, Staffing, Ctk/Cristo Rey and Prayer Group into the detail and fabric of their work. The arc of this Transition Task Force is typically 4-7 months. Each of you will have the opportunity to engage in this intentional Task Force process. Watch and listen for the particular ways in the coming weeks and months. And please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns or joys. And, on Sunday, May 22, the 31 member Transition Task Force will be commissioned during worship at both 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. Please hold them in your prayers. Be COURAGEous! By Zach Johnson
Friday, April 22 is Earth Day, a global celebration of our common home held since 1970. People take the time this week to reflect on the beauty of the Earth and to think of ways they can better serve it. At Christ the King we gather together to serve the Lord and our environment in many ways. As you know, we’re currently raising money to help install solar panels at the church, which will provide clean, renewable energy for decades, helping our church and community together. We also have a dedicated group of community gardeners who work hard all summer to grow local produce for our community food shelf, providing fresh, delicious food for those in need. As a congregation, these are positive forward steps that we are taking to better care for the Earth. One thing I would like us to think about is what other steps might we take? This week, for our SALT presentation following worship, the Care for Creation team is hosting a discussion about changes we can make at our church property to better care for the Earth. One proposal we have is to convert some areas of our property covered in turf grass into native rain gardens. This can help reduce costs, lower our collective carbon footprints, and provide food and habitat for threatened and endangered species. I hope you’ll join us in our discussion as we imagine new ways to help care for creation here at Christ the King Lutheran Church. By Nate Crary
Waiting can be the worst. We waited exactly 40 days after our daughter, Olive, was born before we could bring her home from the hospital. Each day had its ups and downs, while the tiny organs in her tiny body slowly began to fire up and learn their function. Some days felt like forever. Not knowing exactly when the waiting would stop did not help. And then, all of the sudden, the doctor told us, “We think Olive can go home tomorrow.” Relief washed over us and, in an instant, the waiting came to an end. What was it like for all those who loved Jesus to watch him suffer and die on the cross and then wait for his resurrection? The passion story unfolds so quickly, turning from celebration with palms to Jesus’ last breath in what feels like a matter of moments. And, I wonder if that same amount of time felt like an eternity to all those who witnessed it in person. In an instant, we find ourselves with the women at the empty tomb. Jesus is risen, the waiting is over. This, of course, is not the only story of waiting we find in the Bible. God’s people have found themselves waiting in boats, in the belly of big fish, in the desert, and in quiet rooms behind locked doors. While this Easter day might bring waiting to an end for some, still we wait for God’s whole creation to be restored in the midst of global disease and climate disaster, still we wait for God’s justice and healing to be delivered for all who suffer from police brutality and domestic violence, and still we wait for God’s peace to bring an end to senseless war. The good news is this: whether or not we’re ready, Jesus is risen, indeed. The waiting is over. Alleluia. Right now I am filled with gratitude. I am loudly singing “Hosanna" on this Palm Sunday. I am grateful for the words of encouragement and support I have received as I serve in the role of Church Council President. I am grateful that the congregation has a building with no debt. I am grateful that this congregation has supported the work of the Community Partners for Youth Program for 25 years reaching over 600 youth in 2021. I am grateful for the 30 people who have agreed to serve on the five Transition Task Force Teams. I am grateful for the financial generosity of the congregation in regards to the solar panel project. As of March 30, $75,634 has been donated by congregational members towards this project in just six months! That is an astounding expression of generosity and enthusiasm. Let’s all sing “Hosanna.” I am sure that you can also list signs of abundance in this congregation for which you are grateful.
But...I need to challenge your generosity again. I challenge all of us to donate additional funds to support the ministries at CtK. Can we donate an additional $50,000 above and beyond our budgeted income for 2022? We can do this! We could cut our budgeted deficit in half. Think of ministries and staff that we could support. At the Church Council retreat, we established some goals for the year focused on outreach to new members in the community, connecting CtK members through service and fellowship, and tending to the pastoral transition process. You will be hearing more about specific plans and strategies in the next two months. Let’s move forward financially supporting these goals. This congregation has been blessed so we can be a blessing to others. “Hosanna!” Your partner in ministry, Diane E. Shallue, Church Council President  By Pastor Sarah Anderson
Throughout the month of March, Christ the King gathered food, cleaning supplies, money and prayers for the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf. Located just a few miles from the church building, this service to the community has been open since the early 1980s. If it’s been awhile since you’ve visited Ralph Reeder’s website to read their mission and familiarize yourself with their programs, you are encouraged to go to: https://www.moundsviewschools.org/foodshelf Because 2021 marked the 11th consecutive year with over 3 million food shelf visits in Minnesota, Christ the King’s commitment and support to help reduce food insecurity is critical. Your recent food donations totaled 481 pounds! Gracias Merci Danke Mam’noon Dhanyavaad Ahéhee’ Thank You. Every March is MN Food Share month, yet our year-round support is needed as 1 in 10 Minnesotans face hunger each month. Part of CtK's mission is to serve God and God's people by giving of ourselves and our resources, and the donations this month are one way we continue to live out our mission. Some years ago ELCA World Hunger gave out magnets which added a phrase to a common table prayer. The entire prayer reads: Come, Lord Jesus be our guest and let this food to us be blessed. Blessed be God, who is our Bread, may all the world be clothed and fed. May we continue to be instruments of God's hope in our community to help our neighbors be clothed and fed. By Freya Hanson
“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 3:11 In 1866, schisms threatened the church in South Africa and affected the Anglican Church worldwide. In response to these divisions and to refocus the church on what binds rather than divides, Samuel Stone, a British Curate at Windsor, England, wrote an enduring hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation.” Although schisms continue to stalk our fallen world, dividing churches, nations, and the world, they were never God’s intentions for us. “Where do we align? Where is the Foundation? Where is the Truth?” This old hymn, based on 1 Corinthians 3:11, gives us the answer: “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” and it is from that one sure foundation, Jesus Christ, that we as the CTK Foundation work our purpose in a schism-riddled world --to help heal the sick, --bind up the broken hearted, -- free the captives, -- care for the distressed, -- promote the teaching of God’s Word, -- and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Since 1989, the Christ the King Foundation has supported educational, charitable, missionary and religious causes in three primary areas in which the foundation strives for equal distributions:
The Christ the King Foundation Website has examples of grants awarded in the past, grant guidelines, and an application form. The Foundation is pleased to be able to award about $100,000 in grants in 2022; with typical grants running between $5,000 - $8,000. We thank God for the many generous donors who have and continue to make this Foundation a solid ministry of Christ the King. To quote from a verse in “The Church’s One Foundation:” Though with a scornful wonder this world sees her oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed Yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up: “How Long?” And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song. As a Foundation it is our prayer to be instruments of God’s peace in a schism-rent world, and in some small way turn nights of weeping into mornings of song. Freya Hanson, CTK Foundation President from Luther Seminary [This Lent, Luther Seminary invites you to use the devotional "My Song Is Love Unknown." Today's blog is the offering for March 5. You can access the full devotional by clicking the button below.] Our theme hymn for Lent this year is “My Song Is Love Unknown.”
This hymn tells two stories. The story of Jesus’ ministry and passion intermingles with our story as humans. The hymn lifts up the mystery of God’s deep unknowable love that Jesus reveals. The hymn also shares the puzzling response of humans to the Good News of Jesus. How could Jesus love us so deeply and persistently when we are so messed up? Humans never completely understand God. We trust that God continues to love, teach, heal, forgive, and work to transform our lives. Through Christ Jesus and the cross, we can comprehend what we need to know about God. Jesus takes our place even when we try to destroy him. Jesus loves us when we reject the Good News that God is for us. Dear God, you know the ways we resist your will. We trust and praise you for your gracious love that we know most deeply in your Son, Jesus, and his cross. Amen. |
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