|
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
0 Comments
 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. By Pastor Sarah Anderson
How would you fill in the blank: “Cloudy with a chance of ________?” Maybe you think of puffy cumulus clouds and a bright bright blue sky. Or perhaps you picture dark, cumulonimbus storm clouds saturated with rain, thunder and lightning. Or maybe it’s as the popular children’s book suggests that it can be “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.” This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday. It happens every year right before the start of Lent and the narrative of Jesus' countenance being altered is in all the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke.) The witnesses of this change, Peter, James and John, but particularly Peter, didn’t know what to make of an encounter where Jesus shone so brightly. As Peter begins to formulate a verbal response, each of the gospel writers paint the picture of an ominous and overshadowing cloud which fills the sky. Could it be a menacing storm cloud bringing bad news? “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’” (Luke 9:35). It turns out the cloud is not menacing at all, but rather the same voice heard on the day Jesus was baptized with almost the exact same words. The cloud of transfiguration brings good news of Jesus’ identity, the same identity that we share in our baptism. A 15th century hymn, “Oh, Wondrous Image, Vision Fair” penned words to help us encounter the transfiguration of Christ. I invite you to read over the verses and spend time with the questions - pondering how and where you are gifted with glimpses of God and the good news that you, as a child of God, are one of God’s chosen. Oh, wondrous image, vision fair of glory that the church may share, which Christ upon the mountain shows, where brighter than the sun he glows! With Moses and Elijah nigh the incarnate Lord holds converse high, and from the cloud, the Holy One says, "This is my beloved Son."
Christ deigns to manifest today what glory shall be theirs above who joy in God with perfect love. And faithful hearts are raised on high by this great vision's mystery; for which in joyful song we raise the voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.
and Holy Spirit, ever one, we pray you, bring us by your grace to see your glory face to face. As we gather to celebrate the Transfiguration and also look ahead to the start of Lent on Wednesday, we are given many opportunities to live into our baptismal identity as God’s children. God’s activity in our lives and in our world is abundant, which is this year’s Lenten theme, “Open to God’s Abundance.” At times this abundance is hard to comprehend (kind of like Jesus being transfigured is a little bit mind-boggling), yet the presence of abundance permeates and pours out even in the most challenging times. By Pr Sonja Hagander
Humans have a wondrous ability to hold two or more seemingly contradictory emotions or notions simultaneously. Psychologists call this “cognitive dissonance.” Today, I am concerned about potential war in Europe, how the pandemics are affecting our mental health, gun violence in our cities and homes, how I can be a better ally to my Bipoc family members, friends and colleagues…That list is plenty to keep me from leaving my doorstep. I am also struck by the abundance that is present at Christ the King Lutheran Church and Cristo Rey. Much can be named, but I note a few: -the energy of Elders in Action -gathering for worship in person -the kids in the lower level of our building filled with talent and accompanied by wonderful teachers -a stunning physical property, both outside and inside -rabbit tracks in the snow, leading into the dormant garden that in a couple short months will spring with life and feed our neighbors -the commitment, courage and wisdom of the Ctk Church Council -the birth of Olive Ruth Crary -people who care deeply about this faith community -Pastor Kisten Thompson as she completes her intentional pastoring here -new staff arrivals of Pastor Sarah Anderson and Jean Stocker -a pizza/bread oven that is calling my name! And brings people together! -a wildly faithful God who does renew, heal, encourage -dwelling in the Word with Ctk leaders And this list is plenty to send me forth to wonder what the day will bring! Dear ones, take a breath and ask yourself, “What concerns you most today?” and “What are the signs of abundance you notice?” Scientists remind us that to be able to live with cognitive dissonance is healthy; it gives us energy to find new ways of living, healing and creating. One might even venture to say that “out of the old comes new life,” is cognitive dissonance….a wholly, holy one indeed. by Deb Wolterstorff
I will have to admit, writing a blog is not my favorite thing to do. I am not a very good writer. I have trouble putting my thoughts into words and on top of that, I am all over the place trying to figure out what I should write about. First, I was thinking something about love (with Valentine's Day coming up), then I was thinking maybe something about hope. Then it was “how to handle plan B” and then...wait for it...maybe I should write something about being focused. As I left the house this morning, I saw the sticky note that I had on my door, “God is in Control.” After a very hard time in my life, I had placed sticky notes all over the house with “God is in Control” on them to remind me that God has my back, to remind me that even though things are tough right now and my life had taken a drastic turn, I could rely and lean on my Savior, AND it gave me some peace. I had done this many years ago and there are only a few that are still up. Because they have been up for so long, sometimes I just don’t see them anymore, but this morning...I did! And again, I am reminded that amidst all that is going on in the world, amidst all the changes going on at church, amidst all the worry (and joy) I have for my kids – God Is in Control! I need to trust in Gods’ love and infinite wisdom. I need to trust that God can work changes in our world, our church, and in those that I love beyond anything I can ask or imagine. I need to let go of my anxiety and worry and know that I/we are in the amazing, loving arms of God. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 Deb By Megan Crosby
Pastor Sonja shared a poem with us at a worship meeting this last Tuesday and I want to share it with you. “Fortunate are the poor in spirit.” That means: Fortunate are those who are willing to let themselves be censured by the word of God, to re-examine their views. to believe they haven’t yet understood a thing, to be taken by surprise, to have their mind changed, to see their convictions, their principles, their tidy systems, and everything they took for granted swept out from under them, and to face the fact, once for all, that there’s no such thing as a matter of course and that God can ask anything. Louis Evely Last weekend I went sledding with my four-year-old, Sophia. We had gone down the hill in the same sled, and I had just stood up when my feet were taken out beneath me by another person sledding down the hill. It was a classic cartoon moment. I landed hard on my right side, hearing my back crack all the way up my spine. I felt pain in my wrist and elbow and the wind had been knocked out of me. I got up and decided I hadn’t broken any bones and that I no longer needed a trip to the chiropractor. Surprised and dazed. That’s how I felt in the sledding accident. It’s also how I’ve felt for a good chunk of the pandemic and the resurgence of Covid with the omicron variant. My work, my life, everything got upended and some things were out right taken away. However, the pandemic also gave me (and many people) time to re-examine my life and think, “Who am I now? How do I really want to live? What is really important to me? What needs to change?” These same questions are also useful for communities and congregations. Our church and the community in which we live is undergoing numerous transitions besides the most obvious pastoral transition at Christ the King. God is inviting us to ponder these questions, to be open to ideas we may not have even considered before. It’s going to be a journey, but we won’t be on the path alone. God is still there, especially when we don’t feel the ground beneath our feet. By Kisten Thompson
Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday is January 15 and the third Monday of January is now a Federal holiday where we commemorate his remarkable work and legacy on behalf of racial justice and commitment to change and racial equality through non-violence. To help mark this date, two members of Christ the King’s Racial Justice Working Group will be sharing their gifts with us in this morning’s worship: Nathan Lemke and two of his children are leading the Children’s Message, reading and talking about the book, The Other Side; Priscilla Berg is sharing possibilities for partnership with New Brighton during a Mission Moment. Then following worship, you all are invited to zoom fellowship where we can see each other and talk together, not only about how we’re all doing, but also reflecting together on what Priscilla and Nathan shared in worship. Even as Christ the King is in transition and needs to adjust some of how we’re doing ministry together, the work of Racial Justice continues. And Racial Justice group invites you to a zoom event this Thursday, January 20 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. for a guided conversation from Come Together for Racial Justice. From their invitation: “Next week's gathering will be grounded in a conversation between three wonderful, Black voices: Pastor Kelly "PK" Chatman, Pastor Babette Chatman, and Rev. Dr. Robin Bell. If you know these three you know that the conversation is bound to be juicy!” Pastor Kelly and Pastor Babette are both well known to Christ the King through Local Mission Partners-it’s wonderful to hear them speak! I’ve been attending these zoom meetings and have found them to be insightful, helpful and life-giving. We meet via zoom (there have been around 100-150 people from all around the country); we listen to the speakers and then go to break out rooms for small group conversation with other participants. What better way to learn and build relationships! I hope that you can join this group. Here is a link to learn more: CLNE COME TOGETHER. Peace to all! Pastor Kisten Thompson, Bridge Pastor, on behalf of Racial Justice Working Group By Amity Lantz-Trier
I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is. I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. God’s power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen. Ephesians 3:19-21 CEV We are bound. Bound by our sin, by the expectations of others, by poverty, by -isms that try to divide us, and by so much more. In a life that often feels as if it has young people in a suffocating grip, we want them to imagine the boundlessness of God: boundless love, boundless creation, boundless forgiveness, boundless invitation, boundless promise. All offered from a gracious and loving God who knows and adores them. All so abundant and endless it cannot be measured. What are the stories of God’s people, both in Scripture and modern-day, that share the awe and wonder of just how vast our God is? What does it mean, what does it look and feel like to live a life “filled with all that God is”? How can young people find themselves within the boundlessness of Christ’s love? from ELCA Youth Gathering The 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering is taking place in our hometown! This July around 30,000 ELCA high-school youth and their adult leaders will gather at the Minneapolis Convention Center for 5 spirit-filled days of learning about God’s boundless love, creation, forgiveness, invitation and promise. The youth will experience interactive learning, worship, bible study, service and fellowship as they grow in their faith surrounded by their peers. An important part of the Gathering’s ministry are the two pre-events, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (MYLE), a faith formation and leadership development event primarily for youth of color, and the tAble, a gathering that brings together, blesses and empowers youth with disabilities. We are excited to be sending a group of our youth to both the MYLE pre-gathering event and to the gathering itself! You may be asking yourself, “How can I help?” Here are two possibilities:
We are so excited to have the ELCA youth gathering in our backyard and can’t wait to experience what God has in store for us this summer! Amity Lantz-Trier Director of Youth and Family Faith Formation |
Archives
June 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed
