From the Pastor

July 2006

The liturgical season of Pentecost can best be described as a season for growth. The liturgical color is green (this reflects the growth all around us at this time of year), and the lectionary readings focus on how we can grow in our lives of faith. This is especially true in the Gospels, as we move from stories about the most significant events in Jesus' life (his birth, specific moments of ministry and healing, his death and resurrection) to stories and parables about the kingdom of heaven and our roles in it.

Even though the focus in the Church is on activity and growth, in congregations, this time of year can seem to be slow and somewhat "lifeless," as fewer education opportunities, etc. are offered in the summer months. There even seems to be a perception that this time of year is a good time to take some time "off." This is unfortunate, as the season of Pentecost provides us with some wonderful food for thought as we walk through our lives of faith and every day living.

Perhaps this will help us to consider how we might grow in this time of year:

Giving is always important. The giving back of our time and resources (both material and spiritual) in service to God are ways we grow in the faith. When we give of our time and our money, we grow, as we learn to grasp the concept that all that we have comes from our God in the first place, and that God will continue to provide for us out of God's great abundance. The needs of others and the needs of the Church and the congregation do not take a summer break. Gifts—physical, spiritual, and financial—are crucial all year long.

Continue to give of yourself in this time. Remember to offer help when you can. Remember to give your offering for the work of the Church, whether you are present for worship or not. Remember to give thanks!

Read the scripture. Plants do not grow without nourishment. Children do not thrive without nourishment. Neither will we as Christians if we do not take time to find sustenance in the Word of God as found in the Bible.

Read the lessons coming up for the next weekend (you can find them on the bottom of the back of your bulletin or you can pick up a printed copy from the shelf under the bulletin board.) Pick a book of the Bible that has interested or intrigued you and begin to read it. Ask me, and I can give you a plan to get started reading the scripture. [Editor's note: One such plan, created by Pastor Brenda, is available on this website. See the Bible Reading Schedule in our Faith & Spirituality section.]

However you do it, read the scripture...and you will grow.

Open your heart to God. In other words, pray on a daily basis. Yes, God already knows what you need and what you have done and left undone, but part of the gift of prayer is opening ourselves to God as a way of being in conversation with the one who gives us life. In prayer, not only do we make our requests, joys, and concerns known to God, we also acknowledge that we need this relationship to grow and to live our lives abundantly

When we pray, we grow.

Worship on a regular basis. It is true that there is no Sunday School at this time of year. It is true that some of the regular activities that sometimes bring us here on Sundays are on "hold" until the fall. However, our need to be in community with one another to offer praise and thanksgiving to our Creator does not take a summer break.

Understandably, there will be times when people are out of town for the weekend. These travels might provide you with the opportunity to check out another ELCA congregation (Ask me, I can tell you where they are!), or even to visit a congregation of another denomination. Many congregations offer Saturday services (as we do), to help people who are on vacation to worship at a time other than Sunday morning. If you have people visiting you for the weekend, why not invite them to join you for worship?

To grow as Christians, worship must be a year-long priority in our lives. Worship should not be a "Today-is-Saturday/Sunday-so-I-better-go-to-worship-and-do-my-duty-as-a-member" sort of thing. Rather, it should be as reflexive and instinctual for a person of faith as a seedling stretching itself to the sun to receive the nourishment of the light.

While we can appreciate God and God's creation on the river in a boat, at a campground, or on the golf course, these things are not substitutes for regular, corporate worship. When we gather as the people of God, we offer our praise to our gracious Creator, and we are sustained by the Word, the Lord's Supper, and witness and fellowship of other believers.

The time is ripe for growth! How will you seek to nourish your faith?

In Christ,
Pastor Brenda