Tag: church
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Ask the Pastor – Anonymous Feedback
We need feedback. As we grow as a congregation together, we need to hear from our members, from our friends, and from our community how things are going. As we try new things, we need to learn what works and what doesn’t. It’s hard. Hearing constructive criticism is often difficult, but it’s how we learn…
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Ordination-versary!
As I write this, I’m getting ready for my vacation at the end of August. So I’m trying my best to get everything done that I can, which includes scheduling social media posts. I didn’t realize quite how emotional I’d be as I created the photo for a Facebook post about my ordination-versary. Rally Day…
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Ask the Pastor – Worship Stuff Part 5 – Communion
Have you ever wondered why we do what we do during worship? What’s up with the passing the peace? Why do we have a community confession? What exactly are we saying when we profess the creed? Maybe you’ve wondered if there’s more to the offering besides collecting gifts for the church. If you’ve been asking, if…
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Ask the Pastor – Worship Stuff Part 4 – Offering
Have you ever wondered why we do what we do during worship? What’s up with the passing the peace? Why do we have a community confession? What exactly are we saying when we profess the creed? Maybe you’ve wondered if there’s more to the offering besides collecting gifts for the church. If you’ve been asking, if…
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Fear of Missing Out & Ministry
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10 I remember the first time I heard the term “F.O.M.O.”. My littlest sister, Heidi was upset because she didn’t…
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Faith, Fellowship, Family
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ~Acts 2:42 For the last few Sundays we have been going through our newest member class in our adult education. These classes aren’t just for people interested in new membership at Bethany. But my hope…
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Reform and Reforming
“Source of all life, we confess that we have not allowed your grace to set us free. We fear that we are not good enough. We hear your word of love freely given to us, yet we expect others to earn it. God we turn the church inward, rather than moving it outward. Forgive us.…
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Hopes & Dreams Part 6 – A People for the World
As part of my process to become an ordained minister in the ELCA, in 2016 I was required to write an essay focusing on my hopes and dreams for the church, where I see God at work in the world, and what I believe about our incredible God. Over the next few weeks I’ll be…
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Not My First Mother’s Day
The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Genesis 21:1-2 This week I am so thankful to be celebrating Mother’s day as a…