Pastor's Notes

I was lamenting with another local Lutheran the other day about how long our Ordinary Time is in the church. We joke about the fact that we’re in our green months for so long, but this is a tough reality to face. I’m so thankful we have various sermon series to get us through and break up the monotony! We will start the first of our fall sermon series this month called “A Good Life.” Our lives don’t just happen to us–we build them through our decisions and our actions. How can we live in a way that will allow us to look back on the lives we’ve lived and pronouncethem good? The lectionary’s Old Testament readings during this stretch of Ordinary Time give us a taste of the Bible’s Wisdom literature as well as stories like Esther’s, showing us throughpithy poems and extraordinary circumstances how we can build for ourselves “a good life.” This will be the perfect series for those folks who have been out and about during the summer months and need some motivation to get back on a “regular” worship schedule. If that doesn’t apply to you - no worries - we most definitely ALL need to hear from Scripture what a good life should entail. Society gives us one example of what a good life is supposed to look like, but as I’m sure you can guess, Scripture has a totally different view of good. We have had such a busy and fulfilling summer of ministry together and I can’t wait to keep the momentum going into the fall. Sunday School and SPARKS will be starting up soon aswell as confirmation, and with those activities I’m hoping to host community meals once again - so stay tuned probably into October for those dates to start. We really had a good time meeting over meals throughout the last education year and I can’t wait to do it again. Why is it that I HATE cooking at my own house but I LOVE preparing a meal for 15+ people? Maybe it’s the “good life” of seeing people fed and enjoying fellowship around the table. It was important for Jesus’ ministry, so I suppose that may be the case. Thanks once again to all the folks who made all our summer activities happen at our churches! We really did a lot of fun activities like special worship services, county park walks,youth gathering, National Night Out, VBS, you name it! It always fills me with so much joy to see ministry happening that welcomes and encourages our neighbors through the love of Christ. As always, if you have an idea for ministry - let me know! Let’s see if we can make it happen. No idea is too crazy; what’s crazy is not reaching out to see about the possibility. Thanks for all you do to share your gifts with God’s people! Take care, Pastor Mary Fielprmaryfiel@gmail.com (507) 525-3909 cell