TRUST ... by Pastor Chris Nelson
Welcome to 2017 ! I , for one , am glad to see 2016 behind us , for many reasons … And , I am looking in new ways at what 2017- a new year- might mean , for me , my family , and for you , my brothers and sisters . None of us knows what the future will bring ; indeed , it is not a good use of time to speculate about it . At the same time , of course , it is important to plan as best we can , to prepare as best we can , as we trust in God for the future that is being prepared for us .
I am more confident than ever that God will continue to use this community in new ways . Last year , we saw that it was and is possible for two communities in different places , with different histories and cultures to come together into one church with two campuses . We have made enormous progress in this transition . We can say that it is working , that God has begun a new thing with us , and will begin showing the rest of the ELCA that this is a positive way to see our communities grow and reach out with the Good News of the Gospel . It wouldn ’ t surprise me in the slightest to see us do this again over the next year , as we apply what we have learned .
And , at the same time , I am mindful that we are not “ in control .” That is , we will have to continue to be nimble , to move , as the Spirit calls us to respond to everchanging circumstances . My illness is a perfect illustration of that , most of all , for me ! My circumstances changed overnight , but that didn ’ t mean everything came to a screeching halt . It simply called for a re-evaluation and re-thinking about what it means to move forward into the future .
I am learning how to trust God for the gift of each new day . And then to use that day as God would have me do : to take the important time to give thanks for that day , to rejoice and give thanks for my family , and then to see how God can use that day to advance the work of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities . It may sound like a bit of a paradox : how can you plan when you ’ re living one day at a time ? But as I learn to trust ever more in God , to move it from the intellectual into the day to day practical , I am learning when you have your priorities in order--God , family , job--God does , and will , give you both the time and ability to see God ’ s agenda advanced . And when your agenda and God ’ s are in alignment , incredible things can and will happen . That , I believe , with all my heart .
ON THE COVER : January Sermon Series
A young woman is given a promise . The eyes of an old man find delight in a baby boy . A man returns to his hometown and unsettles his neighbors . A member of an outsider ’ s household is healed . A woman uses her hair to wash a teacher ’ s feet . And in each moment , God ’ s salvation was revealed . God ’ s saving activity isn ’ t just something that happened long ago on a hill outside Jerusalem . It ’ s not just something that will happen one day when we die . In Jesus , God has enrolled each one of us in the salvation project , whereby goodness , life , peace and hope are unleashed on the world .
January 8 : Luke 3:1-22 January 15 : Luke 4:14-30 January 22 : Luke 5:1-11
January 29 : Luke 6:1-16
I look forward to seeing 2017 unfold before us together . I am glad to be sharing the journey with you all .
Thanks for your partnership in the Good News !
Connecting people with God , each other and their mission in the world .
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ANNUAL MEETING - SAVE THE DATE !
Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities ' Annual Meeting will be on February 25 , 2017 at 9:00 am at the Minneapolis campus . Immediately following the meeting there will be a congregational learning event with Dr . David Lose . Please plan to join us from 9:00 - 11:30 !
Next CONNECT deadline : January 10 , 2017 pdunn @ bethlehem-church . org
CONNECT newsletter online bethlehem-church . org