October 2014
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com We all know what mission statements are, especially if you have a background in the corporate world. A mission statement is supposed to outline the mission of a corporation in a short, pithy manner, but more often than not ends up being a jumble of nice-sounding, meaningless words. Al Yankovic hit the nail on the head in his recent parody song, “Mission Statement”: We must all efficiently Operationalize our strategies Invest in world-class technology And leverage our core competencies In order to holistically administrate Exceptional synergy.
Churches are guilty of this double-talk, too. We can talk about forgiveness, grace, and love all day long, but we fail to reflect on what those words really mean. When members of this congregation met in retreat in August, we took those words seriously as we reflected on God’s purpose for our congregation today. We could have simply crafted a new, meaningless purpose statement – but we didn’t. We wrestled with the words. We talked with each other about what these words meant. We listened to God’s voice and to one another. If and when we do craft such a statement, we want the words in it to mean something. God has a purpose for us in God’s mission for the world. And God’s purpose for us is meant to be lived. We don’t just intellectually assent to a set of doctrines, and then live our lives as if our faith didn’t matter. We don’t say “I believe” on Sunday and then live a life of unbelief. We don’t just “believe” our faith. We live it. I hope you will join the work of listening for God’s voice among us. Stay tuned for a new meeting date on our congregation’s purpose. And pray that God’s will would be done in us. See you in church! Pr. David
Health Kits
We are again collecting items for Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. The list of items needed was handed out at church on September 28th. If you did not receive a list you may pick one up at church on October 5th. Please bring the items to church no later than October 12th so that they may be packed in time to be taken to Ft. Wayne for shipping and distribution.
October Lectionary Readings
Pentecost 17 - October 5th 1st Reading - Exodus 20:1-20 Psalm 19 2nd Reading - Philippians 3:4b-14 Gospel Reading - Matthew 21:33-46
Pentecost 19 - October 19th 1st Reading - Exodus 33:12-23 Psalm 99 2nd Reading - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Gospel - Matthew 22:15-22
Pentecost 18 - October 12th 1st Reading - Exodus 32:1-14 Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 2nd Reading - Philippians 4:1-9 Gospel - Matthew 22:1-14
Reformation - October 26th 1st Reading - Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 2nd Reading - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Gospel - Matthew 22:34-46