Epistle #48: Friday Update, VBS Announcement, Holy Trinity Sunday

 

1)  Look for the Holy Trinity Sunday worship service outline coming to you first thing this Sunday morning in Epistle #49. Pastor Brian will be sharing his message from Matthew 28:16-20.

2) Uncertainty seems to be the buzzword of 2020. But do not fear, St. Paul Lutheran families! I come bearing good tidings of great joy! Or, perhaps a more appropriate summer equivalent, bright shinings of much warmth: VBS is BACK! 

This year we will be partnering with Lutheran Church of Hope to offer online Vacation Bible School streamed directly to you daily from July 13-17. You’ll be able to enjoy all of the fun music, crazy skits, and Bible stories from your own home! Registration will provide each participant with a kit which includes a t-shirt, craft supplies, stickers, activity sheets, and more! We’re hoping to have a socially-distant gathering and celebration during the week to even further build community! Still need convincing? Check out this video or contact Jackie Stack at jr.stack@outlook.com with any questions! Next week we will send out instructions for registering. For now, put it on your calendar!

3) A final note for the day, from Pastor Brian:

There are those times in our lives and in this world in which we live, when words cannot even express…which is a lot to say, coming from a preacher. But I know, that you know what I mean.

Our Southeastern Iowa Synod Bishop Michael Burk sends out a regular update letter to the pastors and deacons in our synod. I have captured two statements from his most recent letter below, which have had poignant meaning for me.

“In a week that marked more than 100,000 deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus, the death of one person – George Floyd – resulted in an eruption of passions, or protesters too often incited to violence, and of a sad anger surrounding the feeling of helplessness that settled in among many of us, including me.”

“After a week when so many spirits were unleashed, sounding like the rush of a violent wind, we need the Holy Spirit.”

Truly, this is indeed “Holy Spirit” time which means to me, that:

a) the Spirit intercedes in our prayer life because God’s word tells us that when – in our weakness – we don’t know how to pray, that very spirit “intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” And,

b) we also can’t use this as a cop out. Because we do, absolutely need to do something! And in our heart of hearts, we know it, even if we don’t know what that something is. We just know that God values life. And respect. And love for all people, no holds barred. So listen for and respond to that prodding of the Holy Spirit, in order that you can be a player in the Lord’s movement “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Peace to you, in Jesus’ name.

 

 

 

Church office phone: 515-462-4270
Church office email: StPaulLutheranChurch@hotmail.com
Pastor Brian Mortenson email: StPaulPastor1941@gmail.com
Pastoral Emergencies: 605-351-0867