Since last year we’ve (Good Shepherd) done several blessings during our celebration of the liturgy on Sundays. We’ve blessed bikes, chalk, backpacks, ashes, palms, people, and this month we are blessing our pets. But, that’s not even the half what we could do. The ELCA also publishes resources to bless new communion-ware, bells, organs, windows, paraments, vestments, houses, and more—there’s a lot of blessing going on. I am partial to these kinds of rites Read More …
It’s the beginning of another school year; it’s a time for new beginnings. A Quick Update: Here’s an update on my place in the candidacy process. I have officially been “Approved” by the Multi-Synodical Candidacy Committee. This means that I can enter into the assignment process in October. During this process I will find out which region I will be assigned to, and shortly after the Synod. It will take me while to find a Read More …
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). These words from Hebrews should bring us great comfort. Often we forget this and begin asking, “how will God respond to me, how will God respond to my sin, how will God respond to my turning away?” This short verse is a direct reminder of how God responds to us. When we read the stories of Jesus in the Gospels, we know how God Read More …