The Spirit is a wild thing.
We are trying to figure out life & how to be the church during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A group of ELCA Clergy & Youth Leaders listened to the Spirit and have created Pandemic Hope, an 8-week family devotional for life during COVID-19.
Please use and share WIDELY.
Published March 13th, 2020
Our Savior’s will be assessing communion practices and temporarily shifting how we greet one another and share the peace with one another. The congregational council will meet on Sunday to discuss changes in communion practice and those changes will be announced as they are decided. For the moment, it would be best to abstain from handshakes or hugs as a greeting – a friendly wave or a bright smile is always welcome in its place. We will continue to gather for Sunday worship and Wednesday midweek services, keeping these best practices in mind. It is important because as we gather, we offer space to process together our anxiety and look forward in hope. It is important to gather in community as God calls us together as we are still able to do so. If it would become necessary to suspend worship gatherings at the advice of the Synod or governmental implementation, our council will respond as appropriate.
Do everything without grumbling and groaning? That’s a pretty hard one, especially when the snow starts flying and chores pile up around the house like snow. Did you know that God does not want us to be grumpy old men and women? He does not want us to complain and grumble through life, but to shine among other like “stars in the sly”. Easy as pie ehh?
When I think of Grumpy old Men, I think of that funny movie from the early 90s with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. Ice fishing was the theme and it seemed that being grumpy was just part of life in the movie. We all know a few Grumpy old men, come on we live in Minnesota, however that does not mean you have to be grumpy!
Being grumpy and negative about things is very easy to do. It is hard to try to always be positive and think on the brighter side, especially when we have chores, work, bad politics, and Minnesota weather. How do we reflect on the good and not on the bad and focus on being happy people. God wants us to be happy and he wants us to prosper. Check out the scripture below from Phillipians 1:12-18. It really makes sense and it is so simple. He wants up to become “blameless and pure”, and we can do that by being happy and positive.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
The following passage is from Ephesians 4 17-29. It provides a guide for all Christians who believe in Jesus Christ to follow. Use this guide to learn how to be a good Christian as well as understanding the philosophy written as a guide to be a better person also. Read this passage regularly and remember the lessons taught in it.
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longerlive as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of Godbecause of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands,that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
