Community in Christ

“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us: for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.” 1 Cor 9:11-12
 
In just these past couple of weeks I have seen amazing generosity from you. It started with the youth mission trip to Newport Tennessee. If the kids were to pay for that trip themselves it would have cost them $475.00 each. But because of your generosity they only had to pay $60.00 each. Many were able to go who otherwise wouldn’t have gone, and God worked a great transformation in their lives. He also laid a foundation of new friendships for our growing youth group.
 
Then we had Christmas in July and an appeal for backpacks and school supplies. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I was worried that maybe we hadn’t give you enough notice. But you responded with extravagance. When I showed one of our members who teaches at Thomasboro elementary she was overwhelmed with the sheer amount of backpacks filled to overflowing with pencils and paper and everything a student needs. She shared with me how so many of the kids come to school with nothing, no tools to learn with. They will greatly appreciate God’s gift to them through you.
 
Then we had over 50 kids enjoying Vacation Bible School this week. On Sunday we heard from Sandy Tilly the director and founder of Angels and Sparrows a ministry providing free meals to the hungry in our community. The kids were invited to raid their parents pantries and bring in donations of food. Sandy received the food on Wednesday and worried that she wouldn’t be able to drive home since her SUV was stuffed to the brim with all that the kids brought in this past week.
 
Also in July we had our first summer offering that exceeded the need we had for that week. I have to quickly add that so far it’s been the only time, but I trust that through your generosity we will continue to supply the needs of the saints and offer thanksgiving to God.
 
Thank you all for responding with joy to what God has given you. I could tell you a dozen other stories of generosity, but my space is limited. I simply want you to know how grateful I am for all the ways you support the ministry of our congregation! May the spirit of generosity continue in this place so that we can be a blessing to others.
 
-Pastor Travis

On Sunday we tried a new style of worship using a praise band, a drama team, guitar and a more free flowing liturgy. One of the new things was a change to the way we do the prayers of the people. Normally we have pre-printed prayers which people from the congregation then pray. But this past Sunday we had nothing printed, it was up to the congregation to put words to the prompting of the Spirit. At the 10:45 service the prayers truly did rise up like incense. Someone prayed for the children of the world, another prayed for the leadership of the church, another lifted up those who have lost their jobs, someone else thanked God for the blessing of worship and the privilege of being together. I have to admit that I was worried that we would try this and no one would pray. I envisioned an awkward silence. But as Kristin played softly the prayers started coming, and they were clearly from the heart. I couldn't hold back the emotion and tears that welled up within me from that Holy time. It was so encouraging to me to witness this congregation's faith on display. Each voice echoed what was in each of our hearts and brought us all before God. I was moved and touched by a part of our worship that I often underestimate.

“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” James 5:16

During our worship on the mountain at LutherRock after the ski-retreat I asked our youth if they ever prayed with their Christian friends. Not one of them raised their hand. I wonder if I asked the same question of the whole congregation, how many of you would raise your hands. I suspect the number would, unfortunately, be small. We are missing out on a great power, a precious opportunity, that God has given us.

‘Pray for one another,’ says James in his letter to the church. A simple imperative statement, urging us to tap into the power of prayer. I have the distinct privilege of praying with CIC members in moments of great despair, great rejoicing, great confusion and worry. There is nothing quite so powerful, so intimate, so freeing as a prayer shared between believers. This experience need not be unique or rare.

If I were to be so bold as to add to the advice James gave to the church in his time, I would write the following:

Do not be timid about prayer, but seek out opportunity to pray with each other. When someone has a child, rejoice with them in prayer. When one of you is laid off from work, surround them in prayer. When a neighbor’s child goes astray, lead the whole neighborhood in prayer. When a nation faces economic disaster, the whole congregation should kneel in prayer. When someone shares a great concern to you, offer your sympathy, give a comforting hug, put your arm around their shoulder and then PRAY with them. For God is listening and God will answer our prayers and through our prayers bring us closer to Himself and to each other. Especially now, let us not neglect the gift of prayer!

-Pastor Travis

 
“Let love be genuine…” Romans 12:9
 
I’ve been thinking a lot about evangelism lately. How to get a church of Lutherans to get energized about sharing their faith in a new way to a community desperate for good news. How can we mobilize our congregation to share God’s free gift, His great love, the grace that surprises and changes hearts, with those who would never guess that God is good. As I’ve wrestled with this, God keeps reminding me of one thing. Love.
 
The key, the secret if you will, to evangelism is love. It seems love is always the answer that we have to learn again and again. But if we really do want to give our faith away, grow our church, share our community with others then we have to really love those who don’t know Jesus. And to love them means that we walk with them in their questions, in their doubts, in their hurts, in their finger pointing, in their everything. Love to be love, needs to be sincere, it has to come from the heart. Love can’t be forced, faked or fabricated. So my prayer is that we will love our neighbors enough to invite them to church, to tell them about Jesus, to share what God has revealed to us. I’m praying for a revival of sorts, that the Spirit would change us and empower us to be what we’ve always been called to be.
 
Lord, give us your heart and teach us to love.
 
-Pastor Travis