Tue
Feb 22
2011
Pastor Nancy Nyland
St. John Lutheran Church (Atkinson)
St. Peter Lutheran Church (Bassett)
During the month of December, both St. Peter Lutheran Church in Bassett and St. John Lutheran Church in Atkinson housed a 25-Cent Store.
People from the two congregations were asked to bring new or gently used items (except for clothes or shoes) to donate to the store. All items, no matter what their value were priced at a quarter.
Why did we do this? Because we wanted to give children an opportunity to buy Christmas gifts for parents, brothers, sisters and other loved ones. In this declining economy, there are families in our community who would benefit from the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts at a low price. Because we have been blessed, we can be a blessing to others.
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Tue
Feb 22
2011
Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
I think I might need new contact lenses. While singing a hymn during worship this week, I misread the lyrics of “The Feast is Ready.”
“Tables are laden with good things; oh, taste the peace and joy he brings,” we sang. But instead of, “He’ll FILL you up with love divine,” I crooned, “He’ll TILL you up with love divine; he’ll turn your water into wine.”
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Thu
Jan 20
2011
Bishop David deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
“Jesus said: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Last week, the President said something at the memorial service for the victims of the Tucson, Arizona shooting that resonated deeply in my soul. He simply stated: “We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know how we treat one another is entirely up to us.”
How we treat one another is entirely up to us. I believe this is what Jesus was saying when he said, “Love your neighbor as yourself”… “love your enemies”… “a new commandment I give you, that you love one another, as I have loved you.” St. Paul understood and called for the same response: “Love one another with mutual admiration; outdo one another in showing honor” … and “for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” St. John expressed the importance of how we treat each other: “Let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God”… and “let us not love in word or speech, but in truth and action.” Followers of Jesus live love.
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