Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. - Martin Luther


Friday, May 29, 2015

Lutheran Campus Ministry Raffle - Deadline to Purchase Tickets is THIS SUNDAY!

FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT RAFFLE -  WEEK OF JULY 10-17
 
Support YOUR Lutheran Campus Ministry at MSU-Bozeman by purchasing a raffle ticket for a week at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, July 10th-17th, 2015. (The Montana Folk Festival in Butte is July 10th-12th, and Fairmont is only a short drive away!) Tickets are $50 each and only 100 will be sold! The Raffle Drawing will be June 5th, need not be present to win.
The prize package includes:
-- accommodation in a one-bedroom Vacation Club unit which sleeps four adults (one bed, one sofa-bed) and has a maximum occupancy of six
-- 5 passes good for 24-hour entry to the pools
Additional Resort Amenities (not included in the raffle prize, but available for purchase at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort):- 350’ Enclosed Waterslide
- Massage and Spa Services
- 18-hole Golf Course
- Miniature Golf Course
- 2 Restaurants and Whiskey Joes Lounge
- Casual and Fine Dining
 
Purchase Raffle Tickets from Mike Beehler, Melanie Schell, John Sheppard, or Pastor Lindean, or call the church office to reserve a ticket to pick up. 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015


Praying for those suffering from floods in Oklahoma and Texas

Loving God, in the communion of Christ, we are joined with the trials and sufferings of all. Be with those who endure the wind and rain. Protect those in the path of danger. Open the pathway of evacuations. Help loved ones find one another in the chaos. Provide assistance to those who need help. Ease the fears of all and make your presence known in the stillness of your peace; Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Blessed Pentecost!

Tomorrow we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the community of Jesus' disciples. If you'd like to get into the spirit of the celebration (yes, it's a bad pun), wear RED or other "fire colors" to worship. We gather at 10:00am! (Sunday School is over for the season...)
Here's a reflection on the day from the facebook page of The Five Loaves:


As we reflect on the Pentecost account of that first coming of Holy Spirit upon the Apostles (Acts 2:1-11) we must...
Posted by The Five Loaves on Thursday, May 21, 2015

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Memorial Day 2015


Memorial Day is this coming Monday, May 25th. Many of you will be remembering loved ones who have died. You may also find yourself helping family members and friends bless the memory of their loved ones who have died, too.

It can be awkward to talk about a person who is no longer living. It can be hard emotionally.  Almost everyone I have ever encountered cherishes the memory of their family members who are no longer present. That can provide an opening for you to ask some caring questions. “What do you miss about your Grandma Gladys?  Where was your grandpa’s favorite fishing hole?” Questions encourage story telling. Questions show that you care.

If you are patient, gentle, and kind you will be blessed with a retelling of memories that are very meaningful for the person sharing them, and in the process bless the memory of the person they are remembering.

In doing so, you become a companion who demonstrates Christian love and compassion in the midst of recalling a life lived and a life lost to death. You can gently proclaim God’s love in the midst of loss. You can whisper the promise of Christ’s resurrection and the good news it can bring to the broken hearted.

Bless you this Memorial Day Weekend as you share the memories of loved ones, and gently encourage others to do the same.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

National Day of Prayer

It's the first Thursday of May, which means today is the National Day of Prayer.
Yes, of course, EVERY day is a day of prayer. "Pray without ceasing," says 1 Thessalonians 5:17. And yet in some traditions, a pretty big deal gets made out of today. Unfortunately, too often that "big deal" comes across more as judgment than encouragement or inspiration to pray. But don't let that stop you from praying! - and perhaps praying especially for our leaders (elected and otherwise), for wisdom, for humility, for understanding our place in the world, and in all of creation.

Here's a new "Chuck Knows Church" video from our friends at the United Methodist Church, which will give you some background about the day.



Let us pray.
Holy Trinity, one God, you show us the splendor of diversity and the beauty of unity in your own divine life. Make us, who came from many nations with many languages, a united people that delights in our many different gifts. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign and our Savior. Amen  (ELW p. 77)

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

2015 Rummage Sale

It's time! Time to clean out closets, shelves, garages, etc., and to let-go of all those things sitting around collecting dust at your house. The annual Family & Youth Team Rummage Sale is THIS Saturday, May 9th, from 8am-12pm.
The youth are receiving donations now through Friday - please bring your "stuff" and leave it in the social hall. Youth, parents, and other wonderful adults will begin sorting stuff tomorrow evening (5/6) from 6-8pm. They'll sort again on Thursday evening from 6-8pm, and again on Friday, from 6pm until the job is done. If you'd like to help, please just show up!
And THEN, please come back and shop at the sale - this year it looks like there are lots of kids' clothes, and there are always some hidden treasures. Mother's Day is this Sunday - maybe you'll find JUST the thing for a mom in your life!? Rummage Sale proceeds support CtK's ministries with and to youth and their families. This summer we're sending 6 youth and 2 adults to Detroit for the ELCA Youth Gathering. It's going to be great, but it's not an inexpensive proposition... Your support is much appreciated. Thanks for your generosity!