Remember you are dust... Adult Forum Feb. 8th & 15th

We are approaching the beginning of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday, February 18^th. Worshipers will hear on that day, during the imposition of ashes, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” With this reminder of our mortality in mind, Adult Forum for February 8^th and 15^th will focus on caring for ourselves during critical times of health and at the end of life.

On February 8^th, Pastor Grant and his colleagues from the Spiritual Care Department of Bozeman Deaconess Hospital will help Adult Forum attendees understand the health care document “Five Wishes.” It is designed to help individuals put down in writing how they want to be cared for at the end of life.

1. Naming the person I want to make care decisions for me when I can’t
2. The kind of medical treatment I want or don‘t want.
3. How comfortable I want to be.
4. How I want people to treat me.
5. What I want my loved ones to know.

You can learn more at fivewishes.org, sponsored by Aging with Dignity. Aging with Dignity is "a national non-profit organization with a mission to affirm and safeguard the human dignity of individuals as they age and to promote better care for those near the end of life. The life and work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta served as the inspirational foundation of Aging with Dignity."

On February 15^th, both pastors will lead participants in conversation about memorial/funeral service planning. Crafting a meaningful memorial/funeral service can become a powerful testimony by a Christian of how they value the gift of faith as their loved ones and friends bid them farewell and commend them to God’s care. Hymns, prayers, Bible verses, and personal testimony can convey a sense of hope in Christ’s resurrection in the midst of death; a document listing your preferences can be a great gift to your surviving family and friends. Come for a life affirming presentation.

Welcome to Pastor George Karres

This Sunday we welcome to Pastor George Karres to CtK! He will lead the Adult Forum at 9:00am and preach during worship at 10:00am.

Pastor Karres serves as the Montana Synod's new Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM).  As DEM, he will serve on behalf of the ELCA as a part of the Montana Synod staff in areas of stewardship, mission support, ministry development/redevelopment, and working with the Montana Synod Mission Table. 

George comes to his new position after having served as the Senior Pastor of Pella Lutheran Church in Sidney, MT for the past 11 1/2 years.  During this period he also served as a member of the Montana Synod Council and its Executive Committee, was on the Synod Outreach Committee, served as a Natural Church Development coach, and was Dean of the Southeast Cluster.

George and his wife Carol, who is a retired ELCA pastor, are now living in Great Falls.  Together they have four adult children: Dan Harrison; Jeffrey Karres; Matthew (Lisa) Karres (and grandson Eli!); and Amanda (Michael) Rhame.

One of George's favorite hobbies is home roasting coffee beans - he enjoys trying beans from different countries all around the world.  Every freshly roasted batch is unique and delicious!  He and Carol also enjoy traveling and often staying at Bed and Breakfasts.

 
Please welcome George and Carol as they visit CtK!

TRIVIA NIGHT!

This is going to be a GREAT event! Recruit a team and get signed up!
Trivia Night will run about two hours, and the game will be led by Challenge Entertainment-Montana (the same folks who do trivia at the Bacchus every Monday night!). Great prizes and bragging rights await!

This is a re-post of a previous blog entry. But it fits! Just change the "12" to a "15." And, if you've signed up for the youth group to do the blessing with you on Wednesday, we'll see you then!

Merry Christmas!
I hope the season has been filled with joy, love and wonder at the Incarnation for you and your family!

Tomorrow is Epiphany, and it's customary in many homes (especially in Western Europe) to mark the lintel above the front door with symbols of blessing. You can do it, too!

Mark the front door (or somewhere on the door frame) with these symbols: the date, abbreviation of the phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat ("Christ bless this home" - which are also the initials of traditional names for the Magi - Casper, Melchior and Balthasar), and four crosses (representing the four seasons).

Order the symbols in the following way: 20 + C + M + B + 12

In the new year, this marking serves as a blessing over the entire household. Be as artistic and creative as you want! Get a jump start on an art project tonight and post it tomorrow night - use markers or do a collage on a piece of cardboard! Alternatively, the marking may be made with chalk, for those who like to keep things simple.

And don't forget the prayer of blessing!
One person, or the whole household together, prays:

Be our shelter, Lord, when we are at home, our companion when we are away, and our welcome guest when we return. And at last receive us into the dwelling place you have prepared for us in your father's house, where you live forever and ever. Amen

Advent Midweek Worship and Words from the Bishop

Tonight is the last Wednesday of Advent!

We'll gather for soup supper at 6pm. At 7pm we'll move into the sanctuary for Holden Evening Prayer, a lovely sung vespers service. There will be time for quiet reflection and prayer - just what so many of us need in the midst of this busy season of preparation!

 

New Blog from PLTS (Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary)

An invitation from PLTS:

 

PLTS  - Out of the Fog, Into God's World blog

  

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California has launched a blog that engages theological perspectives with pressing, urgent public issues of our day. This blog involve a wide range of contributors from the PLTS faculty, other faculties at California Lutheran University, students and alums, as well as others committed to the purpose of this blog. A link to our blog can be found here: http://outofthefogplts.wordpress.com/ 

In faith communities and the wider society, there increasingly is moral outrage about what is occurring, such as entrenched violence and inequalities. However, critical biblical and theological perspectives are seldom brought to bear on what is at stake. Ordinary people of faith are either left "in the fog" about how their faith engages such, or certain "religious" voices are featured in the media that tend to be judgmental or polarizing. The public voice of, especially Lutherans, tends to remain muted or confined within churches, as it was not for someone like Martin Luther. Our audience is those preparing sermons or discussions that better equip people to think and act on timely issues in the news in light of their faith.  The hope is that this might contribute to reflective deliberation amid differences rather than furthering the polarization that is all too pervasive in our common life.
Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments. Thanks!

Blessed Advent

Blessed Advent! And Happy New Year!
Today is the first Wednesday in Advent (the 4th day of Advent this year, which started this past Sunday), and here at CtK folks will gather for a simple supper of soup and bread, and then for a service of evening prayer. Advent marks the beginning of a new year in the church calendar, and begins four Sundays before Christmas. During this season, we are invited to prepare our hearts and homes not only for the celebration of Jesus' birth, but also for all the ways Christ comes to us, and for the day he comes again in glory. There's rather a lot going on - and that's before we factor in parties, Christmas cards, shopping, etc.
So, come and take some time to celebrate the season and God's work in and through you this Advent. Take some time to ponder what (or who) it is you're waiting for; what you hope and long for; what is yearning to be born in your life.
On Wednesday evenings this year, we'll think about the four tenets of the Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. Since we only have 3 Wednesday services of Holden Evening Prayer, the second and third themes will be combined.
The service is beautiful - piano, flute, guitar, voice, candlelight, quiet.
Come.