Fuzzy Things in the Fridge and at Church

I am so thankful for the many cans of soup that were received during the Souper Bowl of Caring held Sunday, February 1st.

Gallatin Valley Food Bank is helping a record number of requests for food. Every contribution, whether big or small, helps them carry out their important mission.

The national peanut scare has caught our attention in regards to food safety. I love peanuts like the next kid, whether young or old. I am not a happy camper if I miss my morning routine of coffee, The Wall Street Journal, and peanut butter smeared on two slices of Wheat Montana Toast. I also love peanut products, like that Thai Peanut salad dressing from Trader Joe’s that makes my lips sting.

When moving the cans of soup from the worship space last week, I noticed three cans of soup that had expiration dates prior to February 1st, 2009.

Yuck! Who would want to eat food that has expired? My colleague and wife is always after me to throw out fuzzy and moldy leftovers from the fridge. I am always after her to use up the black bananas for banana bread, or to throw them out.

When you make a food contribution to Gallatin Valley Food Bank or to Christ the King, I am asking each and every one of you to look at the expiration date on the food you are bringing from home, and to throw out any item that has passed its stamped expiration date.

I know I need to be better at using up leftovers in the fridge at home, and encouraging Lindean to bake those black bananas.

If you’re going to have a food scare, let it happen at home. Please don’t let it happen at Christ the King.

We’ve had enough food scares for 2009.

In Christ,
Pastor Grant AKA Fuzzy Leftovers Guy

Preliminary Photos

A few photos from tonight's Shrove Tuesday shindig - a good time was had by all! Anyone who says, "Church is no fun" clearly wasn't here tonight!!

More coming by the end of the week...

Lutheran Study Bible

Happy Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday!

Here at CtK we are gearing up for the evening's festivities: Pancake Supper from 5:30-6:30pm and all kinds of silly goofiness from 6:30-7:30pm. Come when you can and leave when you need to - it's going to be GREAT! (cake walk, limbo, crafts, jokes, pies-in-the-face to raise money for the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer).

Of course today doesn't make sense all on its own. Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday celebrations exist only because of Ash Wednesday, which is tomorrow. Today is just our last day of preparation for tomorrow and the whole season of Lent - a season of returning to our lives as baptized disciples, with renewed focus on the disciplines/practices of our faith: prayer, fasting, alms-giving, and self-denial, to name just a few. We spend these days remembering Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, his betrayal and crucifixion.

It's fairly common to hear church folks talk about what they're going to "give up for Lent." Giving something up for Lent can be a wonderful practice, if it gives you time, space or other resources to focus on your faith or serve others. Some of us also talk about "adding something for Lent" - like a new time for prayer and Bible reading, or volunteering in a ministry that can use our gifts.

I'm hoping people will turn again to their Bibles during this season. In just a few days Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the ELCA, will have new "Lutheran Study Bibles." We pre-ordered several here in the church office - swing by and check them out (call first to make suer they've arrived!). Or go online here and see the new Study Bible sampler. Enjoy!

New Synod Newsletter

The Montana Synod has just published their (our?) February newsletter. Included are some thought provoking reflections by Bishop Crist on her recent trip to Israel and Palestine.
I commend it to you!

Luther’s Morning Prayer

We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected us through the night from all danger and harm. We ask you to preserve and keep us, this day also, from all sin and evil, that in all our thoughts, words, and deeds we may serve and please you. Into your hands we commend our bodies and souls and all that is ours. Let your holy angels have charge of us, that the wicked one have no power over us. Amen!

Declaring my love

My thoughts are filled with “love” this week. On Tuesday 9 February I will celebrate my second wedding anniversary.
It was on that day in 2007 I made a promise to Lindean Elizabeth Barnett that I would love her until “death parts us.”
On Valentine’s Day this year I will be officiating at a wedding.
I was up in Essex, MT earlier this week for a continuing education event.
As part of our conversation on biblical texts, our instructor shared this passage from the Book of Proverbs.
Dr. Limburg said he has Jewish friends who recite this passage every Friday (the Jewish Sabbath) to their wives.

How different would Christian marriages be if husbands declared to their wives on a weekly basis the words that are written below?

I intend to share these words with Lindean and with the happy couple on Valentine's Day.

May the love in your marriage be blessed!

Ode to a Capable Wife
Proverbs 31:10-31
10A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 14She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. 15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. 16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. 22She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. 25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: 29‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’ 30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.