Our Lord says "Go!"

Last week Pastor Lindean shared a meditation at our weekly staff meeting on Matthew 28:16-20.

That passage from the Gospel according to St. Matthew is commonly known as "The Great Commission." In it, Jesus commands his disciples to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

The following poem by the late teacher and theologian Gerhard Frost is unflinching in repeating the words of Jesus.

Our Lord Says, "Go!"

Our Lord says, "Go!"

and we take an opinion poll

or take another survey.

Our Lord says "Go!"

and we rewrite constitutions

and study bylaws.

Our Lord says "Go!"

and we fill out forms

in triplicate and blue and green.

Our Lord says, "Go!"

and we reorganize

what we just overorganized.

Our Lord says, "Go!"

and we volunteer for committees

or join discussion groups.

We know the words, but we don't dare.

We don't say yes, we don't say no, we temporize.

we don't refuse, we procrastinate

all with the rhetoric of love.

Our Lord still says, "Go!"

Video Message from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson

Here's a brand new video from our Presiding Bishop. Hope you enjoy it!

Turkeys for the Food Bank

Did you see this article in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle yesterday? The Gallatin Valley Food Bank is in need of A LOT of turkeys. They estimate that they'll give out close to 2500 Thanksgiving food boxes this year, substantially more than last year. If you're out and about and buying a turkey for your family, consider buying one for the food bank, too!

Another great way to support the food bank this month is Huffing for Stuffing on Thanksgiving Day. There will be a Kid's Run at 8:10am, a 10K beginning at 9:00am and a 5K starting at 9:15am. All of the races start and finish at the Museum of the Rockies, and all of the proceeds from the events benefit the food bank ($21,600 was donated last year). Even if you don't want to run or walk, they need volunteers. Check it out!

Of course you can always give to the food bank through the congregation, with donated food or with funds (you can write a check to CtK and put food bank in the memo line and we'll make sure the $$ gets to the food bank for you).

Together we make a difference in the lives of hungry people!

Commitment Sunday

This coming Sunday, November 15th, is Commitment Sunday at CtK. I know commitment is a four letter word in some folks' vocabulary, but certainly not in a Christian's. We are people of a committed God, a God who sent his Son all the way to a scandalous death on a cross for our sake, and who sets us free to be committed to God and to each other in love.

And so you are invited to participate this Sunday, as a worshiper, a steward, a minister, a part of the fellowship of this community, a student of the Bible; participate as a baptized child of God committed to your own life of faith, to the life of this community, and to the sharing of God's love in the world. After all, that sharing is what we really are about. That's why we do the whole "Estimate of Giving" thing, so that the gifts we give as individuals and families are intentional and proportional, not just after thoughts.

We'll be giving thanks for all of our gifts on Sunday, the tangibles and the intangibles. We will be blessing the Operation Shoe Box boxes, Lutheran World Relief school kits, the shampoo purchased with this year's Sunday School offerings, and the quilts made by our quilters. We will be giving God thanks for the resources for our lives and asking God to make us generous as we work for the good of all God's children.

And in good Lutheran fashion, there will be a POTLUCK! Brunch will be served from 9:45-10:45am in the social hall; pancakes, sausages, juice and coffee will be provided. Bring one of your favorite breakfast dishes to share if you can, if you can't, just come and eat!

Middle School Retreat - PHOTOS!

Our middle school confirmation class had a retreat in the middle of October. You can check out some additional of the pictures from the event at the Lutheran Youth in Service blog.

MSU Lutheran Campus Ministry Update

Tim Spring, our campus pastor at MSU, sends occasional updates to students and those of us on the LSF (Lutheran Student Foundation) Board. Students are the target audience, of course, but since campus ministry is OUR ministry, I thought you might like an update on some of the latest from the Christus Collegium. Here's the latest update.

Also there is at least one MSU student who regularly participates in worship here at CtK who won't be able to go home for Thanksgiving due to his work schedule. Anybody planning an early Thanksgiving feast (he has to be at work at 4pm Thanksgiving Day) and willing to set an extra place and extend some Christian hospitality to a brother in Christ? Let me know!

Enjoy the snow today, and please remember to pray for all those who have to be out on the roads, especially those whose job it is to help us all stay safe.