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


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Saint for July 29th


Olaf, King of Norway, martyr, died 1030

Olaf is considered the patron saint of Norway. In his early career he engaged in war and piracy in the Baltic and in Normandy. In Rouen, though, he was baptized and became a Christian. He returned to Norway, succeeded his father as king, and from then on Christianity was the dominant religion of the realm. He revised the laws of the nation and enforced them with strict impartiality, eliminating the possibility of bribes. He thereby alienated much of the aristocracy. The harshness he sometimes resorted to in order to establish Christianity and his own law led to a rebellion. After being driven from the country and into exile, he enlisted support from Sweden to try to regain his kingdom, but he died in battle. Sundays and Seasons, Year A 2014 worship planner p.254

 

Friday, July 18, 2014

Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion

The Friday morning small group finished reading/discussing Learning to Walk in the Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor, this morning. I think everyone in the group would recommend it!
And we chose a new book, Take This Bread, by Sara Miles, which we'll begin discussing on Friday, August 1st at 7:00am at Clark's Fork. The chapters are quite short, so we'll be discussing the first three.
ALL ARE WELCOME to join the conversation. Pick up a copy at your favorite bookseller, get reading, and join in! Questions? Just ask!


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Family Art Nights!

This year's Vacation Bible School isn't just for children, but for whole households - parents, grandparents, kids, teens, young adults, adults without children, pretty much everyone!

Each evening, Sunday, July 27th - Thursday, July 31st, folks will gather for dinner at 5:30pm ($2/person each evening will cover costs), and the program will start at 6:00pm. If you want to eat dinner at your house, no problem!

The program will begin with some fun and silly songs, a story or psalm from the Bible, and a creative prayer time. Then the ART begins, with three projects to choose from each night. Maybe you'll do one, maybe you'll do all three!

There is no set ending time. Families who need to get home for early bedtimes can leave when they need to. Kids who "just need 2 more minutes!" to get something done can have those 2 minutes. We expect that most folks will be heading out by 8pm or so.

These evenings of messy fun are designed for parents and other caring adults to create side-by-side with children, building relationships in family units, and across the congregation and community. ALL ARE WELCOME to participate! Invite friends!

And if you're able, please get a registration form turned in ahead of time, so organizers will have the right amount of food and supplies. You can find the registration form on the CtK website: www.ctkbozeman.org

Thanks!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Lay My Burden Down

North American Lutherans aren't typically known for showing emotion during worship (or at all, in some cases. Some branches of the Lutheran family tree come from solid Scandinavian stock, and there are plenty of jokes about the "quiet" Norwegian-Americans - like the extroverted Norwegian farmer who looks at YOUR shoes while he talks to you).
That said, some news is just so good, that even the shy-est, most quiet people can't help but show it. I can't remember the last time someone thought I was shy, or quiet (ahem), so I knew it wouldn't be hard for me to sing from the pulpit this past Sunday. I was pretty sure that having a friend play the banjo would help loosen people up for a little non-scripted singing. And the congregation SANG. And sang like they meant it. Thanks be to God that none of us has to carry ANY burden alone. And a lot of the time, the burdens we carry, we don't have to carry at all. Set down the guilt, fear, pride...

Jesus says, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy (kind, good, suitable, appropriate), and my burden is light." --Matthew 11:28-30.

Glory glory hallelujah!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Pedal for Peas - LUNCH!

Tomorrow (Thursday, July 3) we are blessed to be able to be a blessing to the riders on the Pedal for Peas journey. From 11am-3pm or so, lunch will be served on CtK's lawn as riders complete their ride.
Want to come and help serve the food? Just show up!
Want to come and thank the riders? Just show up!
Want to come and administer ice packs? Just show up!
It will be a great time. Just show up!