June 25, 2017 - Third Sunday after Pentecost - Many Threads Make Up The Tapestry of One Worship Service

Pastor Michelle returned from the Oregon Synod's trip with powerful experiences, memories, and - according to her - a full tummy from all the great food our sister synod provided our synod's sojourners.

Closing the 5,400 miles gap between Oregon and Poland was one through-line for the service that the sermon contributed. We imaginatively transported to the first Polish national ELCA gathering that also celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Pastor Michelle evoked her amazement of magnificent versions of Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word and A Mighty Fortress Is Our God in her description of the celebration she witnessed. 

Photos by Ron Houser

This was Luka's last week and Creator bid him farewell with a few gifts, He begins a new chapter in his life with his studies in Spokane. We will miss his boisterous laugh and presence and we blessed his on his journey with a prayer.

He responded to the farewll with a strong, energetic drum contribution to our Sending Song - The Lord Now Sends Us Forth. 

Members of Consonare Chorale

The 13th Month theme for this last Sunday in June focused on music. The Sending Song was only one piece contributing to that theme. Creator’s Janice and her friends from the Consonare Chorale gave us a couple of reprise performances from their May concert called The Resplendent Table.

Yumiko, Kayle, Jeff, Janice and Peter with their pianist Michael delivered a warm and inviting Room at the Welcome Table arranged by Craig Curry.

They sang The Twenty Third Psalm as the first communion hymn. Their harmonies added another holy dimension to the moment.

Appropriately, just after the Hymn of the Day - The Summons - Creator installed and blessed our new church council leaders, The members of the new council are:

Creator Council

Patsy - President
Deb - Vice President
Chris - Secretary
Pat - Treasurer

The other new council members are Kim, Annie and Valentine. We are thankful for the leadership this new church council will provide.

Today the Gospel together with the backdrop of a partisan divide that appears so important in America right now and finally some reading I was doing of Walter Brueggeman have been influnetial to me this week.

In truth Moses was not tasked with transforming the regime of Pharaoh. He was concerned with transforming the consciousness that undergirded and made that regime possible. He did not in the end seek societal betterment through regime repentance but regime dismantling in order to allow a new reality. Jesus was not actively promoting political solutions to what we call social justice issues.

I want to explore deep fears and needs that push us toward God and the church, and how being in relationship with God – and with the church – help us grapple with those fears and needs. I spent so much time when I was young thinking of salvation as saving me from hell (and probably more to the point punishment from not doing something I should be doing). Perhaps there can be a positive to gravitate towards rather than a negative to fear. I don't think my heaven is even as real as my hell which, in itself, appears illusory at this moment.

Perhaps helping build up a better collective imagination would allow “salvation” to once again be living water to a thirsty world.