The Pastor’s Pen
In last month’s Encounter I shared a little bit about our work camp trip to Hawley, Minnesota. During the week of July 14-20, a group of youth and adults from St. Andrew joined with youth groups from across the country to put our faith into practice in Hawley and some of the surrounding communities. It was an enriching week that included worship, study, fellowship, service and witness. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to have been a part of it!
On Sunday, September 22, at both worship services, we will be sharing with the congregation some of what we experienced during work camp. And then, as a way of helping all of us to go even deeper into what this year’s work camp was about, for the following five Sundays I will be preaching a sermon series on this year’s work camp theme.
The overall theme was “What do you stand for?” It was a theme that was designed to help us examine our values, commitments and priorities. To help us unpack that theme, each day of the week we were presented with a different question that was asked by Jesus in the course of his ministry. Those five questions will serve as the framework of my sermon series:
September 29: “What do you want me to do for you?”
(Mark 10:46-52)
October 6: “Why are you afraid?” (Mark 4:35-41)
October 13: “Why do you doubt? (Luke 24:35-40)
October 20: “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:1-9)
October 27: “Can you see anything?” (Mark 8:22-26)
Pastor’s Pen
Reflecting on Jesus’ five questions during our daily work camp devotional times helped us to grow in our faith and in our understanding of God and ourselves. I’m hopeful that that same kind of growth and understanding will happen for all of us as we think about these challenging and penetrating questions. I encourage you to look up the Bible passages ahead of time, and to be thinking about Jesus’ questions in the days prior to each week’s worship service.
On a different note, Rally Day is Sunday, September 8. Remember that we have only one worship service that day: an outdoor service that begins at 10:30 a.m. If you are able, please bring a lawn chair for the service. And please plan on staying for the food, music and games that will be offered throughout the afternoon. It’s going to be a great beginning to another year of ministry in our life together!
Finally, we are sad to have to announce Jeff Schleff’s resignation as St. Andrew’s organist and music director, but we are grateful for all that he has given us. Jeff has been with us for most of the past fourteen years. He has deeply enriched our worship life, not only with his musical skills, which are extraordinary, but also with the warmth of his personality and with his positive and encouraging nature. We pray God’s blessings upon Jeff and Rita as they continue to give of themselves in God’s service.
See you in worship!
Pastor Selbo
