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Friday, 25 February 2011

Week of February 20, 2011

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

Last week I mentioned seeing a strange fuzzy patch of green and brown grass out my back window. As I look out today I notice that all such strangest has been covered up by a far more familiar blanket of white! But the sun is shining and its rays feeds my hopefulness that spring still can't be too far away (I remain an "Easter person").

The sun's rays are also feeding my son Noah's science project in the window. Just before Christmas, Noah planted an Amaryllis bulb. As most bulbs are, it was an unsightly mass of hidden potential. Into the dirt it went and my son (and the whole family too) awaited it to sprout. Well, it turns out it took a while for anything to really grow. Finally after a few weeks two green shoots really started to make progress. Still, it didn't seem like much was going to happen in time for him to be able to take it in for the anticipated extra credit. More time. More waiting. A few weeks from the deadline a third shoot emerged from the base. Rapidly (okay it took a few days but in the grand scheme of months it was 'relatively' fast) the shoot ascended and tiny buds appeared. As I write you this morning, looking out the window at my snow capped yard, two beautiful pink/white flowers are trumpeting. What joy! What a glimpse of how even unsightly bulbs over time can bear a beautiful witness to new life!

This Sunday, you are invited to bear your own beautiful witness to new life in our midst. Come and gather with your sisters and brothers in Christ as we gather once more around the Table to dine on the Presence of the Risen Christ. Whether your life could be described as a blooming flower or an unsightly bulb, a place is awaiting for you at the Table. You are welcome to the Table by non other than our Risen Jesus - who promises to be our 'host'.

During our Adult Education time, we will take another look at the meal that we share in Jesus' name. I'll be sharing some of the progress and the insights that have emerged among the Sacramental Practices Task Force. Together we'll look at the process of sacramental renewal that is happening at St. James. I anticipate a productive time together and hope that you can join us and be a part of the conversation.

Anticipation is an important part of our lives. Whether we are waiting for a flower to bloom or a ship to come in, anticipation looks to the future. Sometimes this wait is clouded by a sense of gloom and doom - what will the test results say? what choices will my children make? At other times this wait is filled with fanciful dreams and unrealistic expectations. Anticipation in our spiritual lives looks with hope toward the new life which only God provides.

When we gather around the Table, eager anticipation for what God might do in us and through us is in order. What might we become as a result of our dining on and in the Presence of Christ? What might our church become? What transformation will occur as the Spirit moves among us - working new life and possibilities? These are brave, bold, and courageous questions that look ahead with the eyes of faith. May God strengthen our faith - as a community and as individuals - so that we might faithfully gather at the Table with eager anticipation.

It is with eager anticipation that I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday.

In Christ,

Pastor Walt

The Rev. Walt Lichtenberger, S.T.M. - Pastor

St. James Lutheran - Burnsville, MN

www.stjameslc.org

cell phone: (952) 836-8588

emergency pastoral care hotline: (651) 354-1883

Posted by: Pastor Walt AT 09:29 am | Permalink | Email

Friday, 18 February 2011

Week of February 13, 2011

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

This morning I saw the strangest thing outside my window. There in my backyard, which has been blanketed in a wintry coat of snow, was this fuzzy spot of green and brown! Grass peeking through is undeniable evidence that the little groundhog might be right – spring is on the way.

As Christians we are a ‘spring is on the way’ kind of people. After all, at the heart of our faith is the sure and certain hope that new life is not only possible – it is the generous gift of a gracious God. God constantly gifts new life. God gifts resurrection. God gifts forgiveness. God gifts wholeness.

That is the message of Easter. No matter how deep the snow. No matter how long (or short) the winter. No matter how helpless things might seem. No matter how dead Christ was upon the cross. God gives life.

What a joy it has been to see evidence of God’s gift of new life at St. James recently!

From the welcoming of new families as members to inspiring music during worship; from the overwhelming response to our re-pledge effort to fifth graders handcrafting their chalices for first communion; from the start of a Befrienders ministry to the effort of restructuring the St. James Child Care Center; from council and mission stewards working together on a retreat developing initiatives that invite greater worship participation to the congregation trusting leadership at an Annual Meeting... in these an other ways there have been signs of new life, healing, and hope. The Spirit is indeed moving at St. James and opening new possibilities.

Now, I know that March is coming and that we probably haven't seen the last of white percipitation. Like healing and life itself, spring is a process; of births and deaths. Though snow might fall and cover the grass once more, we are heading in the right direction and for that I want to raise a word of thanks. Thanks be to the God who works in imperfect and less than complete processes to bring about new life. Thanks be to the God who works with us - strengthening and forgiving us each step of the way. Thanks be to the God who raises the dead! And thanks to you for sharing in a community that proclaims resurrection.

I hope to see you this Sunday as we gather to worship our 'spring is on the way' God - Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. The Table is set and a place is waiting for you!

In Christ,

Pastor Walt

The Rev. Walt Lichtenberger, S.T.M. - Pastor

St. James Lutheran Church, Burnsville, MN

Office: (952) 890-4534 ext. 112

Emergency Pastoral Care hotline: (651) 354-1883

Cell phone: (952) 836-8588

www.stjameslc.org

Posted by: Pastor Walt AT 09:27 am | Permalink | Email

Friday, 11 February 2011

Week of February 6

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

God is good! Thanks for the goodness of God!

I continue to be grateful for and amazed by the tremendous outpouring of gifts at St. James. What started out as an enormous challenge in early January was transformed by the Spirit into a wonderful opportunity for the people of God to come together and refocus on mission. We worked together across committees, council, staff, and congregation. Together we shared in the joy of the Spirit and kept to our values, convictions, and supported the positive direction that St. James mission to praise God and serve others has taken.

There is need for celebration - more about that in a little bit. First, let's walk together through the details.

At the time of our Annual Meeting, our projected deficit was around $70,000. This was after a concerted effort was made by St. James combined leadership (staff, council, and committee leaders) working hard to reduce expenses without damaging the scope of our mission. Also our re-pledge effort had shown early and promising results. In order to allow for time and the work of the Spirit - the council wisely proposed a PROCESS to the congregation along a Mission Budget that was in deficit. The PROCESS set a final date for the Re-Pledge, sought Synod counsel on the overall size of our mission given the number of folks that are weekly coming to worship, and expanded our Executive Mission Team to make recommendations to council for dealing with any deficit larger than $20,000. With thanksgiving the congregation trusted its leadership and approved both a mission budget in deficit and the PROCESS.

Following the PROCESS, this past Tuesday night, we welcomed Pastor Susan Miller, Assistant to the Bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod. On our behalf, she conducted a survey of local congregations with a similar worshiping attendance. From her observations and work with congregations and the results of the survey, she shared that St. James is sized appropriately with regards to our current level of staffing. This affirmed our efforts in 2010 as we restructured our Mission staff. Pastor Miller also provided good counsel as to the long term effectiveness of methods that congregations use to address budget shortfalls.

Last night, our expanded Executive Mission Team met. Thankfully (did I mention my joy and thanksgiving?) this group had to come up with a plan to address only around $10 K in deficit. Once again, through collaborative effort, the group developed a strategy (of both minor cuts/adjustments and deferrals) amounting to just over $18 K - putting our projected deficit within the 'manageable' range approved by the congregation. Details on this plan - which leaves programs/mission/staffing intact - will be shared on Sunday during a Town Hall meeting at 12:30 p.m. You are invited as part of St. James community to attend and offer feedback. This plan will be presented to the council on Tuesday night for action.

Having weathered this budgetary storm together, it is time for us to celebrate. We will do this in classic Lutheran 'style' with a Celebration Congregational Potluck on March 6th. So mark your calendar, make a hotdish or lime jello, and let's come together to give thanks to the miraculous work of the Spirit.

Thank you for your participation and prayers.

I look forward to seeing you in worship....

in Christ,

Pastor Walt

The Rev. Walt Lichtenberger, S.T.M. - Pastor

St. James Lutheran - Burnsville, MN

www.stjameslc.org

cell phone: (952) 836-8588

emergency pastoral care hotline: (651) 354-1883

Posted by: Pastor Walt AT 10:57 am | Permalink | Email

Thursday, 03 February 2011

Week of January 30

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

This time tomorrow night, a group of St. James leaders will be getting ready to board our church van (affectionately known as ‘Wanda’) for an overnight retreat. It is a historic occasion - the first time that the Council will be on retreat along with Mission Stewards (St. James’ core staff). Together we will be extending the conversation that was begun at last Saturday’s Leadership Conference on increasing worship attendance (an important goal for us all to embrace in 2011). We’ll sort through the many good ideas that were offered and add a few new ones of our own. From this work we are looking to generate Six Worship Invitational Initiatives – six workable ideas that will help us be more regular in worship and invite others to worship. Please pray for the Spirit’s guidance as Council and Mission Steward spend important time building relationships and dreaming together. I know that I am excited and look forward to good fellowship and creative insight that will no doubt characterize the retreat. What a blessing and depth of leadership the Spirit has gifted to St. James!

Our Re-Pledge effort continues with great gusto! What joy there is also to be found here! At the writing of this email we have reduced the mission gap to just over $38,000! According to the PROCESS for deficit reduction that was adopted this past Sunday along with the mission budget – our Re-Pledge will continue until Monday February 7. If you haven’t had a chance to respond yet – please do for your response could help eliminate the remaining gap and the need for any reductions.

On Sunday during the Adult Education time (10:00 a.m.) we will have both an update on our Re-Pledge and a presentation on the Six Worship Invitational Initiatives. I hope to be able to see you there and in worship.

In Christ,

Pastor Walt

The Rev. Walt Lichtenberger, S.T.M. - Pastor

St. James Lutheran Church, Burnsville, MN

Office: (952) 890-4534 ext. 112

Emergency Pastoral Care hotline: (651) 354-1883

Cell phone: (952) 836-8588

www.stjameslc.org

Posted by: Pastor Walt AT 11:01 am | Permalink | Email