​During the announcements last Sunday I gave a short sketch of the role of the congregational president. I explained that, in collaboration with the rest of the Executive Committee, I was responsible for setting the agenda for the Council Meeting. It is during these meetings where we conduct the business of the church.

But what is the business of the church, your church, St Luke’s? One job is to set the annual budget, a balanced budget, which the congregation votes on at the annual meeting. During the year we look to see if we are living within our budget. Sometimes something out of our control affects the budget and we might need to make adjustments. As we all know, there are continual needs regarding our facilities that need to be addressed. Thankfully we have not recently needed to search for staff replacements.

The role of the council, however, is far greater than budget issues. The council has elected representatives from the different areas of our church life: Missions, Stewardship, Community Life, Worship & Music, Property, and Faith Formation. Council members share themes from their areas with other council members. We also hear from parishioners via Listening Post and other conversations. This gives the council a perspective of how our entire church is working towards our mission, and what we can do to augment our efforts and help us live out the Great Commission.

​Our February council meeting was the first for this council, the council you elected at our January Annual Meeting. It was the first time we had all been together and as part of our introductions we all shared stories of our relationship with St Luke’s. As I shared last Sunday, my wife Marilyn and I began our relationship with St Luke's in 1973 shortly after we were married. After visiting a few other Bloomington Lutheran Churches, one Sunday morning found us at St Luke's. We were warmly welcomed by a couple who had been long time members. We found the worship service fulfilling, including an inspiring sermon. Continued visits were as fulfilling and we joined the church shortly afterwards. As we continued our time here we became more involved in other aspects of life at St Luke's beyond worship: the youth program, missions, Bible Studies, stewardship, music, service, and more.

​As I look back and try to reflect on my life at St Luke's I find that that initial fulfilling worship experience has grown throughout the years. For me, worship is still at the heart of it, but there are so many ways for us to live out our calling as Christians.

​The “Why Church” pamphlet shows how St Luke's enables us to live out our Core Values: “Simply What Every Christian Should Do”: Service, Worship, Evangelism, Community, Stewardship, Discipleship. For me I think the pamphlet could be called, “Why This Church? Why St Luke’s?”

​Larry Nelson, Council President

As a church, we seek to meet the needs of an incredibly large span of ages and experiences. We don’t always do it right. Sometimes we let our personal preferences come before someone else’s need. Sometimes we have a hard time hearing or understanding another’s experience, and struggle to find common ground. But, we keep working because we are a community, and we are followers of Jesus, who calls us to serve. 

One effort that we will be making this Lenten season to meet a currently unmet need is to offer a short Wednesday evening worship at 6:00 PM. The 7:00 PM Holden Evening Prayer that many of us love doesn’t work for most families of young children, who need an earlier, more active experience. While this service will be designed to meet the needs of younger generations, all are welcome to worship together. It could be an opportunity to worship in a different way, and to experience God through the joy of young children and their unique way of looking at the world. And it could be an opportunity to answer the question “Why Church?” in a way you never thought you would. 

~Deacon Stephanie Luedtke


*Common understanding is that there are six generations living today. However, the youngest generation, Gen Z (age 22 and under) will eventually be split into two, when characteristics of the youngest are better understood. Additionally, studies show that, including their families, individuals come in contact with only one to two other generations on a regular basis. ​

Growing up in the church I was involved in music ensembles. Between church and high school I think I was in 6 ensembles at the same time. It's pretty obvious that to me church and music went hand in hand.

Music is personal

Now, as a director, whenever I ask people whether or not they liked presenting or listening to a particular song during worship, I will get very different answers. The same song will get loves, hates, and 'mehs.' For example, a few weeks ago the choir presented "Borning Cry." This hymn isn't on my list of favorites. I won't be asking anyone to sing it at my funeral and I did not select it for when my children were baptized. However, many people reading this are thinking, "I LOVE that song!" while others don't even recall it. Alternatively, "Unexpected and Mysterious" ELW #258 is one of my favorites and many (including many choir members) dread seeing this come up in rotation.

In the weeks that follow, Staff and other Leaders at St. Luke's will be writing to inform, involve, and inspire us. Please keep us informed of what you get out of these messages by commenting below, or by telling the author. 
Today's message "Why Church?" is from Pastor Rob Norris-Weber.

What difference does church make in the world? Is church worth the effort, time, and money? This is the question being asked in the world today. As a society that has become more individualistic and idolizes self-sufficiency and independence, do we even need anyone, let alone the church?

I believe we do.

As I read the Bible, I hear from the beginning that God, the creator of heaven and earth and all that is in it, has one true desire and that is relationship. Humans are made in the image of God, which means we too need relationship. Honestly, has anyone been born outside of relationship – even if it was simply physical? We need one another. And what is one of the most heinous tortures? – solitary confinement. It has devastating results as we are starved of connection and intimacy.

That is why God sent Jesus, to bring us into relationship with everyone for all time…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” – John 3:16

This is one of the most popular verses in the Bible. Jesus came into the world as a child, placed into a family, held in human hands as an infant. God experienced human relationship.

In our message series from the start of the New Year through Transfiguration we will answer the question “Why Church?”

On Baptism of our Lord Sunday, our first week, the answer to “Why Church?” was rebirth. Jesus began his ministry through baptism, laying himself into the hands of a human as he went into the water. Coming up out of the water a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus experienced rebirth. In our baptisms we are welcomed into relationship as brothers and sister of Jesus.

Jesus is then cast out into the wilderness, tempted by Satan, but the angels waited on him. Again Jesus experiences relationship – bad and good.

Our second week, it is no surprise that the first thing Jesus does is invite others to join him, calling his disciples into relationship, with the charge to invite others into relationship with Jesus.

In our third week the answer was reconnection. Jesus meets a man possessed, alone in a graveyard, alienated from society. The exorcism frees the man who is now able to return home to his family and friends, back into relationship.

In the weeks ahead we will hear more answers to “Why Church?” including resurrection, reorientation, redemption, and revelation.

For Jesus so loved the world that he invited all to be the Church, living in relationship with God, one another, and all creation. At the end of this message series we, St. Luke’s, will have been answering this question 97 years. May we continue to do so until Jesus comes again. Amen.

Rob Norris-Weber, Pastor