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Busy

11/30/2021

 
Advent
Advent Reflection
by Mollee Erickson

Be still, and know that I am God.
~ Psalm 46:10
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A badge of honor to wear on our suit of invincibility. The friendly competition among our peers for how many hours we can fill with ‘stuff’. Extra points if that ‘stuff’ trumps sleep. Double points for physically demanding hours. Triple bonus points if you get injured or skip meals and continue to soldier through. 
Friends? Family? Who needs them! We don’t have ‘time’ for those simpleton pleasures. We’re too busy!

Be.

And when you find your limit... When the lack of sleep begins to make you physically ill. When your balance is awry after so much strain to your muscles. When you stare blankly at a screen because you’re not sure what you were just doing 60 seconds ago. When you don’t recall the last time you talked to your friends. When you can’t remember the last time you took the time to actually enjoy anything...you lose. Game over. The spoils go to the next Busy person. You have failed because you just couldn’t keep going.
Be still.

When did this become the norm? And when did we agree this was the definition of failure Perhaps it’s a generational deficiency, but this seems to be the norm among my peers from all ages. Busy is valued more than relationships. Busy is valued more than good deeds and thoughtfulness. Busy is valued. From the retiree who gets out of bed at 4am to get to his volunteer activity so he can get home and work in the garden so he can clean up and get to dinner with friends. From the college student who is taking that extra class so she can graduate a year early so she can start grad school so she can get her dream job and work 60 hours a week to prove she is capable. From the grade school kid who is walking in the door pulling off school clothes to put on the uniform to get to practice so he can get home to finish homework and be in bed before 11pm. 
Be still, and know.

It’s a vicious cycle. And not a Merry-go-round cycle. It’s not measured and paced. No. It’s the Renegade. Takes you to the top, drops you down a curve, and never slows down until you are right back where you started from. And now you have to choose. Do you get back on?
Be still, and know that I am God.

Yet underneath this current of Busy, there is an anchor caught so deep in peace, it’s begging us to be pulled into the calm. A stillness quietly calling out ‘the victory is already won’. God doesn’t call us to be Busy, God calls us to be present in the moment with one another. In this Advent season, when it seems like everything is ramping up, what if we took the time to slow it down? What if we passed Busy off to the next person and instead took time to be still? Would our conversations be deeper? Would our hearts be fuller? Would we hear God calling? I am choosing to be still. To quiet down and prepare my heart and mind to welcome God’s Word made flesh. There will still be parties to go to, dinners to plan, concerts to attend, but I am choosing to be fully present at each event. I am choosing to value people over Busy. Will you join me?
Dear Abba, as we head into this Advent season, remind us to be still as we wait in anticipation of your greatest gift. Guide our actions and interactions to be meaningful and present. Thank you for this time together. Look upon us with your favor. And Give us your peace.




Fill our tree with Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, Light.

11/23/2021

 
Christmas Tree
Merry Christmas!!!
It’s Advent season! 
This year our Advent Giving Tree
will be all about our neighbors
!


St. Luke’s was recently contacted by the school and community engagement coordinator from Kennedy High School with a request for gift cards that go to assist economically vulnerable students and families who often have food insecurities and housing instability including homelessness. This time of the year the Kennedy HS coordinator turns to local faith communities for gift card donations for its students/families during the extended upcoming breaks. For several years, Kennedy HS has assisted families with gift cards to Cub, Target and Walmart during these times. As we know, COVID put a financial stress on many people in our community, particularly our Latino population. These families do not need pity; they need resources to lift them up and to know their community cares for them. It is with great compassion for our community that St. Luke’s steps up to help. Please consider a donation of a Walmart, Target or Cub gift cards.
​
Starting the evening of the Thanksgiving Eve service and throughout Advent, you will be able to purchase a gift card in the Narthex and then put an ornament on the Christmas tree in the Narthex! Gift cards will be sold in the Narthex in denominations as low as $10.  Small ornaments will be added for incremental donations of $1. Those funds will be combined to purchase one or more gift cards. This will be a great way for kids, or anyone who is unable to give a larger donation, to participate. The gift that keeps giving…Gift cards will be purchased by St. Luke’s through the Scrip program and St. Luke’s will receive a rebate for each gift card sold; contributors will be supporting our community and St. Luke’s. 

You can also bring in a gift card, send a check to church indicating it is for the Advent Tree and or buy/pay for a gift card via Simply Giving (available soon as Advent Giving option), indicating it is for the Advent tree and we will add an ornament to the tree for you.

LET’S FILL THE TREE with HOPE, PEACE, JOY, LOVE, LIGHT and ORNAMENTS! 

Merry Christmas and Blessings,
The St. Luke’s Missions Team

Happy Thanksgiving + Dearest Advent Wishes + Merry Christmas + Blessings in the New Year!

11/16/2021

 
What a wonderful time of the year. From Thanksgiving, to Advent, to Christmas to New Years, there is so much to celebrate during these five plus weeks. Which one is your favorite?
In preparation of Christmas Eve Worship, Poinsettia sales started last week and will go through Thanksgiving Eve. Along with making the sanctuary look beautiful proceeds along with any direct donations go to Loaves & Fishes.  
Thanksgiving Eve Worship on Wednesday, November 24 is a time we all come together with the St. Luke's Choir and Jubilee Praise Team helping lead worship, along with a Wednesday Night family having their three daughters baptized. Following worship,all are invited to our Congregational Dessert Celebration. If you’re willing and able, consider bringing a dessert to share.  
In honor of Thanksgiving, make plans to help at Feed My Staving Children packing event on Saturday, November 27 from 11:30 AM – 1 PM. St. Luke’s has reserved 25 spots. There are 17 open spots. To sign up contact Craig Brandt directly at craigbrandt_9@msn.com  
The first Sunday of Advent is November 28. Members are invited to help light the way to Christmas as we share the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Jesus. There are eleven opportunities – two each Sunday of Advent (8:30 and 10 AM) and three on Christmas Eve (2, 4, and 10 PM). If interested please contact the church office. Currently two spots are filled. Prayerfully consider participating. It involves a short reading and lighting a candle, which can be done by an individual, friends, or a family. 
Last, but not least, it is never too soon to consider your New Year’s Resolution. Consider to choose reading through the Gospel of John. We will begin on Sunday, January 2 and go through Sunday, May 22. That’s 140 days to read 879 verses; that’s equates to a little over 6 verses a day, a message for eternity. We will be inviting people to sign up for small groups, choosing to meet weekly or monthly; both in person and online.
We close as we opened – Happy Thanksgiving, Dearest Advent Wishes, Merry Christmas, and Blessings to you and yours in the New Year!


Honoring Our St. Luke’s Veterans

11/9/2021

 
Veterans Day
Sunday, November 14 - 3 PM

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” – David (2nd Samuel 22:2-4)

St. Luke’s would like to give thanks to our fellow members who served our country. 

All are invited this Sunday afternoon, November 14 at 3 PM. We will gather around the flagpole at the main entrance of St. Luke’s. We will then enter the sanctuary for a special worship service. Ron Minsaas, Specialist 4, US Army 1959-1962 will provide the message. We will return to the flag pole following worship. May we, who live in freedom, always be grateful to those who helped preserve it:
 
Paul Angerhofer – Specialist 4, Military Police, US Army 1970-1971
Mark Bergherr – Lieutenant Commander, US Navy, 1974-1982 (Active) 1982-1994 (Reserves)
Gary Blanchard – Hospital Corpsman, 3rd Class, US Navy 1963-67
Craig Brandt – Major, Army Nurse, US Army 1980-1996
Al Buss – Specialist 5, Medical Laboratory, US Army 1961-1964
Warren Carpenter – COX, Construction Battalion, Boatswain, Seabees, US Navy 1944-1946
Patrick Cavanaugh – Hospital Corpsman, 2nd Class, US Navy 1984-1991
Stan Folie – 3rd Class Petty Officer, US Navy 1951-1955
Larry Gamboni – E-5, US Navy 1962-1966
Tom Hayden – Specialist 5, Medic, US Army 1966-1972
Greg Hornicke – Petty Officer 2nd Class, USS Truxton, US Navy 1968-1974
Howard Johnson – Specialist 4, Calvary Scout, US Army 1980-1986
Jim Jore – Staff Sergeant, USS Shanghai, US Navy, US Army National Guard,
 US Air National Guard 1963-66 1976-1996
Ken Koeneman – Sergeant, US Air Force 1965-1968
Jack Lindgren – Sergeant, Company Clerk, US Army 1954-1956
Roger Lyson – Machinery Repairman 2nd Class, USS Sierra AD-18, Wm S Standly DLG 32,
  US Navy 1971-1975
Ron Minsaas – Specialist 4, US Army 1959-1962
Colin Quinn – Specialist 4, Combat Engineer, US Army National Guard 1966-1972
Matt Roberts – Specialist 4, Mechanized Infantry, US Army 1987-1991
Skylar Roberts – Sergeant, US Marine Corps, 2012-2016
David Roudebush – Chief Warrant Officer – 4, Electronics, US Marine Corps 1966-72,
   1975-1989
David Skinner – Lieutenant Commander, US Navy 1979-2002
Mick Thorsland – Specialist 4, US Army National Guard 1970-1976
 
Deceased in 2020/2021
Dick Ericson – Seaman 1st Class, US Navy 1948-1952
Dick Fawver – Seaman 1st Class, US Navy 1943-1946
Don Witt – Yeoman 3rd Class, US Navy 1947

********************************************************************
Veterans Day is Thursday, November 11, 2021.

A VETERANS DAY MESSAGE For each BRANCH OF SERVICE:

To a Marine veteran:
Saying thanks to one of the few and the proud is more than just a privilege. It’s an honor. Semper Fi!

To an Air Force veteran:
Thank you for aiming high — and always staying ready to fly, fight, and win…worldwide.

To an Army veteran:
Honoring your service which reflects the long, proud, distinguished legacy of the U.S. Army.

To a Navy veteran:
With gratitude for your role in protecting the sea lanes…and safeguarding America’s freedom abroad.

To a Coast Guard veteran:
With deep appreciation for your vigilant defense of our shores…and beyond!
                                                                      ~~~
Credit to Dave McPeek, himself a veteran of the United States Air Force, has been illustrating, writing, and editing greeting cards for longer than he’d care to admit. 


All Saints Sunday

11/2/2021

 
All Saints
Adapted from Benjamin M. Stewart’s article “Deeper Understandings”
There is a lot of meaning packed into the word “All” in All Saints. Let’s explore the day through this simple word.
“All” includes some most beloved to us. All Saints calls to mind specific individuals: particular beloved faces, names and memories. On All Saints Sunday, St. Luke’s, like many congregations name in worship our loved ones who have died in the past year who had their Celebration of Life and Resurrection here. St. Luke’s also has a candle station in the narthex to remember other loved ones.
“All” includes those beloved by others. All Saints sets out a place for all of them—an assembly the book of Revelation describes as “a number no one could count” with saints “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (7:9). All Saints brings into focus our own beloved dead while also stretching our imagination toward the whole company of saints, more diverse and populous than we can fully comprehend.
“All” are saved by grace. The festival originally honored those who were considered especially holy: heroic figures from the Scriptures and martyrs who had given their lives nonviolently in witness to the faith. However, it is an especially Lutheran accent for the feast to honor not only those who lived exemplary lives, but “All” who have been baptized into Christ’s death.
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For Lutherans, All Saints resonates with the conviction that in Christ every saint is a sinner and every sinner a saint, simul justus et peccator. Lutherans especially remember on this feast that it is God’s grace, apart from our works, that makes us saints. We find lasting rest only in the mercy of God.
______________________________________________________________________________________
We share a mortal, earthy nature with all humans and all living creatures on the planet. Death is an inevitable part of life for all of us. It is part of our citizenship as earth creatures. In the Bible’s wisdom literature, the word “All” is like a bell ringing to remind us of the lesson of Ash Wednesday: The fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath …. All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20). John’s Gospel uses seed imagery: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (12:24). All Saints proclaims a mystery. We remain in communion with those who have returned to the earth ahead of us.
The themes of All Saints extend into all of Christian life. We call to mind every Sunday the great company of saints as we join their unending hymn around the communion table. We bear witness to new saints being born from the baptismal waters. Perhaps we visit a cemetery on the anniversary of a death or on other church festivals. Many congregations include every week a final petition in the intercessions giving thanks for the lives of saints who died during the week in this or a past year. Some Christians are rediscovering natural burial as a way to honor our return to the earth in hope alongside all living creatures. And every time we see the sign of the cross or trace it on our bodies, we remember the one whose death and resurrection has formed this company of all the saints, hallowing all our lives and deaths.
All Saints reimagines the world—“All” of it. Even in death, God is making “All” things new.
Used with Permission. Living Lutheran Article, October 29, 2018
Benjamin M. Stewart is the Gordon A. Braatz Associate Professor of Worship and director of the Zygon Center for Religion and Science at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He is author of A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth’s Ecology.



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St. Luke's Lutheran Church
1701 West Old Shakopee Road Bloomington, MN 55431
952-881-5801 | office@stlukesbloomington.org
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