Church newsletter pastoral column for St. Peter Lutheran Church, Greene, Iowa, for September, 2019.
Let’s Be the Church
Thus says the Lord God to these bones:
‘I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.’
– Ezekiel 7:5
Dear Church, imagine with me for a moment. Imagine a group of people who make a commitment to form a community to share life together. A community where everyone is welcome, no matter what they’ve gone through, no matter what baggage they’re carrying. A community that gathers each week to sing and pray together, to together learn and study the meaning and purpose of life, to gather together around a table and share a sacred meal together.
In this community, people freely share their time and resources to help those in need, both their next-door neighbors and people around the world they’ve never met. Imagine a community of people who gather to celebrate in the best times of life, and to grieve in the worst moments. A community where everyone’s gifts and abilities are affirmed. A community that includes and values people of all ages, from newborn infants to centenarians.
This is the community we are seeking at St. Peter Lutheran Church. This is the community that you as members of this church have publicly committed to be part of. As the Church, as the Body of Christ, we have good news the world is starving to hear. We know of God’s love revealed in Jesus’ death on the cross for our sake. We know Jesus is alive, that sin and death have been defeated. We know of a new way to live, a way of love, grace, and forgiveness in Jesus’ name. We know the mission to which God calls us, seeking justice and peace in the world.
Last month, I titled my column “When Your Church Lets You Down.” This community (just like any community involving sinful humans!) is not perfect. We are the body of Christ, but we often fall short of God’s calling. But God doesn’t give up on us.
Living into our calling to be this sort of community requires the Holy Spirit. We need God’s help to live as God’s people. And God is at work.The Holy Spirit is working among us. The Holy Spirit is calling you.
Summer is always a challenging time for our congregation. We have wonderful, inspiring events like Vacation Bible School and the mission trip, but with traveling and general summer busy-ness, it’s difficult for many to come participate regularly in worship.
As we enter the new routines of fall, I ask you: Will you answer God’s call?Will you do your part to make St. Peter Lutheran Church into the beloved community of faith God is calling us to be? Will you be part of this community?
Will you commit to coming on Sunday mornings or Saturday nights to worship God, to be fed at the Lord’s table, to be challenged and sent out to serve? Will you use your time, your talents, your treasures, and your very life to reach others with the good news of God’s grace? Let’s be the Church, together.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Daniel Flucke