A gift for you, from your local funeral chapel

At death, my fingernails will stop growing. However, knowing me, they will probably need to be clipped just after I die, while my body is being prepared for viewing. I never stopped to think that funeral chapels will need to have a supply of fingernail clippers.

In this case, not only do they have a supply, they also use them as a kind of advertising tool. How smart. And perhaps thoughtful.

St. Paul said once, "To live is Christ, to die is gain." You know, for the time being I'm okay with Christ. The gain can be a future reality. In the meantime, I'm thanking God that my fingernails, in fact, continue to grow.

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Blessing of Ministries

Here's a litany I worked up last year, changed this year (will probably change again next year!) as we ask God's blessing on our leadership. Which includes the Church Council and the leadership from other ministries. Use it if you'd like, change it for your own situation, and/or comment.

Blessing of Ministries

L: God our Creator, you have taught us that through Jesus your work is finished, and that we are already reconciled to you.
A: But we know there is unfinished business
L: There are seeds to be sown
A: And we know that the plants of ministry grow and bear fruit because of your Spirit
L: Whether we teach children here, pay bills, or hand out food to people in need,
A: Whether we are making decisions on Church Council, or caring for this building and grounds,
L: We are planting seeds. We are taking a small part in your great mission to gather the whole world to yourself.
A: But we can’t do all that you require or ask of us
L: We are limited people with limited money, limited skill, and often with limited time and limited desire.
A: Yet we know that somehow…
L: …And in some way
A: You are able to work with our limits, because your Word never returns empty.
L: Your grace is sufficient for us
A: Your power is made perfect in our weakness
L: Your love and promises hold us securely and guide us each day.
A: Bless our leaders today. Help us to support and care for them, interpreting their actions and decisions in the kindest way.
L: Let us all, in our various ministries, and in the strength of your Spirit, proclaim your grace and love to every person whom our ministries touch.
A: Amen.

Second Wind

At the church I serve there are a handful of new faces. What an encouragement that people are giving St. Paul a try, that they are seeking God's Word and Christian community at our house!

What I've been wondering for awhile, is whether the worship service that I design is inaccessible to many people, especially those who are trying us out for the first time. This isn't a very "Lutheran" part of the country. Are there questions that people want to ask, but they think they can't, or that they shouldn't? What about having dialog about the ways in which we worship, the things we do and the history behind them?

My main thing is that I'm a person of words. I work so hard at the particular words I say, so much that I'm stuck with the need to say ONLY those words and so there is not a great deal of flexibility and freedom in my leadership and in my presence.

I'm thinking about starting a Facebook group that has to do with innovations within the context of worship. Sure there are lots of different kinds of congregations, many variables, but there is a common challenge/opportunity/struggle to open God's Word and not put up obstacles. Any interest out there?