|
0 members (),
89
guests, and
25
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,219
Posts415,299
Members5,881
| |
Most Online3,380
Dec 29th, 2019
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,208
Member
|
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,208 |
"Rejoice in hope; be patient under trials, perservere in prayer."
Romans 12:12
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 10,084 Likes: 12
Global Moderator Member
|
|
Global Moderator Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 10,084 Likes: 12 |
Prayers, as the hour of the vote approaches, that the congregation of our friend and brother, Pastor Thomas, be led to stand steadfast and do what is best for them spiritually.
"One day all our ethnic traits ... will have disappeared. Time itself is seeing to this. And so we can not think of our communities as ethnic parishes, ... unless we wish to assure the death of our community."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,438 Likes: 3
Member
|
|
OP
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,438 Likes: 3 |
Thank you, dear friends.
Here is what happened:
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, I invite the children take a tour of the Nave during their Children’s Sermon time, asking them to locate the various creche figures which have been placed on the deep window ledges of the nearly century and a quarter old worship space. I tell them that Mary and Joseph are journeying to Bethlehem, and that the Magi have an even longer journey....a fitting metaphor for the journey which lies before this small but generous congregation.
Generosity quite literally overflowing in the Narthex. A copier paper sized box collecting mittens and hats for children fleeing domestic violence, spilling out onto its table. The space beneath a 3 x 6 foot table stuffed--and beyond--with presents for a needy family with 10 children that live more than 20 miles from building.
The Liturgy began, as always during Advent, with the intonation of the Litany from Evening Prayer, which is actually the first Ektania of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. At the petition for the hierarchs I prayed for “Mark our Presiding Bishop, Penrose, our Bishop”....as well as for “Robert, Ray, Winfield, Thaddeus, and John, the [ACNA] Bishops who are kindly disposed to us”.
The Eucharistic liturgy was a carol-paraphrase setting using Swedish and German chorale tunes of my composition; ironically, its inspiration had come seventeen years ago on the eve of the visit to this parish by Bishop Emeritus Guy Edmiston. Now it would be used in the presence of the Secretary of the Lower Susquehanna Synod on what would be the final liturgy of this congregation as a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Following the liturgy, the second vote was taken: 40 ballots cast; 39 yes, 1 no, no abstentions: A 97.5% majority, up considerably from the 85..6% margin of the first vote three months ago.
RESOLVED, that the Zion (Shaffer’s) United Lutheran Church disassociate with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and affiliate with the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
We are out of Egypt, and nearly unanimously. Thanks be to God!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,680 Likes: 14
John Member
|
|
John Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,680 Likes: 14 |
May the Lord God bless and lead you and your congregation at all times. May He heal all wounds. May He lead all men to Him and His will.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,438 Likes: 3
Member
|
|
OP
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,438 Likes: 3 |
The final hurdle was cleared this afternoon when the Synod Council of the Lower Susquehanna Synod voted uanimously to dismiss this congregation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We have already received our congregational membership certificate in the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
The timing is striking, for tomorrow as we truly begin this new relationship the Gospel text for the Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany (which we have not heard since 1984!) begins "No one can serve two masters...." and continues with our Lord's exhortation to consider the birds of the air and the lillies of the field. A new beginning can be a time of anxiety so His words of trust are well timed.
For me, the Epistle from 2 Corinthians "this is how we are to be regarded, as stewards of the mysteries of God" and its exhortation to faithfulness are equally well timed. This whole process of transition--a process which is by no means complete, as our dialog with the Anglican Church in North America continues--has been driven by a longing to be faithful in the stewardship of God's sacramental mysteries, most especially keeping the rite of Marriage strictly as God has intended it to be.
So along with prayers of thanksgiving pray that we may persevere in this holy race and highest of callings.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,680 Likes: 14
John Member
|
|
John Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,680 Likes: 14 |
Prayers and the very best of wishes to you and your entire congregation!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 10,084 Likes: 12
Global Moderator Member
|
|
Global Moderator Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 10,084 Likes: 12 |
Prayers for Pastor Thomas and his congregation as they continue on their spiritual journey.
"One day all our ethnic traits ... will have disappeared. Time itself is seeing to this. And so we can not think of our communities as ethnic parishes, ... unless we wish to assure the death of our community."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930 |
AMEN! Amazing for sure 
|
|
|
|
|
