Season of Epiphany

The term epiphany really means manifestation or revelation of God.  God is revealed to us each and every weekend through word and sacrament.  During this season of Epiphany, come and discover how God presence is made known in the words that are spoken.  Come and see how God’s presence is made known as we share a foretaste of the feast to come.  Come this weekend and discover how God’s presence is made known through the waters of Baptism as we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus. 

            This epiphany, we are focused on Christ’s “light on the way.”  This is the same light that guided the wise astrologers to Jesus and Mary.  This light glows over the river Jordan as God beckons, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”  In the remaining weeks of epiphany, this light will continue to shine as Christ as he begins his earthly ministry.  On the mountain top Jesus will be transfigured into the light on the way as God again shares with all of God’s people, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  Even as we move into Lent and the 40 days, this light will not extinguish, but illumine in the shadows of this life. 

            Each weekend God is revealed to us through the words of scripture and God’s holy sacraments.  You are invited to this place of grace to listen, grow, and discover God’s abiding presence. You are invited to join this community of faith where all are welcome to celebrate the beginnings of Christ’s ministry in His baptism.  You are invited to bring a friend to share in the foretaste of the feast to come.

Come and worship at Abiding Presence - A Place of Grace.  All are Welcome!

www.aplc.org

There is a pew for you!

Steve

Light on the Way

Isaiah 60:1 – “Arise, Shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

As we enter the liturgical season of Epiphany, know that Christ, the light that shines in the darkness, gives us His light on the way.  This light has come to reveal to us, or to make manifest, the beginnings of Jesus’ earthly ministry. 

This light was guiding the Magi who knelt down at the feet of Jesus and adorning him with gifts.  This light was glowing over the river Jordan where Jesus Christ was baptized.  This light revealed Jesus Christ not only to the whole world as God’s only and beloved child, but revealed the very nature of God’s self as Jesus begins his public ministry.

Come and worship at Abiding Presence this Epiphany and be a witness to the light that guides us from the manger to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to everlasting life.  God has given us a “light on the way,” let us walk with Christ and begin anew our ministry as Jesus Christ begins his. 

For your light has come,

Pastor Steve

www.aplc.org

Always Reforming

Almost 500 years ago, Martin Luther nailed the 95 thesis to a church door with hopes of reforming the church.  History tells us that Luther did not sway the Catholic Church, and a group of clergy formed a new denomination called Lutheran.  Around this same time, Martin Luther wrote both the Large and Small Catechism to instruct and educate this new community of faith.  At the center of these documents are the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Ten Commandments.   We still use the Small Catechism today!

Each week Jr. High youth gather at Confirmation to study and learn more about their faith and baptism.  It is a time for them to confirm their faith and to say yes to the baptismal promises made years before by parents and sponsors.  The Small Catechism is central to their education, but confirmation is not graduation.  We are all still learning and growing in faith.  

During the month of October, as we prepare to celebrate Reformation, you are invited to join the new Sunday school class, “Adults in the Corner” as they look closely at Luther’s Small Catechism.  Come and take a grown up look at what Luther was attempting to accomplish.

We Give...

 Responding to God’s gift of grace in Jesus Christ and energized by the Holy Spirit…we give.  As our mission statement points out, giving is an integral part of Abiding Presence, and God is changing the lives of others because we give.

Through your gifts, a young girl in Ethiopia was able to meet Lane Hoggard, a high school student of Abiding Presence.  Lane traveled with other missionaries to Ethiopia with Water to Thrive and they were able to complete Abiding Presence’s second water well.  Lane took her water jug off of her back and walked with her to her home.  He met her family and drank clean water with them.  With the time and energy saved by this well, this young girl can now go to school, and always have clean water to drink.  Not only was her life changed, but Lane’s as well.  Your giving made this happen.

The quilters of Abiding Presence give of their time and talents to craft beautiful quilts for Lutheran World Relief. In a recent meeting with a LWR representative, I found out that Abiding Presence is one of the top givers of quilts and health kits in Texas.

When I worked at New Like Children’s Treatment Center in Canyon Lake, TX, I witnessed firsthand what these quilts can do for those in need.  At this treatment center for at-risk teenage girls, young ladies would enter with only clothing, but were given a quilt from a neighboring Lutheran church.  For so many, this was the first quilt they received, and for others, it was the first gift given to a life that had so much taken from it.  Their lives are forever changed.

The Stephen Ministers of Abiding Presence take communion to the homes of parishioners who are not able to make it to worship.  Stephen Ministers are trained lay leaders who also give one-to-one care in times of crisis, which means they travel to homes of the sick, visit hospital rooms, and pray for and visit families who have lost loved ones.  Your gifts help to train and equip these saints and lives are changed. 

The Abiding Presence food pantry gives assistance for those who have found themselves without.  So many people come through and receive an HEB bag packed to the brim with food.  Recently, I sat and talked with a young man who was struggling so much.  With that bag of groceries, he was able to eat for a few more days and his tears said it all.  Because you give, Abiding Presence is able to meet the needs of the hungry, living out the Gospel message!  Lives are changed!

Abiding Presence seeks to use the gifts received wisely, much like your family does.  We prayerfully consider where the resources of the church be will spent and given.  Because you give, lives are changed. 

On October 7^th, during the Sunday school hour at breakfast, you have the opportunity to listen and be involved in a discussion about how we are changing lives.  The Stewardship Ministry Action Team is hosting an Abiding Presence Stewardship Awareness Presentation.  You are invited to be involved and witness firsthand how Abiding Presence prayerfully considers the missions and ministries chosen to support with the gifts received.  All are welcome!

Pastor Steve

Celebrating our Mission at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church

Beginning in August, Abiding Presence will spend five weeks celebrating our newly adopted mission statement:

“Responding to God’s gift of grace in Jesus and energized by the Holy Spirit

we invite, serve, worship, give, and grow in faith.” 

At each worship service the focus will be on each of the action words in our mission statement.

On the weekend of August 11/12, invitation is the focus.  Not only are we blessed to invite others to worship and see the glory of God in the daily, but there is a deeper invitation received from the bread of life that fills each and every one of us with goodness and mercy.

The following weekend, August 18/19, we will look at what it means to serve.  Abiding Presence has many mission partners that reach beyond the walls of the sanctuary.  Serving means to place you last, living a life like Christ did, in the service of others.  

On August 25/26 the focus will be worship. Worship is not just a Sunday event, it is an everyday event.  Every action, word and thought you have has the ability to be scared. 

Giving is the focus on Sept 1/2.  Giving is more than just an action; it is a way of being.  With all the blessings we have been given from God Almighty, we are called and commissioned to share these blessings with others.  When these gifts are shared, God multiplies them and peoples’ lives are changed.

Rally Day weekend, September 8/9, will look at how we grow in faith.  Our faith is ever changing and growing, and the words written in scripture have the ability to influence and interpret us in everything we say and do.

Abiding Presence is a place of grace where all are welcome.  During the coming weeks, you are invited to worship at Abiding Presence where lives are changed and God is made known. 

See you in the pew,

Pastor Steve

A wonderful sermon I found

Take some time and read what Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber has written on this past Sunday's text
Enjoy and God Bless

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber/2012/06/sermon-on-fear-self-centeredness-and-the-storm-at-sea/

I WANT YOU TO READ THIS PLEASE

Below is a link to Pastor Rich Nelson's webpage and a sermon he recently gave in Burton Texas.  The words he speaks are hard to hear for some, especially in the rural setting that he and I shared for over 3 years together.  I applaud his courage and pray that his sermon and his message inspires you as it did me.  Blessings to all who read this and may God's abundant love shower on you this day!

With God's richest Blessings,
Pastor Steve

http://www.revrichnelson.com/#!GLBTsermon|c21ib