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

He is Risen...He is risen INDEED!

What joyous news it is.  Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  Death has been defeated and we are forever blessed with grace and forgiveness.  It has been quite a journey through our forty days of Lent as we prepared for this day.  Some of you might have given something up for Lent or maybe even added a new devotion.  It is my hope that it has brought you closer to the risen Lord. 

Now that Christ is risen we can return to those same routine we had before.  We can eat that chocolate, drink that soda, stop the morning walk and prayer time.  I mean after all Lent is over.  Okay, okay I am being a little sarcastic.  But in all seriousness, is this the mindset that we take?  How quick are we to return to life as “normal?”

What are you going to give up for Easter?  What are you going to add to your life knowing that Jesus Christ suffered and died so that we might be forgiven?  Today is nothing but normal.  It is a new day being alive in Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and driven to action.  Christ has risen.  Alleluia!  Now go tell someone about this fantastic news.  Go show someone Christ through your words and actions.  Go and see the risen Christ in everyone you meet when you rise this day. 

Jesus Christ HAS risen and now we are called to live in this beautiful and glorious light!

Lent is over.  Our devotion has just begun. 

Pastor Steve

From Hosanna to Crucify

During this time of the Church year, we gather in congregations all over the world and begin to take that amazing journey toward the cross and grave...  

Imagine being the people that wave palm branches and shout out “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”  We lay our palm branches down for our new king to walk on.  We prepare a path so Jesus can walk with pride to over throw the powers that be.  We imagine that it is a green carpet of glory and prestige.  But Jesus doesn’t seem to be thinking the same thing.  His response is shocking.  He doesn’t take advantage of his power as Lord.

He doesn’t fight the Pharisees or temple elite.  He doesn’t overthrow the government and bring back the feeling that we had when King David was in his heyday.  No.  Jesus Christ pokes and prods the authorities and they arrest Him.  Not only that, they beat him and punish him like a criminal.  People that were waving those branches of Lordship are now screaming “Crucify!” 

He is placed on the cross.  It looks so very painful.  His breathing is slowing.  I think I heard him say something.  Is he?  Is he dead?  This can’t be!  How can Jesus, the Son of God, die?  What will life be like without him?  Will he come back like he said?

Join us as we take this journey anew at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church.    

See you in the pew,

Pastor Steve

What are you preparing for

I have the letters WAYPF (What Are You Preparing For) on the white board above my desk to remind me that I constantly am in need of preparation.  Years ago I used this to create balance in my life.  I considered my life split into thirds.  Physical, Spiritual, and Intellectual.

I daily set aside time to exercise.  To be physically fit, knowing that I might need to muster up some energy to get through the day became a priority.  I found that building up my core muscles helped to center me and prepared for the plethora of activities during the day.

I daily set aside time to be with God.  I would spend time in scripture, letting the words fill me and interpret me.  I would take time to pray on the inspiration that God was speaking to me.  My emotions throughout the day seemed to be more even keel.  I was more attentive to the needs of my loved ones and my colleagues because I had been filled. 

I daily set aside time to exercise my brain.  I would play my guitar or piano for about 30 minutes.  Sometimes I would work on a mind puzzle, like Sudoku or crosswords.  Other times I found myself reading books that were not on my seminary textbook list.  I found myself lost in the world of Harry Potter or being spooked by Stephen King.  I was prepared for new ideas and was more open to them.

Over time, life happened.  I found the partner I longed for, we married, moved a bunch, had a couple of kids and now I am lucky if I can remember to brush my teeth before I leave the house in the morning.  Life is moving faster and I have been finding myself less prepared for the demands of life and what God has called me to be and do.

As we enter the season of lent, what are you preparing for?  Like me, are you only focused on what is right in front of your face?  Is it hard to look beyond a few days, nevertheless a week?  This Lent, let us consider what we are preparing for….the death and resurrection of Christ.

How do we prepare for this amazing act of faith?  Before, I was only thinking of bettering myself for me.  Now I am considering better myself for others.  Jesus’ physical actions should be my own.  Like Christ, I should be engrossed in learning more about the people and the world that I am surround by.  I should be responding to world through the eyes of Christ on the cross…with unconditional love and empathy.

WAYPF? Let us walk this penitential season of Lent with Christ on our hearts, minds and filling our souls with God’s abundant grace and mercy.  It’s a long trek to the cross…may God walk with you as you prepare to meet the risen Christ.

                                                                                      

Pastor Steve