From Pastor Bieghler...
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
Item 1: The failed vote and next steps
It is with disappointment that report to you that the vote at Christ Lutheran in Orange to call me as their pastor according to the terms of the Cooperative Ministry Agreement that we had approved failed on February 7. This means the plans we had in place to share my pastoral services and build a shared ministry relationship together are now null and void. At a practical level nothing will change at LOG – everything about my ministry with you will remain as is. It does mean that there will be some challenges financially as we continue through the year to keep up with the demands of the continued three quarters time call.
The council is now looking at next steps for LOG. We are hopeful that another ministry partner will emerge and that we may be able to establish a similar agreement with a nearby congregation. This remains to be seen. Time will tell. As of this writing there is nothing new to report. For now we keep moving forward in mission and ministry and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us into new possibilities. We also pray for God’s blessing on Christ Lutheran Church and guide them into the future as well with hope.
Item 2: Wednesdays in Lent
“Be Reconciled to God!”
This admonition from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is our watchword for Lent. Perhaps the greatest expression of how God effects this reconciliation on our behalf in Christ is told in the amazing story Jesus tells of a ‘man who had two sons’ (otherwise known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32). This parable illustrates in story form some very important theological concepts such as sin, repentance, and atonement. Do you ever wonder what these words mean? These lofty concepts are brought down to earth through this very human story. On our Wednesdays in Lent we will be exploring these concepts and others and bring them to life through the story Jesus told as we dig deeply into his parable.As we pray to keep a good Lent I think the prayer below not only sums up the purpose of Lent, but also captures very well the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. So let us pray this prayer throughout this Lenten season:
“Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (Prayer of the Day for Ash Wednesday, ELW)
See you in church.
- Pastor Steve