From Justin´s sermon: "The reign of God enacted by Jesus is a vision for the wholeness of life. In the prayer he teaches his disciples, Jesus says that when God´s reign comes to realization, we`ll have food to eat and all our needs will be met; God won´t count our sin against us; right relationships will be restored between us and our neighbor; and will give us perseverance in the times of struggle, trials, and tribulations. For the Lukan Jesus salvation isn´t just the forgiveness of sins, it´s God´s whole mission of reconciliation between people in holy community."
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A photo of our Latin America and Caribbean Group during SMC!! Click here to learn more about the SMC, to listen to some of the presentations we heard and to read a summary of our accompaniment narrative discussion. From Justin´s sermon: "And it was Jesus himself who lived out this “Mary Martha” lifestyle of serving those most in need through his healing, miracles and teaching, but he was also able to authentically be present with them in a way that they knew God loved them. And this is Jesus message to you and me today, to stop all the running around doing things to to impress God or keeping busy with chores or worries and just be, just be with your neighbor and just be in the presence of God. So when your faith is borne out of a deep trust in God´s unconditional mercy, you can imagine these words to you from Jesus, “don´t let all the doing get in the way of you being with me...you don´t have to impress me by running around, just love me and let me love you; listen to me and let me teach you, for in putting your preoccupations down to more fully be in my presence, you´ll find freedom and rest.” A message from Justin: "For two weeks I was at the ELCA churchwide offices with my colleague from Central America Stephen Deal and our Latin America & Caribbean team. It was time spent learning about budget processes, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, and the different ministries of our companion Lutheran churches in South America. I also met many people and learned about their jobs and how they impact the overall vision of the ELCA Global Mission."
From Justin´s Sermon: "And in understanding the power of transformational love, Martin Luther read in this parable that it´s Christ, who is the true Samaritan and has shown his love toward God and neighbor by taking the poor man to himself as his own; going to him uninvitedly, and not requiring the helpless one to come to him; for here is no merit, but pure grace and mercy; and he binds up the man´s wounds, cares for him and pours in oil and wine, lifting him up and restoring him, this is the whole Gospel from beginning to end. In short, he did no work that centered on himself alone, but all his acts centered on his neighbor." From Justin´s Sermon: "Hospitality is welcoming the ones who are rejected by others. Hospitality is at time terrifying and can cause us to tremble. Hospitality is being Jesus with skin on. Hospitality is a gift from God to the church so that we can do what is right and serve God in the world through love, justice and peace for the poor, oppressed and marginalized. Our radical hospitality be it at home, at work, at school or at church begins first with Christ and his love for us. For we love because God first loved us and we welcome because God first welcomed us." |
Home Assignment 2013 ScheduleMay 19: Grace Lowerstone Church- Rockwell, NC Archives
August 2013
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