In this Rich Season

We are entering a wonderfully rich time in the life of the church! Layered on to each Sunday’s celebration of the resurrection, in the next six weeks we’ll observe and commemorate Reformation Sunday, All Saints Sunday, Pledge Sunday, Christ the King Sunday, Thanksgiving Tuesday and the First Sunday in Advent! Wow!

We’ll look back to our Lutheran roots and forward to the future of the faith. We’ll remember with thanksgiving the lives of the saints now at God’s right hand and the lives of the saints sitting in the pews around us. We’ll make a commitment of time, talent and treasure to the life of the congregation for 2026 and fill the chancel with food for hungry neighbors. We’ll close the year of Luke with Christ the King on the cross and begin the year of Matthew anticipating Jesus in the manger.

In this rich season, you’re invited to imagine if by this time next year there were even more people hearing the story of God’s life-giving abundant love. And you’re invited to ask the Holy Spirit where those people might be and go there.

Were you looking for a new spiritual practice?

Several years ago, I preached several times at a large and growing Arizona congregation in a retirement community where each Saturday/Sunday they looked forward to receiving a spiritual assignment for the week, and to discussing with their pastors and fellow worshippers how they did on their assignment for the previous week.

This is a little like that, but you’ll have this whole season to try it – to pray and experiment meeting new people – and you’ll have a whole year to watch the Holy Spirit work in and through you and the people you meet.

You love your God, your church and your neighbor. You shine with the light of Christ. You’re the perfect person to meet new people, develop new relationships, and share the grace and peace given you.

Pastor Robin