A Lenten ReflectionBy Kathy GarrisonAs I write this, it is not yet Lent, and I am in the midst of the chaos of life. As the thoughts and feelings rumbled around within and began colliding with each other, I realized where I find my peace -- it is in my faith and in the worship at Augustana. No matter how exhausted or disillusioned I am, I make sure I am in a pew if I'm in town. As I pondered the peace that comes to me through that experience of faith, I wondered about the early church. When we read about those who Peter and Paul led, one thing really stands out. The people who were coming together had never come together before. They had always been separated by race, gender, economics, and culture. Now they were all welcome in one place. How must they have felt to come together with a voice (not always one voice) and one purpose -- to worship freely as Christians? We are all welcome at Augustana. Regardless of who we are or what we are, the door is open to us. We come together every week and hear the Word faithfully preached and the Sacrament properly distributed, and we welcome one another. It seems to me, that if the church is the bride of Christ, than we each have the honor and the privilege of guaranteeing that the ancient and pure tradition of the Christians from the days of Peter and Paul is supported and sustained. The gifts and talents we have in this life are God’s. He has chosen to bless each of us with different things. We are called to return to God a portion of what already belongs to him, and do it joyfully! As we prepare ourselves for the joy of the resurrection, it is helpful for me to reflect on what and who I am, and how I am honoring that which God has given to me. Am I joyful giver? |
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Augustana Lutheran
Church Church Office
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office
phone: 202-234-5315
voicemail: 202-234-5312 fax: 202-234-5724 email: office@augustanadc.info pastor@augustanadc.info theaugustanan@augustanadc.info |
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Updated:
March 21, 2004
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