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Congregation voices on the Three-Church Initiative

9/30/2020

 
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By Barb Geiger and Keith Atkinson
 
Congregation members Barb Geiger and Keith Atkinson first shared these thoughts at Three-Church information sessions held during September.
 
Reflection from Barb Geiger
I think back on my former congregation, Epiphany Lutheran. Much like Lake Nokomis Lutheran, we were a warm and welcoming congregation, full of ideas, vision for the future and the desire to respond to God’s call. Unfortunately, Epiphany membership dropped over time, leaving us unable to sustain our congregation. 
 
I wish Epiphany had the opportunity that we have at Lake Nokomis. We have been given a gift, a gift of stewardship, to create an incredible new way to share our building and allow us to move into the future as a secure, stable and sustainable congregation.
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Reflection from Keith Atkinson
I first came to LNL in 2012 and after being greeted and welcomed so warmly, learning the LNL motto of “Come as You Are,” and seeing it expressed so openly – all these things told me this was my new church home. In the subsequent months, I got to know many of our church family members. I was pleased to learn that many members of LNL were from diverse backgrounds and Christian denominations. I met former Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, agnostics, one neighbor boy who identified as being Jewish, and the list goes on. Learning of these others who had been so welcomed into this church despite these differences only solidified the core value of the church that I had come to love.
 
To me, LNL is a church of conviction boldly stating, “Come as You Are” yet without a caveat of, “… but Only if You Are Like Us.” Our church faces a decision. This decision to me is not so much on voting for a Three-Church Initiative. It is more the question, “Do our actions on this vote reflect our words and beliefs of who we are and whom we serve?” The Apostle Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NIV).

​I know many of you are concerned of the changes that may come to LNL. Change is often scary and the uncertainty of the unknown can be troubling. However, I believe that change is also a necessary component of growth that leads to wonderful new creations.
 
I look at the example of my children when thinking of change. On the one hand, I want my children to stay the same sweet, little, bundles of joy they were when they were born. Yet, I also rejoice in their accomplishments as they mature, which is only possible from growth into adulthood. Recently, I dropped one of my children off at college. I didn’t want to see her go and I didn’t want the resulting change that I knew would affect my life. However, I knew that in order for her to keep growing beyond an already amazing young woman, she would have to keep growing and keep changing.
 
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV).

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“Fragile: Handle With Care”

9/30/2020

 
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by Pastor Sara Spohr
 
Have you ever received a box with that label stamped on the outside? The label is there to ensure that the package makes its way from sender to receiver intact. It's a warning to every person who comes in contact with the packages that care should be taken, gentleness and attention given. Still, there are times when our carefully placed order arrives in pieces. The care package we packed with love and labeled accordingly is thrown or dropped and the cookies inside just crumble. It's disappointing to be on the receiving end of such an oversight.
 
This is a big week in the life of Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church. We’re not shipping anyone or anything off in the mail. Still, I am wondering if we should get a box of labels and place a “fragile: handle with care” sticker upon each of our hearts. 
 
You see, the vote we take on Sunday is a big decision for this community. The proposal would bring with it a big change. Some of us can see every reason why this change is necessary and feel both hopeful and nervous in explaining it and waiting upon the community’s decision. Others of us feel that the disruption it would cause in practice and tradition is too much to give up and feel both anxious and perplexed.  
 
This strange year has introduced us to a global pandemic, it’s heightened our awareness of the inequities in our community, and it has intensified already bitter political divisions. Now, with all of that in the background, we’re asking you to make a big decision that impacts a community and a place that provides peace and hope during such uncertain times.
 
Do you see how we are all pretty fragile right now?
 
As a people of faith we are called to proclaim good news to the fragile, to live out the good news for each other in acts of love and service. I have been filled with so much hope as I’ve attended four of the five information sessions on our Three-Church initiative. You have asked tough questions. You have vulnerably shared your excitement, anxiousness, and sadness about the plan. You have practiced patience, kindness, and healthy compromise in every single gathering. You are holding fragile hearts with tenderness and grace.
 
This is the heart of the gospel we proclaim. We are called to be a community of diverse people that speak honestly, make courageous decisions and live with hope. Not only that, but when we weary of this work, when we are so fragile ourselves that we just can’t manage to dole out any more grace, we turn to a God who says “come to me, all of you who are weary and carrying a heavy burden and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
 
Do you hear it? The good news? Today, tomorrow, on Sunday as we vote, and the day after that as well, God will continue to hold your fragile heart and mine. Today, I’m giving thanks for that good news!
 
In good faith,
 
Pastor Sara

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Unafraid: Hope in uncertain times

9/10/2020

 
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By Pastor Sara Spohr
 
Do not be afraid — I am with you!
    I am your God — let nothing terrify you!
I will make you strong and help you;
    I will protect you and save you.
            Isaiah 41:10 (Good News Translation)
 
In the pages of the Bible we hear the same straightforward message hundreds of times: “do not be afraid.” This is certainly good news. Sometimes though, fear and uncertainty can simply overwhelm me. In those moments, I wonder if my fear actually just exposes a lack of faith and trust in God. There is no shortage of things to fear these days, a global pandemic, civil unrest, systemic racism, a contentious (to put it mildly) upcoming election … of course that list could go on and on.
 
I heard a young dad vulnerably express his fears in an interview this week. He said, “Maybe there’ll be another spike, and my business will get shut down even further. And there’s been nights laying up at night in tears and late nights with the two of us yelling and screaming at each other or yelling at the kids or just staring at the wall because we don’t know.” (NPR interview - Matt Simonds, Albuquerque NM)
 
We don’t know. If the last year has given us any kind of certainty, it is that what’s coming next is uncertain. So how do we, as people of faith, live with courage and hope during these uncertain times? Can we really be “unafraid” as a child of God?
 
This fall at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church we are digging into questions like this in our worship series: Unafraid: Hope in Uncertain Times. Jesus faces difficult questions, system-wide injustices, fierce critics, and a successful attack on his very life. We’ll look to Jesus’ wisdom, action, and promises in the face of these fears. We’ll consider these current moments in the life of our church, city, nation, and world. We’ll name and face this fear head on, and find the courage and hope to move forward in faith together.
 
I am eager to worship with you, share the gospel together, and find renewed faith in the community of faith.  

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5011 31st Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55417
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