50 Year Celebration of ELCA World Hunger Appeal
July is going to be wonderful here at SOTP. Vacation Bible School kicks off on July 8. Our missionary from Tanzania, Daudi Msseemmaa, will be joining us for worship on Sunday, July 21 and throughout July we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger with Christmas in July. Please know how thankful I am for your spirit of generosity which wells up through this worshiping community.
In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul writes about the generosity of the Macedonian churches. He uses the Macedonian church as an example of joyous generosity which overflows in the manner in which he experienced in their living out the Gospel. Paul points out that they pray first and then, despite their poverty, offer gifts and service to the church in Jerusalem.
Paul is writing to the Corinthians, who (despite their plentiful resources) are not so quick to make a donation. Paul tells them that the Macedonians’ overflowing joy has welled up in rich generosity. They have given as much as they’re able, and even beyond their ability, entirely on their own. They really want the privilege of sharing.
Why do they want so badly to share the little that they have with strangers? Where does that impulse come from? How can prayer help?
Paul goes on to write that it’s as important to excel in the grace of giving as it is to excel in other areas of faith, knowledge, earnestness, and love.
If our spirit is willing, writes Paul, our gift is acceptable according to what we have, not what we do not have. In other words, it’s not about the amount.
It’s about your heart. Where is your heart?
Can you give of yourself freely, because you want to? Not because you ought to?
Have you ever sought out people in your family or your neighborhood that you can help? Taken part in “random acts of kindness”? Do you take inventory of what you possess that you can share with others? Where can you invest your time and talent?
There are many places in the world that need our generous giving. As we have done in the past we are celebrating “Christmas in July.” ELCA World Hunger appeal is celebrating 50 years of a wonderful partnership in caring for those who are hungry. This is one of the many ways you might experience the joy of giving as our Macedonian siblings exampled to the Apostle Paul long ago.
Imagine that Paul is writing directly to us, instead of the Corinthians, saying, “Hey! You are blessed to be a blessing! Open your heart, and give freely what has so freely been given to you!”
Blessings to you this month as we are blessed to see beyond the walls of SOTP and experience first hand the work of the larger church!
Pastor Mark
Email Pastor Mark: pastormark@sotpmail.com
On June 14 and 15, 5 elected voting members from SOTP and I participated in the worshipful, fun, and educational Northern Illinois Synod Assembly. SOTP is one of 140 congregations that make up the Northern Illinois Synod of the ELCA. The Synod Council meets four times each year to conduct the business of the church, but once each year, the Synod calls together clergy and voting members from each congregation to vote on some of the more significant items of business.
You may recall that, at our annual meeting, we elected Marcia Ball, Andrew Behm, Tim Bueschel, Julie Leonardi, and Josh Symbal to serve as our four adult and one youth voting members. The six of us made our way to Augustana College in Rock Island (Josh and my alma mater) accompanied by Donna Kelly who reported to the Assembly as chair of the Synod Nominating Committee.
I have been asked a few times if any important decisions were made at the Assembly. We always pass a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, elect people to synod positions, and other general orders of business, but when I’m asked that question, I know people are wondering if there were any big resolutions passed. As it turns out, there were some significant resolutions passed this year, and I want to share them with you all.
The first resolution is related to the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger. SOTP’s very own Becky Wright serves on the Synod World Hunger Subcommittee. A resolution was put forward and unanimously approved to encourage our congregations to increase our support with a giving event and intentionally include World Hunger in our directed giving. SOTP will be having a Christmas in July event beginning on July 6. The World Hunger Subcommittee will also be publishing new fundraising ideas for congregations on the Northern Illinois Synod website.
The second resolution is to have the synod appoint a task force to begin a year-long process of exploring what it will mean for the synod to become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Synod. The task force and the Synod Council will generate a Synod Welcome Statement to be presented to adoption at the 2025 Synod Assembly for the purpose of applying for RIC recognition.
For a bit of background on this resolution, Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation, since 1974, has advocated for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community. They have created resources for congregations, synods, seminaries, and other Lutheran organizations to engage in the process known as Reconciling in Christ (RIC). Through the RIC process, congregations and synods begin a journey to create a more authentic welcome, customized to each community.
The resolution was approved with 90% support from the Assembly. It only applies to the Synod and not to its congregations. Each congregation will still have to complete its own RIC process if it chooses. Several of our congregations have already completed this process or are in process. The same is true for many synods.
The third resolution is related to a topic Pastor Roy has covered in his Sunday morning Bible study. Through the resolution, which passed with 94% approval, the Northern Illinois Synod absolutely repudiates Christian Nationalism, commits to upholding the principles of religious freedom and the separation of church and state, encourages the congregations and people of the Synod to use the resources We Are Christians Against Christian Nationalism from the ELCA Advocacy Network and explore the ELCA’s Social Statement: “Civic Life and Faith.”
Christian Nationalism has roots that go back to post-Civil War America but has gained a new momentum in that past few decades, especially with the emergence of the Moral Majority in 1979. Christian Nationalism is a broad political ideology that includes beliefs such as: the U.S. Constitution was divinely inspired and enjoys godly status, that Christianity should be a privileged religion in the U.S., that the U.S. holds a special status in God’s eyes, and that good Americans must hold Christian beliefs. This leads to antisemitism, anti-Muslim sentiment, xenophobia, racism, and more. It doesn’t reflect the love that Jesus demonstrated or that he extends to us daily.
If you would like more information on Christian Nationalism, I encourage you to check out the resources listed above, and I also lift up a documentary, Bad Faith, streaming for free on tubi.
As you can see, Synod Assembly is a powerful event that not only lets you see how the church works. You become part of church decision-making that can have lasting effects far into the future. I encourage you to consider serving in this role next year. Simply let me know if you’re interested!
Peace,
Pastor Ryan
Email Pastor Ryan: pastorryan@sotpmail.com
“As he (Jesus) approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he shouted even more loudly. Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.” Luke 18:35-43
This has always been a favorite story of mine. This blind man sits not only at the edge of the city but also at the edge of society. At the time of Jesus, Jewish and most other societies thought that a person’s illness or affliction or poverty was God’s punishment for either their own or their parents’ sin. Those who were in front, leading the way, appear to be embarrassed by this blind beggar and try to shush him. But he wouldn’t be shushed! When he discerns that Jesus is at hand, he goes all out for the help that he needs and believes that Jesus can provide.
I can’t help but think of those today who sit at the edge of our societies; the poor, those dealing with addiction, the unhoused, the unemployed or underemployed, those with mental health challenges, the hungry, the lonely and the marginalized. They too cry out for God to have mercy on them; to ease their hurts and ills, to make life more live-able. Do we try to shush them as well? Are we embarrassed by their cries for help? Many times, we tend to think that the situation they are in is their fault. They need to ‘pull themselves up by their bootstraps’. There are programs out there, why don’t they use them? Why don’t they just go out and get a job?
This story challenges us in several ways. One is for us to not overlook or shush the lost and challenged, the outspoken and annoying. The gospels tell us repeatedly that it is those who are in difficult circumstances that Jesus calls and saves. In this story it is not the successful and suave leader who wins Jesus’ gift of salvation (being made whole); it is the one whom we might be ignoring right now who is healed and glorifies God.
Another challenge here is the idea that those in front (of Jesus) were the ones who rebuked the blind beggar. True discipleship is lived out from a position not in front of Jesus but alongside him. Often, we get in the way when we try to rush out ahead of Jesus telling him of our plans and ideas hoping he will come alongside and bless them.
Many we have a heart to walk with Jesus and eyes to see those on the edges of society as he does.
Donna Kelly
Email Donna: donna@sotpmail.com
Ask your hearing care professional how. Some hearing aids are set up where they might have an app on your cellphone that says “telecoil mode”, and you’ll activate that. You might have the ability to adjust the volume up and turn down for the microphone level. But again, talk to your hearing care professional, they should be able to show you all those options, and then play around with it, when you’re in church.
Contact: your hearing aid professional
3 Keys to an Active and Healthy Summer
Summer Recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad
Summer is a time when watermelon and cucumbers are at their juiciest and most flavorful. This is one easy side salad you’ll want to serve at all your summer BBQs.
Prep time: 20 minutes / 6 servings: 9 cups
Ingredients:
Directions:
ALSO: we are organizing some education opportunities on dementia and Alzheimer’s .
LINK TO ARTICLE ON DEALING WITH DEMENTIA: www.bit.ly/SOTPdementia
Contact: Jamie Patel at jamie.patel@nm.org
<<<NOTE SCHEDULES MAY BE DIFFERENT THE WEEK OF VBS JULY 8-12 PLEASE CHECK CALENDAR AT SOTP.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION>>>
Sundays
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Thursday, July 4 All VBS Snack Donations Need to Be Dropped Off by This Date www.bit.ly/SOTPvbsSNACK24
Weekend of July 6 & 7 Kickoff to Christmas in July for World Hunger www.bit.ly/SOTPjuly24
July 8-12 Vacation Bible School, 9am Volunteer Registration: www.bit.ly/SOTPVBS24vol Participant Registration: www.bit.ly/SOTPVBSkids24
Friday, July 12 Ice Cream Social & Car Show, 6:30—8:30 pm www.bit.ly/SOTPsocial24
Sunday, July 14 New Member Reunion, Noon www.bit.ly/SOTPreunion24
July 16-20 SOTP Youth & Chaperones at ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans
Sunday, July 21 Missionary Visit, 9am & 10:45am Services www.bit.ly/SOTPmission24
Saturday, July 27 Next Step Fellowship, Pot Luck Picnic, Noon www.bit.ly/SOTPnext0724
Weekend of July 27 & 28 Last Weekend of Christmas in July for World Hunger www.bit.ly/SOTPjuly24
Sunday, August 11 New Member Gathering, 3pm www.bit.ly/SOTPNMG0824
Sunday, August 18 Annual Church Picnic, Noon
Saturday, August 24 Next Step Fellowship, Mary Kay Cosmetics Demonstration, 10am
Sunday, August 25 Artist Series Presents the New Tradition Barber Shop Chorus, 4pm
Are you looking for ways to use your talents and participate in our church family?
Here are some ideas and who to contact for more information for each one:
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