Back in the saddle

"I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel."
                                                 — Philippians 1:12

           I couldn’t have done it without you.  Getting home from Germany and looking at the checkbook alongside the bills, that much became clear.  Thanks to all of you for the time, prayers, and financial help with this fabulous sabbatical trip.  The highlight for me was Wittenberg, of course.  Being there where the fuse was lit, where the Reformation began was an amazing experience.  One of the most important acts in history happened right there in that sleepy little town of cobbled streets, green gardens, and ancient shopfronts.  Here in 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 theses — 95 challenges to the church of his day.  But more than that, this is where Luther lived and taught and worked to support the reforms his challenges sparked. 
         Walking through Lutherhaus, the former monastery which Luther and his wife Katie turned into a guesthouse, you can easily imagine the halls filled with students and dignitaries who gathered there from all over Europe to visit Luther, to sit at his table for supper or hear him preach, or take courses at the local university.  Today it is a museum filled with paintings and everyday objects from Luther’s day.  You can see chairs he sat in, Bibles he read (and ones he published), even the robe he wore when he was preaching.  So much of it was so well preserved, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 500 years since the Reformation began.
              I wish I could take you all there, but the best I can do is to bring to you the images and story of my journey.  You are invited to join me after church on Sunday, September 22 for my re-cap of our Germany journey.  In addition to Wittenberg, my brother Paul and son Brian and I traveled to Munich, Berlin, and even ventured into Austria to visit Salzburg, land of The Sound of Music.  We wrapped up our trip in Berlin, where we saw such sights as the Brandenburg Gate and remains of the Berlin wall.  I hope you can be there on the 22nd — we want to thank everyone for helping us take the trip and give you a taste of  what it was like to visit the land of Luther.


Thankful prayers for the work of outgoing Florida-Bahamas bishop
Ed Benoway.

           As Lutherans, we are connected to a wider church community.  A lot has been happening in the wider church this summer.  We have a new bishop in our synod, Rev. Robert Schaefer who will be installed at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Lutz at noon on Saturday, August 31.  You are welcome and encouraged to be a part of history and attend the service, which is happening practically just down the road from us.  We give thanks for the years of faithful service of Bishop Ed Benoway, who lives just down the road in Lutz. 
          We are also celebrating the election of a new national bishop for the ELCA.  Elizabeth Eaton, bishop of the Northeast Ohio Synod, was elected as our denomination’s first female bishop at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on August 15.  Again we are grateful for the service of outgoing bishop Mark Hanson.  In an online interview, Bishop Eaton seemed as surprised as anyone at the election, and clarified that the process was not a political one centered on voting so much as a spiritual process, trying to discern what the Holy Spirit is up to.  From what I could tell in the interview, Bishop Eaton seems smart and personable and a good choice for national bishop.

New ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.

           By the way, this year marks the ELCA’s 25th birthday.  To commemorate this, all ELCA congregations have been asked to take a day to celebrate the ministries we do which make an impact in our community.  September 8 is the date for “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday, which will include some special highlights of our food pantry and baby shower ministries at Atonement, and also a special time where we bless the hands of all who do Christ’s work, which (I happen to know) includes you!
           I am so looking forward to being back with you at Atonement, and sharing the joy of Jesus with you in worship and service to our Lord.  See you there!

Peace,

Pastor Scott