PENTECOST Season - June, July, August 2020

Pentecost season is a green, growing time. Buds produce flowers that produce fruit that nourishes the world.
In 2020 our context is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the world-wide call for justice for people of color, in particular #BlackLivesMatter.
"...suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Summer Theme: "Firing Up to Tell the Story!"
What fires you up? This summer there is a lot going on that is firing people up - the health and safety of our communities; injustice on display for all to see and protest; the need to connect with one another even during a time of physical distancing. We are challenged to deeply consider how our faith is fired up in these circumstances. The season of Pentecost begins with us breathing deeply the Spirit of God, the Spirit that created all of life. We mourn those who have had the breath knocked out of them and need our voices to be witnesses to God’s true intention. The season will end in August with Jesus asking us, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15). The church is built on the confession that this Jesus, this Compassionate One, this Healer and Savior is true God living in human flesh. We walk with him this summer. We examine our own stories. We accompany siblings in all walks of life, practicing deep listening and holy conversation. We trust that God’s Spirit, poured out when Jesus breathed on us, will bear witness with and through our spirits. We celebrate the one body of Christ that lives and acts in the world with a multitude of beautiful members!

Weekly Worship Focus

June 7 - Holy Trinity  “It All Starts at Creation”
God’s holy Breath (the Holy Spirit) stirs in believers to imagine a whole new world! Jesus sends us out to be a part of creating that new world. (Genesis 1; Matt. 28:16-20)
 
June 14 - Pentecost 2A  “Enlivened and Sent”
With compassionate eyes, Jesus sees the struggles of all humanity. He sends us followers out to see and to act with compassion, trusting that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Spirit. (Romans 5:1-5; Matt. 9:35 - 10:8)
 
June 21 - Pentecost 3A “Grace Abounds”
Jesus assures us of our value in God’s kin-dom, but reminds us that there is no easy peace in this world - peacemaking is work that flows from his own death and resurrection. We are bound to that work in Baptism. Grace is God’s gift to make that work possible. (Romans 6:1-11; Matt. 10:24-39)
 
June 28 - Pentecost 4A “Stories of Welcome”
The work of “welcome” and hospitality is where God is at home with us - God dwells in those stories. When we open up our personal struggles to one another, we experience freedom and life. This is communal work as well as individual. (Romans 6:12-23; Matt. 10:40-42)

July 5 - Pentecost 5A “Stories of Compassion”
We live with rhythms of work and rest, of struggle and homecoming, of taking up our callings and laying down our burdens. Jesus accompanies us when we realize we are “yoked” in relationship with him and our siblings through faith. Experience compassion. (Romans 7:15-25; Matt. 11;16-19, 25-30)
 
July 12 - Pentecost 6A “Seeds of Faith Dwell in You”
Experiences are scattered throughout our lives. Take time to think about where you have walked, who you have accompanied, and how faith has grown in you. Collect some beautiful fruit to share! (Romans 8:1-11; Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23)
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July 19 - Pentecost 7A  “A Harvest of Freedom”
Summer growth stirs us to hope that there will be a rich and generous harvest. The Spirit of God does that work of watering, weeding, and nourishing growth in faith and true human community. (Romans 8:12-25; Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43)

July 26 - Pentecost 8A “Looking for the Kin-dom of Heaven in Our Stories”
Jesus tells one-sentence parables to tune us into the presence of God at work in the ordinary and mundane of daily life … baking, planting, shopping, fishing, budget planning. We never know when daily life will intersect with the depth and breadth of sin, death and evil. We can only trust God’s love every moment. (Romans 8:26-39; Matt. 13:31-33, 44-52)

​August 2 - Pentecost 9A “Who’s Coming for Dinner?!”
Martin Luther once said, “We are all mere beggars showing other beggars where to find bread.” Jesus’ compassion for the hungry crowd challenges us to search our stories for ways that he continues to “feed” us with grace, truth, connection, and life. That’s what other beggars need, too. (Isaiah 55:1-5; Matt. 14:13-21)
 
August 9 - Pentecost 10A  “Help!”
Sometimes all the faith we have is the one-word cry, “help!” The story of Jesus on the water with the disciples invites us to consider how faith dances with doubt in our lives. The result will be a tale worth telling! (Romans 10:5-15; Matt. 14:22-33)
 
August 16 - Pentecost 11A  “Imagining Mercy”
Tables are not always set with outsiders in mind. We are regularly invited to dine with Jesus who sets a table for all humankind, even though not all people feel they are welcome. Let’s examine what we can do to assure everyone’s tastes, needs, voices, and hungers are welcome. (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matt. 15:21-28)
 
August 23 - Pentecost 12A  “Speak Your Truth”
Jesus' question echoes through all ages: “Who do you say that I am?” With Peter we proclaim, “Christ is Messiah, the Son of the living God!” Together we can discern what this proclamation means today, how to use our gifts and abilities to transform what needs changing, and then build the church that the world needs today! (Romans 12:1-8; Matt. 16:13-20)
 
August 30 - Pentecost 13A “Stories of Genuine Love”
Jesus describes sacrificial love as the way of the cross when Peter misses the true understanding of Jesus’ identity. What are the stories of genuine love that change our hearts and minds as those who walk the way of the cross? Let’s find them and tell them! (Romans 12:9-21; Matt. 16:21-28)

Summer Worship at West Linn Lutheran Church

At this time all worship continues to be Livestreamed on the West Linn Lutheran Church YouTube Channel at 9:00 am on Sundays! Video available to be viewed anytime.

As our county continues to open up the gathering guidelines, church leaders will be planning safe ways for people to gather on the grounds of the church! Watch for more details. 

Telling Your Faith Story - Resources

Sharing the Peace as Witness
Steve Carr's Message, June 14th

The Witness in Our Baptism Stories
Jon & Athena Francis, June 21st

Finding Compassion in Your Story
Rev. Alex Cross, Chaplain West Linn Police Department, June 28th

Knowing Your Baptism Story 
For people who were baptized as infants or young children, there can be a feeling that there is no story to tell. But Pastor Donna's conversation with Jon and Athena Francis on 6/21 might give you more to think about! In the beginning of her sermon, Pastor Donna recounted her own story of being baptized in Wisconsin in 1955. By reflecting on her story she discovered her parents' courage and commitment to have her baptized safely during the polio epidemic in that state. She finds that her faith is rooted in the truth of God's "yes" in the faith of death and death-dealing powers. She proclaims "I have died with Christ and I have risen with Christ!" That's a witness that grows out of digging into a baptism story! Jon and Athena bring a witness to the importance of bringing their children into a community of faith through baptism. There are many themes in baptism - which one resonates with your story? These articles can help you think about it. Then write it down for yourself or to share with others!
"Infant Baptism - It's All About Grace" Tom Walker, Presbyterian Mission Agency, Presbyterian Church USA
"Celebrating Baptism and Honoring Baptismal Promises" Deb Hetherington, Sparkhouse Blog

Affirmation of Baptism Commitment Shapes Our Story
People who have been baptized are invited to affirm the promises made in their baptism. Our covenantal relationship with God assures us of God's love, forgiveness, and accompaniment for all eternity. As a response of gratitude, we pledge to live our lives shaped by the life of Jesus and his way of the cross. We live "marked with the cross of Christ forever". Use these affirmations to examine your life and help create your faith story. The PDF version is a worksheet to guide you in reflection.
You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covemenat God made with you in holy baptism:
+ to live amonth God's faithful people,
+ to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper, 
+ to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ through word and deed,
+ to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and + to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
Response: I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.  (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 237)

affirmation_of_baptism_vows_study_sheet.pdf
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The Holy Spirit