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Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 29, 2020

10/29/2020

Gratitude
A week ago, at our Tuesday evening Bible Study, we were lamenting how we are all feeling a bit discouraged recently with what’s been going on in our lives:

The division in our country
The cry for justice from people of color
Air quality in our towns
Electricity warnings for possible shut offs
Children and youth doing online learning
Concerns about COVID, and
Questions regarding our church having in–person worship.

We all agreed that it is a time when God’s people are anxious, and yearn for
the gift of HOPE.

Then one woman in our group said these simple words of wisdom: “When I wake up each morning, before I even get out of my bed, I give thanks to God for 4 things. They may or may not be the same 4 things I listed the day before.”

So I’ve been doing that, and it has “jump started” my day! I believe that gratitude is like a door which opens to HOPE & JOY!

Here is what I thanked God for this morning:

The beautiful, crisp, slightly cool fall morning!
The hike I went on with Sofia, my black lab, on Monday morning.
The privilege of working with our fine, committed, faithful staff members of Elim: Erin, Lauren, Barb & Richard.
The opportunity to serve at Elim as your Interim Pastor.

May God empower you with gratitude for all of God’s gifts for you, and may you be given the grace to receive hope and joy!

See you in worship,
Pastor Kathryn

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Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 22, 2020

10/22/2020

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Greetings sisters and brothers in Christ,

I enjoy talking with the people who come to gather food at our Food Pantry each week. They often tell me to thank all of you for hosting it. Last week, one of the guests gave me the following words to a hymn she wrote – sung to the tune, “Bringing in the Sheaves”. She asked me to share it with Elim folks – so here it is! I think it’s wonderful!

We can gather pumpkins
While bringing in the sheaves
Harvest time has come and we can have some fun
While we are preparing for winter yet to come

As we feed each other
The bounty from our mother
Remember at this harvest time
Be kind to one another.

by Melissa

God’s blessings shine upon you as we enter this harvest time!

“See” you in worship,
Pastor Kathryn

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Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 15, 2020

10/15/2020

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Hello Church!

We’ve all got a lot going on in our lives, our world and our church. This is a challenging time to be sure! I speak with so many people regarding how the anxiety of the upcoming election, the worry about COVID, the concerns of our economy, air quality, fires, the concerns of the health of many of our members and the question about when to hold worship indoors can all become a burden for us. So here is some simple advice: Breathe, Pray & Stretch.

Breathe: Remember to breathe. Just breathe in a nice, slow, deep breath. Imagine you are breathing in the peace and grace of God. And then exhale your worry, doubts and fear.
Pray: Whenever I bring a concern to my Spiritual Director, she always asks me the same question: Have you prayed about this?
“Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” (Philippians 4: 6)
Stretch: Step away from your computer or your couch every 30 minutes or so. Lift up your arms and stretch your right arm up and then stretch your left arm up. You can sneak in a quick prayer as well! “Thank you, God, for my life!”

We will make it through this time! Trust that God is with us and has a hold of you.

In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Kathryn

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Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 8, 2020

10/8/2020

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Hello All,

One of our members sent this prayer to me, and I thought it was a wonderful prayer to share with all of you! It comes from an Episcopalian woman who serves as the Liturgist for her Diocese. True Confession: Sometimes, I don’t always do very well with change! Some change is difficult for me. And during these challenging times, it seems like we are all being asked to make a lot of changes to our daily routines. And, of course, we are being asked to make changes to how we do church.

I like the way this woman ended her prayer. She landed it in TRUST. I believe that is exactly what we need to pray for: Trust in God. And I believe that the Holy Spirit is in the business of filling us up with trust in God.

God’s blessings of peace, trust and grace shine upon you,
Pastor Kathryn

Prayer to accept change

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Lord,
things change again.
When will I be able to rest
in the comfort of knowing what comes next?

You, who transcend all time,
who created the stars and set them in place,
you, who are ageless yet known in every age,
grant me the grace to accept
the changes that are happening.

Empty my heart of anxiety,
and fill it instead with wonder and awe.
Release me from the chains of complacency,
and bind me to your ever-moving Spirit.

When the things I believed to be permanent and stable
are left by the wayside,
enfold me in your undying love
that I may remember in whom all things are bound.

When fear of something new paralyzes me,
and grief cripples me with anger
over the loss of what had been,
send your angels to give me a gentle push
over that frightening edge into the unknown,
so that I may learn to trust in you.

For you alone are eternal.
You alone are enduring.
You alone are the everlasting Lord.
And in you alone will this restless world find peace.

Amen.

copyright 2010, Diana Macalintal All rights reserved. Used with permission

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Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 1, 2020

10/1/2020

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Hello Church!
These are trying times, to be sure, aren't they? How are you managing? I love to hear from folks about what they do or read in order to bring some peace into their lives. Recently, Doris sent me the link for Daily Lectio, (Daily Readings), and I signed up for it. Every day I receive a couple of Bible passages to read and reflect on. They also give you the Bible passages that we will hear in church on Sunday morning, so you can read them before church if you'd like.

After you read the passages appointed for that day, you can sit quietly and ask God to help you consider the passages. Or you can find one verse and memorize it and say it throughout your day. It's a good spiritual discipline to spend a little time each morning or evening in meditation and prayer on scripture. And if you forget for one or two days - no worries! Just begin on the day you're in!

I'm glad that Doris sent me Daily Lectio. I spend a little time each morning in my favorite chair with a cup of coffee and read the passages and then sit quietly. Some days I sit longer than others. I also read from some type of spiritual book.
I don't always have a "WOW -- Shazam" experience or feeling after I do the reading. But I have slowed down a bit, and I have lifted up my concerns to God in prayer. And I have felt that the time was a sacred space for me. And I've given thanks to God for that.

Here's what Luther had to say about the Word of God: "The Word of God always awakens new understanding, new pleasure, and a new spirit of devotion, and it constantly cleanses the heart and its meditations. For these words are not idle or dead, but effective and living." (Large Catechism)

I lift all of you up in prayer everyday. I hope and trust that you are praying for me as well.
God's blessings shine upon you and your loved ones,
Pastor Kathryn

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Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 29, 2020

Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 22, 2020

Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 15, 2020

Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 8, 2020

Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: October 1, 2020

Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

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