Elim Lutheran Church
Office:  504 Baker Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
707-762-4081
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT US
    • New to Elim
    • Staff & Leaders
    • History
    • Facilities/Building Use >
      • Building Use Form
  • WORSHIP
    • In-Person Worship
    • Elim Live!
    • Recorded Worship
    • Special Services
  • ACTIVITIES
    • Worship Helpers
    • Volunteer
    • Adults >
      • Women's Ministry
      • Men's Ministry
      • GEMS 2019
    • Children/Youth/Families
    • Little Shepherd Preschool
    • Music for All Ages
  • OUTREACH
    • Food Pantry
    • Endowment Grant
    • New Life Band
    • Elim R3: Rebuild, Recover and Restore
    • Mexico House Building Mission
  • CALENDAR
  • CONTACT US
    • Member Directory
    • Privacy Policy
  • GIVE
  • Easter Flowers

Devotion From Pastor Kathryn: January 28, 2021

1/28/2021

 
I watched a video about the future of our church with our Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton yesterday. It was quite hopeful and inspiring. At the end, Bp. Elizabeth looked directly into the camera and said: “Thank you leaders of our congregations. Thank you for your service during your exhaustion – during this challenging time.” 

I found myself tearing up a bit. Since I’ve joined you as your Interim Pastor, we’ve experienced an ongoing global pandemic, we’ve experienced a pandemic of racial inequity and divisive rhetoric in our country, we’ve had beloved members experience health problems, and we’ve buried some members. I know for certain that I would know more of you if we hadn’t been living with COVID! 

It’s been challenging for all of us, to be sure. Our Leadership Team, and our staff have been working hard to serve all of us at Elim. They have been creative, and they have been tireless in their service. So have our worship producers, our food pantry volunteers, and the leaders of our Women’s and Men’s groups, as well as those who have picked up the phone or dropped off goodies to someone whom they haven’t seen in a while. Thank you to all of you who have done your part in serving Christ at Elim during this challenging time.

We’ve also celebrated a Baptism two weeks ago, and have another for twins coming up in a week. And yesterday I spoke with a family who want their three children to be baptized. At every Baptism, we promise to teach that child about God’s love. 

We have work to do, church. May God continue to empower us to follow in the way of Jesus – the way of love, of justice and of healing in the world which is in desperate need – now more than ever. 

See you in worship, 
Pr. Kathryn

P.S. I’m preaching about demons this week. Don’t miss it! ​

Comments are closed.

    Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

    Interim Pastor

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

 ​Elim Lutheran Church | 220 Stanley St, Petaluma CA 94952 | 707-762-4081 | office@elimpetaluma.org
​Facility & Building Use
Adult Activities
Children/Youth/Families
​
2021-22 Annual Report

Food Pantry
Music Groups

Service Opportunities
Little Shepherd Preschool
Worship Helpers Center (Vic/Net)
Forms
Privacy Policy
Contact Us
​
Picture
Members can log into Breeze, our online Member Portal. To get login information, contact: office@elimpetaluma.org
Thrivent Financial
Picture
©2023 Elim Lutheran Church