Annual Meeting Devotion

Grace and peace to you in the strong name of Christ.  For my email today, I thought I would share the devotion I wrote for our Annual Meeting, January 27, 2021:

Let me share two things with you.  First, the great commission from Matthew’s gospel, chapter 28, verses 19-20.  These are the words from the very end of Matthew’s gospel, spoken by the risen Lord, Jesus.  Jesus here speaks to his disciples, transforming them from disciples into apostles, those sent into the world: 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Second, a prayer I have prayed many times over the years, but one I’ve become particularly fond of in the past year.  It is commonly called, “The Prayer of Good Courage.”  Let us pray: 

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

It has been a challenging year to say the least.  My goodness, we’re having our annual meeting via Zoom and FM radio!  It has been a year of loss and change.  At last year’s meeting, we were so excited about our emerging Wednesday ministry, excited about how we could build on that growth.  And then, poof!  It all changed.

But God never said sharing faith would be easy.  Jesus never said faith would be comfortable all the time.  It wasn’t for those early followers.  And it isn’t now.  But I am so proud of how we’ve worked as a congregation.  So proud of our wonderful radio broadcast; so proud of our online live stream.  So proud of the way you all have supported and encouraged one another.  So proud of how we’ve suspended business as usual to keep the most vulnerable among us safe, how we’ve emphasized ways to worship that can include everyone.

I’m eager for 2021 – and I hope that soon we will be able to once again offer a sanctuary service to our list of services.  Hopeful that vaccines will be widely distributed by the end of June and we can resume some of our usual practices.  But 2020 has taught me to really appreciate the truth of that Prayer of Good Courage.  We aren’t going back to anything.  Back to normal?  Hardly.  Forward.  That’s where our Lord Jesus calls us.  To proclaim His Word anew every day.  Who knows what adventure awaits us in 2021?  We know only this: That Christ’s hand will ever lead us and support us.  Amen.

Community Dinner @ St. Ann’s January 28 4:30-6pm

St. Ann’s is hosting the community dinner in their parking lot on January 28.  Drive thru and get a free, hot meal for you and your family.  It couldn’t be easier.  Spread the word to anyone who would benefit from a free, hot meal!

 

Remember the Synod this “Giving Hearts Day” February 11.
The Northwestern Minnesota Synod needs our help to raise money for two very important areas: 1) Helping congregations, especially smaller member congregations, grow and continue to be a vital center of hope in their communities; 2) Equipping and raising up leaders in our communities for professional and lay ministry in their congregations.  Immanuel’s Endowment Fund has pledged $3000 of matching money, so every dollar you give on February 11 is matched.  More information about how to give will be on our website soon!

Check out our news page to learn more and for other important announcements: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/announcements

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