February 2017 - Pastor Craig

 Is that Middle Age? Is it down-hill from there? Are the grey hairs showing up? Has the old get and go, got up and left? Or is the best years to come!!!! Mount Zion will be 40 years old on February 27. In our library, you can go in and see two documents. On the North wall you can see the official document that recognized Mount Zion Lutheran Church as a member of the Lutheran Church in America on February 27, 1977 with its official signatures. On the West wall, you will find the list of charter members which was opened on February 28, 1976. What I find fascinating about the list of charter members is that it was never closed. In other words, even if you just recently joined the church, you can claim to be a charter member. It does fit in the missional understanding of this place.

 As we know 40 years is just a drop in the bucket in the age of a church. This past summer, I participated in the 100th Anniversary of a church I served in North Dakota. My home congregation is up to 150. Think about the Lutheran congregations on the East Coast. While 40 is a milestone it is not even close to Middle Age, perhaps we might be a little older then infancy, but not yet a teenager.

 We can look at different events in the life of the church. On January 28, 2007, we processed from the old sanctuary and dedicated the new sanctuary. Can you believe it has been 10 years? I can because that was the first service that I was officially here as a pastor on staff.

 Anniversaries like Annual Reports are important. They force you to look back and reflect on the past. Whether it is a wedding anniversary or the anniversary of the church. In many ways it is just a number. But in a healthy way it is to be recognized as a isn't that nice, take a moment to remember and then let's keep going.

 How are we celebrating the anniversary? On February 12, Mount Zion is having what we are calling a Miracle Concert. It will be held at 4:00pm that Sunday afternoon. Various people and groups will be performing as well as Mixed and Men's Choir, and the Krash Kab quartet. It will focus and celebrate the miracles which we experience through the grace and love of Jesus Christ. It will be a time of knowing the presence of God, through his Son, Jesus Christ, in our lives and in our world.Thanks to John Swift who has been praying and hoping for this miracle. This is your formal invitation to come and bring your friends.

 I am always amazed at the ministry that happens here on a daily basis in the name of God. For those who are in the office or who stop by you get a chance of seeing how God is present in the people that are willing to embrace the call to serve. The needs are great but the joys of knowing that God is alive and well and giving people not only grace, forgiveness, hope, encouragement, and yes love. In this month when we recognize, Valentines Day, know that only because of Gods first loving us are we able to love one another.

In Christian love,

Pastor Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com