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 God's Purpose for the New England Synod
to go where love leads
to serve where love calls
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'Doing What Matters' Devotions
Session 4: The Dreaming of Dreams
Bible Passage
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, 'Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power.' All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 'What does this mean?' But others sneered and said, 'They are filled with new wine.'
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: 'Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: "In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:1-21
Guided Imagery
- Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Breathe deeply and slowly. Relax.
- Rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your reflection.
- Visualize where you live and the people with whom you live. What are some of the concerns you have at home? Where do you experience God's grace and love at home? Ask God to show you how to be more receptive to God's desires at home.
- Now visualize where you work and the people with whom you work. What are some of the concerns you have at work? Where is justice, compassion, and hope at work? Ask God to show you how to be more receptive to God's desires at work.
- Now visualize your community - your neighborhood, city, or state. What are some of the concerns in your community? What do you think God wants for this community? Ask God to show you how to be more receptive to God's desires in your community.
- Now visualize your country. What are some of the concerns for your country? Where is justice and compassion hardest at work? Ask God to show you how to be more receptive to God's desires for your country.
- Now visualize planet Earth. Where is God's love, mercy, and compassion most needed right now? What do you think God desires for the Earth? Ask God to show you how to be more receptive to God's desires for the Earth.
- Now sit in silence and stillness. Listen for God's voice leading you to whatever action or situation that needs your attention from this global perspective.
Closing Prayer
God of the Universe, we give thanks for the many ways in which you work in the world. Lead us to those actions we can do to fulfill your call for justice for all nations of the world. We pray in the strong name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
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 Space Still Available at Hammonasset
It's not too late to register for Hammonasset 2011! Space is still available and registrations are being accepted through August for the Sept. 9-11 event. Go to www.Hammoconnect.com for more info and registration materials. Also look us up on Facebook: Hammonasset Youth Gathering, and Twitter: @HammoConnect This year Shawn Smith http://www.shawnsmithsinger.com/ is the MC, "Me in Motion" http://meinmotion.com/ is the band, and Saturday will include some awesome service projects! Hope to see you all there! |
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Ordinations Set for Sept. 17
Two candidates from the New England Synod will be ordained Saturday, Sept. 17 -- Timothy R. Weisman, who has been called to serve as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield, Mass., and Lorraine Peterson, who has been called to serve as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Centerbrook, Conn. The ordinations will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Torrington, Conn. Weisman, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Milford, Conn., was a church organist before entering the ordination process. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn., and then studied for his Lutheran Year at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Peterson, who is a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church, New Haven, Conn., received her Master of Divinity degree in May 2009 from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. She interned at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Holden, Mass. Your prayers and presence are requested at the ordination. All ordained, consecrated and commissioned ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is red. |
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Pinwheels for Peace Sunday Sept. 18
In observance of the International Day of Peace Sept. 21, congregations are encouraged to designate Sunday, Sept. 18, as a day to promote peace by making and publicly displaying pinwheels. The idea comes from "Pinwheels for Peace," a project started in 2005 by two art teachers in Florida as a way for their students "to express their feelings about what's going on in the world and in their lives." This project has spread across the country, and in 2010, 3.5 million pinwheels were made and displayed publicly as a sign to promote peace. Find more information and resources in the September issue of "Faith Speaks," the synod's new advocacy newsletter, at www.immanuelholden.org/policy/Aug2011FaithSpeaks.pdf or contact Pr. Aaron Decker, the synod's director for public policy advocacy, at adecker@nesynod.org. |
 Read Reflections, Follow All ELCA Churchwide Action On Line
Wonder what our 15 voting members to the 2011 biennial Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA are experiencing? Well, click on www.nesynod.org, where we're posting their reflections, photos and news daily. All plenary sessions and worship are being streamed live at www.elca.org/assembly, so you can "be there," too. And if you miss a speaker ... never fear, there are videos for that. Check it all out! |
Relief Critical for Horn of Africa Drought
With the worst drought in 60 years, 12.4 million people, including 2.3 malnourished children, are at risk in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. "The next few weeks are critical," said Doreen Rinas, co-chair of the New England Synod's World Hunger Committee, "and your donation today to ELCA Disaster Response will help meet the immediate needs of the people struggling in this region." This money will provide water, food, livestock assistance, training and clothing and shoes for girls. Click here www.elca.org/disaster for more information and how to donate. Contact Rinas at 978-433-2645 or doreenrinas@yahoo.com. |
Thrivent Offers Free Leadership Seminar Sept. 17
A free leadership seminar, "Leading from Within," will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hilton Dedham-Boston Hotel, Dedham, Mass., sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans-Northeast Region. The guest speaker will be author, entrepreneur and explorer, John Busacker, who is president of The Inventure Group, a global leadership consulting firm, and founder of Life-Worth, a life-planning resource for individuals. Busacker's goal is to help people discover their unique leadership strengths, authentically align their leadership behavior with their beliefs, and develop a personal "board of directors" to inspire their leadership growth. To reserve a place, register online at http://LeadingFromWithinMA2011.eventbrite.com or call 888-350-3560. |
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