Cross true gift of Christmas

With Jesus we have peace, we have hope, we are loved-and not 

just at holiday

By  Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding bishop 

 

I remember this jarring image: It was the Christmas Eve candlelight service at my home congregation. A banner depicting Mary and Jesus in the manger had been hung from the ceiling at the front of the nave completely obscuring the large suspended cross. I had seen that banner on Sunday mornings, but on this Christmas Eve in the semidarkness something else appeared. A spotlight that illumined the cross now shown on the banner with the effect of making the outline of the cross appear as the background of the Christmas scene. 

 

The cross on Christmas? I didn't want the crucified Christ casting a shadow on the Christ child. Christmas is about angels and shepherds and the babe, lying in a manger, not betrayal and death. I didn't like it.  Continue.

 

Originally published in The Lutheran's December 2014 issue, this column is reprinted with permission. 

 I think I may have made our Newsletter editor upset. Once again I have waited to do my letter until the last minute, or even a bit later than the last minute.  I was waiting for a reason, but that is still no excuse for my tardiness.  I know I upset our Council President when I wait until after the last minute to start the worship services, again my tardiness is an issue!  I am slowly getting a reputation as the "Late Pastor Mike."  Sorry about that!    

 

The reason I waited on this newsletter article is because I wanted to see what the Grand Jury decided in the Ferguson Missouri case where Michael Brown was shot by a police officer. Continue.

 

I just started a new call in Savannah this summer, after serving at a church in Atlanta for 11 years. Continue.

The Rev. Jason Talsness serves as pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church, Savannah, GA.  Prior to his current call, he served as pastor at Amazing Grace Lutheran, Lawrenceville, GA.   

Ms. Karen Schwindler will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Southeastern Synod. The ceremony will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 3612 Old Oakwood Road, Oakwood, GA.  Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process.  The color of the day is red.  A reception will immediately follow.

 

 

A Series for Lent, with discounts, from Sparkhouse

 

 

Mica Koli, St, Stephen, Decatur, GA  Jin Kyung Ko, Messiah Korean, Alpharetta, GA  Preston Fields, St. John's, Knoxville, TN 

Click here to learn more about Candidacy. 

Thank you to those who have generously given to date, and to those congregations and individuals who plan to make a gift by January 31, 2015, the end of the synod's fiscal year.

 

The November mission support receipts have been posted.  Mission support receipts for November was the lowest it has been in any month this year. Current trends for mission support giving project a potential 5.7 - 7% shortfall from budgeted mission support for the fiscal year, which ends January 31.

Thank you to congregations who are current in their planned giving.  If you have fallen behind, we encourage you to catch up in your giving as soon as possible.  If your pledged mission support amount has changed, please let the synod office.

Additionally, thank you to all who have generously given to the We Are Church Together Appeal, and to those congregations and individuals who plan to make a gift before the close of the appeal, which is January 31, 2015. This appeal seeks to offset the projected shortfall in mission support giving so that the ministries and financial commitments of the Southeastern Synod can be maintained at their most basic levels.

Additional financial statements for November will be posted as soon as final results are available.  Monthly synod financial reports are always available here. 

 

July 19 - 23, 2015: Called to be a Living Voice, Worship Jubilee of the ELCA & the Biennial Conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, Atlanta, GA

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary/Church Divinity School of the Pacific,

Berkeley, CA