Good day siblings in Christ,
This week will be a special service titled “Creation in Christ” and it connects us to our Orthodox siblings in Christ. One of the amazing ecumenical activities happening within the last few years is the Orthodox churches and the mainline denominations have been in discussions healing a split that happened hundreds of years ago. No one ever thought the two groups would come together, but within the last 5 years, there has been tremendous healing.
One of those connections has been this service “Creation in Christ.” The Orthodox tradition celebrates this on September 1 and the European Lutheran congregations have been celebrating it since the 1980s. The ELCA is now adding this as part of our regular liturgical year. It celebrates the connection between creation and humankind reminding us of that connection with the Gospel from John 1.
As part of this new celebration, we will also have our congregation decorated with all the quilts and kits that have been put together throughout the year. On Tuesday, all of them will be packed and will join all the other donations in the area to be shipped to those families who are experiencing tragedy due to war, natural disasters, or other issues.
We thank our quilting group led by Lois, Frya for all her hard work, and Marilyn for her work as well. Come bless these amazing kits with us.
There will be a 25th anniversary 9-11 service on Long Island at Good Shepherd in Plainview at 7 p.m. hosted by Metro NY Synod. If you want a more local commemoration, there is one at 4 p.m. by the 9-11 memorial in Croton. I have once again been asked to lead the prayers at the local event.
Pastor Johnson