Devotion- Profound Mercy

 

Romans 3:19-28 Epistle Lesson for the Sunday October 31st In this week’s epistle lesson Paul uses the word law nine times Defining what is right or set In our relationship with God   He underscores the distance Between God’s heart and ours We are turned in on ourselves Far away from God’s intended purpose   Encouraged by cunning lies Created by our heart within And society around us We keep God at a safe distance   Out of a profound mercy God moved beyond what was Determined to create A stunning new reality   Through the intentional gift Of incarnated love Jesus stretched across the chasm Uniting our heart with God’s again   So it is that now God calls us beloved Not because of our presumed goodness But through a transcendent grace That leaves us forever redeemed+ A Devotion By Rev. Donald Schaefer, Southeastern District - LCMS Northern Region Facilitator for Mission Engagement

Installation of Rev. Jeffrey Marquardt

 

The Installation of Rev. Jeffrey Marquardt

was held on Sunday, October 10, 2021 

at Grace Lutheran Church, La Plata, Maryland.

Pastor Marquardt was installed by 

Southeastern District President John Denninger.

There are important promises
 to make at an installation.

Blessings over Pastor Jeff and his wife Nancy.

Presenting the ministry couple

 to their new congregation.

Pastor Jeff and Nancy.

The Circuit Pastors gathered

 to support the new pastor.

It is 2021- during a pandemic.

Pastor Jeff and Nancy 

with daughter Elizabeth Margaret Johanson

 and granddaughter Lydia.

Extended family gathered 

to be a part of the very special day.

 Included here is also Marie Dow- Nancy's mom 

and Sue Marks- Nancy's sister.

We pray very special blessings over 

Pastor Jeff and Nancy in their new 

ministry setting at Grace Lutheran Church.

Living a Legacy

                      The legacy continues as the baton of ministry is passed…

A “church” may have finished its season in a particular location, 

though the Lord’s ministry lives 

on as a legacy of this faithful congregation.  

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

    and rivers in the desert.

         Isaiah 43:19 

On Saturday, October 2, 2021 

First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Towson, Maryland

 held its final Celebration of Life worship service

 in the sanctuary at 40 E. Burke Avenue, Towson, Maryland. 

First Lutheran Church made a faith-filled,

 legacy decision to “move on and plant,”

 directly blessing two gospel-focused ministries. 

Like many congregations, First Lutheran had been experiencing

 waning energy for many years. 

In 2018, their pastor accepted a call 

 and they began the process of discerning

 how the Lord was leading them forward. 

Upon reading the book “Legacy Churches” 

by Stephen Gray and Franklin Dumond, 

they actively pursued a ministry opportunity 

with Concordia Preparatory School in Towson.  

What used to be a majority Lutheran student body

 is now a mission field. Concordia Preparatory School, 

formerly known as Baltimore Lutheran Middle and High School, 

has also made adjustments to meet the challenges

 and needs of our changing culture.  

In 2014, the school adopted a new name to communicate

 more effectively to prospective students 

who were not already attending Lutheran elementary schools, 

as the robust network that used to exist in Baltimore has also declined. 

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 12:24-26

Baton passed to Rev. Peter Couser

Betty Kansler, president of First Lutheran 

led the congregation through a year-long discernment 

and visioning process facilitated by 

Director of Christian Outreach 

and Ministry Development Coach Tina Jasion, 

and her coaching practice of Faithful Innovation. 

A unified vision developed between First Lutheran 

and Concordia Preparatory School

 to call a Mission Developer who would also serve as a Campus Pastor

 to serve a student body and their families, 

the majority of whom are not connected to any Christian church.

 A joint call was issued to Rev. Peter Couser, 

who being so moved by the willingness of a church to “die” 

for the sake of the Gospel accepted the call and the vision

 for what has become “New Thing” began to take shape. 

 First Lutheran has hosted another ministry on their campus since 2011,

 Horizon Church. The church property and an adjoining house

 has been purchased by Horizon, 

who will continue the Gospel ministry in that location. 

First Lutheran prayed the words from Psalm 71 

as they discerned what God was doing among them with open hands.

O God, from my youth you have taught me,

    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

So even to old age and gray hairs,

    O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might to another generation,

    your power to all those to come.

Psalm 71:17-18 

Through their faithful response, 

First Lutheran has provided for two ministries:

New Thing on the campus of Concordia Preparatory School

 with baton received by  Headmaster Brent Johnson. 

Horizon Church will continue worship and discipleship

ministry on the campus at E. Burke Avenue. 

Well done, good and faithful servants!  

It has been my joy and privilege to walk with you this season of joy

 as we experienced the Lord painting a new ministry vision,

 also mixed with the sorrow of letting go. 

Through your faithfulness, may these ministries

 bear much fruit for years to come and provide an example

 for others finding themselves in a similar season of ministry. 

In Christ alone + 

Tina Jasion

This story provided by Contributing Writer- Tina Jasion

 for Journeys of Faith

Devotion- Imprint of the Divine

 

Hebrews 1:1-4 Epistle Lesson for the Sunday October 3rd Sometimes we muddle along in life Not seeing much progress or change When we reflect on what was in our past however We can better appreciate how far we have come   The writer of Hebrews calls us To see how we understood God ages ago A picture painted in prophetic words of a God Distant from us and our lives   With joy the author describes what we now know The one who came among us As an heir and co-creator Reflects the very imprint of the Divine   To fully confess the broken self we were before And what it has now become in Christ Leads to amazing transformation of grace Renewing and reconnecting us with God   It forever changes our attitudinal perspective By a totally undeserved and unconditional  favor We are imprinted by a scandalously rich love Which will never end   Through Jesus we are now called To be an imprint of grace in the world So that others imprisoned by a suffocating past Might be refreshed by a new and ever living hope+ A Devotion By Rev. Donald Schaefer, Northern Region Facilitator for Mission Engagement for the Southeastern District- LCMS