March Newsletter Article

Winter is hard. It doesn’t matter if you grew up walking to school barefoot, uphill both ways, carrying your sister, through 3 feet of snow (as my dad often jokes) or if you’ve developed effective strategies for staying warm in below-zero temperatures and have sturdy boots to deal with deep snowdrifts. Even if you enjoy outdoor winter sports and snow activities, every winter at about mid-February or early March, a lot of us are DONE with it. Winter has lasted too long. Bri

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February Newsletter Article

At the end of this month, with Ash Wednesday on February 22nd, we will begin the season of Lent.

Lent is one of those church seasons that people have strong opinions about. Some say it is too gloomy, too much focused on our sinfulness, too long a time to “prepare” for the joy of Easter. Others enjoy it as a time to refocus on God in their lives, give up harmful habits, or take on new practices that will help them grow personally or spiritually. Both opinions are valid and f

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January Newsletter Article

“and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.“ ~Matthew 2:9b-10

On Epiphany, we remember the story of the Magi following the star to Bethlehem to see the Christ child. They notice it in the sky and are guided by its light to the Holy Family. The arrival of the Magi symbolizes the inclusion of all people of the world into

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December Newsletter Article

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”- John 1:4-5

In this time of the growing darkness of our days and the growing light of Christ of Advent, we at Gethsemane are focusing on how God is with us in both light and darkness. 

So I offer you this blessing, “For Light” by John O’Donohue, from his book, To Bless the Space Between Us.

Light cannot see inside things.

That is what the dark i

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November Newsletter Article

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for his is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When is it easiest to be thankful? When things are going good, right? While it might be easier to praise God when you are most happy and comfortable, it is just as important, if not more so, to thank God when things are not so good.

In the verse above, Paul tells the church to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances. This

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October Newsletter Article

It’s October! The leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping, and the colors of our lives are fading from bright green grasses, blue skies, and white hot sun to the golds, browns, oranges, and yellows of leaves, ciders, fall sports, and warm sweaters.

When this time of the year rolls around, I often get asked about Halloween and whether it’s “Christian” to celebrate such a macabre holiday. And my answer is yes, Halloween is just fine for Christians to enjoy. Especial

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September Newsletter Article

Return to the Lord Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. (Joel 2:13) 

  

Summer is soon coming to an end. Time to close up the cabins, come back from vacation, put our gardens to bed, say goodbye to the sunshine, and hello to cooler breezes and winter snows. The month of September often means a “return” to many things. Children and parents return to a regular school-year routine. The Silver Lake Loon goe

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August Newsletter Article

“I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.” Ephesians 3:19This July, I had the privilege to take 4 youth to the Synod Journey Youth Gathering for a 4-day/3-night whirlwind of fun and games, bible study, fellowship, and worship. Throughout the weekend we talked and sang and prayed all about how God’s love is BOUNDLESS. Through God’s invitation, creation, forgiveness, and prom...
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July Newsletter Article

Have you ever considered that the way you worship God the best might not be the same as the person who sits next to you in the pew? Some of us connect with God most genuinely in nature, some of us through song or art, some of us through tradition and ritual, some through quiet contemplation, and some through fervent action. This summer I will be leading us through a Sermon Series and Book Study based on the book “Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God” by Gary Thom...
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June Newsletter Article

Have you ever considered that the way you worship God the best might not be the same as the person who sits next to you in the pew? Some of us connect with God most genuinely in nature, some of us through song or art, some of us through tradition and ritual, some through quiet contemplation, and some through fervent action. This summer I will be leading us through a Sermon Series and Book Study based on the book “Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God” by Gary Thom...
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May Newsletter Article

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” Luke 12:27Dear church,As I prepare this reflection in the last week of April, we have still been experiencing near-freezing temperatures and daily snow flurries! Nevertheless, this verse keeps running through my mind, helping me to have hope for the spring flowers that will eventually grow and bloom.I love taking photos of flowe...
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April Newsletter Article

Dear Church,

This month, half in Lent and half in Easter, I want you to remember to observe and honor both sides of Easter. The waiting and grief of Holy Saturday, when the disciples did not know for sure that resurrection was coming, and the joy and possibility of the Easter Season, when Christ walked the earth again before he ascended into heaven. So here are two poems by Meta Herrick Carlson that capture those two moods. May they bless your hearts as they have blessed mi

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March Newsletter Article

Winter is hard. It doesn’t matter if you grew up walking to school barefoot, uphill both ways, carrying your sister, through 3 feet of snow and you’ve developed effective strategies for staying warm in below-zero temperatures and have sturdy boots to deal with deep snowdrifts. Even if you are someone who enjoys outdoor winter sports and snow activities, every winter at about mid-February or early March, a lot of us are DONE with it. Winter has lasted too long. Bring on the...
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February Newsletter Article

“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8-9 I feel like this blessing speaks to the long, Northern Minnesota winter so deeply. In the ...
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January Newsletter Article

“and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.“ ~Matthew 2:9b-10On Epiphany, we remember the story of the Magi following the star to Bethlehem to see the Christ child. They notice it in the sky and are guided by its light to the Holy Family. The arrival of the Magi symbolizes the inclusion of all people of the world into ...
read more