Prayer is an interesting thing, isn't it? It's done in silence and out loud, by individuals and groups, in the most extravagant churches and in the car, by the young and the elderly, in elaborate words and in simple phrases like "Help me" and "Thank you."

 
When we think of love we don’t usually think of it as something that can be commanded.  We think of feeling all warm and gooey inside.  We think of our heart racing and our palms getting moist with nervousness when we see the one we love.  We think of feeling like we are walking on air.  We think of the words of the Bonnie Raitt song, I can't make you love me if you don’t.  We think those things because we often confuse love and infatuation.  We often focus on romantic love instead of the kind of love Jesus is talking about.
 

First, the work of the church continues full speed ahead.  Many exciting things are in the planning stage, others are being implemented.  Christ the King is continuing to do God’s work in the world. 

I admit I have a horrible memory. I can remember people and names but struggle desperately to remember what I have read, heard, or seen. Sometimes, it makes life more interesting and fun; I can reread books or watch movies again like I’m watching them for the first time. Other times, not remembering things is torture.

If you’re like me, we are ready to wrap up the season of Lent. It has been six weeks since Ash Wednesday and as much as I have enjoyed our midweek Lenten services, Wondering on Wednesdays, all-congregation book study, and more contemplative time, I am greatly anticipating Sunday morning.

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

What happened to my Palm Sunday?  It used to be a happy day.  It used to be a celebration – a day to wave palms, shout Hosanna and remember a triumphant parade.  But now it has become Palm/Passion Sunday.  We wave palms.  We give a nod to the celebration and parade and then we hear that whole, long passion history of Jesus’ suffering and death.  Why?  Why can’t I have Palm Sunday? 

Have your New Year’s resolutions lasted? To be honest, mine have lasted longer than I thought they would. The top of my list includes: worrying less, changing my diet to be “plant strong,” and spending more time reading for enjoyment.

“It’s going to be ok.” These words, or a version of them, are frequently shared in our lives. Perhaps I hear them more often because of my line of work or because I’m the “worrier” in the family, but I have an inkling that many of us encounter them regularly.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16
 

This post comes from Roger and Trish Blomquist, Christ the King's short-term missionaries in Tanzania. This posts talks about the ordination of nine pastors on Feb. 5.

My list includes good family and friends, shelter, food and warmth on these cold days, and access to good medical care.

But sometimes it’s hard to find the blessings in the midst of the dark places in our lives.

The following post comes from our short-term missionaries, Roger and Trish Blomquist, who are serving for three months in Tanzania. Please read on to experience worship in Tanzania through our traveler's eyes.

Check out this amazing picture from National Geographic:

Thanks to all of the congregation members, staff and volunteers who made our first Super Spirit Worship a great success. Special thanks goes out to our commentators, Ray Ensrud, and Aaron Larson. Click here to see more photos from Sunday, including the kick off of our Get Out of the Boat sign ups, Pack 106's pancake breakfast and the annual meeting.

 A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

                                                                                                                                                                            Mark 1: 40-45 

The following post comes to Christ the King from Roger and Trish Blomquist. The Blomquists are serving for three months in Tanzania. Please check back often for more updates from the Blomquists and continue to offer your prayers for them, Tanzania, and the Nduli Parish.

It’s hard to believe that we have been here a little over a month as time has flown by.  We have had very busy schedules with lots of people here from the St. Paul Area Synod and we have reconnected with so many of our Tanzanian friends that we have met over the years.

Pr. Hannah and I have a friendly agreement for Super Spirit worship this weekend.

"When they found Jesus, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also." (Mark 1:37-38)

 “Let us go…” Jesus has left the synagogue and has healed many people of unclean spirits, or forces of evil. As you can imagine, everyone is amazed at his work. But instead of staying in that place, Jesus leaves with a mission: to go out and to proclaim the Good News.

This Sunday we gather to hear this proclamation in a new, super way.

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1: 16-18

Time is a precious commodity.  Everyone is so busy rushing around.  Even retired people say they are so busy that they can’t imagine how they ever had time to go to work.  Maybe dialing back the busyness would be a helpful Lenten discipline. 

I hope you will read this book and participate in a Christian Life Group as we invite the whole congregation to discuss it.  It is well written and challenges us to grow in faith.  Growing in faith is something we all want to do.

A new idea is unfolding at Christ the King called Christian Life Groups.  This idea is being launched this month as we begin our all church book study:  If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. A famous scientist once said that the best way to launch an idea is to wrap it in a person. Perhaps it is better to toss it out of a boat.

Have you noticed the canoe in the narthex lately?  Does it make you wonder what it is all about? We really want you to know, and to join the whole congregation in taking the boat ride of your life!

I have a confession to make: I’m afraid of joining a Bible study/Christian Life Group.

As we gear up to start this all-church book study in Christian Life Groups it’s important for all of us to confront those things that might  hold us back for fully participating.

1. You will feel more connected.
The Bible encourages us to love one another, encourage one another and pray for one another. Christian Life Groups will help you feel more connected to the Church, its people and God.

What is the church? Why do we gather at Christ the King? Or, maybe you wonder as our 7^th graders recently did in Confirmation, “Why should I follow Jesus; can’t I just say I believe in him?”

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’

I Samuel 3: 10

Christ the King member Marilyn Riege forwarded me the following e-mail about church bulletin bloopers earlier this week and I thought I would share it with you.  My favorite is "A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. " I'm adding one of my own that nearly ran in the Herald. (Special thanks to the talented proofreaders who caught it before publication.) Can you find it? Let me know in the comments!

The following post comes to Christ the King from Roger and Trish Blomquist. The Blomquists are serving for three months in Tanzania. Please check back often for more updates from the Blomquists and continue to offer your prayers for them, Tanzania, and the Nduli Parish.

Frank Sinatra’s popular lyrics from “The Christmas Waltz” are running through my head. Yes, I know Christmas is over and we’ve begun our new year, but it really is that time of year. Perhaps the “world is falling love” in 2012, but it’s also when our youth begin to sing. The youth musical is starting!

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart

When the New Year rolls around many people make resolutions.  They resolve to lose weight or get in better physical condition or spend more time with their family.  Oftentimes, our resolve to make those changes diminishes quickly.  Change is hard, but it is not impossible.  If we invite Christ to be a part of our resolution, he can give us the strength we need to stay the course and make the change. 

But the angel said to them (the shepherds), ‘Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2: 10-14

It's almost Christmas! Despite the snow, my waning motivation to wrap presents, and my lack of greeting cards in the mail, Dec. 25 is approaching quickly. Many of my conversations this week surround the questions, "So are you ready for Christmas?" or "What are your plans for the holidays?" These words conjure up memories of past Christmases and trigger hopes for the coming celebrations.

Am I really ready?

There are lots of stresses and strains at Christmas time.  Even though everyone expects us to be happy and jolly this time of year, for some this is a sad time. 

I can still hear your voices.

It began on Rally Sunday and through the month of September. We would say, “Jesus changes lives…” and the resounding response would be, “inside, outside, upside down!”

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year.

I love the snow. I hate the ice. I love the anticipation and excitement. I hate the waiting. I love the family and friend gatherings. I hate how busy these weeks become. I love the story and the reason of why this time of year is so special. But most of all, I hate forgetting it.

Yesterday during Sunday morning worship we began our journey through Advent. It is a time of excitement and waiting. It is a time of anticipation as we await the celebration of Jesus' birth. It is a time of fervrent prayer as we welcome Jesus with the words, "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest."

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I Thessalonians 5: 16-18
 

My office has a tendency to turn into a paper tornado. Each day we creep closer to Thanksadventversarymas (Yeah, I just made up a word.) the stack gets higher.

And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Matthew 25:40

Sunday is arguably the most important day at church. People travel to CtK from around the Twin Cities to gather in the sanctuary for worship, for song, for prayer, and in the fireside lounge for fellowship, good treats and coffee. It is a treasured and sacred time in our busy weeks.

But do you ever wonder what happens in the other rooms of our beautiful church? It is, by no means, empty.

Jesus says, This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:12-13 

The Prayer of the Day for All Saints Sunday reads: Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you…

We don’t exist for ourselves. We exist to be Christ in the world: Real people offering efforts of compassion and kindness to one another. People willing to know each others lives, not just observe them,” Pr. Deb Birkeland.

If you are on Facebook, you might have seen this: “Put ‘The truth is…’ as your status, and anybody who ‘likes it’, post a message on their wall telling them truthfully what you think about them.” It’s a bold move for both parties for three reasons:

1.    What you write is a public message.

2.    What you write is actually supposed to be the truth.

3.    You could spend an entire afternoon writing “the truth is” on 70 different people’s Facebook walls.

This past weekend I had the privilege of heading with our local Boy Scout troop to camp in Houlton, Wisconsin. My purpose? To help lead a worship service under the theme of "Classic Video Games." Some might think it would be a stretch, but in the end, it was a great worship service as we talked about God, Super Mario Bros., and the Game of Life. Don't believe me? Read on to hear my thoughts.

The past three weeks our 6th grade Confirmation students have studied the Bible and have asked questions like, “Who wrote the Bible?”, “Is the Bible true?”, “Why does the Bible contradict itself at times?”. These are not easy subjects to grasp, and yet, these young people have had phenomenal insight.

One of my favorites from last night was when one of our youth came up to me after class and said, “Pastor Hannah, it’s almost like the Bible is not a book of answers but a big book of questions that leads us to God.”

Tonight at confirmation we watched a music video called something more produced by Nick Vujicic. Despite being born with no arms or legs Nick believes that God has a plan for his life and that plan is to give hope to others that hear his story.

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything.  Yeah, right. 

Pr. Deb. preached about what it means to be "rich" at church on Sunday, saying, "To those to whom our Father has given stewardship over His vineyard, much is expected.  The vineyard of God’s creation is blessed to be a blessing.  It is not given to be consumed and hoarded."

Tonight our children and youth spent time together thinking about what it means to share God’s love with others without using words. One of the ways that can happen is by sharing a hug.

This video was shared with me a while ago and brought to my attention how such a simple action can make a difference in people’s days.

While searching for blog posts about how to write blog posts, I ran across the following video from Luther Seminary's (and apparently a Christ the King member, according to Dawn) Rollie Martinson.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Carrie. I started at CtK about three weeks ago as the first person in the position of "Communications Coordinator."