SOTP-Newsletter Archives - Shepherd of the Prairie

A Note

From Pastor Mark

Our relationship with old friends is so comfortable. They know us, we know them, conversation centers around past good times… we remember former activities and enjoy the blessing of our relationship. It is easy… there is no “stretching” involved here.

In the Gospel of Luke the 14th chapter Jesus is urging us to get out of our comfort zone and look around at those outside our circle of friends and invite them in. He has an open heart that includes rather than excludes.

As I write this note to you, this past weekend we welcomed a wonderful group of new members into the life of our worshiping community. We also had some guests join us for our church picnic who saw our welcome on Facebook and took us up on the offer. We are also keenly aware of all the new neighbors in Fieldstone subdivision to our south.

How shall we put into practice what Jesus suggests? Who in your life have you been wanting to get to know on a deeper level. Jesus knew that a meal was a wonderful place to start.

How about having a dinner party? A lunch? A picnic? An invitation out for dinner? A get-together? Let’s open it up to people we don’t know and not be concerned that it’s a one-way invitation. Let’s not be concerned that we don’t know “these people” or worry about how clean our house is or isn’t. What if these new people overstay their welcome? What if they have expectations we can’t meet? What will we talk about? What if they don’t like the food we serve? Try not to fret about those possibilities—stop all this negative thinking! Let’s be obedient and joyfully open up to give. This is Jesus’ idea; he won’t let us down.

Now I know as I write and suggest the idea to you…I will have to do it myself! How shall I do this?

I have neighbors I have not met. Just thinking about the possibilities of meeting new people and opening our home to strangers is scary, but exciting. I am going to do it! We could also extend an invitation out for lunch or dinner.

How about you? Will you dare to take the words of our Lord seriously? Who might you take time to show a little extra hospitality to for the sake of the Kingdom?Jesus says we will be blessed and we will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

That’s good enough for me. Let’s make September a month to give a little extra practice to our spirit of hospitality.

Lord, thank you that you have encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and do something very foreign to me. As you lead me, I know I will look for and find strangers and invite them into my life. Be with me. Help me with all the details and show me the people I should ask. Amen.

Pastor Mark

Email Pastor Mark: pastormark@sotpmail.com

Ministry Musing

By Donna Kelly

Earlier this summer I attended a day long spiritual retreat that happened to fall on the second anniversary of my grandson’s death by suicide. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and how I was going to feel. The site was just off Randall Road in St. Charles, but the setting is woods, gardens and paths. It is a beautiful oasis with many tall old trees. It was hot that day, but the shade from the trees made it comfortable.

We spent the morning in contemplative prayer and worship. After lunch we took part in an activity called “Forest Bathing”, immersing ourselves in nature. Our first activity was to wander in the wooded area and find a place to stop and pay attention to all that was moving around us. I saw leaves fluttering, a butterfly flitting, some small bugs scurrying, the clouds blowing across the sky, the shadows of the trees moving across the grass; very peaceful indeed.

Our second activity was to dig a hole and smell the dirt. Then to go around and find the holes others dug and smell the dirt in those holes as well. I was surprised that the dirt smelled fresh and clean! And the dirt smelled differently in other places. Where there was mulch the dirt smelled woodier and in other places it smelled more earthy.

Our last activity was to go out into the woods again and let a tree find us. I thought that sounded strange, but I went anyway. To my surprise a little way down the path was a younger tree that had to twist and turn as it grew, searching for sunlight. All around the bottom of the tree were new shoots about 3 or 4 feet tall. They looked like arms welcoming me. So, I went to that tree and laid my face on it. It felt as if the tree was hugging me with those young branches. I felt calm, safe and peaceful. It was as if God were hugging and comforting me through that tree.

This made me think of how God is always around us, walking with us, ready to hold us close to comfort or just share love. Sometimes we need to stop, take a breath and look for the ways God is holding us close to comfort or to strengthen or just to say, “I love you”. Take time to pause in your pain, or sadness or just busyness to see and feel God’s love all around you.

Donna

email Donna at: donna@sotpmail.com