Here’s the recording of our recent State of the Church webinar

Friends, these days of staying at home are getting long.

Normally we would fill this blog space with stories of God's love coming to life through the people of CtK, but since we aren't able to gather in person and most of us are home all day, it's kind of hard to see how and where that's happening. I mean, Pastor Nate and I could keep writing these blogs and what we see, but honestly...it would be the same 4 stories every 4 weeks. 

With that being said, we'd like to invite YOU to be part of the CtK blog! We're curious to hear how you are seeing God's love coming to life from your homes. Are you seeing it through worship? Or maybe your kids did something that reminded you of God's love. Or maybe...your mail carrier or a grocery store worker or a nurse you know?

How is God's love coming to life in YOUR world these days?

We like to have one blog post every week, that's usually 300-500 words in length. Pictures and videos are welcome too! 

If you'd be interested in submitting a blog post, please send an email to Maureen Loose, who will get you on the schedule and will take in whatever you send to be posted on our blog.

So CtK...how are YOU seeing God's love coming to life?

This weeks message, the first week of Easter comes from our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton of the ELCA.  She shares how our Easters are remarkably similar to those of the first Easter.  Amidst fear and anxiety and crushing disappointment, we sing our “Alleluias” with growing hope, strength, defiance and joy, confident that God loves us completely and has brought us into eternal life.  The second video includes three leaders.  They include Union for Reform Judaism, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Islamic Society of North America as they come together at the outset of their respective holy days in solidarity and in hope.  As we walk together through this Covid-19 pandemic and recently our respective holy days (Passover, Easter & Ramadan) lets us find the hope that rests in God to remember we are not walking alone.

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God’s Easter Peace,

 Pastor Nate Gauerke

Wednesday evening, as I watched the White House Coronavirus Task Force, I heard the usual people speak.  However, this time I was encouraged even in the midst of the darkest week for the virus in Wisconsin and in the darkest week for Jesus while on earth.  In brief synopsis, these words were shared:
 

• “Keep doing what you’re doing,” Vice President Mike Pence about social distancing.
• “Do not get complacent,” Dr. Anthony Fauci about continuing to stay home.
• “Honor the fallen,” Dr. Deborah Birx articulating life is sacred.

 
This made me think about what Jesus would be saying to us as he shares his last supper with the disciples.  Eventually being betrayed, denied, painfully crucified, and buried.  Let us not forget what happens three days later!  Yes, resurrection!  I can hear Jesus encouraging words:
 

• Keep practicing your faith during and after Coronavirus.
• Do not get complacent with the status quo.  Remembering God is more important than being busy or distracted.
• Honor the saints who have passed on the faith.  The people who have made the Church and CtK what it is today.  Don’t forget Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins in the crucifixion and resurrection victory.  I will add, continue the “Wilderness” journey with Jesus through Holy Week into Easter with gratitude, love, kindness, forgiveness, peace, joy and the many fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

 
Your pastors are encouraged…as you follow worship online!  As you spread the word of Jesus Christ and share invitations for people to watch worship.  By your acts of kindness and for your understanding that we are in uncharatered territory (wilderness if you will).  The courage and resiliency you display as you call people to remind them, they are loved as well as those who are on the front lines in hospitals, grocery stores and the many other necessary workers who keep us going.
 
We miss you!  We miss your hugs and greetings!  We miss worshiping in person with you!  We miss sharing Jesus body and blood with you!  There will be a time we are together for worship, united in Christ.  Until then, be well, be safe because we want all of you together, not some of you!  Keep doing what you’re doing.  Don’t get complacent, Jesus never did.  Finally, honor many who have died (14,762 in the US and 88,338 globally), above all, honor Jesus who died for you, who died for all.  We’ll continue to meet and see you online, until we meet again in person.
 
God’s Blessings & Peace, Happy Holy Week, & A Blessed Easter,
Pastor Nate 

It's been a couple weeks since we've blogged, but I just wanted to stop by to say: Thanks for continuing to be the church even when we can't be AT church!

As pastors, I think we get to see a birds-eye view of all the ways YOU have been active as a church, so...I figured I'd list all the ways that God is working through you to continue to BE the church even when we're not physically gathered together.

Siblings., God's love is coming to life at CtK...

1. Through your comments, greetings, and interactions during online worship and Joy's musical meditations
2. Through the volunteers who have committed to calling members who live alone or don't have internet access to check in 
3. Through the online gatherings of our young people grades 4-12 at their weekly online meet-ups
4. Through your emails you have sent checking in on your pastors and offers to help with things we might need from a distance
5. Through the ministry teams that have continued to gather online to plan the important ministries of our church that will resume once we are able to gather again
6. Through the conversation and faithful devotion to scripture that we see and experience during Tuesday Bible Study.

I'm certain that if I had more time, I could come up  with so many other ways, but honestly, perhaps this week I'll leave that to you! As you read this blog, feel free to comment on all the ways YOU are seeing God's love coming to life in your world!

Peace be the journey,
​Pastor Dara