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Pastors' Message - "What is God's Plan for Us?" |
2004-01-16 |
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
“Why is American Lutheran Church here?” “How does this congregation make a difference in the lives of its members, in the community, and in the world?” “Why do I go to American Lutheran?” These are good questions to ask ourselves on a regular basis. There are several other churches in Milbank, after all. Is American Lutheran here to serve the “niche market” of ELCA Lutherans, or does God have a more profound and ambitious mission for us as part of His kingdom?
The Strategic Planning Committee completed a process of finding answers to these and other questions in May. The Council studied their findings in June and endorsed them for presentation to the congregation during worship on 4 August. This process lifts up the wonderful ministry that has been done over the years at American, laying the foundation for meeting the challenges ahead. It also has tried to identify those weak areas where we need to improve in our discipleship. The goal is to find how we as followers of Jesus Christ can best use the many resources we have been given to seize the opportunities and meet the needs placed before us.
An ELCA publication with the rather dry sounding title, “Developing Effective Committees”, says people “will not respond to visions that are only disguised appeals to maintain the institution. A compelling vision is outward-looking and service oriented and has genuine significance.” The result of all this work is not just a plan, any more than the results of the building committee’s work is just a set of blueprints. The result of all this work is action, guided by the plan. The goal is for American Lutheran to become what we say we want to become, “a welcoming community of Christian disciples, growing in faith, love, and service and nurturing bold new disciples in response to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
“Why do I go to American Lutheran?” God wants you here so that you can grow as a follower of Jesus in faith, love and service to your neighbor, whether that person is sitting in the pew next to you, or works beside you, or lives across the street or on the other side of the world.
The Strategic plan is a blueprint to help us to grow in discipleship over the next five years. Please come to worship on the first Sunday in August, when we will present the plan through words, music, and pictures. Consider prayerfully how you can use your unique talents and gifts to further the Kingdom of God from the base of operations at American Lutheran Church in Milbank, South Dakota.
“Why is American Lutheran Church here?” God loves us! God wants us to be a beacon of peace, hope, joy and love, from which 21st century disciples welcome all people home to Christ’s love. We’ll leave the light on for you.
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Summer: starting Memorial Day Weekend
9:00 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
10:00 am Coffee and Fellowship
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm
Winter: starting after Labor Day
8:30 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
9:35 am Educational Hour
9:35 am Coffee and Fellowship
10:45 am Worship Service
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm |
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401 South Flynn Drive
Milbank SD 57252
605.432.5566 |
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