Elim Extra for Sunday May 5, 2024
Pastor’s Reflection
Craig and Lucille reported from the Rocky Mountain Synod assembly that we have elected a new bishop, the Rev. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni! Bishop Meghan will begin on August 1st. She is a member of our synod who previously led Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO, and was recently an ELCA missionary serving in leadership and pastoral roles in Palestine and Israel. She has a doctorate in religion with 18 years experience in ordained ministry, and is a committed advocate for peace and justice. We look forward to welcoming her, even as we thank Bishop Jim for his many years of amazing service!
Bible study resumes on Sunday before worship, when we will pick up 2 Corinthians together. You know when Paul writes you a second letter that you are experiencing some real problems, so we have much to learn from this early Christian community! This text contains some of my favorite jewels in scripture, including treasure in jars of clay (4:7), becoming a new creation (5:16-17), the ministry of reconciliation (5:18-20), the cheerful giver (9:6-7), and Paul’s thorn in the flesh (12:7-10). Its main theme is that when we are weak, God is strong. Please join us!
Finally, mark your calendars on May 22 at 5:30 p.m. for a lively dialogue between jazz and worship, with music to uplift your soul! The Elim worship team is organizing the first annual Ogden Jazz Vespers, a “Wind and Fire” Pentecost concert at Elim Lutheran Church. Bring a friend, date, or treat yourself to an evening of spiritual improvisation, live jazz, and contemplation in Elim’s beautiful sanctuary, featuring the Tracy Quartet. A proud member and musician in the Ogden community, Daniel Tracy is organizer of Jazz at the Station and director of instrumental music at Ben Lomond High School. This event has free admission and light refreshments will be served. A free-will offering will be taken to support future Jazz Vespers at Elim. Please spread the word and invite your friends!
We are heading into another busy and exciting time at Elim. During our Easter “Grounded in Love” series, I have been preaching every Sunday with Ephesians 3:16-21 on my lips, so I will leave you with this prayer:
May God grant for us to be strengthened in our inner beings with power through his Spirit, and may Christ dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love. May we have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
with love, Pr. Chelsea
Upcoming Events:
May 5 – Worship team meeting
May 12 – Rev. Gordon Young preaches, Mothers Day
May 19 – Church Becoming meeting, Pentecost
May 22 – Jazz Vespers at 5:30 p.m.
May 26 – Council Meeting, Trinity Sunday
June 16 – Fathers Day
June 30 – Church Becoming meeting