Elim Extra for Sunday September 22, 2024

Pastor’s Reflection: Welcoming Others in His Name

On Sunday we will have a potluck celebrating our new members and associate members who have joined Elim: Austin and Christina, Kristen and Alexis, Leslie, and Stephen! Worship will be an opportunity for everyone to affirm their baptisms and write their name in the membership book if it isn’t already there. Council has reviewed and affirmed our updated membership roll, and including associate members and non-member participants, Elim is 80 souls strong! 

Jesus said that whenever we welcome a child of God in his name, we welcome the One who sent him. The new members we welcome help grow and expand our faith, as they help us to see God in different ways. It reminds me of the extraordinary diversity we enjoyed at the annual Ogden Interfaith Concert last Sunday night; the music offered by people of different faiths was absolutely top-notch, and such a counterpoint to the political violence that continues to shake our souls. What a privilege it has been to be part of this amazing Ogden community!

In our sermon series on “High Flying Geese,” we are hearing about how God calls each of us and our church to become “a new creature, transformed in mobility, in perspective, and in beauty.” The author Pastor Browne Barr asks, “But what is the nature of that transformation, of that resurrected life pulled out of the mud and given wings by God’s active love in Christ?” It is the new life we make together as a community, risen with Christ through baptism, flying together in formation, making the shape of a “V” to represent Love’s Victory over evil. 

May our little church, united in love with our interfaith community, be a sign of healing for all to see.

with love, Pr. Chelsea

September 22nd – Potluck luncheon celebrating Membership Sunday (Affirmation of Baptism) and Farewell for Pr. Chelsea’s Family

September 29th – The Lesser Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Blessing of the Animals, Blessing of Release for Pr. Chelsea