We are entering a time when we will be hearing 16 weeks of God's word as we discern, discuss, and dream about the future here at FLC. The Strategic Planning Committee, in conjunction with GSB, has been hard at work. This has been some of the most engaging, frustrating, powerful, tiring, and joyful work I've ever participated in. It's been engaging, as we've listened to one another and you through the survey and conversations. It's been frustrating at times, but still powerful. It is tiring at times, but so very joyful. It's been work I've been blessed to participate in and work that I hope and pray will help shape our future here at FLC, in the community of Harvey, in the Western North Dakota Synod, in the state of North Dakota, in the ELCA, and in the world.
I've been thinking a lot about discernment. We are in a season of discernment here at FLC, and I'm excited about it! I've been reflecting on the importance of listening to God's word, and I came across this passage in Isaiah that fits, I believe, the process in which we are engaging here in this season.
Isaiah 55:6-11 - Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.'
The beginning of this passage is the Prophet Isaiah speaking to Israel who is captive to Babylon. These are words of hope and promise to a people exiled and broken because of their unfaithfulness. The second half is God's words to the people of Israel, offering promise and hope that the word God gives will go out and not return empty, for God will accomplish and succeed in doing what God has set out to do.
While we are not the people of Israel, we like them are in a period of waiting for the direction into which God will call. We, like them, are waiting for God's word to go out, and we are waiting with anticipation for God's promise that it will not return empty.
God has called us to listen to God's word, to hear and discern what it is saying to us and who it is calling us to be in this time and place. I hope that this season will be a fruitful time of listening, prayer, conversation, and discernment as to who God is calling us to be and what God is calling us to do. May this season be a season of blessing for you! Please participate with us as we listen to God's calling for our future!
In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Katie
I've been thinking a lot about discernment. We are in a season of discernment here at FLC, and I'm excited about it! I've been reflecting on the importance of listening to God's word, and I came across this passage in Isaiah that fits, I believe, the process in which we are engaging here in this season.
Isaiah 55:6-11 - Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.'
The beginning of this passage is the Prophet Isaiah speaking to Israel who is captive to Babylon. These are words of hope and promise to a people exiled and broken because of their unfaithfulness. The second half is God's words to the people of Israel, offering promise and hope that the word God gives will go out and not return empty, for God will accomplish and succeed in doing what God has set out to do.
While we are not the people of Israel, we like them are in a period of waiting for the direction into which God will call. We, like them, are waiting for God's word to go out, and we are waiting with anticipation for God's promise that it will not return empty.
God has called us to listen to God's word, to hear and discern what it is saying to us and who it is calling us to be in this time and place. I hope that this season will be a fruitful time of listening, prayer, conversation, and discernment as to who God is calling us to be and what God is calling us to do. May this season be a season of blessing for you! Please participate with us as we listen to God's calling for our future!
In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Katie
Pastor Katie’s New Office Hours:
(Also available by appointment)
Monday – 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – 2:00 p.m. – 5::00 p.m.
Friday – Day Off
Saturday - 10:00 - 2:00
(Also available by appointment)
Monday – 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – 2:00 p.m. – 5::00 p.m.
Friday – Day Off
Saturday - 10:00 - 2:00