But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into
his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;
once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9–10
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
January 2023 is already past us and we are moving on into February. Time seems to fly. We wake up and wonder where the last year went as we find ourselves moving into the second month of this year. It is as though our lives get away from us and before we know it we are in the later years of life. How did we get here? What did we miss? How has life passed us by? Did I do all that God wanted me to do? Maybe we begin to wonder if we have lived out of our baptism in a way that has brought glory to God?
Earl E. Shelp and Ronald H. Sunderland in their book Sustaining Presence: A Model of Caring by People of Faith write of the importance of the whole people of God (that is each of you, along with the pastor) in caring for and drawing others to Christ. The church (all of us) need to be able to share from our experiences with Christ, and the fellowship found in the church, in such a way that will speak to the pain of the world around us.
In 1 Peter 2:10 we are reminded that we are called to “declare the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His wonderful light.” We are a unique group of people here at Bethel and we are called and commissioned to witness to others in our community of God’s love for us. We, you and I, are called to exist for all people as a witness to “God’s steadfast love for humanity.” Through the different ministries at Bethel we attempt to be faithful in this calling, bringing light to those who find themselves in dark places. Whether it is in and through Aurora Interfaith, Aurora Warms the Nights, Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Family Services, getting the Sunday School program functioning again… our focus as members of the Body of Christ is to “perpetuate the work of Christ in seeking the lost, breaking down the barriers that divide people, and [draw] all people to God.”
Over the last few years we have struggled getting our people to serve on ministry
teams to help carry on the work of the church. I am calling each of us to engage or reengage into the life, ministry and passion of Jesus, so that we can become clearer about our ministry at Bethel. You are invited to serve along with our leadership team in making a difference. If you receive a call or you are approached to help I pray that you pray before you quickly turn down the opportunity you are presented with. Take time to pray about where God is calling you fit in the ministry of Christ here at Bethel?
Each person has a purpose and that is to learn to speak and live in a healing way to
the world. Remember, God has “called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
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