A Word from Pastor Stefan

March 2025

The Power of Community

During our annual congregational meeting in February, I shared a quote from outgoing U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy, who wrote a “parting prescription” saying one of the biggest issues we are facing here in the U.S. is erosion of community. Millions of Americans struggle with loneliness and loss of meaning and purpose in life. His answer is community, which is a place where we have relationships, help each other, and where we find purpose in each other. It is interesting that Dr. Murthy is not prescribing a special medication to help us with our struggle with loneliness and loss of meaning but talks about the importance of community.

On March 5, we begin the Lenten Season with Ash Wednesday. This is a special time where we come together as a community on Wednesdays for food, conversations, and worship. Our focus this year will be on the meaning of our baptism. How baptism shapes our identity, gives us promises on how to live as God’s faithful people. How to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper. How to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ; how to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and how to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

In baptism, we are all bound together as the family of God. Our faith is grounded in communal living and empowers us to live life to its fullest by serving others. What does that look like? On February 8, young Liam (2 years old) came with his parents, grandparents, and relatives to church for his baptism. Before he came to church, his mom told him that he will receive holy water on his head and that he will be baptized by Pastor Stefan. Early on when the service started, he expressed himself with loud vocalizations and by pointing. His mom tried to help and walked him out of the service several times to calm him down. Later, I found out he was pointing at the baptismal font and wondering when was his time for the water? When his time came, I lifted him up to the font and poured water over his head saying, “Liam you are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” When I was holding him, he was totally calm and locked in the moment. Even when I walked him up and down the aisles, telling him that he was now a child of God, and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, Liam was calm and relaxed. I gave him a prayer blanket and we sang, Jesus Loves Me, to him. He was mesmerized and took it all in. When we are baptized, we are baptized into a community of believers. In this community we flourish, grow, learn, and become strong to overcome life’s challenges.

Lent is a spiritual journey to strengthen our faith, to confess our sin, (self-centeredness, shortcomings, hot temper, greed, unfaithfulness, etc.) and support each other through encouragement and prayer to become more aware of God’s presence in our lives. So here is my encouragement - come and experience the power of community as we together discover the awesome meaning of our baptism and the baptismal gifts that God provides for us. I will reach out to some of our friends that we have not seen for a while at church and invite them to join us on this spiritual journey. Please do the same; invite a friend, neighbor, or coworker to join us for a delicious meal on Wednesdays at 6pm and for a beautiful Holding Evening service at 7pm where we focus on God’s baptismal gifts for us.

Imagine if each one of us would bring at least one person to join us on this Lenten journey, how many more would experience the joy of God’s presence in community.

Looking forward to an exciting Lenten journey with you.

Peace,

Pastor Stefan