FROM THE PASTOR

        RALLY SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 12TH

 “Go and make disciples…”  There is an urgency in Jesus’ parting words to his first century     disciples that remains unchanged today. The church’s first and primary mission is to lead people to a life of faith.

 It is not without significance that the word “disciple” occurs 269 times in the New Testament.  The word “member” never appears once.  In many of our churches we have it backwards.  The task of the church is not to make members, but disciples!  The word disciple means “a learner,” but Jesus infused into that word a wealth of profound meaning.  When Jesus, and later Paul, used this word it meant a leaner or pupil who accepts the  teaching of Christ, not only in belief but also in lifestyle.

 Lifelong learning has long been one way to talk about Christian education from a Lutheran perspective.  Grounded in baptism and nurtured over time, this kind of learning finds its best expression in a balance        between the sharing of faith content and the encouragement to live a lifestyle that is Christ’s style.  What does it mean to disciple children, youth and adults in this day and time?  I trust that for us it means passing on more than knowledge and content.  It means inviting people to live, practice and share their faith 365 days a year, 7 days a week, and 24 hours a day.  How are we doing at making disciples and inviting one another into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ here at Our Saviour’s?

 In true Lutheran understanding, parents and teachers cannot shape or form faith in others.  Only God can.  Nevertheless, through effective Christian education, we can partner with God to provide the space and the place for the Holy Spirit to inspire maturing disciples to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the faith planted in them through baptism and over their years from childhood into adulthood.

We will continue our adult education program --- dinner and study beginning September 16th on the Book of Faith.  This session will be about 13 weeks in length.  (

(fellowship dinner and study where the course studies are announced).  Junior and      Senior High Youth will also meet joining the adults for dinner and their study and discussion will take place in the Youth Room on the 16th and 30th of September. 

 It is time for the entire congregation to rally behind God’s intention that all Christians --- children, youth and adults --- grow and learn; a day for us to celebrate our ministry of education. We can truly become a community of hope and healing in a hurting and need-filled world.  Our Saviour’s Church can be just what our neighbors are looking for.  Please invite family and friends who do not have a church home to worship and to our Thursday evening dinner and study when it begins on September 16th.

Pr. Bob