First Immanuel Lutheran Church
A welcoming community centered in Christ’s love, joyfully reaching out together
1816 NW Irving Street, Portland OR 97209
503-226-3659
Email: office@firstimmanuelluth.org
A welcoming community centered in Christ’s love, joyfully reaching out together
1816 NW Irving Street, Portland OR 97209
503-
Dear Partners in Ministry,
There was a warm and joyful spirit at our Church Council meeting last month. We gave thanks for the work God has entrusted to us and contemplated new possibilities for serving in the spirit of Christ.
There was a lively and friendly spirit in worship last Sunday. As we shared the gifts of God—hearing the Word and sharing Christ’s supper—I saw expressions of awe and joy, of reverence and gratitude.
At the Loaves & Fishes lunch today I saw a spirit of hospitality, as volunteers from First Immanuel joined with members of other neighborhood congregations to provide a warm welcome and a hot meal.
Week to week, as pastoral ministry brings me close to families in times of uncertainty and grief, I am aware of a spirit that gives sustaining strength and steadfastness. I see firm trust in God’s faithfulness.
We are all about spirit. The Christian community is not about rules or commandments. The Christian community is not defined by people having similar opinions or ethnic backgrounds. The Christian community is not even about having the right set of beliefs about God. The Christian community is all about the spirit of Jesus—the Holy Spirit, alive and active among us. The motivating force for our life together is the Spirit of God, who sets us free, who gives us joy, and who leads us to follow in Jesus’ way.
The work of God’s Spirit shows up in different people in different ways. In some, the Spirit grows lives of joyful praise. In others, the Spirit nurtures a sense of quiet gratitude and wonder. For some, the Spirit guides into active serving and giving. Others witness that the Spirit gives strength or patience or peace to deal with life’s challenges. And many testify that the Spirit of God challenges them to grow in faith or generosity or forgiveness.
On Pentecost Sunday, May 11, we celebrate the gift of God’s Spirit. We give praise to God for the Spirit that guides us and energizes us, that fills and renews and transforms us. Come be part of the joy! But even more, live every day in the power of God’s Spirit.
In Christ,
Pastor Aaron