Just over a year ago, the now retired superintendent of schools, Linda Madsen, invited a group of principals, community leaders, and faith leaders together for a conversation. The schools were seeing and hearing a lot of complaints from students that they were targets of racial slurs and...
“And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Maybe you’ve heard that story this week. The name of Mary’s son is Jesus. I wish that we could say that everyone had a...
I’m thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful for our home and safety. I’m thankful for Faith Lutheran, where I serve as pastor, and the blessings that I see my congregation share with the community. Our church ponders where God is at work in our community and how we...
The following is a reprint of a column published in the Forest Lake Times on October 13, 2017 John KlawiterFaith Columnist In 2016, Faith Lutheran Church sold the estate of one of our members, Dorothy Clingman, who gifted it to the congregation in her will. The congregation designated...
Over the next 6 weeks, we will be studying the deeper questions of faith through some of the common phrases about faith. You’ve heard them—you may have even used some of them. Phrases like “God said it, I believe it, that settles it” and “Everything Happens for a...
On Sunday, May 28, we tried something NEW! It was exciting and unique—we had small tables in the front of the sanctuary, by the baptismal font, for younger kids to sit closer to the front. The front row was open for parents to sit nearby and monitor things like sharing and the use of...
Note: Pastor John prepares reflections each week about our upcoming Sunday message for our online Bible study groups. We are now sharing these posts here to reach a wider audience. Gospel for Sunday, May 21 Remember last week: Paul gets a letter from James to take with him as he shares the...
I drive past a sign every day that says “Your Story Matters.” It’s for a church. Maybe I’m a bit sensitive, but when I read it, I think it’s an odd way to talk about God’s presence in the world. It’s a strong emphasis on ME—and honestly, I feel...
Ash Wednesday was a powerful day. We had a mini-chapel with the kids from the Lakes Area Discovery Center daycare. Then a wonderful homemade lunch before a 1 pm service and then a packed sanctuary for the 6:30 service. I had everyone write their name on a sheet of paper, then leave the...
One year ago, during the January 2016 annual meeting, Faith Lutheran extended me a call to be your new senior pastor! What a year it has been and what a wonderful congregation you are for my family and me. You have welcomed us in so many ways. In January of 2017, I spent a few weeks talking...