Redefining Church - Mark 1:14-15, Camp Onomia and Sunday Worship

Central Family,

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)

One might expect that Jesus would hide after John’s arrest. If Herod put John in prison he certainly would go after Jesus. But instead Jesus goes public!  And what did Jesus preach? Not patriotism (God Bless Herod), and not prosperity (God’s about to grow the economy).  Jesus’ preaching was all about God and the fulfillment of time – in the fullness of time God sent Jesus into the world – and the coming of the kingdom of God! All around is the kingdom of God!

Jesus presence amongst us compels us to make a choice; ‘repent and believe’.  Dare we be so subversive as to refuse to buy into the world’s ways and instead risk everything (repent and believe) to follow Jesus? Don’t be shortsighted and believe that reality is simply what you see with the naked eye. Don’t sell yourself short and trust in the political and economic realities of the world. Jesus urges the people around Galilee – and us – to repent and believe.  The more we live in the Word of God the more we realize that our usual ways of knowing things and of loving aren’t so helpful when it comes to God.  Can we repent and turn from the ordinary habits of our minds and become like an infant and be totally dependent upon Jesus? This is the trust that the Psalmist speaks of; “Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you made me trust when upon my Mother’s breast.”

As we move towards the weekend there are 3 things that I want to put in front of you for prayers and participation;

SUNDAY WORSHIP on March 11 – The focus is the third non-negotiable of our life together as Christ-followers; MULTIPLICATION! Read Acts 1:8; 4:32-35; John 13:34-35; and Matthew 5:13-16.  Part and parcel of our identity as disciples of Jesus is that we multiply, reproduce and are fruitful.  This is not about getting people to be members of Central BUT it is all about reaching out to the lost in such a way that they find themselves embraced by the loving arms of their Heavenly Father!  At the morning worship services we will be privileged to have an outreach team from Concordia in Moorhead, MN share their musical gifts. One of the members is Michelle Opsahl, a daughter of Central.  You will want to be present to encourage her in her faith and witness!

GUYS GETAWAY – Please pray for the 55 men on the Guy’s Getaway Weekend at Timber Bay. Pray that the Holy Spirit will move mightily amongst the men as we come around the Word of God this weekend!

CAMP ONOMIA

We’re headed to camp June 24-29!  Join Sonja Knutson, Kirsten Gill, Winston Peterson and myself for a fun, faith-filled week at Camp Onomia focused on the Armor of God theme.  We are in need of volunteers in a variety of capacities including: nurses, lifeguards, recreation director, craft director, and counselors.  We are open to college age and older (yes that includes parents) for any of these positions.  Please contact Kirsten if you would be interested or would like more information about these opportunities.

Camp Information:

• Pioneers Camp (Completed grades 1-3) – June 24-26    Cost: $180 - $160 if registered by March 15
• Explorers Camp (Completed grades 3-6) – June 24-29   Cost: $380 - $330 if registered by March 15

PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 15.  That doesn’t mean you need to pay in full by this date, just a registration and a deposit.  Registration forms are available at CLC – all registration for these dates will go directly through Central Lutheran.  If these dates don’t work, you are welcome to explore the other camp dates that Camp Onomia has set up for the summer.

Kids too old for camp?  We’d love to be able to build up our scholarship fund to allow kids who need financial assistance to go to camp.  Please consider giving to support the camp scholarship fund!

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus as we journey together this Lent!

Paul