“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”  – Ephesians 3:17

Well, it’s that time of year when the days begin to grow shorter and the earth begins to change.  The fall season will soon be upon us full swing.  I tend to get an itch this time of the year to learn something new.  By reading or taking a class …it’s one of the ways that I remain rooted and grounded in love.  Self-care and growth.  Things of my life that mean a great deal to me. 

This month, I plan to grow and learn as I ponder on September’s focus in our Cultivating Love Theme.  This month we think about connections.  “Cultivating Love through Connection” Ponder with me.  Let’s start by focusing on some questions that come to mind:

How am I connected?  With family, friends and even community?

How is God calling me to cultivate connection?

We are God’s people together.  We are connected within the faith community, but we are also connected through the larger community.  We are connected with each other right here in First Lutheran Church, but that connection spreads out to the larger church as well.

Typically in September, the ELCA has a Sunday designated as “God’s Work, Our Hands”, when congregational members work together on projects to reach out and help others in the community and in the world.  This is a great way many churches are connecting with each other as well as the world outside their church walls. Let’s pray for the church at large as many focus on projects this month that will help them connect with others in the community and the world.  

“Cultivating Connection” will mean many different things for different people.  As we enter this month of worship and mission, ponder with me on how we can intentionally cultivate connection this month?  In connecting with one another, relationships grow and so too awareness about one’s gifts, vocations, questions and dreams.  In connecting with one another this month, let’s also think on how our time together so far this year has connected us with others.

                                                        – Pastor Patti