As we turn to the celebration of Pentecost on May 29, let us consider the ways that we as a church and as members of families can focus on our own need for God’s mercy and God’s presence.  We come not in pride, expecting that these things   belong to us out of our own status, but rather as supplicants, trusting that God will make good on his promises, now and forever.

The hallmarks etched or engraved into every item tell you two things.  The first reason is to show that the item is actually what it appears to be- that it is in fact an item made of pure silver, an item that is not mixed with other, cheaper, materials.  A hallmark is a guarantee of quality and purity.  The second thing a Hallmark does is tell you where the product comes from and, in some cases, who made it.

One of our main challenges as Christians is to remain focused on who we truly are.  We walk in a world that is constantly trying to take us away from our true  identity found in our Lord Jesus.  So many different things are put before us, asking that we trust in them for peace, security, power, meaning and more.  Inevitably, these things fall apart as all things of the world do – and just then, another false god is propped up and sent forth.

Lent is a time of the year when we can look at how this challenge and its temptations are affecting us.

St. John’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Webster South Dakota is a congregation of 800 members with a strong history of supporting the arts. We are looking to fill an opening for a part-time minister of music.