Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4(NRSV)
Dear Friends:
I have been reflecting on this passage as it relates to our election season. Like many of you, I have requested a ballot that came to my home this week. I am not waiting until the first Tuesday in November to vote. But I do have some more homework to do before I am ready to fill in the entire ballot. That has led me to think about what criteria I will use in my discernment for voting in 2020.
As always, I want my vote to reflect my faith in Jesus. I want it to be obvious, at least to myself and to God, that I have voted with the values of my Christian faith. I think Paul’s letter to the Philippians does a good work of encouraging that perspective. We are encouraged to put the interests of others before our own. We are to look out for the powerless and voiceless among us. We are to take action from a place of humility. I need to check myself. I need to stop and honestly ask myself what motivates me to vote for a particular candidate. And when I honestly discover that truth, ask myself if that motivation reflects humility and the value of putting the interests of others before myself.
Wherever you are at in the voting process, I would encourage you to carry around this scripture. Pray it daily. Put it to memory. Let it be a test to your actions, your attitudes, and your vote. That is the way in which our civic duty as citizens of the United States of America intersects with our citizenship in the kingdom of God.
Join me in reading and learning as we discuss A Good Time for the Truth. In this provocative book, sixteen of Minnesota’s best writers provide a range of perspectives on what it is like to live as a person of color in Minnesota. They give readers a splendid gift: the gift of touching another human being’s inner reality, behind masks and veils and politeness.They bring us generously into experiences that we must understand if we are to come together in real relationships.Discussions will be held Wednesdays at 7 PM OR Thursdays at 10 AM on Zoom starting October 7th / 8th. SIGN UP by emailing beckyjom@prairiechurch.org. Find your own book at https://www.mnhs.org/mnhspress and other typical online book retailers in both print and e-book versions. You can prepare to discuss two chapters at each session.
This weekend you may have to bundle up to join us, but outdoor worship will be worth it! Bring your own chairs, wear a mask, and dress for the weather (blankets are welcome!). Click here to register for outdoor worship on Sunday October 4th or Sunday October 11th. As always, worship will continue to be available on our website.
Rally Day is this Sunday, October 4th. We will “rally” in two ways: 1) a drive through rally for all ages (beginning at 1 PM) where you will receive information about fall programs and treats from the Grow Team, and 2) a car bingo rally for all ages (beginning around 1:20 PM) - sign up here for a spot in the parking lot to park your car and play bingo for prizes. Friends, join us at least for the drive through. But the bingo will be fun for all ages, too!
See you on Sunday, whether in person, in the drive through, or online.
Blessings,
Pastor Becky Jo Messenbrink
Dear Friends:
I have been reflecting on this passage as it relates to our election season. Like many of you, I have requested a ballot that came to my home this week. I am not waiting until the first Tuesday in November to vote. But I do have some more homework to do before I am ready to fill in the entire ballot. That has led me to think about what criteria I will use in my discernment for voting in 2020.
As always, I want my vote to reflect my faith in Jesus. I want it to be obvious, at least to myself and to God, that I have voted with the values of my Christian faith. I think Paul’s letter to the Philippians does a good work of encouraging that perspective. We are encouraged to put the interests of others before our own. We are to look out for the powerless and voiceless among us. We are to take action from a place of humility. I need to check myself. I need to stop and honestly ask myself what motivates me to vote for a particular candidate. And when I honestly discover that truth, ask myself if that motivation reflects humility and the value of putting the interests of others before myself.
Wherever you are at in the voting process, I would encourage you to carry around this scripture. Pray it daily. Put it to memory. Let it be a test to your actions, your attitudes, and your vote. That is the way in which our civic duty as citizens of the United States of America intersects with our citizenship in the kingdom of God.
Join me in reading and learning as we discuss A Good Time for the Truth. In this provocative book, sixteen of Minnesota’s best writers provide a range of perspectives on what it is like to live as a person of color in Minnesota. They give readers a splendid gift: the gift of touching another human being’s inner reality, behind masks and veils and politeness.They bring us generously into experiences that we must understand if we are to come together in real relationships.Discussions will be held Wednesdays at 7 PM OR Thursdays at 10 AM on Zoom starting October 7th / 8th. SIGN UP by emailing beckyjom@prairiechurch.org. Find your own book at https://www.mnhs.org/mnhspress and other typical online book retailers in both print and e-book versions. You can prepare to discuss two chapters at each session.
This weekend you may have to bundle up to join us, but outdoor worship will be worth it! Bring your own chairs, wear a mask, and dress for the weather (blankets are welcome!). Click here to register for outdoor worship on Sunday October 4th or Sunday October 11th. As always, worship will continue to be available on our website.
Rally Day is this Sunday, October 4th. We will “rally” in two ways: 1) a drive through rally for all ages (beginning at 1 PM) where you will receive information about fall programs and treats from the Grow Team, and 2) a car bingo rally for all ages (beginning around 1:20 PM) - sign up here for a spot in the parking lot to park your car and play bingo for prizes. Friends, join us at least for the drive through. But the bingo will be fun for all ages, too!
See you on Sunday, whether in person, in the drive through, or online.
Blessings,
Pastor Becky Jo Messenbrink
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