Posts by Rev. Paul Calvin (Page 4)
Reconciliation
This week’s post is by John Lundgren, a member of Church of the Redeemer and a leader of our men’s prayer ministry. A physician by vocation, John has a heart for spiritual healing as well. Earlier in December, he gave this teaching on reconciliation at a men’s prayer meeting. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ…
Waiting In The Dark – Part Two
By Brynna Jones Part 2: Anticipation — or Waiting for “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Is it? Is it really? Last winter, I spent a lot of time waiting for my anxiety-induced illness and fatigue to pass so that I could do my work; work that mostly consisted of finishing my last research project and writing my doctoral dissertation. This year, after (finally!) completing my graduate degree in February, it has…
Waiting In The Dark – Part One
This week’s post comes in two parts. Both are by Brynna Jones, who will be leaving us soon for a position on the East Coast. We will miss Brynna and the many gifts, including her music, that she shares with our church. We wish her well. By Brynna Jones Part 1: Perseverance — or Waiting on ‘What is real/about us all is that each of us is waiting.’ …
Deacons
Over the past few months, Church of the Redeemer has been blessed several times in our worship services by the ministry of Deacon Liz Stewart, Pastor of Children’s & Family Ministry at Church of the Cross in Hopkins. Along with Bishops and Priests, Deacons belong to what is what is known as the threefold order of ministry. This way of distinguishing between different types of ordained ministry is recognized by many Christians, but particularly by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. In the Anglican…
Giving and Gratitude
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we reflect on giving and gratitude. Barbara Leafblad writes about her own thank-you list, and Sarah Lundgren writes about packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child. By Barbara Leafblad At our Thanksgiving meal this year, we will go around the table and say what we are thankful for. This always throws me off, because my list is long. I will look at the faces of my spirited grandchildren, at the hearts of my two stepchildren…
Women’s Retreat: Being the Beloved
The women of Church of the Redeemer gathered last month for a weekend retreat to fellowship, pray and study Henri Nouwen’s book, Life of the Beloved. More than 30 women (and one infant!) participated. Today’s blog post features reflections from three women who attended the retreat. I came away from the women’s retreat with my soul refreshed and with deeper connections with my sisters in Christ. For me, one of the most meaningful parts of the weekend was hearing the…
Reflections on terrorism — and fear
By Andy Bramsen As we reflect on the horrific acts of evil in Beirut and Paris that have killed scores and inflicted terror on the people of those cities and beyond, we grieve with them and pray for the Lord’s mercy and comfort. Yet it is all too easy to turn from mourning with the suffering to becoming hardened toward anyone who shares a national, religious, or ethnic identity with the perpetrators. This turn from sorrow to a hatred fueled…
Go Forth: Embracing Our Mission
Today’s post is by Calleigh McRaith, who encourages us to think creatively about missions. Calleigh started coming to Church of the Redeemer a little over two years ago after moving back to the Twin Cities from Virginia, where she had been attending law school. She went to Wheaton, lives in St. Paul and works as an immigration attorney. One thing I’ve been reminded of since moving back to Minnesota a few years ago is that Minnesotans tend to hate asking…
Looking at the Jesus window
Today’s post is by Nancy Bergstrom. Nancy and her husband, Ken, are part of Church of the Redeemer’s prayer ministry. Nancy and Ken are proud parents and grandparents — not just to their own daughter and grandson, but also to families they have befriended over the years. She spoke this past weekend at Church of the Redeemer’s women’s retreat. The windows in the Sanctuary at Bethel Lutheran, our host church, are lovely. I especially like the one recently used…
Voices From The Pulpit: Dawn Lundgren
Many of you know Dawn Lundgren, who leads our prayer ministry. Dawn and John have four adult children and nine (going on 10) grandchildren. Dawn was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and grew up in St. Cloud, Minn., Wyckoff, N.J., and Elmhurst, Ill. In this week’s post, Dawn describes how she got involved in prayer ministry, who has influenced her, and who some of her favorite authors are. When I began seminary, I wasn’t sure what direction my degree would…