Pastor Greg Johnson • Cell Phone: 605-940-5875
Email: pastor@beavervalleylutheran.org
A Message from Pastor Greg:
Gentle God, Gentle People
“He will feed his flock like a shepherd, He will gather his
lambs in his arm, he will carry them in his bosom, and
will gently lead those who have their young.” (Is. 40:11 AMP)
This world is angry and unsettled and so many of the headlines are stolen by all things that are harsh and unkind: wars, political polarization and its unforgiving lexicon, hatreds of most any kind. For followers of Jesus Christ our days must be different.
The prophets foretold of God sending a leader for God’s people who would not be arrogant and harsh, but instead, would be perfectly gentle in dealing with God’s hurting people. Old and New Testament alike describe this God coming: a “shoot from Jesse’s stem”, our “Prince of Peace,” the Son of God, this Son of Man, as one who could have chosen to be served, but didn’t, having “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:5-11, the famous Christ Hymn).
That this servant God came to earth at Christmas in a most gentle way, really becomes our calling–to live as gentle people–as we take seriously our baptismal callings to be “little Christs” in this often harsh world. Famous American author and storyteller, Garrison Keillor invites us to consider the beauty and the steady power that living a gentle life will have:
“What keeps our faith cheerful is the extreme persistence of gentleness and humor. Gentleness is everywhere in daily life, a sign that faith rules through ordinary things: through cooking and small talk, through storytelling, making love, fishing, tending animals and sweet corn and flowers, through sports, music and books and raising kids—all the places where the gravy soaks in and grace shines through. Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people. Lacking any other purpose in life, it would be good enough to live for their sake.”
Throughout these December days, may the life of our congregation be a testament to living in Jesus’ name: Sunday school Christmas programs, a Christmas cantata led by almost thirty voices, gifts gathered by our youth to give away in the cold days of January for those most in need, Candlelight worship services with flames dancing in the dark–reminding us that angry darkness will not defeat the smallest campfire burning.
Advent Blessings,
Pastor Greg Johnson
Staff
Kari Morgan, Office Manager • Office: 605-582-3504
Email: office@beavervalleylutheran.org
Janet Andersen, Website Administrator
Email: janet.andersen@chssd.org
Shelly Berg, Choir Director
Brittany Gerovac, Education Director
Gingi Hanson, Choir Accompanist
Corey Maunu, Media Director
Email: media@beavervalleylutheran.org
Darcie Johnson, Treasurer
treasurer@beavervalleylutheran.org
Ruth Tieszen, Organist
Prayer Chain coordinator
Joan Schuette
Email: jdschuet@aol.com
Phone: 351-3956