by PoP News | Jun 23, 2023 | Devotions, From Pastor Peter
As I’ve been preparing the various pieces of our current worship series, “A Place Called Home,” I’ve continually been reminded of the recent work of the public health community to recognize how the rising dynamic of loneliness is factoring into our understanding of wellness. If home is a place where we feel connected, as Pastor Amanda Simons from LSS preached for us last Sunday, then increasing loneliness is evidence that we’re really failing to provide a sense of “home” for our neighbors.
by PoP News | Jun 19, 2023 | Devotions, From Pastor Peter
Yesterday, the Reverend Amanda Simons joined us for worship and brought an inspiring message of hope for our world. Rev. Simons serves as the Director of Church Partnerships and Volunteerism for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Aside from telling the important story of how our partnership with LSS helps to transform the lives of countless Minnesotans, she also shared a video featuring LSS President Patrick Thueson.
by PoP News | Jun 16, 2023 | Devotions, From Pastor Peter
While I was studying in seminary and during the years following, for seven years all together, I lived between both Montana and Minnesota. It was a strange time as it became harder and harder to know where “home” was. Anne and our kids lived and went to school here in Minnesota while my restaurant business, our parents, and the community we loved were in Montana. Over time, it became clear that “home” needed to be where my primary family was going to be.
by PoP News | Jun 12, 2023 | Devotions, From Pastor Peter
As I was growing up, one corner of our large backyard was turned over for a vegetable garden. Looking back on it, aside from the raspberries that I had to help pick, I don’t really remember being particularly fond of anything that grew in that garden. I suppose it was my childhood responsibility to turn up my nose at anything that might be considered a vegetable. What I wouldn’t give today to have, just steps away from my kitchen, all those strings beans, carrots, beets, and summer squash, ripe for the picking and cutting down on my grocery bills.
by PoP News | Jun 9, 2023 | Devotions, From Pastor Peter
In 1976, my family moved into the house on Oxborough Road that I would live in from 1st grade and into the 8th grade. It’s the house I still connect with many of my childhood memories. It was the classic suburban 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath rambler with a large yard on a curvy street. The builder that developed this neighborhood in the 1950s & 60s, used variations of only six or so different architectural designs. Still, I was convinced that ours was the best house on Oxborough, most likely the whole neighborhood.
by PoP News | Jun 5, 2023 | Devotions, From Pastor Peter
I had driven 770 miles that day and had five miles left to go. I texted my friend Ethan that I was minutes away from arriving at his house, just outside of Oklahoma City. Whatever road weariness I might have been feeling quickly evaporated as I pulled up to my destination and saw Ethan’s two young daughters, Darcy & Leah, dancing around on the front step, squealing with delight and smiling from ear to ear.
