Congregation Gatherings: March 10 & 24 (Saturdays) Starting at 9:30 a.m. I scheduled a couple of special events in March, calling them “Congregational Gatherings.” These are not “special meetings” in which actual business or action will take place. The gatherings are meant to be opportunities for people to share and learn more about the life… [Read more…]
February 10, 2012
I’m posting this link as a kind of news article I’ve been noticing in the past months… people (significant scientists) are more vocal in their “denier” perspectives about CO2 and Global Warming… or as some have recently been saying more loudly… stability in global temperature cycling. Basically, there might well be many more forces at… [Read more…]
January 23, 2012
Do Not Fear From Prayers of Walter Brueggemann (Chapel – 1978) We are fearful folk, and we dwell in the midst of a fearful people, fearful of our world falling apart, in terror and moral decay, fearful of too many “dangers, toils and snares,” fearful of not doing well… of being found out… of being… [Read more…]
January 5, 2012
Sunday Morning Adult Education – “The Use of the Means of Grace” I’ve been challenging the Congregation Council to consider a number of practices regarding Holy Communion at Dekorra. The practices continue to be considered. Some of the information that I’ve provided to the council is drawn from a 1997 ELCA document entitled The Use… [Read more…]
January 5, 2012
Test Study Group – Begins Soon – 8 to 10 People Needed As I’ve mentioned, I’d like to see a small group form around a test study that is promoted within our synod. In talking with a few folks it would seem that Tuesday evenings might work well for this 7-8 week study. I propose… [Read more…]
December 25, 2011
A Christmas Message from ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson: Video Format Text of Bishop Hanson’s Message ChristPower – A Christmas Poem of Bishop John Shelby Spong
December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve – 2011 The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2000. The Gospel according to St. Luke 2 The Birth of Jesus 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when… [Read more…]
December 18, 2011
This Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. – “Lost in the Night” Worship Service This special worship is on the “longest” night… it connects with the kinds of melancholy that people can experience during this season. Join Us!! Christmas Eve Worship – Saturday at 4:30, 7:30, 10:00 p.m. Christmas Day Worship – Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30… [Read more…]
December 15, 2011
To: Dekorra Council – December Meeting From: Pastor Ted Johanson Re: Information for Communion Practices – Age, Extender Ministry, Weekly Communion, Council Oversight of Membership Date: December 19, 2011 Information about AGE and Communion Participation I have received a request from the parents of a child in third grade that I provide adequate instruction and preparation that… [Read more…]
December 15, 2011
Mission Statement – Who We Are; What We Wish to Be I talked about Dekorra’s Mission Statement last week, encouraging people to commit the statement to memory. This is what I’ve needed to do to get it stuck into my “recallable” memory… Dekorra Lutheran Church is a Christian Community… (The first part of the mission… [Read more…]
November 30, 2011
Worship Services on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. We’ll continue having 25-30 minute worship services each Wednesday evening in the sanctuary. The informal, creative worship services follow the general flow of Sunday worship (Gathering, Word, Meal, Sending) and include music that I lead with my guitar and voice. The themes of upcoming Wednesday worship services will… [Read more…]
November 22, 2011
Today’s Order of Worship is an Insert – The Liturgical Year Since the space inside the cover is normally used for the order of worship I will use the space to provide some information about communion for “all-the-baptized”. These excerpts are part of the 1997 ELCA document called The Use of the Means of Grace. … [Read more…]
November 12, 2011
Some Worship Planning Notes Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. (about 25 minutes with communion) Next Sunday, Nov. 20 – Thankoffering Service led by the Women of the ELCA Wednesday, Nov. 23 – Thanksgiving Eve Worship Sunday, Nov. 27 – Advent, Special Liturgical Year Worship and Pledges of Time/Talent/Treasure for the New Year Christmas Eve on Sat.… [Read more…]
November 6, 2011
Today – All Saints – Remembering and Naming the People On this day, the first Sunday of November, we leave the normal lectionary themes and remember the saints. Today is All Saints Sunday. During the prayers today we will name those people ofDekorraLutheranChurchwho died since last year’s All Saints: Kolbe TannerFerguson Kazuko Mary Bublitz Thomas… [Read more…]
October 22, 2011
Extending Communion to Those Not Able to Attend Worship One of the ministries that came into use in our church through the liturgies of the green hymnal (LBW) is the extension of communion… the bringing of the bread and wine of worship to those unable to attend. Just as we might bring the bread and… [Read more…]
October 22, 2011
Note – This document has served as a basis for the liturgical and hymnal developments in the ELCA during the 1990′s and onward. The descriptions of theological principles and practical applications provide consistency and clarity for the church and its corporate worship. EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA The Use of the Means of Grace A Statement… [Read more…]
October 21, 2011
Worship – A Congregation’s Primary Activity Gathering for worship is the foundation of a congregation’s life. The Christian heritage has been to make community worship the first thing we do each week. (Although Sunday morning can feel like it’s half way through a “week-end”, remember that the week actually ends with Saturday evening… and a … [Read more…]
October 15, 2011
Sunday – TODAY – Communion Teaching (after worship) This Sunday (Oct. 16) after both worship services I will meet with whoever would be interested in some instruction and teaching about Holy Communion. This teaching time will be appropriate for all ages, for families, for those already participating in communion, and especially for those not yet… [Read more…]
October 15, 2011
Based on Matthew 22:15-22 (Give to Caesar… Give to God…) It’s kind of fun to hear preachers whine a bit at this time of the church year. We are in the last month or so of the Pentecost season. Pentecost begins on the 50th day of Easter (thus the name – Pent) and lasts around… [Read more…]
October 9, 2011
Wednesday Education – 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Classes begin at this time each week. This is a ministry of the congregation and I ask congregational members to be a part of this. I tend to offer teaching with the hope of challenging adults and youth alike to grow in their faith understandings. I highly value youth… [Read more…]
September 30, 2011
A Letter to Dekorra’s Youth – Sent on Thursday I described the National Youth Gathering (summer of 2012) to a number of youth who met briefly on Wednesday. There was enough interest that I went the next step – I put together a letter for the youth of Dekorra with information about the 2012 event. … [Read more…]
September 30, 2011
To: Youth Members of Dekorra Lutheran Church and Parents of Dekorra’s Youth From: Pastor Ted Johanson Re: National Youth Gathering for July of 2012 – REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 9!! Meeting to Decide This – Saturday, October 8 at 11 a.m. at Church A Synod Trip to See Lutheran Colleges (October 27-29) (for Information, Click HERE) Date: September 29, 2011 This… [Read more…]
September 24, 2011
By What Authority? Today’s gospel reading has the challenge to Jesus… “By what authority do you say and do these things?” Jesus doesn’t provide an answer but poses questions. He directs people to their own thinking. Within the thinking processes come the answers, but the thinkers choose not to acknowledge what they’ve thought of. Jesus… [Read more…]
September 24, 2011
A New Start Intentional Interim Ministry provides “new starts” on a regular basis. I have enjoyed serving as pastor in many congregations during their time of transition, helping people think about what has made their congregation what it is, being part of new discovery about how God might be calling the people of a congregation… [Read more…]
September 5, 2011
Click HERE to view my resume (I still need to add my most recent interim experience.)
September 4, 2011
Note: Click Here for Brief Resume From the Desk of Pastor Ted… September 1, 2011 Interim Ministry Officially Begins September 18 My wife, Joan, and I enjoyed meeting some of the members ofDekkoraLutheranChurchtwo weeks ago. The occasion was an interview with the council to consider a contract for Intentional Interim Ministry. A contract was developed… [Read more…]
March 9, 2011
(Note – notes only, not a full text) Psalm 51 – Hymnal (I’ll point to some technical aspects in a few moments) Heading “A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba” Editors of the Psalm collection supplied this As though saying, “Imagine this as the… [Read more…]
January 17, 2011
A “Bunch” of Last Minute Information The bulletin was produced on Wednesday but a number of things have developed that deserve some communication. I decided to add another insert to the Sunday bulletin (and next Thursday.) A Big Change for Jess Throlson (and a big move) The Congregation Council received a letter of resignation this… [Read more…]
January 17, 2011
(NOTE – Notes format only) John 1 – John the Baptist, Andrew & Peter John’s Gospel – like a Greek play sometimes Prologue / Dialogue / Dramatic Scenes / Heroes / Greek Themes? Highly developed Christology – nearly the last NT book written NOT the church of Paul’s writing Heroes: John, Peter Cultural norms (church/synagogue/Greek)… [Read more…]
December 26, 2010
(Outline Format Only) An ugly story in the midst of beautiful season (reality check) Lots of commentators – various moralistic sounding ways to interpret – Did this really happen? Matthew’s stories often connect with O.T. “fulfillments” – some quoted texts seem like artificial connections (even made-up), some seem square and fair, some are almost silly… [Read more…]
February 23, 2012
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