Greetings Faith,
So, this past month, we began our year long theme A Listening Faith. We kicked off this year with a four week intentional time of stewardship where we discerned together what it means for us as God’s stewards to stop and listen. On the first Sunday, we learned the difference between listening and hearing, about what it means to be attentive to the voices around us. The second Sunday, we discerned what it means for us to listen to God. The third Sunday, we pondered about how we may be better able to listen to the people in our community. Then on the final Sunday, we dived deeper into what it means for us to listen to ourselves, to learn more about who we are and how our very own being leads us into stewardship. During that time, we also began our monthly study on the book The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction by Adam S. McHugh. There were two offerings during the month of October for the study and we had many people who participated. In both sessions, we had conversations on the introduction and the first chapter of the book. The conversation varied between the two sessions. However, I wanted to share with you all one conversation that we had. During the session held at Jerusalem Lutheran on October 12th, Scott Godshall, a member of Jerusalem, brought to the conversation a thought-provoking idea. These may not be his exact words, but he said “Sometimes, when we listen, we come to realize what we are thankful for.” At the time, I could not quite wrap my mind around what listening had to do with being thankful. However, that following week, I came to understand what he meant.
A few hours after that book study, Faith Lutheran restarted its monthly intergenerational education dinner. This education dinner serves as the educational portion of Faith’s confirmation program, so there were a number of youth present. As I listened to them, I was surprised by their questions and intrigued by their conversations. Later on that week, I officiated my first wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and unique. After the ceremony, the couple thanked me many times and were appreciative of the time that we spent together in preparation. Then, a week after the book study, Faith ended their time of stewardship with a breakfast church worship. We gathered for our 9:30am worship service down in the fellowship hall where we shared a meal together and discerned together in conversation how we as a congregation may better listen to the voices around us. My table had a wonderful conversation about worship and hospitality. Through these interactions, I came to see how listening relates to thankfulness. As these interactions took place, I came to realize that listening leads us into thankfulness. As I listened to youth and their questions, I realized that I was thankful for them and their insights! As I listened to the newly married couple, I realized how thankful I was for that couple and for them allowing me to be a part of their big day! As I listened to the people at my table for breakfast, I realized how thankful I was for my congregants and their passions for carrying out the gospel!
Thus, listening does indeed lead us into thankfulness. When we listen to each other's insights, when we listen to each other's joys and sorrow, when we listen to each other's passions and aspirations, we come to realize how thankful we are. It is a blessing and a gift from God for us to be in relationship with each other, to listen to each other's stories, and to walk together in our lives. Thus, listening leads us not only into thankfulness with each other, but it also leads us into thankfulness with our God. When we listen, we come to recognize that all that we have are gifts from God, for as James 1:17 proclaims “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” So, when we listen, we come to recognize God's grace and goodness, leading us to gratitude, and with a thankful heart we become more attentive to God's presence and guidance in all that we do. The same happens when we listen to each other. Therefore, as Ephesians 5:20 proclaims, we should “always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So, thank you all for sharing your stories. Thank you all for your questions and insights. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. Thank you all for allowing me to listen and for your willingness to listen to me. Lastly, Thank you God for all the blessings, gifts, and people that you have given me. May they always be a reminder for me to stop and listen. Amen.
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
So, this past month, we began our year long theme A Listening Faith. We kicked off this year with a four week intentional time of stewardship where we discerned together what it means for us as God’s stewards to stop and listen. On the first Sunday, we learned the difference between listening and hearing, about what it means to be attentive to the voices around us. The second Sunday, we discerned what it means for us to listen to God. The third Sunday, we pondered about how we may be better able to listen to the people in our community. Then on the final Sunday, we dived deeper into what it means for us to listen to ourselves, to learn more about who we are and how our very own being leads us into stewardship. During that time, we also began our monthly study on the book The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction by Adam S. McHugh. There were two offerings during the month of October for the study and we had many people who participated. In both sessions, we had conversations on the introduction and the first chapter of the book. The conversation varied between the two sessions. However, I wanted to share with you all one conversation that we had. During the session held at Jerusalem Lutheran on October 12th, Scott Godshall, a member of Jerusalem, brought to the conversation a thought-provoking idea. These may not be his exact words, but he said “Sometimes, when we listen, we come to realize what we are thankful for.” At the time, I could not quite wrap my mind around what listening had to do with being thankful. However, that following week, I came to understand what he meant.
A few hours after that book study, Faith Lutheran restarted its monthly intergenerational education dinner. This education dinner serves as the educational portion of Faith’s confirmation program, so there were a number of youth present. As I listened to them, I was surprised by their questions and intrigued by their conversations. Later on that week, I officiated my first wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and unique. After the ceremony, the couple thanked me many times and were appreciative of the time that we spent together in preparation. Then, a week after the book study, Faith ended their time of stewardship with a breakfast church worship. We gathered for our 9:30am worship service down in the fellowship hall where we shared a meal together and discerned together in conversation how we as a congregation may better listen to the voices around us. My table had a wonderful conversation about worship and hospitality. Through these interactions, I came to see how listening relates to thankfulness. As these interactions took place, I came to realize that listening leads us into thankfulness. As I listened to youth and their questions, I realized that I was thankful for them and their insights! As I listened to the newly married couple, I realized how thankful I was for that couple and for them allowing me to be a part of their big day! As I listened to the people at my table for breakfast, I realized how thankful I was for my congregants and their passions for carrying out the gospel!
Thus, listening does indeed lead us into thankfulness. When we listen to each other's insights, when we listen to each other's joys and sorrow, when we listen to each other's passions and aspirations, we come to realize how thankful we are. It is a blessing and a gift from God for us to be in relationship with each other, to listen to each other's stories, and to walk together in our lives. Thus, listening leads us not only into thankfulness with each other, but it also leads us into thankfulness with our God. When we listen, we come to recognize that all that we have are gifts from God, for as James 1:17 proclaims “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” So, when we listen, we come to recognize God's grace and goodness, leading us to gratitude, and with a thankful heart we become more attentive to God's presence and guidance in all that we do. The same happens when we listen to each other. Therefore, as Ephesians 5:20 proclaims, we should “always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So, thank you all for sharing your stories. Thank you all for your questions and insights. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. Thank you all for allowing me to listen and for your willingness to listen to me. Lastly, Thank you God for all the blessings, gifts, and people that you have given me. May they always be a reminder for me to stop and listen. Amen.
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
