In May, representatives from the 146 congregations from across the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of ELCA met at Trinity Lutheran Church Lansdale for its annual synod assembly. This year the theme of the synod assembly was Ponder Anew. This theme was inspired by a verse from the hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (ELW 858): “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with his love he befriends you.” Throughout the synod assembly, the assembly explored how God was calling us to renew our faith, embrace transformation, and reimagine the ways we engage in ministry. The assembly talked about what it means to welcome change and how to think differently about sharing the gospel with new generations. At the synod assembly, Bishop Bryan Penman addressed the assembly reflecting on these questions. He expressed that to “ponder anew is a holy invitation to ask what it is that God is doing right now” and that in this pondering we are to ask “what the Almighty can do through us to transform the world.” Bishop Penman then highlighted that one of the ways we can ponder anew is by listening. He proclaimed to the assembly that “listening is the new evangelism.”
And so, this program year, our theme will be entitled A Listening Faith, and it will be a year of listening. Our focus this year will be to learn the sacred art of listening. So, throughout the year, we will be using resources made available through the Northwestern Ohio Synod to discuss what it means to “ Listen to God, Listen to Ourselves, Listen to Others, and to Listen to the Community.” We will start this year-long theme with a time of stewardship starting on September 28, 2025, and ending on October 19, 2025. On October 19, 2025, we will be having the first of four discernment events that will be happening throughout the year. October 19, 2025, is a Sunday, and instead of regular worship we will be having a breakfast church down in the fellowship hall. During this time, we will “listen to ourselves” and ask ourselves as a congregation and as stewards of God’s good creation what God is stirring and dreaming within us. More information about this will be coming soon. Throughout the year, there will also be different book studies and bible studies made available. More information will be shared about those offerings at a later time.
“In Isaiah 55, the prophet invites God’s people to listen: “Incline your ear and come to me; listen, so that you may live…” (Isaiah 55:3a). Isaiah extends this invitation to a people who are living in Exile. This is a people living without hope. But even to those suffering in a far-away land, Isaiah offers the promise of hope and restoration. God invites the exiles to “Come to the waters... Come to the banquet… Come to me… and listen, so that you may live…” God’s invitation to listen is a gift that permeates the Scriptures. From the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). To the Psalms, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer” (Psalm 61:1). To the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24). To the words the Exalted Jesus repeats to the seven churches in Revelation, “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2-3). God longs for us to hear, so God invites us to listen” (Northwestern Ohio Synod). So, let us use this time of listening as a time of discernment, as a time to reflect on what we are being called to, and as a time to be open to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
And so, this program year, our theme will be entitled A Listening Faith, and it will be a year of listening. Our focus this year will be to learn the sacred art of listening. So, throughout the year, we will be using resources made available through the Northwestern Ohio Synod to discuss what it means to “ Listen to God, Listen to Ourselves, Listen to Others, and to Listen to the Community.” We will start this year-long theme with a time of stewardship starting on September 28, 2025, and ending on October 19, 2025. On October 19, 2025, we will be having the first of four discernment events that will be happening throughout the year. October 19, 2025, is a Sunday, and instead of regular worship we will be having a breakfast church down in the fellowship hall. During this time, we will “listen to ourselves” and ask ourselves as a congregation and as stewards of God’s good creation what God is stirring and dreaming within us. More information about this will be coming soon. Throughout the year, there will also be different book studies and bible studies made available. More information will be shared about those offerings at a later time.
“In Isaiah 55, the prophet invites God’s people to listen: “Incline your ear and come to me; listen, so that you may live…” (Isaiah 55:3a). Isaiah extends this invitation to a people who are living in Exile. This is a people living without hope. But even to those suffering in a far-away land, Isaiah offers the promise of hope and restoration. God invites the exiles to “Come to the waters... Come to the banquet… Come to me… and listen, so that you may live…” God’s invitation to listen is a gift that permeates the Scriptures. From the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). To the Psalms, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer” (Psalm 61:1). To the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24). To the words the Exalted Jesus repeats to the seven churches in Revelation, “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2-3). God longs for us to hear, so God invites us to listen” (Northwestern Ohio Synod). So, let us use this time of listening as a time of discernment, as a time to reflect on what we are being called to, and as a time to be open to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
