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Bishop Usgaard was also highlighting the emphasis of the 2006 Southeastern Minnesota Synod, “A Synod Joined in Bible Study”, an outgrowth of the synod’s Strategic Plan adopted in 2004. Indeed, the whole of worship celebrated and proclaimed the Word in song, prayer, and word. Reflecting on Jesus’ words in Matthew 7.24-29, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be a wise man who built his house on rock”, the bishop wondered “how many are there?” “Adults”, he noted, “do no better” than high school students regarding biblical literacy. Even so, Bishop Usgaard noted the power of scripture for us in “the storms” of our lives. “The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock”, he cited (Matthew 7.25). “Where do you go in the storms?” he asked, and then shared three passages that have helped him weather storms in his life. The opening worship service also provided an opportunity for attendees to test drive some worship materials from the new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). ELW is due to be released in October 2006. With the support of pianist Kristy Giere, Zumbro, Rochester, the worshipers energetically embraced the liturgy, one of several that will be offered in the hymnal. “Christ is the Word”, Bishop Usgaard asserted, who “comes proclaimed and written”. The opening worship as the first act of the 2006 Assembly not only demonstrated this, but also set the tone for the assembly. Also of note at opening worship was the special offering taken for Camp Noah, a weeklong, faith-based day camp offered by Lutheran Social Service for children in grades K-6 who have experienced Disaster. This offering was designated for hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast. As of noon on Friday, that offering totaled $3915.36, but other contributions were collected that weren't yet counted. Previous story |
