GENESIS LUTHERAN CHURCH
7200 Mack Avenue Detroit, MI 48214
Rev. Dr. Ken A. Grant, pastor
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We do something unique as religious people. We take a slice of our week and we gather to lift our praise and thanksgiving, our laments and anger, our questions and doubts, to God. We sing and are silent, speak and listen, dance and stand still, give and receive, forgive and are forgiven. We worship, as individuals and as a corporate body, showing reverence to God. We worship and are stirred by the Holy Spirit to live the lives we were created to live.
It is a time of joy and solemnity - and it is wildly different than anything else we do in the course of a week. Our worship is a recognition that we belong to God and that we belong to something greater than ourselves (congregation, community, city, world) - and that we have responsibilities to both.
As members of this thing we call the church we are more than just a collection of people doing good things for altruistic reasons (though we are definitely supposed to be that). But we are not just another community center or group, because we speak of the mystery of God, the beauty of God, the nearness of God, the way in which God knits us all together, and that God calls us to do be what we were created to be for the good of all people.
Yes, we are called to do those things that many other groups do - work for justice (political, legal, economic, social), equity, peace; make sure that people are fed, treated with dignity; lift up those in need, be the voice of the voiceless, insure that the 'least of these' are cared for without considering worthiness or qualification.
The difference is that this is the floor of our work, not the ceiling. We are called to not only do justice, but to love kindness and walk humbly with our God. Thus, our grounding, our foundation, our call, is different. For us, as Christians, everything flows from the cross, scripture, font, table - everything flows from what Christ has done for us, what Christ calls us to do, who Christ calls us to be. Our call is to live in gracious response to the grace shown to us, and then to embody that grace for all.
Thus, we start with worship - it all flows from there. For in worship we acknowledge who we are and whose we are, and that the one who created us, the one who names and claims us, the one who calls us to bring the Kingdom of God near for all people, is the one we offer our praise and thanksgiving to each week. This is not something we 'have to do', it is something we 'get to do', because by this worship, not only do we lift up our praise and thanksgiving to God, we are lifted up by God's love and grace, drawn together, strengthened and forgiven at the table, fed so that we can go feed.
This is why we worship.
I invite you to worship this Sunday - and I encourage you to invite someone to worship with you this Sunday.
Peace,
Pastor Ken
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This Sunday - Third Sunday of Easter |
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Health and forgiveness through the risen Jesus
The Lord does wonders for the faithful. (Ps. 4:3)
The revealing of the children of God
Eating with the risen Christ
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Special Congregational Meeting - April 14th |
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Join us for a Special Congregational Meeting following worship this Sunday, April 14th.
At this meeting we will discuss and decide next steps for the GenesisHOPE housing development project.
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Bible Study - The Book of Genesis |
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Where do we come from? Where did sin come from? What is our purpose?
All these questions, and so many more, are addressed (maybe not always answered to our liking or full understanding) in the Book of Genesis.
Join us starting Wednesday, April 17th at 1215pm, as we begin our exploration of one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood books in all of scripture (it's right up there with the Book of Revelation).
All questions welcomed and encouraged. No experience necessary.
Join us for a rousing conversation and great fellowship (we share a light lunch following Bible Study).
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The Leadership and Ministers of Genesis Lutheran Church are grateful for your continued faithfulness in giving.
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During the month of April we will be collecting toiletries for the Neighborhood Service Organization.
Evangelism and Outreach Minister Tameka Martin will collect all of the donations and take them to the NSO on May 5th.
Our greatest thanks to everyone who donates - your donations are a concrete expression of our faith in Christ and his call to serve all people.
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Please pray for the following for healing, care, and strength:
Gloria White, John Miller, Ryder Washington, Pr. Maxcy Christmas, Pr. Christine Thompson, Wanda Berry, Juanita Miller, Melva Keys, Juanita Spikes, Catherine Wynn, Lee Marburger, Mr. Mule, Nathaniel Barnette, Henry Parker, Lucille Ramsa, Sharon Watts, Roger Adams, David Strange, James Parker, Aisha Morrow and family, Michelle Hillman
May God continue to walk with all who are in need.
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Upcoming Evangelism and Outreach Events |
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The Evangelism and Outreach Ministry team announces two upcoming April events:
Saturday, April 13th, at the UM Detroit Center on Woodward, a Yoga Therapy Session. The session will run from 11am-12pm. Take a look at the flyer for more information.
The folks putting this on are willing to host a class at Genesis if there is sufficient interest.
On Friday, April 26th, we will have another of our regular Game Nights. Mark you calendars - we look forward to seeing you then!
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Closing Image of the Week |
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This email account is unmonitored - if you would like to respond or reach Pastor Ken, please send an email to: drkenagrant@gmail.com
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Pastor
Rev. Dr. Ken A. Grant
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