The Blog

Scott Schul, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, visited natural and historic places in and around Concord, Massachusetts.  “Concord is one of my very favorite places on the planet, not only because of the sheer beauty of nature, but because of all the overlapping stories and histories that converge there.”   Read More Below I took this photo while my wife Linda

The one thing that keeps coming back to me this year, as I consider Christmas in the midst of a global pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, political mayhem, worldwide uncertainty, and my mother’s death, is that through it all God is with us.  No matter what we face, God is with us.  I am grateful that we celebrate the birth

O God, Bring me hope and joy in this Christmas. Help me see and experience your presence in the beauty around me, the laughter I share, the people I hold dear, the celebrations I make (no matter how unusual). Help me find your presence in these lights as you bring ever dawn closer. Amen.

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Today, I am re-sharing a reflection I posted in Advent a few years ago.  My mother died last week and I have found it hard to write, though many of the ideas I’ve been sitting with are about God’s surprising presence in unexpected places and experiences. These words from Advent a few years ago capture part of what has been

You surprise me, God. I didn’t expect that at all. You bring love and hope and new life into moments of despair. You bring possibility and potential into places that seem desolate. You bring light into the dark corners of our world, and of my soul. Help me to see you in places, events, and people where I don’t expect

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and

Peter Horn, alum of Penn State and Lutheran Student Community, visited New York City with the Youth of Grace Lutheran, State College, PA.  “We were there to serve and learn, for, as we learned, where there is one extreme (wealth), the other extreme (poverty) also exists.”    read more below In the summer of 2019, the Grace Lutheran Youth went

I am re-sharing a reflection I posted a while ago.  I hope that it speaks to the stress you may be feeling as you work on those final things for the semester in this strange and difficult Covid world.   -ara Take a deep breath.  Have dinner with your roommate. Go for a walk. Listen to music that gives you energy