This is the season of Pentecost.

We are open for worship. Come join us in person on Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

(Masks required)

Also live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gracelutheranbayonne

August 24, 2022 3:00-8:00 pm American Red Cross

Pentecost 8, July 31, 2022

Pentecost 7

July 24, 2022

Pentecost 9

August 7, 2022

Pastor's July Reflection

Dear Friends,

Grace to you from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are now just a few weeks past the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Even now the days are slowly but surely getting shorter. Connected to this annual cosmic event is the church’s celebration of the birth of John the Baptist which was commemorated on June 24th, six months before Christmas. Of himself and his relationship to Jesus, John the Baptist said “I must decrease so that he may increase.” (John 3:30) In other words, John declares that it is not all about him.

In the same way that John came to realize that it was not all about him, we too are called as individuals to recognize that it is not all about each of us either. This realization that I am not the center of the universe is the first step toward genuine love of the neighbor.

So much of the strife in our society today is rooted in the refusal to value the lives of others. In its most extreme form, this refusal is the root of the violence that takes so many lives. It is the reason that we struggle to promote the common good. Our stunted public discourse and unwillingness to really listen to others are among its tragic consequences. It is the source of much of the isolation and loneliness that people experience.

I must decrease so that Christ may increase but I must also decrease so that my neighbor might increase. If we are all to flourish, then I must make space for the flourishing of others. This mutual flourishing is at the heart of what Jesus means by The Kingdom of God. The coming of the Kingdom is not our doing, but we participate in its arrival by stepping back and making room.

Pax,

Austin

Interim Pastor

Grace Padlet of Information