Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster - the first Sunday in Lent. www.gracelc.org

Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster - the first Sunday in Lent.  www.gracelc.org A welcome and necessary brief break in the never-ending war against hunger, poverty, the intellectually stunted and the artistry disinclined. 4March2017

Pastor Kevin Clementson spoke to us about the expectations of having a life in Christ. In a message that highlights "This is not what I signed-up for," he shared that sometimes in our walk of faith, we are tempted and things do not go as planned. The hope for a perfect life often leads to disappointment.

This reinforces one of my foundation beliefs that our success in life greatly depends on how we respond positively to setbacks and  dissapointment.

IL Choro Della Bella Voce Grace Lutheran Church Feb. 26, 2016

IL Choro Della Bella Voce Grace Lutheran Church Feb. 26, 2016 The Children's Chorus of Carroll County have joined us for our church service this morning. 

Les Petites Voix Grace Lutheran Church Feb. 26, 2016

Les Petites Voix Grace Lutheran Church Feb. 26, 2016

Les Petites Voix Grace Lutheran Church Feb. 26, 2016

EcoPreacher: The Preacher Persisted: Finding Courage in the Pul...

EcoPreacher: The Preacher Persisted: Finding Courage in the Pul...: The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade I was recently invited to supply preach at a congregation to cover a colleague during his vacatio..

The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade

I was recently invited to supply preach at a congregation to cover a colleague during his vacation.  I had been told by several different people that the congregation had a reputation of being a politically progressive church. So I crafted a prophetic sermon that engaged contemporary issues for the assigned lectionary readings for the day. 

In the sermon, I never referenced any political party or figure, but clearly named the systemic loss of an ethical and moral center in our country of late.  I also reiterated Moses’ call to follow God’s commandments to turn away from death and embrace life (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).  

True to my commitment to include God’s Creation in my preaching where appropriate, I critiqued the ways we have abused this Earth in violation of the command to choose life.  But I ended by pointing out that God is still at work calling people to rise up in defense of the vulnerable and answering the call to justice along with people of other faiths and nonreligious people of good will (you can read my blog post based on the sermon here).

The reactions of the listeners in the days following the sermon revealed a much more politically diverse congregation than I expected.  The pastor told me he had received numerous emails and phone calls from his parishioners – some who had expressed appreciation for the sermon, and some who expressed strong anger at what I had preached.  So the pastor asked if I would be willing to come back to the church to talk about the sermon with anyone who wanted to discuss it further. 

I was open to this suggestion for several reasons. Read much more here: http://ecopreacher.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-preacher-persisted-finding-courage.html

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church. 19Feb2017

Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church. 19Feb2017 These days, pastors are about as apprehensive as a long-tailed cat in a  room full of rocking chairs. "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44 In a time if high anxiety, we are called upon to be the facilitators of reconciliation. God works through us to bring healing and reconciliation to a broken world. well, anyway, that's what I heard and I am sticking with it. Just saying.

Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church

Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster. Today's message come from Matthew 5: 21-37. Pastor Clementson advises us, "Think about our words and always use our kind words." 12Feb2017 www.gracelc.org

Welcome to the Sunday church service and Sunday school with Pastor Kevin at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster

Welcome to the Sunday church service and Sunday school with Pastor Kevin at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster 5Feb2017 www.gracelc.org

We demand that the US government create a Lutheran registry

We demand that the US government create a Lutheran registry. Just saying.

I’ll just leave this right here:

"As Lutherans, many of our ancestors faced the pain of having to flee our homes and the joy of being welcomed in new communities across the United States. As we have done throughout history, I urge our elected officials to honor our biblical witness as well as the best of our nation’s traditions of refuge and stand firmly against any policies that result in scaling back the refugee resettlement program." - The Rev. Elisabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – Retrieved Jan. 27, 2017

I am a Matthew chapter 25 chaplain to give voice to those often without a voice, to give form to my love of "other,” because I hate bullies and bullying, because God has called me as a chaplain to be welcoming and showing hospitality and mercy to all.

Leviticus 19:34: The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

++++++++

Washington Post: Judge halts deportations as refugee ban causes worldwide furor By Jerry Markon, Emma Brown and Katherine Shaver January 29 at 2:19 AM http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2017/01/washington-post-judge-halts.html

United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York Emergency Motion for Stay of Removal January 28, 2017

  United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York Emergency Motion for Stay of Removal Janu... by Kevin Earl Dayhoff on Scribd

In New York, lawyers for two Iraqi men detained at John F. Kennedy International Airport — one of whom served the U.S. military mission in Iraq — filed a federal lawsuit challenging the order as unconstitutional.

[Read the complaint] http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/documents/local/petition-for-writ-of-habeas-corpus-on-behalf-of-iraqi-refugees-detained-at-jfk-airport/2311/

Case 1:17-cv-00480 United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York Emergency Motion for Stay of Removal January 28, 2017

One of the men, Hameed Khalid Darweesh, was released Saturday afternoon without explanation from federal officials. “This is the humanity, this is the soul of America,’’ he told reporters. “This is what pushed me to move, to leave my country and come here … America is the land of freedom — the land of freedom, the land of the right.’’

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/refugees-detained-at-us-airports-challenge-trumps-executive-order/2017/01/28/e69501a2-e562-11e6-a547-5fb9411d332c_story.html?utm_term=.7c52e7b8d793&wpisrc=al_alert-COMBO-politics%252Bnation

"First they came for the Communists,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,

and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me,

and by that time no one was left to speak up."

Pastor Martin Niemoeller, German clergyman (1892-1984)

who opposed Nazism.

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

3. Service Installation of Pastor Beth Clementson at Zion Lutheran Church in Middletown Md

3. Service Installation of Pastor Beth Clementson at Zion Lutheran Church in Middletown Md. www.zionmiddletown.org Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. The service was led by Pastor Kathryn Hoffman and Pastor Ron Reaves. Bishop Bill Gohl shared a message that "Change might be good thing."

Religion Lutheran, Religion Zion Lutheran Church in Middletown Md, Religion Grace Lutheran Church, People Clementson Pastor Kevin, People Clementson Pastor Martha, 

2. Service Installation of Pastor Beth Clementson at Zion Lutheran Church in Middletown Md

2. Service Installation of Pastor Beth Clementson at Zion Lutheran Church in Middletown Md. www.zionmiddletown.org Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. The service was led by Pastor Kathryn Hoffman and Pastor Ron Reaves. Bishop Bill Gohl shared a message that "Change might be good thing."

Religion Lutheran, Religion Zion Lutheran Church in Middletown Md, Religion Grace Lutheran Church, People Clementson Pastor Kevin, People Clementson Pastor Martha, 

1. Service Installation of Pastor Beth Clementson at Zion Lutheran Church in Middletown Md

1. Service Installation of Pastor Beth Clementson at Zion Lutheran Church in Middletown Md. www.zionmiddletown.org Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. The service was led by Pastor Kathryn Hoffman and Pastor Ron Reaves. Bishop Bill Gohl shared a message that "Change might be good thing."

Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster

Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 church service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster. 

Today's gospel lesson comes from John 1:29-42. Pastor Martha talked with us about, "What are you seeking? Where will the path of discipleship lead us. What are you looking for? The path of discipleship is one of trust.."

Have a great Sunday. Have a great week.

Kayla in action as she helps lead us in worship

Kayla in action as she helps lead us in worship at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster www.gracelc.org 8Jan2017 This week she expanded her speaking role...  https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10209729200520339&id=1040426835

Stacie Dowling leads us in a discussion about the mission of Sunday School at Grace Lutheran Church

Stacie Dowling leads us in a discussion about the mission of Sunday School and the great education program for all ages at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster www.gracelc.org 8Jan2017. She is awesome . Just saying.

Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster www.gracelc.org

Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster. www.gracelc.org The thermometer said it was 12 degrees outside this morning as we made our way to church. Stay warm out there.

Christmas Eve candlelight service at Grace Lutheran Church

Christmas Eve candlelight service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster www.gracelc.org Dec. 24, 2016. Merry Christmas.

Labels: Annual Christmas, Annual Christmas Carroll Co, Dayhoff photos Grace Ch, Religion Christmas Eve Grace Lutheran Church Westminster, Religion Grace Lutheran Church

8 p.m. Christmas Eve Service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster

8 p.m. Christmas Eve Service at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster www.gracelc.org, Dec. 24, 2016

Grace Lutheran Church services for the 3rd Sunday in Advent

Grace Lutheran Church services for the 3rd Sunday in Advent. This is the Sunday of Joy and hope. 11Dec2016

Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Welcome to All Saints Sunday services at Grace Lutheran Church

Welcome to All Saints Sunday services at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster www.gracelc.org Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016

At a wonderful memorial service celebrating the life of Dorothy J. "Dottie" Whitson

At a wonderful memorial service celebrating the life of Dorothy J. "Dottie" Whitson, April 17, 1921 - Sept. 23, 2016. Born in Gunter India, she along with her husband, Pastor Stanley Whitson, were a critical part of the foundation of Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster for many years. God bless her for service to our community. Sun. Oct. 2, 2016.