James and The Giant Peach tells the story of James, a lonely orphan taken in by his two nasty aunts, Spiker and Sponge, with only insects to call his friends. This week, a group of young actors presented two performances at Mount Calvary, to rave reviews.
Last Wednesday Mount Calvary’s Pastor Kyle Jackson was invited to share the opening prayer for the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate. His prayer follows:
Let us pray.
Spirit of the loving God, fall afresh on this place. Your Spirit which hovered over the dark of deep chaos, hover over us now and bring order and light and wisdom and peace.
Embolden, empower and engage this body to do your good work today. Give this body courage where there is fear, action where there is apathy, and to always put love over hate.
As this body often sits in primary colors, show us your affinity for building bridges instead of walls. Give this body the ability to step across aisles that seem insurmountable and show us that your most glorious sunrises and sunsets are indeed, purple.
We give great thanks for these servants, God and ask that you would bring each of them and the Minnesotans that they represent a measure of your peace that passes understanding.
Amen.
“For everyone born, a place at the table.” I have mentioned in a few sermons how thrilled I was to discover, when I first got to Mount Calvary, that this hymn seems to be a bit of the theme song here! It is sung, it is on t-shirts and hoodies and permeates the very fiber of this place. It makes great sense that is deep in the bones as it the very embodiment of the good news of Jesus Christ. It is an appropriate theme for a church who names Inclusivity as one of our four pillars.
As Pastor Brenda says, “The gospel ceases to be the gospel when it becomes exclusive.” And so. The opposite of exclusive is inclusive. Everybody is in. No exceptions. No “but what about those people?” For all of us have been “them” at some point. For when there is an “us” and “them” we are teetering on exclusive.
And yet. We are not monolithic. We do not all think the same. It is my best guess when you are worshipping at Mount Calvary, you are worshipping next to a Democrat! And you are worshipping next to a Republican! And absolutely next to folks who call themselves in-between. Inclusive means EVERYBODY. And everybody means everybody. And we are stronger, richer, greater and become the embodiment of the good news when we are DIVERSE in our inclusivity.
The last weekend of June we will be celebrating inclusivity at Mount Calvary. We do not simply tolerate everybody. We do not simply invite everybody. We do not simply welcome everybody. We CELEBRATE everyone. Because every single person on the PLANET is the embodiment of Genesis 1:27: For God created EVERYONE in the very image of God. Every, every, everyone. For far too long, our world and the church have done a pretty good job of separating and dividing people. Of deeming some not worthy. Enough. We are created in the very image of God. And together we become a bold, glorious, colorful, even messy kaleidoscope of wonder and grace and mercy and beauty beyond description!
So come one. Come all. Come to the table of grace and inclusivity. Where there is no them. Just us. All together.
With great love, Pastor Kyle
There are so many great photos from our youth trip to Compass Point!
Into your hands, almighty God, we place ourselves: our minds to know you, our hearts to love you, our wills to serve you, for we are yours. November 7 we celebrated the installation of Pastor Kyle Jackson as Mount Calvary’s Senior Pastor with Bishop Ann Svennungsen.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12: 12
When we gather for worship, we are all ministers, assembled to pray, sing, praise, celebrate communion and be sent forth in mission. The ministries are many – readers, communion assistants, prayer leaders, musicians, ushers, greeters and more. All of these individual ministries contribute to the health of the one body, all with particular functions which are needed for the whole.
Please consider joining of one or more of the following ministries, taking a new and vital role in the vibrant ministry of Mount Calvary!
Ushers
Lay Readers
Prayers of the People Writers
Communion Prep
Communion Assistants
Altar Guild
Liturgical Arts
Email Jill Cowan with any questions or to sign up!
Scenes from 40 Years with Pastor Dave
Mount Calvary is pleased to announce that Mark Abelsen, Senior Director of Worship & Outreach, will begin Luther Seminary’s Master of Divinity program called MDivX this June. Students enrolled in MDivX earn their degrees in 24 months by participating in year-round classes and completing concurrent part-time congregational internships. We are excited that Mark has selected Mount Calvary as his internship site. We’ll have the joy of serving alongside Mark as he answers God’s call to ordained ministry. As he increases pastoral responsibilities and fulfills internship requirements, he will set aside his role in leading our musical groups. For two full years our congregation will welcome Paula Holmberg, as guest Chancel Choir Conductor and Paul Busch, as guest Handbell Choir Conductor. We are proud of Mark’s pursuit of ordained ministry and hope you celebrate this new adventure for Mark, his family, and Mount Calvary!
