Dear Partners in Mission:

      “Being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore Abraham’s faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.'” -Romans 4:21-22

In our epistle reading for the second Sunday or Lent the apostle Paul reminds us that it is faith that brings righteousness. Faith that God is indeed able to do what God promises. This is an important reminder to us in Lent. As we take on disciplines or engage in other actions to deepen our appreciation for the season we also must be reminded it is not these things that make us right with God. Instead it is the gift of faith given through the Holy Spirit that God can and will fulfill God’s promises that make us right. That bring us hope and that thankfully it is not up to us to make that happen.

This sort of faith also frees us to try new things to serve God and neighbor. To be generous with God’s abundance and those things we are blessed to steward. To care for those in need in our midst without fearing that there will be enough. To make changes in our lives and organizations so they can better serve the gospel.

February 27-March 2nd the ELCA Council of Bishops (CoB) will be meeting in Chicago. As we gather I would invite you to pray for this group of leaders. While the CoB has limited legislative powers these gatherings are important as we learn from one another and move for change in our church. As you know the work of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church continues. At our synod assembly in April we will hear reports on their work. There is much happening in our lives together congregationally, synodically, and in our churchwide expression. So please join me in prayer that the Holy Spirit would give us courage to have faith that God will sustain God’s church and we pray that we might be a part of that work.

In Mission Together,

Bishop Gronberg