Lutheran Potluck

#VirtualJesus is not Life.

#VirtualJesus is not Truth.

#VirtualJesus is not the Way.

There’s no virtue in #VirtualJesus.

Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way.
It is not irritable.
It keeps no record of wrongs.
It does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth.

— 1 Corinthians 13

‘Dean of African American church music’ James Abbington dies at 65 after Duke appointment (RNS) — ‘I grieve for his family, friends, and our Divinity community,” said Edgardo Colón-Emeric, dean of Duke Divinity School, where Abbington had planned to teach in the fall.

“W. James Abbington Jr., an expert on Black religious music known for his editing, teaching and playing of congregational music, has died at the age of 65…”
religionnews.com/2025/10/02/d...

Refrain from anger and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
‍For the wicked shall be cut off,
 but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

—Psalm 37

Commit your way to the Lord.
Trust in him, and he will act.
‍Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.

—Psalm 37

Do not fret because of the wicked.
Do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass
 and wither like the green herb.
‍Trust in the Lord and do good.
Live in the land and enjoy security.
‍Take delight in the Lord,
 and he will give you the desires of your heart.

—Psalm 37

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

—Matthew 5

A headshot of Rev. Yehiel Curry. He is a dark-skinned African American man, clean-shaven, wearing eyeglasses. He has a slight smile. He has on a dark suit jacket, a white clerical collar and a rose-colored shirt.

The Rev. #YehielCurry will be installed as the #ELCA ‘s next presiding bishop on Saturday, Oct. 4, in #Minneapolis, #Minnesota All are welcome. Details in link.
www.elca.org/about/church...

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.
‍He alone is my rock & my salvation, my fortress.
‍On God rests my deliverance & my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
‍Trust in him at all times, O people. Pour out your heart before him.
God is a refuge for us.

—Psalm 62

“They’re looking for a place to hear words of compassion and love and also action,” said the Rev. Dr. Mark Knutson, the pastor at Augustana #Lutheran. “It’s about saying to this administration: Portland is not in any war zone. It’s a beautiful city.”
www.koin.com/news/portlan...

There’s been a lot of talk and discussion about the Black Church and Black churches lately. As someone who earned a certificate in Black Church Studies, I figured I’d share a snapshot of some of the books in the “Black Church and related topics” section of my bookshelf.

Will you have a golden cup made but not give a cup of water?
Do not, therefore, adorn the church and ignore your afflicted brother, for he is the most precious temple of all.

—John Chrysostom

👍🏼

Kanske hon kommer tillbaka.

Vad underbart!

When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding,
 but when they perish, the righteous increase.

—Proverbs 28

Those who trust in their own wits are fools,
 but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.
‍Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
 but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.

—Proverbs 28

Anyone who robs father or mother
 and says, “That is no crime,”
 is partner to a thug.
‍The greedy person stirs up strife,
 but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

—Proverbs 28

To show partiality is not good,
 yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.
‍The miser is in a hurry to get rich
 and does not know that loss is sure to come.

—Proverbs 28

Happy is the one who is never without fear,
 but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.
‍Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
 is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
‍A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
 but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.

—Proverbs 28

When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory,
 but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.
‍No one who conceals transgressions will prosper,
 but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. 

—Proverbs 28

When one will not listen to the law,
 even one’s prayers are an abomination.
‍Those who mislead the upright into evil ways
 will fall into pits of their own making,
 but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

—Proverbs 28

…affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

—Romans 5

Do not be provoked by evildoers.
Do not be jealous of those who do wrong.

For they soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away.

Commit your way to the Lord.
Put your trust in the Lord,
and see what God will do.

—Psalm 37

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. You will know them by their fruits.

—Matthew 7

AI Jesus will lead you astray.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 8