Dear Beloveds in Christ, Jesus teaches us the greatest commandment is the commandment of love. In the gospel of Matthew while being challenged by the Pharisees is tested with a simple question about the greatest commandment in the Law. Matthew 22:37- 40 tells us that Jesus replied “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God [...]
Category: LOG
Advent and the Light of Christ: A Holiday Message
Dear Beloveds in Christ, One of my favorite Christmas books and movies is The Polar Express it is something I will watch while doing many of the tasks while preparing for Christmas. For those unfamiliar, this story follows our young narrator through a train ride that lands at the North Pole where a child is chosen to receive the [...]
Living Out God’s Grace: A Personal Reflection
Dear Beloveds in Christ, Faith alone. Grace alone. Scripture alone. Those three little tenants of Lutheran theology are so important. In theological terms we mean that we receive God’s limitless love and grace by no merit of our own but because in his boundless grace we are forgiven and receive salvation. We receive all grace [...]
September Beginnings: Finding Strength in God’s Spirit
Dear Siblings in Christ, Do you have a favorite story? Maybe it is a book or a movie. Maybe it is an old story passed on through dinners around the table with your family. Maybe it is a long told legend that explains something familiar or a little spooky. We all have stories we know [...]
LOG – July 2025
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church Council Minutes- May 20, 2025 The meeting was called to order by President, Rony Magnuson. Members in attendance included: Rony, Pastor Leandra, Julie H., Mike, Diana, Cathy, Pete, Julie B. and Nancy. Pastor Leandra led opening prayer. Secretary’s Report: Report sent via email with no corrections sent back. Report approved [...]
Embracing New Life: Spring and Easter Reflections
Dear Beloveds in Christ, In Isaiah 35 it is written that "The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.” With May comes the rest of the world coming back to life from the winter. As [...]
Embracing Community in the Easter Season
Siblings in Christ, As we wrap up Lent and move into the Easter season this month, I have been thinking a lot about the idea of community. What does it mean to be in community? What does it mean to steward relationships and connections in community both inside our church and outside? Much of Lent [...]
LOG February 2025
Dear Siblings in Christ, In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul writes, “ If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have all faith so as [...]
Annual Meeting Report
Each year I am surprised at how quickly things come to pass, and with our first full year together, I believe we have had a pretty great year. It is always my honor to care and walk with you all throughout many of life’s changes. One of the best parts of my job is seeing [...]
Finding Peace and Grace Amidst Holiday Stress
LOG November 2024 Friends in Christ, There are few things that I know is as true as the absolute stress that seems to be living with so many people right now in our world. We are stressed to do it all and be it all in so many aspects of our lives from inside our [...]
Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church 