Welcome to Calvary Lutheran Ministries
Pastor's Ponderings
They said it couldn't be done - BUT we've done it! We have survived 6 months as pastor and people-what a great accomplishment. I know I could not have made it without a lot of help from each of you. Thanks to all who fill in to pick up the pieces I do not cover. Please join me every day as we pray for the pastor God has chosen for Calvary. That process is at the CNH District right now and soon we should receive a list of possible candidates. In this list will be the six candidates we have suggested and the district will give us more information on their availability along with their spiritual gifts as well as other names and the gifts they suggest other candidates could bring to Calvary.
San Lorenzo has changed since Calvary Called Pastor Jim, 10 years ago. The demographics of San Lorenzo show that the white population of San Lorenzo is 35% lower-now making up about 30% of San Lorenzo; the Hispanic population has risen 60% to almost 40% of San Lorenzo's population; and the Asian population has increased more than 50% to near 30% of our population. In addition, studies done in the Alameda County indicate that the language spoken at home in 55% of the homes in this county is NOT English. This means that our opportunity to reach our neighborhood is more difficult in English and a bi-lingual pastor could be a great blessing to us.
God has led us through Advent and Christmas and now we move into Lent and our Easter celebrations later this month. I hope you are looking forward to our mid-week Lenten services. Our theme will be "God's Gift of Forgiveness" and during those 7 weeks we will read seven penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, & 143). In addition, Pastors Paul Aldrich from Zion, Piedmont and Mark Oatman from St Peter/Grace will be rotating with me in leading these services. Again, Soup Supper will take place at 5:45pm followed by worship at 7pm each Wednesday evening.
The weekly Themes will be:
Feb. 22-Pastor Gary will preach on Psalm 32 "Hiding from God or Hiding in God?";
Feb. 29-Pastor Paul will preach on Psalm 6 "Save Me Because of Your Unfailing Love";
March 7- Pastor Mark will preach on Psalm 38 "Come Quickly to Help Me";
March 14-Pastor Gary will preach on Psalm 102 "God's Enduring Presence for You";
March 21-Pastor Paul will preach on Psalm 51 "Against You and For Me";
March 28-Pastor Mark will preach on Psalm 143 "Teach Me Your Will, For You Are My God". During Holy Week on Maundy Thursday
Pastor Gary will preach on Psalm 116 "Delivered"; on Good Friday Psalm 130 "Divine Forgetfulness".
I hope to worship with you during this important time in our Christian walk.
Pastor Gary
February 22 Ash Wednesday 7pm (NO soup supper)
April 5 Maundy Thursday 7pm
April 6 Good Friday 7:30pm
Lenten Services 7pm with 5:45pm soup supper to precede
February 29
March 7, 14, 21 & 28