Jesus calls us as disciples to bear fruit (John 15:8). Paul outlines the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25). What is the fruit we see in the world around us? It seems like the fruit the world is bearing is division, anger, and fear. Is there anyone among us who has not been affected by the divisive spirit of our time? The polarization has taken a toll on our hearts and none of us are immune to the toxicity of today’s culture.

We all have a story.

As we move toward what may be the most contentious election in our lifetime this November, how do we as the Church respond to this moment? Many people believe the Church has three options.

What kind of fruit do these responses bear? More of the same. Winners and losers. Right and wrong. Good and bad. All these approaches fall into the trap of culture, forcing people into the boxes and categories a toxic culture creates. But what if there’s a different way?

We believe there is a different way.

The Jesus-way produces a different kind of fruit.

This is a pivotal moment. This is an opportunity like we have never seen to be the “salt of the earth,” the “light of the world,” (Matthew 5) to be an example of a different way of living. Jesus didn’t come to declare political or cultural winners or losers. He came to bring the kingdom of heaven; a totally different way of being in the world. Yet he did not disengage from the politics and culture of his day either. He challenged the status quo of the Roman (political) authorities. He challenged the religious elite on both sides (the Sadducees & temple, and the Pharisees & synagogues). He didn’t come to bring blame and condemnation, but love and transformation. Jesus was creating a totally different way of being. The Jesus-way was counter-cultural to the culture of his time, but this Jesus-way is also counter-cultural to every time and every place.

As followers of Jesus, we are being called to produce a different kind of fruit. Our ultimate hope is not in the Republican party or Donald Trump, nor is our ultimate hope in the Democratic Party or Kamala Harris. Our hope is in Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven.

The fruit of our toxic culture is fear-based hatred.

The fruit of the Jesus-way is compassion, mercy, and love.

The fruit of today’s culture is blame and self-preservation.

The fruit of the kingdom of heaven is confession, forgiveness, and selflessness.

The fruit of the world is bitterness and slander.

The fruit of the kingdom of God is joy, gentleness, and kindness.

In Matthew 7:17-18, Jesus teaches us that we will know a tree by its fruits.

“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.”

Paul explains further to the Galatian church, teaching:

“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

As followers of Jesus, we are called to produce a different kind of fruit. We believe that the world is starved for this different fruit. This fall, we will live into this Jesus-way together as we explore the nine fruits of the Spirit in sermons, worship, and teaching. Over these nine weeks we will prayerfully learn how to not only navigate this tense season, but to become life and light to our neighbors sharing the hope of Jesus Christ and the promise of the kingdom of heaven.

May we bear different fruit, kingdom fruit, fruit that will last.

Peace,

Pastor Josh

This past July, a group of 4 adults and 20 high school youth from Good Shepherd traveled to New Orleans to experience the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering. Here is what they experienced:

I experienced God's love from building relationships with the people of New Orleans as well as continuing to develop existing relationships. I felt the sense of belonging increase overall within everyone. I learned about the different ways people experience God's love within their lives. -Elijah, youth

There were many ways that God appeared, but one of the ways that stuck out to me the most was when everyone came together at the end of every day for a mass gathering. -Declan, youth.

I loved how diverse and unique each of the speakers were. It helped to strengthen my understanding of why the ELCA stands out by accepting all people. -Elle, youth

We were honest, compassionate, and patient with each other, even during tough topics that are difficult to discuss. We learned so much about New Orleans. I realized that understanding leads to empathy, then connection, then relationship, which brings out love. I enjoyed the large group gathering every evening. It is amazing to be surrounded by so many people who are so different, but brought together by a love for God and Jesus. The speakers shared great thought-provoking messages of what God’s love looks like in our everyday lives. The whole trip helped me to grow in my own faith. -Erik, youth.

Learning about other people's experiences and struggles, and how God helped them rise above them, improved my faith. It presented many chances to make new friends all over the country. -Eliot, youth.

I experienced God's love during the times when we got to walk around and talk to other Lutherans. Everybody was very nice. -Anonymous youth.

It’s so cool that I was able to make a friend who lives 420 miles away. Additionally, I was able to get close to some of the incoming freshmen at GSLC, and it has made me even more excited to return to FLY in the fall. I will forever remember and treasure the memories that I made in New Orleans. -Kajsa, youth.

Some of the things I heard from the speakers: We are God's seeds, created to be something beautiful and wonderful. God sees you beyond what the world sees. I can do things that are unexpected or hard because of God moving in and through me. Regarding equality, people are not the work. Solving the injustice and imbalance in the world is the work. How can we share our whole selves while also seeing and allowing others the safety to share their whole selves? I also learned about the uniqueness and struggles, as well as the power, in the NOLA community. The marching bands are a remarkably unique space where youth are being ushered, cared for, and find purpose. It is so important to know and understand what the community offers before we rush in to fix it. -Kayla, adult leader.

Worshiping with 16,000 people was an incredible experience! The messages, music, and overall energy were so uplifting. Witnessing that many youth together, sharing God's love, filled me with hope for the future. -Angela, adult leader.

On July 8th Good Shepherd welcomed 34 campers, 6 counselors, 3 Jr. counselors, and many adult leaders and helpers to Music Camp. What is Music Camp you might ask? Well, it is a weeklong day camp program where youth come to work on the production of a Christian themed children’s musical. The daily schedule is 9am – 3pm Monday through Friday and the fee this year was $125 for the week. The musical that was produced this year “Land of the Giants – Giants of the Faith” was first done in 2012. It focuses on a kids’ baseball team that is facing some challenges and meets some interesting characters who teach them that if you have faith in God and know Jesus, you can have courage to face your fears.

The culmination of each camp week is the presentation of the musical on Saturday and Sunday during worship. There are many activities during the week like arts & crafts where the campers work on sets and props for the show. There are also games, devotions, scavenger hunts, recreation, music, dance, acting, snacks and of course water play day.

Here are some comments from a few of this year’s campers about their experience.

Luke, age 9, said “It was AMAZING! I loved it so much! I loved it so much because I met a lot of new friends, and I love singing, baseball, and praising God.” Luke was a first-year camper and grandson of a choir member.

Another first year camper, Gavin, age 11, said “My favorite part of music camp was doing a run through of the performance. I liked acting out my parts in real time. I learned how to be a better actor by teaching me what stuff to emphasize and bring out instead of always being the same. Music camp is a place where you get to make new friends, learn how to act better and put on a fun show.”

This was Hope’s 3rd year attending music camp and the talented 7-year-old said “Music Camp is awesome! I loved having a special part. It helped me feel good about myself and the leaders told me they knew I could do it. They always make camp fun with music and other activities. I get to have fun with my friends. I liked learning new songs and dances and different ways to sing. I love it so much; I don't want to have to wait another year to do it again!”

Veteran camper, Vivien, age 11, said “My favorite part of camp was the popsicles. For those who have never been to camp before, we learn a musical, have water day and popsicles, crafts, and snacks.”

Vivien, daughter of current Music Camp Director, Katherine Van Horn, has been at camp since she was 1 year old. However, most campers have completed 1st – 8th grade during the current school year. They then are invited to participate as Jr. Counselors after their Freshman year of high school and then can apply to be hired as Counselors after their Sophomore year. Many serve in this position through college, and some go on to serve as adult helpers.

Good Shepherd supports the music camp program financially and with staff resources. Jamie De Geer is the music leader; Andrew Leach is the A/V director, and other ministry staff often help lead devotions. We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful volunteers to help make this ministry work so smoothly.

The Asset Development Team would like to thank you for your outstanding participation in the Dreaming about Our Future Listening Sessions and Surveys! We had 127 participants which is outstanding! The information you provided has been reviewed by the team and is shaping our work. We will keep you informed of the work of this team as things develop. We can't thank you enough. Your energy, support and enthusiasm for this wonderful congregation is contagious!

Again, many thanks!

Jill Thompson, for the Asset Development Team

Have your heard about our new, mid-month newsletter: Faith Fertilizer? So often, your staff read great books and articles, or listen to fantastic podcasts, or other digital resources that help them grow in faith. At the same time, we have folks asking for good ideas for places to start to dive a little deeper into their faith at home. From this, Faith Fertilizer was born! This newsletter offers 2-3 recommendations, from your staff, for resources to help you grow your faith in daily life. You can opt into this newsletter at any point, either through the Good Shepherd Connect app, or click on the link below and click “Faith Fertilizer Emails.”