God's Loving Presence in a Hurting World

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 6, 2026

Musings from the Pastor's Desk

Luther’s Marks of the Church

Week 4: Forgiveness – The Freedom to Begin Again

This is the fourth week of Luther’s Marks of the Church. Martin Luther identified seven visible signs, or “marks,” that help us recognize where the church of Jesus Christ is present. These marks are not merely doctrines we believe. They are gifts through which Christ continues to meet us, shape us, and sustain us. We experience all seven marks in our weekly liturgy.

Last week, the third mark was Holy Communion, in which we come forward to the table with empty hands, a powerful image of grace. As hungry people, we receive the bread and wine, signs of God’s promise to us, accompanied by the words “Given for you.” We come with empty hands. Christ fills them, and then Christ sends us out to open those hands to our neighbors.

This week, the fourth mark is forgiveness, which gives us the freedom to begin again. It should not surprise us that we, imperfect people, gather each Sunday at church. Contrary to what some believe, the church has never been a gathering of people who have everything figured out.



Luther famously described Christians as both saint and sinner. We are people claimed by God’s grace who still make mistakes, hurt one another, and fail to do what we know we should have done. Who doesn’t carry regrets?

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. That is why forgiveness is one of the marks of the church. At the beginning of worship, we receive the forgiveness of our sins, a promise the world often finds hard to believe: Your sins are forgiven. No matter what, God’s mercy covers us, even if we do not believe it. 

Forgiveness does not mean pretending that sin does not matter. It does not erase consequences or excuse harm, but it means our failures do not have the final word. God’s mercy does.

Think about how often Jesus offered people a new beginning. He ate with sinners, restored Peter after Peter denied him, and forgave those whom religious society had condemned. Again, Jesus showed that grace is greater than our worst moments.

We need that promise because human beings are very good at keeping score. We stubbornly remember who hurt us and our own mistakes, replaying old conversations in our heads. But the Gospel announces something different: God is not keeping a ledger against us.

In Christ, there is mercy and forgiveness. There is another chance. Because we have been forgiven, we are invited to the difficult and holy work of forgiving others. Oh, how hard that is for some of us.

The church becomes a living sign of the Gospel whenever people who have failed one another can confess, forgive, reconcile, and begin again. That is grace at work.

Reflection: Is there something you need to place in God’s forgiving hands—or someone toward whom God may be calling you to take the first step toward forgiveness?

Come join us in worship, remembering that God’s grace has us covered and that forgiveness frees us to begin again. We worship at 10:30 AM and are also on Facebook Live. Whether you come seeking healing, praying for someone you love, or simply longing for God’s peace, you are welcome. 

Peace+

Pastor Eric

Skip Fetter

Eternal rest grant him, O God, 

and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Today, we grieve for our sibling in faith, Skip Fetter, who went home to our

Lord on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

The entire Hope family wishes the Fetter family peace, comfort, and love

during this time of grief.

Arrangements are forthcoming.

Two-session

Congregational Discernment Process Meetings

The congregation is encouraged to attend a meeting with Tom Knoll, a retired pastor who will help us discern what a faithful and hopeful future for Hope might look like. 

We have two sessions planned: September 13th and September 27th, both held after worship. The first 2-hour session will focus on where we are as a congregation, who we are, and what our future might look like. 

The second session, on September 27th, will explore our options, what might change, and a process for moving forward. 

Everyone's participation is encouraged! If you have any questions, please speak with Pastor Eric or Lorna. 

Session One —Listening and Discernment (September 13)

Our first meeting will focus primarily on listening rather than planning.

We will explore four questions:

1.    Where are we?

What is happening at Hope right now? What is working? What isn't? What are we tired of? What are we proud of? What are we grieving?

2.    Who are we?

What gifts and strengths do the people of Hope bring? What is unique about Hope? What do we most want to preserve? What might we be willing to let go of?

3.    What is happening around us?

What do we see in our surrounding community that Hope might respond to? The community presents opportunities related to caregiving, aging, grief, families, economic stress, youth, and multicultural relationships.

4.  What might our future look like?

We will begin exploring several possible directions:

• Rebuilding Hope as a congregation
• Remaining a small but sustainable congregation
• Becoming a community ministry center or hub
• Developing a new partnership with another congregation or organization
• Dissolving as a congregation but creatively and faithfully using Hope’s assists to the glory of God.

We will end session one by asking one important question: “Which of these possibilities gives you hope?”

Session Two — Exploring Our Options (September 27)

The second meeting will build on what we heard in the first session. We will identify the possibilities that seem most promising and begin exploring what each would require.

We will consider:

• What would we need to change?
• What resources and people would be required?
• What partnerships might be possible?
• How could we make better use of Hope's building and other assets?
• What could Hope realistically sustain with its current human and financial capacity?

We will also develop a clearer picture of Hope's financial situation, including its monthly income and expenses, building and staffing costs, available reserves, and opportunities to reduce expenses or extend its financial runway.

What Comes After the Two Sessions?

Following these conversations, we will develop a 3–9 month discernment and action process:

First 2 months: Listen, assess, and clarify Hope's strengths, finances, building, and priorities.

Months 3-4: Explore possibilities, potential partners, community needs, and new ministry models.

Months 4-6: Experiment with one or two promising ideas rather than simply planning.

Months 7-8: Evaluate what is creating energy, relationships, ministry, and sustainability.

Month 9: Make decisions about Hope's next chapter.

Our Guiding Question: The goal is not necessarily to preserve Hope exactly as it exists today.