​The world can be a dangerous place, and we all long for someone, some leader, who will watch over us and protect us from all harm. The prophet Jeremiah issues strong cautions to those who abuse the trust placed in them to care for God’s people, and the psalmist sings the praises of the Lord who guards and guides us through life’s trials.

But the letter to the Ephesians suggests that lasting safety comes through the healing and reconciling work of Christ, which allows us to share a meal with those we are inclined to regard as enemies, because Christ has “broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” So, in Christ, aliens become citizens and strangers become members of the household of God.

Living into this reality requires all of us to be diligent in our practices with and policies toward all kinds of “strangers and aliens” in our world and in our lives. It means making peace with those whose politics make them strange to us, and creating genuine welcome for the newcomer in our classrooms, workplaces and congregations. It means considering the needs of immigrants and refugees through the lens of Christian faith as well as national identity, and not assuming the two are the same.

The reassuring news this day is that God, unlike so many who hold power in this world, is already reconciling the world to God’s own self and us to one another. We enact this new reality each time we pass the peace or come to the Lord’s supper, not because we have finally achieved the peace we seek, but because in Christ God’s future reign of peace has already broken into our present.

​It was good to get away and have some vacation time with family – and now it’s good to be back here with you!
 
On CBS News this week, a professor described research into what makes us happy. What makes you happy? In Mark 6:14-29, King Herod makes yet another terrible decision with an unhappy outcome. He was so consumed by the cares of this world that he couldn’t see straight, and he and his whole country suffered the consequences. God provides a life-giving alternative described in Ephesians 1:3-14 . Instead of being motivated by short-term cares OF this world, God chose us to care FOR the world and to live full of praise and thanks to God, providing a deep joy and happiness. 

Stay informed and get involved! I hope to see you at the congregational potluck and forum on Sunday and at one of the small group discussions afterwards. Sign up at the following link, (Click Here).

See you in church!

Pastor Lanny Westphal

​Exciting things are happening at Christ Lutheran Church! I hope you are planning to attend the congregational potluck and forum at 11:15 AM on Sunday, July 15, and that you have signed up (Click Here) for a small group discussion on one of the nine times available after that date.

I also hope that you thanked God for the blessings of this country as you celebrated the Fourth of July this week. The special music “America the Beautiful” during last week’s offering was so inspiring that I have posted the words along with accompanying images on my Facebook page.

This week I am out of town spending time with loved ones, including Mary’s family at their lake cabin and also my sister who comes home every summer from her position teaching in Ukraine. I look forward to being back with you on July 11. For pastoral emergencies, please call 214-363-4355 ext. 8, or contact Sergio during office hours at ext. 2.

This Sunday’s sermon will be given by Scot Redman about the recent mystery mission trip. I think you will find it very interesting.

Stay informed and get involved!

Pastor Westphal

​It’s good to be here with you! Here are some highlights of my first week: New apartment in the Village. First staff meeting. Fried chicken at Bubba’s. German bratwurst. Chinese dumplings. First worship service. Welcome potluck. First council meeting. Visiting the preschool classes. Dallas Arboretum (see my Facebook for photos and devotional thoughts). Funeral for Wren Worley. Individual meetings with council members, current staff, previous pastor and the assistant to the bishop. Getting settled.

I will be out of town July 3-10 for my monthly visit home, some vacation and the Fourth holiday. For pastoral emergencies, please call 214-363-4355 ext. 8, or contact Sergio during office hours at ext. 2.

This Sunday’s sermon, based on Mark 5:21-43, will tell how God reaches down to our lowly places and raises us up. See you in church!

Pastor Lanny Westphal 

“No, no, we are not satisfied and will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
This summer, our youth will follow the path of the civil rights movement as part of the annual mission trip.
 
Join the fun, work, laughter, mission, occasional sleepless night, occasional joke at Scot’s expense, and exploration to find out what challenges each day brings.
 
High School Students: 6/25 - 7/3 ($600)
Jr. High Students: 8/2 - 8/7 ($400)
 
Parent meeting: 6/16
Register below

Submit payment below or send a check to 3001 Lovers Lane, Dallas, TX 75225 with the memo 'High School Mission Trip'. You can also bring the check to the church office.

​Dear Parents:
Send your kids (From 4 years old to those entering 6th grade. 4 years and under with a parent) on an impacting island adventure!

At Shipwrecked VBS, kids discover how Jesus rescues us through life’s storms. Shipwrecked is filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, touch, and even taste! Arts and crafts, team-building games, cool Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the standout activities that help faith flow into real life. (Since everything is hands-on, kids might get a little messy. Be sure to send them in play clothes and safe shoes.) Plus, we’ll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life—something we call God Sightings. Get ready to hear that phrase a lot!

Parents, grandparents, and friends are invited to join us at Sail Away Sendoff for each day at Christ Lutheran Church, a daily exploration of our Jesus’ rescue! So mark these dates on your calendar: June 11-14. The fun starts at 5:30 PM and will end at 8:20 PM. Register your children for this life-changing adventure!

​You are cordially invited to join us at the annual Spring Fling where we gather for fellowship, music, and lunch to welcome Spring and relax and enjoy our front lawn. There will bounce houses, games and petting zoo for the kids. Lunch and drinks are provided and friends are welcome to join the fun.