“Do Not Be Afraid”

In a year in which so much fear has been pumped into our society from pandemics, civil unrest, a tumultuous election cycle, natural disasters, etc. we heed the Scriptural refrain, “Do not be afraid.” In a year in which people have been divided and isolated from each other, several members of Grace united to participate in sharing this message through a united art project. Illustrated Ministries released this coloring project that was divided up into forty tiles that people could work on from their homes. These forty tiles represent forty individuals from the congregation and some 25 to 30 households. Participants were able to work on their tiles from home and turned them in to the office where Pastor Madsen then put them together to make a single banner with this single message, “Do not be afraid.” This message is the theme of our devotions for the lighting of the Advent wreath at the beginning of our worship services.The way in which this banner came together is a small yet visible representation of what the Church is: St. Paul says of the Church that we are many members of one (united) body, and an early catechism of the Church states, “As grains of wheat once scattered on the hill is brought together to become one (bread); so may Your Church be gathered from the ends of the earth unto Your kingdom.” The Church is a single body scattered abroad, but united in one message and one confession, “Jesus is Lord.”

Resources for Parents with Children

Grace Around The World | Lutheran World Relief

Lutheran World Relief is a nonprofit organization that helps families in the world’s poorest communities build the resilience they need to thrive. Founded by Lutherans in the United States, grounded in Lutheran theology and building on decades of experience, LWR exists so that U.S. Lutherans may serve their neighbors overseas who face poverty, injustice and human suffering.

Find out more about Lutheran World Relief at https://lwr.org.