Pastor Cliff's Notes

​Soul Keeping, what does this mean to you? How do we care for our Souls?
This is the topic of our St Luke Lenten Study. You are invited to join us as we dive deep into the care of our souls. First, we may ask what is a soul? As Christians we are taught that we are a body, and our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we die, our body shall rise and be reformed in heaven just as Jesus rose with a new body. God created a human body at the creation story and said it is good. So, in our Christian theology, we are a divinely created body. But this body is made up of many parts. The body consists of a will, a mind and a soul. All four parts make a whole. The will is the ability to choose, for God gave us free will. The mind is a person’s thoughts and feelings. We are told in scripture to renew our minds, to use our minds, to grow in our thoughts. The body is what houses, or carries us around. Our body is fearfully and wonderfully made by God, but our body is flesh and bone. The soul is what integrates all of our different parts into a single person. It is the soul that integrates all of our different parts into a single person.
We want to spend some time learning about our Soul this lent. The first lesson of the soul is to “slow down and know that I am God.” Our soul needs time with God, in prayer, in quiet, in peace. So, my first request of you this lent is to schedule time to be with God. To stop and let God meet you where you are. God always comes to where we are. We do not need to try and reach God, let God come to you. Make some time, this is the first step. If possible join the Soul Keeping study, get the work book, and go deeper. Each Sunday and Wednesday in lent I will draw on these topics in our worship services. Make an effort to attend Sunday and Wednesday services.
Take some time this week to consider these words, “You are an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe” (Dallas Willard).
I look forward to growing with you, let us be keepers of our souls this lent,
​
Pastor Cliff

Twenty five years ago, on August 1, 1993, I was blessed to be ordained a pastor in the ELCA. The ordination certificate reads, "Clifford Alan Bahlinger, who has been called to serve in the ordained ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and who acknowledges adherence to this church's confession of faith and accepts its constitutional order, was ordained a Minister of the Church of Christ in the Office of Word and Sacrament, by the laying on of hands, under the authority of the Southeastern Synod." 
In our church, one is only ordained to be pastor when one has a call from a congregation. Lutherans believe ordination is to an office of pastor for a specific congregation or ministry. You first must earn a Masters of Divinity degree and be approved by your Synod's Candidacy Committee. Once you are approved for ministry you await a call to a congregation and then ordination. 

I was fortunate to receive a call to St. Stephen Church in Decatur, Georgia shortly after finishing my course work and receiving my degree. Our daughter Sophia was not yet two years old when we accepted the call and began planning the ordination service at St. Stephen. Bishop Harold Skillrud was the bishop of the Southeastern Synod at that time. 
I was blessed to serve nine years at St Stephen. Our family grew along with the congregation. We were blessed to do ministry together. Our first big project was to join with a local organization that was looking for a place for a nursery for children that were HIV positive. We worked hard to educate the congregation and to build a working partnership. We held a congregational meeting to vote on hosting the AIDS children's ministry and remodeling the nursery. I was relieved when the vote passed with only a few dissenting votes. When it can time to remodel, a pipe burst and flooded the church. I remember thinking, "oh no, I am going to get fired." I went to inform several office holders on the church council. I was not at all sure what response I would get. To my surprise the church members banded together to help get fans and dry out the building for Sunday Service. We went on to host the children's HIV nursery for several years. It was so important for the parents of these children to know they had nursery for them, where their children were accepted and loved. 
I have learned that ministry takes many forms. Here at St Luke we continue to look for partnerships to expand our ministry. We have been busy this summer hosting the YMCA Camp, overnight church groups, Jazzercise, and the neighborhood association. This fall Shady Oaks School returns along with the Sorority groups and quilting groups. 
We are now in the home stretch to paying off our mortgage on our property. We will have more freedom in our ministry priorities when the mortgage payments are done. We would be wise to look into hosting an early education center or nursery in the south end of our building. Lutherans are well known for quality childcare, and all working parents want and desire quality childcare. Today's economy forces most couples to both work full time. How can we help families seeking affordable quality Christian childcare?
I have been so blessed to serve as your pastor these past 16 years. When you are having fun, working with wonderful people and watching and leading people growing in faith, the time does indeed go by fast! I am hopeful you will have me around for a few more years. I do believe God has more plans for us to grow and reach out to our neighbors. It is wonderful to see our children's "Pray Ground" filled with little ones each Sunday. We are blessed with great lay leadership, wonderful church staff and a vibrant congregation. Let's keep a good thing going.

Join me in starting and ending each day in prayer. Pray for your individual ministry, your family and your church. God is calling each of us to a deeper walk. Let us be mindful of God's presence with us each day. 
One final thought, please pray for those entering seminary and seeking a call to ministry. The ELCA is experiencing a shortage of clergy. Pray for all who may be led to follow Christ on the path to ordained ministry in the ELCA.
Grace and Peace, 
​Pastor Cliff

As a former Park Ranger with the National Park Service and having served with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, it was an honor to have Shantha Ready Alonso, Executive Director, Creation Justice Ministries call and ask if I would be available to travel to Washington, DC to meet with elected officials and advocated for public lands and parks. Creation Justice is the environmental office for the National Council of Churches. They partner with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. The National Religious Partnership for the Environment represents mainline Christians, Evangelical Christians, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Jews and Muslims. This is a powerful coalition of all the major faith groups in the world. Together we all seek to care for creation and work to stop global warming. 

I was part of a team comprised of Bishop Carroll Baltimore of the Global United Fellowship, Rev. John Barton of the Virginia Council of Churches, Rev. Peter Cook of the New York Council of Churches, Rabbi Daniel Swartz of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. We were led by Cassandra Carmichael, Executive Director, National Religious Partnership for the Environment and Shantha Ready Alonso Executive Director, Creation Justice Ministries.
​
We met with the offices of Senator Corker (TN), Senator Alexander (TN), Senator Schumer (NY), Rep. Taylor (VA), Rep. Faso (NY), Rep. Donovan (NY), and Rep. Garrett (VA). Our goal was to speak and advocate for the protection of national monuments and the Antiquities Act, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, concerns of coastal drilling and funding our National Park System. 

It gives me great confidence to know that our faith community is represented in the halls of congress. As people of faith we are called to be stewards of God's good creation. The voices of people of faith need to heard. God has given us this one planet, this one, wonderful planet we call earth. Let us care for it, love it, and protect it for the good of our neighbor. 

Pastor Cliff Bahlinger

St. Luke Lutheran Church
2000 Germantown Parkway N.
Cordova, TN 38016

February at St. Luke offers us opportunities to grow and mature in our faith. We will have an in-depth discussion on Race, begin the Transformational Ministry process and start our Lenten journey.
What is this thing called race? Race -- The Power of an Illusion is based on aprovocative three-hour video series that questions the very idea of race as biology. If race is a biological myth, where did the idea come from? Are we open to challenge many long and deeply held assumptions? Is it safe to talk about race? Can we end racism? Join us as we, a people of faith, examine these important questions in our society.

All are invited to attend this seminar. We will meet at St. Luke on Saturday, February 10, start at 9am and end by 4pm. Lunch will be provided for all in attendance.  Cathy Crimi and I will be the presenters and facilitate the discussions. Please join us and invite a friend to attend.
Transformational Ministry is a program designed by the ELCA and Southeastern Synod to lead Lutheran congregations to growth and vitality. St. Luke is a healthy congregation, but we are not all that God is calling us to be. We have lost some of the vitality of a new congregation. We risk becoming disconnected from the communities around us. In February we begin a two year process of discernment. We will be asking you for guidance, ideas and prayers as begin this process. Our first team meeting will be held on Saturday, February 3, 8am - 4pm. We will join with Living Word, Epiphany and Peace Lutheran churches in this discussion. The St. Luke Church Council has designated resources for this process. Our congregation voted at our last congregational meeting to engage in this process. Your participation will be needed in the coming months.
The season of Epiphany is quickly coming to an end. Ash Wednesday will soon be upon us. This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 14. What a cruel joke to have Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day on the same day. Chocolates and Ashes do not go together. Maybe this can be reminder that death and love are both part of our lives. We need to pause and acknowledge both. Both are part of who we are as humans. A life is not fully lived without love, as we consider our death, let us recommit to love God, love ourselves and love our neighbor.

Our Lenten devotional books are available in the narthex.  "LIVING WELL through Lent 2018 --Loving With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind"includes daily readings and journal entries. Lent is a time for introspection and self- reflection, a time to reflect on the core of what it means to live a Christian life. For people of faith, love is not an abstract or feel-good concept, but an urgent call to radically incarnate love in how we relate to God, our neighbor and ourselves. Please join in the study and reflection this season of lent.  A small group leader's guide is available for Lenten small groups using this resource.

As we continue the journey before us, consider this prayer by Chaplain Mychal Judge who died on 9/11/2011,

Lord, take me where You want me to go,
Let me meet who You want me to meet,
Tell me what You want me to say,
And, keep me out of Your way.

In Christ,
Pastor Cliff

Dear Friends in Christ:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.
You call all nations to walk in your light
And to seek your ways of justice and peace,
For the night is past, and the dawn of your coming is near.
Bless us as we light the first candle of this wreath.
Rouse us from sleep,
That we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes
And welcome him into our hearts and homes,
For he is our light and our salvation.
Amen.
​
Advent is a season of waiting. We mark the passage of time as we light the Advent wreath, open the Advent calendar, and wait for Christmas and the light to appear.
Our society urges us to hurry and spend, while scripture and tradition beckons us to slow down and wait. We are tempted to rush and hurry, but in our church calendar Advent reminds us to slow down and to lean together. The darkness is all around us in the short days and long nights. In ancient times, people spent more time in doors, waiting for the return of the light. Advent reminds us of the rhythms of life. Advent invites us to open scripture and read of Mary and the promise of God to continue the reign of David.  Mary was an unlikely heroine, yet God invites her into the salvation story. Just as God invites you into a deeper faith journey.

Below you will find Daily Bible readings for Advent and Christmas (pg 24 Sundays and Seasons), slow down, open your bible and read the stories of Advent and waiting. You may experience a more sacred season, as you slow down, read scripture and enter God's salvation story.

Pastor Cliff


Week 1
Sun. Dec. 3 Isaiah 64:1-9
Mon. Dec. 4 Psalm 80:1-7
Tues. Dec. 5 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Wed. Dec. 6 Mark 13:24-37

Thur. Dec. 7 Psalm 85:8-13
Fri. Dec. 8 Jeremiah 1:4-10
Sat. Dec. 9 Ezekiel 36:24-28

Week 2
Sun. Dec. 10 Mark 1:1-8
Mon. Dec. 11 Isaiah 40:1-11
Tues. Dec. 12 Psalm 27
Wed. Dec. 13 Luke 1:5-17
Thur. Dec. 14 Habakkuk 2:1-4
Fri. Dec. 15 Philippians 3:12-16
Sat. Dec. 16 John 1:6-8, 19-28

Week 3
Sun. Dec. 17 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Mon. Dec. 18 Psalm 126
Tues. Dec. 19 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Wed. Dec. 20 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Thur. Dec. 21 Luke 1:26-38
Fri. Dec. 22 Luke 1:39-45
Sat. Dec. 23 Luke 1:46-55


Week 4
Sun. Dec. 24 Luke 2:1-20
Mon. Dec. 25 John 1:1-14
Tues. Dec. 26 Psalm 148
Wed. Dec. 27 1 John 1:1-9
Thur. Dec. 28 Jeremiah 31:15-17
Fri. Dec. 29 Isaiah 49:5-15
Sat. Dec. 30 Psalm 148

Week 5
Sun. Dec. 31 Isaiah 61:1-10-62:3
Mon. Jan. 1 Galatians 4:4-7
Tues. Jan. 2 Luke 2:22-40
Wed. Jan. 3 Psalm 110
Thur. Jan. 4 Isaiah 60:1-6
Fri. Jan. 5 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Sat. Jan. 6 Matthew 2:1-12

​Dear Friends in Christ:
 
I once heard the story of a young boy that was thrilled when his grandmother gave him a crisp fresh $100 bill. It was Christmas Eve and he was overjoyed. He had never received a gift that big. 
 
Later that evening the entire family went to church for Christmas Eve. It was a small Lutheran Church and he had never been there before. When it came time for the offering, he reached into his pocket and made sure that he grabbed a $1 bill to put in the offering plate.  
 
As he dropped the dollar bill in and watched the plate move down the pew, he realized he accidentally put in the $100 bill! He watched in terror as the $100 bill was passed down the pews and disappeared. He wanted to cry and felt awful.
 
For this young boy, giving was not something he wanted to do at all. Money was so scarce for him, this was not his home church, and he had no plans to give so much. Needless to say, we can identify with his mistake in giving away his Christmas money. This is not what Christian Stewardship is about.
 
St. Paul writes, “Each of you must give as you have made up you mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
 
We are called to give as a part of the wonderful things God is doing at St. Luke. We give as a fuel for mission. We give because God has already given us so much. As we see God as the one who gives first, our giving becomes a reflection of God at work in us.
 
The young boy did not give with a joyful heart, no he felt something was taken from him, and he wanted it back. We on the other hand, are to give freely, we give out of our baptismal identity, we belong to God, and God has invited us to join in ministry, and giving is a way to join in that ministry of God
 
Over the years giving for me has changed. These days I'm so enthralled with the mission of St. Luke Lutheran Church that when I give my tithe to this place, I often have joy in my heart as I give. The boy was saddened by watching his money disappear -- I have joy during the offering because I have seen firsthand how lives will be saved and changed by fueling the mission of this great place.

Our attitude of giving is often dependent on our connection with our faith. This season I invite you to examine your faith and examine your giving. If you can't give or don't want to give, know that you're loved and cared for just as you are. But I invite you into joyful giving. I invite you into a spirit of generosity that reflects all of the ways in which you have been blessed. 

 
I invite you to worship and make an estimate of giving for 2018 on Consecration Sunday, Nov. 19  as together we "fuel the mission" of St. Luke.

May this season of Thanksgiving and graciousness truly fill you.

Pastor Cliff Bahlinger
St Luke Lutheran
 

​It was 500 years ago on, October 31, 1517 that a little know monk named Martin Luther began what we now call the Reformation of western Christendom . This reform of the Roman Catholic Church and society in general, was needed and welcomed by many. Of course it was also divisive and ultimately led to multiple protestant Christian denominations and even armed conflict. Martin Luther knew little of this when he started these reforms, he led these reforms so that the church would be centered in scripture, faith and grace.
 
We will join with Christians around the world in recognizing the importance of the protestant reformation that was begun 500 years ago. Below is a list of Reformation activities here in the Memphis area.
 
 

1. Monday, Oct 2, Reformation Music Festival, Trinity Lutheran Church, 7:30 pm
2. Tuesday, Oct 3, Memphis Theological Seminary Chapel, 11:00 am, Pastor Bahlinger guest preacher
3. Reformation Book Store, St. Luke, Sunday, Oct 1 and 8
4. Thursday, Oct. 12, Beer and Hymns, Meddlesome Brewery, 6-8 pm.
5. Reformation 5K fun run, Saturday, Oct 21, 9am Green Line
6. Octoberfest, St Luke, Oct 21, 6:30pm, Saturday
7. Community Reformation Service, Church of the Holy Communion, 5:30 pm., Sunday, Oct 29
8. Reformation Day Service, Oct 31, St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 11:30 am., sponsored by Memphis Theological Seminary

 
As you can see from the list above, this is a full line up of activities. St. Luke is joining with area ELCA congregations, Episcopal congregations and the Memphis Theological Seminary.
 
For the entire month of October, we will have a Reformation 500 theme during worship at St. Luke. The sermons will focus on God’s Word, Holy Baptism, Luther’s teaching on the “two kingdoms”, vocation in Christian life, and justification.
 
One of the best ways you can help to celebrate is to invite a friend to participate in one or more of these activities. This is truly a historic time, 500 years and we are still sharing the good news of faith alone, grace alone and word alone.
 
Join with me in commemorating the birth of our Lutheran understanding of God’s abundant grace and love.  Read a biography on Luther, hear the sermons, and attend one of the special services.
 
 Join the celebration,
 
Pastor Cliff
 
 
 

Please join me in A Prayer after Charlottesville, based in part on St. Francis’ “Peace Prayer.”
Lord God, we pray that you would arm us with courage and compassion sufficient to the challenges of these days and make us heralds of your grace and instruments of your peace.
Where is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is harm, let us bring healing;
where there is prejudice and intolerance, let us offer understanding;
where there is enmity, let us be agents of reconciliation;
where there is despair, let us speak hope;
where there is doubt, let us spark faith;
where there is fear, let us kindle courage;
and wherever there is darkness, let us offer the light of your mercy that enlightens the whole world.
Meet us in our fear, Lord God, and embolden us to side always with the defenseless. Protect all who put themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe. Thwart the plans of those who harbor hatred and plot violence. Grant our elected leaders the wisdom to know what it is right and the courage to do it. And bless this nation and people that we might be a blessing to the world you love so much.
This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
We all play a part in speaking out against the sins of racism and anti-Semitism. We are also called to be a healing force in our communities. I invite you to join me in serving with God’s Work Our Hands Sunday on September 10 and the fall Habitat for Humanity fall build on Saturday, Sept. 16 and Oct. 7. You are freed in Christ to serve and these are two wonderful opportunities to put your faith into action.
At the August Council meeting I shared a presentation on United: Transformational Ministry. This is a church renewal and vitality process that equips congregations to make systematic and structural changes as part of a missional and spiritual discernment journey.
 
 
 
United is...
*      A 2-Year transformational ministry process
*       A partnership between congregations, the Southeastern Synod and the ELCA
*       A way for congregations to discern, renew, revitalize and embrace God's 
        future
*       A lay-driven process: The pastor's role is to empower, not to lead
*       An exciting, challenging, hope-filled adventure
 
If you would like to be a part of the United: Transformational Team, please speak with me. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for St. Luke to discern and plan for our future together. As a part of this process we will work with other ELCA congregations in Memphis and Nashville.
 
In closing, I ask for your prayers as we seek a Director of Music for St. Luke. We are so appreciative of all the music volunteers who contribute each Sunday as a part of the worship service. Service time will remain at 10 am until further notice. Sunday School each Sunday begins at 9 am, please join us.
 
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Cliff