Why God...Why Should I Attend?
I Pray And Wonder...Why Go To The Assembly? Why God … why should I attend the Synod Assembly? I pray and wonder…

Why should I attend God? There are a hundred other places I would rather be, but my church has asked me to come.

My pastor said I was needed. But, I’ve got other things to do…things I should get done. And, I’ll need to ask for the day off from work.

And, so…what shall I do God?

Why? What will I learn in that cool, crowded room for a day and a half? What will I learn of the Lutheran church that I don’t already know?

What will I learn from listening to the talking heads speak of order, resolutions, nominations, elections, and so on ... I do like to worship and sing songs and fellowship with others. And, I heard the food wasn’t too bad.

But, who am I, and what am I to do, in that place?

And, how will all the assembly does reflect God’s love for us through Christ Jesus? And, I really don’t know what to do God. I guess I could just act like I know what I’m doing.

I could sit and read the many papers that we receive and act like I’m listening. I don’t understand all the procedures with resolutions and motions and votes. And, I wouldn’t dare go to the microphone to talk.

If only I knew God? Why should I attend?

And, I know that all strength comes from you. So…I ask you God  – for that strength. And I ask…

What do you have in mind for this church called the ELCA? If only I knew what you would have us do, God, as a synod? If only I knew what you would have us do, God, as a congregation?

If only I knew God…what would you have me do?

How will the theme of this assembly, “Living in God’s Amazing Grace,” be reflected in our life together in that place, at that time? And, how will it be reflected in our individual lives after we leave the assembly?

The church and the bishop and my pastor say that we are to witness to the world. And the business of the assembly will show all that we do together as a church.

When I think about it, we do a lot as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – things that I didn’t even know we did –

• We witness to you through global missions, through connections made with other institutions, with seminarians and congregational connections, through Lutheran Disaster Relief and Lutheran World Hunger.
  
  
• We are connected as 185 congregations from rural and small town to urban ministry.
  
  
• We are together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
  
  
• And we all ask the same questions God – You will bring us together as one.

And I pray, help me to do that God – Help me to bring ‘me’ to this gathering.

How can I and we, as a church in mission, make a difference?

How can I, as one person in the world, matter so much to a church of nearly 5 million members and the nearly 100,000 members of the Northwestern Ohio Synod?

And I pray more fervently and with purpose. That I can, and will, make a difference in the life of this ELCA, this synod, my congregation and in the lives of the people I meet.

Show me God, why and who and what.

• If only I knew, my faith would grow stronger.
• If only I knew, I could witness more fervently.
• If only I knew, I would show my love for you more.
• If only I knew, I would serve you more.
• If only I knew, I would grow in humility.

I am yours God, do with me what you will. The invitation is before you.

Come and see… 

…your place in the Northwestern Ohio Synod and in God’s mission.

Kathleen B. Lemmerbrock
Synod Assembly Coordinator
Synod Administrator