Called to Celebrate Grace…
Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, Daring Justice...
March 19, 2026
Dear friends,
On occasion, a sign in front of a church or a motto on someone’s homepage or facebook page captures my attention. I really like our motto, “Transforming [my] life through faithful discipleship.” But recently I noticed the mission statement of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota–“we are called, nurtured and sent to celebrate, serve and do justice.” That motto inspired a hymn that has found its way into our new hymn book, Then Let Us Sing. It is a beautiful work that plays with the phrases, “We have been called/held/sent/called.” The second verse is of particular note in how it invites a different way to explore the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25ff). The Rev. Dr. Asa Lee stressed that to find the compassion to work for justice, we need to identify not with the Samaritan nor with the priest, but rather with the injured and robbed victim, the traveler who received the love and help of the Samaritan. When we can notice those experiences in our lives, we can find the will to work for justice, to give as we've received.
We have been held. We have been held in tender care. As we lay wounded by the road. Receiving grace. Receiving healing at the hands of strangers with the face of God. Halleluya, we have been healed by strangers with the face of God.
(Vs2 of Love’s Wide Embrace by Bret Hesla)
During this Lent and Easter season we once again explore the sacred journey towards Jesus’ cross and resurrection. We are invited to connect with those who Jesus encounters and to share in their stories of transformation. In our present context in which there is so much to fear and worry about we need to encounter the story in new ways. We only need to look at the price of gas to realize how we all are connected in our global village. What happens in one place has a ripple effect. That is why we need our faith story more than ever. Not just for comfort and hope but for strategies on how we live into the inbreaking of God’s realm. May we indeed receive healing and grace at the hands of strangers with the face of God. And as we pray, live and work to embody God’s love, grace and justice we invite the Holy Spirit to guide and transform us and toward a God’s dawning light.
May you see God's light on the path ahead when the road you walk is dark. May you always hear even in your hour of sorrow, the gentle singing of the lark. When times are hard may hardness never turn your heart to stone. May you always remember when the shadows fall- You do not walk alone.
This beautiful anthem as sung by our choir can be found on our youtube/gracedartmouth page. Go to service on March 15, 2026 minute 33:10.
Listed below are some of our activities and opportunities to gather and connect with our church family. I hope that you will join me as together we walk this wonderful journey of tansformation together.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Rev. Stephen Fram