Social Justice
1 Corinthians 12:25-26 states: “There should be no division in the body, but its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” There can be no denying that our brothers and sisters of color have dealt with discrimination and discriminatory policies for many years. It is critical that we acknowledge the long history of systemic racism in our country and the deaths of so many people of color resulting from this racism. Pastor Josh and our church family at Pilgrim Lutheran share in the sorrow and outrage felt by millions across the country at the continued needless loss of life of our brothers and sisters of color in the United States. We pray for justice and accountability for their deaths and for reform in our state structures and policies so that all citizens receive equal treatment under law. We acknowledge the pain, grief, anger, fear, and frustration felt by communities of color, and we stand in solidarity with them to vehemently denounce racial discrimination and demand systemic change. We will periodically post sermons, texts, and important links on this page as we regularly reaffirm our commitment to combating racism in the United States (and around the world) and pray for an end to racial injustice, inequality, and police brutality. Black Lives Matter.
In this current, challenging climate with complex issues related to immigration, we also note that scripture repeatedly reminds God’s people that we were once strangers ourselves. The Bible does not begin with nations and borders, but with God creating a people and calling them to care for the vulnerable among them. Leviticus 19:33–34 states, “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the stranger. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.” Deuteronomy 10:18–19 also reminds us, “[The Lord] executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Whatever persons’ individual views are on immigration policy, our church body as a whole is reminded by the scripture that the immigrant is our neighbor, created by God, redeemed by Christ, and worthy of dignity and care.
Links
LCMS “Immigrants Among Us”: https://files.lcms.org/file/preview/DSlPJgMzRUlHw95YpjUdtDbKPQGR9y6h
Reflections on racism from Lutheran pastors and parishioners: https://blogs.lcms.org/2020/racism-and-the-church-a-time-to-listen/?fbclid=IwAR1lxlJx7NDCJXE-qD0sfKb5xTw1fZOble1bvcz3AzU5Ed5KZf4kDW2v_Vo
Racism: a Christian response: https://files.lcms.org/wl/?id=DSuTTNT99y6xIfdDtQuLE1cuqsY3ffsk
Black Clergy Caucus of the LCMS Statement on George Floyd: https://www.theunbrokencord.com/writings/black-clergy-caucus-statement-on-george-floyd?fbclid=IwAR0BdprDVXO0OiA5iX9iM3H2KjmoiSgyijy2BRm2DgRYIipQedgFEqYzUTo
A thoughtful reflection on race relations from Rev. William M. Cwirla of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hacienda Heights, CA: http://htlcms.org/2020/06/why-black-lives-matter/?fbclid=IwAR3p1FncR5-gnnYO1hw_3iap_7InoVM9eCJoYK8SUXHcB12-3xVjxmnZsXg
An article highlighting the importance of being mindful of the words we use and how to speak words of love and inclusion (vs. racism and exclusion): https://www.huffpost.com/entry/white-passing-black-woman-racism_n_5f54efc0c5b6578026cf935e
Lutherans for Racial Justice website: https://lutheransforracialjustice.com/about-us
LCMS Black Ministry: https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/national/black-ministry
Selected Sermons
Pastor Josh Rusert, sermon on racial equality
The transcript of this sermon can be found here.
Pastor Josh Rusert, sermon on racial equality
The transcript of this sermon can be found here.