2003 Synod Assembly

Opening Worship

Added 3:30 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2003

"Christ and healing go together."

With those words Bishop Harold Usgaard proclaimed the theme of both the opening worship service and of the 2003 Synod Assembly: "Making Christ Known: For the Healing of the World." The service offered something both familiar and unique. The worship setting was mostly traditional liturgy from the "Lutheran Book of Worship" but in a different location than in previous years. Presentation Hall provided a dedicated space which greatly enhanced the worship experience.

Drawing mainly on 2 Corinthians 5:19, "In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them," Bishop Usgaard told the worshiping community that healing comes from Christ through us. "Christ is the source of life," said Usgaard. 

From the gospel reading of John 15, in which Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches, the bishop added that this life is not possible for those who are cut off from the source of life, Jesus Christ. "God's will is that we live in relationship with God and with one another," he said. Therefore "ours is a ministry of reconciliation; a cutting off from God cuts us off from others."

In an effort to reach out to the world, Presentation Hall will be the site of a Community-wide worship service on Saturday morning.