Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A Way Cool Ornament from Hannah Grace


Sue Ann and I along with Nate and Hannah (Noah has left to go back to Seattle) are heading to the mountains tomorrow night for some time together before the holiday festivities end. On January 1, the congregation will have a time of blessing and sending for  me at the 8 and 9 services. At the 10:30am, I will preach for our Service of Remembrance. Here’s what we  say about that particular service

“God is also with us as we not only remember Jesus life, but the lives of those we love who have passed on to eternal life in Jesus’ presence. These losses can be particularly tender
 the  first holidays since a death.  This is a time for family members to speak the name of their deceased loved ones. We light candles of hope in the midst of the shadow of grief and we will gather for food and conversation afterwards. Come. Honor your own grief and the lives of the eternal saints.”

I’m mindful of the peace that connects us all together. I’m thankful for my dear family, my caring friends, wonderful support team, colleagues, members and guests of Bethany Lutheran Church and you the good people of a virtual h2o congregation. I promise to pray for you and request your prayers as well.

You can read about the plans for renewal project at
Lenten devos 2012 will continue as encore performances at http://h2odevos.blogspot.com
Cynthia Tanner, czarina of the constant contact will make sure you get your daily delivery of h2o.

I will also be blogging about his activities in London. You can sign up to follow the blog at http://rtgmtg.blogspot.com
I’m leaving on Wednesday the 4th for London.


Cherrio!
Rtg


Monday, December 26, 2011

"In the Beginning"


Photo by rtg
St. Martin in the Fields

http://www.mikechapmansculptor.com/photo_6382992.html
Words by Mike Chapman the Sculptor

"Christ Child
St Martin-in-the-fields church in the centre of London is visited by thousands of people each day. For the millennium I was commissioned to produce a sculpture to be placed in Trafalgar square, during Christmas prior to the celebrations. It seemed to me that a tiny life-size baby carved from stone in such an enormous environment would be the best way to remind us all of just whose birthday we were celebrating. In a 4.5 tonne block of Portland stone, this work can be found at the entrance to the church."

1999


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Destination: London

It's 20-12 day today! So there is a great new picture out there representing the mounting excitement about the summer Olympics. Of course, I won't be there for the Olympics. However, I'm getting excited as well about the opportunity for renewal, discovery and morning prayer at St. Martin's in the Fields.
Blessings to you today.
rtg

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Quite the View 121511

St. Martin in the Fields




You either love it or you don’t. I’m talking about the window at St. Martin in the Fields. I happen to be in the “LOVE” camp when it comes to this window. Each time I sit in the church it speaks to me in a new and different way. I love the notion that at this particular intersection of the world there is a church that wants to connect and engage the world with Word and Sacrament.

If you’re going to travel, Rick Steves is the guy to follow. A few years ago he was at our church for a lecture. He was and is the same person who you see on tv. In other words, he’s authentic. I encourage you to check out his most recent book,
Travel As A Political Act.



Thank you for checking out the blog, there is much more to come.
Thank you too for your willingness to pray for me, for Sue Ann, for the staff, leadership and members of Bethany while I’m on sabbatical.

Peace,
rtg


Sunday, December 11, 2011

RTG Minding The Gap 121111

Beginning on January 1, 2012 at 12 noon I will be on sabbatical until April 1, 2012. Most of my time will be spent in London where I'll be going to morning prayer at St. Martin in the Fields, attending plays and catching lectures at London School of Economics.

I have created this blog http://rtgmtg.blogspot.com (to represent Ronald Theodore Glusenkamp- Minding The Gap). I'll be posting reflections, reviews of plays and experiences.

If you  want to learn more about the specific plans for the sabbatical, feel free to check out
http://www.bethany-denver2.org/about-us/pastor-rons-sabbatical/

Blessings + Cherrio
rtg