Living in God’s amazing grace Fall 2006 Fall 2006 From the ... · Fall 2006 - Page 2 Living in...

Trust By Peter W. Marty

If you check your coat and hat at a nice restaurant, the woman behind the half-height door will give you a little ticket stub and a smile in return. The ticket won’t buy your way into a major Broad-way production. But it will return

your London Fog® raincoat or Eddie Bauer® parka.

If you wanted to keep running back to the coat check to see if all was okay with your goods, you’d be welcome to do that. Your other table guests might wonder why they ever came to dine with you. And the woman in the coat-room might wallop you over the head with an umbrella. But you could do it. You could keep running back to her and asking: “Do you still have my coat and hat?” My guess is that the coat keeper would eventually shove your apparel back at you and point you to the door.

Trust is pretty essential to even the most elemental of human relationships. It’s the glue of human interaction. Erase it, and everything from love to the practice of medicine disappears.

What would it be like if we handed our burdens to God, but kept checking on them? “Lord, I’ve brought my bur-den over to you. Do you still have it?” I can imagine the Lord responding, “Yes, as a matter of fact you checked it right here.” “Great,” you’d reply. “I just wanted to make sure you have it.” If we can trust our raincoats and hats to other human beings, it seems natural that we ought to be able to trust our spiritual baggage to God. That’s my read of Holy Scripture and a life of faith.

When I sing that old gospel tune about “taking your burden to the Lord and leaving it there,” I remember nothing about “going back to keep checking on it.” No, faith is an exercise in trusting the Lord, and leaning on that trust as if all the goodness in the world depended on it. Such trust doesn’t eliminate the damage created by some burdens. But the sharing of them can make life a whole lot more bearable.

The radio and Web ministry of Grace Matters continues to expand its impact, thanks to your encouragement and TRUST in our work. I hope you are a proud supporter of this ministry. We are not some cash-flush bank or company. We are a ministry that is directly dependent on the generosity of people who give gifts faithfully. So, thank you for blessing this important work. You can trust my word: I will continue to give the program my best heart and mind every week.

From the HostFall 2006 Living in God’s amazing grace Fall 2006

Fall 2006 -

Living in God’s amazing grace

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant!The episode of the centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus, is a fi ne example of trust in God. In the account according to Matthew, the centurion met Jesus and said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes.” The centurion trusted Jesus. He knew when Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith” that his servant would be healed. (Matthew 8: 8-13a

NRSV)

In today’s society it is harder and harder to trust. Employers are forced to conduct background checks on prospective employees. Many couples break up because of betrayal. Children do not trust their parents. Parents do not trust their children. Teachers do not trust their students and, unfortunately, there are students who shouldn’t trust their teachers.

Brenda Engelby, former editor of the Grace Matters newsletter, is someone you can trust. You can trust her to complete the task at hand, you can trust her to complete her work, and go that extra mile. You can tell her your problems and know that she will not gossip.

Beginning in 1998 Brenda worked for the ELCA Communication Services unit, serving Lutheran Vespers/Grace Matters. Until her retirement in early June she was the associate director for promotion and

placement, one of those people who worked behind the scenes to help bring you this valuable radio ministry. Although you may not have seen or heard her, you should know that because of her, you can tune into Grace Matters the same time and same station week after week.

People in the Alaska Synod, where she served as assistant to the bishop for more than 10 years, trusted Brenda. While some people felt intimidated by the title “bishop,” they were comfortable going to Brenda with concerns or problems as well as their joys. She acted as a conduit and made it easy for people to avail themselves of what the bishop’s offi ce had to offer. At that time “bishop” was a new term for some Lutherans. We trusted familiar terms such as “district president,” but “bishop” took some getting used to. It took time for people to realize that it is just another word for pastor or shepherd. Because Brenda was not ordained she was easily accessible and a comfort to people who had diffi culty

Brenda Engelby

www.gracematters.org Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

By Jan Rizzo

Fall 2006 -


approaching the bishop. Brenda found this to be a humbling experience and felt blessed beyond words to do God’s work in this way.

Brenda grew up in Minneapolis listening to Lutheran Vespers on WCCO. Every Sunday night her family gathered for family devotions. Together they read several chapters from the Bible, confessed the Apostle’s Creed, and prayed. At 10:00 p.m. they would listen to Lutheran Vespers on the radio.

In July 1981 Brenda became an Associate in Ministry (AIM) because of a deep need to serve God in the best way she could. As a child she yearned to be a pastor, but such a thing was unheard of at that time. But Brenda came to realize that God was calling her to serve in a different way.

Brenda believes that, “Lutheran Vespers, and now Grace Matters, can always be trusted to bring God’s Word to us in a way that is relevant, and fi lled with the Spirit; and leaves us with thoughts to think about and blessings to cling to. Through all the years, since 1947, listeners — including me — have to come to trust this program as a source of truth and comfort. The closing benediction has become a mantra for many of our listeners as they go through the week.”

Brenda and Ron, her husband of 46 years, retired to Tucson, Arizona in late June. The Engelbys have four children — three sons and a daughter — and six grandsons ranging in age from seven to 24 years old. Their oldest grandson is serving in Iraq.

Grace Matters The radio ministry of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America

Grace Matters host Peter Marty with Brenda at her retirement party

From left Grace Matters producer Susan Greeley, Brenda Engelby and Grace Matters host Peter Marty

The Grace Matters newsletter is published four times a year. It is distributed without charge.

Editorial Offi ce: Grace MattersCommunication ServicesEvangelical Lutheran Church in America8765 W. Higgins RoadChicago, IL 60631 800/380-3522, ext. 2967773/380-2967E-mail: [email protected]

Editorial StaffJan Rizzo – EditorDixie Miller – Editorial Assistant

Mail:Grace Matters8765 West Higgins RoadChicago, IL 60631

Copyright © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All rights reserved.


Fall 2006 -

Memorials That Live to Serve and Bless OthersIN MEMORY OF:A gift to Grace Matters is a special way to remember a loved one who has gone to be with the Lord. Your memo-rial gift will help carry the gospel to thousands!(Gifts received through 6/30/06)

My Brother Judith AklandEldon Peterson Ronald BehrensRev. Harry Huxhold Rev. and Mrs. Victor BrandtIda Nysetvold Eleanor HagstromIona Olson Paul and Shirley HansenIrene Rudolph Rev. Harris and Luetta HostagerMahlon E. Campbell David Campbell and Martha LamoyOdella Lecy Berdella LienKathy Lillestolen Tom LillestolenBruce McLellan (husband) Margaret McLellanTruman Helleckson Marrida MyronDr. James Burtness Rev. Mark and Linda NygardOlga Pederson Leland PedersonJoan StigenVi Johnson Harmon Virginia RobertsonKay Gardner Khristine & Brent RogersRev. Caroll Satre Annabel SatreMike Gremmert

Marilyn SwansonRev. Conrad Thompson Mark and Marjore ThompsonOur Parents Lyle & Alice VerhulstNeil A. Pairan (father) Roberta VidlundBetty Louise Wallin Elverne & Laurine Ziemke

IN HONOR OF:Spreading the gospel through a gift to Grace Matters is also a wonderful way to re-member a birthday, anniver-sary or other special occasion!(Gifts received through 6/30/06)

Friend Anonymous 50th Ordination Anniversary of Rev. C. Wendell Dirk and Naomi DurantDr. Charles Infelt Glenn and Sylvia GundersonConnie Michaelson (mom) Ruth Johnson10th Ordination Anniversary of The Rev. Mary Hovland Berdella LienThe Rev. Walt Wangerin Jr. Edwin and Kathleen LongstreetAnn Ammerman Elisabeth MetznerDr. Martin & Harriet Marty Linda Lee Nelson

Jacquelyn Rae (granddaughter’s college graduation) Joan RaeBob Murphy and Barb Carlson’s upcoming marriage Virginia RobertsonHenry Sunde’s 100th Birthday Glen and Audrey StulenRobert W. Ullman Keith Ullman


Our very own Peter Marty,

takes us on a trip to the Holy Land. Check your local television listings,

beginning December 3,

for the time and station in your area.


Fall 2006 -

From the Producer

The fi rst defi nition of the word “trust” in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary is “to place confi dence: DEPEND.” The ex-amples given are “trust in God” and “trust to luck.”

Isn’t it interesting what a difference the little words make? Why do you suppose we say “trust in God” but “trust to luck”?

When we trust to luck (or whatever else), it’s like placing our confi dence in a third party and hoping for the best. But when we trust in (whether in God or in another person), it’s like wrapping ourselves up in a blanket with the object of our trust.

As the producer for Grace Matters, I am privileged to hear different stories each week from people who have learned to trust in. These are people who have a deep, abiding relationship in God — people like Dr. Jerry Sittser, who still trusts in, despite losing his mother, his wife and his four-year-old daughter in a single car accident. If you missed his live interview in July, you can hear it at www.gracematters.org

This fall, you’ll hear from others who trust in, sometimes against overwhelming odds. Peter Marty visits with Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land about his trust in God’s faithfulness despite the area’s tension. Minneapolis Councilman Don Samuels talks about his decision to fast and hold vigil at the site of every homicide in his ward, trusting that his witness will help stem the violence. You can get a preview each week from Peter about what’s coming up at www.gracematters.org

Those of us working behind the scenes on Grace Matters also trust in God. We trust that God will help in our search for inspiring and interesting stories of grace to share with you. We trust that those who need to hear a particular program will be listening that day. We trust that some who are scanning their radios, will stumble across Grace Matters and be touched by the message. We trust that our donors will be called by the Holy Spirit to share in this ministry by joining the annual fund. We trust that some reading this newsletter will leave part of their estate to Grace Matters as a legacy to others who need to hear of God’s unfailing grace. It’s all about relationships — between Peter and the guest, between the listener and the message, between the staff and the donors, between all of us and God.

Please join us each week on Grace Matters as we learn together what it means to trust in.


Grace Matters producer Susan Greeley


Fall 2006 -

How to Remember Grace MattersA word from our listeners…

“I listen to Grace Matters at 6:30 a.m. Sundays. Pastor Marty’s interview with Senator McGovern was wonderful and challenging. God bless this ministry.”

“I believe it is very important to hear preaching from more than just a local pastor, so listening to Grace Matters means a lot to me. Enclosed is a check.”

“Thank you so much for the benediction bookmarks and framed copy. It makes me feel so good to share this with others. Your ministry is very important. God bless you all.”

Join these listeners and let us know how Grace Matters affects your life. If you make a donation to this ministry, know that your gift of any size is important to the people whose lives are touched by Grace Matters.

Of course, a legacy for Grace Matters will ensure this radio ministry will continue to touch the lives of so many others. With a small adjustment to your will or estate plan, you can sponsor Grace Matters broadcasts for decades. Please consult your tax or legal advisor about proceeding with this.

If you would like more information on how to support Grace Matters with your gifts, please call the Rev. Donald Hallberg, Executive Director, ELCA Development Services, or one of his colleagues, at 800/638-3522, ext. 2970.

Remember to add to your will:

I/we leave________% of our estate to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a Minnesota nonprofi t corporation, c/o the ELCA Foundation, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631 for Grace Matters.


Other complimentary legacy planning resources available through the ELCA Foundation include:

• Notes for my Friends & Family workbook

• Your Will & Trust workbook• Why Do I Need a Will brochure• sample Christian preambles for

your will

New StationsWe welcome these new stations to the Grace Matters family!

KWLC–AM 124010:30 a.m. SundayDecorah, Iowa

KQNS–FM 95.59:30 a.m. SundayLindsborg, Kan.

WYAB–FM 93.19:00 a.m. SundayFlora, Miss.

KTRZ–FM 95.78:00 a.m. SundayLander, Wyo.

KTRZ–FM 93.18:00 a.m. SundayRiverton, Wyo.

KYBC–AM 16005:05 p.m. SundayCottonwood, Ariz.

WNIR–95.5FM12:00 p.m. SundayNewberry, S.C.


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