Freedom Mission Festival tradition continues

About 50 people gathered in a grove north of Waldorf on Sunday, Aug. 2, for an outdoor “mission festival” which has been a tradition at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Freedom Township for generations. Patterned after gatherings which began in a time before many area congregations had permanent buildings, the day included a morning and afternoon worship service and a potluck meal. Music was provided by a band of about a dozen musicians from as many as four generations.

 

Officiant for the two services was the Rev. Dr. Richard E. Carter, who first served in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod mission field in Nigeria from 1981 to 1987. He has also advanced Christian projects in St. Petersburg, Russia; Chennai, India; and Mongolia.

 

Those in attendance either sat on wooden benches that were provided or brought their own seats.

 

The message during the morning service focused on the feeding of the 5,000. Rev. Carter pointed out how each incident in the summary includes a lesson to “pay attention to Jesus.”

 

Carter highlighted how Jesus began the meal by praying over the five loaves and two fish, then breaking the food apart and handing it to his disciples, who then delivered it to the crowd.

 

“Imagine their surprise as they broke the bread, handed it away, and discovered they still had bread to hand to the next person,” Carter said.

 

In much the same way today, he extrapolated, believers are delivered the good news with the expectation they will deliver it to others. Though we may be hesitant to take on the task, Carter suggested, we are likely to find ourselves surprised and delighted with what happens when we pass our faith along.

 

The potluck meal was a generous buffet that included inviting salads and entrees, with a spread of homemade pies and desserts.