“We are anointed and sent to proclaim release to the captives,” said Bishop Claire Burkat at the opening worship service for the 2008 Synod Assembly of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.

Preaching on Luke 4:14-22, the bishop challenged the Assembly to see, celebrate, and proclaim what the Spirit of God is doing among us. She reminded us that even as Jesus was anointed by the Spirit for his ministry, so are we also anointed by the Spirit for God’s purpose. “God doesn’t give responsibility without giving us power,” she said. We share in Jesus’ ministry described in today’s gospel.

Update: Audio and video now available.

“It’s God’s work, our hands. It’s God’s work, our hearts. It’s God’s work, our minds. It’s God’s work, our hope,” she said.

Bishop’s Sermon 2008 (MP3 audio, 17MB)

Bishop\’s Sermon video 2008 (Quicktime video, 38MB)

This gospel of release is available to all people and God is in charge even when we find it hard to find the victory. Bishop Burkat told the assembly of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pleasant Valley, whose faith and witness was strengthened even after volunteer Rhonda Smith was found fatally shot in the church office in late January and a fellow choir member was charged with the crime.

She told how the people of Trinity were surrounded with the consolation and prayers by the communion of saints throughout the church. And the congregation has proclaimed God’s victory over death in all circumstances. They believed it. They said it. They lived it, even after the arrest of one of their members for the shooting, she said.

She shared how on the Sunday she recently preached at the church, the youth class was signing a card to be sent to the woman in prison. The spirit of God is moving among the people of Trinity and among all of us in miraculous ways.

We are marked with the cross of Christ, and we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world.

“It is for today that Jesus brings release,” she said.