NEW ORLEANS (ELCA) -- It was "Palm Sunday" in the Superdome and the Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl told 37,000 young people, "You young baptized ones, the Lord has need of you to bear his word to the world." DeGroot-Nesdahl preached at the opening celebration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Youth Gathering here. She is bishop of the ELCA's South Dakota Synod.
"You are young colts ... waiting to be released," DeGroot-Nesdahl said. "You are young colts who have fire and spirit and energy and talent. You are young leaders with vision and compassion and gifts and burning faith in your hearts."
The Palm Sunday idea was carried forward as Jesus, in the form of a 15-foot tall puppet, made his way around the Superdome's floor together with dancers, banners and balloons.
The gathering's theme is "River of Hope." DeGroot-Nesdahl said, "The abundant life is a life lived in the river of hope and measured in seasons of love." She wove her remarks around "Seasons of Love," the hit song from the Broadway musical, "Rent."
DeGroot-Nesdahl said "Rent" is about 13 friends, one of whom will die, "who are searching for lasting, eternal, pure love." She said, "The story of Jesus is the story of one who measures every year in love, who is true every minute."
Lutherans always ask, "What does this mean? How do we understand such love?" Jesus is "the gift of life poured out for us," DeGroot-Nesdahl said. She got the young people chanting a quote from Martin Luther: "Day after day a new self arises."
DeGroot-Nesdahl greeted the young people on behalf of the 5.2 million members of the ELCA, "who have been praying for you since the day of your Baptism and all the way up to this weekend." She said, "Thank you for coming to this gathering, thank you for your witness of the power of the faith of the young."
Music was provided by the Western States Servant Band, Abe Caceras and the River's Way, and Ken Medema who brought the evening to a close with musical piece he created on the spot. A high school girl from Humboldt, Iowa, called the celebration "bar-none the most awesome concert of my life."
Marlon Guzman from the office of the Mayor office welcomed the young people saying, "We love you. Your energy has already been felt in the city and the impact of your community service will be felt tomorrow, Friday and Saturday."
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The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
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