NEW ORLEANS (ELCA) -- "You are children of God," the Rev. Gladys G. Moore, Jersey City, N.J., told thousands of young people at the Louisiana Superdome. "We were born to manifest the story of God that is within us. This manifestation exists in everyone," she said. Moore preached on the fourth day of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Youth Gathering here July 23-27. She is assistant to the bishop of the ELCA's New Jersey Synod.
"Why are we here, 30,000 of us, listening to the ancient story of God?" Moore asked. "Someone talked about the resurrection of Jesus ... and now we have an incredible crowd of believers."
"I do love to tell the story," she said. "It is about the love of God. God gave the only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) so people could have eternal life. What a story we been privileged to tell tonight."
"God's grace, mercy and forgiveness have been extended to all people," Moore said. "God said, You are my beloved sons and daughters, and with you I am well-pleased.' Let your light so shine to others so that they see your good works."
The gathering's theme was "River of Hope." Moore said, "Come, everyone who is thirsty." After Moore spoke, 29 young people were baptized into the Christian faith by their hometown pastors and another 14 affirmed their baptisms earlier in the year. The Rev. Paul J. Blom, bishop of the ELCA's Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, was the presiding minister.
"It is here at the baptismal font that God created a people. We are restored into right relationship. God makes us a family. We are kin; we are family," Moore said. "It is here, brothers and sisters, at the baptismal font that we are named and claimed. We are born again," she said. "God creates anew."
The Western States Servant Band and Dr. Abe Caceras and the River's Way provided music for the worship service. Caceras is the minister of music at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, and director of Worldhouse Cross-Cultural Music Productions. Tekeisha Bowman, 15, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia, told the story of creation (Genesis 1:1- 2:4a) through liturgical dance. God was portrayed as a young African American woman creating the world.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
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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