Pastor's sermon today was about what God has to do to get our attention.
He likened it to a turtle on a fencepost (something he'd heard on a Rush Limbaugh show). The turtle had help getting on the fencepost. He didn't get there independently. What are you going to do? You've been baptized. Now what? Lean on Christ through it all, but push forward, even when it seems like all you're doing is sitting on a fencepost.
After church it was my turn along with my partner's to count the funds contributed. My oldest daughter, dear sweet, serving soul that she is... got me coffee, juice and a donut like she usually does when I count. She brought it down, but Frieda and I were not downstairs yet. So she left i on the table outside the counter's room. When we arrived, there were a few crumbs and a coffee and a juice on the table. I didn't know if she had brought the donut as usual or not. We recorded items and made our deposit as usual and my daughter was in the parking lot waiting for me as Bible class was over. I got in the car and thanked her for the coffee and juice. She said she had brought a donut over as well. I told her it wasn't there when we got downstairs.
So that means someone stole my donut at church!!!
I think we have finally finished our recent round of the flu which has made its way through our house, hitting two of the people here twice, since the Monday before Christmas. Both our dogs had it too! Thankfully, only one of us had it at a time so there were many hands on deck to see to the needs of the one feeling ill at the time.
I pray you all had pleasant New Year's celebrations! What did you do?
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
January 11, 2009
March 29, 2008
I've Got Issues Update
Elephant's Child has a great updated post on the matter here.
At Bible Study on Wednesday evening, the elder who teaches the class was wearing his I've Got Issues shirt. Immediately I retorted, "Not any longer!" And we proceeded to discuss the latest.
Others in the class were clueless as to what we were bantering about. Once one of them caught "KFUO" their contribution to the dicussion was, "Are they going to cancel the Lutheran Hour too?"
What was playing out in this setting was something I've suspected -- and this is, of course, a generational, not an all inclusive diagnostic. Issues is a generational thing. It's attraction was to the technologically savvy, generally meaning younger generations.
If that's the case, why was something that was so effectively reaching the lost yanked from the airwaves?
I knew I'd have to change the link to Issues on my sidebar eventually and so it is done now.
I've been reading A Seminary in Crisis by Paul A. Zimmerman. Fascinating reading. As a convert to Lutheranism after marrying my dear hubby, I've heard so much about Seminex. This book is very enlightening and I highly recommend it for those intrigued about the LCMS's current situation. I'm learning new things all the time from this book.
One word to be familiar with is isagogics, which basically mean how you interpret Scripture. Another thing I'm learning is how worship reflects what you believe. I hope to post more as I read more.
At Bible Study on Wednesday evening, the elder who teaches the class was wearing his I've Got Issues shirt. Immediately I retorted, "Not any longer!" And we proceeded to discuss the latest.
Others in the class were clueless as to what we were bantering about. Once one of them caught "KFUO" their contribution to the dicussion was, "Are they going to cancel the Lutheran Hour too?"
What was playing out in this setting was something I've suspected -- and this is, of course, a generational, not an all inclusive diagnostic. Issues is a generational thing. It's attraction was to the technologically savvy, generally meaning younger generations.
If that's the case, why was something that was so effectively reaching the lost yanked from the airwaves?
I knew I'd have to change the link to Issues on my sidebar eventually and so it is done now.
I've been reading A Seminary in Crisis by Paul A. Zimmerman. Fascinating reading. As a convert to Lutheranism after marrying my dear hubby, I've heard so much about Seminex. This book is very enlightening and I highly recommend it for those intrigued about the LCMS's current situation. I'm learning new things all the time from this book.
One word to be familiar with is isagogics, which basically mean how you interpret Scripture. Another thing I'm learning is how worship reflects what you believe. I hope to post more as I read more.
March 22, 2008
Good Friday 2008
Although it's hard to pinpoint, it is suggested that our term "Good Friday" is a linguistic accident of the German "Gottes Freitag" (God's Friday), much the same way that "good bye" is a linquistic derivitive of "God be with you."
Homily in one sentence: Beneath the rubble of our doubt, crushed and trapped under the weight of our sin, Jesus willing died, in perfect love, to redeem us.
May your Easter vigil be filled with remembrances of His sacrifice.
Homily in one sentence: Beneath the rubble of our doubt, crushed and trapped under the weight of our sin, Jesus willing died, in perfect love, to redeem us.
May your Easter vigil be filled with remembrances of His sacrifice.
Maundy Thursday 2008
Thursday's services began with an opportunity to receive individual absolution. It made quite an impression on our 8-year old daughter. I am amazed at the connections she is making about faith and the life of our Savior.
Following the absolution, our Pastor said, "The God of peace will sanctify you wholly and keep your spirit, soul, and body sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. Go in peace." R said to me, "Jesus did it all for us." Yes, honey, He did!
The homily for Maundy Thursday (night of mandates/commands from Jesus to his disciples) reminded us specifically of His command to "Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you." And "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
The stripping of the Altar impressed upon R that the Lord was leaving us for a time, but that those who witnessed it didn't know or trust that He would return.
Following the absolution, our Pastor said, "The God of peace will sanctify you wholly and keep your spirit, soul, and body sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. Go in peace." R said to me, "Jesus did it all for us." Yes, honey, He did!
The homily for Maundy Thursday (night of mandates/commands from Jesus to his disciples) reminded us specifically of His command to "Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you." And "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
The stripping of the Altar impressed upon R that the Lord was leaving us for a time, but that those who witnessed it didn't know or trust that He would return.
March 8, 2008
Lenten Service Wednesday
Our Pastor gave an interesting sermon about two disciples during Christ's trial, from Matthew 26:69 to 27:10. I had not considered this passage before in this way.
He noted Peter's behavior in his three denials of Jesus. The first two being to slave girls whose standing in society were minimal. In his third denial he curse an oath upon himself and weeps bitterly as he leaves.
He also noted Judas' behavior, which only Matthew records. Judas repents as he returns the blood money. He confesses his sin to the chief priests and elders. They do not care.
At this point, our Pastor notes, both men are traitors.
Judas sought forgiveness where it could not be found and in his despondency in facing his sin alone, he hangs himself.
Where do you go to find forgiveness and hope? It can only be found in Jesus. Our bound, condemned, beaten and hung Jesus, who defeated death and rose again.
GO -- go to the places Jesus promises to be! Word and sacrament.
Amen.
He noted Peter's behavior in his three denials of Jesus. The first two being to slave girls whose standing in society were minimal. In his third denial he curse an oath upon himself and weeps bitterly as he leaves.
He also noted Judas' behavior, which only Matthew records. Judas repents as he returns the blood money. He confesses his sin to the chief priests and elders. They do not care.
At this point, our Pastor notes, both men are traitors.
Judas sought forgiveness where it could not be found and in his despondency in facing his sin alone, he hangs himself.
Where do you go to find forgiveness and hope? It can only be found in Jesus. Our bound, condemned, beaten and hung Jesus, who defeated death and rose again.
GO -- go to the places Jesus promises to be! Word and sacrament.
Amen.
March 2, 2008
Familiarity with Hymns
R really enjoyed the hymns at church today as she was so familiar with two of them!
She really belted it out to "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" (LSB 575) and "Go, My Children, with My Blessing" (LSB 922). The last hymn we used to sing her to sleep with when she was an infant.
I enjoyed the hymn "Your Table I Approach" (LSB 628, quoted below) today. What we sing should reflect our theology and this hymn does that.
"Your table I approach; Dear Savior, hear my prayer.
Let not an unrepentant heart prove hurtful to me there.
Lord, I confess my sins, and mourn their wretched bands;
A contrite heart is sure to find forgiveness at Your hands.
Your body and Your blood, once slain and shed for me;
Are taken at Your table, Lord, in blest reality.
Search not how this takes place, this wonderous mystery;
God can accomplish vastly more than what we think could be.
O grant, most blessed Lord, that earth and hell combined
May not about this sacrament raise doubt within my mind.
Oh, amy I never fail to thank You day and night
For Your true body and true blood, O God, my peace and light."
I pray that this will give us the inspiration to continue to teach R hymns at home!
She really belted it out to "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" (LSB 575) and "Go, My Children, with My Blessing" (LSB 922). The last hymn we used to sing her to sleep with when she was an infant.
I enjoyed the hymn "Your Table I Approach" (LSB 628, quoted below) today. What we sing should reflect our theology and this hymn does that.
"Your table I approach; Dear Savior, hear my prayer.
Let not an unrepentant heart prove hurtful to me there.
Lord, I confess my sins, and mourn their wretched bands;
A contrite heart is sure to find forgiveness at Your hands.
Your body and Your blood, once slain and shed for me;
Are taken at Your table, Lord, in blest reality.
Search not how this takes place, this wonderous mystery;
God can accomplish vastly more than what we think could be.
O grant, most blessed Lord, that earth and hell combined
May not about this sacrament raise doubt within my mind.
Oh, amy I never fail to thank You day and night
For Your true body and true blood, O God, my peace and light."
I pray that this will give us the inspiration to continue to teach R hymns at home!
4th Sunday in Lent -- I Am the Light of the World
I've been rather remise in posting sermons synopses lately. And considering that we've been having mid-week Lenten services, I've missed the opportunity twice a week for a while!
Christ being the Light of the World was enhanced by the cloud cover we experienced this morning and the short, furious snowfall that occured right before our divine service began.
Today's sermon focused on the Gospel reading from John 9:1-41 where we learn about blindness in various forms - actual and spiritual. Pastor likened the blind man's experiences to "A Day in the Life of..." He reminded us of the coffee table book that came out in 1986 where over 200 photographers all took pictures on the same day in various parts of America. Since there there have been many other books in that series.
So the blind man's first snapshot is where Jesus has placed mud upon his eyes and tells him to wash in the Siloam. The second snapshot is where neighbors are questioning the man and not believing that it was really him who used to sit and beg and was blind. The third snapshot is of the Pharisees as they declare that Jesus could not be a man of God as He doesn't keep the Sabbath. They surely must have ignored those promises of sight and hearing from the Lord in Exodus 4, Psalm 146 and Isaiah 35. The fourth snapshot is of the parents of the blind man, who won't quite go as far as saying that their son's sight has been restored by Jesus Christ out of fear of being expelled from the synagogue. The final snapshot is of the formerly blind man before the Pharisees again, asking if they would be Jesus' disciples too. How impertinent they must have thought him to be as they cast him out of the synagogue!
The Pharisees are blind to their own sin and knew that only God could restore sight. They abide in darkness that only the Son of God can enlighten. We are often blind to our own sins as well.
At the end Pastor reminded us to live in the light of His love and forgiveness and to share it with those around us.
February 22, 2008
Wittenberg Trail, website commercial redo
A tweaked version, with better music at the end and some explanations throughout.
January 28, 2008
Fishers of Men
Our Pastor's sermon yesterday might have been called "Fishers of Men."
He posited about a club of fishermen who used to fish. They would gather and talk an awful lot about fishing, formed committees to carry on their club business and even hired staff. As time when on though, nobody was actually fishing anymore. History shows that they used to fish at every opportunity, even with those whom they didn't like.
As time went on, they began to focus on scandal, strife and being scared. They doubtfully questioned, "Was God closer to them than He is to us?" Have we become "keepers of the aquarium instead of fishermen?"
How can this change? We start by repenting and forgiving others as He has forgiven us. We continue by remembering all that He has done for us. Then we remember that you cannot catch fish if your line isn't in the water.
He posited about a club of fishermen who used to fish. They would gather and talk an awful lot about fishing, formed committees to carry on their club business and even hired staff. As time when on though, nobody was actually fishing anymore. History shows that they used to fish at every opportunity, even with those whom they didn't like.
As time went on, they began to focus on scandal, strife and being scared. They doubtfully questioned, "Was God closer to them than He is to us?" Have we become "keepers of the aquarium instead of fishermen?"
How can this change? We start by repenting and forgiving others as He has forgiven us. We continue by remembering all that He has done for us. Then we remember that you cannot catch fish if your line isn't in the water.
January 6, 2008
The Epiphany of our Lord
Pastor's sermon today was about Darkness and Light. He reminded us of how the world began, and in the darkness there was no life. After the Lord spoke the light into being, then we had life.
Epiphany is a reminder that God has called us to rise and shine from the darkness.
We can live lives of quiet desperation, and we can try to look to the government, schools, technological or medical advances to save us. But we will still deal with our sinful brokeness which seperates us from God. We need to turn to Jesus' light, love and forgiveness to redeem us.
Like florescent lights which need to be close to a source of light to absorb the energy and light so that it can reflect that light and energy, we need to be close to the Lord via Christian fellowship, worship, daily Bible reading, etc. so that His light can be reflected through us. We need to be forgiving, prayerful, thankful, kind, living pure and holy lives and let our speech reflect our beliefs. Of course, will fail to do all of that, but we are still forgiven, redeemed and loved by God because of Christ and Him crucified.
My favorite hymn from today was Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, LSB 394. I especially like the last stanza:
Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord,
Present in Thy holy Word --
Grace to imitate Thee now
And be pure, as pure art Thou;
That we might become like Thee
At Thy great epiphany
And may praise Thee, ever blest
God in man made manifest.
Epiphany is a reminder that God has called us to rise and shine from the darkness.
We can live lives of quiet desperation, and we can try to look to the government, schools, technological or medical advances to save us. But we will still deal with our sinful brokeness which seperates us from God. We need to turn to Jesus' light, love and forgiveness to redeem us.
Like florescent lights which need to be close to a source of light to absorb the energy and light so that it can reflect that light and energy, we need to be close to the Lord via Christian fellowship, worship, daily Bible reading, etc. so that His light can be reflected through us. We need to be forgiving, prayerful, thankful, kind, living pure and holy lives and let our speech reflect our beliefs. Of course, will fail to do all of that, but we are still forgiven, redeemed and loved by God because of Christ and Him crucified.
My favorite hymn from today was Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, LSB 394. I especially like the last stanza:
Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord,
Present in Thy holy Word --
Grace to imitate Thee now
And be pure, as pure art Thou;
That we might become like Thee
At Thy great epiphany
And may praise Thee, ever blest
God in man made manifest.
Pastor Wangerin
Pastor Walter M. Wangerin passed away in his sleep on December 30th, 2007.
He and his wife, Virginia, have been welcome members of our congregation for years.
They made a moving and special gift to our church several years ago which reflects Pastor Wangerin's lifelong motto, "Remember your baptism." Next time I'm at church during the day, I'll take a photo to share with you.
Instead of sharing with you the various ways that Pastor Wangerin served his ordination vows, I'd like to share some personal remembrances with you.
First, he and Virginia were always together and their loving devotion to each other was touching.
Wanting to be connected to the church and its members, they both were part of the prayer circle until health prevented it. But even then, somehow they found out the prayer concerns and Pastor Wangerin had the habit of wearing a trail in the carpet while he paced and prayed. This impressive habit and his utter reliance upon prayer was of great inspiration to the rest of our congregation.
When they were able, their attendance at our church was filled with joy. They were not ones to complain or talk of their ailments or how time robbed them of the things they used to do. Instead, they joyfully and purposefully sought out the youth and asked them questions about what was going on in their lives. They patiently listened and asked more questions showing that they were engaged in what was being discussed and cared.
Pastor Wangerin was the author of various books (as is his son, Walt Jr.). We have used Pastor Wangerin's books throughout our homeschooling to teach the catechism to our children and to ground them firmly in their faith. I remember the time when we first shared this with Pastor Wangerin and his response was one of genuine surprise. Of course, with his usual humility, he wanted to credit the Lord for it. The Lord used Pastor Wangerin to bless us, and we are very grateful for that.
Pastor Wangerin's funeral service was yesterday, and as we partook of the Lord's supper today at church, I thought that Pastor Wangerin is now enjoying the feast with Jesus and that one day we will too. I am so glad to have known him and for the wonderful example he was to all of us.
Please remember Virginia and his six living children and many grandchildren in your prayers.
He and his wife, Virginia, have been welcome members of our congregation for years.
They made a moving and special gift to our church several years ago which reflects Pastor Wangerin's lifelong motto, "Remember your baptism." Next time I'm at church during the day, I'll take a photo to share with you.
Instead of sharing with you the various ways that Pastor Wangerin served his ordination vows, I'd like to share some personal remembrances with you.
First, he and Virginia were always together and their loving devotion to each other was touching.
Wanting to be connected to the church and its members, they both were part of the prayer circle until health prevented it. But even then, somehow they found out the prayer concerns and Pastor Wangerin had the habit of wearing a trail in the carpet while he paced and prayed. This impressive habit and his utter reliance upon prayer was of great inspiration to the rest of our congregation.
When they were able, their attendance at our church was filled with joy. They were not ones to complain or talk of their ailments or how time robbed them of the things they used to do. Instead, they joyfully and purposefully sought out the youth and asked them questions about what was going on in their lives. They patiently listened and asked more questions showing that they were engaged in what was being discussed and cared.
Pastor Wangerin was the author of various books (as is his son, Walt Jr.). We have used Pastor Wangerin's books throughout our homeschooling to teach the catechism to our children and to ground them firmly in their faith. I remember the time when we first shared this with Pastor Wangerin and his response was one of genuine surprise. Of course, with his usual humility, he wanted to credit the Lord for it. The Lord used Pastor Wangerin to bless us, and we are very grateful for that.
Pastor Wangerin's funeral service was yesterday, and as we partook of the Lord's supper today at church, I thought that Pastor Wangerin is now enjoying the feast with Jesus and that one day we will too. I am so glad to have known him and for the wonderful example he was to all of us.
Please remember Virginia and his six living children and many grandchildren in your prayers.
December 17, 2007
3rd Sunday in Advent
I've been rather negligent in posting about our Pastor's sermons lately.
Yesterday's sermon was quite interesting. It was about patience and based on the epistle reading from James 5:7-11. Isn't it interesting how many people can hear the same thing and think, "Was he a fly on our wall this week?" It just points out that the depravity of men's hearts is everywhere. Sin is pervasive. But so is God's love and forgiveness, if we cling to it in faith.
As we concluded singing "When John Sat in Prison" and settled in for the sermon we waited for Pastor to begin speaking. He stood up and looked like he might begin. He looked throughout the assembled congregation but spoke nary a word. This continued for some time. I was amazed at how quiet it got. Not even coughing or rumpling of bulletins could be heard. Since we sit near the back I noticed some squirming in seats -- mostly by the adults (we have so few children in our parish anyway).
Finally Pastor began to speak and he started by saying that it's hard to be patient. Then he asked how long we thought he had paused there. There were guesses of one minute and two minutes. He said it was two minutes. Then he asked if it felt longer. Our youngest blurted out, "It felt like five minutes!" After that he said he thought of doing it for four minutes but he didn't think we could take it. :-)
Pastor shared different scenarios of how we can be impatient because of circumstances, as well as everyday things. He likened patience to a substance we carry in a tank on our backs and expell as we dole out patience so much so that at certain times it seems the tank is empty and we have no more patience to expend. Then we blow it and remove all doubt that our patience is gone.
Then Pastor shared about how our prayers can become like a gift list we hand to Santa expecting it to be fulfilled on our timetable and in our own way. But our ways are not God's ways and His timing is perfect.
Pastor reminded us of Jeremiah and Isaiah, as James makes mention of (not directly, but as prophets) in the epistle reading, who were patient (not perfectly) despite incoveniences and that in faith they clung to God through it all. Were they happy about circumstances? No. But they clung to the Lord anyway.
Pastor asked, "Why should we be patient?" He answered, because the Lord is patient with us. He doesn't loose his patience with our sinfulness, as we continue to commit the same old, sorry sins over and over and over again. God is patient because Jesus bore our sins on the tree. Claimed as His in baptism, we remember what He has done for us.
Yesterday's sermon was quite interesting. It was about patience and based on the epistle reading from James 5:7-11. Isn't it interesting how many people can hear the same thing and think, "Was he a fly on our wall this week?" It just points out that the depravity of men's hearts is everywhere. Sin is pervasive. But so is God's love and forgiveness, if we cling to it in faith.
As we concluded singing "When John Sat in Prison" and settled in for the sermon we waited for Pastor to begin speaking. He stood up and looked like he might begin. He looked throughout the assembled congregation but spoke nary a word. This continued for some time. I was amazed at how quiet it got. Not even coughing or rumpling of bulletins could be heard. Since we sit near the back I noticed some squirming in seats -- mostly by the adults (we have so few children in our parish anyway).
Finally Pastor began to speak and he started by saying that it's hard to be patient. Then he asked how long we thought he had paused there. There were guesses of one minute and two minutes. He said it was two minutes. Then he asked if it felt longer. Our youngest blurted out, "It felt like five minutes!" After that he said he thought of doing it for four minutes but he didn't think we could take it. :-)
Pastor shared different scenarios of how we can be impatient because of circumstances, as well as everyday things. He likened patience to a substance we carry in a tank on our backs and expell as we dole out patience so much so that at certain times it seems the tank is empty and we have no more patience to expend. Then we blow it and remove all doubt that our patience is gone.
Then Pastor shared about how our prayers can become like a gift list we hand to Santa expecting it to be fulfilled on our timetable and in our own way. But our ways are not God's ways and His timing is perfect.
Pastor reminded us of Jeremiah and Isaiah, as James makes mention of (not directly, but as prophets) in the epistle reading, who were patient (not perfectly) despite incoveniences and that in faith they clung to God through it all. Were they happy about circumstances? No. But they clung to the Lord anyway.
Pastor asked, "Why should we be patient?" He answered, because the Lord is patient with us. He doesn't loose his patience with our sinfulness, as we continue to commit the same old, sorry sins over and over and over again. God is patient because Jesus bore our sins on the tree. Claimed as His in baptism, we remember what He has done for us.
December 2, 2007
1st Sunday in Advent
Anticipating the birth of our Lord, while we also anticipate His return!
So the church was all decorated with evergreens today and they smell awesome! I love the simplicity of them, and yet the festive appearance of them.
This is our Pastor's first advent with us, and he chose to go with blue vestments and paraments. The advent candles are all blue, except, of course, the Christ candle is white.
The sermon was excellent. It always sounds a bit odd to say that, though, as if my opinion on his sermon matters. This pastor can certainly weave together points well and make pertinent points that I recall during the week and are salient to my life.
Today's sermon was based on Matthew 21 from the three-year lectionary, series A. Pastor started out by telling us about a successful king. A beloved king. A king who tried to honor God. This king was King David. He told us about his son. His son whose jealousy caused him to kill his brother and so he was banished from the city for awhile. Upon his return, Absalom purposefully set out to undermine his father and take his place. Eventually, Alsalom won the hearts of the citizens and David and his court had to flee. David, in his brokenness, set out to climb the Mount of Olives in his bare feet with his head covered, reflecting on his own imperfections and sins. Wondering, "Where did I go wrong?" Parents of all generations have wondered this same question.
Then Pastor started talking about how especially at this time of year, we have expectations of how things will go. We dream of and plan for a perfect gathering of friends and family. The world offers us its solutions to our problems. Whole marketing campaigns are centered around convincing us that their products will make us happy, will make us youthful, will solve our problems, cure our loneliness. But the world's answers are vapid and vane and vapor. The good news comes instead from the Gospel, such as Matthew 21. We see our King as He comes from the Mount of Olives, the same place where David wept. Christ comes to provide for us, not for Himself. Christ will also be driven out, as was David, but Christ won't reject His father as Absalom did. Jesus hung between the earth and heaven on a tree, as did Absalom, but Christ bridges the gap. Christ will be pierced by a sword, as was Absalom, but in Christ's brokenness is our life. And Christ comes to us in bread and wine offering peace, forgiveness and life.
So behold your King, He is coming to you, giving to you comfort that the world cannot offer.
Blessed is the name of the Lord.
So the church was all decorated with evergreens today and they smell awesome! I love the simplicity of them, and yet the festive appearance of them.
This is our Pastor's first advent with us, and he chose to go with blue vestments and paraments. The advent candles are all blue, except, of course, the Christ candle is white.
The sermon was excellent. It always sounds a bit odd to say that, though, as if my opinion on his sermon matters. This pastor can certainly weave together points well and make pertinent points that I recall during the week and are salient to my life.
Today's sermon was based on Matthew 21 from the three-year lectionary, series A. Pastor started out by telling us about a successful king. A beloved king. A king who tried to honor God. This king was King David. He told us about his son. His son whose jealousy caused him to kill his brother and so he was banished from the city for awhile. Upon his return, Absalom purposefully set out to undermine his father and take his place. Eventually, Alsalom won the hearts of the citizens and David and his court had to flee. David, in his brokenness, set out to climb the Mount of Olives in his bare feet with his head covered, reflecting on his own imperfections and sins. Wondering, "Where did I go wrong?" Parents of all generations have wondered this same question.
Then Pastor started talking about how especially at this time of year, we have expectations of how things will go. We dream of and plan for a perfect gathering of friends and family. The world offers us its solutions to our problems. Whole marketing campaigns are centered around convincing us that their products will make us happy, will make us youthful, will solve our problems, cure our loneliness. But the world's answers are vapid and vane and vapor. The good news comes instead from the Gospel, such as Matthew 21. We see our King as He comes from the Mount of Olives, the same place where David wept. Christ comes to provide for us, not for Himself. Christ will also be driven out, as was David, but Christ won't reject His father as Absalom did. Jesus hung between the earth and heaven on a tree, as did Absalom, but Christ bridges the gap. Christ will be pierced by a sword, as was Absalom, but in Christ's brokenness is our life. And Christ comes to us in bread and wine offering peace, forgiveness and life.
So behold your King, He is coming to you, giving to you comfort that the world cannot offer.
Blessed is the name of the Lord.
November 22, 2007
Good Evening People of God
Our Pastor greets us each service by addressing us as "People of God." He does this was a huge grin on his face.
His sermon last night, at our Thanksgiving Eve Service, was based on the text 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
He began by telling us the story of Felix Powell, who along with this brother, George, authored the World War I song, "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag." (Thanks to my Mom and her fabulous repertoire of songs, I was familiar with that song.)
The last lines of the chorus are:
What’s the use of worrying?
It never was worth while, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,
And smile, smile, smile.
Well, despite this cheery refrain, Felix's life was one of disappointment and he ended it by killing himself in 1942.
Pastor reminded us of various situations where we "smile, smile, smile" because that's what's expected even though we may not feel like it. As I've often heard my husband say (although Reader's Digest currently is crediting Kevin Costner with it), "Second place is just the first looser." Pastor recalled how he supposed the first runner-up in the Miss America pagent might feel. It was quite comical and made us laugh out loud (yes, in a Lutheran church!) :-)
Then, just for emphasis, he reminded us, twice, that "you have committed no sin for which Christ's blood has not cleansed you." Christ is "with us always" to comfort, heal, encourage, and to ease our burden of sin.
Then he shared with us situtuations where he personally knows of people keeping their focus on "giving thanks in all circumstances" which doesn't necessarily mean we like the circumstances, but that we remember to thank God for everything and we ask him to "increase our faith and help our disbelief." (Luke 17:5 and Mark 9:24)
He ended with telling us it isn't enough for us to "pack up our troubles in our old kit bag and smile, smile, smile" we need God. He alone will preserve us.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
His sermon last night, at our Thanksgiving Eve Service, was based on the text 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
He began by telling us the story of Felix Powell, who along with this brother, George, authored the World War I song, "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag." (Thanks to my Mom and her fabulous repertoire of songs, I was familiar with that song.)
The last lines of the chorus are:
What’s the use of worrying?
It never was worth while, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,
And smile, smile, smile.
Well, despite this cheery refrain, Felix's life was one of disappointment and he ended it by killing himself in 1942.
Pastor reminded us of various situations where we "smile, smile, smile" because that's what's expected even though we may not feel like it. As I've often heard my husband say (although Reader's Digest currently is crediting Kevin Costner with it), "Second place is just the first looser." Pastor recalled how he supposed the first runner-up in the Miss America pagent might feel. It was quite comical and made us laugh out loud (yes, in a Lutheran church!) :-)
Then, just for emphasis, he reminded us, twice, that "you have committed no sin for which Christ's blood has not cleansed you." Christ is "with us always" to comfort, heal, encourage, and to ease our burden of sin.
Then he shared with us situtuations where he personally knows of people keeping their focus on "giving thanks in all circumstances" which doesn't necessarily mean we like the circumstances, but that we remember to thank God for everything and we ask him to "increase our faith and help our disbelief." (Luke 17:5 and Mark 9:24)
He ended with telling us it isn't enough for us to "pack up our troubles in our old kit bag and smile, smile, smile" we need God. He alone will preserve us.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
November 20, 2007
Sunday's Sermon...
...was based on the Old Testament Reading from Malachi chapter 4 verses 1 to 6. These are the last verses of the Old Testament and ones I've heard often through the years.
Our Pastor talked about the different routes we can take in life and the warnings that are evident along those routes. Warnings that should point us back to Christ and our need for Him.
The book of Malachi is a warning to people who have arrogantly disregarded God's Word about the coming judgment. Malachi, God's prophet in Jerusalem, warns that there is no middle ground. You either obey God's Word or you don't. (This reminded me of the church in Laodicea who were lukewarm and were told they would be vomited out due to their inability to be hot or cold.)
It's so easy to compartmentalize our lives and value our earthly possessions more than we should, but even so, we cannot avoid the judgment day and the everlasting consequences of that. Thankfully our Savior, Jesus Christ, has paid the penalty for us and we can know the peace that surpasses all understanding, trusting fully in His promises.
Our Pastor talked about the different routes we can take in life and the warnings that are evident along those routes. Warnings that should point us back to Christ and our need for Him.
The book of Malachi is a warning to people who have arrogantly disregarded God's Word about the coming judgment. Malachi, God's prophet in Jerusalem, warns that there is no middle ground. You either obey God's Word or you don't. (This reminded me of the church in Laodicea who were lukewarm and were told they would be vomited out due to their inability to be hot or cold.)
It's so easy to compartmentalize our lives and value our earthly possessions more than we should, but even so, we cannot avoid the judgment day and the everlasting consequences of that. Thankfully our Savior, Jesus Christ, has paid the penalty for us and we can know the peace that surpasses all understanding, trusting fully in His promises.
November 11, 2007
24th Sunday after Pentecost
My problems with sciatic pain kept me home from church today. So this report is from hubby:
Sermon based on Old Testament reading from Exodus 3:1-15.
Moses had been enlisted into God's plan to save Israel, but he had to leave Egypt and wander before returning to work God's plan.
We wander in our lives also, missing opportunities with God.
God acts and provides for us -- this is Good News! The great "I Am" will be with you ALWAYS.
Although we are slaves to sin, God's promise through Jesus releases us from punishment.
Sermon based on Old Testament reading from Exodus 3:1-15.
Moses had been enlisted into God's plan to save Israel, but he had to leave Egypt and wander before returning to work God's plan.
We wander in our lives also, missing opportunities with God.
God acts and provides for us -- this is Good News! The great "I Am" will be with you ALWAYS.
Although we are slaves to sin, God's promise through Jesus releases us from punishment.
November 5, 2007
Church Yesterday
We have a long-time tradition in our church of hanging silver or gold discs in our church with the names of the saints on them, a seperate disc for each member of our parish. The gold discs are for those who have gone onto the church triumphant and the silver for those still with us. They hang from fishing wire and are at different lengths. They twist around and look a lot like stars. We leave them up until Advent.
After the gospel reading, we sang Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, LSB 700. Well, I couldn't sing that song. It was one my mother taught me as a child, and certain songs since her advancement to the church triumphant almost 7 years ago, still bring back memories so vivid and I just can't sing them. That reminds me of a post Susan once did, about singing because others can't sometimes.
Pastor's sermon yesterday was from Revelation 7 concerning the hopelessness of this world and the hope-filled world to come to those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. We have a member of our parish whose wife of over 50-years died last year. Watching his face during this verse you could see the palpable pain he still experiences at being seperated from his wife. And yet, you can also see the pain subside as he is comforted by the gospel message. What a lovely and wonderful example of faithfulness he is. We have several members like that in our congregation. They hunger and thirst to learn more during Bible study, which they continue to attend year after year!
The sixth verse of For All the Saints, LSB 677, fills me with sober thought as I recall those who have come to their final rest.
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
After the gospel reading, we sang Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, LSB 700. Well, I couldn't sing that song. It was one my mother taught me as a child, and certain songs since her advancement to the church triumphant almost 7 years ago, still bring back memories so vivid and I just can't sing them. That reminds me of a post Susan once did, about singing because others can't sometimes.
Pastor's sermon yesterday was from Revelation 7 concerning the hopelessness of this world and the hope-filled world to come to those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. We have a member of our parish whose wife of over 50-years died last year. Watching his face during this verse you could see the palpable pain he still experiences at being seperated from his wife. And yet, you can also see the pain subside as he is comforted by the gospel message. What a lovely and wonderful example of faithfulness he is. We have several members like that in our congregation. They hunger and thirst to learn more during Bible study, which they continue to attend year after year!
The sixth verse of For All the Saints, LSB 677, fills me with sober thought as I recall those who have come to their final rest.
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
October 31, 2007
Is the Reformation Still Relevant?
That was the title I would give my Pastor's sermon this past Sunday, from the epistle lesson Romans 3:19-28, as it was a question he asked near the beginning.
Reminding us of the good life we enjoy as Americans, and the false belief that if we're "good enough" we'll go to heaven, he posited that we still face the same issues of righteousness and certainty that plagued people in Luther's time.
He proclaimed the good news that we are justified by Christ's atoning death and resurrection and encouraged us to rely upon the Word of God not popular notions, answers or "feel good" theology.
Grace alone saves!
Reminding us of the good life we enjoy as Americans, and the false belief that if we're "good enough" we'll go to heaven, he posited that we still face the same issues of righteousness and certainty that plagued people in Luther's time.
He proclaimed the good news that we are justified by Christ's atoning death and resurrection and encouraged us to rely upon the Word of God not popular notions, answers or "feel good" theology.
Grace alone saves!
October 21, 2007
Church Today
When we awoke this morning , it was to a tiny blanket of snow. The trees look so pristine and beautiful with just a dusting of snow.
On the way to church as we traveled through still falling snow, R says, "It looks like we're getting attacked by a bunch of little minions." :-)
Our Pastor's sermon was about Jacob. First off, we can't figure out how he left the pulpit and got to the sacristy. As he started his sermon from the back of the nave, he was limping. Many of us thought it was from dancing at last night's Reformation celebration. But no, he was just imitating Jacob after he had wrestled with God and acquired a permanent reminder of that evening.
Wrestling with God is a serious business and we do it too often. Questioning what He has said and done and trying to put our human reasoning around it, or justifying our own sinful behaviors by trying to twist His Word.
But even in his deviousness, God blessed Jacob, and He blesses us in our continued state of sin too!
Towards the end of Pastor's sermon, he talks about the reunion that Esau and Jacob have and that it was warm and affectionate, with them kissing and hugging. R lets out an audible, "ew!" because she thinks guys kissing guys is gross. Well, at least we know she was listening to the sermon...
Not having been raised Lutheran, but converting after being married, there are times when I feel a bit left out of the "little secrets clues." Our church doesn't have communion every week, but every other week instead.
Since we were in the back of the nave, as usual, being the short person I am, I couldn't see if there was communion or not. I was asking S to look as she is taller than I, and my hubby leaned over and said, "Yes we are having communion because the candles on the altar are lit." I looked up and sure enough, ALL the candles were lit. I always wondered why sometimes the two candles closest to the Bible aren't lit some Sundays. Now I know, and I'm feeling this is a very "duh" moment because I never put the two things together.
I was wondering if someone was at church today as we gathered up our coats to leave, and I asked hubby if he had seen her. He said, yes, she was the one "canting." (Cheryl, I thought you'd like that one.) Since then we've been discussing what the proper term is for someone who is a cantor. Is it that they cant? Then we morphed that into the woodchuck thing: How much cant would a cantor cant if a cantor could cant cant? We have a warped sense of humor around here! ;-)
October 15, 2007
One Kitty, Two Kitty, Please NO MORE!
Last week as we were loading up the car to take our foray into the Colorado Rockies, we were greeted by a friendly kitty on our front porch. It was playful and meowing with a tiny voice, sweet and yet stand-offish as cats are known to be.
When we were living in Arizona and had finally settled into a more country setting in Black Canyon City, we decided to get a kitten. The trouble was, when we went to pick out said kitten we took the kids with us. We encountered a desperate owner who had been found out by her landlord that she had pets when she was not supposed to. She faced eviction if she did not get rid of the animals by the week's end. (It was Thursday.) The children found a kitten that they wanted, and then the lady begged us to take the others and the mother so that they would have a good home. This amounted to four cats. We caved and took them all.
Traveling home with them in the car, our oldest, S, who was 7 at the time, began to wheeze some. Since she had asthma we weren't too concerned. The children were delighted and played with the three little kittens and their mother all night.
The next morning, S, was having trouble breathing and her eyes were swollen shut. A trip to the ER confirmed our fear -- she was allergic to cats. By the time I got back and got settled I started calling everyone we knew in the tiny community and from our former location in Phoeniz. I called every animal rescue/shelter listed in the phone book. No one could take the cats, or if they could, they would exterminate them in 24-hours if not adopted.
This was heart-wrenching. My husband took the animals to the nearest animal shelter while I was left with two grieving girls and the clean-up.
To minimize the exposure to the daughter who was allergic, we had put all four cats into our small laundry room where they could be contained and put the cat box and their food and water in there. After they were gone, I vacuumed the room top to bottom and then cleaned it all with bleach. Still it smelled of cats. So I put several candles on top of the dryer. I opened a small window and closed door to the room.
The wind must have blowed over the empty laundry baskets on top of the washer and they started to melt from the candles which in turn caused a small fire which melted a knob on the dryer.
We were around a corner in the house but S thought something wasn't right and she discovered the fire. She screamed that we should call 911... we lived just blocks from the volunteer fire department. I grabbed the fire extinguisher from under the sink in the kitchen and blasted away. It was quickly out. Whew.
Now I had so much more to clean up as the yellow dusty remains from the fire extinguisher were EVERYWHERE. Anyone whose had to clean up after using a fire extinguisher knows the tedious task well.
The kitten we encountered last week visited us on Tuesday in our back yard. We fed it some milk and cooked ground beef. When my husband got home and the girls all reported about the kitten to him, he said we cannot have kittens because it leads to fires. Funny guy.
No one in the neighborhood knows if someone around here has recently attained new kittens or had a cat that just had kittens.
Saturday, late in the afternoon, we encountered the kitten again in our back yard. We feed it again, this time milk and chicken. Then, we discovered that it wasn't one but two kittens as another emerged from the bushes, obviously smelling the food. We fed it the same as the other kitten.
I'm not that fond of cats, never have been. But these kittens took my bleeding heart away and I felt such compassion for them. Who could abandon them? And now, Saturday evening's forcast was for wet, cold weather. Indeed the cold rain with a north wind behind it started about 9 pm. Of course we couldn't bring the kittens into the house, but we were all concerned for their safety.
We set up a bed of sorts in the covered area we call the well by our laundry room door. This area is covered on three sides, has six steps down to reach the door from our back yard. It usually stores a small but odd assortment of outdoor toys such as scooters and skates so they aren't in the hot sun. In the winter those items go into a shed. We took a tobagan and put an old afghan into it and put it down in the "well" for the kittens. We enticed them into it with more food and milk. One kitten by now comes when we call, "here kitty, kitty, kitty!" The other one is a bit more skittish and skeptical and takes quite a bit of coaxing to get it in there. Of course it won't do to try to touch the second kitty but the first one enjoys being petted.
We are all relieved when both kitten are in the "well" and look as if they are hunkered down for the night.
We had a bit of a nagging concern that there are foxes in our neighborhood and other cats and who knows what else that might attack the kittens. Everyone checks on the kittens before retiring for the evening. Their are curled up into tiny balls, right next to each other and sleeping soundly. This helps all of us to sleep soundly.
Sunday morning my husband is the first to arise and the first thing he does is check on the kittens, who are both sleeping still next to each other. Each one checks on the kittens upon arising.
Late in the morning, after church, we feed the kittens again, milk and a little cooked ground beef. They have hearty appetites. All the children are now making regular treks to the back yard to play with, pick up and exerience the joy of kittens! They have named them -- Calypso and Anna Maria. Oh no. They cleverly keep this fact from their father and I for most of the day.
Hubby, though, knowing that Dream Power cannot take the kittens until Tuesday, buys kitten food and the kittens are now not feasting on our meat left-overs but on store-bought kitty chow. He suggests that Anna Maria's name be changed to Chipper as that kitten reminds him of a cat he had as a youngster whose name was Chipper.
It was cold again last evening and so we enticed the kittens into the well before going to bed. By now they are familiar with it and seems to enjoy their bed.
This morning I broke down and made a toy for the kittens involving and old paddle ball and string and taught the girls about the preditory habits of cats and how fun it can be to play with them in that way.
I fear we are in serious trouble here for another round of tears and grieving when Dream Power comes tomorrow to take the kittens to host homes until they can be adopted. Being older and having experienced so much between this time and the last time this happened I am concerned that the emotional reserve that will be required to weather this is lacking.
That that brings me to pastor's sermon yesterday which was about Ruth. He talked about how Ruth and the circumstances of her life left her running on empty. And how we, in our secularized society with all its many demands, run on empty too. He said we are slaves to our society which demands that we do everything all at once and rush, rush, rush! If we take our comfort and solice in Christ instead of all these activities and their demands, then we can know His peace and comfort even when the pressures of our life seem overwhelming.
It is that peace and comfort, in His name, that I seek as we face this situation with the kittens who have obviously stolen all of our hearts. Meanwhile, we'll keep popping the Benedryl and Tagament and enjoy them while we are able to.
When we were living in Arizona and had finally settled into a more country setting in Black Canyon City, we decided to get a kitten. The trouble was, when we went to pick out said kitten we took the kids with us. We encountered a desperate owner who had been found out by her landlord that she had pets when she was not supposed to. She faced eviction if she did not get rid of the animals by the week's end. (It was Thursday.) The children found a kitten that they wanted, and then the lady begged us to take the others and the mother so that they would have a good home. This amounted to four cats. We caved and took them all.
Traveling home with them in the car, our oldest, S, who was 7 at the time, began to wheeze some. Since she had asthma we weren't too concerned. The children were delighted and played with the three little kittens and their mother all night.
The next morning, S, was having trouble breathing and her eyes were swollen shut. A trip to the ER confirmed our fear -- she was allergic to cats. By the time I got back and got settled I started calling everyone we knew in the tiny community and from our former location in Phoeniz. I called every animal rescue/shelter listed in the phone book. No one could take the cats, or if they could, they would exterminate them in 24-hours if not adopted.
This was heart-wrenching. My husband took the animals to the nearest animal shelter while I was left with two grieving girls and the clean-up.
To minimize the exposure to the daughter who was allergic, we had put all four cats into our small laundry room where they could be contained and put the cat box and their food and water in there. After they were gone, I vacuumed the room top to bottom and then cleaned it all with bleach. Still it smelled of cats. So I put several candles on top of the dryer. I opened a small window and closed door to the room.
The wind must have blowed over the empty laundry baskets on top of the washer and they started to melt from the candles which in turn caused a small fire which melted a knob on the dryer.
We were around a corner in the house but S thought something wasn't right and she discovered the fire. She screamed that we should call 911... we lived just blocks from the volunteer fire department. I grabbed the fire extinguisher from under the sink in the kitchen and blasted away. It was quickly out. Whew.
Now I had so much more to clean up as the yellow dusty remains from the fire extinguisher were EVERYWHERE. Anyone whose had to clean up after using a fire extinguisher knows the tedious task well.
The kitten we encountered last week visited us on Tuesday in our back yard. We fed it some milk and cooked ground beef. When my husband got home and the girls all reported about the kitten to him, he said we cannot have kittens because it leads to fires. Funny guy.
No one in the neighborhood knows if someone around here has recently attained new kittens or had a cat that just had kittens.
Saturday, late in the afternoon, we encountered the kitten again in our back yard. We feed it again, this time milk and chicken. Then, we discovered that it wasn't one but two kittens as another emerged from the bushes, obviously smelling the food. We fed it the same as the other kitten.
I'm not that fond of cats, never have been. But these kittens took my bleeding heart away and I felt such compassion for them. Who could abandon them? And now, Saturday evening's forcast was for wet, cold weather. Indeed the cold rain with a north wind behind it started about 9 pm. Of course we couldn't bring the kittens into the house, but we were all concerned for their safety.
We set up a bed of sorts in the covered area we call the well by our laundry room door. This area is covered on three sides, has six steps down to reach the door from our back yard. It usually stores a small but odd assortment of outdoor toys such as scooters and skates so they aren't in the hot sun. In the winter those items go into a shed. We took a tobagan and put an old afghan into it and put it down in the "well" for the kittens. We enticed them into it with more food and milk. One kitten by now comes when we call, "here kitty, kitty, kitty!" The other one is a bit more skittish and skeptical and takes quite a bit of coaxing to get it in there. Of course it won't do to try to touch the second kitty but the first one enjoys being petted.
We are all relieved when both kitten are in the "well" and look as if they are hunkered down for the night.
We had a bit of a nagging concern that there are foxes in our neighborhood and other cats and who knows what else that might attack the kittens. Everyone checks on the kittens before retiring for the evening. Their are curled up into tiny balls, right next to each other and sleeping soundly. This helps all of us to sleep soundly.
Sunday morning my husband is the first to arise and the first thing he does is check on the kittens, who are both sleeping still next to each other. Each one checks on the kittens upon arising.
Late in the morning, after church, we feed the kittens again, milk and a little cooked ground beef. They have hearty appetites. All the children are now making regular treks to the back yard to play with, pick up and exerience the joy of kittens! They have named them -- Calypso and Anna Maria. Oh no. They cleverly keep this fact from their father and I for most of the day.
Hubby, though, knowing that Dream Power cannot take the kittens until Tuesday, buys kitten food and the kittens are now not feasting on our meat left-overs but on store-bought kitty chow. He suggests that Anna Maria's name be changed to Chipper as that kitten reminds him of a cat he had as a youngster whose name was Chipper.
It was cold again last evening and so we enticed the kittens into the well before going to bed. By now they are familiar with it and seems to enjoy their bed.
This morning I broke down and made a toy for the kittens involving and old paddle ball and string and taught the girls about the preditory habits of cats and how fun it can be to play with them in that way.
I fear we are in serious trouble here for another round of tears and grieving when Dream Power comes tomorrow to take the kittens to host homes until they can be adopted. Being older and having experienced so much between this time and the last time this happened I am concerned that the emotional reserve that will be required to weather this is lacking.
That that brings me to pastor's sermon yesterday which was about Ruth. He talked about how Ruth and the circumstances of her life left her running on empty. And how we, in our secularized society with all its many demands, run on empty too. He said we are slaves to our society which demands that we do everything all at once and rush, rush, rush! If we take our comfort and solice in Christ instead of all these activities and their demands, then we can know His peace and comfort even when the pressures of our life seem overwhelming.
It is that peace and comfort, in His name, that I seek as we face this situation with the kittens who have obviously stolen all of our hearts. Meanwhile, we'll keep popping the Benedryl and Tagament and enjoy them while we are able to.
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