Merry Christmas!
What a great celebration last night with about 2450 people in attendance for the seven services. It was a remarkable tribute to the One who came to save.
I want to thank everyone who made the night happen. To the greeters who welcomed people into the building. To the ushers who helped them find a seat. To the musicians, many of whom did three or more services! And to the staff who filled in the gaps "where needed." The dedication is truly remarkable.
Fear not! For unto you. . .a savior!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The countdown has started and the excitement is building for Christmas Eve. I know it is going to be a busy and long night but I get so pumped for it that the evening passes by too quickly. I enjoy seeing people that I haven't seen for awhile. I love the music and the candlelight. And I love seeing God's house filled with people gathered in praise of what he has done for us this night.
In years past, I have given up preaching at the late worship service at 10:30 to let someone else preach. I figured that I would be tired and that many would be coming back at 10:30 for a duplicate service so I'd let them hear a different sermon. This year I'm changing it up a bit. This year I'm giving up the early service at 3:00 and preaching the rest through the 10:30. I'll grab a diet coke and a power bar. I'm really looking forward to this service. They all will be packed and exciting but there is something about the last worship service of the night that makes it special. You leave close to midnight as you bring in Christmas morning.
I am looking forward to worshipping with you on Christmas Eve and hear the promise spoken by the angel, "Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy. For to you is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord."
O come let us adore him!
In years past, I have given up preaching at the late worship service at 10:30 to let someone else preach. I figured that I would be tired and that many would be coming back at 10:30 for a duplicate service so I'd let them hear a different sermon. This year I'm changing it up a bit. This year I'm giving up the early service at 3:00 and preaching the rest through the 10:30. I'll grab a diet coke and a power bar. I'm really looking forward to this service. They all will be packed and exciting but there is something about the last worship service of the night that makes it special. You leave close to midnight as you bring in Christmas morning.
I am looking forward to worshipping with you on Christmas Eve and hear the promise spoken by the angel, "Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy. For to you is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord."
O come let us adore him!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tonight I'm going shopping--for about 150 people! It's not that my family and friends' list is that long. I'm joining the middle and senior high youth from Christ Lutheran. We are meeting tonight at 7:00 at the church and heading over to a Super K-Mart to buy Christmas gifts for families that may not otherwise have a Merry Christmas. After shopping for each child by name, gender, age and size we come back to the church and pull an all-nighter wrapping them (sans-Scott!)
Last year, Nathan had the opportunity to help deliver the presents and left-over trees. It was pretty eye-opening. He remembers going into one home, bringing in the tree and helping a boy about his age set it up in the living room. It was the only thing in the entire room. And then the presents came to the squealing delight of the younger siblings. It makes you realize just how much we have (and take for granted).
If you don't already know this, we have some great kids here at CLC. They love their church, enjoy hanging out with the youth, have some wonderful adult leaders and are making an impact on the world. These are the critical years to establish a rock-solid lifelong foundation.
I'm thrilled that tonight, I can lay just one of those stones for these kids.
Last year, Nathan had the opportunity to help deliver the presents and left-over trees. It was pretty eye-opening. He remembers going into one home, bringing in the tree and helping a boy about his age set it up in the living room. It was the only thing in the entire room. And then the presents came to the squealing delight of the younger siblings. It makes you realize just how much we have (and take for granted).
If you don't already know this, we have some great kids here at CLC. They love their church, enjoy hanging out with the youth, have some wonderful adult leaders and are making an impact on the world. These are the critical years to establish a rock-solid lifelong foundation.
I'm thrilled that tonight, I can lay just one of those stones for these kids.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I'm going out to do something today that I don't do nearly enough--visit the shut-in and bring home communion. They are so appreciative. There is no conversation about an ELCA vote or the volume of the music or the year end giving or worship times. We catch up (it's been several months), we hear the Christmas story (for one, the 93rd time!) and we share communion (this body broken, this blood shed.)
It is a welcomed time for me to take off the CEO hat, the manager hat, the fundraising hat and the public speaker hat to put on instead the simple hat of the shepherd tending to the sheep. During those times, I hear the familiar words of the Christmas story reminding us that "there was no room for them in the inn."
No room.
We value youth and health and mobility and vitality. Often, there is no room for anyone who has aged out of those categories. Such a shame. For in those visits today, I will once again hear the wisdom of age that flows from a faithful heart that longs to see the savior face to face.
And more times than not, death is not something to be feared. They have lost many to death and now, in the quietness of their little rooms, spend much time thinking of their own. For the most part, they are ready. God has been good and faithful so far and they trust him to continue in the life to come.
And so we pray, "Stir up your power, O Lord, and come!"
It is a welcomed time for me to take off the CEO hat, the manager hat, the fundraising hat and the public speaker hat to put on instead the simple hat of the shepherd tending to the sheep. During those times, I hear the familiar words of the Christmas story reminding us that "there was no room for them in the inn."
No room.
We value youth and health and mobility and vitality. Often, there is no room for anyone who has aged out of those categories. Such a shame. For in those visits today, I will once again hear the wisdom of age that flows from a faithful heart that longs to see the savior face to face.
And more times than not, death is not something to be feared. They have lost many to death and now, in the quietness of their little rooms, spend much time thinking of their own. For the most part, they are ready. God has been good and faithful so far and they trust him to continue in the life to come.
And so we pray, "Stir up your power, O Lord, and come!"
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The kids are coming back from college starting this week--not just my own but those from our congregation.
College is a vulnerable time for these young adults. Many go through a rebellious stage, questioning that Sunday School faith they once had. Could come from those seeds of doubt cast by their Philosophy professor or simply interacting with a diverse student body. Regardless of where this questioning flows from, we can all do our part to welcome them back home.
This welcoming is more than just a pleasant show of hospitality. When you reach out, pay attention, ask about their college experience, you are reconnecting them to the body of Christ. I say this with modesty, but Christ Lutheran is a very special and unique place. If this is their only experience with church, they are going to be disappointed and discouraged with what they find out there, if they are looking at all. Those services will seem boring, the people unfriendly, the church boring. When you engage with them during this short time back home at CLC, you are engaging them with the community of believers.
And if you find that some college kid close to you is really going through some tough, deep time of doubt and discernment, I would love to invite them out for a cup of coffee, talk about their experience, let them vent openly and help them remain connected during these college years. (And if not me, ask Neil or Chris or Troy or Mark!)
You are the body of Christ and these students are a part of us. Welcome home, college kids!
College is a vulnerable time for these young adults. Many go through a rebellious stage, questioning that Sunday School faith they once had. Could come from those seeds of doubt cast by their Philosophy professor or simply interacting with a diverse student body. Regardless of where this questioning flows from, we can all do our part to welcome them back home.
This welcoming is more than just a pleasant show of hospitality. When you reach out, pay attention, ask about their college experience, you are reconnecting them to the body of Christ. I say this with modesty, but Christ Lutheran is a very special and unique place. If this is their only experience with church, they are going to be disappointed and discouraged with what they find out there, if they are looking at all. Those services will seem boring, the people unfriendly, the church boring. When you engage with them during this short time back home at CLC, you are engaging them with the community of believers.
And if you find that some college kid close to you is really going through some tough, deep time of doubt and discernment, I would love to invite them out for a cup of coffee, talk about their experience, let them vent openly and help them remain connected during these college years. (And if not me, ask Neil or Chris or Troy or Mark!)
You are the body of Christ and these students are a part of us. Welcome home, college kids!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Church Council hosted a very nice breakfast on Tuesday to thank the staff for their dedication and hard work. I can tell you as one of those staff members, it was very much appreciated.
As part of the opening remarks, someone commented on how it seems many of our idols and heroes eventually fall from their pedestals to reveal their own feet of clay (The latest one in the news was not even mentioned by name--it didn't have to be said. Sooner or later, they all reveal their fallenness). It makes us realize that the true heroes are not those with millions who make it on the cover of Sports Illustrated but those who make a direct difference in the lives of others. And I'm not just talking about the staff here, though that was the context of the nice comment. I'm talking about the everyday heroes in our lives.
What's the difference? It comes down to where do you point. Too many media heroes want to point to themselves. The true heroes are those who point beyond themselves, deflect the attention, raise up others and give the glory to God.
At the end of each of his compositions, Bach wrote in Latin, "Soli Deo Gloria." To God alone be the glory. May we as humble servants and everyday heroes do the same.
As part of the opening remarks, someone commented on how it seems many of our idols and heroes eventually fall from their pedestals to reveal their own feet of clay (The latest one in the news was not even mentioned by name--it didn't have to be said. Sooner or later, they all reveal their fallenness). It makes us realize that the true heroes are not those with millions who make it on the cover of Sports Illustrated but those who make a direct difference in the lives of others. And I'm not just talking about the staff here, though that was the context of the nice comment. I'm talking about the everyday heroes in our lives.
What's the difference? It comes down to where do you point. Too many media heroes want to point to themselves. The true heroes are those who point beyond themselves, deflect the attention, raise up others and give the glory to God.
At the end of each of his compositions, Bach wrote in Latin, "Soli Deo Gloria." To God alone be the glory. May we as humble servants and everyday heroes do the same.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, December 3
I just finished my sermon for Sunday. It focuses on Mary. Do you know how many times I've preached on Mary over the past 22 years? I don't know, either, but it has been a bunch. What surprises me each time is that there is something new to say. There is always some angle or some word or some emotion or some nuance in the text that I've never seen before that leaps off the page.
I think the biggest factor in this is that earlier on in my ministry, it was more academic. I reviewed what I learned about Mary at seminary and then summed it up in a sermon. Now it is more transforming. Going beyond facts and figures and theological definition, now it is more of bringing the Word of God alive to intersect in real life issues.
This coming Sunday is about fear. Imagine the fear of Mary--the fear of encountering an angel, the fear of being a pregnant virgin, the fear of explaining this pregnancy to Joseph, the fear of wondering if she would be able to be the mother of the Messiah. The whole story is shrouded in fear.
As you come on Sunday, try to name the fear that makes your heart race. And then come with that fear to hear the words that the angel pronounced to Mary, "Fear not; for you have found favor with God."
See you on Sunday.
Pastor Scott
I think the biggest factor in this is that earlier on in my ministry, it was more academic. I reviewed what I learned about Mary at seminary and then summed it up in a sermon. Now it is more transforming. Going beyond facts and figures and theological definition, now it is more of bringing the Word of God alive to intersect in real life issues.
This coming Sunday is about fear. Imagine the fear of Mary--the fear of encountering an angel, the fear of being a pregnant virgin, the fear of explaining this pregnancy to Joseph, the fear of wondering if she would be able to be the mother of the Messiah. The whole story is shrouded in fear.
As you come on Sunday, try to name the fear that makes your heart race. And then come with that fear to hear the words that the angel pronounced to Mary, "Fear not; for you have found favor with God."
See you on Sunday.
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tuesday, December 1
OK! OK! So my last blog was on November 10. After doing one for 40 days during the Campaign, I guess I was enjoying the break. Besides, I think I only got two comments during that entire time. (I wasn't sure if anyone was actually reading it!)
But now, it's time to get back to it. Enough people are inquiring (or at least pointing out that the last blog was three weeks ago!) So, my commitment is to update my blog about twice a week. Most of the time it will be me but other times I'll pass it over to others on the staff to chime in.
We reviewed the hectice church schedule in December at Staff Meeting today with some noticable groans throughout the group. This year I want to work on being in the moment. It would be easy to go through the motions from one party, one gathering, one concert, one performance after another with a pasted on smiley face (come on, you've caught yourself doing the same!) But the reality is that each time there are new people and new stories that deserve to be experienced fresh. I want to be in the moment this year.
Because I want God to be in the moment.
I bet my daily prayers get pretty dull and routine to God. But I would never want God to go through the motions and simply placate me. I need God to be in the moment for me. And if we all are striving to become more Christlike, we can start this season in the midst of the busy schedule to be in the moment for all those we meet at the parties and performances.
Be in the moment. Will you join me this Advent with the same promise?
But now, it's time to get back to it. Enough people are inquiring (or at least pointing out that the last blog was three weeks ago!) So, my commitment is to update my blog about twice a week. Most of the time it will be me but other times I'll pass it over to others on the staff to chime in.
We reviewed the hectice church schedule in December at Staff Meeting today with some noticable groans throughout the group. This year I want to work on being in the moment. It would be easy to go through the motions from one party, one gathering, one concert, one performance after another with a pasted on smiley face (come on, you've caught yourself doing the same!) But the reality is that each time there are new people and new stories that deserve to be experienced fresh. I want to be in the moment this year.
Because I want God to be in the moment.
I bet my daily prayers get pretty dull and routine to God. But I would never want God to go through the motions and simply placate me. I need God to be in the moment for me. And if we all are striving to become more Christlike, we can start this season in the midst of the busy schedule to be in the moment for all those we meet at the parties and performances.
Be in the moment. Will you join me this Advent with the same promise?
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