Thursday, April 22, 2010
Farewell to the Holy Land
Dear friends
We are on our way to the airports as we wrap up our trip. It has been truly a spiritual pilgrimage. Each night we debrief, have bible study and spend time in reflection and prayer.
This journey will only get better and better with the retelling and reliving the details with you about this holy land where Jesus changed the world one person at a time.
See you in church on Sunday!
Peace
Scott
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Dear Friends,
The past two days have been inspirational.
Sunday, we worshiped at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. It is a 150 year old Lutheran church founded by German missionaries in this (now) muslim city. Strange combination. The worship was primarily in Arabic but the pastor did a nice job of speaking in English to welcome those of us from the States.
The day ended with a trip to the Shepherds' Field were the "shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night." There is a small, beautiful chapel marking the place where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. we stayed in their for about a half hour singing Christmas carols in April. It was beautiful!
Today, Monday, we headed to the Dead Sea. When they say you can float in the water, it is an understatement. You can lie on your back with your hands behind your head and feet popping up out of the water!
We also had a trip to Masada where the Zealot Jews chose to kill themselves rather than become slaves to Rome after a 3 year siege in 70 AD. We also visited Qumran where the Essene Jews hid the Dead Sea Scolls in the caves overlooking the Dead Sea.
The day ended with a trip to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. We sat in a small chapel built by the Crusaders, had a time of prayer and ended our time with Gwen Glaeser singing the Lord's Prayer as a solo. It was very moving.
Each night we end with a time of devotion, prayer, and reflection. We have a couple more days left and look forward to spending time back in Charlotte telling you all about it.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
The past two days have been inspirational.
Sunday, we worshiped at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. It is a 150 year old Lutheran church founded by German missionaries in this (now) muslim city. Strange combination. The worship was primarily in Arabic but the pastor did a nice job of speaking in English to welcome those of us from the States.
The day ended with a trip to the Shepherds' Field were the "shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night." There is a small, beautiful chapel marking the place where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. we stayed in their for about a half hour singing Christmas carols in April. It was beautiful!
Today, Monday, we headed to the Dead Sea. When they say you can float in the water, it is an understatement. You can lie on your back with your hands behind your head and feet popping up out of the water!
We also had a trip to Masada where the Zealot Jews chose to kill themselves rather than become slaves to Rome after a 3 year siege in 70 AD. We also visited Qumran where the Essene Jews hid the Dead Sea Scolls in the caves overlooking the Dead Sea.
The day ended with a trip to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. We sat in a small chapel built by the Crusaders, had a time of prayer and ended our time with Gwen Glaeser singing the Lord's Prayer as a solo. It was very moving.
Each night we end with a time of devotion, prayer, and reflection. We have a couple more days left and look forward to spending time back in Charlotte telling you all about it.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Greetings from Jerusalem!
We had a busy day today going into the old City of Jerusalem where we walked the Via Delorosa, marking the various stations of the cross.
But the highlight was going to the Garden Tomb which also claims to be the location of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. We saw the rock formation that looked like a skull (Golgatha) and a tomb that appears to be one described in the gospels.
We ended the day with a private communion with prayers and hymns, so far the highlight of the trip.
Peace
Pastor Scott
But the highlight was going to the Garden Tomb which also claims to be the location of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. We saw the rock formation that looked like a skull (Golgatha) and a tomb that appears to be one described in the gospels.
We ended the day with a private communion with prayers and hymns, so far the highlight of the trip.
Peace
Pastor Scott
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Today we saw the Mount of Beatitudes and the place where Jesus fed the 5000. We also took an hour boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and got a feel of that important body of water in the life of these fishermen turned disciples.
But the most enjoyable moment was as the Jordan River where together, all 41 of renewed those baptismal vows. We drove down a dirt road and found a remote place on the Jordan away from the thousands of pilgrims and buses and souvenir shops. We gathered on the river bank and, with the water splashed on our foreheads and the words, "Child of God you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever," we remembered that we have been named and claimed and forgiven as God's very own people.
It is good to be here, walk in his footsteps, feel his presence and celebrate with other believers!
Peace,
Scott
But the most enjoyable moment was as the Jordan River where together, all 41 of renewed those baptismal vows. We drove down a dirt road and found a remote place on the Jordan away from the thousands of pilgrims and buses and souvenir shops. We gathered on the river bank and, with the water splashed on our foreheads and the words, "Child of God you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever," we remembered that we have been named and claimed and forgiven as God's very own people.
It is good to be here, walk in his footsteps, feel his presence and celebrate with other believers!
Peace,
Scott
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wedesday, April 14, 2010
After a twelve hour flight from Atlanta to Tel Aviv, we finally made it to the hotel for a late dinner and a much needed rest on Tuesday. Today, Wednesday, we began our tour with Caesarea where Paul was held prisoner (Acts 25) and Peter performed the first Gentile baptism of Cornelius (Acts 10).
Following this, we went on to Mount Carmel where the prophet Elijah took on 450 prophets of Baal for a sacrifice dual to the death (If you didn't know, Elijah won) I King 18. There is a church built over the cave where Elijah heard God's "still small voice."
Going on from there, we went to Nazareth to the Church of the Annunciation commemorating Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she is about to become pregnant. (Luke 1) Nazarth is also the place where Jesus had his first sermon to begin his earthly ministry (Luke 4).
We ended the day with a trip to Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine (John 2). It fufilled Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 25 that when the Messiah come it will enter with a feast of fat things and an abundance of fine wine!
The group is traveling well, the guide has been good but to walk in His footsteps makes this more than another tour. It is a pilgrimage in which we end each day in prayer and song and reflection.
I'll keep you up to day on our daily excursions, keeping you in prayer and I hope you keep us!
Peace,
Scott
Following this, we went on to Mount Carmel where the prophet Elijah took on 450 prophets of Baal for a sacrifice dual to the death (If you didn't know, Elijah won) I King 18. There is a church built over the cave where Elijah heard God's "still small voice."
Going on from there, we went to Nazareth to the Church of the Annunciation commemorating Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she is about to become pregnant. (Luke 1) Nazarth is also the place where Jesus had his first sermon to begin his earthly ministry (Luke 4).
We ended the day with a trip to Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine (John 2). It fufilled Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 25 that when the Messiah come it will enter with a feast of fat things and an abundance of fine wine!
The group is traveling well, the guide has been good but to walk in His footsteps makes this more than another tour. It is a pilgrimage in which we end each day in prayer and song and reflection.
I'll keep you up to day on our daily excursions, keeping you in prayer and I hope you keep us!
Peace,
Scott
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
On Monday I leave with 40 others for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It's my first time over there. About half the people are from Christ Lutheran and the other half are friends and families. I'll try to keep blogging from over there twice a week but it might be sporatic. Stay tuned.
On Sunday we start a new sermon series--a good old fashion Bible Study on the Book of Acts. For the next six weeks or so, we are going to walk through the contents of this important book. You will hear fewer cute stories of our kids and what we did during spring break ( ;) )because the purpose of this series will be an understanding of the foundations of the early church following Jesus' resurrection.
Luke (the author of Acts) recorded this history through the use of stories. When you choose which stories to include and which to exclude, you do so based on the purpose of your writings. While attempting to put together an "orderly account," Luke also wants you to know that this history of the early church is not the disciples' doing through hard work, vision casting, contemporary worship, small groups and volunteer recruitment. The stories Luke chooses to include all highlight the might power of God working through the Holy Spirit to transform dimwitted, uneducated fishermen into might men of faith sent out to change the world.
You can prepare for Sunday by reading through Acts 1.
See you in church!
On Sunday we start a new sermon series--a good old fashion Bible Study on the Book of Acts. For the next six weeks or so, we are going to walk through the contents of this important book. You will hear fewer cute stories of our kids and what we did during spring break ( ;) )because the purpose of this series will be an understanding of the foundations of the early church following Jesus' resurrection.
Luke (the author of Acts) recorded this history through the use of stories. When you choose which stories to include and which to exclude, you do so based on the purpose of your writings. While attempting to put together an "orderly account," Luke also wants you to know that this history of the early church is not the disciples' doing through hard work, vision casting, contemporary worship, small groups and volunteer recruitment. The stories Luke chooses to include all highlight the might power of God working through the Holy Spirit to transform dimwitted, uneducated fishermen into might men of faith sent out to change the world.
You can prepare for Sunday by reading through Acts 1.
See you in church!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Sorry, missed a couple of days on the blog. Holy Week was wild (and great!) and then I headed over to John's Island with the mission trip to build a house for Habitat. I snuck away early and left the 30+ others to complete the job (though I wish I were there, instead!)
Habitat does not make sense on paper. Think about pitching this idea. "Let's give a group of 20 high school students and 10 adults to one skilled, Habitat carpenter and in one week, give them the challenge to build a house (or at least most of one.)"
Crazy? Wouldn't you think, "Hey, I watched an army of well-seasoned carpenters take months to finish my house and you want a bunch of kids to do that in a week?" No way!
But it happens.
For eleven years, a group from Christ Lutheran has gone to John's Island in S.C. near Charleston to do just that. They give us a platform and directions and like ants scurrying around the place, we leave after a week with a house nearly complete. I left after two days and we had the entire house framed, outside walls up and half the trussels on the roof.
Frank Reed gave a nice devotion/pep talk to the all the workers on day one. I'm paraphrasing here but it went something like this. "You could be at Myrtle Beach with your friends staying out late, getting into trouble and drinking. But instead, you chose to come here. I am so impressed with your choice. And make no mistake why you are here. You are changing a person's life. With this house, they not only will have decent housing and a safe neighborhood, but they will be accumulating wealth that will be passed down to the next generation to go to college or invent in a business or remain out of debt. This will make an impact for this family for generations all because you made the right choice with what to do with your spring break. Bravo!"
I couldn't have said it better!
Habitat does not make sense on paper. Think about pitching this idea. "Let's give a group of 20 high school students and 10 adults to one skilled, Habitat carpenter and in one week, give them the challenge to build a house (or at least most of one.)"
Crazy? Wouldn't you think, "Hey, I watched an army of well-seasoned carpenters take months to finish my house and you want a bunch of kids to do that in a week?" No way!
But it happens.
For eleven years, a group from Christ Lutheran has gone to John's Island in S.C. near Charleston to do just that. They give us a platform and directions and like ants scurrying around the place, we leave after a week with a house nearly complete. I left after two days and we had the entire house framed, outside walls up and half the trussels on the roof.
Frank Reed gave a nice devotion/pep talk to the all the workers on day one. I'm paraphrasing here but it went something like this. "You could be at Myrtle Beach with your friends staying out late, getting into trouble and drinking. But instead, you chose to come here. I am so impressed with your choice. And make no mistake why you are here. You are changing a person's life. With this house, they not only will have decent housing and a safe neighborhood, but they will be accumulating wealth that will be passed down to the next generation to go to college or invent in a business or remain out of debt. This will make an impact for this family for generations all because you made the right choice with what to do with your spring break. Bravo!"
I couldn't have said it better!
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