This morning I was reading through some facebook posts. Folks trying to post funny comments (myself included), one talking about the importance of their upcoming book, and others sharing their coffee orders as they wait in line at the cafe. For some reason these just don't seem appropriate to me right now. I worry about those who have had their lives turned upside down. I feel for those who have lost loved ones. I am thinking about those who are left with nothing. How do we respond to devastation?
It's hard to watch the live footage of the storms and not sense their fear. It's difficult to see the destruction and not feel their pain in our own hearts. If you are experiencing those feelings too, own them, own those feelings. These are our natural reactions to our brothers and sisters when they are hurting. Whether we like it or not, whether we want to admit it or not we are connected to each other. Regardless of the differences or the distance we are connected as God's creation. It is natural for us to hurt when someone else hurts.
So what do we do? First, pray and then pray some more. Pray for those who are hurting. In your prayer ask God how he would like you to respond. If he is telling you to go out there and work with those who are trying to put their lives back together, then get in your car and go. Go and take as many folks with you as possible. If he is telling you to open up your wallets and send some financial aid then do just that. Whatever we do it is important to let those who are hurting know that they do not hurt alone. We are with them during this time and God is with them during this struggle.
See you Sunday,
Chris
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
"Love Wins," by Rob Bell
Have you heard of this book?
Evidently many have to the point that blogs and articles and TV shows are abuzz about it. Even Time Magazine has the author, Pastor Rob Bell, on its cover.
What the big deal?
In this book, Pastor Bell can't imagine that God would let anyone suffer an eternity in hell. Furthermore, he surmises, because God is God and can do pretty much whatever he wants, and we know that God wants everyone to have abundant life. . .ergo, Love Wins. In other words, everyone eventually, will go to heaven. God's love is so overwhelming that everyone will embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior either during this life or in the life to come.
You either love this stuff or hate it. Which one?
We are going to talk about it during a three part book study on Wednesday evenings on May 11, 18 and 25. Please join me in the Forum at 7:00. Since Wednesdays Together will be over by then, you will have to arrange your own child care and dinner.
So, buy the book, read through it (it's a fast read) and bring your A Game to this lively, heated and controversial subject.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Evidently many have to the point that blogs and articles and TV shows are abuzz about it. Even Time Magazine has the author, Pastor Rob Bell, on its cover.
What the big deal?
In this book, Pastor Bell can't imagine that God would let anyone suffer an eternity in hell. Furthermore, he surmises, because God is God and can do pretty much whatever he wants, and we know that God wants everyone to have abundant life. . .ergo, Love Wins. In other words, everyone eventually, will go to heaven. God's love is so overwhelming that everyone will embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior either during this life or in the life to come.
You either love this stuff or hate it. Which one?
We are going to talk about it during a three part book study on Wednesday evenings on May 11, 18 and 25. Please join me in the Forum at 7:00. Since Wednesdays Together will be over by then, you will have to arrange your own child care and dinner.
So, buy the book, read through it (it's a fast read) and bring your A Game to this lively, heated and controversial subject.
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Friday, April 22, 2011
Will anything change?
This Sunday a lot of people will go to church. I am not sure what the percentage increase is, but most churches will find more people in the pews than they usually do. Why? Is it a tradition? Just something to do on a Sunday morning? Out of obligation? I guess I am not so concerned about the why people will be there but I am wondering will anything change?
We are not patient people, we like the immediacy of our world and powerful change takes time. It is estimated Jesus rose from the dead around 33 AD. Christianity was illegal until 313. Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in 1517 and here we are in 2011. This did not happen over night but it happened because of individuals who were committed to their faith thought it was important enough to share with others. Do we think our faith is important enough to share?
This blog isn't read by the thousands but I believe the handful of individuals who do read it are passionate about their faith, will anything change with us this Easter? Here is my challenge to all of us: share this story. Don't let this Easter go by without anything changing. Allow the power of Easter to change you and then let the spirit take hold. I truly believe that if we give ourselves fully to the Gospel sharing the story will become second nature. I am asking that we hold each other accountable to not let this Easter go by unnoticed, let's change the world.
See you in church,
Chris
We are not patient people, we like the immediacy of our world and powerful change takes time. It is estimated Jesus rose from the dead around 33 AD. Christianity was illegal until 313. Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in 1517 and here we are in 2011. This did not happen over night but it happened because of individuals who were committed to their faith thought it was important enough to share with others. Do we think our faith is important enough to share?
This blog isn't read by the thousands but I believe the handful of individuals who do read it are passionate about their faith, will anything change with us this Easter? Here is my challenge to all of us: share this story. Don't let this Easter go by without anything changing. Allow the power of Easter to change you and then let the spirit take hold. I truly believe that if we give ourselves fully to the Gospel sharing the story will become second nature. I am asking that we hold each other accountable to not let this Easter go by unnoticed, let's change the world.
See you in church,
Chris
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
College Visits
. . .and nothing remains the same.
We just returned home from two college visits with Nathan. It was a time filled with a myriad of emotions. Certainly on the top of that list were feelings of excitement and anticipation. But included right alongside those were twinges of anxiety and loss.
When Hannah, our first, went to college, that was tough. Nothing remained the same. The four of us did a lot together and with her gone, those dynamics changed considerably. (Many of you experienced that) But with the last one leaving the house (we still have a year and a half), once again we realized that nothing will remain the same.
As we enter into Holy Week, we remember that with each event, nothing remains the same. On Thursday, the Passover Meal now becomes the foundation of Holy Communion. On Friday, the cross, a symbol of brutality and death, now becomes a symbol of life. And on Sunday, the empty tomb, a place of finality, now becomes the place of new beginnings.
With each change comes with it the myriad of emotions ranging from the betrayal on Thursday to tragedy and grief on Friday to surprise and joy on Sunday. All the emotions are valid, and all remind us that nothing remains the same.
From college to the cross, it's all change for the good!
Peace,
Pastor Scott
We just returned home from two college visits with Nathan. It was a time filled with a myriad of emotions. Certainly on the top of that list were feelings of excitement and anticipation. But included right alongside those were twinges of anxiety and loss.
When Hannah, our first, went to college, that was tough. Nothing remained the same. The four of us did a lot together and with her gone, those dynamics changed considerably. (Many of you experienced that) But with the last one leaving the house (we still have a year and a half), once again we realized that nothing will remain the same.
As we enter into Holy Week, we remember that with each event, nothing remains the same. On Thursday, the Passover Meal now becomes the foundation of Holy Communion. On Friday, the cross, a symbol of brutality and death, now becomes a symbol of life. And on Sunday, the empty tomb, a place of finality, now becomes the place of new beginnings.
With each change comes with it the myriad of emotions ranging from the betrayal on Thursday to tragedy and grief on Friday to surprise and joy on Sunday. All the emotions are valid, and all remind us that nothing remains the same.
From college to the cross, it's all change for the good!
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Are we building something together or trying to build something better?
When it comes to Christianity do we see other churches and other Christians as allies or competitors? I believe we should see each other as allies but I fear too often we are competing against one another for the same goal.
Let's compare a sports team versus a musical group to help illustrate this point. Certainly a team works together to accomplish a goal but if their goal is achieved there is also a loser. But with a musical group individuals come together to creates something, something that is beautiful, something that anyone can be a part of and, hopefully, something that impacts others. When I think about the church and the goals of the church I hope we are trying to create something beautiful, something that everyone can be a part of and something that changes lives. I am by nature a competitive person, I love to win and I hate to lose, but if I allow that mentality to creep into the church that will undermine our goal of creating something.
I have heard that worldwide there are over 1000 different branches of the Lutheran church, 1000! Now certainly we disagree on some key points and most likely we will never agree on everything but aren't we still working toward the same goal? Aren't we all trying to work for God' kingdom? Somehow we need to let our similarities define us instead of our differences. Somehow we need to let God's will lead us instead of our own because when all is said and done we are working towards the same goal and we will be much more successful if we work together.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Chris
Let's compare a sports team versus a musical group to help illustrate this point. Certainly a team works together to accomplish a goal but if their goal is achieved there is also a loser. But with a musical group individuals come together to creates something, something that is beautiful, something that anyone can be a part of and, hopefully, something that impacts others. When I think about the church and the goals of the church I hope we are trying to create something beautiful, something that everyone can be a part of and something that changes lives. I am by nature a competitive person, I love to win and I hate to lose, but if I allow that mentality to creep into the church that will undermine our goal of creating something.
I have heard that worldwide there are over 1000 different branches of the Lutheran church, 1000! Now certainly we disagree on some key points and most likely we will never agree on everything but aren't we still working toward the same goal? Aren't we all trying to work for God' kingdom? Somehow we need to let our similarities define us instead of our differences. Somehow we need to let God's will lead us instead of our own because when all is said and done we are working towards the same goal and we will be much more successful if we work together.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Chris
Monday, April 11, 2011
What Makes Communion Work?
What makes Communion "work?"
We have worked with about 43 2-5 graders to prepare them for their first communion on Maundy Thursday, April 21st. During our studies, they have asked the question, "When it a person old enough to receive communion?"
I received my first communion on the day I was confirmed. The message I received was that what made communion work was enduring three years of confirmation classes.
In the 80's, first communion age dropped to about 10. It was separated as a reward for "graduating" from confirmation classes. What seemed to make communion "work" was enough knowledge about the sacrament. You didn't need to ace the SAT's but you had to have a working knowledge of what you were doing.
Not too much later, many churches advocated for infant communion, as they often celebrate in the Orthodox Church. The message? Just as baptism "works" for an infant who does not decide or understand the sacrament, what makes communion work is the Holy Spirit and not the knowledge or belief of the individual.
In determining the correct age for communion, we have settled in on second grade. Why? I've thought in terms of what Luther said that makes communion work. It's not a graduation gift or based on how well you score on a test or even in the physical act of digestion bread and wine. What makes communion work is the believing heart.
That's why as we offer communion here for second graders, but we always leave it up to the discretion of the parents. Some see faith in their child before this age while others choose to delay first communion until there is a longing for the sacrament by the child.
How about you? When did you receive your first communion? What message did you receive subconsciously about what makes communion "work?"
Peace,
Pastor Scott
We have worked with about 43 2-5 graders to prepare them for their first communion on Maundy Thursday, April 21st. During our studies, they have asked the question, "When it a person old enough to receive communion?"
I received my first communion on the day I was confirmed. The message I received was that what made communion work was enduring three years of confirmation classes.
In the 80's, first communion age dropped to about 10. It was separated as a reward for "graduating" from confirmation classes. What seemed to make communion "work" was enough knowledge about the sacrament. You didn't need to ace the SAT's but you had to have a working knowledge of what you were doing.
Not too much later, many churches advocated for infant communion, as they often celebrate in the Orthodox Church. The message? Just as baptism "works" for an infant who does not decide or understand the sacrament, what makes communion work is the Holy Spirit and not the knowledge or belief of the individual.
In determining the correct age for communion, we have settled in on second grade. Why? I've thought in terms of what Luther said that makes communion work. It's not a graduation gift or based on how well you score on a test or even in the physical act of digestion bread and wine. What makes communion work is the believing heart.
That's why as we offer communion here for second graders, but we always leave it up to the discretion of the parents. Some see faith in their child before this age while others choose to delay first communion until there is a longing for the sacrament by the child.
How about you? When did you receive your first communion? What message did you receive subconsciously about what makes communion "work?"
Peace,
Pastor Scott
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The Call
Not talking about my call to ministry but a telephone call that no one likes to receive. "Mom is in the hospital." That is what my dad said when he called late on April 1 and this wasn't a joke. Now my first thought was that he was talking about his mom who has been in and out of the hospital since Thanksgiving but he wasn't, "mom" was my mom. Now to better understand my panicked reaction it probably helps to know that my parents have never been in the hospital, so when I get this call my thoughts turn to the worst possible conclusions. I talked to my dad for a while and then I sent my sister a text asking if she had talked to my dad. Now she tends to "freak-out" more than I do and I figured I would be the one comforting her but when she called me she was surprisingly calm. This calmed me like nothing else could. If my sister was calm I had a better sense that everything was going to be OK.
Being a follower of Jesus doesn't mean that we will never experience any pain, hardship or loss. We live in a broken world and death is a reality of that. And even though we know that somehow things will always work out according to God's will that doesn't mean we wont have bad days. Even Jesus had these types of experiences. When he went to the garden to pray before he was arrested he was filled with a great deal of emotion and he went there to share that with God. The other powerful thing Jesus did in the garden was he didn't go alone. He brought Peter, James and John with him. Our faith is best experienced in a community. Jesus turned to his community during a challenging time just like I did when I was "freaking out" by calling my sister. We all need a strong community around us, people that we can turn to when we struggle. Have you found your community yet? If not please let me know, I would love to connect you with some folks who want to be a part of your faith life.
And incase you are wondering my mom went home that night and seems to be fine now.
Being a follower of Jesus doesn't mean that we will never experience any pain, hardship or loss. We live in a broken world and death is a reality of that. And even though we know that somehow things will always work out according to God's will that doesn't mean we wont have bad days. Even Jesus had these types of experiences. When he went to the garden to pray before he was arrested he was filled with a great deal of emotion and he went there to share that with God. The other powerful thing Jesus did in the garden was he didn't go alone. He brought Peter, James and John with him. Our faith is best experienced in a community. Jesus turned to his community during a challenging time just like I did when I was "freaking out" by calling my sister. We all need a strong community around us, people that we can turn to when we struggle. Have you found your community yet? If not please let me know, I would love to connect you with some folks who want to be a part of your faith life.
And incase you are wondering my mom went home that night and seems to be fine now.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sarcoma Stomp
Stomping out Sarcoma Cancer is a God-size task.
But that is exactly what Paula Takacs ventured out to do when she organized this run/walk on April 2 called The Sarcoma Stomp. After months of preparations, we all gathered for the race at 9:00 am with about 350 walkers/runners and 550 giving units and scores of volunteers. The day was perfect, the event was well organized and the enthusiasm was high.
I can't say that I won the race. . .or my age group. . .or my weight class. But what a time! On Sunday, Paula told me that we had raised over $90,000 for a specific research center that is the nation's leader in Sarcoma Research.
Thank you for Paula and her family for heading this up. Thank you for all the supporters, runners and walkers. And thank you, God, for the perfect day to celebrate the gift of life.
For we know that in the end, cancer can never win. No matter which way the battle goes, life wins.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
But that is exactly what Paula Takacs ventured out to do when she organized this run/walk on April 2 called The Sarcoma Stomp. After months of preparations, we all gathered for the race at 9:00 am with about 350 walkers/runners and 550 giving units and scores of volunteers. The day was perfect, the event was well organized and the enthusiasm was high.
I can't say that I won the race. . .or my age group. . .or my weight class. But what a time! On Sunday, Paula told me that we had raised over $90,000 for a specific research center that is the nation's leader in Sarcoma Research.
Thank you for Paula and her family for heading this up. Thank you for all the supporters, runners and walkers. And thank you, God, for the perfect day to celebrate the gift of life.
For we know that in the end, cancer can never win. No matter which way the battle goes, life wins.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Every year, around November, I tell myself I wont get sucked in again but by April it happens, I get baseball fever. I often wonder why so many have this love affair with sports. We love the competition, the challenge, the success, the fame and the almost super human ability of these superior athletes. But aside from something to do for a few months a year, something to pass the time, does this fascination have much of a positive impact on our lives?
As much as I will beat myself up or scratch my head at our fascination with professional sports I think there are some positive lessons we can learn from this weird relationship. Sports teach us about hope. I am a big Minnesota Twins fan and that in itself brings with it some pain. The Twins are in a small market, they dont have the revenue of a team like the Yankees or the Red Sox and when they are up against teams like these it looks a little like David Vs. Goliath. Even though my team has been swept out of the playoffs by the Yankees more times than my son has years, every year I am filled with the hope and excitement that this could be the year.
Sports help us find community. A few months back I was in Home Depot and I saw a guy wearing a Twins jacket. This is a bond that is almost supernatural. We began talking about the team, sharing our hopes for the coming season and our disappointments from years past. Perfect strangers can find instant community through this bond.
Our faith should have the same impact on our lives. At the core of our faith is hope. As we draw closer to Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter at the root of this journey is hope. Our faith gives us community. Although I am consistently grieved by the lack of community in churches, grieved almost daily, our faith helps us find community with a strength that is rarely matched. Faith is the "super-glue" that holds us together if we allow it to. Instead of looking for a reason to divide let's look for a reason to unite found in the power of the Gospel.
See you in church, Chris
As much as I will beat myself up or scratch my head at our fascination with professional sports I think there are some positive lessons we can learn from this weird relationship. Sports teach us about hope. I am a big Minnesota Twins fan and that in itself brings with it some pain. The Twins are in a small market, they dont have the revenue of a team like the Yankees or the Red Sox and when they are up against teams like these it looks a little like David Vs. Goliath. Even though my team has been swept out of the playoffs by the Yankees more times than my son has years, every year I am filled with the hope and excitement that this could be the year.
Sports help us find community. A few months back I was in Home Depot and I saw a guy wearing a Twins jacket. This is a bond that is almost supernatural. We began talking about the team, sharing our hopes for the coming season and our disappointments from years past. Perfect strangers can find instant community through this bond.
Our faith should have the same impact on our lives. At the core of our faith is hope. As we draw closer to Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter at the root of this journey is hope. Our faith gives us community. Although I am consistently grieved by the lack of community in churches, grieved almost daily, our faith helps us find community with a strength that is rarely matched. Faith is the "super-glue" that holds us together if we allow it to. Instead of looking for a reason to divide let's look for a reason to unite found in the power of the Gospel.
See you in church, Chris
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