Do You Know How Much God Loves You?

This may seem like a weird question but pause and think about it for a minute, do you know how much God loves you? I have struggled for a while with how some churches choose to engage people with God. Some use guilt, others fear and some use incentives; if you do "x" your blessings will be "y." As I have studied and grown in my faith these different approaches have never resonated with the God that I know and have grown to know and trust. Now Lutherans are often criticized for focusing too much on grace and I agree with most of those criticisms. Too often we use grace as a "get out of jail free card" and that is not what God is about either. The love that God has for us is beyond our comprehension. In the original language of the New Testament the word that is used to describe God's love is defined using words like unconditional, perfect, unending and pure. Now, if we truly understand God's love for us I believe that we would be radically transformed by that love. We would be so blown-away that someone or something could love us so much we would want to do our best to live a life that does its best to reflect such a love. Do you know how much God loves you? I want to help us all understand that question, I want to begin a journey with you to figure out how that love can transform us and I want to help us all open up to accept a love like that, because, I think the most difficult part of this relationship is allowing ourselves to be loved. Do you know how much God loves you? Let's figure that one out together.

See you Sunday.
Pastor Chris

What Do Hindus Believe?

Do you know?

Beginning on Wednesday, January 5, I am hosting a new Wednesdays Together Adult Class that will explore not only Hinduism but also Unitarians, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews and Quakers. It's part of a class called, "My Neighbor's Faith."

Each Wednesday we will have a different representative from each of these faith communities come and talk about their historical background, theological principles and worship practices. There will be plenty of time for questions. The class will kick off with a person from the local Charlotte Hindu community.

I encourage you to come. Not only is learning about the faiths of other communities important in itself but there is no better way to understand the uniqueness of Christianity than when you compare it with others.

See you on Wednesday,
Pastor Scott

Let Me Be Your Angel

That title needs a little explanation!

One of the great treats of my position is that I can be other people's angel. It happened again this past week. There was a person in the congregation who notices another person going through a difficult time in life with expenses. He just sensed that money was incredibly tight for this individual, especially with young children and the added pressure of Christmas.

He made a (generous) donation for me to hand deliver to this person. When I went to the modest apartment to bring the gift, she was utterly taken aback and so filled with gratitude and relief. Life had changed unexpectedly and quickly for her, through no fault of her own. Family was far away and she struggled very much alone. With this gift, not only were the immediate needs of the household greatly helped but more importantly, she knew that she wasn't alone.

I told her that she had an angel in the congregation and I am sworn to my grave not to reveal the name. She will never know who it is as she searches the eyes and hearts of those she sees on Sundays. That has to change your view of others, don't you think?

I tell you this because we all know people who struggle, often times privately and alone. You want to help, but you don't know how. You feel embarrassed to give that person money, knowing that it will change the relationship. And you don't want that.

So let me be your angel. I'll make the delivery. And I will take our secret to my grave.

She will have a Merry Christmas. . .and so will the angel!

Peace,
Pastor Scott

Shopping for 150

This Friday, the middle and high school youth are gathering at the church and then heading to Wallmart for a night of shopping. However, it is not for themselves. Each one will have a shopping list from a family from McClintock Middle School. And you should see what's on that list. Not a new phone or an IPad or a laptop computer. Things like underwear, paper towels, black socks, a pair of jeans.

After shopping, they will return to the church for pizza and gift wrapping. It is a long, crazy, confusing and all together glorious night.

What makes it so cool is that they know they will make this Christmas one to remember for these kids.

On their list are 100 kids and about 50 adults (mostly single moms). Last year we had raised enough for about $100 per kid and $50 per mom. However, giving is down. We will only be able to spend about $60 per kid and maybe $25 per mom.

Unless you help.

If you have plenty and would like to give to these families with so little, go on line to our website (www.christelca.org). In the upper right hand corner there is a link "on line giving." Click that and designate your gift "Friday Christmas Gift."

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Scott

Little Red Thread

On Sunday, December 5, we handed out pieces of red thread, encouraging people to tie one around their wrist for these next three weeks of December. This is crunch time with all the travel, cooking, shopping, decorating and gatherings. To prevent us from just going through the motions or struggling with stress or worrying about expenses, the red thread serves as a reminder for our hearts to be still. We are still going to be doing all of those things these next three weeks but we don't have to do them with a frantic heart.

So I was wondering if you have any stories about your red thread. Did someone comment on it? Did you have to check it while battling traffic? Did it remind you to still your heart when the "to do" list began to grow? Tell me about your stories about your little red thread.

This morning I heard one. A family waited in line at the mall for Santa--for two hours! As they slowly inched their way forward, the person in front of them evidently had been saving a place in line for 3-4 other families. So as they neared Santa, suddenly these families appeared out of no where and joined their friend in line, thus extending the wait that much longer.

She had a choice. She could call security and have them arrested and thrown into an icy prison in the North Pole. Instead, she looked at her children, glanced at her little red thread, breathed, and stilled her heart.

A better choice--even in the face of rude people!

What's your story about your little red thread?

Peace,
Pastor Scott

Thanksliving: Reprise

Hey, first of all, check out the comments from the last blog, "Thanksliving." Very cool!

As I continue to give thanks, this past week, we've hit some milestones when it comes to The Master's Plan.

1. Combined between Phase I and Phase II, we have raised (drum roll, please!) $7,000,000.00! WOW.

2. We've said that we need $4,000,000.00 dollars in the bank before breaking ground. This week, we just passed the $3,000,000.00 mark. We are now (just!) under a million dollars to go.

3. We also said that for every million raised for Phase II, we would give away $50,000.00. With the first million, we gave that check to Charlotte Rescue Mission last Memorial Weekend. We are now only $110,000 away from hitting that next benchmark. Hopefully, we will be able to give Urban Ministries here in Charlotte their $50,000.00 in Janaury.

Continuing the theme of Thanksliving from the last blog, I'm thankful for a couple more things:

I'm thankful that we can (alway) talk about raising money to expand our facilities because it means that God is not done with CLC, yet.

I'm thankful that we are giving away $50,000 because it means that the impact of CLC extends beyond these walls.

I'm thankful that I am being stretched with my personal giving because it means I have money to give and I am growing as a disciple.

I'm thankful for this congregation's generosity because it means that the Spirit is alive and well.

O Come Let Us Adore Him!
Pastor Scott

Thanksliving

I remember once hearing a widow say that the one thing she misses most after her husband's death were his whiskers in the bathroom sink. He would trim his mustache everday, spraying little whiskers everywhere. She would get so upset with him. . .until he died. Now she wishes that she could clean up whiskers in the bathroom sink. It would mean that he was near.

There are a lot of little irritants in our lives. But what if we were to turn them around and see them as a blessing--like whiskers in the sink?

I am thankful for. . .

taxes, because it means I am employed.

a lawn that needs mowing and windows that need cleaning because it means I have a home.

the lady behind me singing off key at church because it means I can hear.

the piles of laundry because I know my loved ones are near.

weary and achy muscles because it means I've been active.

a crowded church because it means people are worshipping God.

parking far away because it means I can walk.

whiskers in the bathroom sink because it means he is here with me.

So, what has you all hot and bothered and grumpy? Chances are, if you turn it around, it probably isn't that big of a deal. In fact, it just might be the source of your own "thanksliving," a life of gratitude.

Give me a response. . .I'm thankful for. . .because it means that. . .

Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastor Scott