We have been celebrating our 150th year of ministry and mission for the past year, and it is very exciting that this month we celebrate the congregation’s actual birthday on December 25th.
I’m sure that it was no mere coincidence that our Swedish immigrant founders chose this particular day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to begin worshipping as a new faith community. Perhaps they chose the day of the incarnation because they wanted to impress on the worshipping assembly that the church is to be ‘incarnational’—all about being the body of Christ in here and now, all about being Jesus’ hands and feet in carrying on his mission and ministry in the world, all about being ‘little Christs,’ ambassadors of God, light in the darkness, bearers of the Good News of salvation by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ—everyday, everywhere, and with everyone.
And as we look toward the birth of our Lord and Savior on Christmas Day, and the anniversary of the founding of this worshipping community, I also invite you to look forward to the re-birth and renewal of our congregation. As Lutherans, we are to be all about ‘new life’ in and through Jesus Christ—not just for individuals, but also for the entire congregation and the whole church. We are to be continuously reforming and renewing the church, always asking ourselves, ‘How does what we are doing and the way we are doing it help us live out the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ?’
Through the incarnation, God came down to us in and though the person of Jesus Christ. And Jesus left us with his mission to serve God and others in his name, baptizing, preaching and teaching the Gospel –not for our own benefit, but in order to help grow the kingdom of God in the here and now—and in the world to come. I call the church ‘incarnational’ because it is, in a way, a continuation of the incarnation—God’s choosing to work in the world through human beings.
The incarnation changed everything. The relationship between God and people will never be the same as it was before. A Savior is born. All of humanity can be restored to a right relationship with God, in and through Jesus Christ. And the ‘incarnational’ church continues to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit that changes it and it's role in the world. Walking humbly, loving mercy and doing justice in his name. Not resting on our laurels, but looking ahead to the next new thing God has planned for us to do in his name—even if the new thing may not look so much like the old thing. And it all starts with the incarnation.
Trusting God. Following Jesus <><
Pastor Roy+
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Trusting God in Troubling Economic Times
There's no denying that we are living in troubling economic times—and it doesn’t help ease our minds that day in, and day out, we receive news reports about the economic ‘crisis’ ('financial meltdown) and our government’s extreme measures undertaken to help fix it. It’s scary. And when we are scared, we tend to hang on to our money tighter.
But, many of us have lived through troubling economic times before—and we know that our economy does recover. And I know it’s because of the spirit, the resourcefulness, the hard work, and the character of the American people. So I remain hopeful because, having been through it before, these things always seem to work out over time—and we’re still standing when the dust clears.
It seems to me that how scared we get in the midst of an ‘economic crisis’ has a whole lot to do with where we put our trust. As Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA, recently wrote, “where are we going to put our trust? Should we put our trust in the stock market? Should we put our trust in our elected officials? Should we put our trust in an economic system? No, as Christians, we put our trust in God. We believe that God does and will provide for our daily needs. We recognize that compared to most of the world, even in an economic crisis, we are wealthy. And we are reminded of the words of Scripture: “to whom much is given, much shall be required”, so we respond to God’s graciousness with continued generosity.”
When we get scared, it can be difficult to remember that Jesus is with us in the most difficult places—saying, ‘do not be afraid, for I am with you.’ In these times when economic fear runs rampant, it is our faith, grounded in our relationship with God and with God’s people, that frees us from fear and frees us to live lives of generosity in service to God and others.
When we get scared it can be difficult to remember that we give generously out of joy and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received from God; that we give as an act of worship and praise to our generous and loving God; that we give to continue the work of ministry in the world that Jesus has entrusted to us, and; that we give to help make ministry happen.
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
But, many of us have lived through troubling economic times before—and we know that our economy does recover. And I know it’s because of the spirit, the resourcefulness, the hard work, and the character of the American people. So I remain hopeful because, having been through it before, these things always seem to work out over time—and we’re still standing when the dust clears.
It seems to me that how scared we get in the midst of an ‘economic crisis’ has a whole lot to do with where we put our trust. As Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA, recently wrote, “where are we going to put our trust? Should we put our trust in the stock market? Should we put our trust in our elected officials? Should we put our trust in an economic system? No, as Christians, we put our trust in God. We believe that God does and will provide for our daily needs. We recognize that compared to most of the world, even in an economic crisis, we are wealthy. And we are reminded of the words of Scripture: “to whom much is given, much shall be required”, so we respond to God’s graciousness with continued generosity.”
When we get scared, it can be difficult to remember that Jesus is with us in the most difficult places—saying, ‘do not be afraid, for I am with you.’ In these times when economic fear runs rampant, it is our faith, grounded in our relationship with God and with God’s people, that frees us from fear and frees us to live lives of generosity in service to God and others.
When we get scared it can be difficult to remember that we give generously out of joy and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received from God; that we give as an act of worship and praise to our generous and loving God; that we give to continue the work of ministry in the world that Jesus has entrusted to us, and; that we give to help make ministry happen.
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Ministry of Reconciliation
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 1Cor 15:17-20
So what is the ministry of reconciliation? What is the message of reconciliation God has entrusted to us? What is the appeal God is making through us?
It’s about Love. God’s immeasurable love for us—made real for us in Christ’s death on the cross—for no other purpose than for us to be reconciled to God and given a fresh start.
It’s about Love. The love we, as people reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ, ought to have for one another so that, having been given a fresh start, we can function in unity as members of the Body of Christ—for no other purpose than to live out God's mission in the world—the mission of loving others as Christ has loved us, by showing them love and by telling them about the great love God has shown for them in and through Jesus Christ.
Because we have been reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ, God has entrusted us, the Body of Christ, with the ministry of proclaiming, in word and deed, to all people, the Good News of reconciliation to God and to one another. But, in order to effectively live out this ministry, we must first be reconciled to one another within the Body of Christ so we fully appreciate one another’s gifts and work together as ambassadors of Christ despite our disagreements.
Our focus when we disagree about how to best live out our mission must be on Christ as the head of the body of which we are members. Each one of us being gifted differently for life together, as we build up the Body of Christ, by sharing the Good News of reconciliation to God in and through faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by God’s love that we are reconciled to God and become members of the Body of Christ. We can surely trust that God’s love will hold us, the church, together in the midst of our differences and disagreements, so that we can serve faithfully to build up the Body of Christ in the world.
The key question to ask when we are in conflict is: What effect does the way we are discussing/disagreeing and resolving our differences (or not) have on the Body of Christ and our ability to live out the mission entrusted to us?
My hope and prayer is that the people will be reconciled within the body and with God so that the work of ministry can be done and the church can grow in ministry and mission. As I have written before, it's about relationship (with God and with others within the body). Now if we could just forgive others as God, in and through Christ, has forgiven us ...
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
So what is the ministry of reconciliation? What is the message of reconciliation God has entrusted to us? What is the appeal God is making through us?
It’s about Love. God’s immeasurable love for us—made real for us in Christ’s death on the cross—for no other purpose than for us to be reconciled to God and given a fresh start.
It’s about Love. The love we, as people reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ, ought to have for one another so that, having been given a fresh start, we can function in unity as members of the Body of Christ—for no other purpose than to live out God's mission in the world—the mission of loving others as Christ has loved us, by showing them love and by telling them about the great love God has shown for them in and through Jesus Christ.
Because we have been reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ, God has entrusted us, the Body of Christ, with the ministry of proclaiming, in word and deed, to all people, the Good News of reconciliation to God and to one another. But, in order to effectively live out this ministry, we must first be reconciled to one another within the Body of Christ so we fully appreciate one another’s gifts and work together as ambassadors of Christ despite our disagreements.
Our focus when we disagree about how to best live out our mission must be on Christ as the head of the body of which we are members. Each one of us being gifted differently for life together, as we build up the Body of Christ, by sharing the Good News of reconciliation to God in and through faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by God’s love that we are reconciled to God and become members of the Body of Christ. We can surely trust that God’s love will hold us, the church, together in the midst of our differences and disagreements, so that we can serve faithfully to build up the Body of Christ in the world.
The key question to ask when we are in conflict is: What effect does the way we are discussing/disagreeing and resolving our differences (or not) have on the Body of Christ and our ability to live out the mission entrusted to us?
My hope and prayer is that the people will be reconciled within the body and with God so that the work of ministry can be done and the church can grow in ministry and mission. As I have written before, it's about relationship (with God and with others within the body). Now if we could just forgive others as God, in and through Christ, has forgiven us ...
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Families and Faith Communities
This has been a great summer! We spent a week in North Carolina at Jean’s family reunion. We also travelled ‘up north’ to my internship congregation in Oconto, Wisconsin to see Pastor Rick before he retired and visit with friends. And we spent a few days in northwestern Wisconsin visiting with our good friends from seminary.
Good times! But what made them good, was not so much the places we visited as much as it was the people we spent time with. Reconnecting with family and friends is a great joy and something I look forward to. Even though we may not get together as often as we would like, we’re always able to pick up where we left off. Especially the kids—they just take off and go with friends and cousins as if they hadn’t even been apart.
Good, strong relationships are like that. And I see a lot of those good, strong relationships here at First Lutheran. The strong community and joy of friendship was especially evident at the 150th anniversary dinner and worship service in July. It was wonderful to see so many people, gathered together in friendship: people who came back after many years and people who have never left; people from places far away and from places close by—all coming together to reconnect with friends at an event that was important to them.
The occasion was special, and the people made it even more so. And the thing we all have in common—the thing that gives us the relationship that bonds us together—is what made it extraordinary. That thing is--the faith we share in Jesus Christ.
Faith is a relationship thing. It requires trust, and trust requires a relationship between someone who trusts and someone who is trustworthy. Our faith then, is an expression of our trusting relationship with God, made real for us in and through Jesus Christ. But, it is not a relationship we have only on our own (although each one of us is invited into a personal relationship with Jesus). It is a relationship we share with others in community—a 'faith community.'
Every week, when we gather for worship, we have a family reunion. We gather together with family and dear friends around that which we hold in common, our relationship with Jesus. We sing together, pray together, hear God's word together, share the meal together. And we talk and laugh and cry together.
And no matter how much time has passed, no matter how far we may have wandered away, we are welcomed back and get to pick up right where we left off. With the people of faith who truly care about us, and with God, who loves us just as we are. Families, and faith communities, are like that.
Gathered in Christ… together,
Pastor Roy+
Good times! But what made them good, was not so much the places we visited as much as it was the people we spent time with. Reconnecting with family and friends is a great joy and something I look forward to. Even though we may not get together as often as we would like, we’re always able to pick up where we left off. Especially the kids—they just take off and go with friends and cousins as if they hadn’t even been apart.
Good, strong relationships are like that. And I see a lot of those good, strong relationships here at First Lutheran. The strong community and joy of friendship was especially evident at the 150th anniversary dinner and worship service in July. It was wonderful to see so many people, gathered together in friendship: people who came back after many years and people who have never left; people from places far away and from places close by—all coming together to reconnect with friends at an event that was important to them.
The occasion was special, and the people made it even more so. And the thing we all have in common—the thing that gives us the relationship that bonds us together—is what made it extraordinary. That thing is--the faith we share in Jesus Christ.
Faith is a relationship thing. It requires trust, and trust requires a relationship between someone who trusts and someone who is trustworthy. Our faith then, is an expression of our trusting relationship with God, made real for us in and through Jesus Christ. But, it is not a relationship we have only on our own (although each one of us is invited into a personal relationship with Jesus). It is a relationship we share with others in community—a 'faith community.'
Every week, when we gather for worship, we have a family reunion. We gather together with family and dear friends around that which we hold in common, our relationship with Jesus. We sing together, pray together, hear God's word together, share the meal together. And we talk and laugh and cry together.
And no matter how much time has passed, no matter how far we may have wandered away, we are welcomed back and get to pick up right where we left off. With the people of faith who truly care about us, and with God, who loves us just as we are. Families, and faith communities, are like that.
Gathered in Christ… together,
Pastor Roy+
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Blessing of the Animals
On Saturday evening we moved our worship service outdoors and had a blessing of the animals. We had our best Saturday worship attendance ever--79 people (and 29 pets). It was a great service and we intend to make it an annual event on the first Saturday in August. Thinking about having Saturday worship outdoors on several more occasions during the summer too.
Hopefully it will attract more people and increase awareness of the service time and the casual atmosphere for this service. We have begun to promote the Saturday service as "No dress code. Bring the kids," with sandwich board signs out front and articles in the local newspaper and our newsletter. Hopefully an alternative to the 'high church' setting on Sunday will be attractive to people who have been avoiding coming on Sundays or who are not familiar with Lutheran worship and are just checking us out. The goal, of course, is to reach more people with the good news of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Things like blessing pets may seem a bit wacky to some -- but think it's being faithful to the mission of the church -- reaching out to more people with the life changing Word of God. And we had a lot of fun. Joy in worship! What a concept!
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
Hopefully it will attract more people and increase awareness of the service time and the casual atmosphere for this service. We have begun to promote the Saturday service as "No dress code. Bring the kids," with sandwich board signs out front and articles in the local newspaper and our newsletter. Hopefully an alternative to the 'high church' setting on Sunday will be attractive to people who have been avoiding coming on Sundays or who are not familiar with Lutheran worship and are just checking us out. The goal, of course, is to reach more people with the good news of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Things like blessing pets may seem a bit wacky to some -- but think it's being faithful to the mission of the church -- reaching out to more people with the life changing Word of God. And we had a lot of fun. Joy in worship! What a concept!
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Back From Vacation
How wonderful it was to be away at the beach on the Outer Banks of NC! I took along some work to do, but never even got close to doing any. This was, in no small part, due to the unexpected blessing that there was no wireless internet access where we were staying. Although I was annoyed by this at first, to be prevented from working while away on vacation really was a blessing! I spent my time relaxing and playing in the sun with Jean and the kids and taking walks on the beach. It doesn't get much better than that!
During one of those walks, Jean's uncle (also a pastor) asked, 'what are your joys in ministry?' It didn't take much time to think of them--Inspiring worship, 'real' preaching, teaching adults and children about God's great love for them, having a supportive colleague in Pastor Marilyn, the wonderful way the people of the congregation supported us during Jean's cancer treatments, seeing Jean healthy again and playing piano/organ for worship and doing music with children.
It is a gift to be able to reflect on our joys and blessings rather than spend our time thinking about the problems that are constantly barking for our attention. I choose to focus on the things that are good about our ministry together. And with regard to those things that are not, I know that I am not alone--I am yolked with Jesus. He is in charge of his church. And he invites us to work together with him, promising to give us rest for our souls. It truly can't get any better than that!
Joyfully,
Pastor Roy+
During one of those walks, Jean's uncle (also a pastor) asked, 'what are your joys in ministry?' It didn't take much time to think of them--Inspiring worship, 'real' preaching, teaching adults and children about God's great love for them, having a supportive colleague in Pastor Marilyn, the wonderful way the people of the congregation supported us during Jean's cancer treatments, seeing Jean healthy again and playing piano/organ for worship and doing music with children.
It is a gift to be able to reflect on our joys and blessings rather than spend our time thinking about the problems that are constantly barking for our attention. I choose to focus on the things that are good about our ministry together. And with regard to those things that are not, I know that I am not alone--I am yolked with Jesus. He is in charge of his church. And he invites us to work together with him, promising to give us rest for our souls. It truly can't get any better than that!
Joyfully,
Pastor Roy+
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Thinking about freedom while preparing for vacation
I'm at church trying to get a few things done before leaving on a two week vacation with Jean and the kids. So I may not find time to blog while gone. We'll see.
Since we just celebrated Independence Day, this past week's services had the theme of freedom. As important and treasured as our freedom as a nation is, there is a greater and even more fundamental freedom--the freedom from sin and freedom to serve God and others that comes to us in and through Jesus Christ. Freedom to live life without the burden of having to do the right things to please God and earn your place in heaven. The freedom of knowing, and trusting that you are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. It's all about grace, God's love, made real for us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Now that's true freedom!
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Since we just celebrated Independence Day, this past week's services had the theme of freedom. As important and treasured as our freedom as a nation is, there is a greater and even more fundamental freedom--the freedom from sin and freedom to serve God and others that comes to us in and through Jesus Christ. Freedom to live life without the burden of having to do the right things to please God and earn your place in heaven. The freedom of knowing, and trusting that you are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. It's all about grace, God's love, made real for us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Now that's true freedom!
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Friday, July 4, 2008
Relationships
Jean and the kids have been gone all week, visiting her parents. With just the dog and me around the house is just so quiet! I really miss all the noise and commotion of my family.
So, since I have no one to talk to at home this week, I've been thinking how important close, loving relationships are in our lives. God created us in God's image. The image of a relational being. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are relationship names. To be created in God's image, then means that we are relational beings--created to be in relationship with other people, and with God.
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
So, since I have no one to talk to at home this week, I've been thinking how important close, loving relationships are in our lives. God created us in God's image. The image of a relational being. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are relationship names. To be created in God's image, then means that we are relational beings--created to be in relationship with other people, and with God.
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
