A while ago I was talking with one of our members at Resurrection after a Sunday service, as we stood in the sanctuary. And the topic came up of reckless driving and crashes with innocent people harmed and killed. And we were talking about how to solve this problem. Heavier fines? More jail time? And I think I said something like, "But I don't know if that will really help. So what can we do about it?!" And the response came back without words, just a look around the sanctuary, and hands open to that space of worship and gathering of God's people at RLC. In other words: WE are the answer. As God works in and through us. As we worship and pray and respond as God's people in love and service and all that each of us can say and do.
No, it didn't mean that that is ALL we can do. As I just said in last Sunday's sermon: prayer is the first thing we can do. But it always will lead to actions. So let us gather for our services and meetings and fellowship at RLC. And may it lead us to whatever we can do to help our communities and nation and world. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." So I look forward to joining you in prayer and love and service, and so be a blessing to our community and world! And certainly the brightest light we can share with others is the light of God our Savior, and the peace and hope that the crucified and risen Christ can bring to all! God Bless, Pastor Steve
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In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus is praying for His disciples, and in John 17:20, He includes "those who will believe in Me" (that's you and me). And one of the petitions that He prays is "to protect" us. As we read in verse 15, He prays that our Father in heaven will protect us "from the evil one".
The evil one, the devil, is working in all kinds of ways to harm us. In the context of this prayer in John 17, Jesus is primarily asking that we be protected from losing faith in Him and being separated from Him. And as He says in John 17:12, "not one of them was lost". We can find a wonderful comfort and strength in these words. Jesus is not going to let us get lost. He is not going to let us be separated from Him. As we read in Luke 15, Jesus the Shepherd, "searches for the lost sheep until he finds them" God never gives up on us! This Thursday, the Christian Church celebrates the Ascension of our Lord. But this doesn't mean that Christ has left us. Instead it means that now the Risen and Glorified Christ is "at the right hand of God, which is where God is, who is everywhere! And as Romans 8:34 promises, "Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who intercedes for us." To use the language of insurance, God has each of us on a "lifetime policy". He's working on us, with us, in us, around us, all through our lives. And God's grace and love showering upon us will not end! It will continue all through our lives and into eternity! That's the kind of protection God gives us: a lifetime of protection, an eternal life of protection that He gives through faith in Jesus, our Savior and Lord! Pastor Steve These words of Jesus remind me of the PeeWee baseball team I was on in the summer of 1965. It was the only year that I was on an official baseball team (though I loved playing baseball and softball with the neighborhood friends). But as I remember it, I had just moved to a new town with my family. And our neighbor Scott, a year older, and an athlete all through his life, chose me to be on his team. And 60 years later I can still remember the excitement of being chosen!! Though it was a big mistake for Scott, the captain of the Olson Jewelers team, Because I only had one hit the whole season. But I will always remember being chosen for the team!
As we read in John 15, Jesus chose His disciples. Not only those first disciples that walked with him before HIs resurrection. But also each and every one of us. As Peter writes, "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people." (1 Peter 2:9). And the Apostle Paul tells us that "God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4). And in 1 Thessalonians 1:4 he writes, "For we know brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you," So how do we respond to being chosen by God? And what are we chosen for? Maybe we should answer that second question first: we are chosen to be loved by God. We are chosen to be His redeemed people. We are chosen to be those for whom God sent His Son to save us from sin, death and the devil. We are chosen to be with Him now and forever. We are chosen to follow Him and His way now and forever. It sounds like being chosen by God in Christ is much, much better than being chosen for the PeeWee baseball team! And if I am still excited about being chosen for that baseball team, then imagine the excitement and all the emotion of gratitude and joy we can have as we are chosen by God!! Jesus spoke these words, as recorded in this Sunday's Gospel reading. They are words spoken in the context of telling us that He is the Vine and we are the branches. In other words, as a branch needs to be connected to the vine to live, so we need to be connected to Jesus.
So how do we get connected to Jesus? How do we live as people who receive all their strength from Jesus? The answer is found in Jesus, not in us. Just as a branch doesn't choose the vine to connect to, neither do we reach out to connect to Jesus. He comes to us! He chooses to connect with us, and give us life with Him. Religion is defined as our beliefs and efforts to serve and worship God. But Christianity is the Good News of the God who loves us and takes the action of coming to us in Jesus Christ. And the really Good News is that God loves all of us. He came to be Savior of the world. He connects with each and every one of us, through the work of the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacraments. So how do we get connected to Jesus? The answer is in Jesus! In His life, death and resurrection, God has come to us and made us His people! All we can do is receive His love and grace with gratitude, worship and service. And even that is by God's grace and power in us. Thanks be to God!! Those opening words, and all of Psalm 23, are no doubt familiar to many of us. We've all heard many sermons (and some of us have written many) on these words. And the artwork and music based on God as Shepherd and we as His sheep are also very familiar. I've memorized this Psalm, and have used it often for my own devotions and as a pastor at the bedside of so many.
An old childhood song based on this Psalm was one that I used every week for many years with the preschool that was in our congregation. I even have hand gestures that go with it. I can't share that in this blog, but here are the words (and I'm singing it as I write this :) "I am Jesus' little lamb; ever glad at heart I am. For my Shepherd gently guides me Knows my needs and well provides me Loves me every day the same. Even calls me by my name". Why is this Psalm such a favorite? Is it simply because the shepherd and sheep imagery is so popular in Scripture? Is it because Jesus uses this imagery so often (Luke 15, John 10, etc.)? Or is it comforting to think of ourselves as under the protective and caring leadership of a Good Shepherd? Maybe it's because many of us love little lambs and animals. (though maybe an even better imagery would be of a dog and their owners. But I better not criticize the writers and God as the author of the Scriptures ;) No doubt we know the Shepherd and sheep imagery because of all and more of the above. All I know is that I'm thankful for these words of Scripture. And I have so appreciated reading and meditating upon the love and care that God has for me, as the Good Shepherd has for each and every one of us. Pastor Steve This obviously will not come as a surprise when I say, "I love food!" Just one look at me and you can tell that :)
So when this Sunday's Gospel reading includes an occasion when the Risen Lord is eating, it caught my attention :). And this passage in Luke 24 follows another occasion when Jesus ate with two of his disciples. In fact, have you ever noticed how often the Gospels and Jesus' ministry includes eating and drinking with others? Turning water into wine, asking a woman for water at the well, offering living water, feeding over 5,000 and then more than 4,000, calling HImself the Bread of Life, attending meals prepared by others, and hosting meals for others, eating the passover meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper, the Risen Lord eating with his disciples, making breakfast for 7 of his disciples, and promising an eternal banquet. And I'm sure I've forgotten others times when Jesus ate with other people and used food and drink as examples of God's grace and love for all. Why? Why is food and eating so important to Jesus and His ministry? Maybe that last sentence of the previous paragraph answers the question. Food and drink is a good example of God's grace and love for all! In the months after my Mom died, and before my Dad died, he often referred to a picture he had on the wall of his room. It is a long, long, banquet table, with the finest of everything on the table...all set for people to sit down for a banquet. And the caption below the picture is a quote from Luke `14:17, "Come, for everything is now ready", from the story Jesus told of a great banquet and invitations to many. My Dad would point to one of the empty chairs at the table and say, "There's where your Mom is sitting. And soon I'll be sitting right next to her". And he always was encouraging each of us to keep the faith and look toward the promise of eternal life with them in heaven. So today we are in the midst of the days of Easter, that will last until the Ascension of our Lord. And the accounts of the Risen Lord often include sharing a meal together. And then the Ascended Lord promises to be always with us. And one of the events that brings the Risen and Ascended Lord to us is in the Lord's Supper. So whenever you gather for Holy Communion, or when you sit down to a meal with family and friends, or even when you grab a snack and water bottle, may you remember that your Savior and Lord is with you. Be assured that He will answer the common table prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus". For He will come and be with you now and always! Blessings, Pastor Steve Resurrection Lutheran Church has just been awarded the "Outstanding Congregation of The Nation"
Given by the ECCUSA (Ecumenical Christian Coalition of USA) It is an award given to one congregation of all Christian denominations, based on the Love they have received and been given over the past year. (April Fools Day!!) OK, so the only correct words in the above announcement is... "the Love they have been given and received over the past year" Because those words are true! No foolin'!! And it is the love God has given to ALL congregations and people, year after year, throughout history and forever into the future. And you and I and everyone can receive this love that has come through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord of all! Here's another thing that is NOT an April Fools Day prank: to answer the question: So what do we do now, after celebrating Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter?! There usual is this post Easter Letdown. I mean, we can't continue to stay on the mountaintops of celebrating the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Savior, can we? But wait! I continue to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries (and I better not forget them!). And I have some big ones coming up: Every birthday of a family member is a big deal, and this year is our 40th wedding anniversary, and my 40th anniversary of ordination and years of being a pastor. So if those events can continue to be remembered, then certainly even more so can all of us continue to celebrate and bask in the glow of the love of Christ, and the new life that He gives to us! So here's an ANNOUNCEMENT that is ALL TRUE: God loves you! So much He has sent His Son to save all of us! In the Crucified and Risen Christ we have life, now and forever! No foolin' here at all. Happy Every Day as a day that you can celebrate God and His love in Christ for you and all people!! Blessings, Pastor Steve When is the last time that you experienced these two reactions to something in your life: terror and amazement"? Maybe even today! But if we think of it, probably we can all come up with a close call with tragedy or death, or expecting to hear bad news, and instead hearing good news, or something bad happens, but then also something occurs to help us handle it in a positive way. I know I can certainly come up with a few examples of any or all of the above!
In this Sunday's Gospel reading, we hear about the three followers of Jesus who first saw the empty tomb and saw and heard the words of the angel, "....Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised". Yes! That qualifies as bringing the response of "terror and amazement"!! If I had been with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, I'm very sure that I could have used those words, and a few others, to describe my reactions! So now we have heard these words and the Easter Gospel accounts many times (for me, 67 years of reading, hearing, studying them). So it may be a stretch for any of us to experience the same thoughts and actions as we read about in this Sunday's Gospel, UNLESS....we apply them to other circumstances in our lives. Like ...almost being in a car crash....having cancer, and then hearing the words "remission"....the death of a loved one, but trusting in the hope of the resurrection for all. The message of Easter is all of this! As we follow our Savior and Lord through His suffering and death and resurrection, and beyond! Because Jesus not only was raised on that first Easter morning. But He is now the Risen One!! And He now comes to us in the words spoken from this week's Scriptures, and in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, and to all of those baptized as He dwells in and with us always. So let us receive the message of this Holy Week, including the Good News of the Resurrection. For it has a powerful and glorious impact on each and every one of us. For in the crucified and risen Savior there is Good News, Peace, Hope and Eternal Joy!! And that will apply to all of our lives. For the Risen Lord is with us now and forever!! Blessings, Pastor Steve These words point to the message of Lent, as we remember the service and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and how we follow Him in lives of service.
There are all kinds of ways to serve and sacrifice and give to our Lord. But right now I'm thinking of all that service that is especially happening right here at Resurrection Lutheran Church. And I have observed some really wonderful servants of our Lord. I'm not going to even attempt to list all the people and things done. In fact, ALL of you are offering your time, talents, and resources, from prayers, to participation and all kinds of known and unknown ways that you give to God and all of those whom He loves. But I would like to hold up three groups of people that are wonderful servants of our Lord and His Church. 1) Your Congregation's Council. Over the past several months, I have observed their faithful service, working with the leadership of Tom. You can be confident that these people have led us through this time of transition, and will continue to do so alongside the new pastor that God will send to us. Please pray for all of these, and for the continued wisdom and commitment that they are bringing to this congregation. 2) The Ministry Exploration Team (MET) has completed their work. And we can now thank God for giving them all they needed to study our congregation's past and future direction. And now they have passed on the Ministry Site Profile to the Council. When approved, it will then be sent to the Synod and offered to pastors looking at a call to Resurrection. Thank you Lord for the completed work of this team of willing and faithful servants of Your Church! 3) The Call Team has now been chosen. A Big thank you to Tom for gathering this team together! We are planning an installation of this team next month. And after the Town Hall Meeting (Sunday 4/21), you will be hearing of the interviews and eventually a pastoral candidate that will be brought to the congregation for a call. Pray! Pray that the Holy Spirit works in these people and their important work. 4) May I pick out one more person, who is serving our congregation?! I'm thinking of our office administrator, Larry. Who does all of the office work and preparations of services, and emails, and... I better stop here, because I'm sure I'll forget something that he does for us! Let's just say, "Thank you Lord for giving us Larry! And Thank you Larry for ALL you do for each and every one of us." OK, one more: YOU. Whoever is reading this and connected to RLC. Thank you for being with us in this wonderful congregation of people who know they are loved by God, and who love one another! God Bless, Pastor Steve Friends. That's what I see in this Scripture reading, and in Matthew 9, where one of these tax collectors is called to follow Jesus, and immediately he hosted a dinner with other tax collectors and sinners. And no doubt most of these people are friends!
Now please take notice who is in the midst of them? Jesus. In Luke 15, Jesus is the host ("welcoming...") So He is fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 25:6, "The Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food..." And so as we look at our Lenten theme, "Gathering Around Jesus", here we see notorious sinners and people hated by others, all gathering around Jesus! And I am one of them gathered around Jesus. And so are all other people, for "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) It looks like a party! With great food and drink, and lots of conversation and laughter. And I'm thinking Jesus was in the midst of all of that also. I'd love to hear one of His jokes, and His laughter :). Wait a minute: this sounds like the gatherings around Jesus at worship services that occurs every Sunday and the Wednesdays of Lent, and the soup suppers, and the fellowship gatherings after so many of our services, and the dinners we share with others, all here at Resurrection Lutheran Church!! Blessings to you, Pastor Steve |
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