tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51288925928635694722024-03-19T04:48:27.830-04:00HopewardsWeekly sermons based on the Revised Common Lectionary, with the intent of helping all find hope.Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.comBlogger624125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-30288251541791295682024-03-17T12:00:00.001-04:002024-03-17T12:00:00.134-04:00Seeing Jesus<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">John 12:20-33</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One day, late in Jesus’ ministry, some Greeks come to the
disciples. They say to Andrew, “We wish to see Jesus,” they said. Andrew checks
with Philip, and the two go together to tell Jesus about the visitors. Word
about Jesus has reached foreign ears and hearts. We never learn if the Greeks
actually get to see Jesus, because John only reports Jesus’ reply about seeds
and timing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh994zsV4Vfaa25SJzIYQZRZXg64smgpJCmHDPRE10TCO9242jJ_zO3CcZEKvRiZ8xBfPD2psTZqLCOewnWPnJRtFIR7EuZ_VU3uKf2gCEweZs1fVdClKGjVLdJVB-mwsIvECBteKAkmYV2_Jwor50g7hQaDOHieBK1QtS0yyr_c00yXMkeW-McQKwpiyff/s560/23cuaresmaB5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="472" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh994zsV4Vfaa25SJzIYQZRZXg64smgpJCmHDPRE10TCO9242jJ_zO3CcZEKvRiZ8xBfPD2psTZqLCOewnWPnJRtFIR7EuZ_VU3uKf2gCEweZs1fVdClKGjVLdJVB-mwsIvECBteKAkmYV2_Jwor50g7hQaDOHieBK1QtS0yyr_c00yXMkeW-McQKwpiyff/w169-h200/23cuaresmaB5.jpg" width="169" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Apparently, this visit, this interest in
him by those thought of as outsiders, signals that the end is near for Jesus. Jesus
talks instead about how seeds look dead, but planted in the earth, they rise
again and bear fruit. He goes on to insist that his followers will also be like
seeds, giving up their lives so they can have eternal life. … Jesus says more
in this passage, but this is enough for us to focus on. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Today is March 17, a day when people honor St Patrick by
eating corned beef and drinking green beer. There are many legends about
Patrick, and few facts. Here is some of what we know to be true about him. He
was born in England, where his father was a deacon in the church. When he was 16,
Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and held prisoner in Ireland for six
years. He escaped back to England, where he heard God’s voice telling him to return
to Ireland. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsPZp1dsk-fJLW5SHkiGciCkKPtRoqCP8aMLl3NWoCsItvhSoJ1gWb1MuusbPAxx76OYsaUjizVNtrh_dLLIfvlUg3Ls92FUge73MCIenw-2OoPxBBMBXfWROUUGo6P1Xha2MdmCiNC2ZYLRKQy5v4idVDLXi18UWjikpaELcrrocUZbYUpQRTU_uu0Tj/s2560/Celtic-Cross-image-scaled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsPZp1dsk-fJLW5SHkiGciCkKPtRoqCP8aMLl3NWoCsItvhSoJ1gWb1MuusbPAxx76OYsaUjizVNtrh_dLLIfvlUg3Ls92FUge73MCIenw-2OoPxBBMBXfWROUUGo6P1Xha2MdmCiNC2ZYLRKQy5v4idVDLXi18UWjikpaELcrrocUZbYUpQRTU_uu0Tj/w133-h200/Celtic-Cross-image-scaled-1.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He studied Christianity and after 15
years, he was ordained. Then Patrick returned to Ireland where his calling was to
minister to the Christians already living there, and to introduce Jesus to those
who followed native Irish beliefs. He used their traditions and images to help
them know about Jesus. For example, the sun was a powerful image for these
folks, so he added a sun to the Christian cross, forming what we now know as
the Celtic cross. They lit fires to worship their gods, so Patrick used fire to
symbolize Easter. I imagine him saying, in an adaptation of what the Greeks
said to Andrew, “I want you to see Jesus.” <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />… How do we see Jesus today? In the text
from John 12, Jesus talks about the seeds as symbolizing his own life, death,
and resurrection. We don’t have to be farmers or gardeners to understand the message
hidden in seeds. We know that the seed, which looks quite dead, will rise from
the earth as if by magic. We know that the seed must be laid on or into the soil,
and that it needs sun and water in appropriate amounts at the appropriate time in
order to sprout. We know that a single seed bears 10- or 100-fold, especially a
thistle weed in a Florida lawn in March. 😊
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlWxHZGrEW02reYdXP5Wbcjzke1u-4EEjnT6d76ztJ1OfBId9yo9Ge8lHErkVinrX6ryv18weW0yLU-MbaAOyAIiw3f6Nu_3SfnSiFkH2heMWszcyaMD3UDi6ZanDxxVVMVK7zCh2-O_MjKb7Brh9IkUJdWApn6P_CIfDGxabc82AcC5jCmLIxxfaiZVr/w200-h133/thistle.jpg" width="200" /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlWxHZGrEW02reYdXP5Wbcjzke1u-4EEjnT6d76ztJ1OfBId9yo9Ge8lHErkVinrX6ryv18weW0yLU-MbaAOyAIiw3f6Nu_3SfnSiFkH2heMWszcyaMD3UDi6ZanDxxVVMVK7zCh2-O_MjKb7Brh9IkUJdWApn6P_CIfDGxabc82AcC5jCmLIxxfaiZVr/s275/thistle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus told the disciples that like a seed planted in the
earth, he needed to die in order to be raised to eternal life. Jesus was also
saying that the disciples and followers, including us today, needed to
intentionally give up their lives, be willing to die if necessary, so that
others could “see Jesus.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhm8S6LAfOYLL83qUzYaAfWzM4N_w_ZzxrNA29YmvS4LMZdRVnCTVudm3QF5HzrjbnmrRB7SNZRN96RCwaR5QQEB4aP3oUHlULaDgDRyoAjE5MBQE9Xnoh8aobPNsTJwmiyxIEpjhHxzzdaqGHRb9XwE2nrHN-Y9OEI9YPcvvuVqgmmCv3XY4YhdOYluz/s273/young%20sheldon%20family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="273" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhm8S6LAfOYLL83qUzYaAfWzM4N_w_ZzxrNA29YmvS4LMZdRVnCTVudm3QF5HzrjbnmrRB7SNZRN96RCwaR5QQEB4aP3oUHlULaDgDRyoAjE5MBQE9Xnoh8aobPNsTJwmiyxIEpjhHxzzdaqGHRb9XwE2nrHN-Y9OEI9YPcvvuVqgmmCv3XY4YhdOYluz/w200-h136/young%20sheldon%20family.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Here’s a story. I hope you’ll see the
connection as I did. Mike and I often watch <i>Young Sheldon</i> on Thursday
nights. In case you don’t know the story, Sheldon and Missy are teenage twins,
with Sheldon being a mathematic genius with limited social skills, and Missy
being a “normal” girl. This week, three main stories: one about Missy planning
a party; one about Sheldon and friends trying to make money with a computer
program; and the third about Mom Mary discovering a TV preacher selling the
Prosperity Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mary at first resists what the Reverend Travis Lemon is
saying, but soon decides to believe his interpretation of Jesus’ promises for abundance.
She sends him money the family can’t afford and waits for the abundance of money
to roll in. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mary’s husband George points out that the amount she sent
was a week’s worth of food for the family. When Mary insists that they will
soon receive an abundance of cash, George goes to see their pastor, who agrees
to talk with Mary. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mary insists to Pastor Jeff that they will soon be rolling
in money because Reverend Lemon said so. Pastor Jeff explains that Jesus just
doesn’t work that way. Mary isn’t convinced, but Pastor Jeff has planted a
seed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mary goes outside to pray and ask for a sign – which turns
out to be a glob of bird-do on her forehead. The negative signs abound over the
next few hours, and on Sunday, the family is in church with Pastor Jeff. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here’s the connection I found: both George and Pastor Jeff
try to help Mary see the real Jesus. Their words plant seeds of doubt about Reverend
Lemon’s lies, and grow to reveal the truth of Jesus’ words. It is only as Mary has
time to process and lets Spirit work in her heart that she can see the real
Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… We believe Jesus is
present, even if we can’t see him. Perhaps just as often, we have the
opportunity to help others see him, too, as George and Pastor Jeff did with
Mary, as Patrick did with the early Irish folks. Knowing and sharing his
stories, his words and deeds, can guide us in conversations with those who don’t
know him, or don’t know him well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We also can help people see Jesus by doing
what Jesus did: welcoming all as children of God, healing and feeding them. This
week, I pray you will look for Jesus, and for opportunities to help others see
him. <o:p></o:p>Amen</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSRAaAmarg3FGb2nVzKkgYLkbgTkkWUHlA8459rTPR0P1ymu7iXDUxsUVzRtA1_WMF6iF4cyO2GFhpMvaLhQcFJ2QQy1SBjreyoGz3U0d17JWoh62sg0gB2iN_tluVSDbK6Eemn_u_nMOlMCh7zi0XFUfoApGZxFMlw1Xp1rn0XJ2NWl9c6Zfu8R2PovE/s310/sharing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSRAaAmarg3FGb2nVzKkgYLkbgTkkWUHlA8459rTPR0P1ymu7iXDUxsUVzRtA1_WMF6iF4cyO2GFhpMvaLhQcFJ2QQy1SBjreyoGz3U0d17JWoh62sg0gB2iN_tluVSDbK6Eemn_u_nMOlMCh7zi0XFUfoApGZxFMlw1Xp1rn0XJ2NWl9c6Zfu8R2PovE/s1600/sharing.jpg" width="310" /></span></a></div><p></p>
Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-23717126369395453732024-03-03T12:00:00.001-05:002024-03-03T12:00:00.242-05:00There are rules, and then there are Rules<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2024 03 03 Sermon <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Exodus 20:1-17; John 2:13-22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwixxGKNZ1Z0vN5yfBdAL5R1AypFTi1FH8yWC34BAJsVczUkFejdLFQRN9S8j6xq4yByJ8pnZKzkFwcn2CZ_XrXsC0G3Csvzxin_4RRQw2dtGnxW8uykWQ5z1EHnYnmFphog_OWq3KNJuHCA63dmFLGAHMIqingZRIuFZW2VrPQEGK6RXW2QB54ey0Db4/s1280/commandments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwixxGKNZ1Z0vN5yfBdAL5R1AypFTi1FH8yWC34BAJsVczUkFejdLFQRN9S8j6xq4yByJ8pnZKzkFwcn2CZ_XrXsC0G3Csvzxin_4RRQw2dtGnxW8uykWQ5z1EHnYnmFphog_OWq3KNJuHCA63dmFLGAHMIqingZRIuFZW2VrPQEGK6RXW2QB54ey0Db4/w259-h320/commandments.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You may have notices that there are several versions of the
Ten Commandments floating around in English. For Jews, the first commandment is:
I am the Lord your God. And the second commandment is: You shall have no other
gods before me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since for centuries, the people we now call the Jews lived
among people who worshiped many gods, so these two commandments make a lot of
sense. God is saying to Moses, to all, “Among all the gods out there, I alone
am your God, and you will worship only me!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our God had competition, back in the day. God still has
competition, but it comes in the form of earning money, following sports teams,
having the best possessions, knowing the most important people, and so forth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Christians tend to put the first two Jewish commandments
into one first commandment. I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other
gods before me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Decades ago, a pastor said, “If we obey the first
commandment, all the rest will fall into place.” I agree. If we put God first
in our lives, the rest makes sense. If we tend to make money, sports,
possessions, or power our gods, we are not putting God first. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Over the years after Moses, the Jewish leaders shaped the
commandments into 613 commandments, all explanations and applications of the
first 10. They are included in the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew
Bible. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Then later there were oral and then written interpretations
of the commandments, as people sought to understand the commandments in new
circumstances. How far could people walk on the Sabbath in this town? What
foods were kosher when they moved to a new place and saw new foods? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… By Jesus’ time, there were rules aplenty about what was
legal around and within the temple. One set of rules governed money. It had
been determined that only Jewish temple coins could be used on temple grounds
to purchase animals for sacrifice. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since the land of Israel – then called Judea – was controlled
by Rome, the general populace used Roman coins minted wherever they lived. So,
there were tables where people could exchange their Roman coins for temple
coins. (Today, when we visit other countries, we go to a Currency Exchange. It’s
the same thing.) And, then, people could use those temple coins to purchase
sacrificial animals from the pens on temple grounds. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As John tells the story, shortly after making the very best
wine at a wedding, Jesus enters temple grounds and has a tantrum. This story is
told at the end of Jesus’ life in the other three Gospels, but John chooses to
put it at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus is making two points here: first, the obvious one that
the temple rules have turned the temple into a marketplace instead of a place
to worship God. And, second, that Jesus’ own body will replace the temple. … At
this point in the sermon, I needed to decide if I was going to talk about Jesus
as the temple, or continue with the commandments. And it turns out, it’s the
commandments! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… I want to be careful here to not unfairly criticize the
Jews, and veer into antisemitism. The ancient Jewish leaders had made careful
plans to be as respectful as they thought possible in their effort to put God
first in their lives and in the lives of all Jews. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2lpD_tWHjXwUayAsEMfz4naz34-TD6EICjrAlK1phuF87Z1qhYMvCzZDUOZLc0vgNt9sotWiI-vxzQlg9s7_cgPq6kTFq4dzMMysOayF7pZHacmScQiEQCgoV_4DqsfPYfjtUiqpP9i3R9nxRDYY2sSkTpDMfUp7uCsVSf41YhiBk4t5OQjILSmajcOP/s2560/The-Greatest-Commandment-Love-God-Love-Neighbor-scaled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2lpD_tWHjXwUayAsEMfz4naz34-TD6EICjrAlK1phuF87Z1qhYMvCzZDUOZLc0vgNt9sotWiI-vxzQlg9s7_cgPq6kTFq4dzMMysOayF7pZHacmScQiEQCgoV_4DqsfPYfjtUiqpP9i3R9nxRDYY2sSkTpDMfUp7uCsVSf41YhiBk4t5OQjILSmajcOP/s320/The-Greatest-Commandment-Love-God-Love-Neighbor-scaled.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus came to say that they were focusing
on the wrong things. When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about the commandments,
Jesus said that the first commandment was the greatest, but it is accompanied
by another. They can be summarized like this: Love God, and love your neighbor.
<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As it happens, we were talking about this last week at Bible
study, and we thought it should be amended to clarify it today to read, love
God, and love ALL your neighbors. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… The example Jesus gives us at the temple that day serves
as a reminder that the rules we establish may not be according to God’s plan
and desires for our wellbeing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We all make rules. In our families, we make rules. Dinner is
at 6pm. No food in the living room. Shoes off at the door. Hang up your wet
towels. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In our churches we make rules. At ULC we use the ELW liturgies,
or we create our own. We have snacks after worship, and celebrate birthdays on
the first Sunday of the month. We welcome everyone to the altar to receive Holy
Communion. We offer communion every week. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Sometimes, when churches want to change the rules, people
get upset. The old hymnal, liturgy, and songs are the only ones they like. Only
certain people are welcome at the altar for communion. Communion is too special
to have it every week, once or twice a month is often enough. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I suggest that when we are making rules for ourselves, for
our congregations, for our communities, that we consider Jesus’ response. The
most important rules, commandments, are these: love God and put God first; and
love all your neighbors. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I would suggest there are rules in our communities or state
or country that might need to be changed in order to line up with Jesus’
commandments, but we will disagree on which rules those are. But … since we are
in an election year, it is something to keep in mind as we choose our leaders. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, instead, I encourage you to ponder this week the rules
you have in your own lives. Do they help you love God and others? Do you need
to change the rules you live by? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Amen</span><o:p></o:p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-720380952099382842024-02-25T12:00:00.001-05:002024-02-25T12:00:00.249-05:00Faith and trust<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I was reading and rereading these texts for today, I
began to imagine them as actual conversations: Abraham with God, Paul with some
folks in Rome, Jesus with the disciples and the crowds. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, Abraham and God. They have had other conversations about
the same topic, about this calling. But Abraham and Sarah have been waiting years
and still no baby. They will wait still longer. This conversation is a renewal
of God’s commitment to Abram and Sarai. “You will be my people, and I will be
your God.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I imagine the conversation going something like this:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4oLDS3UxksUQKFRcczrmMhvozy4UyD5qOxKWtbTdgA-rozE3i-Bs8EgLtznpRB5GNz0yb8tARvUAYZsD_uECwWxd1GvASFGI-ufdEkG0mlI8-tGeW4lAWWP9dD7tZNX5LjGx4CUI6V7kiqxk3_WxbBzspyYiVMFF2D70GHLHq-TP6WQNiK2wMSDfAMeY/s259/abraham-and-sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4oLDS3UxksUQKFRcczrmMhvozy4UyD5qOxKWtbTdgA-rozE3i-Bs8EgLtznpRB5GNz0yb8tARvUAYZsD_uECwWxd1GvASFGI-ufdEkG0mlI8-tGeW4lAWWP9dD7tZNX5LjGx4CUI6V7kiqxk3_WxbBzspyYiVMFF2D70GHLHq-TP6WQNiK2wMSDfAMeY/w200-h150/abraham-and-sarah.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">bram
… You know, God. You promised us long ago that we would have thousands of descendants,
and we’re still waiting for the first baby! Sarai gave me her servant Hagar,
and I have a child with her, but now you tell me it’s got to be with Sarai. We’re
both tired of waiting and frustrated that it’s taking so long. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">God … Yes, I know
it seems like a long time to you. But I have plans you don’t and can’t know
about. It will be soon, I promise! To show you how sincere I am, I want to give
you new names. I will now call you Abraham, father of nations. And Sarai will
now be Sarah, a princess, and she will be the mother of nations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Abram … Yes, God,
I believe you and trust in your promise. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">God … You are a
faithful, righteous man. The covenant between us is still valid. Please wait a
little longer. You’ll see. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It was about a year later that Isaac was born. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdse1OQiNHO4FkM2Fi9NWFYn1xYBNr4mPhaUkIvK_9e2cXwQ3hdD5nO03OJMDoVJ0G_sXu3VRweknpPZMJgWvL6Uvt8SnlJLsLJuvkxRmOXj49v3cevANh8DcQQ87R8QueGnkUkgWrEH8aO-o4RSAz9g8VsWDoA-O0bsY2OR8dt1Kpf6HCfCYdxcE4fNu/s500/paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="435" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdse1OQiNHO4FkM2Fi9NWFYn1xYBNr4mPhaUkIvK_9e2cXwQ3hdD5nO03OJMDoVJ0G_sXu3VRweknpPZMJgWvL6Uvt8SnlJLsLJuvkxRmOXj49v3cevANh8DcQQ87R8QueGnkUkgWrEH8aO-o4RSAz9g8VsWDoA-O0bsY2OR8dt1Kpf6HCfCYdxcE4fNu/w174-h200/paul.jpg" width="174" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… It’s true that Paul may not have been able to meet with
the Roman congregation because he was arrested and tried and executed once he
got there, but still, it’s interesting to imagine that individuals were able to
see him in prison. Paul refers to Abraham’s faith to make the point that we
don’t have a relationship with God by doing things according to the rulebook.
We have a relationship with God simply by having faith and trust in God.</span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Parishioner A … Paul, are you saying we
don’t have to obey the laws for God to be our God? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paul … Yes, that’s
what I am saying. Just as God and Abraham had a covenant, a promise, to be
faithful to each other, that’s all it takes for us, too. Abraham promised to
trust God, and God said, “That’s righteousness!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Parishioner B … What
do you mean when you say ‘God gives life to the dead?’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paul … I meant
that to be a play on words. I think you know that, right?! First, since Abraham
was almost 100 years old when 90-year-old Sarah gave birth to Isaac, they both
were almost dead. And the play on words also included God’s raising Jesus from
the dead. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Parishioner A … I
think I’m beginning to see that faith in God is what makes us righteous. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paul … You are
right! Keep on trusting in God and you will be righteous in God’s eyes. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Now, let’s think about the disciples talking with Jesus
and the crowd listening in. There is no talk about Abraham here, but there is
the same measure of trusting God to know what God is doing, even when the plans
seem all wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVr4McxPxpGoG__9Qa5ShN_BtXKC5XVd-zbMus-2Zz_FyBxozb4F9SJW2H4uy_laCBFN2Zdv77s8bF9zpwsNKly9muVBK0M485q2AhQFsu5xu3GVuBt4Jo2iy6RamAUfAEuPssnP6kZL7SVPjQlhsFLodqnbFoU-A_-tcgmq_laNygD_sfy0biSrnfnM_/s1500/ApostlePeter-58a241a73df78c4758c06fbd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVr4McxPxpGoG__9Qa5ShN_BtXKC5XVd-zbMus-2Zz_FyBxozb4F9SJW2H4uy_laCBFN2Zdv77s8bF9zpwsNKly9muVBK0M485q2AhQFsu5xu3GVuBt4Jo2iy6RamAUfAEuPssnP6kZL7SVPjQlhsFLodqnbFoU-A_-tcgmq_laNygD_sfy0biSrnfnM_/s320/ApostlePeter-58a241a73df78c4758c06fbd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus
… The Son-of-Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by all the
leaders. He will be killed, executed, and after three days be raised from
death. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Peter … No, Jesus,
that can’t be the plan! Didn’t we just talk about you being the messiah? The
messiah can’t be killed before getting started. That’s not how this is supposed
to work! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus … Peter, you
are speaking like Satan, like my adversary. You need to let God’s plans work
here. Divine plans are very different from human plans! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">John … What do you
mean? We all thought you were part of God’s plan to change the world. Or at
least, to get rid of these Romans! That’s why we are following you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus … Listen to
me closely. If you want to be my followers, you must be ready to die for it. You
must trust me, that my way is better. I promise that in the end, it is God’s
true plan. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… So, these conversations are about trusting God and what
happens when we do. Abraham and Sarah trusted God for 25 years before Isaac was
born. That’s a lot of trust! They weren’t perfect in their trusting, and they
had lots of adventures along the way, some of them risky to life and limb. But on
the whole, they trusted God and believed the promises made to them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Paul uses the example of the imperfect trust by Abraham and
Sarah as the way we can all trust in God and believe God’s promises. Abraham’s
faith is used as a model for those who believe in Jesus. Paul says we can trust
in the promise that our relationship with God is based on faith, not on how
well we obey the rules constructed by religious leaders. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus, however, puts faith and trust at a wholly new level.
When we believe and act upon our belief, we can get killed for it. Just think
about this as an advertising campaign: Come one, come all! Believe in Jesus and
get crucified! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_tlu5d25ptuxfiyBtbhiWeaOSd6flE3HiW83sJDQZ1DFrdkTzE52yNxoTF8jkENs4-FjECpqK-zOZ2P3pykCtBRn6jsMGve7cX_L3lp7P8fyoS-94Opy5i_v9cTQ4h6rTMVwFSiyShiaQuU614thawvOK7_htDuFixM6PNv3Ji6Q1i-gb43YgfU59yd3/s250/perpetua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="250" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_tlu5d25ptuxfiyBtbhiWeaOSd6flE3HiW83sJDQZ1DFrdkTzE52yNxoTF8jkENs4-FjECpqK-zOZ2P3pykCtBRn6jsMGve7cX_L3lp7P8fyoS-94Opy5i_v9cTQ4h6rTMVwFSiyShiaQuU614thawvOK7_htDuFixM6PNv3Ji6Q1i-gb43YgfU59yd3/s1600/perpetua.jpg" width="250" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />And yet, there were uncounted thousands of people who did
just that! You may have heard the story of Perpetua and her maid Felicity and
their companions. They lived in Northern Africa in the early 200s, a time of severe
persecution of Christians. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The
daughter of a Christian mother and a pagan father, Perpetua has an infant son. She
is an educated noblewoman, who wrote her own experience in a journal. We don’t
know who the father of the baby is, or where he is. It’s easy to assume he has
already been arrested and executed for believing in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Her father tries hard to get her released from prison, but
she insists on remaining there to demonstrate her trust in God, her faith in
Jesus. Perpetua keeps her son with her until the day she is sent with Felicity
and others to the arena to do battle with the wild beasts and then the
gladiators. Their feast day is March 7. Something to look forward to
celebrating!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… While persecution for being Christian does happen in some
parts of the world today, mostly Christianity is the dominant religion. But
there are many interpretations of what it means to be Christian. Our faith in
Jesus and belief in what he stood for can put us at odds with people who support
other interpretations of what Jesus wants from us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If we believe Jesus sends us to stand up for the rights of oppressed
people, we might do some of the following: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We might put a little library on the corner near
the bus stop, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We might visit Baker Detention Center and
provide comfort to the refugees held there. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We might participate in voter registration
drives and encourage all citizens to vote. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We might sign petitions that guarantee access to
medical care for all women. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We might make it known that we welcome ALL people
at UELC, young and old, straight and gay and other, white and black and brown, abled
and differently-abled, and so forth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But, our faith and trust in God might lead us to do things
that put us at risk of disobeying the law, or at least angering some of our
neighbors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We could include some of the books banned by conservative
folks in the Little Library. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We could provide cash for the labor of undocumented
immigrants, so they can have housing and food for their families. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We could participate in demonstrations that advocate
for justice for an oppressed group. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We could hang a rainbow sign or flag high on our
property for all to see. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We could have a porta-potty installed and maintained
in an appropriate spot on our grounds, while we advocate with the city for
public restrooms and safe housing for the homeless. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I guess it comes down to how much you believe what Jesus
said is important. And how much you trust God to make all things work according
to God’s plan. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If one of these ideas upset you, try to understand why you
object, and what Jesus might say about it. Then refer to Matthew 25, where
Jesus insists that whenever we aid those in need, or refuse to do so, we are
doing it to Jesus himself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If one of these ideas intrigue you, ponder and pray about
how to make it happen. And then place your trust in God as you make plans to
follow through. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And, since many – but not all – of us are over 65, our task
may be to pray and encourage those who are younger. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">However we plan to be involved, let’s trust that God has a plan
and Jesus has our back. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nnpESg437shRDHYxnZi2gQPh0SKh_8Gya8iunzHWu0s5cOtv1yyPxlKoyRDFu67FkUdXTPGPpZDJCfqbK6zG_cnFLDm2SyqYKmtUleMSeJ2ZlTooqUaPIXpuYSI60XE7IziJmfzF1svG0Jk1tBkz7PU0sZNXz_KY7RK0mUaac66Ry2TJvFt4nAIAtPpR/s1920/trust-god-quotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nnpESg437shRDHYxnZi2gQPh0SKh_8Gya8iunzHWu0s5cOtv1yyPxlKoyRDFu67FkUdXTPGPpZDJCfqbK6zG_cnFLDm2SyqYKmtUleMSeJ2ZlTooqUaPIXpuYSI60XE7IziJmfzF1svG0Jk1tBkz7PU0sZNXz_KY7RK0mUaac66Ry2TJvFt4nAIAtPpR/s320/trust-god-quotes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-34170423299336761612024-02-18T12:00:00.001-05:002024-02-18T12:00:00.143-05:00<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><!--StartFragment-->
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2024 02 18 Sermon<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mark 1:9-15<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Testing, testing <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mark's story-telling style
is to move the story along quickly, so it's important to pay attention to what he
does say. In 6 short verses, we get Jesus’ baptism, testing, and the purpose of
his ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The little we do have is
dramatic. At the baptism the heavens are not just opened, they are torn open. At
the crucifixion, the curtain in the temple will be torn open, using the same word.
Jesus didn't just enter the wilderness, he was driven there. Jesus' ministry starts
after John was arrested, which is a sign of foreboding for what will happen to Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word we often translate as temptation also
means testing. If we think of scientific methods, we use testing to discover, or
determine, what something is made of. How much gold is in a rock, or how much oil
is in the ground?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, when Jesus is in the
wilderness, he is being tested to see what he is made of. Is he willing and able
to do the ministry ahead of him the way God planned it? Will he resist the temptation
to use his divine power for personal gain? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I found it interesting to
imagine the scene as described by Mark. In one sentence, we get the whole picture:
Jesus is in the wilderness, accompanied by wild beasts, Satan and angels. Mark doesn’t
say Jesus fasted as Matthew and Luke do; so he must have survived on whatever he
found, some edible vegetation, maybe locusts and honey. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The wild beasts include lions,
jackals, bears, wild ox, and lots of smaller, less dangerous critters. How was Jesus
kept safe from harm? Maybe the angels protected him, maybe he threw rocks at them.
We don't here have a description of any conversation between Jesus and Satan, the
Adversary, or in this case, the Tester. We simply know he experienced a time of
testing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Within just a few more verses,
Jesus will encounter the first of numerous demons inhabiting persons and making
their lives miserable. He already has to tell the demons to be quiet, because he
as a different goal in mind than battling them right now. This struggle against
the forces of evil continues throughout the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The last sentence in our
reading describes what Jesus came to do, despite the opposition he will receive
from earthly and spirit enemies. Jesus' purpose in being on earth is to declare
that the time is now, and the reign of God is at hand. Mark will describe the reign
of God through Jesus’ words and deeds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For today, let's think about
the idea of testing. We have all been tested, time and again, from birth to death.
We become who we are because of the testing we have faced and worked our way through.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Being a student, of any age,
is a type of testing. By the time we get to college or university, we have learned
a lot, hopefully, about taking tests. The greater test in college is the course
of study. How will we use what we are learning when we are finished with school?
Who are our companions? Our testing can be as simple as: How will we have enough
money to pay the rent and eat? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When we are older, we face
other tests. My friend Sally – not her name - became a widow a few months ago. She
never had to do anything with the family finances until shortly before her husband
died. Now, the financial entities that hold their moneys are resisting efforts to
get her the money quickly so she can pay her bills. This is a serious time of testing
for her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another friend, Mark – also,
not his name – has been battling lung cancer. The doctors have worked hard to find
the right treatments for him. A bigger test has been getting the insurance companies
to agree to cover new treatment options. His strong faith has helped him endure
the treatments and the isolation required to avoid exposure to other diseases.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I mentioned last
Wednesday that is a time for heart work, a time for self examination, for
confession and seeking forgiveness. This week’s heart work could be recalling
some of the testing you have been through. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What tests have you faced?
How have they shaped you into the person you are today? How have they made you stronger?
How have they changed you? How has your faith grown because of the testing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How has your faith in God been shaken? It may
be good to share some of that testing with others. We discover, when we share, that
are not alone in the struggle to stay faithful in the midst of testing! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Amen<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment-->Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-1259822607575430862024-02-14T20:00:00.003-05:002024-02-14T20:00:00.234-05:00Ashy Wednesday<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2024 02 14 Ash Wednesday Sermon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ashes are humbling<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Do you hear Jesus echo Joel? For centuries, the spiritual
practices mentioned by Joel have been essential to the people called Jews. These
practices of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer have been key to the relationship
between God and God’s people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In Jesus’ time, some people did them for show instead of as
a demonstration of the relationship between them and God. They were intent on
showing the “other poor saps” just how faithful they were. It’s like they were
walking billboards for their own faithfulness. Jesus called them out on it. God
doesn’t need a billboard to see into their hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Just as key as the three spiritual practices has been the
idea of graciousness and mercy. The Hebrew word is <i>hesed</i>. It is
everywhere in the Hebrew scriptures. God is gracious and merciful, slow to
anger and abounding in steadfast love. God is full of <i>hesed</i>! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On Ash Wednesday, these themes: sinfulness and the need for
repentance, collide with God’s <i>hesed</i>. Ashes have been used as a sign of
grief and repentance – grief over our sinfulness – for thousands of years. One
famous example is the way Job sat in ashes, so great was his repentance at the
end of his story. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ashes are humbling. We remember that when our bodies have
died, and the worms and critters, or the fire of cremation, have finished with
us, we are nothing but a pile of ashes. Applied to our foreheads, ashes remind
us that our earthly bodies are finite, and we can’t take whatever we own with
us. In the grave it’s just us, crumbling away into the earth. We are out of
chances to make amends with God or anyone else. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How much better, then, to have spent our lives in a way that
pleases God! When King David realized – actually when the Prophet Nathan forced
him to realize – the sinfulness of claiming Bathsheba as one of his wives –
David spent significant time confessing his sin and guilt. He sought God’s
forgiveness through prayer and music. He asked God to cleanse him through and
through. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcUjn9-i25FmUhfYX653vA5OKCNvXFQXFgBz1zg2YtZlfwFjOxqSpdx6WtXOf1125RPk1cEJLaJU8K9HkHks-Oko3J_w4SfIKFL8N6gAy54cllxRlvixQGaHF_elMJbse8zK7dbtMp7_vljWVWgPyGTrQO5HlMHlokciE0OvtMQmICSJehe9UNnhOWQue/s263/heart%20lent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="263" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcUjn9-i25FmUhfYX653vA5OKCNvXFQXFgBz1zg2YtZlfwFjOxqSpdx6WtXOf1125RPk1cEJLaJU8K9HkHks-Oko3J_w4SfIKFL8N6gAy54cllxRlvixQGaHF_elMJbse8zK7dbtMp7_vljWVWgPyGTrQO5HlMHlokciE0OvtMQmICSJehe9UNnhOWQue/s1600/heart%20lent.jpg" width="263" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Lent is a time for heart work, a time to discover, again,
that we are sinful beings. We may not think we do wrong things, but we often
fail to do the right things. We are not always kind, we do not always share, we
do not always forgive. When we ponder the ways in which we have hurt others, we
may feel like David: contrite, needing forgiveness and a clean heart.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When we confess our sinfulness, we ask God to cleanse us,
too. When we take time to pray, give alms, and fast in Lent, we are reminding
our hearts that we are not perfect. We are reminding ourselves that we are so
dependent on God’s grace that we dare not forget we are baptized and forgiven. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, today, we receive ashes on our forehead as a sign of our
sinfulness. But we don’t have to leave them there. We can pause at the font and
wash the ashes away as we remember we are baptized and forgiven children of
God. Our hearts have been made clean through the grace and mercy of our loving
God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-51465228173380575552024-02-11T12:00:00.001-05:002024-02-11T12:00:00.131-05:00Spending time with Jesus<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 2 Kings 2:1-12; Mark 9:2-9</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: left;">In today’s gospel story of the transfiguration, we have Jesus
and the three lead disciples, plus Moses and Elijah and Elisha.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">We have a mountain, which usually signifies something
big is going to happen.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">We have a mysterious
transformation in appearance of Jesus. And we have Peter, who as usual speaks before
he thinks. </span></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="750" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi1ckVQBXo99PGkqhK0lvYcPb0Vh1z4STk68rG3Yy3wwhvUt528EmcUKlYxb6Qt6AK4DNp0eyncL1lmmIlm63LxHGGCFRzkAWfInM4gsoEFX03sgAacZgToAsmkczas0nbPgkKBLro-mLR6txF113hTcfoXjwcuXWxhDxNSfsk-BFefvmCoPnb8ow-fT0/s320/Europeana.eu-9200122-BibliographicResource_1000056117276-9f70b41e8c79d05ce8a0129f3ad8b8c6.jpg" width="320" /></span></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, what’s going on? The story of Elijah and
Elisha tells about the time when the prophetic gift is transferred from one to the
other. More importantly, as Elijah rides off in the golden chariot, it seems he
doesn’t die. Forever after, there is an expectation that he will return. At the
Passover table every year, a place is set for Elijah, and the door is opened to
invite him in. Here on the mountain with Jesus Elijah represents the prophetic history
of the people, and the long history of God’s promises to God’s people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most of us probably know more about Moses than about Elijah.
Moses also represents the long history of the relationship between God and God’s
people through the Commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we
often refer to Moses as bringing the Law, he really brings the promise of God to
care for and about the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While Moses and Elijah seem to be about the past, they are also
the vision of the future in which God reminds the folks of Jesus’ time that the
ancient promises still hold true. And that the promises will be expressed in a new
way, through Jesus, God’s Son. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6oLILZbbn9ptTLB1E9WKFNv4MaYf-05pcDs1VK4Kih0iJtA-M8_urnw8txbpAdmAt9U6sVwjT0HT4Fsj_xw7bCGzJvO13hm3zyj6fVTdaFlvalfc3CALFUyl6RfCLha6q3rRoDEc4KwdaeGU035KWAJ83PkdK0lYd1h1jScDEnOsfudxNg_1yVSoiYIo/s600/transfig.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6oLILZbbn9ptTLB1E9WKFNv4MaYf-05pcDs1VK4Kih0iJtA-M8_urnw8txbpAdmAt9U6sVwjT0HT4Fsj_xw7bCGzJvO13hm3zyj6fVTdaFlvalfc3CALFUyl6RfCLha6q3rRoDEc4KwdaeGU035KWAJ83PkdK0lYd1h1jScDEnOsfudxNg_1yVSoiYIo/s320/transfig.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Let’s
imagine we are Peter. We aren’t sure just what we are seeing. Jesus is glowing with
heavenly glory, with Moses and Elijah at his sides. Who among us doesn’t wish to
be there? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t we, too, want to set up
our folding chairs and have a long chat around the campfire? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t we, too, want to rest in the presence
of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pastors often chide parishioners that the mountaintop experience
doesn’t last, and we have work to do. There are hungry people to feed, sick children
to care for, prisoners to visit, and so forth. These pastors say, Let’s go down
the mountain and get busy. It’s true that after the mountain, Jesus and
disciples get busy healing the sick, casting out demons, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But … These pastors forget something important. It’s hard to
give so much to others if we haven’t taken the time to rest in Jesus’ presence,
to nourish our spirits through time with the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So let’s think about spending time with God. I suspect some of
you pray a lot, and are even good with long periods of silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect some of you begin each day with a Bible
study and prayers for loved ones and an end to war. And I suspect that some of you
find silence difficult to experience for more than 30 seconds, that even the pause
during the confession is too long. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Last week, we experimented with using meditative chants in worship.
I heard feedback from several folks that it was helpful, enjoyable, worshipful.
I personally find it hard to meditate in absolute silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind wanders all over. But if I put a simple
chanted song into the silence, I can meditate for a long time. After a while, the
words disappear and I find myself in God’s presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaNV4cMUR8DfL2HW1L86v5aXexHvBrU9jPKltQRp7vSdDyxi6kIMtG7zHQzkGQJlqc7NjWF3ytbao5z9YCke8D8q9ZA2mZ2HQ38G8xKE-rpqLRTZJ70U23H89GHFHJjtwaJ8sy6uIOBf3aNF5iuP6IhFgE3qJlJoMnnAdSWKsbBEmdVvm76gF8XuBHAOA/s225/be%20still.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaNV4cMUR8DfL2HW1L86v5aXexHvBrU9jPKltQRp7vSdDyxi6kIMtG7zHQzkGQJlqc7NjWF3ytbao5z9YCke8D8q9ZA2mZ2HQ38G8xKE-rpqLRTZJ70U23H89GHFHJjtwaJ8sy6uIOBf3aNF5iuP6IhFgE3qJlJoMnnAdSWKsbBEmdVvm76gF8XuBHAOA/s1600/be%20still.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another
way I have found that works for me is a breath prayer. This is a short saying, like
Psalm 46:10. ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ With breath prayers, we breathe
and pray, thinking part of the saying as we breathe in and part as we breathe out.
‘Be still and know’ as we breathe in; ‘that I am God’ as we breathe out. Breath
prayers are sort of Taizé-style chants without the music. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Using an image, a picture, or even a candle to focus on is another
helpful way to pray. In this case, the candlelight reminds us how Jesus shone that
day with divine light. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Individual prayer is an essential part of being a person of faith
in any religion. So is corporate prayer, when we pray together for the same thing
or things. Praying together is powerful. Think about the message that is sent out
when a group of people pray together to grieve, to protest. In recent years, silent
or sung prayer has given voice to inequality and unjust treatment for people of
color in the US. Prayer often takes time to “work”, but it does bring access to
God’s power.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98wxLpZBeokgHDloLfvCf57xkch9W-XSFmS2e2RkmZSVIMpnKJEKe7D945mIatsU-2bakimhdmGcYQcKTAaobORggrdh7q7uI6E_a1EJNtB4ucfafS7v4yhIqlZSVwTWZ47VjFsx3EAn4rEPbXffD5C94B6KQe-lMS4Qgjim2AyU2Qs2GKdPhEZ3K9goD/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-1989-1106-405,_Plauen,_Demonstration_vor_dem_Rathaus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98wxLpZBeokgHDloLfvCf57xkch9W-XSFmS2e2RkmZSVIMpnKJEKe7D945mIatsU-2bakimhdmGcYQcKTAaobORggrdh7q7uI6E_a1EJNtB4ucfafS7v4yhIqlZSVwTWZ47VjFsx3EAn4rEPbXffD5C94B6KQe-lMS4Qgjim2AyU2Qs2GKdPhEZ3K9goD/s320/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-1989-1106-405,_Plauen,_Demonstration_vor_dem_Rathaus.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />It was the
united prayers in East Germany that aided in bringing down the Iron Curtain. Every
week at St Nicholas Church in Leipzig, East Germany, and in cities throughout
the country, hundreds and then thousands of people gathered to pray. For seven
years, these nonviolent prayerful protests took place. The police and military knew
what to do when violence occurred, but these prayer gatherings were left
unhindered. And they succeeded in bringing down the Communist government.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I believe that corporate as well as individual prayer is essential
for congregations in transition. When we are all praying for direction for the congregation,
and for the pastor who will be called to be here, we are tapping into the power
of the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, let’s remember to spend some time on the mountain with Jesus
in his divine glory. Let’s pray just to enjoy God’s presence, let’s pray for
those things that are heavy on our hearts, and let’s pray for this congregation
and for the next pastor to serve ULC. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It makes sense for us to try this today. I sent an audio
file to the balcony. It’s of a church group singing ELW 752, Lord, listen to
your children praying. Please listen, sing along if you wish, and be present
with God for a few minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh9ivThjOz4&ab_channel=GoodShepherdLutheranChurch">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh9ivThjOz4&ab_channel=GoodShepherdLutheranChurch</a>
<span style="color: black;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-30946870365437556922024-01-28T12:00:00.001-05:002024-01-28T12:00:00.241-05:00By whose Authority?<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1
Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How many SPAM emails a day do
you get? I don’t know about you, but I delete them because I don’t trust the
sender of the email! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How many phone calls or texts or
postcards do you get during election season for any given candidate? How many
of the candidates do you trust? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How many TV preachers have you
heard? How many of them do you trust? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You may remember an old TV
commercial that said, “When EF Hutton talks, people listen.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Don’t you always want to know
who said what before you believe what they are saying? I want to know the
source of their information and what they are doing with it for anyone who
calls, texts, emails, or appears on TV or the computer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“By whose authority?” is the
theme for today’s readings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As people look ahead to the end
of Moses’ life, they want to know who will be next to lead them. Moses has been
the leader for many decades, and they are feeling anxious about their future.
To whom has he granted authority? It will be Joshua, once Moses dies. We know
that, because it happened in the past and was recorded in scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But before that happens, Moses
wants the people to know that future leaders should put God first, and allow
God to speak through them. Moses calls the future leaders “prophets”. A prophet
is someone called by God to speak God’s words to God’s people. The right leader,
the right prophet, will carry God’s authority for leadership. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The words of a prophet may be
suitable for later use, but they were first spoken in a particular moment for a
particular group of people experiencing a particular situation. A perfect
example is the way we are using Moses’ words today to remind us that trustworthy
leaders should be led by God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… The issue addressed by Paul is
also about authority, but in a different way. The concern is that in Jesus’ and
Paul’s time in Rome, in Corinth, and elsewhere in the ancient world, there were
daily sacrifices of animals for one deity or another. The meat is used by the
temple staff, then the rest is offered to the general public for their consumption.
It is often the only meat available in a town. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The question becomes, if Christians
eat this meat, are they dishonoring Jesus? Paul explains that because these deities
don’t really exist, it is ok to eat such meat. But some believers, especially
newer believers who used to worship these very deities, may be confused about
this. So, it is better not to eat meat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here, Paul is one authority, and
the members of the Christian community are the authorities in their own
community. They know best how the members will perceive the eating of such
meat. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… The big question, or course,
is from whence comes Jesus’ authority? We know today it comes from God Most
High. But, as Jesus walks through one town after another, casting out demons
and healing the sick- the lame- and the blind, people wonder by whose authority
he does these things. If only God can forgive, just who does “this Jesus” think
he is? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A modern, snarky question might
be, “Who died and made you God?!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We in the US are accustomed to
granting authority to elected officials, even if we didn’t vote for them. We in
the Lutheran church are accustomed to granting authority to bishops and pastors.
We give them power as described in various governing documents, which also
limit their power. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The people of Jesus’ time were
accustomed to granting authority to God, and limited authority to the leaders
of the day: Pharisees, scribes, and rabbis who were able to interpret God’s
words in Scripture for them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Never before Jesus has anyone
spoken about scripture, or about God, without referencing what others have already
said. Rarely would they have expressed a new interpretation of an ancient law.
But this is just what Jesus does. And he speaks it with the voice of authority.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The people listening to him are
amazed, both at the content of his preaching and teaching, and at the
authoritative voice with which he speaks and acts. Some are threatened by him,
and see in him an abuse of authority. Some reject him outright and dismiss him
as a false prophet who has absolutely no authority. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And the demons recognize him for
who he is – the holy Son of God! This is especially true in Mark’s gospel. The
disciples never seem to figure it out, but the evil ones know exactly who he
is. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… When I think of authority, I usually
reflect on it through the lens of my Scandinavian heritage. Anyone claiming or
using too much authority is seen as “uppity.” I am reminded of one of the
options for the absolution by the pastor after the community confession. It
goes like this: “As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and
by his authority, I therefore declare to you the forgiveness of all your sins.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know that I am authorized to
use these words, and that some of you love to hear them because they have
meaning for you. But for me, they seem too uppity! It seems too close to
claiming Jesus’ authority for my own, and I can’t do it. It feels like, “Just
who does she think she is!?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Today, in addition to Holy
Communion, we offer anointing and prayers for healing. I know many of you come
forward to be anointed. Do you believe that Jesus can heal you? Or are you just
hoping? … It’s good to trust that Jesus gives doctors and nurses the skill to
discover what needs to be healed, the ways in which many diseases can be
healed, and the authority to do so. And it’s also good to trust that God can
heal our hearts even if our bodies are still filled with disease.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Here are some things to ponder
this week:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Just who do you think Jesus is?
What authority does he have in your lives? What power does he have? What power
do you grant him? What power do you keep for yourself? When you grant Jesus the
power, do you reach out and grab it back? And then, why do you do that? I’ll
bet it has something to do with trusting God to solve your problem your way
instead of in God’s way. Let me know what you think! Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-79094707104149528762024-01-21T12:00:00.001-05:002024-01-21T12:00:00.147-05:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Do
we trust God? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We get such a small portion of Jonah’s
story today that we don’t get the full flavor of it. Let me remind you of the
fuller story, though still not the whole story. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nineveh is the capital of
Assyria. Israel and Assyria were enemies, as much as Israel and Palestine are
today. God said to Jonah, “Go to Nineveh and give them a message. Tell them ‘In
40 days the city will be destroyed.’” The first time God said this to Jonah, he
got on a ship in the opposite direction. There was no way he was taking any
kind of message into the land of his enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQfBaFE7bEvQElY-E3ALclPHnhyphenhyphenL8paRsvCV8e3clH9_yTHRZt_Uvk94oDrLPDwmU4xIpnDNyRtQUcZmXs_xGbkWaeOETaUMqp0SJuQNwaSEOSOCswgR6v8O6zX1lmt_IBPjmqUp3PrPiECdXLnRzDPASX8BmZesAqWgbJ7FKtl-WbNbUnRFD4g3p3L9V/s900/Jonah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="900" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQfBaFE7bEvQElY-E3ALclPHnhyphenhyphenL8paRsvCV8e3clH9_yTHRZt_Uvk94oDrLPDwmU4xIpnDNyRtQUcZmXs_xGbkWaeOETaUMqp0SJuQNwaSEOSOCswgR6v8O6zX1lmt_IBPjmqUp3PrPiECdXLnRzDPASX8BmZesAqWgbJ7FKtl-WbNbUnRFD4g3p3L9V/s320/Jonah.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />But
God was persistent and sent a violent storm. Jonah knew the storm was because
of his resistance to God, so he jumped off the boat and was swallowed by a big
fish. On the third day, the fish spat Jonah out onto the beach. “Aha,” said
God. “Now go to Nineveh and give them my message!”<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jonah started at the edge of
the city and headed to the center of the city shouting God’s message: ‘In 40
days the city will be destroyed.’ By the time he was downtown, people had
started responding to his message. They repented and put on mourning clothing,
even on their animals. Because of this repentance God changed God’s mind about
destroying the city. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The story really comes down to one
question. Does Jonah trust God to do the best for him and for the people of
Assyria?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… This is a common story for
many of us. God says, I want you to do X and we do the opposite. It’s my story.
For many years, God told me to go to seminary and I gave excuses. I’m too old; I
can’t afford it; I haven’t written essay papers in 25 years. And so on. But there
came the day when I had to give in. I got tired of telling God “No.” and I applied
to the candidacy committee for entrance and to the seminary for admittance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3HvMSr9JQwWTchvz5uwUlEKDAESO2CJmThSrD-sR320BFAylJcoCPeRz1V2zHcUPWwKLPV2EJs3RmrZw0NWKwFyI-XukG1VMSdJwlLRf4wTqDXDgaBjHl2r8zseEkH4a1WZNLks7OAwhPGzCP3ZKxLyinkjA3nUG-vsMgCq9vp8z8hVPSaB2Jk4O8Dw_/s311/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="311" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3HvMSr9JQwWTchvz5uwUlEKDAESO2CJmThSrD-sR320BFAylJcoCPeRz1V2zHcUPWwKLPV2EJs3RmrZw0NWKwFyI-XukG1VMSdJwlLRf4wTqDXDgaBjHl2r8zseEkH4a1WZNLks7OAwhPGzCP3ZKxLyinkjA3nUG-vsMgCq9vp8z8hVPSaB2Jk4O8Dw_/s1600/books.jpg" width="311" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It came down to one question.
Did I trust God to take care of me, to provide for me and help me succeed? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… The disciples were different.
At least the way the story is told, they were. But I have a hunch that “immediately”
wasn’t so immediate. My logical, skeptical, mind says Jesus moved into town,
and got to know people. He set up his business, carpentry or something else, working
with his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wghCmafAWY6Zw_Z6ikoo3CBXAhISFknXPREIOE28zvjL1owCKUvPrKBBFIJ-V9xISFocj703HSdmDy5s0MeHK_Yfjpv96qrjkIP-eVJy2tey5DmgZ0GjvEosIkLcG3v1HQ8QVTTyh-f-KvlS4NwzPd9l3F3lays9z83-O9dnKnmwjquH1mB8isqsOEYt/s1200/fish%20for%20people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wghCmafAWY6Zw_Z6ikoo3CBXAhISFknXPREIOE28zvjL1owCKUvPrKBBFIJ-V9xISFocj703HSdmDy5s0MeHK_Yfjpv96qrjkIP-eVJy2tey5DmgZ0GjvEosIkLcG3v1HQ8QVTTyh-f-KvlS4NwzPd9l3F3lays9z83-O9dnKnmwjquH1mB8isqsOEYt/s320/fish%20for%20people.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />He got to know the people in town and had
conversations with them about his / God’s vision for the future. These four
fishermen responded and together they made plans for a mission trip to the
towns around Galilee.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><!--EndFragment --><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I’ve read
various opinions about these fishermen. Some have said they were poor, indebted
to the Roman system, so to leave their boats was a significant move. It would mean
suffering for their families when they left town and gave up their income.
Others have said they were wealthy businessmen who spoke excellent Greek and
owned more than one home. The text does say they had hired men, so they had help
with the boats. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I’m inclined to believe they
had a decent income, but they weren’t wealthy. I also believe that, at least at
first, they left Capernaum for a few days at a time and returned home often to
go fishing. These four, Simon and Andrew, James and John, became the core group
of the larger group who would eventually come to follow Jesus. They all said, “Yes,
I’ll go with you.” They said yes to God’s call, and whether it was immediately
or after a time of preparation doesn’t really matter. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkATKQsU0AQpQlMpapM0vwUQ2YSdkXUMgbMz5bRDJvmd9ARSWvlDNA_3Iata8tcssN8W8WawS0fv3XO9jFNZ8uQcQQO8I4mp0AXrnQoT5cwhSuwF0WcENHg7K6enSJkyaeT91dy2uBgnWFQqiiOBXRxYwvg9K250JM5y8NHnmXuaOagU7Y5H2lntJ-jL0/s225/checklist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkATKQsU0AQpQlMpapM0vwUQ2YSdkXUMgbMz5bRDJvmd9ARSWvlDNA_3Iata8tcssN8W8WawS0fv3XO9jFNZ8uQcQQO8I4mp0AXrnQoT5cwhSuwF0WcENHg7K6enSJkyaeT91dy2uBgnWFQqiiOBXRxYwvg9K250JM5y8NHnmXuaOagU7Y5H2lntJ-jL0/s1600/checklist.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />… I suspect we all have times in our lives
when we said “yes” or at least “soon” to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect we all have times in our lives when we
said “no” or at least “not yet” to God. We may have said yes or no or not yet to
a new relationship, a new job, or a new responsibility at church, or any of a
hundred other things. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Today, we have the
opportunity to consider how God is calling us as a congregation. A few months
ago, Becky and I were talking about the past, present and future of ULC. Our
conversation came down to this: will we dare to dream of a future with a strong
campus ministry? If not, I asked, do we belong on this street in a church
called University Lutheran? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We have long said yes to being
a place where students are welcomed and included. Will we continue to say yes
about that? Will we dare to commit more time, and more financial and people
resources to carrying out campus ministry? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As it did for Jonah, for the
disciples, and for me, it comes down to one question. Do we trust God to guide
us and provide for us and help us succeed? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I look forward to having the
conversation with you over lunch. Amen </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwUF8R_92RNDwJfSCnjwGcyFoKm3YW0HomYvcsCnQwnHt8t55kULL-cgl5neKcYvatI9xn-7ou3SBbcieUv9IH59UouWRRRNiFm1Ak9Ek99hvAho2rZWqjMC8d0hyJaU8BR0YVIyD8m-dqEyNcDvCt6QpEoC7CPgSjE8c7qnsJew9y6Vy_sgEWazKGTBj/s338/lumin..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="338" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwUF8R_92RNDwJfSCnjwGcyFoKm3YW0HomYvcsCnQwnHt8t55kULL-cgl5neKcYvatI9xn-7ou3SBbcieUv9IH59UouWRRRNiFm1Ak9Ek99hvAho2rZWqjMC8d0hyJaU8BR0YVIyD8m-dqEyNcDvCt6QpEoC7CPgSjE8c7qnsJew9y6Vy_sgEWazKGTBj/s320/lumin..png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-79296621243490546472024-01-07T12:00:00.001-05:002024-01-07T12:00:00.139-05:00Spirited Change<p><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Genesis 1:1-5; Acts
19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">God’s Holy Spirit is an
important presence in our readings this morning. The opening lines of Genesis start
with God creating the heavens and the earth. The wind/breath/spirit of God
blows/breathes/moves over the water.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The book of Acts is
often labeled the Acts of the Apostles. It could more appropriately be called
the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Paul asks the believers in Ephesus if they had
been baptized. Yes, they said, with John’s baptism. So, they had repented, they
had been immersed into some water, and had begun a new repentant life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But they had not been
baptized with the Holy Spirit. When Paul lays hands on the Ephesian believers they
receive the Holy Spirit, and respond the same way the folks did at Pentecost,
speaking in tongues and sharing the good news about Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… How many of you make
New Year’s Resolutions? What do you resolve to do? Lose weight, stop spending
money on things you don’t need, kick an addiction, pray more, get to church
more often. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Is this not like what
John the Baptizer is calling folks to do? John the Baptizer is at the Jordan River,
calling all to repent and be baptized by being immersed into the water. Repent,
change your ways, he calls. Let the water wash away your sins so you can start
anew. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">John draws a crowd, with
his intentional resemblance to the Prophet Elijah. According to the gospels of
Matthew and Luke, he is boisterous, at times offensive, and will lose his life
for his words. He is preparing the way for someone else, for Jesus, who draw
even larger crowds, and will send the Holy Spirit after his death and resurrection.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… A while ago, Mike and
I had a conversation about the Holy Spirit. Since he’s Presbyterian, he didn’t
grow up with going to catechism class like Lutheran youth have done for decades
or centuries. Lutheran youth spend a whole year on the study of Luther’s Small Catechism,
memorizing the explanations of the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, and the
Ten Commandments. We learned what it means to be baptized and to receive Holy
Communion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So when Mike asked, “what
do Lutherans believe about the Holy Spirit”, I was able to pull up my memorized
catechism about the Apostles’ Creed. How many of you remember what the Spirit
does? Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Holy Spirit calls to
our hearts, reaching beyond the mind into our core being. Lots of the time, we
push God’s Spirit away, not wanting to respond, to be changed. But when we
accept the Spirit’s call, exciting things can happen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Holy Spirit gathers
us together for worship, for Bible studies, for conversations about justice,
and for actions based on our conversations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Holy Spirit enlightens
us, opening our minds to new thoughts and beliefs. Some may call it being
awakened (dare I say “Woke?”) to the injustices that are all around us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Holy Spirit
sanctifies us, makes us holy, without our action, without our repentance. Yet,
the realization that we are holy people of a holy God makes us seek to be more
holy in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… How do we live this
out? We will each have a different answer, of course, because we all have different
gifts. Here are some stories. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Brenda Doxtator is an
elder in the Milwaukee Indigenous Community who wanted to combine Lutheran
worship with Indigenous ceremonies. A church was planted, based on that vision,
and after 10 years, has its first full time pastor. At Lutheran Church of the
Great Spirit, worship begins with smudging – the use of fragrant smoke and prayers
in the four directions. The sermon honors the Talking Circle, which invites
input from the community. Holy Communion is shared in a great circle around the
altar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The members hope to grow
their ministry by buying a food truck to take their food into the community and
develop programming for the neighborhood so that local youth can more easily
participate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Samuel Jones grew up in
the projects in Rochester, NY. His mother worked two jobs to provide for Samuel
and his brother. One day, Samuel noticed two “little old white Lutheran ladies”
wandering the streets with flannelgraphs. They said they were looking for a
place to do a Bible study. After checking with his mom, he invited them to his
home and they met there every Monday evening for several years. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Decades later, Samuel
says that he is a Lutheran because he loves Martin Luther, and because he
always remembers those two little old ladies who wanted to teach him about the
gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Carlo Gebler is an
author, novelist and playwright. His grandfather was imprisoned for five years
when Carlo’s father was a child, so they never bonded as fathers and sons are
meant to bond. Carlo and his father struggled to have a strong bond as a
result. Dysfunction and brokenness repeats in families unless there is an
intentional effort to change, to begin again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As an adult Carlo was
invited to teach creative writing in a prison. He imagined that the process of
writing could help to repair the relationships the prisoners had with their own
sons. He has been doing this for almost 30 years , and is constantly reminded
of the chaos that caused the brokenness, as well as the brokenness that
resulted from the prisoners’ own brokenness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He learned that it was
necessary to allow the prisoners to choose to make changes in their lives. He
could not force them to change, but by inviting them to write about their own
brokenness, occasionally change, repentance, has indeed happened. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Three stories of
people responding to the call of God’s Holy Spirit to repent, to make change
happen, to make living better for some other folks. Very different ways in
which they responded to Spirit’s calling, gathering, enlightening, and making
holy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How are you responding
to God’s invitation? We all have a fresh calendar, a new diary for a new year. This
week, I hope you will listen for the Spirit to nudge you to do something new
and say “Yes, with God’s help, I will do that!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Amen </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-36168446235618729782023-12-24T20:00:00.001-05:002023-12-24T20:00:00.136-05:00All in the family room<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah
9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tonight is all about the birth of a
child, God incarnated, God-with-skin-on, named Jesus. But his is not the first important
birth in the history of the Israelite people. There was Isaac the son of
Abraham and Sarah, first son in the line that led to King David. There was Samuel,
Hannah’s son, who grew up to be the prophet who anointed David the shepherd
boy. And there was John, the long-awaited son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who
grew up to be John the Witness who baptized lots of people in the Jordan River.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The song in Isaiah 9 is a reference to two
important figures in Israel’s history: King Hezekiah and King Josiah. The song
is not a birth narrative but celebrates the reigns of these two men. Originally
written for the crowning of Hezekiah after a long war, it was later used in
reference to Josiah for his faithful leadership. For Christians, it affirms the
authority of Jesus, although he was, and is, a very different kind of king. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKzi4qdGujI2r6R0EqCfm7CCw6NCjGDiy-zzFHfSrgSZfzI3omR_oHNQZfsMiccFFjG6fXe9APC3iVFI5PilexsJoVyerDG1dsyK8x4nl3hdWNJ45KcnLVnO-H134mgFfCMUnoe06kV5wUnsfmTdx4khKXzP5w-OxnzUmn3Ovv1ap0HscVuTdgtO58To5/s474/black%20Nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKzi4qdGujI2r6R0EqCfm7CCw6NCjGDiy-zzFHfSrgSZfzI3omR_oHNQZfsMiccFFjG6fXe9APC3iVFI5PilexsJoVyerDG1dsyK8x4nl3hdWNJ45KcnLVnO-H134mgFfCMUnoe06kV5wUnsfmTdx4khKXzP5w-OxnzUmn3Ovv1ap0HscVuTdgtO58To5/s320/black%20Nativity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />… Some churches have plays that tell the story of
Jesus’ birth, with children acting out all the parts. Sometimes the adults
participate in the storytelling. Here’s one pastor’s recollection of performing
a Christmas play. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Timothy Adkins-Jones recalled the time
he and his church produced Langston Hughes’ <i>Black Nativity.</i> He and his
wife played Joseph and Mary, frantically looking for a place for the baby to be
born. His wife was 8 months pregnant at the time and it was the source of
hilarity for years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The idea of Mary and Joseph searching
for a room is based on a misunderstanding of a Hebrew word. It was the
guestroom that was full, not the inn. And a careful reading tells us that Mary
and Joseph had been in town for a while. Verse 6 says, “while they were there,
the time came …” They had family in town, a lot of family, since King David had
lots of children. They had been in town long enough to have housing arranged,
to meet with the midwife, and to have the swaddling and other supplies on hand.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_f1mA6tsLaajZi8YpdLWK4ZABkIvkUx5e1yZJx0fn0mJ1fqp9Z1Mea-v5wSwdwBX7ExWlbubTsv7KdrubD30sOpp_hea0jQv0NTSLLULAo23FPGVwWHYtvj_alYovFPrhNphYatIkc053CShckLuKGJ6hl-8RN6EJdFaEtxeTF7CK5nZsZI2bh8C7kB7/s1464/Adoration+of+the+shepherds+-+Gospel+Images-598940964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1464" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_f1mA6tsLaajZi8YpdLWK4ZABkIvkUx5e1yZJx0fn0mJ1fqp9Z1Mea-v5wSwdwBX7ExWlbubTsv7KdrubD30sOpp_hea0jQv0NTSLLULAo23FPGVwWHYtvj_alYovFPrhNphYatIkc053CShckLuKGJ6hl-8RN6EJdFaEtxeTF7CK5nZsZI2bh8C7kB7/s320/Adoration+of+the+shepherds+-+Gospel+Images-598940964.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />So imagine that
Mary gave birth with the midwife and maybe an assistant on hand. There were
probably one or two older female aunties and maybe even Mary’s mother in town
as well. After the baby is born, he is placed in a manger full of fresh hay. The
manger might have been be a hole in the floor, or a movable wooden trough. In
today’s world, he might have been settled in a dresser drawer or a laundry
basket. Perhaps the animals are inside the house for the night, so they are
also present. This precious child, as welcome as all children are, is put to
bed surrounded by his family. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And yet, he is not just any child. He is
so special that the angels tell the shepherds about him, and send them to see
the baby. The shepherds report on the angel encounter, and everyone praises
God. They will all give witness to the birth of this child. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">… Whether Mary and Joseph spent hours
knocking on inn doors looking for a place for Mary to give birth, or they were
in a crowded and loving family home isn’t important in the long run. What is
important is that our God cares enough about us to make sure we know the true
story … that God is always present with us. Sometimes we can even see God in
the presence of love or grace offered through another person, a gift from God
directly to us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It happens that this year, there will be
no big Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, Israel. The city is in Palestine,
within the walled-off region of the West Bank. It is dangerous to go there with
the Israel-Gaza war and its echoing conflicts popping up in Palestine. But the
church has not abandoned the opportunity to give witness to the birth of the
baby. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NlAbdGfrx8CZvry5DlAjk06D8mfdZ8CfWeHGT6ozI0aBAQf25sS2aebWp7pLal3dnhngUf1C_6mqepz9JFSpD4F3pGYCckN82LAcM5SCt2gWWfibFQM20w-xSM1kXZ9UKSuISiVZHPJ67c_JWmhkiIWvucNeCQxuknA6mk0ZAhzmbEg_tyT5AyOdb_52/s960/2023-Baby-Jesus-in-Bethlehem-rubble-1412748586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NlAbdGfrx8CZvry5DlAjk06D8mfdZ8CfWeHGT6ozI0aBAQf25sS2aebWp7pLal3dnhngUf1C_6mqepz9JFSpD4F3pGYCckN82LAcM5SCt2gWWfibFQM20w-xSM1kXZ9UKSuISiVZHPJ67c_JWmhkiIWvucNeCQxuknA6mk0ZAhzmbEg_tyT5AyOdb_52/s320/2023-Baby-Jesus-in-Bethlehem-rubble-1412748586.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You may have
seen the image on social media. At the center is a baby Jesus from a
traditional nativity scene. He has a keffiyeh, a Palestinian scarf, across his
body, just as he might look every year in Palestine. But this year, he is
surrounded by rubble, as if a bomb fell near him. The pastors of the Lutheran
Church in Bethlehem want to remind us that Jesus is present all the time, everywhere.
He is still and always Yeshua and Emmanuel. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">… As the shepherds left town after
seeing the baby, they glorified and praised God. It has long been my practice
to have the sending hymn on Christmas Eve be <i>Go tell it on the mountain </i>because
this is what we should do, too. We should be so happy that Christ has been born
that we don’t hesitate to share this good news with everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So I ask you … How will <u>you</u> be an
angel or a shepherd, telling this good news to someone who needs to hear it? Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">With
thanks to Timothy Adkins-Jones: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/christmas-eve-nativity-of-our-lord/commentary-on-luke-21-14-15-20-24<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-76831075323913582012023-12-24T12:00:00.001-05:002023-12-24T12:00:00.131-05:00Mary’s dream <p> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2023 12 24a Sermon</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Luke 1:46b-55; Luke 1:26-38</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Today, I have lots of questions, with few answers.
Maybe you, too, have wondered about these things. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Once upon a time, about 50 years ago, a pastor said
to the Bible study group I was in, “In Jesus’ time, all girls wanted to be the mother
of the Messiah.” In all my studying over the years, I have never seen anything
in scripture or commentaries about that, but we can suppose it’s true.
Especially when times were challenging, we know that hopes were high for the
messiah to come. And 2,000 years ago, Judea was an occupied country, a province
of Rome, with soldiers constantly on the watch for mischief by the locals. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It was a superstitious age, when people believed in
spirits, in ghosts, in angels. So, most angels began their conversations with
humans like this: Don’t be afraid! I am an angel, sent by God with a message
for you. Then they usually tell the person they have a special job for the
person to do. The angel encounter with Mary fits this pattern.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gabriel tells Mary she will be the mother of a boy
she is to name Yeshua, which means God saves: <i>ye</i>- for God, <i>shua</i>
for saves. This boy will be great, he will be called the son of the Most High,
he will inherit the throne of King David, and reign over the house of his
ancestors forever. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mary is puzzled, since as a young woman, she has no
husband. Gabriel assures her it will be by God’s power that this happens. The
Spirit of God will overshadow her. I imagine this looks like a heavenly dove
gathering Mary under her wings and making Mary feel safe while she breathes in God’s
Spirit. – At least, that’s what I am thinking today. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">To prove that this is real, not just the dream of a
young Judean girl, Gabriel then shares some news. Go check with your old auntie
Elizabeth. She thought she would be childless until she died, but she is now 6
months pregnant! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mary agrees to participate in this miraculous
event. The author of Luke doesn’t tell us how Mary broke the news to Joseph,
her fiancé. Though, the author of Matthew tells us there was some trouble that required
the appearance of an angel to resolve. Luke tells us that Mary went to spend
time with Elizabeth during the older woman’s third trimester. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Having been a pregnant woman with friends who were
also pregnant, I know the conversations they had. But then, these two have the
added feature of divine action, which added elements I can only dream of to
their time together. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As Luke tells the story, Elizabeth greets Mary by
telling her that baby John leapt in her womb when she and baby/ fetus Jesus arrived.
And that Mary sang a song, which is our psalm today. The traditional beginning
is: My soul magnifies the Lord, so we have called this the Magnificat. We get
to sing one version of it later in the service. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My practical, somewhat skeptical and
seminary-trained mind wants to know if Mary actually wrote this on the spot, if
she developed it as she travelled to visit Elizabeth, if she wrote it over
time, or if Luke wrote it for her, decades later. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I also have wondered – assuming she wrote something
like it – how the boy Jesus would have heard it. How would it have influenced
him as he grew up? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">… Pregnant women – at least those who want to be pregnant
– are excited to be having a baby. Being pregnant changes our lives. We focus
on what we need to do to have a healthy pregnancy, what we will need when the
baby arrives, whether it’s a girl or a boy, and we pray that the baby will be
whole and healthy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We wonder what they will grow up to be. We hope
they will follow in our footsteps, <u>or</u> we hope that they <u>don’t</u>
follow in our footsteps. We hope they will change something in the world, make
the world a little better for those who follow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But we never imagine they will be the messiah! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">… Until he was about 5 years old, Mary would have
been Jesus’ main influence. Once he was old enough to learn something about his
father Joseph’s craft, he would have spent more time in the workshop or at the
jobsite. And he would have learned the Torah and its meaning. There are legends,
but no scripture stories, about Jesus’ childhood in any of the canonical
Gospels, other than the Luke story about him in the temple when he was 12. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Did he have special knowledge, extra information
about the Hebrew Scriptures, as the Son of God? Or did his childhood as the son
of a skilled laborer in a poor community, combined with his mother’s song and
teaching, give him a different point of view than the traditional priestly
interpretation? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When we look at the song itself, how much of it did
Jesus do? Certainly, he left the toppling of thrones to others, but his
teaching and living definitely fulfilled all the merciful, uplifting stuff in
the rest of the song. And it has influenced people ever since it became known
to the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">… In my studying this week, I was intrigued by a
story. There was a small town with a monastery which had once been a thriving community.
But over time, there were fewer monks living there. They found it hard to get
along with each other, and the abbot was worried they would need to close the monastery.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One day, the abbot had a conversation with the
local rabbi, telling the him about the problems they were having. The rabbi said
he had no answers, but he could tell the abbot that the messiah was among them.
The abbot reported this conversation to the monks, and before long, they were
all getting along much better. They were kind and forgiving with one another. The
monastery was thriving so well that young men were asking to join. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">… The messiah came to Judea, born of a young woman
and a young man, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit. His teaching changed how
people saw each other, perhaps because of a song his mother wrote. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Let’s pay attention to this song and look for the
messiah to come among us at an unexpected time. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-69473139390662600202023-12-17T12:00:00.001-05:002023-12-17T12:00:00.141-05:00John the Witness<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">John the <s>Baptizer</s> Witness<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today’s Gospel reading is quite similar to last week’s
story from Mark about John the Baptizer. Except this week John the author puts
John the Baptist in a different role. Yes, John baptizes people, but this
ministry is more in the background to his real purpose. In today’s reading, we find
John engaging in a back-and-forth conversation with the Pharisees.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Who are you? Are you the messiah? … No.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Who are you? Are you Elijah? … No.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Who are you? Are you the prophet? … No.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Who are you? … I am the voice crying in the
wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Then why are you here? … I have been sent to prepare
the way for the one who is to come. I, myself, am not worthy to stoop down to untie
his sandals. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… The focus in John’s Gospel is how Jesus is the Son-of-God.
John the Baptizer is important as the Witness to the coming of Jesus into their
midst. I’m going to refer to John the Baptizer as John the Witness today, to
help us see how important this role of witnessing is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Some speculate that Jesus had been one of John the
Witness’s disciples, but that is not clear here in John’s Gospel. John the
Witness doesn’t state that he knows who this “one” is, only that he is declaring
that the “one” is coming. If Jesus has been with John, then he likely has
recognized God’s powerful presence in Jesus, and knows Jesus is the one he is
announcing here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It’s also important to note
that John the Witness doesn’t baptize Jesus in John’s Gospel. He is named as
one who baptizes, but there is no story of John baptizing Jesus. It may have
happened, but there is no story about it. It wasn’t important to John the
author. This is another reminder that each author tells the story in their own
way, emphasizing what is important to them and for their audience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRDf2_WmMhgG_YzYu-KVZgSQjUTiDGEiKAz1lpeqqBp0F6MbKGosM_Y09iuY1CdN_Q3IKhGaR1MfvPqkEy3bKQdc6SDi41zD5Reqnw-Efzp2Q_px5l77m8xIVJXPcvny0tAjrwecOuKMkzoulC7c-6rumUCPvfylfrSx5uTjIChJYugYV8m2DTBH6jBcX/s866/john-the-baptist-matthias-grunewald-1024x908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="866" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRDf2_WmMhgG_YzYu-KVZgSQjUTiDGEiKAz1lpeqqBp0F6MbKGosM_Y09iuY1CdN_Q3IKhGaR1MfvPqkEy3bKQdc6SDi41zD5Reqnw-Efzp2Q_px5l77m8xIVJXPcvny0tAjrwecOuKMkzoulC7c-6rumUCPvfylfrSx5uTjIChJYugYV8m2DTBH6jBcX/s320/john-the-baptist-matthias-grunewald-1024x908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In many medieval paintings of the crucifixion, John
the Witness is present. When he is there, he is usually shown pointing at Jesus,
witnessing to Jesus beyond death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Paul writes encouraging the Thessalonians to remain
faithful. They should pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances,
and in this way witness to Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are many who believe that the line in Paul’s
letter, “pray without ceasing” means to devote oneself to prayer 24/7. This
belief has led to the establishment of monastic communities, where the siblings
gather up to 7 times a day for prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Instead, I believe it means to be so aware of the good
things God has given us, that our daily activities are all done with the
recognition that God is present at all times. When we work, our desire can be
that those who purchase our product, or receive our email, or pay their bills,
or grade our papers, will be blessed. Our kindness in answering an email or phone
call or text goes a long way to spread the news that God reigns in our hearts. In
our lives, then, we are witnessing to Jesus without saying a word, and we’re
doing it all day long. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That doesn’t mean we don’t ever have to say Jesus’
name in public, of course. If we never say “Jesus”, people won’t know whom we
worship and serve. Witnessing happens when we pray a thanksgiving for our meal
in a restaurant. Witnessing happens when we say “God bless you” to someone who
needs such simple good news. Witnessing happens when we invite someone to an
activity at ULC. Witnessing happens when we hand a bag of snack food and water to
a hungry person. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyViowVZGCuoPbcTQh4ohWQ2iEvSBsUg3eBdoqqnw2A6aTfbPUtUuOgU4pKviCc0QUyhdJEufP9aoL3FcN1dC0IevtO810EbuEgrWOhf_g9iCiSQD_TCT1otNU22SMwbjYT_gIn-mGWqm0Lo0AXIVqyOaMNhbmKKUUj79H3E3uehAZMS1KiAFoEaU24Gza/s1000/bg,f8f8f8-flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8.u1-1471569969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyViowVZGCuoPbcTQh4ohWQ2iEvSBsUg3eBdoqqnw2A6aTfbPUtUuOgU4pKviCc0QUyhdJEufP9aoL3FcN1dC0IevtO810EbuEgrWOhf_g9iCiSQD_TCT1otNU22SMwbjYT_gIn-mGWqm0Lo0AXIVqyOaMNhbmKKUUj79H3E3uehAZMS1KiAFoEaU24Gza/w150-h200/bg,f8f8f8-flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8.u1-1471569969.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />… Witnessing happens when we
welcome everyone, especially those who are not always welcome. Witnessing
happens when we accept that younger people don’t do things the way we used to do
them. Witnessing happens when we tell someone that we will pray for them. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Witnessing happens every time we show God’s love to
someone. Witnessing happens when we place our offering in the basket or mail it
to the church or the synod or Lutheran World Relief or the school in Haiti. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mostly, witnessing happens when we tell a person who
doesn’t know God that God loves them. People who don’t know about church have
no idea that Jesus is about love and forgiveness and acceptance. Many people today
weren’t taken to church as children, so they have no concept of what church is,
what belonging to a church family can do for them, and with them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">People who belong to churches with lots of rules don’t
know that God doesn’t care as much about rules as they have been led to
believe. Even people who believe in Jesus need us to help them remember that
Jesus loves and welcomes them just as they are. That is witnessing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… It was almost 75 years ago, in 1949, that people began
gathering in Gainesville to plant a Lutheran church and student center at the
University. The goal was to witness to the community, and especially to the
students, with the Lutheran understanding of Jesus. By 1951, there was a Sunday
school, a women’s group, and an active student group. One of the first tasks,
after a building was located for the new church, was to find an organ. I suppose
students of that day appreciated organ music and traditional worship. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By the ‘60s and ‘70’s, folk services were extremely
popular. I know Chicago Folk Service well because it was attractive to students
and young adults of my time. It was a great way to witness to students, with
its then-radical lyrics and music. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the past, campus ministry was like Sunday School
for college students. It is so different today that we need to begin by finding
out what students <u>do</u> want or need, and then seek to provide it. The
question for us today is, if we want to continue doing campus ministry: what
does it look like? And what do we need to do to make it happen? How do we
witness to students today in a way that makes sense to them and gives them the
opportunity to draw closer to God? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I invite you this week to be aware of opportunities to
witness to Jesus. He is the one who is coming, just now as a baby, but soon as
a teacher and healer, and crucified and risen one. How do you share that good
news with someone else? As Paul says, when Spirit is urging you to speak up, “Don’t
quench the Spirit!” by remaining silent. Amen <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-20186619659619897882023-12-10T12:00:00.001-05:002023-12-10T12:00:00.134-05:00The Gospel Era<p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter
3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The beginning of the
good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So begins the story of
Jesus, written by an unknown person, although there are some who think it was
John-also-known-as-Mark, mentioned in Acts. The book was written around the
year 70, during or right after the first Jewish revolt against Rome. It appears
to have been written after the fall of Jerusalem in August of 70, but that is
not certain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first sentence of a
piece of writing is intended to give a strong indication of the point of the
writing. In the case of the Gospel of Mark, it is very clear what Mark intends
to tell us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The <u>beginning </u>of
the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mark declares that this
is a beginning, which means there is more to come. Mark ends in Chapter 16,
with the angels saying to the women that the tomb is empty and Jesus will meet
them in Galilee. Mark includes no resurrection appearances; there is no
description of any meeting of the risen Jesus with the disciples in Galilee.
So, the story is not finished. It’s just the beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The beginning of the <u>good
news</u> of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s good news. Literally,
it’s <i>euangelion</i>, gospel. Good news should be shared. This story is worth
sharing with everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The beginning of the
good news of Jesus <u>Christ</u>, the Son of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus Christ … Mark
names Jesus as the messiah. Christus is the Latin interpretation of the Hebrew
word messiah. You may remember it means anointed one. Special people in the
Hebrew Bible are anointed: Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Saul, David, and Samuel, and
others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The beginning of the
good news of Jesus Christ, the <u>Son of God</u>.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And Jesus is the Son of
God. Not “a” son of “a” god, but “the” son of “the” God. Jews at that time were
unusual in their belief that there is only one God. In the mythology of the
Greeks and Romans, many of the gods had human children, hybrid, human-divine
children. In the decades around the time of Jesus, the emperors had declared
themselves to be god-like, sons of a god. Jesus is different: he is the only
Son of the only God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">… Mark continues: John
the Baptizer appears on the scene, calling all to come to repent of their sins
and be baptized. And “the whole world” was coming to see and hear him. It is clear
that he intends to portray himself as the ancient prophet Elijah. He wears the
clothing of the prophet, lives a subsistence wilderness diet, and scolds the
leaders of Judea, just as Elijah did. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John does this
baptizing outside the purview of the temple authorities, without their
permission, and without offering a mite, the smallest coin, to the temple
offering box. Temple leaders are keeping a close eye on him. However much
attention he draws, he always points away from himself to the one who is
coming, one much greater than he. We know he points to Jesus, but at this
moment, he doesn’t name him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John lifts up a passage
from Isaiah, and gives it a new slant. He is the voice crying out in the
wilderness, calling for a way to be made for the one whom God is sending to
them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">… Mark is announcing
the beginning of a new era, the gospel, or good news, era. From the
resurrection on, we have entered a new way of thinking about God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Throughout the history
of the Jewish people, they have chosen to follow the One God whose name is I-Am.
I-Am said to the folks over and over again, I am your God and you are my
people. I choose you and I want you to choose me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I-Am’s messages came
through leaders, first Moses and Aaron, then judges like Joshua and Deborah,
and later the prophets. During the Babylonian Exile, in the 500s BCE, the
priests and other leaders decided they needed to write down the stories of God’s
interaction with the people. This writing, then, became the main source of God’s
message to the people, interpreted by the official priests and temple leaders
and rabbis. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With Jesus’ arrival on
the scene as the only Son of the only God, people were able to hear God’s message
directly from God. This is indeed a new era, focused on the gospel, the good
news brought by Jesus, the Son of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">… From Peter, we learn
what we are to do, how we are to live in this new gospel era. We are to repent,
and live lives of faithfulness and holiness. In the early years after the
resurrection, there was an expectation that Jesus would come back during their
lifetimes; so Peter’s audience should wait patiently for that event, even
though they had already been waiting a long time, decades, for that return. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, 2,000 years later,
we no longer expect Jesus to return in a dramatic way. We do expect to see
Jesus in those we encounter through the eyes of God’s Holy Spirit, who teaches
us to treat everyone as if they were Jesus himself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">… There are many challenges
to us today, in this Gospel Era, to be the church, to be Jesus’ hands and voice,
welcoming and respecting all people as he would welcome them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At UELC, we are in a
time of listening to God for guidance; it’s a time for courage, a time to make
bold decisions. It’s a time to look to God for a vision of the future that we dream
of but are afraid is not possible. It’s a time to remember that the tomb was and
still is empty. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In this Gospel Era, we
remember that God is with us always. We are baptized and sent to look for Jesus’
presence among us. This week, I hope you will be aware of those around you and welcome
them as Jesus would. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-78716135017772139122023-12-03T12:00:00.001-05:002023-12-03T12:00:00.141-05:00Anticipation<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark
13:24-37</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I read and prayed about the texts for this
week one, word kept coming to me: anticipation. Fortunately or unfortunately,
it came with an ear worm of Carly Simon’s song, an-ti-ci-pa-a-a-a-tion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Anticipation can be positive or negative. For
example, we anticipate our birthdays positively or negatively. As children, we count
½ birthdays because we have such a positive anticipation of getting older. Comedian
Jack Benny made a big deal about never having birthdays after he turned 39. He
lived to age 80. Obviously he had a negative anticipation of birthdays, at
least when he was on stage. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Advent always begins with a look at the
future hopes, anticipations, of the disciples. The gospel reading comes from Chapter
13 of 16 in Mark, so it’s shortly before Jesus’ death. What does the end time
look like? When will it happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
answer, Jesus gives a description, and then says, but no one, not even he,
knows when it will occur. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There will be signs, so watch for them. The
signs will be as obvious as a fig tree with fresh shoots indicating the new
growing season is coming. And then, despite his declaration that no one knows
when this will happen, Jesus says he believes it will be soon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… As a result of the unknown timing, the
response is to be alert, aware of the signs. In response to these words, the
disciples and early followers like Paul believed the end times were coming
soon. “Don’t make major changes in your lives, so you can focus on being ready
for Jesus to come again.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We, 2,000 years later, are still called to
keep awake, to anticipate, Jesus’ coming. But for many of us, the anticipation
of a cataclysmic event seems unlikely. Some define the second coming as having
happened at Pentecost, with the wind and fire and exuberance of the entry of
the Holy Spirit into the crowd. So, there is no need to look for a major event
in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The awareness, the alertness, should be
focused on looking for Jesus’ presence all around us. Paul reminds us that through
the Holy Spirit, we have been given gifts to use. Instead of waiting for the
end times and Jesus’ spectacular return, let’s watch for Jesus’ presence in those
we encounter each day and use our gifts in the relationship. Further, let’s anticipate
that he will show up often. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here are a few ways we might notice Jesus
appearing today: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Jesus was at the bargaining table as Hamas and
Israel struggled to find a way to release hostages. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus has been with the hostages, and will be
with them as they heal from the trauma. Jesus has been with the families of the
hostages as well as with those whose loved ones have been killed. He has been
there even with those who don’t believe in him. And Jesus has been and
continues to be in Ukraine and Sudan and every war-torn place on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus is present with students as they prepare
– or not – for finals. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus is with those who grieve loved ones,
especially during the holidays. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I think Jesus would have enjoyed the night at
the Phillips Center with Paula Poundstone as she made fun of a variety of situations
and human foibles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus is with us and with all who hunger and
thirst for justice and fairness, and with those to whom they have been denied
or limited. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whatever is happening, anywhere and anytime,
we can anticipate that Jesus is present. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… And, Jesus is with us as we work and pray
and wait our way through the time of transition from one pastor to the next. This
time is one of hard work for a congregation and its leaders. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In order to clarify the future of ULC, President
Becky and I have called for a conversation to discuss the importance of campus
ministry. We can’t imagine not supporting students in a variety of ways, but how
important is it? How much money can we put toward it? Who will volunteer to
make it work? This conversation is scheduled for January 21 after worship. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Last week, Pat and I attended a meeting on
Zoom with Sarah Locke, a campus minister in Jacksonville. The more she talked,
the more we realized that we don’t know what we don’t know about campus
ministry. We want Sarah to come here and educate us about what campus ministry is
like today. We want her to come before our conversation so we are better
informed as we look to the future. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Becky and I anticipate, or at least we hope
and pray for, a lively discussion and a better sense of direction for the
congregation on January 21. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… I hope this week, this month, as we wait
together and anticipate the coming of baby Jesus, God incarnated, that we will watch
for Jesus’ presence in whoever we meet and wherever we go, and wherever he
leads us into the future. Amen <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-4458193986343830302023-11-26T12:00:00.001-05:002023-11-26T12:00:00.153-05:00Reign of Christ<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ephesians 1:15-23;</span><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Matthew
25:31-46</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today is the last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Church's
new year’s eve. Since it’s the end of the year, it makes sense to reflect on
the past year. You’ll notice that the hymns today follow the church year. These
hymns reveal who Jesus is and who we are as we seek to follow him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We wait in Advent for a savior to make our lives better: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we celebrate the incarnation of God as an infant at Christmas,
and the promise he brings for the future: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we look for the light of the star guiding the magi, and the holy
light of the transfiguration of Jesus during Epiphany; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we prepare for Jesus’ death in Lent and ponder how we can
follow him, since we are reluctant to go all the way to the cross with him; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we rejoice in the resurrection at Easter because we need to
be reminded that the tomb is empty; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and we embrace the
coming of God’s Holy Spirit at Pentecost, filling people then and now with
God’s love and energy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Gospel reading expresses how we spend the summer each
year sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning from him just as the first followers did.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… Today has traditionally
been called Christ the King Sunday, but Jesus never wanted to be a typical king.
He never wanted to sit on a throne and wear fancy clothing and order people to obey
him. He never wanted to be separate from the people, his people. And he definitely
had no plans to gather an army to evict the Romans from Judea. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, I follow a newer pattern of calling this Sunday the Reign
of Christ. Repeatedly, Jesus promises that the kingdom / Reign of God has come
near and invites us all to find new life there. When we reflect on what Matthew
teaches us about Jesus, it’s clear that he is showing us how to care for each
other with God’s help. From the Beatitudes to the resurrection and final sending
out of the disciples, Jesus calls us to see ourselves and each other as equals.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… The Gospel reading is about sorting the sheep from the goats,
sorting the people who actively care for others from those who ignore or abuse
others. This is in essence Jesus’ whole message: When we care for those in
need, we are also caring for Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This weekend, I can’t help thinking about the conflict
between Israel and Hamas. It’s tempting to judge the various actors in this conflict
and assign one group or another to the sheep or the goats. We want to label
them as righteous or unrighteous. But the truth is somewhere very much in
between. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I believe Jesus is weeping for every single person in the
region, for the weakest hostage, for the Gaza resident who has lost what little
they had, and for the meanest Hamas soldier. Jesus weeps for the frustration of
the Palestinians as they seek recognition from Israel that they have a right to
exist. Jesus weeps for the Israelis who want to live without fear of attacks by
Palestinians. Jesus weeps for the soul-deep pain that has caused some
Palestinians to become violent and join extremist organizations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus’ vision of his realm is that each person has value in God’s
eyes and that we would all respect each other as God’s beloved children. In Jesus’
realm, all concerned in this current matter would join him at a table, break
bread together, and work out solutions to their differences that give to each
person the feeling that they have been heard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… In Jesus’ realm, we are all partners with him in sharing
the good news that God loves all people regardless of social status, ethnicity,
faith, etc. In our own lives, in our own circumstances, we are Jesus’ hands and
voice seeking to bring his realm into being. We do this one by one, through our
relationships with others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And we join with the author of the letter to the Ephesians in
prayers for wisdom and enlightenment in our relationships. We give glory to God,
and we ask that we may be guided by God’s Spirit in following our Divine
Shepherd, Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This week, I pray that all may know God’s peace, that all
may experience life in the Reign of God, and that we may each be an active partner
with Jesus in sharing the reign of God with others. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-46866388483370868762023-11-19T12:00:00.012-05:002023-11-19T12:00:00.145-05:00Giving Thanks<p><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Deuteronomy 8:7-18; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Luke 17:11-19</span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our scriptures today are about giving thanks in several
settings. They remind us of the longstanding promises of God to provide for us
and our thankful response to such benevolence. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />… As the people prepared to enter the land promised to them
long ago, Moses reminds them that this land and its produce is given to them by
God. They are to remember often to thank God for this gift. <o:p></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jCeZ_5Qb8-aeBUh3lZmIAUKH8Hhwz-_RT2JNj4CH2H9cB31P6ttgJJAW78iDAWJSKR1kiaaSbBBwNlL9G-O5E6aLOSGo1r1j1-qgzbDaLOlDHGJeQIEP1H8NZ24ioY7fqo5x6Pzw6E5Vjdwd_oq494ualg4663VykC0Ny5mQ7S2sDfUyp50cbU-uLBd4/s284/cornucopia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jCeZ_5Qb8-aeBUh3lZmIAUKH8Hhwz-_RT2JNj4CH2H9cB31P6ttgJJAW78iDAWJSKR1kiaaSbBBwNlL9G-O5E6aLOSGo1r1j1-qgzbDaLOlDHGJeQIEP1H8NZ24ioY7fqo5x6Pzw6E5Vjdwd_oq494ualg4663VykC0Ny5mQ7S2sDfUyp50cbU-uLBd4/s1600/cornucopia.jpg" width="284" /></a></div></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Second Corinthians, Paul has been collecting offerings
to support the church in Jerusalem. The believers there have been suffering from
persecutions already, only 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Jews are unhappy with them, the Romans are unhappy with them, and life has
become hard. Paul has asked all the churches established by then to contribute
to a fund he will carry himself to Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paul makes it clear that he is not demanding they
contribute, because some of these Corinthian believers are also experiencing
persecutions. But just like the clients of Bethel New Life, there are folks who
have less than they have. And in the same way that Moses shared God’s promises
to the Israelites, these Corinthians will discover abundance when they give. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">… The familiar story of Jesus healing the lepers makes us
cringe a bit. We want to understand why ten were healed, and only one turned
around to say thank you. It’s easy to ridicule, to blame, to shame the nine. </span></h3><h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><br /><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DXs7ugWIehtpFStoYB91RZ3ZBTIr0QjbSPkejuEuHabMgYBawPl17rZEZEKDAbpzp4bhQqevXThtfNhUmWMW6DdxGHbdhGqLSdUWFEeqe8FyN7iJdaSsPzKYRc0q2I0Lc1imzlWoNsDufwOTXqTS3g11CepP2lWkyCn3hB191x3rxZd2zqZNMKU_ccf6/s6096/tenlepers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2648" data-original-width="6096" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DXs7ugWIehtpFStoYB91RZ3ZBTIr0QjbSPkejuEuHabMgYBawPl17rZEZEKDAbpzp4bhQqevXThtfNhUmWMW6DdxGHbdhGqLSdUWFEeqe8FyN7iJdaSsPzKYRc0q2I0Lc1imzlWoNsDufwOTXqTS3g11CepP2lWkyCn3hB191x3rxZd2zqZNMKU_ccf6/w400-h174/tenlepers.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We need to understand the religious and political conditions
of the time. Jewish people who have leprosy have been trained since birth that
the priest and the rabbi holds the power over their lives. It is the priest who
judges if the skin is clean or still contagious. It is the priest who will give
them permission to return to their family and community. But, it sure seems to
us that they should have at least nodded a thanks to Jesus for the healing
before heading off to see the priest. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, we need to offer them some grace. We look back 2,000
years and know who Jesus is. In that time, the cross hadn’t happened, the
resurrection hadn’t happened. Jesus was just some preacher, teacher, healer
among several others of the era. They didn’t owe him any special honor. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Samaritan, on the other hand, does not feel compelled
to see the priest of a religion that is not his own. He does turn around and
say thank you before returning to his own family and community, and perhaps his
own priest. … This doesn’t mean we don’t think the nine should have been polite
and said thank you, too. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">… <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRMC_0WxI7HJ2zbs0eyftFeBrYdZ_qafk1ZpEzPa6evRETJWKn23n1l-ebGcgNQ2yXdjqiEBL0wQnS0a_FmLPvqtum0Zr5nru4_IAHmW2tDjS_FvYCDPWevnbz-_08uHZXvE5Bfdrqla1fc7LYsGZ1tV9Y57weD9bJpDri9ooIOaD3PtSy-sacxFKJEDp/s225/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="141" data-original-width="225" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRMC_0WxI7HJ2zbs0eyftFeBrYdZ_qafk1ZpEzPa6evRETJWKn23n1l-ebGcgNQ2yXdjqiEBL0wQnS0a_FmLPvqtum0Zr5nru4_IAHmW2tDjS_FvYCDPWevnbz-_08uHZXvE5Bfdrqla1fc7LYsGZ1tV9Y57weD9bJpDri9ooIOaD3PtSy-sacxFKJEDp/s1600/Picture1.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />I know people who claim that what they have, their nice
houses, their fashionable clothing, the latest technology, they have it all because
of their own hard work. God plays no role in their lives, as the creator, as
the giver of this abundance. They might give to a worthy cause occasionally,
but mostly, they keep what they receive for their own uses.<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I know other people who claim that everything they have,
their houses, their clothing, their technology, they have it all because of God’s
abundance. They work hard to tithe, giving 10% to the church and making additional
gifts to other causes. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are their lives better either way? I can’t really say, but
I can share my own experiences. For a long time, back when I was a young mom, I
wanted to give more than a couple dollars a week to my congregation, but that
was what it seemed the budget allowed. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOOr6qNiI54KAAABXp75_2ganl7BbYDhVkPQCY6QP8YKSQV82P2bZ9ijbJ2GBXV06zbLUbLNJm4pPSXHM86mNLEDA68Xckntpx2dqCjnmMC5KCJMg8uJEO1Yy2sxbv4PHvZJEZiOWo1E4ldrpvA92at0MzCBFrurklei77Hp6W9qY8IBBza7mekprFoyk/w200-h133/tithe%20woman.jpg" width="200" /></span><br />I was especially influenced by an experience at Bethel New
Life Church on Chicago’s West Side. All the clients were urged to tithe. And I
was told by the clients themselves that they did so happily because there was
always someone who had less than they had. <o:p></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I promised myself while I was at seminary that when I was
out of school that I would begin tithing. I have kept that promise to myself. Mike
and I support several congregations and give often to Lutheran World Relief and
Lutheran Disaster Response and occasionally to other causes. I can only say
that it feels good to give to others some of what God has given me. And I thank
God that I can be so generous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">… This week, we as a nation pause to say thank you. We remember
our history, how 400 years ago Europeans landed on the shores of this continent
and were met by indigenous peoples up and down the east coast. We know that in
some cases, the Europeans were killed, but in others they were welcomed and
taught how to survive in this foreign-to-them place. We remember the
hospitality offered at shared meals and the thanks they all gave for successful
harvests. <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS",sans-serif" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is good for us to remember that God is the original
source of all our abundance and to remember to say thanks for everything. This
week I hope you take some time to give God thanks for all the good things in
your life. Think about the big things – family and friends, house, income, good
doctors, but also the little things: the ability to walk, to eat, to remember, to
use both hands. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk8oOdet5JLCTYkgwh-VgWqObsw6T-UMLRXJ6IOIAPoNNb4kVvLMorEeMf01d5W3X6LCaXCeGMB1iRxl5C2hlnMCNyxWQjFRE1WBP3YJagaQHQB5r5v4F6Fdh8UZrT6B6281den8PL9T8ZaQDCEsGYGRnsaeacPlIniqu_EJ7rTd-0fvadeYjRQvPu4V3/s474/generous.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk8oOdet5JLCTYkgwh-VgWqObsw6T-UMLRXJ6IOIAPoNNb4kVvLMorEeMf01d5W3X6LCaXCeGMB1iRxl5C2hlnMCNyxWQjFRE1WBP3YJagaQHQB5r5v4F6Fdh8UZrT6B6281den8PL9T8ZaQDCEsGYGRnsaeacPlIniqu_EJ7rTd-0fvadeYjRQvPu4V3/s320/generous.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><br /></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-68478923205794296122023-11-12T12:00:00.001-05:002023-11-12T12:00:00.257-05:00Making choices<p> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Joshua
24:1-3a, 14-25; Matthew 25:1-13</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today,
we are learning that it can cost us to make certain choices. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Joshua
tells us today that we have to make choices about following God. We have
reached the end of the sequential telling of Hebrew Testament stories for this
year. We started early in Genesis, meeting Abram and Sarai, who made the choice
to go where God told them to go. We followed their adventures as they made more
choices, sometimes to be patient, sometimes to take matters into their own
hands. And we followed their children and grandchildren, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob
and his wives and children. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We heard
the stories of Moses and Aaron as they confronted Pharaoh and Pharaoh’s
choices. We learned that the people who left Egypt grumbled, not always
trusting Moses and God to provide for them. The lectionary has skipped over the
stories of what Jews call the Conquest, as they entered the land and took it
over from the Canaanites. They believe God gave them this land, that it is
theirs to occupy and possess and develop. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At
this moment, the fighting for control is over, the tribes are going to settle
into the portions of land given to each family group. But, before they do,
Joshua wants a recommitment to serve God. It’s rather like us reaffirming our
baptism each year – we agree to follow God and God agrees to be present with
us. Joshua reminds the folks to get rid of any foreign idols and stop worshiping
them. Remember which God brought you here, and worship only that God! <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafcB2JUcM1ewuOtpcvwT-mdP1pQ103d1QJiXx5L31Dw6ZnBy1tPrh1GnqNhsyNRZOpTY6qGSA7F4lD_QHcAoUx05lw2Qt2YJPkCqyPPCno8HS_zhka9KskaNDXmYvTtSWpbCroEeB0noGPRiTYQN5Sle-rFGGLLd0GI-VUKq_bvBAojuFvASqvODSR7hZ/s1024/As%20for%20me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1020" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafcB2JUcM1ewuOtpcvwT-mdP1pQ103d1QJiXx5L31Dw6ZnBy1tPrh1GnqNhsyNRZOpTY6qGSA7F4lD_QHcAoUx05lw2Qt2YJPkCqyPPCno8HS_zhka9KskaNDXmYvTtSWpbCroEeB0noGPRiTYQN5Sle-rFGGLLd0GI-VUKq_bvBAojuFvASqvODSR7hZ/w144-h144/As%20for%20me.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He uses
the famous line: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” And he wants
everyone else to make the same commitment. Through the centuries, we have made
this same promise, to follow this God and no other. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… Bridesmaids
in the Gospel reading have been forced to make choices, too. It’s a parable, so
we know there will be a surprise ending when Jesus tells the story. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is
the situation: the groom travels from his home to the home of the bride, where
the bridesmaids are to be waiting and watching for him to arrive. He asks to
see the bride, lifts her veil, and the wedding celebration begins. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXoKPtvc8Ft3fLNwPAzcxz-V0Ua2jSLGRGVILItYxIcdsfE_8Q4pboOKU7c_S1oRCM3aUBuTGRSxXfHN96DuYqMhRfMaKMPURiDTazL4Z1rjQDWnbBJh5QLArkPQYt1WuniVV9TBQeEk63fHIvJqSchQKOcy3GvXDjAi8x33GEHPGyviWpsKG-Bmrzgdh/s1628/virgins-814x532@2x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1628" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXoKPtvc8Ft3fLNwPAzcxz-V0Ua2jSLGRGVILItYxIcdsfE_8Q4pboOKU7c_S1oRCM3aUBuTGRSxXfHN96DuYqMhRfMaKMPURiDTazL4Z1rjQDWnbBJh5QLArkPQYt1WuniVV9TBQeEk63fHIvJqSchQKOcy3GvXDjAi8x33GEHPGyviWpsKG-Bmrzgdh/w400-h261/virgins-814x532@2x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Waiting for the groom can be long.
He may be partying along the way, celebrating already. It makes me wonder if
that was the origin of the stag party in more modern times. (I didn’t research
that.) All the girls grow tired and go to sleep. In the meanwhile, they have
continued to burn their lamps, because that’s how to keep light in the house. They
want to be ready to welcome the groom with a lighted pathway when he arrives. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unfortunately,
half of them have failed to pack extra oil for the lamps, so their lamps are
out of oil. The other bridesmaids refuse to share, so the 5 run off to the
all-night oil store. By the time they get back, the groom has arrived. The 5
bridesmaids knock on the door, but the groom says, “Hey, I don’t know you. You
can’t come in here!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some
folks interpret this story by saying the bridesmaids should have chosen to
bring extra oil. Some folks say the other 5 bridesmaids should have chosen to share
their oil. And still others say the oil is a side issue. The point Jesus is
making is that they should all have chosen to wait and been ready to greet him,
whether or not they had any oil. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… Do you
say: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord?” Being faithful to
God requires making choices, because there are lots of other gods in our lives:
money, power, the acquisition of stuff, our families, fear, and so forth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Remaining
faithful means trusting God to be there, to provide what we need. Trusting God
doesn’t mean we won’t get sick, that we won’t die. But it does mean choosing to
trust God, to wait for God’s answers even if they are a long time coming. Trusting
God means choosing to wait for God to provide the best “whatever we are waiting
for”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… I
watch CBS News most mornings and saw this story about making choices. Roberta
was a correctional officer at a correctional institution for women in
Louisiana. She is raising 5 of her grandchildren but it was no trouble to add
another baby to the family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Katie
had two months to go on her sentence, but her baby would be born soon. Katie
had no family to take in the baby so she asked Roberta if she would take care
of her until Katie was released. Roberta agreed and then advised her supervisor,
who said doing so was a conflict of interest and Roberta would be terminated if
she persisted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Roberta
chose to get the baby from the hospital anyway. She cared for the baby for two
months until Katie was released, caring for him as one of her own grandbabies.
Katie has some work to do to be ready to have the baby home with her, so for
now he is in foster care. And Roberta is working in a factory, and making plans
to open a home for women in transition. She doesn’t regret making the choices
she did, to care for another woman’s baby for a while. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgE8w68Ls77rV49PVsWqLZgNu4wsEB6CYujn8IkM0lOY-AUZE5z3YMl8QPuvo1M0RCHwqAgG4-AzwBRSHqqAsgy5YNmwkyI000dr1X-h6z2OuA0WpHneQWyR6q-on1bfRQleWfpDSuh60-iB1T0OqPC8juzmYBcicojEHt_U4tSA9eZ9GxedIAS0fEoYzM/s620/baby%20choices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="620" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgE8w68Ls77rV49PVsWqLZgNu4wsEB6CYujn8IkM0lOY-AUZE5z3YMl8QPuvo1M0RCHwqAgG4-AzwBRSHqqAsgy5YNmwkyI000dr1X-h6z2OuA0WpHneQWyR6q-on1bfRQleWfpDSuh60-iB1T0OqPC8juzmYBcicojEHt_U4tSA9eZ9GxedIAS0fEoYzM/s320/baby%20choices.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">News of
her plan to open a shelter has gone out, and donations are coming in to help,
as well as calls from other moms in similar situations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… This
week, I invite you to think about the choices you are making, or need to make.
I pray that you are talking with God about your plans, to see if they allow you
to trust God and wait for God’s promises to be realized in your life, or if
they take you farther away from God. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-40761009252824482772023-11-05T12:00:00.001-05:002023-11-05T12:00:00.135-05:00All Saints for All Time<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today is set aside annually as the Sunday on which we honor those
whom we call saints, in other words, all who believe in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jVOqvUumJRTe7WeaaJevpOiz_ixO0DICITyPTittEfTOx8o-njnHJHBfkrmlJlXhMMitiG2zxH3RES_VZwYl_80PgfbCNsPEvszO0TwpNAbbH_v1HObxoOSJcMFJKmk-JOTJkK4eorRqp0pxW2j5jBPMXJJ6_81auis_81Dz0x65Uk10HpYJyvOU0sIX/s2400/All-Saints-Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jVOqvUumJRTe7WeaaJevpOiz_ixO0DICITyPTittEfTOx8o-njnHJHBfkrmlJlXhMMitiG2zxH3RES_VZwYl_80PgfbCNsPEvszO0TwpNAbbH_v1HObxoOSJcMFJKmk-JOTJkK4eorRqp0pxW2j5jBPMXJJ6_81auis_81Dz0x65Uk10HpYJyvOU0sIX/s320/All-Saints-Day.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />First, a bit of explanation.
In the Roman Catholic Church, November 1 is observed as All Saints, which
honors martyrs and officially recognized saints, and November 2 is observed as
All Souls, a day to pray for deceased believers to be released from purgatory. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After the Protestant Reformation, all believers are saints –
whether in heaven or on earth – so all our deceased loved ones are remembered and
honored on All Saints Day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Today’s texts help us recognize and honor our deceased
loved ones and share our grief with others who are also grieving. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mQ-ULIl0-TqHNuEyr-RkhGzv7Cdj5SgVeqTWEwSoGr8ldqOwTT6XuBPlJ62wi_Wpe7gSZUPKdmHTlawc8WqS71g5n9OskFg-goDGZ4PN1XlDDNmOQbjyCinCKH831UOTAesMFfuZ4aVgbYGyXmhIPKTst5Az5OAqQAFfTW3Pim54FJ5uL6JrZCC_8GzR/s1200/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mQ-ULIl0-TqHNuEyr-RkhGzv7Cdj5SgVeqTWEwSoGr8ldqOwTT6XuBPlJ62wi_Wpe7gSZUPKdmHTlawc8WqS71g5n9OskFg-goDGZ4PN1XlDDNmOQbjyCinCKH831UOTAesMFfuZ4aVgbYGyXmhIPKTst5Az5OAqQAFfTW3Pim54FJ5uL6JrZCC_8GzR/w200-h150/hands.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />The writer of 1 John calls us children of God. That makes us
family, kin with each other for 2,000 years, kin with the ancient martyrs and
believers, and kin with those who grew ill and died over the centuries from an
assortment of plagues and wars. And we are kin with those who died too young,
and kin with those who died of old age.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We join together as kin in sharing God’s love with each
other, and we join together in sharing sadness and trouble with each other.
Grief shared is easier to bear, and this day is set aside to help us grieve
together the death of loved ones, and to be comforted by the caring hearts of
others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… I have heard people say the book of Revelation is “scary
and impossible to understand and people shouldn’t ever read it.” Yes, it is a
challenge to understand. But the Lutheran understanding of the book is that it is
both a religious protest against the political situation under Roman rule, and
an encouragement to stay faithful to Jesus in spite of the possibility of
persecution. Yes, there are some fantastic, terrible beings and puzzling events
in Revelation, and there are also lovely, glorious scenes like the one in our
first reading. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The vision John of Patmos sees is of God seated on a throne
surrounded by a multitude of believers. These believers have been through the “ordeal”:
they have been arrested, tortured, and killed because they refused to worship
Roman gods, and would only worship Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY86hRQHWXvvP65OuG40Zqrqgwi9g6arRqlRagGjRSakA_XqPYeipjOEi45BBsFOnXDedF5oT1M0QBowL4rELrC2Si_LqoFx8jrbBGEiVhMXVvpNHdX1ONAypA_u1q9uQ5VZVh1PmqTl0Dnf1tubEYw2GC1w4TjltmkoZ2faLN2pVo3pbgJDiJId2KxPL/s1275/revelation-7v9-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1275" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY86hRQHWXvvP65OuG40Zqrqgwi9g6arRqlRagGjRSakA_XqPYeipjOEi45BBsFOnXDedF5oT1M0QBowL4rELrC2Si_LqoFx8jrbBGEiVhMXVvpNHdX1ONAypA_u1q9uQ5VZVh1PmqTl0Dnf1tubEYw2GC1w4TjltmkoZ2faLN2pVo3pbgJDiJId2KxPL/s320/revelation-7v9-03.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I notice that the multitude is composed of
people of all sorts, from every tribe and every nation and every language. By the
end of the first century, when Revelation was written, the good news of the
resurrection has traveled all around the Mediterranean, all the way to France
and Spain, and along the north coast of Africa – the broad extent of the Roman
Empire.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many Christians in the Middle East and northern Africa are descendants
of the very first generations of believers. So, today, we are kin with believers
in Jesus in the US, in Europe, in Mexico and Brazil, in China and Korea, in Egypt
and Ethiopia and Cameroon, and in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. We are united
in honoring our saints and sharing our grief on this All-Saints Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… The Gospel reading is the familiar passage we call the
Beatitudes. Jesus teaches us that we are blessed when we are poor in spirit,
when we are meek, when we strive for justice and mercy. Especially appropriate
for today is the blessing for those who mourn. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD_SaP1PdwlPu2x2vkgdcv1seTxrbpkjpb3GusvmTUBJDxoH3h7h_PGcZUUytO8-y6GWV0UpzMDt361bp85ccz4J0GSDBOr0cafCptEHXmyg6XlcHVMSybz7y9zbod9fJKVKrER_Ob8J10BwEWAnkdBT0we8cD0v-KYSpSJVGdkQuUyA2hWXFojs08o1L/s329/mourn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="329" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD_SaP1PdwlPu2x2vkgdcv1seTxrbpkjpb3GusvmTUBJDxoH3h7h_PGcZUUytO8-y6GWV0UpzMDt361bp85ccz4J0GSDBOr0cafCptEHXmyg6XlcHVMSybz7y9zbod9fJKVKrER_Ob8J10BwEWAnkdBT0we8cD0v-KYSpSJVGdkQuUyA2hWXFojs08o1L/s320/mourn.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Today,
as we remember those we have loved and whom we now miss, we are comforted by our
shared grief. Some of us experience fresh grief, for loved ones who died
recently. Some of us experience old grief, for loved ones long gone but still
missed. We light candles, wanting the light of our loved ones to shine again
for a brief time. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Some of us remember with joy those who have inspired us, who
were living saints in our lives. One of those for me was Pam. She was a member
of one of my first congregations. While most of the members were supportive and
shared my vision, there were a few who were critical and constantly voiced their
opinions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKliG6f9P-jMrP1NwRxG2NYw2foJXWk6I4Sd3zkR7VMyiqpstOU6IN6qDcSfiDikLXrM31Ddl0hvpxl2ar4S-Lo8idfeGOnlR0tn_ybf72WVeNvhtoMcfmNtDqSb3MFoSMN-ZjLtyo4D8oLq_-xBXf-SAsnPb-2mdE7TREVJ7MxreEKNW0f4JEPpzk5g3/s239/homebound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="211" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKliG6f9P-jMrP1NwRxG2NYw2foJXWk6I4Sd3zkR7VMyiqpstOU6IN6qDcSfiDikLXrM31Ddl0hvpxl2ar4S-Lo8idfeGOnlR0tn_ybf72WVeNvhtoMcfmNtDqSb3MFoSMN-ZjLtyo4D8oLq_-xBXf-SAsnPb-2mdE7TREVJ7MxreEKNW0f4JEPpzk5g3/w159-h180/homebound.jpg" width="159" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Pam
was ill from a medical accident and homebound. The first few times I visited, she
welcomed me with hot water and a choice of tea bags, and a plate of homemade
cookies. It was important to her to be the host. After a few more visits, she
asked me to carry the snacks. I assured her that I would be happy to visit her even
when the time came for her to be in bed with tubes and there were no snacks. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She is one of my saints because when I visited, she gave a
brief update on her own health, then asked about the congregation. I usually
just talked about the things that were going on, who was ill or recovered, etc.
She often asked questions when she wanted to know more. One day when I visited,
she guessed things had been rough for me. She knew the people well, and
listened with compassion as I shared the struggles I was facing. Then she asked
what she could do and did it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She is one of my saints because she put the needs of others before
her own failing health. She was a caring person just when I needed one,
offering compassion and justice at the same time. She made me feel like family,
like kin. I was blessed to be in her presence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… We all have those for whom we give thanks, who have been
saints for us. Some of them are birth-family relatives, and some of them are
adopted family, but kin just the same. So, this week, I invite you to reflect
on the saints in your lives. Give thanks for them, tell them they are important
if they are still living, and seek to be a saint for those around you. Amen</span><o:p></o:p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-60147221765643138392023-11-04T16:43:00.004-04:002023-11-04T16:43:42.077-04:00Re-formation<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 22:34-46</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKyAszDRETtIig3RomYuEpP7MSyH8uzA8Lr04ARmXmH7xyD28IkQmfWrG57zG_kPdhDSoUv8MJ2nXFof6WP_QazVV9w2kpv3RjIRNKgbSWJDA8xhlI2TwCrzaUZNsrdp0xoFyUCo2Rmv51cZ7iy4AoBpX-daMUYWsj5hyphenhyphenuUEBF3wPlgBMIkP_9nc7bjia/s2098/Luther.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="2098" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKyAszDRETtIig3RomYuEpP7MSyH8uzA8Lr04ARmXmH7xyD28IkQmfWrG57zG_kPdhDSoUv8MJ2nXFof6WP_QazVV9w2kpv3RjIRNKgbSWJDA8xhlI2TwCrzaUZNsrdp0xoFyUCo2Rmv51cZ7iy4AoBpX-daMUYWsj5hyphenhyphenuUEBF3wPlgBMIkP_9nc7bjia/s320/Luther.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Today we remember our brother Martin Luther, who sought to
reform some practices and teachings he believed the church had wrong. The first
practice he wanted to change was the sale of indulgences. Indulgences are a
piece of paper that presume to get a person out of purgatory and into heaven
faster. Because some folks agreed with him and many more disagreed with him,
the result was a break, a schism, in the church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We call this the Protestant Reformation, and we often
describe it as the church reformed, always reforming. Always reforming means
always changing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Last week I asked the council to consider these two connected
statements: “We do not fear change. We fear loss.” When we think about reformation,
we think about what will probably change. There are changes we like and changes
we don’t. We grieve the loss caused by some changes and we celebrate the newness
of changes we appreciate. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Some practices in the Church have been evolving for several
decades, since many of us older folks were students. Fewer people attend
worship; younger people who do participate can’t afford to be as generous with
their time or their money. Music preferences have changed. COVID did a number
on us, forcing us to change sooner than would have normally happened. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Church people have lost a lot, when we compare what Church
was with what it is today. And yet, many of us have learned to be flexible. We
have learned that change can be a good thing. We have adopted the saying,
“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYaOTlkGGI67i1fP7rRxXUfUa1NDWyyDgAX1rg8pNUyqVPkWckhBRfzjl1zw3fzFRxvWHRc15RKdQMNUSKnxSFYxvsYUm_EGNZ2rJ0_9xwVj5AggqlIsL6Y1U7uTJm-doXeP2f-gGPkpmmgF2HNJ5opc7-dg7QIevLHAi5jkDSqzpXxplR_GrTsq-Adaf/s1600/MAP05_BorderPromisedLand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYaOTlkGGI67i1fP7rRxXUfUa1NDWyyDgAX1rg8pNUyqVPkWckhBRfzjl1zw3fzFRxvWHRc15RKdQMNUSKnxSFYxvsYUm_EGNZ2rJ0_9xwVj5AggqlIsL6Y1U7uTJm-doXeP2f-gGPkpmmgF2HNJ5opc7-dg7QIevLHAi5jkDSqzpXxplR_GrTsq-Adaf/s320/MAP05_BorderPromisedLand.jpg" width="236" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">…
Flexibility was a lesson Moses had to learn, quickly and repeatedly. Over the
decades between his birth and rescue by midwives and a princess, to his leadership
over the Exodus, to his work to reshape, to <u>re-form</u>, the Israelites from
Egyptian slaves into a united people, faithful to one God. In today’s reading Moses’
life journey ends before he can enter the Promised Land. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For the last several years, Moses has been training Joshua
to take over when Moses’ time ends. Here, Moses gets to see the land spread
before him, ready to be invaded and split into sections, one for each tribe. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Back then it seemed like a great plan, God’s plan. Today, we
say, “But there were people living there already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had no right to do that!” We can’t
change history or the attitudes of those in the past. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We can only reform our own attitudes today to make sure such
injustices don’t happen again. But that is such a difficult task. Redlining,
new road construction, territorial disputes, eminent domain are all modern methods
for claiming someone else’s land as our own. Reformation with justice is hard
work!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… In the Gospel reading, Jesus is trying to reform hearts
and minds to see God’s love is for all people, not just those who live in a
certain way. He argues in a very Jewish way with Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes.
The various leaders ask Jesus to interpret a passage or principle in the Torah
(the first 5 books of the Bible) or a saying by one of the prophets. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus answered some questions in a way that pleased the
leaders and demonstrated that he really knew his Bible. But he answered other
questions in a way that challenged traditional interpretation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was an important way that Jesus was
seeking to reform some of the Jewish faith traditions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We have two examples of this in today’s Gospel reading. God
gave Moses 10 Words, which we call the Ten Commandments. By the end of Torah,
there are 613 commandments, which describe the proper ways to have a
relationship with God and with each other. The Pharisees want to know which of
these 613 commandments is the most important, in Jesus’ view. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL8I8fIbOEcADNvdoSXTfYyD323r_BSOgl58UgV08fGNI9wjpN_dD5eHjeSIcQWH63pyQGGbs4AfrSZb9HXmg9M5AxxTdezsEis5mKuu7bkE7EstJEoPBoarTYJdCbl6IODXlks1QRT241wU-WfKrdxBaabBG0RnWIVJeh688IrRika-WPspUgfjSmG_Z/s960/e35d8537e183cb281b0a76ed86fdea3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL8I8fIbOEcADNvdoSXTfYyD323r_BSOgl58UgV08fGNI9wjpN_dD5eHjeSIcQWH63pyQGGbs4AfrSZb9HXmg9M5AxxTdezsEis5mKuu7bkE7EstJEoPBoarTYJdCbl6IODXlks1QRT241wU-WfKrdxBaabBG0RnWIVJeh688IrRika-WPspUgfjSmG_Z/w200-h180/e35d8537e183cb281b0a76ed86fdea3b.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Jesus
uses two common sayings in his response. He quotes the Shema, a prayer
observant Jews say daily. And he quotes an often-cited verse from Leviticus. Jesus
says, put simply, You shall love God and you shall love your neighbor. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The conversation then continues about the identity of the
messiah. Of course, by now many are thinking that Jesus is the messiah, so they
want to know if that’s who he says he is, too. Jesus asks a question as a way
to change the way they think about the messiah. The way he phrases the question
demonstrates that Jesus believes the Pharisees and Sadducees and others don’t
know how to properly interpret scripture. It’s a sort of mic-drop moment. The Pharisees
don’t dare ask him any more questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">… Today, a popular way of interpreting scripture includes
the insistence that we behave in certain ways in order for God to love us, and
that our goal in life is to gain entrance into heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The difference between this belief and Luther’s teaching is who
the main actor is. In the popular teaching, humans are the main actors. In
Lutheran belief, God is the main actor. When God is the main actor, we are free
to believe what Jesus tells us, that we are already and always beloved and
forgiven. God sees our hearts, wounded, broken, imperfect as they are, and
loves us despite our defects. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This week, I pray that you think about change and how it has
affected your lives. Have they been small, easy to manage changes, or
significant reformations? Amen</span><o:p></o:p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-52640824204569150402023-10-22T12:00:00.005-04:002023-10-22T12:00:00.145-04:00From bread and wine to faith and giving: Abiding at the table with Jesus<p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Exodus 33:12-23; John</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> 6:53-59</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Moses
is having a crisis of confidence. He has led the Israelites out of Egypt, he
has argued with God at least twice, received the tablets of the 10 Words, twice,
and now they are ready to leave the mountain and move on toward the land
promised long ago to Abram and Sarai.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Moses
struggled to do this mission in the first place, and now he wonders if he is
still the right guy. He and God have a conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, you’re the guy. … I’m still not
sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need more assurance. Can I see
your presence? … Well, OK. Let’s do this. I’ll hide you in a rock where you can
see my glory as I pass by you. You will see my back, not my face, because those
who see the face of God will die. So they do this, and Moses is able to
continue the mission with his confidence restored. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Interestingly,
a chapter or so later, Moses talks face to face with God and he doesn’t die! The
writers chose to include both traditions in the whole story of the Bible. Both
can be true in scripture. You don’t always die if you see the face of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">…
About 1,500 years later, Jesus lets everyone see his face. It takes a while in
Matthew, Mark and Luke for folks to understand that Jesus is the Son of God.
But in John’s Gospel, it is clear from the first word that Jesus is one with
God. You remember… “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and
the word was God.” Jesus is the Word of God, and God made visible. Anyone who
wants to can see the face of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In
the Gospel reading, Jesus is in a synagogue in Capernaum, talking about eating
and drinking himself. It sounds gross when we take his words out of context. He
is referring, of course, to holy communion, in which we eat the bread which is
also Jesus’ body, and drink the wine which is also his blood. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lutherans
believe that Jesus is present in the bread and wine, while the bread and wine
are also just bread and wine. We talk about both/and. Luther said, Jesus is
present in, with, and under the bread and wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the elements of holy communion, we can see the face of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
we consume the bread and wine, we are nourished physically and spiritually. The
tiny bites and sips of bread and wine physically nourish our bodies all the way
to our finger tips. … Jesus uses the word “abide”. To abide in John’s gospel
means to dwell among or within us, to set up a tent – or maybe a camper! – and
stay a while. So we could imagine that Jesus is here in worship, on our Zoom
meetings, enjoying snacks together, joking with the students, and so forth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
imagine he would also spend some time outside with the hungry and unsheltered
folks. Most likely he would make a trip to Baker Detention Center, check in on
some city meetings, and tell some stories at the local schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Barring
some sort of miracle, it’s not likely that Jesus will show up in the flesh and
do all those things. But if we remember that Jesus abides in us, he can do all
those things through us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We
have seen Jesus, we see him every week in the bread and wine of holy communion,
and we have the opportunity to make Jesus visible to those we meet because he
shines through us. We can see him every day, all day, if we remember that he
abides in all of us, and in our neighbors. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Many
pastors have a note card placed where they can see it as they prepare for
worship. Many pastors tape it on the pulpit. The card says, “Sir, we want to
see Jesus.” It is the goal of most pastors to help congregations see Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It
can be our goal at ULC to help our neighbors see Jesus. Perhaps we could put
such a note on our refrigerators, to remind ourselves that Jesus abides within us
and it is through us that others will see him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">…
Yesterday I attended a meeting of Women of the ELCA at Our Saviour in Ocala. Recently
the local shelter for abused women closed, so the women are having to go to a laundromat,
which costs money they don’t have. The women of Our Saviour are collecting
quarters and detergent for the women so they have clean clothes. It’s a small
thing,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but it helps these women see the
face of God in a very tangible way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
coins and detergent are all donated. But at some point it could be part of the congregational
budget. Projects like this one at Our Saviour are one way that we make the connection
between being fed at the table and making Jesus visible to others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
he abides within us, he also abides within the women of the shelter, in the
hearts of “our” students,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the
families we house and feed and care for, in the children of Village of Hope in
Haiti. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Today
you are invited to let us know that you plan to support the ministries of UELC financially
by filling out an estimate of giving. The figures will be tallied and reported
out next week at a dinner following worship. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
invite you also to spend some time pondering how Jesus abides within you and
within those around you. Amen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-80948944159409735422023-10-15T12:00:00.001-04:002023-10-15T12:00:00.162-04:00From bread and wine to faith and giving: the table of provision for all<p><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Exodus 32:1-14; </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Acts 2:42-47; </span><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Matthew 22:1-14</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We continue this week with our stewardship discussion of from
bread and wine to faith and giving. This week’s focus scripture is Acts 2, as you
will see from the bulletin insert.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Exodus,
Moses is on the mountain talking with God. In the meantime Aaron is on the
plain with the people, who have grumbled
and worried since they left Egypt. The
people gather gold and make a bull out of it, an idol, to represent the
divine. They are forgetting, of course,
that they have been forbidden from doing just this.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd912KCYAGhvqz_Ve6Eb4Vmsps4YoXq5CSsI6ibuEjguKLARiBzefdJpY0NNwM-HRe9PAk59AnwU0TuH2_n_3ch7GAoQ-oufZa0auUz1OnKjKVj8HQyOxZdORb43xlLJ96z08RUkFBQPvf0b-z1_jSHOSl74RrcEVFt6N08TIbW55HTOchCupG-uCfSwTJ/s720/Moses_Pluchart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="720" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd912KCYAGhvqz_Ve6Eb4Vmsps4YoXq5CSsI6ibuEjguKLARiBzefdJpY0NNwM-HRe9PAk59AnwU0TuH2_n_3ch7GAoQ-oufZa0auUz1OnKjKVj8HQyOxZdORb43xlLJ96z08RUkFBQPvf0b-z1_jSHOSl74RrcEVFt6N08TIbW55HTOchCupG-uCfSwTJ/s320/Moses_Pluchart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When God sees what the people are doing, God is furious! God is
ready to destroy the people and start over. But Moses reminds God that doing so
would not be good for God’s reputation. And
God changes God’s mind and let’s Moses try again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we choose to keep what we have instead of sharing it, we
make it an idol. Idols take a portion of our attention away from God and
prevent us from trusting God with our whole hearts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAagr8Zs1GQ4PsbepdVcxsz6F-UYrjHavBjsg-SWDt22fDbAE9_RaMzWm_MboqBYixnGi4NFGF267tnvLHffkaWi5SvLsiJh5FLHvu4MVJ3Kmsrqz_1wzeMRcgRTTTNC7_HRwVHyluOAsdBWElEohoNpMr4DLio-7l7yu-RAYnu2kZuNMFTKjp95b021L/s626/group-people-sit-around-table-with-fire-middle_853677-38148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="626" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAagr8Zs1GQ4PsbepdVcxsz6F-UYrjHavBjsg-SWDt22fDbAE9_RaMzWm_MboqBYixnGi4NFGF267tnvLHffkaWi5SvLsiJh5FLHvu4MVJ3Kmsrqz_1wzeMRcgRTTTNC7_HRwVHyluOAsdBWElEohoNpMr4DLio-7l7yu-RAYnu2kZuNMFTKjp95b021L/s320/group-people-sit-around-table-with-fire-middle_853677-38148.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />... The parable
of wedding feast is strange, with refusals by the wealthy to participate in the
party, followed by murder and mayhem. Then everyone else, including the miscellaneous
people from the streets, is invited. They love having good food and enjoyed the
party. But one member of the second
group doesn’t bother to dress appropriately for the party and gets evicted. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we interpret a parable we usually start by identifying who
is God in the story. And for centuries, the parable has been interpreted as an
allegory, with everyone in the story representing a person or group. But it’s
hard to find God in this story. God is not the cruel king, so that seems the
wrong place to start our interpretation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, I invite you to join me for some wondering, because there is
no easy or clear answer or explanation of this parable. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is the party Jesus himself or the group of disciples? The first
guests could be the leaders, who refuse to join the party, and don’t deserve to
be there. Certainly we understand the inclusion of all people, including slaves.
That sounds like something Jesus would say. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But who is the guest in the wrong clothes? Maybe it’s someone who wants to be with Jesus
but doesn’t want to believe what he says. Maybe there was someone who constantly
criticized Jesus and wouldn’t leave. Maybe there was something that happened at
that time that all the disciples would understand, but because there was no one writing down the
current events, we haven’t a clue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let’s just say for our purposes today that the story is about
resistance to Jesus by the powerful and influential people. The leaders have made an idol out of
preserving their faith as they have understood it and interpreted it to the
people. And we know how God feels about idols! Whether the Idols are made of gold
or tradition, we are to be aware of the dangers of creating them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4JirqNceDthTos3u6XTVi7rRQlUogkIYUphKusCR0vf_5sAfRL2bxm61RlkWw6Cd_bhNaAH6EK8Cnz-MI0Nboez0Zv14t0skP8pXIJXI7Ca6_Mh9HRccwHnRVUxYijzyNtqPj7q7pRs0ouAoTc5j_S43jEIVJd_XsTcoPKWKqbmWxYbc9qQido5p_Kxh/s576/fellowship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="576" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4JirqNceDthTos3u6XTVi7rRQlUogkIYUphKusCR0vf_5sAfRL2bxm61RlkWw6Cd_bhNaAH6EK8Cnz-MI0Nboez0Zv14t0skP8pXIJXI7Ca6_Mh9HRccwHnRVUxYijzyNtqPj7q7pRs0ouAoTc5j_S43jEIVJd_XsTcoPKWKqbmWxYbc9qQido5p_Kxh/w320-h235/fellowship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">… In Acts,
the new believers are so excited to try living out Jesus’ vision, they form a
sort of commune. Those who have share with those who lack. Sounds ideal,
doesn’t it? We know it didn’t last, and it wasn’t for all believers. While
communes do exist, they usually fail because it is hard to share so freely over
time. It takes a lot of commitment to live in a commune. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We don’t have to live in a commune to share what we have with
those who don’t have enough. We just have
to commit to sharing a portion of what we have. We just have to commit to
learning what others need and providing what we can to satisfy those needs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we resist giving away what we have, we may be making an idol
of our stuff, our money, our house, our lifestyle. Idols keep us from giving
our whole heart to God, because a portion of it belongs to the idol. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It can feel like a paradox. We feel better when we give away what
we have. When I first met Mike and we went out for a meal, he insisted on tipping
15%, in the pretax amount. Over time, he
has come to believe in a different point of view: the Thrivent saying, “Live
generously.” Now, Mike figures the tip on 20% and rounds up to the next whole
dollar. It only means a dollar or two for us, but he reasons that for a server
with children or going to university, that dollar or two means a lot. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What has made the difference? Thinking about other people’s
needs beyond our own. This is the point of the story from Acts: noticing that others
have needs and taking action to help meet those needs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPITCqeiKdwRgnNZfQJdDz0TFnjAEu_MIrYWcf5373xdfdBPf95qVg4GUbzjs6rb-hXpsFyZ5O5hzDk1rs6i9Fm9V5NZMVDGJDpQZkzPCBcawBJlD0AU0l-1jMck6AcHEOORntjVXuVfGqKCdL0jEwJsfDi4c0WMaYTYvm2HlH0mQkQVJM5GDmABqc-g8/s275/bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPITCqeiKdwRgnNZfQJdDz0TFnjAEu_MIrYWcf5373xdfdBPf95qVg4GUbzjs6rb-hXpsFyZ5O5hzDk1rs6i9Fm9V5NZMVDGJDpQZkzPCBcawBJlD0AU0l-1jMck6AcHEOORntjVXuVfGqKCdL0jEwJsfDi4c0WMaYTYvm2HlH0mQkQVJM5GDmABqc-g8/s1600/bikes.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br />A quick
story about a little-known ministry that happens here. Jim and Pat Dasler
collect bikes, Jim repairs them, and they give them away. The most recent bike
went to Ivan, who has been walking over an hour to get here each week. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">… As we consider the ministries God is calling us to next year, I
hope our financial plans will form a balance between our concern for those in need
and our need to maintain buildings and support staff. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 3;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And as we as individuals consider our own contributions, I hope
we can live generously and identify any idols that prevent us from doing so. Amen</span><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-6735452693273634772023-10-08T12:00:00.001-04:002023-10-08T12:00:00.141-04:00From Bread and Wine to Faith and Giving: A Table in the Wilderness<p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Exodus
20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Philippians 3:4b-14; Mark 6:30-44</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Apostle
Paul is writing to the Philippians from prison. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love this letter, because of all the joy Paul
expresses in it. He has discovered he needs nothing but his faith in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He gives
us his credentials; he is a Hebrew, descended from the Tribe of Benjamin, and a
Pharisee, so he knows a lot about the Law. He claims he perfectly obeys the Law:
“as to righteousness under the law, blameless,” he says. What Law is he talking
about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s talking about the Torah,
which is the first five books of the Bible, and all the rules crafted to
interpret the Torah in daily life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QGrYzyyBF1xVOZ-LUdg8LENzsdNUyakkYn_f4j_ttjVBg5Ux40sXim-W9K9yIpX8Hao0sp_-27ulEaJ2eXQzwaW-C1fTohN-gtLnYQhK6QfRsAUqT3Hu1ijCfN3Yr2nCq0p8kbL5tuQ3jB7jX5em-0rm6OSQnlarOz-ZxmPC5Sq8BrHMrCE29cKnNHOZ/s290/torah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QGrYzyyBF1xVOZ-LUdg8LENzsdNUyakkYn_f4j_ttjVBg5Ux40sXim-W9K9yIpX8Hao0sp_-27ulEaJ2eXQzwaW-C1fTohN-gtLnYQhK6QfRsAUqT3Hu1ijCfN3Yr2nCq0p8kbL5tuQ3jB7jX5em-0rm6OSQnlarOz-ZxmPC5Sq8BrHMrCE29cKnNHOZ/s1600/torah.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></p>When we hear the word “law” we
think of legal justice. If you run a stop light and get caught, you get a
ticket and pay a hefty fine. But in the Bible, the term Law refers to the Ten Words
given to Moses. Jews consider the Ten Words as a gift, a promise, a covenant. They
describe and define the relationship between God and God’s people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><p></p><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Ten
Words (Christians call them the Ten Commandments) first define the relationship
between God and us: just as God chooses to have a relationship with us, we are
to choose to have a matching relationship with God: put God first and treat God
with reverence and respect. Then, the Ten Words define relationships between
people: treat each other with respect and mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the
end, Paul declares that being blameless before the Law is not important. What
does have value is the presence of Jesus Christ in his life. Even though he has
lost everything, Paul is content to know that he may attain resurrection from
the dead and whatever else lies ahead for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5U1JcfkJvAPLSvybciIqGOBMP3xBnyyvPruMZUuMMof18wfV3nS79SqUrat9jlzrVu7_OiHfExyCMuqA0hxF8_r2IOB_1ClXdi91H5Ctyqn9wNu9gb4gHjWWugcm_0e6iwCdvpiGJkMTCIAUKT6JOrfYwHZCkcAxWtXK-pcSILFFNWbsUisalhaFQI3sN/s848/jesus-multiplies-the-loaves-848x564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="848" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5U1JcfkJvAPLSvybciIqGOBMP3xBnyyvPruMZUuMMof18wfV3nS79SqUrat9jlzrVu7_OiHfExyCMuqA0hxF8_r2IOB_1ClXdi91H5Ctyqn9wNu9gb4gHjWWugcm_0e6iwCdvpiGJkMTCIAUKT6JOrfYwHZCkcAxWtXK-pcSILFFNWbsUisalhaFQI3sN/w400-h266/jesus-multiplies-the-loaves-848x564.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />… In the wilderness with Jesus,
the disciples and the crowd are hungry. They have been listening to Jesus for
hours, and it’s time to eat. They suggest sending the people into nearby
villages to find something to eat. But Jesus challenges them to feed the people
themselves. The disciples are puzzled by this, so Jesus takes over. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What are
our resources? What food do we have on hand? He asks. “We have some bread and
some fish, enough for one person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
won’t feed a crowd like this!” Jesus told the disciples to organize the crowd
into groups of 50 and 100. Then he took the bread and fish, blessed it, and
gave it to the disciples to distribute. When all had their fill, there were
leftovers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The
Gospel writers, all four of them, include this story as a miracle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food was multiplied by God’s blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the manna in the wilderness, there was
enough for all to be filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe
God can do anything and making more food is easy, compared to creating an
entire universe. God can just snap the divine fingers or twitch the divine
nose, and poof, there is enough for all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In
recent decades, however, some skeptical people have described the story of the
feeding of the multitude differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They insist that some of the folks had some food, and they decided to
share it. And that sharing was the miracle. That’s certainly an American individualistic
attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is definitely one way
to make sense of the abundance of food that day. We can apply it to our process
of developing a budget.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… It’s
easy to think of our resources the way the disciples did. It looks like we
don’t have nearly enough, but when we pool our resources,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we have plenty,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even more than enough. We tend to think in
finite terms. Like the disciples, we can count. There is $500 in the checking
account and bills for $495. We can pay the bills, but we can’t afford groceries.
Yet, in the mail is a check for $50, a refund for a returned item or a birthday
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did that check come on the
very day we needed it? I believe it’s God’s doing. God pays attention to our
resources and occasionally helps balance the budget.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffEMJ_nX0541kenC8EqorT5WnXPuaxHa52v1eYYkH0FHndCif6odon4-CnG1IkCx05aiwBduYeXarr5wkLXTaKUcHrZCkeaHmZ26nBVS2O310zA6dJHXyVUqCpjXvGMVip7vrVhZvYiY2DBtf793t8nRPlmnZJxLdBg7taObhHNfaOhWGAD_oLh8uq_ks/s792/wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="792" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffEMJ_nX0541kenC8EqorT5WnXPuaxHa52v1eYYkH0FHndCif6odon4-CnG1IkCx05aiwBduYeXarr5wkLXTaKUcHrZCkeaHmZ26nBVS2O310zA6dJHXyVUqCpjXvGMVip7vrVhZvYiY2DBtf793t8nRPlmnZJxLdBg7taObhHNfaOhWGAD_oLh8uq_ks/s320/wine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />…
I saw this picture on Facebook the other day. It’s of a wine glass, half full
of red wine. The caption says, “People who wonder if the glass is half full or
half empty miss the point. The glass is refillable.” <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As a
congregation we can think of the bank, or the food shelves, or the pews, as nearly
empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the emptiness is a temporary
condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With God’s help, they can be
refilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some of
you know this, and some of you haven’t heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A few years ago a congregation in Florida completed its mission and
closed, and their property was sold. The sale netted several million dollars
which have been set aside for grants within the Synod. The process is called
Vision to Action, or V2A. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This
first year, there is $60,000 available to give away. There have been 70
applications for grant money, out of 135 congregations. Obviously, only a few
grants will be awarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the side
effect of applying for a grant has been that many congregations have said the
process of applying, of crafting the application, got them so excited they
found they didn’t really need the money. They are going ahead with their
projects anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They discovered that their
glass had already been refilled! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… Here
are some things to ponder this week: This fall, as we as a congregation make
plans for the ministry we will do next year, how will you be part of the
abundance? Will you commit the 5 loaves and 2 fish that you already have, to share
with ULC? Will you be like Paul, content to have nothing but faith in Jesus? What
do you imagine we can do together with the gifts we have to share? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67Jpx2qVqOky9g4g6LxRv95p77W66xfQO90hE4Q_BgBwzjky5rT3OMupqQfEpapdMVqYVB7JfnlVa8_jZqZ_yCPeTb7cKXiQOhFl6GP2kEuR7lxKX-eWxdjUcEeOKerjLWL3yrycYlZ24OXRbt1R-33ZiB-MpJPGjN96pg4OuWzOZjD3s7xZl98bN9KxR/s225/attitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67Jpx2qVqOky9g4g6LxRv95p77W66xfQO90hE4Q_BgBwzjky5rT3OMupqQfEpapdMVqYVB7JfnlVa8_jZqZ_yCPeTb7cKXiQOhFl6GP2kEuR7lxKX-eWxdjUcEeOKerjLWL3yrycYlZ24OXRbt1R-33ZiB-MpJPGjN96pg4OuWzOZjD3s7xZl98bN9KxR/s1600/attitude.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />When
we think that we already have an abundance, we can do so much more than we
imagine. Amen <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-59680884062829703342023-10-07T14:38:00.001-04:002023-10-07T14:38:16.855-04:00From bread and wine to faith and giving: Holy Communion<p> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2023 10
01 Sermon</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matthew
26:26-29</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today we
begin a series of messages under the general heading of stewardship. The focus
begins with Holy Communion. Coincidentally, today is World Communion Sunday,
when congregations around the world share this meal together, even when it is
seldom offered in some places. We will explore how the bread and wine we
receive each week is a gift from God that we pass on to others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today,
we read again the story of the last supper Jesus shared with the disciples.
It’s the story we remember each week as we partake of the gifts of bread and
wine. As Matthew tells the story, Jesus is present both in the past in the
original moment of this meal, and he is present with the early disciples in
their remembering. In the same way, Jesus is present with us as we share and remember.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiw2sdfzHUBqj60Xg7Z9hi4cU0YQP-Jpi1iRyL2_NbS2kwQIYbFb3AtdBLO89kk7H9YxXJV3mMx1DyYhS-vHfzkFN3L9NFI8aLJW4Jd4ucv3h8GnVwxhwXoESkphEuscHpKBWQIgDrSRNEjFPKmUiNrk-PNdfLRfBv423p4kgCbAWkOsRbRwv3s7pXMpco/s474/altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="474" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiw2sdfzHUBqj60Xg7Z9hi4cU0YQP-Jpi1iRyL2_NbS2kwQIYbFb3AtdBLO89kk7H9YxXJV3mMx1DyYhS-vHfzkFN3L9NFI8aLJW4Jd4ucv3h8GnVwxhwXoESkphEuscHpKBWQIgDrSRNEjFPKmUiNrk-PNdfLRfBv423p4kgCbAWkOsRbRwv3s7pXMpco/w200-h171/altar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />In our
remembering, we can imagine Jesus with us at our own tables; we can imagine him
instead of me saying the words, “This is my body, this is my blood.” I always
remember that I represent Jesus when I tell this story and share the meal with
you. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Liturgical
churches believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine of Holy
Communion. It is a way to remember, but it is also the real Jesus in the taste
of bread and sip of wine we receive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jesus
offers this meal as a gift to the first disciples, a way to remember him among
themselves always. We partake of this meal as a gift, too. It reminds us that
Jesus is always present with us, in worship and in daily life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… This
bread and wine/ body and blood is also a gift to the Church. Collectively nourished
at the table, we as the Church offer Jesus to the world. We are disciples,
Jesus’ hands, feet, and voice in the world, in our places, in our gatherings. Jesus
gave his life freely to us, for us, for our benefit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Through
this gift, we know we are forgiven. We know we are loved unconditionally. We
are loved first, before we love in response. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unfortunately,
there are many people who believe that they must buy Jesus’ love with good
behavior. Nourished by Jesus each week, we take him with us to share with those
who don’t know him to be loving and forgiving. This is the mission of the
church, to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus, to help hurting know the
presence of God in their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… Many
of the ministries we do at UELC are free, with time, talent and treasure donated
by members of the congregation. But the truth is that most of the ministries cost
money. It costs money to have buildings to gather in. It costs money to have
heat and air conditioning. It costs money to print bulletins. It costs money to
have insurance. It costs money to have staff. It takes money to make donations
to the Synod for their ministries, because we can do so much more together. It
costs money to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus, to help hurting people
know the presence of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people think of giving to the
congregation as a bill, as something we have to do, an obligation. We want to
keep what we have for ourselves, instead of giving it away. Instead, Jesus
encourages us to share what we have because God will bless us for our
generosity. The more we share, the better we feel. Some even say we should give
until we feel good. The recipients of our generosity also know the love and
presence of Jesus through us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… On
Wednesday we remember St Francis of Assisi. Francis wanted to follow Jesus as
closely as possible. He tried to be humble. He strove to make following Jesus
simple enough for people who were not living in a monastery. He accepted
outcasts and lepers and women as all God’s children, a major difference of
attitude in Italy in the 1200s. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIbqwl21POzJSgKpZ8SsVmeCGJHRc1Nx7IRvALX7WqB1YSKdHpsqZay0A0myQC7P3SzkSXGt_LEAAe3OIEjSCsP6tALBb_tkaPcqXICRxhqi4sTEuijX_q5f051F9HIFJVSOGcMz0sT2Kq5JNvkiZGA-FsOIR7ul1KU80tvsM6x4gAZKZEB0TvEhR2mcG/s600/Giotto_-_Legend_of_St_Francis_-_-02-_-_St_Francis_Giving_his_Mantle_to_a_Poor_Man-4016729257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIbqwl21POzJSgKpZ8SsVmeCGJHRc1Nx7IRvALX7WqB1YSKdHpsqZay0A0myQC7P3SzkSXGt_LEAAe3OIEjSCsP6tALBb_tkaPcqXICRxhqi4sTEuijX_q5f051F9HIFJVSOGcMz0sT2Kq5JNvkiZGA-FsOIR7ul1KU80tvsM6x4gAZKZEB0TvEhR2mcG/s320/Giotto_-_Legend_of_St_Francis_-_-02-_-_St_Francis_Giving_his_Mantle_to_a_Poor_Man-4016729257.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br />And he
refused to own anything. Among the stories about him there are several
occasions when he saw a poor person and gave his own tunic to them. Since he
only had the one tunic, his companions had to find him another one. As men, and
later, women, joined him, he insisted that they, too, own nothing. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Francis
believed that when we own something, it takes our attention away from God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our focus is on caring for the things we own,
maintaining them, keeping them safe, keeping them close to us. The alternative
is to remember that everything we have is a gift from God, who desires that we
have an abundance of whatever we need. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When we
own nothing, or in our world when we own very little, we are free to share what
we have. We know it is only a thing and that the most important “thing” we can
have is the love and forgiveness of Jesus. And when we know we have Jesus
present with us, it’s easy to share him with everyone else. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… When
you think about money and the stuff you own, how easy is it to give it away?
How attached are you to your stuff? How does taking care of your stuff keep you
from being with Jesus? When you come to the table for Holy Communion, what do
you think about? As you leave this place, do you take Jesus with you? How do
you notice Jesus’ presence? Do you ever intentionally give Jesus to someone
else? I hope you do. Amen <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rMJwCVOBmw-FfJxTcTwAEuiw04hQX7l2UBno7B6PvVrNq5DsglAKzplwXL88Nus11-MOPcfHIO-LkhtgQlflklfGlPW7AQhuvOsY2F2krQ8z7hg_akbJT9r87xQbmp8MHKSRzK2oKgbQREm_45J0QCgyWZeQ2Tfx91W2nzNs1-3Wt6gaMroVCCDUKZyQ/s474/generosity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rMJwCVOBmw-FfJxTcTwAEuiw04hQX7l2UBno7B6PvVrNq5DsglAKzplwXL88Nus11-MOPcfHIO-LkhtgQlflklfGlPW7AQhuvOsY2F2krQ8z7hg_akbJT9r87xQbmp8MHKSRzK2oKgbQREm_45J0QCgyWZeQ2Tfx91W2nzNs1-3Wt6gaMroVCCDUKZyQ/s320/generosity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><p></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-42187898087493518642023-09-24T12:00:00.001-04:002023-09-24T12:00:00.135-04:00God’s economy<p> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Exodus 16:2-15; Matthew 20:1-16</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Imagine being an Israelite man or
woman in Moses’ time. You were excited, then reluctant, then scared, to leave everything
you knew in Egypt. Yes, work was hard, and getting harder every time Moses and
Aaron talked with Pharaoh. And the food rations were smaller than ever. But
Egypt was home; your family had lived there for generations. Taking off with
this Moses fellow, well, it’s really risky! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But you packed what you could of
your household belongings and as much food as possible. You had a last meal in
your Egyptian home, you spread blood on your doorway, you walked on dry land
through a sea, and you escaped the reach of the Egyptian army. But that was a
month ago. The food you packed is gone, and you are hungry and scared. You
remember that at least in Egypt you had some food. And now you’re expressing
your fear in an angry voice to Moses. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Moses, afraid of a riot, takes
his concern to God. “Do you know what’s going on here? We’re out of food,
everyone is yelling at me, and it’s all your fault!” God responds, “It’s ok.
I’ve got this!” and so began 40 years of morning delivery of manna and evening
delivery of quail. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Its important to notice here that
the amount of manna was sufficient, plenty, for each person, but not more than
enough. Except on Friday, when there was a double portion, it was not possible
to save manna for another day. It was impossible to grow rich by selling
leftover manna. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… By Jesus’ time, 1,500 years
later, there was a well-established class system. All over Judea, there were villages
made up of subsistence farmers. They fed their families and swapped extras with
their neighbors. They weren’t wealthy, but most years, they had enough. However,
the wealthy and powerful raised taxes, which forced small farmers off their
land because they couldn’t pay the additional taxes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These former farmers became day
laborers who would gather every morning hoping to be selected to work that day.
So, now imagine that you are a day laborer with a wife and several children. What
happens if you don’t get work? You can’t feed your family, and you can’t afford
a place to live, so you become unsheltered. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Your anxiety level increases each
hour as you wait for someone to hire you. Which is worse? Working all day for
minimum wage, or waiting all day to get hired and earning nothing? This is the
dilemma at the heart of the story Jesus tells. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Often, this story is
spiritualized, with Bible study leaders and pastors, including me!, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>saying it’s all about God’s grace. Even if you
come to believe in Jesus on your deathbed, you still are God’s beloved child. This
makes the story about God’s amazing grace, freely given to everyone in equal
measure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But, let’s put ourselves into the
shoes of the folks who are gathered around Jesus 2,000 years ago. This story
about day laborers is their actuality. They are living what Jesus describes. If
they get work, they can feed their families. If they don’t, they can’t feed
them. Can you feel the desperation?! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… In the wilderness of the Sinai
Peninsula, in the villages and cities of ancient Judea, and on the streets of
Gainesville, Florida, there are people who have less than they need for life. This
is not what God wants for God’s people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You may have heard the term “God’s
economy”. It refers to the Divine intention that everyone has enough to eat,
shelter from the weather, and safety from danger. In God’s economy, no one is
hungry while others throw away food. No one is unsheltered while others live in
mansions. No one needs to fear attack from those who want what they have. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In God’s economy, the needs of
the poor are considered when communities plan for growth. In God’s economy,
there is adequate, safe housing for everyone. In God’s economy, there are no
food deserts, where poor people can’t purchase healthy food at a price they can
afford. In God’s economy, the schools are as well-supplied in poor
neighborhoods as in wealthier ones. In God’s economy, the color of one’s skin,
their place of origin, their religion, their sexuality, are all expressions of
who they are as beloved children of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God’s economy doesn’t mean there
aren’t wealthy and poor people, though it in an ideal world, it could mean that.
It does mean that every person has what they need to thrive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… How does that happen in our
world today? It happens through the work of Family Promise and similar
organizations who help get people permanently housed. It happens through the
advocacy of Friends of Baker, who seek justice for immigrants and refugees. It
happens through organizations like Field and Fork, committed to feeding hungry
people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… A world, or at least a
community, where all have enough happens when people like us are committed to
doing God’s work with a God-like vision of a blessed economy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Once a month at Our Saviour
Lutheran Church, Pastor Nate shows a movie. This month it was <i>Gran Torino</i>,
with Clint Eastwood. We are introduced to Walt, whose wife has just died, and
to his prize possession, a 1972 Ford Gran Torino. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Hmong family moved in next door
and at first all Walt could think of was the three years he spent in the army
in Korea. He was angry, threatening them with a shotgun to stay off his lawn. But
he got to know the family. The daughter explained who the Hmong were: an
indigenous group from southeast Asia, whose people are spread across several Asian
countries. They fought for the Americans during the Korean War. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walt wanted to know how the Hmong came to live
in America. The daughter said, “because of the Lutherans”. Yea for the ministry
of LIRS, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don’t want to glorify Lutherans,
or imply that we have a perfect grasp of God’s economy, but I think that we
work hard to help God bring it about. It is important to us that hungry people
are fed, that people who want homes have them, that all people are respected no
matter how they express themselves. This happens because we are committed to knowing
our communities and serving the people who live there/ here. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next month, we will spend four
weeks thinking about the Stewardship theme, “From Bread and Wine to Faith and
Giving”. How does this theme express God’s economy? For this week, I hope you
will think about God’s economy and how you see it lived out at home and all around
you. Or not. And if there is anything you want to do as a result. Amen <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5128892592863569472.post-76398397002170924772023-09-17T12:00:00.001-04:002023-09-17T12:00:00.143-04:00Judging and forgiving<p> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Exodus
14:19-31; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These
days, it’s common for people to judge each other. We see it all time on TV news
and advertising, in opinion pieces on the Internet and in print. We see lots of
opportunities to judge each other on social media. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In my
lunch group, we occasionally have to remind ourselves that we don’t talk about
politics, because one or two of us have strong opinions that are the opposite
of the strong opinions held by the rest of us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In
church, opinions flow freely, too. I loved the hymns, I hated the hymns. Thanks
for a great sermon, I didn’t get anything out of the sermon. We should allow people
to stay here all night, we should call the police right away. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some
days we think this amount of disagreement is worse now than it ever was. But
scripture and recorded history tells us a different story. Do you suppose the
Israelites all left Egypt ready to follow Moses anywhere? Or do you think there
were arguments in every household about him and his crazy plan? What do you
think they said when they were caught between the Egyptian war chariots and the
sea? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Look at the last line of the
reading. “Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So
the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in Moses, the servant
of the LORD.” It wasn’t until this moment, on the far side of the sea from the
Egyptian army that everyone agreed the Exodus was a good idea. And we know
there were many times in the next 40 years when the folks doubted in Moses’
ability to lead them to the promised land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… Paul highlights
an issue the early believers struggled with: what can we eat? Observant Jews
obeyed a number of food rules that made living in foreign lands a challenge. A
major concern was related to meat. Every morning, cattle were slaughtered as
offerings to the various gods, and butchered and sold in the market. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This origin made the meat unavailable to
observant Jews, because it had been offered during the worship of other gods. This
was a matter of great concern to some folks, and not a problem for others, and
the subject of many arguments in the fledgling churches.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For some
Jews living in Rome, the meat is just meat; while for others, it is a great sin.
Paul is saying in this part of the letter that the source of the meat doesn’t
have to matter. They should all accept each other’s opinions and feelings on
this matter. It is more important that they love and respect each other as
believers in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… Jesus
pushes the issue farther than love and respect. Jesus insists that we need to
forgive each other, and that we need to forgive without counting how often we
do so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Can’t you imagine Peter marking
on a ledger each time he has to forgive someone for the same offense? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">John, eating
a second helping of fish, 3 times<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Andrew,
leaving holes in the fishing net, 6 times<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Martha
of Bethany, complaining about lack of help in the kitchen, 2 times<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… It’s
easy for us to be like Peter, keeping account of all the times we have been
hurt, of all the people who have wronged us. We judge them as imperfect, as
making too many mistakes; we also judge ourselves as lacking, as not being perfect
enough. We add up the pain and it affects our relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jesus knows
how important forgiveness is to us. It is for ourselves that we need to
forgive, not for the person who hurt us. Refusing to forgive someone else, or ourselves,
becomes an evil seed growing inside us. The evil seed of refusing to forgive steals
our lives from us by concealing a different perspective from us. We become
blind to the other person’s reasons for their actions. The longer we refuse to
forgive, the harder it gets to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… My
sister and I call it “that summer”. We were both hurting from failed
relationships. She came to live with me, and for a while it was really nice,
until it wasn’t. One day, she packed and left in a silent fury, with our
conflict unresolved. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For two
years I prayed daily to be able to forgive her, and for her to forgive me.
Occasionally I sent her a card or left her a voicemail, simply reaching out to
her. One day, I received a card from her, forgiving me and asking for
forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was
only because we were both determined to focus on forgiveness that we were able
to move forward. Today, our relationship is healthy, especially because we are
wise enough to know we cannot live together. We both claim to be nice people,
but sometimes our very niceness drives others nuts. And, despite our niceness,
we are actively judging the other. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">… Judgment
happens. But, we are called as believers in Jesus to be aware of our tendency
to judge, and to focus instead on forgiveness. This week I hope you will watch
for the opportunity to forgive someone, even if you judge them as not deserving
of it. And consider if you need to confess and ask for forgiveness for
yourself. Amen <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Pastor Lynn Fonfarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04331551959105173437noreply@blogger.com0