Basics

On Sunday at our weekly Faith Formation Forum we will begin an exploration of Martin Luther's Small Catechism. When I went through confirmation classes, Luther's Small Catechism served as our textbook for our instruction. Along with the Bible, the Small Catechism outlined the basics in the Christian faith and served as a guide in our preparation for Affirmation of Baptism. . . at least, that was the intention.

What has been your experience with the Small Catechism in the past? (If you have none, don't worry. That doesn't disqualify you. In fact, it's all the more reason why you will benefit from this series!)

In preparation for the class, I invite you to read and meditate on two passages from the New Testament.  The first is the passage we often refer to as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Here it is:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:16-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The second passage, a bit shorter, is from Paul's letter to the church at Galatia:

Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.

Galatians 6:6 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

I'm looking forward to this series of classes. You are invited to gather with us at 8:45 AM on Sunday as we make a start. Everyone is welcome: prospective members, experienced members, church council members, curious inquirers, friends, guests, neighbors . . . etc.  Take a moment to invite someone to come along with you.  If we run out of room in the fellowship hall, we an always move to the nave of the church!

To believe that Christ was crucified for us, that He died and was damned for us, requires the power of God. Thus St. Paul says to the Corinthians: "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles" (1 Cor. 1:23). And yet this proclamation penetrates the heart; for "it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith"

Martin Luther, Sermon on John 3:14

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Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 5, 2014

Prayer of the Day

Beloved God, from you come all things that are good. 

Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit 

to know those things that are right, 

and by your merciful guidance, help is to do them, 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen

Readings

Isaiah 5:1-7

Psalm 80:7-15

Philippians 3:4b-14

Matthew 21:33-46 

Surrender

This Sunday's second lesson is Philippians 2:1-13. In it, Paul inserts verses taken from what can be described as a Christological hymn from the early decades of the church's liturgical tradition. In it, we hear an exhortation to live into singleness of purpose. This involves the spiritual discipline of surrender.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,being born in human likeness.And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross.

My morning devotions today included a meditation written by Catherine of Siena. It has helped me more fully appreciate the act of surrender. Here is an excerpt:

Our heart should burst right out of our body at the realization of the status and dignity to which infinite Goodness has appointed us--first by creating us in his own image, and then by joining his divine nature with our humanity to ransom us and create us anew! More than this he could not give: to give himself to those who by sin had become his enemies.

. . . So let your heart hold back no longer. Let the city of your soul surrender. If it does not surrender to anything else, it will have to surrender to fire--for Christ has set fire everywhere, and there is nowhere you can turn, physically or spiritually, without encountering the fire of love.

Saint Catherine of Siena (+1380), Doctor of the Church, was a Dominican, stigmatist, and papal counselor.

Surrendering is not the same as giving up. It is more like giving ourselves over and into the will of God for the whole of our lives. For most, this is a discipline that calls for daily participation.

When we remember our baptism, we re-call that we have been made a new creation in and through Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. Yet, because of our hard-headedness, we continue to want to run the show. How is that working out?

How have you experienced the peace of God that surpasses all understanding?  In what ways could each one of us individually and all of us collectively move deeper in our participation in the discipline of surrender, to scripture reading, to prayer? How can we help one another to invigorate our discipleship? In what ways is God calling us here and now to encounter the fire of love?

Moderation?

I had a friend who regularly said, "moderation is for the unmotivated." It's not that he was over the top and grandiose (well, maybe a little). He simply had several niche passions. If something was worth doing, it was worth, perhaps, overdoing.

Moderation is often peddled as a virtue worthy of our pursuit. Certainly self-control can be understood as a type of moderation.  Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). I find it interesting that the Greek word (egkrateia) used in Galatians 5:23 that is translated variously as self-control, temperance, etc., refers to the virtue of one who masters his or her desires and passions, especially his or her sensual appetites. In this sense, the scope of the word and this fruit of the Spirit seems to be more specific than general.

Could it be argued that to be moderate is to be in the middle? One who is moderate politically, for example, is in the relative middle of the spectrum. Could that position be interpreted as being neither hot or cold, but lukewarm? Is it wishy washy? Maybe (neither yes or no!)? We'll see.

I am grateful God doesn't operate out of an ethic of moderation. To operate out of an ethic of moderation is to function within the limits of finitude. God doesn't have to do that.

What then are the implications for us who have been created in the image of God? What then are the implications for us who have been joined to Christ's death and resurrection in our baptism? Pray and mediate about this.

Now, take a few minutes and read the gospel lesson for tomorrow (sited below).  It is the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. How does this parable of Jesus help us understand and appreciate God's amazingly infinite grace, generosity, passion, excess, and abundance?

Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

Rembrandt, 1637

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

September 21, 2014

Prayer of the Day

Almighty and eternal God, 

you show perpetual lovingkindness to us your servants. 

Because we cannot rely on our own abilities, 

grant us your merciful judgement, 

and train us to embody the generosity of your Son, 

Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen

Readings

Jonah 3:10 - 4:11

Psalm 145:1-8

Philippians 1:21-30

Matthew 20:1-16

Holy Cross

I don't exactly remember how many years ago it was that I went on a retreat to Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville, Virginia. Maybe it was five or so. I went in early December, the first days of the season of Advent. The abbey is situated on many acres of beautiful land along a meandering stretch of the Shenandoah River. I arrived there on a cold and crisp Friday evening. When I woke the next morning, I discovered that a fresh blanket of snow, several inches thick, had tucked us in for a prayerful time away.

In the midst of the busy-ness of life, I often find myself retreating to this memory of stillness, quiet, and calm. This is especially helpful when confronted with what seems to be relentless occasions for distraction. You know how easy it is to feel the need to react and respond to the latest and loudest. We tend to so quickly set aside proactivity at the expense of the moment. At least, I confess, I do.

What is called for is a measure of intentionality.

This coming Sunday the church observes Holy Cross Day. This tradition traces its origin to the year 335. Although, that may be interesting, its not the point here. What is the point, I suggest, is that Holy Cross Day provides us with a fitting and timely opportunity to be intentional. We need to be deliberate about the centrality of the cross of Christ in both our individual and corporate lives. 

Holy Cross Day is an occasion for us to consider what Luther referred to as the theology of the cross, the divinely-chosen way of humility and service, of suffering and death as the path to life and salvation.

In the meantime, consider how you could grow spiritually by being more intentional about your faith and your engagement in and support of the life and calling of the community of faith. How could you move deeper? How will we move deeper?

Holy Cross Day

September 14

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross 

so that he might draw the whole world to himself.

To those who look upon the cross, 

grant your wisdom, healing, and eternal life, 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever. Amen

Readings

Numbers 21:4b-9

Psalm 98:1-4

1 Corinthians 1:18-24

John 3:13-17

Mental Illness

This Sunday morning at 8:45 we will continue our exploration of the ELCA'a social message on The Body of Christ and Mental Illness. Between now and then, take a few minutes to read and study the Social Message on Mental Illness. (click on this link)

The message offers the following definition of mental illness: 

"A mental illness can be defined as a health condition that changes a person's thinking, feelings, or behavior (or all three) and that causes the person distress and difficulty in functioning."

I also invite you to read and study Mark 5:1-20. This is the story of the Gerasene man who lived among the tombs. Then think about the following questions:

1. Why was the man living apart from his village?
2. Why do you think the people asked Jesus to leave?
3. Why does the man formerly possessed by demons want to go with Jesus?
4. What does Jesus tell him to do instead?
5. What might this healing story teach us about how important community is to someone who is experiencing illness?

The ELCA message concludes with the following statement:

By answering its call to enter into the companionship of suffering, the church eases the isolation and alienation experienced by those who suffer from the effects of mental illness. Answering this call is at the heart of the church's response to mental illness.

How has the multi-week series on mental illness and the discussion of bearing the burdens of one another helped you think about this section of the message?

This is a wellness wheel that we will also discuss together on Sunday. 

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Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 31, 2014

Prayer of the Day

O God, we thank you for your Son,

who chose the path of suffering for the sake of the world.

Humble us by his example,

point us to the path of obedience,

and give us strength to follow your commands,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

Readings

Jeremiah 15:15-21

Psalm 26:1-8

Romans 12:9-21

Matthew 16:21-28

Serving the Multitude

The Nave of Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia

(five-star dining for those experiencing homelessness)

Having just recently returned from a week-long mission immersion in Center City Philadelphia, many of our youth are still adjusting to life lived with abundance. Our shared experience at Broad Street Ministry served as an eye-opener to the complex set of realities that impact the lives of many of the unseen, unnoticed, and under-appreciated of our society. We walk by them most of the time, busy with our own agendas and concerns. We are a country preoccupied with self.

Jesus calls us to be mindful of the other. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Serve, forgive, give, heal, encourage, clothe, shelter, feed. No mere suggestions, these directives are meant to directly form what we do. We are meant to be instruments of God's peace.

In this Sunday's gospel reading we hear the familiar passage of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the feeding of the thousands. Take a few minutes are read over this passage (Matthew 14:13-21). How are we like the disciples in this passage? Is there a miracle described here?  If so, what is it? 

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Addy Fry took some time upon her return from Philadelphia to produce the video below. Look, see, share:

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Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

August 3, 2014

Prayer of the Day

Glorious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, 

and you cover creation with abundance. 

Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, 

and with his food fill all the starving world, 

through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

Readings

Isaiah 55:1-5

Psalm 145:14-21

Romans 9:1-5

Matthew 14: 13-21

Sowing

Vincent van Gogh, The Sower, June 1888

Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands

There is something peaceful and optimistic about the notion of sowing seeds. Certainly, Van Gogh's rendering of the act is idyllic if not nostalgic. (Some say Van Gogh was inspired by Millet's earlier effort, see below.)

In the so-called parable of the sower, Jesus harnesses agrarian imagery to convey the truth of God's Word encountering various types and conditions of people and circumstances. Take a few minutes to read Matthew 13:1-9. There are many perspectives from which we could view this and begin to engage the text. Whether we consider the sower, the soils or the seeds, each has to be seen as instrumental. Without all three, there would be no harvest. The harvest is the point. What do you think?

What roll does anxiety play in all of this? Do we become preoccupied with conditions and quantities at the expense of actually sowing the Word of God? Are we waiting for the opportune time? Do we anticipate or require prime circumstances before we get to work?

Jean-François Millet, The Sower, 1850

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Maybe because we think our means and methods of getting the word out are so technologically sophisticated and require such little risk to our person, that the task of one-on-one, eyeball-to-eyeball testifying has been reclassified as obsolete, useless. If so, how is that working for us?

I have no idea who this is or where this picture was taken. 

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This Sunday I am going to begin a three-week Faith Formation Forum series. I hesitate to share the topic with you, as you may get the wrong idea. Suffice it to say that it is important, timely, and crucial to our vitality as a congregation.  Invite a friend or neighbor to come along with you. Meanwhile, below is a preview of this Sunday:

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

July 13, 2014

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, we thank you for planting in is the seed of your word. 

By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, 

live according to it, 

and grow in faith and hope and love, 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen

Readings

Isaiah 55:10-13

Psalm 65:9-13

Romans 8:1-11

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23