Rehearsal

Last week I had a bit of surgery. I was an outpatient and in the days following have been impatient with myself and the healing process. The surgical site was on my back, way south. Sitting has been difficult. So has writing, and typing -- since these activities are best conducted while being vertical. So, this week's post is something that I just shared in the monthly newsletter as well.  I'm trying to be efficient.

It has been a rather interesting time to note the many and various ways that we, as a society, tend to dwell on the ridiculous at the expense of the sublime. From the political ramifications of the over-preparedness of northeastern state governors in the face of  an “historic blizzard” to the air pressure of footballs, we allow ourselves to gravitate toward the meaningless.

One could lament the retreat from our search for meaning and be disparaged with so many weapons of mass-distraction in our culture. Our faith calls us to not lose hope, but to seek first the Kingdom of God. Each week we rehearse and enact that posture of attentiveness to first things.  Lift up your hearts! Let us give thanks to the Lord our God!

Without this regular rehearsal and activity, our spiritual vitality wanes. So, the antidote to such 

confusion may well be first: confession. When we pray thy kingdom come, thy will be done, we get to be prepared to participate in the follow-through on the part of our heavenly Father.

In just a couple weeks, we will begin the season of Lent. Look forward to it not so much as a burden to bear, but as a gift to receive. The season calls us to enter into the wilderness of our lives and face those things that distract us from our relationship with God and our co-laborers with Christ. We can be empowered to name them and set them aside in acts of prayer and repentance. The discipline of Lent can be a liberating and life-giving practice for individuals and whole communities.  I invite us all to embrace this time together courageously and with hope. 

The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is February 18th.  There will be services a the church at both 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM that day.  Come and receive ashes in the shape of the cross as an outward sign of your mortality and as a tactile reminder of your baptismal identity, an identity that death cannot undo.  Following the morning service, I’ll be camping out at the Starbucks Coffee Shop at Target offering ashes to any interested inquirer.  Let your friends, family, and colleagues know that anyone is welcome. If you want to stop by for coffee and conversation, that is fine as well.  I plan to be there until about 3:00

In the meantime, take this opportunity to revisit the information in last week's post (Crucified Love) about the Lenten Retreat to be held on Saturday, March 21st.  There will also be a 2015 Lenten Brochure available at the church and online at our website (I hope) in the days ahead.  Use these as tools for inviting others to come and see.

+            +            +

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

February 1, 2015

Prayer of the Day

Compassionate God, you gather the whole universe 

into your radiant presence 

and continually reveal your Son as our Savior. 

Bring wholeness to all that is broken 

and speak truth to us in our confusion, 

that all will see and know your Son, 

Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Readings

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Psalm 111

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Mark 1:21-28

Crucified Love

It is my high honor and distinct privilege to invite you to:

CRUCIFIED LOVE

Life rooted in the 

Paschal

Mysteries

a Lenten Retreat 

presented by 

Sister Thelma Steiger, HSF, Ph. D.

and

Sister Jo Ann Knight, HSF, MSN

This morning retreat will be offered from 8:30 until noon.

Please call to reserve your space: 717-261-1213

There is no charge.

A free-will offering would be appreciated.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church

2695 Luther Drive

Chambersburg, PA 17202

On the cross we see the human face of God turned toward us, 

as well as the divine face of humanity hidden in suffering.

From the first moments of Incarnation to the last moments on the cross, 

God not only reveals HIMSELF, but also who WE are to become.

The message is one of compassion, inclusion, forgiveness and radical love.

The power of God's love is made visible 

in the powerlessness of Jesus on the cross.

On Fire

There are multiple meanings of the phrase On Fire. From time to time it's common to hear it being used to describe someone's enthusiasm for a particular action, purpose, or cause. Being on fire for something beyond ourselves has to do with passion, dedication, and commitment.

What might it look like for a community of people to be on fire for God's purposes? More specifically, what would it be like for St. Luke Lutheran Church to be on fire for the mission of sharing the light of Christ?

I like the imagery of fire. Well, I'll be honest, I like real fire. I like to sit beside the fireplace in my back yard and burn things (mostly wood). Sometimes I stoke the flames to the point where they reach beyond the limits of safety. The point is, sometimes something on fire escapes our ability to exercise control. And we love to be in control. (We think we are safe that way.)

But guess what? We are not in control. God is in control. We get to cooperate and participate in God's plans and with God's will. And when we do, we too can be on fire. We can be passionate for our mission and ministry in Christ's name. From our perspective, that's risky business. and so we resort to playing it safe.

I've been reminding myself recently of the notion that converted people convert people. Being on fire is contagious. It spreads, especially when the wind of the Holy Spirit acts.

This Sunday the church remembers the Baptism of our Lord.  We hear of Jesus' identity and mission. And, we get to remember our identity and mission. We are children of God. The mission that has been entrusted to us is to share the light of Christ.

We too can be on fire.  What do you think?  Are you willing to be enkindled by the light of Christ and the Holy Spirit? What would it look like in your life and our life together? What about control and fear?

As we remember the Baptism of Our Lord, we do well to remember our own.  Where were you baptized? When were you baptized? How were you baptized? Have you been baptized? If not, would you like to be baptized? So many questions!!! Although it may be a stretch, enjoy the video:

+            +            +

Baptism of Our Lord

January 11, 2015

Prayer of the Day

Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, 

your voice moves over the waters. 

Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your Spirit, 

that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 

who loves and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever.

Readings

Genesis 1:1-5

Psalm 29

Acts 19:1-17

Mark 1:4-11

A New Year

On Friday morning, January 1, 1993, I buckled myself into my silver 1984 Volkswagen Quantum station wagon and began driving from Lebanon, Pennsylvania to Chicago. A couple of weeks earlier, my friend Charlie and I had loaded a bright yellow Hertz-Penske truck with my necessary possessions and delivered them to my new apartment in Hyde Park at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

My New Year's Day trip was solo. My car was loaded to capacity and I made the drive to Chicago with limited stops. I sipped coffee and nibbled on sunflower seeds along the way. By the time I was passing by Sandusky, Ohio, the floor of my car looked like the inside of a birdcage.

As I remember it was a cold day and I was anxious, afraid, and excited.

New beginnings are like that. Leaving behind the familiar, the comfortable, the well-known to encounter something new and unknown is daunting. Yet such an action is pregnant with possibility and potential.

As we all make this new beginning today with this new year, we have an opportunity to be intentional. The beginning of the Church year in Advent, the beginning of the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, or days like today call us to consider evaluating where we have been and where we are called to go. God would like us to discern and decide. Finally, we get to act.

I'm looking forward to this new year. I believe God is calling us into action. And we will need to be intentional, proactive, and bold.

Meanwhile, our duty and delight of worshipping God is before us. I encourage you to resolve to deepen your commitment to regular (weekly) worship, daily prayer, and Bible reading. All of us have a responsibility to one another to do our best. We are in this together. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

+            +            +

Second Sunday of Christmas

January 4, 2015

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Readings

Jeremiah 31:7–14

Psalm 147:12–20

Ephesians 1:3–14

John 1:[1–9] 10–18

The Epiphany of our Lord

January 6, 2015

(Epiphany Candlelight Vespers will be held at 7:00 PM)

Prayer of the Day

O God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Readings

Isaiah 60:1–6

Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14

Ephesians 3:1–12

Matthew 2:1–12

Do not be afraid . . .

Annunciation (detail) by Jacob Pontormo (1495-1556)

Capponi Chapel, Santa Felicita, Florence, Italy

²⁶In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." ²⁹But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³²He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." ³⁴Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" ³⁵The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.³⁶And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God." ³⁸Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.  (Luke 1:26-38)

This reading from the first chapter of Luke is the appointed gospel reading for Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. It is an account of the encounter between the messenger Gabriel and young Mary.

In our recent Advent retreat, Sister Thelma alluded to the tendency to depict Mary, in our day and age, as a wimp. Ever so meek, mild, and stripped of personality and power, Mary is frequently characterized as the obedient marionette of God. Just look at images of her in art. Mary the weakling.

Now, for a moment, imagine you have never heard this story before. For a moment, consider the incredible strength Mary mustered to meet this messenger's greeting with willingness and obedience.

Ponder these things in your heart.

Do not be afraid, says Gabriel.

The Annunciation by John Maler Collier, (1850-1934)

How can it be that God chooses to bring life, salvation, and hope to a landscape that is undeveloped or past its prime? Do you ever feel that it's too late, too much, or too frightening to release yourself into God's will for your life? Are you at least willing to be willing?

In these final Advent days, there is still time to prepare a room in our hearts for the life and light of the world, Jesus Christ. We too are favored in God's sight. Let it be with us accordingly.

The Annunciation by John William Waterhouse, 1914

+            +            +

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 21, 2014

Prayer of the Day

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. 

With your abundant grace and might, 

free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, 

that willingly we may bear your redeeming love to all the world, 

for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever. Amen

Readings

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-16

Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38

 

Starry Starry Night

Yesterday during our mid-week Evening Prayer we sang the hymn, Creator of the Stars at Night. It isn't quite as familiar as some others. And it never is a requested hymn -- at least in my experience. Yet it remains a treasure. It is a hymn that has been dated to the 9th century. So, for well over half of the Church's existence, this song has been sung. 

Perhaps even more profound than it's plainsong setting are the words. They have been variously translated from the original Latin and arranged accordingly, yet they get to the heart of the matter.

Take a moment to meditate on the following text of this hymn as included in our Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

Creator of the stars of night,
Your people’s everlasting light, 

Oh Christ, Redeemer of us all, 

We pray you hear us when we call. 

When this old world drew on toward night 

You came, but not in splendor bright 

Not as a monarch but the child 

Of Mary, blameless, mother mild.

At your great name, oh Jesus, now 

All knees must bend all hearts must bow 

All things on Earth with one accord 

Like those in Heaven, shall call you Lord. 

Come in your holy might, we pray,

redeem us for eternal day;

defend us while we dwell below

from all assaults of our dread foe.

To God the Father, God the Son, 

And God the Spirit, Three in One, 

Praise, honor, might, and glory be 

From age to age eternally.

Amen

The Trinity with Chalice (1914) Eric Gill

This coming Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to intentionally enter into this season of preparation and spiritual house-cleaning, there is still time. John the Baptizer appears on the horizon at the beginning of the gospel of Mark. His presence is a always a reminder of repentance and being prepared. He calls out to us: 

"The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me;
I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."   (Mark 1:7-8) 

Are we prepared? Are we ready to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? Are we willing to be fully immersed, covered over, and transformed by the Holy Spirit? What would such surrender and acceptance mean for you and for me? How might it empower and reconfigure our priorities and ability to live into the will of God? How might our cares, anxieties, and fears be relieved by such an encounter?

The next time we have a clear night sky at our disposal, take a walk. Or, at least go out on the porch and look up. Consider, along with the psalmist, the heavens, the work of God's fingers, the moon and the stars that have been set in their courses.  (cf. Psalm 8).

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  (Psalm 8:9)

The Ghent Altarpiece - St. John the Baptist (detail)

between 1425 and 1429

Jan van Eyck

Christus Rex

This week I invite you to consider the pictures here and see what sort of connections you can discover. These are images of recognizable people (at least I'm assuming).  How many different relationships and connections can you recognize? What are their names, titles and roles? Does any of this matter?

In our day and age, when we hear a claim that Christ is King, what are we hearing? In the day and age of the first century, what sort of impact do you think the assertion that  Christ is Lord had?

Nearly ninety years ago the festival of that we observe and celebrate this coming Sunday had its official beginning. Pope Pius XI established this feast in an encyclical Quas Primas.  Here is a paragraph from Quas Primas to consider.  (Keep in mind that gender-inclusive language was not much of a concern in 1925).

“If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men, purchased by his precious blood, are by a new right subjected to his dominion; if this power embraces all men, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone. 

He must reign in our bodies and in our members, which should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of our souls, or to use the words of the Apostle Paul, as instruments of justice unto God” (Romans 6:13).   

Pope Pius XI, Quas Primas, 33  -  December 11, 1925

The festival of Christ the King is the last Sunday of the Church Year.  The following Sunday we begin again with the first Sunday of the new church year, or the First Sunday of Advent. So, this Sunday is in a real sense pivotal. In a deeper way it points us to a core claim of our life as children of God in Christ. We are summoned to clarify our allegiances.  Yikes!  This sounds like such a task and hard work.

Maybe one of the most straightforward ways of doing this hard work is simply to get to it. Postponing, in this case, is just another form of procrastinating.

Let me share an example. My son Gabriel will likely never win an award for the tidiest bedroom. Periodically, however, a thorough housecleaning is in order. At first glance the task seems overwhelming if not entirely futile. And the longer it is postponed . . . well, let's not go there! 
Last evening, we made a start. Gabriel and I worked together to clean his room (mostly he talked to me while I cleaned his room!). We didn't finish the task yet, but we did make good headway. 

The point is, not everything in the room can claim Gabriel's allegiance. One need only take the time to look around and it is obvious that some things are more important than others. And so, the tedious and difficult work of picking through everything has to commence. Taking inventory like this is the only way to do it. Some things need to be thrown away as the trash that they are, while other things are rediscovered as the valued and meaningful possessions that they are. But it takes work and being intentional.

How can we apply this to our spiritual lives?  Is our room a mess? Are we do for a thorough housecleaning?  

Christ the King Sunday and the anticipation of a new year is a great time to get down on our knees and take stock of the people, plans, and possessions with which we surround ourselves. What can be said of our ultimate allegiance? Is Christ King in our hearts? Are we in need of another revolution?