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“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.” – John Newton
Have you ever noticed how much of modern entertainment revolves around the emotion of…not joy or sadness or even anger — but FEAR. Inception, the hottest movie in the country at the moment, plays off the fears that are revealed in our dreams; Salt, in our fears of double agent spies; Predators, fear of alien hunters; Twilight: Eclipse, fear of vampires and werewolves; and the list goes on and on. Even (and perhaps especially) children’s movies focus on fear of abandonment and worthlessness (Toy Story 3, Despicable Me) and of magic gone wrong (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice). But what’s entertaining about fear? Perhaps we can relate to the fear of the characters and share with them the joy of overcoming their fear and adversity.
Last month my family went to an amusement park where we headed straight to…the “thrill rides.” You know the type…the ones that bounce you this way and that, upside down, etc., bringing you close to death…only to have the kids beg you for more. Why do we submit ourselves to this abuse? Perhaps as believers we feel secure in the face of danger.
I remember years ago attending a small county fair, you know, the type with the rickety rides. Our family met another family from church and I ended up on the dreaded Octopus with their young son, because I was the only adult willing to put my life on the line. At one point I asked him, “Are you scared?” “A little,” he admitted. “But I’m not afraid,” he insisted, rethinking the situation. “God is with me!” And to further punctuate that truth he added, “They told me that in Sunday School.”
The bible speaks of two types of fear -- fear that disables, and fear that enables. The first type of fear is that sense of dread that can lead to panic. The word in Greek is Phobos, the root word of our phobia. St. Paul wrote “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.” (Romans 8:15) Knowing that we have this intimate connection to our creator — the one we dare to call father — gives us the reassurance that all is well. Even in the midst of conflict, stress, and anxiety, God is with us, as my young friend pointed out, and ultimately in control. We don’t have to be slaves to fear.
And fear is not always seen negatively. Fear also is used in the bible to speak of reverence or respect. “Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.” (Psalm 34:9) The psalmist is not encouraging us to be terrified. Fear, or respect of God, is a gift of the Spirit which springs from a loving relationship. It motivates us to take care not to offend God and to endeavor in all things to please Him. Surely more of this type of fear would really enhance our lives.
As we remember God’s amazing grace in our lives, of “fears relieved,” let us feel empowered to act boldly, in a world that has become disabled by fear.
In Christ’s name; Pastor Rich
People don’t tend to “quit” church. They fade away. For reasons large and small, and sometimes for no reason at all, they drop out. Sometimes the separation is quick and decisive, but more often than not it’s a gradual lessening of participation.
When I try to contact them it’s usually hard to pin down exactly what the problem is. Oh, there are lots of excuses made and some complaints and hurts to be registered. But many times as a pastor I’m left wondering what really went wrong.
I know there are “pluses,” or benefits, for not going to church. I’m sure you’ve heard them. “It’s the only day I can sleep in,” “We have our kid’s sports on Sunday mornings.” “We’re so busy on the weekends.” I know there are “negative” reasons, or complaints, also. “I don’t like the hymns they choose.” “I don’t like the pastor,” or “…the coffee,” or “…the color of the rest room,” or “the people.” There are many rational arguments, and then there are arguments of the heart. “I just don’t feel at home there.” “I don’t like how things have changed.” And many other feelings, that are hard to express.
So how do I respond as a pastor? How do we respond together? In two ways – restating why we continue to participate in a church community in spite of it’s flaws AND doing some self critique as a church to figure out how WE are part of the problem. In other words, we can’t just let people drift away and not take some ownership in the problem.
Let me say quickly that I am very aware of problems and flaws within our local and national churches. I assure you, I can make as long a list of complaints as any of you. But the church, the community of followers of Jesus who seek truth and understanding and a place to live out our faith, is still the best show in town. It’s still offers so much of what we need.
I’m offering two “top ten” lists. The second – that self critique I mentioned above, will be my column next month. This month I offer a list of reasons why I, not as a pastor, but as a Christian, still see church life as being essential to my life and our world.
Top Ten Reasons I Still Go to Church:
1) To have friends who believe in God and share my values.
2) Through worship the Holy Spirit helps me to transcend my life.
3) To bring order and meaning to my chaotic life through the liturgy (confession, praise, proclamation and reflection on the word, prayer, etc.).
4) To work with others to care for those in need in our community and the world.
5) To study God’s word, shining truth and understanding on my path.
6) To help bring my children closer to Jesus.
7) To build a community through service together.
8) To have a place to worship, gather, and plan service. We don’t worship our building, but it’s a great and appreciated resource.
9) To learn from other cultures, and here I’m thinking especially about Sagrado Corazon.
10) To have impact on a global level, through our offerings and service.
Sometime soon I’ll invite you at church to add your own to this list. Let’s not keep our reasons a secret. In spite of it’s flaws, the Church is still a great gift from God.
In Christ; Pastor Rich
June 2008 Pastor's
Corner
I’m such a loser. And that’s alright. Every Monday morning I go and meet with almost strangers who judge me, unflinchingly, based on one thing…my weight. Since early February I’ve attended weekly Weight Watchers meetings. And most weeks I’ve been judged a loser, and in that setting, that’s a good thing.
I’m not one to talk much about this, because I think if you’re not interested it’s at best boring, at worst it makes me seem judgmental towards others, when in fact I’m just learning to be healthy again, after years of neglect. I couldn’t begin to tell someone else how to be healthy. It’s a very personal journey for us all, a daily issue.
But don’t get me wrong. I love Weight Watchers, and if you want to know about what I’ve done to become healthier, just ask…or read on. To me it’s a very holistic program, which is not only sound nutritionally, but also spiritually.
Here’s what I like about their philosophy:
● Each day, each week begins fresh. Everybody has bad days. When you’re trying to lost weight, that means you’ve eaten too much. But the next day you start with a clean slate – the same number of points you had yesterday. Points are determined by your current weight and activity level. Rather than having to punish yourself for not “perfectly” following their program, there is grace, forgiveness of sorts. Being healthy is a life long goal, not just a short term fix. That’s true physically, and true spiritually.
● Perseverance is rewarded. Success comes from keeping at it, not giving up. A balanced approach leads to success, and spiritually that means happiness, integrity, connectedness – with God and others. ● Momentum and inertia are real. If I start eating right I lose weight and there is real forward motion, even if I slip. Likewise, when I was eating poorly and not moving around much, that inertia kept me slow. I’ve learned from my body that being lighter I feel better. I have more energy. I’m less crabby, more productive, and I feel better about myself.
● It’s not about deprivation, it’s about discipline. You can’t lose weight if you starve yourself…it’s almost impossible. Your body will go into starvation mode. You need to eat enough calories – but not just calories, but a balanced, healthy fare. Likewise, a healthy, happy life with God isn’t about all that we can’t do, or shouldn’t do. It’s living in a healthy freedom – but now making better choices.
● We need cheerleaders. A supportive community makes all the difference. I could not have been as successful without the support of others – and accountability to follow through on the goals I’ve set for myself. I hope we as a church can provide that for each other.
I’m not done working on being healthier physically, or spiritually. Each day has new challenges and opportunities. I’m glad I’m going through it with you all.
In Christ; Pastor Rich Grudt
May 2010 Pastor's Corner
I’m so glad Easter is not a day for us, but a season, And that the message of Jesus’ victory over death can not be contained to any section in our calendars. It is not fairy tale. It is not wishful thinking. And is very much about real life…and death…that we experience day by day.
Last week (April 12 – 14) Josh and I attended the Institute of Liturgical studies at his alma-mater, Valparaiso University. The theme for this conference was “All of Us Go Down to the Dust: Worship Life at the Time of Death.” That may sound depressing, but I found it quite life affirming and inspirational. I mean, this should be an area of expertise for churches, helping individuals face their own mortality, and helping congregations and families at the time of the death of a loved one.
I picked up lots of practical tips for how to make our practices more welcoming and meaningful. I was especially inspired by Dr. Thomas Long, whose book Accompany Them With Singing: The Christian Funeral I’m reading now. In his key note address, Dr. Long argued for Christian churches and their members to reconsider their funeral practices. He argued that we need to cut through what have become popular customs and images to recover what is really important in our rites and practices.
He began by telling a story of Pope John XXIII. As he lay dying, the Pope’s physician is reported to have said, “Holy Father, you have asked me many times to tell you when the end was near so you could prepare.” The Pope replied, “Yes. Don’t feel badly, Doctor. I understand. I am ready.”
With that the Pope’s secretary, Loris Capovilla collapsed at the Pope’s bedside weeping. “Courage, my son. I am a bishop, and I must die as a bishop, with simplicity but with majesty, and you must help me. Go get the people together.” His reply was, “Santo Padre, they are waiting.”
Dr. Long encouraged us to reflect on these words. What does it mean to die, for a bishop or for any of us, with simplicity and majesty? What does it mean that the people are needed “to get together” – and for so much more?
He went on to argue that we need these things at a funeral:
1) We need the body. There is a modern trend to not include the body of the deceased. In fact, some would argue that at a modern funeral the deceased isn’t necessary, at least not desirable. It’s really about the mourners. But Long argues that the Christian funeral is the completion of what God began in the believer in baptism, it’s fulfillment. That’s why the pall, reminding us of the baptismal garment, is placed over the casket. Of course some have decided to cremate the body, which neither Dr. Long nor I would argue against. But best practice may be to have the body present. At the very least we are honest about the limits of our earthly shell.
2) We need to hear the gospel word…how God loves us and saves us..not based on our being “good people.” There is a place at funeral to remember our loss, but not to turn the deceased into celebrities, validating their worth by a list of accomplishments. They may very well have been wonderful, and may be missed for their many contributions, but that’s not why God loved them.
3) We need a place. It used to all happen at people’s homes…now it’s their church home – or at least, the place in town that preaches God’s grace.
4) We need Holy people – for the community to be present. Attendance at funerals increasingly is down. Long argues that many people don’t know why they should come, and don’t feel they have a role if they do. As a church we need to make this work of the church more inclusive. We could use more readers, greeters, worship assistants, musicians, comforters…there’s many different roles we could share. This may mean having services at night or on weekends.
5) Finally, we need a holy script. In the 19th century, Long argued, we lost confidence in the script. Images of heaven and hell because less meaningful. The civil war changed people’s opinions with it’s mass death. Then we got wealthy, and notions of traveling “on to God” got less attractive. Baby boomers seem to be shouting “Hell no…we won’t go.” Heaven has become “…like sitting with the family at the breakfast table, but with better light.” “It’s only a doorway,” so we say. We have lost the notion of going somewhere…else. Somewhere significant.
The words we say matter – both in our funeral service, and in our words of comfort. I look forward to working with our staff and congregation to make sure our funeral practices are compassionate, meaningful, and true to our faith. In Jesus’ name; Pastor Rich
April 2010 Pastor's Corne
I like to know what’s going on in the world, so each morning…each evening… even driving home from church, I like to listen to the news. I like to think I’m a hopeful sort, so I can usually find the glass “half full.” I had to shut it off today, though. Just the story leads were enough to put me in a sad mood: “The health care bill stalled in congress…732 teachers laid off in Elgin…Cab driver shot 5 times in Waukegan…” And the good news just keeps on coming! Doesn’t it seem at times that the darkness is overpowering the light?
It can seem like that, both in the world, and personally, in our own lives. We speak of hope as Christians, and we do see signs of God each day. But there’s definitely a battle going on. For even in the best of times, there is suffering, hatred, and warfare. But that’s not the final word.
Tony Campolo tells of a Good Friday service he was at where a wise, old black man was the preacher. In Tony’s words: “For an hour and a half he preached one line over and over again..."It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin’!" He started his sermon real softly by saying, "It was Friday; it was Friday and my Jesus was dead on the tree. But that was Friday, and Sunday’s comin’!" One of the Deacons yelled, "Preach, brother, Preach!" It was all the encouragement he needed.
He came on louder as he said, "It was Friday and Mary was cryin’ her eyes out. The disciples were runnin’ in every direction, like sheep without a shepherd, but that was Friday, and Sunday’s comin!"
The preacher kept going. He picked up the volume still more and shouted, "It was Friday. The cynics were lookin’ at the world and sayin’ `As things have been so shall they be. You can’t change anything in this world; you can’t change anything. But those cynics didn’t know that it was only Friday. Sunday’s comin’! It was Friday, and on Friday those forces that oppress the poor and make people suffer were in control. But that was Friday! Sunday’s comin’!”
Campolo continues, "He kept on working that one phrase for a half hour, then an hour, then an hour and a quarter, then an hour and a half. Over and over he came at us, "It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin!" By the time he had come to the end of the message...He had me and everybody else so worked up that I don’t think any of us could have stood it much longer. At the end of his message he just yelled at the top of his lungs, `It’s FRIDAY!’ and all 500 of us in that church yelled back with one accord, SUNDAY’S COMIN’!"
We proceed through the darkness of Holy week, reflecting on Jesus’ death on the cross, knowing that Sunday is coming…when we’ll celebrate the promise of resurrection…new life for us now, and in the future. The light of Easter would not be so bright without our understanding of the darkness of the world. Our faith is not fantasy, but grounded in reality.
Wherever you are in life…old, young, well, or sick…whatever your struggles…with finances, health, vehicles, or relationships… know that the darkness will not overcome the light. That’s the Easter message for today, and always.
In Christ,
Pastor Grudt
March 2010 Pastor's Corner
Too much of life is on auto-pilot. Lord, just help me get through the week…to the weekend, when I can just be a couch potato. While there’s nothing wrong with relaxation (in fact there’s a reason we call that re-creation), there’s much right with living life intentionally.
St. Benedict, whose The Rule of St. Benedict has been the primary guidebook for Western monastic living for centuries, wrote, “The life of a monk ought to be a continuous Lent.” But being realistic, Benedict recognized that not many have the strength to live Lent all year long so he suggested using Lent to “wash away the negligence of other times.”
Debra Farrington has authored the book, Living Faith Day by Day: How the Sacred Rules of Monastic Traditions Can Help You Live Spiritually in the Modern World (Perigee, 2000). She writes, “What most of us neglect — with more regularity than we might care to admit — is God,” So Farrington suggests, “Don’t give up chocolate for Lent this year. Or rather, give up chocolate — or whatever else you give up — if it helps you think about God more often. But if all it does is make you think about chocolate, then let me suggest some other Lenten practices to you.”
Citing several ancient and modern monastic guides, she suggests the following: “Have a heart-to-heart with God.” She suggests taking time for a long walk or going to a secluded place to simply converse with God, as you would with an old friend that you have neglected to share from the heart. “Don’t forget to do some listening as well,” she adds.
“Cut back on work.” According to one newscast, Americans, on average, added one week of work per year to their schedules in the 1990s. Rather than putting your work at the center of your life, Farrington suggests taking a break from working too hard this Lent and spend some of the newfound free time with God in prayer, reflection or spiritual reading.
“Sleep enough.” John Cassian, one of the desert fathers of the 4th and 5th centuries, recognized that having a good relationship with God takes energy and attentiveness. He recommended to his disciples that they get enough sleep so they could vigorously pursue their spiritual lives. Farrington writes, “Make Lent a time for getting rested so you, too, can attend to God without the heaviness of spirit that lack of sleep induces.”
“Seek a spirit of detachment.” Most Americans own more things than we need. Often our sense of self-worth and confidence is centered on our possessions rather than on our relationship with God as beloved children. Farrington suggests taking a break from buying unnecessary things and give the money you save to an organization that serves the impoverished and marginalized.
“Take care of yourself.” As the apostle Paul writes (1 Corinthians 3:16), our bodies are temples. So take steps to care for God’s dwelling place during Lent. Exercise, eat better, take time for leisure and play, being aware than in doing so you are caring for one of God’s great gifts.
May God bless you during this time with focus and renewal. Happy Lent; Pastor Rich
One of the strangest things we’ve done as a family is to celebrate Groundhog Day. This trivial little holiday is usually just a place mark on the calendar, a curiosity which gives us something to talk about in the bleak midwinter. Yet there we were in 2006, rousing the kids out of bed before dawn, headed to Woodstock, Illinois to see if a rodent could predict whether the Chicago area would have “six more weeks of Winter.”
Woodstock, as you may remember, substituted for Punxsutaney, Pennsylvania when the Bill Murray’s movie “Groundhog Day” was filmed in the early 1990’s. That movie put Woodstock on the map, and they’ve kept this tradition alive each year with their own groundhog Woodstock Willie’s prognostication, a showing of the movie, tours of areas where it was filmed, chili cook-off and pancake breakfast.
This was good crazy fun, and for once, the kids gladly got up out of bed. We went for the fun…not to determine whether Spring was upon us. “I’m not a smart man…” to quote Forest Gump, but I would bet easy money that winter conditions will last at least through mid March in the Chicago area. Every year. In fact they’ve done studies and shown that pretty much the groundhog is accurate as long as he sees his shadow and runs back to his burrow… meaning another six weeks of winter. It has more to do with geography than animal meteorology.
The whole practice has never made sense to me. Wouldn’t a sunny day mean it’s more likely to be warming up into spring? Wouldn’t clouds mean continued cold weather? Beats me. But perhaps the groundhog has a deeper truth hidden in his story…that to run from our shadow and hide back in our caves prolongs our winter. It’s not a prediction…it’s cause and effect.
Our shadow side are those qualities which draw us away from God, from the light. Self-centerness …greed…insecurity…fear…the want of power… the disregard for life…all the sin that presses against us, keeping us from being all that we could be in the light of God. We know our shadow side, but we try to hide it, and often run from it. What the groundhog fears is not the shadow, but the light, that casts the shadow. So he burrows back underground. So we, too, run away from God -- from having our shadow exposed and seen by others.
The Bible is filled with images of light and darkness. “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) Jesus said he is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46). But he also tells his followers, who were once “…the people walking in darkness [who now] have seen a great light (Isaiah 9:2)”, that they, too, should be “light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14). We remember these verses at each baptism when we say “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Yet we struggle with our shadow, our dark side. And even though we try to hide, God sees into our darkness. “[God] reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:22) God knows everything about us. Yet, even though the light can be intimidating, God only wants the best for us.
How do we face, and move beyond the power of our shadow? With God’s help, healing, strength, and guidance. “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalm 18:28) We are not supposed to dwell in the shadow, but we are “…called…out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) We “fear no evil” in the face of darkness because the Lord is with us, even “walking through the shadow of death.” (Psalm 23) “…Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the light will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Psalm 139:12) “The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27: 1) God’s light brings clarity, reassurance, and hope.
The Greek philosopher Plato, in The Republic, tells of Socrates teaching a young student about wisdom. It’s an allegory about enlightenment…of prisoners who have been chained in a cave in such a way that their heads are forced only to look in one direction. The only light source in the cave is a huge fire, positioned behind them, so that “they see only their own shadows, or the shadows of one another, which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave.” Socrates argues that their understanding of reality is only a shadow of the truth. Only if they are freed can they see the true light, something that may cause pain to their eyes, and take awhile to adjust to, but in the end, will be the truth.
So let us not be Groundhogs, running from both the shadow and the light. Let us journey with God, whose light will not be defeated by darkness.
In Christ’s name;
Pastor Rich
I’ve often said I’m especially humbled as a preacher during the Christmas season, for many of our favorite carols have such powerful messages – made even more distinct when you know some background of their composers.
A favorite holiday book of mine is Stories behind the best loved Songs of Christmas, written by Ace Collins. I’d like to relay the story shared there behind one of my favorite carols, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.”
In 1849, a Unitarian minister from Wayland, Massachusetts, was writing a Christmas Eve message for his congregation. As Dr. Edmund Sears worked on his sermon, he was a troubled man. Though it would be another decade before a civil war tore the United States apart, the debate over slavery, compounded by the poverty he saw in his own community, had all but broken the man’s spirit. He desperately searched for words to inspire his congregation, but he was having a problem lifting even his own spirit above the depressing scenes that surrounded him.
Sears, then thirty-nine years old, had been educated at Union College in Schenectady, New York, and at Harvard Divinity School. Though the Unitarian church was known for not exposing the divinity of Christ, Sears preached the divine nature of Jesus in his weekly sermons. He believed that Jesus was the Son of God and had died on the cross for man’s sins. He also believed that every Christian should be involved in reaching the lost, helpless, and poor.
In his community Sears was a force of caring in a world that seemed to concern itself little with the traumas of the hungry or the sick. His burden for the helpless forced him to reach out each day to those Christ called “the least of these.” Yet as he worked on writing an uplifting Christmas message, it was the poverty and hopelessness of the people he touched in the slums that sickened his heart and blocked his progress. He must have wondered how he could write about the light of the world when the world seemed so dark.
As Sears struggled, he thumbed through his well-worn Bible. In the second chapter of Luke, the minister was touched by the eighth and ninth verses: “And there were shepherds living in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” After considering the miraculous nature of that long-ago moment, Sears picked up his pen and jotted down a five verse poem he called “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.”
Today Sears Poem turned carol is considered joyful and uplifting. Yet when first delivered, its audience probably saw it more as a charge or challenge than the story of a miraculous birth in a faraway land. While the minister wanted his congregation to celebrate Christmas, he also wanted them to reach out to the poor, to address the nation’s social ills, and to consider what they could do as individuals to best reflect the spirit of Christ in their daily lives. In other words, he wanted to see people look to heaven and understand how God needed them to serve man in his name. Nowhere was this message more obvious than in the poem’s second verse, one that has been discarded and all but forgotten. Here are all the words, with the forgotten verse in italics:
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, goodwill to men from heavens all gracious King!" The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world hath suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not the love song which they bring; O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing!
Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world: Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
O ye beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow; Look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing; Oh rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.
For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, When the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace, their King, And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
Sears in his simple poem managed to point out that God, in the form of a child, was entering a world that sorely needed his help. He wanted the congrega- tion to hear the cries that he did. I think you’ll agree it seems equally appropriate in this day and age.
On a side note: during WWI American troops sang this carol throughout France during the holiday season, and twenty five years later U.S. troops took the song back to the front lines of WWII, and entertainers such as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore performed it in U.S.O. shows throughout the pacific and Europe. For homesick soldiers, no words seemed to voice their own prayers of “peace on Earth” as well as those penned by Edmund Sears a century before.
We’ll sing this beloved carol again Christmas Eve. In the midst of our celebration, may we not forget those “…beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low.” May we pass along the hope and light we have received in our lives.
In Christ;
Pastor Rich
One of my favorite memories from childhood was going to the Shrine circus! What an event! The action began with a flurry. All the acts were paraded quickly in front of the crowd -- the ring master, clowns, acrobats, elephants, horses, camels -- even three buffalo that people rode like horses!! Then came one act after another – usually three at a time. People were flying through the air, taming lions, showing off monkeys, and there was, of course, lots of clowning around. Our lives sometimes seem like a circus. We get up in the morning early, start running and keep running all day long -- to school or our jobs, to meetings, to the gym or to camp, etc. Many of us are exhausted much of the time. Our lives have become packed with activity -- much of it worthwhile, but not fulfilling. Something calls to us to slow down, and take time. Someone calls on us to be still and know who is Lord (Psalm 46:10)
We are again entering the holiday season. Holiday is just another spelling for Holy Day. Edward Hays, in his excellent devotional The Pilgrim's Almanac, writes that "the idea of combining religious celebration and relaxing from work goes back to the origin of holy days. These were days of both attending church and freedom from work -- because rest itself was considered holy." But holidays and vacations are sometimes more stressful and busy than our ordinary lives. Have you ever heard someone say that they can't wait to get back to work so that they can rest up from their vacation? That's why I think we need to make our own holidays, carve out times of rest, quiet, and reflection.
Advent is the beginning of the church year, a time in which we are asked to prepare for the coming of Christ. We are called upon to quiet our busy lives and reflect on Christ's coming, as both a past and future event. We know when Jesus came historically into the world. When did he enter your heart? When did you first experience his gracious love. That is the past as well as the present. But we also await Jesus' return. You might ask yourself how you desire Christ to enter your life now. What do you long for? Do you seek God to fill an emptiness in your life? It is counter-cultural to suggest during this busy holiday season that you rest from your business and provide more time in your life to listen for God's guiding voice and reflect on God's word. But we need that time to re-center ourselves. I pray that you would find rest and peace this holiday season.
In His name, Peace;
Pastor Rich
Pastor's Corner
November 2009 Pastor's Corner
"“Every time I think of you, I thank my god…”
“I thank my God every time I remember you…because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3,5) Paul from prison wrote the church in Philippi, expressing his appreciation for their kind support and partnership in the gospel. His relationship to them serves as a model for our thankful service here at Trinity.
No matter how we spend our days, our faith forms our actions and choices. Our careful decisions on the job, our respect and care for our relatives and neighbors, and our dedication to a job well done all reflect God’s light and love. All these encompass stewardship, the intentional way in which we use what God has first given to us.
Stewardship begins with a word of thanks! Thanks to God for the victory over death and the good news that is Jesus Christ. Thanks to you for the ministry which you have undertaken in your day-to-day lives. Thanks to you in advance for the work that we will do together in 2010 and beyond.
This Fall we are examining our lives and asking ourselves:
- How are we showing others our thankful hearts?
- What more could we do for the work of God’s people?
- Can we increase our financial support for the mission of Trinity United Lutheran Church?
You will soon be asked to consider your level of support for 2010. During the worship service November 8th, you are asked to be at worship and to bring forward to the altar your promise of time and talent and financial estimate of giving for 2010. Please pray about how you can increase your gifts in the new year!
God is at work at Trinity! In all things, “[we] thank [our] God for you.”
In Christ; Pastor Rich
We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and the future." — Frederick Douglass
“Nostalgia is a seductive liar." — George W. Ball
I went back to Michigan this past weekend…to relive my childhood. No, that certainly wasn’t true! As a kid I was heavy and not popular, as a teenager I grew thinner but had horrible acne. Up until high school I didn’t have many friends or discernable talents. But during high school, I started to become the person I am, developing a love for certain things like girls, theater, Pizza, serving God through the church, and the Detroit Tigers. College refined those and other passions. Ivern Ball once wrote "The past should be a springboard, not a hammock." That’s how I see it. That’s why I took time and resources this past weekend to make the trip back to Michigan.
I went back for my 30th High School reunion not to relive my childhood. Certainly I wanted to reconnect with old friends, but even that was a mixed bag – some were there, most not. But it was more than just those people that I called friends. There is power in places, and I found it compelling to get a tour of my renovated High School, drive by old friends houses and my old church, my old house and work place. I spent a warm afternoon with my elderly aunts, one uncle, and cousins, and a retired pastor who shepherded me into the ministry. There was something warm and familiar
Why are these people and places important? How do they still hold power over us? Our past can be seen as both roots and anchors. Roots, which give us nourishment and help to define our identity and give us a solid foundation as we grow. Anchors can be seen in negative terms – holding us back from spiritual and emotional growth. But in the Christian church it has been a symbol of hope and faith, referencing the book of Hebrews:
" We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)
Our past, with all of it’s emotional baggage can drag us down, drag us under, or keep us rock solid, sturdily grounded. That’s the double edge of the image.
Within our life of faith we have our personal faith story, but also our church history. The last Sunday of October is always Reformation Sunday, when we remember specifically the life and teachings of Martin Luther and the other Reformers whose work 500 years ago still resonates today. So many of their ideas – the priesthood of all believers, our “protestant” nature, modern hymn singing, the importance of the laity, scriptural authority, the importance of love and grace, law and gospel, our ecumenical understandings – still are at the center of our church.
May we take time to remember our past and learn from it, but not be caught stuck in it. There’s too much to do today, looking forward. As Tony Campolo wrote, “Your past is important, but it is not nearly as important to your present as the way you see your future."
September 2008
Pastor's Corner
Certainly a side benefit from tough economic times is a gratitude for having a job, if we have one. Our work brings more than money into our pocketbooks, but also value into the world, selfworth. These are gifts from God.
We take our work conditions and benefits for granted. But much of what we enjoy was hard fought. I want to share this story of how the holiday came to be.
Eleven-year-old Peter McGuire sold papers on the street in New York City. He shined shoes and cleaned stores and later ran errands. It was 1863 and his father, a poor Irish immigrant, had just enlisted to fight in the Civil War. Peter had to help support his mother and six brothers and sisters.
Many immigrants settled in New York City in the nineteenth century. They found that living conditions were not as wonderful as they had dreamed. Often there were six families crowded into a house made for one family. Thousands of children had to go to work. Working conditions were even worse. Immigrant men, women and children worked in factories for ten to twelve hours a day, stopping only for a short time to eat. They came to work even if they were tired or sick because if they didn't, they might be fired. Thousands of people were waiting to take their places.
When Peter was 17, he began an apprenticeship in a piano shop. This job was better than his others, for he was learning a trade, but he still worked long hours with low pay. At night he went to meetings and classes in economics and social issues of the day. One of the main issues of concern pertained to labor conditions. Workers were tired of long hours, low pay and uncertain jobs. They spoke of organizing themselves into a union of laborers to improve their working conditions. In the spring of 1872, Peter McGuire and 100,000 workers went on strike and marched through the streets, demanding a decrease in the long working day.
This event convinced Peter that an organized labor movement was important for the future of workers' rights. He spent the next year speaking to crowds of workers and unemployed people, lobbying the city government for jobs and relief money. It was not an easy road for Peter McGuire. He became known as a "disturber of the public peace." The city government ignored his demands. Peter himself could not find a job in his trade. He began to travel up and down the east coast to speak to laborers about unionizing. In 1881, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and began to organize carpenters there. He organized a convention of carpenters in Chicago, and it was there that a national union of carpenters was founded. He became General Secretary of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
The idea of organizing workers according to their trades spread around the country. Factory workers, dock workers and toolmakers all began to demand and get their rights to an eight-hour workday, a secure job and a future in their trades. Peter McGuire and laborers in other cities planned a holiday for workers on the first Monday in September, halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day.
On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Twenty thousand workers marched in a parade up Broadway. They carried banners that read "LABOR CREATES ALL WEALTH," and "EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS FOR REST, EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION!" After the parade there were picnics all around the city. Workers and celebrants ate Irish stew, homemade bread and apple pie. At night, fireworks were set off. Within the next few years, the idea spread from coast to coast, and all states celebrated Labor Day. In 1894, Congress voted it a federal holiday.
Today we celebrate Labor Day with a little less fanfare on the first Monday of September. Some cities have parades and community picnics. Many politicians "kick off' their political campaigns by holding rallies on the holiday. Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the summer, and the beaches and other popular resort areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-day weekend.
Let us not forget those who fought for just and safe work conditions. And let us continue to seek justice and equity in our community. We have much to be thankful for.
In Christ; Pastor Rich
Day of Pentecost: Red as the color of fire is used on this day when we remember the tongues of fire descended on the crowd in Jerusalem. In contrast to the color of scarlet, Pentecost’s red is a bright color.
The Holy Trinity: White is appointed, the expression of joy in the mystery of the Triune God.
Other Sundays after Pentecost: Green is used, to indicate our growth in faith as we follow the teachings and ministry of Christ.
