A Bible "snack"

Did you ever just open the bible and put your finger on a verse and let it speak to you? Of course there's the old joke about the man who did that and hit upon "And Judas hung himself..." Rejecting that one he picked again--"Go and do likewise." (I didn't say it was a good joke)

There's plenty other reasons to not do this bible study method. It takes verses out of all context and gives you just the shallowest of interpretations. That said, I'm going to do that with this week's gospel. The story of the greedy farmer who stores up tons of earthly goods--only to find out what he feared most--you can't take it with you. But we must have a verse! Here goes....

"I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones!" (There are no verse numbers in the Message, so maybe that's not the whole thing--but it will do.)

Is it not wise to save for retirement---a rainy day---college bills? Don't we want bigger barns to make our lives fully "insured." Enough stored up to weather any storm, face any trial or tribulation, and save ourselves? Parables are supposed to make us say, "Huh?" though--so where is the incongruity?

I think it resides partly in this verse. Whoever heard of pulling down a perfectly fine barn, only to raise a newer, bigger one? (This was before Walmarts and SuperWalmarts!) That's pretty extreme and not at all fiscally prudent--that's going off the deep end.

But it illustrates the amount of faith we put in stuff, doesn't it? Jesus reminds us that faith in worldly things is highly volatile--likely to blow up in your face. Medical bills scythe through a lifetime of careful savings. The whim of a down-sizing corporate raider ends the career and the financial certainty enjoyed and counted upon. Life is unpredictable and sometimes stinks--bad. You can try but you can't prepare for every possibility--it's vanity. (Useless to try--never coming to fruition.)

Only faith in God never fails. Oh it may seem like it--just as faith in stuff works sometimes but fails ultimately--faith in God "doesn't work" sometimes (from our perspective) but ultimately and decisively triumphs in the end.

So, are you stowing away something each month? That's good! But store your faith in heaven, because God's love doesn't wax and wane like the Dow. It's there every day--and it's available for free!

Now--"go and do likewise!"


Peace,
Pastor Tom

Sunday's Sermon

What follows is the sermon from Messiah Lutheran Church in Amherst, NH. The service was based on the gospel text "Lord, teach us to pray..." We experienced several forms of prayer during theworship--silent prayer, breath prayer, Taize sung prayer, litany, collect, intercessory, the five finger prayer. We were going to do lectio divina contemplative prayer with the psalm--but I skipped over it by mistake--it was way hot in there this morning.

The sermon is How to Pray and includes a period of guided imagery that isn't all written out. I hope you get the gist of it.

The volunteer base for leading worship in the form continues to grow--singers, instrumentalists, and technology people. Angela worked real hard on a PP to go along with the service, but hit a snag when trying to get the computer and projector to cooperate! We could use a techno guru to help with equipment-especially as we add mixing and monitoring to the sound system. Anyay - here's the sermon....

How to Pray
Pentecost 9C 7/29/07
Luke

Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and from our brother and savior, God’s Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Check this out. [Touches finger to nose and waits for the desired effect] Who’s the last? What doess that mean? He prays. And is he considered the winner, or loser of this little exercise? Loser. He has to pray.
Now, I’m not knocking this method of selection. It’s fun. If you’re not last! But wouldn’t it be something if it wasn’t the hapless, slow finger-to-the-nosed individual who is burdened with the arduous and embarrassing task of saying a short prayer. Rather that it was the on-the-ball, savvy and quick-witted, go-getter who achieves the great honor of leading the gathered people of God in prayer by defeating all who would try to wrest that honor from his or her tightly folded hands! Wouldn’t that be something else?!

Why is it we’re so reluctant to pray–especially out loud in the presence of others? I’ll tell you what I think. It’s because it’s hard–or at least we think it is. It’s because we don’t think we know how to–although we do. And it’s because we don’t feel worthy–though nothing could be further from the truth. Let’s dispel some of this nonsense right here and now.

Praying–it’s addressing God with our praise, thanksgiving, confession, and needs, We’ve seen already today how simple that can be: “Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” A breath prayer. Let me tell you another simple way to pray–in song. You know the doxology. It’s a prayer of praise. Healer of Our Every Ill? A prayer for healing. Dona Nobis Pacem is a prayer for peace.

Now is singing a song so hard? Of course not! And praying doesn’t have to be hard, either–it should, in fact, come naturally for the most part–like a conversation with a loved one. The problem is we think it should sound a certain way or it isn’t “good.” Don’t get me wrong-- I’m not against well worded prayers.They are beautiful and touching.
But if you get to thinking that that’s the one and only way to pray–that only a prayer of that caliber is worthy of God’s ears, and the simple “Lord, help me!” of someone in danger or pain just don’t cut it–well, then you’re wrong! God hears all prayers. Even when we don’t have any words, and the Spirit intercedes for us. So don’t let someone’s dexterity with language deter you from praying. Even out loud.

And ths is not an uncommon feeling. As we heard in today’s gospel, Jesus’ disciples felt unsure enough about their prayers that they went to him asking for a lesson on prayer. He gave them what we call the Lord’s Prayer. Which in and of itself is a perfect all purpose prayer–good for most situations and occasions. That is why we memorize it and teach it to our children, so that when now words come, there it is.
But the lord’s Prayer is also a template for our own prayers, and we can use our five fingers to help structure our own prayers–individual or public. Want to see how?

Our Father in heaven, holy is your name. We begin with a radical notion. God is so intimately involved with us, when we pray, it is like talking to our father. This is not like sending a letter to the president, who’ll “answer” some weeks later with an autopenned response and a fundraising card. This is our Father and better yet our heavenly Father whose very name is holy. A perfect Father, an ideal Father.

Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as in heaven. The simplest prayer of them all is “thy will be done.” Our prayers acknowledge that God is good and that we trust in God to do what is best for us. Also we might pray that God’s will and kingdom might be revealed to us.

Give us today our daily bread. We have the privilege of asking God to supply us with all our needs (not wants, but needs). So ask. So seek. So knock.

Forgive us our sin, as we forgive those who sin against us. They say confession is good for the soul. They’re right. And forgiving others is up there too.

Keep us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil - The safety and well-being of our loved ones and ourselves is placed in the hands of the one God who created all.

So your five finger prayer might be: Father, I don’t know the way to go–show me. Give me what I need to get through this time in my life. Forgive my wavering in faith, and help me forgive those who don’t understand what I’m going through. Keep me and my family safe and keep us faithful to you. Amen
Or: Father, I am thankful to you for your many gifts. Forgive me for not always appreciating them. Don’t let me be tempted to think that all this came from my effort alone. Help me to share with others in your name. Amen

Follow those five steps and you’ll have a pretty fine prayer on your hands! But I have to tell you, there is more to prayer than talking to God. Check this out:

We had a problem with the phones here at the church a week or so ago. The phone rang okay, but when you picked it up, the caller’s voice was so faint you could barely hear them, if at all. Perhaps you tried calling here that week and noticed this problem! I which case our conversation probably went something like this:

ME - Hello, Messiah Lutheran Church. Pastor speaking.

YOU - [too faint for me to hear] Hi, it's me.

ME - I’m sorry, I can barely hear you.

YOU - [Loudly, but still faint to me] Is that better?

ME - Not at all. I'm sorry. There’s a problem on this line. I can’t hear you–can you hear me? If you can hear me, uh–nod your head. Oh no, that won’t help any.

YOU - Yes, I can hear you! CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?!

ME - I can hear me just fine. Hello? Anyone there?

Thankfully the technician came the next day so we’re back to normal. (And it was in their lines, so we didn’t have to pay for the service call, Ray.) But in the meantime I learned something from all this. And that is: It’s difficult to hold a dialog when it's basically one way.
I mean, I know the person on the other end can hear me just fine. So should I talk normally? "Oh, hi, whoever you are--nice of you to call. I can't hear you, but it's nice to talk with you!" Or should I just let it ring? And what if I need to call someone--do I just give them my half of the conversation and imagine their replies? It's perplexing and somewhat lopsided--this one-way communication.

Sometimes prayer feels like that for us. We know what we want to say and say it. But we can't get a clear read on what the other, "God half" of the dialog is. We get snippets and inklings, and we fill in the blanks with our assumptions, but it's awkward and fruitless, this connection. We wonder: is it us (our equipment), or is God off line--screening his calls, maybe?

There's got to be some kind of service department to help us!

There is--Jesus. When the disciples asked him how to pray, he gave them the Lord’s prayer. But he also taught them that God answers prayers. Even persistent annoying ones. Some how, in some way. One way is through prayer. Because prayer is a dialog–we talk, and then we must listen. How? By opening ourselves up to the presence of God. And that can take many forms–devotional reading, meditation, songs like the one from the Taize monastery that we sang at the opening of worship, or by looking at art, or this way that we’re going to try right now.

It’s called guided imagery, and it helps you take the time to listen for God’s response. So, I invite you to close your eyes and follow my instructions in this silent prayer...

Go to your favorite place

Some one is coming towards you - Its Jesus

He greets you and blesses you, you ask him, tell him, confess to him

Jesus stands over you, places his hands on your head. He leans over and looks you in the eye, and he says something to you. Something you need to know.

Then he says, “Peace be with you.” And you are flooded with God’s peace.

You get up and you go back to your life, thinking about what Jesus said to you .


And now may God’s peace, which is beyond our understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. AMEN

What I'm doing on my summer vacation...

I’m using an Augsburg Fortress Bible Study here at camp this week. It’s called Sing the Faith, and it looks at hymns of grace, comfort, creation, etc. Favorite old hymns–but some new ones too. We’ve had about 25 people each day, and the favorite part for the group is singing their favorite hymns–and then talking about them and how the hymns have intersected with their lives.

There’s been some interesting and poignant sharing, and some excellent learning coming out of the group. Which makes me glad that we’ve decided to use the same study at Messiah this fall–in and around the other adult forum offerings that have been lined up for you.

I’m also considering having a “hymn-sing” one of the Sundays in August–what do you think of that? We’d let the words of the hymns we sing be the proclamation that day, and we’d use favorite hymns in place of liturgical elements like the kyrie and hymn of praise. I think it would be good fun and meaningful as well!

What is your favorite hymn?

Pastor Tom

A good time had by all

It’s Monday already Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we packed up and headed to Calumet for the Messiah Family Camp-out Weekend. We spent the past three days enjoying God’s creation, some great food, and each other’s company. They went fast

Scott promised no rain, and he was true to his word–a better three day could not be had this summer Friday featured moving in and setting up. Some families had pop-ups and some had tents. (And one stayed in the chaplain’s trailer–a thirty foot behemoth with all the amenities–but we won’t say who that was, but their initials are Pastor and Lisa ) We were spread out a little but gathered together to chat, eat and enjoy the campfire.

Saturday was another picture perfect day. We swam, boated, built sand castles, and played water volleyball (no report on who won ). For those eating at camp’s dining hall, dinner was prime rib (yum), for those grilling out–BBQ ribs (equally yum).

Sunday there was a time for a hike before church. The “congregation” gathered there in Calumet’s ODC (outdoor chapel)was no doubt the largest in New England that morning - 500 people at least. My sermon was “interactive” - people voted on which direction it was headed. The commemoration was Mary Magdalene and the gist of the message was we all have highly spiritual moments in life we want to savor and extend forever, but we’re called as was Mary at the tomb, to proclaim the risen Christ. Seems to have gone over well. I’ll post it at home–it’s on the other computer that I thought I’d have here–but decided not to bring.

After church, folks packed up and left for the most part, leaving us here to take on the chaplain’s role this week (daily devotions, bible study - one we’ll also do a Messiah - and vespers Thur. night. The weather is presently changing, and we’re expecting rain and hotter, muggier weather. Oh well. It’s great here at Calumet even in the rain

Do you have a place like Calumet in your life–a place of natural beauty that charges up your spirit? Say a prayer of thanksgiving for it today

Pastor

Hey, that'll preach!

I was reading over what I wrote yesterday and thinking about what I'd write today when I realized I was working out not just a weblog entry, but the sermon for the 29th! (You see, I've got to do that one a little in advance, because I'm at Calumet this next week.)

So I'm gonna pull the train I was running yesterday over on the siding. And you who read this humble servant's musings will recognize what you've read coming out in the sermon that morning!

That leaves me with today's entry. And I want to talk about Mary Magdalene a bit. She's an underdeveloped character in the gospels, but important. So important she's mentioned in all four! So important she's with Jesus when almost all abandon him--at the cross and at his burial.

What else do we know about Mary? She may be the "woman of the city" (read prostitute) who anoints Jesus feet in Luke's gospel--she's definitely mentioned as the one from whom Jesus exorcised seven demons. She and other women traveled with Jesus and helped support his ministry with their finances.

The Dan Brown book, The DaVinci Code would have you believe that Magdalene was much more--Jesus' wife and bearer of his son (the Holy Grail) and his descendants. There is no biblical warrant for such speculation. You might just as well say that she was his twin sister (with homage to Lucas). Can't prove or disprove it. Makes for an interesting read, I'm told though.

Mary stands out as a witness to the gospel for her faithfulness and for her activities on Easter morning. It is she, in each of the gospels, who first encounters the risen Christ. John's is the most detailed account. She mistakes Jesus for a gardener (is his appearance different), but recognizes his voice. She wants to give him a big ol hug but Jesus begs off (his body is somehow not ready for such attention). She is first to see him alive again, but also the first to realize that this new existence is different from the earthly presence they knew. He tells her to go and tell the others. And so she becomes the Apostle to the Apostles!

Quite an important character, as I said. What I didn't say is that this was way far from the cultural norm for the day. Women didn't run for president, have their own companies, or do any of the other things women enjoy the freedom to do now (not that we're all there yet). Women were second class citizens. But it is to Mary that Jesus first appears as risen Lord! You don't need to be high up on the social list to encounter Christ--you just have to listen for God calling your name!
And when God does--the question is--will you go and tell the others? I pray you do, and that I "go and tell" likewise.

My next entry will be from Calumet--see you there for Messiah's campout (the weather report is good!). Or see you back at church the 29th!

Pastor

One Way Communication

We've been having problems with the phones here at the church. Perhaps you've tried calling here and noticed! The conversation probably went something like this:

ME - Hello, Messiah Lutheran Church.

YOU - [too faint for me to hear] Hi, it's me.

ME - I can barely hear you.

YOU - [Loudly, but still faint to me] Is that better?

ME - Not at all. I'm sorry.

YOU - CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?!

ME - Sorry, no--but I can hear me just fine.


Hopefully the technician will get here soon and we'll be back to normal.

Until then I'm noticing how difficult it is to hold a dialog when it's basically one way. I mean, I know the person on the other end can hear me just fine. So should I talk normally? "Oh, hi, whoever you are--nice of you to call. I can't hear you, but it's nice to talk with you!" Or should I just let it ring? And what if I need to call someone--do I just give them my half of the conversation and imagine their replies? It's perplexing and somewhat lopsided--this one-way communication.

Sometimes prayer feels like that for us. We know what we want to say and say it. But we can't get a clear read on what the other, "God half" of the dialog is. We get snippets and inklings, and we fill in the blanks with our assumptions, but it's awkward and fruitless, this connection. We wonder: is it us (our equipment), or is God off line--screening maybe?

There's got to be some kind of service department to help us!

There is--Jesus. When the disciples asked him how to pray, he gave them the Lord's Prayer. And not only is it a deeply spiritual prayer in itself--it's also a primer on how to pray. Prayer--and that's a two way street! What do I mean? Think about it--then sign on tomorrow at the Pantry for some more on this topic!

Have a great day, [Are you there?]

Pastor Tom

"Do"

Every three years the lectionary recurs, that is, we read the same lessons in church. Normally I would wait the three years before commenting on a gospel text again. But this morning in worship I had one of those insightful moments you have-- when you suddenly understand something in a new and exciting way.

I was reading the gospel to you (The story of the Good Samaritan), when I noticed the word "do" appears both in the prelude to the story and its postlude. Jesus tells the scribe to DO this and you shall live--referring to the shema, the command to love God and neighbor. Again, after the scribe picks the Samaritan as the true neighbor, Jesus says, "Go and DO likewise."

Scholars call this pattern of repetition "bookends," and there's usually a significance to it. In this case I think it is to emphasize that there's an element of response to God's grace. That we are to be do-ers of the word, as well as hearers of it. That we should bear fruit worthy of the vine on which we were grafted.

I think I caught that element in the sermon when I challenged you to be compassionate in your relationships this coming week. And to do something for others, not just treat them as objects to be fixed, but to really put the gospel into practice by doing something. What am I going to do? Good question!

I think what I will do is help out Ed and Trudi with the prison ministry. I'll start out small, doing the sympathy cards the chaplain requested, and doing a message on one of thise preprinted sheets that they handed out. But eventually I'd like to do more--go with them to the prison, and visit these brothers in Christ.

If you want to know more about the Kairos prison ministry talk with Ed or Trudi (or if you're reading this and don't know who that is, email me privately.).

I won''t be posting this week's sermon as it doesn't exist in computer form at this time. If you missed church, know that you were missed, and we hope to see you next week. This coming week Ill be talking a bit about Outdoor Ministry as I prepare for Calumet chaplaincy. I'll be doing a bible study called Sing With All the People of God (repeated at Messiah in the fall), and preaching to the 400-500 people at camp next Sunday. Getting ready will be fun to share with you all. Until we meet again, I remain...

In Christ,
Pastor Tom

Triskaidekaphobia

Friday the 13th. Are you hiding under your bed, with only the glow of your laptop's screen lighting your room? Are you defiantly walking under ladders and finding black cats to cross your path? Or are you treating this day like all others?

How did Friday the 13th become unlucky anyway? According to Wikipedia, could have a religious background--Judas was the thirteenth guest at the Lord's last supper, and Friday was the day of crucifixion. Might have something to do with a battle fought and lost on October 13th, 1305. May even be a numerology thing for all I know. One thing I do know:

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Whatever comes my way in this 13th day of July, I know comes from the creator of all things--who continually provides for me: home, sustenance, clothing, and family. God is good! But whatever befalls me, however terrible and random, does so also with God's knowledge - and yet not apart from God's concern and abiding, healing presence. The evil, the bad, the unlucky are all aberrations --distortions of the goodness of creation brought on by our turning from God and following our own self-serving path.

What about disease, you ask? That occurs with God's knowledge too--tearful knowledge. Does sin cause disease? Yes and no. No--Jesus said that neither the man born blind nor his parents sinned and caused his blindness. And yet corporate greed [not protecting workers] and the misuse of firearms are sins that can cause infirmity. So yes. But we digress--another day for this topic.

Luck. Superstition. Do you believe in it? Can you be in the right place at the right time--or wrong place? Or were you preordained to be there? Irresistibly drawn by your destiny? Here's what I think - those are the ditches on the road of how life works. Go to far to either side and you'll be in trouble. If it's all luck--then there either is no God, or we have one that isn't very involved. If it's all destiny nothing I do will make a difference, so why try? Better to stay in the middle.

We needn't fear a number or a day. We should give thanks for it, and make it our business to dedicate all that we do in it to the God who stands outside of time, waiting, watching, holding his creation in his arms--comforting the sad and sick, smiling along with the winners and snaggers of the best parking slot! God's providence is what we can rely on--come fair or foul.

Can you think of thirteen reasons to praise God this Fri the 13th? Here's mine:
1 It's a beautiful day
2 My mom gets out of the hospital today
3 It's not hot out
4 VBS Day is really coming together (shameless advertising)
5 I pastor a truly remarkable church
6 Lisa
7 Erik and Sarah
8 grace--couldn't do without it
9 Music - I'm listening to Trading My Sorrows
10 Pets - we got to go visit a screechy old love of a cat tonight
11 that God walks with me in life
12 food (especially pizza)
13 that we needn't fear senseless things that others tell us are a threat.

Happy 13th!

How do you define neighbor?

Do you know your neighbors--by more than a nodding acquaintance? Some of you probably do--good for you! The rest of us hardly know our neighbors' names. As for me, I know the neighbor's orange tabby cat, Taco--who comes routinely to visit. Back up in Maine, we knew our "southern" neighbors well, since we shared a driveway. But even with them, it wasn't a real relationship. Maybe neighbors in the sense of Dennis the Menace and Mr. Wilson are another part of 1950's America that we've grown out of?

In this week's gospel Jesus talks with a temple "lawyer," who asks about eternal life and how to achieve it. Jesus tells him to love God and neighbor. He replies by asking "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus then tells the story of a man robbed and left on the side of the road for dead. Two pass by, but another, a Samaritan (see post "A Familiar Story") tends to him "Who was neighbor to the injured man?" asks Jesus. "The one who helped," is the lawyer's reluctant response. Jesus then suggests he go and do the same. Not just to help--but also to receive help.

For us, neighbor means the ones who live nearby. For Jesus, a neighbor is one in need--no matter who they are or where they are. That's tough sometimes. For Jesus, a neighbor is also one who helps us with compassion. That's also tough. Because we don't like to admit we need help--especially from those we don't especially "like."

Can you think of an example of someone receiving help from a "neighbor" that they, in better times, may not have even associated with?

Draft copy of 7/8 sermon

Summer Squash

Pentecost 6 C 7/8/07

Luke 10:1-11,16-20

Grace and peace and mercy and love be to you from God our heavenly Father, and from Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this, but I am not a door-locker. I left the doors unlocked up in Maine near about the whole time we lived there. Here in Amherst, I sometimes leave things unlocked,

The car too—I don’t lock that very often either. My thoughts are, if someone wants a 1996 Mercury Sable with 130,000 miles on it—one that’s been hit in the rear three times and in the front once, well then, good luck with it, brother! I just don’t bother to lock it up.

Except at around this time of the year. During these weeks of mid to especially late summer, one must lock the doors of the car whenever you’re away from it. Because, if you don’t lock it up, you’re liable to come home to a back seat full of zucchini and yellow squash out of people’s gardens.

For there is seemingly nothing more productive in the garden than summer squash. It holds true in my gardening experience. I tried corn one year–got inch long ears. I planted tomatoes—never got enough for my liking. But if I merely waved a package of summer squash seeds over some recently turned up soil and added water, viola! Enough squash to feed a small army. If said army never got sick of zucchini.

Squash casserole, squash soup, squash salad, zucchini ice cream, stuffed squash a la almondine–even if you’re Bobby Flay there’s only so many ways you can prepare this surplus-itous summer-garden denizen. So, when end of August hits, people start being a little less receptive of your gift of the fruit of your toil. Even camouflaging the summer squash by putting them in the bottom of the basket and covering them with pickling cukes fools only the most novice of produce-needy neighbors. Eventually people will see you coming, basket in hand, and cross to the other side of the street. Not even offers of fresh corn-on-the-cob (take a zuke get two free ears) interests them any more.

And yet all the while, the vines get longer and longer, the leaves get bigger and bigger, and the squash–the squash become numerously prolific—not to mention humongous, gargantuan, gia-normous. God said to the plants of the earth, “Be fruitful and multiply” Summer squash took that to heart. It gets to the point where you just can no longer keep up with them. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers few.

The harvest. To what shall I compare the grace of God? What shall I hold up against it? God’s grace is like a summer squash! Planted in the cold, barren soil of sinful hearts, it germinates in tandem with the one who rose after three days in the ground. It is nourished and fed, and thrives under the voice and touch of the master gardener. It grows, and it cannot be contained, but bursts forth from its now verdant birthplace, stretching out, reaching out tendril and vine, to find another and another and another patch of dusty soil to colonize. To find another heart to free, another mind to transform, another soul to fill. The grace of God is like a summer squash, born of a fertile flower, connected firmly to its roots as well as to its many interwoven vines, bearing fruit that is rich in flavor and wondrous to behold! And prolific. The grace of God is like summer squash!

Which brings us to today’s reading. Here in a seemingly innocuous little corner of Luke’s gospel, in this surprisingly detailed story of a first century mission trip, God lays out his bold plan for salvation in no uncertain terms. Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful.” Abundant. Prolific. There is no shortage of grace in the world to come. There is no lack of mercy. There is no dearth of forgiveness, redemption, or reconciliation! All of these are available in plentiful supply at the harvest,

In fact, God’s grace is so plentiful, the workers sent to gather it in for distribution to all, just aren’t numerous enough to do the task justice. They stand in awe of the abundance. Compare it to seeing the ocean for the first time. Compare it with Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow stepping out into the field of poppies on the way to the Emerald City of Oz. Picture the enormity and urgency of their task by recalling Lucy and Ethel on the candy dipping assembly line.

Or think of zucchini. You can just about watch them get bigger minute by minute, they grow so fast. And they replicate almost by mitosis, it seems. There’s more and more each day, an inexhaustible supply. Taking over the garden. Overshadowing even the weeds. The harvest is plentiful—no doubt of that, but the laborers few. And workers have got to get in there and get those squash out of the field and into the peoples’ hands asap. This is definitely time-dated material we’re dealing with here! God’s grace shouldn’t be languishing in the field. People need it. They need it bad.

Only some don’t realize that. They’re the ones Jesus describes to the seventy—the ones whose house doesn’t share in their proffered peace, the ones who don’t extend them a warm welcome. The ones who cross the street and lock their car doors to avoid God’s crazy, wild abundance. Being who they are, they think they have no need of God’s grace, or they object that something so valuable is given out so wantonly, without regard to moral character or lack thereof. “Leave these ones be,” says Jesus, there’s plenty who wait with arms wide open, squash recipes at hand! Tell them, though, that God’s grace was right at their fingertips and they let it slip through. Next time they should be ready!

If there is a next time—remember, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. And why is that, do you think? Is it because there’s a shortage of believers? No! Is it because the waiting period for training is longer than the time it takes to get a passport? Again, no. Is it because we don’t understand the urgency of the task? That does have something to do with it.

But mainly it’s because the work is hard, fraught with perils, filled with rejection, and unspeakably vast in scope. And most of us are not willing to do that job. Because it’s work! Recipients of God’s grace ourselves, we none-the-less hear Jesus command, look at the task at hand, and say “Thanks, but no thanks.”

I saw a Family Circus cartoon once in which the various kids are present at the scene of the usual household crimes—broken vase, stolen cookies, crayon on the wall. In each case they are asked, “Who did this?” To which the answer is, “Not me.” The last frame shows a ghostly character tracking mud onto the carpet. His name? Not Me. Now, I don’t think there’s a “Not Me” in the church these days. But I’m quite certain there’s a “Someone Else” who’s actually running the place. Because the reply to the call to ministry also includes the rationalization, “Someone Else will do it.”

Well, people, I’m here to tell you today—Someone Else has left the building. So we need to pray that the Lord of the harvest might send out more workers. But wait! Who in their right mind would want a job like that? One in which the wolves circle around you waiting for a moment of weakness, and people snub you, and avoid you. One that annoyingly is administered by a God whose grace is superabundant and whose patience is eternal. As far as jobs go, it’s not on the top of the most desirable list. Who in their right mind would do it?

You would. Because you’re not in your “right mind.” You have received the grace of God and your mind is not “right” according to worldly standards anymore. St. Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In other words—what seems ludicrous to the world makes sense to those who have been transformed. And so with renewed minds, we can enter into the harvest joyfully!

Joyfully. Author and minister Thomas Bandy writes that lay leadership "burnout" is not a biblical church issue. It is a modern church issue. It has become an issue because modern churches habitually motivate people to act out of duty, rather than out of

joy. They continually remind people of their obligations, but fail to assist people in affirming themselves [Christian Chaos pp. 239, 241].

So, surprise! This isn’t a guilt trip sermon. This is a “find your joy” sermon. The seventy didn’t come back from the wolf-ridden, peace-snubbing mission trip all stressed out and ready to quit. No, they came back pumped! They said, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us! That was way COOL!” They’re excited! They’re joyful. And they don’t let a little foot-dust-shaking get them down ‘cause they like squash and want everyone else to taste it too!

The long and short of it is this: what are you passionate about? Is it music? Is it peace? Is it ecumenical relationships? Is it sewing? Is it organizing? Is it stewardship? Is it the environment? Find your passion—that’s easy, it should come to mind right away. Then think of ways that passion might intersect the work of the harvest—bringing God’s gospel of grace through Christ to people who need it. If you’re passionate about justice issues, you might be an advocate for people who have been treated unjustly. That brings the kingdom near. If your passion is teaching—you can sign up to be a Sunday School teacher in the fall—with the double benefit being that you can choose to teach in an area that gives you joy; like music or art or cooking even. If your passion is social service—then listen to Becky Vinson of LSSNE later on as she talks about the ways we share the harvest with others. She’ll help point you in the right direction.

Now there’s two things you can do with this information. One, you could nod your head and then do nothing. Or two, you can get up from here, have a piece of zucchini bread, and find your joy in this church. If most of you choose the former, things won’t change much around here. Messiah already does a good bit of mission and ministry. But some of our key leaders are soon to leave town, or have felt that their joy might be complete if they tried something new. That’s left some gaps. So I hope that you take what you’ve heard this morning and put it into action. If at least some of you do so, those gaps will be filled easily. If more of you do so, we’ll be able to reach more people in this community with the grace of God. And if a good bunch of you decide to joyfully enter into the harvest despite the risks and hardships, then, brothers and sisters—I will be as busy as a salesman in a centipede shoe store. But—you know what? That’s okay, because that’s my joy!

Okay, now we can pray for workers to be sent.

Lord of the harvest, we have tasted the goodness of your abundance at your table and font. Send us now, into that harvest and into the world with news of your grace for all. Help us to find the intersection of your mission and our passions, that we might serve you whole-heartedly and with joy! In christ’s name we pray. Amen

A familiar story

The parable of the Good Samaritan is perhaps one of the best known stories in the bible. The title (which, by the way, doesn't appear in the text) has even been adopted by the secular world--taken to mean someone who stops to help a stranger.

Those familiar ones are the ones we should take the most time picking apart, because our brains have already assimilated the story so full, we're no longer shocked by the parts that are designed to do so. One of the study aids I use is commentary on the gospel by Pastor Brian Stoffegren. This week he quotes a biblical scholar named Funk on the subject "Why a Samaritan?"

A Jew who was excessively proud of his blood line and a chauvinist about his tradition would not permit a Samaritan to touch him, much less minister to him. In going from Galilee to Judea, he would cross and recross the Jordan to avoid going through Samaria. The parable therefore forces upon its hearers the question: who among you will permit himself or herself to be served by a Samaritan? In a general
way it can be replied that that only those who have nothing to lose by so doing can afford to do so. But note that the victim in the ditch is given only a passive role in the story. Permission to be served by the Samaritan is thus inability to resist. Put differently, all who are truly victims, truly disinherited, have no choice but to give themselves up to mercy. The despised half-breed has become the instrument of grace: as listeners, the Jews choke on the irony. (p. 33)

He concludes his comments on this parable thusly:

 ... the parable of the Good Samaritan may be reduced to two propositions

 (1) In the Kingdom of God mercy comes only to those who have no
 right to expect it and who cannot resist it when it comes.

(2) Mercy always comes from the quarter from which one does not and
cannot expect it.

An enterprising theologian might attempt to reduce these two sentences to one:

(1) In the kingdom mercy is always a surprise. (p. 34)

I like that--mercy is always a surprise! Grace happens.

Has there ever been a time in your life when God's mercy and grace came upon you and you just couldn't resist it? I have--and I'll tell you about it tomorrow!

For now, stay well, and be surprised!

Working as an elementary and middles school band instructor has got to be a trying job. Never mind the sick sounds of kids learning a new instrument, and the cacophony of putting an group of rank amateurs to work on a new piece of music. There's also the frustration of kids not practicing or playing only because their parents made them. You'd think it would be extremely frazzling!

Erik's band teacher in Maine wasn't frazzled though. He was energized and energizing! He took up the baton like a scepter and he conducted the kids with a flair that one would expect of the Boston Pops! And his attitude was infectious--the band played its heart out for him!

This man had a passion--a passion for music and for teaching and playing music. And it showed in the results!

I know some people in church who have a passion for this ministry or that. It overrides any difficulties they encounter. It enlivens the people they serve. It transforms all they come in contact with. All because they start from a place of passionate love for Christ and the work they are doing!

Wouldn't it be great if we all could be passionate Christians? Think today about your passion in life--what you love so much to do. And think about how that passion might be put to work in the mission of the church.

And then come and worship tomorrow. The sermon asks some of the same questions, so you'll have a leg up on the crowd.

Also LSS will be at worship to tell us about their passion--social services!

Peace!

4th of July

Well the Amherst 4th of July celebration was great! 200 decorated bikes, a kazoo band, bagpipes (I think I'd lke to try them sometime!), and a political show of enthusiasm for each candidate.

Bill Richardson was there (the only one) and I did shake his hand and look him in the eye. I won't let you know what I thought of him, since that's not the object of the Pantry, though.

The youth group had a good day selling cotton candy and quilt raffle tickets. Our new church banner looked great, and Connie's tent was a welcome shady escape.

We talked about having a float next year--wouldn't that be fun? And the event is ripe for evangelism. Did you see St. Luke's Anglican church there--giving away water and melon? How could we as a church show hospitality to the community and its guests on that day next year? Maybe with a place to sit and eat, or prayer beads, or free maps of the area?

All in all it was a great day. And since we saw the fireworks the night before--the rain didn't upset us. Hopefully it reminded all of us that God's blessing rains down on all the world, and that we are a part of the world with all its promise and challenge. The 4th is when we celebrate the birth of our nation, and ask God to guide her according to his will. But we are one of many peoples cherished by God. Let us use our power and influence in ways that hasten God's reign, and provide glimmers of that justice and peace here and now!

May God bless us and keep us! Now it's time to concentrate on the sermon gospel Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.

Vote for Me and I'll Set You Free!

Draft Copy of sermon for 7/1

Luke 9:51-62

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God the Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

We moved here at the end of July last year, so I’ve had to wait almost a full year for the 4^th of July celebration in Amherst. In the meantime, you’ve built it up so much in my imagination, I’m afraid that it won’t live up to my expectations. But I have faith that the fourth in Amherst will be all you’ve said and more!

So, I can hardly wait for the cotton candy, Uncle Sam on stilts, and the kazoo band! But most of all, I can’t wait to see the presidential candidates up close and personal. (You promised me they’d be there.) That’ll be cool.

Now, you may be wondering why I’m so dead set on seeing the candidates in the flesh. Haven’t I seen enough of Chris Dodd already from his endless commercials? Hasn’t Mitt Romney already appeared in enough sound bites on the news to satisfy me? No, I need to see them because I want to look them in the eye and shake hands, and get me a feeling of who they are as a person. I believe I can do that if I meet them, or at least get close.

What do you think? It worked in that Stephen King movie The Dead Zone. The lead character, played by Christopher Walken, has the psychic ability to see one’s future when touched. Inadvertently, he shakes the hand of an unstoppable charismatic presidential candidate (played by Martin Sheen, ironically enough) and sees him in the future as president—pushing the button to commence nuclear annihilation. Fortunately Walken prevents him from winning the election. Unfortunately he dies doing that.

Nothing so dramatic for me. I have no psychic abilities, save for an uncanny ability to know when it’s mealtime. I just figure that meeting them face to face will help me pick out one – one to follow and support. The right one hopefully.

Because I’ve picked out the wrong one before, let me tell you. The first time I jumped into the melee of political campaigning, fresh-faced and eager to help, was for a relatively young, very charismatic candidate who appeared to me to be “the one.” His name was Gary Hart. More recently I was attracted to the grassroots, internet-based campaign of another presidential would-be, Howard Dean. YYEEE-HOOOWW! Oh yeah, I can pick ‘em.

There’s gotta be a better way to decide. Oh, I guess you could read their requisite book, and watch them on CNN (or FOX, just to make this a fair and balanced sermon). You could listen to their vision for America and hear all their promises. But there’s nothing quite like a personal encounter. And so, I thought maybe if I could look in their eyes and shake hands, I could tell if he or she was the real deal—the one. And then I could commit to them. Whole–heartedly. Totally.

Have you ever wondered this: What if Jesus ran for president of the United States? Probably you haven’t! It’s kind of silly to think that way, but it’s probably the best analogy we have to use to get at today’s gospel. So I wonder - would you think he was the real deal, and sign on to work his campaign? What would it be like, to be on the campaign trail with Jesus? Oo, and what would Jesus’ campaign song be, do you think? I know—and it’s perfect for the reading:

I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back, no turning back!

Good old camp song. Wonderful—except it’s wrong. Oh, the “no turning back part” is dead on, all right. You can’t be following someone if you’re facing a different direction, which is implied by “turning back.” So, yes, to follow Jesus means you leave much behind, without so much as a twinge of regret, or a single look in the rearview.

No, it’s that first phrase that’s wrong. Wrong subject, wrong verb—right object: Jesus. And following Jesus is okay. But “I have decided” says to me that this following is something I do, something I chose to do. And that’s just not the case.

Look through the four gospels. I can’t think of one instance—not even one—in which the person just up and decides to follow Jesus. The disciples don’t think to themselves, “Hmm, this guy Jesus seems right for Messiah—he speaks well, he does great miracles, he casts out demons with little effort—I think I will follow him.” No, it didn’t work that way with the twelve. They were just living life when Jesus came along and said, “Hey Peter, Andrew, James and John, follow me and you’ll fish for men.” “Hey Philip, hey Matthew, follow me!” And they followed. But the subject is Jesus, the verb is “follow.” No “I,” no “decide.”

In fact, to be truly faithful to the gospel accounts, Jesus’ song should really go like this:

I have decided not to follow Jesus, I have decided not to follow Jesus

I have decided not to follow Jesus, I’m turning back, I’m turning back!

Because there’s more biblical evidence for people rejecting Jesus, than there is for them hopping on his bandwagon. Just look at chapter nine of Luke.

Today we heard about four such occurrences. First, as Jesus heads towards his destiny in Jerusalem, the campaign’s “advance team” encounters a Samaritan town on the itinerary that “won’t receive him.” When James and John hear about it, they ask Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to consume the belligerent burg. Jesus scolds them—that would definitely be “negative campaigning.”

Then a man comes up to the podium as Jesus is finishing his stump speech and says to him, “You’re the man! I will follow you wherever you go—New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina—even New Jersey!” Jesus tells him, in effect, that where he’s going isn’t a place, or an elected office for that matter. He’s headed for the cross—and he won’t be staying in a Holiday Inn Express on the way there. More than likely that threw a wet blanket on the would be staffer. “Oh, no room service? Then never mind.”

We might think that Jesus’ call is irresistible and the reaction to it immediate, but the next two encounters in this passage belie that notion. Jesus issues the call to two people—follow me! The first of these would-be’s is willing to leave home and work, but asks Jesus’ understanding that he attend to his father’s funeral first. The second wishes only to say a quick “Goodbye,” to those at home—maybe tell them where he’s off to. Reasonable requests, don’t you think? I’m sure even Ross Perot would have understood and been a little flexible with these two.

But Jesus reacts very un-Jesus-like to his two followers-to-be. “Let the dead tend to the dead,” he tells the first. And to the latter, “You’re can’t be working for me if you’re living in the past.” Pretty harsh. You might expect that kind of stuff from Anne Coulter, but from Jesus Christ? Is Jesus’ campaign delving into the “politics of personal attack,” Or is he simply stating a fact—telling it like it is? It is the latter of course.

Politicians don’t often do that—tell it like it is. Oh, they purport to. But really what they lay out on the table is a form of reality carefully packaged for their target audience. Which may change subtly or extensively, from day to day, state to state, from stop to stop even. Politicians interpret life as they think you would, if you were to then draw the conclusion that they are the best choice to “fix” that reality.

For instance, “We are not secure,” is a reality crafted by politicians who wish to be seen as the ones who will change that. That reality is as much skewed as the one which concludes we can extricate ourselves fully and swiftly, without repercussions, from the disequilibrium we have caused in Iraq and the Middle East.

These are examples of realities painted on the insides of the rose colored glasses politicians give us to wear. We see what they think we think we see. Which is real, as far as perception is reality.

But Jesus isn’t interested in our perceptions—of ourselves or of our world. He deals in truth. And he deals in truth telling. Even when that sounds harsh. And the truth about following Jesus—really following him—is that it takes your total commitment, your total concentration, your whole life! It takes putting everything else in life below your discipleship. Under Jesus.

And that’s a hard teaching! How can God expect us to put Jesus before our spouse? Or in front of our children and families? And what about putting Jesus before our work—wouldn’t that go over great when your boss assigned you Sunday overtime?

The answer to those conundrums is slightly convoluted. If God is first in your life—there will be times you have to sacrifice. The thing is, even though Jesus’ call to follow is a radical one, requiring our total commitment to him, some of the primary things he calls us to do are: to love our spouses and children, to care for the sick and the aging, and to honor God with our vocations. When these things are done selflessly, with deference to Jesus’ lordship over us, they are following Jesus. And yet, even with that in mind, we find it hard to answer Jesus’ call.

Because we are “but-heads.” Not b-u-t-t—that would be rude and ungentlemanly of me. No—I mean b-u-t but-heads. Like the eager beaver in the gospel, “I would have followed you wherever you went, but dude, you don’t even have a bus.” Or the first guy “I will follow, but first let me bury my father.” And the second guy, “I will follow you, Jesus, but let me first say buh-bye to everyone.” Even the Samaritan village, “We might’ve let you come here and preach, but you’re headed for Jerusalem, which is the high holy place for our rivals, the Judeans.”

They were but-heads and we are but-heads. Why? Because we use that word quite liberally as well. “I would have gone to church, but it was such a nice day I thought it would be better to get out and enjoy nature. I would increase my pledge but we have those payments on the boat. I would be a Sunday School teacher, but nobody asked me and I wouldn’t want to seem full of myself. I would join the youth group, but they do that highway pickup thing—I only want to do fun things.” And on and on and on—but, but, but, but.

And the really wild part of all this is, the buts, for the most part, are reasonable. At least that’s our perception of reality. But, like I said, Jesus doesn’t accept our perceptions. He transforms them. He wants to forge a new reality for us. Which he does at first by requiring such total commitment that it is impossible for anyone (anyone!) to decide to follow Jesus on their own accord. So instead of saying “I have decided to follow Jesus,” instead we say, “Lord Jesus, I can never follow you as I ought to, yet still make me a disciple!”

The short of it is this—you don’t vote for Jesus. Jesus isn’t running for anything—he’s the Lord of all! No, you don’t vote for Jesus, Jesus votes for you! And brothers and sisters if you thought Admiral Stockdale was a groaner of a candidate, you should look in the mirror. We are full of excuses, slow to respond, quick to complain, and we make lackluster campaigners at best. And yet Jesus chose us. He chose us to be made new. He chose us to be forgiven the past, so our eyes might always be on the future. He chose us to follow him. And he will equip us and guide us, if we keep out of his way. If we keep the buts out of our relationship with the master. If we let the world take care of the world, and just go and proclaim the kingdom of God. Because in the end, campaigning for Jesus will make the world a better place.

I have been chosen to follow Jesus, I have been chosen to follow Jesus,

I have been chosen to follow Jesus—no turning back, no turning back!

Sabbath Time

Remember the Sabbath, and keep it holy. (Third Commandment)

We are to fear and love God so that we don't despise God's Word or preaching, but instead keep that Word holy and gladly hear it and learn it (Luther's Explanation in his Small Catechism).

The word Sabbath means to "cease and desist" and we all know that it is to be a day of rest, in the pattern of God's resting on the seventh day of creation. But Luther focuses in more on what to do on that day, rather than what not to do. We are to keep the Sabbath by hearing the Word, learning about it, and listening to it proclaimed in "real time," for us today, in the sermon.

What if we miss a Sabbath--must we wait till the next Sunday to keep it? No! Sabbath time is non-linear--it occurs where God and the world intersect. Thus, Monday can be the Sabbath for you--or a walk in the countryside, or a crisis moment in your life. Any time we come before God is Sabbath--as long as we share it in community with others (because Sabbath isn't an individual kind of moment.)

That said---you should still make every effort to get to worship on Sunday. It is there where you can keep the Sabbath in the company, and with the support of, the faith community.
It is there you can hold up your beliefs to the mirror of scripture, tradition, and mutual conversation. A faith not tested like this is in danger of creating itself. It becomes John-ism, or Cindy-ism--whatever you believe is fine. (Thanks to Rev. Walter Bouman for that insight). In this way keeping the Sabbath is keeping the faith. And it is keeping it holy too--in that it is handled with reverence and honor and awe due it.

When do you experience Sabbath time? For me, this week, it came after a lovely day off, last night after dinner talking with Lisa about some of the plans I have for ministry at Messiah. The Word that came to me was from Sunday's reading - "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." To me that meant to plow ahead, and don't worry so much about what has passed--keep your eye on the prize, as St. Paul says!

Sunday's Sermon - Vote for Me and I'll Set You Free follows in the next post--for those whose Sabbath still needs keepin'.


Pastor Tom