Imagine over eight hundred people sitting at conference tables on the floor of an arena having a worship service. Not too inspiring is it? This was the setting for the Northeastern Synod Assembly. But somehow, this worship service was so inspiring I feel the need to write about it. Part of the inspiration could have been the surprise factor, the service was nothing like I expected, but whatever the case, it has moved me.
Picture a large platform in the center of a arena with a huge clear bowl of water setting on a table, surrounded by greens. A bowl so large a child could have fit into it! The room is dark and a spotlight is shining on this font (bowl). The band on the stage is playing some contemporary Christian music. Then you see many small lights, candles, coming toward the bowl. There is someone holding a cross, someone holding the Bible, and many holding candles. They are all making their way to the font. Some go onto the platform. Others stand around the platform. During the opening words, the large Christ Candle, that was carried in, is lit. Liturgy is spoken, hymns are sung and as the service continues, the people move from the font to the stage. They again are holding candles and as they move to the stage they walk around the room, symbolizing spreading the light of Christ to all people.
Then just as everyone gets settled up front and you think the service will be held from there, a spotlight shines on another platform on the floor. From there, a youth, standing on the platform, reads the first scripture reading. When he finishes, he pauses and gives a powerful reflection. He tells how devastated he was when he was not accepted into the college that he always planned to attend. He continues to explain how God gave him strength as he had to change his life dream. Then, everyone at the assembly was asked to discuss the question Where do you see God’s light today? The same format occurred with the second reading when discussed the question Where do you see God making things new? Yes, there was another platform on the floor for the second scripture reader.
What I have not mentioned is there were also two huge screens, where you could see everything happening in larger than life projections. When Bishop Zeiser gave his sermon, he paused and there was a video shown with someone giving a reflection. Then a light shone on a platform and another personal reflection was shared. He, then, continued with his sermon.
After the sermon and prayers, communion was shared and everyone received a glow stick. At the close of the service, the lights were dimmed and everyone sang This Little Light of Mine, while holding glow sticks high in the air.
To me, this service was powerful in more than one way. I was worshiping with many people and could feel the energy from them. I get this feeling, when I am preaching, and a large number of the congregation is engaged. Because the service started in the middle of the worship space and continued to include more people than just those standing up front, I felt that I was part of the service. It was also a powerful use of technology. This was not just, I have a screen and projector so I’ll use power point with my sermon. This format significantly enhanced the worship experience. I think that the movement and different voices helped open my mind to hear what the Spirit was saying. The reflections within the Bishop’s sermon complemented his thoughts, but also broadened the theme in a way one voice could not.
There could not have been a better opening to an assembly with the theme Always Being Made New, 25 Years Together in Christ. The service held fast to traditions, while using new technology. And yes, the rest of the Assembly was inspiring. God is working throughout the Synod and the world. We just need to open our minds and our eyes and look!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Easter Sermon 2013
The women in today’s text are going to the tomb to preform a death ritual. In the first century they have rituals just as we have rituals today. We attend funeral services, send cards, make memorial contributions. In the first century women would anoint the body with spices. As the women approach the tomb they expect the body to be there. Dead people remain dead they do not move about. Finding an empty tomb is confusing, upsetting. If you think about it - it is down right unnerving.
But that is not the story - That is not God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb.
It might have be easier if Jesus was in the tomb. We could pay our proper respects to him. The tomb could become a shrine and we could go there when we want to honor him. Jesus was a great teacher, healer, prophet. We will always remember him. We celebrate the day of his birth and the day of his death. It would be easier if Jesus would be in the tomb
But that is not the story - That is not God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb.
When the women get to the tomb two men in dazzling clothes as them - why are you looking for the living among the dead?? He has risen.
In today’s text from Luke the women are TOLD. All they have is the word. It is not Jesus in the dazzling clothes. It is a message, a reminder of what Jesus told them before he died.
We are in the same situation as the women at the tomb. We are given a message. A message that is confusing. Face it - The message of resurrection flies in the face of what we know to be true in the world around us. We don’t see the dead getting up and sneaking out of the funeral home. It doesn’t happen! It defies Logic!
But that is not the story - That is not God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
The women are confused. They run to the disciples to tell them the news. And what do the disciples say - it’s an idle tale. But it is what you would expect them (or us) to think. We know the dead do not get up and walk away.
The disciples do not believe! They are trusting what they have experienced and seen all their lives. They know that even the strongest die. They know that death is certain and everyone eventually dies. They believe what they know is true. They know Jesus is dead and he was placed in the tomb.
But that is not the story - That is not God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
Even though the disciples push off the women’s story as an idle tale. To Peter the tale of an empty tomb is worth a look. It is one of those stories that are so outrageous you ask Can it be??? Could it possibly be true!! Peter needs to see for himself.
When it comes down to it isn’t that why we are here today. We are just like Peter running to see for ourselves. Saying This story is so amazing can it possibly be true?? Could it be the tomb is empty?? Could it be that Jesus has risen?? Could it be death does not have the final say??
That IS the story - That IS God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
The message today is Maybe the women are speaking the truth; Maybe we can believe the word. Maybe we will stand in amazement with the women and Peter.
The message today is How can you be so sure about the Jesus death? Faith is believing that although Death is certain it is not final. Jesus has risen and the only way to explain it is by the mystery and amazement of our faith.
That is the story - that is God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
So where is Jesus? - right here with us - with the church down the street - with the church on the other side of the world - with the starving children in Haiti - with the refuge woman in Darfar - with the man dying in the hospital and with the new baby being born
Jesus is everywhere.
That is the story - that is God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
So what do we believe??? We can say Jesus is dead and we are here in his memory. Which pretty much makes it the end of the story. Nothing more to do but send flowers to the tomb once in while and remember him on the anniversary of his birth and death
But if we believe the women, the word, we know Jesus has broken out of the tomb and into the world. The tomb is not a memorial - Jesus does not want us to bring spices to anoint his body and leave him for dead. Jesus does not want us to remember him twice a year with flowers and then forget. Jesus is with us right now, everyday and calls us to continue his work. Jesus has risen so all can live.
That is the story - that is God’s plan. Jesus is not in the tomb Jesus is here today and everyday!!
(The italic parts were read by my husband from the balcony)
But that is not the story - That is not God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb.
It might have be easier if Jesus was in the tomb. We could pay our proper respects to him. The tomb could become a shrine and we could go there when we want to honor him. Jesus was a great teacher, healer, prophet. We will always remember him. We celebrate the day of his birth and the day of his death. It would be easier if Jesus would be in the tomb
But that is not the story - That is not God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb.
When the women get to the tomb two men in dazzling clothes as them - why are you looking for the living among the dead?? He has risen.
In today’s text from Luke the women are TOLD. All they have is the word. It is not Jesus in the dazzling clothes. It is a message, a reminder of what Jesus told them before he died.
We are in the same situation as the women at the tomb. We are given a message. A message that is confusing. Face it - The message of resurrection flies in the face of what we know to be true in the world around us. We don’t see the dead getting up and sneaking out of the funeral home. It doesn’t happen! It defies Logic!
But that is not the story - That is not God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
The women are confused. They run to the disciples to tell them the news. And what do the disciples say - it’s an idle tale. But it is what you would expect them (or us) to think. We know the dead do not get up and walk away.
The disciples do not believe! They are trusting what they have experienced and seen all their lives. They know that even the strongest die. They know that death is certain and everyone eventually dies. They believe what they know is true. They know Jesus is dead and he was placed in the tomb.
But that is not the story - That is not God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
Even though the disciples push off the women’s story as an idle tale. To Peter the tale of an empty tomb is worth a look. It is one of those stories that are so outrageous you ask Can it be??? Could it possibly be true!! Peter needs to see for himself.
When it comes down to it isn’t that why we are here today. We are just like Peter running to see for ourselves. Saying This story is so amazing can it possibly be true?? Could it be the tomb is empty?? Could it be that Jesus has risen?? Could it be death does not have the final say??
That IS the story - That IS God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
The message today is Maybe the women are speaking the truth; Maybe we can believe the word. Maybe we will stand in amazement with the women and Peter.
The message today is How can you be so sure about the Jesus death? Faith is believing that although Death is certain it is not final. Jesus has risen and the only way to explain it is by the mystery and amazement of our faith.
That is the story - that is God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
So where is Jesus? - right here with us - with the church down the street - with the church on the other side of the world - with the starving children in Haiti - with the refuge woman in Darfar - with the man dying in the hospital and with the new baby being born
Jesus is everywhere.
That is the story - that is God’s plan - Jesus is not in the tomb
So what do we believe??? We can say Jesus is dead and we are here in his memory. Which pretty much makes it the end of the story. Nothing more to do but send flowers to the tomb once in while and remember him on the anniversary of his birth and death
But if we believe the women, the word, we know Jesus has broken out of the tomb and into the world. The tomb is not a memorial - Jesus does not want us to bring spices to anoint his body and leave him for dead. Jesus does not want us to remember him twice a year with flowers and then forget. Jesus is with us right now, everyday and calls us to continue his work. Jesus has risen so all can live.
That is the story - that is God’s plan. Jesus is not in the tomb Jesus is here today and everyday!!
(The italic parts were read by my husband from the balcony)
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Is God in our schools? Feb Newsletter
We should put God back in school. These are the words, we hear every time, there is news about violence in a school. Which, by the way, is much too often. Personally, I don’t believe God has left our schools. We no longer read the Bible or say the Lord’s Prayer, but that doesn’t mean God has left the building.
We live in a diverse society. The children, in our schools, are from many different religions. A parent, who is a practicing Jew or Muslim, may not want their child listening to the New Testament. Just as a parent, who is a practicing Christian, may not want their child listening to readings from the Torah or Koran. But, that doesn’t mean that what they learn about God at home, church school and in worship services doesn’t stay with them.
I think it is more about values. Yes, I believe in the Christian values of loving your neighbor as yourself; caring for those who need help; standing up for those who are put down. (Which, by the way, are the values of most religions.) But, I also do not believe those values can be taught by saying a prayer or reading a verse from the Bible in the morning. These are values that are taught by living them. Children learn these values by watching others, including teachers, live them.
We all know that, if, we tell a child something and do something else, we might as well not bother to say anything at all. It is the same with our children in school and church for that matter. You can bring your child to church and Sunday school every week, but if you are not living out what they are learning, it is all for naught.
A few weeks ago, there was a stabbing at Wilson Southern Jr High and the classes were put on lock down. During that time, there were students who sat and prayed. Some students held hands and prayed. This is a behavior that is learned and lived. These children felt comfortable and comforted by praying. God was there in the school with them.
So I ask you, are you living your faith in a way that your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends recognize? Do you practice prayer in your home? Are you and your children comfortable praying? Have they learned to be comforted by prayer?
Children learn by doing. It is not up to the schools to teach religion. That is up to us as parents, grandparents, and members of the faith community. God is in the schools and, if, we are doing our job, God will remain there.
We live in a diverse society. The children, in our schools, are from many different religions. A parent, who is a practicing Jew or Muslim, may not want their child listening to the New Testament. Just as a parent, who is a practicing Christian, may not want their child listening to readings from the Torah or Koran. But, that doesn’t mean that what they learn about God at home, church school and in worship services doesn’t stay with them.
I think it is more about values. Yes, I believe in the Christian values of loving your neighbor as yourself; caring for those who need help; standing up for those who are put down. (Which, by the way, are the values of most religions.) But, I also do not believe those values can be taught by saying a prayer or reading a verse from the Bible in the morning. These are values that are taught by living them. Children learn these values by watching others, including teachers, live them.
We all know that, if, we tell a child something and do something else, we might as well not bother to say anything at all. It is the same with our children in school and church for that matter. You can bring your child to church and Sunday school every week, but if you are not living out what they are learning, it is all for naught.
A few weeks ago, there was a stabbing at Wilson Southern Jr High and the classes were put on lock down. During that time, there were students who sat and prayed. Some students held hands and prayed. This is a behavior that is learned and lived. These children felt comfortable and comforted by praying. God was there in the school with them.
So I ask you, are you living your faith in a way that your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends recognize? Do you practice prayer in your home? Are you and your children comfortable praying? Have they learned to be comforted by prayer?
Children learn by doing. It is not up to the schools to teach religion. That is up to us as parents, grandparents, and members of the faith community. God is in the schools and, if, we are doing our job, God will remain there.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Christmas Eve Sermon
This year Christmas seems different. During this season of joy, we were confronted with incredible violence. And as if a few days of being inundated with the horror stories is not enough, the killing of innocents is a story that the news media continues to keep in front of us. They seem to be determined to find all the peripheral stories. One of which is how can anyone believe in God after this event? It is beyond reason. Of course this fits right in with the usual Christmas articles, asking is there any truth to the Jesus story? It makes no sense.
Yet here we are on Christmas Eve celebrating the birth of Jesus. The one who was and is and is to come. But when you think about that statement who was, is and is to come, past, present and future at the same time, it really makes no sense at all.
In fact if you look at the entire story about a young teenage girl who becomes pregnant and then convinces her fiance that an angle came and told her she was having the child of God, it makes no sense at all. And to top it off the Gospel stories don’t even back each other up. Luke has the angel coming to Mary, but Matthew has an angle coming to Joseph in a dream. Luke has shepherds, but Matthew has wise men.
Heck, we don’t even know when this birth really happened. The date we celebrate Jesus’ birth was decided by a Roman Emperor to coincide with a pagan festival. It’s were we get the colors red and green.
So why are we here this evening? I think it’s because it doesn’t come down to facts. This wonderful birth whenever and however it occurred is too big to be explained in mere words. The gospels were written 2000 years ago. They were not written as newspaper reports or historical documents. They were written as a statement of how God enters into our lives. They never were to be a textbook of facts. They are a confession of faith shown in stories of God’s love. They are stories of how God’s love touches everyday people. And how God came to us and knows our fears, our joys, our sorrows, and our hopes.
There is the story of Rachel who weeps inconsolably for her lost children. We understand that weeping, these past weeks we too have wept. Just as us, Rachel was comforted by God through her weeping. So even if this story is not factual, we know there is a truth in the story of Rachel, because we too have wept and been comforted.
The story about a baby born to a scared unwed teenager is full of truths even if they are not all facts. It is a story about God’s love. It is story of how God comes to each of us in our fears. It is a story of Jesus born not in a palace but in lowly manger. It’s a story where the first to understand God’s presence in the world are the lowly shepherds. Those who have nothing but, their trust in a baby to change the world. And it’s at story about how those who have power and wealth try to keep that change from happening. We know the truth in that story in today’s world.
It is a story of God’s love and comfort. A feeling I know many of you have experienced. A feeling we know is true. But, as much as we try, it is a feeling that we cannot put into words. The feeling of God’s love and comfort is beyond human words. So tonight as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child - we are celebrating the truth of God’s love for us.
Is this reasonable? Absolutely not! But that is the point. Our faith is at the edge of reason, the place where the mystery of God enters. The place where we don’t have words to explain.
The place that is beyond reality where our lives are drawn into the stories of thousands of years ago because they hold the same truths about how we are touched by God.
Is tonight the exact same date that Jesus was born, was Mary a virgin, was the baby born in a barn or in a house? Does it really matter? Whether all the facts are correct or not, the truth of the story stands. Emmanuel, God with us, draws us into a reality that stretches us beyond
our reality and into a story that is too big for words. A story that we know fills our lives, touches our hearts and brings us here tonight. The story of God’s love for us and for the world. The story of the one who was, who is and who is to come. The Christ Child coming into the world for us. Thanks be to God for the story!
Yet here we are on Christmas Eve celebrating the birth of Jesus. The one who was and is and is to come. But when you think about that statement who was, is and is to come, past, present and future at the same time, it really makes no sense at all.
In fact if you look at the entire story about a young teenage girl who becomes pregnant and then convinces her fiance that an angle came and told her she was having the child of God, it makes no sense at all. And to top it off the Gospel stories don’t even back each other up. Luke has the angel coming to Mary, but Matthew has an angle coming to Joseph in a dream. Luke has shepherds, but Matthew has wise men.
Heck, we don’t even know when this birth really happened. The date we celebrate Jesus’ birth was decided by a Roman Emperor to coincide with a pagan festival. It’s were we get the colors red and green.
So why are we here this evening? I think it’s because it doesn’t come down to facts. This wonderful birth whenever and however it occurred is too big to be explained in mere words. The gospels were written 2000 years ago. They were not written as newspaper reports or historical documents. They were written as a statement of how God enters into our lives. They never were to be a textbook of facts. They are a confession of faith shown in stories of God’s love. They are stories of how God’s love touches everyday people. And how God came to us and knows our fears, our joys, our sorrows, and our hopes.
There is the story of Rachel who weeps inconsolably for her lost children. We understand that weeping, these past weeks we too have wept. Just as us, Rachel was comforted by God through her weeping. So even if this story is not factual, we know there is a truth in the story of Rachel, because we too have wept and been comforted.
The story about a baby born to a scared unwed teenager is full of truths even if they are not all facts. It is a story about God’s love. It is story of how God comes to each of us in our fears. It is a story of Jesus born not in a palace but in lowly manger. It’s a story where the first to understand God’s presence in the world are the lowly shepherds. Those who have nothing but, their trust in a baby to change the world. And it’s at story about how those who have power and wealth try to keep that change from happening. We know the truth in that story in today’s world.
It is a story of God’s love and comfort. A feeling I know many of you have experienced. A feeling we know is true. But, as much as we try, it is a feeling that we cannot put into words. The feeling of God’s love and comfort is beyond human words. So tonight as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child - we are celebrating the truth of God’s love for us.
Is this reasonable? Absolutely not! But that is the point. Our faith is at the edge of reason, the place where the mystery of God enters. The place where we don’t have words to explain.
The place that is beyond reality where our lives are drawn into the stories of thousands of years ago because they hold the same truths about how we are touched by God.
Is tonight the exact same date that Jesus was born, was Mary a virgin, was the baby born in a barn or in a house? Does it really matter? Whether all the facts are correct or not, the truth of the story stands. Emmanuel, God with us, draws us into a reality that stretches us beyond
our reality and into a story that is too big for words. A story that we know fills our lives, touches our hearts and brings us here tonight. The story of God’s love for us and for the world. The story of the one who was, who is and who is to come. The Christ Child coming into the world for us. Thanks be to God for the story!
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