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April 6 Worship

3/30/2014

With this Sunday I now come to the conclusion of my Lenten series of "Renewing Your Baptism." The theme for this Sunday is "Strive for Justice and Peace in All the Earth." Our baptism propels us to the place where we are to work for justice and peace not only locally, but worldwide. Can you imagine the responsibility that we have? Yes, I realize some of this work we can't do alone and perhaps must do it collectively as the church.

Do you see people being treated unfairly? Do you see folks who are oppressed? Do you see people who are being left our from our economic system? What can you do?

You could help by getting actively engaged with members of your community. You could help also be praying for justice to prevail in certain situations or intervening to be a peacemaker where there is conflict.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to God's people who had been taken captive and were in exile in Babylon. Jeremiah wrote: "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7 The Hebrew word for 'welfare' is shalom, which we usually think of in terms of peace. We would see that the word 'peace' has a broader meaning than not being in a state of war; it encompasses all that is necessary for people to have security, long-life, and prosperity.

We must remember Jesus' concern for justice and peace. As Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth, he read from the prophet Isaiah, which had the words: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19 Jesus came to bring good news to people and to set them free.

How might you be the hands and feet of Jesus around you? May you meditate on these words of Scripture and may your worship on this Sunday be a blessing to you!

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

How might you be an agent of Jesus for justice and peace in your local setting?

How might you seek to work for justice and peace worldwide?

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March 30 Worship

3/24/2014

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The fourth emphasis for baptismal renewal centers around following the example of Jesus and serving others. It is something that is to be in our DNA as disciples of Jesus. We are to have a concern for helping others.

Jesus not only talked about serving, but also lived it out in his life. In fact, he demonstrated service in a dramatic way when at the Passover meal, he took a towel and began to wash the feet of his disciples. Where they might have been obligated to wash his feet (according to hospitality in that day), he probably shocked them when he started doing this to them.

Jesus said to them, "If I then, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you." John 13:15

How do you think about serving others in your own life? I believe it's easy to make excuses about not having the time or the know-how. We might believe that we really cannot make much of a difference.

Our serving that flows from Jesus' example is to help bring the kingdom of God to others. We do not stand above them. We submit ourselves to them in order that they might experience God's love through what we do.

In preparation for Sunday's worship, you might want to think about Jesus' experience at that Passover meal. You might want to pray that God would show you how you could serve others.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

Can you recall how you might have served others in the past?

What might God be calling you to do today with the people around you?

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March 23 Worship

3/16/2014

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My focus this Sunday will be on "Proclaim the Good News in Word and Deed." We do have the responsibility from our baptism to bring God's saving news to others in our world. If indeed this news is good, then we ought to be eager to share it!

I would like to think of the good news not so much as declaring facts such as "You can be saved" or "You can go to heaven" or "Jesus saves," but rather as telling a story. God's revelation to us comes in the form of a story.

The Gospel reading for this Sunday I felt might help us to begin to talk about our faith. It's Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. As he approaches her, he starts the conversation with something ordinary. The text reads: "Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' (his disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?'" Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." (John 4:10)

You notice how Jesus starts out with the ordinary and moves to a higher (spiritual) level. He takes the initiative, but only after starting the conversation on a common level.

Our actions also speak greatly in terms of what we believe and profess. Sometimes, it is true, they might speak louder than our words. When people see that we went out of our way or sacrificed our time to help - in the name of Christ - we are helping to bring God's kingdom to them.

May God's blessing be upon your preparation for this Sunday's worship.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

What common things in our everyday living might we use to bring someone to matters pertaining to Christ, salvation, and eternity?

How might your faith get proclaimed through your deeds?

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March 16 Worship

3/9/2014

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I continue in my series on "Renewing Your Baptism" and this Sunday my focus is on "Hear the Word of God and Share in the Lord's Supper." By our baptism we commit ourselves to be involved with God's word and also with the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

First of all, we do need to continually hear this word. If we had perfect memories, there might not be the need to do so. Realizing that we do have lapses in memory, it is necessary for us to be continual students of God's word. This word is not just to inform us, but is meant to shape us in our living.

Here is the power of this word as found in the book of Hebrews: "Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

This word from God is to get deep inside us. As it does so, it will convict us; it will transform us. In fact, several persons (Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and John in Revelation) in the Bible "ate" the scroll. God's word is to get digested into our very being.

Then, too, we are to partake of Holy Communion on a regular basis. We continually need this food for our souls. We get connected to Jesus and are assured of the forgiveness of our sins. What a blessing we have from this sacrament of the church!

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

Do you study the word of God on a regular basis? If so, how might it be different from reading a novel? How might one prepare for reading the Bible?

What do you see as the many benefits coming from receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion? What is your takeaway as you leave church?

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March 9 Worship

3/2/2014

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For this First Sunday in Lent, I begin my sermon series on "Renewal of Your Baptism." I will be discussing the five components as mentioned in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship under the Affirmation of Baptism. They are:

1. Live among God's Faithful People
2. Hear the Word of God and Share in the Lord's Supper
3. Proclaim the Good News of God in Christ through Word and Deed
4. Serve All People Following the Example of Jesus
5. Strive for Justice and Peace in All the Earth

As Lent historically was a time of preparing people for baptism, it is my hope that we can see areas where renewal can develop for us, based on being baptized into Jesus Christ. My message this Sunday will focus on "Living among God's Faithful People." Christian community comes to us as a legacy that Jesus left. My message will be based on several biblical texts.

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship...they spent much time together in the temple" Acts 2:42

"Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete." 2 John 12

"Truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19

Community becomes important for us in order to encourage one another and to bear one another's burdens. It's all part of living in Christ. We all need each other and we all have something to contribute. It is not an option; rather it is part and parcel of having been brought to faith in Christ.

I would invite you to reflect on these passages of Scripture and their implications for Christian community. May God's blessing be upon your preparation for Sunday and for your experience in worship.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

How much does being part of a community of Christians mean to you?

What can you do to strengthen the life of the Christian community to which you belong?

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April 6 Worship

March 30 Worship

March 23 Worship

March 16 Worship

March 9 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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