Jesus Dwells with You!

At a meeting that I was in this past week I was told of an intern’s 'mess up' with some Spanish words in a worship service. It was at the beginning of the service in the Confession and Absolution. Instead of saying 'Jesus died for our sins' the intern mixed up a word. 'Morir' in Spanish means 'to die'. The soon to be pastor, instead of saying "morir" said "morar". Now, this may not seem to be a big change, but 'morar' means 'to dwell with'.

I spoke with a few of our food pantry guests about the two words. They seemed to think that it was just fine to say, "Jesus dwells with you in your sin". Even in our sin, we can find Jesus. He is just waiting around to help us, understanding our sorrow and our failures. The nuances of the slip up can remind us that we are both, Saint and Sinner, and that through it all, Jesus is with us. This All Saints Day may you remember that Jesus dwells with you in all circumstances.

Encouragement

“Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for-ever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

The letter to the Ephesians was written at a time when the church needed encouragement! They were discouraged by politics, taxes, and the challenges of a struggling young church. The author, whom most scholars now believe was a disciple of Paul, wrote mostly to Gentiles offering them hope for a certain future! The author wants them to know that the church is fulfilling a purpose that Christ began! That purpose is greater than we can imagine or even ask for! The purpose is that Christ would dwell in your hearts through faith and that you would be rooted in love. What greater purpose could Abiding Love have?

As we begin this rally call to ‘Imagine Ministry Beyond Belief’, may you know of the purpose of Christ.

Passing the Plate

It seems that, what with all the new and improved ways of ‘giving’ we may not need to pass the plate anymore. In this age of modern technology, giving has come to new and easier methods. A person can set up auto pay through the Thrivent “Simply Giving” program, can create an online payment through their online banking, or a person can even use the old snail mail process of sending their offering to the church, so why not eliminate the offering? After all, it would take out about seven minutes of our service and that would leave more time for other important aspects of the worship time.

NEVER. The time of offering in the worship service is about much more than merely collecting money. The offering is one of the oldest of patterns of worship practiced by the ancients, including Abraham, David, and Paul. It is about the giving of ourselves, and of our need to pause, contemplate, and be a part of an offering to God. While it may seem that the plate passes to collect envelopes for the church, it actually is a time when each of us - as God’s creation - get to participate in the rite of giving in worship. To grab on to that plate and pray that God find our gifts acceptable will never be taken out of the service.

This next Sunday as the plate passes in your row, grab on to that shiny brass receptacle, pause and pray that God would accept your gifts as an honest expression of love and sacrifice. It’s offering time!

See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae

Imagine!

“Imagine” Generosity Beyond Belief! As 87 families were served at our Food Pantry this Monday, it was easy to “imagine”. This was our largest client family day ever, or at least that is what Hazeldean Dumler said. And she would know— she has been serving at the Food Pantry since the beginning! Abiding Love Lutheran Food Pantry is a true gift for all those involved. Today, we touched over 300 hungry souls. I saw our members helping carry loads of groceries. I saw our members chatting with women over cabbage recipes. I saw our members bent in prayer with the homeless and hurting. I imagine the clients feel like they received ‘generosity beyond belief’, but I believe that our members at Abiding Love got much more than they gave.

We receive God’s generosity, so we give generously. It is that simple. May you recognize the ways that God has given to you so that you may live a life of generosity beyond belief.

Praying for rain!

The other day a member said to me, “Don’t worry, Pastor, God will send the rains”. Funny, I pray for rain all the time, but you don’t see me carrying around an umbrella. I guess I believe that God is going to work on ‘weather channel’ timing. You know, God is going to stir up the clouds and make them move in, in a circular motion from the coast just so we can all watch them on the radar screen. I think it is easier to blame God for the drought than it is to believe that God is really taking care of us. I’m not sure why the cycle of seasons that God created is dried up right now, but I am sure that God is in charge. If I believe in God and God’s mercy, then I don’t need to worry about the weather. Instead, I celebrate God’s presence. I am thankful for the beauty of the seasons. I will keep praying, because I know that God hears my prayers. Maybe I should start carrying an umbrella.

** Please remember that we never, no matter what our age or status, stop learning about God. Join a Sunday School class, a Bible study, or a small group with inspirational devotions. Make the NEW season one that includes ‘study’.

JOY

“Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.” Psalm 111

Can you imagine worshipping with 36,999 screaming, dancing, smiling youth and young adult sponsors? Can you imagine ten jumbo screens – a huge band under the leadership of Peter Mayer, lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffet – dancers – rappers – jugglers – explosions of color – fireworks and a Bishop in a bathtub?

You might think that it is awe inspiring, jaw dropping and loads of fun, and you’d be right. But, it is also very emotional – tearful even. To see so many of God’s youth filled with the joy of believing can really make me cry. I cannot tell you how much I love the 16 youth from Abiding Love that attended the National Youth Gathering. They were a powerful example of what we really are – a people alive with the spirit of Jesus, justice, and jazz! I thank them for the honor of worshipping God with them.

♥ ♥ ♥

Talk Out Loud About Faith

When I was in Ethiopia last summer, I saw a very old stone table that was once used for religious sacrifice. The picture that I took was not very dramatic. It just looks like a big block of rock. There are some designs etched into it – but none that I recognized as particularly Christian or Jewish. In my imagination it was an altar used for human sacrifice! (I sometimes have an over active imagination.) Actually, the rock was on an island that housed a monastery and it was a very old Christian stronghold.

Giving back to God never required human sacrifice. Yet, we like to use the ‘sacrificial’ language when we talk of stewardship. The mere word ‘sacrifice’ makes a person think of pain and when connecting it to stewardship smacks of the ‘give till it hurts’ mantra. God gives to us freely and joyfully. Why would God want us to hurt in giving back? Instead, I believe that God wants us to exercise our stewardship in order to grow closer and closer in our spiritual relationships. Giving is joyful. Stewardship is not only about money. It is about giving of our time, our specialties, and our love.

One of the clearest examples of this is with our Food Pantry volunteers. I have seen people blossom as they begin working at the Food Pantry. They actually talk out loud about faith and why they are helping people. That is the kind of stewardship that God requires of us – giving because we just can’t help it! It feels so good. This is about developing your relationship with God. Pray each day. Read your bible every day. Worship and give thanks at the stop light, in the line at the grocery store, when you drive by a bank – just about any time. Help others, and tell others about how much you love the Lord. Pray to come to know Jesus better and better, every day.