Fun Things About Pastor Fetter...

It has now been a little over three years that I have been at Abiding Love and as we are anticipating the retirement of Pastor David Fetter, I have been thinking on the fun things about him!

1. He loves little hand written notes. On my desk, in my mailbox, in the Sacristy, you can find little notes from Pastor Fetter, “Ask Lynnae…”! On those notes, David always has a little, quickly drawn “†”. Even in his scribbles and little notes he has a cross.

2. Pastor Fetter loves the Armoire! He checks it constantly and then reminds people if they have little gifts or packages to pick up! David loves being in on the surprise!

And 3. Pastor Fetter has no use for the electric pencil sharpener! In fact, Cindy gave him an old fashioned sharpener that sits in our workroom right now!

Such are some of the fun things about Pastor Fetter that I will always remember! As this month goes by, let us be all about expressing our love and friendship to David and Mary as they celebrate their 30 years with Abiding Love. Let us lift up the many things about his ministry that have made him special and unforgettable! Let us give thanks to God!

The Mystery of the Faith

The Mystery of the Faith.

Maybe we have lost the art of mystery. Maybe, we as Christians have become way too “easy button” – “right click” – “instant access” believers. It’s not that we are conspiracy theorists nor Sally Suspects, but maybe we are too concrete, too linear, too ‘just the facts please’.

Truthfully, maybe we need a little mystery and a little mysticism in our day to day believing. It is a part of our faith. Mystery and mysticism is part of the resurrection story, the Holy Communion ritual and the eschatological (heaven stuff) future.

I don’t like to explain everything. I think you should have to work at it in order to really get it. I think Jesus, too, likes to make you think! To be Christian you have to think! You can’t just sit around and wait for someone to tell you what to believe and how to do it. You are to take responsibility for your own faith journey. It all begins with trust. Trust that you won’t know all the answers. Trust that a little mysticism will complete your belief. Trust that there is a little mystery in everything Godly.

Come.

Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

Our Lukan gospel has the two men in dazzling white ask the women this question. I believe we often try to hide among a great deal of dead stuff! When we need help, we turn to things instead of people. We probably do that out of fear of judgment or callousness. It’s just easier to avoid groups and stay home.

Jesus’ promise is that with him we are to be about the living. The ‘living’ are going through all sorts of pain, suffering and troubles. People are sick, families are splitting up and paychecks are short.

When troubles come, church is the place to be.

None of us are perfect. Instead, all of us are sinful and in need. This is where Jesus calls us to come and be strengthened. We don’t come to the altar with no need for forgiveness. We come – each of us – with a desperate need to know of the unconditional love and presence of Jesus. The worshipping community comes together, remembering that in Christ we are one.

When one suffers, we all suffer.

When one hurts, we all hurt.

We are the living body of Christ’s church. No matter what you are going through, you are invited and the mercy of Jesus comes to you through the membership of this community.

Don’t look for the living among the dead.

Abiding Love is alive and well.

Come.

Know the living Jesus Christ.

Some Good Old Movies

I love catching old movies and I especially love it at this time. This is when we have ‘Ben Hur’, ‘The Robe’ and even ‘The Ten Commandments’. There is one movie that I have only seen once and am on the lookout for. It is called ‘Barabbas’. Much of what we read in the gospels is related to the culture of the Roman Empire. Actually, these old movies give us a good insight into that time period. All the pomp and circumstance! The great and triumphant entries after battle! The power and control that the Romans had over their occupied territories!

When you try to understand the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, what we call Palm Sunday, in the light of the Roman Empire – it offers a very different attitude. We want to remember the event as something very holy and as a time when – maybe – the people actually recognized Jesus for what he was, but maybe not. The events unfold as a charade on the Romans. They often rode into a town with great parades and the Jews were forced to participate. The Romans rode in on great steeds, while Jesus chose a donkey.

I see this scene as a direct ‘in your face’ confrontation to the Romans! And so another nail goes in the cross. The Romans killed Jesus and the Temple scribes and priests co-opted their authorities to stay in their good graces.

I hope you will be able to watch some good old movies in the next few weeks. And, if anyone sees ‘Barabbas’ on the schedule – call me! Oh, my new Austin cell number is: 740-6480.

See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae

Who killed Jesus? And, Why did he have to die?

We are getting ready to remember the passion of our Lord and I cannot help but ask the question, “Who killed Jesus?” and “Why did he have to die?”. Factually; it was a judicial sentence, so the Romans killed Jesus. Theologically; Jesus died to take away our sin. Historically, the gospel writers led us to an understanding of the cross as transformative. The theologian Anselm taught of Jesus’ death as a sacrifice of atonement, that meant ‘payment’ for sin, or making restitution for sin. I’m sure you’ve heard his words such as “Christ suffered as a substitute for all humanity”. I’ve always struggled with that, as it is hard for me to relate to a God that needs to be ‘paid off’. There is a sacrifice and it does become substitutionary, but it is not easily worked nor accepted. It seems that our modern understanding of sacrifice can lead us away from Jesus and the cross and into our own sort of self pity and wallowing. “Oh, it’s my fault Jesus had to die. I am guilty. If I just weren’t so sinful.” This ends up being a theology of glory, not a theology of the cross: It’s all about me – not Jesus.

Jesus followed the natural course of a rebel. He died at the hands of the Roman Empire and the Temple authorities who wanted to thwart his movement. He died on the cross as thousands of others did when they challenged the rulers. The difference is found in the resurrection.

I believe that Jesus died to end suffering. He died to show us that such injustice was against God. In this way I accept Jesus’ ‘atonement’ of our sin because for me it is a symbol of Redemptive Justice. We are redeemed by the symbol of the cross as a statement that such suffering and judicial acts are wrong and go against the loving God that sent us Jesus to show us a different way. As a follower of the cross, I work to end suffering and to bring about compassionate justice. So who killed Jesus? We all did. Why did he have to die? To show us how utterly wrong it is. To rise in order to change the way of the world.

As the Christian world sits in Lent, the Jewish world sits in fear. Fear because for centuries the death of Jesus has been thrown up in their faces as the ultimate act of evil. This year, let us set the record straight. The Jews did not kill Jesus. The Romans killed Jesus and the crowds were manipulated by the Temple authorities to support their rejection of his mission.

Theologically, we all killed Jesus because we accept violence and injustice. No one is left free of sin. So who killed Jesus? We all did. Why did he have to die? To show us how utterly wrong it is and to rise in order to change the way of the world.

This year, let us remember our role in the Divine Drama. Not so we will wallow in self pity or guilt, but clearly so that we can remove blame; and instead focus on Jesus the Christ who took the shame of the cross and used it for redemptive justice and transformation. For this, Jesus bought us eternal life.

In the Mountains

I remember the first time that I went to camp in the mountains. It wasn’t really the 35 pound backpack that affected me. It wasn’t that I was carrying my own sleeping bag and tent that impressed me. It wasn’t the dry food packs or the iodine tablets that I had to put in the water that overwhelmed me. No, it wasn’t the ‘digger’, the bear bag or the ‘no impact camping’ that I really remember even yet today. No, while all of these things were a part of the trip, what really changed my life was meeting God in the beauty of God’s creation. Somehow, I felt smaller and yet more important as I tread the mountain paths with the guides from the camp. Praying in the wild flower fields and singing from the top of the crag was some of the most powerful communication with God that I have ever known.

This summer seven of our youth and three of their sponsors will be going to Sky Ranch Lutheran Summer Camp in the mountains of Colorado. I am so excited for all of the Godly encounters that I know they will have. Please join me in prayer for them and if you would like to give a scholarship for any of them, let me know!

See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae

LENT

Lent is about to be upon us. The time of Lent in our church calendar is a time to focus on the teachings of the church and on the life and death of Jesus. It is a time to stand at the cross and remember. It is not about ‘giving things up’ or ‘making resolutions’. It is about deepening your relationship with your Lord. It is not about sentimentalizing or romanticizing. It is about getting to know the one who gave up everything for you and for the whole world. Let this Lent be a time where you connect with those who tell the story of Jesus and with those who knew him. It is all about – relationship. Get to know the Lord.

See you in church,
Pastor Lynnae