Wednesday, February 29, 2012

What do Lutherans believe about abundant life coming through the cross? Come to church this Sunday (March 4) to find out!

White Crucifixion
White Crucifixion, Marc Chagall, 1938 CGFA


Lent 2
Only God Saves

How do we understand the saving work of Jesus Christ? How did a terrible form or torture and death become a religious symbol for life?

The apostle Paul wrote heart-stirring words about the cross: “We proclaim Christ crucified…Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

How does the story of Jesus’ life and death both “cut us down to size” as human beings, in relation to all that we can do and achieve, and at the same time build us up?

Come to church this Sunday, where we will try to ask and answer these fundamental questions together.


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Why Come to Church Tonight (Ash Wednesday) and this Sunday, February 26

Meditation Text: “Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God… [Mark 1:14)”
Happy Ash Wednesday.

Biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann believes that even though the majority of people in the United States say they are Christian, many are implicit atheists. He reflects that the “prevalant American predilection for an “irrelevant transcendence” and “cozy immanence” are “pet gods of our culture,” which circumscribe God. God cannot be contained in human thought.

Yet, God is close to us and all creation, even living within our deepest selves! That’s the good news of God, which Jesus preached.
Traditionally Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting from meat; with a simpler diet during the day, we are reminded of those who have little and suffer from poverty. It is they who need our help. It is they of which we want to be mindful enough to actually help during Lent. Tonight, our service at Ascension is at 7:00 p.m, with sermon, Holy Communion, and imposition of ashes.

I hope that you are able to take today to reflect on the meaning of Lent, your own life’s pilgrimage to more deeply knowing and loving God and God’s good news of healing, justice, and eternal love.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Why Come to Church this Sunday? February 12, 2012 To learn how to come alive to our truest power!

Christ Healing a Leper   REMBRANDT 1957-60
Why Come to Church this Sunday? February 12, 2012

Meditation text: “Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand…” (Mark 1:41)

"It is at that knife-edge of uncertainty where we come alive to our truest power."  -- Joanna Macy

The Bible shows Jesus as a loving change agent; he wants to right wrongs and heal people.

But change is difficult for humans, and we don’t like living on the “knife-edge of uncertainty.”

Sunday’s scripture text (2 Kings 5:1-14) includes the delicious story of a role reversal by a man of power (Syrian general) who is healed of leprosy through a change in attitude toward humility; he is helped by “little people,” especially a captive slave girl.

But Western culture encourages us to be self-reliant, and to see individual pursuit of happiness as our greatest goal. Are those goals truly pointing to abundant life?

Come to church this Sunday to see if this question about abundant life leads to possible answers about what brings deep happiness and meaning. Hint: Christians through the ages have said that abundant life comes through reliance upon others and the Source of Love.

See you in church!
Pr. Nancy

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

 
Why Come to Church This Sunday? February 5, 2012

Meditation text: He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (Mark 1:31)

The story in the Gospel of Mark about the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (1:29-39), is one of many healing stories. Jesus was known all around the Galilee area as a healer and teacher. The story tells us that Peter had a wife (wouldn’t it be wonderful to know from scripture the names of the disciples’ wives, because surely they supported the disciples’ ministries, and did Peter’s wife?).

Supporting one another’s ministries in service to each other and the world is the role of the church, based in the ministry of Jesus. We strengthen one another in worship together, in care during times of joy and sorrow, in discernment, and in love.

Join us in worship this Sunday.  

Pr. Nancy