Reflections From Sunday Evening

I'm been a pastor for over 1700 Sundays. Been alive over 2900 Sundays. For the life of me I cannot remember a worse weather Sunday ever! Now I'm sure that is an overstatement. But it does seem that way. Of course if we lived in North Dakota this would be just another day and off we'd go. But we are not used to this. In spite of freezing rain, sleet and snow that is continuing throughtout the day we gathered for worship today. And the truth is the Lord was with us.
We began our "Life of Grace" series and talked about the grace of God at work upon and within us. It is good news to know that God, the Holy Spirit is working to bring us into relationship with Jesus and lead us in the life of grace.
Since only about 40% of our normal crowd was present we got the service on-line and you are encouraged to take a look. Go to our website and join us in worship. Amazing isn't it?
But enough of that. What do we do when circumstances beyond our control affect us? We might complain about things and it could make us feel better for a moment but complaining never changes anything. We could go the "make excuses" route. Things would be better if....By the same token excuses do not improve things.
I'm sure we could think of any number of responses to challenges. But what if we tried something else? We might change the way we do things. Instead of fretting about so many people not hearing the first sermon in a pretty significant series we could put it on line and allow people to experience the word in another way!
You are going to face various challenges this week. There will be something at work, school or somewhere in your life that is not anticipated. You are going to be tempted to express frustration. You will be tempted to make excuses.
You have expectations for this week. You have expectations for your life - your family - your job. We are filled with expectations. Then something happens that was not expected. Snow falls, jobs are lost, kids disappoint, we goof something up.
Rather than yield to frustration or make excuses what if we surveyed what we have and set out to maximize our opportunities? You see, God is faithful and refuses to forsake us. Our God is one who makes our path clear. Our God is to be trusted.
As a matter of fact this adventuresome God we love and serve may have something better in store for us than what we had anticipated in the first place.
I watch it continue to snow. I'm not sure what morning will bring. But God has some great ideas and is eager to share them with us. Listen for the voice of God - Watch for God's hand of grace. Trust in the Lord.
I choose to say this has been a good day. I hope you see the good in your day.
blessings.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today two boys sought me out and gave me a Valentine's chocolate kiss! Thanks for looking me up and sharing. With one we have a little secret. I told you I was going to eat it when Curtis started preaching.
Last night after church another boy had something to tell me. His story - I accepted the Lord this week. I told him that was the best news I'd heard all week! And it was.
That gives you an idea of what goes on at church. Children giving - accepted the Lord - smiles.
I did some other things this weekend. Sue Nilson-Kibbey is the executive pastor at Ginghamsburg UMC in Tipp City, Ohio. It is a large, dynamic, pace-setting church. Sue was with us this weekend to meet with our staff on friday evening. She then shared with our staff and some of our lay leadership. Her message was encouraging (to me) and challenging.
Yesterday Sue and Bishop Schnase led a workshop on "Staffing for Excellence." Clergy and members of Staff Parish Relations Committees from over 10 area churches came and shared in the day of teaching. It was an amazingly relevant workshop. It was such a blessing to share with other churches.
This is all part of helping us move from the level of church life we are currently experiencing to the next level we pray God creates. As we continue to move into God's future some things may be anticipated. Participation will increase as we become more intentional about extending the mission of the church (to build an outwardly focused Christian community of full participants in the life of grace) into the world. We will become more and more known as the church that expresses acts of kindness, mercy, compassion and service. We will be the church that extends invitation to Christ in many creative manners. Participation in worship, learning, serving, giving and sharing the faith will increase.
Two others things to note about this. Some of this participation will come in the lives of current members but that will probably be a small part of what God is doing. I pray for spiritual renewal among us and trust the Lord will touch many lives with a fresh breath of grace. But most of the change will come from new people who are not carbon copies of us. I believe we will be more than willing to join in the work of God as we continue to move forward in the life of grace.
blessings,
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

I really like Boy Scout Sunday. Today we have 54 young men (I believe that is what I was told) who spent the night at the lock-in and then joined together in worship. They helped in the 8:15 service. Charles Main did the morning prayer. I think we were into a new area but I am so pround of this young man for stepping up and doing what 2/3 of those present would not want to do! They boys helped set up for the pancake breakfast. They did everything they could to help. Some even pulled a dead deer away from our church drive! It was a blessing to have these young men and many of their family members share with us today.
If you were in church today you heard a call to invite people to faith - church, to God, to friendship with Jesus - especially those who may be more skeptical of the Christian faith. As we move toward our conversation of "the life of grace" it is important to understand that "the life of grace welcomes those skeptical of the faith." Several people seemed encouraged by the fact we do not have to have all the answers for everyone who doubts - someone has been hesitant to speak of the faith to others for fear they would say the wrong thing and do more harm that good. Hopefully now we realize our task is simple - invite - "come and see." Come and see what God has done and continues to do in my life. We may trust the risen Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit will touch the heart and change the life.
It's been a good day. Not long until the Super Bow. I hope you've had a good day to.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

It's been a good day. Shortly after church I shared in a discipleship project with a seminary student. It was a good learning experience. How cool.
Our worship services today were true blessings. I am so thankful for everyone who shares in planning and serving each weekend.
I shared a little poem in the message today. In case you missed it ....
"He's a pretty good duck for the shape he's in;
But he's not the duck he could have been."
A preacher of another generation, Dr. Charles Allen, used that. He did so in the context of the story about the wild duck who landed in the barnyard one day. He quickly got used to it. It was not as exciting as flying but it was much easier. Somebody fed him. He enjoyed the company of other ducks. He liked the tame ducks. You could say he was quickly domesticated.
When the seasons began to change he sensed wild ducks flying overhead. He wanted to join them but when he tried to fly he was no longer able to do so. He was not in shape for flying. He'd forgot what it took.
"He's not a bad duck for the shape he's in; but he's not the duck he could have been."
The application for our Christian life is this: We are called to follow Jesus and he leads us to be part of a vital Christian community. The danger of community comes when we settle in and allow ourselves to become "tame" Christians. When the moment comes to soar we are unable. This is why we seek to build an "outwardly focused" Christian community. It is our best chance to be the church and be the disciples of Jesus Christ we might be.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day. Now I'm turning my attention to some conference board of ordained ministry business. Tomorrow we interview Curtis and Angie Olsen. I'm counting on tomorrow being a good day also!
blessings,
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Well one team is in the Super Bowl. The Colts fended off the Pesky J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets. Now we will see if the Saints or Vikings will join them in the big game.
While the football game was fun to watch the best part of my day was church this morning. It was just alive with the Spirit. I just cannot say enough about the music. It is inspiring, uplifting and relevant. Each service offers music that truly puts me in touch with God. The Psalmist says, "God inhabits the praises of His people." Absolutely true.
An insight from our scripture keeps encouraging me. The text in Rev. 21:1-5 includes the phrase, "and there was no more sea." In the ancient world the sea represented chaos and fear. It was the place where monstors lived. In Revelation the sea is the place from where the Beast arises to combat.
The Beast represents all that would align itself against God, God's people and God's purposes.
The good news is that "there is no more sea." The vision of life that God holds out for us to glimpse, pursue and experience is one of fullness and abundance. That is good news. Furthermore, you are invited.
I'll guess I watch this next football game. It could be a good one - exciting. But it really can't beat spending time with the Living God.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
blessings.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

The earthquake in Haiti has produced unimaginable suffering. It is beyond my comprehension to think of 40,000 bodies buried and another 100,000 to go. And still searching for and finding even I would encourage you to use our UM means - UMCOR and the Advance. The information is on our website, the UM website and was also printed in our church bullentin today. We will certainly assist you in seeing to it that all funds designated to support those effected by the tragedy receive the money in a timely fashion.
There is another point to find in this event. We often glamorize mission trips. It is a very meaningful thing to go to another part of the world and serve others. We generally go to much poorer places than we are accustomed to. This earthquake in Haiti serves to remind us that mission is "risk-taking." Everyday people literally lay their life on the line in mission and service to others. Recently we have seen some of these followers of Christ give their life in the hope they may make a difference in the world and in the lives of others.
Maybe this will shed some light on things Jesus said - like "take up your cross daily and follow me," "the one who seeks to save their life will lose it and the one who gives it up will find it." I hope we get the idea. This way of Christ, the Christian life, the life of grace is meant to be a life lived and given for Christ and others.
Thankfully most of us are not called to actually give our life but we are all called to follow Jesus. I plan to be at church this week with renewed commitment to the cause of Christ. I invite you to reflect on these events and how we may hear the voice of Christ in the cries of the poor and suffering. May God open a new path for us to follow and give renewed grace to transform our lives.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today's church attendance was better but we are still struggling with bitterly cold weather and slick streets. I know one of these days everyone is going to get out and we'll fill the place. But in spite of this things are going well.
We ended 2009 with an average attendance of about the same as the previous year.
We ended the year on sound financial footing.
Even though our attendance was off by 30% on Christmas Eve our offering slightly exceeded last year's. This Christmas Eve offering goes to assist those in need who come our way.
All this positions us to continue to make a significant difference in the lives of people and in our community.
Let me say a word about our ministry of assisting others. Hardly a day passes that someone does not contact the church seeking some form of tangible aid. People need food - we are able to provide food vouchers to help with groceries. People need a tank of gasoline - we are able to provide a gas voucher to help people get back and forth to work.
Frankly most of the people who call us are not affliated with PWUMC. We help. But we inform people that this is a "one time" thing.
We want to guarantee that when one of our members share a need wth us we are able to help meet it. In this economy one month's rent can make the difference for a family. A car repair could set someone back in terrible ways. Assistance with a utility can help keep a home warm.
In addition to our personal contacts we also provide funds to an organization in the Northland that is able to screen requests and see to it that the funds made available are best used for the glory of God.
We also are looking at the possibility of helping support a feeding program in an ethnic church.
All this is possible because a number of people at PWUMC have responded to the call to extravagant generosity. You are making a difference in lives.
So when I come home and consider worship attendance was not a great as I'd like I have this moment of realization. We are not merely a church of on-lookers - we are a congregation - a Christian community - in mission. I sense our kingdom influence continues to expand. It makes for a good day. I hope you've had a good day and somewhere along the line experienced the presence of God.
steve