September 11

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

(Romans 12:17-18)

 As you read this blog, some of you may wonder why we are holding a “Pep” Rally on September 11, especially with it being the tenth anniversary.

I pondered a similar question ten years ago, the week following the attack.  We had planned to join with another congregation around a funny musical, performed by several of their members highlighting God’s goodness and our response to these gifts.  Many organizations were canceling events in an effort to show respect.  Also, the level of grief, shock, and uncertainty left so many unable to take in much beyond making sense of that day, caring for one another, and the big unknown of what comes next.

After much discussion and prayer, we decided to go forward as planned.  We remembered and prayed for the depth of loss and injury and need for care too many faced as the ripples continued to spread outward from Pennsylvania, the Pentagon, and NY City.  Then, we made a choice.  We chose to turn toward the only hope we have when faced by this depth of darkness.  We turned toward God and remembered, nevertheless God provides what we need: love, goodness, and a way beyond … with a light no darkness can overcome.  So, as the actors took the stage, we laughed and we enjoyed the music and offered each other words of healing, as we came together in Jesus’ name.  It was the right choice.

As our nation approaches the tenth Anniversary of September 11, we also have a choice before us.  We can remember those first days after the dust settled and we witnessed heroic and ordinary acts of reaching out, coming together, and a desire to respond to neighbor, stranger, and those closest to us with love and generosity and healing.  Or we can continue the way of darkness we started following months later, as we let uncertainty, fear, anger, stereotypes, blame, violence, a desire for revenge at any cost, greed, and feelings of scarcity grow in our hearts.

You don’t have to look hard to see the consequences of following that way.

Thanks be to God, this is not the only story we have to tell or live.  On this September 11, 2011, I invite you to join me in remembering and celebrating and choosing to follow the way God gives us through his Son Jesus.  This way also passes through the valley of the shadow of death.  But, the difference we find making our way through these times of darkness or facing any evil we may encounter along the way is that we will not let fear get the best of us.  As we walk, we will remember we do not go alone.  God is with us.  And, to help us trust this, we will keep telling the old, old, story of Jesus and His love.  A love so deep and wide for the world, it took Jesus face-to-face with evil, oppression, scarcity, and death on the cross.

Yet, none of these could stop God.  In Christ, God shows us nothing can separate us from God’s love and there is light beyond even the darkest valley.  For following this good shepherd, we will always find what we need for nourishment, thirst, shelter, protection, and abundant life.  Following this good shepherd we discover how to love, reach out to those we do not know, and see the unity we share through him.  And, with time following this way, violence gives way to peace, scarcity gives way to enough for all, and divisions give way to reconciliation.

I think this is a great reason to hold a Pep Rally.  So, come!  Gather with those who remember and those who were not yet born.  Proclaim this good news about Jesus! “For our children and our children’s children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child … for God has done it!” (Psalm 22: 30-31, The Message Translation)  Amen!

God’s Grace is Sufficient for You,  Pastor Lori C. Morton

Living God’s Welcome

“… In Christ the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” (Ephesians 2:17-22)

We humans tend to focus in on the big things or events; whether good or bad. World Series wins, floods, miraculous rescues like we witnessed in Chile, unexplained healings or random acts of violence. Drawn between these highs and lows, too often our faith and our expectations for where God dwells follow like pendulum swings. Until, maybe, … we wonder if this God dwells among us at all.

For me, it is less wondering if God dwells among us, but more feeling the response we give, as members of the Body of Christ, to these highs and lows, needs to be proportional; if not bigger than the highs or lows happening around us. So, we find ourselves seeking the perfect words, the splashier event, the brighter light, and the most engaging speaker or program or music or gadget or insurance plan to push back the darkness, pull people in, and protect against the lows swinging into our lives. In response, we run from here to there, invest in the latest and greatest, try hard to sure up the walls we’ve built, and fix the lives around us believing if we can just do it right and big enough, then the pendulum will stop swinging.

But, if anyone has ever pushed a child on a swing, the harder one pushes, the higher they go.

And, I will confess as September and October arrived with all the activities and tragedy of this Fall; with each swing, I fell into this temptation. I pushed higher. I watched as you pushed harder too, racing from school activity to community event, to faithfully seeking to meet the ministry needs of the con- gregation. Amazing things are unfolding, an abundant harvest is coming in, and we are witnessing wonderful accomplishments happening in our com- munity and through our children’s lives. But, I also sense we are tired, too scattered, and know we can’t keep up pushing this swing forever.

As I pondered and prayed and wrestled with all these things and how I could respond to the next swing, like the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-13) … God reminded me of something important. While we tend to expect to find God in the big things: great winds like we had this week, earthquakes like Indonesia experienced yesterday or fire. God comes and is most recognizable in the small things and in the sound of sheer silence. Vincent van Gogh, painter and grandson of a pastor, said it this way, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

Yes, Jesus performed many big signs and wonders and miracles while he was with us, but as you read the Gospel of John in particular, you’ll hear Jesus lament that His signs wouldn’t and couldn’t bring lasting faith among the people. Instead, Jesus and the apostles keep proclaiming to us that the peace that surpasses all understanding comes through you and I, living stones, being drawn together by the Spirit, with our own unique gifts and experi- ences of God, … laid side-by-side (no individual able to do it all) built together in the Spirit to become a dwelling place of God. God reminded me of this word in the still moments and testimonies of others these past couple months. As I listened at the Team Mates workshop and was reminded of the 40 assets my home congregation helped me develop as a child, not with programs, but through individuals, who one at a time sought out intentional relationship with me and helped me discover who God created me to be. As I listened to Alexie Torres-Fleming at the Synod Theological Conference, she told about growing up in the Bronx and her prayer for a miracle to save her neighborhood; to stop the violence and the monumental cycle of poverty. And, as she wrestled with this and how little she felt she could do, God reminded her of the words her priest told her long ago, “You my child, are the miracle God fashioned with His own hands.” As an adult who forgot this, God reminded Alexie that she already was participating in a miracle; a small, loved child of God joining hands with another miracle of God, joining with another to live love together in the grace of Jesus Christ. This, God promises is enough. This, God will build into the Kingdom of God.

Big things (good or bad) do not happen out of the blue or all at once. They happen after many small things come together and when that one more snowflake joins the pile of snow, the branch suddenly falls or we grow to believe we are loved, so we love.

This is what it means to be the church. It is not flashy. It won’t fix things overnight or even prevent the pendulum from swinging, but the good news is that you do not need to push anymore. Step back and listen for God’s still small voice and watch for that hand that needs holding or story your neighbor needs to tell and know there, in that relationship is the miracle we seek.

Peace in Christ, Pastor Lori

All Are Welcome

“Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word. Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace, let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: All are welcome in this place!”
(Marty Haugan, All are Welcome, GIA)

We all have a desire to belong and to be known and connect with a group of people we can be ourselves with and know they will be there for us when we need them. As I hear this final verse of All are Welcome, this is what I envi- sion being the Body of Christ, Jesus’ church is all about. It is a community, where all are named and claimed by God. And, as God’s children we gather together to figure out what this identity means and to support one another as we grow up in the faith and discover what it means to walk as Jesus did, following God’s only Son full of grace and truth.

Even so, it is easy to lose track of people these days; even with all our synced up gadgets. As we run from here to there, juggle community activities, and experience life transitions … those who aren’t in our immediate circle of activity sometimes go overlooked. It usually isn’t anything personal. We just get focused in on the immediate needs and wants around us. Yet, the more time you spend with Christ and with early Christians in scripture, you discover community and relationships and mutual care of neighbor and stranger alike form the first living stones God places on the foundation of His Son.

The part of the construction I would like us to focus on is remembering who has made you a part of this community of faith and who named you. Then, remember this is true for every other person you encounter. While they have the same name, Child of God (Galatians 3:26-28), the path they have traveled is different than yours. The gifts God has given them and the ways God has called and brought them to this place are unique. God has something to teach you through their voice, their song, their visions, and story. Just as you have much to reveal to the world about how Christ’s love is dwelling in your life.

I would like us to intentionally focus on learning each others’ stories, creating space and time for us all to discover who we are and how God is working in our lives. As the song proclaims, it will come by building trust, seeking Christ within every person we encounter, and treasuring what we find. It will come as we share one another’s tears, laughter, prayers of faith, and songs of grace. Sharing, not because we have it all figured out, but because we don’t … yet, we trust God’s claim on our lives and the growth God will give us together in the Holy Spirit.
In order to do this, we need to know how to contact each other. If you have not received a call from one of the Council members, it may be because we don’t have an updated number or we called while you were out. So, please take the time to fill out the enclosed Information Form, so we can better minister to one another and sup- port each other’s walk with God. The information we gather will only be used by American Lutheran Church to communicate ministries, needs of the community, and help us stay connected through our joys and sorrows and all our lives will hold.
While we won’t be perfect at this, creating a community where all belong and all know they are welcome takes time, a willingness to reach beyond our comfort zones and usual circle of friends, and letting go of our assumptions, fears, and self-consciousness that may keep us from hearing God’s story in another person’s life. To help you do this, I would like you to remember each one of us is named and claimed by God. And, because we are still figuring this identity out, still have questions, still have moments and days when we trust other things and people more than this gift, we also recognize we are sinners and our only hope is Jesus Christ our Lord. It is upon this mutual hope and faith and forgiveness that we gather and dare to attempt being his body for the world; offering this gift of grace and welcome, which first gave us a place to call home and belong. May this chorus build until our homes, lives, and house of faith unite in singing, “All are welcome in this place!”

Peace to you in Christ, Pastor Lori