July 1
"My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness."
II Corinthians 12:9
Yesterday marked my 15th year as pastor here at Trinity. Again, thank you to those who provided a cake for us to celebrate this past Sunday.
It has been a great joy for me to be your pastor. Trinity has been a gift to our entire family, and we are so very grateful for our good fortune in being called to join you in 2006.
Trinity truly is a wonderful community of faith. Of course, we should not boast too much. Our giftedness is not an accomplishment - it is gift.
I like to mention the Old Lutheran dot com motto “The Center of Lutheran Pride” (but not too proud)
Ha!
On Sunday we will hear from Second Corinthians, where Paul addresses the congregation in Corinth. There, as he defends himself, and upholds his credentials a bit, he also shares about a “thorn in the flesh”. Rather than remove this affliction, he says God gave him the message: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
In the midst of whatever weakness we bear, may we continue to know the sure and certain hope of God’s faithfulness.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
July 2
"My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness."
II Corinthians 12:9
This weekend many of us may well be traveling for holiday gatherings. Psalm 121 is among the section of the book that is called “The Songs of Ascents”. They were Psalms that were used as the faithful made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
A teacher of mine called Psalm 121 - “A Psalm for sojourners.”
May these words guide you in all your “travels” today.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
July 3
"For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations."
Psalm 22:28
Tomorrow is Independence Day. We celebrate our country, and give thanks for the many gifts and privileges that are ours by virtue of being Americans. These gifts also impart a responsibility, and I give thanks that Trinity seeks to be citizens of our community, the world community and the Kingdom of God. We truly are blessed to be a blessing.
The hymn “This Is My Song” (#887 in the ELW) is set to the beautiful tune Finlandia. The poetry invites us to give thanks for our nation, and I think it invites us to see that our patriotism does not separate us from those who live elsewhere, but that we share an inheritance from God, wherever we may call home.
Peace to you this holiday weekend. Pastor Phil
Worship with Holy Communion, tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
This is My Song - Lloyd Stone, Georgia Harkness (st. 3)
This is my song, O God of all the nations
A song of peace for lands afar and mine
This is my home, the country where my heart is
Here are my hopes and dreams, my holy shrine
But other hearts in other lands are beating
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean
And sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine
But other lands have sunlight, too, and clover
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine
So hear my song, O God of all the nations
A song of peace for their land and for mine
This is my prayer, O God of all earth’s kingdoms,
Your kingdom come; on earth your will be done.
O God, be lifted up till all shall serve you,
And hearts united learn to live as one.
So hear my prayer, O God of all the nations;
myself I give you; let your will be one
July 4
6th Sunday After Pentecost
Worship this morning at 9:00, in the sanctuary.
Wednesday evening worship is at 7:00, outdoors weather permitting.
I hope to see you in worship.
Blessings, Pastor Phil
Today’s service will be posted online
The Prayer of the Day for today:
God of the covenant,
in our baptism you call us
to proclaim the coming of your kingdom.
Give us the courage you gave the apostles,
that we may faithfully witness
to your love and peace
in every circumstance of life,
in the name of Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for our nation:
From the ELW resource The Prayer Book for the Armed Services
Holy Trinity, one God,
you show us the splendor of diversity
and the beauty of unity in your own divine life.
Make us,
who came from many nations with many languages,
a united people
that delights in our many different gifts.
Defend our liberties,
and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom,
that there might be justice and peace in our land.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
our sovereign and our Savior.
Amen.
July 5
"For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations."
Psalm 22:28
This week in which we have marked Independence Day, I’ve decided to share prayers from the Prayer Book for the Armed Services. This was published by our publishing house, Augsburg Fortress 8 years ago, and was the first Lutheran armed services prayer book published in the US since WWII. Since it came out, we have provided it to many of our members who have served us in the military.
Here is a prayer for our nation:
Lord of all the worlds,
guide this nation by your Spirit
to go forward in justice and freedom.
Give to all our people
the blessings of well-being and harmony,
but above all things
give us faith in you,
that our nation may bring glory to your name
and blessings to all peoples,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
July 6
"For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations."
Psalm 22:28
Here is another prayer from the Prayer Book for the Armed Services, from Augsburg Fortress Press.
This is a Prayer for our Nation:
Holy Trinity, one God,
you show us the splendor of diversity
and the beauty of unity
in your own divine life.
Make us,
who came from many nations with many languages,
a united people
that delights in our many different gifts.
Defend our liberties,
and give those whom we have entrusted with authority
the spirit of wisdom,
that there might be justice and peace in our land.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
our sovereign and our Savior.
Amen.
In my sermon on Sunday, it crossed my mind that I should have prepared a printout of a quote I shared. It is very complex, and needs a good bit of reflection. I shared this, along with the line from Paul, “for freedom Christ has set us free…”
This is from Dr. Gerhard Forde, who was a theology professor at Luther Seminary, in St. Paul, MN. Forde contended:
“If you begin with the assumption of freedom,
the preoccupation is always
how to keep freedom in check,
how to bind;
But if you begin with the assumption of bondage,
the preoccupation is always
how to set out the word that frees.”
Gerhard Forde, The Captivation of the Will, p. 21
July 7
"Owe no one anything, except to love one another;
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
Romans 13:8
Here is another prayer from the Prayer Book for the Armed Services, from Augsburg Fortress Press.
Looking at this prayer, I wonder if we think often enough about how our walk as people of faith shapes our citizenship in our country. We recall that we have been blessed to be a blessing. As my professor Gerhard Forde would intone: “The question is not ‘are you saved?’ The question is ‘what are you save FOR?’ And the answer is: ‘I am saved for my neighbor!’”
Responsible citizenship
Lord God,
you call your people to honor those in authority.
Help us elect trustworthy leaders,
participate in wise decisions for our common life,
and serve our neighbors in local communities.
Bless the leaders of our land,
that we may be at peace among ourselves
and a blessing to other nations of the earth;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
July 8
"Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth…”
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them."
Genesis 1:26-27
Take note: We plan to have the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service outdoors on July 11th. You might want to bring a chair.
Here is another prayer from the Prayer Book for the Armed Services, from Augsburg Fortress Press.
An important insight of scripture, is that we have a creator. You do not create yourself, God, your creator, has made you; a precious and beloved child of God, apple of God’s eye.
This prayer grounds our connectedness with “the whole human family” in the fact that we are all created by God.
I like that!
Blessings to you, Pastor Phil
The human family
O God,
you made us in your own image
and redeemed us through Jesus your Son.
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and, through our struggle and confusion,
work to accomplish your purposes on earth;
so that, in your good time,
every people and nation may serve you in harmony
around your heavenly throne;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
July 9
"For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations."
Psalm 22:28
Please keep the family of Helen Gold in your prayers, the funeral service for Helen will be at 2:00 tomorrow afternoon.
9:00 a.m. Sunday worship Sunday will be outdoors. You might want to bring a chair.
Here is another prayer from the Prayer Book for the Armed Services, from Augsburg Fortress Press.
It is truly humbling to consider the fact that so many people serve in our military on our behalf.
Bill Horne is the Vice President of our ELCA. When I served on the ELCA Church Council, Bill was also a Council member. As Vice President, he works with the bishop of the ELCA, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
I see on the ELCA web site that Bill served as a Colonel in the United States Air Force. He rarely speaks about his service, but I believe that I recall from conversation that he was a base commander, with thousands of soldiers under his care. When he spoke about this, he did so with such humility, it was inspiring.
I like how this prayer notes “diligent service” of God’s people in the military.
The armed forces of the nation
Almighty and everlasting God,
whose providence guides your people in diligent service,
bless the officers and enlisted women and men
of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard
as they perform the duties of their calling.
Give them not only true love of country
but also love of you
and an understanding of your love for all people;
so that, relying upon your guidance,
they may courageously defend our nation from every foe,
promote justice, honor, and unity among our people,
and be a means of fostering mutual respect and understanding
among all peoples of the world;
through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.
Amen.
July 10
"He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8
Today we give thanks for the life and faith of Helen Gold.
I am grateful for this aspect of our Church’s ministry. Like most all of you, I have known the great blessing of the Church providing funerals for my family in time of need. May we continue to proclaim clearly, the great gift of the Gospel!
9:00 a.m. Worship tomorrow will be outdoors. You might want to bring a chair.
I like how the Prayer Book for the Armed Services, from Augsburg Fortress Press, in providing prayers for our life in community, invites us to pray for our courts, and for justice. It is good to be reminded that all justice is authored by God our creator.
Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil
Courts of justice
Lord of all, you have declared what is right:
to seek justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with you.
Bless tribunals, judges and courts,
juries and law officers in every land.
Guard them from retribution and from corruption.
Give them the spirit of wisdom,
that they may perceive the truth
and administer the law impartially
as instruments of your divine will.
We pray in the name
of the one who will come to be our judge,
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
July 11
7th Sunday After Pentecost
SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE!!
Worship this morning at 9:00, today we worship outside.
Wednesday evening worship is at 7:00,
I hope to see you in worship. Blessings, Pastor Phil
The Prayer of the Day for today:
O God,
from you come all holy desires,
all good counsels, and all just works.
Give to us, your servants,
that peace which the world cannot give,
that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments;
and also that we,
being defended from the fear of our enemies,
may live in peace and quietness,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
July 12
"I will listen to what the Lord God is saying."
Psalm 85:8
We began worship on Sunday with this line from the Psalms.
“I will listen to what the Lord God is saying.”
I invite you to pray these words of the Psalmist each day this week.
Then, listen.
Listen for God’s proclaiming God’s great love for you.
Listen for God’s call to serve.
Listen for the many different ways God will speak, and give thanks for such great gifts!
Blessings to you today, Pastor Phil
July 13
"I will listen to what the Lord God is saying."
Psalm 85:8
I am reading “Prayer in the Night” by Tish Harrison Warren. She is a priest in the Episcopalian Church, and this book reflects on a prayer from the liturgy for the close of the day, Compline. The liturgy is from the Book of Common Prayer, which is the Anglican hymnal.
She begins by sharing a crisis she faced, and how the prayers of the liturgy helped her in that time.
Here Rev. Harrison Warren speaks to how the prayers of the Church can help to shape our walk in God’s grace:
“Every prayer I have ever prayed, from the most faithful to the least, has been in part a confession uttered in the Gospel of Mark: "I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24). That was my prayer as I repeated the well-won words of Compline that night. And as countless nights before, the church, in the midst of my weakness, responded with her ancient voice: "Here are some words. Pray them. They are strong enough to hold you. These will help your unbelief.”" - Prayer in the Night - by Tish Harrison Warren pg. 8
As we seek to listen to what the Lord God is saying, worship and liturgy are some of those places that God is speaking to you.
July 14
"I will listen to what the Lord God is saying."
Psalm 85:8
Yesterday I suggested that as we seek to listen to what the Lord God is saying, worship and liturgy are some of those places that God speaks.
Tish Harrison Warren states this in insightful ways in her book “Prayer in the Night”.
I want to share another passage from Pastor Harrison Warren. She tells a story of hiking in an area where there were cairns along to the trail because of regular fog. She uses them as an analogy for the guidance the liturgy can provide:
“In times of deep darkness, the cairns that have kept me in the way of Jesus were the prayers and practices of the church. When I could not pray, the church said, "Here are prayers." When I could not believe, the church said, "Come to the table and be fed." When I could not worship, the church sang over me the language of faith.
Inherited ways of prayer and worship - liturgical practices - are a way that the ancient church built cairns for us, to help us endure this mystery, to keep us on this path of faith, to guide us home.
…In many ways I am still wandering in the fog. But I have found cairns to follow, and they have guided many others in the midst of this crazy and unpredictable weather.” “Prayer in the Night” Pg. 31
July 15
"I will listen to what the Lord God is saying."
Psalm 85:8
I like the sorta funny, entirely true, saying, “everyone complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” Taking note of the immensity of creation, the fact is that we cannot shape the weather, we are so small, and the world is so big…
I recently set aside this from St. Augustine:
“Some people, in order to find God, will read a book.
But there is a great book, the book of created nature.
Look carefully at it top and bottom, observe it, read it.
God did not make letters of ink
for you to recognize him in;
he set before your eyes all these things he has made.
Why look for a louder voice?”
As you listen for God in your life, “the book of created nature” can speak clearly of the wonder and magnificence of God.
Yet, there is another book, a book that proclaims to you that this awesome God has created you, loves you and desires a relationship with you.
As Rodeo weekend approaches, may you see the wonder of God’s creation, and may you remember that the one who has created you, has sent Jesus to save you and make you God’s own.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
July 16
"I will listen to what the Lord God is saying."
Psalm 85:8
I really enjoy the Friday morning Rodeo Week pancake breakfast. There might well be a lot of reasons for that, among them, as an extrovert, I enjoy the crowd of people, and seeing so many folks that we know. There is also something nice about sitting down together and sharing a meal.
We probably don’t do those sorts of things often enough.
I wonder how God might be speaking to us in the midst of Rodeo Week? Our gathering together, reveling in good food, a big parade, the rodeo and more.
Might God have something to say about the human community being called to love and togetherness?
I pray we can all take note of what the Lord God is saying to us in this festive time…
July 17
"I will listen to what the Lord God is saying."
Psalm 85:8
A devotion I received the other day speaks to our verse for this week. It is a paragraph by Henri Nouwen, who was a Catholic priest, a professor and a spiritual writer.
Here are his compelling words:
“…keep unmasking the world about you for what it is: manipulative, controlling, power-hungry, and, in the long run, destructive. The world tells you many lies about who you are, and you simply have to be realistic enough to remind yourself of this. Every time you feel hurt, offended, or rejected, you have to dare to say to yourself: ‘These feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling me the truth about myself. The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God’s eyes, called the Beloved from all eternity, and held safe in an everlasting belief.” - Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World
"I will listen to what the Lord God is saying.”
So often, we listen to other voices, and I like how this reflection seeks to fix your eyes on God’s great love for you.
Blessings to you, Pastor Phil
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 18
Worship this morning at 9:00.
Today’s service will be posted online
The Psalm today is Psalm 23. The Prayer of the Day for today is:
O God, powerful and compassionate,
you shepherd your people,
faithfully feeding and protecting us.
Heal each of us,
and make us a whole people,
that we may embody
the justice and peace of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
A blessed Sabbath day to you. Pastor Phil
July 19
“As [Jesus] went ashore, he saw a great crowd;
and he had compassion for them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things."
Mark 6:34
I have been reflecting on these words for some time, and they bear great promise for us all.
It is the compassion of God that moved God to send Jesus for you. The compassion of Jesus sends you to live a life of love and purpose.
Our walk in Christ is in direct relationship with God, and with God's great love for all the world.
One could reflect on that for some time, and not exhaust the wonders at hand.
Blessings to you, Pastor Phil
July 20
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
II Corinthians 9:15
I promise, I am not being negative here.
I just read a nice story about a tv star I like. He had shared a generous and kind note with someone who was grieving, and that person so appreciated it, he wrote an article about the exchange. The note bore insights into grief and our most important relationships.
I was struck by the reactions to this article. Folks commented as if they had rarely read something so profound. As I said, it was a nice note, but on the “Profound-ness Scale” (a measurement that I just made up) it was a 5 or a 6. (Out of ten)
That has had me pondering.
As people of God in Jesus Christ, we are given a lens on the world that is truly profound. Nice insights are nice. The presence of God in Jesus Christ, in the midst of “the valley of the shadow of death” - or accompanying us in life’s most magnificent episodes - adds immeasurable depth and breadth to our life experience.
In a way, we live with the amazing news of God’s presence in our world with a simple mater-of-fact approach.
Perhaps, every once in a while, it might be good to take note, while this is mater of fact for us, it is also pretty amazing.
Thanks be to God.
Blessings to you, Pastor Phil
July 21
“The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”
Ps 145:15-16
Our Psalm reading this coming Sunday is from the 145th Psalm. In the Small Catechism, Luther invited us to turn to these words for a blessing for a meal:
“The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season. You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Ps 145:15-16
He then suggested we conclude the prayer:
“Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
In commenting on this Psalm, Pastor Paul Myhre makes this observation:
“What does it mean to contemporary people of faith to go about daily activity mindful of the abiding presence of God? What might it mean for [churches] to reflect not on the things that are no longer done, or cannot be done, but on what God might be doing at present? How might congregational worship be transformed by a greater recognition of the presence of God in spaces set aside for worship and in meeting rooms where deliberations can sometimes be heated and hot? How might the drudgery of work be transformed into spaces where the actions of God might be discerned?”
Great questions as we venture into this day, knowing that all we have is gift from God, our creator and redeemer.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
It’s Wednesday: Worship this evening at 7:00
Psalm 145:10-18
All your works shall praise you, O Lord,
and your faithful ones shall bless you.
They shall tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your power,
that all people may know of your power
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages.
You, Lord, are faithful in all your words, and loving in all your works.
The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up those who are bowed down.
The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
You are righteous in all your ways
and loving in all your works.
You are near to all who call upon you,
to all who call upon you faithfully.
July 22
O Lord…
You are near to all who call upon you,
to all who call upon you faithfully.
Ps 145:18
In a devotional reflection titled “The Important Question” Dr. Al Rogness begins: “The great question is not ‘Is there a God?’ The really critical question is ‘Does God really care?’”
I first read that decades ago, but it continues to echo in my heart.
Yes! It is God’s caring and God’s ever present love that really matters. Other aspects of the attributes of God might be interesting, but it is God’s love that washes over all theology and all of life.
Let us join the Psalmist in giving thanks that God is near to all who call upon God faithfully. The faithfulness of God will not fail. This is our firm belief, and, not only that, it is our life experience as well. Rejoice today, for God will surely be near you.
Peace, Pastor Phil
July 23
“From the fragments of the five barley loaves,
left by those who had eaten,
they filled twelve baskets.”
John 6:13
On Sunday we will hear the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.
After the people have eaten, Jesus instructs the disciples: “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” The word translated fragments can also be translated “broken pieces.”
In a marvelous reflection on this story, Pastor Janet Hunt suggests that we might see people like our quilters in this story of “broken pieces.” The Trinity quilters take pieces of cloth, and put together a life-giving gift for God’s people in need.
She then wonders how God might take us - each of us in different ways, broken pieces - and work God’s healing in the world.
Isn’t that a different and wonderful take on this favorite of stories?
I love how the story of Jesus invites us to see the myriad ways God is at work in our lives.
Today, may you see the ways God might use you, broken as you may be, to work God’s love in our world.
The funeral for David Todd will be at 4:00 this afternoon. Please pray for David’s wife Rachelle, his parents Lloyd and Virginia, and all who knew and loved David.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
July 24
“From the fragments of the five barley loaves,
left by those who had eaten,
they filled twelve baskets.”
John 6:13
Tomorrow we will hear the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.
As I mentioned in yesterday's Connections - the word translated fragments can also be translated “broken pieces.”
One preacher suggests that this word for broken pieces was used to name Holy Communion.
She goes on to say:
"When disciples share the Eucharist whether it be in the 1st century Middle East or the Illinois suburbs, we eat of the “broken pieces.” In a way we share in the mystical left overs of that first feast for 5000. And, of course, we know what those broken pieces really are – they are the most precious substance on earth – the very body of Jesus Christ our Lord. Eating these “broken pieces” brings us forgiveness, grace and love. And eternal life.
If God can do this with something like broken pieces of bread – imagine what he can do with broken people like us?"
Imagine indeed!
Blessings to you, Pastor Phil
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 25
Worship this morning at 9:00.
Today we hear the story of the Feeding of the 5000 from the Gospel of John. A blessed Sunday to you.
Sustainer of the hungry,
like a mother you long to feed your children
until each is satisfied.
Turn our eyes to you alone,
that, aware of our own deepest longings,
we will reach out with Christ
to feed others with the miracle of your love. Amen.
July 26
“I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1
In an interesting exercise, the Christian Century (a journal I appreciate) asked several theologians and preachers to proclaim the gospel in a maximum of seven words and expand on their statement in a few sentences.
Some of them were quite compelling. I will share a few this week, starting with Nadia Bolz-Weber’s offering
“We are who God says we are.” Nadia Bolz-Weber
"In the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Christ we see that God is so for us and with us that we can no longer be defined according to death, a religion-based worthiness system or even the categories of late-stage capitalism. We are who God says we are: the forgiven, broken and blessed children of God; the ones to whom God draws near. Nothing else gets to tell us who we are."
Indeed, what might it mean for us, if we let no one - other than God alone - tell us who we are?
Listen carefully to that one who has called you by name...
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
July 27
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
The Christian Century asked several theologians and preachers to proclaim the gospel in a maximum of seven words and expand on their statement in a few sentences.
I will share a few this week; this is William Willimon’s offering
"God refuses to be God without us." - William H. Willimon
"We asked God to say something definite and God,
getting personal, sent Jesus Christ.
We were surprised. God was other than we imagined.
We can't make God into whatever we please.
Jesus demonstrated that God is better than omnipotent, omniscient or any other high-sounding abstraction.
God is love embodied: nonviolent, relentlessly seeking, convening, suffering love.
Human happiness is life lived in response to the God we've got.
It's good news:
Because God really was in Jesus Christ,
reconciling the world to God,
we can be with God."
Good news indeed. In Jesus, we see the shape and measure of God's love.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
July 28
“When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”.”
Romans 15:54-55
The Christian Century asked several preachers to proclaim the gospel in a maximum of seven words and expand on their statement in a few sentences. Rev. Copenhaver is a preacher I have heard and appreciated. He was the most succinct of those I am sharing this week…
God gets the last word. - Martin B. Copenhaver
“In the death and resurrection of Jesus it is clear that our God is the kind of God who insists on having the last word. To be sure, the second-to-last word, which can be very powerful, can be given to something else-despair, estrangement, hurt, evil, even death. But our God insists on having the very last word, and that is always a word of hope, of reconciliation, of healing, of goodness and of life.”
“In the beginning,” the Gospel of John tells us, “was the Word.” Yes, God has first Word, and God has the last word, and that word bears love, grace, forgiveness and life. Thanks be to God.
Peace, Pastor Phil
July 29
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
2 Corinthians 5:17
The Christian Century asked several preachers to proclaim the gospel in a maximum of seven words and expand on their statement in a few sentences.
Mary Karr is a poet and essayist. I have only read about her, yet I have found her story compelling. I believe that AA was her avenue into the Church. In fact, of the many preachers who participated in this project, she is the only one who mentions “Church.”
Interesting.
We are The Church of Infinite Chances, Mary Karr
“where every sinner is a saint and vice versa.
“Sinners welcome," reads the banner on my church.
Or as Blake said:
“We're put on earth a little space
to learn to bear the beams of love."
Also, I would add, to reflect them.
Without a Christos-centered worship of the crucified and resurrected Jesus, I find this impossible.”
Her life journey has thrown her on the mercy of God, and she proclaims well this Good News.
Take care, Pastor Phil
July 30
All this is from God,
who reconciled us to himself through Christ,
and has given us the ministry of reconciliation…
2 Corinthians 5:18
The Christian Century asked several preachers to proclaim the gospel in a maximum of seven words and expand on their statement in a few sentences.
Brian McLaren is an author, pastor and public theologian. He became well known with the book “A New Kind of Christianity.” A friend of mine said it could have been called, “an evangelical Christian discovers the mainline church.”
His 7 word offering is nice.
“In Christ, God calls all to reconciliation.” by Brian D. McLaren
“God was in Christ, proclaiming and demonstrating
the good news of the kingdom (or commonwealth).
This new way of life
challenges us to rethink everything in our lives that resists reconciliation.
In it we experience peace with God.
The Spirit of God teaches us the way of peace and bears through us the fruit of peace: with the least, the last and the lost; with the outsider, the stranger and the enemy; with all creation.
God invites us to participate in a new reconciled humanity in Christ.”
Isn’t this “7 Word Gospel” exercise interesting?
There are times when it is easy to see that reconciliation is of utmost importance, and it is good to be reminded of this theme in our faith.
Peace to you, Pastor Phil
July 31
God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.
I John 4:9
The Christian Century asked several preachers to proclaim the gospel in a maximum of seven words and expand on their statement in a few sentences.
Kathleen Norris is a poet and essayist whom I have found very insightful and inspiring…
God is love: This is no joke. - Kathleen Norris
“We use flippancy and irony (see above)
to shield ourselves from feeling.
We relegate love to the realm of the romantic and sentimental,
and dismiss it.
But gospel love brings us to our senses.
The love epitomized in Jesus Christ
is serious and demanding, merciful and not judgmental.
It is life-giving and self-sacrificing.
It is love that sees and tells the truth, whatever the cost.
In Jesus we find the love of God.”
I really like that, and believe she is right, in Jesus, we find the love of God.
May you be blessed by this love of Christ, Pastor Phil