GOOD NEWS FROM LUTHER MEMORIAL

Transcription

1 December 2016 PASTOR S CORNER Zealous Hopes by Kathleen Norris I learned something about what is possible at St. John s Abbey in Minnesota, just after morning prayer. I had told another resident of the Ecumenical Institute that the monks had begun 1 Corinthians, in case she wanted an opportunity to hear the letter read aloud. Her doctoral thesis had been on a passage from the epistle, and she was in the process of turning it into a book. This text had engaged her for more than ten years. She had made a pilgrimage to Corinth and knew Paul s words in Greek, in German and in many English translations. But as she listened in the abbey church, something caught her attention that she had never noticed before. It was a revelation that left her gasping for breath, and I believe she left the church that morning amazed, not a little discomfited, and above all grateful to have been granted a new sense of the Bible s power. We have many defenses against hearing the Christmas readings and taking them to heart. The images are resoundingly familiar -- "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" -- and the nativity story is so colored by nostalgia that listening takes considerable effort. It s hard for us to remember that, as is always the case with scripture, we are continually invited to hear "a new song," words full of possibilities we have not yet seen and can t imagine. All we need are the ears to hear, but our tired old ears resist us at every turn. As the magnificent titles that Isaiah foresees are proclaimed "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" -- we may suddenly remember that we forgot to take the rolls out to thaw, and this means that our despised sister-in-law will have gained another weapon in her war of one-upmanship on the domestic front. Or our listening is interrupted when our child comes to us in tears because another child bent the halo she is wearing in the pageant, and we must fix it, right now. I tend to enjoy Advent, with all of its mystery and waiting, but find it difficult to muster much enthusiasm when Christmas Eve comes around. I know I m cheating myself, succumbing to my usual temptation to sloth, which Christian tradition understands as not mere laziness but as the perverse refusal of a possible joy. The ancient monks saw zeal as the virtue opposed to sloth, and in the Christmas readings we find the "zeal of the Lord" invoked by both the prophet Isaiah and the author of the letter to Titus. After naming the many promises made by God that are to be fulfilled by the Messiah -- the lifting of oppression, the end of warfare and the establishment of "endless peace" -- Isaiah states that it is the "zeal of the Lord" that will accomplish it. In the letter to Titus we are told that Jesus gave himself for us in order to create a people worthy of his name, a people who are zealous for the good. But zeal makes us nervous. It is out of fashion. We prefer the protective detachment of irony or sarcasm, and regard zeal as pathetic if not pathological. When a person exhibits too much passion over anything -- God, a political movement, the latest in tattoos or a popular television show -- we label that person as obsessive or compulsive, and mutter, "Get a life" Might we better understand zeal as Isaiah does, as the prerogative of God, who, despite the mess we ve made of things, still chooses to care for this battered creation and our faulty selves? If God can do this, why not just go along with it and catch that wild transition, seeing the "bloody garments" of humanity s violent history burned in a fire, all because -- take a breath "a child has been born to us"? Something so small and seemingly ordinary as that? Why not sing as the psalm commands us, joining in with the roar of the sea and the trees of the forest? The God who has created it all will come again to set things right, to judge in righteousness and truth, and even our most zealous hopes will not have been in vain. The zealous love of this God has already appeared among us in the flesh to train us for a new life and teach us how to welcome him when he comes again in glory. Our gospel is the unlikely tale that begins with an emperor s folly, for in setting out to register "all the world," Augustus and his governor Quirinius put something into motion that transcends all earthly power. We know the story and how it comes out, but let s try to see ourselves in the shepherds place, afraid to open ourselves to God and in need of reassurance, of being told not to fear. Let s be willing, like Mary, to take the words in, to treasure and ponder them, because so much is possible when we do. As these words wash over us they penetrate, despite our defenses and distractions. Their spirit can move us and change us, whether we will it or not. Simply being present is enough, for church is a place that allows this transformation to occur. If we feel utterly exhausted, drained of all feeling and weary with worldly chores and concerns, so much the better. Our weakness is God s strength. Our emptiness means that there is room for God after all. The Christian Century, (December 13, 2005, p. 19.)

2 Page 2 DELAVAN HUMAN CONCERNS CHRISTMAS GIFTS PROGRAM Delavan Human Concerns will once again provided us with the names of area seniors and children who are in need this Christmas. Please see Kay Horne if you would like to help make their holiday a little brighter by purchasing a gift for them!! Names will be available Sun., Nov. 22. Gifts need to be purchased, wrapped and returned to the church by December 6th. Please attach the slip you receive to the wrapped gift. Bows on the gifts are discouraged as they tend to fall off. There will be ONE SERVICE ONLY - 9:30 am DECEMBER 18th Christmas Program As some of you know, this year we will be doing an adult Christmas skit followed by a kid's Christmas skit with Christmas carols in between on Dec. 18th. There's only one service that day at 9:30 am. The rehearsals will take place during the Sunday school time from now until then. There will be only one dress rehearsal - on December 17th from 10:30 am -12:00 pm with pizza and a possible Christmas craft. If your child does not have a speaking part you don't need to bring him/her until 11:15 am on December 17th. We can just run the songs after all the children arrive that day and do the craft followed by pizza. Please let us know if your child cannot participate and we will make sure there is no speaking part involved, only singing. As you are baking your Christmas goodies this year, please bring in 1 doz. on Sunday Dec. 18th. After the Christmas Eve service there will be plates of goodies for anyone to take and deliver. We are asking families to take a plate and deliver to someone who is working on Christmas Eve... hospital, gas station, fire dept., police, etc., or someone you know who needs some Christmas cheer! Poinsettias can be Ordered for Christmas Order forms are available in Sunday bulletins now for Red Deluxe Size Poinseas Greenhouse Grade $15--Complete with Gold Foil and Glier. Orders must be placed by Sun., Dec. 18th. Wishing Everyone A Merry & Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! From the staff at Luther Memorial Church

3 Page 3 Sun., December 18th Christmas Program Council affirmed the following at the Nov. 28th meeting: Sat., December 24th Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 5:00 pm led by Back Row 7:00 pm led by the choir Sun., December 25th Lessons & Carols Service Sun, January 1st Inreach will be decorating the church on Sunday, December 11th after the second service. All are welcome to stay and help! Sunday December 18th! A member will give $100 to Blessings in a Backpack every month we collect at least ten pounds of coins on Noisy Sunday. Let s make a joyful noise for a great cause! Sunday, December 18th is our food pantry collection day. Please bring with you any non-perishable food items you are able to donate. Thank You! Stewardship and Finance Committee for the Joy of Generosity Stewardship emphasis Irina Ertl, Marilyn Carlson, and Matt Huebner for sharing their stories, experiences, and understanding of stewardship on Sunday mornings during the Stewardship campaign those who made commitments of their time, talents, and treasures Inreach Committee for organizing the chili cook off and for all of those who made some delicious chili! our veterans who have served our country Back Row for sharing their gifts and ministry of music (and being the face of Luther Memorial) at the Helpers in Harmony Concert Marilyn Carlson and Jackie Rupnik for organizing and leading the Divorce recovery group Property Committee and JR for pushing hard to build the deck on the house and put in the ramp. What an amazing job done! Brian and Alice Davis for changing the paraments on a weekly basis as the church seasons change Mindi Huebner and Irina Ertl for the Have a bite, Learn a Bit Workshop supporting the Food Pantry those teaching Sunday School, their time and gifts are much appreciated! Tim Mumm, Irina Ertl, and Lisa Garreau for planning the Children s Christmas Program Delores Grover for organizing the Memorial luncheon. All of those who helped in the kitchen and those who made food Carol Ancevic for organizing the second funeral luncheon. All of those who help in the kitchen and those who made and brought food to share Steve Carlson for fixing the water fountain in the church

4 Page 4 Celebrating A Birthday This Month! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: 12/01 Ethel Taylor 12/01 Nicholas Ertl 12/02 Alice Davis 12/02 Mike Moyer 12/03 Timothy Griffin 12/05 Zach Miller 12/07 Dennis Rice 12/11 Donn Fisher 12/11 Jasmine Banasik 12/13 Scott Miller 12/14 Kathie Plapp 12/19 Sophia Abel 12/20 Jamie Rodebush 12/23 Wallie Leitzke 12/24 Brycen Rodebush 12/27 Bob Murray 12/28 Joseph Bores, Sr 12/29 Payton Hintz 12/30 Ann Wick 12/30 Dan Butt 12/31 Ellyn Schmelz December Confirmation Schedule 2 Learning Event - Psalms/Wisdom Literature 9 Learning Event - Voice of the Prophets 21 Servant Event 28 No Class - Christmas Break PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Our members: Paul & Sandy Moyer, Dennis Bergstrom, the family of Roy Duerig, The family of Bill Klein Others in our prayers: All our Military, Ben Rupnik (father of Ted Rupnik), Deb Bernstorff (sister of Cindy Schenk), Gail Groth, Nelsine Christensen (Chris Groth s mom), Cindy Rapp, McCarthy Family, Mai & Bob Horn (Carol Mueller s parents), Ray Fleming, Ashley, Betty Plapp (mother of Larry Plapp), Misty Mitchell, Paul Lockwood, MaryAnn Trussler, Kelly Armstron, Vicki, Barb, Sam M., Bonnie Rice, Mary Spangler, Wasik Family, Tim Dobbins, Sonny, The Cain Family, Latif Hadzabulic, Xander Romanelli, John Bates, Kaitlyn Vegter and her family, Cindy, Becky Greco and family, Jake and Janet Hetzel, Maureen Courcy (Mindi Huebner s aunt), Adam Nielson & family

5 Page 5 Worship Helpers for the Month of December December 4 8:30 am 10:30 am Opener Lector/Journey Guide Bob Dahl Lisa Schmelz Bob Dahl Communion Steve and Marilyn Carlson Jane Olinger and Bruce Knutson Greeter Bob and Karen Dahl George and Sandi Ballman Closer Usher Joel and Lorraine Ollerich Matt Huebner Nursery Jennifer Arizola Acolyte/Tech Diane Sherin Carol Ancevic Ross Fisher December 11 8:30 am 10:30 am Opener Lector/Journey Guide Bill Schenk David Reinhart Sandy Vander Zee Communion Mona Taylor Dave and Carol Mueller Greeter Floyd and Ruth Rosenquist Paul Olinger and Kay Hinkelmann Closer Usher Milt and Carol Ancevic Ross Fisher Nursery Jennifer Arizola December 18 Acolyte/Tech Gannon Emmerich Bruce Knutson Vander Zee Family Sandy Vander Zee Opener Lector/Journey Guide Mindi Huebner ONE SERVICE ONLY - 9:30 am Sunday School Program Dee Fisher Communion Ginny Andersen and George Ballman Closer Greeter Usher Dee Fisher Nursery Jennifer Arizola Acolyte/Tech Dee Fisher Sunday School December 24 Christmas Eve 5:00 pm (Band) 7:00 pm (Choir) Opener Lector/Journey Guide Donn Fisher Tim Mumm Dee Fisher Communion Hank and Lisa Schmelz Linda Cook and David Reinhart Usher/Greeter Brian and Alice Davis Steve and Marilyn Carlson Closer Nursery Jennifer Arizola Dee Fisher Tech Dee Fisher Dee Fisher Acolyte Justin Graham Sophia Brandt Reinhart Hetzel Family None December 25 Lessons & Carols ONE SERVICE ONLY - 9:30 am Opener Lectors Elisa Brandt, David Reinhart, Sophia Brandt Reinhart, Andy Groth, Alex Groth, Joel Ollerich Ginny Andersen Communion Diane Sherin Greeter/Usher Milt and Carol Ancevic Closer Nursery Jennifer Arizola Ginny Andersen Acolyte Sophia Brandt Reinhart None