Let Your Light So Shine

It was just a few days before Christmas last year.  Ron, a long-time member of the church, had battled health issues for several years, and finally the battle had come to an end.  Ron passed away.  I cherished my visits with Ron, because he was always so thankful for the visit, and I often felt I had benefited more from the visit than he.  And no matter how he was feeling, we closed every visit with the same words - "God bless you, Ron."  "God bless you too, Pastor."  What beautiful words to hear, knowing that the one sharing these words means what he says.  Even in his final days as he was battling for every breath with an oxygen mask on his face, he never failed to share those words. 

The day came for Ron's funeral at the church.  Just down the road from the church is the church's cemetery.  Ron and his wife had planned for years to be laid to rest surrounded by family members and friends.  The grave had been dug, and following the funeral we were planning to proceed as we always do to the cemetery for a short graveside service.  That was the plan.  But two days of steady rain and more rain that morning caused us to make other plans.  The cemetery was just too wet for the burial, let alone walking from the cars in to the cemetery.  So we decided we would share the words we share at the graveside at the back of the church instead.

In my sermon that day, I recalled how Ron had shared the blessing with me every visit.  I reminded those gathered of the promise God made at Ron's baptism so many years ago - this one belongs to me - marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit forever.  I shared the words of Jesus that we often speak at the baptismal font, "Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)."   

I shared the following story, which you may have heard before:  A young boy about nine-years-old went with his parents to Europe one summer. Part of their tour was visiting the great old cathedrals of the past. As he visited cathedral after cathedral, he saw the massive stained glass portraits of the disciples and of other saints. He was so impressed as he stood in these great, empty halls looking through the beautiful stained glass windows. Upon return, when asked by his Sunday school teacher what he liked the most about the great churches of Europe, he said, "the windows of the saints." She asked what his definition of a saint was. As his mind went back to those massive, beautiful stained glass windows, he said, “A saint is someone God shines light through.”

Ron was one who let God's light shine through.  I was blessed by his blessing.  I was not alone.

As we ended the service, those gathered joined me at the back of the church under the "Good Shepherd" window.  The funeral pall was removed and the flowers placed back on the casket.  I began the service of committal that is usually read at the graveside.  A couple of Bible readings and a prayer, and then the committal and blessing.

"In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our brother Ron, and we commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.  The Lord bless him and keep him, the Lord make his face to shine upon him..."

It was at that very moment, I tell you the truth that the three days of rain ceased, and the sunlight streamed down from the window above the casket - the Lord made his face shine upon Ron.  I continued...

"...and be gracious to him, the Lord lift up his countenance upon him, and give him peace.  Amen.  Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him."

 

That is when the sun shone even brighter through the window - people literally gasped.  I was unable to speak because of the lump in my throat.  It was an incredible and awesome moment.  Someone asked me after the service how I did that.  We both knew I had nothing to do with it.  God is good, and God blessed us with that gift.  It was as if God was saying, "I bless you, too, Ron.  Always have, always will." 

 

This Sunday (first Sunday in November) we will remember the saints who have gone before us.  Who are the ones who have let God's light shone through them to you?  Thank God for the saints in our lives!

 

Peace,
Pastor Charlie

 

 

The Truth that sets us Free

Last October, several members of the church I served went to jail.   We went to Lucasville Maximum Security Prison to join in the closing ceremony for the Kairos Ministry weekend, which was led by a member of our church.  It was a powerful, moving experience. 
 

Upon arrival, we went through a security checkpoint and metal detector.  We turned in our driver’s license to gain access, and were escorted to a visiting area inside the high fences crowned with razor wire.  We entered a room set up for the closing event.  We were told to not approach the inmates or make any physical contact with them – such action would lead to a strip search for both of us.  We gathered with other visitors and volunteers for the week for a time of singing and preparation.  When the inmates arrived, we burst in to “When the Saints Go Marching In.”  The first group of inmates were graduates of previous weekend events.  Then, 30 inmates came in and sat in groups of six -  these being their family groups for the week. 

The Kairos Program is designed to share the unconditional love of God to prison inmates who have volunteered to participate in the three and a half day program at the jail.  In that time, the 30 participants are surrounded by 32 volunteers who feed them cookies and homemade meals and share with them, firsthand, what God’s unconditional love is all about.  In that time, the message is clear – God loves you.  God is bigger than any wall you face.  God’s forgiveness is complete and full, no matter the sin.  God’s promises are everlasting.  God is with you and will never abandon you. 

The inmates introduced themselves by family units, and shared as a group what the weekend had meant to them.  Two ground rules were enforced – Thanks only to GOD, and keep it to two minutes.  Once the groups were done, individual inmates could come up and speak – same ground rules. 

The one word I heard over and over and over again is love.  One after another, they shared how each of them had never experienced that kind of unconditional love, and how each of them had come to know that God’s love is just that.  They shared that the tears had flowed that weekend, for some for the very first time in their lives.  A young man of 22 years old, incarcerated since the age of 14, spoke of how this weekend had changed his life, and given him hope had never had.  They shared how, through the weekend, they heard of forgiveness that was complete and full – a gift that comes from Jesus Christ, who died for their sins.   In response to that gift, the group had an exercise earlier in the weekend in which they were to write the name of someone they had to forgive and place it in a bowl of water on the table.  One man shared that he had to write his own name down, because that is where he needed to start. 

They shared how no longer was it going to be the number on their chest, or the blue shirts and pants that defined them, not even the crimes that they had committed.  No, what now defined them is that God had named them and claimed them as His children.  This is the truth, and the truth – you could see it in their eyes and hear in their voices – the truth had set them free.   Free – a freedom they never had before. 

Freedom.  Freedom?   When the ceremony was done, the inmates exited – waving, smiling, gestures of thanks.  Yet back to the cells they went.  In prison, yet set free.  

We can echo the words of those at Jesus’ feet (John 8)– we are slaves to no one – never have been.  Maybe what WE need is to be locked up and held in maximum security, fearing what we say or do could put us in danger either with the guards or the other inmates.  Maybe what WE need is to be stripped of all the things that we hold on to so dearly – our families, our possessions, our self-centered swagger that says “at least I am better than THAT so and so.”  Maybe WE need something to shake our comfort zone to help us understand that all this is SIN – that is  not trusting God, or not letting God be the LORD of our lives.  We are CAPTIVE TO SIN – and it is not till we come to understand it that we will truly appreciate what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

For God’s gift is unconditional, complete and never-ending.  There are no ifs, ands or buts about it.  At the end of the sermon, there is no legal tag lines saying what is not included in this gift, and no disclaimers to the promise.  But we do it anyway, don’t we?  We get wrapped up in the “Well, what about this situation?  What about that incident?  What if this person says this, but does that?” 

Jesus Christ came to die for the sins of the world.  It is given as a gift.  We do not earn, we do not deserve it – it cannot be bought, borrowed or stolen.  It is a gift – God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.  For the price has been paid for your salvation.  You are of great value to God.  This is the truth – nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  

The Woodward Family

I am a graduate of Central Michigan University.  It was at college that I first attended a Lutheran church.  I had grown up attending the First Congregational Church in Royal Oak, but there were no Congregational churches near campus for me to attend.  My best friend invited me to the church on campus, because he had been invited by the pastor to come and check out the church - that was back in the day when you stated your church affiliation on your college registration.  My friend, Chip and I went to Christ the King Lutheran Chapel our first Sunday.  The church is located next to the Catholic church, both of which are right in the middle of the campus.  The pastor there was great, and the liturgy gave structure to the service like I had never experienced - I was hooked.  It was at the chapel I met my future wife (hooked again!).  We belonged to a folk group through the church, and we still have many friends who were a part of that college group.

I graduated with a degree in accounting, and my wife received a degree in music education.  I worked for an engineering firm in the Detroit area as a cost accountant, and my wife substitute taught and worked retail in the local mall.  I enjoyed my work, but felt there was something missing - something else I was supposed to do.  I remember former seminary president Dr. Fred Meuser saying, "a call to ministry is often like an itch you can't scratch any other way." 

After a year of accounting, we made a decision to see if this itch was possibly outdoor ministry - we headed to New York to a camp in the foothills of the Catskills - Koinonia.  We both had camp experience in our blood, and love the outdoors, but we came to realize this was is not where we were called to be.  Don't get me wrong - I continue to be very active in camp ministry, and attribute my time as a camp counselor as being very instrumental in clarifying this call to ministry, but I am not the one to be a camp director. 

Off to seminary, where our two children were born.  Then on to calls in Massillon, Delaware and Westerville - all in the great state of Ohio.  Lisa's love for music continued, but found that her itch was the law -  she went back to school for a paralegal degree, then later on to Capital University Law School to become a lawyer.  I guess you can say we have the law and gospel covered in our house!

Our kids are now out of the house - daughter Bethany was married in August and lives with husband Brad in Elyria, a suburb of Cleveland.  He is a math teacher and she substitute teaches and accompanies a couple choirs in the local schools.  Son Andrew is finishing up his schooling at Ohio Northern in the Pharmacy program.  He will graduate in May, 2013. 

PC, Lisa, Bethany, Brad and Andrew

 

God has blessed us and guided us to where we are today.  As I look back, I can see the faces of so many who gave us love, support and guidance along the way.  Some of these were very deliberate and direct, while others were much more subtle and may not even have been recognized by those who touched our lives.  Who has touched your life - molded you and shaped you and guided you to where you are today?  I truly believe God has placed these people in our lives for a reason.  I encourage you to give thanks to God for those who have come and gone to bring you where you are today.

Peace,
PC

A FOOTNOTE: 
Enough about me!  Starting next week, the PC introductions will be over.  Now I would like to hear  your story.   I encourage you to take time to share with me three things -
1.  What brought you to Epiphany Lutheran Church?
2.  What is it about Epiphany that made you stay?
3.  What is your hope for Epiphany Lutheran Church?

Contact me via e-mail (cwoodward@epiphanydayton.org), or stop in the office and visit with me some time.  If I am there, the door is open, and you are welcome any time.

Growing Up in the Church

I am the youngest of four boys.  From as far back as memories will take me, I remember going to church - it was just what we did.  A high-schooler in a previous church I served told me he had a drug problem - he said, "Yeah, my parents DRUG me to church."  I guess you could say we had the same drug problem.  I don't remember much discussion or argument about it, it was just what we did.  My brothers and parents were role models for me in my life in the church - all active and all found a place where they felt they belonged.  Dad was head usher a couple months out of the year, served on various committees and event planning groups, and Mom was active in Bible studies and worked in the library.  My brothers were active in the youth program at the church, and it was there that their circle of friends gathered.  It was at the church that we felt we belonged, and it was there that our faith was nurtured and shaped.  I truly believe that our involvement in the church had a great influence in our lives and the way we have raised our children. I give thanks to my family for setting the example for me in my life in the church.

Mom and Dad are both gone now - Dad passed away in 2008, and Mom passed away earlier this year.  We gathered at the church of our youth, surrounded by those who shared many memories of how Mom and Dad influenced them in their faith journeys as well.  One gentleman shared that it was because of my Dad's invitation to serve as an usher that he found his place in the church, and is still active to this day.   I guess he had the same DRUG problem we did!   It was just one of many stories we heard about Dad, and similar comments about Mom as well.  Dad was not one to talk about his faith very much, but his actions spoke louder than words - his time and devotion set an example for others.  Mom's gift was in her sharing and compassion for others.  It wasn't through preaching or teaching, but through living the faith that my parents set an example for us and for others.

Who has been a faith role-model for you?  And who do you think might consider you a role-model of faith?  May our words and actions reflect God's grace.  And may the church be a place where faith can be nurtured and strengthened for those who gather, and those who follow us in future generations.

A PICTURE from my daughter's wedding of my brothers and me

Peace,
PC