A Great Cloud of Witnesses

This past weekend, I participated/attended seven worship services.  In addition to the five wonderful Reformation services at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Centerville (if you haven't been there I strongly encourage you to check it out some time), I was at Wittenberg University for the installation of Bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod Suzanne Dillahunt on Saturday morning, and at Trinity Lutheran Seminary for the installation of President Rick Barger on Sunday night. It was a great weekend of Word and Sacrament.

While I was looking forward to the services (I do love worship), I was not expecting to be so moved by gathering with the many classmates, colleagues, teachers and friends who worshiped with me. At Bishop Dillahunt's installation, I joined in with dozens of my colleagues who processed for the service.

Entering Weaver Chapel

I had the opportunity to visit with many who serve congregations throughout the synod and share with them our mutual joys and challenges in our settings. We sang with great gusto in the entryway of Weaver Chapel waiting for our time to enter, and realized we were a couple of beats ahead of the organist when we finally entered.

"The Church's One Foundation"

Dr Wally Taylor

                         

Dr. Wally Taylor preached an incredible sermon (he was my New Testament teacher in seminary - a brilliant scholar and great orator), and the music was so very good. Both Bishop Mark Hanson (his final official act as Presiding Bishop of the ELCA) and Bishop Elizabeth Eaton (newly elected Presiding Bishop of the ELCA) led the installation service. I am thankful for their willingness and ability to share the duty so graciously.  (more pictures can be found at the Southern Ohio Synod Facebook page)

Left to Right - Bishops Eaton, Dillahunt and Hanson 

 
After the service at Wittenberg University, I headed home for five wonderful services at Epiphany Lutheran Church. Our worship services were great Reformation celebrations, filled with great music, red balloons, joy and celebration. I wore my Reformation Socks - my aunts bought them for me in Germany years ago - there is writing on the socks that read "Here I Stand." You can only wear those once a year! The choir led the congregation in an anthem together with a brass quartet, and we sang "A Mighty Fortress" that lifted us up and led us out filled with joy. Larry and Cindy Hoffsis provided us with decorations and wonderful artifacts from Germany, including an old German Bible, maps and artwork. What a festive day.

On Sunday evening, Lisa and I headed over to Trinity Lutheran Seminary for the installation of Rick Barger as the fourth president of Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Bishop Dillahunt presided, and Bishop Eaton preached. President Barger was a classmate of mine - just a year ahead of me in seminary. I am excited about his leadership and his dedication to the institution, but more so than that, his faithful devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Bishop Eaton

Dr. Rick Barger

(Pictures by my colleague and friend - Pastor Aaron Layne)

It has been many years since I have seen some of my seminary professors, and I was moved to tears when I recognized one after another. We all have gotten older. My Old Testament professor, who can barely walk, was ushered to communion by my Church History professor - hand in hand, these two men who nurtured me in my faith formation approached the altar to be nurtured by Jesus' precious gift. Another Old Testament professor shuffled to his seat, and I could still see the glint of joy and serendipity in his eye. I got a chance to speak with former President Fred Meuser, who over the years has become a mentor and friend. At the young age of 90, he still finds opportunities to preach and teach. And a couple rows in front of us, youth from my previous congregation, together with their faithful leaders joined in the celebration.  And in the midst of that holy place where I "heard the wonder of the Word," the saints who have gone before us were there with us at the gathering place at the altar as we gathered with the communion of saints to share the feast. 

Together with so many classmates and colleagues, friends and loved ones, this weekend I believe I caught a glimpse of heaven. I communed with the saints. I worshiped with the witnesses who have molded, encouraged and nurtured me, as well as some I have had the opportunity to nurture. This is the Kingdom of God.

Hebrews 12:1  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."


After this weekend, I am ready to run the race!




Peace,
Pastor Charlie

Martin Luther Moments

This coming Sunday is Reformation Sunday. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 statements for debate (theses) on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This is the date attributed as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther was a prominent force in reformation, and he was also a prolific writer, gifted preacher and teacher, and writer of many hymns. And though Luther balked at the idea of having the church be named after him, he did have some wonderful words to share.  Here are some quotes I gathered from numerous sources of quotes attributed to Martin Luther:

• “Hier stehe ich; Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen!”

•  “Music is the art of the prophets and the gift of God.”

•  “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

• “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.”

• “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.”

• "Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave."

• "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."

• "I have no pleasure in any man who despises music. It is no invention of ours: it is a gift of God. I place it next to theology. Satan hates music: he knows how it drives the evil spirit out of us."

• "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."

• “If you are not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there”

• “Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake”

• “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us”

• “The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.”

• "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

• "Pray, and let God worry."

• "God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars."

• "Be a sinner and sin boldly, but more strongly have faith and rejoice in Christ."

• "You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you."

• "If you young fellows were wise, the devil couldn't do anything to you, but since you aren't wise, you need us who are old."

• "When I am angry I can pray well and preach well."

• "Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart."

• "Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace."

• “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!”

    Finally, what I like to call the Lutheran Fight Song:  A Mighty Fortress

        A mighty fortress is our God,
        a sword and shield victorious;

        he breaks the cruel oppressor's rod

        and wins salvation glorious.

        The old satanic foe

        has sworn to work us woe!

        With craft and dreadful might

        he arms himself to fight.

        On earth he has no equal.

       No strength of ours can match his might!

        We would be lost, rejected.

        But now a champion comes to fight,

        whom God himself elected.

        You ask who this may be?

        The Lord of hosts is he!

        Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,

        God's only Son, adored.

        He holds the field victorious.

       Though hordes of devils fill the land

        all threat'ning to devour us,

        we tremble not, unmoved we stand;

        they cannot overpow'r us.

        Let this world's tyrant rage;

        in battle we'll engage!

        His might is doomed to fail;

        God's judgment must prevail!

        One little word subdues him.

       God's Word forever shall abide,

        no thanks to foes, who fear it;

        for God himself fights by our side

        with weapons of the Spirit.

        Were they to take our house,

        goods, honor, child, or spouse,

        though life be wrenched away,

        they cannot win the day.

        The kingdom's ours forever!

Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship

A video to send us on our way - a version of "A Mighty Fortress" by Chris Rice

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Blessing of the Animals

Earlier this month we gathered for a special service of blessing for pets and their owners. Many churches hold a service of blessing for animals around the beginning of October in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. According to the American Catholic web site, stories abound of how St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) could communicate with animals and felt at one with all creation. Here is just one of many the stories that were first recorded by Thomas of Celano during the 13th century. —retold by John Feister 

St. Francis Preaches to the Birds

Father Francis and his companions were making a trip through the Spoleto Valley near the town of Bevagna. Suddenly, Francis spotted a great number of birds of all varieties. There were doves, crows and all sorts of birds. Swept up in the moment, Francis left his friends in the road and ran after the birds, who patiently waited for him. He greeted them in his usual way, expecting them to scurry off into the air as he spoke. But they moved not.

Filled with awe, he asked them if they would stay awhile and listen to the Word of God. He said to them: “My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator and always love him: He gave you feathers for clothes, wings to fly and all other things that you need. It is God who made you noble among all creatures, making your home in thin, pure air. Without sowing or reaping, you receive God’s guidance and protection.”

At this the birds began to spread their wings, stretch their necks and gaze at Francis, rejoicing and praising God in a wonderful way according to their nature. Francis then walked right through the middle of them, turned around and came back, touching their heads and bodies with his tunic.

Then he gave them his blessing, making the sign of the cross over them. At that they flew off and Francis, rejoicing and giving thanks to God, went on his way.

Later, Francis wondered aloud to his companions why he had never preached to birds before. And from that day on, Francis made it his habit to solicitously invoke all birds, all animals and reptiles to praise and love their Creator. And many times during Francis’ life there were remarkable events of Francis speaking to the animals. There was even a time when St. Francis quieted a flock of noisy birds that were interrupting a religious ceremony! Much to the wonder of all present, the birds remained quiet until Francis’ sermon was complete.  (http://www.americancatholic.org/features/francis/stories.asp)

As we gathered with our dogs and they received a blessing, we also received a blessing as caretakers. The joy and love was tangible that day. God blesses us in many ways - this service brought that to light.

Here is a slideshow I put together from the service - thanks to Pastor Sara for her leadership and coordination of our worship.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

The Installation of the Presiding Bishop

On Saturday, October 5th, Elizabeth Eaton was installed as the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For this week's blog, I want to share with you a couple of links to introduce you to our new presiding bishop. The first is an interview with the Chicago news program before her installation.

This next link is from a blog written by Bishop Jim Gonia of the Rocky Mountain Synod. He shared reflections of the installation service.  (click on the underlined item below)

Bishop Jim Gonia: Glorious!

Finally, here is a link to the webcast of the installation.



Please join with me in praying for Bishop Eaton and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, that we will work together in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ for all to hear!

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Dependent

This past weekend, our son Andrew came home for a visit.  Andrew graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Pharmacy degree back in May and is now gainfully employed by CVS Pharmacy in the Cleveland area.  He brought home with him his 5 month old Newfoundlander puppy, Enzo. Enzo weighs in at 53 pounds - he will gain another 80 to 90 pounds in the coming months!  Enzo and our Golden Retriever Maggie had a great time playing in the back yard and around the house. Even at 5 months, Enzo is not the fastest dog in the world; he kind of lopes when he runs, and he is growing into his legs. Maggie ran circles around him in the back yard, and both were worn out when the day was done.

 

It was great to have the boys home!  Two things that struck me when they were here. First of all, I observed first-hand my son caring for this animal that is dependent on him for care, food, guidance and love. Enzo is Andrew's responsibility, and it was a blessing to see him in that role. This young man my wife and I raised and nurtured is now the one who nurtures. Yes, I know some day it will be babies instead of dogs, but one thing at a time!

 

The second observation is that this was the first time my son came for a visit and he left without asking for, or me offering him money! Our dependent has become independent (and there was much rejoicing!). I believe that both parties are thankful this. And even though it is not a big thing, it is a transition in our lives. We have all gone through it, haven't we? 

 

And yet I know there may come a day when I may become the one dependent on my son. Many of us have gone through this as well, haven't we? Both Mom and Dad became dependent on my brothers and me. It was not something that we planned on, but rather it became a necessity, and I am thankful that my brothers and I were able to provide the care and assistance they needed in their final days (especially grateful to my brother who lived within a few miles of them their final days and gave much time and loving care for them). I am well aware that our children watched us as we cared for our parents, knowing that this may be their charge in the DISTANT future.

 

In caring for those dependent on us, we provide a model for their role to be the caregivers and nurturers. God provides parents and people for us who are authorities in our lives so that we might be cared for, as well as models for how to care for others. In God's great love for us, we have a model of unconditional love, care and support. Through our caring for others, we are given the opportunity to share God's love. It is the circle of life, the community of family and friends that give us a glimpse of God's love in action.

 

Ever dependent on God, may we be instruments of God's love to those who are dependent on us.

 

Peace,

Pastor Charlie