Missing Mom

Sunday is Mother's Day. This Mother's Day will be different than any other for me, because it will be the first Mother's Day I won't be calling Mom or sending her flowers or a card.  Mom passed away last May, just a few days before her 90th birthday.

Oh, how I miss her, my visits with her up in Michigan, and our conversations on the phone. The last couple years, those conversations were all very much the same, and often I heard the same stories over and over again. But that was okay. It was good to hear her tell of the activities at the assisted living facility that had become home for her and Dad some seven years earlier. It was a blessing to share memories of Dad with her, and hear her speak of how much she missed him since his passing back in 2008. I realized after Mom's passing that it felt as if I lost a part of Dad when she died.

Yes, I will miss Mom, but I won't forget. I will give thanks to God for her raising my brothers and me to be who we are today. I will give thanks for the sacrifices she made for us, the lessons she taught us, the trust she placed in us, and the love she shared with us. Now don't get the wrong impression - I am not trying to put my mother in the running for sainthood. Raising four boys was not an easy task, and we definitely had our share of spats and disagreements. But in the end, the foundation of love and nurturing outweighs the difficult times we had now and again.

I know that we all have different memories and relationships with our parents. Some can be quite painful to recall. I understand that days like these can be joyful for some, and hurtful for others. I know that all of us who are parents have said at one time or another, "I will never do (you fill in the blank) like Mom or Dad did." But for me, and I imagine many of you, there are memories and traits we hope we can pass on to our children.

On Mother's Day, I will be attending my son's graduation from Ohio Northern University. He will be receiving his Doctorate degree in Pharmacy. I know Mom would be so proud. I will make sure I let him know that (and that Dad is proud too).

Happy Mother's Day!

On a MUCH lighter note, I came across this video years ago - it reminds me so much of my brothers (not me - I am the baby of the family who can do no wrong!) 

Peace,
Pastor Charlie

Interfaith Hospitality Network

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege and joy of hosting a night at the Greene County Interfaith Hospitality facility with other Epiphany members.  The Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) of Greene County is a nonprofit ministry committed to uniting the religious community in Greene County to provide shelter, meals and assistance to homeless families. Their mission is to reach out as messengers of God, reflecting His unconditional love with compassion and acceptance, providing help, hope and a safe haven for our guests while they seek permanent employment and affordable housing. There are many opportunities for us as a church to get involved. When assigned for the week, we provide meals, hosting, and opportunities just to meet and greet the families.

The old Francis Inn in Xenia, Ohio was transformed into a facility for this program for the past three years. Epiphany Lutheran Church is one of 10 hosting churches that are involved in the program. The building has 10 bedrooms, four bathrooms with showers, a host room, storage and office space, a laundry room, kitchen and eating space, computers for homework and job searching, and even a quiet lounge area for some downtime for those staying there.

There is an Executive Director, and Administrative Assistant, a Kitchen Manager, a Training Manager and a weekend staff person who make the program work. A dedicated Board of Trustees and an Advisory board offer support and guidance as well. The goal of the program is to serve 50 displaced families a year with case management, temporary lodging, and nutritious meals, and placing at least 40 of these families in permanent housing each year. 

What I appreciate about the ministry is the opportunity not just to serve, but to be with the people you are serving. There is a great sense of community that happens in this place. While I was there, I had the opportunity to meet the parents and kids who are currently there. One little girl, just three years old, became my shadow – I will call her Tiffany. As Jim Evans (Epiphany member and chair of the IHN Board) was giving me a tour, Tiffany wanted to show me everything on the walls, on the floor, and more! I could tell she felt at home in this place, a place that is safe and welcoming. I realized that while I had come to be her host, she wanted to be mine. 

This ministry relies on the support of donations and gifts to keep this ministry going. One way you can support this is through the IHN Golf Marathon 2013. We hope to have 40 golfers participate (I am one of them) who will be playing 100 holes of golf to raise funds for IHN. If you would like to sponsor me or my partner, Ted Urban (we are splitting the holes and doing 50 each!), contact me and I will send you more information (cwoodward@epiphanydayton.org). 

Thanks and Peace,

Pastor Charlie

We Have Never Done It That Way!

The good news of Jesus Christ - the one who takes on himself the sins of the world, the one who loves us, forgives us and promises to be with us, the one who desires the best for us - his is the message we, the church, are called to share. That is why we exist. That is what we do. That is our mission!

How do we do it? With whatever methods and gifts we have at our disposal. At Epiphany, we are blessed with great facilities, wonderful music, gifted teachers and leaders, a pantry that assists many in the community that is staffed by many volunteers, many other outreach ministries and volunteers, a great drama ministry, inspired worship, fantastic youth programs, joy in fellowship, and so much more. These things happen because people find joy in serving, and through these many facets, the good news is proclaimed.

The message is what is important. We have to be careful not to get in the way of the message being shared even if it is done in a way that is not the way we would do it.  Someone once said, "The last seven words of the church will be 'we have never done it that way.'" As the church continues to grow and move forward, may we be focused on our purpose, "We love Jesus by serving others." How that might look? Let's be open to where God is leading us.

I give you an example of what I mean. One of my favorite music groups is "The Piano Guys." In this video clip, you will see how a piano can be used in ways one never imagined. And yet, the music is shared.  (sorry for the advertisements at the beginning)





I encourage you to be a partner in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ for all who have ears to hear. May we encourage one another to use the gifts in sharing the good news even if we have never done it that way before.

Peace,
Pastor Charlie

Be Still and know!

I have just returned from vacation. I promise to not bore you with pictures or stories of my time away, but I will tell you it was good to have some "down time" as we like to say. The phone was turned off, and the only clock we used was the placement of the sun in the sky.  Ahhhhh.................

Okay, I am back! I was reminded during the time away how important it is to take time to stop, to be still, and to be at rest. I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I am in such a rush that I get ahead of myself, and maybe even get ahead of God, and I soon forget that I am not the leader. How important it is to take time to stop, be still and rest.

A favorite verse of mine is Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God." Be still! What is surprising is that this verse comes at the end of the psalm Martin Luther used as the basis for the Lutheran fight song - "A Mighty Fortress." Singing that hymn never conveys silence and peace to me. But maybe there is a sense of hope and comfort knowing that God is in charge. Peace. Be still.

I have found this verse to be a great prayer.  Simply take off a word or two at the end of the verse each time, and there you will find a new reflection:

• Be still and know that I am God - God is in charge
• Be still and know that I am - that is the name of God given to Moses to share with Pharoah - "Tell Pharoah that 'I Am' has sent you."  I Am = Yahweh. God IS.  Not "God has been" or "God will be." NO. "God Is!"
• Be still and know - know that God is the one who loves you. God knows YOU. And the one God knows is the one God loves.
• Be still - there is nothing you can do to make God love you more. There is nothing you can do to make God love you less. Be still.
• Be - God created you. In God's eyes you are precious.

I pray you find time to be still and know.

Peace,
Pastor Charlie

A great song based on this verse

Risen Indeed

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed.  Alleluia!

What a great week of worship from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. Jesus the Christ has won the battle over sin and death for you!  Rejoice!

This song, which we sang on Easter at our contemporary services, sums up the Easter message so very well.

In Christ Alone



More posts to come after vaction!

Happy Easter!

Peace
Pastor Charlie

Thank You

The past few weeks we have focused on the Good Gifts program through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). I have been deeply touched by your generosity and support of this campaign and I thank you for your gifts and offerings. We will update the totals on Easter Sunday and make a final report later in April so keep your eyes open for that.

This program has been a blessing to support. I have heard stories of families discussing which gifts to give, causing some spirited conversation around the dinner tables. I have talked to many about the need for not just food and animals but also health kits and education materials and supplies for worship and Christian education. Not only are we offering gifts, but we are also opening our eyes to the needs of our neighbors. I guess you could say this program has been a "good gift" to us.

When I first talked to Pastor Larry and Cindy Hoffsis about this program as our Lenten focus for the second year in a row, we hoped the response would be as positive as last year. Our concern was that there might not be as such a good response since we did this before. But we agreed there is no down side to feeding the hungry and helping those in need. We decided that any number of gifts would be a blessing. The good news is our concern was not warranted and our goal of three hundred gifts is in sight. Thank you for your gifts.

Please note that it is not too late to give a gift.

Thank you to Bill Lynch for his weekly devotions. Here is one more:

Mark 6:56

And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Jesus gave himself. Jesus gave himself fully and without reservation. Wherever Jesus went people came to him and sought healing and salvation from the troubles of their lives.

As we walk with Jesus this Holy Week, we know and begin to understand the depth of the statement, “Jesus gave himself.” Jesus comes into the lives of individuals and entire groups of people and gives himself fully. Yes, we must, we need, we will, run to Jesus. There is no way that we can do this on our own, either individually or corporately, without Jesus. We need a Savior, so we run to Jesus for salvation.

Jesus comes to us in the serving, in the washing of feet, in the bread and in the wine. Jesus comes to us and invades our bodies and our spirit to the very core of our being. Jesus comes to us in the deepest part of our gut. Jesus comes to us in the core of our being. Jesus comes into our heart and shows us a love that saves us from sin, death, our selfish ways and the devil.

As we see Jesus on trial and tortured and hung from a cross and as we see Jesus in pain, may we come to know the healing that only Jesus can bring to us. Yes, Jesus comes to us in the villages, the cities, the farms or anywhere we may be, to save us. Jesus comes to save each one of us and all of us together.

 
As we wrap up the “Good Giving Campaign” for this Lenten Season, may we see how Jesus has come to heal not only ourselves individually but also the entire “Farm” so to speak. Jesus has shown how to come to the “Farm” and save those in need.

We have been invited to emulate the life of Jesus in a small way by giving to those in need. We have given to those in the villages, in the cities and in the farms. We have given to those in the marketplaces and those that beg to just reach out and touch a tiny part of the fringe of Jesus’ cloak. We have been invited and have given of ourselves to those in need.

We stand as one with all the people of God and receive the very grace that Jesus has come to deliver to the entire “Farm” this Holy Week in Jesus gift of salvation. This week I present to you, the “Farm.” I present to you an opportunity to give the “Farm” as a response to the gift of life and salvation that we witness this Holy Week in the life of Jesus.

The Family Farm… 

“A cow, a couple of goats, 10 chicks, two pigs, a duck, farming tools—plus training and marketing support—can help a family farm its way to a fresh start. With new tools and techniques, crops will grow bigger and stronger than ever before. Eggs, milk and meat from farm animals will provide enough food to eat and sell on the market, helping a family escape the cycle of hunger and poverty for good.”

Through the Good Gifts Catalogue you have an opportunity to give in such a small, yet such a great way…

https://community.elca.org/page.aspx?pid=651&nccsm=21&__nccspID=909

This week especially, remember how Jesus has come to you and to all of us on the “Farm.” How Jesus gave himself fully and without reservation. In your moments of reflection and prayer, give thanks for all Jesus has done and shown to us… individually… and corporately. Thanks be to God!

Prayer

Father thanks for Jesus. Thanks for life, for living, for learning, for caring, for loving. Thanks for the opportunity to help another in a small way and to see and remember how you have shown help to all of us in both small ways and ways so fantastic that we can’t even explain those ways with mere words. Be with us through this week as we prepare for that celebration of Life springing forth from the grave in love for all people. --- Amen

UPDATE:

As of March 26, 2013,  238 gifts have been given

Money given to the Good Gifts Program for these gifts and loose offering - $8,743.

THANK YOU for your gifts!

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Education

Do you have a favorite teacher? Someone who challenged you to use your brain, challenged you in your learning, and encouraged you to learn more? What a blessing education can be. The ELCA Good Gifts program provides several gifts that enhance education, including textbooks, school fees and more. 

Bill Lynch shares the importance of these gifts in his devotions for us this week:

 

Genesis 24:19

When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.”

This is a passage about a wife for Isaac. A wonderful, loving person and a God given gift, to not only Isaac, but to all of us, as we witness her faith and values. Rebekah was a woman that the servant of Abraham was led to by an angel of God. Wow! What more could any of us ask for in a life mate? 

Abraham’s servant traveled to Mesopotamia to seek a wife for Isaac. The servant came with beautiful gifts. It was evening and the servant went to the well at the time when the women would come to get water. The servant had his camels kneel at the well. Then the servant said a prayer. A prayer asking God for help in finding a wife for Isaac. Before the servant had finished praying, the prayer was being answered.

Rebekah arrived at the well and gave the servant a drink of water and gave the servant’s camels some water as well. Rebekah kept running to the well and giving and giving and giving water until all the camels had enough to drink. 

Beautiful Rebekah, beautiful in vision but beautiful more so for her spirit of giving and love and faith. The angel of God and surely God himself, was directly involved in this moment of giving. 

This is where we are blessed with this story of Rebekah. We have been given wonderful opportunities to learn ourselves and to give learning to others. As we observe the giving heart of Rebekah that returns to that well of water time after time, we can give likewise to another person, or perhaps many people in need. The heart of Rebekah led by the Spirit of God to give from that life giving water in that eternal well of giving, can also be the heart and spirit from which we give. 

Lessons learned and actions taken out of giving love. A love displayed through our Savior, Jesus Christ, and a love emulating the love of Jesus in Rebekah’s kindness and beauty. All lessons learned from the gift we have been given of Holy Scripture. A Book placed into our hands early in our Christian life through which we witness faithful lives of God’s people throughout time. A wonderful gift of love given to us and placed before us from our baptism forward into eternity. A gift that witnesses God’s Gift to us.

Many families can barely afford to send their children to school. And paying for textbooks can be even harder. Books for an entire classroom help 20 or more school children learn essential subjects like math, science and language. These books are building blocks for a brighter future.

Through the Good Gifts giving initiative of the ELCA you can help students learn and build a future that brings new life and hope and opportunity.

Consider a gift and give from the beauty of your heart.

https://community.elca.org/page.aspx?pid=650&nccsm=21&__nccspID=929

Prayer

Lord; open wide my heart of faith and love and giving, that I too may return to the well of the living water and give to another in need. I thank you for giving me the Bible to read and come to believe in all you have done for all people. As you speak to me through your Word, may I also act boldly in love. --- Amen

Total Gifts Given - 186 (our goal is 300!)
Dollar Amount of Gifts Given PLUS Wednesday Night Offerings- $6,440

Global Barnyard
	24	Goats
	36	Chicks
	18	Pigs
	20	Ducks
	6	Sheep
	2	Fish Pond
Water
	6	Water Jugs
	2	Set of Water Purification Tablets
Health Care
	11	Health/Dental Kits
	12	Child Vaccinations
Malaria
	11	Mosquito Nets
	1	Malaria Protection Women and Children
	2	Medicine to Treat Malaria Patients
Agriculture
	4	Fruit Tree Seedlings and Farm Tools
Grow the Church
	7	Bible and Hymnal
Women and Children
	2	Food -Orphan
	9	Textbooks for Children
	3	Food for 10 soup kitchen
	1	Microlean
	3	School Fees for Children

We have also received donations for five blankest and $250 toward the digging of a well.

Thank you for you continued efforts!

Peace
Pastor Charlie