Belonging

This past Sunday, one of the lessons in worship was from St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. In It, Paul encouraged the church in Galatia to look beyond their differences that excluded - Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female - and focus instead on what unified them - all clothed in Christ in baptism. Because of our baptism, Paul says, we belong to God. Because of baptism, we are heirs of God. Because of baptism, there is a place we belong. And we all want to belong. One of the reasons we join clubs, teams, organizations, even churches is so we can belong.

Later Sunday, after church was done, I joined in with many others to build the set for our upcoming musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." It was my first experience in this process, and what a process it was. There were power tools and saws hard at work, things to be moved out of closets, dark covers to be hung on the windows, props to be made, and a lot of people to make it happen. Besides doing my best "Tim the Toolman Taylor" imitation with the power drill, I took a few pictures. More on that later. What struck me about the process was the organization that went into it. There was a lot to do, and I believe everyone there felt they belonged. 

This isn't evident only in the building of the set, but the whole drama ministry that has developed over the past 20 years at Epiphany Lutheran Church. I never had the privilege of meeting Kay Wean, but I am benefitting from her legacy and vision. From what I understand, Kay found a place for every person who tried out for a drama under her direction. That continues today. This sometimes meant splitting some parts, adding a new character and double casting many roles in the shows. Everyone belongs. Kay passed away two years ago after a battle with cancer, but what she established continues. 

Kay's daughters have taken the lead directing shows here at Epiphany this past year - Kandis did a phenomenal job leading the Children's Christmas Program, and Megan is directing Joseph with great energy and joy. I believe neither of them are trying to be just like Mom, but they are using the gifts given them by God and nurtured by Mom and others to carry forward. They are not alone. I see Kay's fingerprints on many who are a part of this ministry. Many belong because they were encouraged to belong.

The wonderful thing about the body of Christ is that we are all members, yet unique in our gifts. The musical talent, the vision of the set design, the technical team that work lights and sound, the costume creators, the publicity and marketing team, the production team, the drama ministry team, and, of course, the cast and crew all have a part to play. All belong. 

As we were finishing up the stage, one of the young boys from the cast who was helping his dad build the stage all of the sudden realized that he was going to be on that stage for the show. After several weeks of practicing on floors marked with tape, now there is a stage. His eyes lit up as he looked at the stage and he asked me, "Are we going to be up there?" I told him he would. He asked, "Can I walk on it?" 

"Yes. Yes you can." He was, and IS so excited. He feels he belongs. I can't wait to see him in the show, along with all the others. 

Children of God using their gifts. That's what it's all about. One gift I received I had the opportunity to use on Sunday. The gift is a timer for my camera - a Fathers Day gift from my kids. With it, I can set up my camera to take a picture every few seconds, minutes or hours. I used it to take some 2100 pictures Sunday (one every six seconds) to put together a time lapsed video of the process. Enjoy.

Thanks to all of you for making Lisa and me feel WE belong.  

Peace,

Pastor Charlie 

Come and See

Who brought you to church? Did someone bring you? Did someone invite you? For many of us we started going to church because it is was expected of us. I remember a college-aged member at a church I served telling me that growing up, he had a drug problem - his parents drug him to church every Sunday. That is what I remember. It was a way of life - every Sunday was church day. 

When we grew up and moved out from under our parents' wings, we broke away from the habits of home, and established our own habits and priorities. Has church always stayed on your list of priorities? If church fell out of habit, you are not alone. As calendars get fuller, we often find that Sunday is the only day we might catch a break, catch our breath, or even sleep in! Church easily becomes the thing that gets dropped from the "To Do" list for the week. 

I believe that if we look at church as a chore, it can easily become a burden. We can do without because we need our rest more than another thing to do! But if we consider church to be a place of nourishment and strength to face the days to come, it would be foolish not to go. 

Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, tells of a church that has several pastors on staff. Once a month, one of the pastors will go to visit an inactive member or two on a Sunday Morning. When the pastor arrives at the door, the first response he receives is, "Did someone die?" The pastor's response is, "No. But we are concerned because we have not seen you at the Lord's Table for quite some time. According to our records, you must be starving!"

What we have is exactly what the world needs - forgiveness, hope, welcome and life. Every Sunday (Saturday Night too) God promises to be present as we gather in God's name. We hear the good news of God's love, we feed on the Bread of Life, we are lifted up by one another in prayer and fellowship. We gather as the Body of Christ to be nourished, and we are sent out to do God's work with our hands. 

If you have been away, come home. If you know someone who has been away, invite him or her to come and see. Your invitation could be exactly what is needed.  Here is a video a friend shared with me. Why not be the one to invite?

Peace,

Pastor Charlie 

My Dog

Maybe you have heard the saying, "I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am!" If I were half the person my dog thinks I am, I would likely be a much better person.

We are a dog family. After a short stint with cats, my wife developed a cat allergy. It was not long after that that we welcomed Sandie the mutt to our family. She was two years old when we got her and a great family pet. After she passed away came Casey, a golden retriever puppy. She was a lover, a faithful companion and great with everyone.

When she died rather suddenly, it was not long before my wife was researching local golden retriever breeders to find our next companion. Maggie was born in February, 2012 and came home a couple months later. She has been with us in our transitions and joys and sorrows, always ready to greet us, to snuggle up against us, and to let us know that she is glad to see us. 

For me, there is a sense of comfort and joy I experience when my dog greets me with a wagging tail, a toy in her mouth ready to play, and her constant presence at my side when I sit down on the couch. 

She is glad to see me no matter what kind of day I have had. She thinks I am worthy of her undivided attention. She seems to always be focused in the present, the here and now, and not concerned with what happened yesterday or the schedule for tomorrow. 

I know I am not alone in this - many of us have pets. These animals are blessings from God. All that is good is a gift from God. We are called by God to be stewards or caretakers of God's creation, and all that dwells therein, and it is through God's creation we behold God's love for us. Yes, I believe God blesses us with pets who give us comfort and joy as a way of showing God's love to us. 

Thank God for the beauty of God's creation. Thank God for pets.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Here is a little video I put together last Spring when Maggie first came home.  

The Election of a Bishop

Epiphany Lutheran Church is one of the 207 congregations that make up the Southern Ohio Synod of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). The synod gathers annually in assembly for business, worship, study and fellowship. This year's assembly begins on June 7 at Wittenberg University, and at this assembly we will be electing a new bishop. The role of bishop is similar to the role of a lead pastor in a congregation, leading in administration and oversight of the synod.  

Bishop Callon Holloway has served the synod as bishop for 17 years, and earlier this spring he announced his retirement. There have been many discussions in congregations and pastors circles about possible candidates for the position, and while a few names have surfaced, the election will begin with a blank slate. The election of a bishop is conducted through an ecclesiastical ballot, which means any ordained pastor in the ELCA in good standing is eligible to be considered. 

As stated on the synod website:

The election of a Synodical Bishop is more than just another election of an official in our lives. It is a call, a call guided by the Holy Spirit, made with discernment in the midst of the community of those who comprise the voting members of the Synod Assembly and conducted through an ecclesiastical ballot. The process of calling our Synodical Bishop should no way emulate how we elect our secular leaders.

This is how the election will proceed: The first ballot, all delegates are given single piece of paper on which to write one name for bishop. Those slips are gathered and tallied. If one candidate receives at least 75% of the vote, he or she is elected. If no one is elected, the first ballot shall be considered the nominating ballot. Often at this point, there are many whose names are lifted up on the first ballot who ask that their name be removed from consideration. Three-fourths of the legal votes cast on the second ballot shall be necessary for election. The third ballot shall be limited to the seven persons (plus ties) who received the greatest number of legal votes on the second ballot, and two-thirds of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. The fourth ballot shall be limited to the three persons (plus ties) who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the third ballot, and 60 percent of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. On subsequent ballots a majority of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. These ballots shall be limited to the two persons (plus ties) who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the previous ballot. 

By Saturday afternoon, we will have elected a new bishop. It is an exciting process, filled with much anticipation and hope for the future. And while there will be other business to discuss, worship to share, study time and fellowship, the focus will be on the vote.

Our synod is in partnership with other churches around the world. A close tie we have enjoyed over the years is with the Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Bishop Gulle of Tanzania will be at our assembly, and he will be with us at Epiphany Lutheran Church on Sunday, June 9 to bring greetings to us. How important it is for us to know the church is much bigger than just us. 

My hope and prayer for this assembly is that we can look forward with hope, and that our new bishop faithfully serve God and the congregations and members of the synod. I ask you to lift the synod in your prayers in the coming days. Pray for our delegates and members who will be at the assembly - Terry Rapoch, Melanie Powderly, Bill Serr, Jane Lane, Pastor Larry Hoffsis and me. May we always remember and trust that God is in charge.  

God is good- all the time.  All the time- God is good.  

Peace,

Pastor Charlie 

New Life

This past weekend, my wife and I spent many hours digging, weeding and planting in the garden. One of the surprises we have experienced as new home owners is watching what we have growing in our flower beds come to life.  When we first looked at the house we now live in, all the foliage had been cut back, and so we had no idea what was coming. Every day we find a new plant growing, and we often play the guessing game, "Plant or Weed?"

I am constantly amazed at the beauty and splendor of the colors and new life springing up around us. There is hope in this beauty that God gives to us. Jesus said to his disciples, "Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over." (John 12:24, The Message). The signs of new life in this season of the year are powerful reminders of Jesus victory over sin and death.  

There is an old legend told of God’s creation, that when God created the earth, He scattered seeds on the ground. When Satan saw these seeds, he planned to destroy God’s creation by taking those seeds and burying them in the ground, so they would rot and decay. But little did Satan know that those seeds needed to be buried to bring forth fruit and vegetation to the earth. For a seed must fall and die and be buried, lest it remains just a seed. 

Thousands of years later, God sent his only Son to walk the face of the earth that God created. Once again, Satan sought to destroy God’s creation. Jesus was dead and buried in the ground, and Satan was sure that he would rot and decay in the earth. Little did Satan know that God’s plan for creation would win again, that Jesus came to die and to rise, so that new life might spring forth once again. 

Celebrate the gift of life and join with me in giving thanks to God for the beauty of the earth!

Here is a video with some beautiful pictures and a wonderful anthem written by John Rutter entitled "For The Beauty Of The Earth."

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

YOU are Beautiful!

Sometimes the messages of God's love, forgiveness and grace come to us in unexpected ways. Yes, we will hear it in church and Bible Study and in certain circles. But when that message comes at a time and place we least expect it, it can be powerful.

I have a confession to make... I have been known to watch a few episodes of "American Idol."  Lisa and I don't watch much TV, but somehow, this has become a ritual for us over the past few years. If you have not watched the show, or don't want to admit you watch the show, American Idol is a singing competition that gives the viewing audience the opportunity to vote for their favorites through text messages, on line or by phone. The season begins in the middle of winter and concludes in May. Lisa and I record the show so we can fast forward through the commercials and comments, and focus on the singers. We never call in to vote, and so we can't complain when we disagree with the results of the votes.

This season, there was one singer who, in my opinion, was stellar. Candice Glover is her name. She has a beautiful voice. Lisa and I were happy to see her win this year's competition. As the contestants were narrowed down to just two, each of them performed a song that would be their first record. Candice's song is "I Am Beautiful." In it you will find a two minute sermon. The message of grace and compassion and welcome is wrapped up in these words. Maybe watching American Idol isn't all that bad.

Below are the lyrics, and a video of Candice Glover singing the song on the show.

You say I sound silly when I laugh real loud 
Talk about my day and you tune me out 
You keep telling me lies to make things worse 
But I don’t hear you 
‘Cause I’m listening to his words 
And he says I am beautiful 
And when I fall 
It don’t matter that I’m not perfect 
I am beautiful 
I’m not alone 
And in his eyes I’m so worth it 
I’m worth every tear 
And every scar 
And even when you say I’m not 
He says I’m beautiful 
You say I’ll never be good enough 
Knock me down 
Won’t help me up 
And you always say the right thing to make hurt 
But I don’t hear you 
‘Cause I’m listening to his words 
And he says I am beautiful 
And when I fall 
It don’t matter that I’m not perfect 
I am beautiful 
I’m not alone 
And in his eyes I’m so worth it 
I’m worth every tear 
And every scar 
And even when you say I’m not 
He says I’m beautiful 
And I deserve better things 
He says he understands 
I got to do what's right for me 
And he says I am beautiful 
And when I fall 
It don’t matter that I’m not perfect 
I am beautiful 
I’m not alone 
And in his eyes I’m so worth it 
I’m worth every tear 
And every scar 
And even when you say I’m not 
He says I’m beautiful 
He says 
He says 
I’m beautiful 
And I’m worth every tear 
And every scar 
And even when you say I’m not 
He says I’m beautiful




Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Better Than A Hallelujah Sometimes

Ask someone how he or she is, and most likely you will get the response, "Fine." Greet a parishioner after church and I often hear, "Good Morning!" or "Nice sermon, Pastor." There seems to be an unwritten script to life and expected greetings and responses. In some ways, this provides a pattern and flow to our encounters, and there is some comfort in that familiarity. But sometimes these comments might take the place of what one might really want to say.

I wonder if that might be true in our relationship with God. While there is comfort and great benefit to the routine and liturgy of worship, might there be times what we really want to bring to the feet of God is held inside? Don't get me wrong; I appreciate the flow of worship and the structure of the liturgy - it is one of the things that drew me to the Lutheran church. There is good reasoning for why we do what we do. But there may be times what we need to bring to God in our worship or devotion is what St. Paul calls "sighs too deep for words" (Romans 8). Those sighs might be those times when words are not there, and all we can do is turn to God and fall into God's embrace.  

Amy Grant sings a song called "Better Than A Hallelujah." In this song, she captures this notion. (skip the ad when you can!) 

 

There is a need for good order and the right words and responses. But sometimes there needs to be room for something else.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie