Remember You Are Dust

Lent is finally here - kind of late, don't you think? A little trivia for you: Ash Wednesday is set by the date of Easter which is forty days after Ash Wednesday, not counting Sundays. Easter is set by the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Share that bit of knowledge with your friends and you will really impress them!

In preparation for our Lenten journey, I share with you a sermon from last year by Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber.

Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. (Joel 2:12)

Today we begin a 40-day period of wilderness wandering. Forty days because that’s how long Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Even those in our society who have never really observed Lent know that it’s the time of year when us pious people suffer and give things up so God will be impressed with us. So that passage [above] from the prophet Joel – "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning"- seems to set things up pretty well. Fasting. Weeping. Mourning. For those of us who act like Lent is a competitive sport, this text from Joel is a pretty awesome starting place.

But this week, I began to wonder why God says to return to God with all of our heart rather than return to God when we get our crap together. I mean, in Lent we tend to really focus on our behavior, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but if God says return to me with all your heart, I think that maybe the implication is that we give our hearts to a whole lot of things that are not God. So if we think Lent is about giving things up so we can impress God, maybe we should ask ourselves: which is harder – the fasting part or the returning to God with all our heart part?

Because I don’t think that my problem is that I eat too much sugar or I spend too much time on Facebook. My problem - and maybe yours, too - is that I sort of piece my heart out to things that cannot love me back. Don’t we piece our hearts out to the unrequited love of so many false promises and self-indulgences, and doesn't the toxicity of all of it all seem to preserve those little pieces of our heart like formaldehyde.

I mean, by the time I even get to the table of God’s grace, I’ve made lovers of so many things and ideas and hopes and doubts – I’ve given myself to them so completely that there’s so little left. So little to be fed by God’s grace, since my starving little heart is doled out in so many pieces trying to get it’s own needs met.

And so, thank God once a year we gather to speak the truth of how we piece out our hearts, how we sin and fall short, how we rely on every single other thing to love us – everything but God. How we love each other and are loved by each other so poorly with the small leftover bits of our hearts: After we've given most of them, and time to career advancement, and saving the world, and saving for our future, and destroying gems, and buying fake cows on Facebook, and the dull pain of [addictions] and sugar binges, and CrossFit and the next spiritual practice or restricted diet that promises to make us whole. It’s not our time that’s so wasted with all of it…I think it’s something so much more valuable… I think it’s our hearts.

So together again this Ash Wednesday, with the faithful all across the world, we gather all the pieces of our broken selves - all the broken who deserve a break today - pieces of our starving little hearts. And we come again here to be told, of all things, that we are dust and to dust we shall return. The very thing we are trying to pretend is not true. Because I think we give our hearts away because we’re afraid of the limits of our self-hood. So we create endless ways to either avoid our self-hood or expand our self-hood. In other words, we sin. And all of it - and I hate to be so cliche, but basically, when it comes down to it - all of it is about the fact that we’re afraid to die. And as a giving-our-hearts-away-afraid-to-die people, you’d think hearing you are dust and to dust you shall return would be pretty bad news, but not so. Because here’s the thing: in the creation story in Genesis 2, it says that the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.

So, yes, children of God…you are dust and to dust you shall return.

But remember this: it is from dust and the very breath of God that you were created out of divine love. A divine love which mends the pieces of your heart back together whenever you return to it. Always, always, always.

And to do this, to gather the given-away pieces of our hearts so that in returning to God, God can make them whole, well, there’s a term for that …it’s repentance.

I used to think that repentance meant to feel so bad about being bad that you promise to not be bad anymore.

But now I see repentance as just returning again to God. Our contemplative in residence, James Wall, tells about how difficult a certain Carmelite nun found contemplative prayer to be, because her thoughts would wander a thousand times during a 20-minute prayer session. She was sure her teacher, Thomas Merton, would rebuke her for such a failure, so she was surprised when instead Merton said that her wandering thoughts were just 1,000 opportunities to return to God.

That’s what Ash Wednesday and Lent is…a thousand opportunities to return to God with all you heart. Returning again to the only thing in which we have any true self-hood …and that is the eternal and divine love of God. The eternal and divine love of God which created you from dust and breath. The eternal and divine love of God to which you will return after your last breath, when again you are dust.

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. (Joel 2:12-13)

Amen.



Peace,


Pastor Charlie

The Call Process - Step By Step

On February 11, Church Council met together with Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt and Assistant to the Bishop Ed Williams about the call process. The two went over the details of what will happen in the coming months as we seek a new Associate Pastor here at Epiphany Lutheran Church. The bishop said God already has someone in store for Epiphany. We just need to be patient and thorough in our search to find who that person is.  We shared with the bishop and assistant our hopes and dreams for Epiphany, and what we are looking for in a new pastor. There is a sense of hope and anticipation for the future, and it was exciting to hear that articulated at our meeting. We have come a long way in the past 3 years!

In our discussions, we shared the desire to find a candidate who will be able to bring energy and creativity to ministry opportunities focusing primarily at the Austin campus of Epiphany. This pastor will preach and preside at least three of the four Sundays a month at Austin, and will be responsible for the ministry and outreach activities there. This pastor will also be working with the staff to provide ministry and leadership in activities at the Far Hills campus, will have an office at Far Hills, and will oversee the Outreach Ministry Lane. The staff will also work with this pastor in the ministry activities at Austin. We are one church with two campuses, and we want to reflect that in our leadership structure.

We were given a lot of material to review as a council, and given the charge of appointing a Call Committee and filling out a congregational profile. These will be the next steps to accomplish in the coming weeks.

In case you are wondering what the steps are in the process, I have listed them below. I will do my best to keep you updated on where we are in the process.

What I ask of you today, and in the days to come is to keep the Church Council and soon to be established Call Committee in your prayers.

Here is the process we will be following in the days ahead:

• Church Council drafts a job description for the Associate Pastor position.  Council completed this on February 4. 
• Church Council meets with Synod Bishop.  This took place on February 11.
• Update congregational membership list.  This has been accomplished by the staff for our annual report.
• Church Council and staff gathering information for Congregational Profile.  This is in the process of being completed. 
• Establish a Call Committee based on demographics of the congregation.  Church Council met on February 18 to begin this process.  Once a Call Committee has been established, the congregation will be informed who these people are.
• The Call Committee will identify leader of Call Committee and a secretary.
• Complete congregational profile. Submit to Synod Staff.
• Call Committee will review the process with Pastor Ed Williams, Assistant to the Bishop.  He will go over the information from the Synod about the process.
• Call Committee shares initial thoughts of needs and criteria for an Associate Pastor.
• Call Committee Brainstorms questions, thoughts, ideas, and reviews the information to be gathered.
• The Call Committee communicates to the congregation the process and will ask for names of candidates to be considered. 
• The Call Committee will request names of candidates from Synod.
• Synod submits up to 3 names of candidates to Call Committee.
• Pastor Charlie will first meet with candidates.
• The Call Committee will interview up to 3 candidates.
• Candidates will also have an opportunity to interview with staff members.
• The Call Committee will refer 1 candidate to Council and inform other candidates.
• Church Council will interview the selected candidate.
• Set-up a meet and greet with brief the candidate.
• Synod sends call form and related materials. Sets up call meeting with congregation.
• Congregation votes on candidate (2/3 majority required) and compensation (simple majority required)
• Complete call form.
• Forward completed call form to Bishop's Office.
• Bishop's Office forwards call to candidate.
• Candidate responds in 30 days.

So we have our work cut out for us. As we continue down this road, remember God is in charge. God has brought us this far, and God will continue to guide us in the days to come!

Peace

Pastor Charlie

Do You See What I See

I had a conversation with a young girl (about 8 or 9 years old) at church on Sunday after worship.  She asked me if my glasses were new.  I told her they are new, and that with these new glasses, I can see everything people are doing in their seats during worship.  She said, “Oh, kind of like a security camera!”  Out of the mouths of babes!

It is true that from the front of the church, one can see all kinds of things going on, such as who is sitting where, who didn't get enough sleep last night, who is trying to keep their child in line, and so much more. And since we are creatures of habit, worship is a time for us worship leaders to take attendance. This has taken some time for me to figure out here at Epiphany Lutheran Church with six worship services on a weekend at our two campuses, but I am learning. 

Here is a little trick you can play on your pastor – sit somewhere different. At my parents’ church several years ago on April Fool’s Day, the ushers asked everyone coming in to church to sit on the opposite side of the church. It wasn’t long into the service that the pastor knew something was not right!

I have also noticed that there are times I say something during a sermon that hits a nerve, causes some emotional response, or even times when whoever is listening doesn't comprehend what I just said (I hope that doesn't happen too often). I have come to learn how to read people’s faces, which sometimes can be helpful, and other times… not so much. I remember one Sunday at a previous church, all through my sermon, a member continued to look off in the distance, head tilted, and a puzzled look on his face. 

Afterwards I spoke with him and told him I noticed his puzzled expression, and so I wanted to asked him what was troubling him. A little embarrassed, he said he wasn’t paying too much attention to the sermon, because he couldn't help but notice the angel on top of the Christmas tree in the front of the church was crooked, and he was wondering how he might fix that later. 

On the flip side, I imagine you all can see what we are doing up front during worship, too. I try to be mindful of that, so that my actions don’t get in the way of the message, if you know what I mean. My hope and prayer is that all that we say and do as worship leaders point to Jesus Christ, and the good news we receive through him. One of my colleagues would begin each of his sermons by praying, “And now we wish to see Jesus, and Him only.” That is my charge, and the reason for us to be here.

Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven. And be careful what you do in the pews. I have new security camera glasses! 

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

We Are Members of the Body of Christ

I imagine many of you joined me in watching the Super Bowl this past Sunday. Not much drama in who was going to win the game after the first quarter or so, but even when the game is not so compelling, it is fun to watch. Not only is there the game, but the entertainment (wasn't the National Anthem the best we've ever heard?) and the commercials to keep us glued to the TV.

It is plain to see that Seattle won the game as a team. The players worked well together. The team had a plan, each member knew the role he was to play on the field, and each player carried it out to near perfection. It was quite impressive, to say the least.

As the members of the body of Christ (the church), we, too have a plan, and that plan is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all the world! Sounds like a pretty daunting task, yes? But you and I do not do it alone. We are just one of many who make up the body. And just like a body or a team, we all need to work together to get the task done!

From "The Message" transliteration of 1 Corinthians 12:

 God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people...You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything.

Working together with me are a wonderful staff, and some new players to help in this time of transition. Two Epiphany members have joined the team leading us in the coming months. Sean Barrett has been a member of Epiphany for several years, and is in the final year of his seminary studies. He is a gifted preacher and worship leader, who will be using his gifts primarily as the preacher and worship leader at the Austin Campus. And Pastor Tom Rutherford, who has been a member of Epiphany for a couple of years, but we haven't seen him around too much. Tom has been serving as an interim pastor, most recently at Zion Lutheran in Middletown, where Pastor Sara Cutter has been called to serve. Tom will be assisting me primarily in areas of pastoral care and leadership. Tom also serves as a chaplain for Hospice of Dayton. We are blessed to have both of these men share these gifts with us. I encourage you to welcome them and thank them for their time and talents.

The Good News we share is that we are on a winning team. The victory has already been won for us in Jesus Christ, and now all we have to do is go out and claim it, and share it! Thank you for being a member of the team - the body of Christ!

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Interruptions

In my 20 plus years of ministry, I have come to the understanding that ministry is all about the interruptions. While I try to plan my schedule for the day or the week, spacing things out so I have time for sermon preparation, meetings, visits, articles to write, planning for the coming weeks, administrative issues and more, I know the schedule will change. Things can and will come up that are not expected. You cannot schedule it or know when it might come about. All you can do is accept it, face it, and make adjustments along the way. 

Just this past weekend, after Saturday Night worship, I went home for dinner, then Lisa and I sat down to watch a TV show we had taped earlier in the week. The phone rang - the emergency line at church. A member of the church was in critical condition at the hospital, and the family wondering if someone might stop by for a visit.

Yes, of course. I am on my way.

Let me say here that I consider myself blessed to have a wonderful, understanding wife who knows when the call comes, her husband must go. We both understand what it is like to be in those situations where a pastoral presence is appreciated. I go with her blessing. I thank God for her understanding and support.

So I made my way to the hospital to visit a member of the church in his final hours here with us. I am glad I had the opportunity to visit with him and his family, to pray with them, and to share the good news of God's promises with them. We visited again the next day, and late Sunday night, he passed away. I am so thankful I had the time to visit with him in those last few hours.

No, it is not what I had planned on this past weekend. But as I said, ministry is all about the interruptions. The family shared with me that they knew I was busy at church, since we are in the transition process and I am the only full time pastor on staff. So they were concerned that they would be burdening me by calling for a visit. I can understand their concern, and I appreciate that, but I am also so thankful they called.

As we continue in this time of transition, do not think we are too busy to visit, or to pray, or to talk. We are called to love Jesus by serving others. The staff and I are committed to carrying out this mission together with all of you. St. Paul reminds us that when one member of the body suffers, all suffer together, and when one rejoices, we all rejoice (1 Corinthians 12). So interrupt us. Let us know what is going on. Let us share in your joys and sorrows, and may we all be reminded of God's love and forgiveness in the midst of it all.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Here I am Lord, Send Me

The Bible is filled with many stories of men and women being called to do what God would like for them to do. Abraham is called to be the patriarch of a great nation. Moses is called to tell Pharaoh to let God's people go from slavery in Egypt. Kings and prophets are called to lead God's people, share God's message, which sometimes the people didn't want to hear. The Christmas story is packed with those called to serve - Mary, Joseph, Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist), the shepherds and Magi. Over and over again, God calls people to carry out God's mission.

When we look at these people God calls, we might wonder what does God have in mind. When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, Moses himself thought God had it all wrong. What qualifications did he have to make such a demand of the king of Egypt? Likewise when God called young Jeremiah to deliver a severe message, Jeremiah thought God must have lost his mind. A farmer by the name of Gideon was called by God to lead an army and save Israel. A farmer called to defeat a powerful enemy – God must have the wrong person. And Simon, Andrew, James and John – just ordinary fishermen – were called by Jesus to bring God's Kingdom to others and change lives. What was God thinking? (from a sermon by Pastor Vince Gerhardy)

Yet over and over again, we see God can do great things when God and the one called are on the same page. As we look forward to the call process ahead of us, may we seek God's guidance to find who God might call to serve here at Epiphany in the years to come. May we also pray for those who are asked to serve on the call committee, that they, too, are open to God's calling to serve. And may we be ready to welcome the one who is called and accepts the invitation to serve.

Church Council will be meeting with Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt and Assistant to the Bishop Ed Williams on February 11 to discuss the process ahead of us. We will have more details to share after that meeting about what will transpire in the coming months. Please continue to pray for a smooth process, a healthy transition, and God's direction for the church and those who serve.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie

Let the Call Process Begin

I hope you were able to join us for Pastor Sara's farewell party last Sunday. It was quite an event! A great turn-out, wonderful food and fellowship, and much heart-felt thanks and appreciation for Pastor Sara's leadership and devotion to God and the church she loves.

Now she moves on to a new venture. We, too, enter a new venture at Epiphany Lutheran Church - the call process. It was not all that long ago that Epiphany was going through the process of calling a senior pastor to serve, and we all know how that turned out! (By the way, thank you!) And while this process will be different from the last, there are many similarities.

First of all, the differences. The obvious one is that Epiphany is in a different place than we were three years ago when the process began. With the change in leadership, a number of members leaving the church, and uncertainty as to what was going to happen next, there were a lot of questions to be answered, and a clarity of direction to be determined. Second, the call for a senior pastor is usually more lengthy than for an associate. The senior pastor is the one called to set a vision and direction for the church, while an associate is called based on that set vision and direction. Third, a rule of thumb often suggested for an interim period is that the interim should last one month for every year the previous pastor served. The longer the tenure, the longer the interim should be. This is not a requirement or a rule, but a suggestion that allows time for the congregation to transition.

The similarities include the fact, as I mentioned before, that it has not been too long since I was called here to serve. I arrived in October of 2012 - just over 15 months ago. So much of the paperwork we need for the call process in in place. That will help in moving the process forward. Also, the congregation is familiar with the process, so instead of educating everyone on what will transpire, we will be more about reminding.

The most important similar factor is to remember that this is not a job interview or a spot to be filled, but it is to be considered a call to serve God in this place at this time. I remember having a conversation with a colleague of mine as I was being considered to serve a church back some 20 years ago, which would mean leaving my first call and serving in a different state. While the interviews had gone very well, his words have stuck with me for over 20 years. He shared with me that when we graduated from seminary, he took the first call that he received. He was anxious to be done with school, had bills to pay, and was ready to get going. He lasted only 18 months at that first call. He soon learned that it was not a good fit. His second call he approached quite differently. Through prayer and discernment, he knew that the call he accepted was where God was calling him to be. He has served that church for many years.  He said to me, "If it is where you are supposed to be, you will know. Let the Spirit work."

I took his advice then, and in every call process since. Going back to that interview and call process in 1993, I knew after interviewing there that it was not where God was calling my family and me to be. Several other interviews have occurred since then, and each time, I have sought to follow where the Spirit leads. The words of wisdom my friend shared with me have stuck with me. I truly believe the Spirit of God led me to the churches I have served since then - in Delaware, Westerville, and now Centerville. I am thankful for my colleague's advice. And I am thankful that God has led us here!

As we begin the process, I invite you to join me in praying for God's guidance. God WILL make a way. God WILL provide. God WILL guide us, if we only are open to it. God is in charge. We may need that reminder every now and then in the coming months.

If you have any questions about the process in the coming days, please feel free to let me know.

Peace,
Pastor Charlie