Ordinary Love - Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent Year C

Ordinary Love

Advent 4C

December 19, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

Luke 1.39-55

As I was reading the last part of the Gospel, I could barely keep from singing Marty Haugen’s version of “The Magnificat” from the beloved Holden Evening Prayer worship. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t want to clear the sanctuary. The Gospel of Luke is a veritable treasure trove of song: Mary’s song here. The song that Elizabeth’s husband, the priest Zechariah, sings after John the Baptist’s birth. And there’s Simeon’s song at the Presentation of Jesus in the temple eight days after his birth. It makes you wonder why Luke’s Gospel hasn’t been made into a musical (though Jesus’ story has). (Point of fact, all three have been set to music in our worship liturgies throughout the ages. Those of you who remember the first red hymnal may remember Simeon’s song as the Nunc Dimittis, the Latin for the first few words of the song, “Lord now let your servant depart in peace…”)

The songs are sung in the midst of extraordinary events: angels visiting Zechariah and announcing his wife Elizabeth’s pregnancy well beyond her child-bearing years and Mary’s pregnancy through the Holy Spirit. Yet, it’s the ordinariness of Mary as God’s chosen vessel for Jesus that has had me thinking. There is absolutely nothing about Mary that indicates God’s choice. She’s a young woman from an ordinary town engaged to an ordinary man, Joseph, who has “good prospects” as a craftsman as they say, but unremarkable nonetheless. And aside from one or two remarkable but isolated incidents, her life as a mom raising Jesus is pretty typical. Feedings, changing diapers, kissing skinned knees, snuggling at night.

Yet Mary is blessed, named by Elizabeth and future generations of Christians, but not because of anything she does but because God chose this ordinary woman to do an extraordinary thing. It’s easy to get swept up in the sensational parts of this story, for they are marvelous. And we typically look for God to work in marvelous ways because those are the ones that catch our attention. But we forget that more often than not, God works in, with, and through the ordinary, everyday things in our world.

Last week Jaxton was baptized in the name of the triune God. In baptism,, we claim that God’s Word through the Holy Spirit joins with ordinary water to wash us clean and make us beloved children of God in a whole new way. Today, we will claim that ordinary bread and wine will become the body and blood of Jesus and by taking those things into our body we will take Jesus into our very selves. As we do we claim with Martin Luther that we receive forgiveness of sins and where there is forgiveness of sins there is life and salvation. Furthermore, we dare to claim that this humble gathering of ordinary people in an ordinary building of brick and stone becomes a place of God’s presence and blessing.

In all of these cases, and more, God’s extraordinary love is poured out in ordinary places and ways. We enjoy a good love story, especially one that is exciting, dramatic, and “against all odds.” (That’s why Hallmark has two cable TV channels instead of one.) Yet, I think the extraordinary love is the ordinary kind that happens day in and day out for years. The parent who does hundreds of acts of ordinary love each to help their children be good people and the spouse who cares for a failing loved one, wherever that might be, are but two examples. I’ll  bet you can think of more.

This week, as you prepare to celebrate God’s gift of love in Jesus, I invite you to look for examples of God’s ordinary love and then savor them for a moment. Not if you see them but when because they will be there. You may not burst out into song (or you might), but you will be blessed as much as Mary. Amen.

My written sermons often preach differently "live." To watch the video, click here.

Transforming Joy - Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent Year C

Transforming Joy

Advent 3C

December 12, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

Luke 3.7-18

Several years ago, while listening to a Christian radio broadcast, the speaker related a true story. I know it’s true because the speaker was there when it happened. The speaker was the best man at his best friend’s wedding, and they were standing together at the altar railing waiting for the bride. Just before the bride was to walk down the aisle, the speaker leaned over to his friend. He whispered, “Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus came back right now?” The horrified and panicked look on his friend’s face spoke volumes: he did not want to be denied his matrimonial joy, even for the coming of Jesus. That was not a joyful thought.

It’s hard to find joyful thoughts at the coming of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading. Today is the Third Sunday of Advent and so we reflect on the theme of the third candle of the Advent wreath: joy. Down through the years as the Advent tradition has evolved, church folk decided that the reflective and ofttimes somber mood of Advent, along with the diminishing light of December, warranted a break on the third Sunday. Thus the theme of joy was attached to the third candle and some Advent wreaths have a pink candle to set it apart and note its distinctive character. Now, our readings from Zephaniah and Philippians ooze joy, but what about the Gospel from Luke?

It’s hard to see how the message from John the Baptist of Jesus’ coming is good news. John the Baptist calls the people a “brood of vipers” and talks about the “wrath to come.” Then there’s the image of fire, often a sign of judgment. John also tells them that their identity as descendants of Abraham will not help them at all in their predicament. Yet remarkably, Luke tells us that John is proclaiming good news to the people, and they agree! So, what is it about John’s message of Jesus’ coming that makes this joyful news to them and to us?

It helps to remember that John the Baptist was offering a baptism of repentance, but that repentance means more than admitting our brokenness and saying we’re sorry. The Greek word for repentance literally means to change your mind. Thus it came to have the sense of turning around and going the other way. It stands for a change of direction in life. In other words, repentance means there is a transformation that takes place in you and in your life. The chaff John talks about that gets separated from the wheat can refer to the parts of ourselves that need healing. That transformation, however painful it might be, ultimately provides joy at the “new you” that is more in line with who God wants you to be.

It is helpful to remember that most of the book of Zephaniah is an oracle of judgment for sin and that Paul is writing to the Philippians while he is sitting in prison. In spite of those circumstances, we have these words of joy. The prophet Zephaniah assures the people that God’s salvation is at hand in their repentance. And Paul urges the Philippians to trust God with their worries and gives them a blessing of peace and joy. Again we are reminded that joy is different from happiness. As Frederick Buechner reminds us, happiness is generally where we expect it to be, but joy comes in those unexpected places where God shows up.

We also need to remember that Christmas is more than a cute baby, a vulnerable God with Us, though it is that. Advent is a time to remember why we need Jesus to come in the first place. We admit that we are broken, fallible creatures who cannot, no matter how hard they try, make our lives right. I trust that the young groom who was horrified at the thought of Jesus’ coming came to realize Jesus’ coming into his marriage as joyful, no matter the circumstances. So, I pray that all of you, God’s Beloved, experience the transforming joy of Jesus this Advent and beyond. Amen.

My written sermons often preach differently "live," but today's was more so than usual. To watch the video, click here.

The Way of Peace - Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent C

The Way of Peace

Advent 2C

December 5, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

Luke 3.1-6

Before Cindy and I were married, we were at my parents’ house, and I was helping my Dad. I think we were moving a piece of furniture. It wasn’t going well and my sister, Cheryl, turned to Cindy and said, “Scott’s the one with patience in the family.” Cindy’s eyes got big because she knew how little patience I had. In fact, she had given me a plaque that says, “Lord, give me patience, but I want it right now.” She was also the one who told me that I should never pray to God for patience because God doesn’t give you patience, God teaches you patience. It is difficult for one who walks the way of impatience to also walk the way of peace.

Peace is the theme of the second Advent candle, a difficult road in both our time and that of John the Baptist. Notice in the first few verses of our Gospel reading how Luke sets the stage for John the Baptist’s proclamation. The word of the Lord doesn’t come to the power brokers in the world, the “A-list of earthly powers” as Audrey West says. Nor does the word of the Lord come in the seat of power like Rome. Rather, it comes to an eccentric prophet in the wilderness of some supposedly insignificant country. The Pax Romana, the so-called “Peace of Rome '' was an illusory peace. It was a peace wrought by military oppression and subjugation and therefore no real peace at all.

John the Baptist’s call for us to prepare the way of the Lord, the way of peace, comes into a world that is just as chaotic as his was. It’s also a world that seems just as incapable of the ruling powers to do anything about it. Trigger alert (which means I’m going to say something that might upset some of you): I’m going to get political because Luke makes both a political and religious statement. So here it is: with some notable exceptions, our government and religious leaders seem more capable of sewing discord than traveling the way of peace and do so by playing power party politics. 

In 2005, Jim Wallis wrote a book called “God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It.” The book was mostly about how our two major political parties interact with religion, but the subtitle could also be a general statement about their situation today. The Right continues to get it wrong whereas the Left still doesn’t get it. Full disclosure (because you deserve to know where I’m coming from): I’m not a member of any political party and have voted for candidates in both major parties and some other ones as well.

If some of you are emotionally or psychologically on a ledge right now, I’d like you to take a deep breath, come down, and hear me out. Although I despair of the ability of our national and state governments to govern meaningfully, I see today’s reading as good news for us, just like Gospel-writer Luke and John the Baptist. Just as God chose a nobody in a desert wilderness to usher in the way of peace, so too God can use ordinary people like you and me in obscure places like Wells, MN to do the same. In fact, God insists upon it. 

Yes, we should still vote for candidates and be involved in the political process, but our biggest contributions to the way of peace begin with us, both in us and within our spheres of influence. Yes, we can be passionate about our beliefs, but can we do so with respect and humility, bringing more light than heat? I was at a meeting recently where there was a wide divergence of ideas about how to do something and although it may be a stretch to say that we went at it hammer and tongs, the discussion was lively. Yet, at the end of it all we said, “What a great meeting!” There was an honest sharing of viewpoints and each of us respected the others’ voices. Respect and humility are a way of peace.

It’s taken me most of my adult life to realize that my impatience comes out of my gifts for planning and thinking ahead, to come to peace with it, and to use seasons like Advent to remember to be in the moment. So, how are you hearing the voice of John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord, the way of peace, today? What wilderness that you inhabit is God entering to encourage you to be the way of peace? Thank you, beloved sisters and brothers, for listening and heeding the call of John. Amen.

My written sermons often preach differently "live," but today's was more so than usual. To watch the video, click here.

Signs of Hope - Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent C

Signs of Hope

Advent 1C

November 28, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

Luke 21.25-36

One of the first things I noticed about Good Shepherd was the signs. There are signs indicating what this building is, rightfully so. There are signs indicating various places to enter: almost like the “Let’s Make a Deal,” Door #1, Door #2, etc. There are signs directing you to the various parts of the building, such as the nave, offices, fellowship hall and all-important restrooms. But there are other signs. There are Bible verses written in calligraphy on walls giving thanks, messages of encouragement touting faith, trust and love. There are signs promoting prayers for missionaries and service personnel. There are signs of the acrostic, GSLCW, “Grow, Care, Love, Share, and Worship.” As the song says, “Sign, sign, everywhere a sign!” Yet, in all of the signs I’ve read, I have not seen any signs of hope.

In our Gospel reading from Luke today, Jesus talks at length about signs as precursors of events that purportedly come at the end of time. Today begins the new church year, which follows a particular and familiar rhythm: the First Sunday of Advent marks the shift from a lectionary focused on one Gospel to the next, in this case from Mark’s Gospel to that of Luke. It’s also a feature of the lectionary that the last few weeks of Pentecost focus on the end times in one Gospel and the First Sunday of Advent does the same in the next Gospel, though they do so differently.

Whereas the emphasis at the end of Pentecost was to prepare Jesus’ followers for the crucifixion and persecution to take place, which will be their fate as well, in Advent emphasis is on Jesus’ so-called Second Coming. As we say in the liturgy of Holy Communion, “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.” The idea is that Advent reminds us that the Christ who came as a babe in Bethlehem will not only come again at the end of time, whenever that happens, but continues to come here and now.

Signs typically point us toward a goal or destination and it’s tempting to read Jesus’ words about signs as a road map for when the end times are upon us. Indeed, many have fallen into that trap though both Jesus and scripture warn us against doing just that. If it’s not trying to pinpoint an exact date and time, as several have failed to do, it is writing popular fiction about what the coming of Jesus looks like, who will survive and who won’t. But I think these activities, though interesting, are not the intent of Jesus or of Scripture. It’s like reading the signs around Good Shepherd as a way to get to Chicago. Rather than speculation, which raises anxiety, these passages are meant to encourage and give hope.

I said earlier that there were no signs of hope at Good Shepherd, but I was being a bit disingenuous. I think there are signs of hope at Good Shepherd, just not written on the walls. Rather, the signs of hope are written in your hearts. Each of you received a slip when you came today and I’d like you to take it out now. The slip says, “My greatest hope for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is …” and I want each of you to finish that sentence with one thought and only one thought (anything else will be ignored). 

This is the first of several activities that will invite your thoughts as we prepare for your next pastor. At the end of the service, please put the completed slips in the basket in the center of the aisle. I'll be using this information with the council and the Shepherding (Transition) Team early next year.

The theme for the First Sunday of Advent is hope, a certain sign of Jesus’ promise to come again. You are also signs of that promise. Thanks be to God. Amen.

For the video of today's worship service, click here.

Awaken! Here the Voice of the Good Shepherd - Sermon for Christ the King B/Stewardship Commitment Sunday

 Awaken! Heed the Voice of the Good Shepherd

Christ the King B – Stewardship Commitment Sunday

November 21, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

John 18.33-38

Who has taught you generosity? For me, the first and obvious answer is my parents. My dad would do anything for anyone, including taking his own vacation time to paint their house. Both mom and dad opened up our house to my friends unreservedly and it was a place to hang out. They became Ma and Pa Olson to a number of my friends. Furthermore, whenever someone ate dinner, they were always asked, “Did you get enough to eat?” ad nauseum. We never had much growing up, but that never stopped my parents from sharing what we had.

There are some people born with large hearts, but most of us started out pretty self-centered. Babies are born needy, and their whole world revolves around eating, sleeping, and clean diapers. I know that God wants us to be generous people because it’s one of the fruits of the Spirit. So, somewhere along the way, somebody teaches us to be generous people. Who taught you?

 I think about the Fleming family who lived two houses down, who although they were Catholic and we were Lutherans regularly opened their hearts and homes to us, as we did to them. I think about Mr. Michel, my high school Advanced Biology teacher, who stayed after school so I could get some much-needed extra lab work in, but also opened himself up to us in other ways. Who taught you?

There is much about our world that isn’t generous and even resists the notion of generosity. It’s a world symbolized by Pontius Pilate and those religious leaders that want to see Jesus dead. It’s a world where power reigns supreme and any threat to that power is met swiftly and with deadly force. Getting ahead, amassing stuff, doing whatever it takes to succeed are the orders of the day.

It was my wife, Cindy, who helped teach me a better, more life-giving way through sacrificial giving. Either just before or just after we were married, Cindy informed me that we would be tithers, giving 10% of our income to the church. Two thoughts entered my head, which I had the good sense to keep there. The first thought was, “Does she know how much we don’t have?” Of course, she did because she’s an accountant and handles our money. The second thought was, “I wonder how long this will last?” Well, it’s lasted over 41 years.

The true teacher, for Cindy of course, and ultimately me, was God through his Son Jesus Christ. Through sacrificial giving, I’ve learned to trust God for everything I need and I’ve never lacked for anything. Even more so, God doesn’t ask any more from us that God is willing to give: his own Son Jesus Christ. Jesus as Christ the King has a halo of thorns for a crown and a cross for a throne. 

You see, it’s not me who is the hero, nor any of the others I mentioned, but God through Jesus, the Good Shepherd who calls us to awaken and heed his call to generosity. So, who taught you about God’s sacrificial love through generosity, and who will learn from you? Amen

For a video of the full worship service including the sermon, click here.

Be Aware! Sermon for the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost B

Be Aware!

Pentecost 25B (Lectionary 33)

November 14, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

Mark 13.1-8

A number of years ago, Cindy and I were invited to a local restaurant for a “free”  meal, which was to include a “presentation.” In other words, a sales pitch. Cindy was smart and declined to go, but I can’t turn down a free meal and so I went even though it wasn’t free. The presentation included a scary and graphic movie that was intended to encourage you to buy a fire alarm system for your home. By the end of the night I was convinced we needed one. Fortunately, a cooler head prevailed and I realized I’d almost been manipulated into buying something we really didn’t need.

Now, protecting against fires is a good thing, but I can’t help thinking of Jesus’ words, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead you astray.” Today’s Gospel contains the opening verses of what is called Mark’s “Little Apocalypse,” teaching of Jesus to his followers about the end times. For Mark it’s Jesus’ “Farewell Address.” He is preparing them and us for life following his crucifixion, death, and resurrection.

Most scholars believe that Mark collected these stories about Jesus and wrote them down after the temple was indeed destroyed just as Jesus predicted. This happened in 70 CE following an ill-conceived Jewish insurrection against the Roman occupying forces. They also believe (and I agree) that Mark was trying to help his community come to grips with serious events. It’s 50 years after Jesus’ resurrection, he hasn’t returned, and life is chaotic. If the social, political, and religious turmoil weren’t enough, Christians were fighting themselves with many claiming to speak in Jesus’ name.

We may not be obsessed with the end times (though there are Christians who are) nor with Jesus’ return (though there are some who insist on finding out). But we do live in chaotic, challenging, and uncertain times with voices competing for our attention. We are in yet another wave of a pandemic that doesn’t seem to be letting up, prices are rising faster than our paychecks, people are shooting and being shot in record numbers. So, we look around for something to hold onto, such as political parties, financial advisors, clubs and the like.

Now, getting involved in our political process, joining a helping organization, and managing your money wisely are good things to do, but they cannot nor will they save us from the chaos that surrounds us. As pastor and public theologian David Lose reminds us, “the Christian faith does not offer an end to uncertainty or insecurity.” Rather, it roots us in the One who gives us our identity as God’s beloved children. Therefore, Lose says, “the antidote to uncertainty, it turns out, isn’t certainty, but courage.”

I’ll still wear a mask, get vaccinated, have working smoke detectors, and invest wisely, but I won’t do it out of fear. Instead, I’ll do it with the assurance that God holds all things in God’s hands. Knowing that God has secured our future frees us to live today, to enjoy what God gives us. Perhaps it is better to say “Be aware” than “beware” so you distinguish the helpful voices from the ones that will lead you astray. May the words of the crucified and risen Christ strengthen you today and always. Amen.

For the video of the worship service including the sermon click here.

Persevering Love - Sermon for All Saints Sunday B

Persevering Love

All Saints B

November 7, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

John 11.32-44

I was called to the hospital because Donna had just died and her family wanted me to come. Her daughter, Linda, Linda’s husband Tom, and their two daughters, Anna and Julie, were gathered around, obviously grieving. It was not unexpected as Donna was getting on in years and had been in ill health, but still, the death of a loved one is hard. I’d gotten to know the family well, having walked with them through the illness and death of Dorothy’s husband, Elmer, a few years earlier. Plus, I’d interacted with the girls in Christian Education, but Confirmation and Sunday School. Furthermore, Tom, Linda, and the girls lived just around the corner from Cindy and me.

Now, I’ve walked with a lot of families over the years and I have the ability to maintain some distance through death and dying. So, I was surprised on this occasion to feel their deep grief in a way I hadn’t before. Upon reflection, I realized that I wasn’t grieving for Dorothy, who had lived a long life and was making this expected journey. I wasn’t even grieving for Linda and Tom, who had experience with this. No, I realized I was grieving with and for Anna and Julie, whose tender grief was palpable. It broke my heart to see their vulnerable hearts aching at the loss of their grandma.

So, if I can be so bold, it is that I think I can understand a bit of what Jesus was experiencing at Lazarus’ tomb. There’s more to the story and I need to take a few minutes to set the scene. In chapter 10, Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd. … The sheep hear my voice, they follow me, and I give them eternal life.” Then, at the beginning of chapter 11, Jesus is elsewhere when he hears that Lazarus is ill, but he deliberately waits two days before traveling to see Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, during which Lazarus dies. When Jesus finally decides to go, the disciples think it too risky because of the animosity of the religious leaders in Jerusalem, but ultimately decide to go and “die with him.”

As Jesus nears the family, Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, hears about it and goes out to meet him. Martha gives Jesus the “what for” because he delayed coming to them. Yet, she makes some of the most profound statements of faith in the Bible, affirming the resurrection and Jesus’ ability to do as he asks God. Then Jesus makes another “I am” statement: “I am the resurrection and the life,” which Martha also affirms. Martha returns to her sister, Mary, and encourages her to have her own “meet Jesus moment.”

As Jesus greets Mary and he sees the grieving around him, he gives rise to the shortest verse in the Bible and favorite of Confirmation students everywhere: “Jesus weeps'' (or as the NRSV translates, “Jesus begins to weep”). Jesus sees the devastation that death wreaks on humanity and, because of his particularly close relationship with Lazarus, Mary and Martha, deeply feels their sorrow. But there’s more: Jesus is deeply angry, most likely because the power death holds over our most precious relationships. The mourners make an astute and very important observation: “See how he loved him!” Even so, it should have been, “See how he loved them!”

“WandaVision” is a TV show in the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe, a series of films based on Marvel Comics’ superheroes. It aired following the last Avengers, “Avengers: Endgame” and features Wanda (aka the Scarlet Witch who has immense powers), and Vision, a very advanced android who had supposedly died during “Endgame.” I won’t spoil it, but in one scene Vision tells Wanda he has never experienced loss because he never had a loved one to lose. He implies that this was true until Wanda came into his life. Then he says this now iconic phrase, “What is grief, if not love persevering?”

Indeed, what is grief, if not love persevering?  Our grief is evidence that love does not die. And when Jesus raises Lazarus, he gives us a foretaste and down payment on our resurrection to eternal life. When we struggle with the big question of “Where were you, Jesus?” like Mary and Martha, Jesus answers with a resounding “On the cross!” defeating Death through persevering love. My sisters and brothers in Christ, as you light candles on All Saints in the midst of your grief, for all the losses you have suffered,  may you be washed over by the profound persevering love from the One who first loved us. Amen.

For the full worship service, including the video of the sermon, click here.