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.

Christian Freedom - Sermon for Reformation Sunday B

Christian Freedom

Reformation B

October 31, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

John 8.31-36; Romans 3.19-28

From time to time, when I was in junior high school, one of my classmates would disappear unexpectedly and without explanation. Usually, this was a boy of questionable behavior, but sometimes it was a young girl. When this happened, the rumor was that he (or she) was “up the river,” i.e., in reform school. We didn’t really know what was “up the river,” but we knew it wasn’t good, and perhaps even threatening. So it is that the word reform carries the notion of something broken that needs to be fixed. 

Indeed, when Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses (propositions for debate) on the castle church at Wittenberg on this date in 1517, it was because he saw something greatly amiss in the church of the day. But I was reminded by Rolf Jacobson, Luther Seminary Old Testament professor, that there are plenty more “Re words” that can be used to celebrate this day. Return. Renewal. Restoration. Reawakening. Revival. Recommitment. Re-creation. This is not to gloss over the fact that something might be terribly misguided in our churches today. It’s to say that perhaps this is an opportunity to see where God’s Holy Spirit might be blowing through the church in new ways. It’s an opportunity to remember (another “Re word”) that our God is an active God, constantly on the move, doing new things in our midst.

There were some people following Jesus 2,000 years ago who had a hard time seeing this new thing that God was doing. People were stuck in a particular way of thinking and doing things, especially the religious leadership of the day. Jesus invites them into a new relationship, a living, loving relationship with God through him. That’s what Jesus means by continuing in his word and by continuing he means that favorite world in John’s Gospel that means abiding, staying, or resting. By abiding in Jesus, we follow the way of Jesus which is true life freely lived. But some of these folk can’t see it.

Lately, there has been a lot of noise about freedom of the “You can’t make me [fill in the blank]” variety. Sadly, what gets lost in the cacophony is that we not only have freedom from things, but we also have freedom for things. We forget that our freedom as Christians comes as a gift. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in our Romans passage that we have been “justified by faith apart from works,” i.e., set free by a gift of God’s grace. Because we don’t have to prove ourselves worthy of God’s love, we are freed to serve God and our neighbor.

Good Shepherd is in a time of transition and times of transition can be a bit uncertain, perhaps even scary. Of course, coming on the downside of the pandemic adds a whole other layer to the uncertainty. There might be a tendency to wonder what is broken at Good Shepherd that needs to be fixed, and that’s okay; it’s not a bad question to ask. But what if we look to one of the other “Re words” and see this time as an opportunity to see what God is up to in this place, where the Holy Spirit is blowing, and what new thing is happening? Return. Renewal. Restoration. Reawakening. Revival. Recommitment. Re-creation.

This Reformation Sunday, I invite you into this process of discerning where God is leading us. What if we entertain new ideas, try small experiments, and invite new voices to the table? Speaking of the table, maybe when we say “All are welcome to the Table,” we mean more than just those who are 5th graders or older. And maybe we set that Table at every service, every week because we all need it to receive God’s love and mercy more often than not. God has a mission to love and bless the world, and for that mission God has a church, one of which is Good Shepherd. The Son has freed you from worrying about your future so that you can dream a dream only God can fill. Thanks be to God. Amen.

For the video version in worship click here.

To See or Not to See? - Sermon for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost B

To See or Not to See?

Pentecost 22B (Lectionary 30)

October 24, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

Mark 10.46-52

I think one of the worst things in life is to be ignored, to not be seen as a person. A couple of months ago I walked into a fast-food restaurant and was ignored. No one even said, “Somebody will be with you soon.” After about five or ten minutes, I left. It’s bad enough when it’s strangers that ignore you, but it’s worse when it’s somebody closer to you. I joined a fraternity my freshman year at Gustavus and was generally involved, but over time I grew disenchanted largely because of the initiation proceedings.

My senior year, the guys were wrestling with the issue of our group picture – not everyone could be there when the yearbook photographer could come. After a while of this, I quietly raised my hand and when I was finally acknowledged I simply suggested we take two pictures, one for the yearbook and one for us. The frat president looked at me, stunned, and exclaimed, “That’s a great idea O!” (My nickname.) The affirmation was hollow because until that point I had not really been seen as a valued member of the fraternity.

It’s natural to focus on the healing of blind Bartimaeus in today’s Gospel reading from Mark 10, someone who was unable to see and, because of that, unseen. Indeed, after weeks of Jesus turning our world upside down with hard sayings about what it means to follow him, a good old-fashioned miracle story seems to be a welcome reprieve. Since chapter 8 where this section on discipleship started, Jesus apparently had figured out how to heal a blind man more quickly and efficiently. There it took a bunch of spittle and mud plus two tries to get it right. Here all Jesus has to do is declare him healed and Bartimaeus can see again.

Yet, if we look deeper into the text, there are elements about seeing we might otherwise miss. As Jesus, his disciples, and the crowd leave Jericho, Bartimaeus tries to get Jesus’ attention. He calls Jesus “Son of David,” the first time this occurs in Mark. The interesting thing to note is that Bartimaeus, a blind man, sees Jesus as the Messiah (or Christ) when Jesus’ own followers don’t. The crowd and disciples, first oblivious to his presence, try to shove Bartimaeus out of sight.

It’s not until Jesus stops and asks Bartimaeus to come forward that the crowd acknowledges his presence in any meaningful way. Suddenly, Bartimaeus becomes more than background noise to them. When this happens, there are two more things Jesus does that are huge. First, Jesus stands still to meet Bartimaeus. That’s important because in Mark’s Gospel Jesus is always “on the way,” meaning that he is always headed to Jerusalem, laser-focused in his mission. But here he has a “Mr. Rogers moment,” where he stops everything he is doing for the sake of the person in front of him.

The second thing Jesus does is ask Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Now, that’s the same question he asks the brothers, James and John, in last week’s Gospel reading, which they muffed by asking for positions of power. Although the question seems innocent enough, it’s important because it gives Bartimaeus agency. Jesus does not presume to know what Bartimaeus needs or wants, although he probably does. Even so, Jesus treats Bartimaeus as a whole person who has the ability to direct his own life. And then Bartimaeus does what the rich man two weeks ago couldn’t: he tosses aside his only possession and follows Jesus.

It’s all too easy to be blind to people on the margins of society. And if we do see them, we assume we know what’s best for them and make decisions on their behalf without involving them. When I was working on my doctorate, I came across something called The Participatory Golden Rule: “Consequence takers ought to be decision makers.” I love that there are differently-abled people here at Good Shepherd who are seen and valued. Today’s Gospel is a reminder to make sure they are given agency and full inclusion in our congregational life. It also prompts us to open our eyes to see who else in the community is on the margins and needs to be included. That may even be the person sitting next to you in the pew, someone who is feeling left out, unseen or ignored. To see or not to see, that’s the question Jesus poses today. Thanks be to God who gives us Jesus, the Son of David, the Messiah through whom we have the eyes to see. Amen.

For the video version in the worship service click here.

Service through Self - Sermon for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Confirmation Sunday)

Service through Self

Pentecost 21B (Lectionary 29)/Confirmation Sunday

October 17, 2021

Good Shepherd, Wells, MN

Mark 10.35-45

When I served congregations in Mankato and Waseca, I had the opportunity to belong to the local Rotary clubs. For those who don’t know, Rotary is a service organization similar to the Lions and Kiwanis. I joined Rotary to connect with other community leaders and to learn more about what was going on in our respective communities. I also resonated deeply with what Rotary stood for, such as the Four Way Test: Of the things we think, say, or do 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Much of the Four-Way Test culminated in Rotary’s motto, “Service above Self,” which was celebrated annually with a banquet bestowing awards on community individuals and organizations that embodied this value.

Service above self seems to be a value Jesus is promoting in our Gospel reading from Mark 10. In fact, “service about self” could be argued to originate from Jesus himself. Here, two of his followers, James and John, want positions of prestige and honor when Jesus comes into his glory (whatever that means). When the other 10 find out they are livid, probably because they didn’t think of it first. What is ironic about this request is that Jesus has just made his third and final passion prediction, telling them in vivid detail how much he is going to suffer through his arrest, trial, torture and crucifixion, with only a passing reference to his resurrection, or glory.

Like the previous two times Jesus makes this same prediction, they can’t help but misunderstand and saying something stupid. And just like the other two times, Jesus clarifies what it really means to follow him. Furthermore, like the other times, Jesus flips their world around by saying that true greatness is found in serving others. In case they still don’t get it, he finishes up by saying that’s what his mission is all about: serving. The implication is clear: as Jesus serves by giving his life for others, so do they as his followers. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” (BTW, no matter how obtuse the disciples are, Jesus still patiently teaches them and they still follow him, a good lesson for all of us.)

You may not be aware that each Confirmand here today wrote a Faith Statement Paper and had to endure a half hour interview with me. These young people wrote amazing, faith-filled papers that would bring tears to your eyes as they did mine. During the interview, I asked them all what they wanted to do at this point in their lives, what kind of vocation they seem to have. They all gave terrific answers. But I then challenged them to think deeply about how they will serve God and neighbor throughout their callings, because that’s what God calls each of us to do. 

(Another by the way: I also asked them if they considered being a pastor, but nobody did, some quite emphatically. I didn’t at that age either, and would have been just as emphatic. I told them it was my job to identify young people who might be thinking about ordained ministry and encourage them in that idea. But it is also your job as a congregation to encourage young people you think have the gifts for ministry. )

In all seriousness, I want to address the Confirmands, reminding them what they are about to do here today:

In our time together, I reminded you that you are going to say “Yes'' to what your parents did for you at your baptisms. They started you on this journey of faith of following Jesus, and you agreed that you were going to continue on that journey. What we didn’t talk about much is that you do not belong to yourself in the same way any more. Yes, you still belong to God in a way that will never change. But as such you belong to all of these others behind you, not to mention the world. You are not your own.

But the good news is that they also belong to you, which is great because following Jesus is one of the hardest things you’ll do. They’ll be here to help pick up the pieces when life goes sideways and you’ll be there for them for the same reason. Serving above self is a great ideal, borrowed from Jesus, but it’s more accurate to say service through self because it is God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit who makes this hard work even possible. Confirmands: know that God has set you aside for good works and gives you the strength to do it. You are blessed to be a blessing. Go in God’s peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.

For the video version of this sermon, click here.