Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of the armistice that brought field combat to an end in Korea. But the end of combat, as we know, doesn’t mean the end of war. The armistice was a truce. Officially, the Korean War is still being waged. For the Korean people, and for the rest of us, life has moved on. South Korea has become prosperous and relatively open. North Korea remains poor and very closed. And yet, one thing remains the same: both sides are waiting for the other side to change. … [Read more...]
Enemies Under One Roof
Last Sunday some of you met my sister Sue, visiting from Houston. In the children’s sermon we talked about brothers and sisters and how all of us are children of God. All of us are brothers and sisters in Christ. But just because we are children of God—just because we are brothers and sisters in Christ—doesn’t mean we always like each other or get along. The Bible is not naïve. In the very beginning of our faith story, Cain became jealous of his brother Abel. His jealousy turned to anger. … [Read more...]
Christian Pride
At the end of your life, how would you like our life as a congregation to be summed up? Can you think of one phrase or sentence that, in a nutshell, would describe our priorities, our focus, and our relationship with God? No doubt there are many good answers to that question. As I studied especially today’s readings from Galatians and Luke here’s a catchy phrase that popped into my mind that I hope describes us as a Christian community: We Repent. He Sent. We Went. You remember in last … [Read more...]
The Corner of Christian and Liberty
On this Sunday before Independence Day our second reading from Galatians is timely. It’s a celebration of freedom! The freedoms we enjoy are not to be taken for granted. On the other hand, Independence Day is an exclusive celebration. On Thursday the picnics and parades and fireworks we will enjoy are all about us: our country, our history, our people. For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For Christians, the freedoms we … [Read more...]
Godly Unclean
Have you been wondering about the picture on your bulletin cover? Many of you know Ron Oyer. He was one of the many who helped clean up our building and grounds a week ago. As you can see, after four hours Ron was a mess, from head to toe. Thanks, Ron! But Ron the power-washer is squeaky clean compared to what we find in today’s gospel reading! You see, Jews had a certain way of doing things. Some things—some actions, some people--were considered clean, or acceptable. Others were considered … [Read more...]
Work Party
Yesterday a number of you were here at the church for a spring cleaning work party. Today our church looks like a million bucks, inside and out. Some of those who participated are pictured on your bulletin cover. Some of you might recognize Alan Compaan on the left. Others might recognize Pr. Alvaro from the City of Refuge church on the right. In the middle is Ezwin, who is responsible for almost all the outdoor trim work that was done. This photo, for me, represents the message and power of … [Read more...]
God Is Still Speaking
Last weekend my wife and I returned to Fargo, ND, for the first time since we left 12 years ago. We lived there for four years while she completed her schooling. Moorhead, MN, is across the river from Fargo; it’s the home of my younger cousin and her family. During our years in Fargo she gave birth to her second child, a daughter, and asked if we would be baptismal sponsors. The reason we returned to Moorhead last weekend was to continue to be faithful to the promises we made at our … [Read more...]
Christ the King
by Jim Schoeld … [Read more...]
Amazing Abundance
Another election season is mostly over; it seems right that one of our readings for this Sunday after Election Day is from 1 Kings! Our nation’s Presidential inauguration is still more than two months away. The Bible tells us in Luke, chapter 4, that at the beginning of his public ministry Jesus had an inaugural address, too. In that address he told the story about the widow of Zarephath—and it almost got him killed! The first time he went public with his gospel message people spoke well of … [Read more...]
Love Unbound
If you were here in the church parking lot on Halloween this past week you saw ghosts and goblins, princesses and Power Rangers, Captain America, the Incredible Hulk, dinosaurs--all kinds of cute and scary creatures! Having just heard the reading from John, chapter 11, it may feel to you like Halloween all over again! One day Jesus shows up at his friend Lazarus’ house but it’s too late. Lazarus has died. At the tomb Jesus shouts, “Lazarus, come out!” And the way John tells it, The dead man … [Read more...]