Christmas Eve 2022: Finally some good news

 

Christmas Eve 2022

Do you hunger for good news in the world and in your life?  Come with Pastor Rob to the hills and hear the message of the angel to the Shepherd:

“I bring you good news of great joy for all the people!”  (Luke 2:1-20)

Pastor Rob explores why this is such good news, even though it existed then and exists now in a world filled with troubling news.  In a nutshell, the birth of Jesus means that God isn’t going to let the hardness of the human heart determine the fate of the human race; rather God chooses to infuse the world with love in Jesus Christ! 

The artwork is by Cornelis Monsma, Glory to God in the Highest. 

Advent 4: Joseph and foster/step parenting

 

Advent 4 2022 (Dec 18)

Joseph is asked to become a step-father. This is an overwhelming task! Many in our congregation (and in my family) have been asked to assume responsibility for a child that is not their own. And like Joseph, they faithfully do this.

 

God equips Joseph for this task; God does not leave Joseph alone — for God in Jesus Christ is “God with us” – “Immanuel”. He sends Joseph a person with a very different set of gifts and personality — Mary. Mary proclaims God with creative prose; Joseph sings to God through his quiet obedience.

A reflection on how God works through our differences and ultimately even sin to draw us together in Christ. 

The Art Work is from a Caritas website on foster parenting.

Advent 3: Joy!

Advent 3: Joy

The meeting of Elizabeth and Mary exudes joy (Luke 1:39-55).  Mary even proclaims the beautiful words:  “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

There is joy we often experience at Christmas time: joy in our stories, our singing, our gift giving and even our eating!  All sorts of traditions and interactions that reveal mercy and joy across the generations, just as Mary and Elizabeth meet across the generations to prepare for Jesus’ birth.  A reflection based on their encounter of how we open ourselves to the joy God intends this Christmas.

The sermon concludes with a deeper dive too into the reality that family relations are often complex and are in need of mercy.

The photo (which I’ve used before is from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel‘s website.)

Advent 2: How do you measure time?

 

Advent 2 (December 4, 2022)

How do you measure time?  In Luke chapter 1 time is measured by trimesters of pregnancy.  The ancient world measured time in different ways than we do today.  We measure time typically in minutes, but the ancient world tended to measure time in terms of seasons or even moments.

For today’s sermon, we reflect on the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary.  The words of the angel acknowledge that that our hopes and prayers are not fulfilled in the time we would like.  In many ways, Advent is the season of the church year in which we openly acknowledge that the world needs God to come in way that God has not yet come!  It is a season of waiting, waiting for God’s timing.  But Pastor Rob also claims that rather than simply waiting, this is a season of expecting!

The artwork is “Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali, found on Wikipedia

Advent 1: Do Not Be Afraid

 

Advent 1, 2022 (Nov 27)

“Do not be afraid” declares the angel to Zechariah.  Turns out that 2,000 years later, we need these words too.  We live in a world saturated with fear that affects just about every aspect of life.

How do we know when our fear has moved from biological necessity to a spiritual obstacle?  And when we realize our fear is too great, what do we do?

The angel realizes that Zechariah’s fears are too much and so the angels gives him the “medicine” of silence and listening.  Likewise, Pastor Rob commends us to a season of listening this Advent.

The image is from “When God speaks, doubt nothing” by Christine Darg.

The Love of Power or the Power of Love

 

Christ the King Sunday (Nov 20, 2022)

Associating “King” and “Jesus” is often uncomfortable for many people, for Jesus seems to embody the opposite of what we think about in a king.

A reflection on Luke 23 and how the kings of this world demonstrate “The Love of Power” whereas the Jesus, the true King, embodies and gives us “The Power of Love.”

The artwork is from Wikipedia, an article on Huey Lewis and his song “The Power of Love”

O Sing to the Lord a New Song

 

November 13, 2022

“O Sing to the Lord a New Song!”  (Psalm 98)

Sometimes in life we found ourselves filled with joy and we cannot help but sing a new song.

At other times, however, our grief traps us and prevents us from singing a new song.  What to do then? 

Pastor Rob reflects on the “6th stage” of grief, singing a new song.  While this can be hard, our God is a God of resurrection and enables us to bring the past into the future, to sing a new song, even in seasons of grief.

Is Heaven Real?

 

All Saints Sunday, 2022

One of the many beautiful visions of heaven in the Bible appears in the book of Revelation (Revelation 7:9-17). This vision of heaven is completely counter-cultural to the cultures of its day as well as the cultures of today. It would not have occurred to anyone then or anyone now that this is actually what heaven looks like; it becomes clear that this image of heaven is of divine and not human origin.

A reflection on how unique and compelling the vision of heaven is that is presented in Scripture. 

The image was found on this blog; however, I could not find information about who the artist is.

An Isolated Fortress

 

Zacchaeus is a lonely man.  He is a lonely fortress, locked down and locked out of relationship.

Jesus will restore him to relationship with his community by freeing Zacchaeus, enabling vulnerability and forgiveness.

This is what Jesus does.  

The mighty fortress, who is our God, becomes the vulnerable and lonely one on the cross, so that we can have relationship with God and each other.

Note:  I realize that this sermon did not directly address some of the common reformation themes or life of Martin Luther, but I would like to offer it as a Reformation sermon.  For it proclaims the Word as Law and Gospel, expounding the power of grace poured out from the cross and faith lived out in real life.

(The image comes from:  https://sanctuarybaptist.org/2016/10/30/true-stories-at-the-zacchaeus-tree/   I did not see any credit for the artist or any copyright image there)

Reconciliation in Families and among Families

 

October 23, 2022

Today we wrap up the preaching series on Joseph with the powerful scene of Joseph reconciling with his brothers.

The story resonates deep within us because we all have experienced reconciliation in our families OR more likely, are longing to experience such reconciliation.

The more we wrestle with the story, the more we realize it is not simply about reconciliation in the family of Joseph or even reconciliation in our family, but reconciliation between the families of the earth.

The Artist is Yoman Raanan. 

• I believe this art work is called:  Joseph embracing Benjamin
• I found his art here:  https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/blog-posts/1918
• You can read about his work here: https://www.yoramraanan.com/artists-statement

A Surprisingly Familiar Story

 October 16, 2022

The man in the picture is Judah (Genesis 44).  You might not remember his name.

In many ways, what he does suggests he should be forgotten:  Judah is someone who betrayed his brother and had an affair with another family member.  Currently, his family has no food and his brother has been arrested. 

And yet…Judah acts as an agent of God’s reconciling love, making a huge sacrifice.  Turns out that God can work through all types of people, including people with pasts they are not proud of and present situations that overwhelm them.

Last week was a sermon about God helping us through hard times and enabling us to become resilient in faith.  This week is about God working through us – broken sinners like Judah – to help others in their tough times!  

The picture is from one of the children’s bibles that are being used during the children’s sermons.

Becoming Resilient

 

The question the past few years is not whether you got knocked down, but where you got up again!  We’ve been pushed and challenged again and again, calling for resiliency.

Pharaoh’s dreams will mean an incredible challenge for Joseph.  Even though he has been pushed down repeatedly, he is willing to rise up and accept this task.

It turns out that perhaps the most resilient person in the Bible (after Jesus!) is the Joseph.  A reflection on how Joseph became resilient and how our Christian faith can help us become more resilient.

This artwork shared is from a Philadelphia native Bill Bell.  I had never heard of him before, but what amazing stuff! You can see more here:

Bill Bell – Art Licensing International, Inc.

or

Rita Shoemaker’s Bill Bell Pinterest Page

Something more than passion

 

October 2, 2022

“What am I to do with my life,” the young man asked me.  I responded with a typical answer:  “Find your passion!” 

Years later, I regret such an answer.  A reflection on Joseph in prison, our purpose in life and how I would answer this question today.

The image is from the quilts in our sanctuary, which will be given away.  They point toward a deeper sense of purpose.

Relationships Require Courage

 

September 25, 2022

The story of Joseph being sold into slavery is a tragic one.  Some many people could have done something differently to avoid the situation.

Pastor Rob focuses on the lack of courage in the story, specifically in the person of Reuben.  It is easy to talk about relationships and character, but then come the moments of real test and challenge.

Turns out that “growing loving relationship with Jesus and each other” (St. Paul’s mission statement) requires courage in the face of sin, death and broken relationships.

The image comes from a University of Michigan website on caring giving for someone who is dying.

Am I Enough?

 

September 18, 2022

“Is there enough to pay for groceries?” 

“Do I have enough patience for this challenge?” 

“Am I good enough to find a partner in life?” 

Questions about whether we have enough or even more deeply, if we are enough haunt us our whole life. 

As we begin our sermon series on Joseph, we recognize that the story of Joseph focuses on the question of scarcity and abundance.  Throughout the story, we encounter questions of physical and emotional resources — is there enough, enough food, enough wisdom and enough love?  The answer we hear from life is a bit disturbing, a bit like our life — there may, actually, not be enough.

We need to hear another voice, not simply a word of affirmation, but a word of promise, that in Christ, we are enough.

The image is from https://karlamrose.weebly.com/blog/christ-is-in-me-i-am-enough

Lost in our own home

 

September 11, 2022

Can one be lost in one’s own home?  In the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:1-10), the coin is lost in its own home.  Furthermore, the being lost is entirely not of its own doing, simply a result of how life flowed.

In our own lives, we too can feel lost and disoriented, even in our own homes, for reasons entirely beyond our control.  A reflection on the work of God in those times.

Note:  The art work is by Godfried Schalcken.  This copy may be found at https://artvee.com/dl/the-parable-of-the-lost-piece-of-silver/

We have our own copy at the church, but the lighting prevented a good photo from being taken.

The Mess, not the Monastery

 

September 4, 2022

Doing the right thing is hard.  Life gets messy!

Sometimes, in fact, we might be tempted to think that following Jesus occurs in the wilderness, away from things and away from others.  While getting away for a bit is good and healthy, ultimately, Jesus calls us to follow him and live our out discipleship amid the messiness of life.

A reflection on the messes we make — middle school hallways, home construction projects and college admission processes.  Turns out not only are we called to live in the mess, but that God can make things beautiful there too.  

The image comes from an article on the website Ignatian Spirituality about God in the Mess.

Of audio cassettes, powdered milk and touch screens

 

August 28, 2022

Was your childhood filled with audio cassettes, powdered milk or touch screens? 

Turns out the times are always changing!  And its not just technology, its every facet of our lives:  the broader culture, the relationships and even our bodies.

We discover a need for something constant, something upon which we can build our lives.

A reflection on how Christ promises to be the cornerstone on which we can build, the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

The photo is from a Forbes Magazine article on a revival of interest in audio cassettes.

Healing and Sabbath

 

August 21, 2022

Jesus heals a woman.  The healing he brings is on many levels: physical, emotional, spiritual, relational and communal.

Jesus wants to bring us this healing.  

Jesus brings this healing on the sabbath.  

And that is the rub.  We live in a culture that no longer has any sabbath.  So what might it look like to practice sabbath in our culture today, to allow for Jesus to heal us?  A start of a conversation.

This image came from an Episcopal Church website.  I did some more research and I see it is by an artist named Barbara Schwarz.

Cloud of Witnesses

 

August 14, 2022

Are those who have died still with us?  Can they still speak to us?  How thin is the veil between heaven and earth?

Pastor Rob ponders some of the mysteries surrounding the “Cloud of Witnesses,” those who have gone before us in faith.

Do not worry!

 

August 7, 2022

Jesus today tells us not to worry, assuring us of God’s provision.  This is a reminder than even 2,000 years ago humans had worries!

Yet, these days, we seem to have a such a high base level of anxiety.  Why?  There are many reasons, but Pastor Rob reflects on the impact of media and social media on our lives and hearts.  The media (in all its forms), seduces us into anger, fear, jealousy, lust and gluttony, leaving us with haunting questions like: “At whom should I be angry today?”

As we seek to follow Christ and hear his word, he transforms our question into the far better one: “Who are my neighbors and how can I serve them?”  

The image (from a sewing website!) points to the story that Pastor Rob ends with, in which one Christian choses, in a chaotic world, to help their neighbor by sewing clothing.

Life is not the abundance of things

 July 31, 2022

“Life does not consist in the abundance of things.”  With these words, Jesus offers us wisdom we know is true.  Yet in this word of things and possessions, it is easy for us to lose our way.  What brings you and us back to realizing what is truly important?  Ultimately, Jesus words today challenge us to consider – what is the good life?  What is the abundant life?

The picture is of the former Trinity Church in Dresden.  Carpet bombed in World War II, this church has finally been restored to a church and community center for youth.  Pastor Rob reflects on his time in this church and how this church is an example of the abundant and beautiful life.

The hunger for community

 

July 3, 2022

Lititz (where St. Paul is located) does July 4th very well. There is such a sense of community.  Pastor Rob reflects on our society’s hunger for community.  The church (St. Paul in particular and more broadly the Christian church) can offer people the gift of true and lasting community, one in which we bear each other’s burdens. 

In the photo, a group gathers after worship today to support a member whose spouse has been healing.  An image of the community at work, bearing one another’s burdens.

Important vs Essential

 

June 26, 2022

Brushing teeth — and many other things in life — are important.  However, it is not essential.  

Often the important things in life (and things more important than brushing teeth!) — our work, our activities, our politics — become more than ‘important.’  We confuse them for essential.  We allow them to have the first place in our heart.  The real challenge of discipleship often isn’t avoiding terrible and dark sins; rather, the challenge is making sure that as we do good things, we avoid getting ourselves confused as to what is important vs what essential, namely, our relationship with God in Christ.

A reflection on Jesus’ hard words in Luke 9:51-62 and the distinction between the important and the essential.

To cure it, you gotta name it!

 June 19, 2022

We all have been there — waiting for medical test results.  So much energy is put into testing in medicine.  Why?  Because in order to cure someone of a disease, you have to correctly identify the problem.

The is true socially, emotionally and spiritually as well.  Until we can name the issue we cannot possibly begin to cure it.  To put it more spiritual language, until we name the evil (or demon), we cannot exorcise it.  In Luke 8, Jesus does exorcise a demon, but only after getting the demon to say its name.

After some background about how evil is identified in the Bible, Pastor Rob reflects on the connection of naming, curing and loving.

Hope vs Optimism

 

June 12, 2022 (Holy Trinity Sunday)

In his letter to the Romans (5:1-5) St. Paul offers “a hope that does not disappoint.”  Pastor Rob reflects on the difference between hope and optimism.  Optimism involves outcomes; hope is about purpose.  In life, we can’t always be optimistic, but we have been given glorious hope.

Each heard in their own language

 

Pentecost 2022 (June 5, 2022)

Do you have any other family members that speak the variety of English called “Star Wars Lego English”?  If you want to be in relationship with them, you need to speak their language.  

On the first Pentecost, the people gathered from around the world can hear the disciples speaking in their own language.  In so doing, God chose to make relationship possible by speaking in our language.

This is a miracle in itself, but points to a deeper mystery, if not itself a miracle:  God lets God’s message be heard in people’s native languages. 

Each language of the world is so different, with some limitations and other possibilities.  These difference can shape how we imagine God.

This further suggests that God is okay with human limitations; our limitations do not stop God!!

It also suggests that God is open to the possibilities that every language, every culture and every person can create.

You will be my witnesses

 

Ascension Sunday (May 29, 2022)

This week our nation is grieving the shooting in Uvalde, Texas; we are not simply grieving the children, but the loss, as a nation, that we can promise our children a safer and more prosperous tomorrow.

Pastor Rob names this grief and helps us see how this the background grief for the whole New Testament.  In that grieving and fallen world — the same as ours — Jesus invites us to witness to THE story of hope.

The image is from the song at Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

Do you want to be made well?

 

Easter 6, 2022

“Do you want to be made well?  Jesus asks a simple but ultimately challenging question.  

The reply to Jesus reveals the person does not want to be made well, but in fact, for some reason are okay with the dysfunction in their life.

How does Jesus respond?  By shaming the man?  No — with something more powerful!

God of Surprises

 

Easter 5 (May 15, 2022)

“Where do you experience God?”  It is a simple question that we feel that we should be able to answer as faithful questions.  Yet it is surprisingly difficult to give a confident answer.  A reflection on experiencing God doing churchy things…and not-so-churchy things!  Based on John 13:31-35 as well as Acts 11.

The picture is from a website entitled Had any surprises lately

An alternative to cynicism?

 Easter 4, Good Shepherd Sunday (May 8, 2022)

It turns out that people of sincere faith can come to different conclusions.  This fact can lead some to arrogant confidence:  I am right, you are wrong.  In response to this, others succumb to cynicism, rejecting the whole religious life.

Pastor Rob offers that there is another alternative – the way of the cross, the way that seeks to follow Jesus’ teachings…but always with a large dose of humility that we might be wrong!

You are a medical missionary (of sorts!)

 

Easter 3 (May 1, 2022)

Are you a medical missionary?  Most of us would say no.  However, Pastor Rob looks at the story of Ananias (Acts 9:1-20) and the medical missionaries we support at St. Paul (The Swanson family) and finally suggests that we are

a) sent by Jesus

b) out of our comfort zones

c)  to bring healing in Jesus’ name 

And that is the work of a medical missionary!

 

Easter 2022: A story we need to hear

Easter 2022 (April 17, 2022)

In a world swimming with negativity, we hunger for a message of positivity.  Turns out though, we need more than a message of positivity, we need the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  For in this story, we can find acknowledgement of our and the world’s sorrows AND hope for God’s Kingdom to break into our lives!

The picture is from our early service as the children spell Alleluia!

Why am I here?

 Palm Sunday

April 10, 2022

“Why am I here”?  Pastor Rob reflects on our purpose in life by looking — of all places — at the donkey in the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Where do you sense God calling you — claiming a need for your heart and your gifts?  And where in your life do you find yourself calling out, proclaiming “Lord, I need you!”

The image is from the “QuoteFancy” website. 

Do you believe in miracles

 

Lent 5 (April 3, 2022)

Do you believe in miracles?  I reflect on the miracles of Abraham’s journey.  I argue the biggest miracle is that God chooses to be faithful and love them, in spite of all they do.  A reminder that in our lives, God shows up too!

The image is from my bible, where he keeps the four leaf clover from the day of his grandmother’s funeral.

The prodigal who knows the way home

Lent 4 (March 27, 2022)

When things fall apart, the ‘prodigal son’ knows that his ‘father’ is good and ‘they way home.’  Spiritually, this means that the prodigal knows that God is merciful and the prodigal knows that God’s mercy can be found at “home.”  In our world today, so many people don’t know this — they don’t know that God is merciful; they do not know of a “home” a place where they can go and receive God’s mercy.

Pastor Rob reflects on the call of St. Paul to be a church that will reach out to those who do not ‘know the way home.’

PS  The artwork is “The Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt.  We have a print of this at St. Paul.  It was found online here:  http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/prodigal_son_large.html

PPS  We took a break from the sermon series on Abraham.  The reading from Genesis was about Hagar fleeing Sarah’s abuse. Given the adult nature  of this story, it was covered in bible study, but not the sermon.

What Abraham learned

 

Lent 3 (March 20, 2022)

We all learned a lot during the pandemic — for example, how to mute ourselves in zoom!  Pastor Rob offers we likely learned something deeper:  What is really important to us and what really matters!

Three temptations of Abraham

 

March 13, 2022

Lent 2

We continue with Abraham on the journey of faith.  This week Abraham really makes a big mistake.  One of those moments where “It seemed like a good idea at the time” just doesn’t cut it. 

A reflection from Pastor Rob on the “Three temptations of Abraham.” These are really “Three temptations of every man and woman”, ways in which we are led off the path God intends for us.

Apparently there was a mid 1970s movie with this title!

Peace in our times

 

The images of the destruction in Ukraine have shattered our illusions of peace.  They have produced in many of us a profound sense of hopelessness — what can I do in the face of such violence?

A reflection on how God responds to the violence in this world by calling individuals — including you — to tasks.  These tasks may not produce “peace in our times”, but they produce goodness and peace in ways we cannot see.  Our call is not “to seek to make a difference” but to respond to God’s calling in our lives, trusting that God will make the true difference for goodness and peace.

The preaching text is Genesis 12:1-8

The image comes from an NBC site.

Love your enemies

 

February 20, 2022

“Love your enemies.”  It remains one of Jesus’ most difficult teachings.  Pastor Rob reflects on how our hearts can grow hard, making it impossible to love our enemies!  Then Pastor Rob reflects on how we (really God!) can cultivate a heart of mercy, out of which love can flow again.

The song triumphs over the noise

 

February 13, 2022

“Haters gonna hate” says Taylor Swift — and she is correct!  We live in a world in which its all to easy to “sit in the seat of the scoffers” and to give into the noise that is all the world’s bad news.

This week our community wrestled with some very bad news of a young girl’s death.  Pastor Rob offers that ultimately, there is still grace, love and hope.  This can be found in our actions and ultimately the song unleashed by the resurrection of Jesus.

Today people were invited to draw what heaven looks like.  The image shows some of the drawings arranged after church.

Go deep; sometimes!

 

February 6, 2022

Jesus calls Peter to go deep.  Yet this is not the only way in which Jesus interacts with Peter.  As a closer look reveals, Jesus subtly interacts with Peter in different ways to move Peter to a time of growth, of going deep.

A reflection on the way in which we process trauma and how Jesus interacts with us differently at each stage.

Where is the Love?

 

January 30, 2021

Where is the love?  From Saint Paul we hear the poetic words — “Love is patient, love is kind.”  Yet the Gospel story (Luke 4:21-30) tells of Jesus almost being killed by his hometown.  This Gospel story at first seems devoid of love.

Pastor Rob reflects that the story of Jesus’ hometown visit is all about love — but not the pretty kind.

The image of the heart and cross is from Love, Inc, a Christian charity in Lancaster that our church supports.  You can read about them here: https://loveinclancaster.org/

A Blind Mechanic and the Body of Christ

January 23, 2022

We have lost our ability to live in community.   But all is not lost.

A reflection on a blind mechanic, one messed up city and how Christ enables us to be his community, his body in the world.

What's in your jug?

 

January 16, 2022

What is your jug?  That is, what is the simple task to which Christ has called you?

In a world that tells us that we are not enough, Jesus calls us to simply tasks through which he works wonders.

Jesus also gives us permission to celebrate in a world that is never enough because he is always enough.

Photo link here.

Baptism of Jesus: Not TMD

January 9, 2022

TMD stands for “Therapeutic Moralistic Deism.”   This mouthful, as it turns out, is the kind of god that the masses of people who are neither atheists nor church people actually believe in.  I unpack what this means and more importantly, how our baptisms bring us into relationship with a very different type of God than this!

I am unaware of the name of the artist.  I found the painting here.

Into the unknown!

 

Celebration of Epiphany (Magi)

January 2, 2022

When Pastor Rob first lived in Germany, he wanted something to bring him comfort and stability.  So he sought it out in a McDonalds.  But there he found out, like the magi, you can’t move ahead they way you got here…  A reflection on God in times when we are called into the unknown.