Tuesday's Text--Mark 1:29-39

The Gospel for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany is Mark 1:29-39.

Simon's mother-in-law at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Fen Ditton, UK

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰ Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. ³¹ He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 

³² That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. ³³ And the whole city was gathered around the door. ³⁴ And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 

³⁵ In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. ³⁶ And Simon and his companions hunted for him. ³⁷ When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." ³⁸ He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." ³⁹ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

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In the ancient world (not so differently from today), sickness prevented people from doing the things they were called to do in the community--from living out their vocations.  Whether they were called to work or engage in acts of hospitality, being sick kept them from action.  So when Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law and the others who were sick, he allowed them to be restored to their roles in the community.  He restored their sense of community, wellness, and wholeness.  By doing this, he further proclaims the coming kingdom of God--that is the community of God where people live full and participatory lives in fellowship with one another.

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How do you live out a call to live in community?

In what ways do you need to be restored?

What good news do you see in this text?

What questions does it leave you with?

Feel free to comment below!  The really neat thing about Scripture is that there aren't necessarily "right" and "wrong" answers.  The Spirit moves us in different ways and we see different things emerge from the texts.  These questions are jumping off points.  We hope that conversation can grow from here and we can all grow in faith together through these conversations!

A Wild Word Project Update

This is a copy of the information provided at today's annual meeting.  If you have questions about or suggestions for the Wild Word Project, please contact me!

The Wild Word Project

Martin Luther used cutting edge technology to help get God’s Word into the hands of the people.  The cutting edge technology of the 16th century?  The printing press.  So, if that’s a part of our history, how are we called to utilize the cutting edge technology of  today--blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.--to continue to build God’s Kingdom?

Our goal is to enhance opportunities that are already being offered “offline” at Peace by providing a means for interaction that happens online.  No matter where they are or what time of day, members, visitors, and people who are trying to figure out just how God might be working in their lives, can experience Christ in the following ways:

-Pastor Kirsten continues to write and post at www.wildwordproject.com.  The blog provides an avenue for conversation beyond Sunday morning.  Guest bloggers will occasionally be featured and there are opportunities for readers to comment and share.  The blog is based on the stories of how we see God working in everyday life.

Peace Lutheran Church

-Our Fan Page is “Peace Lutheran Church.”  The Facebook page provides an additional space for making announcements, providing information, and space for online interaction.

@peaceinwauankee

-Follow us on Twitter @peaceinwaunakee.  This is a great way to share information and announcements and faith statements in 140 words or less.

-The Peace Weekly Reader provides a weekly e-mail with announcements about what’s happening this week at Peace, upcoming events, and worship for this weekend.  The introduction is a quote, video, or image that relates to faith in daily life.  To sign up, contact Pastor Kirsten at kfryer@plcemail.org.  A link will also be provided on the new website under “What’s Happening” and “Wild Word Project” 

-We are working to redevelop www.peaceinwaunakee.org to make it an interactive site that provides timely information, as well as opportunities for faith growth and nourishment.   A more detailed explanation can be found below.  

This new ministry of Peace is an exciting opportunity for us to continue to be molded and shaped by the Holy Spirit blowing in, around, and through us. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Pastor Karen or Pastor Kirsten. 

Wild Word Project Goals

Goals: To provide a resource for spiritual growth and nourishment

-To be a ministry outreach for those exploring their relationship with God

-To provide timely information to members of the congregation

-To provide a welcoming and hospitable “front door” to visitors

Handout from Annual Meeting

A mockup of the new website (sorry it's so small--it takes over the page if it's any bigger!)

Website Redesign

Four Corners

The new website will be a place where members, visitors, and those seeking spiritual nourishment can visit.  The four corners will be “interactive,” providing timely, frequently updated opportunities for a little bit of “faith-based programming” in the midst of daily life.

Two Minute Bible Study

The pastors will provide a concise introduction to one of the texts for the weekend.  The video will be linked to YouTube and accessible via the Peace website and Peace Lutheran Church YouTube Channel.  This will provide anyone the opportunity to hear the good news, no matter where they are in the world or what time of day they visit.

Song of the Week

We are working to secure permission from a number of Lutheran musicians to share their music on the website.  The goal is to have a song of the week on the website, with information about how to purchase from the musicians if you like it.  The music will be eclectic and based on solid Lutheran theology.  We hope that ,over time, there will be some kind of music that everyone likes!  This not only provides a source for listening to great music, it gives us an opportunity to support wonderful Lutheran musicians.

Book e-study

Want to join a book group or Bible study, but can’t possibly find time in your busy schedule to do it?  The website will provide an opportunity for an e-study, where people can contribute to conversation on their own time from where ever they are.  We’ll be starting with Book of God: The Bible as Novel by Walt Wangerin.  We’ll read a chapter a week, engaging in conversation via web resources.  The book will be available for purchase in hardcopy or Kindle edition via Peace’s Amazon Associates page.  More information will be coming soon about that!

Ministry of the Month

Each month, a different ministry of Peace will be featured.  Visitors will be able to click on the link to see a video with images, music, and interviews sharing the good news about what is happening in all of the ministry areas we have here at Peace.

Peace Ministries

The remaining squares will provide information about ministry opportunities and what is happening at Peace.  Photos will be updated regularly and information will be kept up to date related to what is happening pertaining to each ministry.  Each page will include a welcome from the contact person, as well as contact information, and information pertaining to each ministry area (detailed below).

Wellness

-Parish nursing services

-Care Team Ministries

-Share the Care Teams

-Camp FUN

-Senior Lunch Bunch

Worship

-Worship information (how we worship, when, what to wear, etc)

-Sermon archive (including a video archive)

-Sermon podcasts

Preschool

-Goals and philosophy

-Mission

-Curriculum

-Core values

-Parent involvement

-Peace Lutheran Church Preschool Board

-Preschool staff

-Song of the week/month for kids

Youth

-Sunday School

-Route 56

-Route 78

-Destination Affirmation

-High School Youth Group

-One time opportunities 

-FROG

-Joyful Noise

-Fellowship events

-Nursery

Outreach

-Matthew 25 Ministry

-Food for Kidz

-Shared Ministry opportunities

-One time outreach events

Wild Word Project

-Link to www.wildwordproject.com

-Book e-study

-Explanation of mission and philosophy of the e-ministry of Peace

-Electronic resources for faith growth and nourishment

-Peace Weekly Reader sign-up

Music

-Senior Choir

-FROG

-Joyful Noise

-Chapel Chimes

-Radical Ringers

-JuBELLation

-Resurrection

Adults

-SMASH

-Senior Lunch Bunch

-Fellowship events

-Hidden Talent Night

-Not So Serious Golf League

-One time study/spiritual growth opportunities

Summer

-Week at Peace

-Camp FUN

-Summer Music Camp

-Middle School Mission/Adventure Trip

-High School Mission/Adventure Trip

-College Mission/Adventure Trip

-Lutherans Outdoors

-Other summer opportunities for spiritual nourishment for people of all ages

-Overview of previous summer (September-January)

What’s Happening

-Calendar

-Weekly Reader

-Weekly Reader Archive

-Bits and Peaces

Who We Are

-History of Peace

-How to find us

-Contact information

-Staff bios

-Leadership contact information and bios

-Information related to the ELCA

Support Peace Now

-Stewardship information

-Simply Giving

-Paypal*

-Text to give*

-QR scan to give*

 *Technologies under development in cooperation with the synod.  They won’t be up for awhile, but it is our hope that these will all be ways to support Peace financially in the not-so-distant future!

This is an exciting time for Peace as we continue to explore what it means to do ministry both "offline" and "online".  Thanks for your support of PLC and all of our ministries!  

Experience Christ.  Explore Peace.

A reflection on Mark 1:21-28 for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

A fun fact about the Gospel of Mark: the element of surprise/awe/wonder appears 34 times in the gospel.  Remember that Mark only has 16 chapters.  This surprise/awe/wonder is a huge part of the way that Mark tells the story of Christ.  He wants the readers to know that there is something awesome and wonderful and inspiring and surprising happening.

In Mark’s Gospel, this is Jesus’ first act of “public ministry.”  He’s been baptized by John at the Jordan, tempted in the wilderness, and called the first disciples, but this is the first time Mark tells a story of Jesus publicly teaching, and probably more importantly, healing.  It is a amazing and wonderful and awe-inspiring.  And it is just the beginning.  Mark tells story after story, in quick succession, of Jesus healing, feeding, and teaching.  The way Mark writes it’s like he can’t get it out fast enough--and then, and then--like an excited child telling about a particularly exciting day.  Mark himself is filled with awe and wonder because of the things that Jesus has done and wants to share the story with as many people as possible.  And here we are, reading it, hearing it, pondering it, nearly two thousand years later.

So maybe the question becomes: “How does Christ surprise you?  Inspire you?  Fill you with awe and wonder?”  How do you see God working in and through and around you?  In what ways do you feel the power of the Holy Spirit at work in your life?

I believe that if we are the body of Christ, then we also become God’s hands and feet in the world.  God works through us: silly, crazy, loving, confused, questioning, hopeful human beings that we are.  We see God through other people, through the wonder of creation all around us, through laughter and tears and questions.  It’s not always easy to see, but I do believe that God is working all around us, mostly through other people--family, friends, and strangers.  And God continues to inspire us and fill us with awe.

I was back in Wauankee last week.  I got to hang out with our 9th graders during their confirmation retreat (which was supposed to be up north and include skiing, but ended up being a lock-in at church due to the snow storm).  I saw lots of people on Saturday evening and Sunday morning at worship.  I visited and laughed and drank lots of coffee.  I saw pastor colleagues at a conference on Tuesday.  I prayed with and for families grieving the loss of loved ones.  I led Route 78 on Wednesday evening and saw God working through squirrelly 7th and 8th graders who supported each other in prayer and told Biblical stories through charades and reported their God moments.  They inspire me.  I see God working through them.  And through all of these amazing people who are a part of my life by the grace of God and the call of the church.  Christ continues to come to us--using us as his body to do great things in the world, in sometimes seemingly small ways.

What would happen if we tried really hard to watch for those moments when we really feel God working through us and through those around us?  What difference might it make in our lives?  I think we would feel awe and wonder more and more.  I think we would begin to recognize that the Spirit is flowing all around us and giving us what we need to do the important work of ministry in the world.  Because we all do ministry.  Each and every single one of us.  We’re all equipped in baptism to be proclaimers of the good news of Jesus Christ.  And it is really, really good news.  Good news that gives hope to those who feel hopeless, and showers grace upon those who feel they couldn’t possibly deserve it, and wraps each and every single one of us in love. 

Question for you for today: how have you been inspired/filled with awe and wonder by the way God is working in your life?  Please leave a comment here and I’ll also link the question to Facebook (Peace Lutheran Church) and Twitter (@peaceinwaunakee).  Let’s share these moments because I know that we have stories that help others see the grace, hope, and love of the Triune God who creates, redeems, and sustains us. 

Blessings to you this week as you watch for the wonder of Christ in your life.  Amen.

Wild Word of the Week: Quiet

Abbie

Abbie

Barb

Karen

Carol

Kirsten

Tuesday's Text--Mark 1:21-28

The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany is Mark 1:21-28.

Pharisees by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. ²² They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. ²³ Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, ²⁴ and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." ²⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" ²⁶ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷ They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." ²⁸ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Does anything surprise you about this text?

What questions do you have?

How might it apply to our life today?

Why Do We Believe?: A Sermon for the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany

I enjoyed seeing lots of folks at Peace this weekend!  If you couldn't join us, you have the opportunity to hear Pastor Karen's sermon anyway.  There is a little bit missing toward the very end because the camera was doing some silly things, but I think you get the general idea.

Peace to you on the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany!

Wild Word of the Week: Snow

Jenny

Karen

Barb

Abbie

Amy

Kathy

Kirsten

Tuesday's Text: Mark 1:14-20

The Holy Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany is Mark 1:14-20.

Vocation de Saint Pierre et Saint André
by James Tissot (1836-1902) 

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, ¹⁵ and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." 

¹⁶ As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." ¹⁸ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹ As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

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A little background:

Verses 14 and 15 give a little introduction to what will follow in Mark's Gospel.  Jesus comes to proclaim God's kingdom and what follows will show the way toward God and God's promised future.  Jesus' proclamation that the kingdom is near "demands hope: the confidence that God is for us, the trust that God care for us and guides our lives, and the conviction that God wants to share eternal life with the risen Christ in the fullness of God's kingdom" (Donahue and Harrington, The Gospel of Mark, 72).

In 16-20, Jesus calls the first disciples.  Disciple literally means "follower."  A disciple is someone who follows a leader, imitating (as best he/she can) the life of that leader.  These first followers of Jesus were fishermen, and probably fairly successful ones if they had hired men and actually owned their boat.  And yet, they leave what they have to follow the one who sought them out.  

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What is interesting to you about this story?

What questions do you have?

Where do you see good news?

Is there anything that applies to you/us today?

(Remember, there are not "right" or "wrong" answers.  This is an opportunity for us to reflect together about how the Bible's stories continue to speak to us today.)

Come and See: A reflection for the Second Sunday after Epiphany

“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asks.  It’s the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, just the first chapter in John’s Gospel.  They haven’t seen much yet from Jesus.  And what little they’ve seen is just a tiny preview of what’s to come.  But Philip doesn’t get defensive.  His answer is simple.  “Come and see.”

If asked today, given what we know about Jesus, what would we say?  If we said “come and see,” what would we expect Nathanael, or whoever it was who asked, to see?  In our homes and churches and communities, how is Jesus seen?  What have we seen that helps us point the way to Jesus?

Jesus would do all kinds of extraordinary things--turning water into wine, healing the sick, raising the dead.  Eating with those cast aside by society and calling people to repent.  Dying and rising and breathing life into those who would tell the stories of his life, death, and resurrection.  There was plenty to “come and see.”

As we continue to live into the call to be members of the body of Christ, Christ continues to work in and through and around us.  We are called to point the way to Christ for those who are downtrodden among us.  In big ways and in small, we have the opportunity to proclaim “come and see.”  And because we live in community, there are many around us who are the ones to invite us to come and see what God is up to among us.

This morning, at the congregation where we worshipped, I watched a father and his young son, just learning to read, recite together the Apostle’s Creed.  The father pointed to each word, assisting his son, as the congregation confessed our faith.  It was a touching moment, watching a baptismal promise fulfilled right in front of me.  I watched as a young girl ran back to greet an elderly member and saw a smile so big on the woman’s face.  Sometimes those moments are just what we need, reminders of the ways members of the body of Christ take seriously the role to show others to the one who is the way, and truth, and life.

What are the ways you have been invited to come and see?  How have you seen the body of Christ at work lately?  How have you been surprised by Christ’s presence among you?  Please share your stories in the comment box below.  Let's take this opportunity to help one another see some of the ways Christ is alive among us today.  

Wild Word of the Week: Voyage

Barb

Karen

Andrea

Amy

Carol

Kirsten

(now that there's finally some on the ground!)

Wednesday Witness: Luther's Table

Okay, I'll admit, this week's Wednesday Witness is coming on Thursday, but we just got home from an epic 10 day journey that covered 10 states.

There were many moments of grace during this time away, but one of the highlights was visting Luther's Table in Renton, Washington.  Luther's Table is an ELCA ministry where the always fabulous Pastor Gretchen Weller Mertes is the Mission Developer.  I have followed this project over the past several years and was SO glad to finally have a chance to visit.  If you are ever in the Seattle area, go to Luther's Table.  Seriously.

Here's why you should go...
1.  The staff and volunteers are so gracious.  They practice amazing hospitality.  You will be welcomed.  No matter who you are or where you come from.

2.  The food and beer are delicious.  I recommend the Greek Veggie flatbread and some Katie's Amber Ale.  So good.


3.  If you can catch some music, it's sure to be good.  I heard Nate Houge, a fabulous folk singer from Minneapolis who sang about hippies, faith, love, Jesus, and composting.  Good stuff.


4.  You will see God at work.  The night of my visit, guests included a group of high school students having dinner before a dance, neighborhood kids, a Vietnam veteran, the architect of the building, friends and family of Nate's, five pastors, an almost-three year old, an under-one year old, and the neighborhood beat-cop, among others.  If you don't see God in that hodge-podge group of people, you need to squint a little harder.  It was a beautiful mosaic of God's people, all coming with our own stories, our own stuff, and our own gifts.


There are lots more reasons why you should visit, but even if you don't get a chance to visit, there's still lots to learn from Luther's Table.  It's a place that is very connected to the community.  It's a ministry and a gathering place.  It's a place to get a good bite to eat and a good beer.  It's a place to come in out of the rain and warm up for awhile.  Elements of the old church are tied in--a stained glass window here, some old bricks there, a quilt made of the liturgical paraments on the stage, booths made out of old pews--but it doesn't necessarily "look" like church.  And yet it does.  Because it's a place where people are just people.  Period.  And that's not always easy, but the staff and volunteers try really hard to make it happen.  And in the midst of that, there's a whole lot of grace.

Tuesday's Text--John 1:43-51

 The Gospel for the Second Sunday after Epiphany is John 1:43-51.

Icon of St. Philip

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." ⁴⁶ Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." ⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" ⁴⁸ Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." ⁴⁹ Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" ⁵⁰ Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." ⁵¹ And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

What good news do you see in this text?

What's confusing?

What questions do you have?

How does this apply to you/us today?

A little reflection on Baptism of Our Lord

Justin had a conference in Seattle this week and I tagged along. Over the past couple of days, I've had time to explore downtown and have done lots of walking up and down the hills. Yesterday, I drove to Yakima to visit my 91 year old great-aunt Lois. On the way back, I stopped in Ellensburg for a quick visit with friends Jim and Kathy from the UW. Last night, I visited Luther's Table in Renton. It was a busy, but wonderful day.

This morning, I was already to head up to visit Church of the Apostles in Seattle. I had my bus directions all set on my handy-dandy phone and walked to the bus stop. When I got there, though, my gut was telling me to ask the driver before I got on. When I told him where I was going, he got a funny look on his face and told me that the directions I had were not right at all. He gave me the directions he thought would work, but I had to get to a station several uphill blocks away and time was close. So, unfortunately, I didn't make it to COA today. I'll have to come back I guess.

What I did instead was walk. For nearly two hours, I walked around downtown. I watched people. I walked along the waterfront. I took pictures of the mountains. I watched more people. So many people. Old, young. Visitors. Residents. Rich. Poor. So many stories.

In the midst of all the people there were pigeons. Lots of them. I watched as a little boy wearing a green coat and adorable knit hat chased them to his heart's delight, giggling as he did it. That kind of giggle that comes from the belly and warms those who hear it. The kind of giggle that comes from a child and causes grown-ups to pause and smile. Not exactly a dove descending but a bird, anyway.

In Mark's account of Jesus' baptism, the Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove and a voice comes from heaven, "You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased." This, of course, is about Jesus. But the amazing thing is that it also becomes a word for us. All of the people I saw this morning, watching fish being thrown and walking their dogs and finding a bite to eat in the morning, and trying to figure out how to make it through today. It's a word that we need to hear again and again, you are my beloved.

I missed sitting down in worship and eating with my brothers and sisters i. Christ. I missed singing and praying together. But I saw a beautiful patchwork of God's beloved walking and wheeling around downtown Seattle. I heard laughter and saw delight. And in the back of my head echoed the words "I am well pleased". Not just about me, the pastor who skipped church, but about all the folks who I saw, created in God's image. God's beloved ones. Lots of them.

Where ever this finds you today, listen to those words "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Spoken to Jesus. Spoken to us. Beloved. Well pleased. God to us. Today. Amen.

Wild Word of the Week: Light

Barb

Karen

Kirsten

Kirsten

Wednesday Witnesses: Holiday Reflections

Over the past several weeks, we've had the opportunity to gather with many friends and family to celebrate this Holiday Season.  I give thanks for the roles they play in my life and for the ways they help me to see the simple, yet amazing, ways God is at work in the world.

A few highlights from this holiday season:

1. The first night of Hanukkah with our friends in Oberlin

    I was moved by the recitation of the Hebrew prayers, sung by friends who memorized them long ago.  A rag-tag group of Visiting Professors and their families gathered, some Jewish, some not, for onion soup, homemade jelly donuts, and general camaraderie.  Our roots are from all over the world, yet here we were, gathered together as friends, sharing traditions and ancient stories.  It was one of those times when time stands still and God's time takes over.  I looked down at my watch and couldn't believe how late it was.  We laughed til our bellies hurt and watched the candles as they burned brightly, several Menorahs from different households, each coming with their own stories of the people who had gathered around them to celebrate and eat and laugh.  This was a true and beautiful blessing.

2.  Silent Night at St. James

     We celebrated Christmas with Justin's family in Indiana.  Their little Episcopal church looked beautiful, with candles in the windows and bright red poinsettias around the church.  One of my favorite parts about Christmas Eve at St. James is the beginning of the service when a young child processes from the back with the Baby Jesus to set in the creche.  The blessing of the creche is one of the first things that happens in the service.  One of the last things, as it is in many churches, is the singing of Silent Night, with candlelit faces.  As I sang along with the congregation, words that most of us know by heart, I turned around to see my in-laws behind me, so happy to have their whole crew home.  I saw the faces of their friends, people who have known Justin since he was a little boy.  In my mind, I saw the faces of my own family and friends at Zion, at St. James, at Peace.  I thought about my grandpa at the back of the church last year.  I missed these people, some who have since died, and yet, I felt the calm and peace that comes along with singing this song, knowing that so many the world over were singing it too.  

3.  Watching my father-in-law read "The Night Before Christmas" to his grown children

     Justin's family tradition is to read "The Night Before Christmas" before going to bed on Christmas Eve.  Three grown children piled onto the pull-out couch with their dad to listen to the story they've heard so many times.  It was a precious moment full of love and awe and wonder.  I saw a glimpse into the love Jeff has for his grown children, his excitement at welcoming his first grandchild (our niece or nephew--this is NOT an announcement!!!) in April, and, again, a moment of God's time, when everything stands still and love shines through.




4.  The quietest New Year's Eve, pretty much ever.
     Our friends are scattered for the holidays so we had a quiet NYE at home, just the two of us and the dog.  We made a delicious seafood stew and reflected on the past year and what we look forward to in the coming one.  We watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and managed to stay awake until midnight.  It was quiet and wonderful and a good reminder of the simplicity of life and love and relationships.

5.  Christmas Eve, transferred
     Since we have yet to figure out a way to celebrate Christmas with both families in their homes on Christmas, we transferred my family's Christmas Eve celebration to January 3.  Though they did the "normal" Christmas Eve things on December 24, we also had a gathering and celebration on January 3.   We ate a delicious dinner with my grandma, parents, and sister, exchanged some gifts, and celebrated time together.  Although there was no singing of Silent Night, it felt like Christmas and was a gentle reminder that our time is not God's time.  The promise of Christmas is that God shows up among us, not because it's a particular date, but because that's what God promises to do.  Isn't that amazing?!

Tuesday's Text--Mark 1:4-11

The Gospel for Baptism of Our Lord is Mark 1:4-11.

He Qi, The Baptism of Jesus

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶ Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸ I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 

⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."





What surprises you in this text?
What questions do you have?
How does it apply to you/us today?

A New Year's Reflection on Luke 2:22-40

Happy New Year!  

I think it’s rather appropriate that we ring in 2012 with the words of Simeon.  Simeon had waited and waited for the Messiah, and now, in the temple on that day, there he was in front of him, a tiny baby in his mother’s arms.  Not the great and mighty warrior, but the helpless child.  And yet, Simeon recognizes the baby Jesus as the one for whom he had been waiting.

Imagine what it must have been like for Simeon to take that little baby, the one he had waited and waited for, into his arms.  It is no surprise that he praises God with the words, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”  It is a beautiful “song”--often translated as “Now, Lord, let your servant go in peace.”

As we begin a new year, surely there are some among us with New Year’s resolutions.  Surely there are some among us who have long ago realized that their resolutions won’t be kept so don’t make them at all.  Regardless of where you stand, this much is true: in this new year, as in every year of our lives, we are people sent out into the world to be voices proclaiming God’s presence in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

We know Christ.  We have experienced the Holy Spirit’s movement, in some way, shape, or form.  We know that God is good.  And, deep down inside, we know that this message of love and grace is the one the world needs to hear.  So we go in peace, God’s servants who have seen God’s saving action over and over again, in big and small ways, in our lives and in the lives around us.

Where ever you are today, know this: you are loved.  No matter where this new year takes you, you are loved by the God who is Love.  May you experience the saving grace of God many times over in this new year.

I am including a YouTube video from the Taize community in France today.  Let yourself fall into the receptive rhythm of the words “Let your servant now go in peace.”  And may you go in peace to love and serve the Lord, today and everyday.  Amen.