Author: The Pastor

Bird man of Jackson

/ The Pastor / 5 Comments

Believe me…I don't embrace this title, but I can't help but chuckle after our little visitor this afternoon…

Connie and I were in the kitchen getting ready do some grilling for supper when I heard a strange noise by our main door (from the kitchen there is a door that leads to three steps that takes you down to a landing.  A left turn takes you outside and a right turn leads you down into the basement).  When I opened the kitchen door to investigate the strange noise…low and behold…there was a bird trying to get out.  Of course my first response was to slam the door to prevent the bird from coming into the main part of the house.  That reaction caused my wife to get a little excited; thinking someone was trying to break into our house to kill us.  But after I assured her that the bird was not going to peck us to death, I entered the landing area to open the outside door.  That, of course, freaked the bird out and it headed downstairs to the basement.  What happened next can only be described as a wild chase trying to convince my feathered visitor that I meant it no harm.  I can't believe it would not trust me.  Eventually I chased it up stairs where Connie had the outside door open and our flying friend found its way to freedom.

[Later that evening]

Connie and I were sitting on the couch watching the news when we started recalling our wild bird adventure.  She then said, "I suppose you have a blog post for tomorrow".  I hadn't really thought about it but now I did.  Later in the evening Connie said, "I think I have an anology for you about the bird.  The bird is like us trying to find our way to freedom and God is trying to guide us to freedom.  Just like the bird who didn't trust you, we often don't trust that God has our best interests at heart.  But all God wants is for us to enjoy freedom…just like what you wanted for that bird." 

Wow…I think my wife is on to something here.  I think she should have a blog as well. 

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer

/ The Pastor

Memorial weekend is here.  For many people it means the unofficial start of summer.  For some it means graduation.  For others it means a longer weekend.  But hopefully, for all of us, Memorial weekend also means a time to remember all those who have given their lives for our country.  It is also a time to remember those who won't be home for a long weekend because they are currently serving our country in some capacity and location.  So take some time on Monday to attend your local Memorial Day program.  Say a prayer for those who are serving.  Say "Thank you" to a veteran(s).  Basically…don't forget.

Yesterday (May 24) Connie and I attended the graduation of one of her cousins.  The class was around 60 graduates.  During the principle's presentation of the class of 2008 he was giving some statistics of where the class was going.  A large number were going to a 4 year college and some were going to 2 year colleges or technical schools.  But there was 1 who was going into the military.  The principle had this young man stand up and thanked him for serving our country in this time of war.  And we all followed suit in thanking him as well. 

Thank you to those who serve and to those who have given their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms we often times take for granted.  THANK YOU!

Let us pray…
God of peace…we seek and worry about much in our lives.  We seek direction and worry if we will ever find it.  We seek meaning and worry our lives won’t be noticed.  We seek for that which is nothing more than selfish ambition and worry that we have not done enough.  But you have sent your Son, Jesus Christ to take our worries, our cares and concerns so we may find direction, meaning and peace.  Turn us from selfish pursuits to your life-giving Son so our lives may be filled with love that is never ending; so our lives can have true meaning and purpose.  Take our worries and grant us peace.  And, Lord God, let us not forget those who serve our country.  Bless those who serve and thank you for those who have gone on ahead of us to ensure us of our national freedoms.  In the name of Jesus Christ we pray…Amen.

God bless you and have a very safe holiday weekend.

-edh-

From within

/ The Pastor / 6 Comments

I am experiencing a strange phenomenon.

Thursday mornings is a time I set aside to write sermons.  I spend a hour or so in my office; working with my secretary to make sure the worship bulletin in completed then I head out to continue sermon prep (I say "continue" because sermon prep take place all week long).  I continue my sermon prep in the sanctuary where I can get away from all distractions so I can focus on the Word God needs me to preach to the people.  I stand up front (and after praying) and I look out into the pews and imagine people sitting out there.  To my left (the pulpit side) towards the back sits Ken and Janet.  My wife sometimes sits on that side as well (but she does not have her "own pew").  On my right side (organ side) towards the front sits Lyle with Pete, Mazie and Vicki just in front of him.  In the far back on the organ side is the section for families with young children (that can be a zoo sometimes, but I never notice until a parent apologizes to me for their noisy child).  In the last pew on the pulpit side (along the outside wall) sits Sylvia and Virgil…

…and I could continue on and on…giving you a fairly accurate seating chart of a typical Sunday morning, but I won't bore you with that.  My point is that I look out and see people sitting out there and I imagine their lives and ask God, "What do they NEED to hear from you?"  This helps me in some strange way.  But I guess this is only right because as a preacher, we come FROM WITHIN the congregation, not from OUTSIDE the congregation.  We should imagine our people's lives because that is how we are faithful in the craft of preaching.  Otherwise we are nothing more than a disconnected lecturer trying to communicate some truth that does not matter to their lives right now.  So I try to be faithful.

Now…as I write this…I am taking a sermon writing break.  Where?  Well…I am downtown at my favorite coffee place.  I am set up in the corner with my lap top, a cup of coffee and an empty tray that once contained a delicious chicken cordon blu sandwich.  I have been here for about 1 1/2 hours, but I am not alone.  This small coffee shop is filled with people talking about this or that; talking about their lives or the latest gossip.  This is definitely not a place to find peace and quite, but yet I HAVE found peace and quiet.

What a strange phenomenon…

…but maybe this is not so strange after all.  Because as a preacher I come from WITHIN the congregation.  And isn't this the congregation…here in this coffee shop..or wherever?  The "congregation" is not contained in a building…rather…it's "out there".  So if this is the congregation, then this is definitely an okay place to be.  In my office I feel disconnected.  Here…I feel connected.

The murmur of voices are still floating in the air, but they don't bother me; rather…they inspire me.  So with that…I return to my craft…from within God's people.

-edh-

My little oasis

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

This is the story of my little oasis…

On the SE side of Salem Lutheran Church is my little oasis — a grassy courtyard area surrounded by bricks, concrete and asphalt.  On the east side of this oasis is the main church building and on the north side is the education wing (a ramp heads down from the west to the east on the north side that takes you to the education wing door).  On the west side of this oasis is a sidewalk that separates the grass from the concrete parking lot (the sidewalk is elevated a couple feet with a railing).  On the south side is a another ramp that heads up into the narthex that protects this little green sanctuary from North Highway.  In the middle of this little oasis is a beautiful red tree – Myron's tree (apparently Myron was responsible for planting it way back when).  And underneath Myron's tree is a bench — Harold's bench (given in memory of Harold).  This area is a peaceful, beautiful, and restful area – an oasis – where I often go to "escape".  About the only thing missing is a little pond with some brightly colored fish swimming around (but that might be a hard sell to the council).

Even though this little oasis does not protect me from the hustle and bustle of North Highway (or anything else going on around) I still feel a sense of peace when I hang out there.  Sometimes I sit on Harold's bench underneath Myron's tree.  Sometimes I walk around the grassy infield.  I have even been known to sit or lie down in the grass and look up at the blue sky.  And…if you ever walk by without me noticing, you might notice me talking to someone you cannot see.  For in this peaceful little oasis I have had conversations with God. I have even had conversations with myself concerning sermon/worship issues or anything else running around in my head/heart.

But things are going to change very soon…

…in the matter of days destruction/construction is going to begin on the ramp (on the south side) heading to the sanctuary.  The ramp is 30+ years old and needs to be replaced (conversation about that began before I arrived).  Now I find my self getting a little nervous.  I am going to lose my little oasis for a little while (I know it will return eventually).  But I am still a little nervous.

You see…this is my first "building project".  Even though we are not building a new building or adding on to our existing structure, this is still big for us…for me.  And I hope things turn out O.K. because if they don't, I know people will turn to me for answers.  And if/when people turn to me for answers, I won't have my little oasis to "escape" to (at least not the little oasis I am used to).  I will have to find a new, temporary place…unless I want to share "MY" space with the construction workers invading my little oasis.

So for today I am going to sit back on Harold's bench underneath Myron's tree and enjoy some peace and quiet.  I am going to soak in as much of this little oasis as I can…hopefully enough to carry me through the summer.  And…if the time calls for it…I will just close my eyes and transport myself back to my little oasis and have a peaceful conversation with God. 

And who knows…in the end…maybe I will get my little pond with the colorful fish to complete my little oasis…

…a person can dream…can't they 🙂

-edh-

A random but fun meme

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

David at Here I Stand has tagged me and the rules for this meme are fairly standard.  Simply post the rules at the beginning of your post and answer the questions and tag five others to play along.  Leave a comment on their blog to let them know they need to visit your blog for the rules.  And…of course…link back to the one who tagged you (in this case it is your truly). 

So here we go…

Ten years ago:
I was working for my dad at his Chrysler dealership (I had left my job at Camp Onomia Outdoor Ministries in October of 1997).  I was living in my own (small) house enjoying being back in my home town.  The plan at the time was for me to learn the family business and take over for my dad someday.  Little did I know, at the time, that God was grooming me for something else (I was less than two years away from my call to go to seminary).

Five things on today’s to-do list:
(1) Find some interesting article for a discussion group I am in with a couple friends of mine.  We just recently finished reading the "Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning and now we are trying to decide on another book.
(2) Send some birthday cards and a couple thank you cards.
(3) Update my blog
(4) Work on my Sketek Lutheran Ministries staff training session
(5) Think about how our fellowship hall is going to be transformed into our summer worship space.

Things I’d do if I was a billionaire:
This is a tough one but here are just a few things I would do (but not limited to these).
(1) Tithe!
(2) Pay off the education of all my cousins and family members.
(3) Set up a campership fund for Shetek Lutheran Ministries.
(4) Buy a lake cabin (and a boat).
(5) Put some away for retirement

Three bad habits:
(1) I spend "too much time" on the computer.
(2) I’ve been known to procrastinate.
(3) I sometimes have a tendency to bounce from one uncompleted project to another in the matter of seconds/minutes (maybe this is part of my procrastination problem)

Five places I’ve lived:
(1) St. Paul, MN — While I was going to seminary
(2) Mount Vernon, WA — Where I did my internship
(3) Dawson, MN — My hometown
(4) Onamia, MN — Where I served as a program director at Camp Onomia (and "no"…Onomia/Onamia is not misspelled)
(5) Fargo, ND — My sister and I lived here during our final year in college.

Five jobs – plus 1 – I’ve had (the "plus 1" is MY addition):
(1) Car salesman (in Dawson)
(2) Grounds crew (at seminary)
(3) Youth director (during my first 2 years of seminary)
(4) Bible camp program director (at Camp Onomia)
(5) Pro shop attendant (during high school)
(6) Pastor (Now)

Five people I am tagging:
(1) The Lutheran Zephyr
(2) Unlikely Banter
(3) Proclaiming Softly
(4) Postings from Pastor Brad
(5) And like David, I am going to include anyone else who is interested.  Just let me know so I can pop over and check out your list.

Enjoy!

-edh-

Monday morning check-in

/ The Pastor / 7 Comments

A friend of mine left me a message recently and commented that I must be experiencing some writers block due to the inactivity of new posts on my blog.  And he is partly right…but I have had some things brewing in my head these past couple days.  I just haven’t been sure how to approach them.

What would I do?
One of the things I have been pondering is a recent story I heard on KARE 11 news out of Minneapolis.  It is about a Catholic Church in the cities that has gained a temporary injunction against a family, who has an extremely autistic child, from attending mass (Follow this link for the Star Tribune story).  On the surface it seems to contradict the essence of the Gospel to bar someone from attending worship/mass.  The Church has tried to accommodate the family better the family did not like the church’s suggestion (having them in a different room with a video feed).  Now this family is faced with jail time if they violate the injunction, going to mass elsewhere or not attend mass at all.  I wonder if there is more this church could do.  I wonder what I would do to minister to this family.  What would you do (knowing the limited facts that we have)?

What WILL I do?
Starting this week, the ramp that leads up our sanctuary, is going to be torn out and replaced.  The time table is going to be anywhere from 1 to 2 months (depending on what they find underneath).  All of this means that we will be worshiping downstairs in the Fellowship Hall where there is a ground entrance (handicap accessible).  Otherwise, people would have to trek up stairs to get to the sanctuary and that won’t work well with some people.  Now the question is how worship is going to look in a new location for a couple months.  What will I do?  My worship and music team is meeting today to discuss the logistics of leading worship downstairs.  One thought was to keep the tables up and make worship very "informal".  Maybe we’ll have the coffee on and people can grab a cup before, during and after worship.  But I wonder if this will be too informal for people.

What I AM going to do.
This sounded like a logical and cute three heading to put here but I have learned from experience that the best plans often do not work out.  We make plans and God laughs.  So I am going to be careful here and say…what I AM going to do is…

…anyway…

Have a very blessed day and check back soon for a new meme that I have been tagged to do.  Take care.

-edh-

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

/ The Pastor / 4 Comments

This is a fun little quiz based on movie The Chronicles of Narnia.  Follow this link to take your own quiz and find out what character you are most like (my results are to the right):  http://www.jamiefrost.co.uk/narniaquiz/quiz.php?lang=

Just in case you have been living in a cave, the new Narnia movie, Prince Caspian is opening on Friday, May 16.  Salem and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches are planning a Prince Caspian event on June 1 at our local theater.  There will be door prizes and other drawings.  After the movie there will be a time for questions and discussion.  Our hope is that people will not get too anxious and go out of town to see the movie, but wait until June 1 (Disney won’t let our local theater have the movie on opening day…I guess we are too small).  But as for the rest of you…go out and see this movie asap.  I have read the book and it is going to be a fun movie.

But I do have one request…please don’t comment here anything about the movie before I have a chance to see it on June 1 🙂

-edh-

My “job description”

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

I know there is a job description out there some place for me, but I haven’t seen the "real one" for Salem Lutheran Church… 

…sure…my letter of call to Salem has a list of expectations but there are many more unmentioned expectations that are just assumed I already know.  It’s the proverbial "small print" that some talk about.  As a pastor the obvious expectations are:  preaching, worship, pastoral care, teaching, youth ministry (depending on your particular setting), maybe some administration, meetings, etc.  Nobody would be surprised by any of those expectations. 

But there are other expectations (the small print ones) that are also expected:  "Official" prayer leader at any function you are happen to be at (whether at the church or not), dish washer, custodian, jungle gym for preschoolers, computer tech, ecumenical minister at the coffee shop (one of my favorites in this category), and…of course…anything else deemed necessary.  That "deemed necessary" phrase is a dangerous one but…for some strange reason…I don’t seem to mind.

As Lutheran we talk a lot about vocation (no…not just what you do for a living).  Vocation is the place in life where you serve: father, mother, brother, sister, friend, husband, wife, pastor, teacher, banker, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, etc, etc…  We serve in any number of the previously mentioned and many more; one might say "the small print".  And…there are other vocations that we sometimes we forget about. 

Why am I mentioning this?  Today I was asked/volunteered to deliver a box of baby jars to Bible camp for craft projects.  I am going there in a couple weeks so that was not a problem.  In an email (where I was told that I was volunteered), the program director jokingly referred to me as a "mail carrier".  I guess that is another vocation to add to my list….but I don’t mind.

You see…serving God and proclaiming the Gospel is not limited to particular people, particular jobs or particular vocations.  No matter how you slice it…we serve God (and our neighbor) no matter the vocations we reside in; whether we are a teacher, garbage collector, coffee server, "mail carrier", etc.

Anything "deemed necessary"?  That seems very appropriate.  But don’t get me wrong…I am not going to turn into a pastor that does everything for everyone around here, but I will continue to recognize (and help others recognize as well) that our "job descriptions" are not set in stone.  As Christians, we need to do anything that is "deemed necessary" for the Kingdom of God so people many come to know (or be reminded of) the awesome love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer – Pentecost Day

/ The Pastor

Happy Pentecost Day (and Mother’s Day)!

Asking and receiving
Last night, while watching the news, I said to my wife that I had forgotten to pick up some candy at the store when we where there earlier.  The candy basket that I have for my children’s lessons was nearly empty…not enough for the kids on Sunday.  So I started thinking that if I got going early enough, I could stop at the store on my way out to Belmont for worship.  The problem was that there was no guarantee I would remember to stop at the store.  Well…this morning when I went up to the sanctuary to prepare for worship; there on the counter in the sacristy was my children’s lesson basket…filled with candy.  Wow…ask and you shall receive.  "Thanks, God."

A realization
I realized yesterday that I must be pretty serious about this marathon I am going to run in October.  Yesterday (Saturday, May 10) was to be my 9 mile run day.  My day was already pretty busy so my window of time to run was fairly small, but when it came time to run it was raining lightly.  Since I didn’t have time to wait I still got ready and ended up running in the rain for a few miles.  I guess I AM serious about this running thing.  And you know…it was kind of nice (in a weird sort of way) to run in the rain.

Prayer
Today we recognize and celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit to those first disciples and to us.  We thank God for His presence in our lives.  We thank Jesus for not leaving us orphaned.  We thank the Holy Spirit for the gift of faith.  But let us not forget to thank our mothers today.  But don’t forget those women (who may not be "mothers") for playing a motherly role in your life (or the lives of others).  They deserve thanks as well.  So with all that in mind, let’s pray…

Good, gracious and loving God, you came to those first disciples on that first Pentecost Day in power and authority.  You gave them courage to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus dying and rising that we may live.  They announced forgiveness.  They announced Truth.  They proclaimed life.  Lord God, we pray for that same boldness; for that same Spirit to fill our hearts so we may be courageous in a world that demands much from us.  We pray for courage so others may come to know you through our words and deeds.  And, God…we thank you for loving us through mothers, whether they be biological or others who serve as a mother for us.  Mothers are indeed a gift from you.  Thank you, God.  We pray this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord…Amen.

God bless and take care!
-edh-

Mother’s Day

/ The Pastor / 8 Comments

I have a question…

…Sunday is Mother’s Day (as if anyone needs to be reminded) AND it is Pentecost Sunday.  But Pentecost aside, how do you treat Mother’s Day in worship?  I have heard sermons on Mother’s Day that were about mothers and I left wondering if this day (and Father’s Day) were days where we can give Jesus a break and preach about someone else.

Now…with it being Pentecost this Sunday do you try to work in mothers someplace into the Pentecost story or do you lay aside the Pentecost text completely or what?

For me…this is want I am doing:  I am preaching on the Acts 2 text were the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and start preaching in the native tongue of the people gathered.  Actually, my main point is talked about more in my previous post titled "Desperate".  Later in the service I will have a special recognition of the mothers and offer a prayer for them.  After worship, all mothers will be presented with a red carnation.  And that is Mother’s Day at Salem.  Am I dissing mothers too much by not preaching about mothers?

I want to make sure mothers are honored on Mother’s Day.  After all…they deserve it (especially my mother) but I don’t want to neglect the preaching of the gospel either.  I know there is probably a way to work both into a sermon, but with the text on Sunday…that is not the direction I was drawn.  What are you doing in worship?  How "should" mothers be honored?

-edh-