June letter to congregatiaon
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you
will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to
think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your hearts, for
all of you share in God's grace with me… Philippians 1:6-7
will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to
think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your hearts, for
all of you share in God's grace with me… Philippians 1:6-7
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus the Lord of Life!
Dada! Hug! That’s a request I can never turn down! Sam’s vocabulary continues to expand to Amanda’s and my delight, but these simple words have a power to motivate what few others can. It’s feels good to hear and meet such a request – to hold him and be held by him, to feel connected through that simple act as we breath each other’s air, rub each other’s cheeks and communicate beyond words the care and joy that lives between us. To hold and be held is a powerful gift - a gift the comforts and heals, relaxes and strengthens - a gift that can change our mood and the course of our day, as hope and possibility grow in its wake. Hanging in my office, over the table where many of us have sat and talked, is a small mixed media work of art that plays with this gift and what it means. The artwork itself was gift from a member of my internship congregation in Seymour, Wisconsin and it daily speaks to me about love and care that I have known as I have held and been held by folks at that table and in my role as pastor in Seymour, Plains, Paradise, Thompson Falls and Whitepine. And now, as I am packing-up my office, I think on it as well. There have been some ups and downs here, but through it all I have held you in my heart, even as I know many of you hold me in your heart. Due to how the Greek language works, the way that Paul wrote verse six of Philippians can actually be translated either “you hold me in your hearts” or “I hold you in my heart” - which seems appropriate as both he and the congregation which he was writing to were holding each other, even as they were being held. That’s how it works when we come to know and love each other. The care that we know flourishes best not in you or in me, but in the relationship in between. It’s a gift that is only in its fullness when shared. And yet, at the end of the day, what truly matters isn’t our holding one another, but who holds us and has held us together, the One who brought us together in the first place and who began a good work in you over 150 years ago. We have shared life together and now we go our separate ways in the grace of God who loves us more than we love ourselves and who is always faithful to complete the good work he has begun in you. That love keeps us connected however far we may be, and it will be that love that will gather us again on the day of Jesus Christ, at the foot of God’s throne. Until that day, may God continue to bless your mission and ministry, your outreach and your growth in discipleship as you continue to seek and follow our Savior, in Wyoming and beyond. And I look forward to when we will meet again while working in the vineyard of our Lord!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Grant Applehans
Dada! Hug! That’s a request I can never turn down! Sam’s vocabulary continues to expand to Amanda’s and my delight, but these simple words have a power to motivate what few others can. It’s feels good to hear and meet such a request – to hold him and be held by him, to feel connected through that simple act as we breath each other’s air, rub each other’s cheeks and communicate beyond words the care and joy that lives between us. To hold and be held is a powerful gift - a gift the comforts and heals, relaxes and strengthens - a gift that can change our mood and the course of our day, as hope and possibility grow in its wake. Hanging in my office, over the table where many of us have sat and talked, is a small mixed media work of art that plays with this gift and what it means. The artwork itself was gift from a member of my internship congregation in Seymour, Wisconsin and it daily speaks to me about love and care that I have known as I have held and been held by folks at that table and in my role as pastor in Seymour, Plains, Paradise, Thompson Falls and Whitepine. And now, as I am packing-up my office, I think on it as well. There have been some ups and downs here, but through it all I have held you in my heart, even as I know many of you hold me in your heart. Due to how the Greek language works, the way that Paul wrote verse six of Philippians can actually be translated either “you hold me in your hearts” or “I hold you in my heart” - which seems appropriate as both he and the congregation which he was writing to were holding each other, even as they were being held. That’s how it works when we come to know and love each other. The care that we know flourishes best not in you or in me, but in the relationship in between. It’s a gift that is only in its fullness when shared. And yet, at the end of the day, what truly matters isn’t our holding one another, but who holds us and has held us together, the One who brought us together in the first place and who began a good work in you over 150 years ago. We have shared life together and now we go our separate ways in the grace of God who loves us more than we love ourselves and who is always faithful to complete the good work he has begun in you. That love keeps us connected however far we may be, and it will be that love that will gather us again on the day of Jesus Christ, at the foot of God’s throne. Until that day, may God continue to bless your mission and ministry, your outreach and your growth in discipleship as you continue to seek and follow our Savior, in Wyoming and beyond. And I look forward to when we will meet again while working in the vineyard of our Lord!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Grant Applehans
April Letter to Congregation
“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.” -Revelation 7:9
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and Jesus the Lord of Life!
A foreign experience. As many of you know, this last week I traveled to Chicago to participate in the Global Musicians Conference for the ELCA – a gathering of 150 or so folks from all around the world to learn each other’s songs and perspectives on God. It was a wonderful opportunity to step out of the day to day, and imagine for a moment what it will be like to gather with all of God’s children before the throne of the Lamb. It is always great to reconnect with old friends at this conference, but what I value most is the learning and growth that naturally flows from encountering someone or something foreign to my experience. God’s house is so much bigger than my experience, and it’s wonderful to go out and explore!
I think about this, as I unpack the palm fronds for this year’s Palm Sunday service. I love the palms! I love that they make things festive and add a touch of chaos through little hands and the fibrous strings they leave everywhere. I love that they can be bent and folded into may shapes that speak of our God and His saving work among us. And I love that they offer a moment for each of us in Wyoming, Minnesota to step out of the ordinary and have a foreign experience.
While the palm fronds stand for celebration, they also stand as a subtle reminder that God’s saving act took place in a land far different than our own, a land filled with God’s children who were gracious and steadfast enough to share the Good News of Jesus with our ancestors, whatever the cost. I think of the Good News of God, who chose to set aside His glory and leap the chasm of our sin to be with us and bring all the learning and growth that naturally flows from encountering someone or something foreign to our
experience. I think about how in the broken body and blood of our Lord poured out and poured into us, we have been knit together into one family. A family forged not by our similarities and tastes, but by the radically foreign Grace of our God who loves, gives and forgives beyond what any of us could imagine!
So in this Holy Week and beyond, I invite you to take a moment to consider our brothers and sisters in Christ, who all around the world celebrate this week with us. I invite you to connect in person at our congregation, and bring all the uniqueness that God has made in you to enrich our shared life. But most of all, I invite you breath in that unshakable, unbreakable, profoundly foreign, yet very present Love of God, and let it inspire you go out beyond the tired old patterns of brokenness and sin to explore the wonders and
beauty – the height, width, breath and diversity of God’s great house. Happy Holy Week! -
Pastor Grant
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and Jesus the Lord of Life!
A foreign experience. As many of you know, this last week I traveled to Chicago to participate in the Global Musicians Conference for the ELCA – a gathering of 150 or so folks from all around the world to learn each other’s songs and perspectives on God. It was a wonderful opportunity to step out of the day to day, and imagine for a moment what it will be like to gather with all of God’s children before the throne of the Lamb. It is always great to reconnect with old friends at this conference, but what I value most is the learning and growth that naturally flows from encountering someone or something foreign to my experience. God’s house is so much bigger than my experience, and it’s wonderful to go out and explore!
I think about this, as I unpack the palm fronds for this year’s Palm Sunday service. I love the palms! I love that they make things festive and add a touch of chaos through little hands and the fibrous strings they leave everywhere. I love that they can be bent and folded into may shapes that speak of our God and His saving work among us. And I love that they offer a moment for each of us in Wyoming, Minnesota to step out of the ordinary and have a foreign experience.
While the palm fronds stand for celebration, they also stand as a subtle reminder that God’s saving act took place in a land far different than our own, a land filled with God’s children who were gracious and steadfast enough to share the Good News of Jesus with our ancestors, whatever the cost. I think of the Good News of God, who chose to set aside His glory and leap the chasm of our sin to be with us and bring all the learning and growth that naturally flows from encountering someone or something foreign to our
experience. I think about how in the broken body and blood of our Lord poured out and poured into us, we have been knit together into one family. A family forged not by our similarities and tastes, but by the radically foreign Grace of our God who loves, gives and forgives beyond what any of us could imagine!
So in this Holy Week and beyond, I invite you to take a moment to consider our brothers and sisters in Christ, who all around the world celebrate this week with us. I invite you to connect in person at our congregation, and bring all the uniqueness that God has made in you to enrich our shared life. But most of all, I invite you breath in that unshakable, unbreakable, profoundly foreign, yet very present Love of God, and let it inspire you go out beyond the tired old patterns of brokenness and sin to explore the wonders and
beauty – the height, width, breath and diversity of God’s great house. Happy Holy Week! -
Pastor Grant
March Letter to the Congregation
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus the Lord of Life!
This month we enter the season of Lent - a time for reflection, repentance and renewal. The word “Lent” comes from an old English word meaning “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening of days that happens throughout the season of spring. Looking out the window at the fortress of snow surrounding the church parking lot, it’s hard to imagine that spring is almost upon us! And yet, in another way it feels very much like spring inside St. Paul Lutheran. It has been a hard winter in more ways than one. Due to budget realities, we had to make some tough decisions and say goodbye to long beloved staff. We’ve had to re-imagine and re-configure how we do ministry. We’ve had to step-up and more abundantly commit our time and talent to Sharing Christ’s Love with Joy. It has been a hard winter, but step-up we have. And though there is much work ahead, and many challenges before us, I can see the signs of a new spring for St. Paul Lutheran popping-up all over!
I’m looking forward to seeing you, however you feel called to be a part!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Grant
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus the Lord of Life!
This month we enter the season of Lent - a time for reflection, repentance and renewal. The word “Lent” comes from an old English word meaning “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening of days that happens throughout the season of spring. Looking out the window at the fortress of snow surrounding the church parking lot, it’s hard to imagine that spring is almost upon us! And yet, in another way it feels very much like spring inside St. Paul Lutheran. It has been a hard winter in more ways than one. Due to budget realities, we had to make some tough decisions and say goodbye to long beloved staff. We’ve had to re-imagine and re-configure how we do ministry. We’ve had to step-up and more abundantly commit our time and talent to Sharing Christ’s Love with Joy. It has been a hard winter, but step-up we have. And though there is much work ahead, and many challenges before us, I can see the signs of a new spring for St. Paul Lutheran popping-up all over!
- I’ve seen it in our Children of Christ Sunday, where our wonderful kids led us through readings and prayers and blessing, while we used balloons to make confession and forgiveness tangible, and waved streamers to the lyrics “as [Christ] died to make men holy, let us live to make them free! His truth is marching on!”
- I’ve seen it in the new praise band that sprouted quickly when called, and is now developing its roots and leaves – learning more songs and feeling more confident with each opportunity to lead worship.
- I’ve seen it in the folks stepping up to teach Sunday School, SPLASH and guide confirmation students, to organize the summer mission trip, to tend our communication and office tasks, to clean the building weekly, and to shovel tons of snow off the roof when the need arises.
- I’ve seen it in our growing preschool, which now hosts morning and afternoon classes to nourish the mental, physical and spiritual growth of three to five-year olds.
- I’ve seen it in full-to-capacity “Creation Vacation” the Global Mission team is hosting to fund scholarships for our brothers and sisters in Tanzania.
- I’ve seen it in the re-emerging choir, and in the new-to-us idea of a church Snow Fun Day planned for March 17th.
- I’ve seen it in the refreshing and renewing of the narthex, nursery and sacristy.
- I’ve seen it in the ongoing food truck and visitation ministries, which continue to roll on, strong.
- I’ve seen it in the SPLASH kids who saw the hardship of the homeless among us and are leading the congregation in gathering supplies to be bagged and delivered here and in the city. The prophet Isaiah spoke of God’s holy mountain where peace and fullness of life would reign, and a little child shall lead them. I am grateful for the children in our midst who are ready, willing and excited to lead us into our world to share Christ’s love with joy!
I’m looking forward to seeing you, however you feel called to be a part!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Grant
"When the day of Pentecost came they were all together in one place…”
~Acts 2:1
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
When I first arrived in Namibia I lived in an old mission house with a “braii platz” or grilling place built in the back yard. Excited to fire it up, I gathered some wood and went to arrange it in the place beneath the cooking grate. However, when I took a closer look I realized there was only about 6” of depth for me to work with in the concrete structure. Undaunted, I simply laid my wood in a single layer on a bed of paper and shavings. As you probably guessed, the fire didn’t get going well, so I fanned it, added more small pieces of wood, and fanned it some more. 1½ hours later I gave up trying to build the fire under the grate, and went with plan “B” building the fire on the ground alongside the braii platz and simply shoveling in the coals after they were burning well. The 6” depth was simply too shallow for the wood to stack and thereby work together in holding heat and getting the fire going. With the wood spread out, the fire sputtered along, with the wood gathered together, the fire sprang to life.
As time has gone on, I have come to appreciate the kinship between faith and fire. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit appeared as fire and wind. Like fire, faith can warm and care for us, it can help and strengthen us, it can enlighten and sustain us even as it has the ability to burn us. Faith, like fire may seem primitive, yet it is with us everyday as we put our trust in someone or something, or put something on the stove. Fire and faith are contagious as each individual works together with others to hold the heat and encourage faith/fire to spring into life, drawing us into new and abundant life that we wouldn’t have expected.
Christian faith has always lived in relationship. Whether it is the disciples Jesus sent out in pairs, or the witness of the biblical writers in conversation with each other and with us, or the witnesses of the saints that have gone before us and still commune with us at the Lord’s Supper, one thing is certain: it is in relationship that the Holy Spirit’s fire burns most brightly. And so we gather in worship on Sundays, to share our faith with one another and to receive the witness of those who have gone before. We gather for band practice, bible study, and spaghetti dinners. We gather for prayer, For meetings, for service to our neighbors, for visitation with those who can’t make it to worship, and to support one another even when we can. We gather as small groups and large, trusting that where two or three are gathered in Jesus’s name, there He will also be among them.
So, come! Come join us in the work and play of the Christian life. Come share who you are and the amazing person God made you to be. Come have the flame of the Spirit fanned within you, even as your presence supports and encourages the faith of others. Come and join in the ongoing celebration flowing from Christ’s love: a celebration that opens space for faith to spring into new life, drawing us into new and abundant life together with it! It may just change all of our lives!
Blessings!
Pastor Grant
When I first arrived in Namibia I lived in an old mission house with a “braii platz” or grilling place built in the back yard. Excited to fire it up, I gathered some wood and went to arrange it in the place beneath the cooking grate. However, when I took a closer look I realized there was only about 6” of depth for me to work with in the concrete structure. Undaunted, I simply laid my wood in a single layer on a bed of paper and shavings. As you probably guessed, the fire didn’t get going well, so I fanned it, added more small pieces of wood, and fanned it some more. 1½ hours later I gave up trying to build the fire under the grate, and went with plan “B” building the fire on the ground alongside the braii platz and simply shoveling in the coals after they were burning well. The 6” depth was simply too shallow for the wood to stack and thereby work together in holding heat and getting the fire going. With the wood spread out, the fire sputtered along, with the wood gathered together, the fire sprang to life.
As time has gone on, I have come to appreciate the kinship between faith and fire. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit appeared as fire and wind. Like fire, faith can warm and care for us, it can help and strengthen us, it can enlighten and sustain us even as it has the ability to burn us. Faith, like fire may seem primitive, yet it is with us everyday as we put our trust in someone or something, or put something on the stove. Fire and faith are contagious as each individual works together with others to hold the heat and encourage faith/fire to spring into life, drawing us into new and abundant life that we wouldn’t have expected.
Christian faith has always lived in relationship. Whether it is the disciples Jesus sent out in pairs, or the witness of the biblical writers in conversation with each other and with us, or the witnesses of the saints that have gone before us and still commune with us at the Lord’s Supper, one thing is certain: it is in relationship that the Holy Spirit’s fire burns most brightly. And so we gather in worship on Sundays, to share our faith with one another and to receive the witness of those who have gone before. We gather for band practice, bible study, and spaghetti dinners. We gather for prayer, For meetings, for service to our neighbors, for visitation with those who can’t make it to worship, and to support one another even when we can. We gather as small groups and large, trusting that where two or three are gathered in Jesus’s name, there He will also be among them.
So, come! Come join us in the work and play of the Christian life. Come share who you are and the amazing person God made you to be. Come have the flame of the Spirit fanned within you, even as your presence supports and encourages the faith of others. Come and join in the ongoing celebration flowing from Christ’s love: a celebration that opens space for faith to spring into new life, drawing us into new and abundant life together with it! It may just change all of our lives!
Blessings!
Pastor Grant
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.” John 15:1-2
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Happy New Year! I have always loved this time of year. There’s a beauty to the Christmas season, when every nook and cranny is filled with mementos and tokens of cheer. But there’s also a beauty to the time after Christmas, when all the bits and pieces of the Christmas season get packed away and there is a sense of openness and possibility as we make room for the new year to come into our lives.
As we do in our houses, so too we do in our lives. January is often a month when diets and exercise regimens begin and folks live into the discipline of trying to make their new year’s resolutions a reality. It’s a time to pare back and let go of what was, while trying to build something stronger and healthier for the future.
This pruning is a part of the world that God has made. Pruning can be a painful process, but it also allows the plant to focus its energy on its core so it can produce well in the new season. Pruning is an act of faith. It’s a spiritual exercise of letting go in trust that a new season is coming.
This January we are also pruning at the church. Longstanding budgetary challenges have come due, and we will be cutting back in order to focus on our core, that we may be strong and healthy for new growth in the years ahead. As Jesus says in the Gospel of John, good pruning takes out unhealthy parts, but it also takes out part of the healthy growth as well. It does this in faith and expectation of the fruitful new growth that God is bringing. It allows us to focus on the core – on Christ and abundant, eternal life that flows through him to us.
Christ is our vine, our core, the living force that has called us together as His body in the world. Christ is our vine, our core, who will continue to share His life and His love with and through us. It’s the sturdiness of this vine in which we put our trust. The sturdiness of one that has weathered many ups and downs, who has confronted the worst that death, hell, and sin had to offer and came out all the stronger. It is this sturdy vine, rather than any human fruit or flower, that will carry us through into the next season and beyond.
Jesus in the vine, and we are His branches, and rooted in that relationship we will bear much fruit for us, for our families and for this world that God so loves. May God bless you as you prune in your home and in your life. And may God bless our congregation as we prune in faith and hope for the new season God is preparing.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Grant
Silent Night
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus the Lord of Life! This year Silent Night turns 200 years old which also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the armistice ending WWI. As part of the celebration, I offer you this sermon I preached the first Christmas I was here (slightly modified). Silent Night has a lot to preach, if we have ears to hear. May God Bless you with His peace this day, this Christmas season, and always! Merry Christmas! Yours in Christ, Pastor Grant Dateline: December 24, 1818 - Christmas Eve, at the church of St. Nicolas, in a little town in the Alps…and the organ was broken. Wanting music for that evening's service the Assistant Priest, Josef Mohr, rummaged through his desk and pulled out a short poem he had been working on, a kind of lullaby to the Christ child. Josef brought the poem to the church organist and school teacher, who looked it over and quickly set it to be accompanied by guitar for that night's service. The song that they composed that Christmas Eve, "stille nacht" would remain a local favorite in that little town in the Alps. Years later, a repairman called in to fix yet another breakdown in the organ heard the song and liked it so much that he asked for a copy and brought it with him in his travels across the country. Soon, traveling singers from all kinds of countries had picked-up the song and the world was given one of its most beloved hymns. An organ’s brokenness was met with a quiet, little, peace filled song, and the world would never be the same… Dateline: December 24, 1914 - Christmas Eve in the trenches of Europe. Chemical weapons, heavy artillery and the emerging machines of war had been killing people by the hundreds of thousands, adding new force to the horrors of war. Countries all over the world were sending their treasures and the precious blood of their people to be ground-up on those fields. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Since the enlightenment in the 1700’s people increasingly believed that human reason would lead them on a steady road of progress, break them free from the futility of war, and usher in an age of unending peace. They were smarter than this, they were better than this. And yet, here they were - using the strength they had developed – their intellect, technology, and deeper understanding of the natural world to more effectively tear down, kill, and maim. It was "the war to end all wars" and yet in its conclusion lay the seeds of the next "great war". |
But on that cold Christmas Eve, something wholly unexpected was taking place. Christmas carols floated from one trench to the other, followed by applause and more singing. Christmas greetings were shouted across the desolate "no man's land" until, in a moment of trust, the Germans set-up a Christmas tree in "no-man's-land" and began to decorate it. Slowly, both sides emerged from the trenches, exchanged small gifts, sang, and arranged soccer matches, as the field officers negotiated a "Christmas truce" – ceasing hostilities for Christmas in order to celebrate the birth of the prince of peace, and to bury the dead. As Stanley Weintraub explains in his book " Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce" Silent night played an important role in this spontaneous outburst of peace, as it was one of the few songs known in German, French and English that could be sung by everyone, together. In a world horribly disfigured by the brokenness of war, "silent night" reflected the light of Christ's reconciling love. For a moment, the raging of the nations gave way to a power entirely weaker, and yet so much stronger than the destruction and hate of War.
The brokenness of an "enlightened" humanity engulfed in the madness of war was met with a quiet, little, peace filled song, and the world would never be the same… Dateline: Christmas Eve, the night of Jesus' birth: In a world broken and estranged from God. In an empire ruled by a man, a Caesar, so certain of his power, he called himself a god. Whose gift of "peace" was won at the tip of a sword, and perpetuated day by day through the hundreds of people crucified on the highways of his empire. In a small district of occupied Palestine, governed by a man who had killed thousands, even his own family, in order to hold on to power. In a stable, which was all this world had to offer, a child is born. Born in flesh and blood, he is Emmanuel, which means "God with us". He is God's love come to dwell with us, to rejoice with us, and to suffer with us, in order that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Here, on this holy night, God confronted our estrangement and brokenness. Not through condemnation, threats, and demands of worthiness, but by leaping the canyon of estrangement between us, and making his home with us. Here, on this holy night, the author of life himself came to heal his broken people. Not clothed in blinding glory, but in the smallness and helplessness of a baby. Here, on this holy night, the King of Kings overwhelmed our rebelliousness. Not in the dominating strength of the rulers of this world, but in this little child, tender and mild, who bore the transforming love of God into our fragile state. The brokenness and estrangement of a world created good was met with a quiet, little, peace filled child, and the world would never be the same… |
So what difference does this peace of Christ make? In one sense, this peace has made very little difference. Soon after the night of Jesus' birth, Hared would order the slaughter of infants in an attempt to kill the prince of peace. Soon after the truce of 1914, the commanding generals re-assigned and punished those who participated in the Christmas truce and ordered heavier bombardment the following Christmas to ensure that such peace would not break out again. The powers of this world, and even the brokenness within us, know a transforming love when we see it. And out of fear and sinfulness we seek to snuff it out, to crucify it, before it gets out of control. The Peace of Christ does not make everything alright, but it does transform everything it touches. The Peace of Christ is not an escape from the brokenness of life, but the power to meet that brokenness and discover life where only death seemed possible. The peace of Christ enters in, time and again to free us from fear, draws us to fullness of life, reconciles us to God and frees us for the sake of our neighbor. As Jesus says in the gospel of John " John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Dateline: December 2018, Here in St. Paul Lutheran and beyond these walls: In a country with very real problems – constantly in war, with an economy recovering but still precarious after the very pillars of our self-assured strength buckled and crumbled before our eyes, with many deep in the chaos of food, employment, and housing insecurity. With very real problems stalking at home and in the community - the power of seasonal and chronic depression and substance abuse, the specter of physical abuse, broken relationships, loneliness, loss or simply the stress of juggling work and family, and adapting to a seemingly ever accelerating pace of change. Into this very real brokenness, the Christ child is still coming to dwell among us, to take our suffering as his own, and to transform it with the free gift of God's undying love. The heavenly peace which he brought so long ago, and which has continued to break-out in the least expected places, he gladly shares tonight. Entering our brokenness, our chaos, and speaking his word of forgiveness and peace. Can you hear him? The song "silent night" is composed as a kind of lullaby for the Christ child, but in many ways it can also be seen as a lullaby which Christ sings to us. "Sleep in heavenly peace, my child, sleep in my peace. I was born to walk with you – to share your lot, to heal your wounds. To redeem you through my love which will not go away and which the world cannot kill. Sleep in heavenly peace, my child.” John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." Our brokenness and chaos are met with a quiet, little, peace filled child, and the world will never be the same… Thanks be to God! |
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus the Lord of Life!
The holidays are rapidly approaching, and with them time with family and friends around the dinner table. This time can be joy and a challenge as we share time with those who we love, who we are deeply connected to, and who also may not see things the way we do. In case of disagreement, the easy roads are either avoiding the conversation or firing off verbal cannon balls at each other, but there is a more excellent way. Honest, transformative dialogue can be one of the greatest gifts we give to one another! But it doesn’t just happen. It needs all involved to be truly interested in something different than the same old fights, and it takes setting-up ground rules that can serve as guard rails and provide a safe enough environment to get real with one another. So if you and yours are tired of going through the same old rounds, consider agreeing to something different using the ground rules below.
In this life we, and those we disagree with, are loved by God. Blessings in engaging loved ones with honest, loving and transformative conversation. It may well be one of the best gifts you give and receive this holiday season.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Grant
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus the Lord of Life!
The holidays are rapidly approaching, and with them time with family and friends around the dinner table. This time can be joy and a challenge as we share time with those who we love, who we are deeply connected to, and who also may not see things the way we do. In case of disagreement, the easy roads are either avoiding the conversation or firing off verbal cannon balls at each other, but there is a more excellent way. Honest, transformative dialogue can be one of the greatest gifts we give to one another! But it doesn’t just happen. It needs all involved to be truly interested in something different than the same old fights, and it takes setting-up ground rules that can serve as guard rails and provide a safe enough environment to get real with one another. So if you and yours are tired of going through the same old rounds, consider agreeing to something different using the ground rules below.
In this life we, and those we disagree with, are loved by God. Blessings in engaging loved ones with honest, loving and transformative conversation. It may well be one of the best gifts you give and receive this holiday season.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Grant
Ground Rules for a Challenging Conversation
|
|
- Let “the thing” be “the thing.” It is easy for disagreements to feel personal, but you are better served to stay focused on the topic at hand. We are not here to judge one another as people, that is God’s work, and it is done in love through Jesus Christ. Rather, our opportunity as forgiven sinners is to simply talk about the issue at hand, and see what we can understand and do.
- Stay close to the ground. We all know the old saw that to assume is to make an “ass” out of “u” and “me”, but it is easy in the discomfort of a disagreement to make all kinds of assumptions that may or may not be accurate. Transformative dialogue is often transformative because it challenges assumptions that have long held us captive. Do your best to explain what you mean, even if it feels awkward. Honest and awkward attempts at truth are always better than a quick or slick quip. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
- Slow down and listen. It’s easy to get excited or anxious and get so focused on what we want to say that we stop listening. Take the time to listen and reflect on what others are saying. Give space for each voice.
- Do your best to be honest. Honesty requires vulnerability. What if someone disagrees? What if I disagree after I said it? Honesty is scary stuff, but it is the only way to truly grow as an individual or as a people. Honesty also means stepping away from sweeping terms like “always” and “never.” Life in God’s creation is more complex than that. Give room for God’s nuance in your speaking and hearing.
- Let each person speak for themselves. Speak honestly to your own understanding and experience. Give space for others to do the same.
- Acknowledge that we all come in with opinions formed by our experience. Take time to share those experiences that have shaped your perspective, and be open to seeing those experiences in a different light.
- Be open to being changed, and convinced by the other. Be open to the work of the Spirit through others and through prayer.
- Always bear in mind the 8th commandment and Luther’s explanation. You are not to bear false witness against your neighbor. What is this? We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.
- Always bear in mind 1st Corinthians 8:1 “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” and 1st Corinthians 13:12 “for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now we know only in part, but then we will know fully, even as we have been fully known.
- Winning looks different. The conversation isn’t as much about winners and losers as it is about new understanding and growth. Consider it a win if you both leave with a deeper understanding of the others’ point of view and caring for one another. These are the real prizes, rather than making the other person agree with your point of view.
Do Not Be Afraid
“Do not be afraid; for I am with you” Isaiah 41:10
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus, the Lord of Life!
Fear. It’s a basic and powerful emotion. Within fractions of a second of exposure to a fear stimulus, your pupils are dilating, your heart is revving-up, and your hypothalamus is shutting down higher brain function to give more resources to the expected fight or flight to come. Fear is a powerful emotion, and it is all around us, especially at this time of year. Scary movies and costumes live on in our thrill-seeking Halloween traditions. Politicians exploit the way fear – of people different than us, of economic insecurity, of worst case scenarios, of looming doom – that can bypass our more complex thinking and drive us to fill in the oval for them. Fear even shows up in church as we remember the life of Martin Luther and the reformation he led.
Fear played a significant role in young Luther’s life. Afraid of God’s righteous wrath and punishment, Martin joined the harshest order of monks he could find in the hopes that he could discipline himself into a life that would be pleasing to God. But the harder he sought to drive sin out of himself and his life, the more aware he was of how durably it remained. Fear drove Martin to work harder and harder, but he was never enough.
Can you relate? I can. I can think of many times in my life when the regular drumbeat of fear has pushed me to shut down higher brain function and simply work “harder, harder.” Though I knew that was probably not the best response, it somehow feels better to do something rather than to step back and look the fear squarely in the face. After all, who am I in the face of my inadequacies and failings?
Martin worked hard, but peace came for him not from his accomplishments, but rather by a realization – a realization that Martin’s inadequacies were not the last word on him. Rather the last word, God’s Word, on Martin and on each one of us, is a word of love that knows our failings and meets us with even more love and care. It’s not that God doesn’t care about how we are doing with our responsibilities, but rather that he cares more about us than about the work that we do, or the missions we accomplish, or the responsibilities we have seen through.
This opened up a new world for Martin. Not of idleness or a sense that nothing matters, but a new life that meant he was free from justifying himself to work toward what really mattered. God loved him, and God loves you and me. And that means that we can stand up to the fear that drives in from every side, and say “I am a beloved child of God, and though I have faltered and failed, though there is much that ought to get done, what is truly needed has already been done for me, and you and that will not be taken away.” It was this confidence that stood up to the powers that be and said “Here (on this truth) I stand, and can do no other. God help me.” And it is this confidence that frees us to step back from proving our own righteousness from being a servant of fear to simply working toward what is good for us, for our neighbor and for God’s world as a servant of the LORD. His is a love that Casts out fear. Do not be afraid, He is with you. Amen.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus, the Lord of Life!
Fear. It’s a basic and powerful emotion. Within fractions of a second of exposure to a fear stimulus, your pupils are dilating, your heart is revving-up, and your hypothalamus is shutting down higher brain function to give more resources to the expected fight or flight to come. Fear is a powerful emotion, and it is all around us, especially at this time of year. Scary movies and costumes live on in our thrill-seeking Halloween traditions. Politicians exploit the way fear – of people different than us, of economic insecurity, of worst case scenarios, of looming doom – that can bypass our more complex thinking and drive us to fill in the oval for them. Fear even shows up in church as we remember the life of Martin Luther and the reformation he led.
Fear played a significant role in young Luther’s life. Afraid of God’s righteous wrath and punishment, Martin joined the harshest order of monks he could find in the hopes that he could discipline himself into a life that would be pleasing to God. But the harder he sought to drive sin out of himself and his life, the more aware he was of how durably it remained. Fear drove Martin to work harder and harder, but he was never enough.
Can you relate? I can. I can think of many times in my life when the regular drumbeat of fear has pushed me to shut down higher brain function and simply work “harder, harder.” Though I knew that was probably not the best response, it somehow feels better to do something rather than to step back and look the fear squarely in the face. After all, who am I in the face of my inadequacies and failings?
Martin worked hard, but peace came for him not from his accomplishments, but rather by a realization – a realization that Martin’s inadequacies were not the last word on him. Rather the last word, God’s Word, on Martin and on each one of us, is a word of love that knows our failings and meets us with even more love and care. It’s not that God doesn’t care about how we are doing with our responsibilities, but rather that he cares more about us than about the work that we do, or the missions we accomplish, or the responsibilities we have seen through.
This opened up a new world for Martin. Not of idleness or a sense that nothing matters, but a new life that meant he was free from justifying himself to work toward what really mattered. God loved him, and God loves you and me. And that means that we can stand up to the fear that drives in from every side, and say “I am a beloved child of God, and though I have faltered and failed, though there is much that ought to get done, what is truly needed has already been done for me, and you and that will not be taken away.” It was this confidence that stood up to the powers that be and said “Here (on this truth) I stand, and can do no other. God help me.” And it is this confidence that frees us to step back from proving our own righteousness from being a servant of fear to simply working toward what is good for us, for our neighbor and for God’s world as a servant of the LORD. His is a love that Casts out fear. Do not be afraid, He is with you. Amen.
SEPTEMBER GREETINGS FROM PASTOR GRANT
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus, The Lord of Life!
I started off full of hope, full of anxiety, and stuffed with stuff. I had never been overseas before, and here I was at the airport Eurorail ticket in hand, bag backpack stuffed to over flowing, passport hung around my neck and small amounts of emergency cash stashed in socks and pockets and so many other random nooks and compartments that I would be rediscovering it for the next few years. I was headed off on an adventure, to meet a friend in Spain and spend the summer backpacking across Europe, and I was prepared for every contingency that I could imagine…
…But I couldn’t really imagine all that was to come.
The trip was wonderful! We saw cathedrals, castles and aqueducts. We met interesting people and gained some new perspectives. We ate new foods, noted cultural differences and imagined how life would be different if we lived here or there. We saw things we had hoped to see for a long time, and stumbled across even more amazing things we hadn’t even known existed. We walked everywhere, got tan and strong, and happened into more than one unexpected scene that would give us stories for the rest of our lives! My friend was deeply into art, and though I wasn’t excited about spending so much time in museums, I came to better understand, appreciate and engage art’s power, ideas and practices as the summer wore on. I also found that my pack got lighter as the weeks rolled on. Spending time in the real adventure, rather than just imagining it, I was learning which things were truly essential and which were just heavy. I learned which cloths made the journey easier and which were too constricting. I learned how to find what I needed even at odd hours, and, in short grew in confidence and readiness for whatever the world may throw at me.
“That’s great, Pastor Grant, but what does it have to do with church?”
Well, I’ll tell you! This fall we will be focusing on the Adventure of Discipleship. Many of us have been disciples for many years, some of us are just starting out, but all of us can benefit from taking some time to (re)consider and intentionally practice following our Lord as he leads us on the adventure of a lifetime! We will see new things and gain new perspectives. In preaching will wade into the uncertainties of real questions and challenges that we are seeing and feeling in day to day life. We will wrestle with hard words from Jesus and the Good News that comes, not in spite of Jesus’ words, but through them. We will be offering several opportunities for Bible study so that, like art for me back in the day, you may come to better understand, appreciate and engage the Bible’s power, ideas and practices. Through the Amazing (G)race we will practice what we believe in service to one another and the world. Through Bread Breakers and so many other small groups we will get to know interesting people and new perspectives. And through it all we will be learning what is essential and what is just heavy. We will be strengthening ourselves and our faith for whatever comes next along the road of life. And While we may not come out with a tan, we will come out the other side with greater confidence in ourselves, our God and our ability to connect with God on a regular basis. So come be a part of the grand adventure this fall.
It may just change your life!
Blessings!
Pastor Grant
“That’s great, Pastor Grant, but what does it have to do with church?”
Well, I’ll tell you! This fall we will be focusing on the Adventure of Discipleship. Many of us have been disciples for many years, some of us are just starting out, but all of us can benefit from taking some time to (re)consider and intentionally practice following our Lord as he leads us on the adventure of a lifetime! We will see new things and gain new perspectives. In preaching will wade into the uncertainties of real questions and challenges that we are seeing and feeling in day to day life. We will wrestle with hard words from Jesus and the Good News that comes, not in spite of Jesus’ words, but through them. We will be offering several opportunities for Bible study so that, like art for me back in the day, you may come to better understand, appreciate and engage the Bible’s power, ideas and practices. Through the Amazing (G)race we will practice what we believe in service to one another and the world. Through Bread Breakers and so many other small groups we will get to know interesting people and new perspectives. And through it all we will be learning what is essential and what is just heavy. We will be strengthening ourselves and our faith for whatever comes next along the road of life. And While we may not come out with a tan, we will come out the other side with greater confidence in ourselves, our God and our ability to connect with God on a regular basis. So come be a part of the grand adventure this fall.
It may just change your life!
Blessings!
Pastor Grant
Finding the On RampsAugust Greetings from Pastor Grant
“Finding the On-Ramps” Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It’s summertime. The flowers are blooming. Warm breezes gently blow puffy clouds across the sky…and road construction is everywhere! Not long ago I found myself in south Minneapolis coming north on I-35. My plan was to get on I-94 west, but as I approached the usual exchange I discovered that the on-ramp was unavailable and followed the detour into downtown Minneapolis. Once downtown, the detour signs melted away, and I was largely left to my own devices to find a path to a different on-ramp. It reminded me of that old joke, where a local tells a traveler that “You can’t get there from here. Go down this road three miles, hang a left, travel another two miles…and ask them!” On-ramps have been on my mind a lot this summer as I’ve thought about the coming year. As welcoming as our congregation is, I have been struck over the last couple of years by how many folks I have talked to who would like to get more involved, but are uncertain how to get there. “Who does this?” “Can I get on a list to help out some times?” and “Are they really interested in new personalities and different ideas?” Perhaps you have asked these questions |
yourself. The good news is that there are many great opportunities to participate and even lead in our ministry together, but we need to mark the on-ramps better. To that end, I am working as part of our Narthex refresh to develop a welcome team and desk that will gather and organize information on what teams are doing in the congregation, sign-ups for current needs and contact info for how you (and others) can get connected – a one-stop-shop, if you will, for deeper connection and action with and through the congregation.
In order to make this welcome desk a success, I’m looking for a few good folks who would enjoy helping others connect with themselves and the ministry we do here. I’m looking for a few good folks with thoughts on how we can best build on-ramps and share them with others. I’m looking for a few good folks who would enjoy being the face of our congregation to new-comers, and serve as a friendly in-person on-ramp to help others enter into God’s abundant life and mission in this place and let their light shine among us! If that sounds like you, perhaps this is your calling. Prayerfully consider and let me know. You are God’s beloved child! May God bless you on this tail end of summer, and in all of the bustle ahead! Yours in Christ, Pastor Grant |
Pastor Grant's July Message“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity,”
Psalm 133:1 Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Father and Jesus the Lord of Life. As many of you know, Amanda and I have been on vacation the last two weeks, taking a trip across the pond to visit my brother and his family, who are currently stationed in London, England. Sam was amazing on the flight out, and pretty darn good on the flight back. In between he had a tremendous time getting to know his four cousins and spending time with them at their house, in the backyard, and on playgrounds of all kinds. It was so wonderful to see him first interested, and then fully engaged in relationship, and to watch them as they carried him and walked with him, reminiscing about what it was like when each of them were his age and sharing treasures new and old. Each one found their own way to connect – my oldest nephew was the swing master, my goddaughter had the patience and gentleness to teach him new skills, my brother’s youngest girl was happy to accompany him through hill and dale, sharing her smile along the way, and the baby of the family was happy to play and share things that he had only recently outgrown.
|
It was an interruption from the normal flow for all of us, but it was well worth it to be with family and to invest in the relationships that give life to all involved. This got me thinking about our church family at St. Paul Lutheran. The summer is full of a million opportunities and distractions that pull us each in different directions. But there is something good, something joyful, in setting aside a time to come together as family, to enjoy one another’s company, reconnecting and connecting for the first time, sharing what we have, learning, teaching, and growing together. Each of us finds our own way to connect, perhaps you feel led to the Bread Breakers dinner groups, or weekly worship, helping out at the food truck, or VBS. Perhaps you could connect through the ice cream social or balloon twisting class, or taking on a project to help refresh our space and prepare for the celebration of our 150th anniversary. Perhaps you are feeling led to reconnect through one of these, or to find new connections through something different, but however you feel led, I can tell you it’s worth it to take time out of our normal patterns and make the connection. It’s a gift we give each other. A gift that connects us with the gifts that God has given us and our neighbor as he draws us into life together and abundant life for each.
Blessings in your summer – I look forward to seeing you around! Your brother in Christ, Pastor Grant |
|
|
|
|
|
