Archives for October 2012

Heart Room

October 28, 2012 By moadmin

God’s truth for us, that we are loved and forgiven and called to new life is freedom for us. We are free in God’s love to reject it, to make no room in our hearts, but there is always room in God’s heart for us.

Pr. Joseph G. Crippen, Reformation Sunday; texts: Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 8:31-36

Sisters and brothers, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

We’re all powerfully tired of the election by now, I’m sure. And one of the things I’m tired of is the abuse and misuse of the concept of freedom. Americans have a convenient way of trumpeting the words of our founders and shaping the tune to mean whatever they want it to mean. So we find ourselves each election year struggling with this peculiar American sin of people wanting freedom to do what they want, but who don’t want others to have the same freedoms. Or people who want to be free of the government’s influence and control, but who wish the government to control others. People who fail to realize that denying freedom to others always restricts and abridges their own freedom. Freedom is a wonderful thing. But we’ve become so used to having it that we barely recognize when we misuse it, or deny it to others.

Which makes Jesus’ words so compelling as they arrive in our lives near the end of this election cycle. Jesus promises freedom to those who live in his word. It’s a good thing, we think, to be free. But if that means we have responsibility for our own lives, and for the lives of others, that’s also a very frightening thing if you think about it. So when Jesus tells us today that when we live, abide, dwell in his word we find the truth that frees us, we need to be careful to ask ourselves if we know what that means, and once we know, if we want that freedom after all.

In one sense, we’ve never lived without this promise of freedom, for most of us have lived most of our lives hearing the promise of God’s forgiveness.

Jesus brings up the idea of slavery versus freedom, concepts easily understood in his day, but perhaps less clear to us who live in a relatively free society. Those who do not face the reality of their sin, who simply act and live without thought, who continue trapped in their broken human nature without recognizing it, live as slaves to sin, Jesus says, even though they might think they are free.

Those who always know it’s someone else’s fault when they do wrong, live as slaves to sin. Those who judge others while justifying their own wrong, live as slaves to sin. Those who don’t resist their own tendencies to do wrong, but go with “it’s the way I’ve always been,” live as slaves to sin.

And it’s attractive, that’s why we do it. You never have to face the hard questions, make the hard decisions. Just act as you want, and justify it on that basis. Go with the flow, and you don’t have to work to be different.

And so God’s love for us in Jesus is a word of life: we can be free from that bondage. We need not be controlled by our instincts, unable to choose. Forgiven and loved by God in Jesus, we are free.

We’re free to make decisions about our lives, to do what we choose to do. To take responsibility for our lives and for the world. And that’s God’s real problem. Once we’re free, we can still choose wrongly as easily as well as when we were unaware of our enslavement. And that we certainly do.

God takes a great risk in freeing us: what if we don’t choose well with the responsibility we’re given?

We don’t often think of God’s faith in us, but that’s the reality of our lives. Think of a parent’s faith in a child. At each stage of a child’s life there are things a parent needs to learn to trust the child to do.

And for that child, the trust is the key: When I think of times my children have wanted to know if I trusted them, the worst thing I could do was voice my doubts. I needed simply to give them the message, the concrete sense, that I did trust them.

And of course parents have doubts. They don’t know at any of the stages of their child’s life if they can handle that new level of trust. And children often have very high opinions of their own ability to be worthy of that trust. But at some point if any are going to be effective and good parents, they take a leap of faith and trust their children. They are there if they fall; they pray that they can fix things if they go seriously wrong; but they must learn to trust.

And this is God’s reality: freeing us from slavery to sin, giving us freedom to choose right from wrong, to choose to love God and neighbor or choose not to, all lead God to a leap of faith.

There is no guarantee that we will live in love with God and each other. In fact, human history suggests that it’s a good bet we won’t. Yet Jesus reveals to us that the Triune God has decided to take that risk. To risk faith in us.

And the image our readings today use to show this is the image of our hearts. God makes a new covenant, a new promise, in Jeremiah. Where God’s law, the way of God for us in the world, is written on our hearts, so we know it intimately. And God promises to forgive our failings, even to forget them.

But the risk is that we won’t allow this to be written on our hearts, to change our hearts and lives. And powerfully, that’s just what Jesus says in today’s Gospel has happened.

“You look for an opportunity to kill me,” he says, “because there is no place in you for my word.” That’s incredibly chilling, hearing these two words from God together. “I will write this on your heart – but there is no place in you for my word.”

Our freedom means this: we can make room for God in our hearts. Or we can close them.

We can open our hearts to see all we have is gift from God, entrusted to us, and give back joyously and generously. Or we can close our hearts and see all that we have is ours to keep.

We can open our hearts to look at others and see Jesus, and so reach out to them in love, offer them grace and forgiveness, be God’s love for them. Or we can close our hearts and judge others and treat them as less than we are, unworthy of our love and attention.

We can open our hearts and see our brokenness and sin, and confess it to God, trusting in God’s love and forgiveness. Or we can close our hearts and pretend we are righteous, needing no forgiveness or correction or grace from God because we know what is right even more than God.

“You look for an opportunity to kill me,” Jesus says, “because there is no place in you for my word.” Is there room in our hearts for God’s love, God’s direction, God’s guidance? Or in our freedom are we keeping it closed, lest by coming in God might change us, redirect us, make each of us into a different person?

We’ve been hearing this from the Scriptures now for most of the summer and fall, that God wishes to change us from within, make us new people, free us that we might become like the children of God we were meant to be. But are we still seeking to kill Jesus’ influence in our lives, in our hearts, if it means we’re going to be someone different, as if we have no room for him in our hearts?

This is a hard word to think on. But as we do, we remember this: no matter whether or not we have room for God in our hearts, what we know absolutely is that there is always room in God’s heart for us.

“If you continue in my Word,” says Jesus, “you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” And this promise is never taken back. This gift is never withdrawn due to rejection. Even after the disciples’ betrayal and failure on Thursday and Friday, the risen Jesus returns to them in love Sunday, and after. Offering them forgiveness, even breakfast, and loving them. That love is not withdrawn. There is always room in God’s heart for you. And that is our hope.

And the miracle is, no matter how often we’ve closed our hearts to God, not only is there always room in God’s heart for us, God always takes the chance that this next time, this once, we’ll make room in our hearts, too. Again, the risen Jesus comes to the disciples and not only forgives and loves them. He calls them to love, invites them to follow once again, charges them with a commission to spread God’s love to the world.

Jesus takes the leap of faith once more. And so Jesus continues to do with us each day.

Freedom is a frightening thing. It’s easier to be a slave to sin, to shun responsibility for our actions and our lives.

But freedom as God gives us is life. Freedom in the love of God is life. Freedom to be the love of God is life.

Do we have any room for this in our hearts? Our good news is that God’s heart has room for us, for you, and always will. God has taken a leap of faith in you, in all of us, hoping we’ll respond with our love for God and for the world. This is the truth that is Jesus. Once we know it, then we’ll really know what it is to be free.

In the name of Jesus. Amen

The Olive Branch, 10/26/12

October 26, 2012 By moadmin

Accent on Worship

Who’s going to do what at your funeral?

I find it interesting to learn things about human nature and behavior outside the church. So often we can learn what true needs might be. We can also learn that what we might perceive as needs may only compound them. Often it’s amusing to watch people at airports. The “hoverers” that begin lining up 30 minutes before seating begins, or the traveler who thinks getting angry with the agent is going to be helpful.

Issues around death are especially fascinating. One observation of the secular world becomes clear: at the time of grief ritual is needed. Piles of flowers will be placed at the site of a death. Groups will gather holding candles for what they call “a vigil.” No mention is ever made of God – but clearly, ritual is there. They need to do something! Mark Sedio and I were walking near Liberty Park, Philadelphia, and saw a huge group of people wearing tie-dyed shirts, holding candles, and singing stanza 1 of “Amazing Grace” over and over again. Mark said, “Jerry Garcia must have died!” And that is exactly what had happened. Those people needed ritual, they needed a song that they understood to be religious. The only one they knew was stanza 1 of Amazing Grace, so over and over, that is what they sang.

Many of you have thought through “plans” for your funerals. But who’s going to do what at your funeral? Secular society in the past 50 years has done a great job of instilling the notion that “it” is all about “us.” Remembering the deceased and honoring them becomes the focus. This can and is a big part of a funeral event, as is providing comfort and support for the grieving family. There is a vital place for this in the visitation, wake, at the funeral lunch – but what of the liturgy itself?

As people of God, we have the tools to do something meaningful and deep at our funerals. What is that? To whom is it directed? Who is to do it? We, in the church, have answers to those questions: We do what we do as family: Word and Sacrament. We approach God (not ourselves). The Gospel is preached (not so much a life history) to a gathering of people who are in a unique place and need to hear the Gospel, and “with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven” we eat the family meal, and sing the unending hymn WITH them. But what is that song?

Unfortunately, in my couple of years of being involved in funeral services, plans get made by people who won’t be there (they are the ones who have died). Even if the family picks “favorites” of the deceased, will the others present at the service be able to enter in? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

On one occasion, a family wanted the song “The Little Brown Church.” I had never heard of it before; neither had the congregation. And the family was indignant about that (perhaps projecting a little grief which isn’t a bad thing). Of course, I was able to find it, and we included it, but few sang because only the family knew it and they were not able to sing at that service through their tears. What did that do? I felt bad for them, and did not feel very pastoral in that situation.

Recently we had a funeral service where we had been given a list of hymns from Florence Peterson to “consider” for her funeral. Since it was made up of hymns sung regularly at Mount Olive, we were able to take that list and build a deeply meaningful funeral liturgy. Most could sing – and if needed, for the family on their behalf.

This Sunday in the adult forum, I will present some new things to think about as we consider funerals – including why we, the people of God in this place, should be there for funerals whether we knew the person or not. (Come to find out why).

-Cantor David Cherwien

Sunday’s Adult Education

Sunday, October 28, 9:30 a.m.
This week our forum will be “Lux Aeterna: Music for Funerals,” presented by Cantor Cherwien.

Congregation Meeting This Sunday

The semi-annual meeting of Mount Olive congregation will be held this Sunday, October 28, following the second liturgy (beginning at approximately 12:15 p.m.). The main purpose of this meeting will be to approve a budget for 2013, and to consider several constitutional and bylaw amendments the Vestry is recommending to the congregation. These amendments were included with the last two issues of The Olive Branch, and are also available in the narthex at church. Copies of the proposed budget are also available with the amendments. All voting members of Mount Olive are encouraged to attend.

Ordination

Former Mount Olive Vicar Leslie Mahraun will be ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament this Saturday, October 27, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. She has accepted a call to serve St. John as Associate Pastor. Also Vicar Neal Cannon’s brother Paul will be ordained on Sunday in Illinois. Please remember Leslie and Paul in your prayers.

Prayer Shawl Group

The Prayer Shawl Group gathers for knitting and crocheting, coffee, and conversation on the first Saturday of the month. We meet at Blue Ox Coffee Company, 3740 Chicago Ave. S. Please join us on Saturday, November 3, from 1 – 3 pm. Don’t be shy — even if you do not know how to knit or crochet, come anyway! Members of the group are happy to teach knitting or crocheting to beginners.

Deadline is November 1

All Mount Olive worship assistants are reminded that they should submit their work or school scheduling needs for the first quarter of 2013 as soon as possible. If you have special scheduling circumstances from Jan.-March, 2013, please contact Peggy Hoeft (peggyrf70@gmail.com) by November 1.

All Saints

On the Feast of All Saints, 4 November, we remember and celebrate those who have preceded us in the Faith and now “from their labors rest.” We recite their names; we light votives in their honor. And in the Adult Forum that day, we’ll have a chance to walk among some of them. There will be a display of icons of some of our forebears in the faith. We will reflect briefly on the meaning of “sainthood” and of their portrayal in icons. And then we’ll be free to view the icons, walking among the saints of old (any maybe not-so-long-ago), venerating them as we see fit.

If you have an icon that you would like to set among others, we welcome and encourage you to do so. Please, if you bring an icon for display, help us: Bring only icons of persons, not events. Put your name on the back of the icon lest it go astray. And identify the icon: Who is it? If the person is relatively unknown, why is that person memorable? Note that we do not require that you bring hand-painted or –written icons. Most of us can’t afford those.

Church Library News

Our library is the recipient of a new gift book, given in memory of Florence Peterson, and we bring it to your attention now because it is so timely for what is happening in our nation’s political scene just now. The new book is entitled The American Presidents: Biographies of the Chief Executives from George Washington through Barack Obama, by David C. Whitney (Revised and Updated 11th Edition by Robin Vaughn Whitney).

This is a remarkable resource illuminating the lives, times and legacies of the men who have shaped the office of our nation’s Presidents. A very interesting and informative read, regardless of whether it is done before or after the upcoming election. Find it on display in our library this very Sunday.

We close with the following quotation from Rita Dove: “The library is an arena of possibility, opening both a window into the soul and a door onto the world.”

– Leanna Kloempken

Book Discussion Group

Mount Olive’s Book Discussion group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. For the November 10 meeting they will read, Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray, and for December 8 they will read Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.

Dobson Organ Dedication

Mount Olive’s own Lynn Dobson is busy building the new Pipe Organ for the Chapel at Merton College, in Oxford England, as we speak.

This is his first instrument on foreign soil and we rejoice with him in this project. A contingent from Mount Olive has been invited to attend the dedication of this new organ which will be in late April of 2014. There are a very limited number of spaces open for this trip. If you are interested in joining this happy band of travelers, please contact Tom Olsen for the details. Tom can be reached at 952-929-9781 or any Sunday morning at coffee hour.

National Lutheran Choir Presents “The Call” with Milwaukee Choral Artists

The National Lutheran Choir and special guest ensemble, Milwaukee Choral Artists, will co-present a hymn festival entitled, “The Call,” to mark All Saints.

For tickets visit www.nlca.com or call 612-722-2301.

Saturday, November 3, 2012 – 7 pm
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
Mahtomedi, MN

Sunday, November 4, 2012 – 4 pm
St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church
Wayzata, MN.

October Vestry Update, 10-15-12

The October 15 Vestry meeting was a productive session. Conversation continued in regards to the Capital Campaign Tithe. The final tithe amount will be listed as $91,000 and the task force is meeting to determine the recipients of the grants being distributed from these monies. An update will be given at the Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting.

The Vestry invites the entire Mount Olive congregation to attend a discussion about the proposed State Constitution Amendments on October 22. Respectful conversation from a faith perspective will be led by President Adam Krueger and other members of the Vestry.

Minimal changes were made to the 2013 Budget during a short discussion. The 2013 Mount Olive Budget will be presented at a preview meeting following the second liturgy on Sunday, October 21. Voting on the 2013 Budget will take place at the Semi-Annual Congregational meeting following the second liturgy on Sunday, October 28.

New members were approved during the Vestry meeting, as were new committee appointments. It was agreed that it is great to see so many new members becoming active participants in a variety of ways. Sunday, November 11 will be Volunteer Opportunity Sunday where all members can learn more about the opportunities available to serve the Mount Olive community. It will also be the Sunday where we think about our stewardship of our wealth and consider our pledges for 2013 to the work God has called us to do together.

Director reports included information on the planning of upcoming events such as the Fair Trade Christmas sale and the “Taste of…” dinner. There are also new items on the Wish List (list located in church office) so members are encouraged to see if there are any that they could assist in purchasing.

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Nordeen