Pastor Nate’s sermon from 4/11/21, the second Sunday of Easter.
This sermon is based on the story of Doubting Thomas found in John 20:19-31.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
The Evangelical Lutheran Worship book is not just a hymnal but also a beautiful prayer book. We invite you to use the lines of this hymn as an opening to prayer– connect with God through these poetic expressions of worship and prayer.⠀
“So much better than day-old Bread” by Pastor Nate
“So much better than day-old Bread” by Pastor Nate
In the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John there is this crowd
of people who follow Jesus to Capernaum and when they find him Jesus talks with
them about the work that God is calling them to do and their response is:
What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see
it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors
ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from
heaven to eat.’”
Here’s the thing you need to know about this group
though. They are hinting at something
else here with their statement. They
actually aren’t that interested in Jesus performing a sign so that they can be
reassured and commit their lives to the Mission of God. No.
They are actually just trying to coax Jesus into giving them a free
meal.
Earlier in John chapter 6, Jesus miraculously feeds 5,000
people and this group that followed him to Capernaum, the ones asking about manna
in the wilderness? They were part of that 5,000! They are following Jesus around because they
want more miraculous bread and they aren’t being at all subtle about your hopes
and intentions.
Sometimes in our walk of faith, we start thinking like this
group of people. We start longing for
the day-old bread that God once provided. We look to the past and talk about
how great it once was and we try and find ways to get back to it. In not-so-subtle ways we’ll ask God to return
us to the “miraculous” days of yore.
Here’s the problem with this type of thinking – it focuses
on the substance of the miracle and not the one who brought the miracle about.
When that group ask Jesus for some more bread, Jesus responded
by saying “I am the bread of life.” Jesus
was trying to remind the group that the meal they had miraculously experienced
wasn’t the point, it was His love and his presence in the world that truly
matter.
When we think about the “glory days” of our church or the “mountain
top” moments of our faith, they are important, but only because of what they reveal
to us about God. The loving, ever-present
God who authored those glory days and mountain top moments should be our focus.
If our attention is only on the miraculous moments of the
past then we are forgetting Jesus. We
are looking for day-old bread when The Bread of Life is still with us and guiding
us into a new moment.
The final sermon in our “Because You Asked” sermon series preached on 3/14/2021. Pastor Nate and Pastor Gary discuss questions about Heaven and the Resurrection and what it means for our life of faith.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
“Sitting Humbly at the Foot of the Cross” by Justin March
“Sitting Humbly at the Foot of the Cross” by Justin March
“While others are
congratulating themselves, I have to sit humbly at the foot of the cross and
marvel that I’m saved at all.” Charles Spurgeon
It is Easter Sunday,
and I find myself contemplating many things. I reminisce about the past and
think about the people and events that have shaped the man I am today. I look
forward to the future and wonder what it will take to strengthen my
relationship with Jesus and keep me on His path. And I ponder what this day
means, and how Easter Sunday can show me what I deserve and do not deserve in
this life.
It is difficult to
fathom how I deserve anything when I look back at the mistakes I have made. I
have regrets about the people I have hurt, there are decisions I wish I could
take back, and there are moments when I failed to witness and capture one of
God’s lost sheep. There are times where I allowed the anger from my past to
poison my relationships, and there are situations where I let my arrogance get
in the way of doing the right thing. And unfortunately, I often allow my past
to throw me into the pits of darkness, and the scars I bear can be a constant
reminder of how unworthy I truly am.
Ouch! Sounds a little
daunting don’t you think? Well, it can be if I continue to dwell in the shame
and guilt of situations and events I cannot erase. So, I think about the Easter
story and change my perspective to understand how it relates to my life today.
I pray for forgiveness and think about how my past taught me valuable lessons
and made me stronger. I look at the scars of Jesus and realize that His marks
allow me to be saved and tell an amazing story of love and grace. And I am
enlightened by how I can use my past to share stories about overcoming
obstacles and enduring hardships. Today, I am at the foot of the cross and am
finding peace in knowing that I am saved.
Spending time at the
cross allows me to move forward in life. Easter teaches me that I do not need
to wallow in those moments I cannot take back. And the story of Jesus’
resurrection gives me new hope, new faith, and new promises that I can use to
charge forward. I know I do not deserve God’s grace and undying love, yet He
continues to pour it over me. Even in times of blindness, arrogance, and
selfishness, God brings me back to the cross so I can start over and live a
life deserving of His precious gifts. And it is in these moments that my path
is visible, and my mission becomes clear.
It is Easter Sunday,
and I sit humbly at the foot of the cross. I let go of the hurt and pain of my
past and no longer spend time in the darkness that wants to hold me there. I
spend time with Jesus and touch my scars, to His, so I understand our marks can
be healing together. And I find hope in His resurrection and understand that he
loves me more than I can ever repay.
If you are struggling
to find a positive outlook on life or are reeling from the hand you have been
dealt, I invite you to join me at the cross. Together, we will share our
stories. Together, we will lift one another up. And together, we will look up
at the face of Jesus and find hope in His resurrection. We may not feel like we
are deserving or worthy to be saved, but the Easter story teaches us that all
is forgiven, and we can start anew with a life that is rich, blessed, and full
of God’s endless grace!
He is risen! He is
risen indeed! Happy Easter!
Lent Devotional – April 2nd
Here’s a link to one of my favorite Beatles songs of all time: “Come Together”www.tinyurl.com/4lcezo22
I think this song is entirely appropriate for today. Allow me to explain:
Good Friday invites us to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for our sake. On his way to the cross Jesus endured some of life’s most difficult moments. He was betrayed by a close friend, he was abandoned by his other friends, he was unjustly sentenced, he was humiliated, and tortured. And yet, Jesus never protested; he knew that his journey to the cross was for a higher purpose.
That first Good Friday, between two criminals, Jesus stretched out his hands and gathered onto himself all of life’s pain and all the tough moments in our human existence were brought together in God’s love. It’s as if Jesus was saying, “Come Together, right now, over me”.
Verse for Meditation: Colossians 3:14
Action: Today, take some quiet time to reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion and what it means for you. What tough moment or struggles from your life do you need Jesus to bring into God’s love?
We are re-releasing this video from last Good Friday in hopes that it will give added meaning to your observance of Good Friday this year.
In this video, Pastor Gary retells the story of
the last moments of Jesus’ life with images from present day Jerusalem that he
took during a recent trip to the city.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Lent Devotional – April 1st
Today is Maundy Thursday, the beginning of the Triduum – a Three Day liturgy that spans Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. On Maundy Thursday we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. We remember how he washed the disciple’s feet and his command to love one another (John 13:31-35).
Over the past weeks, these Lenten Devotionals have challenged all of us with the many needs and struggles in this world. Whether it is the homeless, child soldiers, those suffering from mental illness, or personal struggles with greed, addiction, and doubt, I hope that these devotions have helped to open your hearts to the needs of others.
Jesus commanded us to love one another because he knew that love is the only force strong enough to combat all the brokenness in this world.
Verse for Meditation: 1 Peter 4:8
Action: Look back over all the different needs that these Lenten devotionals have highlighted and challenge yourself to find new ways to reach out with love to these people and situations.
We are re-releasing this Maundy Thursday video from last year in hopes that it will bring new insights and joy to your Maundy Thursday observance this year.
In this video Pastor Nate and his family teach you how to make communion bread while also reading and reflecting on passages from John’s gospel.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Lent Devotional – March 31st
Reading through this devotional can feel a bit overwhelming. There are so many needs in our world and becoming aware of all this pain and struggle can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless.
Every Wednesday of this Lenten journey we will pause from our usual “World in Need” devotionals and instead invite you to simply rest and reflect.
Verse for Meditation: Proverbs 3:5
Action: Take time today to remind yourself that God can be trusted, that God is in control. That while the world is filled with need, it is also filled with the Presence and love of God.
“Manifesto: The Mad Farmer’s Liberation Front,” a famous
poem by renowned poet Wendell Berry ends with two simple words: “Practice Resurrection.”
What a straight-forward, yet beautiful instruction. Rather that seeing resurrection as a complex, theological idea, Berry invites us to see the resurrection as something that we can practice everyday.
Every weekday of the Easter Season (beginning 4/5 and ending 5/21) a new practice resurrection post will appear in this tab on our Tumblr site. Each post contains a Resurrection Practice, a prayer, and a quote, all working together to highlight the simple and profound ways that the promises of Christ’s Resurrection break into our life each and every day.
I hope you check back often, share these posts with friends, and above all have the promises of the Easter season and Christ’s resurrection transform your life.
Peace and Grace,
Pastor Nate
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” by Justin March
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” by Justin March
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I lay my burdens down. I bring the weight of the world to Him, and I allow the
worries and doubts to be lifted by His healing hands and loving embrace.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I forgive. I forgive those that have wronged me in
this life, and I forgive myself for the pain I have caused others.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I repent. I confess the sins I have bestowed upon
this world, and I ask for His help in the healing of not repeating them in the
future.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I pray. I kneel before Him with the faith that He
answers prayers, and with the trust in His mission for my life.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I weep. I shed tears for those that have passed,
and I feel sorrow for the lost and wicked.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I ask for grace. I look up to Him with the
knowledge that I come from a fallen humanity, and that only He can save me from
myself and my sins.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I am humbled. I am reminded that God gave up His
only Son to save a wretch like me, and I must live this life forever in His
service.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I share in His scars. I touch the wounds in His
hands and feet, and I am reminded to share my scars with others so they too can
find healing in theirs.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I find peace. I am overwhelmed by His resurrection,
yet I find comfort in the promises and truths he has bestowed upon me.
Beneath the cross of Jesus, I invite others to join me. I use His words, His
messages, and His daily miracles to attract others so they may find a life
worth living in His everlasting arms.
As we begin Holy Week, I think a lot about the cross. I think about what this
symbol means for our lives, and I think about the sacrifices made so we could
be free. I think about the pain endured, the blood shed, and the humiliation
created from an unknowing people. And I think about the miracle of
resurrection, the promises made, and the hope given to this fallen humanity.
I will spend my time beneath the cross of Jesus. I will gather with friends, I
will spread His messages, and I will invite others to join me. I will pray, I
will be humbled, and I will be forgiven when I fall. And I will understand that
beneath the cross of Jesus is a life full of grace and peace that I did not
earn.
So, I will spend my days beneath the cross of Jesus. I will do what He asks, I
will follow His lead, and I will take His hand along this journey. And when my
days have come to an end, I pray that I find myself lying beside all of you
beneath the cross of Jesus!
The Evangelical Lutheran Worship book is not just a hymnal but also a beautiful prayer book. Every Monday for the week’s moving forward, Pastor Nate will be posting an image like the one above with a quote from one of our great church hymns. You are invited to use these posts as an opening to prayer– connect with God through these poetic expressions of worship and prayer.
Lent Devotional – March 27th
The United States has nearly 25% of the world’s prison population. Nearly 3 million people are currently imprisoned in the US and a disproportionate number of those who are incarcerated are people of color. Many prisons and parts of our justice system are currently set up to keep people in prison because it benefits the corporations that run these facilities. Furthermore, time in prison has not been shown to have a positive effect on changing future behavior.
Verse for Meditation: Hebrews 13:3
Action: Many early Christians were imprisoned by the Roman authorities. Jesus himself was the victim of a corporate justice system. Additionally, Jesus states clearly that when we visit those who are in prison, we connect with him (Matthew 25:31-46). Today, write a letter of support and compassion to someone who is in prison.