Pastor Nate’s children sermon this week focuses on humility and the story of The Tower of Babel. Thanks again to Jason Jaster for his help!
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
“Ch-ch-changes” by Pastor Nate
A few years back, Facebook, that enormous social media website, went through some aesthetic changes. Different icons and menus were shuffled around, graphics were updated, items were deleted or changed, and everyone was upset about it.
At that time Facebook had around 250 Million users and about 249 million of the users were outraged by these adjustments. Within hours people where expressing their dissatisfaction with the changes and they were calling for “everything to go back to the way it used to be.”
What is it about change that is so difficult for us to grasp? Why do we get so upset when Facebook changes its layout, or when they change the time of our favorite TV show, or when they change the menu at the restaurant?
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” – Romans 12:2 taken from The Message paraphrase.
In this portion of his letter to the Romans, Paul is inviting members of the church in Rome to understand their faith as something that calls them to a different way of life than that of the Roman culture. Paul invites them to fix their thoughts on God and to be transformed by that relationship.
The reality is that we all need to change. None of us are completely perfect, finished individuals. We all have work to do and areas to grow. And that’s what God desires from us more than anything else: God wants nothing more than to be invited into our lives so that we might be changed from the inside out.
Obviously, change upsets us because it upsets our equilibrium. It disturbs our well-worn routines and expectations. But maybe there’s more than that.
Maybe we get so upset when things change around us because its an indirect reminder that we haven’t changed– we have yet to embrace the transformation that God offers us. As difficult as change can be, I believe we could all do well to at least consider the ways that God might be at work in the midst of changes. Perhaps the change that we are so upset or afraid of is exactly the type of transformation that we’ve needed all along.
Dear God, may we open ourselves to your transforming love and learn to trust you through the changes. Amen.
Pastor Nate’s full sermon from 9/20/2020 focuses on the ways that our Identity can influence our decision making. The sermon is based on readings from Exodus 16:2-15 and Matthew 20:1-16.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
“Too Much Static” by Justin March
Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week. Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.
As we tuned in to
watch the live stream at Bethany Lutheran Church, all we could hear was static.
In a moment when we needed the peace, love, and comfort that comes from
receiving the message, it was the static that overwhelmed our senses. We tried
and tried to fix the situation, but eventually the static won and kept us from
enjoying the message we wanted to hear.
How many times do we
let the static in our lives keep us from hearing the words we desperately need?
Do we allow our phones, televisions, workloads, and indulgences the right to
suffocate our time and keep us from God? Do we spend our time listening to the
media, the politicians, the advertisements, and the noise the world bombards us
with instead of spending time in prayer, worship, and meditation? And does this
static make itself easily accessible, promote every word to be true, and make
promises that sound real for our lives?
When I read the
questions above, I realize the static in our lives can be dominant. It can keep
us from accomplishing the mission God has set out for us. And when I sit back
and try to answer these questions, I begin to understand the effect all this
static has on our relationships with each other and God.
What if I changed the
questions above and incorporated a few different words? What if these questions
read like this, instead of the way they read above? How different would our
perspectives be, and how much static could we erase when we really need to hear
the messages that bring us peace?
How many times do we
let God speak the words we desperately need to hear? Do we allow our bibles,
devotions, prayers, and selfless acts suffocate our time and keep us from the
statics in our world? Do we spend time listening to other people’s stories,
lending a helping hand, and understanding the whispers and nudges instead of
spending time watching television, playing on our phones, and working our lives
away? And do we realize that God is easily accessible, always speaks the truth,
and makes promises that will enrich our lives and bless those around us?
We can either let the
statics of this world engulf our time, or we can push them aside and
concentrate on the mission God has for us. We can choose to get wrapped up in
the media, the latest trends, and all that bombards us, or we can take some
time to pray, meditate, and help each other out. If you allow it to happen, the
static will take over and consume every precious moment. But if you turn it
off, listen to God, and focus on what he wants for you and your life, the
journey will be joyful, and others will follow.
As you begin a new
week and start to get bombarded with all this world has to offer, remember it
is all just static. Some of it is important, but much of it is not. I pray that
you find the time to see God’s beauty, breathe in the Holy Spirit, and walk
with Jesus. I pray that you find the time to reach out to friends, cherish your
loved ones, and find peace in what God has to offer. And I pray that when the
static overwhelms your day, you find the courage to turn it off, re-focus, and
remember what is truly important. If we can do this, we will be open to the
blessings God offers, and we will be open to spreading the good news he
desperately wants His people to hear.
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.
This week’s Children sermon features a special guest and some thoughts on grumbling and gratitude.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Pastor Gary’s full sermon from 9/13/2020 is based on the parable Jesus tells about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35.
This sermon was part of an entire worship service that explored the idea of forgiveness and parables in some creative ways. Please, feel free to check out the video of the entire worship service by following this link.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
“Are You Ready for a New Season?” by Justin March
Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week. Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.
It is football season,
and I think I am more excited this year than most. Maybe it is because I have
been locked up in this house since March, maybe it is because the Dolphins
ended strong last year and look to be on the way up, or maybe it is because Tom
Brady is no longer with the Patriots, and the AFC East is up for grabs.
Whatever the reason, I am looking forward to watching the games today and
seeing how the new season unfolds.
One thing that excites
me about football is that teams, circumstances, and players are constantly
changing. The offseason brings us free agency, where the players we love make
decisions to stay with the team that drafted them or leave for what looks to be
a better opportunity. It also brings us new players, rewarded for their college
careers and given a chance to compete at the highest level. And the offseason
comes with coaching changes, where some old faces get the opportunity to turn
around a struggling team, or some new faces finally get a shot at being the
leader.
This year, I feel like
we have had an “offseason” at church as well. When we were forced to shut our
doors, it was like the ending of a season, and decisions needed to be made
about how we would prepare for the next one. Would our “players” stay with the
team that loves them and brought them in, or would they leave for what looks to
be a better opportunity? Would we gain new “players” through offering virtual
services and community outreach? And would we see some “coaching changes” as
members take this time of isolation to reach out to one another, support those
in need, and help our leaders keep the team going during times of uncertainty?
Yes, some things have
changed as we enter this new season, and it is up to us to make our “team”
successful. We need to support the “players” that have stuck with us through
the transitions and been dedicated to our mission. We need to accept the new
“players” with open arms and make them feel welcome in our community. And we
need to have a game plan, with “coaches” that are open-minded, strategic, and
ready to work to bring people closer to Christ.
Just like the new
football season, I am looking forward to seeing what the new season of church
will look like. I am excited about the new programs that are soon to be
offered, I am excited to strengthen the old programs that keep people
motivated, and I am excited to see how we can go into our communities and help
others find Christ. With God as our coach, each day is new, and the opportunity
to defeat our opponents is within our capabilities. Light will overcome dark.
Peace will overcome violence. Forgiveness will overcome grudge. Grace will
overcome blame. And love will overcome hate. So, strap on those helmets, work
hard to complete God’s mission, and remember that each day is a new “season”
and an opportunity to bring others to that glorious goal line!
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.
“Zombie Church” by Pastor Nate
“Zombie Church” by Pastor Nate
In our media and popular culture there has been a heightened interest these days in a once largely ignored population. Suddenly, movies and books and video games and television shows are popping up left and right all with this one “people” group at the forefront.
I’m talking about Zombies, of course.
Shows like The Walking Dead, video games like Dead Rising, movies like Zombieland, and books like Pride, Prejudice and Zombies have all seen widespread success in the past few years. We are utterly fascinated with the idea of creatures existing in an undead state terrorizing the towns people as they try and feed their appetite for human brains. (I gotta admit, I never thought I’d be writing phrases like “appetite for human brains” in a devotional…) With all this in mind I think it is high time that the church jumped on the Zombie bandwagon!
The thing is, if we are really honest with ourselves, I think the church has been on the Zombie bandwagon a lot longer than we’d like to admit. Let me explain.
In my years as a pastor, I’ve loved to ask people, both inside and outside of the Church a simple question: “What is your hope for the future of the Church?”
Sometimes people will offer some tangible ideas: “I want to see a better Sunday School program,” or “I want our congregation to be more mission-minded,” or “I want our church to have more members and more young families.” These are all admirable hopes, but in a way, all of these hopes are elements of the broader statement that I hear most often. When I ask different people what they hope for in the future of the church nearly every time people will eventually say, “I just want to the church to go back to the way it used to be.”
People love their churches, and they have fond memories about “the glory days” when 5,000 people showed up each Sunday, and 8,000 children participated in Sunday school, and the endowment fund was larger than the budget of most small countries, and every weekend there were 10 infant baptisms, 20 adult baptisms, and 30 new members.
But part of the problem with “wanting the church to go back to the way it was” is that we often see the past through rose-colored glasses. We think everything was wonderful “back in the day”, but in reality there were lots of things that were less than perfect. Obviously, this can create some false and unhelpful expectations but believe it or not, this isn’t the biggest problem with hoping for the past to return.
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” – Revelations 21:5
The problem with longing for the past to return is that God does not work like that. We believe that God is continually making all things new. We believe that God is a God of Resurrection not a God of reanimation. When Jesus was raised from the dead, we wasn’t a zombie! The disciples didn’t recognize him, he was alive again but somehow different, something new was beginning in the Resurrected Christ.
The problem is that when we long for the future church to look exactly like the church of the past, we’re hoping for a Zombie Church. We’re hoping for that which is dead to be reanimated into a world that is vastly different than it was 50 years ago. The Good News is that God is a God of resurrection and the future is filled with hope because God is breathing new life into the church, and into this world.
May we be saved from longing for a Zombie Church and may we trust and hope in the promise of the Resurrection above all else. Amen.
Pastor Nate’s sermon from August 30,2020.
This sermon is our final part of our series The Seasons of Life. In this sermon, Pastor Nate looks at a reading from Luke 24:36-49 and talks about the New Life and hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Pastor Nate’s Children sermon for this week deals with the story of Joseph and the theme of forgiveness.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
“It is Time to Rest” by Justin March
Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week. Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.
“Remember the Sabbath
day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the
seventh days is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any
work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female
servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in
six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and
rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made
it holy.” Exodus 20: 8-11
What happened to
taking time off for rest? Are we so consumed with wanting the newest car,
living in the biggest house, playing with the latest electronics, and draping
ourselves in the trendiest fashions that we have forgotten how to rest? Have
our lifestyles become so expensive that we are forced to work ridiculous hours
that keep us from family and friends? And does keeping up with all this drain
every ounce of energy, leave our tanks empty, and keep us from enjoying the
world God wants us to experience?
When I was a little
boy, growing up in small town Nebraska, nothing was open on Sundays. You had to
make sure your gas tank was full, your groceries were purchased, and your
banking needs covered. There were no ATM’s, no paying at the pump, and no
retailers available for those that forgot to get their errands accomplished.
Sundays were a day for church, family, and relaxation. A day where people
gathered at the park for a picnic, fellowshipped with one another in the
comfort of their homes, fished by the lake side, or took a relaxing drive
across God’s countryside. Yes, Sundays were a time to relax, rejuvenate, and
replenish before another work week began, but somewhere along the way, the idea
of having a day off was erased.
We were not built to
work all the time. This has been proven by the rise in heart disease, bad
diets, broken homes, violent tendencies, and mental illness. We work so much
that our stress levels overcome everything that is important in life. We
struggle to sit down and have meals together. We struggle to take the time to
really get to know one another. And we struggle to walk the path Jesus has
asked us to walk. We struggle so much that companies are making billions of
dollars, every year, to manage our anxiety and sleep through medications that
allow us to keep working.
As I sit here and
think about the meaning of Labor Day, and why it was created, I am reminded how
important it is to take time off and rest. When our bodies are tired, we can no
longer help our neighbors in need who are not physically able. When our minds
are tired, we can no longer have those meaningful conversations that bring
others closer to God. And when our souls are weary, we are not open to the
beauty God wants to show us. Reading the Bible, lending a helping hand, and
extending God’s grace suffer because we do not have the energy left to pursue
God’s mission for our lives.
I pray that you take
some time to relax this Labor Day. I pray that you think about where you can
give yourself more time. And I pray that you can make some life changes that
allow you to focus on God and what he wants you to do in this short time on
Earth. We need to relax. We need to focus. And we need to allow the Holy Spirit
to breathe into us so we have the energy to do his will. Prioritize, take a
step back, and allow the love of God to carry you through each day. There is
plenty of work to be done, but when you have had enough, when you become weary,
and when there is nothing left in the tank, remember to find refuge in God’s
loving arms and rest in the comfort of knowing his love for you is strong. That
is a message that keeps me going, and I pray it is enough for you as well.
“Come to me, all who
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and
learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
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.
Pastor Nate’s children’s sermon for this Labor Day weekend looks at the story of Jesus’ time of sharing the Passover with his disciples and Jesus’ ways of showing love through his actions.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Pastor Gary’s full sermon from August 23rd, part 5 of our Seasons of Life series. This sermon focuses on the season of Death and is based on readings from 2 Samuel 18-31-19:4 and Mark 8:31-33.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
“All Things New” by Pastor Nate
Labor Day has always marked the end of summer for me. I know that the season of Summer actually extends for another 3 weeks or so, but Labor Day has always served as that announcement of summer’s end and school’s beginning.
Even now, as an adult, Labor Day still has that finality attached to it. As September begins so do a host of programs at the church; new things are beginning, and while all of this fall activity isn’t nearly as relaxing as summer, there is definitely something exciting about the new season that Labor Day ushers in.
Since my days in Elementary School, the beginning of the academic year always created this type of excitement within me too. Part of it was finally getting to wear my new shoes but a even bigger part was simply the chance to start something new. The new school year always seemed to bring that opportunity to re-invent myself– the chance to get things right this time around– the chance to start-over.
I don’t think we live our lives with that type of first-day-of-school-excitement too often. Obviously, its hard to get excited about each and every new day, but isn’t this idea of starting over and new beginnings at the heart of God’s message?
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
As Christians our hope is found in Christ’s promises to make all things new. This isn’t just a new beginning tomorrow, or after Labor Day, this is a promise that God is not yet finished with you or me or Creation as a whole; in Christ sins are forgiven, diseases are healed, suffering is ended, new life begins.
What would it mean for us to actually believe this promise? So often, I am filled with real despair– I see all the ways the churches are alienating others, or all the ways our political system is pitting neighbors against each other, or all the ways that violence, injustice, and suffering are rampant. I see all of these things and wonder how long this will all go on.
But on my good days, I remember and cling to the hope that Christ is making all things new. I cling to the hope that God is not yet finished with this world, and that the power of the resurrection is still at work, slowly but surely bringing new life and a new creation.
May we live in the excitement and hope of God’s promised new creation. Amen.
“We Need a Longer Table” by Justin March
Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week. Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.
If you ever wanted a
statement to stand behind, 2020 is your year. Liberation, Education Reform,
Speak Up, Equality, Vote, Black Lives Matter, Mentor, Group Economics, Freedom,
Enough, Say Their Names, I Can’t Breathe, Peace, Justice, How Many More, Hear
Us, Respect Us, Love Us, Enough, Power To The People, and Listen are just a few
of the mantras we hear. They are fed through our media, our sports teams, and
our protests, and these statements cannot and will not be ignored.
Some of these
statements are inclusive, some are polarizing, some bring us together, and some
push us apart. As I am bombarded by statements of social equality, education,
political affiliation, and economic imbalance, there are times I want to stand
up and cheer. But when I see the hatred, violence, and segregation that some of
these statements stand for, I am left to wonder if our divisions are becoming
even greater. The progression we desperately seek, the equality we strive to
achieve, and the love we long to spread can be enhanced by some of these
statements, but some of these statements can also erase the work we have
already done.
As I try to filter
through the messages I am encapsulated with, it can become difficult to
understand what each one truly means. But as I watched the Milwaukee Bucks
protest the latest shooting, I saw a player wearing a shirt that had a
statement everyone can get behind. It was a statement that was inclusive,
sacrificial, and beneficial to all. And as I read the statement out loud, it
left an impression that is still with me four days later.
“If you are more
fortunate than others, build a longer table, not a taller fence.”
Exactly. In one way or
another, we are all more fortunate than somebody else. We may be blessed with a
large income. We may have idle time. We may be healthy. We may have an
influential voice. We may have a skill set that is unique and all-serving.
Whatever it is, we all have something that someone else does not. And once we
figure out what that something is, the question becomes this. Do we separate
ourselves from those that are unlike us, or do we share to bring equality one
step closer?
It is time to build a
longer table. If we are to close the gaps on racial, social, and gender inequalities,
our tables must be open to those that are less fortunate. We must feed the
poor, we must house the homeless, we must get groceries for our elders, we must
heal the sick, and we must listen to and love one another. When our tables are
extended, we are open to helping those less fortunate. Our hearts are softened,
and our minds awake with the realization there are needs beyond ours in this
world. We no longer separate ourselves by gender, skin color, economic class,
political affiliation, or religious belief. And when we build a longer table,
we become the disciples God wants us to be. We become his hands and feet in
this world. We walk as Jesus walked, and we understand that when we help
others, we are doing his will and bridging the gaps that keep us apart.
What can you do the
build a longer table? Are there some open seats? You may have a lot, or you may
not, but each of us has something we can offer. It is time to pull together, it
is time to trust in the Lord, and it is time to erase these divisions that keep
us apart. Build a longer table, let the invitation be open, and witness the
change when others receive your blessing. You may think that equality is a
stretch and will never happen, but all you need to do is extend your table,
share your gifts, and allow God’s light to shine through everything you do.
Each small step is progress, each small step is meaningful, and each small step
brings people closer to Jesus. So, build a longer table and let God do the
rest. I can promise you this. If you build a longer table, if you are honest
and open, and if you invite others to fill every seat, fences will fall, walls
will crumble, and you will feel the blessings that come from doing God’s work
and fulfilling God’s mission! It is then that we will see each other as equals
and love each other as Jesus loves us!
“Blessed are the poor
in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the
earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will
be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are
the pure in heart, for they will see God.” – Matthew 5
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.
Pastor Nate’s children sermon this week is based on the story “A dream of heaven” from the Jesus Storybook Bible. It’s part of our focus on New Life, this week at Bethany.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)