Advent video

Back by popular demand, here is another video posting. The adult Sunday school class on Advent traditions went well on Sunday. I enjoy talking about how and why we worship. Advent is one of my favorite times in the year. The waiting and watching seems so contrary to the "instant everything" drive-thru culture in which we live.

Sailing the Steward Ship

Offering baskets

Week after week in our Lutheran liturgy we pray with our offerings, “We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us, our selves, our time, and our possessions: signs of your gracious love.”

At Amazing Grace, we’re trying something new. We’ve long collected canned food items, clothes donations, eyeglasses, cell phones, and other items for people in need. Instead of putting them in boxes in the back of the worship space, we now have wicker baskets up front by the altar.

Brining these items is an act of worship. By having the collection point closer to the altar, we make a stronger connection between our social concerns and our worship. It also helps us remember that stewardship is about more than money. Stewardship issues are justice issues.

Widows, budgets, and murder

Three websites that are referenced in this week’s sermon:

A church that gives away money:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-talk-church-cashnov02,0,5901781.story

A church body that says not to give away money:
http://archive.elca.org/questions/Results.asp?recid=7

A horrible and tragic situation:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/tellmemore/2009/11/bodies_of_11_women_found_at_cl.html

Seeds of faith

I must admit that in my time working with kids in camp, church, and school settings I've seen my share of seeds planted in a cup. Usually they don't turn out good at all. It's often just messy dirt, with maybe a sprout or two. However, our Sunday school classes planted these early in September, and they are looking great!

Shout-out

This blog got mentioned at God in the Grit by Phil Ruge-Jones. He's the theologian and storyteller from Texas Lutheran University who came to Amazing Grace on Rally Day. Thanks for the mention, Phil.

http://web.me.com/prugejones/Site/Blog/Entries/2009/10/1_Great_Name!.html

For the Beauty of the Earth

At Amazing Grace, we just finished up Season of Creation, an alternative lectionary cycle that focuses on God as Creator, and has a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship. The four Sundays emphasized Earth, Humanity, Sky, and Mountain. We’re gearing up for Blessing of the Animals on October 3 at 10 a.m. Bring your cat, dog, ferret, llama, or favorite critter for a brief outdoor service of blessing. It will definitely be outdoors.

These days, it seems like a lot of Lutherans keep talking about sexuality. We cannot forget, however, that Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust is not the only ELCA social statement. Consider these words from Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice:
“Christian concern for the environment is shaped by the Word of God spoken in creation, the Love of God hanging on a cross, the Breath of God daily renewing the face of the earth.”

During Season of Creation, this time when we have boldly stepped away from the Revised Common Lectionary, I have been deliberate in not turning my sermons into “50 Ways You Can Save the Earth.” This is based on two things: 1) We as human beings don’t save anything. Jesus does. 2) Lutheran preaching isn’t about step-by-step instructions. It’s about proclaiming what God has done and is doing.

When you think about it, the Bible is a very ecological book. Think of all the nature imagery: garden, green pasture, dry bones, mustard seed, river of life. In one of the Genesis creation stories, God proclaims the Earth good. Yet, creation is just as broken as we are. Caring for creation is more than just following simple mantras like “Reduce, reuse, recycle” and “Give a hoot and don’t pollute; never be a dirty bird.” It’s about being people created, redeemed, and called by the God of Creation.