There are Two sides to Every Story

 False.  There are not two sides, at least in most cases there are multiple sides to every story.  I remember on a youth event many years ago I went to have dinner with my family while the other adult leader had dinner with the youth at the event.  When I returned, four of the children wanted to be the first to tell me what happened.  Even though they were describing the same event, they all had a different take--and I am sure none of them told me the WHOLE story.

In the past weeks, I have heard this a lot--there are two sides to every story--and it seems like the other side is the one that wants to prove the other is wrong.  Just because there are two sides to the story does not mean both or either are right.  

In my ministry, I have served with people who were alive during WWII and who served in Germany, and who lived in Germany.  I know from history the atrocities of Hitler, and I heard stories of those who lived in Germany at the time that roads were being fixed and things seemed to prosper.  Are both true.  I have no reason to doubt it--but roads being fixed and prosperity will never be the "other side of the story" to justify the holocaust.  No matter what, the Holocaust was evil!  

In our world today, at least in our country, we believe we have the right to free speech.  I am not a history major or a constitutional expert, but I do remember something about this from learning.  But free speech is not the other side of the story for hateful speech of racism, classism, sexicism--hate speech is hate speech and there are consequences to that--no matter what the other side of the story is.  Politicians, no matter how great we believe their policies are need to be held accountable to hate speech.  Leaders need to be held accountable. 

Calling someone out in truth is not defaming someone--it is naming the wrong, calling out the ignorance--of your not knowing.  Denial or continuing to say hateful things or blame others as the other side of the story is no longer ignorance--for now you know and must be held accountable.  

We are about to celebrate one of the most joy filled and holy times of the year as we remember the joy of Jesus coming to earth.  We celebrate the joy.  But there is another side of the story--Herod was threatened.  King Herod did not find joy in the coming of a king, or even the prospect of a coming king.  It is his side of the story that led the magi not to return as he had asked.  It was his side of the story that led Mary and Joseph to flee and become refugees in another country because their lives were being threatened.  Both sides of the story are true, but one is faithful.  One is a story of love and the other of fear.  1 John 4:18 says there is no fear in love.  

We face many issues in our daily lives where there are two sides to the stories--but generally one is more faithful to the love Jesus commands.  We can even make difficult decisions about issues while being faithful to love.  

A few years ago in public someone called me frustrating.  I have lived with the impact of that for years.  I have learned to embrace this, but I would call it more of an agitator or challenger.  Jesus has called me not to ignore or be passive about harmful speech directed toward anyone, or anything that does not further the mission of God.  The ways things have always been, the way we learned them as children, or the way we witness leaders and personalities on TV must be called out, addressed, named in order to make a difference. We must realize there are consequences to these actions, and learn from them to be better.  God is with us.  Let us live as if each person we encountered was Christ.  

On the Eve of Thanksgiving

As we gather with family and friends, please hold these things in prayer- 

1.Those who are alone without anyone to share the holiday with. Give thanks for places like the East Side Soup Kitchen and for those who choose to spend part of their giving thanks with people they may not even know. 

2. For those whose thanksgiving meal does not consist of the abundance many of our tables will present. 3. For those of whom this Thanksgiving memory is not one of joy but a day of mourning--the native people whom inhabited this land before Europeans came and took the land by force. 

It is important to remember the true history--as one member of the congregation told me, history is taught so we don't repeat it. I would add we have to teach the true history for that to happen. 

I am saddened greatly as I recall my learning of history as a child. I grew up in Nebraska, so the movement west was a central part of our Nebraska history. Although we discussed the native people, they were depicted as savage and murderers; whereas the European settlers were depicted as peaceful, cooperative, generous. It didn't even cross my mind that as settlers claimed their land, others were displaced, often by force. I have to wonder if we realize that we are part of history that continues to repeat itself around the world. 

I would encourage you to spend some of your holiday researching the truth. And with thanksgiving, let's give thanks for all perspectives, for all people, that together we will live in unity with our diversity recognized as a gift. 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2022/11/23/thanksgiving-from-an-indigenous-perspective/

 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/11/22/thanksgiving-story-native-american-

history/71563811007/ https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=thanksgiving+from+an+indigenous+perspective&mid=704730C4D2363576FC47704730C4D2363576FC47&FORM=VIRE

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

 

It is about one week post Easter.  I loved the worship space when we entered on Sunday--the flowers up front, the butterflies that signal new life, the people!  Mostly I loved saying and singing Alleluia.  

As we come into the second week of Easter, I am just as excited.  New life is here and now.

When I was growing up, I think I believed Jesus died so I would go to heaven.  What I did and said probably was my way of ensuring I would go to heaven.  I was taught, whether intentionally or not that faith is something we have here to go to heaven in the future.  We focused on "Jesus died for our sins."   I don't really remember when that changed.  Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but the dramatic, hopefilled, eternal truth is Jesus is risen!

I am rarely concerned about heaven.  I trust the words of Jesus and believe that Jesus will come and take me to the place where he has led the way when my time comes.  I have all the faith in the world that my parents, my brother, grandparents, friends, colleague and parishioners are with Jesus in heaven.  It isn't up to me--for we are made right with God by grace, a free gift--and I can not earn it, not even if I believe hard enough.

Resurrection faith is important here and now. It is the promise of forgiveness and the strength to forgive.  It is the promise that in the midst of everything in the world that is tragic, there is still hope because of Jesus.  It is the promise that failure does not have the last word, death does not have the last word.  

May we not forget as we live day by day, Alleluia!  Christ is Risen.

I am Ready for Easter--I think!

 I was planning on reviewing my sermon, and going to bed.  I think I'm ready for tomorrow--for the celebration of Easter.  It was a good Holy Week but I am ready for the celebration of resurrection. 

Or am I?  Because resurrection means new life, it means things don't aways appear as I expect, and my old and comfortable ways may not be the way to new life. Resurrection means that I stop returning to the tomb where my guilt was laid to rest, once and for all by Jesus Christ.  

This week has been a tough week.  As those of you who know me, it isn't because it was Holy Week and as a pastor one of my "busiest."  You see, I have known for a long time about this week coming, so it has been in the making for quite some time.  Worship planning has been done for weeks, and all I needed to do was listen to the Holy Spirit as they revealed to me what to proclaim.  

This is a tough week because so much has been out of my control. Doctors appointments are leading to more doctor appointments, messing with plans I had already made, and leading me into some of those unknowns that we all fear.  Because of who I am and my need to plan, I immediately got coverage for when I know I will need to be off. Things I had hoped to do and people I had planned to visit didn't happen, and I have guilt about all that.  I leave for vacation in a week, and there is so much that needs to be done before I go.

I worshiped Thursday night with joy as we celebrated the love that Jesus has for us, in the breaking of bread and the washing of feet.  I worshiped Friday recalling how Jesus suffered, died and was buried; offering himself in love for us. 

And I prepared today for the sermon tomorrow, when we will shout Alleluia, Christ is Risen. I am ready to sing the Easter songs, because it is the resurrection of Christ where we find the hope and strength to deal with whatever comes our way.  Here is an excerpt from the sermon for tomorrow:

This is not an assurance that nothing can go wrong, because things will go wrong.  It isn’t assured that everything will turn out for the best, because if we were honest, we know that isn’t true.  It is assurance that whatever happens to us, whatever our day may hold, God has the power to strengthen us and uphold us, that whatever we must face, we do not face it alone.  Nothing, absolutely nothing we encounter is stronger than God’s love, and ultimately God has the final word.  The final word over sin, and the final word over death.  Christ is alive, death could not hold him.

As I go to bed, I will rest in the assurance of God's love and grace made known to us in the resurrection of Jesus.  

May we all sleep this Easter Eve in the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, encountering Jesus along our journey.

Faith and Convictions

 How do we share our faith? How do we share who we know and understand Jesus to be? 

This is what we have been talking about in our Sunday discussion and as we have read "We are Witnesses of These Things."  But how do we even begin. 

Often we struggle because at some time or another we will be asked when did you receive the Lord Jesus as your personal savior?  This is a hard question to answer.  Some of us might be able to recall a situation or experience when we really knew the presence of Jesus in our lives.  Some of us might answer with our baptism date, more so when God welcomed us and came to us rather than us going to Jesus.  Some of us have just always known, at least with a spark that Jesus was real.  

I grew up in the church.  There are experiences I remember.  But I can't give you a date.  I just have always sensed God's presence in my life.  I have questioned, wondered, strayed... but Jesus was always there--because my understanding is that Jesus comes to us, and that Jesus never leaves us.  Jesus calls me!

As I've thought about ways in which we might want to begin, it might be good to just start with some significant events in your life.  Some you won't remember--for instance, I don't remember my baptism.  I remember confirmation, but not always the exact date.  I recall moments, songs, sermons, relationships--all these bear understanding in my witness to Jesus.

I also wonder if it is helpful to think of what are our primary convictions of faith?  Do you have favorite passages of scripture and how do they speak to you?

For me, John 17 has an impact on how I understand Jesus, the Trinity, and our relationship with each other and the world.  In John 17, Jesus is praying for himself, then the disciples, and then those who will believe because of their witness.  Jesus prays for us!  And he prays specifically for unity, that we will be one as Jesus and the Father are one. One of my convictions in ministry is unity.  This is one reason why I am passionate in the open table at communion, in conversation with people who disagree but are still willing to converse, to realize that Jesus is for the whole world.

Micah 6:8--What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.  This passage from the Old Testament prophet summarizes for me the life of Jesus and the life we are called to live as disciples.  Justice isn't a political ideal or left for the courtrooms.  Justice is a way of life when we live as a disciple of Jesus the Christ.  

1 John may be my favorite book in the Bible.  There are so many gems in this short book.  1 John 4:16b-21 summarizes well:  "God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also."

There is no fear in love.  We often think of hate as the opposite of love, but I do believe fear is the opposite. We struggle loving others because we do not know them, or we have preconceived notions or prejudices--all stemming from fear.  Naming our fears is a start. My experience is that as I confront my fears of "the other" I am able to love not only them, but experience the love of God even deeper.

What are your convictions of faith?  Are there Bible passages, phrases, stories that you go back to for comfort, inspiration, challenge?  

When we can articulate our faith, our conviction in Jesus, it is easier to share with others.  

Are we ready?

Our study group continues in chapter 8 in the book "We Are Witnesses of These Things." --Prepare the Way of Jesus.

We talked briefly about one question--How does our faith community's life together align with its confession and witness of Jesus?  We talked about ways in which we serve in and with the community.

How does our community receive and accompany people desiring to follow the way of Jesus?  One way doesn't fit all!  We offer varying Bible studies, some small groups have arisen organically, we pray for one another.  How else might we receive and accompany people on their journey?

And the big question--are we ready to receive and accompany new disciples of Jesus?  New people will bring diversity and change. Not all people do things the way we have always done it.  Are we a congregation that says our way or no way?  We have to realize that some of the things some of us have found lifegiving are not what people are seeking now as they reach out to Jesus.  We have to admit that sometimes we just want more people in church, more people to do the work or better take over the way we do it our way and give money, so we don't close.  I just don't think that is what Jesus was asking of us when we are called to accompany people on their journey of faith.

One place to start is how do we present ourselves.  What about how we present ourselves on social media.  We have a Facebook Page, a website (www.ascensionlc.org), a YouTube page.  What do these pages communicate about who we are?  Can you find us easily, including worship times?  Is the website directed toward people who already have faith or would those who are new to faith figure out who we are.  Do we present a positive and realistic impression of who we are?

How are visitors welcome when they enter the building?  The author likens what we as church need to do to get ready as that which we do when we are expecting company at our homes.  We spiffy up.  We want to make sure the space is uncluttered, clean, functional.  How might a visitor experience our building?  Are there signs to the worship space, bathrooms, fellowship hall?  

Do we offer other ways to become part of our community, the "back door" as was mentioned in the book?  Some congregations offer Pub Theology or gatherings at restaurants for discussion.  

Do we mind our manners?  Do we leave people standing alone at coffee time, too engaged in seeing friends again that we ignore the visitor?  Do we watch what we talk about in our gathering area after church--I have overheard some interesting conversation that those of us may just think oh that's just how Alfred is--but what do visitors think?  Are we open about telling people why we like our church--maybe we have never even thought about that question. 

How do we adapt and proclaim Jesus' story to those who know it best and those who have never heard?  

Preparing the Way

 The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight"  Luke 3:4 and Isaiah 40:3

These are the words of the prophet Isaiah and the words of John, the Baptizer as they "prepare" the way of the Lord.  According to the author of "You are Witnesses of These Things," John prepared people to see Jesus.  Likewise, the church is called to prepare to receive those who seek Jesus.

What is Church?  The church is not a building where praying, worship, study, and meetings happen.  We know the church as the people who pray and worship and study and meet.  The church as the people also do outreach, in the community, as we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community and world.  

When I was ordained, I can't remember word for word the sermon that was preached by my long-time mentor pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska--the Rev. Thomas Hallstrom.  He spoke to the reality that as church we are going to be called for a lot of things--we will be called to social service issues, fellowship, and I don't know what else he said.  But we are NOT another social service agency or a club where people join and meet.  As church, we have a call to proclaim Jesus, to introduce people to Jesus--to proclaim to those who know Jesus best and those who have never heard.  

In the book, Satterlee writes: "While we seek to attract busy young families who find belonging in multiple communities, the ancient church reached out to people who needed to belong-widows, orphans, and the poor.  While we make it easy for people to join (and therefore to leave) the church, the ancient church expected people to invest themselves by learning to behave differently, in ways Christians behave.  While we frequently approach faith as a matter of individual mind and heart, the ancient church was convinced that believing comes from doing.  Chrisitan faith in embarking on a chosen way of life that includes belonging to the way or community of Jesus, behaving like Jesus in the world, and trusting and sharing the good news of Jesus."  (page 82)

How have you witnessed this in your life and in the church?

They go one to say, "People who receive the story of Jesus seek out communities that prioritize extending belonging in the name of Jesus, behaving in ways Jesus embodies, teaches and commands, and trusting the good news of Jesus above all else. Even more disheartening and demoralizing than witnessing to Jesus and bearing no fruit is someone receiving our witness and seeking out the church to learn more about Jesus, only to turn away because what they find undermines or contradicts the good news about Jesus they received."  (Page 82)

Have you ever witnessed a stumbling block in the church?  Though we often think of individuals as being stumbling blocks, as a community we can be stumbling blocks as well.  

We are going to spend a little more time talking about this chapter in our class and online.  But there are a few questions I would ask that you consider:

1.  How well does our faith community's life together align with its confession and witness of Jesus?

2. How does this community receive and accompany people desiring to follow in the way of Jesus?

3. Is Ascension/your congregation ready to receive and accompany people new to the story of Jesus?

Testimony!

 As I re-read chapter 7 of "You Are Witnesses of These Things," I found myself preparing for the conversation ahead on Sunday during our discussion time.  I will see if what I expect is what happens.

One of the reasons I believe people do not share their story, do not witness Jesus, is that we lack confidence.  Whether it is because we are afraid of questions we won't know the answers to, or how we are going to be perceived, or any other number of reasons--we don't share Jesus with others.  I am aware of this even when we are in worship and I ask about experiences or ask any question and there is a difficult silence.  

The author suggests that we prepare to share our story by finding a partner to practice with; embrace the role of sower not reaper; and prepare the way to welcome others.

European Lutherans are not generally used to or comfortable sharing a testimony. We don't have alot of examples of this.  Some denominations have a time of testimony in their worship serve.  We have periodically asked if there were any God moments or God sightings.  This has been uncomfortable for me because either no one says anything or people want to share and others will tell me that we need to stop because worship lasted too long.  I am seriously contemplating reintroducing testimony, God sightings, or whatever we call it in worship.  And I'm guessing that it will take a while for it to become a practice, because we don't even want to comment on blogs or posts (hint hint)

I also wonder if the introduction of prayer partners would be a good place to start.  Again, I can hear it--as long as we get to pick our partner.  I concur with Chelsey in the example given--when you are strangers or know each other not that well, people tend to share more about themselves, work on the assignment--not just sit around and talk.  This is my experience in confirmation when people was to only be paired with their friends or adults in their groups.  Would anybody be interested in a prayer partner--one to share things with and to pray for each other (even out loud)?

The comment about recognizing we are the sower and not the reaper speaks to the reality we want to see results, and the truth is, we may not see results.  Evangelism committees and strategies often turn into membership drives, and if we share the story of Jesus with people, they may not join our congregation.  The image of the sower is a powerful one--the sower sows indiscriminately.

And we need to prepare to welcome others.  We can get caught up in our own groups, with those we know.  Our worshipping at three different times in many ways splits our congregation into three groups--hence the introduction of the re-member-ing services.  

Some questions to consider:  How open are yout sharing a testimony?  

Would you consider sharing a testimony with a small group or even in worship?

Idea--what if each day you reflected on what God sighting and experience you had that day.  Does it tie into a biblical narrative?  What impact do you believe that experience had on you that day and in the future?  This might become a great journaling practice!

They saw no one except Jesus? What more do we need?

In the transfiguration text from the gospel of Matthew, verse 17:8 really hit me: And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Peter, James and John had been chosen by Jesus to go up the mountain, and they were the witnesses of Jesus' glory and the presence of Elijah and Moses.  They were struck with such awe, they fell to the ground.  And when Jesus came to tell them to get up, Jesus touched them--and we are told when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Were they disappointed? Would I be disappointed?  Would we?

The question comes to mind--what more do we need than Jesus, alone?!

My sermon a couple weeks ago talked about what Jesus calls the church to be--the body of Christ in the world.  We think we need a band, or a large youth group, or this or that.  Some might suggest a gimmick, a marketing strategy--with the goal to get "butts in the pews."  We see what other places are doing, how they look "successful."  I am reminded daily that Jesus calls us to be faithful.

I am struck by the revival at Asbury University where a few students stayed after a regular worship service to pray, and they were continually praying and worshipping--apparently without any sort of band or generally agreed upon contemporary features. They didn't rush off to the next event on the schedule, or say they were too busy. I believe they were moved and saw Jesus and responded! 

I believe people are searching for depth and meaning in life, and what more do people need to see than Jesus?  What more do we need?

I don't know where to go with this--but I think I am cautious about looking for the next thing that we do to bring people to the pews.  Instead, I believe my call, and the call of our congregation is to introduce people to Jesus, through our worship, through scripture, through prayer, through service, through how we cherish our relationships with people and with God. 

Our humanity draws us to look for the faults in ourselves and in others, God calls us in grace to look at ourselves and each other as creatures created in the image of God, created good, and loved unconditionally.  How might we look up wherever we are and see only Jesus, and let that be enough?

Good News? Jesus

 "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people."  --Luke 2:10

As I sit in the office today looking at the snow and the possible cancellation of dinner plans and other things, I sit and think of the news I have received this week.  Honestly, none of it is good news.  The shooting at Michigan State, or the death of a church member, or the death of a mentor for one of our youth.  Then there are those government news briefs that I generally don't call good news.  

It is an intentional choice and with the hope and promise of Jesus that I write about good news this day!

As we read and discuss chapter 6 of "We Are Witnesses of These Things" (Craig Satterlee and Chelsey Satterlee), we must first realize that bringing good news is a choice. It doesn't just happen most of the time, we have to be intentional and thoughtful about it.  

The good news we share is Jesus!  We share Jesus with others, and that is the good news.  Jesus is the focus of who we witness.  So often we feel the need to witness with the hearer in mind, and maybe that is when we get caught in the trap of thinking and telling people how they need to change their lives to live according to Jesus, at least as we see it.  Witnessing to Jesus puts the focus on the one who saves, the one who brings and who IS the good news.  

Good News does not promise or guarantee that things will always work out the way we wish them to, or that bad things will not happen.  In times of tragedy, we often hear platitudes that I believe people use to comfort the other, or themselves.  They are trying to make sense out of the tragedy.  I imagine some have said to others in trying to make sense of the shooting or untimely deaths, "everything happens for a reason" or "God must have needed them."  Let me be clear, I don't believe there is any reason anyone can give me for what happened at Michigan State, or at Oxford, or anywhere else.  You can give me facts, anticipated motives, but God does not have a reason for these things happening.  God grieves, God cries, I believe God says you people need to figure this out and stop this--this is not my way of living.  Sin abounds in our world, and we are called as instruments of peace, to bring the transforming love and good news of Jesus to a world that is in clear need of transformation!

Good News in this situation is the promise that God is with us, always. Those who died were not alone and they were not and will not be forgotten. Good news to those students who are afraid to return to their school or class, you will not be alone.  Jesus, and the community will be with you.  Good News are the events that other MSU students are putting together to welcome students back, to say we are strong together.  

Good news depends upon God, made known to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  

What would your testimony look like?  How would it read?  What would you share in your good news testimony?  

1.  What is an experience you have had witnessing to Jesus?  Describe it, bring people into the experience.  What emotions were you experiencing?

2.  What Bible story helps you connect to that experience?  The story doesn't need to be memorized, or even quoted--it is the story in your own words as you remember it.

3. What is the good news in this experience?  What ties your experience and the Biblical text together?

4.  Condense your story into what Satterlee calls an elevator speech. What can you say about your experience of Jesus in a short time, from 20-30 seconds to 5 minutes?

This week I encourage you all to reflect back on an experience you have had and tie it to a Biblical narrative.  Go through the above four steps and begin to draft a testimony.  Some of us will come up with many, and for some of us this will be difficult to do.  In the words of my seminary professor who taught about preaching (which is a method of giving witness!), pray, pray, and then pray.  

I would love to see some testimonies.!

You are released from the Witness Protection Program!!!!

I love to Tell the Story.  This is one of my favorite songs in church—I particularly love that the song says I love to tell the story for those who know it best, and I love to tell the story for some have never heard.  I sing with gusto when we sing this—but, do I mean it?

Jesus tells his disciples they are witnesses.  We often associate witness with the court system—a witness gets on the stand, as one with first-hand knowledge—what they have heard from others is inadmissible.  We are witnesses with both firsthand knowledge of our experiences with Jesus, and as people who witness to what we know from what the early witnesses recorded.

I wonder how many of us think we are in the witness protection program.

A few weeks ago, we listed the stories that came to mind about Jesus in the gospels.  If we are witnesses to Jesus, we probably should know these stories.  We begin teaching them early in life, as children.  In our congregation, the children receive a children’s story Bible around the age of 3.  It is the time they begin to hear the stories of Jesus, at their level.  They aren’t asked to figure out what it means, just to begin to learn the stories.  It isn’t just the stories of Jesus, but I remember learning about Moses, and Noah.  The creation story.  And yes, the Christmas and Easter Stories repeated every year. 

But as we grow older, we begin to remember these stories and think about what this may mean in my life.  How does this affect how I live out my life?  When I see how Jesus went out to be with people who others rejected, I have to ask myself if I live in Jesus’ name, am I also called to reach out to those that others reject.  I hear the stories of forgiveness, welcome, new life—and I explore them.  And the more I realize the love and joy in these truths from Jesus, the more and more I want to share the message of Jesus, I want to share Jesus with people. 

One of the challenges I have faces in my over 20 years in public ministry, and in my time as a lay leader prior to this is that evangelism, sharing the message often turned into a membership drive. We shared the message not so much of Jesus, but of the church.  Our goal was to get members.  Our thought was members meant more money and more people to do things.  As a pastor, it means my numbers on my annual report would look better. 

That is not the purpose of being a witness.  We are called to witness to Jesus whether or not the person ever steps foot into our church!  Those who tell the story of Jesus, who witness to Jesus are not salespeople.  Our goal in witnessing is to share the good news of Jesus.

Maybe the first place to begin witnessing is to our family —especially if we have children and grandchildren, many of whom do not know Jesus or any of the stories of faith.  Witnessing can be done by telling stories, by reading the Bible stories with them.  The church has covenanted to help with this through our teaching through children’s church, worship, and other ways we gather. You can witness by placing Jesus as a priority in your life and making decisions based on your faith and commitment.  Others are watching what we do, and if we say one thing and do another, our message just doesn’t come through as well.

In the book “We Are Witnesses of These Things” (by Craig and Chelsey Satterlee), we have to ask ourselves what are “these things.” 

For me the key is new life, which flows from the pivotal story of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.  In this witness of Jesus, we experience Jesus’ suffering, helplessness, fear, worry shame and death.  Most of us can relate to feeling these things.  And through Jesus’ experience, we can reflect on these passages and on what the significance of Jesus’ experience means.  The author lists “these things:”

Repentance and forgiveness:  Luke 24 tells the disciples to witness to Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection by proclaiming “repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name.”  Jesus offers another way of life, a change in path, a change of heart and mind; and in this we find forgiveness.  This forgiveness is not just for us, but for all nations. 

A Ransom for Many: Matthew 20:28: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Jesus gave his life in redemption, to make us righteous before God, knowing that as humans alone, we could not do it.  This is a free gift, there is nothing required in return.  This ransom liberates us for the chains and bondage we that we find ourselves enslaved with in the world. 

New Life from Death: John 12:31-32: “Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. ³²And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ This is a reminder that Jesus’ death and resurrection was not for a chosen few, or just those in the church—Jesus is speaking new life into the world, the whole world.  The rulers of this world will not win.  Out of death is life, new life.  It doesn’t make death of anything easier, but there is the reminder that there is hope.

There are many other things we may find important to share about Jesus.  I like to share the unconditional love and commitment Jesus has for us, no matter what! 

What other things are part of Jesus’ story you want to share?

Do you think we have a choice about witnessing to Jesus?

What if anything prevents you from witnessing to Jesus?

What is any way of understanding Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection appeals to you? 

What do you most need Jesus to save your from? To save us from? To save the world from? (avoid churchy words)

Our Experience of Jesus

 Luke 24 is packed with people who experience Jesus. 

The Resurrection Story--The women came to the tomb to prepare the body with the spices they had brought--but the body wasn't there.  Perplexed!  They encounter two men, and the women were terrified!  The men asked the women, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.  REMEMBER how he had told you!  They now remembered and went back to tell the others.  The others thought it was an idle tale.  Peter ran to the tomb and looked in.  Yep, it was empty, and the linen cloths were laying there--Amazed!

The Walk to Emmaus--When I was in seminary, someone dubbed the "duh" experience!  There were two disciples walking to a village called Emmaus from Jerusalem.  They were chatting amongst themselves about all that had happened--the death and burial of Jesus.  And we are told that while they were talking a man comes near them, we know him to be Jesus from the scripture, but these men are kept from recognizing him.  Jesus notices they are sad, and he says, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?"  One of them looked at Jesus and said, duh--ok, he didn't really say that, or maybe he did, and it just isn't well translated from the Greek.  Anyway, he says to Jesus, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have taken place these days?"  Jesus draws them in--"what things?"  And them men tell the stranger (Jesus) about how the prophet of God was arrested, condemned to death, crucified.  They told the stranger, "We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel, but it has been three days since all this happened."  Duh!  They went on to tell how the women had come back and reported the body was gone. The stranger then goes on to talk about how foolish they are, slow of heart to believe. The stranger says, "Wasn't it necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?"  And he went on to tell them, remind them of Moses and all the prophets.  

When they got to Emmaus, the stranger walked on ahead, but they invited him to stay.  It was at the table, at the TABLE, where he took bread, blessed and broke it--sharing it with them.  And then, AHA, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  Remembered.

Jesus appears to the disciples--The disciples were sharing the story with the others, and Jesus comes and stand among them, "Peace be with you." They were STARTLED and thought they were seeing a ghost.  Had they not just been told by the others? But he asked why they were afraid and showed them his hands and feet.  And he ate with them.  And he opened their mind--they remembered.

The Ascension of Jesus-Jesus leads the disciples out to Bethany, and he lifts up his and and blessed them.  As he is blessing them, he is lifted to heaven.  And their response?  They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were CONTINUALLY in the temple blessing God.

Notice the vast emotion with these experiences.  Notice how in most of them, they didn't notice in the moment that Jesus was present--it took some time.  How quickly they forget, and how quickly we forget.

It has to be about twenty years about that I was asked to write an Easter article for the Saginaw News.  I wish I had a copy.  As I recall I spoke to the many tombs we find ourselves trapped by--it isn't just death.  It isn't until we step out of the tomb that we experience life.

The amazing thing about Jesus is that Jesus has been there--in the tomb, but he is no longer there.  Blessed by Jesus, meaning we live life according to Jesus, he invites us out of the tomb to live new life.  Jesus meets us where we are, but also loves us enough to not let us stay there.  

Where have you experienced Jesus?  Where do you experience Jesus?  I admit that I often encounter Jesus in worship--in a song that is sung, or in a phrase in a prayer.  I will admit I have to turn off my mind thinking about everything going on around me, or the stupid thing I said in my sermon, or sometimes those songs that don't really sound like planned.  But when I remember Jesus, I encounter Jesus.  

One of the joys of the call to Word and Sacrament ministry is the opportunity to share Jesus' body and blood regularly--to look into the eyes and see the person. It is the opportunity to taste, touch and see Jesus in ways I don't regularly do throughout the week.  And I need that reminder.  

I also see Jesus when I am out and about.  There is a place at Stony Lake Camp where when you sit during the sunset, there can be no doubt about God's presence (Bob Aldrich was able to capture a great picture of this once.)  Or I encounter it in volunteering, or while I listen to music on the radio.  

As we read and discuss chapter 4 of "You Are Witnesses of These Things," think about your encounters with Jesus.  Did you recognize it right away, or did you realize it after some reflection?  

Do you think you have had "duh" moments?  

Proclaiming Jesus!

 Proclaiming Jesus!

(I realize this might be hard to read--sorry!!)

A few weeks ago, in our in person class on You Are Witnesses of These Things, we put together an incomplete list of our favorite and remembered stories about Jesus.  Why?  Because as Christians, we are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus.

As we were doing this, it occurred to me, is this what the church proclaims?  Do we proclaim Jesus, or do we, and I use we as a whole Church plural- not Ascension or even Lutheran- do we proclaim something else.  It seems on the news and in the media, we often hear about who is in and who is out.  What does Jesus call sin.  

However, when I look at this list, I have to think we have been getting it wrong!

I believe people want a relationship with Jesus, to know they are loved and cared for.  People also desire to have a higher purpose.  That is what Jesus offers when we look at the gospels--when we look at Jesus!

I'm not saying we ignore the rest of scripture, but as people of faith, it is Jesus in whom I put my trust.  Jesus is the Word, God with us.  

Look over the list we did as a class.  What stories might you add from the stories of Jesus?  Is this what you hear proclaimed by the Church in society?  How might we become better witnesses, proclaimers of Jesus to the world?

I believe in Jesus

What is a creed?

A creed is a set of beliefs that guides the words and actions of an individual, and then unites individuals into a shared identity in community together. Many organizations have creeds, not just the church.  

At Ascension we are most familiar with the Apostles' Creed.  We use this creed most services, it is used in baptism rites, we recently shared it as we installed our congregational leaders.  Creeds introduce a way to speak about what we believe for ourselves and in community with each other.  Though some of us use the creed individually in our devotions, I would imagine most of us say the creed in community. The Apostles' Creed begins "I believe, " but as we say it together, we are stating our community together.  If one has a creed memorized, it is likely the Apostles' Creed.

We use the Nicene Creed at times, generally on Festival services.  This creed begins "We believe."  There is a third creed that is used very rarely, some congregations use it on Holy Trinity Sunday.  The old green hymnal printed it, but our new read one did not.  If you wish to read it, click here:  Athanasian Creed.

The Creeds speak to the Trinity--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  As people who believe and proclaim that Jesus is God with us, we will focus on the second article, I believe in Jesus.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.*

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

          OR

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead. (ELW)

Jesus is Lord!

Martin Luther addressed the creed in the Small Catechism saying:

What is this?  or  What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in eternity, and also a true human being, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned human being. He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.

What is your reflection as you read and think about this creed?

What aspects of this portion of the creed to you believe with conviction?  What aspects do you question?  

If you were teaching the creed, what would be the most important for students to learn?

How would you rewrite the creed?

He Opened Their Minds

Luke 24:44-49

Then Jesus said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ ⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ⁴⁶and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

I have always loved that state
ment of the gospel writer Luke--he opened their minds. Faith and belief is not simply having knowledge or information about Jesus, it is to have a relationship, to be spiritually enlightened.  

Many of us struggle to share Jesus because we are afraid we are going to be asked something that we don't have the answer to, or that the person we are talking with can quote scripture and we don't have a come back!  Questions can be challenging.  But we are not called to witness to a series of facts, nor must we answer all of the questions people have.  In the book, "We are Witnesses of These Things" Satterlee writes, "We intentionally provide Jesus the space in our hearts, minds, and schedules to make us keenly aware of his abundant life and empower us to witness to him."  

The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) witness to us by telling the stories of Jesus.  We find similarities in each and differences.  By doing so, we can get a broader perspective of who Jesus is.  There are likely stories that each of us find meaningful, while others may find other stories of Jesus important.  

Without looking in your Bible, what stories of Jesus do you remember?  They don't need to be exact and you don't need to know where they are recorded in scripture.  But what stories about JESUS do you recall?

In the account of the gospels, Jesus does not always respond to people in the same way.  Jesus will respond to what they need.  Sometimes we will be called to witness with words and other times with action--but both are important and inseparable.  We act with kindness in the name of Jesus.  This can get difficult at times, when we are serving in places that prohibit the use of Jesus' name or an outward display of faith.  It's tricky sometimes--but should not always be an excuse not to do this in Jesus name!

Witnessing is often as simple as telling someone about Jesus by one of his parables or teachings, and why this is a meaningful story to us.  

For instance, one of the most meaningful portions of scripture for me and how I live my life can be found in John 17.  Here Jesus is praying before his arrest and crucifixion.  He prays for himself.  He prays for those he is leaving behind--his disciples, family, followers.  And then he prays for those who will believe because of their words--Jesus prays for us.  I find it very meaningful that before his death, he lifts us up in prayer.  And his prayer is one of unity--that we may be one as he and the Father are one--united in relationship.  I strive to live out my calling, my faith, my life striving for this unity--it isn't easy sometimes, but I do try!

This week I'm interested in the stories of Jesus that are meaningful to you.  Please share!

Do you have a favorite gospel?  What makes it your favorite?

Choose someone in the gospels who Jesus interacts with.  Imagine you know that person--they may be a friend, a family member or a coworker.  Consider what you might say to them afterward and how you might respond to their witness of the event.