Pastoral Messages
2009 Messages
Easter 2009—from Pastor Jim Stender>
Mark 16:1-8
Grace to you and peace from our risen Lord Jesus Christ.
This morning I would like to invite you to stand on the threshold of the empty tomb. I would like you to stand where Jesus stood. I would like you to stand where the women stood looking for Jesus. I would like you to stand where the disciples stood on Easter morning.
Let’s first imagine Jesus on that threshold. Now which direction do you think he faced? I can’t imagine him looking back at the place where he was laid on Friday after his death on the cross. I don’t think he thought about the pain and suffering, the sweat or the blood. I think he is looking out as the cover of the bulletin shows. He is looking over his new resurrected body. He may have had the scars of his passion and death, but he is clean from all the dirt, sweat and blood. His muscles no longer ache. Now he looks into the resurrection light and everything is new for him and for us.
Notice the difference of those who first visit the tomb. They look in. They see on the right the place where Jesus lay and a young man clothed in white. In the other gospel accounts they study the inside of the tomb and notice that some of the burial cloths are wadded up in a corner and another folded neatly. The young man announces that Jesus has been raised and asks them to look at the place where he lay. The gospel writer doesn’t give us a time, but I imagine they lingered for some time. They stayed there so long that the young man finally has to say to them go, get out of here and tell this good news to the disciples, and especially Peter. (At little side bar here – Peter needed to be singled out not because he was the head of the disciples, but because after denying Jesus three times, he needed to know forgiveness personally.) The point is that they were at the threshold looking in for so long that they had to be directed and told to face the other way.
I think there is an important significance in this directional change. It is the difference between death and life, darkness and light, before Christ and after Christ. Which direction are you facing this Easter morning? Standing on the threshold of the empty tomb where is your focus? Are you like the women and disciples looking in at where Jesus lay, looking for some evidence of his presence? Or are you looking out, facing the outside world knowing that Jesus conquered death for himself and for us? Are you looking out with Jesus’ new life being our new life? Because of Easter this world and our lives will never ever be the same.
Let me make this as applicable as I can. We have had a number of significant deaths in our parish this last year. I have lost my father in law and my father’s last brother. As a result, more people have asked me how I was doing than ever before. I appreciate the care and concern, but when I am experiencing difficult times and especially at the time of death, I am always transported back to the threshold of, Jesus empty tomb. I can turn one way and look at the all the loss, the death, the pain, or I can do an about face, look the other direction standing on the foundation of God’s love in the suffering and death of Jesus. I can sit in what I no longer have or step out and act upon what has been done for me. It is a matter of stepping out upon the hope and the new life Jesus wants for each one of us.
Everything I do is through this lens of the resurrection. Life comes to Jesus in the resurrection. Life comes to the women and disciples through the resurrection. Life comes to us through the resurrection.
In the People of Purpose book that many of us studied during lent, the study on James the son of Zebedee stands out. It lists the disciples, all of whom lost their lives for what they believed except for John. Their perspective had changed. They were no longer confused or withdrawing. Something had happened for them to be clear, bold and decisive. Something or I should say Someone was more important than their own life on this earth. The resurrection gave them confidence that nothing could separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus, neither life, death, principalities nor powers. They made a turn around that changed their lives and consequently changed the world.
Like last year or the one before, the coming year will bring surprises and losses that will force you to the threshold of the empty tomb. Which way will you turn? Will go turn toward the darkness or walk in the resurrection light? For I am convinced there is no better place that the threshold of the empty Easter tomb to see clearly and act on God’s promised light. Amen.
February 2009—from Pastor Martha Maier
Generosity is More than Money
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)
Thank you for your generosity in giving! The 2008 giving figures are in, and the news is good: You gave enough to cover practically all of St. Andrew’s ministry expenses for 2008. We spent $711, 000 to support the church and preschool ministry last year and we were only short $492. For this, the leadership and staff of St. Andrew offer a hearty thank-you. But our thank-you isn’t just about money; it’s about ministry. Because of your generosity, our faith community continues to bring God’s healing and wholeness to our community and world in so many ways.
Some of the ministry images I carry with me include the mother who told me her young daughter can’t wait to come to church because of the connections she’s made through Kids Wired on Wednesday (K-WOW), a new youth program we started this fall for preschool and elementary-age children. Another image is of a new member who told me over an Advent soup supper that one of her long-time dreams was coming true: She was planning to serve Christmas dinner to our Winter Hospitality Overflow guests, a type of ministry she had always wanted to do.
Then there’s the hubbub that comes from the Davis Room every other Sunday when Journey of Faith meets. This is our faith-formation process for those new to the church. Last year eight of us had no trouble meeting in our little library. This year, the Davis Room almost seems too small as 24-plus people meet to eat, share God moments and prayer concerns, reflect on scripture and grow in their faith.
Another poignant image is that of visiting my mother at her Portland condo and seeing her wearing the prayer shawl she received from St. Andrew. She is fighting cancer, and this shawl has brought her much comfort and hope. Multiply this image by 250, the number of prayer shawls we have distributed in Clark County and all over the country, and you get a sense of what a powerful ministry this is.
This is just a small sampling of the ministry God does through the people of St. Andrew. I encourage you to read and savor our annual report to see the broader picture. And I look forward to what God will do through your continued generosity in sharing your time, talents and treasure.
February 2009 from Pastor Jim Stender
WHO Guests Do Their Part
I would like to share two stories that best tell the story of Winter Hospitality Overflow, our important ministry to homeless women and families.
In December, we had snow—lots of it. I showed up early on Christmas Eve day thinking that snow would need to be removed from the walks and driveway in front of the church’s front doors. I found that it already had been taken care of that morning by WHO guests. Out of their care for the church and the people, these guests made sure the walks and driveway by the front doors were clear of snow. I have no idea of how much time it took or how many people were involved.
WHO guests also helped one of our members shovel the roof to prevent further leaking/damage to our building. Their willingness to scoop snow in a time of need was inspiring. Next, a WHO guest approached me before the 8:30 a.m. service to give me a folded bill. She said she wanted to be sure her donation would be received on Sunday even though she did not think she would be able to attend worship.
I expressed my thanks and put the bill in my shirt pocket without looking at it. Of course I forgot her offering until the 11 a.m. service, when I fished it out of my pocket for one of the children to put in the giving glass. After unfolding the greenback, I was surprised to see it was a $20 bill. I immediately thought of the widow in the New Testament who gave her last penny to the temple. She trusted completely in God. The WHO guest’s trust in the face of hardship gave me reason to pause and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”
WHO guests at St. Andrew care for the church, the people of St. Andrew and God. Like me, I hope you are encouraged and uplifted by their kindness, generosity and faith.
Christmas Miracles at St Andrew
Christmas is a hard day for the homeless population. Many have no family to spend the holiday with and everything is closed. I was once again awed by the servant spirit alive at St. Andrew. Members of St. Andrew quickly volunteered to ensure our guests had a warm, dry place to spend the day as well as providing a generous Christmas dinner.
Thank you to the following for donating supplies and/or time to keep St. Andrew open for our WHO guests on Christmas Day: Woody Starr, Mike, Deena and Kristyn Bisig, Jim, Sheryl and Scott Oviatt, Jeff and Debbie Engley, Shirley Brannon, Jenni and Chuck Frayer, Pam Kulcinski and family, Vicki and Rich Wornath, Norma Nelson, Jim and Diane Lince, Joanne, Kym, Maggie and Beth Antonelli and Rick, and Jim and Andrea Buchmann.
A special thank you to Dennis and Diane Smith for organizing a wonderful breakfast and to Chris, Melanie, Chelsea and Delanie Anderson who brought their new friends, the Kamaths, recent Iraqi refugees to help prepare the dinner. The mom, Zainab, was a chef at the Sheraton in Bagdad and prepared an amazing feast for our guests to enjoy.
Even with the worst arctic freeze in years, everyone came out to ensure our guests were safe. That’s what I call a miracle.
St. Andrew Increases WHO Capacity
Due to the increasing need we have increased the capacity for our WHO guests from 42
to 50. This is mainly in response to the larger number of children we are seeing in emergency shelter this year; 232 bednights this November vs. 183 bednights last November. Thank you all for your prayers and for the congregational support as we continue to partner with Share and the Council for the Homeless to address the need for emergency winter shelter.
January 2009 Message—From Pastor Jim Stender
New year, new challenges
To those whom God loves,
“Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you
an accounting for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)
During the past month I have witnessed these examples of hope in St. Andrew actions.
- Needy people requested our 25 Thanksgiving baskets instead of other agencies’ because they receive so much more from us.
- Orchards Kids Club fully staffed by St. Andrew volunteers.
- Because Winter Hospitality Overflow has larger numbers of children, families, people and volunteers, the council increased our maximum from 42 to 50 to meet the need.
- Eight of us who visited Living Stones prison congregation were awed by how we were greeted and made to feel welcome.
- Sixteen volunteers collected food in the Orchards neighborhood for Walk and Knock.
Preparation and planning for 40 Christmas baskets for families with more than 100 children, our largest effort, is in full gear.
Our hope is embodied in action directed to those outside our congregation whose names and faces we may never know. Giving our best to those outside our own Christian community gives me hope in the generosity and extravagance of God’s grace. For me this is a hint of Jesus’ promised abundant life. For me this is a sign of God’s healing and wholeness in people’s lives and all of creation.
Next year will be financially uncertain for many of our people and our community. We can expect more foreclosures, layoffs and unemployment. This will create new ministry opportunities we can’t even foresee. St. Andrew’s real challenge at its Jan. 25 annual meeting will be to balance financial projections with growing ministry needs. The words of 1 Peter say it better: How will we be ready to explain the hope that is in us?
I am hopeful about the New Year because my hope is in the One who was, who is and is to come. I am hopeful because God has acted in human history in the past, in the present and will in the future. My hope stands in contrast to the culture and ways of this world. Even though 2009 will be a year of adjustments and changes we cannot foresee, I will act out of the hope in God’s Son born in a manger.
I want to be a witness for the hope inside me.
January Bishop's Message—Rev. Mark S. Hanson Presiding Bishop
Let’s See what God is Doing at Christmas
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15)
Let’s go! Now! When angels came to some shepherds with this message one night long ago, the shepherds had a brilliant idea: Let’s go! Let’s see what God is doing!
The unknown dangers of the night did not hold them back. Perhaps they knew that some of God’s best work is done under the cover of darkness—the creation of all things, wrestling with Jacob, Israel’s escape from slavery, among them.
Or maybe they didn’t. Maybe all they needed was the announcement of what God was up to this time. This time God would be conducting a rescue like none before—saving the whole world, bringing peace and good will.
Once again it was an undercover operation—God hidden deep in the flesh and working “under the sign of opposites” (as Martin Luther called it). Arriving as a baby in diapers, God’s Son recruited tax collectors and fishermen, social misfits and despised sinners in a rescue mission that culminated in the hidden power of the cross.
What if the shepherds had yawned, “That’s interesting, some other time,” and remained sitting in the night, in the dirt, in the comfort of predictable hardships and familiar enemies? Would promised joy have found them anyway?
Let’s not test that speculation with our lives. Let’s go! Let’s see what God is doing!
January Vicar's Message—Vicar Eric Wooldridge, 2008-09 pastoral intern for St. Andrew
Simplifying prayer helps to hear God
Martin Luther once lamented that he was too busy. He was so busy, in fact, that he felt he needed to pray at least three hours a day in order to keep up with everything. Pray three hours a day? Did he really think that would help his frantic schedule?
We aren’t all Martin Luthers. It would be a challenge for most of us to make it through three hours of prayer in a day without having our minds wander off to different places. I know I find my mind wandering sometimes during prayer, and then I finish the prayer feeling guilty rather than refreshed in God’s Spirit. How is it that some people always seem to find strength and comfort in prayer while others of us get bogged down with it? Do we just need to try harder?
Trying harder can help us in almost everything we do, but I think the key to a deeper prayer life – especially during busy and stressful times – is to try less. “Try less” does not mean we should pray less often, or that we should expect less from our prayers. What I mean is that we should remember that prayer is a two-way connection. We talk to God in prayer, and we also listen for God to talk to us.
When I say that we should try less in our prayer lives, I mean that we should do a little less of the talking and try a little more of the listening. We should have times when the only thing we are offering to God is our surrender and our listening ear.
There are many ways to listen. We can listen in silence. We can listen with music to help us. We can listen in the midst of a simple activity that we enjoy. My favorite way to listen is to sit alone and build a one-line prayer. Each word or phrase that I build onto it helps me hear something that God is saying.
Here is an example of this type of prayer. If it helps you to listen, then try it. If you have your own way to listen to God, then go with that instead. Whatever your method, please spend time in prayer this Advent and Christmas season, and remember to listen.
Pray each line slowly, allowing time before beginning the next line:
Christ
Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, stir up your power
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, stir up your power and come
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, stir up your power
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Savior Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Jesus
