The test this past Sunday were: Isaiah 6:1-13, Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and Luke 5:1-11. These sermon was mainly based on the text from Luke. I also did something fun and used more storytelling techniques while reading the Gospel. Didn't really get any feedback on it though since I stood at a different door in order to catch someone when they left.
Oh and on another fun note, yesterday afternoon I went to the ordination of three women: Judy Converse, Sandy Demmler-D'Amico and Peggy Yingst. It was the first ordination that I went to since my own ordination back in September. Congratulations ladies! You are and will be wonderful pastors.
But now on to the sermon:
I would love to know exactly what was going through Simon Peter’s mind when Jesus told him to go out into the deep waters in order to catch some fish. Was Simon sarcastic? “Oh sure we will go out fishing some more. It is not like us professional fishermen have not been out all night and haven’t caught anything. But of course by all means, if a carpenter says that there is fish, well then there has to be fish.” Or maybe he was eager to please the man who had jut healed his mother-in-law. “Yes master, we haven’t caught anything but you must know where the fish are for I have seen you heal many people” Maybe he thought it was worth a chance “Sure master, I mean we haven’t caught anything but as long as we are out here, what harm is it to put out the nets one more time?” Or maybe he was just plain tired and wanted to go home after a long night of unsuccessful fishing and thought if he just did as Jesus told him, then he could go home and take a nap. “Oh Lord, I’m so tired, we haven’t caught any all night, but if it makes you happy I will cast down my nets, but then can I go home and sleep?”
But regardless of his mood, regardless if he wanted to prove Jesus wrong, or just get home to sleep, there was a level of trust Simon had in Jesus. He didn’t rebuke him entirely, telling Jesus that he must be crazy, nor did he refuse to cast out his nets. Instead, whether with complete conviction or just half heartedly, Simon trusts in Jesus.
And sometimes it makes no sense to trust Jesus. Simon was a professional fisherman, Jesus was a carpenter from a land locked town. Why would Jesus know where the fish are to be found when Simon spent all night without a catch? Jesus was a man who lived two thousand years ago in a Jewish culture and we are living here today, in the year 2010, in America, with economic uncertainty, constant influences from media, in a county with one of the largest income per capita. Jesus knew nothing about modern-day living. About current pressures on our time, our finances, our families. Trusting Jesus doesn’t make a whole lot of sense if you look at it from a critical perspective. In fact it makes about as much sense as Simon trusting that Jesus knew where the fish were. Maybe that is why so many people do not attend church: because it doesn’t make sense to trust in Jesus.
But Simon does trust Jesus, maybe not willingly, maybe not with all of his heart, soul and mind. He was probably thinking about other things, he was probably thinking it was a waste of time or wouldn’t lead to anything. But Simon Peter did trust Jesus. He cast out his nets.
And boy was that a fruitful cast. The nets were so full of fish that they were beginning to break. The nets were so full that he had to call to his partners James and John in the other boat to help him. The nets were so full that both boats almost sank under the weight of all the fish. Simon then trusted Jesus and left everything to follow him. Simon trusted Jesus and became Peter. Simon Peter trusted Jesus and became one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples. Simon Peter trusted Jesus and saw Moses and Elijah on the mountain top. Simon Peter trusted Jesus and became the rock on which the Jesus’ church has been built. Simon Peter trusted Jesus and he was never again the same.
This trust was not easy. Simon was still human. Multiple times in the gospels Simon questions Jesus. Simon wants to stay on the mountain and build dwelling places for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Simon Peter questioned about the direction of the early church, after Jesus was no longer there to guide him, he worried about decisions over early converts, eating unclean foods, or how to appropriate worship. Simon trusted Jesus but he also did not blindly follow. He may have left everything he owned behind to follow Jesus, but he did not leave behind the human need and desire to question, to think about, to second guess who was leading him.
And what about us? Many of us say that we trust God, even if it seems ridiculous at times. We second guess God. We run away from what God is calling us to do, whether it is a career, a relationship, a volunteer activity or a social event. We try to over-analyze what is in our best interest or what we can afford and try to go with what others are doing. We do these things instead of listing to our heart, to what God is calling us to do.
Is God calling you to give a few bucks to the Haiti relief efforts because that is what other people are doing and what you can afford, or is God calling you to organize a group of people to go down there and help people in need rebuild their homes. Is God calling you to work in your current field because it is economically secure and you don’t mind the work that much or is God calling you to a different field that might be less pay but allows you to do a greater good in the world? Is God calling you to enjoy the Sunday School program and choir or is God calling you to use your teaching skills or voice in order to be a more active participate in the life of Bethlehem? Is God calling you to tell others about how you trust in Jesus, even when it doesn’t make a lot of sense? Is God calling you to invite a friend or neighbor to church? What is God calling you to do?
Jesus called Simon to trust him, and Simon followed. Jesus is calling us to trust him. And it may not make a lot of sense. But when we trust in Jesus, when we follow where Jesus is calling us, when we ignore what is rational and instead do what God wants us to do the rewards are great. When we trust in Jesus our nets are so full that they are breaking. When we following where Christ is calling us our nets are so full that we have to call on others for help. When we do what is on our hearts and minds our nets are so full that our boats are almost sinking under the weight. When we follow Christ we will never again be the same.
Showing posts with label ordination. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ordination. Show all posts
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A letter to my pastors and congregations
This is a letter that I sent out with my ordination invitations to congregations that I have been a member of and served along with the ordained pastors, youth workers, parish assistants and other who have help formed me in my faith life. Don't know why I didn't post it sooner:
To all the “Pastors” and Churches in my life
Thank you! In a few weeks I will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament but really I would never have gotten to this point without all of you ministering to me. I have learned many things about ministry from all of you, ordained, rostered and lay alike.
Pastor Strege you have indirectly taught me about stewardship and the importance of biblical study through the many adult forums and sermons that my parents heard but yet I was too young to listen to. I also learned from you the importance of a well timed fist pound on the pulpit. I believe one of the reasons why I was so comfortable in worship and the church was because of how welcomed I felt by Pastor Lohmen during children sermons. I have so many memories of running around Atonement and Good Shepherd whether with paper leaves on Palm Sunday, preparing for a Christmas Children’s Pageant or army crawling under the pews while playing underground church. Anyone who knows the good hiding places in the church must truly be welcomed.
That sense of being both welcomed and part of the church while still a youth was continued by Kirsten, Pastor Tom and both Pastor Pauls. I always felt like I was a vital part of the congregation and not a second class citizen that so many teenagers often feel. Due to encouragement from Kathy, Deacon Doug and Judy, I took on roles in the church sometimes considered only appropriate for adults, including teaching Sunday school to some of the youngest members of Immanuel and serving on multiple mission trips. There was hardly ever a time when I came to Immanuel and did not receive many hugs. I also learned from Pastor Tom how traumatizing it can be for a group of teenagers to discuss the Sixth Commandment with their pastor.
While in college, I was challenged theologically and spiritually by many conversations with Rachel and Pastor Don at University Lutheran and Pastor Cheryl via quite a few email conversations. University Lutheran became a haven in the midst of stressful work and class schedules and yet it was because of Don’s encouragement that I even considered attending seminary. It was during this time that I learned how to keep a service short but meaningful and from Cheryl, how to discretely fish a spider out of the communion wine on Easter Sunday.
During a time of transition, post-college, pre-seminary, Peace became the first church in which I was truly an adult member. From Pastor Rick I learned how to speak openly and honestly about personal situation with the congregation while still keeping your private life private. Pastor Maribeth has taught me so much about being a female pastor, balancing both career and family. And as the place where Bob and I were married, Peace will always hold a special place in both of our hearts.
During my time at seminary, UniLu opened my eyes to the joys and pleasures of ministry in the inner city; an idea this suburban girl never contemplated before. While Pastor Harte and Fred cautioned me of some of the trials of working in an inner-city parish, the joy of serving at Feast Incarnate and how natural it became to have a homeless person come in during worship are treasured by me. I had never before worshiped in such a diverse community, black, white, gay, straight, transgender, UniLu is where I saw all of God’s people gathered together to worship.
Over internship and beyond, St John’s became my church home. Through challenges in adjusting communion practices and corralling outspoken confirmation student, I became a church leader, not someone who sat in the pews. I learned so much from Linda about planning music in worship and the excitement, and commitment of Kate to having kids involved in all aspects of the church is contagious. From John I learned the importance of being connected to the greater church at the synod, national and international levels. From Clair, Jack and Rosger Borass, I learned how pastors are still pastoral even when retired or in special calls. The two years I spent at St. John’s gave me some of my more trying worship experiences but also many of the most uplifting, soul-enriching experiences as a ministry leader. I also learned the importance of a really good coffee hour.
Post seminary brought another time of transition and Bob and I found Bethesda not as a seminarian, pastor or future seminarian, but as someone who got to sit in the pew each week and maybe help assist in worship on occasion. During this experience I cannot begin to tell you the number of things I learned about being a perspective member and integrating into a congregation. And of course from Pastor Merkle I learned how wonderful a good talk in the pastor’s office can be.
These are just a handful of the many things I have learned from all my churches and “pastors,” I would not have enough space to write them all. Nor will I ever be able to properly thank you and repay you for all you have done for me. Instead I hope and pray that I will be able to pass these lessons on to others in the church and community where I have been called to serve and in the churches and communities that I will be called to in the future.
I also know that many of you will not be able to attend my ordination due to distance but please realize that you will be there in spirit for it is because of the Holy Spirit working through you that I will soon be a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ.
Thank you and may God continue to bless you in your ministries,
Becca
To all the “Pastors” and Churches in my life
Thank you! In a few weeks I will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament but really I would never have gotten to this point without all of you ministering to me. I have learned many things about ministry from all of you, ordained, rostered and lay alike.
Pastor Strege you have indirectly taught me about stewardship and the importance of biblical study through the many adult forums and sermons that my parents heard but yet I was too young to listen to. I also learned from you the importance of a well timed fist pound on the pulpit. I believe one of the reasons why I was so comfortable in worship and the church was because of how welcomed I felt by Pastor Lohmen during children sermons. I have so many memories of running around Atonement and Good Shepherd whether with paper leaves on Palm Sunday, preparing for a Christmas Children’s Pageant or army crawling under the pews while playing underground church. Anyone who knows the good hiding places in the church must truly be welcomed.
That sense of being both welcomed and part of the church while still a youth was continued by Kirsten, Pastor Tom and both Pastor Pauls. I always felt like I was a vital part of the congregation and not a second class citizen that so many teenagers often feel. Due to encouragement from Kathy, Deacon Doug and Judy, I took on roles in the church sometimes considered only appropriate for adults, including teaching Sunday school to some of the youngest members of Immanuel and serving on multiple mission trips. There was hardly ever a time when I came to Immanuel and did not receive many hugs. I also learned from Pastor Tom how traumatizing it can be for a group of teenagers to discuss the Sixth Commandment with their pastor.
While in college, I was challenged theologically and spiritually by many conversations with Rachel and Pastor Don at University Lutheran and Pastor Cheryl via quite a few email conversations. University Lutheran became a haven in the midst of stressful work and class schedules and yet it was because of Don’s encouragement that I even considered attending seminary. It was during this time that I learned how to keep a service short but meaningful and from Cheryl, how to discretely fish a spider out of the communion wine on Easter Sunday.
During a time of transition, post-college, pre-seminary, Peace became the first church in which I was truly an adult member. From Pastor Rick I learned how to speak openly and honestly about personal situation with the congregation while still keeping your private life private. Pastor Maribeth has taught me so much about being a female pastor, balancing both career and family. And as the place where Bob and I were married, Peace will always hold a special place in both of our hearts.
During my time at seminary, UniLu opened my eyes to the joys and pleasures of ministry in the inner city; an idea this suburban girl never contemplated before. While Pastor Harte and Fred cautioned me of some of the trials of working in an inner-city parish, the joy of serving at Feast Incarnate and how natural it became to have a homeless person come in during worship are treasured by me. I had never before worshiped in such a diverse community, black, white, gay, straight, transgender, UniLu is where I saw all of God’s people gathered together to worship.
Over internship and beyond, St John’s became my church home. Through challenges in adjusting communion practices and corralling outspoken confirmation student, I became a church leader, not someone who sat in the pews. I learned so much from Linda about planning music in worship and the excitement, and commitment of Kate to having kids involved in all aspects of the church is contagious. From John I learned the importance of being connected to the greater church at the synod, national and international levels. From Clair, Jack and Rosger Borass, I learned how pastors are still pastoral even when retired or in special calls. The two years I spent at St. John’s gave me some of my more trying worship experiences but also many of the most uplifting, soul-enriching experiences as a ministry leader. I also learned the importance of a really good coffee hour.
Post seminary brought another time of transition and Bob and I found Bethesda not as a seminarian, pastor or future seminarian, but as someone who got to sit in the pew each week and maybe help assist in worship on occasion. During this experience I cannot begin to tell you the number of things I learned about being a perspective member and integrating into a congregation. And of course from Pastor Merkle I learned how wonderful a good talk in the pastor’s office can be.
These are just a handful of the many things I have learned from all my churches and “pastors,” I would not have enough space to write them all. Nor will I ever be able to properly thank you and repay you for all you have done for me. Instead I hope and pray that I will be able to pass these lessons on to others in the church and community where I have been called to serve and in the churches and communities that I will be called to in the future.
I also know that many of you will not be able to attend my ordination due to distance but please realize that you will be there in spirit for it is because of the Holy Spirit working through you that I will soon be a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ.
Thank you and may God continue to bless you in your ministries,
Becca
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Oridination Day!
It was a very busy weekend and I think I've just gotten around to processing everything.
Friday morning my parents, best friend (Jenny) and godson (Christian) arrived at the airport and a good family friend, my "uncle" Kent and his partner arrived via car by early afternoon. We spent part of the afternoon touring the church and our soon to be new home, and walking around Westport. On Saturday we went up to New Haven to let Bob show off Yale and we went to the Peabody Museum. Both evening Ellen (who's house almost all of us were staying at) made a wonderful dinner for everyone.
But Sunday was the BIG DAY! The day everyone came up for. That morning we all got to church by 8:30ish for choir practice and Bible study. We then had worship, and coffee hour (thanks Judy). We then returned to Ellen and Gerald's for a bit of lunch and rest and then the real fun began.
I drove out to the ordination church (St. Paul's in Torrington) with Bob, Jenny and Christian. And probably had one of the most memorable experiences of the day in the car. We had Jenny's MP3 player hooked up to the stereo and about a mile from St. Paul's Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody came on. We then proceeded to sit in the car, parked in the parking lot, singing along with all the head and hand gestures. What an inappropriate, but fun way, to begin the afternoon.
I then headed inside, met the people in charge, did the pre-worship huddle and got ready for worship.
As all the pastors and others were gathered together in the narthex ready to process in during the opening hymn, I got something stuck in my throat. I then proceed to cough and was unable to sing throughout the opening hymn, the hymn of praise, the readings (including the chanted psalm) and part of the sermon. Luckily, thankfully, whatever was bugging me disappeared by the hymn of the day when myself, Nancy and Lauren (the other two women being ordained) came forward for the Ordination rite.
The actual ordination rite was a blur of prayer, kneeling, calm and nervousness all at once. But at the end during the acclamation I looked over at Nancy and we both had huge smiles on our faces.
Communion was a blessing. I served people the bread and my dad served wine. I was amazed with how many people came. Members of Bethlehem and Bethesda (the church Bob and I attended last year), friends from my internship congregation, bible study friends, seminary folks and family. The majority of people I was able to serve communion to by name.
Afterward the worship service, the narthex was filled with pictures, hugs, smiles and well wishes. I didn't even make it to the reception until most of the non-dessert food was eaten.
It was such a blessing and wonderful day.
One more comment about my stole. I by far had the fanciest stole out of the three of us being ordained. My dad designed and embroidered the stole and my mom assembled it. It says "Rejoice!" in Swahili, Japanese, Maori, Tagalua (Philippines), Swedish, Hebrew, Arabic, German, Ojibwe, Spanish, Greek and Chinese on the left side, Rejoice in English on the right and has Luther's Rose on the yoke. It is absolutely gorgeous and I'm so blessed and loved to have parents to make me a stole.
With my sponsor, Ned
Acclamation
Bob and I afterwards (I'm holding a gift of olive oil from the Holy Land)
Friday morning my parents, best friend (Jenny) and godson (Christian) arrived at the airport and a good family friend, my "uncle" Kent and his partner arrived via car by early afternoon. We spent part of the afternoon touring the church and our soon to be new home, and walking around Westport. On Saturday we went up to New Haven to let Bob show off Yale and we went to the Peabody Museum. Both evening Ellen (who's house almost all of us were staying at) made a wonderful dinner for everyone.
But Sunday was the BIG DAY! The day everyone came up for. That morning we all got to church by 8:30ish for choir practice and Bible study. We then had worship, and coffee hour (thanks Judy). We then returned to Ellen and Gerald's for a bit of lunch and rest and then the real fun began.
I drove out to the ordination church (St. Paul's in Torrington) with Bob, Jenny and Christian. And probably had one of the most memorable experiences of the day in the car. We had Jenny's MP3 player hooked up to the stereo and about a mile from St. Paul's Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody came on. We then proceeded to sit in the car, parked in the parking lot, singing along with all the head and hand gestures. What an inappropriate, but fun way, to begin the afternoon.
I then headed inside, met the people in charge, did the pre-worship huddle and got ready for worship.
As all the pastors and others were gathered together in the narthex ready to process in during the opening hymn, I got something stuck in my throat. I then proceed to cough and was unable to sing throughout the opening hymn, the hymn of praise, the readings (including the chanted psalm) and part of the sermon. Luckily, thankfully, whatever was bugging me disappeared by the hymn of the day when myself, Nancy and Lauren (the other two women being ordained) came forward for the Ordination rite.
The actual ordination rite was a blur of prayer, kneeling, calm and nervousness all at once. But at the end during the acclamation I looked over at Nancy and we both had huge smiles on our faces.
Communion was a blessing. I served people the bread and my dad served wine. I was amazed with how many people came. Members of Bethlehem and Bethesda (the church Bob and I attended last year), friends from my internship congregation, bible study friends, seminary folks and family. The majority of people I was able to serve communion to by name.
Afterward the worship service, the narthex was filled with pictures, hugs, smiles and well wishes. I didn't even make it to the reception until most of the non-dessert food was eaten.
It was such a blessing and wonderful day.
One more comment about my stole. I by far had the fanciest stole out of the three of us being ordained. My dad designed and embroidered the stole and my mom assembled it. It says "Rejoice!" in Swahili, Japanese, Maori, Tagalua (Philippines), Swedish, Hebrew, Arabic, German, Ojibwe, Spanish, Greek and Chinese on the left side, Rejoice in English on the right and has Luther's Rose on the yoke. It is absolutely gorgeous and I'm so blessed and loved to have parents to make me a stole.
With my sponsor, Ned
Acclamation
Bob and I afterwards (I'm holding a gift of olive oil from the Holy Land)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
It's Been Awhile
I think Labor Day threw my schedule off, and on top of that I had a cold all week, so I didn't end up posting my sermon from last week. Oh well. I will post today's sermon shortly.
Today was Rally Sunday. We had a bagel breakfast in the community room. There was pots for the kids and whoever else wanted to decorate and fill with soil. During the sermon I talked about jade plants growing from a single leaf and each person got a jade leaf for the pot that they decorated. Overall it was a good low key Rally Day.
In other updates: The house looking more and more like a house everyday. All the rooms and trim have been painted. Only a few doors and two closets still need paint. Bob and I put together the kitchen cabinets for 3 hours yesterday and today I went back and finished the remaining cabinets. This week the agenda includes: The hardwood floors will be redone on Monday. Carpet will be installed upstairs on Tuesday. Cabinets will be installed in the kitchen and the upstairs bathroom should be finished up. Hopefully almost everything will be done by the end of the week.
I'm also nearing closer to the completion of my needlepoint project. I've been working on this picture of Glacier National Park
All I have left is about half the mountain and the sky. So hopefully within a few weeks it will be ready to frame and hang up in our new home.
This week I'm gearing up to go to Mass on Tuesday to have a welcome to the synod meeting at the synod office, my family, one of my best friends and godson are flying in on Friday. And Sunday is my ordination.
Today was Rally Sunday. We had a bagel breakfast in the community room. There was pots for the kids and whoever else wanted to decorate and fill with soil. During the sermon I talked about jade plants growing from a single leaf and each person got a jade leaf for the pot that they decorated. Overall it was a good low key Rally Day.
In other updates: The house looking more and more like a house everyday. All the rooms and trim have been painted. Only a few doors and two closets still need paint. Bob and I put together the kitchen cabinets for 3 hours yesterday and today I went back and finished the remaining cabinets. This week the agenda includes: The hardwood floors will be redone on Monday. Carpet will be installed upstairs on Tuesday. Cabinets will be installed in the kitchen and the upstairs bathroom should be finished up. Hopefully almost everything will be done by the end of the week.
I'm also nearing closer to the completion of my needlepoint project. I've been working on this picture of Glacier National Park
All I have left is about half the mountain and the sky. So hopefully within a few weeks it will be ready to frame and hang up in our new home.This week I'm gearing up to go to Mass on Tuesday to have a welcome to the synod meeting at the synod office, my family, one of my best friends and godson are flying in on Friday. And Sunday is my ordination.
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