The Advent of Snow

So we did not have church on December 21. Last year we also missed a Sunday in Advent for the same reason. The falling of snow in this area is as predictable as the coming of Christ. It will happen, we can count on it.

We had brown Advent and Christmases before. This new revelation of snow is something totally different. It doesn't make sense in all the commotion about global warming and sudden changes in temperature.

Enjoy the snow and be glad. Amen.

Pastor Kris

3rd Sunday in Advent

Sent to Bring Good News

I need some one to sing the Mission Impossible Theme while I read these words:

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has annointed mel he has sent me to bring good news to the opressed, to bind up the broken up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor...”

We Christians like Isaiah are on a mission possible. A mission that IS possible because the Lord will guide us, grant us courage, and bestow on us His promised Holy Spirit.

Advent is the big pep talk before the big game. It is the Friday afternoon assembly pep rally that gets the players the courage and energy to run out and pummle the other team. But we are not out pummling the other team - rather during Advent we hear these lessons from Isaiah, the New Testament writers, and the Gospels speaking of the coming of Christ - the promised Messiah - the hope of the world. We take to heart the words of guidance, the challenge to be ready, to confession and repent, and beleive that we have the ulitimate win in our hands through a Savior born in Bethlehem.

Second Sunday in Advent

¨Prepare the Way for the Lord”

Tools and materials required: Blade screw driver, adjustable wrench, wire cutters, wiring supplies as required by electrical code, step ladder.

Advent is a season of preparation, a time for making ready our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ in the manger. It is a time to sit awhile a listen to the voices of ones crying in the wilderness, a time to hear the voices of old indicate why we need a savior. We need to dwell in a land of deep wanting before we can trying experience the incredible joy of Christmas morning.

Ole lay dying in his bedroom. He began to revive as he smelled the aroma of fresh lefsa wafting through the house. Ole managed to gather is strength and crawled out to the kitchen. Just as he reached for a sample of his loffy Lena's lefsa she slapped his hand and said, "No Ole, don't you know that's a for the funeral"

We make preparations every day. Some days are better than others. We can plan and have the best intentions but still be caught off guard. Some of us are able to “fly by the seat of our pants” while others are more methodical and need to plan every step. The message is clear to us all today, “A voice cries out in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Make a pathway for God. When we do this we have the promise that the glory of the Lord shall be revealed!

Whether it is making sure we have all the tools and items necessary to install a light fixture or having all the information necessary to make an important decision we must prepare. Likewise to these texts remind us of the importance of advent - a season of making straight the highway for our God. Many things can crowd that highway - the urgency of shopping, the dashed cleaning to make our homes ready for relatives and friends, the noise of how the world views these holidays - yet our call is to return to the voice crying, the voice declaring that we need to shake off the weight of the world and see the manger, see the advent of our God, the reality and possibility of hope even in this age.

Applying the Text
Prepare the Way of the Lord

(1) We prepare by diving deep in the Word.

“Here is your God!” “See the Lord comes with might, and his arm rules for him, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. And he will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms...”
“The Lord is not slow about his promise...therefore beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.”
“This is the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

(2) We prepare by crying out the good news.

“Cry out!” “What should I say?” “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

There are many arrows pointing to different things during this holiday season. It has become so noisy that often people just get tired and walk away. In this difficult economy stores are screaming that we need to spend when we really should save. Can we hear the voice of the evangelist today? “The on who is more powerful than I is coming after me.” John knew he wasn’t the one - he pointed to the one who was coming after - the promised Messiah.

(3) We prepare through repentance and forgiveness.

“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized in the river Jordan confessing their sins.”
But this sounds like a Lent theme pastor? When we confess our sins God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrightousness. Making the pathway clear for the advent of our God involves confession, it involves seeking forgiveness, and it calls us to hear that “our penalty has been paid.”

Harvest Worship at East Paint Creek Norwegian Lutheran Church (Synod)

Randi, Kjersti, and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon service at the synod church near Waterville. Since Randi was playing the organ we decided to go as a family. I will post the service on our podcast service for those interested. Also you can check out iTunes. It is interesting to trace the history of all the congregations originating in this area of Paint Creek. We all have a common heritage in the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Common family ties. And a belief that God's Word is our great heritage. Thanks to those at the East Paint Creek Lutheran Church for having such a wonderful idea - celebrating heritage and faith, harvest and hope. If you get a chance to meet Vicar Christian Eisenbeis from King of Grace Lutheran in Waukon you are in for a treat. A fine preacher and gracious host. Enjoy the pictures. Pastor Snyder

Christ the King Sunday - November 23, 2008

Christ the King Sunday
November 23, 2008


Kingly Economics

Economics: a social science concerned chiefly with description and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

Production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services? Here Jesus stands with the words,

“When I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thristy you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”

In light of current events even in our own backyard how is Jesus calling us to be about the production, distribution, and aiding in the fair consumption of goods and services?

“For when you have done it to the least of these who are members of my family you have done it to me.”

In Postville where so many are hungry, homeless, and in fear for what may be the future. For those in our own congregation who are struggling with heating their homes or finding the resources to feed their children. The challenge of this text comes when we hear how Christ is calling us to be a part of the production and distribution of goods and services.

Another text in the new testament highlights this as well. When we think of the church and the body of Christ God gives us a pure glimpse of what that looks like:

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds F17 to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home F18 and ate their food with glad and generous F19 hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Applying the Text

(1) See how God provides daily for our needs.

“I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them; he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD God will be their God...”

To the one who is hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, stranger, in prison it takes faith to believe in a God who provides for the needs of His children.

(2) See how God is calling us to be a church without walls.

“And when was it that we did these things?”

“With the eyes of your heart enlightened” we are given the power of God to be about the work of ministry in this area and beyond, feeding the hungry with not just food but spiritual food!

(3) See how God will call us to be accountable on the day of salvation.

“When was it?”

We are called to be about the production, distribution, and fair consumption of goods and services. As a church in this place called Waterville we are to be a beacon of hope, a place of refuge, and destination where grace is found.

WELCA Thank Offering Service - 11/16/2008

Waterville Lutheran
WELCA Thank Offering Service
11/16/2008

And it was so...

Lutheran World Relief needed bars of soap...and it was so.

Quilts were needed so you gathered in the church basement...and it was so.

Funeral luncheon was needed so the family had food and fellowship....and it was so.

Your church needed to be cleaned from vacuuming to dusting and it was so.

Your friends and relatives needed prayer so the call tree was activated and it was so.

You needed the nourishment of God’s Word and fellowship with other women so you made Bible study a priority and it was so.

So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then the woman gathered together for common work, study of God’s Word, fellowship, and companionship - and man was left wondering - “man I wish I had a group like that.”

While we men may be able to do the grunt work of the church like replacing a toilet (not that women can’t do that) the women have held a conviction to keep the church focused on mission, ministry, Word and study, outreach, and fellowship.
You have “given all that you have” for the mission of this church and the greater mission of the ELCA. Thank you for your efforts and may indeed this be a thank offering to further God’s work in this place and beyond.

Applying the Word

(1) Giving yourself away for the sake of the “and it was so”.

“...by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

I have served in that position for too many years and I am done. I just don’t have the time anymore with family commitments and my job. Yet in all these things rediscover the calling to “present yourselves” as a living sacrifice for the sake of the mission of this congregation
and aiding in the completion of God’s work in the world.

(2) “And it was so” type of mission work requires the bakers, the hotdish queens, the quilters, and the musicians to do the work of God’s mission in this place.

“For as in one body we have many members, and not all members have the same function, so we who are many are one body in Christ.”

(3) Live in harmony

Just do it!

26th Sunday After Pentecost

Are YOU Ready?

What does it mean to be truly ready?

Preparing for company during the holidays, preparing for tests in college or high school, getting ready for a big family vacation...

“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Applying the Text

(1) Be informed!

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”

Bible book of faith.

(2) Encourage one another with these words.

(3) Be open for the justice and righteousness of God.

“Be let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.”

Who knew?

Here we stand after the election and wonder now what? Money spent, doors knocked, miles walked, and now the work begins. Momentum is something to admire. For both candidates this was a good race. I wish I had more of chance to hear the debates and speeches. Often I feel we live in a world that does not value rhetoric. We cannot sit long enough to truly digest a good speech to save our lives - only unless we are given a 10 minute break for a snack. The craft of public speaking can make or break a candidate - but that is only half of it. The other half comes with character.

What do we look for in a leader? The calling to an elected office shapes and conforms a leader. All the best to those who have achieved public office - to our sheriff here in Allamakee county to President Barrack Obama.

Truly a historic day has come to our nation.

Peaceful thoughts as I head off to Postville for text study...
Pastor Kris

All Saints Sunday - November 2

Remember These Things

Blessed are the singers who recall for us the sweet stories of salvation, the marvels of God’s infinite grace, and the reality of a Savior who has died for us all.

“And they fell on the their faces before the throne and worshiping God, sining, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever Amen!”

What hymns are dear to our hearts? These hymns which reveal to us the truth that God indeed will wipe away all tears from their eyes”. That we indeed are called “children of God” and inheritors of a sure promise “In heaven above.”

What words have been given to our ears by those saints who are at rest? “Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven.” “For we will see him as he is.” “For nothing will ever separate us from the love of God that is revealed to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Speaking and Teaching

1. Blessed are the poor in Spirit.
for theirs is the kingdom of God.
2. Blessed are those who morn,
for they will be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Reformation Sunday

So What?
What difference does the Reformation make in our lives today?

You know you are a Lutheran when...
You only serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color for the season.

You didn't know chow mein noodles were a Chinese food.

During communion you hum the hymns so you can see who's at church that Sunday..

Rather than introducing yourself to a visitor at church, you check their name out in the guestbook

A midlife crisis means switching from the old hymnbook to the new one.

You forget to put water in the baptismal font but never forget to put water in the coffee pot.

The pastor skips the last hymn to make sure church lasts exactly 60 minutes.

You make spaghetti at your house with the little macaroni noodles because they're not so messy then.

You don't make eye contact when passing someone in the hall because you think it's impolite.

You think a meeting isn't legitimate unless it's at least three hours long.

Peas in your tuna noodle hotdish add too much color.

You make change in the offering plate for a ten. ..the only open pew is up front, so you volunteer to shovel the sidewalk.

Ole and Lena are really the names of your relatives.

Do you know what it means to be a Lutheran? Besides all the cute funny one liners shared just now and the comedy behind “Church Basement Ladies”. Who are we as Christians who define ourselves as Lutherans? What difference does our identity mean?

Lets face it, unless we as a church make it a priority for the future generations and the youth in our church what our identity is, how it shapes and informs us, and what difference it makes we will quickly loose what we have come to understand ourselves as, namely Lutherans.

The greatest result of the reformation that we bear witness to today is revealed in the words from Jeremiah. “No longer shall they teach one another, ‘Know the Lord.’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” We have the knowledge that God acts to bring about salvation to the vilest of sinners. The knowledge of this is no longer secret, hidden in the minds and words of only a secret select in the church, but rather is clearly spoken and embraced. This is the gift of the reformation. That God would stir up in a monk named Martin Luther a quest to know God not just for his wrath but also for the grace that comes to us new every morning. This is the good news.

What Difference then does the Reformation make in our lives today?
Applying the Text to Our Lives

(1) Grace Alone.

GRACE IS EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING TO THOSE WHO DON'T DESERVE ANYTHING

“For these is no distinction, since all have fallen short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his GRACE as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith.”

“Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes” Martin Luther

For Luther the encounter of grace found only in God’s Word was enough for him to finally believe that God forgives the sinner and grants new life, truly and endlessly. He wouldn’t have to scratch his way back into heaven through good works, outdoing his neighbor in the number of prayers spoken, or even look religious to gain the favor of God.

For me it was these words from Ephesians 2:8-9 which have been etched on my heart,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”

Thank God salvation is not dependent on my efforts to somehow win over God. Doing good works is a product of our faith - ‘created in Christ for good works’ is what defines us as Christians.

(2) Word Alone

“If you continue in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and it will set you free.”

“I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

In a typical week, during how many days, if any, would you read the Bible, not including the time you are at church? Daily, 13%; 3 times a week, 32%; Not at all, 43%. Barna Research Group, 1992
What happened since the reformation? In a world overtaken by multi- media, television - our attention span is gone. If God’s word is a gift given to us and is in our own native language then why not find ourselves deep in it?
“The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.” Martin Luther

(3) Faith Alone

“A person is made right (justified) by faith apart from works prescribed by the law”

“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask.” Martin Luther

“Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake”
Martin Luther

For Bonhoeffer, faith was a matter not of taking a stance but of being a follower of Christ.

Our faith compels us to be bold, confident, and assured in the witness that we share with our neighbor. For we are saved by grace alone revealed to us through God’s Holy Word and this gift comes to us through faith.

23rd Sunday After Pentecost - Nearing the End of this Blessed Season of Green

Thoughts to Begin the Sermon

To: Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury Washington, DC 20001

Enclosed is my 2003 Form 1040, together with payment. Please take note of the attached article from USA Today archives. In the article, you will note that the Pentagon paid $171.50 each for hammers and NASA paid $600.00 each for toilet seats.

Please find enclosed in this package four toilet seats (value $2,400.00) and six hammers (value $1,029.00). This is in payment for my total tax due of $3,429.00.

Out of a sense of patriotic duty, and to assist in the political purification of our government, I am also enclosing a 1.5 inch Phillips head screw, for which HUD duly recorded and approved a purchase value of $22.00, as my contribution to fulfill the Presidential Election Fund option on Form 1040.

It has been a pleasure to pay my taxes this year, and I look forward to paying them again next year in accordance with officially established government values.

Sincerely,
Another satisfied taxpayer

Is it lawful for us to pay “taxes”? What is our Christian responsibility as we live out our lives in this nation? Can we live out the command, “Give to the emperor what is his and to God’s what is God’s?” What is Jesus guiding us to do in light of the lessons today?

Applying the Text

(1) The call to living out our lives requires us to be active citizens.

“Whose head is on the coin and what is its title?” We need to identify that we are living out our Christian vocation in the context of a greater world. Christians are asked to be blameless, law abiding citizens. Can we see government as an agent of God?

Can we see past the former identity of a “Christian nation”? Can we still be citizens of such a nation?

We are called to a dual citizenship - We live in this world yet we are not limited by this world. We belong to God and our citizenship is in heaven.

The frustration comes when we are called to be and live out that role as a citizenship. How can our Christian viewpoint and witness be a light to the nations?

(2) Be imitators of the saints who are in our memory and of the Lord who has saved you.

“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia”

(3) Be guided and assured in the power and presence of the Lord.

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Sabbath

This past Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon Randi and I had the blessed opportunity to retreat at the Sinsinawa Mound Retreat Center in southern Wisconsin near Dubuque. Pictured above the chapel and worship center at the retreat center. The retreat complex overlooks the river valley so you can imagine how beautiful the area is. This year we listen to a presentation on the shalom process in the congregation. I will add more info soon about what it means for our congregation to be a place of shalom.

Things that make you go hmmm...

These tidbits were offered in a sermon preached by Pastor D at our annual Pastor's theological conference this past Sunday - Tuesday. Larry the Cable Guy's wisdom for the day eh?

1. A day without sunshine is like night.

2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse
gets the cheese in the trap.

9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong
lane.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet
engines

19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering,
"What the heck happened?"

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all
fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people
appear bright until you hear them speak.

24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. Its more like a jar
of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

22nd Sunday After Pentecost

This sermon was preached on Sunday, October 12, 2008. Because I left my voice recorder at home there will be no audio for this Sunday.

Rules to Live By

God’s invitation is free, but it is also demanding. God wants something from us more than blindly following him or prescribing ourselves to a doctrine. What does it mean to truly follow Jesus and be a disciple? What can we learn from this parable on following Jesus?

Do we hear the invitation? How then are we to live as disciples called to serve Christ and his kingdom in this age?

Applying the Text

Rules to live by as offered by St. Paul:

(1) “Be of the same mind in the Lord.”

In the struggle to find reconciliation we called to “help these women” for they have struggled besides me in the gospel. We struggle together and we need this togetherness in order to be confident in the witness we share.

(2) Rejoice in the Lord.

(3) Let your gentleness be known to everyone

(4) Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving your request made known to God.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus...Think then about these things.

Meet our Editor Basset

Thought it would be a good time to introduce our managing editor of this here blogspot. Fearless, great friend of many, and an occasional horse for our daughter Kjersti Madison would like to introduce herself.

AROOOOOOOOOOOOO!

There that is out of the way, now back to getting ready for council.

Peace,
Pastor Kris

21st Sunday After Pentecost in a Season of Green

Who then is Jesus?
A Lesson on Authority and Identity

In a 1983 Gallup poll Americans were asked 'who do you think Jesus is."

70% of those interviewed said Jesus was not just another man.

42% stated Jesus was God among men.

27% felt Jesus was only human but divinely called.

9% states Jesus was divine because he embodied the best of humanity.

Also, 81% of Americans consider themselves to be Christians.

“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.”

“Because they regarded him as a prophet.”

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won [delivered] 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, in order that I may be [wholly] His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

In the first lesson we hear about God’s expectations for His people. Sending prophets, sending a message, giving hope - yet, “Why did it yield wild grapes?”. “Expected justice but saw bloodshed.”

Paul saw “everything as a loss” in comparison to his relationship with Jesus. “I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ.”

Knowing, believing, hoping, and living out our faith in a complex and often hostile world means that we stand as prophet in the midst of deaf ears, that we hold firm to our convictions about who Jesus is to us and the difference faith can make, and that we recognize the ways that we too can reject the message of the Gospel and the movement of God in our lives.

Applying the Text

(1) Our identity is shaped and molded by our faith in the Lord Jesus.

“As to the law a pharisee, as to zeal, a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law, blameless. Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

“They wanted to arrest him but feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.”

(2) Our understanding of who Jesus is comes through a relationship with him.

(3) Our mission and goals as a faith community are defined by the witness of the Word, the faith of those who stand beside us, and the legacy of faith that has gone before us.

So where was the Pastor really?

This weekend Randi and I had the chance to attend training in Des Moines to become teachers for the Visions for Tomorrow course. This course published and developed by NAMI Texas (National Association for the Mentally Ill) is directed at educating, empowering, and putting together parents and caregivers of those who are suffering from mentally ill. Directed for parents of children and teenagers this course was empowering to learn about and we got to meet some really wonderful people who care deeply about those suffering from mental illnesses. Be looking for this course to be introduced and offered in our area in the near future. The course will be free to those who want to learn more about how they can be agents of support and love for those struggling day by day with mental illness.

We learned a lot in a short time but it was well worth it. Thanks to Pastor Paul Hougen for filling in this weekend.

Helpful, right?

"God is at work in you..." (Phillippians 21:13) God was certainly at work this week in the Snyder home enabling my daughter to dig right in and help out with the rite of passage around here that we call apple season. Until this past Sunday we had no idea that there was a wonderful apple tree in our backyard. Thank you Sandy and Sheryl for pointing this out. What I thought was "just another crab apple tree" became a discovery of pure joy. For those of you living in apple country it has been a great year for sure. God has been at work in many things to bring out joy in the mundane things such as rolling out dough and baking pies. Kjersti loved the chance to "help" Daddy as you can see above.

Certainly this rite of passage was something that I remember from childhood, the chance to get my hands dirty and bring about something wonderful such as apple pies, cookies, and the like. How do we witness the "God at work in you" in our neighbor, our families, and in our loved ones?

It is a joy to be a parent of a toddler. God is at work in so many things as Kjersti in preschool has learned the songs of faith such as "Jesus loves me" and "Jesus loves the Little Children." It is easier at times to see the work of God in children and not so easy to see it in others beyond children.

Believe in the many and various ways that our Lord Jesus comes to us, be it in the playful laughter of our children, in the smile of a neighbor, or in a "pie and coffee" social time with a dear friend - in all these things search and embrace the presence of a God who is real, tangible, and loving in many and various ways indeed.

Time to peel more apples!
Pastor Kris

19th Sunday After Pentecost (Another Sunday in a Time of Ordinary)

In All Fairness
Finding Grace in a Unfair World

Fair or unfair?

You pull into the gas station and expect to pay $3.43 a gallon. What a steal! As you are getting the gas cap off and preparing the pump to turn on the price jumps to $3.80 a gallon. UNFAIR

You are in driving into Waukon for a doctors appointment in Waukon. Having a few extra minutes before your appointment you decide to stop at Hardee’s for breakfast, however it is now 10:31 AM as you pull into the drive thru. “I am sorry we stopped serving breakfast at 10:30.” UNFAIR

A bill collector demands full payment immediately. To do so would mean the debt would be satisfied, however this would put your other bills in jeopardy of not being paid. FAIR to the collect UNFAIR to the person with the debt and their other creditors.

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it. But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry.” Jonah 3:10

What!? How can God changed his mind? FOUL! How could God do something like change his mind and grant grace instead of grinding them to a pulp? As much as this displeased Jonah we too have felt this before. We too have been angry for what seems unfair.



How can it be fair:

To have someone new just step in and take over even though I have been here since 1949 and served this church so well.

That forgiveness comes so easily for someone - I mean I still am holding a grudge that will take at least ten years to get over.

That some of us have been laboring all day in the vineyard and now these people show up expecting the same kind of grace?

One church in the area is bursting at the seems with Sunday school children and worship attendance and we are wondering “what happened?”

At the county fair a distinctively dressed Quaker offered a horse for sale. A non-Quaker farmer asked its price, and since Quakers had a reputation for fair dealing, he bought the horse without hesitation. The farmer got the horse home, only to discover it was lazy and ill-tempered, so he took it back to the fair the next day. There he confronted the Quaker. 'Thou hast no complaint against me," said the Quaker. 'Had thou asked me about the horse, I would have told thee truthfully the problems, but thou didst not ask." 'That's okay," replied the farmer. 'I don't want you to take the horse back. I want to try to sell him to someone else. Can I borrow your coat and hat awhile?"

We want to yell “FOUL” when we see things that are unfair, when we are a victim of something so unfair as what we hear about in the Gospel lesson today. How can those who labored all day be paid the same as those who just started? We want to point out what is fair, especially when it comes to the kingdom of God and living out being the church in this age.

The challenge comes when we stand up against the “fairness” debate and declare the equality expressed by the generous and abundant love of God. “Standing firm in one spirit” we can hold fast to the ideal of God’s steadfast claim on us - that we once sinners are given the promise of new life - just as God changed his mind about Ninaveh so has he done the same through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ his own Son.

Applying the Text

(1) Resist the temptation to be drawn into what is “fair” or “unfair”.

“O Lord, Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are are gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing, and now O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

We have cried FOUL before. It is not fair that I have been working my tail off and now this person just shows up and receives the same wage.

“Why are you standing idle here all day?” and they responded, “Because no one has hired us.”

And in the words of Paul Harvey, “And now for the rest of the story.” But do we know the rest of the story?

(2) Realize and embrace the abundant grace and love of God that comes for the last as well as the first.

“I choose to give to the last the same as I gave to you. Am I not allowed to what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?”

(3) Live a life which mirrors the grace which you have received from God.

“...live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will now that you are standing firm in one spirit, and striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and you are in no way intimidated by your opponents.”

As with Jonah we may not grasp what is truly fair and just. “You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor. and which you did not grow...And should I not be concerned about Nineveh?”
An atheist said, 'If there is a God, may he prove himself by striking me dead right now." Nothing happened. 'You see, there is not God." Another responded, 'You've only proved that He is a gracious God."

We have encountered the kingdom of God today - in the grace which shows equality to the one who has labored his whole life for the sake of the Gospel and for the one who is yet waiting to be called into the family. We as a church need to be set on the task of searching out for those who are waiting to work in the kingdom - those desperate for grace and love and not condemnation. For we have found grace and favor need to be the last and grant to the last a chance at being first. This is the good news.

Fairness Doctorine

At some point in my adult life I came to a point and realized that life truly isn't fair. I mean truly unfair. The moment that I am feeling the best, that I got the greatest deal, that 75 cent coffee can be more than road tar, and that life couldn't get more complex the other shoe drops. Despair quickly comes over us and we realize that even if we have worked all day in the vineyard, even if we worked our tails off there will be those who come in at the last moment and receive the same reward. This weeks Gospel lesson stinks and truly isn't fair. Jesus isn't fair and I want a recount.

The last being first? What is this crud all about? Wasn't I in line first? The idea of fairness cannot be seen in terms of who has worked harder and for longer, who was in line first, or who heard the invitation and responded after only being around for a short time. God's grace comes to us all - to the life long members and those who are just casual visitors of our church.

The words utter by those who had waited so long to hear an invitation to work are hard for us as a church to hear or digest.

⁶And about five o”clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ ⁷They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ St. Matthew 20:6-7

Are there people standing around our church who are waiting to be invited in? How do we face those who haven't been in church in awhile and haven't worked a "full day"? If God's grace belongs to God to give out as He chooses what are we to make of our calling here in Waterville? Tough lesson alright.

To those who have labored long in mission for the church hats off to you. Now the challenge. Let us both go out and seek those who are standing, sitting, searching, and wandering idle in our community.

18th Sunday After Pentecost - Forgiven

This was the sermon preached on September 14, 2008. The Power of Forgiveness continues and builds on a theme originally brought up in last weeks texts. Is there power in forgiveness? What do we gain in granting such grace to our neighbors, friends, spouses, children, and family? Can the church be a "fount of forgiveness"? Read on to learn more about forgiveness and also check out the audio version of this online through Podbean through the link on the left of this page.

The Power of Forgiveness

Researchers have recently become interested in studying the effects of being unforgiving and being forgiving. Evidence is mounting that holding on to grudges and bitterness results in long-term health problems. Forgiveness, on the other hand, offers numerous benefits, including:

* Lower blood pressure
* Stress reduction
* Less hostility
* Better anger management skills
* Lower heart rate
* Lower risk of alcohol or substance abuse
* Fewer depression symptoms
* Fewer anxiety symptoms
* Reduction in chronic pain
* More friendships
* Healthier relationships
* Greater religious or spiritual well-being
* Improved psychological well-being

If forgiveness gives us such benefits, then why do we resist it? Why do we seek repayment for when we are sinned against? This ideology of repaying wrongs for wrongs stands in opposition to these teaches of Jesus today - how many times dear Lord must I forgive? If there is such strong evidence that forgiving someone has such great benefits then why are people holding onto grudges?

A lawyer was reading out the will of a rich man, who had recently died, to the people mentioned in the will: “To you, my loving wife Rose, who stood by me in rough times, as well as good, I leave her the house and $2 million.”


The lawyer continued, “To my daughter Jessica, who looked after me in sickness and kept the business going, I leave her the yacht, the business and $1 million.”

The lawyer concluded, “And, to my cousin Dan, who hated me, argued with me, and thought that I would never mention him in my will, well you are wrong. Hi Dan!”

Joseph’s brothers expected him to still have a grudge in his heart for them especially after all they had done? Think of it! His brothers despised him, sold him into slavery, and made their father think he was dead. “And pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?”

The surprise of grace is truly amazing. They expected to be slaves at best for Joseph. They would have been happy with sitting at the lowest level in society and finding scraps of food from Joseph’s table. But what happened? “But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear, I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them.” Grace came to these weary brothers who knew they deserved nothing short of death for what they had done to Joseph. God through Joseph’s heart granted new life. This is the POWER of forgiveness. Have you encountered that kind of liberating power?

Applying the Text

(1) The Power to Heal

Research conducted at our own church college in Decorah, Iowa concluded in 2001 that only 52% of Americans they surveyed had forgiven others for hurtful acts. The survey found that those 45 and older who forgave others were more likely to report better health overall mental and physical health than those who did not.


What does forgiveness “feel like”? It feels like shedding the load of trying to carry an elephant around on your shoulders.Forgiveness from God feels good. Forgiveness granted from a person we have wronged also carries with it the feeling of having a load lifted. It is a humbling experience for the one who wronged another - to admit, to clear consciences, and to regain a relationship. That is power which moves mountains and renews not only the direct relationship of one or two people but think of what would happen within entire families, communities, and churches when one act of forgiveness catches on like a giant flu bug?

Religious writer Hannah More offers this, “Forgiveness is the economy of the heart . . . Forgiveness saves expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.”

Beyond mere physical costs of holding a grudge and not forgiving can spread into other realms of our lives as well. What would it be like to break the bondage to a twenty year battle over hurtful words, a wrongful act? Could we be the one that goes to another and forgives again?

“Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God.” The same Lord Christ who grants pardon for our sin has granted pardon for the sins of those whom we may judge. All have fallen short of God’s glory - but thanks be to God for the saving act of Jesus on the Cross. Let the words, “Because Christ has forgiven me I too can forgive you my brother.” Indeed the truth of the Lord’s Prayer speaks to us, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of those who have sinned against us.”

(2) The Power to Restore

“Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy times seven.” Jesus goes onto explain the need to forgive from the bottom of the heart.

Why do we hold the story of the prodigal son close to heart?

Luke 15:8-24
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

Forgiveness granted the pathway for the son to be restored into the family. Sometimes we want to protect ourselves from further hurt and utter words like Peter, “How many more times do I have to forgive this person, Lord look at how they have hurt me.”

How can we be agents of grace in our families, in our relationships, and in our churches to bring about restoration? Is Christ calling us to be a bunch of doormats and be completely passive in reaction to the hurtful actions of others?

Fine line here folks. There is a difference between forgiving the actions of another person and tolerating their behavior. The difference comes when we learn from the past and allow that to shape how our restored relationship will be different with that knowledge.

(3) The Power to Renew

These are haunting words from Matthew:

“Then his lord summed him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?”

The power of forgiveness renews our minds and grants us the grace to live in the law of love. If God has forgiven me of my sins as vile as they are so too can I forgive the hurtful acts of my spouse, my children, and those in the community.

"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love." Martin Luther King Jr.

Let us be a people of God maintaining the capacity to forgive. Live by the law of love which compels us to act and be grace to our neighbors, those who have sinned against us even if it be as many as seventy times seven. How often has our Heavenly Father forgiven us.

How many times must we forgive?

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus responded, Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times." (Matthew 15:21)

Forgiveness seems like such an alien concept in our modern world where repayment for deeds done wrong feels better, accomplishes more, and in the end leave us feeling justified in our actions. How far from the truth is this idea as we take a gander at the Gospel lesson for this coming Sunday?

Katherine M. Piderman, Ph.D. a staff chaplain at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota offers some guidance on the practice of forgiveness. The facts are in front of us that living forgiveness in our lives actually leads to healthier lives both physically and spiritually. Here is a snippet from her web article offered on the Mayo Clinic website. You can click here for the full article.

What are the benefits of forgiving someone?

Researchers have recently become interested in studying the effects of being unforgiving and being forgiving. Evidence is mounting that holding on to grudges and bitterness results in long-term health problems. Forgiveness, on the other hand, offers numerous benefits, including:

• Lower blood pressure
• Stress reduction
• Less hostility
• Better anger management skills
• Lower heart rate
• Lower risk of alcohol or substance abuse
• Fewer depression symptoms
• Fewer anxiety symptoms
• Reduction in chronic pain
• More friendships
• Healthier relationships
• Greater religious or spiritual well-being
• Improved psychological well-being

Something to think about as we mediate on the word this week. Forgiveness can be powerful both for the one who was wronged or sinned against and the one who receives such grace that forgiveness brings.

The challenge in forgiveness is letting go not of the person but the action which caused the grievance. Often times we don't know how to handle what others have done to us.

17th Sunday After Pentecost (and a formal greeting)

I have decided to add a blog to our church's website which includes the sermon and thoughts for the week. Not that anyone needs something else to read, nor would anyone get great joy out of reading a sermon from a pastor serving in a small village in northeast Iowa - yet the ministry and blog that now evolves is just as important as those classmates of mine from seminary who are serving those mega parishes in far more sinful places like Minneapolis - sin city ya know.

Greetings to you all as we together embark on a discovery of intellect, a smattering of thoughts, and a other such wanderings to give you food to chew on during your week. Our four legged leader, Madison, pictured to the left has agreed to serve as editor for this blog as long as I continue to provide peanut butter flavored dog treats and scratch her belly. Loyalty and kindness doesn't even begin to describe her - she is that well worn pair of jeans, or like the shoes that no matter how many holes seem to leak in water still find there way on our feet.

We live in times which are marked by much disconnect and confusion. Communities and churches even in rural areas are struggling to identify who are their neighbors let alone figure out what happened even within their own families to cause disconnect. From the hill here in Waterville we begin a journey into the text weekly and hopefully more often I can share other thoughts as a new way to live out my calling as Pastor to Waterville Lutheran Church.

Be sure not to miss out on Podcasting of our services by clicking on the link on this front page. Now for the sermon from today. Good luck and Godspeed.

Pastor Kris

Reconciliation Reconsidered
Dealing with Conflict by following Matthew 18

Key Questions:

What do we do when we are faced with conflict in our homes? In our schools? In our communities? How about here at church?

Can we follow this model for reconciliation? What happens when it does not work? How far do we go to make this happen?

How must we live as Christians in a world full of conflict and injustice?

We know the stories of conflict which have brought change in our lives. Broken relationships, church divisions, and fights and personal attacks. Yet what about those moments when we have witnessed the power of reconciliation? Is it possible even after years of separation and division? What happens when we have forgotten what we fought over? Can we remember what caused the issue and point of conflict?

DATELINE - Sacramento, Calif. A man who hit his wife with a frozen squirrel was jailed on suspicion of spousal abuse, police said Monday. The man, 26, had been arguing with his wife early Monday morning when he walked into the kitchen and took several frozen squirrels from the freezer, police spokeswoman Betsy Braziel said. The woman told police that when she walked in the room, her husband swung the squirrels at her and struck her in the head with at least one of them. She fell against a table and received a one-inch cut above her eye, Braziel said. The man was booked into the county jail. What is the moral of this story?

There are better ways of handling conflict in our homes, schools, churches, places of work, and our daily relationships. Jesus gives us a better way today.

Applying the Text

In order to understand conflict and how to use this Biblical model from Matthew 18 we need to understand what our reaction to conflict is. When faced with conflict and a situation when someone has “sinned against us” what is our natural reaction?

Stuff it, plot for the repayment, share it, recruit converts

1. Step One: Seek one on One Restoration

“If a member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.”

“Put on the armor of light” when we go to the one who has sinned against us. What does this look like?

This is the heart of the confessional rite. I have sinned against you O God by what I have done and left undone. I have not love you with my whole heart. I have not loved my neighbor as myself.

When you have sinned against your neighbor take the first step towards regaining that relationship. What does this look like for a church? For a community? For a disciple of Jesus? That we are bound to the command to live out the “new commandment” that we love one another as Jesus first loved us.

Does this mean that we won’t have conflict? We will. Does this mean that we will always agree and never hurt each others feelings? We will. It does mean that we are holding each other accountable to live according to Jesus command today to seek out the one we wronged with the ideal of regaining community and wholeness. We need to be the “two or three gathered”, we need each other to fulfill the mission of this congregation.

So who here today is missing because of a long ago conflict? What member of families is missing because conflict and sin have built a wall between us and them? Can we take that first step today to build a bridge?

2. Step Two: Seek out a witness.

“But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”

“Let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness...not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh.”

Putting on the Lord Christ means that we seek peace over our desires to seek repayment for those who wrong us. If we ourselves cannot obtain peace please do not give up on the possibility of peace in our church, our homes, our schools, and in our relationships. We are called to be peacemakers for each other - so use this gift that exists within the body of Christ.

3. Step Three: Involve the Body of Christ, the church.

“If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church; let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Often by the time the conflict gets to this level the community is already involved through gossip and other means of human brokenness. Can the conflict be redeemable?

“Turn back from your ways” and see how God can work to bring about restoration and renewal, even in the most fractured of situations. We have been there in times when we wanted the chance to work things through but it was taken away from us. I know your painful journey here at Waterville Lutheran. How can begin the peace process and reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ who have wronged us?

Follow the guidance of these verses and know deep in your hearts that God will walk with you as you seek out those who have wronged you. As a church we begin this process by finding ways to come together as “two and three” under the same Lord Jesus. We set aside the thing which tear us a part and seek ways to build up the body of Christ. It takes work, it takes love, and it takes believing in a Lord who has done the same for us.