Pastoral Ponderings – February 2025

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your God in heaven.”    ~    Matthew 5:16

Do you know that you carry with you the presence of Jesus? Do you know what it means to have the presence of Jesus?

Looking at the life of Jesus,

No matter what Jesus did, no matter where he was,

This past week, David and I were running errands and stopped to pick up supper at Jersey Mike’s. He and I entered and as we were talking, a woman pushing a walker tried to get in the door. I noticed she was struggling, so went to help her. I turned back to finish my conversation with David, but I heard her crying.

I walked over and asked what I could do to help her. As she rubbed her hands together, she told me about having to wait for her cab, but the Credit Union lobby closed so she had to wait outside. It was cold, so she decided to walk to Jersey Mike’s to wait inside and stay warm. But the walk was brutal.

She shared that she has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and being in the cold makes her extremities hurt. (I assume there are a few of you who understand that.) I shared with her that I had cancer as well. I gave her a hug, and as we continued our conversation, I reached into my coat pockets and helped her put on my fuzzy gloves. After a moment, it registered what happened, and she looked at me with eyes of confusion. In between sentences, I told her they were for her, and her face melted, and once again, we were in an embrace.

She noticed David had our bag, and abruptly ended our conversation, thanking me for like the tenth time for the gloves. David looked over and said, “You can keep talking. We realized they forgot one of the sandwiches so it will be a few minutes.”

Just like that, we were hugging again, and I was able to pray over her like I wanted to in the beginning.

As David and I headed home, he told me I need to wipe of the words “Tell me what is going on in your life.” from my forehead. Of course, he was joking, but here’s the thing. Even if it were actually posted on my forehead, I couldn’t stop asking the questions or helping those I see who need help. Even if it is one at a time.

Many of you have come into my office during my office hours, and you always apologize for interrupting me. How many times have you heard me say, “Ministry is interruption.”? It is the truth.

I would challenge you to go through and read several (or all!) of Jesus’ miracles. Most of them are done because Jesus was interrupted. Most of the time, Jesus had other plans.

He and his friends were enjoying themselves at a wedding where his mother instructed him to do something about the couple running out of wine.

He was teaching and preaching to a crowd of people when Jairus, a synagogue leader, approached him about curing his sick daughter.

Then, he was on his way to Jairus’ house when a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years touched his tunic, believing he could heal her. And he did.

He was sleeping soundly in the boat when the disciples woke him because of the storm, and he calmed it.

Carrying the presence of Jesus means that we intentionally choose to meet people where they are, no matter what we are doing at the time. It means that we are intentionally paying attention to what is going on around us, and noticing when people need help, or a hug, or a smile, or a kind word. It means we intentionally show compassion, grace, mercy, and love even when we don’t think we have time; even if the person is a stranger; even if it makes us feel uncomfortable.

But Pastor Heidi, walking up to someone who is crying, or even just approaching someone is really hard. Of course it’s hard! If it weren’t hard, everyone would be doing it, and we’d be living in a whole different kind of world!

But that different kind of world—the Realm of the Kin-dom of God, is our goal. And those of us who believe we carry the presence of Jesus within us, must be the ones to begin the conversations. “Is there anything I can pray about for you today?” “What can I help you with today?” “Hi. My name is ……… “

Kindness, gentleness, mercy, grace, forgiveness, faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is LOVE.

Always Peace, Pastor Heidi

 

Our sign has been updated!

The sign in front of our church facing 38th Street has been updated to include our new name and logo! Plus, we added an electronic sign that we will update via a website.  We are thrilled with it!

Pastoral Ponderings – January 2025

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not over come it.”        ~    John 1:5

When I was young, I didn’t like the dark. I was afraid. It’s natural for humans to be wary in the dark. It’s because we weren’t created to be nocturnal. We were meant to rest between the time the sun sets and when it rises. We can’t see what surrounds us. In a dark room, we have to be careful when we walk so we don’t trip over things, or stub our toes—which I seem to do an awful lot!

But, what happens when you are in a dark room and one small candle is lit? Or one tiny light is turned on? All of a sudden, you can see, and the things you once thought of as monsters, are just things like your coat hanging over your chair; or your lamp shade standing tall in the corner.

Most of you know, but three years ago our oldest son found himself in this situation. He was hunting in the wilderness of Montana, and shot his first mule deer. In the excitement, he realized he forgot one of the tools necessary for him to carry the deer back to his truck—which was 2 miles away. He had to walk back to it, then return to the deer. In the meantime, his cell phone died, and it was getting colder. As he reached the deer with the tools he needed, he looked up to see the sun setting over the mountain. And if you know anything about Montana, or Colorado, or Wyoming, or any place that doesn’t have cities scatters across the land, you know that when it gets dark, it gets DARK. And that night, the moon was new, so there wasn’t even light from the heavens.

As he prepared to head back to the truck, after walking longer than he thought he should have been, he realized he was lost. Once he was able to calm himself down, he prayed for a light. When he opened his eyes, he looked across the valley to the mountain side, and saw the tiniest of lights. He spent the next 16 hours walking toward that light, which brought him to safety and warmth.

Jesus was born to be the light in our darkness. Jesus said, “Come to me, you who are weary and tired, and I will bring you rest.”

After Jesus was born, men (Magi) from far away noticed a new light in the sky. (Side note—although there are many differing views about who the Magi were, how many, and from where, the consensus is that generally they would have been wise men who probably “dabbled” in astrology and magical arts, and were revered for their knowledge, and often consulted by the ancient kings.)

They were curious so they followed this new light, and what they found was new life—both in the literal and spiritual sense. They found a baby (actually, a toddler) who would change the world. A child who would grow up and light the way for all people to return to right relationship with God.

This is what we are called to do. As the shadows grow and surround us, we must shine our light so that others can find their way. Sometimes our lights are so bright, they tend to blind people. And other times, they seem so dim we think nobody will see them.

But remember that dark room void of light? All it takes is a tiny light to make a difference. In a world that feels like the shadows are pushing in we must open our eyes and seek the Light.

No matter how bright you feel—shine with all your might. When we all shine together—even just a little—we will light up the world! The Light will shine in the darkness, and the darkness has not, [and will not] overcome it! May it be so!

Always Peace,
Pastor Heidi

Christmas Eve

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“The Manger: A Place of Care” Worship – 5:00 p.m.

Pastoral Ponderings – December 2024

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register.”                   ~    Luke 2:1-3

As I am preparing for the beginning of the Advent/Christmas season, it has occurred to me that over time, we have chosen to make this birth story all fuzzy and warm because we don’t want to admit that things may not have been all that different then, as they are now—some 2,000 plus years later.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, there was political unrest. People were afraid of what was to come. I wonder what it would have been like if there had been social media back then. Would the Romans have run a campaign based on fear? Might they tell everyone that they would kill all those under the age of two, because those children were evil and, upon birth, immediately try to become dictators, so they must be stopped?

Would the other side have fought back saying that once the census was done, everyone who didn’t have citizenship rights to Bethlehem would be kicked out so everyone would be safe?

I know those are funny comparisons to make to our time, but when we intentionally read all of the scripture, not just the warm and fuzzy parts, this is what we find. We find fear mongering and violence, just because a few people are afraid of losing their power.

That isn’t all that different than today. But because we are 2,000 plus years in the future from this story, we know what is going to happen. And we know that it ends horribly for Jesus, this baby whom we are making a big deal about celebrating.

Just like all stories, it is important for us to know and understand both the good and the bad sides of this story. Jesus – God Immanuel, God come to us in human form – was born in a humble manner, raised by a carpenter and his wife, and eventually killed on a cross because the powers that be were afraid of losing said power.

In this time, I would invite you to look around, open your eyes, ears and heart to what is happening right now. We are just over 2 weeks past the Presidential election, and people are still fighting and arguing because they are afraid. We continue to stay in our reaction mode—our fight, flight, or freeze mode, instead of moving to our logic mode.

We are approaching Advent, the season of waiting. What if, instead of reacting to each and every comment made that we don’t agree with, we intentionally chose to take a moment to pause and take a couple of deep breaths, allowing for space in which the calm of the Holy Spirit could enter, and bring the peace that passes all understanding into our bodies into our communities, and into our nation? What if, during this season of waiting, instead of making stories up in our mind of what we think might happen in the future, we pause, breathe, and wait to see what God is doing.

I know that breathing and waiting isn’t easy, especially in this highly reactive time. But if we truly understand what scripture tells us about the nature of God, then we would remember that God is the Creator. Out of chaos, God can, and has, created…… everything. Our moment in history is no different. Even when it feels like God isn’t present among us, all we have to do is turn back to scripture and read. Read about when God created space to save baby Moses. Read about how God told Moses to approach Pharoah to let his people go. Read about when God gave them water, and manna, and the 10 Commandments.

Read about when God chose a young shepherd to be King instead of his brothers. Read about how God chose to become one of us, and live among us. Everything we read, involves God creating new ways for humanity, for us, to return to right relationship after we have turned our backs on Them. Our time now will be no different.

But, as the saying goes, the ball is in our court. We have to decide to trust God. To trust that God can, and will, take our chaotic world, and create something new.

Do you trust that? Try it for a moment. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. As you breathe in, say, “I trust you, God,” and as you breathe out, say, “to make all things new.” Do this several times. Pay attention to how you feel. When you find yourself anxious about the future, take a few moments to center yourself in God’s presence.

This time of Advent, of waiting and watching, is an excellent time to practice. Because, just like the arrival of the baby we are waiting to celebrate, God will reveal Themselves to us through hope, peace, joy, and love, in surprising and unexpected ways.

May you find these things this season.

Always Peace,

Pastor Heidi

 

First Sunday of Advent

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"Rome: A Place of Longing (Hope)" Worship at 10:30 a.m.