Season of Reflection 02.02.2024

A part of my morning routine most days consists of doing some morning exercises and running 3 miles.  Of course, my preference is to run outside but in these colder months I run on the treadmill in our basement.   I’ve noticed, while on the treadmill doing my thing, one of our cats almost always walks by and heads into one of the rooms in our basement.  Yes, it’s where the litter box is.  

Then just a bit later the cat comes tearing out of that room and skirts the outer edge of the family room; running behind the entertainment center, in front of the fireplace, under a table, and finally runs upstairs.  My question is always, “Why does she do that every time?”  Of course, maybe our cat is looking at me and thinking, “Why does he run on that thing and not go anywhere?”  Fair question!

The truth is we all have habits and rituals that we have made a part of our lives and part of our faith.  Sometimes we have good reasons for the habits we practice…and sometimes we just do them because we are used to doing them without really thinking about the why or the meaning.  

In just a matter of ten days, our church along with many of the churches of our community, will be celebrating Ash Wednesday, which represents the beginning of the Church Season of Lent.  When Lent is mentioned most often people think of “giving something up” such as coffee, candy, chocolate, soda, social media, etc.  This is supposed to represent our “sacrifice” or “penitence” to go along with Jesus’ time of wrestling with temptation and his “humanness” in the wilderness.  

Maybe this year a better practice would be to make a list of the habits that are present in our lives and then ask the question “Why?”  Why do we do these things?  Is there meaning behind it?  Is it a harmful or unhealthy addiction? Is it just meaningless repetition? Is there purposeful development taking place?  But what is the why??

You see, Lent is intended to be a season of reflection and self-examination for Jesus followers to consider our personal faith growth.  Jesus successfully dealt with some obstacles and temptations during his 40 days in the wilderness that helped prepare him for his public ministry.  For us the 40 days of Lent are about asking God to show us where we need to weed out meaningless habits and replace them with meaningful faith practices intended to help us grow closer to God.

On February 14, 2024, Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday, our church will be holding Ash Wednesday services at 6:30 pm.  I invite you to attend our service to receive the imposition of ashes and to reflect on your faith journey…and your faith habits.  If you attend our service, you will hear the Bible verse Isaiah 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”  Good words to hear and reflect on during Lent as we consider our faith habits.  May God’s voice nudge us all to grow deeper in our faith and draw closer to God’s presence through the disciplines of our faith and the habits of our life.

Pastor Keith

Connections 01.26.2024

Every now and then I mention in this Friday Reflection, my own personal bible reading and how it is speaking to me.  Usually, I tell of some story that I’ve read or something that Jesus said that really speaks to me, or something the disciples are wrestling with that I can relate to…because I’m wrestling with a similar issue or reality myself.  There is really so much “good stuff” in the Bible to help us all grow in our faith and reflect on God’s wisdom for our lives.  

However, there are some sections of the Bible that at times I wonder what the point of it is and why it’s included in the scriptures.  It doesn’t seem to have anything important or relevant to say.  I’ve come across such a section in my current reading.  You see, I’m currently reading in the Old Testament book of 1 Chronicles.  Now there are a lot of great stories in 1 and 2 Chronicles.  But the part that I’m reading now, is the first chapters of 1 Chronicles, which contains a listing of people’s names and genealogies.  

So, as I’ve been reading through this section I’ve been wondering, “What is the point? What is there for me to gain in these names? What does God have to say through genealogies?”  As I was pondering these questions, an online resource came to mind.  It’s called “The Bible Project.”  You can google it and go to the website.  It’s a great resource providing videos, articles, and even online classes that give insights and explanations for the books of the Bible.  

The video from the Bible Project on 1 Chronicles talked about the genealogy being a bridge or a connection in God’s great story from Adam all the way to David.  And the end of 2 Chronicles (The 2 books at one point were just considered one book) is pointing forward to the Messiah.  So, the genealogy is showing that God’s plan is at work and being carried out through people in the world.  

But as I’ve thought more about it, I feel there are several other things going on in this and other genealogies given in the Bible.  In part it shows that God works through lots of kinds of people.  Sometimes we have an image in our mind of what we think the kind of people God uses look like, but God’s story is such that God uses all sorts of people…even imperfect people.  

If you follow the family line, I believe the genealogy is also telling us that it isn’t just major stories that God works through, it’s also the small stories, stories that maybe never get recorded or retold, yet God is still at work and those stories are also important and necessary as a part of God’s plan.

Finally, what struck me about this genealogy is that it tells us we are all connected.  A number of years ago my son was very interested in genetics, so he had us all do DNA testing.  Once the testing was done it showed us the hundreds, thousands, even millions of people we were related to – past and present.   Really this is such an important truth, we are all connected.  Just as what the genealogy shows in 1 Chronicles, family members didn’t always see eye to eye or even get along…but they were still connected.  

The same is true in our world today.  We may not always see eye to eye, as they say, with other people in this world.  We may not always get along.  But we are connected.  We are connected as Children of God.  We are connected as people God loves and continues to work through…even yet today.  These days, that is an important truth to hear and remember. God is at work AND we are connected!!!

Pastor Keith

Influences 1.19.2024

What do you do when there is a negative influence in your life?  Do you talk about it? Do you admit and recognize its presence? Do you ignore it and hope it goes away?  Do you come up with a strategy to deal with it?  Do you tell others for support and accountability?? There are so many possibilities!  Yet this is such an important question to ask, especially now at the beginning of a New Year during a time in which people are often striving to make changes in their life.  So again, what do you do when you identify a negative influence in your life??

I found myself pondering this question just a day or two ago because of a chapter that I read in the Bible during my devotion time with God.  I’m currently reading from 2 Kings in the Old Testament.  The book of 2 Kings tells the story of the various kings that served in Israel and Judah.  Some served for many years.  Others served just a short time.  The shortest I’ve found so far is just 3 months.  

What struck me is how one king, Josiah, ruled in Judah.  The simple summation that is given is that he did what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord.  Now for Josiah’s story to make sense you have to understand that the Torah, or the holy scrolls authored by Moses and given by God, had been lost in the temple for many years.  They were covered over and forgotten about.  But during Josiah’s reign, some attention was being given to the Temple and the scrolls were uncovered.  Whether it was the entire Torah or Book of the Law, or just part of it, that was read, we don't know.  But Josiah tore his robes (a sign of deep mourning) because he realized he and the nation had not been following God’s Law.  

Josiah made the commitment that he and the nation would follow the direction of God, but it wasn’t just a commitment of words.  Josiah went about tearing down and destroying all the other altars, shrines, poles, and other emblems and places that pointed to the various other god’s that the people had been worshiping.  In fact, 2 Kings 23 tells that in many cases Josiah tore down the “sacred” objects for the false gods, burned them, ground up what remained turning it into dust, and then sometimes scattered the dust in a cemetery.  This was the ultimate desecration or doing away with a foreign god.  In other words, Josiah was serious about making changes.  

What struck me about this is that some of the other kings also made a commitment to return to God, and sometimes they destroyed a few of the “sacred places.”  But a lot of times they just left the little shrines and idols in place that were scattered around the region.  In fact, the story tells of one king actually saying he and the nation would serve Yahweh (God), but then he also offers a sacrifice at one of the pagan altars still in place.  God was not pleased or amused!  But Josiah took a different approach.  He did everything within his power to get rid of the influence that was pulling the people away from God.  He wasn’t half hearted about it…he was serious and fully committed to getting rid of the negative influences in their lives.  And because of his commitment, effort, and faithfulness, God smiled upon Josiah.  

There’s a great lesson for us all in King Josiah’s actions.  He didn’t ignore the negative influences in their midst.  He acknowledged them and removed them, even to the point of destroying them so they could never be put back in place or have the same level of influence or importance in people’s lives.  Today, as we make changes in our own lives to love and serve God, may we consider the path that Josiah took.  May we be as committed to removing the negative influences from our lives, even to the point of making it impossible for them to be restored.  Sometimes that will mean getting rid of something, and sometimes that will mean bringing in others to offer support, encouragement, and accountability too, or doing both…and more!!

Yes, change and self-growth can be hard, especially when it means giving up something that we’ve become comfortable with in our lives.  But that doesn’t mean it’s healthy or a positive influence in our lives.  As we seek to take positive steps in life and faith, may we remember Josiah; take action, remove the negative influence, bring in outside support, and move forward in a new direction.  I believe God will smile upon each of us too when we show our level of commitment to make positive change as we seek to love God, love our neighbors, and love ourselves.  

Pastor Keith

Epiphany 1.12.2024

About 25 miles from Mitchell is the little community of Epiphany, South Dakota.  I don’t believe Epiphany’s population breaks the 100-person mark these days.  But did you know that years back, in the early 1900s, the town of Epiphany at times had 300-400 guests, not residents…but guests, staying wherever they could find shelter, just to receive treatment at the famous Epiphany Clinic.

The clinic was started by Father William Kroeger who also happened to be a trained physician.  Fr. Kroeger came to South Dakota to get away from the stress and struggles of life (and ministry) that he was experiencing in Ohio and Indiana.  He began serving the parish in Epiphany and soon discovered that Epiphany and the surrounding area had no medical doctor and thus very limited medical care.  Kroeger’s Bishop, Fr. Martin Marty in Sioux Falls, encouraged Fr. Kroeger to not waste his medical knowledge but to put it to good use by caring for the sick and poor in the region.  

That’s exactly what the good Father / Doctor did.  He started treating the people of the community…and they started telling others of their being cured at the hands of Fr. Kroeger, and word began to spread, and spread, and spread.  People began flocking to Epiphany, South Dakota to experience the healing of the miracle worker.

Epiphany is more than just a town; it is also a date and season in the Church year.  Epiphany is always January 6, though in the Church it is often celebrated on the Sunday closest to January 6.  This view of Epiphany focuses on one of two things.  1) The arrival of the Magi/three kings in Bethlehem and finding the “newborn king.” That’s the Western Church tradition.  2) Epiphany focuses on the baptism of Jesus and the voice from heaven declaring, “This is my beloved son, with him I am pleased.”  This is the Eastern Church tradition.

But Epiphany is more than a location, still present here in South Dakota, and it is more than just a date in the church year.  Epiphany is also an encounter…an experience…a moment in time in which something is revealed or made clear.  The word means manifestation or appearance.  

Technically, from a Church Calendar perspective, we are in the season of Epiphanytide, or the Sundays after Epiphany until Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year is on February 14, Valentines Day. Yet, an important realization for each of us to make is that we are to be living in “Epiphany” all year round.  As followers of Jesus and as ones connected to the Church, part of what our faith is about is helping people see, understand, or realize who Jesus is through how we live our lives and live out our faith.  

You see, at Jesus’ baptism, God announced to the world, “This is my Son…”  But the rest of the New Testament is filled with story after story of people making this realization for themselves of who Jesus is.  This usually happens through the person’s encounter with other Christ followers and how they tell or live their unique faith story.  This is why God wants and needs each of us to be telling and living our story and sharing our gifts, because it just might be that through our unique story, or through the use of the gifts that we have, that someone might see or experience Jesus and have their own Epiphany moment.  

So, don’t be surprised if at some point in May, July, or September, or whenever, that I wish you a Happy Epiphany.  No, I’m not losing touch with reality…I’m just taking the time to remind myself and each of us that we are to constantly be an “Epiphany People,” living our lives is such a way that someone might come to see, understand, and realize just who Jesus really is.  I have a feeling that Fr. Kroeger would have said that Jesus is the real healer and miracle worker…it’s just that Jesus gave him special abilities to use to reflect the presence and the power of Christ in the world today.  The same is true for each of us!  Let’s keep on reflecting Jesus in this community and world.  We just might help someone else experience…Epiphany!!

Pastor Keith

PS…Fun trivia fact - Epiphany, South Dakota is the only town in the WORLD named as such…Epiphany!

Wise Choices 01.05.2024

Nancy and I have a daughter, Melissa, who is a nurse, so it is understandable that she works in the healthcare field.  She has great gifts for caring for patients, but she also has quite a bit of knowledge and experience that gives her insight into the impact that life choices might have on a person’s life.  In fact, on more than one occasion I’ve heard her softly speak the words, “Make wise choices, people!” when she comes upon a situation in which there are potentially unwise choices being considered. 

One such occasion was when our family was on vacation in north central Minnesota.  Melissa and I were on a bike trail for an afternoon bike ride.  There are a number of bridges along the bike trail taking us over streams and small bodies of water.  At one bridge, kids were jumping off the railing of the bridge into the water below.  I could tell this made Melissa a bit uncomfortable, wondering if the kids knew how deep the water really was and what obstacles might be invisible under the surface of the water.  As we were riding close to this group of youth I could hear Melissa, in almost a prayer-like whisper say, “Make wise choices, people!”

What got me thinking about this is I’m reading from the Book of 2 Kings in the Old Testament of the Bible for my personal quiet time.  I’m reading in a section that gives a listing of the kings of Judah and Israel.  There is usually a brief listing of the accomplishments of the king or the way he fell short.  So often the king’s life or reign is summed up with one of two phrases.  It will say, “King So and So did what was pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.” Or “King So and So did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord.”  Whichever phrase describes the king’s leadership depends totally on the decisions and the choices the king made.

I’m reminded of one of my favorite authors and preachers that I like to listen to.  His name is Rev. Andy Stanley.  He’s written a book and given sermons on decision-making in life and faith.  In his book he shares that the secret to making good or wise decisions is to ask good questions…and to answer them honestly.  One question Andy Stanley suggests we ask ourselves regarding choices and decisions we have to make, is what he calls “The Legacy Question” which is, “What story do I want to tell?”  

In other words, when the particular moment in time one is currently dealing or wrestling with is in the rearview mirror of life, or in the past, what story do I want to tell?  He is saying that we can determine, in part, our legacy, or the way we are remembered, by the choices and decisions we make now.  Yes, it’s true there are always certain elements of life that are beyond our control.  Yet, how we respond in those moments is always within our control.  We do have choices that we make.  How life unfolds for each of us is constantly about the choices or the decisions we make.  So, a great question to continually ask ourselves is, “What story do I want to tell?”

As we begin this new year another great question to ask ourselves is, “What is the story I want to tell in 2025 about my life in 2024?”  Grab a sheet of paper or a computer.  See if you can fill up a page or a screen of what you want your story to say next year about your life this year.  Once you have a sheet or two written up, read it over and start living it out.  Our actions today will impact what happens tomorrow…which will impact the story we are able to tell next year.  As we continue on in this new year, may we hear the words of my daughter being whispered in each of our ears, “Make wise choices, people!”  Happy New Year!!!  Let’s make it a great year!!!

Pastor Keith

Happy New Year 12.29.2023

There’s an interesting passage in the Old Testament book of Joshua, that I believe can speak to us in our current moment in time in which we find ourselves with one year ending and another about to begin.  The story can be found in Joshua chapter three.  

The background of the story is that the Hebrew people have left Egypt, they have been wandering in the wilderness getting Egypt out of them. (Remember, they’d been in Egypt for over 400 years.) The time has finally come for the Hebrew people to enter the Promised Land that God has promised to Abraham so many years before.  The only thing that was in their way was the Jordan River.  Also keep in mind that Moses has just died and Joshua has been appointed as the new leader of the Hebrew people.

Joshua sends the officers, or his leadership out among the people with a simple message, “When you see the Chest of God, or the Ark of the Covenant (which represented God in their midst), move…follow it.  Then you will know the way you should go, even though you’ve never traveled this way before.” Then the rest of chapter three and four in the book of Joshua tells of the Hebrew people crossing the River Jordan (the second time a miracle happened that caused the water to be separated so the Hebrew people could walk through on dry land) and enter into the Promised Land.  

What strikes me about this story from the book of Joshua, is that it is fitting for us as individuals, and also as a church family, as we are about to enter a new year.  We are about to leave something behind as we also enter into something new…that we may not fully know or realize.  

What I mean is that the past several years have been very difficult for churches.  The Covid pandemic brought new realities that many of us couldn’t anticipate or fully understand.  Our own denomination’s struggles and splintering have been very painful and even unsettling to go through.  And the fallout isn’t over yet as General Conference will be meeting in just a few months.  

For many churches this has been such a difficult time that it has been easy to lose one’s purpose while dealing with so much turmoil.  I have talked with our church leadership about this and we all feel the same, that we too have lost a bit of the sense of our purpose as a part of the Body of Christ here in Mitchell, South Dakota.  So, during 2024, we are going to be undergoing a process of asking lots of questions, praying a lot, and asking God what our purpose is to be as a part of God’s Kingdom work here on earth and in this community. 

I believe Joshua’s words are fitting for us as we prepare to enter a new year.  We all need to be watching the “presence” of God in our midst…and when we see God on the move, we need to follow along.  This way we too will know the way to go even though we’ve never traveled this way before.  I ask that we all join together in prayer as we say goodbye to 2023 and enter into 2024.  There will be a focused prayer opportunity coming up in mid-January that I invite our entire church family to participate with.   

Like the Hebrew people of old, may we be ready to move when and where we see God on the move.  And may we allow God to speak to us as we seek the purpose that God has for us as we live out God’s Kingdom here in Mitchell.  Happy New Year Everyone…it’s going to be a great adventure and journey!

Pastor Keith

Let Your Light Shine 12.22.2023

Don’t blink or you’ll miss it!!!  But it is happening!!!  You see, yesterday, Thursday, December 21, was the shortest day of the year.  That means today, Friday, December 22, the days have started getting longer.

According to a chart I found online at timeanddate.com, today will have about a second more sunlight than yesterday.  So, like I said, don’t blink or you will miss it. Tomorrow there will be about 5 seconds more, and that number will keep growing.  Before you know it, we’ll be back in the long days of summer.  

This yearly ritual of the change from days getting shorter to then getting longer is a part of our Christmas tradition.  Let me explain.  You see, Christmas has not always been celebrated on December 25.  It was only in the 4th century that the “Church” decreed that Christmas would be celebrated on a consistent date and December 25 was set, and it has been observed on that day ever since in most of the Christian world.  

Part of the reason for choosing December 25 was that it corresponded with the date of the winter solstice on the Roman Calendar.  At that time there was a big festival held at the time of the Winter Solstice.  The Church was trying to take pagan holidays and turn them into Christian or faith-based holidays for the people of the church and for society in general.  

Part of the significance of December 25 being observed as Jesus’ birthday is shrouded in the symbolism of that date…the fact that the days are getting longer.  This means there is more light or daylight filling each day.  What difference does that make, you ask??  Let me refer us all to John’s version of the Christmas Story.

Ok, right now some of you are thinking, “John doesn’t have a Christmas story.”  And generally speaking, you’d be right, at least John doesn’t have the same kind of Christmas story that Luke and Matthew have.  John’s Christmas story is wrapped in symbolism.  In John’s opening sentences, Jesus is referred to as “The Word.”  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1.  By the end of verse four the metaphor to describe Jesus has become “light.”  And then verse 5 states… “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.” John 1:5

So, with the Winter Solstice, there is a switch from the days getting shorter, or having more darkness, to the days getting longer, or there is more light.  Do you see the symbolism?  The light is pushing back the darkness.  The light of the world overtaking the darkness.  Thus, John 1:5 is being lived out physically in our world every Christmas Day.  Elsewhere in John Jesus refers to himself as the “light of the world.”  So, Christmas being celebrated on December 25 simply emphasizes the reality that Jesus is the light of the world, and the darkness cannot overwhelm or overtake the light…Jesus, the true light of the world.  

I am glad that the days are getting longer, even if it is just by 1 second today.  It gives me the hope that spring and summer are coming, and our world will be filled with more and more light.  Our world seems to have quite a bit of darkness in it these days.  Christmas, being celebrated in just a few days, is a simple yet powerful reminder that the light of the world has come…and no matter how dark it may seem, the darkness CANNOT and WILL NOT overtake the light.  In the end, Jesus, the light of the world, will overwhelm and defeat the darkness of our day.  That is the great hope of Christmas!!  The light of the world has come!!  It is our task as followers of Jesus to do our part to keep the light shining, growing, and pushing back the darkness.  Maybe a Christmas tradition needs to be that we sing a special children’s song, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.  Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!!!”  My friends…let’s let our light shine!!!  Merry Christmas!!!

Pastor Keith

A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth 12.15.2023

It was just a week ago that I believe I experienced a bit of heaven here on earth!!!  No, Chocolate was not involved.  Well, there was one cookie that had some chocolate in it…but that was just a bonus to what was going on.  After several years of talking about it, Nancy, Mom and I finally found a free evening to take in the Nora Store Christmas experience.  

In case you aren’t sure what the Nora Store Christmas is all about it, I’ll tell you.  You can also go to Facebook and do a search of Nora Store Christmas.  Nora is a tiny community about 12 miles southeast of Beresford, SD.  The Nora Store was an actual functioning general store from 1907 until 1962.  The current owner, Mike, purchased the building in the mid 1980’s.  Mike happens to be a music lover and he had the opportunity to acquire a pipe organ from USD in Vermillion.  He decided to have the pipe organ assembled in his “store” front room.  That would be sort of like putting a pipe organ in the Gathering Area space of our church.  

Mike decided, since the organ had been a gift to him, he decided that he would give back to the community, thus, the Nora Store Christmas experience came to be.  So, for three to four weekends before Christmas, Mike opens up his store to anyone who shows up, to sing Christmas Carols and simply share in the joy and love of Christmas.  Mike said that this was the 34th year that he has been doing this and over those thirty-four years, he has never missed a weekend due to sickness, etc.  

We arrived at 5:30, expecting the program to begin at 6:30.  Everyone says that if you want a seat, you’ve got to get there early.  So, we did, and we weren’t the first to arrive.  Yes, we got seats for the three of us, but within 15 minutes of our arrival, all the seats that were set up were filled.  Then they started pulling out folding chairs and setting them up anywhere there was an opening.  And people kept coming!  What struck me as so wonderful is that the crowd that gathered last Friday evening, and it was a crowd, all appeared to be in such a good mood.  

The joy and spirit of the singing was truly infectious.  In fact, why I say I experienced a bit of heaven in the moment is that everyone involved seemed focus on one thing…Christmas.  There was no sense of…Ok, Methodists sit here, Lutherans over there, Catholics in this section, Baptists in that area, etc., etc.  No, we all sat together, young and old alike, shoulder to shoulder, and I do mean it was shoulder to shoulder.  We didn’t talk politics, the economy, or global events.  We simply sang Christmas songs and allowed the joy of the moment to fill us and inspire us.  I didn’t see a frowning face as people left the store.  There were smiles all around with words of “Merry Christmas!” and “Happy Holidays!”

As the evening progressed, Mike, the master musician and master of ceremonies for the evening, even commented at one point that the one thing we all had in common that evening was Jesus…and that’s all that mattered.  I know, in a crowd of that size, it is likely there were different understandings and beliefs about who Jesus was (and is).  But that’s OK.  Because that is a part of the Christmas Story too…not everyone in Matthew or Luke’s story of Christmas understood or even accepted who or what this tiny baby represented.  But still, Jesus came…for one and for all, making God’s love and presence real in this world.  

So, if you haven’t had the Nora Store Christmas experience, I believe this is the final weekend.  You might give it a try.  If you do, by the end of the evening you’ll likely find your heart overflowing with the gift of music and the joy of the season, all because of the most incredible gift of all…Jesus.

Pastor Keith

The Christmas Story 12.8.2023

There are some that would say our faith, the Christian Faith, is built on doctrine, truths  and principles that define who we are and what we believe.  Certainly, there are doctrines or beliefs that are important to our faith.  However, I would say that our faith is built on stories.  After all, look at the Bible.  It is one story after another – it’s God’s story of God seeking to connect with and redeem humanity and all creation.  The majority of Jesus’ teaching to his followers was through stories.  Just reading through the Gospels in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) one can easily see that Jesus was a master storyteller.

We are currently in a season in which we are preparing for the retelling of the greatest story, the story of God coming into our world as an infant…as a human being…as one of us!!!  There are many ways that we tell this story in our homes, in our churches, in our communities, and even in our lives.  Last weekend we held the Festival of the Nativity.  Over 100 nativity scenes were on display in our church facility in the chapel, the nursery, and scattered throughout the Gathering Area.  It was wonderful to see all the displays and hear many stories of what made each nativity scene special or unique.  But of course, each nativity scene was basically telling the same story and pointing to a moment in which God entered our world and our reality.  

Of course, this earthshaking story is also told through song.  There’s the traditional Christmas Carols that we sing in worship that are so dearly loved.  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, O Come, All Ye Faithful, What Child is This, Joy to the World, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, and so many more.  This doesn’t even include some of the more contemporary songs that have been written, such as, Mary Did You Know, the Manger, etc.  Then of course there’s the classic Hallelujah Chorus, performed in many communities each Christmas. Music has always been a powerful means of storytelling.  

Every year lights go up on our homes, additional lights from what are usually there.  We call them Christmas or Holiday Lights and they give a festive look to the inside and outside of our homes.  These shining, colorful, bright, twinkling lights are telling the story of Christmas according to what is written in the Gospel of John. John doesn’t give us the traditional Christmas story that speaks of a manger, a baby, angels and the like.  No, John simply says, “The Light shines in the dark and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.” John 1:5 CEB.  Elsewhere, in John’s story of Jesus’ life, Jesus refers to himself as “the Light of the World.”  So, John’s Christmas story is all about Light!

Even the Christmas presents that we exchange each year tell the story of that first Christmas.  As John 3:16 puts it, “God so loved the world that he gave his only son that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but have eternal life.” The very first Christmas gift…was Jesus.  Of course, the Christmas story will also be read multiple times over the next few weeks.  

Yes, I believe our faith is built on stories, and this incredible story can be summed up in one word, Immanuel, which means “God with us!” Indeed, this is a great story!!  Oh, I almost forgot.  The most important way this great story is told in our world is through our very lives.  How we live, how we love, how we reflect Jesus in our lives tells the story.  Yes, it is a personal story…but it is also a community story of God being with us. God’s Kingdom is about letting God’s story touch more and more of our lives and world.  So, in the coming weeks may we be storytellers, telling forth the great story of God in our midst!!  It is a story worthy of retelling!!

Pastor Keith

Waiting 12.1.2023

Waiting…Waiting…Waiting…  Those three words open the poem that was written by someone dear to me.  In fact, these three simple words are repeated throughout the body of the poem, emphasizing over and over again, what it feels like for this individual in the season of life in which they find themselves.  They are waiting, as patiently as possible, wondering what tomorrow will hold.  Will it bring something different…or it will be more of the same.  Waiting…Waiting…Waiting…

This weekend, specifically on Sunday, we begin the season of Advent.  This is the time period that leads up to and helps us prepare for Christmas.  So, even though Advent becomes such a busy time with concerts, baking, decorating, celebrations and parties, the season is really about waiting.  Waiting…Waiting…Waiting…

But the truth is we don’t “do waiting” well.  We have instant news alerts and notifications.  We have fast food and microwaves.  We have communication devices (cell phones) that can put us in touch with someone on the opposite side of the globe almost immediately.  We have technological capabilities that allow meetings to take place in real time even though the meeting participants are scattered all over the state, country, and even the world.  Coffee shops are placed strategically along the major routes in our community so people can get their coffee quickly and be on their way.  Yes, we definitely like things fast.  We don’t like to wait.  

Yet waiting is a part of who we are as a people of faith.  It is a part of our story and God’s story.  Abraham and Sarah were promised a baby and descendants as many as the stars…but they had to wait until they were both elderly before the promise was fulfilled.  Joseph had visions of being a leader that would make a difference in his tribe and ultimately his people.  But he had to wait years and go through some terrible experiences before he would find himself in charge.  David was anointed as a young boy to be the next king, yet the opportunity to wear the crown didn’t come until years later.  The time between the Old Testament and the New Testament of our bible or the time between when Malachi was written and Mark, the earliest gospel written, was about 400 years.  During those years people waited for a word, a messenger, anything from God.  Even in the New Testament, the disciples had to continually wait for understanding, wait for direction, wait for the Spirit, etc.  Waiting…Waiting…Waiting…

It's not easy to wait…just ask a child how hard it is to wait for Christmas, especially when it’s just a day or two away!!  Yet, waiting can be beneficial. Joseph would likely say that the waiting and enduring life’s horrible experiences made him a better leader later on.  David was able to look back to his experiences of waiting as a sheepherder and being responsible for the sheep, as part of what made him a better warrior and ultimately a better king.  Time and time again in the Bible, waiting isn’t wasted time, rather it is a time of shaping the person or people, preparing them for what is next to come.

May this Advent season for us not just be a time of passive waiting.  May we use it as a time for actively Waiting…Waiting…Waiting…for God to speak…for God to work…for God to make preparations within us/me and within our world for what is coming next.  May we be involved in allowing this season to prepare us to see, experience, and live Immanuel – God with us!!  Plus, this season of waiting is also about us preparing for the day when God’s Kingdom will come in its completeness in our world.  Until then, we keep striving to bring the “Up There Down Here”.  We keep making the Kingdom real right here in Mitchell.  Yes, we are Waiting… Waiting…Waiting.  But it is a hope-filled waiting knowing that God is at work in our midst. This December may our waiting be meaning-filled…preparing each of us for what is to come next.

Pastor Keith