Second Worship Time
On Sunday, June 28, we worshiped at the closest ELCA congregation to our house, Lord of Life Lutheran Church on 161 in northwest Columbus/southern Worthington. We decided to go to the traditional Lutheran Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. instead of the 11:00 contemporary service because we wanted to get on to our day and I am a traditional Lutheran liturgy lover. We chose this congregation on this day because I knew that Pastor Jim Wilson is going on his sabbatical on Wednesday of this week so this is his last Sunday to preach for four months. He is an excellent preacher and I wanted to hear him before he took his sabbath journey.
We found a close parking spot in the parking lot even though there was not a lot of signage. I have been to Lord of Life many times, so I knew where I was going. We went into the correct door, and people were gathering and talking in the Narthex area, which is large and welcoming. There was no one identified to welcome us or other visitors, but as I said, I knew my way around so I found Jim and we started talking. I grabbed a cup of coffee, was told it was okay to take into the sanctuary, so I took my coffee in. We had our two nieces from Cleveland with us who worship regularly at a Catholic parish, so I knew they would be comfortable in a traditional Lutheran liturgy. They were.
The service was a little over an hour including wonderful liturgy, great preaching on the topic of, "When bad things happen...to my neighbor" and Holy Communion. Jim shared his own nervousness when he meets a beggar, challenging us to own up to our own nervousness. He then preached on the assigned Revised Common Lectionary text where Jesus is on his way to Jairus' house to heal his q2 year old daughter and a woman with a 12 year hemorhage touches his cloak - begs for his attention - and he heals her before going on to not only heal Jairus' daughter (one who is privileged in their society) but by the time he gets on his way, he raises her from the dead. It was a message filled with grace and law, both to comfort us with the promise of God love through Jesus Christ and to call us to live out that love in our lives. A better message at half the time of last week's sermon!
After worship we talked with a few people, the most welcoming of which was a pastor's wife who noticed us and wanted to welcome us. We left and speaking personally, I was uplifted with the love of Christ!
Although Jim's preaching is something I cannot promise I can attain to, the service was done well musically and liturgically and I think that Clinton Heights is very comparable to theirs.
Thank you Jim and Lord of Life Lutheran for welcoming us with the love of Christ!
Monday, June 29, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
Books
Books,
Well, I have read more in the last month that I have in the last year - three and a half books, to be precise. It may not have been more than I have read total, because I read things when I am in the office from the Lutheran magazine and other publications as well as commentaries on the weekly scriptures, etc. But I have read three and a half books since my sabbatical has started, and I have enjoyed them all.
It all began with the theme book for my sabbatical, "Rebuilt". As I made my way through it, I discovered that not all of it applied precisely to Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, but it applies well enough to help us think critically about where were are going as a community of Christ. I hope that my congregation's leadership can learn that a church must consider why we do what we do, not just because we have always done it that way, but because it is valuable in sharing he gospel with people who are lost or hurting.
John Ortberg's book on "Soulkeeping" was a wonderful personal reflection on making spirituality a priority in life, of trying to eliminate the "hurry" from life to experience God's blessing everywhere and not to make the best the way we have been taught to as successful Americans.
Daid McCoulough's book, "The Wright Brothers" is a masterpiece on the family from Dayton Ohio who dedicated themselves to solving the problem that puzzled humanity until the early 1900's. Orville and Wilbur had a sister, Katherine, who was just as dedicated to solving this problem as they were. McColough paints a marvelous picture of the years 1899 - 1910, which were formative in the aeronatic birth of our world. The Wrights were not done when they first flew at Kitty Hawk- their battle continued until Wilbur successfully showed the crowds at Le Mans, France and Orville at Camp Myers in Virginia, that flight was not only possible, but that their machines could move through the air with the greatest of ease! What a book it was!
I am half-way through the book, "Falling Upward" which is a nice devotional book by Franciscan Father Richard Rohr. I will share more about this book later, but suffice it to say that it is a formative book for me as it speaks to the "second half of life" when success and striving after those things like wealth and fame as over, and we settle into the parts of life that are more important, like experience and relationships, etc.
I must make one final comment today as this is the day when the Supreme Court decided that marriage between people of the same gender is allowed under the law. YAY! I am so happy and I hope that my congregation will join me in celebrating this landmark decision. I am not willing to perform ceremonies without the approval of my congregation, but I plan to encourage Clinton Heights to joyfully agree to perform weddings between all genders in the future. Thanks be to God that the love that our people have for each other can be made valid through this rite of marriage!
Peace, Pastor Ralph
Well, I have read more in the last month that I have in the last year - three and a half books, to be precise. It may not have been more than I have read total, because I read things when I am in the office from the Lutheran magazine and other publications as well as commentaries on the weekly scriptures, etc. But I have read three and a half books since my sabbatical has started, and I have enjoyed them all.
It all began with the theme book for my sabbatical, "Rebuilt". As I made my way through it, I discovered that not all of it applied precisely to Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, but it applies well enough to help us think critically about where were are going as a community of Christ. I hope that my congregation's leadership can learn that a church must consider why we do what we do, not just because we have always done it that way, but because it is valuable in sharing he gospel with people who are lost or hurting.
John Ortberg's book on "Soulkeeping" was a wonderful personal reflection on making spirituality a priority in life, of trying to eliminate the "hurry" from life to experience God's blessing everywhere and not to make the best the way we have been taught to as successful Americans.
Daid McCoulough's book, "The Wright Brothers" is a masterpiece on the family from Dayton Ohio who dedicated themselves to solving the problem that puzzled humanity until the early 1900's. Orville and Wilbur had a sister, Katherine, who was just as dedicated to solving this problem as they were. McColough paints a marvelous picture of the years 1899 - 1910, which were formative in the aeronatic birth of our world. The Wrights were not done when they first flew at Kitty Hawk- their battle continued until Wilbur successfully showed the crowds at Le Mans, France and Orville at Camp Myers in Virginia, that flight was not only possible, but that their machines could move through the air with the greatest of ease! What a book it was!
I am half-way through the book, "Falling Upward" which is a nice devotional book by Franciscan Father Richard Rohr. I will share more about this book later, but suffice it to say that it is a formative book for me as it speaks to the "second half of life" when success and striving after those things like wealth and fame as over, and we settle into the parts of life that are more important, like experience and relationships, etc.
I must make one final comment today as this is the day when the Supreme Court decided that marriage between people of the same gender is allowed under the law. YAY! I am so happy and I hope that my congregation will join me in celebrating this landmark decision. I am not willing to perform ceremonies without the approval of my congregation, but I plan to encourage Clinton Heights to joyfully agree to perform weddings between all genders in the future. Thanks be to God that the love that our people have for each other can be made valid through this rite of marriage!
Peace, Pastor Ralph
Sunday, June 21, 2015
First Worship Time
This morning was the first opportunity that my family and I were able to worship at a local congregation, since last Sunday morning was spent in an airport in Cancun getting home. I hope to worship at many different congregations with an eye to what a first time visitor might experience when they arrive - because as I have read the Rebuilt book I understand that it is often some of the seemingly little things that make a person feel welcome to a congregation. We decided to go to our friends' the Jacobsen's church, Bethel International United Methodist Church. It is very close to our house on Bethel Road, just east of Godown. They go to the more contemporary 11:00 a.m. service, and their son was the liturgist, which in Lutheran vocabulary would be lector.
The first thing I noticed was a very large and well-marked parking lot. There were signs telling people where to park for what events - the front lot for the 9:30 service and the back lot for the 11:00 service. As we got out of our car it struck me how difficult it would be for a person to step foot for the first time in a new church with no one they know. Even though I am a pastor and have been in many different churches, I myself felt a bit nervous about being in a new place. The Jacobsens honked as they pulled into the lot when we were walking into the doors so even though there were people about 10 yards inside the door as greeters, we stood just inside to wait for Roy, Estrella, Sean and Matt.
They were very welcoming to us - introducing us first to their pastor who was there with a cup of coffee in his hand. He greeted us warmly and invited us to partake of the many goodies that were set out - donuts, bagels and cream cheese, coffee, etc. If I knew it was going to be like this I wouldn't have eaten breakfast first!! I had one donut hole and a cup of coffee and tried to blend in. I was envious of the large gathering area that they have for tables and chairs as people can sit and enjoy their coffee and snacks, a very well equipped nursery just off this gathering room which is close to the sanctuary. It was a very welcome space indeed!
The worship itself was a bit different than we are used to, but we knew it would be going in. Not only is it a United Methodist church, but also this was their contemporary service. The song leaders did a great job, especially the pianist who seems to have some training in not only worship leadership but also in pastoral ministry. He shared some reflections on the recent tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina and a prayer. It was appropriate and flowed smoothly. The songs, though only one was familiar to me, were singable. There were two screens on the side front walls projecting words, the pastor as he preached, and a couple of other short film clips or picture. The pastor mentioned that one of the projects they are considering is a new screen to be hung above the worship leaders in the middle front of the area. I must admit, it was a little awkward to keep looking at the screens on the two sides and would have been better to have a screen in the middle. I don't go in for screens too much, but it would have made it better for me.
The vast majority of the service was taken up by the pastor's message - at least 30 minutes focusing on a theme of being "taken" by God and what that means in life. His text was from Colossians 3, one of the passages read at our wedding. He did a good job connecting the text to his stories, but he used a lot of personal stories, especially from this past week. One other thing I am aware of - he often referred to things that he has said in previous weeks or that he often says. I read in different places that folks who are visiting are a bit turned off or made to feel like outsiders when the preacher does this. I think I was able, though, to enjoy the message while still having some of my inevitable personal critiques, which every preacher has when he or she worships at another church.
One last comment - they were promoting a drama that their group of young people do called, "Chains". It will be performed at several congregations in the area. The pianist, who seems to be the director of the production, mentioned how it is an evangelism tool, and he hoped that young people would experience it and think that church isn't that boring, but is exciting and fun. But as I looked around and considered the lengthy message and the length of the service (70 minutes and no communion) I couldn't help but think that people excited over the drama who would come to their congregation as a result might think that they were victims of the old, "bait and switch." A solid worship experience and good message, but I wouldn't call it, "exciting"! Thank you Roy and Estrella for sharing your congregation with us. We did enjoy it.
This morning was the first opportunity that my family and I were able to worship at a local congregation, since last Sunday morning was spent in an airport in Cancun getting home. I hope to worship at many different congregations with an eye to what a first time visitor might experience when they arrive - because as I have read the Rebuilt book I understand that it is often some of the seemingly little things that make a person feel welcome to a congregation. We decided to go to our friends' the Jacobsen's church, Bethel International United Methodist Church. It is very close to our house on Bethel Road, just east of Godown. They go to the more contemporary 11:00 a.m. service, and their son was the liturgist, which in Lutheran vocabulary would be lector.
The first thing I noticed was a very large and well-marked parking lot. There were signs telling people where to park for what events - the front lot for the 9:30 service and the back lot for the 11:00 service. As we got out of our car it struck me how difficult it would be for a person to step foot for the first time in a new church with no one they know. Even though I am a pastor and have been in many different churches, I myself felt a bit nervous about being in a new place. The Jacobsens honked as they pulled into the lot when we were walking into the doors so even though there were people about 10 yards inside the door as greeters, we stood just inside to wait for Roy, Estrella, Sean and Matt.
They were very welcoming to us - introducing us first to their pastor who was there with a cup of coffee in his hand. He greeted us warmly and invited us to partake of the many goodies that were set out - donuts, bagels and cream cheese, coffee, etc. If I knew it was going to be like this I wouldn't have eaten breakfast first!! I had one donut hole and a cup of coffee and tried to blend in. I was envious of the large gathering area that they have for tables and chairs as people can sit and enjoy their coffee and snacks, a very well equipped nursery just off this gathering room which is close to the sanctuary. It was a very welcome space indeed!
The worship itself was a bit different than we are used to, but we knew it would be going in. Not only is it a United Methodist church, but also this was their contemporary service. The song leaders did a great job, especially the pianist who seems to have some training in not only worship leadership but also in pastoral ministry. He shared some reflections on the recent tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina and a prayer. It was appropriate and flowed smoothly. The songs, though only one was familiar to me, were singable. There were two screens on the side front walls projecting words, the pastor as he preached, and a couple of other short film clips or picture. The pastor mentioned that one of the projects they are considering is a new screen to be hung above the worship leaders in the middle front of the area. I must admit, it was a little awkward to keep looking at the screens on the two sides and would have been better to have a screen in the middle. I don't go in for screens too much, but it would have made it better for me.
The vast majority of the service was taken up by the pastor's message - at least 30 minutes focusing on a theme of being "taken" by God and what that means in life. His text was from Colossians 3, one of the passages read at our wedding. He did a good job connecting the text to his stories, but he used a lot of personal stories, especially from this past week. One other thing I am aware of - he often referred to things that he has said in previous weeks or that he often says. I read in different places that folks who are visiting are a bit turned off or made to feel like outsiders when the preacher does this. I think I was able, though, to enjoy the message while still having some of my inevitable personal critiques, which every preacher has when he or she worships at another church.
One last comment - they were promoting a drama that their group of young people do called, "Chains". It will be performed at several congregations in the area. The pianist, who seems to be the director of the production, mentioned how it is an evangelism tool, and he hoped that young people would experience it and think that church isn't that boring, but is exciting and fun. But as I looked around and considered the lengthy message and the length of the service (70 minutes and no communion) I couldn't help but think that people excited over the drama who would come to their congregation as a result might think that they were victims of the old, "bait and switch." A solid worship experience and good message, but I wouldn't call it, "exciting"! Thank you Roy and Estrella for sharing your congregation with us. We did enjoy it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Home again, safe and sound.
We are home again and getting into a routine following our week-long trip to Riviera Maya, south of Cancun in Mexico. Mostly the weather was very hot and humid, although the wind started blowing pretty good Wednesday through Friday, preventing us from snorkeling with sea turtles on our excursion Friday (we got to snorkle with some great fish in an inlet instead) and terrible weather on our last day, Saturday. It continued into Sunday and delayed our flight home by a couple of hours, but we made it! I think it is still pretty bad down there for a few more days. Here are a few pictures from the trip:
We are home again and getting into a routine following our week-long trip to Riviera Maya, south of Cancun in Mexico. Mostly the weather was very hot and humid, although the wind started blowing pretty good Wednesday through Friday, preventing us from snorkeling with sea turtles on our excursion Friday (we got to snorkle with some great fish in an inlet instead) and terrible weather on our last day, Saturday. It continued into Sunday and delayed our flight home by a couple of hours, but we made it! I think it is still pretty bad down there for a few more days. Here are a few pictures from the trip:
The resort, "Ocean Coral and Turquesa" was quite lovely.
We had regular visits from the local wildlife there.
Wednesday night was a foam party in the "Party Pool". If you look really close, you can see Lucy, Colin and Hannah in the middle of the picture.
The largest of the four pools where we spent many an hour of a couple of days!
It is a bad year for sea weed. Not many people were on the beach, and this kept driving up and down collecting it up to be either returned to the ocean's ecosystem or used for fertilizer on the fields.
Another view of the party pool with no foam this time. There was a "swim-up bar."
Another shot of an iguana.
Lucy relaxing in the large lobby/
Another view of the lobby,
On the day of our excursion, our guide had to stop along the road to show us this snake. Gee, thanks!
Preparing to climb up the first tower for the zip-lines. It was a lot of fun although a lot of steps. We also repelled (not so much fun for me - too much work!) and snorkelling in underwater caves and an inlet.
Not sure what these creatures are called, but we were told that they are related to squirrels. They were sure scavengers!
I think this one was the leader of the pack.
When you get $100 to spend in the gift shop for sitting through a time-share presentation, what do you get? Well, Colin gets a wrestling mask!
We got plenty of time to play some games as a family, eat together (which we don't get to do much anymore) laugh and relax together. We read lots of books and I had some quiet time to reflect and pray as I am trying to eliminate the "hurry" from my life. God's peace be with you all! Pastor Ralph
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Today was a joyful day for me and my family. My family, friends from many circles of life, my congregation and other guests joined together to worship God and to celebrate with my the 25th anniversary of my ordination. It is actually this coming Wednesday, but we celebrated today. Pastor Bill Diehm shared the gospel in such a way that we were both encouraged and challenged to examine our own lives and discipleship as we ask the question together, "What is God doing here?" Thank you Bill and Sue for your friendship and for being with us today.
Now we relax - tomorrow I begin sabbatical, which begins with a one-week family vacation to an all-inclusive resort called Ocean Coral and Turquesa in Mexico, just south of Cancun. Here is the website: http://www.oceanturquesacoral.com/
We will be up bright and early to drive to Cleveland, catch a plane and get to our desitnation. Please keep my family and I in your prayers that we may find a time and place to relax and recharge during this first week of my sabbatical.
Now we relax - tomorrow I begin sabbatical, which begins with a one-week family vacation to an all-inclusive resort called Ocean Coral and Turquesa in Mexico, just south of Cancun. Here is the website: http://www.oceanturquesacoral.com/
We will be up bright and early to drive to Cleveland, catch a plane and get to our desitnation. Please keep my family and I in your prayers that we may find a time and place to relax and recharge during this first week of my sabbatical.
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