PASTORAL PONDERINGS 12/6/06

Matthew 26:
6Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? 9For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." 10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."

Dear Friends,

I came upon this paragraph in the Aidan Readings.

Reflecting on the woman anointing Christ with expensive ointment, the author writes, "We would like to have something to give, to pour out for love of Him, but we don't have even that. It seems we don't have anything. Nothing to offer except our uselessness, and our choice to be with Him; and that is a choice that no one but Him is likely to put any value on."

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 11/30/06

Luke 11: 1He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray".

Dear Friends,

I don't know about you, but I often find that I am having a hard time praying as I would like. I am currently reading Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Merton, one of the spiritual giants of the 20th century. Here is what he wrote about his own experience with prayer,

We do not want to be beginners. But let us be convinced of the fact that we will never by anything else but beginners, all our life!

Amen, Brother Thomas

Prayer Requests

For: Shaina Wassserman: at MMC
For: Adam Reis (Leslie Van Note's Father): at Gateway Care Center
For: Maryann McDaniel (Pat Haacker's Mother): at MMC

May the Spirit descend upon us all in this time of Pentecost,

Al

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 11/22/06

Phil. 4: 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Dear Friends,

Sometimes we forget just how extraordinary the seemingly ordinary really is. Take the pumpkin pie many of us will enjoy tomorrow. Here is a poetic reflection on this dessert from John Greenleaf Whittier.

Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from West,
From North and from South, come the pilgrim and guest,
When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board
The old broken links of affection restored,
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before.
What moistens the lip and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich Pumpkin pie?

A blessed Thanksgiving to you all,

Al

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 11/8/06

1 Cor 15 53For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."

55 "Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear Friends,

Sometimes we encounter extremely powerful parables of the victory of the love of Christ found in the resurrection. Such a moment occurred this past Monday. Last week two young people 18 and 22 were killed in an automobile accident. The former, Roberto Pereira, was a member of our congregation. There were over 300 people present at his funeral at the beginning of the week including his mother and the parents of the young woman who lost her life. Near the end of the service, the two mothers, who had never met each other until they attended both funerals, hugged over Roberto's casket which was sitting in the front of our sanctuary under the large cross. I doubt that I will ever forget that moment and the stunning proclamation of the victory of love and the resurrection it represented for me.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 10/12/06

Mark 9: 41For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

Dear Friends,

Sometimes a small act of kindness can change your whole day. I was rushing around Monmouth Medical Center visiting six different people when I passed a man servicing the vending machines. Looking at about six cases of Snapple, I remarked that he would not go thirsty. "Nor will you Father," he replied while handing me a bottle of his supply. I am sipping it now. It tastes great.

Just a reminder that Bishop Roy Riley will be preaching at our 9:15 service on October 15th as the culmination of our 75th anniversary celebration.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 10/5/06

Revelation 22:
1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Dear Friends,

About 100 years ago, many people thought that evil had been decisively defeated and that we were now getting better every day in every way. Would that they were correct.
The tragic events not only in Pennsylvia but also on Capitol Hill with the resignation of Cognessman Mark Foley after a scandle involving pages and the heightened number of deaths in Iraq of both American military personel and among native Iraqis due to sectarian violence prove evil is alive and well. Call that evil what you will, Satan, the devil or a primal force of destruction, it is there and seeks to defeat us all.
Especially in these times, when there are no easy answers, we must look to our faith and know that good will triumph. I heard the prayers of grieving Amish parents asking forgiveness for the one who took their children's lives, and I know that if evil is great, God and goodness is greater still and God will reign victoriious.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 9/28/06

John 8: 12Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

Dear Friends,

What a series of wonderful fall days we have enjoyed. I especially love the light. Somehow or the other the soft rich autumn light seems to bring me closer to God. God and light. Come to think of it didn't Jesus have something to say about light and God. Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

May the Spirit descend upon us all in this time of Pentecost,

Al

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 9/21/06

Acts 8:
39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Dear Friends,

It is sometime interesting how God gets us to where we need to be. This happened twice this afternoon. I was very early making my usual rounds in the local hospital when John Vitt suddenly appeared in the cafeteria where I was getting a bite for lunch. It turns out Shirley was having some same day surgery. Ten minutes later, I was with the family able to offer prayer.
An hour later I went to visit one of our shut-in's. I could not get to her house because of parking problems but decided to visit the office of the President of our Rotary Club. She was out but I discovered another member had his office directly next store. It turns out he had some questions for me and I spent an hour with him visioning together.
Who says that the Holy Spirit only acted directly in Acts. I may not have been snatched away, but the Spirit certainly got me to where I was meant to be.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 9/13/06

Psalm 119:
67 Before I was humbled I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

Dear Friends,

I came upon the following verse from a tradition English hymn.
He that is down need fear no fall, He that is low, No Pride
Something to ponder.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 9/7/06

Eccl. 3: 1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

Dear Friends,

As I write these words, I have just come back from conducting a funeral. Actually it has been an interesting six days. On Saturday I officiated at a wedding and on Sunday I baptized twins. One of the challenges and yet joys of ministry is being able to help people at many important points of their life, both good and bad. This week especially I am reminded that God is with us through all the seasons of our lives, not only in those good times when we feel His presence, but especially in those difficult time when He seems far removed, but is actually as close as the ache in our hearts.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 8/31/06

Genesis 33: 11Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend

Dear Friends,

I have just gotten back from a week at Boston. Judy and I spent the time with the Gaetz's who is a classmate from Seminary. We have vacationed together through all these years. Oh the places we have gone together.
Aren't friends a wonderful blessing from God? They are parables of God's grace for we don't have to please them, we just have to be ourselves and they love us because of this and on occasion in spite of this.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 8/17/06

1 Cor. 3: 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.

Dear Friends,

I was recently appointed to the Alumni Board of my old seminary. As I gathered with other graduates many of us remembered the days in the "Old Dorm." It was old being built in 1888 and "modernized" in 1924. Now much of it has been torn down and the interior totally gutted and renovated. It is gorgeous. What a blessing for the new students who now study there.
Still, there is a bit of nostalgia for the good old days. The graduates who lived in that dorm have left a powerful legacy in the Lutheran Church. But to quote the song, "nothing lasts for ever." And so I miss the old, but embrace the new and pray that the students who will continue to pass through these halls may build on the foundations of those who have proceeded them.
Of course we all build on the greatest foundation of them all.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 8/10/06

Matthew 5: 14"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven

Dear Friends,

With much darkness in the world today between Lebanon, Iraq and international flights, I found this poem by Susan Warner a source of strength.

Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light
.....burning in the night
Jesus bids us shine first of all for Him;
well He sees and knows it
if our light is dim.

Jesus bids us shine then for all around.
Many kinds of darkness in this world abound.
....so we must shine.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 8/2/06

Psalm 8:
4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,

mortals that you care for them?

Dear Friends,

Yesterday the outside thermometer in my car read 105. I am very fortunate. For the most part I spend my days in climate controlled comfort since much of my world revolves around my home, my office at church, my car and the hospitals. All of these remain between 65 and 75 regardless of the weather. But what about the people who may lack heat and certainly lack air conditioning? How can we allow them to have some of the creature comforts we take for granted? This is my question on this very warm evening.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 7/25/06

Dear Friends,

Psalm 122:
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

"May they prosper who love you.

7 Peace be within your walls,

and security within your towers."

8 For the sake of my relatives and friends

I will say, "Peace be within you."

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,

I will seek your good.

As I watched the various military actions between Hizbollah and the Israelis, I am reminded of just how hard it is for us to live together. We often pray for peace and justice. This seems to be a case where the former is lacking because of uncertainty over the later. On one hand, you have two groups of people who have long attachment to a small piece of land. Both feel they are there because of a divine right. On the other, (to use a very understated quote), "firing missiles in the direction of someone else's country is not taken lightly."

We continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and of all the surrounding territories.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 7/20/06

Psalm 32:
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Dear Friends,

Here is an Acerism that came to me.

If I can gain joy
from the joy of others
I am truly blessed

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 7/13/06

Psalm 81:
7 In distress you called, and I rescued you;

I answered you in the secret place of thunder;

I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Dear Friends,

It is not too often you get to spend some time with a living piece of American history. I went to see a parishioner in the hospital when his roommate came over. The roommate happened to be Frank Holgren. Who is he? Frank served on the USS Juno during WWII. The Juno was torpedoed in the Pacific. Of the 700 members of the crew over 600 died immediately. 75 survivors were left. No one came to look for them for a week. By then the number had shrunk to 10, Frank among them. The other 9 have died off through the years and that leaves Frank. He is a wonderful man who only recently retired from working at a local funeral home. We hear stories about "the greatest generation." Frank, in his own quiet way, exemplifies them all.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 7/6/06

I Cor. 7: But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.

Dear Friends,

The biggest annual event in our area is the Oceanfest that draws about 100,000 people. I love to go down and just take in the whole experience. I suppose I could easily preach two months on what I see.
Today I would like to hold up a single theme, diversity. Our area is growing increasingly diverse. At Oceanfest, this diversity is clearly evident. Finding a slightly out of the way spot to watch the fireworks, I found in a twenty foot radius an extended Italian family with some exceedingly active children, an orthodox Jewish family with a large number of children, an Asian family with several children and several Latino entrepreneurs trying to sell various illuminated toys to them all. With all these children, the latter did very well indeed. Diversity, all literally within my reach. And lots of lights swirling around.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 6/29/06

Psalm 33
16 A king is not saved by his great army;

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory,

and by its great might it cannot save.

18 Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,

on those who hope in his steadfast love,

19 to deliver their soul from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.

Dear Friends,

Tuesday I was immersed in WWII. It began with officiating at a funeral of a 96 years old veteran who had fought in Burma. It continued by visiting an old friend who had been a PT boater in the Pacific Theater and was currently in a nursing home in South Jersey. We brought our 17 week old granddaughter Grace Mary to see "Capt. Petey" as I call him. He was literally moved to tears at the sight of her. I was also moved as I pondered the "greatest generation" now dying off and the little ones who can grow up in freedom thanks to their sacrifices of 6 decades earlier. I also pondered the One who is with them all and mightier than all of us.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 6/22/06

Proverbs 6:
20 My child, keep your father’s commandment,

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

21 Bind them upon your heart always;

tie them around your neck.

Dear Friends,

I came upon the following statistic. 9 out of 10 affluent families will lose their fortune by the end of the third generation.
We would all like to be able to leave legacies to our families, but what legacies survive and what ones are quickly spent?

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 6/15/06

Dear Friends,

I was driving home from church at about 9:45 PM last week when I passed three men (I suspect they were Mexicans) on bicycles going down Broadway. They looked very tired and had bags tied to the handlebars (dinner?). A cold rain had started to fall, but they just kept peddling on in jeans and sweatshirts. I sat in my comfortable climate controlled car listening to a Beethoven Sonata on its perfectly tuned stereo system and considered just how much separated us.
Bifurcation. This is a fancy word for the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. This seems to be happening in our society and it is a growing concern on a variety of levels.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 6/5/06

John 17: 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one
Dear Friends,

We hear a great deal of bad news from Iraq. I came upon this piece of good news from the New York Times. Since 2003 the government has registered 5,000 private organizations, including charities, human rights groups, medical assistance agencies and literacy projects. Officials estimate that an additional 7,000 groups are working unofficially. The efforts show that even as violence and sectarian hatred tear Iraq's mixed cities apart, a growing number of Iraqis are trying to bring them together.

Last week we hear a portion of Jesus high priestly prayer "that all may be one." While the immediate context is in the company of the eleven disciples, perhaps this is one unexpected way in which that prayer is being fulfilled today.

 

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 6/2/06

Psalm 116: 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD

is the death of his faithful ones.

Dear Friends,

Most years I have the privilege of offering the invocation and benediction at the Eatontown Memorial Day service. This year I was able to sit next to one of our parishioners, Major General Michael Mazzucchi, who spoke with his usual eloquence about the sacrifices that the men and women of our armed forces have offered through the years. The crowd was somewhat larger this year, a fact not unexpected considering we are involved in active conflict. One sight however was especially moving, the presence of two gold star wives. It turns out that they lost their husbands during WWII. The sacrifices suddenly became very personal.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 5/25/06

John 15: 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Dear Friends,

There are certainly many challenges to being a parish Pastor. After 35 years of service, I am well aware of this fact. But there are also some very special joys that keep you going through the difficult times. This past Sunday I was able to officiate at the Baptism of our granddaughter, Grace Mary. This will be a mental tape I will be playing many times over when the going gets tough.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 5/18/06

Isaiah 2:
4 He shall judge between the nations,

and shall arbitrate for many peoples;

they shall beat their swords into plowshares,

and their spears into pruning hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

neither shall they learn war any more.

Dear Friends,

I came upon the following dispatch from the Christian Science Monitor.

For the Bush administration, awarding Libya this week with restoration of full diplomatic relations should be a lesson to Iran and North Korea. Give up your nuclear weapons programs just as Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi did, administration officials argue, and you too can reap the benefits of political and economic ties with the United States

These days we seem to hear precious little on the effect of firm love and diplomacy in the cause of peace. As Christians living in this world, the field of political ethics is a challenging one. It is however a calling we all share. May this small step forward open the way for other breakthroughs.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS5/10/06

Psalm 30:
5 For his anger is but for a moment;

his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may linger for the night,

but joy comes with the morning.

Dear Friends,

Every so often we get a taste of heaven. This happened for me yesterday evening during the Greater Shore Concert Band program here at Reformation. The Director, Jim Bast, had his little grandson from South Africa at the concert. As they started to play the final number, the little one came up. Jim picked him up in one arm and directed "The Stars and Stripes Forever," with the other. What a wonderful image of sheer joy. Yes this was "A foretaste of the feast to come."

PASTORAL PONDERINGS 5/04/06

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and do not forget all his benefits—

Psalm 103

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday our congregation threw a surprise Grandparents' Shower for Judy and myself. And it truly was a surprise. What a wonderful time. We sometimes focus on the difficult points of our lives and ask God why we have to endure them. I wonder how often we look at the blessings of our lives and give thanks to God for them. This was a blessing and for this we do give thanks.

Pastoral Pondering 4/27/06

2 Kings 5:

8But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." 9So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. 10Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." 11But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! 12Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. 13But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?" 14So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

 

Pastoral Pondering 4/12/06

1 Cor. 10:16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Dear Friends,

Sometimes theological truths reveal themselves in interesting ways. One of the traditions of the church is to bring the Eucharist to the home bound over the Lenten season. On Monday evening, I celebrated Communion at the home of one of our Seniors and happened to have half a host left over. As the Spirit would have it, I traveled to see her sister-in-law the next afternoon. She lives in an extended care facility about 20 miles away and the two have not seen each other for several years. As I went to consecrate the host, I realized my fingers had grasped the other part of the host that had been consumed by her sister-in-law the day before. Thus the two shared of the same host. I think God was trying to tell me something here.

Pastoral Pondering 4/5/06

Isaiah 43:
1 But now thus says the LORD,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior

Pastoral Pondering 3/29/06

Exodus 22: 21You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

Dear Friends,

It is sometimes interesting how a major national debate can manifest itself on a personal level. Take the current struggle over the legalization of undocumented immigrants. There is much division on this question.

Here in Long Branch, our fastest growing ethnic community are the Mexicans. Many are undocumented. I was at a Rotary Board meeting last night when the question of a local project arose. What major issue needed to be addressed. "What about the Mexicans who are standing at the corner of Broadway and Liberty Street every day hoping to get a day's work? Can we do something to help them?" And so a group has been formed. Yours truly is part of this. How can a collection of 60 local leaders address such a problem in a realistic manner? This is a very good question that we will struggle to answer. We shall not solve this problem I am sure. But at least we have recognized it and are willing to risk addressing it. I suspect what we discover will change us all.

Pastoral Pondering 3/22/06

I Thes. 5: 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Dear Friends,

In the early Celtic Christian communities it became the custom to link prayer with everyday tasks. A member of the Northumbrian Community reflects, "For us, too, it is important to discover the rhythm of praying as we work and through our work. Sometimes a simple manual task can even assist the praying heart in its focus. Prayer-baskets were woven simply out of reeds as monastics framed their prayers. The simplest task can become for us a prayer-basket.

Pastoral Pondering 3/16/06
Psalm 145:
4 One generation shall laud your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

It's official. Judy and I are grandparents. Grace Mary Tuck entered the world earlier today at 7 pounds 12 ounces.
Which sets me to pondering. What can I do to continue to make the world a better place for my granddaughter as she grows up? The answers God gives me should be exciting.

Pastoral Pondering 3/9/06

Cor. 1:22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Dear Friends,

I was reading an interesting article in the Princeton Theological Review by Samuel Hugh Moffett. In the '40's, his father, one of the first Christian missionaries in Korea, was asked what made the Christian Church in Korea grow so rapidly. The Rev. Moffett's reply, "For the last fifty years we lifted up to this people the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit did the rest." This truth still holds.

Pastoral Pondering 3/3/06

Mark 1: 12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Dear Friends,

At our meeting of the Pastors of the state last Monday, our Bishop encouraged us to participate in a new program called "Here I Step". We are asked to walk two miles a day for the 40 days of Lent. This is approximately the distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Being a walker, this is not a problem at all.
This was done for two reasons. The first is physical wellness. The second is spiritual wellness. I walk for both reasons. I especially resonate with the latter since I find I am closer to God when I walk or swim than almost any other time. Considering that our Lord spent 40 days walking in the wilderness to prepare for His earthly ministry, I believe I am in very good company.

Pastoral Pondering 2/23/06

I Thess. 5: 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Pastoral Pondering 2/13/06

Psalm 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and frost,

stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Dear Friends,

Two major snow storms in two years from Saturday into Sunday. I wonder if God is trying to tell us something? As the electric snow blower cleared away the 8 inches of snow we received, and as I heard about the 20 inches only fifteen miles away from us, I realized how fortunate we are. Learning of a homeless person who camped out in the corner of our church building through the storm on reinforced this truth. God has blessed us in so many ways.

Pastoral Pondering 2/6/06

I Cor. 3: 9For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Dear Friends,

As I watched the Superbowl last night, I happened to be at the house of a fellow Rotarian surrounded by 10 other members of the Rotary. Meeting every week for lunch, we have gotten to know each other really well. Getting into the game, I realized how carefully each team was working together for the greater good. I realized that this was exactly the same dynamic I find in my Rotary Club. I also realized that this is an important dynamic for the congregations in which we find ourselves. We are often a diverse crew, but we learn to live with and even affirm our differences and work together as servants of the Kingdom. At least at Reformation we have come a long way, but realize we have a long way to go. Yes the Superbowl can teach us quite a bit in working together.

Pastoral Pondering 1/30/06

1 Cor. 15: 58Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Dear Friends,

Given the wide variety of political affinities among the people who receive this devotional, there will be some people who will rejoice in the confirmation of Samuel Alito as a Justice on the Supreme Court and others will regard this as a serious mistake.
Regardless of your feelings on this matter, one aspect should serve as a lesson for us all. The seeds of Judge Alito's confirmation were sown at Yale University in 1982 when a group of conservative faculty members began the Federalist Society. Since then they have worked quietly but persistently to help shape the political climate in our country. Obviously they are succeeding.
Imagine what we might achieve if we strive to make Christ a great part of the world around us. We just have to let the Holy Spirit work through us.

Pastoral Pondering 1/25/06

Eternal God, the hours of both day and night are yours, and to you the darkness is no threat. Be present, we pray, with those who labor in these hours of night, especially those who watch and work on behalf of others. Grant them diligence in their watching, faithfulness in their service, courage in danger, and competence in emergencies. Help them meet the needs of others with confidence and compassion; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer taken from the Compline service in the LBW


Dear Friends,

It is good I am a night owl. For two nights in a row I found myself talking to folks after 10 PM. Actually I find that I can accomplish a lot at this later time. People let down their defenses and we can share in some deeper ways. As I grow in ministry, I am realizing that ultimately the church is about relationships, our relationship with God, our relationship with each other and our relationship with the world. I ponder how I can grow in all those relationships. How about you?

Pastoral Pondering 1/17/06

2 Thess. 2: 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
Dear Friends,

One of the more interesting boards on which I sit is the Institutional Research Review Board at Monmouth Medical Center. We are the local arm of the Food and Drug Administration and oversee all experimental procedures. I came upon a "hope index" recently that I found quite interesting and want to share with you.

1. I have a positive outlook toward life.
2. I have short and long range goals.
3. I feel all alone.
4. I can see possibilities in the midst of difficulties.
5. I have a faith that gives me comfort.
6. I feel scared about my future.
7. I can recall happy/joyful times.
8. I have deep inner strength.
9. I am able to give and receive caring/love.
10. I have a sense of direction.
11. I believe that each day has potential.
12. I feel my life has value and worth.

How does your life look in light of this index? How can your quality of life be improved? Something to ponder on this winter day.

Pastoral Pondering 1/09/06

Mark 10: 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."

Dear Friends,

It is always a beautiful thing when the Kingdom of God breaks into your life with great power. This happened last Sunday. Tim Pusateri, the son of Tony Pusateri and Pastor Penny Stechmann is a young man with Down's Syndrome. This Sunday he was a crucifer for the very first time. Another young man had volunteered to help him. The cross wobbled a little going down the isle, but Tim was radiant and the young man incredibly dedicated to seeing his young charge completed his task successfully. It's moments like this that make the challenges of the ordained ministry well worth while.

Pastoral Ponderings 1/03/06

Psalm 102: 25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you endure;

they will all wear out like a garment.

You change them like clothing, and they pass away;

27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.

28 The children of your servants shall live secure;

their offspring shall be established in your presence.

Dear Friends,

I came upon this quote from a noted African author.
Cultures are made of continuities and changes, and the identity of a society can survive through these changes. Societies without change aren't authentic; they're just dead. Kwame Anthony Appish
Come to think of it, this can apply to the culture of the church as well.
Attached is last week's sermon.
A blessed 2006.