Advent 3 - Sermon: Are You The One?

St. Stephen Lutheran Church	Pastor Debora Stein
Matthew 11:2-11                      Are you the one?		December 14, 2013

      “When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" ⁴ Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. ⁶ And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." ⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. ⁹ What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' ¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Today’s reading made me think of a children’s story by P. D. Eastman, called, “Are You My Mother?”  The story is about a baby bird that hatches while his mother is off getting food.  He falls out of his nest and then wanders around looking for his mother.  First he comes upon a kitten, and asks, “Are you my mother?” but the kitten doesn’t reply.  Then he comes up to a mother hen, and asks, “Are you my mother?” But the hen only said, “No”.  Then he approached a dog and asks, “Are you my mother?” but the dog says, “I’m not your mother.  I’m a dog.” 

This continues for a while, as the baby bird confuses his mother with different animals, and even a boat and a plane, until he finally comes up to an old bucket loader, that scoops him up, scaring him half to death.  When the bucket releases him, however, he finds himself landing right into his very own nest.  “Just then the mother bird came back to their tree.  ‘Do you know who I am?’ she said to her baby.  ‘Yes, I know who you are,’ said the baby bird.  ‘You’re not a kitten… You’re not a hen… You’re not a dog… You’re not a cow… You’re not a boat or a plane…  You are a bird, and you are my mother.’” 

Like the little bird, we often seem to be looking for love, for answers, and even for God in all the wrong places.  The people in Jesus time were waiting for a messiah… a savior, and they were sure that he’d be born a king… someone powerful… someone with vast armies… someone who’d take down their enemies with force and return them to their rightful place in the world.  But, they were looking for a king in all the wrong places, with all the wrong expectations.

Even John the Baptist seems to searching, with uncertainty and anxiety…  While imprisoned, he sends some of his disciples to question Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”  Jesus didn’t seem to be who they were expecting.  He wasn’t born in a palace; he was born in a kind of barn… he wasn’t born with power and wealth; he was born to simple parents, a young girl and her husband, a carpenter.  John’s disicples probably wondered how this itinerant preacher could possibly bring an army to take their enemies down.  How could he save them?  They were looking for salvation in all the wrong places.

As a church, we often look for ways to grow… to increase the number of worshippers, wondering how we can bring more people in.  But, I believe that when we think that way, we, too, are looking for answers in all the wrong places.  Being a Christian is not about preserving a church building or congregation… it’s about BEING the church in the world… it’s about bringing comfort to those who are sick… it’s about feeding those who are hungry… it’s about bringing good news to the poor… and helping them stand on their own.  It’s about sharing the love of Christ with the world.

When Jesus was questioned about whether or not he was the one they were waiting for, he told them to go and tell John what it is that they heard and saw.  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.  Jesus is pointing them to the right place.  What did you go out into the wilderness to find… to see?  Perhaps they were looking for someone who bends with the wind, wearing soft and fine clothes, but they’d been looking for all the wrong things.

How often have we heard of someone who has been in one bad relationship after another?  There’s even a country song written about it, “Looking for love in all the wrong places.”  We often seem bent on looking for happiness, for an easier way, or for something that will make us feel loved and special.   Many folks think that they’ll find what their looking for in a bottle or with drugs.  Other folks try winning love with money, thinking that they can buy their way into someone’s heart.  For some, it’s a never-ending search; they never seem to find or perhaps recognize what it is that they’re looking for… seeking some way to fill that empty place in their hearts.

John points to Jesus, who came to change the world… to give us a different understanding about who and what the Messiah is all about.  Jesus came to make us think differently about those who are sick, those who are imprisoned, and those who are needy.  He came to show us the love of God and to teach us about forgiveness and grace.  He came to save us in a way that most people of his time could not imagine.  Through his actions of healing, cleansing, and raising, Jesus tells his disciples and us, to love one another as he loves us… as God loves us… to love our neighbors… to comfort and care for those in need… to share the good news with those who are poor in any way… in health, assets or in spirit.

John the Baptist wanted to know for sure that Jesus was the one that he, himself, came to proclaim… the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.  What are you looking for? --- Are you my mother?  Are you my father?  Are you the one who can help me?  Are you the one that we’re waiting for?  Are you my savior?  Jesus responds to each of us… Go and tell others what you hear and see.   

Look around – Jesus is here – with each of us in our daily lives, loving us, caring for us, comforting us and those we encounter every day.   Jesus is preparing us, to continue his mission of love and his ministry of grace, to share the good news with the poor of every kind.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life… he fills that empty place in our hearts… he feeds us and makes us whole… he is exactly who we’ve been looking for, even though we may not have realized it.  He is found in many of the places that we expect… and in many unexpected places as well…  in a dying man hanging on a cross…  in a meal of bread and wine… in a loving presence in our lives… in a tiny – fragile baby, laying on a bed of straw…

John points to the coming of Emmanuel, God with us... Jesus, our Savior, who is all that we’ve been looking for and more.  The good news is that we don’t have to look at all.  Jesus comes to us in every place of our lives.   

Happy are we whose hope is in the Lord our God.  Amen.
 

Returning to the real world

We'll the long road trip is over and I'm delighted to be back to my office, however, much weary that I am.

The question I last posed was about the use of technology in our lives, and how it some times get's in the way of face-to-face relationships.  During my time away, I learned a couple of things.

First of all, Technology can be share, face-to-face.  While Ed was driving, I read posts to him from Facebook and shared news and funny stories.  We sometimes listened to an audio book, and sometimes just music.

Second, Face time is important, but technology can add to personal relationships.  We drove to florida to a veteran's reunion.  We hadn't seen everyone for two years, and it was wonderful to spend time with them.  It was great to relive old memories, catch up with old friends, and make new ones.  As the couple driving the farthest, however, people wanted to know when we arrived safely (as did my family).  So, I posted periodically on Facebook and now all those veteran friends and their spouses and I are connected in a new way.  It was fun to read their encouragement as I posted our stops along the way.  Now, I also have real faces to put to those posts.

I know that ministry can be done or at least begun with technology, but it's hard to beat a hug, a pat on the shoulder, or hands-on prayer.  I believe that face time and facebook, as well as Twitter and other such social media technologies can work hand in hand to the benefit of everyone in a relationship, especially the church.  An ultimately, if it benefits us in the name of Jesus and the Gospel, then we're heading in the right direction.

Yours [on-line] in Christ,
Pastor Deb

Taking a break.

If you’re like me, you’re constantly tuned in to what‘s happening… Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, emails, blogs (like this one), and text messages; for some of us it’s nearly 24/7!  How do we let it all go?  How do we have quality time with our friends and family?  Is it possible to take a real vacation, when your still connected to everything that’s happening back at the office?  I’m about to find out!

My husband Ed will be on a road trip – driving from New York to Florida for vacation.  During that time, I’ve decided limit my “tech time”, but I’m thinking that it’s not going to be so easy.  No more sitting side-by-side, watching TV, while playing games, reading emails, and/or checking Facebook, without talking to each other for hours.

 One of my first thoughts was to bring my iPad to fill the hours of travel.  The problem with that is then Ed will be left driving for hours all by himself, especially if I have my ear phones on.  He wouldn’t be very happy about that and neither would I, if the tables were turned.  So, I am not using it while traveling. 

Jesus spent a lot of face time with his friends and followers.  There were no computers or Internet back then, but he could have written letters, like St. Paul, though we don’t have any records of him doing so.  Jesus was up close and personal kind of guy throughout his travels.  Relationships were important to his mission, eating with tax collectors and sinners, touching those considered unclean.

It’s tempting to live a high-tech life, writing blogs, and updating the church website, texting and emailing, etc.  It’s fun, but also time consuming… and, it seems as if we’ve lost something when most of our relationships are on-line.  We can’t hear our “friends” emotions, or know that their not telling us something by their body language.  We can’t reach out to them with the comfort of a hug.  We can’t express our love with a kiss or holding their hand.  There’s a lot to be said for face-to-face time!

As I limit technology on my vacation, I’m hoping to carry it forward when I return.  It will be interesting to see, how it will affect my ministry, hugging and shaking hands whenever I can!  I’m sure there will be some withdrawal symptoms at first, but I pray that the hours I’m not “connected” will be hours filled with peace, love, and joy, as well as quality time with my family and friends.

I’ll let you know how it’s going when I get back!

Giving of Yourself

          Could there be a truer definition of the term, Giving of yourself than giving blood at a Red Cross donor drive?  I gave blood today and I can physically feel that I have given of myself!  I know that someone will benefit from the gift that I’ve given today.  There are many different ways that we give of ourselves, some, who are no longer able to give blood, are here at the check-in table and in the recovery area' giving their time.  Others give their time in different ways, at church and in the community.  When we give something that’s precious to us, then we know that we have truly given a gift to others.

Of course the truest definition of giving is Jesus, who gave all that he had… even his life.  Throughout his life, he associated with those considered unclean, the diseased, the poor, the outcast, and imprisoned.  He spoke out against a culture and society that benefitted some people at the expense of others.  He continued, even though he knew that his actions would cost him his life.  He gave a gift beyond measure; he died so that we might have life in abundance.

Jesus asks each of us to give as well – to give our very lives – not in death, but in service to others.  Jesus set an example for us, reaching out to others in need, loving our neighbors – those we know and those we don’t.  He told us to give of ourselves, sharing our gifts – our time, our talent, and our money, to reach out to those who have been shunned by society, and to share the good news with others.

We may feel that we don’t have what it takes to do as Jesus asks.  We may feel like we’re just not good enough or that if we have doubts; it means that we don’t have faith.  The truth is; doubt is not the opposite of faith.  Doubt is really part of the faith process…  Faith is something that changes constantly, as the events in our lives serve to test or strengthen our faith.  Faith prepares us to receive Jesus… through our worship, through all who are gathered on Sunday, and through all who remain beyond our doors.  God gives us all that we need, working in us and through us as we give of ourselves so that others may share in our abundance.

The Comfort of Prayer

Do you remember the very first prayer that you were taught?  For me, it was a bed time prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”  Then I would bless all my family and friends, “God bless mommy and daddy… God bless grandma and grandpa… and I would continue on like that until I’d mentioned all the people and things that I loved.  Over the years, I’ve learned many different prayers… and ways to pray, but at night when I’m tired and stressed; those are the words that come to my mind.

Jesus’ disciples observed him praying and asked him to teach them to pray.  It’s not that they’ve never prayed before.  They’re observant Jews, taught such things since they were young, but they wanted to learn to pray as Jesus prayed.  In response, Jesus gives them a short prayer.  A prayer that now identifies and unifies us as Christians.  On Sundays and many other days, as we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we pray with Christians in around the world, from Egypt to Albuquerque, from San Francisco to Rome – both in New York and Italy. 
 
For many of us the Lord’s Prayer is the first… or in my case, the second prayer that we learn as children.  It’s amazing how this prayer has become such an integral part of our memory, so much so that it seems to be written in our hearts.  There’ve been times when I visited an elderly person in a nursing home, who was nearly unresponsive, but when I began the Lord’s Prayer, they joined me, praying slowly each word until the end.

Jesus teaches us that prayer is an intimate conversation with God.  He taught us to begin our prayer with, “Our Father.”  Before this, no one had ever spoken to God in such a way.  This is the relationship that Jesus invites us into… reminding us that we are indeed, God’s beloved children.  Jesus invites us to talk with God as we would talk to a loving parent, who listens to us, cares for us, forgives and provides for us.  Jesus reminds us that God, who is infinitely greater, more loving, and generous than we are, responds to our prayers, even with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

You may have noticed that this prayer is not just a comforting, private little prayer, to help us through difficult times.  This is a prayer of community.  It is a prayer for a community of faith, promised the gift of the Holy Spirit.  And together, with the Holy Spirit, this community, this church, is called to be the Body of Christ.  We are called to be light – to shine the Gospel in dark places.  We are called to be salt – to preserve the good news of Jesus Christ for all generations.  We are called to be bread for the world –to feed the hungry with food for the body, as well as the soul. 

Whether we’re praying as a child, for the Lord, “our soul to keep,” or as an adult to Our Father with words written on our heart; we pray, trusting that God will take care of us, even when we don’t fully understand what that means.  We pray to the One who loves us, who is present with us every day… in our joy and hope and in our pain and suffering… We pray to the One who strengthens and supports us as individuals and as a church… providing all that we need – our daily bread.

Psalm 138 reminds of these things.  “God will fulfill God’s purpose for us. Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” We are the work of God’s hands; guided by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and given the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Let us pray for guidance to fulfill God’s purpose for ourselves and our church.  Let us pray for strength to be daily bread for one another and for all of God’s children.  Let us trust in God, as we take our daily worries, needs, and temptations to the Lord in prayer.  Amen.

Mary or Martha?

I'll be away this Sunday at camp up at Silver Bap in NY, with husband and grandchildren in tow. So, I'm preparing for my sermon the Sunday of my return (21st); the story of Mary and Martha.  I have to say, that I definately identify with Martha.  I have often been distracted and stressed out by the need to "get everything done" or make everything just right.  I can remember holiday meals, where I spent much of my time in the kitchen, stressed out.  I did not enjoy my family, nor did I enjoy the meal.  I was just relieved when it was all over.

What is Jesus trying to tell Martha, and us?  What is the one thing that is needed?  It seems that Mary gets it.  She has chosen to sit and listen to Jesus... to God's very presence.  I wonder how we might find time in our busy lives to sit and listen.  To be still and let God's presence wash over us, listening for a message of love and grace meant just for us.

Surely, Martha needed to make ready for her guests, but did everything need to be absolutely perfect?  Could she have let go at some point and let herself relax and join Mary at Jesus' feet?  What would that look like for us?  I think back to those holiday meals... I could have asked everyone to bring a dish, so that I wasn't doing everything myself.  I could try to plan things ahead of time, instead of reacting.  Most of all, I can trust in God to provide what is needed.

Perhaps, that's the bottom line... trust.  When we put our trust in Jesus, and rely on God to provide for our needs, then we're left only with living out our lives according to God's love for each of us.  When we're stressed and worried, we're not having trust.  When we're too busy to take time to listen to our savior, then we may find ourselves stressed out and even lost.

How might you take time to listen to Jesus this week?

I survived Confirmation Camp!

At confirmation camp, every morning, you could hear the sounds of life begin; countless whispers, the pitter patter of not so little feet, showers and blow-dryers, squeals and laughter… sounds of the Oscar Lodge preparing for the day.  Once everyone was ready, we were off to the main building for breakfast, singing a “repeat after me” song along the way.  There were three young women counselors who seemed to have everything under control.  So, especially on that first morning, I just struggled to keep up. 
Once breakfast was over and the tables were cleaned, we broke into small groups of boys and girls from all the cabins and lodges.  This year, each group was named after the many gifts and talents that we are given, such as “healers, teachers, disciples, deacons” and my small group, which was known as the “apostles.”  Each day, we gathered several times to study a text, and do an activity that helped us to better understand the message for the day.  After our small group time, campers had the opportunity to play games, swim, or canoe.  During the first activity of the day, adult leaders met to discuss what was working, or what wasn’t, offering suggestions and preparing for the next day.
In the afternoon, there was another “small group” session, and then several activities, aimed at wearing everyone out.  Finally, each day ended with worship around the camp fire, where we sang countless songs and prayed.  In the beginning, the young people were quiet and careful with each other, but by the end of the week, we all seemed to be one big family.  I include myself in that, because I felt the same way.  I felt the spirit working among us and opening us up to each other.  The theme for the week was, “Jesus chooses us.”  We learned how Jesus comes to us in many different ways.  We learned how Jesus protects and comforts us.  We learned to recognize Jesus in our life journey.
As I was watching the young people at camp, I began to see in them the seeds of faith that had been planted over the years… seeds that were nurtured at home, in church, in Sunday school, first communion, and in their confirmation classes…as well as a faith that was modeled for them by others.  During our time at camp, it felt a little bit like harvesting as I heard many of them saying things like, “I finally get it!” or, “Now I understand.”   
There were 64 young people at camp… 64 very loud and very excited young people.  What better evangelists for Christ could there be to share God’s presence, and the good news with others.  We were actually 120 in all, including the camp counselors and adult leaders… all were filled with fun, learning, and the growing experienced at camp… all were filled with a sense of family and openness… all were filled with the spirit of God.  Among our activities, we spent time in reflection, when we were open and vulnerable to each other.  We shared our joys and our fears, and we shared our faith stories.  We learned to trust in God and each other…we learned to believe that God truly provides for our needs.
Camp was a relatively small group, but all that happened there, seemed to represent what happens in the church… and in our congregation.  When we open up to others, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, sharing our faith stories… people respond… they are often moved to open up and share themselves… and soon they are strangers no longer.  Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to force the Good News on people.  He told them to offer it, and if there weren’t welcomed, they should shake the dust of their feet and move on. 
What is it in your life that reminds you to give thanks to God?  What joy, what comfort, what experience reminds you of God’s presence in your life?  What knowledge or experience could you share that might help our youth… or someone else… to grow in their faith?  What joys could you share to help them become excited about church… excited about Jesus?  How can we all be examples of Christ for our children… for those around us… and for those in our community?  
I know that talking about Jesus and faith takes many people out of their comfort zones.  The good news is that you don’t have to be perfect… you don’t need to know everything… and you’re not responsible for the results.  You only need to be open to others… to let yourself be vulnerable as you share your faith story… and then listen without judgment or argument.   We don’t need a lot of preparation or extra gear to help us to do as Jesus asks.  We need only to trust that God truly provides all that we need… at camp, at church, and at every harvest.  Later today or this week, you may be faced with an opportunity to share your faith story.  Give it a try… you just might find that you love to tell the story… the old, old story, of Jesus and his love for us all.

Confirmation Camp

On Sunday (6/23/2013) I'm heading to confirmation camp with two of St. Stephen's confirmation kids, joining 50-60 others (youth and adults).  We'll be going to VanderKamp (www.vk.org) for five nights, returning on Friday.  My task as an adult leader will be to supervise the girls in my lodge, as well as teaching a mixed group Bible related lesson twice each day, as well as, supervising them during the day. 

This will be my first... my VERY FIRST experience at camp EVER! 

I'm really looking forward to going to camp, spending time with the youth, as well as, the other adults who will be there.  I know there will be a lot of fun activities, as well as time for meditation and worship.  I can't wait to sit around the camp fire and sing fun songs.  I feel like I missed out as a kid, so I'm approaching this experience from two perspectives.  Perhaps this is a good thing, it keeps the excitement high, when I look at it from my inner "Kid's" perspective.  When I look at it from an "adult" perspective, I'm a bit nervous, not knowing exactly what is going to happen.  I guess that put's me in a good place to relate to the youth who haven't been to camp before.

As I head off to camp this coming Sunday, I hope that you will keep me and the other campers in your prayers.  Please pray that we have safe travels, plenty of Christian fellowship, time for rest, time for relating to God and to nature, and plenty of time for fun as well.

Should I survive this experience, I'll see you all next Sunday for our Youth Led Worship and the Confirmation of two of our youth.

Blessings to you in Christ,
Pastor Deb

Who's she preaching to?

Last Sunday, my sermon was about being made new in Jesus, it was also about HIV/AIDS and unsafe sexual practices, to which many of my older congregation members wondered - "Who is she preaching to?" The truth is, I was preaching to them, and everyone else. Just because the message doesn't directly apply to you, it doesn't mean that there isn't someone who needs to hear it, that wasn't present in church on Sunday...someone you know, family, friends, neighbors... That's what our baptismal promise is all about. Share the news, bad and good. HIV/AIDS is far from over. Thank goodness, through God's love and grace, we are given the courage to carry on and and to help others. Reach our to your loved ones, your friends, and your neighbors. Share what you hear each Sunday. God be with you. Pastor Deb