My brothers and sisters in Christ,
And the future of the church looks bright. Our youth all did a great job. I know there were many proud parents and grandparents. You should be. I know I was. As a staff, we have talked many times about how we need to keep having our young ones be part of the service. Now you know why. We just need to give them more opportunities to do so. Now you know why! If you see them again, make sure you say thank you for the work they did.
It was mostly my mother who taught me how to be polite. I was always mindful of my please and thank you. I can still hear my mom say, “What do you say?” It is nothing new, but for some reason, I have noticed that the younger generation (not always) say, “Of course,” instead of the traditional, “You’re welcome.” I really like this response. First of all, it sounds very polite. But mostly it gives me the impression of what else should I have done? It happens in all sorts of situations. Maybe more times because I am disabled. I am always quick with a thank you (thanks, Mom) when they open a door for me. Then they respond, “Of course,” what else should I have done? It is not a “no big deal,” or “forget about it,” this is about who I am as a person.
This is how I picture God. When I come to him for forgiveness, maybe he is also saying “Of course.” Could it be that easy? I think so. But maybe we feel like we have to do more. Sort of like grace. I know I am saved by grace, but maybe I need to… Maybe we don’t say this with words, but our actions tell something different. I need to earn God’s forgiveness…I need to earn God’s grace. Romans 11:6 reads, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer based on works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” This is who God is. It is his character. He can’t help but forgive. He can’t help but shower grace. Need forgiveness, God says, “Of course.” The Old Testament prophets knew it. It made Jonah so mad at the possibility that God would forgive the Assyrian city of Nineveh. They were the sworn enemies of the Jewish people. People whom Jonah despised. And when the city repented, God forgave them, and Jonah was ticked because he knew God’s character. I think there is a little bit of Jonah in all of us. Oh, we want forgiveness, but them? I’ll stop there.
Don’t forget that we will be doing the Holden Evening Prayer service on Wednesdays during Lent, starting February 25. These services will start at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to come. It could be a really good time to bring a friend.
Someone reminded me this week that I need to be careful with my choice of words. I mentioned that the Lenten Devotionals were bought by the church, as well as the gift cards. Let me correct this. The church did not buy the devotionals or the gift cards. The person who did is not going to change their pledge to the church because of this. I think it is fair to say that the person’s heart was stirred by the Holy Spirit to do this. Just wanted you to be correctly informed.
Don’t forget that you always have a choice to do things in the church. I am fully aware that this church asks you a lot for all sorts of things. Our Spring Fling breakfast is coming up on March 22, and it will be time to get the chalkboard out again. It is always your choice to pull an item or two off the board. During the Ash Wednesday services, I asked the people who attended to read Psalm 51 every day during Lent. For many biblical scholars, it is a blueprint on how we should go to God asking for forgiveness. Some of you will do so, and some of you will not. Your choice.
Which brings us to the gift cards offered for the group of people who do the most intentional acts on the handout provided. It caused quite a stir, and I really can’t argue their point. My intention for the gift cards was two-fold. One, to have a little fun. Two, to increase the participation in doing these intentional acts. Maybe a person who doesn’t normally do anything for Lent now is encouraged to do so with the extra bonus of getting a gift card. Maybe it is a family that will rally together to knock off as many intentional acts as possible to win a gift card. One way to look at it, again, and I can’t argue their point, is “You’re paying them to do good.” Well, I think you are correct.
But here is the thing. To win these gift cards, which are not coming from the finances of the church (if that matters), they must write their names and the number of intentional acts they did. One, it is your choice to do this activity or not. Two, if you do this and don’t feel right about doing it for gift cards, don’t turn in your name. That is always your choice. Three, if this is something you can rally around, then by all means write your name and the number of acts, and I hope you turn it in. Your choice. It took a person who doesn’t attend our church to give me a fourth option. To try to win the gift card and then give it to someone who might need it more than you. This sort of sounds like our church, and I apologize that a non-member had to remind me of this. I really don’t mean for this to be a complete list. Just maybe giving you some different choices to consider.
As I reflect on this more, I wonder what is happening to our curiosity. Do you know that there was only one person who asked me what I was thinking? One. They didn’t agree with me, but they asked. They were curious. Others just told me that they disagreed with me, which is fine. In my 6+ years here, I can’t imagine you have all agreed with me on what I said or what I did. Look at your spouse, your child, or your friend. Do you ask them what they were thinking or why they chose to do this or that? Or do you say you’re wrong? How did that go over? I would totally be surprised if I have been right about everything in my tenure at St. John’s. I know I haven’t. Stay curious. Ask them what they think before you pass judgment.
Cross marked and spirit sealed.
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the second Weekend of Lent, February 28 & March 1.
Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 John 3:1-17