Dog Days of Summer: Delilah

It is officially the Dog Days of Summer! These hot, humid days of July & August can feel relentlessly brutal, but together we will beat the heat by enjoying the company of some adorable Saint Luke pups. “Dog Days of Summer," our lighthearted devotional summer series, explores the remarkable lessons we can learn about God and faith from our furry companions. During this series, you will meet some of the canines of Saint Luke and hear from the owners that love them as to the many ways their dogs have taught them about faith. Sit, stay, & enjoy these canine stories from our furriest Saint Luke friends.

This week we continue our series with a special hound. Big thanks to Stephanie Funk for introducing us to Delilah!

Meet Delilah

Meet Delilah, the delightful 6.5-year-old greyhound whose heartwarming story is a testament to the power of love and second chances. Originally a foster, Delilahs spirited personality and love for snoozing and belly rubs quickly captured the heart of her caregiver, leading to her joyful adoption into the family. With a wagging tail and a heart full of affection, Delilah’s exuberant welcome makes everyone she meets an instant friend.

Here is what owner Stephanie Funk had to share about this wonderful hound:

The Basics

Nickname: Bud. D. or Goof.

Breed: Greyhound.

Likes: Oravet Dental Chews, sleep, and belly rubs.

How long have they been a part of your family & how did they join your family?

Delilah is a foster fail in the very best way. Stephanie first fostered her from Linda Ann’s Greyhound Adoption rescue. In April 2020, she decided that she was home and Delilah has been a wonderful addition to the family since.

 

Lessons about God & faith

What has your pup taught you about faith & God?

Faith and trust are the underpinnings of the relationship— with Delilah and with God. Delilah has also reminded me of the wonder of all the different kinds of dogs He created. (There are over 340 recognized breeds- Isn’t God so creative!?)

How has owning a dog reflected the unconditional love and loyalty that God has for you?

Delilah is always happy to see me when I come home as I imagine God is happy to see me. When she meets me at the door, she is always wagging her tail.

Dogs are known for their ability to forgive and forget. How have you experienced this lesson with your dog?

I accidentally closed the door on her tail one time last summer. It was just a pinch, but she did sort of scream.  Thankfully, she seems to have completely forgiven and forgotten the incident.

Dogs have a unique ability to bring people together and bridge divides. How can we learn from their example to foster unity and love within our communities?

Delilah is very friendly to everyone and thus I tend to talk to strangers more than I ever have! While Delilah is quick to make friends with all, she is very friendly to people so I think she likes to meet people even more than dogs. 

More friends, less strangers. More warm wagging welcomes, less isolating rejections or indifference. More belly rubs, light hearts and simple delights, less sadness, reservation and seriousness. Amen.

Dog Days of Summer: Mia & Maisey

Welcome back to our fun Dog Days of Summer series, where we embrace the essence of summer and let the paws-itively heartwarming tales of our furry friends brighten your days! As the sun shines high and the warmth fills the air, we embark on yet another delightful journey into the canine world, bringing you the enchanting stories of new four-legged companions that have graced our lives, revealing God to us in unexpected ways.

As the dog days of summer roll on, we find ourselves once again enchanted by the special bond between humans and canines, and all that they can teach us about faith. These loyal companions have an uncanny ability to share happiness, healing, and unconditional love, making even the hottest days feel like a refreshing breeze of joy. Sit, stay, and get ready to take a step in your faith journey alongside wagging tails and wet noses.

Meet Mia & Maisey

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Mia and Maisy may be small but the love they give is enormous! These faithful and quiet girls are the perfect coworkers, adding warmth to even the most difficult day at the home office. When they are not on the clock, they really love hanging in the backyard, looking for bunnies or just lounging on the patio couches. Food is the quickest way to their hearts, and they are sure to make they way into your heart in record time.

Here is what one of their owners, Dave Satterfield had to share about these sweet girls:

The Basics

Breed: They are both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Mia is Ruby (hence her nickname “Little Ruby”) and Maisey is Blenheim colored.

Likes: Their #1 love in life seems to be food. Most mornings they wake me up around 5:30am for their breakfast!  

Dislikes: Probably Masiey's biggest disklike would be seeing a suitcase because she knows it means we are going away.  She just wants to stay home.   Mia is very easy going but she doesn’t like bunnies and other critters invading our backyard, so she is always on guard for that.  She recently had a slow speed chase of a turtle all around our yard until the turtle found a way to escape under the fence!

How long have they been a part of your family & how did they join your family?

We adopted Mia and Maisey at different times. We adopted Mia with her bonded companion Mugsy in 2018. Mugsy was several years older and one of the sweetest and most gentle dogs I have ever known.  He later passed away in 2021. We adopted Maisey in 2020 so that Mia could have a companion, since she had always had Mugsy as her friend since she was a little pup.  Maisey came from a breeder where we don't think she had much socialization or love before joining our family.  It took her several months to come out of her shell and trust that we actually wanted to love and not hurt her.

 

Lessons about God & faith

What has your pup taught you about faith?

They have taught me about the power of love to change a life.  We have seen first hand how showing unconditional love and affection can change the life of a dog from one of fear to a life of happiness and joy.  It makes me think how much bigger God’s love is than our love.  How much more can God’s love change our lives if we accept and embrace it?

How has your dog made you see God differently?

Dogs love so unconditionally and are always so glad to see us whether we have been away on vacation for a week or just gone to the grocery store for a few minutes.  They are just a small reflection of how God loves us so unconditionally as well.

Dogs teach us the importance of living in the present moment and finding joy in simple things. How has your dog taught you this lesson in your faith journey?

One of our dog's greatest joys is just  hanging in our backyard with us, which has been a real blessing for us as well, especially during the pandemic.  Their love of being out in nature has taught us to relax and slow down a bit to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature all around us.  Mia and Maisey have a bad habit of waking up early (like around 5:30am).  This wakes me up everyday, but I have also come to enjoy the quiet time in the morning to read and prepare for my day.

Dogs have an innate ability to sense our emotions and provide comfort. How can this teach us about God's compassion and empathy towards us?

We say that Maisey is empathic.  She seems to be able to sense when someone is not feeling well.  When our older dog Mugsy was diagnosed with a tumor, Maisey seemed to know this.  She would curl up with him in his bed and follow him around everywhere, always giving him a good sniff when he returned from the vet. She also seems to be able to sense when people are feeling bad.  Last year, Maryanne had a tooth extraction and came home with her head all bandaged up.  Maisey instinctively curled up with her on the couch and made sure she was snuggled right beside her for hours, something she normally would not have done.  Maisey's love and caring reminds me that God loves us so much when we are suffering or sad.  He is always there for us.

Dogs demonstrate resilience and the ability to bounce back from difficult circumstances. How can your dog’s resilience inspire us to persevere in our faith, even in the face of challenges?

We adopted Maisey from a breeder where we think she was not treated very well.  She was very weary of people at first, hiding in her dog bed on the opposite side of the family room.  It took almost a year for her to be brave enough to sit on the couch next to us. Over the course of months and years she has learned that not all people are bad or want to hurt her.  She has let down her guard especially with me and the result has been a real second chance at a happy life for her.  Knowing how much better her life has become makes me think that we too can have more abundant joy and happiness if we focus on the good and love around us and not problems or troubles we have had in the past.

Oh, Divine Creator, shower us with abundant blessings! Like our loyal dogs, may we embody resilience, bouncing back from life's trials with unwavering determination. Instill within us hearts of compassion and empathy, mirroring the comforting presence of our canine friends to those in need. May we learn from dogs to cherish the present moment, finding joy in the simplest of things, their carefree spirits reminding us to live in the now. Like the boundless love and unwavering loyalty of our furry companions, let us cherish and celebrate the relationships that enrich our lives, forever grateful for the shared journey of love and companionship. Amen.

Dog Days of Summer: Jojo

It is officially the Dog Days of Summer! These hot, humid days of July & August can feel relentlessly brutal, but together we will beat the heat by enjoying the company of some adorable Saint Luke pups. “Dog Days of Summer," our lighthearted devotional summer series, explores the remarkable lessons we can learn about God and faith from our furry companions. During this series, you will meet some of the canines of Saint Luke and hear from the owners that love them as to the many ways their dogs have taught them about faith.

As we embark on this journey together, we will delve into the endearing qualities that make dogs such beloved members of our families, and discover how they can illuminate profound truths about our relationship with the Divine. From their unwavering loyalty and unconditional love to their ability to bring joy and healing, dogs offer us a unique perspective on the depth of God's love and the transformative power of faith. Sit, stay, & enjoy these canine stories from our furriest Saint Luke friends.

Meet JoJo

Jojo is a lovable 4.5 year old mutt that joined the Milby family at just the perfect time. He appreciates the music stylings of John “Jojo” Hermann, whom he is named after. This adorable pup enjoys leisurely days spent sunbathing, chilling on the sofa watching Lucky Dog on TV, or cruising around town in the car. If he is feeling extra adventurous, you may find him chasing bunnies or squirrels around the yard, or squeaking his toys to his heart’s delight. Relaxing or playing, Jojo brings joy and love wherever he goes.

Here is what one of his owners, Judy Milby had to share about this special guy:

The Basics

Nickname: Joey. Every dog we have had is named after a musician. Our JoJo is named after John "JoJo" Hermann who’s an American singer, musician and songwriter, best known for his involvement in the band Widespread Panic (Bill Milby’s favorite band).

Breed: JoJo is a rescue dog and we've never done a DNA test, but the shelter thought he was a Catahoula Leopard mix with Australian Shepherd. 

Dislikes: Thunder, fireworks and our sweet mailman, Pete.

How long have they been a part of your family & how did they join your family?

JoJo became a Milby in March 2020 when our boys were home on their college Spring Breaks and because of the Covid outbreak, never returned to their respective colleges for the semester. It was a great time to welcome a new furry family member since all 4 of us were home! We had been dogless for over a year - previously we had a rescue dog (Woody) that was only a Milby for about five weeks until an unprovoked attack on Lukas (our youngest son). It was a sad, traumatic, and scary experience that required an ER visit and we needed to return him to the shelter. We wanted to wait to adopt again until Lukas was ready. We went back to the same animal shelter (Main Line Animal Rescue) who remembered our unfortunate last experience and wanted to ensure we found the perfect new dog!

 

Lessons about God & faith

What has your pup taught you about faith?

Since God and JoJo cannot “talk” to us, there will always be things we cannot fully understand. It’s just the way it is with both of them, and we easilyl accept that. It does require having a whole lotta of faith and trust in both relationships and both do “talk” to us in their own ways. There are similarities between JoJo and our faith. They both don’t judge us and just love us no matter what. God has a crazy abundant love for ALL – even on our worse days and even when we sin. This is just like JoJo who loves each of us Milbys, no matter our circumstances – whether we have left him for a few days or if we have wronged, hurt, or disappointed another. JoJo always forgives us and welcomes us home when we’ve been away, just like scripture assures us that God will always forgive us and welcome us home. Even though both God and JoJo cannot “voice” their love for us, it is shown and evident in other ways which brings us tremendous comfort and joy.

How has your dog made you see God differently?

We’re not sure if JoJo has made us see God differently but JoJo has helped us to see God more. You see, we see God in all that is good and in dogs, God created the ultimate goodness. Dogs are undoubtedly the perfect companion. Our JoJo asks for very little yet gives so much in return. He is very forgiving. He showers us with considerable happiness and loves bountifully. Sound like someone else we may know? God may have created dogs as another way to teach us about his love for us. Dogs are another one of God’s wonderful creations that are a gift and make life grander.

Dogs rely on their owners for provision and care. How does this reliance on a loving caregiver mirror our dependence on God for all our needs?

JoJo wants to always be close to us, will do anything to protect us and depends on us for all his daily needs. He always wants to please us and feel our love (and of course get belly rubs) and this serves him well. This isn’t too different than how we rely and depend on God. He gives us things, much more than we usually need, and he blesses us in ways we rejoice in, may not know, understand, or appreciate at times. And this serves us well. We pray to feel close to God and give thanks, we ask him to protect us and others and depend on him to watch over us with his boundless love. God is our ultimate caregiver and caregiving is the ultimate act of love. JoJo will always have us as his caregivers and we always will have God as ours, thankfully. “And the greatest of these is love”, 1 Corinthians 13.

May God bless your days with the kind of joy that comes from squeaky toy symphonies and chasing bunnies with total abandon. May you recognize God’ boundless affection in the wagging tails and be reminded of life's simplest pleasures. May the blessings of our friends- furry and not- fill our hearts and souls, making every moment a playful and cherished treasure. Amen.

Pastor Matt Selected as 2023 SEPA Advocacy Honoree

After a break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania is once again hosting Lutheran Day in the Capitol in Harrisburg. People from across Pennsylvania will gather on April 27 to learn, organize, honor advocates, and visit with their legislators. SEPA Synod Bishop Patricia Davenport has selected Pastor Matt Staniz as our synod’s 2023 Advocacy Honoree. Advocacy Honorees are selected by their bishop to recognize individuals who have led significant faith-based advocacy in the public square in order to carry out the mission of the gospel.

Pastor Matt’s participation in advocacy has been significantly shaped—and expressed—through his commitment to The ONE Campaign, a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity.

PaSTOR MATT’s ONE CAMPAIGN JOURNEY

Pastor Matt, Nancy Shaw, and ONE volunteer Serena Carbonell with Representative Chrissy Houlahan on World Malaria Day.

The ONE Campaign was officially launched in Philadelphia in 2004 the same week that Pastor Matt graduated from seminary. During seminary, Pastor Matt paid close attention to the work of global activists who successfully campaigned for debt forgiveness to poor countries and for PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) which was the largest global health intervention in history when it was announced by President George W. Bush in 2003. ONE started as a coalition of organizations who joined together to campaign for ongoing global response and accountability until extreme poverty and preventable diseases are no longer the cause of millions of deaths among the world’s poorest people. Pastor Matt knew many of the predecessor campaigns, so he was glad to have himself counted as a ONE member from the very beginning.

 

Pastor Matt with ONE President, Tom Hart

It was five years later, in 2009, when Pastor Matt was invited to put significant action behind his faithful commitment to ONE’s efforts. Another pastor spotted a white ONE wristband on Pastor Matt’s wrist (he still wears a ONE wristband every day) and invited him to meet with ONE’s local organizer. That meeting happened within a few days, and Pastor Matt is now counted among ONE’s longest-serving organizers 14 years later! His first public event was a press conference with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who presented a declaration that Philadelphia was designated as a “ONE City”.

Letters delivered in Washington by Pastor Matt and Pittsburgh ONE organizer Brian Thomas.

Over the past 14 years, Pastor Matt has taken countless actions as a ONE organizer. He has brought together pastors and congregations—within SEPA Synod and around the country—to send timely messages to congress and presidential administrations. This has included letter writing efforts (including several at Saint Luke), regional workshops, national television broadcasts, and outreach at events including national political conventions and several concerts by musicians that support the cause (including ONE co-founder Bono, a member of U2). Pastor Matt regularly schedules and leads meetings with members of congress and candidates focused upon ending extreme poverty. The Philadelphia Inquirer publishes his letters about global health on a regular basis. “In my ordination vows, I promised to speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, calling for justice and proclaiming God’s love for the world. Advocacy, especially with ONE, is a way that I live out that promise.”

What Has Been Accomplished So Far?

When asked what accomplishments are most important to him, Pastor Matt lists these:

  • Ongoing global funding for PEPFAR and The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria

  • Dramatically increased access to electricity through the Electrify Africa Act of 2015

  • Global access to vaccinations though GAVI – The Vaccine Alliance

  • Millions of children, especially girls, gaining access to primary education and beyond

  • Better access to private investment improving lives in low-income countries through the BUILD Act of 2018

  • The Mother’s Day when members of Saint Luke wrote letters supporting maternal health for moms everywhere.

Results “On the Ground” in Tanzania

In 2017, Pastor Matt and other members of Saint Luke visited Tanzania. During this trip, his commitment to serving global neighbors became one of his most deeply held values. “Through our partnership with Mikanjuni Lutheran Parish, and Julius Shoo, I came to understand both the needs and the infinite talent and passion of the African entrepreneurs, farmers, and community leaders that smart global investment is supporting. Through our synod’s companionship with the North Eastern Diocese of Tanzania, we visited an orphanage and fell in love with the beautiful children who were living there. While my heart was breaking that these children were orphaned, many because of preventable diseases including AIDS, I also learned directly from the women who cared for them about the remarkable improvements since the world began to respond. A few year earlier, most of the children there were born HIV positive and were cared for until they died. Because the world has stepped up, the children we met were overwhelmingly healthy. They have a future; their lives are not ending but beginning!”

Following Jesus Means Serving the Poor

It is impossible to separate our call to follow Jesus with the mission Jesus announced: bringing good news to the poor. In the Gospel of Luke (3:16-21), the first public act of ministry Jesus performs is to read the words “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recover of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” After reading this from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, every eye in the congregation was fixed on Jesus as he declared, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” In one moment, Jesus declared both his commitment to bringing an end to poverty and the undeniable role that we play. The scripture of liberation is fulfilled “in our hearing” which is followed by our participation in being the answer to the call of Jesus and to the prayer that he taught his disciples to pray: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.”

NEXT STEPS TO GET INVOLVED

Become a ONE Supporter

Check out this How-To Guide to Becoming a ONE Supporter. ONE never asks for money or shares your information. Instead ONE asks you to use your voice as an advocate and provides timely tools to do just that.

Educate Yourself with LAMPa

Learn more about Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania to participate in work that serves our closest neighbors. Sign up for advocacy alerts and take action!

Join the Advocacy Ministry Team

Volunteer to participate in the formation of an Advocacy Ministry Team at Saint Luke, inviting congregation members to learn, take action, and support important work. Contact Pastor Matt or the Saint Luke office to volunteer.

Pray with Purpose

Get involved by by praying. Not sure where to start? Here are some prompts:

  • Pray for advocates who speak up for the needs of the poor, including especially Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania and The ONE Campaign

  • Pray for public servants—elected leaders and their advisors and staff members—as they make decisions that have an impact on people living in extreme poverty.

  • Pray for programs and ministries (including our partners at Mikanjuni and the North Eastern Diocese in Tanzania) that are at work to improve conditions around the world so that all people may experience lives of dignity and opportunity.

Love A Little Louder: The Welcome Church

How can we love a little louder? This lent, we will gather each week to engage with messages from members about several Saint Luke ministries in which we care for one another and those in our community. As we hear inspiring stories and find out more about how Saint Lukans shout and show God’s love beyond the church walls, we too will be inspired to join the mission to know, love and serve Christ.

This week, Madison Miller, organizer of the Welcome Church trips and Gemma Services youth trips, shares here experience loving out loud. Her stories are sure to inspire you and make you smile!

PERFECT CHICKEN BY THE GRACE OF GOD

When preparing for this talk, I stumbled upon a journal entry that I wrote in my phone titled “By the Grace of God”. Usually when you hear someone say, “and by the grace of God,” it follows with something amazing, usually some type of healing or protection or provision. Well for me, my story was about forgetting that I had a chicken in the oven. I came home late from a nice long dinner with my friends, but I wanted to get one more thing done before I went to bed. Anyone else out there like me? I decide that it’s a great idea for me to put some chicken in the oven. I think, “It doesn’t take long to cook chicken, right? I’ll throw it in the oven and by the time I’m done getting ready for bed, it’ll be done.”

Well, I completely forgot that I did that. I went downstairs just to get some water when I smelled my chicken and heard the roaring of the oven. My eyes bulged, my breath stopped in the middle of my throat hard and fast, and I quickly turned off the oven and grabbed that chicken the heck out of there. I instantly said, “by the grace of God,” and just stared at that perfectly done golden meat with amazement.

I felt a tightening sensation of guilt about nearly avoiding the potential of burning my family’s house down in the night. Then, I felt laughter swirling around inside of my mind thinking about how stupid I am sometimes and how I never ever will be perfect or do things perfectly. It also reminded me just how many times God has saved me physically, spiritually, emotionally without me really even fully taking it in. The reason I wanted to talk about this is because this happens all the time when serving the Lord. Serving with the Welcome Church, a worship service in Philadelphia for those experiencing homelessness, and Gemma Services continually reminds me that I am not in control and will never be perfect, and that is exactly what God intends.

I have a fear of forgetting things. Most people who know me would probably be surprised to learn that I am incredibly forgetful by nature. I’m very diligent and organized, but this doesn’t totally cure forgetfulness. I’m always setting reminders and alarms on my phone for things because I know that if I don’t write it down in some way, I will forget it - or I will remember it too late. In part this is because despite the type A parts of myself I like to chill. As a kid, one of the weirdest and coolest things about me was that I loved sitting on my bed in the middle of the day and staring into space – out the window or the wall or at an object. It was like my favorite past time. I was meditating and connecting with the Holy Spirit, but I didn’t ever really do it on purpose. I just knew that I enjoyed that. Well, that part of me clashes with my perfectionism and my desire to get things done. So, somewhere along the way I developed this fear of forgetting things.

When I started to plan events for spiritual purposes, God started telling me to let go of that fear. I have planned lots of events, even conferences, in my professional life and service life outside of church but I never was able to let go of that fear until I started working on spiritual events. Every single time there is a Welcome Church trip I forget something, guaranteed. Multiple times it was Ziplock bags to make the care kits, last time it was a tablecloth. I have forgotten twice to verify that we can park in the lot where a Saint Luke member works, and so graciously gives us free passes so that we don’t have to search for parking in the city or even pay. But guess what, it works. Every single time, we pray with people, we talk with people, we hand out food and drinks, and we give and receive a piece of God’s love to people experiencing homelessness. By the grace of God, we always improvise to fix what I forgot or someone else like my Dad remembers for me, or we just go without that one item or things like parking arrangements.  It’s never a picture-perfect event. It’s never smooth but service is not supposed to be smooth.

Just about every time we are scheduled for a trip there is some huge event going on in the city. One time it was the marathon in tandem with an Eagles game, another it was the Puerto Rican parade that had us driving through crazy routes to bypass the traffic, then of course it was the nationally renowned music festival Made in America, and oh yea a hurricane with furious wind and rain! Also, every trip, especially the first few, donations at first were sparse. I would check the collection bin each week and see it pretty empty. I would email people or do something but I still wouldn’t see it filling up – until all of a sudden the week before the event – often even the day of the event I find the bin overflowing and people find me at the service giving me bags or even show up to the church to carpool with a 100 snacks. It truly does feel like the feeding of the 5,000 every time. By the Grace of God, we have had successful trips for five years.

Not only has serving God helped me let go of my fear of forgetting but it’s helped me let go of worrying in general. Of course, I still worry about things in life but I’m not kidding when I say that I worry way less than I used to after starting to serve God in these roles. Because serving allows you to see so clearly that what God wants to happen will happen. Our human failures can’t stand in the way of God’s perfect will. Realizing this helps me take the focus away from me being a “good volunteer” or a “good servant” and just serving, just showing up and not placing the focus on myself but instead focusing on God. Trusting God. Philippians 1:6 says, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ”.

For me, God used service opportunities to help me relax, trust him, and – to just let go and let go of my ego too. Each person’s lesson is unique to them and their situation in life. For example, we have seen on the blog and during the services many different ways that God has touched people through various ministries at Saint Luke. While everyone’s lesson is different, I think there’s a common thread in a lot of our lives. We often don’t feel qualified, or we hesitate thinking that someone will be better for the role, or that we don’t have enough time or energy. Or we even doubt that this one type of service is where we are being called. Do you ever relate to any of those things? I’ve been in phases where I feel like there are lots of ways that I can serve but I don’t feel super passionate about a certain one – so maybe I’m not called to these – maybe I need to find something different. Well that usually results in me waiting around rather than trying things. It’s great to be discerning and pray to God for guidance on how to serve, but I think that the Devil uses a lot of these tactics to hold us back and to hold us away from others. But God says each of us were given gifts from the Spirit and he tells us in 2 Corinthians 12: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.

Going back to the reading, Paul tells the church in Corinth: “Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” I feel that a lot of us have this desire. God is pleased by our desire and wants us to complete it.

NEXT STEPS

BAKE IN SERVICE FIRST

My future father-in-law, reminded me that service is an opportunity to meet Jesus. Jesus says in Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. It is a helpful reminder that we literally are interacting with Jesus when we serve others. Who doesn’t want that? A lot of us are wonderful at loving our family and friends. Jesus is very specific about who else we also need to love. In Matthew 25, he tells us that we are supposed to feed the hungry, invite in the stranger, cloth those who need clothes, take care of the sick, and visit those in prison. God also repeatedly tells us to care for the poor, widows, and orphans. Life can be so full. There is a part of me that likes to wait and see: “maybe I’ll sign up for that event if I don’t have anything else going on”. At some point, God told me, you need to bake in service first. Put it on your calendar and commit to it, because if you don’t, something will always come up. We need to be willing to say no to some things in the world to say yes to God sometimes. I mess this up a lot, but it is a continual journey.

 

COMBAT BURN OUT & LONELINESS

It’s really been on my heart that people are burnt out. I can relate. Being in a PhD program, planning a wedding, being in friends weddings, trying to find a place to live, and my fiancé Michael trying to find a new job – we both have been filled to the brim. But despite the busyness and constant connections with people, I feel so disconnected when I am not serving and I feel a burning desire to serve. God actually designed us for service and generosity. Our brains are literally wired for it. When we give or engage in serving others, our brain’s reward center, the mesolimbic pathway, ignites and we receive a rush of endorphins. As someone studying organizational behavior, I read a lot about burnout and burnout especially from covid. But research and individual stories show that one of the best ways to counter burnout at work and in our lives in general is to find meaning. What better place to find meaning than serving others.

I also study loneliness in the workplace. Loneliness was designated as an epidemic in this country by the US Surgeon General in 2017 – years before the pandemic – because of the prevalence of loneliness and its links to severe diseases and death. Yet statistically in studies as well as in my own research, three antidotes for loneliness include volunteering, worshipping in church regularly, and praying and meditating. How amazing is it that serving in spiritual ways connects all three of these. Serving through Saint Luke is like a superfood against loneliness that brings meaning and connection into our lives and can actually help us feel less burnt out. So, the other way that service impacts me is that it actually energizes and rejuvenates me. Psalm 16:11 says that “in Your presence there is fullness of joy”. That’s what servicing is like.

 

JUST START

In whatever limited time, energy, or finances we each have, we just need to start something and God will help you finish it – or He’ll get somebody else finish it. He’ll find a way. We need to take away our fear of starting (wherever that fear may come from – whether it’s forgetting things and not being the picture-perfect leader or whatever it may be), just start and just trust.

 

God, you make it all work. Give us the vision and energy we need to server world in need. Amen.

Love A Little Louder: Prayer Gathering

How can we love a little louder? This lent, we will gather each week to engage with messages from members about several Saint Luke ministries in which we care for one another and those in our community. As we hear inspiring stories and find out more about how Saint Lukans shout and show God’s love beyond the church walls, we too will be inspired to join the mission to know, love and serve Christ.

This week, Jodi Cunniffe, leader of the Thursday evening Prayer Gathering shares the direct connection between prayer and loving out loud. Enjoy her thoughtful words!

FINDING GOD IN THE RAIN

Ever since I was young I remember praying to God amidst all the chaos in my life. As a child prayer is what got me through each and every day. God always showed up for me and I let him into my life. In times of trouble he left me breadcrumbs to follow leading the way to him. The turning point in my life was one day when I was told I couldn't pray.

I grew up Jewish and I had about Mitzvah and I did all the Jewish customs and I had gone to college. When I was at college I walked about two miles to go to a synagogue and I knocked on the door on Rosh Hashanah and they asked me for a ticket. I didn't have one. I just said, “I don't have a ticket. All I want to do is pray.” The door went shut and I had to walk back to my dorm.  The rain started pouring and I got drenched. Then I slipped and fell and when I looked over on the side, there was a pamphlet for a church. And that is how I was introduced to Jesus, by seeing this pamphlet.  After that I went to a different church and I learned that God had my back in that rainstorm and God had my back at my Bat Mitzvah and God had my back through all of the trials and troubles of my childhood- everything that happened to me. I trusted again.

One of these breadcrumbs moments (I call them breadcrumb moments because I feel like God like drops them for me and I picked them up and I follow) was what led me to Saint Luke and to the Prayer Gathering. I found Saint Luke after watching an episode of Queer Eye with my daughter, Tara that featured Pastor Noah. I was like, “wow that's a really cool church and maybe I should find one, so I went around looking for one. It was right around the pandemic so everything was online and where I was going to church wasn't online and I wasn't comfortable going indoors. I was in need of some serious, serious prayer during the pandemic because I had to work and to be with people, like a first responder type of person, and so I started following Saint Luke online on Sundays. And then I saw about the Prayer Gathering and God showed up in a big way, because the first person that I really talked to at this church was Pastor Sue. It was online and it was the night before her second stroke. I thought nobody’s going to be on 15 minutes early but I got on and she was there and she got me through something before that Prayer Gathering ever started! I kept coming back and I introduced myself and she said I was always welcome to join the Prayer Gathering. She prayed for me and she prayed with me, with the group and I was calm and I had peace in my heart. Then I met Pastor Mary who led the Prayer Gathering until her retirement.

After, Pastor Matt and Pastor Mary graciously asked me if I would take over facilitating the group and I prayed about it and then I said yes. My hope is that our Prayer Gathering is a sacred space for people to pray but also receive prayer.  My hope is that anybody can show up at any time and we're there for you. There's about six of us all together that are there week in and week out, but we would love more people to come even if it's just one time because you need us, because we can help you, and we want to help you and God loves you and we love God and it's all about a big puddle of love in our little group. There's a lot of joy. There's crying. It’s a great group that we have and we would love for you to join and for us to pray together.

THE DIFFICULTY AND BLESSING OF PRAYER

As we reflect on the lessons tonight we see that praying is really, really difficult for the disciples. They are having difficulty staying awake. We’re like that too. Jesus was distressed. The angel from heaven appeared and gave Jesus strength to go on to pray. It’s hard for him.  Again, God showed up. it is refreshing to see the humanness of Jesus and the disciples. There is pain, anger, sorrow, and exhaustion in this story. I believe that disciples fell asleep not because they wanted to but almost as a defense mechanism to deal with the sheer enormity of their emotions and kind of knowing what was going to happen. Maybe that was God giving them rest for what was to come. God knows what we need and cares deeply for us. James shows us that prayer is important in times of sickness and in joy. In addition, James points out that prayer is effective.

In my opinion prayer is love. The people of Saint Luke have loved me well. When I prayed for a loving and welcoming church,  Saint Luke was there. When I prayed that Tara and I would find a way to support people in need, we were blessed to help Chase and Pastor Sue with their dog Becks that first Summer of the pandemic. I prayed for connection for Tara with people from all ages and she was blessed with lovely conversations with a lovely senior, June during Beck's walks.  They would talk for hours and she would tell me how great it was.  When not one but two of Tara's dear friends were shot and murdered in Philadelphia, Saint Luke was there for us in prayer and love.  The care packages made for all Tara’s friends were a prayer of healing. Prayer to me is about loving all of humanity regardless of the circumstances. Ringing those bells on All Saints Day for one of Tara’s friends was such a blessing, a prayer straight up to God. It was amazing!

My fondest memory of prayer was the blessing after I read the Torah at my bat mitzvah. It was the one time where I could be up there with the rabbi all by myself. He looked me in the eye with his hands on my shoulders in front of the Ark and said, “I give this prayer to you: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”   Peace be with you, friends.

NEXT STEPS

LOOK FOR BREADCRUMBS

It can be challenging at times to see God at work in our lives or to notice when God does answer our prayers, but we know that God is always up to something good. Take some time to look around for the breadcrumbs in your life where God may be leading you back to himself.

 

CHANGE YOUR FOCUS & GET CREATIVE

Can’t seem to find the words? Try shifting your focus. Sometimes praying for others can be easier than praying for yourself. Swap requests with a friend or pass along your requests to us and we are happy to help bear your burden, while you talk to God about other needs in the world. Perhaps you don’t talk at all. Prayer can be expressed in a variety of ways. Consider incorporating movement such as walking or a labyrinth to your times of prayer. Music or art could be a helpful tool to calm your heart and focus your mind. Even our breath can guide our prayers as we inhale God’s love and exhale the cares and concerns within us.

 

PRAYER WITH US

Tune in any Thursday from anywhere to join our online Prayer Gathering. All are welcome. No exceptions. Check out our calendar each week for links to join us online. There is comfort in praying with others. Come experience God’s love with us.

 

Lord, you hear our prayers. You know our prayers even when we cannot manage to pray. Lead us to you and teach us to share our hearts with you. Amen.

Love A Little Louder: Feast Incarnate

How can we love a little louder? This lent, we will gather each week to engage with messages from members about several Saint Luke ministries in which we care for one another and those in our community. As we hear inspiring stories and find out more about how Saint Lukans shout and show God’s love beyond the church walls, we too will be inspired to join the mission to know, love and serve Christ.

This week, Sparky Lok, along with Jackie Baver, share their experience as a part of the ministry, Feast Incarnate. Thank you both!

Pr. Meagan Esterby, UniLu, ex officio Board member

With food scarcity touching so many lives around us, Feast Incarnate steps in to provide a dignified evening meal each week to those in need. Each Tuesday evening at University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Philadelphia, approximately 100 people gather together to nourish their bodies and hearts. University Lutheran, or UniLu as we call it, undertakes campus ministries in all of Philadelphia’s colleges and universities and serves its surrounding West Philadelphia community. When we say the meals happen weekly, we do in fact mean weekly, as in 52 weeks per year! The old-time “Feasties”, as we call ourselves proudly share that since its inception over 35 years ago, not one Tuesday has passed without a Feast Incarnate meal shared among the community. If a holiday falls on a Tuesday, the meal goes on. This is a testament to the dedication of the special people of Feast Incarnate.

 

Not Your Average Soup Kitchen

Feast Incarnate is set apart from a typical soup kitchen. It’s guests do not stand in line with trays to receive their meal, but rather are seated at tables with napkins, silverware, and beverage glasses and are served in banquet fashion with a delicious and healthful full-course meal plated for them on china. We hope that along with this meal, we serve up a measure of dignity and respect. Feast Incarnate functions with the conviction that the guests and the people who prepare and serve the food are alike in being children of God and are all enriched by the experience. Our volunteers are encouraged to engage guests in conversation; this is where the enrichment starts. Meals begin with a prayer and are enjoyed in Jesus' name. 

 

Michael Glatfelter, Board Treasurer, UniLu member

By way of a little history, Feast Incarnate was chartered as a ministry of UniLu in the early 1980s to serve community members whose lives were impacted by economic hardship, food insecurity, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS. It was and continues to be, the case that many of our guests are homeless. Today, we no longer know whether our guests are HIV positive, but we do know that they are hungry and that Saint Luke along with about 6 other Lutheran congregations work together to provide food, prepare it, serve the meal, and clean up afterward. Over the years the ministry has evolved, eventually becoming a 501C3 non-profit with its own budget and board of directors. Saint Luke’s Sparky Lok serves as the secretary, giving him first-hand insight into the impact of Saint Luke’s generosity on Feast Incarnate. He shared that Saint Luke’s Mustard Seed Grant supported two very significant projects including the purchase of new kitchen appliances and the completion of some urgently needed repairs and renovations to the kitchen. Additionally, special offerings through Gifts of Hope at Christmas time funded meals for over 100 people!

 

Moving Through Challenges

The Covid 19 pandemic shook us all and Feast Incarnate was not immune. Still, the meals went on, Tuesday after Tuesday just in a take-out format, and the most faithful volunteers continued to show up with food and volunteer help. While Feast Incarnate is very happy to be back in an in-person format, the pandemic left its mark in that several of our long-standing partner congregations had to drop out due to declining finances and member engagement. Currently, there are 12 weeks between now and year’s end in which no partner has stepped up to provide the meal. The meals will go on, but this decline in support will necessitate that the Board purchase the ingredients and its members prepare the meals. Those in need will be fed, but the plan is not sustainable long term. New partner churches or organizations are needed to step into this special ministry.

 

Nell McCaslin, Board President & Riley Tien, student Board member

Any endeavor worth doing comes with challenges, and Feast Incarnate will overcome these. The effort will be so very much worth it in terms of the rewards that volunteers receive from being a part of Feast Incarnate. Spark explained, “There’s a sense of peace and calm we get from having taken a tiny step towards fulfilling that admonition from Jesus...The other great reward is the privilege of being with the wonderful people of Feast Incarnate and forging or strengthening life-long friendships with them.”

The folks at UniLu, our volunteers, and dear Saint Luke friends like Jackie Baver are simply there, time after time, with fortitude, with generous and willing hearts, and with some really, really loud love. Jackie shared the impact it has had on her personally, sharing, “For quite some time I’ve been looking for ways to help worthwhile organizations. I want to be able to do something of value – I’m a “doer”.  I can be a bit introverted and shy going into new situations – not always feeling I’m worthwhile or belong.  So Feast Incarnate has given me the chance to be a better me in a very worthwhile ministry.  From starting as Betty Clark’s driver and helper, to now coordinating the bimonthly contributions, food order, pick up and delivery, and helping prepare the meals.  I feel blessed and enriched by all the kind and giving people I have met.”

 

NEXT STEPS

LEARN & LISTEN TO HUNGER

More than 820 million people - that's about 11 percent of people in our world today - are hungry. Even in Chester county, the wealthiest county in Pennsylvania, 11,000+ children, 3,500+ seniors, and 3,400+ disabled adults (age 18-59) are considered food insecure. It can be easy to think that hunger does not exist in our world since we have not seen it. The more you learn, the more your eyes and heart can be opened to the need.

 

GROCERY AISLE PRAYERS

Grocery shopping is often a repetitive habit in our households. Perhaps you make a shopping list ahead of time, order online, or stroll the aisles at a local store. Regardless of how you obtain your food, this habit can serve as a prompt for prayer. One way to build in this practice is to pray for those facing hunger each time you feel the sensation of hunger yourself and as you grocery shop each week. This prayer practice can be a moving experience that helps you develop empathy and compassion for your hungry neighbors.

 

PUT ON YOUR APRON & COOK UP SOME KINDNESS

You do not have to be a master chef to serve at a place like Feast Incarnate. Local meal ministries and soup kitchens need volunteers that recognize that the meal is only part of the service offered. A warm welcome, eye contact, remembering a name, and engaging conversation are the perfect recipe for sharing God’s love, especially with those often overlooked. If you are in the Philadelphia area, consider joining us at the next Feast Incarnate meal. No matter where you are in the world, hunger is in your neighborhood and you can find a way to get involved.

 

Bread of life, we know that whoever comes to you will never go hungry. Fill us Lord. Amen.

Love A Little Louder: Evangelical Mission

How can we love a little louder? This lent, we will gather each week to engage with messages from members about several Saint Luke ministries in which we care for one another and those in our community. As we hear inspiring stories and find out more about how Saint Lukans shout and show God’s love beyond the church walls, we too will be inspired to join the mission to know, love and serve Christ.

We greatly appreciate Rev. Bryan Penman, SEPA Synod Director of Evangelical Mission for joining us as we look towards the future as the Church.

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,  and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him.  “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

-Matthew 22:34-40

 

Rev. Bryan Penman is no stranger to Saint Luke. While now he is called to Saint Marks, a noisy, vibrant congregation full of young families in Conshohocken, he got started in ministry at Saint Luke as an intern, ordained right here many moons ago. He jokes that when he was started with us he had much less gray hair, and was joyous to return to what feels very much like home.

Upon his homecoming, he brought greetings from our Bishop Pat Davenport and the over 142 congregations agencies of the Southeastern Pennsylvania synod!  He is serving as one of our synods directors of Evangelical Mission, which he explains is a fancy title to describe the job of helping churches understand how to do mission when everything's changed. This work is not done alone, but in partnership with a colleague and co-director, Reverend Dr. Moses Suah-Dennis (who unfortunately could not be with us but excitedly was in Chicago with some new mission developers preparing to launch!). Together, they collaborate to support congregations, with Dr. Suah-Dennis working primarily with new starts and Rev. Penman working with congregational vitality and established congregations.

 

WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE THE CHURCH RIGHT NOW?

“I don't know about you but I'm finding it really hard. This pandemic was hard on us and I don't know that anybody knows what to do right now,” Rev. Penman honestly explained. However, he reminds us with confidence that we are journeying with God.  He shared of visiting with other congregations across the region, hearing the same questions and concerns about starting programs or reaching out, just to potentially discover that nobody comes or that people just are not interested.

Things are different now for the church. We are trying to do ministry and understand what Jesus is calling us to do in a new time.  While we're all collectively in this discernment process about trying to discover the church that we are becoming, Rev. Penman feels confident that it's going to look wildly different than it ever did before, and different can be exactly what is needed.

 

THE END OF CHURCH AS YOU KNOW IT

The variables were at play long before the pandemic was even a thought in our brains but the truth about the pandemic is that it exacerbated all of the factors and it has brought about significant change to what it means to be the church. We are fundamentally making the biggest shift that the church has done in its collective memory. No one in our pews has ever experienced this before, but as we study Christian history, we know that this is the landscape the Church has been in before. As we read the book of Acts,  we can see that it was a time that the church understood what it meant to take Jesus and the message out into the world, and what it was like to grow new things.

For those watching the church as we knew it shifting around us, we cannot help but collectively say “what’s next?”  There are some communities that are looking to the future and getting depressed about it but there are some communities that are looking forward with excitement because the “what's next” is the work of the Holy Spirit!

 

CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY: INSTITUTIONAL TO MISSIONAL

We're living into the end of the institutional church and the beginning of the missional church, and while this is a large shift, we already have everything that we need to be a missional church.  In the gospel we explored tonight, those tricky Pharisees and the lawyers were trying to trick Jesus and he said “no, you already have it: what are the two greatest things: love God and love people.”

So how do we invite people to love more in the missional church?  How do we invite people to understand a deep and abiding love for God that's not just going through the motions? It's not just sitting in church on Sunday. True congregational vitality is about love. Simply, it’s about loving God and loving our neighbors. As Rev. Penman faces churches looking to revitalize, he points us to three key relationships:

  1. How are you loving God?

  2. How are you connecting to each other and forming relationships of support and Christian care?

  3. How are you a vital connection to your neighborhood?

When we get excited about Jesus's love for us, we can't contain it.  It just bubbles up and out and into the world. That is what Jesus was talking about when he said the greatest of these is loving God and loving your neighbor. This big, deep, expansive love might sound scary to do, but we can move forward into the unknown, knowing that God's love holds all of it and will hold us even in the midst of things we can't understand because that's what love does.  As we are thinking about the church that we hope to become, God’s love is able to make all of it even better than we dreamed.

Next Steps

 

REFLECT ON YOUR THREE

Rev. Penman pointed us to three key questions. Take some time to answer them for yourself and your faith community. Consider where you see God loved deeply and authentically. What has felt meaningful and sacred in your faith? Think about what types of relationships you have formed. What has made you feel most supported and connected? When has someone shown up in a big way? Similarly, what does your community think of when they think of your church? If you were to go stand on the street corner out and ask people about the church, what would they say- I don't know, or those are the people that feed people, or that’s where I go to my AAA meetings, etc? These are signs of where God is up to something. Pay attention.

 

ASK FOR GRACE TO CHANGE

Change is hard in most circumstances. It is new, awkward, and often frustrating. Yet, it is necessary and inevitable. As the world and culture change, our church changes too. Things that once were are no longer and can be hard to let go of. Celebrate what once was. Honor it. Reflect on what has been important for you. Grieve it coming to an end. Then, pray for the grace to be open to whatever new God is up to.

 

DREAM BIG

When we step out of what we know and what has always been, there are no boundaries to our dreaming, especially when we are moving forward with God. If there were no stipulations and if you set your vulnerabilities aside, where would you want to see the love of God in action? Another way to rephrase it could be to consider what problem or need in your world would you like to see God’s love solve? Maybe there is a specific issue, population of people, or belief that you long to address. Dream with God and with others. We cannot wait to see what happens.

 

May we always remember that we love because you first loved us. We celebrate you for all you have done and look forward with wonder for all that is to come. Amen.

Love A Little Louder: Stephen Ministry

How can we love a little louder? This lent, we will gather each week to engage with messages from members about several Saint Luke ministries in which we care for one another and those in our community. As we hear inspiring stories and find out more about how Saint Lukans shout and show God’s love beyond the church walls, we too will be inspired to join the mission to know, love and serve Christ.

Big thanks to Susan Saxer, who helped kick off this series by sharing about the support and caregiving program known as Stephen Ministry.

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
-Galatians 6:2, NRSV

Stephen Ministry was founded in 1975 as a non-profit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis, Missouri by Ken Haugk, Ph.D, Psychology, and a Lutheran Pastor. Over 13,000 congregations across 29 countries now have Stephen Ministries. Saint Luke is blessed to be one of those congregations.

Our Stephen Ministers are trained Care Givers, who are assigned to a one-on-one relationship with a Care Receiver, who is experiencing a difficult period in his or her life. The Stephen Minister walks with his or her same gender Care Receiver on a regular basis until the difficulty has passed. Listening and prayers fill the approximately one hour spent together each week. People may seek support from Stephen Ministry for a variety of reasons such as the loss of a loved one, sickness or prolonged recovery, loneliness, grief, loss of a job or other meaningful aspect of life, stress, caregiving fatigue, etc. Regardless of the reason, they are sure to find support, love, and encouragement during a challenging time.

We believe that Stephen Ministers are windows through which God’s Light shines! While Stephen Ministry is not professional counseling and does not handle situations related to divorce, substance abuse, or mental illness, it is a confidential helping relationship. Our pastors and the Stephen Ministry Leader are the only ones who know the Care Receiver and Stephen Minister. All conversations are held in confidentiality and are opportunities for God’s love to be shown. If at any point a Care Receiver’s needs exceed what a Stephen Minister can provide, our leaders can suggest a referral to an appropriate mental health professional or other community resource. We know that we may be one piece in your puzzle of healing, and feel honored to be a part of your journey.

Next Steps

TRULY PRAY FOR THOSE IN PAIN

There are people in our congregation and community that are facing difficult times. When we are faced with others' heartache it can be tempting to quickly say “I’ll pray for you” and turn our eyes from the pain, quickly forgetting what we witnessed. Instead, as you notice suffering around you, slow down. Grieve. Then, most importantly pray. God hears our prayers. Also, as you talk to God remember those supporting people on their healing journeys, such as pastors, counselors, therapists, and Stephen Ministers. May God’s light shine through them as people heal. May God sustain them, energize them, and give them wisdom.

 

REACH OUT FOR HELP

God never meant for us to face life alone. If you are hurting, we know that it takes courage to ask for support. At Saint Luke, we will make space to listen to you without judgment, and to follow Christ’s example of continual love. We take Jesus’ words: “Love one another as I have loved you” (-John 15:12 RSV) seriously. We may not have all the answers but we will support you as you seek wholeness in your life. Wanting some local support, but you are not near Saint Luke? There are other loving churches like us all over the world & God is up to good everywhere. If you are not sure where to start check out other ELCA churches in your neck of the woods.

 

STAND ALONGSIDE THEM AS THEY HEAL

There is so much pain in our world, but God is greater and we have the opportunity to join in the great work of healing hearts. For some this may mean that you explore being trained to become a Stephen Minister. Let us know! For others, you may find other ways to bear one another burdens. Trained or not, we all can stand alongside others as they heal. Pick up the phone and call that person that you know is lonely, drop a note in the mailbox, deliver some cookies, or offer a ride to treatment. Listen, be present, love.

Great loving God, help us to be gentle with ourselves and with one another as we all seek your healing of our hearts and in our world. Amen.

Constellations of Wonder: Savior

Merry Christmas! This Advent at Saint Luke, we have lifted our eyes to the stars and have been contemplating the names used in the Bible for Jesus. As we gazed upon the texts and shared our insights about what we saw with one another, constellations formed. Our shared reflections, questions, encouragement, and hope connected us. Together, we journeyed in a new & growing light, shining brighter and revealing things we never would have seen had we journeyed alone. Faith grows best in community after all. To all who wrote and all who read, thank you for being a part of our Advent journey to Christmas.

Today’s final reflection is from Pastor Matt Staniz, our lead pastor at Saint Luke.

SAVIOR

“To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.” -Luke 2:11

We have reached the culmination of the Christmas good news that Christians around the world sing together by candlelight: “Christ, our savior is born; Christ our savior is born!” This name for Jesus—savior—is the brightest star among the constellations of wonder that have accompanied us through the Advent season of anticipation and waiting for the arrival of God in this world.

This name for Jesus reaches beyond worship, honor, and describing who Jesus is to proclaim that you have a relationship with Jesus. Christmas proclaims the good news that, in the person of Jesus, God’s desire to save this world—and to save you—has been accomplished. To you is born this day a savior.

The Christmas gospel also meets us with a surprise. The one we call “savior” arrives in the most unexpected—perhaps even unbecoming—way: as a baby born in to a young woman displaced from family and community and forced to take refuge in a barn. The smell of a newborn baby’s head overpowered by the odor of cattle stalls. The first sounds to come from your savior’s mouth drowned out by a cacophony of sheep, goats, donkeys, pigs, and cattle. Jesus is not the savior that we might imagine: coming in to world with displays of power and control.

Instead, Jesus is the savior that we need. In Jesus, God comes down into the realities of human life. God takes on human flesh and human experience: even the parts that are difficult, sad, or broken. In Jesus, God meets you in every part of your life so that every part of your life can experience amazing grace. God chooses to save you, and God knows exactly who you are. On this Christmas day, may the story of Jesus enter the reality of your life to surprise and uplift you with the good news that Christ, your savior, is born.

 

Almighty God, you gave us your only Son to take on our human nature and to brighten this world with your light. By your grace adopt us as your children and enlighten us with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Constellations of Wonder: Everlasting Father

“Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining…”  Just as the wise men looked to the stars many Christmases ago, we too seek a bright star to guide us in our celebration of Jesus’ birth. Throughout the season of Advent, we are sharing daily reflections from the people of Saint Luke to help brighten our paths. Our daily writers offer to us their reflections on the various names used for Jesus in the Bible. Together their stars form a constellation of wonder that can fill us with hope, love, peace and joy as we journey towards Christmas.

Today’s reflection is from Bob Mitchell. He has been a member of Saint Luke for the past 26 years. He’s an assisting minister, usher co-captain, a communion assistant, lector, a member of Mutual Ministry, and helped with Pastor Sue’s retirement celebration.

EVERLASTING FATHER

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” -Isaiah 9:6

When Pastor Karl emailed me to ask if I would kindly write an Advent Reflection, I thought to myself, this is going to be easy. I read the text from Isaiah 9:6, and I thought, I’ve got this. It’ll be a breeze. 

Funny how at the last dwindling hours before deadline to submit my reflection to Pastor Karl (I’m an editor, and write professionally, so I live for a good deadline!), I was still struggling with this Bible verse. After “sitting with” the Bible text for a few days, I still struggled with what this, “Everlasting Father” reference in Isaiah meant. 

I thought: What is an Everlasting Father? A father who keeps going-and-going? I immediately thought of that funny bunny with the bass drum running around. What is a father? I turned to my trusty Webster’s Dictionary. The definition of “father” is: a male parent; a man who has begotten a child; a male animal who has sired an offspring; the first person of the Trinity [more on that later]; the founding fathers; on related to another in a way suggesting that of father to child, etc., etc., etc.

How can something seemingly simple ─ father ─ have so many definitions?

Then I thought: I’m a father of two daughters, so I got this. I went straight to the mirror. There’s a father, I thought, scary looking as he is. Then my thoughts trailed off to my own father and the many fathers I know and have known.  

What is this Everlasting Father that Isaiah speaks of? Is it a person who’ll be around forever? To understand Isaiah’s reference to Everlasting Father, we need to understand the time in which Jesus was born. 

Father was often a title bestowed on royalty. Kings claimed to be “fathers” to their people. Kings even said they were “fathers” to those they imprisoned. But Kings “fatherhood” was only temporary and often they were oppressive. You may have personally witnessed or experienced distortions of fatherhood in your life. Some of you may have experienced the pain of being betrayed, lied to, or hurt by your father. 

The Everlasting Father Isaiah is speaking of is not God, the Three Persons, the way we speak of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Apostles’ Creed. In the Creed the term “Father” is reserved for the First Person of the Trinity. The Son is not the father. Neither is the Holy Spirit the father. 

In Isaiah 9 “Everlasting Father” refers to the relationship that Jesus will have with the people; the relationship Jesus has with You and Me! In other words, Jesus is not God the Father but is the Savior, the Everlasting Father to all of God’s people.

Jesus is the Everlasting Father to us? How can that be, he’s only a baby lying in a manger in a stable, surrounded by farm animals? Isaiah points to Jesus in the manger as our Everlasting Father. Jesus upholds everything and orders all things in the world. Jesus is the Word through whom light and life entered into the darkness and the chaos of the world. Jesus is the God who gathers us as a Shepherd gathers up the little lambs, or as a father embraces a child in his arms.

Thank you Jesus, the Everlasting Father. Thank you for loving me so much! Thank you for giving your life on the Cross for me! I am a child of God. Amen.

Constellations of Wonder: Living Stone

We shine brightest when we shine together! Today’s reflection is a true constellation of wonder, formed by thoughts, insights, and prayers of multiple writers working together. They read, discussed, prayed and wrote together.  May their reflection help brighten your way this Advent season.   

Today’s reflection is from our Confirmation students! Our Confirmation students are 7th, 8th & 9th graders that gather each week to explore their faith together! Big thank you to Madison, Travis, Scott, Reid & Derek for sharing their reflections with us.

LIVING STONE

“Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:

“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,

a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”  -1 Peter 2:4-8

Just as the burning bush ushered in a new relationship with God and the old covenant, Jesus is the living stone that creates and supports our new covenant.  This is the foundation of our faith and we return to it again during Advent to signal the start of a new year. 

The living stone anchors our faith.  When we are failing, we can draw strength from it.  During the holiday season we share our faith with family and see ourselves in the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

 Dear God, you are the cornerstone of our living faith and we praise you and thank you.  We ask for your support as we build our lives on your foundation.  Help us share with one another and keep the spirit of Advent alive throughout the year. Amen.

Constellations of Wonder: Alpha & Omega

“Star of wonder, star of night, Guide us to thy perfect light…”  As we eagerly await Christmas, look up to the stars. Get lost in the wonder and pray to the One who created them. Each day in Advent, enjoy a reflection from a Saint Luke friend, as they too look up to the sky and ponder the names used in the Bible for Jesus. May their reflections be a gift to you this Christmas as we seek God together. 

Today’s reflection is from Dona Redmond. She has been a member since 6th grade (1975) and currently serves as Assistant Treasurer for Receipts.

aLPHA & OMEGA

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”  -Revelation 1:8

The Advent Season marks the beginning of the church year, yet it occurs at the end of our calendar year. As I contemplate the name for Jesus, Alpha and Omega, that is significant. We begin our church year awaiting the birth of Jesus, while we end our calendar year with numerous types of reviews, both the best and the worst. We then approach the coming calendar year with the mindset of a fresh start.

I am reminded of the beginning of the scriptures in most bibles: “In the beginning, God created…”. When I taught 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School, a newer children’s bible paraphrased Genesis 1:1 as: “Before there was anything, there was God.”

That unique wording resonated with me. It put the emphasis on the infinite nature of the Lord God: who is, and who was, and who is to come. He sent us his Son Jesus, to walk with us always, at our beginning, throughout our time on earth, and our heavenly time. Jesus is Alpha and Omega.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of Jesus. Help us to live our lives to honor him, our Alpha and Omega. Amen.

Constellations of Wonder: Redeemer

The contemplation of the stars was the noblest of all sciences for the ancients. The result of their study of the night sky was to see clusters of stars as images, and then tell a story about that animal or person as the constellation moved across the night sky. For us, the contemplation of the Bible is a noble task. Contemplating the people and stories that have come down to us from our spiritual ancestors is gratifying as they chart the work of God across the ages. 

This Advent at Saint Luke, we the gazers of 2022, contemplate the names used in the Bible for Jesus. We will gaze upon the texts and share our insights about what we see.  Just as with constellations, as we share our reflections, questions, and thoughts with one another, our light shines brighter and we see things that we never would have discovered on our own. Join us as we cast our Advent journey to Christmas in a new and rewarding light. 

Today’s reflection is from Ruth Valentine. Ruth has been attending Saint Luke for the past 10 years with her husband Philip & younger son Andrew. She has been involved in different areas like Sunday school, Stephens ministry and now Councilor for Faith Formation. She finds Saint Luke to be an integral and constant part of her family.

REDEEMER

“For I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth;” - Job 19:25

One of the meanings of the word redeemer is ‘rescuer’.  I find this word more appropriate because Jesus was sent to rescue us from the sin of this world. He rescues us every day from our doubts and fears. He has plans to bless us and not harm us.

God rescues us from ourselves by giving us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us to fulfill God’s plan in our life.

This holiday season may we be encouraged that we are rescued, we are his chosen people and we grow in our relationship with Christ.

Dear Lord, we pray that you be with us this season, Thank you that you rescue us every day even when we don’t think we need rescuing. 

Constellations of Wonder: The Door

We shine brightest when we shine together! Today’s reflection is a true constellation of wonder, formed by thoughts, insights, and prayers of multiple writers working together. They read, discussed, prayed and wrote together.  May their reflection help brighten your way this Advent season.    

Today’s reflection is from our Confirmation students! Big thank you to Derek, Reid, Scott, Travis and Madison, some of our 7th, 8th and 9th graders for sharing their thoughts with us this Advent.

THE DOOR

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” - Psalms 118:22

Jesus both invites and justifies us.  He is the door through which we can pass to salvation.  He offers and we accept.  It is our choice – if we dare.  To follow is to lead, just as we both follow and lead in our families.  

Jesus is the familiar voice but sometimes it is hard to hear it among all the noise of the world.  We can hear it if we try.  His voice is echoed in our parents’ voices, our friends’ voices, and in our own voices.  We all echo Jesus in our own way.  Still, it is hard to hear him and sometimes have to take a chance and follow a familiar but faint voice.  Then we draw strength from our family and friends.

Dear God, help us to listen for your voice.  Help us to listen to others’ voices.  Give us the strength to pass through the door and follow you.  Use us to help others find the way and follow your voice. Amen.

Constellations of Wonder: Chief Cornerstone

“Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining…”  Just as the wise men looked to the stars many Christmases ago, we too seek a bright star to guide us in our celebration of Jesus’ birth. Throughout the season of Advent, we are sharing daily reflections from the people of Saint Luke to help brighten our paths. Our daily writers offer to us their reflections on the various names used for Jesus in the Bible. Together their stars form a constellation of wonder that can fill us with hope, love, peace and joy as we journey towards Christmas.

Today’s reflection is from Dave & Janet Hughes. Janet has been a member since 1964. They were married at Saint Luke in 1984 when Dave became a member. Janet has served on council as the Christian Education Councilor. Dave is an usher and has been council president twice and served as treasurer. Both Janet and Dave are current financial counters and were co-chairs of the capital campaign to eliminate our mortgage.

CHIEF CORNERSTONE

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” - Psalms 118:22

The cornerstone, our Lord Jesus, was rejected by the leaders of the Jewish people. They were waiting for a king who would conquer the Roman Empire and free them from the oppression they were experiencing.  They did not recognize our caring, loving Lord as their cornerstone and king; the One who would free them from sin with his death and give them the gift of the Holy Spirit and life everlasting. 

In today’s world, it seems that the powerful and boastful get the most attention and are sometimes idolized. In many cases, they are self-absorbed. Jesus, the cornerstone of our church, taught us to focus on the well-being of our neighbors rather than ourselves.  We wonder if it’s possible that those who love and care for their neighbors today are the contemporary builders who accept Jesus as their true cornerstone? 

Lord God, please give us the strength and wisdom to ignore the powerful and boastful and instead focus on keeping Jesus as our cornerstone. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Constellations of Wonder: Lion of Judah

“Star of wonder, star of night, Guide us to thy perfect light…”  As we eagerly await Christmas, look up to the stars. Get lost in the wonder and pray to the One who created them. Each day in Advent, enjoy a reflection from a Saint Luke friend, as they too look up to the sky and ponder the names used in the Bible for Jesus. May their reflections be a gift to you this Christmas as we seek God together. 

Today’s reflection is from Maggi O’Malley. She has been a member of Saint Luke for 10 years and is actively involved in Stephen Ministry, Diakonia, Choir, Church office, Care team, Pins and Needles, Alter Guild, Lector, and Communion Assisting.

LION OF JUDAH

“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”” - Revelation 5:5

Why Judah? After looking at Judah in Genesis, I see why.  

Judah said there was no profit in killing Joseph, why not sell him into slavery. Judah is not heard from again until the famine when they went to Egypt to buy grain and they could not buy more until they returned with their brother Benjamin.

For that to happen Judah offers himself as a pledge to his father for his brother Benjamin.

The Lion of Judah (Jesus) is a pledge of safety for his sisters and brothers. (us).

We in turn should offer ourselves to embrace the cost and inconvenience and loss of personal comfort and private joy for the greater joy of meeting others need. 

The legacy of Judah is not exploiting others but sacrificing for them, not pushing down but lifting up, not using power to hurt others but to help. This is the kind of men God wants to be king over his people.  The Lion of Judah is the Jesus who was willing to put others before himself.

Dear God, just as you taught Judah to be mature, teach us to be willing to put others before ourselves. Amen.

Constellations of Wonder: The Gate

The contemplation of the stars was the noblest of all sciences for the ancients. The result of their study of the night sky was to see clusters of stars as images, and then tell a story about that animal or person as the constellation moved across the night sky. For us, the contemplation of the Bible is a noble task. Contemplating the people and stories that have come down to us from our spiritual ancestors is gratifying as they chart the work of God across the ages. 

This Advent at Saint Luke, we the gazers of 2022, contemplate the names used in the Bible for Jesus. We will gaze upon the texts and share our insights about what we see.  Just as with constellations, as we share our reflections, questions, and thoughts with one another, our light shines brighter and we see things that we never would have discovered on our own. Join us as we cast our Advent journey to Christmas in a new and rewarding light. 

Today’s reflection is from Heidi Romeiser. Heidi has been a Saint Luke member for 32 years. She directs our Sunday School program and teaches the 3rd Grade Sunday School class. She is also a Stephen Minister.

THE GATE

“So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.” _ John 10:7

Does a gate allow things in or keep them out? Well, both, depending on perspective. My first thought about Jesus as the gate is about what He let in to the world. He brought a new way of looking at the world, and it revolves around love, acceptance, and the grace of God. I’m reminded of a sermon that Pastor Sue offered. Do you remember those commercials for inversion-therapy tables? You know, the ones that flip upside down after a person is strapped in so that they can hang upside down? As I recall, Pastor Sue likened Jesus to inversion therapy for the world in the sense that He turned the world on its head – in the best of ways. So that’s where my thoughts go first – to Jesus, the gate, turning the world upside down and allowing in love and acceptance.

But what else did Jesus, the gate, allow to come in? He created the way to a deeper relationship with God. In John 10:7, Jesus says that He is the gate for the sheep. Just as the shepherd is the gate through which the sheep enter the sheepfold and find safety, so too, do we, find salvation through Jesus. The shepherd is willing to lay down his life to protect his flock, and Jesus did precisely that to provide salvation and life eternal for us.

We had a neighbor years ago with whom we would chat at the fence between our yards. This neighbor became a good friend over the years of fence chatting. However, it wasn’t often that either of us would walk around to the end of the yard and walk through the gate. What if we had used the gate more often? Our friendship would probably have deepened while sitting at the kitchen table in each other’s homes. A closer proximity. More personal. More intimate. Isn’t that what Jesus provides for us? He is the gate to our relationship with God. There is nothing between God and us. No fence keeping us at arm’s length. Jesus is the gate, always open, who connects and leads us to God and through which we receive God’s grace and ever-lasting life.

Dear God, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, in whom we find love and acceptance and through whose sacrifice we are blessed with life eternal. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Constellations of Wonder: King of Kings

“Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining…”  Just as the wise men looked to the stars many Christmases ago, we too seek a bright star to guide us in our celebration of Jesus’ birth. Throughout the season of Advent, we are sharing daily reflections from the people of Saint Luke to help brighten our paths. Our daily writers offer to us their reflections on the various names used for Jesus in the Bible. Together their stars form a constellation of wonder that can fill us with hope, love, peace and joy as we journey towards Christmas.

Today’s reflection is from Lorraine Miller. Lorraine has been a member for about 30 years and her 4 kids have grown up here and are still involved as well.  She is involved in Confirmation ministry and youth small groups.  She has also been on council and helped lead various programs with Empty Nesters.

KING OF KINGS

“They will wage war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” -Revelations 17:14

When I think about one of the names of Jesus, “King,” I find it ironic that God chose 3 kings to go find Jesus so that they could worship him. I think God was trying to show us that Jesus is not just any king and that even kings need to worship him.

But is Jesus lord of everything in my life ? Is he king of my life? For us to accept Jesus as King of our lives means that he is the ruler, the boss, the master of our life. He cannot be King of a part, he must be given control of the whole . This is the hard part of surrendering. Can we surrender our thoughts, our emotions, our speech, our relationships to Jesus? Can Jesus be Lord and King of my whole life? When we say Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings, we are meant to surrender to him. It is in surrendering where we find freedom. 

Dear God,  please help us to surrender, help us to be obedient. Increase our faith, help us to remember that you are the true King of our lives. Thank you for sending Jesus, to show us the way.  Amen. 

Constellations of Wonder: Deliverer

We shine brightest when we shine together! Today’s reflection is a true constellation of wonder, formed by thoughts, insights, and prayers of multiple writers working together. They read, discussed, prayed and wrote together.  May their reflection help brighten your way this Advent season.    

Today’s reflection is from the students of our Confirmation program. Confirmation is a wonderful program for students in 7th, 8th, & 9th grade. Big thank you to Madison, Travis, Scott, Reid, & Derek!

DELIVERER

‘And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “Out of Zion will come the Deliverer;
    he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.”’ -Romans 11:26

“and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” -1 Thessalonians 1:10

Understanding that we need someone to protect us from our sins, or the wrath of our own actions, is a hard subject to discuss.  Knowing that Jesus will come back, at some point, to redeem us from our sins, and to protect us is comforting.  We know that we confess our sins at Church every week, but we also confess our sins when we are not at church.  When we do this honestly to God, we are forgiven because of Jesus. 

Jesus is the one to protect us.  Every year at Christmas we are reminded to focus on the birth of Jesus and then his great works through life.  By re-examining this every year, we are reminded to focus on asking for forgiveness of our sins, because if we do not ask for Jesus’ help, the weight of our sins can get worse, and we feel bad.  We need to be reminded that Jesus started as a baby at Christmas, but he had a purpose as the Deliverer for all humankind to forgive our sins when we ask God and Jesus for help.

Dear God, thank you for helping us talk about the hard subjects.  We need to be reminded that you sent Jesus to help us.  Not only did you send him to help us, but you sent him to be the Deliverer of forgiveness for our sins so we can continue to focus on good works in your name.  Please help us to remember to help each other during the Christmas season, and all year.  Just as you sent Jesus to help us remember your glory as a baby at Christmas and all through his life right up through Easter and his Resurrection.  In your name, we pray.  Amen.