Leave Something Behind

Leave Something Behind

Nov 5, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim… 

Sunday is All Saints Sunday at TLC.

We will be lighting candles as we remember and give thanks for the lives of those saints who journeyed with us at TLC: Ed Oetken, Web Halvorsen, Else Mills, Agnes Morgan, Betty Lehman, Sylvia Jackson, Irene Christofferson, Pauline Dean, Ilse Smit, Roy Billings, Gayle Childs, Lynn Dakin, Bud Hossfeld, Brenda Kidd, Mark Hanson, Virginia Booth, and Pastor Daniel Erlander. In the past year we lost our oldest member, Web Halvorsen, and one of our last remaining charter members, Betty Lehman.

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven. A time be born and a time to die.” Ecclesiastes 3

After nearly 800 funerals, I can say that I have little fear of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.

I would like to encourage you to leave something behind when you depart this world. The first is a very practical gift to your children, grandchildren, or spouse. Fill out a funeral planning guide that will be available tomorrow. Put a copy with your final papers in your home, and return a copy to the church office.

At a time of grief and loss, it is very difficult for loved ones to make plans that will honor your journey and comfort a grieving community. What a gift it will be to them to have your funeral and burial preferences as a guide. Choose your favorite music, scripture, and prayers. Share a story, a kind word, or some wisdom. The funeral planning guide available for pick-up tomorrow at church will make it easy for you to do so.

Leave something behind. Consistent with your lifetime of charitable giving, I would encourage you to remember the TLC Endowment in your estate plan. This will be your final statement, a legacy teaching to leave to your children and grandchildren. You can designate your final gift for local benevolences or you can be remembered by establishing a named scholarship. Make your final statement consistent with the priorities and values that guided your life.

I hope to see you in church tomorrow, in person or online. It will be a day to remember and give thanks.

Blessed to be a Blessing.

Ashes to ashes,

PJ

[email protected]

Martin Luther & The Reformation

Martin Luther & The Reformation

Oct 29, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
 
505 years ago, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. He wished to spark debate among academics; he hoped that honest discussion might lead to honest reform. He had given his life to the Roman Catholic Church: he had no intention of leaving it. It was dangerous to oppose it, and starting a new church denomination was seemingly impossible. Luther sought to reform the church he loved, to correct practices that were contrary to scripture, to leave superstition behind, and to embrace a gospel of grace. The spark would ignite the Protestant Reformation, and change the face of Christianity forever.
 
The 95 Theses were written in Latin. The Bible used in Europe had been translated from Greek into Latin. In Germany, only 5% of the population could read the German language, and the Bible in Latin was inaccessible to the common people. The only Bible known to the masses came from the lips of priests. The only Jesus they experienced was a vengeful fellow, who was more likely to condemn them to the fires of hell than he was to love them. The Roman Catholic Church used fear and superstition to control and oppress a poor, uneducated population.
 
500 years ago, in September of 1522, a recently excommunicated Martin Luther would publish his translation of the New Testament. Since it was taught that salvation was impossible outside of the Roman Catholic Church, Luther had seemingly been condemned to hell already. Luther translated the New Testament from Greek into the German vernacular, the tongue and language of everyday people. The first edition of 3,000 sold out quickly. Luther, with the assistance of Johannes Gutenberg, had given the Bible back to the common people.
 
Tomorrow at Trinity Lutheran Church we will commemorate and celebrate the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. We will sing familiar Reformation hymns, we will raise our prayers to a good and gracious God, we will laugh and cry and encourage each other, and we will share the bread and wine of Holy Communion at a table where all are welcome. And we will read the Bible.
 
What a gift to be able to read the Bible and muse upon the stories of scripture, taking good encouragement from the words and teachings of Jesus.
 
Like most of us, Martin Luther was a good but flawed person; he had great insights, he was brilliant, brave, and productive. He was also complicated, often broken, sometimes misguided, tainted by the prevailing racism and prejudices of his time. Luther is a giant of history, but Jesus is our model.
 
We follow only Jesus, not Luther. Jesus, who ate with sinners, touched the unclean, and offered a new beginning to every lost soul. We follow Jesus, a Jesus that might have remained largely hidden if it weren’t for a man who took a stand for truth 500 years ago. “The truth will set us free.”
 
I will conclude by sharing just one of the 95 Theses, 95 points for debate.
 
Number 82:   “Why does not the pope empty purgatory for the sake of holy love and the dire need of the souls that are there if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial.”
 
Blessed to be a Blessing – you are the only Jesus many people will ever see.
 
Pastor Jim
 
Truth, Beauty, Goodness

Truth, Beauty, Goodness

Oct 28, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Laura Canby…

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”– Philippians 4:18

With the blustery, rainy days of autumn upon us, I find myself indoors more often.

There is so much available to me to watch or read, listen to, or do, that sometimes it is overwhelming. I try to focus on what Paul advises in the verse above and look upon those things that are uplifting and edifying. Not an easy task in a mid-term election year where negative ads are omnipresent. Still, it can be done.

I have felt incredibly blessed by the messages and music here at Trinity. I often re-watch or listen to sermons, and play some of my favorite songs that Karl performs when I need a spiritual lift.

As some of you may know, I sometimes take my cell phone (used to be my SLR camera) and look for the beauty around me in this autumn season. I seek different perspectives to find the beauty, whether in an intricate spider’s web, a blaze of fall leaves, or freshly picked garden tomatoes.

Sometimes, though, I’m so exhausted that I just want to veg out in front of the TV or computer. I want something to view that helps me relax.

I’ll let you in on a discovery I found on YouTube. It’s a vlog of a middle-aged farm couple in Azerbaijan who grow their food and then cook it outside on a wood fire or clay oven.

Sounds odd, I know. But the videography is incredible for its beauty and visual perspectives. I find it relaxing… and the rustic food is mouth-watering. (I’ve learned how to make some incredible dishes and new ways to preserve food.)

Check it out at: [Country Life Vlog](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIix6MklfJFywa_36iDj8Sw/videos)

There is no talking and a minimal soundtrack of ambient sounds. There are no Hollywood stars… flashy cars… no daring adventure scenes… It’s just a feast for the eyes of the simple beauty of an earnest farmwoman whose pudgy, rough and nimble hands elevate her creations into a form of art, just as the videographer/editor who captures her work has done.

The videos provide a glimpse into a different culture and a different part of the world that is surprisingly similar to the northwest. It reminds me that we are more alike than not.

When the videos come out (often weekly) they quickly rack up millions of views and have had over a billion views total. (Guess I am not the only one to appreciate the beauty of the craft.)

I’m sure you may have similar vlogs or blogs or websites or videos that you could also share with others.

Look for the positive in this world, friends, –whatever is excellent and praiseworthy.

Blessings,
Laura

P.S. Here’s a link to a David Roth song sung by Karl that is both lovely and noble:
[I Stand For Love](https://www.facebook.com/TrinityLutheranChurchFreeland/videos/628417488920379)

Time to Come Home

Time to Come Home

Oct 22, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…

The pandemic was disruptive to every aspect of American society. Senior citizens were isolated, assisted care facilities locked down, and essential workers took care of our basic needs. Meanwhile, students and teachers had to adjust overnight to online school, and office buildings sat empty as employees gave up the water cooler and worked from home.

At TLC, a campus that was occupied 7 days a week was occupied solely by our staff as we produced worship programing.

The pandemic was disruptive to every aspect of American society. This Fall we have begun to live into a new normal. Many still wear masks, but the performing arts have returned, stadiums, restaurants, and venues are full once again.

At TLC we continue to live-stream our services–providing a vital connection for those who are shut-in or joining us for worship from far flung locations. We have been blessed to hear from many people in a variety of states who have now become regular worshipers with us.

Time to come home. In person worship is currently about 70% of pre-pandemic numbers. For some it is the only option they have, and we are grateful to be able to provide this service and welcome our online community each week.

Time to come home. We had a new member’s class this past weekend. We will be receiving new members on Sunday, October 23rd.

At TLC we have two baseline expectations for our members, Worship and Service. If you are visiting the grandchildren, on vacation, or watching the kids at the state tournament, you are where you need to be. But if you are on the island and not shut-in, we expect you to be in church. We need you here. There are no hugs given online; Sunday School takes place in person, community is formed and strengthened with each personal encounter.

It is time to come home. I want to invite you to invest in community. Invest your time and energy. Re-establish your routine; show up on Sunday. There are people here who will be blessed by your presence, and you will be blessed by sharing the journey of faith and life with others.

This is the earliest glimpse we have of the early church:

“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.” Acts 2:44-47

This past Sunday TLC gave away $20,000. We gave $5,000 to each of the following charities: World Central Kitchen, Lutheran Refugee Resettlement in Washington State, ELCA Disaster Relief, and ELCA World Hunger.

Next month we are going to give away another $15,000 to local charities right here on Whidbey. We are distributing to all who have need; we are worshiping, serving, and growing. We are the hands and feet of Jesus.

It is time to come home to TLC.

Blessed to be a Blessing!

Pastor Jim
[email protected]

Borders…drawing circles…

Borders…drawing circles…

Oct 21, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Karl Olsen…
 
Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
 
I’ve been spending time on the border lately. Actually, I’ve crossed several borders this year—Israel/Palestine, British Columbia/Alberta, Nevada/California, Canada/US, rooftop/ground, stranger/friend, sane… well, you get the idea. All kinds of borders! Sometimes the differences from one side of a border to the other were pretty clear. When I crossed from Nevada to California, all the slot machines disappeared. And after I got off the ladder, it was clear I was no longer on the roof!
 
But mostly, at the other borders it was harder to notice the differences, except sometimes for the signs. The land, the sky, the buildings and the people were largely the same, one side to the other. It was we, the people, who managed to create some stark differences. Sometimes those differences seemed welcoming, sometimes not.
 
The gravel to grass… that was just the other day, as I was working on widening our gravel driveway, and discovered that when we intended the gravel to be on one side of the line and the grass to stay on the other, it seldom worked as planned. I had a hard time discerning just where the dividing line between grass and gravel actually was.
 
It got me thinking about other borders and who made them and how we figure out who should be on what sides. Ukraine and Russia—there’s a border issue! Pastor Jim mentioned weary travelers at our borders in his sermon last Sunday which caused more thinking. Jesus didn’t seem to worry about borders much—remember the Samaritan who was totally out of his circle–totally in the wrong place? He was of great service to his unknown neighbor.
 
Rev. Julia Lambert Fogg, Ph.D. is a religion professor at California Lutheran University and the author of “Finding Jesus at the Border.” She says, “the Bible says a lot about immigration, migration, divided families, geographical, ethnic and religious borders and boundaries. In ‘Finding Jesus,’ I write about God’s incarnational commitment to cross the existential border between the divine and human. God literally becomes human to accompany us in our humanity and, in that act, shows us how to also cross borders to accompany our human neighbors on their journeys.”
 
She continues, “We follow a God who migrates. God [who] leads people out of slavery to cross deserts; Jesus leads people from the rural life of Galilee to the big city for profound prophetic and [saving] work; God calls, sends and accompanies prophets, judges, apostles and disciples to meet and engage other cultures and peoples; God moves people like Paul, Ruth, Rahab and Phoebe across borders to build communities of care and compassion.”
 
“Communities of care and compassion”…I’d say that describes Trinity Lutheran Church—you! And hopefully me! Us! We have reached out in so many ways to so many communities, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and many others, locally and far away. Blessed to be a blessing!
 
I spend time thinking about these issues, knowing that a few paragraphs will not solve or settle these complex situations. But I’m given hope by Jesus, the border crosser, the shepherd, the savior, who is so much more welcoming than I feel sometimes—but I can always hope! Glad to have Jesus showing the way.
 
Of course(!), there are always songs that help us out as we figure out how to draw borders, or circles, to keep us in or out… or them in or out… and give us hope for a better way.
 
Follow this link for Carrie Newcomer, one of our congregation’s friends, with Room at the Table. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92OM5bdQ4N4
 
And then, a song from the other side of the border, by a Canadian, Gordon Light…Draw the Circle Wide. My version can be found here: https://trinitylutheranfreeland.org/tlc…/trinity-music/
Enjoy the music. I’ll let you know how my grass and gravel border issue shapes up. I think it’s a long-term issue. But, I have hope!
Blessings and good music.
 
Karl
“Draw The Circle Wide” by Mark A. Miller and Gordon Light. © Abingdon Press.
 
To make a donation to Trinity, go to https://trinitylutheranfreeland.org/give
 
 
 
 
Thanks for NOTHING

Thanks for NOTHING

Oct 19, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog

Today’s Word from Pastor Jim… 

OK, the sermon last Sunday was about nothing! And everyone was so appreciative. They said, “Pastor, thanks for nothing.”

So please remember NOTHING that I say.

There is NOTHING we can do to make God love us more, and there is NOTHING we can do to make God love us less.

We do not control God. God is going to love you, even when no one else does, even when you are not very loveable.

Going to church will not make God love you more. Giving all that you have to the poor might make someone’s day, but it will not make God love you more. God’s love cannot be earned or purchased with money or good works.

NOTHING. The Bible tells us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

And what is included in NOTHING? Everything the Bible tells us. That’s right EVERYTHING is included in NOTHING. There is not a single thing “in all of creation that will be able to separate us from the love of God.” Romans 8

Mental illness cannot separate us from the love of God.

Cancer cannot separate us from the love of God.

Divorce, disability, bankruptcy, addiction, that’s right – NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

We should not be motivated by fear. NOTHING should be done out of fear. Our lives are important. Our work is important. God needs us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world.

We should do our best to leave this planet and our community better than we found it. What motivates us? We live our lives as a response to God’s grace, God’s love, God’s gift of life for us.

We are motivated to work for the common good, for our children and grandchildren, NOT to earn our way to heaven or to earn God’s favor.

We live our lives in gratitude, giving thanks, blessed to be a blessing!

Please remember SOMETHING and that SOMETHING is NOTHING. NOTHING can separate us from the love of God, and NOTHING includes EVERYTHING.

Live free, live generously, and love.

 

 

Pastor Jim