Mar 19, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
The pandemic has loosened its grip just as the world has unraveled once again around us. Many of us are feeling stressed, depressed, and somewhat helpless as Putin’s war in Ukraine drags on. The images that fill the airwaves are heartbreaking; the lives of ordinary peace-loving civilians have been shattered. Refugees flee — leaving behind all that they have worked for, their homes, and their homeland. They journey on, unsure as to what waits for them across foreign borders. There is little that we can do to stop the madness. Evil is real, and the forces of evil are not in our control.
There is little that we can do, but if that reality renders us helpless, if we wring our hands and fail to live, if we allow ourselves to be paralyzed by grief and despair, then we are to be pitied. The people of Ukraine fight on. People of faith must do the same, believing that we can make a difference in whatever arena we find ourselves in. We must not give ourselves over to despair. To do so is to wave a white flag at the armies of evil.
TLC has given $55,000 to aid the refugees in Eastern Europe. We have partnered with international relief agencies; our money is already on the ground bringing needed aid to the oppressed. The $55,000 is a drop in the bucket, but it is a flicker of hope to the refugees and it is a sign that we will not be rendered helpless.
The 20th century British author and theologian C.S. Lewis wrote these words in 1948. The words are as relevant today as they were then:
“In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. ‘How are we to live in an atomic age?’ I am tempted to reply: ‘Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.’
“In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
“This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”
My friends in Christ, we will continue to be the church and we will continue to believe that God will partner with us in changing the world.
We only have one shot at this, we will never pass this way again. May God give us courage and strength; may we put fear and despair in their place and take every opportunity to love.
One day closer,
Pastor Jim
Mar 17, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Deacon Amy…
Last weekend I took a group of elementary students to Camp Lutherwood in Bellingham. I cannot tell you how good it felt to load the van with kids and head out of town. It has been two years since I’ve driven a van full of Trinity kids anywhere. It was a wonderful feeling, to be going back to camp!
This weekend, especially, held deep meaning for me. The first time I took a group of students to an Elementary Retreat at Camp Lutherwood was 11 years ago. My daughter, Ava, was in kindergarten then. I took her, along with 5 other kids from the congregation I was serving in Everett. We had a great weekend – and the retreat became a tradition. Since then, I have returned every year (except the past two years) with a van full of kids. It is one of my favorite weekends each year.
When we arrived at camp this weekend, one of the young adult staff members walked up to me with a big grin and said, “Hi, Amy!” It didn’t take me half a second to recognize him. Swiffer (his camp counselor name) was one of the students in that very first group that I took to Camp Lutherwood 11 years ago. He was in third grade then. Now, he’s working at Lutherwood. What a joy to see him, all grown up, leading younger kids at camp. I felt so blessed to watch him shine all weekend. This is what I call a youth ministry full circle. How cool.
This year’s group of students from Trinity consisted of six boys and girls who have been connected to our congregation in various ways. Some are regular attenders, some come to VBS every summer, and some join us on occasion. A few of these kids have been watching their older siblings attend this retreat, and waiting anxiously for their turn to arrive. They were giddy with the opportunity to finally get to go to camp!
Our time at Lutherwood was fantastic. We experienced chapel sessions, sang songs, heard Bible stories, watched funny skits, played games, paddled kayaks, and sent arrows flying from our bows. We ate s’mores, we slept (a little bit) in cabins with kids from other churches. We made new friends. And we heard about God’s love for us.
While I was there, I met a mom from another church who was at camp with her child. She asked me which kid from our group was mine. When I explained that my girls are too old for the Elementary Retreats now, she told me that it was nice of me to still come with the other kids. I laughed, part of me thinking, “well, it is my job,” and the other part thinking, “how lucky am I?” I mean, really, how lucky am I that my job is to take kids to camp?
As we were preparing to leave, I asked one of the girls from our group if she’d had a good weekend. “This was the best weekend ever!” she quickly replied. I told her that I was glad she’d had fun. She looked up at me very earnestly and said, “No. This was seriously the BEST. WEEKEND. OF. MY. LIFE.” How lucky am I that I get to be a part of her best weekend ever?
And, really, it was one of my best weekends ever, too!
Deacon Amy
Mar 16, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Karl Olsen…
“God has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5b
OK. I’m holding on to that. Looking around our church, island, region and world these days… it’s something I have to remember often. A little rambling…
I live a pretty fortunate and privileged life. Wonderful family, great church and place to work, good friends, and (as Pastor Jim reminds us) “age-appropriate” mostly good health. And… no one is aiming projectiles at my house, pulling me over for the color of my skin, telling me I only have a short time to live, or holding family members hostage in some faraway place. So, yeah, pretty fortunate.
And yet, there are those days when the—you know—the “stuff” in your life seems overwhelming, when tomorrow seems like it will never come, and when it does, doesn’t seem like much of an improvement. We all have those times, I think. So, it’s good to remember some passages like the one from Hebrews above. Or…
“I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5…. or…
“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are — high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean — nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God…”
Romans 8:38-39 TLB
Good words. And, still, I believe in taking action when something needs addressing. Anything from recycling to voting to noisily protesting against injustices. Martin Luther said that “faith is a living, creative, active and powerful thing.”
Speaking about racial bigotry, Jim Wallis called us to action when he said: “Churches are good at pulling bodies out of the river. But at some point, someone needs to go upriver and see who keeps throwing them in.” Sitting on the sidelines and doing nothing just isn’t an option for me. Everybody has their own way of being in “action,” some quieter than others. Acting in faith can move mountains, and sometimes stop wars.
Times come, however, when that faith is tested. Situations or people around you call that faith into question. And doubt arises… and that’s ok, too. Leaning on musicians, as I do, here’s a thought from recently-passed singer-songwriter Hugh Prestwood writing to a friend: “I, for all my faith, will never prove that there’s more than meets the eye, and you, for all your science, will never prove there’s not.”
So, we live in this continuous river of faith, doubt, question, action, silence, fear and hope. Another songwriter, Bob Dufford, quoted Isaiah when he sang “be not afraid, I go before you always.” For me, in those moments when it’s difficult to hope, challenging to believe, and hard to know which step to take next, I try to remember that it’s not all up to me. I can do what I can—even if sometimes that’s nothing—and hold on to that memory of hope, expressed in this song by Joel Pakan, “I Will Not Let You Go.” (Click HERE to listen to my version.) You can dream up verses that fit your situation, but hold on to that refrain. And the hope.
I can’t explain it. But it makes some days possible. And for that, I’m thankful.
Peace.
Karl
Mar 14, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
Thank you for your generous and compassionate support of the refugee crisis in Eastern Europe. We might not be able to stop this war, but we can make a difference! Since March 2nd, Trinity has already given $25,000 to Eastern Europe. We are working with our partners at Lutheran World Relief and ELCA Disaster Response. Every penny that you have given has been forwarded to our relief partners.
The Trinity Lutheran Church Council has heard your cries and responded. In conjunction with the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Committee, they have added another $25,000 to your gift. Your gifts have been matched and we have now given $50,000. Of that, $45,000 has been sent to Eastern Europe and $5,000 to ELCA Refugee Resettlement in Seattle. ELCA Refugee Resettlement in Seattle has been helping refugees from Ukraine for more than 50 years.
Blessed to be a Blessing! I give thanks for you, for those who have supported the Endowment, and for the vision of our congregational leaders.
One day closer,
Pastor Jim
[email protected]
To make an online donation to this effort, go to https://trinitylutheranfreeland.org/give then select “Disaster Relief.”
You can also bring cash or a check to the church office, Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 – 3:00. Make the check out to Trinity, and write “Ukraine” in the memo line.
Checks can also be mailed to Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 97, Freeland, WA 98249.
Mar 12, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
The Covid19 pandemic threatened our community on a variety of levels. Over the past two years many have been sick with the virus, but few have been seriously ill, and to the best of my knowledge, no one from TLC was ever hospitalized as a result of Covid19. I have officiated at 33 funerals in the past two years, but none of those deaths were attributed to Covid19. We were very fortunate, and we are very thankful for the safety precautions that, by in large, kept us safe.
The Covid19 pandemic threatened our community on a variety of levels. The isolation and loneliness caused by the pandemic had an adverse effect on our elderly population and on those who lived alone. Depression, dementia and… other things that I cannot remember…, got worse. Marriages and families were strained by a lockdown and perhaps too much family time. Students and teachers had their lives and routines turned upside down. In person weddings, funerals, holidays, and family celebrations were delayed or cancelled.
For our congregation and staff, the pandemic presented us with a series of twists and turns. Overnight, we had to move to online worship and close our doors on Sunday mornings. For 12 months we produced a worship experience that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. We gathered in the parking lot for caroling and an occasional service. Just after Easter 2021, we opened our sanctuary doors and a worship reunion took place. Our worship attendance was a quarter of what it had been pre-pandemic. We social distanced, there were stuffed animals and puppets in the pews, there was no coffee hour, but soon masks were optional and it looked like the end was in sight. Not so fast, masks were back, and so they have been until tomorrow.
We have tried to recognize that loneliness and depression, disruption and dysfunction, were equal or perhaps greater risks than the virus itself. We have given people the opportunity to “self-select.” Everyone has been encouraged to manage their own pandemic lifestyle and to pick and choose what activities were in their comfort zone. We know that some will continue to worship online, some will continue to wear masks, and some will avoid crowds of any kind.
We respect your self-selection and we will support your journey wherever it may take you. This Sunday some will have masks off and some will have masks on, but together we will continue to be the people of God in this place; we will continue to be a force for good on Whidbey Island and in the world.
**Ukraine Relief Effort**
We have all been heartbroken by the images of suffering, destruction, and death in Ukraine. Our prayers are important, our solidarity with peace loving people across the world is critical. Prayers are mysterious and powerful, but we are called to more than prayer. I thank you for your generous support for the refugee people of Eastern Europe. Your gifts provide food, water, lodging, medical care, and hope to suffering people. The people of Trinity Lutheran Church have already given $20,000 to aid the refugees, and I am quite certain that we will double that gift.
Blessed to be a Blessing. Blessed to be a Blessing but never blessed in isolation. We are called to use our privilege to help our neighbors. I thank you all for following Jesus, and for modeling Christian community.
I am most thankful to be on this journey with you.
Mar 10, 2022 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Tom…
No one has ever accused me of being noble. Nope. Been accused of lots of things – selfish, talks too much, really sad golfer, doesn’t listen (who does?), insensitive (“Siri, why have I had trouble with women?” “This is Alexa.”)… you know, the usual stuff. But noble has escaped my personality bio. Actually, when was the last time you ever heard anyone being described as noble?
Which is why a line from a recent read caught my attention. Cyprian Smith O.S.B. (Benedictines) has written a challenging book, “The Way of Paradox,” focusing on the theology of Meister Eckhart, an early 14th century mystic. Now, lest you accuse me of some kind of spiritual snobbery, keep in mind I balance Father Smith’s writings with an equal portion of Dilbert. No surprise there.
Father Smith writes, “… we should remember the great nobility God has put into the soul, so that man may come miraculously to God.” That line absolutely slayed me. You see, my imagination has long been held captive by a verse in the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes, “… He has set eternity in the hearts of people; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” I have found solace in the notion that God created us to yearn for God’s self. Even in the midst of our human depravity it has been, for me, a source of encouragement to believe that ultimately, we all will turn to God because that’s how we were created. Maybe, for some, that will only occur at death (read, God’s grace still is in place).
Yet, never have I thought of that Godly gift of creation as nobility. Isn’t that an amazing observation! Our yearning for God is a sign of a holy nobility we have been created with. In all the expanse of the universe, despite the millions of light years creation has been in the process of evolving, regardless of every speck of carbon that went into the creation of every living molecule anywhere in all of the universe, we were graced with a gift of nobility that has inspired us to miraculously come to God. God created us worthy, noble. We should feel chosen, all of us. Every one of us.
Dumbfounded I am. No one has ever, ever accused me of being noble. Can’t wait to tell Brenda. Take that, Alexa! Ha!
Well… lest I stray too far with this little epiphany, context is again everything. Meister Ekhart’s spiritual insight about God’s gift of nobility placed within our soul is about God’s grace, entirely. Not anything inherent in our behavior. God’s grace is what inspires us to seek God in the first place. This leads me to again muse over Luther’s meaning to the 3rd Article of the Apostles Creed: “I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gift, sanctified, and kept me in true faith.”
Nobility, it’s a God thing. It is, though, an amazingly humbling thought… our coming to God is the consequence of a nobility, a value, that God placed within our soul that has led us to long for God. Wow. Okay, back to Dilbert.
Be at peace, we are loved. Feel free, if motivated, to drop me a note.
Pastor Tom
