Lord of life lutheran
JUly 2020
C O M P A S S
SECOND IN A SERIES OF DISCIPLESHIP PRACTICES:
W O R K
T O
B E
LEARN
D O N E
by Elizabeth Pedersen, High School Ministry (elizabethp@lordoflife.org)
It is early June 2020 and the last couple of weeks have been so heavy. The murder of George Floyd. Grief. Pain. Protests. Standing up. Joining together. Community. Uprising. Fires. Fear. Blame. Sleepless nights. And a pandemic. I do not know what will have transpired between my writing of this and your reading of it, but I hope there will have been more that is good than troubling. Even in the midst of this week, we have seen signs of hope in the way the community has responded to clean up and come to the aid of neighbors who have lost so much. We have seen examples of the gospel lived out: donations, volunteers, neighbors coming together, a glimpse of justice. And. As we focus on the Discipleship Practice: Learn in this issue, I can’t help but think that there is so much more for us to learn. As one of the five Discipleship Practices that Lord of Life identifies as important in our walk as followers of Jesus, Learn is marked by reading the Bible and studying the teachings of Jesus that lead to a more meaningful life of compassion, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Discipleship practices: learn ..............2-3 Bible 101: learn .........................................4-5 community life / matthew 6:26...........6-7 god never left me.....................................8-9 LEARN resources ........................................ 10 contacts .......................................................... 11 2
One of the great honors of my position at Lord of Life is reading the faith portfolios of 10th graders preparing for the affirmation of their baptism. In these portfolios I get a front row seat to the very real ways our youth are articulating their faith and beliefs in light of what they’ve learned at church, their life experiences, and what they see going on in the world. They are so inspiring, as you will see for yourself later in this issue from one of our high schoolers (Pages 8-9).
The beautiful thing about learning from stories of people around us is that they give a fuller picture of who God is and who God calls us to be. If a life of compassion, grace, mercy, and forgiveness is what we are after—then we must also be after entering into the stories of our neighbors. How do the events of the last month in Minnesota serve as an invitation to learn from people who inform our knowledge of God and our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ? How are we being called to participate in the work of dismantling racism? As I said before, I do not know what will have happened between my writing and your reading here, but I fervently hope we aren’t “back to normal.” After the people leave the streets, the social media posts fizzle out, the next news story hits—where will we be? I’ve seen interviews this week where the host asks, “Doesn’t this feel different?” And the guest always answers, “I hope so.” And it makes me realize that it would be so easy for me, for our community, for Lord of Life to slip back to the way things were (hello, privilege). We’ve done it before. But this is not discipleship. Learning about the Bible and the teachings of Jesus is not meant to be easy. A life of compassion, grace, mercy, and forgiveness is not a life of listening and then moving on. When we follow Jesus, we are called not only to listen, but also to allow what we learn to inform who we are and how we interact with the world. One thing is for sure—learning from the Bible is a lifelong endeavor, and there’s a lot more work to be done.
to learn from people who inform our knowledge of god and our calling as disciples
Are you open to learning about a fuller picture of who God is and who God calls us to be as disciples of Jesus Christ? See anti-racism resources on Page 10.
lordoflife.org/discipleshiponline 3
BRING YOUR BIBLE TO BIBLE
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart. O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath! —William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
101
L E A R N by Lead Pastor Joel Wight Hoogheem (joel@lordoflife.org)
The Shakespearean excerpt at left is in reference to when the devil quotes Psalm 91:11-12 at Jesus to tempt him to throw himself off the pinnacle of the Jerusalem temple. Jesus, however, rebuffs the tempter by citing Deuteronomy 6:16. You can read the entire scene in Matthew 4:1-11. A brief reflection on this passage should finally put to rest the inadequate bumper sticker sloganeering found in the statement: “The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it.” The Bible has not only been misused by the devil to tempt Jesus. The reality is that the words of Scripture can be taken out-of-context, out of both literary and historical context, to support nearly any point a person wants to make. The Bible has been used as the basis to support slavery, segregation, genocide, sexism, homophobia, and so much more. It was not only in Jesus’ day (or Shakespeare’s) when the devil cited Scripture for his purpose. I’ve heard the Bible described as “perhaps the bestselling least-read book of all time.” The Bible is not a prop or a shelf decoration. The Bible isn’t even a book! It’s a library, filled with inspired books written from various contexts by numerous authors with countless editors over thousands of years. A flat, unnuanced reading of the Bible is both logically incomprehensible and ultimately impossible. For example, what do we do when two passages of Scripture directly contradict one another? A robust
4
—
Bible 101 and mature understanding of Scripture, its meaning, and its power includes a deep wrestling with the complexities, inconsistencies, and challenges of this library and its contents. Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann writes, “The Bible is an act of faithful imagination. It is not a package of certitudes. It is an act of imagination that invites our faithful imagination that makes it possible to live faithfully.” This is one of the reasons why Learn is one of Lord of Life’s Discipleship Practices. One important way to learn how to read the Bible is to use our faithful imagination to read through the lens of Christ. That way, when we encounter stories that contradict or conflict with the life, ministry, and teachings of Christ, we have a secure grounding to wrestle with the difficult text. This is easier said than done, of course, as it takes dedication and commitment to enter this deep engagement with the Bible. It also takes a faith community and a humble and prayerful willingness to be opened to God’s Word. If we are willing to do this imaginative, difficult, and faithful work, we see that not only do we learn how to read the Bible, but we learn how the Bible reads us, too. We allow the remarkable story of God’s committed love for humanity and all creation to saturate our lives and transform us, so we can be more fully human, more fully who God created us to be.
dig deeper • What is your favorite Bible story or verse? Why? • What is a Bible verse or story you’ve never really been able to understand? How could reading that verse or story through the lens of Christ help make sense of it? • What does Galatians 3:28 tell you about God? • What questions does Psalm 137:9 raise up in you? How can Galatians 3:28 help you understand it?
5
C O M M U N I T Y baptisms
L I F E
At Lord of Life, we baptize individuals at any age. For the next baptism class or to schedule a baptism, call the church office (763.420.5015).
The family of Darlene Morrow at her death
bereavements
Susan Schwedler and family at the death of her sister
Prayers of sympathy for those we have lost in our community and for those grieving the loss of a loved one. May there be comfort in the promise of the resurrection.
Deb Stec and family at the death of her uncle
The family of Dave and Pat Apold at their deaths Melinda Anderson and family at the death of her brother-in-law Tom Anderson and family at the death of his father Rick Edin and family at the death of his brother Brett Hautala and family at the death of his daughter Erin and Madelyn Hautala and family at the death of their daughter and sister
Jeff Peterson and family at the death of his father Nancy Portz and family at the death of her husband
weddings For details on having your wedding at Lord of Life, visit lordoflife.org/weddings. To schedule a wedding, contact Wedding Supervisor Michelle Tomlinson (763.420.5015 x118).
welcome new members Mitch Anderson and Elizabeth Haley Gordy & Diane Everson
Georgia Helvick and family at the death of her sister
Dane & Amanda Mellgren with Briar and Asher
Sue Kapsner and family at the death of her father
Membership at Lord of Life means you make a
Devona Kilgard and family at the death of her sisterin-law
life. The expectation of not only new members but
Jane Laurence and family at the death of her father Kelly Marsh and family at the death of his brother
commitment to be an active participant in congregational all members—is to worship regularly, grow in faith, serve others, and support the church and its programs financially. For more information, contact Katie Gartzke (katieg@lordoflife.org or 763.420.5015) or visit lordoflife.
org/membership. You are invited to become a part of the Lord of Life faith community.
6
Lo o k a t t he b i rds . . . t h e y neither so w nor rea p nor g a t her i nt o b a rns, and yet yo ur hea venl y F a t her f eeds t hem. Are you no t of more va l ue t ha n t hey?
—Matthew 6:26
7
G O D N E V E R L E F T M E by Kate Smith (notallpainisphysical.blogspot.com)
In times of uncertainty, anxiety, and loneliness, it is easy to wonder if God really hears our prayers. In early 2019, I really started to struggle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. I didn’t enjoy the things I used to. Most nights I cried myself to sleep and I had no sense of self-worth. Then early this year the COVID-19 pandemic changed my life. Home became my classroom, no prom, no CenterStage musical, and no seeing my friends. When I was at my lowest of lows, I really didn’t think I would ever feel happy again. My faith has always been strong. I am very involved at Lord of Life—for instance, volunteering at Vacation Bible School and Parent Night Out events— in addition to being a C3 leader and working in the nursery. I also have been blessed to go on mission trips which have changed my life in so many ways I cannot begin to explain. I feel so connected and so free on mission trips. The friendships I have created, the connections I have made, and the presence of God have made me who I am. 8
However, during my darkest days, I started to doubt my purpose and questioned why the God I believe in and trust would just watch me struggle for so long. I began to question my faith and felt a loss of purpose. I would do the things you are told to do like pray and give thanks. I did daily devotions, but it just felt like a task. The presence of God was slowly starting to fade, and I started losing hope and faith. I desperately wanted to feel better, so I finally found the courage to go to my parents and tell them I needed more than just therapy. With their guidance, I began an outpatient therapy program that required daily attendance. I was terrified of going but knew I needed it. I wanted to be happy and enjoy life again. Slowly I began to share, open up, and use the skills I learned to help myself. I was hopeful but still unsure about everything. I reached out to my Lord of Life youth leader and some of my friends for support. Their response and compassion were exactly what I needed, and as the weeks went by, I slowly started feeling better. I felt hopeful and I could sense the presence of God again! In hopes that it may help others who felt the same way I did, I shared my story on my blog during Mental Health Month in May. I truly believe God has a plan for everyone, and this is mine! Everyone’s faith story is different. I learned that God never left me in any way. Instead, I now see myself in a different light; no longer do I feel worthless or beyond hope. In fact, I know the truth. I am a child of God, loved beyond measure, sent to serve the world. No illness can take that away. 9
L E A R N
R E S O U R C E S
Where do I begin? How can I learn more? These questions keep coming up around issues of racism and racial justice. Here are some suggestions and recommendations of how and where to start. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but these resources will point you in the right direction for a faithful journey. —Pastor Joel
Be the Bridge website
As my small group grappled with how to discuss racism and racial justice, one member shared the website bethebridge.com. We purchased the “Be the Bridge 101” PDF to use as a starting point for our conversation and are working through the disciplines of quiet self-reflection and learning. To emphasize that point, for those who choose to join the Be the Bridge Facebook Group, the expectation is you only listen for three months. This website includes recommendations for book clubs, self-study, movies, and a youth booklist. —Lori Buegler The Diversity Gap podcast
Podcasts help me learn when I am on the move or (literally) on the run. Recently, I’ve been inspired by The Diversity Gap, hosted by Bethaney Wilkinson. It’s a two-year project exploring the gap between good intentions and good impact. The episode that has really made me think is from Season 2, Episode 4. Here, she interviews Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson about building equity. I loved that Dr. Amante-Jackson wove personal stories into her teaching, gave helpful metaphors, defines some hard to define words, and showed ways to move into a future that builds empathy and belonging. —Pastor Kaitlyn How to Be an Antiracist book and podcast
In his own words, New York Times best-selling author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi states his book is “ultimately about the basic struggle we’re all in, the struggle to be fully human and to see that others are fully human.” The book has been called a ground-breaking resource to understanding and uprooting racism in ourselves and in our society. There’s also an “Unlocking Us” podcast with Brene Brown and Dr. Kendi. —Joan Freeberg Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption book and movie
Just Mercy is written by Bryan Stevenson, a brilliant Harvard-trained lawyer who rejected a Wall Street career to defend inmates on death row in Alabama. As Stevenson works his way through the justice system, we read about the racism that many in our country experience. If you’re not a reader, a Warner Bros. movie version of the book starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx was released last year. Focusing on just one story it lacks the scope of the book, but still is a valuable resource for those wanting to learn more about how justice works—and sometimes how it doesn’t work—in America. —Pastor Peter 10
LORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH (ELCA) 7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313 phone 763.420.5015 fax 763.420.7286 web lordoflife.org Visit lordoflife.org/staff for a full staff listing with photos. Prayer requests may be submitted to prayernetwork@lordoflife.org. Compass is a monthly ministry by Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) printed by Wallace Carlson Printing using ecofriendly inks. To receive Compass in the mail or electronically—call 763.420.5015 or email office@lordoflife.org. Copyright 2020 Lord of Life Lutheran Church
PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Dr. Joel Wight Hoogheem, Lead Pastor, joel@lordoflife.org Rev. Kaitlyn Forster, kaitlynf@lordoflife.org Rev. Dr. Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, karengl@lordoflife.org Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus, peter@lordoflife.org Rev. Karen Greimel, ksgreimel@lordoflife.org Rev. Charles ‘Chick’ Lane, chickl@lordoflife.org Rev. David McCarty, davem@lordoflife.org Rev. Donna Rohrer, donnar@lordoflife.org
lordoflife.org
office@lordoflife.org
WORSHIP/MUSIC SCHEDULE Visit lordoflife.org/worship for the most up-to-date worship schedule.
/lordoflifelutheran /lolcyf
/lordoflife /cyf_lordoflife
/lordoflifeluth
Photo credits include Suzanne Hunstad Olson, Kristin Smith, and Unsplash.
c o n ta c t u s To connect with an adult ministry representative, contact Karen Nelson at 763.420.5015 x138 or karenn@lordoflife.org. To connect with a children, youth, and family representative, contact Chelsey Grandstrand at 763.420.5015 x128 or chelseyg@lordoflife.org. For all ministry events and calendar items with the most current dates, times, details, event locations, and registrations—please visit lordoflife.org.
Beloved, let us love one another, for God is love. for love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God,
—1 John 4:7-8
11
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Loved by God. Sent to Serve.
NonProfit Org. U. S. Postage
7401 County Road 101 Maple Grove, MN 55311-4313
PAID
Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 4665
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Name Address City, ST 00000
JUNE 2—
Pastor Joel, Pastor Kaitlyn, and Pastor Peter joined hundreds of clergy on a march to the site where George Floyd was murdered in south Minneapolis. Visit Lord of Life’s social media sites for photos and reactions to that event. JUNE 6/7 SERMON—
“This is not a sprint. But it is an opportunity to be courageous. To follow Jesus Christ and work for racial justice and reconciliation.” —Pastor Joel 12