12292013 First Sunday After Christmas

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Let us pray, Gracious God, You teach us clearly how to ask a blessing.  May our hearts be opened to not only thank You for Your gift of food, but also of Your Son for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this morning.  AMEN.

When I was a child growing up in Keysville one of the prized possessions that we had in our dining room not only was the china cabinet that came from my mother’s parents in Pennsylvania.  It also included a picture that hung on the West Wall and looked down upon our table.  When my parents lived in North Carolina after my Father had taken his first job as a College counselor, they had purchased this picture not only because it was from Minnesota where my Father still had many relatives, but because the image portrayed what we always did at the table before every meal.  We asked a blessing over our meal.  Hence this morning, I have brought the picture from our fellowship hall upstairs to help us ponder how we ask a blessing.

For this morning we are reminded as we sing the Christmas songs of the blessing of Jesus Christ in our lives and we remember that every time we join in fellowship downstairs, we ask a blessing.  Our request of God is not only in honor of His eternal blessings of His Son’s sacrifice for us upon our lives, but also of our meal and the bounty that we have, whether of a bountiful crop, good health, the home that we live in, the cars we drive, the friends we have, but especially of the gift of His Son Jesus Christ.

The blessings God gives us He gives because of His great love for each and every one of us.  God clearly offers us the greatest gift of His Son Jesus Christ.  And when we come and gather around our family tables and our tables here in the church we remember not only the food that He provides us, but especially His Son Jesus Christ.

As we sing our hymns, this morning and hear about what His Son, Jesus Christ has done, may we always be reminded of the promise of salvation He offers us.  For you see the picture that hung on the wall in our home in Keysville is the same picture that we have before us this morning.  For me it is a constant reminder not only of my family in Keysville, but also of what our Savior Jesus Christ did in His coming into the world for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this morning singing the Christmas songs, but also sharing in the blessing of grace offered before a meal for each and every one of us gathered here this morning.  AMEN.

12252013 Christmas Day Service

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Let us pray, Jesus Christ, thank you for coming in the manger.  As we celebrate Your birth, enable us to point to You and celebrate Your entrance into the world for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this Christmas morning. AMEN.

When Jesus Christ was born in the manger in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, it was the fulfillment of the prophecies of old and yet in reality just another birth.  But for us who gather here at Emmanuel this morning, we are intimately connected to this event.

Paul Harvey the radio legend loved to use the catch phrase, here’s ‘the rest of the story’ in his radio program.  And many like myself would wonder and anticipate what the connection was for each story he told.  So to this morning the rest of the story of Jesus birth is just as important and we are connected to it.

Our connection is not by some mysterious story or person, our connection is simply by our being here, believing in Jesus Christ and being baptized into His life, death and resurrection.  With Jesus entrance in the manger, this was the beginning of His ministry here on earth.  We believe that not only was this a fact of reality, but it has an impact upon us today and we are here because of that fact.  Not only our presence this morning is a confession of our belief, but it points to the reality that we who gather and are baptized not only lay claim to Him, but also are claimed by Him and connected to Him each and every day of our lives and especially today Christmas Morning with our celebration of His Birth.

The rest of the story is yet to be written if we look from the perspective of the manger, but when we look from our perspective today we are part of the story of salvation with our belief, baptism and being here on Christmas Day.  For the story of salvation that we celebrate in the manger finds its completion on the Cross of Calvary where Jesus Christ died for you and for me.  Our baptism into Jesus Christ, grafts us not only into His work of salvation but also our inclusion in the book of life.  We are now partakers not only of the heavenly food we receive from His altar, but also life eternal offered to all of mankind.

This morning the rest of the story is yet to be written from our perspective.  We have the opportunity to not only share it with our families as we do so around the tables with all our relatives and friends, but also in our work here in Goodland for the Kingdom of God of the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  May we continue to write the rest of the story which clearly points not only to the manger, but especially to the Cross of Jesus Christ.  For the rest of the story is yet to be written of our spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this Christmas morning!  AMEN.

12242013 Late Christmas Eve Service

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Tonight we come to honor the new born King, Jesus Christ!  Simply this service is not only to tell of the message of His birth, but especially the joy of His coming to save us.  We are simply gathered to honor Jesus Christ Who comes in the manger to begin His earthly life and the salvation that He offers us.

The story is told of World War I when the Germans and British on opposite sides are in the most desperate and heated battles of the war on December 24^th.  Each side attempts to take the same the piece of ground that divides them before the traditional Christmas peace.  As midnight comes the guns once blasting and booming fall silent.  The deafness and stillness fills the void of what is no-man’s land.  As the moments of stillness expand, from both sides in the fox holes the soldiers have lit fires for their smokes and to gain some sense of warmth in their hands since in war darkness is king and fires are forbidden.

As the minutes turn into hours soldiers from both sides hear their enemies of only hours ago singing in equally foreign languages and tongues, but hauntingly familiar tunes from their respective countries.  At times the same tune we know as “Silent Night” is clearly heard over the stillness of the battlefield.  Ironically this song sung in German and English though different languages unites these former foes.  As both sides sing their version, a white flag on both sides suddenly springs up and the soldiers quietly peek out across the battle lines and see that both sides are offering the international sign of peace symbolized by a simple white cloth.

Slowly each side united in the song of “Silent Night” in German and English emerge from their collective foxholes and move toward each other and quickly and with surprising fondness clasp each other’s hands and begin to share not only their meager food rations, but also their drink, souvenirs and smokes.  For one brief moment not only the songs of Christmas were shared, but also the understanding of worshiping the same God Who came in a lowly manger wrapped in strips of cloth.

Tonight we gather together around a manger half a world away and a hundred years later celebrating the coming of the same Christ child with our sharing of the Christmas story and songs.  May each of us who gather with our families and friends tonight, not only find the truest meaning of Christmas in Jesus Christ, but may we find camaraderie around the manger with our celebrating Christ’s coming into the world.  May we be united and enabled to celebrate with each other our sharing His Gift of His Son’s Body and Blood for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this Christmas Eve night.  AMEN.

12242013 Early Christmas Eve Service

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

When the beloved song, “Chestnuts roasting over an open fire” comes on the radio there is a palpable change in my personal mood.  Not only does this song denote the comfort of a nice warm fire crackling as logs are ablaze, but the lyrics and intent give everyone the warm sense of being home and together with family for the holidays, gathered to share not only good food and drink, but clearly the love that all of us have with our family.  The mood at times can be sad especially at Christmas, as we remember those loved ones that no longer are with us, whether they are parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters or good friends. 

In the “Little Drummer Boy”, a Christmas children’s classic, coping with loss is a fact that is clear for the little drummer boy who believes his little lamb is near death after being run over by a Roman soldier.  And he goes to the kings whom he had followed to Bethlehem, who he believes will save his lamb because they are rich, all knowing and all powerful.  But reality sets in that none of the three kings can do anything to save his lamb, they confess they are mortal just as he and his lamb are and they cannot work a miracle to save the lamb.  Not until the little drummer boy goes to the manger does he not only meet the King Who can save his lamb, but also the King Who comes and is wrapped in swaddling cloths.

The image we have tonight of a manger, similar to the one we have in the center aisle tonight is meant to remind us of the reason for the season.  We come here tonight because we like the drummer boy have been introduced to and believe in a God Who came down from heaven and entered our reality in a lowly manger.  Though He was King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ entered in a manger and tonight we are here at the manger because we, all of us gathered here believe in Jesus Christ.

Tonight we gather with our families, hear the Christmas Story read, sing the carols that remind us of Jesus Christ coming and His offer of salvation for all of mankind, but more importantly we are here at Emmanuel because we believe His message of salvation is for each and every one of us.  The presents we find under the tree pale in comparison to the present of the Son of God we find in the manger.  The feelings we have with a warm crackling fire and the warm embrace of our loved ones mean more than the food we eat, the meals we share, the time of joy and remind us of the warm embrace that we wait for with Jesus Christ as we enter into His Kingdom.  But tonight is not about sorrow and loss or who is not here with us this year, tonight is about hope, fulfillment and our belief that Jesus Christ came to die for you and for me.

May all of us gathered here tonight firmly believe that Jesus Christ coming in the manger was for each of us and may we always remember His gift offered for us begins with His entrance in the manger.  And we believe this because we are here to receive Him as the gift for all of mankind, but especially for and including all of us saints gathered around the manger here at Emmanuel this Christmas Eve.  AMEN.

12222013 Advent 4 Children's Program

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Let us pray, Gracious Father, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit that continues to call, gather and keep us in the one true faith.  May we celebrate in Jubilee not only the coming of the Christ Child, but also that the Holy Spirit unites us during this Advent season, especially all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel.  AMEN.

Right here in this very sanctuary in July we celebrated with the Counselors of Sky Ranch the Jubilee of the camp that our congregation helped begin and fund in Colorado.  And today we come together not only to continue this celebration, but put the perfect exclamation point on it for us here at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Goodland, KS, with our celebration of the Jubilee!

We join today in Jubilee celebration, because of Jesus Christ entrance into the world as we know it.  In a few minutes all of you young people will tell the story of Jesus birth, but what all of us need to understand is that not only do you tell the story and the people here in the audience hear again the story that never gets old, but we celebrate the Jubilee of Jesus Birth in the manger in Bethlehem.

We come to celebrate, because the Holy Spirit fulfills His job to call, gather, enlighten and sanctify us in the one true faith.  This dovetails perfectly with our review of the Apostle’s Creed.  Hence, this week instead of hearing and reciting again what the Holy Spirit does in the Third Article of the Apostle’s Creed, I want you to think for a second, who first brought you here to this church.  [WAIT 5 SECONDS].

Do you remember who it was?  Was it your parents, grandparents, your friends or a relative of yours?  Ironically, we may not remember who it was who did this initially, but I want you to understand that the important part is there was always someone who did this for each of us.  The person who brought us was inspired to bring them and you, because of the Holy Spirit Who calls us by name, gathers us in God’s house, opens the scriptures to us as you will do in a few minutes and keeps us in the one true faith til we go to heaven.  This is why we come today to celebrate, not only the work of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives, but also the entrance of Jesus Christ in the manger.  This is what the Christmas message of Jubilee is all about.  We are celebrating the Jubilee and the work of the Holy Spirit of telling of Jesus Birth.

May we who gather today around the manger because of the work of the Holy Spirit, hear the clear message of Jesus Birth to save all mankind and come and celebrate in Jubilee, with hearts, voices, tamborines, drums, bells and songs the Joy of Jesus birth.  Thank you to all of you young adults and the leaders for this gift you are giving to all of us that was given in a lowly manger to save us.  And thank you for you the children who tell this sacred story of Jubilee for all of mankind, including all of us saints here at Emmanuel.  AMEN.

12182013 Advent 3 Wednesday Service

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Let us pray, Lord Jesus Christ in Your taking on humanity, You chose to take human flesh and become man.  Because of Your choice our salvation comes in a lowly manger.  Enable us to embrace our humanity, but see our baptism into Your life, death and resurrection for all of mankind for our salvation for all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this Advent evening.  AMEN.

The hardest part for some is to become something we are not.  For Jesus Christ in His coming down from heaven, He took on our human likeness in a state of humiliation.  Previously He was King, Second Person of the Holy Trinity, helping to form and shape the world that we call home.  But in one moment Jesus Christ chose to enter into time in Human form and begin life as a baby in a manger.

But being wrapped in swaddling cloths was not the end, it was the beginning of the work of salvation that offers all of mankind including all of us gathered here tonight, life.  Simply it is not a life of ease, but more importantly it is a life that when we look to the Cross of Jesus Christ is of promise and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  We find ourselves tonight only one week from our celebration of Jesus entrance into the world, but we are a lifetime away from when it actually occurred.  If we look through the eyes of an adult we rationalize what salvation means.  But if we look with the eyes of faith that a child has we know Christmas as wonder and majesty, full of excitement and anticipation.

The salvation that Jesus Christ offers us because of His coming in the manger is a work that isn’t like doing homework in math or English, driving a tractor planting or harvesting a crop, tearing a ceiling down here in the church, turning a wrench in a shop, shoveling out a grain bin, building or remodeling a house, working on books in an accountants office or the farm books, it is about the work of Jesus Christ coming to save mankind.  Jesus Christ comes to offer us eternal life by His humiliation.  Jesus Christ endured everything in His life here on earth as part of the work of salvation so we can be with Him in His Kingdom.  Jesus Christ endured this so we can have eternal life.  This is the salvation that is offered to each of us by Jesus Christ for all of mankind.

Jesus Christ offers us this gift of salvation, because He loves us and wants to share with us what He has prepared for us in His Kingdom in heaven.  In John’s Gospel, Jesus says something very profound that applies tonight for our salvation, (15:13)“¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”  This is the offer and work of salvation that Jesus Christ offers us with His entrance in the manger.  May we always remember this not for only a few, but for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this Advent evening.  AMEN.

12152013 Advent 3

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

As a child, many of the teachers that I had in Sunday School always would teach us neat little sayings, motions and hand gestures that have stuck with me.  Even my wife has taught me some sign language that was not as common for me in my family growing up.  They include, “Yes” like knocking on a door, “I love you”, and in church one of my all time favorites was the church.  You know the one I mean.  Put your hands together, here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors and here are all the people.

This simple gesture taught by countless generations of parents, grand-parents, Sunday School teachers and leaders portrays a simple truth.  When we open the doors of the church we the people gathered here are God’s people.  This morning we transition from talking about Jesus Christ and what He did for all of mankind, to the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit.  Not only could we talk about the Holy Spirit and what the Spirit’s role was from creation, but the Holy Spirit also has a role here in the church.  Hence this morning I have before us, not only a small church model, but also the picture of Emmanuel Lutheran church drawn and painted by a member of the Goodland community.  And I ask one question, what is the church?

While this question percolates in your minds, let’s pull out our bulletin insert and join together and read together in unison the “What does this mean” section as a congregation.  “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  AMEN.  What does this mean?  I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.  In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.  In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers.  On the last day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.  This is most certainly true.”  As we ponder the work of the Holy Spirit, let’s go to God in prayer.

Let us pray, Holy Spirit comforter of all the afflicted, as You call, us through the Word, enable us to understand Your work is to prepare us for home.  And our home is not here on earth, nor here in the visible Church, but in the invisible Church with Jesus Christ in heaven.  Help us to see our church as Your vessel of grace for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel.  AMEN.

All of us have seen pictures of Emmanuel with our bell tower, educational wing, stain glass windows and beautiful vaulted ceiling.  Some have climbed to the peak inside to paint, climbed on the outside to lubricate the bell that we ring before service, tossed cans across the peak to get a cord connected for the outdoor chimes to work or others have cleaned out the gutters or helped paint the walls to help the church last longer and look more beautiful.  Others have helped place ornaments on the lawn during Advent of the Manger scene.  Sometimes the manger scene was in the direction of the park across the street and other times aimed in other more obvious directions.  There are some here gathered and from years past that helped deliver meals on wheels to those who are in need of a hot meal, even including our own members.  Each of these activities is a clear answer to the question, what is the church?

From being surrounded and supported by Word and Sacrament in these four walls all of us serve a God within our individual comfort zone.  Each of us shine in our own way, whether by building steps, reframing walls or windows, laying carpet, giving to people within the community and even to me and my family, all because we are the church.  We are the visible church here in Goodland, Kansas.  We are the direct expression of what we receive this morning, not only the Word of God, but also in the Sacraments the direct expression of the Church that Jesus Christ came and lived for and died to save on the Cross of Calvary.  Yet all of this only occurs because of what the Holy Spirit does.

You see the Holy Spirit, Third Person of the Holy Trinity has the hardest job.  Not only does He call us by name in our Baptism, He claims us in Jesus Holy name in our baptism, He reminds us when we need Grace in our lives, He gathers us together here in the church, He enlightens us and reminds us of Jesus Christ life, death and resurrection for each and every one of us.  The Holy Spirit is also our constant reminder here in the church.  If we were to look to the Altar, above the Altar is our reminder of the Holy Spirit.  That flame, reminds us of the promise that Jesus Christ made before His ascension and which we today lay claim to as part of our belief in the forgiveness of sins and our receipt of Jesus Christ precious Body and Blood around the Altar of our Lord.

But not only do we remember the Holy Spirit and the church of Emmanuel.  We need to remember we are a part of the one Church here on earth.  In recent months many of the members here at Emmanuel have spoken to me about one word that we say in the Apostle’s and Nicene Creed.  For those of us who are sticklers that one word was changed in what we read this morning in our insert.  Instead of saying “catholic” the word “Christian” was used.  In our case this morning that is what and how the material was written.  For some saying the word, ‘catholic’ is like saying a ‘four letter word’.  The argument is we are not ‘catholic’, the church across the street is and we are nothing like them.  Clearly this is something that each of us have different and varied beliefs, positions and understandings of and about and all of us defend our beliefs and personal opinions with great vigor, even at times and in ways which divide instead of unite us as a church and brothers and sisters in Christ.  The reality is, we are the Church of Jesus Christ, whether the label of Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, Harvest or Bible Baptist.  We as the church on earth are meant to be the direct expression of grace offered by Jesus Christ and are here to represent Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins and how we joyfully serve Jesus Christ here in Goodland, Kansas.

The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity is here to unite us as the Church, because if we are not united behind the banner of Jesus Christ, we are divided and will fail and fall.  Not only fall victim to the wiles of the devil, but away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ we have been baptized into and are members of with our confession and our receipt of Jesus Body and Blood in the forgiveness of sins.

As we prepare for our celebration of Christ’s coming this Advent season, may we be like Michael Jordan in the ad for Gatorade.  Being the consummate athlete the exertion he always showed on the basketball floor or the baseball diamond always and continuously showed His enthusiasm, but also the sweat pouring from his body from giving it his all.  May we who gather here today exude and allow the Holy Spirit to come out in each of our lives and help each of us to gather and be the church on earth as we come together this Advent season to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child as we prepare for our celebration of Christmas.  For in celebrating Christ’s coming it is for all mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this morning.  AMEN.

12112013 Advent 2 Wednesday Service

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Let us pray, Jesus Christ, Your office of Prophet, Priest and King helps us to understand why You came to save us.  Enable us to more fully understand it is not a position of authority, but a reality that You chose to come and set us free from sin, death and the devil.  May we be set free because of the promise of the Gospel You lived for each of us that we have been baptized into.  For this occurs not only for all of mankind, but for each of us gathered here at Emmanuel this Advent evening.  AMEN.

When I was a kid and was called to the office in school, my pulse quickened, my palms began to sweat and I was worried that I was in trouble for something I had done, said or been seen doing.  And I knew that my fear was not only for who I would meet in the office, which was usually the principal, but also for the punishment to be levied, and also when I would get home and honestly tell my parents I had been called to the office and gotten in trouble.  But as Christians, we tonight are gathered in a kind of office, not like the principals, but still an office we know as the church.  Yet, in this office we meet not a secretary to usher us to meet the principal and receive punishment, but we meet Jesus Christ in His Church to receive grace.

We gather this evening to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us on the Cross of Calvary.  God in His infinite wisdom has sent His Son to suffer for us and pay for our sins by His innocent death on Calvary.  Jesus Christ came to fulfill the three fold office of Prophet, Priest and King.  Not only did He prophecy about His own death, He offers us the forgiveness of sins as the Great High Priest and now reigns as King of the World seated at the Right Hand of God the Father.  Hence we look to the altar and see the Christ Candle as our reminder of not only where God is currently, but our preparing and looking forward to celebrating Jesus entrance in the manger and fulfillment of His offices.

Jesus Christ threefold office He holds is to fulfill the promises from the beginning of Genesis through Revelation.  But it also is for us to understand we hold an office as well as His children in His Kingdom.  Our office in and of itself is not royalty, but a true reminder that we are baptized into the Kingdom of God and now are partakers not only of the mysteries He reveals in His prophecy, but also partakers of the forgiveness of sins offered in Word and Sacrament and fulfilled with His being seated on the throne as King.  Our office is as Jesus Christ called children waiting for His promises to be fulfilled.  And our waiting is not only for His appearance in the manger, but our baptism into His life, death and resurrection.

The reality for us tonight is that though Jesus Christ held each of these offices, He came down from heaven and offered Himself in order that we might live with Him in His Kingdom.  This sacrifice is not only what we celebrate, but what God offers to us through Jesus Christ.  May we as we prepare for His Advent, truly understand God’s call is not only to fulfill the three fold office, but to die for all of mankind to set us free in our baptismal office to be with Him in His Kingdom.  This is the grace He offers all of mankind, but especially for all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this Advent night.  AMEN.

12082013 2nd Sunday of Advent

Gospel Reading
Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

What would you do if you were king or queen for a day?  Throw your enemies in jail, give yourself a raise or become the boss at your place of work or business.  Buy the most expensive toys that money could afford, like a new King Cab Truck, a fancy new snowmobile for this winter.  Would you buy a new house or go on an elaborate vacation.  You could do so much if you were just the King or Queen and in charge.

When Victoria, future ruler and Queen of England was a child, she did not know of her destiny and she could not be motivated to follow directions, learn her lessons, nor adequately prepare her for the role that she would play as ruler of England.  Frustrated, her instructors and tutors could not help her to see nor understand the importance of learning nor the weight of the entire kingdom that would be upon her shoulders when she ruled her sovereign nation.  It was not until they sat the future queen down and told her of her true destiny that she responded, “Then I will be good.”  The realization that struck her with their revelation of her high calling and future, gave her a sense of responsibility that profoundly affected her conduct from that moment on and for the rest of her life.

This morning we have before us one of the seats from here in the chancel, the front of the church by the altar.  As we continue in our learning from the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed, this article deals specifically with Jesus Christ.  And how Jesus Christ not only came down from heaven to live, teach and die for us, but He returned to heaven and sits on the throne in heaven waiting to come again.  But why a throne and what impact is that for we the residents of Goodland, Kansas today?  Simply, of what significance is a throne for us today?

As this question fires your neurons in your brain, let’s pull out our bulletin insert and join together and read together in unison the “What does this mean” sections as a congregation.  “And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The Third day He rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.  What does this mean?  I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.  This is most certainly true.”  While the image of Jesus sitting on the Throne gains greater importance, let us seek God’s divine favor in prayer.

Let us pray, Gracious Lord and ruler of the earth.  As we look to Your throne of Grace, may our hearts be turned and our lives blessed by not only Your presence, but the peace You offer to us through Your gift of grace.  Enable us to hear Your call through the Holy Spirit and look at Your throne, not in fear, but in anticipation of our welcome into Your kingdom for all of the saints, including all of us gathered here at Emmanuel this morning.  AMEN.

One of the television shows that has become very popular in the last few years is entitled “Game of Thrones”.  It is of the rise and fall of an empire around a family of nobles and the twists and turns of each attempting to ascend to the throne.  The most iconic symbol of the entire show and as the title of the program indicates it is the throne.  Not a seat like we have here, this morning, but one that is ornate, exudes power and strength due to the numerous swords that surround the seat of power.  But as has been shown, the throne holds people’s attention, but also that true power comes not from the throne itself, but from the individual who sits on the throne.

So for us in Christianity, the true power of the throne is not the item or our image or imagination of it, but the person Who sits in or on the throne.  And for us that is Jesus Christ.  As we look to Jesus Christ as we hear and learn more about the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed, we begin to realize that Jesus Christ did come and live among us on earth.  He walked with His disciples between the cities in Israel.  Fished with them on the Sea of Galilee, sat and ate with tax collectors and sinners and even turned water into wine.  But we might have a challenge understanding Jesus Christ also sitting on the throne and its true understanding for us today here in Goodland, KS.

For some, a throne like in Game of Thrones is not about doing what is best for all, but ‘lording it over people’.  This past week at Ministerial Alliance we talked about how the town of Goodland is on a ‘power trip’.  How everyone looks out for themselves and what they can get, but not the collective good of the community.  The challenge we have during this Advent season is to change this reality.  This is the difference that Jesus Christ makes for all of us gathered here at Emmanuel.  When He came down from the throne to the earth, He was looking out for the good of all of mankind.  Jesus Christ came to sacrifice Himself in order to set all of us free from sin, death and the devil.  He gave up His power seat on the throne of God to set all of us free.  This is the gift of grace that we partake of and are baptized into.  Our personal and individual goal should not be about power, nor authority, nor lording it over anyone, but only concentrated upon the gift of grace God offers to each of us through His Son Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.

Clearly this is a mind-set change.  It is a change that we need to see, understand and make a reality in Goodland, but also here at Emmanuel.  As we prepare during Advent for the coming of the Christ child, may we not only change the decorations, like the Christmas tree, the wreaths, the paraments, the manger scene and the anticipation of the Christmas program.  May we also change our hearts and not only welcome the gift of grace God offers in His Son Jesus Christ, but embrace God’s grace and look with anticipation of the throne that Jesus will return to, but also that we will be invited to see and partake of with our entrance into eternal life.  For when we look to the throne with the lens of God’s grace for mankind, we look with anticipation of what God can do for all of us through His Son Jesus Christ.

For you history buffs, you have probably heard the name, Charlemagne.  He was the great king and Emperor of France.  When he died in 814, he was buried in a very elaborate tomb, with all of the ‘niceties’ of someone rich, including treasures of the kingdom and many other relics.  Years later when archeologists entered into this sacred space, they found in the center of the vault a large marble throne where Charlemagne was seated, now nothing more than a skeleton.  On his lap, wasn’t a sword or a scepter or what most would expect from a King, sitting there was a Holy Bible.  It was opened to one passage with his finger pointing to a specific reference from Matthew 18:26.  It read, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”

So to for us this morning, if we place ourselves on the throne for our own profit to lord it over others to gain the world, we have lost our own soul.  May we in true humility come to the throne of God and understand clearly it is God’s throne not ours, and Jesus Christ came down from the throne to set us free.  For this is the gift of God given by His Son Jesus Christ for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this morning preparing for our celebration of His coming for you and for me.  AMEN.

12042013 Advent 1 Wednesday Service

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Let us pray, Jesus Christ reveal unto us Your humanity and divinity and enable us to clearly understand You are not only our God, but we are Your people through our baptism into Your life, death and resurrection for all of mankind, including all of us gathered here at Emmanuel this evening.  AMEN.

Who is Jesus Christ?  This is a question I pose as we prepare for Christmas during this Advent Season, because it is asked of clergy and laity all the time by individuals who did not grow up in the church and have no idea about the church year, the change of seasons and their importance, nor of what significance the colors on the altar or adornments around the church have.  But this is also a question that some life-long church members actually ask, because, either they have forgotten what they were taught in their Catechism class, didn’t pay attention to what their Sunday School teachers taught them, never talked about it in their homes or with their families, hadn’t been to church in a while or had not celebrated Advent or Christmas.

The plain and simple answer is Jesus Christ, is “true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary”.  Now it may seem this is just a quick easy knee jerk reaction from a Pastor who has attended seminary, but this answer not only has profound truth of Who Jesus is, it also is the answer we give every Sunday.  This simple answer clearly articulates where and from Whom and by whom Jesus came into this world.  This answer is what we confess in our Creeds, what we read in Holy Scriptures and what we believe when we gather around the table of our Lord and receive the sacrament.

Simply, Jesus Christ not only is God, He is also our companion on our earthly pilgrimage.  Jesus Christ walks with us daily and invites us to open our heads, hearts and hands for His blessings offered to and for us daily.  God in and through His Son Jesus Christ blesses us with unimaginable blessings, all we need to do is call on His Holy name, understand His attributes that bless us and see His Divine Hand in our lives.

There are nay-sayers who undeniably doubt the existence of God, but clearly as His children we are called to give God, honor, praise and glory.  Recently, this became very clear for one of our extended family in the congregation.  While driving they were in an automobile accident.  It wasn’t with another vehicle, it wasn’t because of their inability to handle the vehicle.  They simply were hit by a deer that caused them to wreck.  Thankfully no one was hurt, but just as we experience in our daily lives being derailed or pulled away from God by the things of this world, this young man gained a deeper and more profound faith, because of His companion on His earthly pilgrimage, Jesus Christ.  In essence, Jesus took the wheel and not only spared him harm, but reminded him of God’s great love that we find in Jesus Christ and that we look towards celebrating as we prepare during this Advent season.  The great I AM, Jesus Christ is calling us today.  For Jesus Christ is not an unknown to us, but someone Who calls each of us to be in personal relationship with Him and individually seeks us out to save us and offer His life for all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel, including all of us gathered here this evening in preparation during this Advent Season for the celebration of His birth on Christmas.  AMEN.

12012013 1st Sunday of Advent

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Have you watched kids on a playground?  Whether the activity of tetherball, basketball, playing on the slides or teeter totter.  At younger ages the children always are running in groups, sometimes chasing the person who ‘leads’ the group, at other times they follow one another whether down the slide or up the ladder or across the wobbly bridge, the kids are in constant motion.  As they mature and get older there are groups that form whether of all girls who practice cheerleading, boys who toss the football or play soccer or other smaller groups that just sit around, pick clover and wait for the outside activity to be over.  Then there inevitably comes a time where one child, whether by circumstance or blind luck is put on a pedestal.  Now this pedestal is not the kind like a beauty queen or sports athlete, but a pedestal where the child is humiliated.  Whether it is because they are not athletic, like I was, the first in the class to wear glasses, they are the smallest kid in the class and school, the clothes they wear are hand-me-downs that their parents wore in school, or even they have a cast or walk with a limp or cannot keep up with the rest of the kids on the playground.  Inevitably picking on a kid or putting them on a belittling pedestal does occur in our culture and world that this one child is singled out and humiliated.

Intentionally or not, all of us have either been this humiliated child or we have been a part of the group that humiliated our classmate and sometimes even our friend.  When this occurred, sometimes we felt guilty because we did not do anything, other times we felt powerless because if we said or did anything we would have been the object of the ridicule and then became the humiliated.  The reality also exists that sometimes we do not say anything, because we chose the path of least resistance because the person who was ‘bullying’ we have known longer than the person being bullied or we are just caught off guard and do not know what to say and cannot and choose not to defend the victim to their face, only after and when they have gone do we possibly offer some comfort.  What is even more personal for us is that this not only happens in the world by countries, in the schools with bullies that even the teachers cannot react to, because of the fear of lawsuits, bullying occurs in the workplace because the person is the bosses best friend or pet, and this has even happened here in the church, not only in years past, but even recently since my arrival.

As this reality sinks in let’s pull out our bulletin insert and join together and read together in unison the “What does this mean” sections as a congregation.  “And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The Third day He rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.  What does this mean?  I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.  This is most certainly true.”  As the reality of Jesus humiliation for us sinks in, let us ask God in prayer to change our hearts to love Him more fully and bless us with His Word.

Let us pray, Jesus Christ our Lord, You came and took on not only our sins, but were truly humiliated for us in order to redeem us.  Enable us to truly understand Your suffering, humiliation and death are to remind us of the cost of following You.  For the gift of grace You offer to and for us is not without cost, but in our being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God, today we can be partakers of the greatest mystery of faith in the Sacrament offered with Your humiliation for all of mankind.  This gift is given not for only a few but for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this morning.  AMEN.

The stark reality of humiliation that occurs in our schools, workplace, homes and here in the church is sad.  But the reality is that though this occurs we have a God Who overcame humiliation.  Jesus Christ chose to be humiliated in order that all of mankind may be set free.  And we are set free because of the free grace God offers us on the Cross of Calvary for all mankind.  This offer is not of silver or gold, not of fine gems or anything that can be bought with money.  Our freedom that we live in and experience through our baptism occurs with and because of Jesus Christ life, death and resurrection for you and me.

Jesus Christ lived on this earth, giving up His heavenly home to come and walk among us.  Teach us the greatest gift of love for all mankind, model His commitment to our redemption even to the point of death.  In Jesus humiliation, whether by His being beaten by the guards, stripped naked in front of all the crowds to receive his lashes or on the Cross as He suffered the agony, Jesus chose His own humiliation for each and every one of us.  Because He knew that only with His humiliation, would the resurrection come and not only be sweeter, but offer to each of us the greatest gift for all of mankind of our salvation.  Jesus willingness to endure this not only modelled the gift of grace, but offers it for us daily when we read His Word in Holy Scriptures, serve as His hands delivering meals on wheels and even when we come and sing songs and celebrate His gift of grace offered to and for us every Sunday.

But it does not end nor begin with our doing acts of service, for God does not expect anything.  God’s gift of grace is freely offered because that is what grace actually is, unmerited forgiveness of sins and the offer of salvation for all mankind so that we can be with Jesus Christ in His Kingdom.  God’s offer of salvation reminds each of us in many and various ways, but especially when we see the Cross.  Hence this morning, I have the cross we use during Lent and Easter front and center this morning to remind us as we come to His table to receive His gift of grace of His precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ humiliation for you and for me.

May we whenever we see a cross whether on television, in nature where tree’s cross just right, around someone’s neck that we wear as jewelry or even that we display in our homes or offices always be a reminder not just of Jesus humiliation and being stripped.  But may we always be reminded that Jesus chose His humiliation in order that we would be set free to be His children in His kingdom and experience the greatest gift of grace ever offered of His precious Body and Blood around the altar of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  And may we always remember that His gift of grace is ‘given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins’ for all mankind, but especially including all of us saints here at Emmanuel who see the Cross of Christ as Jesus humiliation for each and every one of us gathered here on this First Sunday in Advent of the New Church Year.  AMEN.

11242013 Sunday of the Fulfillment

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Michele and I were at home in the last few weeks and Sarah was in bed asleep.  And Michele said I want you to watch a video.  Unlike most of the video’s that are on Facebook or Youtube these days, that show funny pet tricks, someone showing their ‘dare-devil’ attitude by performing a feat of what some would call craziness or even dare I say, ‘stupidity’ there are still other videos that sometimes hit and pluck an emotional heart string or a nerve that resonates within each of us as we watch it, but also afterward that stays with us for quite a while.  That is what the video was that Michele shared with me that evening. 

The video began and showed two babies, twins that were only days old.  What unfolded in the next few minutes hit both Michele and I so deeply since we have personally lost children that we will not meet until we enter eternal glory.  But the video showed these two twins immersed in a warm bath of water intertwined just as they had been in the womb.  With constant movement they continuously caressed each other, comforted one another and held each other so close just as they had while in the womb only a few short days ago.  It is believed that this is a window into what actually occurs in the womb and the actual reactions of the children as they ‘remember their previous home of 9 months’.  Watching this video not only made both of us ache for another child, but also made us wonder how some proponents believe that life does not begin unless or until birth.  But the greater truth is that this video connects each of us today with the Apostle’s Creed First Article and Thanksgiving.

Let’s pull out our bulletin insert and join together and read together in unison the “What does this mean” sections as a congregation.  “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.  What does this mean?  I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ear and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.  He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all that I have.  He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.  He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.  All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.  For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.  This is most certainly true.”  While the connection of the image of the twins and how it relates to this article sinks into our hearts, let us ask God in prayer to bless His message for each and every one of us here today to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Let us pray, God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, before we saw the light of day with our own eyes, You not only knew us, but You formed us in the womb.  Out of Your fatherly divine goodness and mercy, You not only formed us, but have given us the greatest gift of life and salvation through what Your Son Jesus Christ did on the Cross of Calvary.  Not only are we thankful for the grace offered to and for us through Jesus Christ, but also for every blessing in our lives for all of mankind, but especially all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this morning.  AMEN.

Jeremiah the prophet, clearly speaks to us today about the First Article of the Apostle’s Creed.  Not only is there a clear connection and revelation of God Who is creator, His connection not only of the world, but a deeper connection of God with all of mankind.  Jeremiah says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you”.  This knowing and consecrating not only was specifically about Jeremiah the prophet, but it is about each and every one of us today.  We are not only the spiritual descendants of Jeremiah, but the creation of God for this world, consecrated for His service for our world, our nation, our state, our county, our town and even and especially our congregation of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

We are consecrated for service, celebration and Thanksgiving, hence our having the cornucopia here up front this morning and that is exactly what we are here today to and for to celebrate what God has done for all of mankind, but also for each and every one of us gathered here this morning.  We come not only to eat turkey, talk about what God has done in the past year for us in our individual lives, but we especially come together corporately or as a congregation to celebrate the blessings that we shared and what God has done through His Son Jesus Christ.  With our celebration of life and remembering that we are created and known not only in the womb, but for God’s service, our thanksgiving and writing it down on paper and putting it up on a bulletin board takes on new meaning when we understand our role is not just receiving, but also giving in order for others to share and have the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is not only ironic, but also a great blessing that we have celebrated a great blessing earlier this morning.  With the baptism of Katerina we not only celebrate her entrance into the family of God, we affirm what God began in creation and each of our mother’s wombs.  With the oil and the sign of the Cross on her forehead and over her heart we are reminded that God formed, shaped and made us and consecrates us for His service.  We now as individuals and a congregation have not only the opportunity, but the obligation to teach Katerina and the other children of the congregation what the Christian faith is about, but also model the thanksgiving of the gifts of God.  For in our modeling for her and the other children we not only are reminded of God’s blessing to and for each of us, but also His grace offered through His Son Jesus Christ and the Great Thanksgiving.

Today in our receipt not only of Turkey and all the trimmings, but also the receipt of His precious Body and Blood in the Great Thanksgiving, we receive the gift of eternal life that prepares us for the greatest feast of Thanksgiving in our Lord’s house.  We are blessed and we share with fellow partakers of the gifts of grace offered to and for each of us and not only does the First Article of the Apostle’s Creed begin and remind us of this grace and blessing to and for us today, it is a clear reminder that we are blessed and created in God’s image, known in the womb, and invited to God’s table as His guest at the Great Thanksgiving Feast begun here at our altar and fully completed upon our entrance into heaven.  This offer is made for all of mankind, but especially including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel celebrating our Thanksgiving together.  AMEN.

11172013 2nd Last Sunday of the Church Year

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Have you ever read a book and when you turned the page everything changes.  Not only the actions of the characters, but the scenes, the scenery, the overall feel of the book, but especially how the story now makes you feel?  This morning, we literally and figuratively are turning a page in our journey through the Catechism.  Having finished the review of the Ten Commandments the landscape now changes and the tenor of the story takes on new meaning.  When we look at the Ten Commandments, they are the Law as presented by God through Moses.  The Ten Commandments were the Ten Imperatives that God wanted His chosen people to follow.  But today, we turn the page, not only to a new chapter that is still connected to the Law, but to a new opportunity to understand not just the flip side of the Law, but the perfect fulfillment of the Law in the Gospel as explained in the Apostle’s Creed.  But why are there pens, markers, glue, scissors, paper, paint and paint brushes up front here this morning?

Before I tell you more, let’s pull out our bulletin insert and join together and read together in unison the What does this mean” sections as a congregation.  “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.  What does this mean?  I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ear and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.  He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all that I have.  He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.  He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.  All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.  For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.  This is most certainly true.”  While this sinks into our hearts, let us ask God in prayer to bless His message for each and every one of us here today.

Let us pray, Almighty Father, You have made heaven and earth and all of creation from nothing, You fashioned all of us and call us to not only be Your children, but redeem us through Your Son Jesus Christ.  Enable us today to lay claim to Your redeeming work begun in Creation when You made the World and fulfilled in Your Son’s coming to save us from our sins.  For this is the offer You make to us through Your Son Jesus Christ life, death and resurrection for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel this morning.  AMEN.

If we were to give a child a clean piece of paper, a pair of scissors, some glue and a bunch of crayons and let them draw, color, cut or create anything their minds can imagine, we would have numerous different individual creations.  The depth of their imagination, the breadth of their differing styles and abilities would make any parent excited to see what their child made and what their imagination could create.

So to this morning we learn not only what our God created, but clearly we have turned a page in our journey and exploration of Luther’s Catechism.  We have turned the page from the Law to the Gospel.  If you remember your learning about Luther’s Catechism, the two most important doctrines found in scripture were the Law and the Gospel.  Like two sides of a coin, the Law is meant to kill, but the Gospel is meant to save.  This is the offer of grace that God offers to us today of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the First Article of the Apostle’s Creed we begin at Genesis with the Creation of the World, hence why I not only have pens, paper and scissors here up front, but also why I began with the illustration of letting the children create from their imagination.  This is a window into what God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit did when they created the heavens and the earth.  As Hebrews 11:3 states, “3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”  God through the creative process and speaking into existence our world offers unto all of us gathered here today the greatest gift.  Not only is the gift of our world that we live in today, but it is also the gift of salvation.

With all foresight and knowledge God knew sin would enter into the world and because we have free will God chose to allow mankind to sin in order to show His ultimate love for all of mankind.  God’s love is clearly manifest in creation, but also in what He offers us through His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  God offers us His Son, Jesus Christ to die in order that we might live.  This gift given from the beginning of creation was foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament, the giving of the Law in the Ten Commandments and fulfilled by Jesus Christ when He went to the Cross in order to die for each of us.

In the Creation of the World, God knew what would happen and in His divine plan God orchestrated our redemption through Jesus Christ.  And not only are we given clothes, food, drink, home, wife, children, land and all things, God even goes the extra mile of sacrificing His Son Jesus Christ in order that we might be with Him in His Kingdom for eternity.  And we have been called through our baptism into God’s promise and now can be partakers of eternal life like Esther who received Christian burial yesterday.

Does this mean we can ‘create our own story’, be God in some form or fashion?  By no means, but what it does mean is that we can lay claim to the promises of God and believe that these promises are made to and for all of us.  We cannot and do not have the power, nor the right, nor ability to create our own redemption.  But God does call us to believe in the redemption offered to us through His Son Jesus Christ.  And this gift is made manifest when we hear, heed and hold tight to the Gospel of Salvation offered through the work of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives.

And today we not only lay claim to the work of the Holy Spirit, we also celebrate what God does for each and every one of us as we partake of His precious Body and Blood around the table of our Lord.  As we partake of Jesus Christ Body and Blood in the Lord’s Supper we not only affirm the belief in what God created in the heavens and earth, but we affirm the plan of salvation offered in Jesus Christ.  This gift of eternal life that is offered for us clearly was created from the creation of the world.  Not with pens, paper and glue and scissors, but with the Word of God manifest in the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ.  This is the fulfillment in our receipt of the Lord’s Supper of the plan of salvation which is offered to and for all of mankind, but especially and including all of us saints that are gathered here this morning at Emmanuel.  AMEN.

11162013 Funeral Sermon for Esther Leona Reams Splattstoesser

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight O Lord, our rock and our redeemer!!  AMEN!!

Let us pray!  Lord of heaven and earth, out of the depths we have cried to You and You have heard our voices of sadness and supplication for the loss of Esther.  In Your first calling Esther in Holy Baptism You promised her eternal life and now with her entrance into eternity, You fulfill Your promise to her and to us through Your Son Jesus Christ.  May we today be comforted with the salve of Your Gospel message and the offer of grace for each and every one of us.  Now that the veil of death separates us from Esther, may Your love manifest in the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ be a healing balm for each of us.  For we today wait just as Esther did for our call to enter into Your Kingdom with all of the saints, including, Walter, Theodore, Ronald and now Esther as they are fully embraced in Your loving arms.  This occurs only because of Jesus Christ innocent death on Calvary for all mankind, especially including all of the saints of Esther’s family gathered here at Emmanuel to say goodbye.  AMEN.

If I were to say, “Wait for a tip”, at first glance you might think I was referring to a waiter or waitress at an eating establishment like Crazy ‘R’s’ here in town, Red Lobster, Montana Mikes or Applebee’s in the larger cities or even one of the 5-Star restaurants that only has fine linens on the tables and the entrées which cost more than most of us make on a farm for an afternoons labor.  But this is not the kind of ‘tip’ I am talking about.  Now if I said, “Wait for a dance to end, some like Nadine and Gary would nod their heads and know exactly what I am talking about.  For a segment of the population here in the United States, the dance I am referring to is fondly known as Square Dancing.  For Esther and her life-long partner Walter, they lived, ate breathed and even used as a baby sitter the Square Dances.  While preparing for this morning, Nadine shared that at only six months old, she was being taken to the dances and grew up learning the passion of her parents, Square dancing.  This passion took them to sawdust covered saloons, dance halls and even across the country living out their passion and love of Square Dancing.  But what is ironic is that Esther never had to wait for a tip or dance while she had her partner Walter.  Yet for these last number of years, Esther was waiting for a tip or a new dance partner since Walter died, and today we celebrate His arrival to carry her home.

This morning we use Psalm 130 as the basis of our meditation, because even David, the King who not only loved to sing, dance and play the harp, but also write, penned this Psalm about waiting that clearly connects with not only Square Dancing, but also with waiting that Esther did in her final days here on earth.  David clearly alluded to waiting when he said, in verse 5 “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.”  Esther waited for God and remained in great hope for God’s promise to be fulfilled, but it was not a ‘wait in vain’ like some in our society claim or others would do while dancing of  waiting for a partner.  Or at a 4-H competition waiting for the judges to get there or come back with a verdict or waiting for a potential buyer to make a decision on a project of baking or sewing that took long hours to complete.  The waiting that David and Esther waited for was God’s return.  It was not uncertain, but certain.  It was not in doubt, but it was a fact of reality that would occur, the only thing that was uncertain was the when.

While visiting on the phone and in person with Esther we talked about our waiting and what it really required and meant.  Clearly Esther was proud of all of her kids and grandkids.  She would tell of all of their exploits, whether new grandkids, her pride of what they had accomplished both in their families and in school and even when their birthdays were coming next.  Esther constantly waited for the next big event in their lives and their sharing it with her as only a grandmother could hear and smile and take pride in their accomplishments.  But for Esther like all of us, waiting is not an easy task for anyone, just ask any 3 or 4 year old to wait five minutes, but for an adult like Esther, especially when one’s partner has entered the church triumphant waiting for a reunion with their betrothed and with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is always a challenge.  Yet, each time I would share in this struggle with Esther, I would bring and share something that would make waiting a little more bearable.  At times, like in worship, I would offer God’s Holy Scriptures in order to comfort and point to the coming and fulfillment of the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ.  But still at other times I would bring what we know as a foretaste of the feast to come, Holy Communion to strengthen Esther as she waited on God’s good and perfect time.

Today, we celebrate that God’s time has been fulfilled, not only of Esther’s reunion with the Holy Trinity, but also with Walter, Theodore, Ronald and her parents, but also and especially the wait is now over of Jesus Christ coming to take Esther home to be in His Kingdom.  Esther’s eternal dance partner has arrived to take her home.  This promise made in Esther’s baptism, confirmed in 1949 where she took personal responsibility for her spiritual life, has been fulfilled through God’s grace first offered on the Cross of Calvary for all mankind by Jesus Christ death on Calvary and within our lifetime.  Just as David said in Psalm 130, “with the Lord there is mercy” and it has been fulfilled in our presence.  God has chosen Esther as His partner in the greatest dance feast in His Kingdom.  And in this fact we can take the greatest comfort.  The wait is now over, the dance can begin and now Esther is partnered with Jesus Christ for all eternity in His kingdom.

But this new dance only occurs because as David said, because “He [that is God] shall redeem” and that is the promise and fulfillment of salvation we celebrate today for Esther.  This offer of salvation is not just ‘because’, but it is a genuine offer from God of salvation for all of mankind to redeem us from our sins.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ redeems us with His life, death and resurrection and offers Himself in order that we might be set free from our earthly bindings.  Esther has been set free from all sickness and given a new resurrected body to dance with Jesus Christ since she heard His call in baptism and now Esther has heeded His call for her to come home.  May we be comforted by the thought that Esther waits no longer and we who remain wait for our call by God for our redemption and our entrance into the feast that is to come for all of mankind, including all the saints of Esther’s family and Emmanuel gathered here to say good-bye.  AMEN.

Now may the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding guard our hearts and minds and comfort us today, because of what Jesus Christ did for Esther and each one of us!  AMEN! 

11102013 Third to the Last Sunday of the Church Year

Gospel Audio

Sermon Audio

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  AMEN.

Today we are at a milestone.  Not the kind of milestone like climbing Pike’s Peak or Mount Everest, finishing the Appalachian Trail either in Georgia or Maine or even the milestone of finishing corn, milo or soybean harvest for this year.  The milestone we cross today is our completion of the Ten Commandments.  It may seem insignificant, but in our review of the 6 Chief Parts of Luther’s Small Catechism, this is definitely a milestone in our learning more about God’s Commands.  For today we conclude the Law section of the Small Catechism, where God is telling us what we are commanded to do.

However, why would we have KU and K-State paraphernalia as well as the plaque that honors our military and those who served from here at Emmanuel up front here and what does that have to do with the Close of the Commandments?  Before we make this neat connection, let’s pull out our bulletin insert and join together and read together in unison both of the sections “What does God say about all these commandments? And the What does this mean” sections as a congregation.  “What does God say about all these commandments?  He says: “I, the Lord Your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.”  What does this mean?  “God threatens to punish all who break these commandments.  Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them.  But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments.  Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.”  As the true meaning and connection of the Close of the Commandments sets in, let us ask God in prayer to bless His message for each and every one of us here today.

Let us pray, Merciful Lord, You clearly call us to not only heed Your Word, but understand that You are a jealous God and punish all of mankind for our sin, even to the third and fourth generation.  But clearly you have shown all of mankind love, mercy and grace because of what Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ has done on the Cross of Calvary.  May we be reminded of Your promise of grace and mercy and enabled to trust in You more fully for our salvation for all of mankind, but especially for and including all of us gathered here at Emmanuel on this Veterans Day Weekend.  AMEN.

If I were to quote the following, “I shall see this great sight, why the bush does not burn (Ex. 3:3)” or “Rule by Obeying Nature’s Laws”, or “In Christ’s Love, Everyone is Someone”, or “Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Scripture Alone” or “In God We Trust” what do each of these sayings have in common?  And do you know where each of them comes from?

In order, the first is the KU motto, ironically biblical from the Old Testament in origin, the second, K-State motto agricultural in nature, the third is the motto of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society which we have here in Goodland, next is the motto of all Lutherans and the basis for our faith and finally the last is the motto that is on every piece of currency that is legally used in the United States.  What each of these has in common is that they are not only motto’s of schools, societies, countries and movements, they are a mantra or battle cry or perfect summation of the beliefs, values and ideals of each organization or group of people, whether KU, K-State, Good Samaritan, the Lutheran church or what the United States believes in and was founded upon.

This morning as we reach the milestone of completing the Law from the tablets Moses brought down the mountain as explained in the 10 Commandments further explained by Martin Luther, we encounter not just a motto, but a perfect summation of the entire Law of the 10 Commandments as found in the Close of the Commandments.  Mottos are not just sayings but have an intrinsic meaning that we display, whether on crests of families, schools, state seals, dealership or seed dealer hats or even our money.  In our displaying these they not only become who we are, but are our identifiers and give us meaning and connection with others.  Such as when we see someone wearing K-State or KU colors, Case or John Deere, Pioneer or Fontanelle.  So to with the Close of the Commandments and what they really mean.

In the Close of the Commandments Martin Luther was trying to give a clear summation and reminder of the history of Christianity and the church, but also the promises of God.  Clearly God, creator of the universe has every right to punish us for disobeying Him, but notice God also clearly and emphatically says He will show ‘love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.’  We are included in this thousand generations, we are the descendants of Moses and the Old Testament people and have been grafted into the promises of God through our Baptism.

Just as we are grafted into the promises of the family of God, we are also reminded that we should fear God, but also lay claim to the promise God makes to us of grace and every blessing.  So clearly, God wants us to be blessed and receive the gift of grace and mercy He offers to us in His Son, Jesus Christ.  But how do we lay claim to it and how does all of this KU and K-State paraphernalia and the list of veterans fit into this?

Today we not only celebrate the milestone of the Close of the Commandments, we also celebrate Veterans Day.  Not only do the schools that we honor when we wear the paraphernalia, remember the mottos and have our individual rivalry, but also the sacrifice of the warriors who have laid down their lives and defended our nations freedom in order for us to come here and worship today.  The Close of the Commandments connects today, because just as mottos are a summation or battle cry for schools, what we close with today is to be a reminder of God’s gift of grace and mercy given to each and every one of us today.  The Close of the Commandments are to be our battle cry, our motto, our reminder of how God intersects our lives and wants us to rely solely upon Him in every aspect of our lives.  God wants us to understand He would love it if we kept His Commandments perfectly, but He understands our nature and says, I have a plan for you and part of the plan includes the military who protect our rights daily with their lives and service.

The plan from God was instituted from the Garden of Eden, through the wilderness where the Commandments were given, by the prophets telling of Who would be coming and finally fulfilled in the grace and mercy found in Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.  It is in, through and by this perfect plan and Jesus innocent death for you and for me that we receive the greatest gift of mercy and grace.  And it is through and by our trust in Him that we find the ultimate fulfillment in our lives that is the blessing offered for each and every one of us today by Jesus Christ.

And our military in serving with their oath, pledge and motto’s remind them Who they really serve.  Not only do they serve their country, they serve God Who called them into the profession of service in the military.  Let me share with you the motto’s of our military.  The Coast Guard’s is, “Always Ready”, the Army, “This We’ll Defend”, The Navy, “Honor, Courage, Commitment”, the Merchant Marines, “Deeds not Words”, the Air Force, “Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do” and the Marine Corp, “Always Faithful”.  These are the motto’s of those who serve our country.  The motto that God offers us in the Close of Commandments is also very clear, of forgiveness, grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.  This is the gift offered to us today that we lay claim to that is offered for all of mankind, including all of us saints gathered here at Emmanuel who honor, not only the military today, but who honor God’s gift and sacrifice for all of us saints gathered today in Jesus Christ, life, death and resurrection that we have been baptized into.  AMEN.