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How to Help in Relief Efforts

August 31, 2017
31 Aug 2017

See below for suggested ways to donate towards the relief efforts of recent natural disasters.

Hurricane Harvey Relief

There are many good organizations worthy of your generosity. I would encourage you to research and investigate in order to be confident you know how your donations will be used. Below, I will list several worthy causes that I can personally vouch for and have investigated. We will continue to make appeals at Calvary for donations to be directed to these or other worthwhile sources.

Texas District, LCMS
This is the local District that covers all LCMS churches in Texas. 100% of donations to this fund will be directed to churches that sustained damage as well as the work of local churches meeting needs in their communities, some of whom are acting as shelters.
https://txlcms.org/how-can-i-help-hurricane-harvey/

Resurrection Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas
A seminary classmate and friend is serving as Associate Pastor at this church. It is located just north of Houston. The church did not sustain damage, but over 20 member households have flooded as well as the senior pastor’s. This is a great way to give directly on the ground to immediate needs. 100% of funds donated to “Harvey Relief” will go to that cause. Checks will be received at the address below, or follow the link for an electronic option.
Resurrection Lutheran Church
1612 Meadow Edge Ln.
Spring, TX 77388
write “HARVEY” in the memo line
http://churchthatcares.org/donate

LINC Houston
LINC Houston is a network of local Lutheran mission church across the Houston area. These mission congregations are in communities that are often overlooked, without access to information and resources. Donations made to LINC will help this network of churches serve their members and communities. I am quite familiar with the work LINC does, and know the executive director. You can trust that funds given to LINC Houston will meet immediate needs, especially of those who might otherwise be overlooked.
http://linchouston.org/relief

Irma Relief Efforts

You can support disaster response to LCMS churches and their communities in Florida by giving to LCMS Disaster Response. By following the link below you will find ways to give to either Irma Relief or Harvey Relief.

https://www.lcms.org/disaster-response

 

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How Should We Respond

August 17, 2017
17 Aug 2017

An officer keeps the peace in front of protesters. Taken at a rally in Charlottesville on July 8th. photo credit: Jill Mumie

 

On Sunday at Calvary I shared some immediate, honest thoughts about the violence and violent interactions we witnessed in Charlottesville over the weekend. For those who were not present, or for those wishing to give this some further thought, I am including a few brief remarks here as well.

First, as someone who loves the city of Charlottesville, as it has been one of our favorite weekend getaway destinations over the past five years, I am sorry the people of that city bore the brunt of last weekend’s violence. It was a sad time for their city, and a sad time for our nation. Our hearts and prayers are with those who experienced these events most personally and vividly.

On Sunday at Calvary I asked the question “What is our responsibility upon events such as these?”

1. I believe we are to identify and call out sin and evil as it exists in the world. Racism emerges in a public way from time to time in the life of our country. Rather than seeing this as something new, we are saddened to see that something old and persistent is still very present among us. It seems that those with certain racist beliefs have determined to gather publicly and loudly at this time.

As Christians, we hold that the gospel of Christ makes no room for this type of distinction. All people, the world over, are people for whom Christ willingly gave his life. It is sinful pride to believe that any group or class of people has authority or power over another. All people have been created in the image of a loving, rich, and generous God who has show himself to be the God of not one tribe, race, or class, but of all people.

For this reason, we call out and denounce any group or movement that attempts to devalue or undermine the dignity and worthiness of any other person. Movements based on principles contrary to these truths, such as the KKK, Neo-Nazi’s, or white supremacists have no place among us.

2. As we give voice to what is good and right, and call out injustice and evil, we are also called to stand alongside those who are anxious or fearful because of words spoken against them. Christian community is meant to bring healing to a broken world and much of that good work is lifting one another up during difficult days, and speaking healing, gracious words in times of sadness. We may, or may not, feel personally attacked by the gathering that took place this weekend in Charlottesville, but we are called to come alongside those who do feel the emotional burden of these words and actions.

3. We are constantly called to examine our own hearts to root out any forms of racism or bigotry that may live there. Scripture reminds us that we there is an old evil foe who wishes to divide us one against another, and separate us from the love of God. Pride and sin creep easily into our hearts causing us to believe, in a great variety of ways, that we are better than our neighbor. We tend towards judgmentalism, selfishness, and greed, when we are called to follow the Lord of love, mercy, and compassion.

Let us examine our own hearts and confess before God that we might also become better neighbors, family members, friends, and members of the body of Christ that might lift one another up from the despair and challenges of this world. May we pray God would give us wisdom and discernment as we speak and work for justice in the midst of brokenness and sin.

And finally, may we ask the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ to teach us always to love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with our God.

in Discipleship, General, Midweek Meditations /by

A Way Forward

May 17, 2017
17 May 2017

What is God calling us to do as a congregation?

This is the big, challenging, necessary question leadership at Calvary have been wrestling with over the past few months, and even years. Certainly we will continue to do those things that we have always done as a Christian Congregation. But we also have felt it necessary to lay out a specific plan for the future in order to do the most with the people and resources God has entrusted to us.

Below you will find several documents that have been crafted out of many, many conversations we have been having as a congregation.

We believe that WORSHIP is at the core of who we are – people gathered together around the Word and Sacraments of our Lord. We want to welcome well those who may be seeking a church community, and we want to provide fulfilling worship opportunities for those who are here.

We believe we are called to CARE for one another, just as our savior Jesus cares for us. Caring for one another as we share our lives in community is a vital part of our work as a congregation. To do this well we must meet the needs of everyone who calls Calvary their church home, from young children, to teens, to young adults, families, retirees, and seniors. Our goal is that each of these groups might flourish, forming a vibrant, healthy multi-generational congregation.

We believe we are called to SHARE with others what God has entrusted to us. The gospel message of salvation is at the center of all we do. It is our hope, and we believe it is also the hope of the entire world. As neighbors and community members this message impacts our relationships with one another. We have been loved by God, and we desire to love others as well. God has also been generous to us, and as a congregation we also desire to extend generosity to others, especially in caring for real needs people may have.

WORSHIP – CARE – SHARE: together we believe these ideals will allow us to reach our fullest potential as a congregation committed to Changing Lives with God’s Love.

VisionRoadmap_May_2017

 

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Preparation

April 15, 2017
15 Apr 2017

-Saturday of Holy Week-

All is quiet now.

The cross is empty. The tomb is covered. The guards are waiting, the disciples hiding.

But don’t confuse quiet with silence.

Some have said God is silent, where is his answer to our prayers? Others said “God is dead.”

But don’t confuse quiet with silence.

On the seventh day of creation, God rested. For six laborious days he spoke all things into existence. Then rest. A quiet rest, but not silence. The fruit of his labor was busily multiplying. And God’s spirit sustaining all.

Now, on another seventh day, God rests again. The work is done, the job is finished, all has been accomplished.

The disciples wondered if this was it, as the grave sat covered and still. But little did they know. Underneath the quiet, behind the rest, a joyful noise was brimming.

In one more day, now the eighth, a new thing will be done. Where sin once reigned, and death took hold, the victorious King will come forth.

All is quiet, but not silent, this is the preparation.

Tomorrow we join in.

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Passion

April 11, 2017
11 Apr 2017

-Tuesday of Holy Week-

We call it the week of the Passion.

Passion – what a word.

For us it invokes a sense of strong emotion, feeling, or concern.

Certainly that is part of what is happening. Jesus, the God-Man, had passion for his people. He saw the world and his heart was moved. He saw our pain and decided something must be done. His passion, for them, for us, moved him into action.

But there is also something peculiar here. The original meaning of this word in Greek is πάσχω (pasxo), which can denote heavy emotion, feeling. But more often pasxo means “to suffer,” “to endure,” “to be acted upon.” (Luke 22:15; Luke 24:46; Acts 1:3)

And so we have something profound indicated by this word.

If God’s passion for his people had led him to action, if he had acted upon the world, then sin might have been wiped out, but we would have been as well. Sin does not stand alone, it cannot just be destroyed. For it is people who are sinful, it us who are the problem. To destroy sin, is to destroy us.

But God’s desire for his people is so deep, so all-consuming, that in his passion he did not act upon us, but rather, willingly he was acted upon. Luther called this the great exchange. Him for us. Him instead of us. That is the meaning of pasxo – to suffer, to feel, to be afflicted. But for a purpose.

In his suffering he takes our sin. He endures so we might be freed. In his pain our sin is swallowed up.

In this Holy Week of Passion, suffering somehow is good, because it leads to our salvation.

O Lord, we thank you for your Passion. You have loved us so deeply you have given yourself, body, emotion, and all in order that we might live. Let us not take this for granted, but rather grant our lives to your work.

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Give Us Big Hearts

April 10, 2017
10 Apr 2017

-Monday of Holy Week-

Out the window from my desk, traffic is backed up on the Beltway. I fear an accident is to blame. Whose lives have been changed by this?

God, comfort those involved.

After Sunday morning’s worship service, where palms were raised, and praises sung, I went home to read of bombings in Egypt. At least 44 brothers and sisters were killed during their Palm Sunday worship.

Have Mercy, O God. Bring peace.

Last week images circulated the news of a chemical attack in Syria. Mothers, fathers, children had their lives destroyed. The pictures are hard to look at, they make me think of my own children. But only by looking, can I know and understand the evil in the world. By seeing, I join their suffering.

Open my eyes, O Lord. May your justice be found.

As Jesus looked upon the Holy City, he cried out “Jerusalem! Jerusalem!… How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Upon the death of his friend Lazarus, Jesus wept. The very tears of God, shed. His heart broken too, by the pain and suffering of this world.

But with a Big Heart he went forward, that his hopeful kingdom might come to his people.

Teach us to weep when there is weeping. Teach us to rejoice when when there is rejoicing.

Give us big hearts, O God.

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Introducing Holy Hikes

April 1, 2017
01 Apr 2017

Join us for our first ever Holy Hike on Saturday April 8th, 2017!

Holy Hikes call us beyond the walls of comfort, to take a step, perhaps even a hike, towards reunion with the earth and all its life and beauty. Join us in finding new ways to restore our communion with all of Creation.

During the course of a short – 1.5-2 mile hike – we will follow a liturgical order of service, worshiping in the midst of God’s creation. All are welcome, this relatively easy hike has been organized with children and families in mind.

On April 8th, 2017 we will hold our first Holy Hike in the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge. Meet at the Visitor Center (10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel MD, 20798) at 9:45am to begin hiking at 10:00am sharp. We expect this first hike to last about 1.5 hours. Feel free to bring snacks or a lunch if you wish to spend time in the park after the hike.

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To the Mountains

March 29, 2017
29 Mar 2017

Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Have you lifted your eyes up the mountains?

Have you looked with wonder to the peaks and high places of this earth? Gazing up we may be struck with wonder – a snow-lined, jagged peak, awesome for its beauty; awe-inspiring because it may seem unattainable, out of reach.

But in looking up we may recognize our own reality. We are down low. Sometimes on even, flat ground. At other times we may be in the valley. When we are the lowest, the mountains may seem even farther away.

But up we look, and with hope.

While we may be held low by brokenness, sin, and the despair of this world, we know another who has climbed the mountain for us. Raised high upon the cross, on Calvary for all to see, our savior gave himself that we might find protection.

Six times in this Psalm we are reminded of his “watching over us,” as one can only do from above.

His protection is complete, sufficient, and thorough because he neither slumbers, nor sleeps.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

in Discipleship, General, Midweek Meditations /by

Remember Me

March 23, 2017
23 Mar 2017

Psalm 25
Of David.

1 In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
  but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
   and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
  according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

Remember me.

It is as if to say: Think on me. Consider me and don’t forget. Keep me in your heart and mind.

But as others think of us, what are their thoughts? Do they think of us as kind, compassionate, generous, wise, humorous, loving? Or something else?

I have often noticed at funerals that we invoke the best memories and characteristics of those we care about. We dwell on those things which are good, and cover over that which is bad. It is love that allows for this pardoning perspective.

But God cannot cover over sin. In light of his perfect justice, we stand convicted in our wrongs. God is loving, to be sure. But just as certainly as God is loving, he is also righteous.

For this reason, asking God to remember us is risky business. How can we stand before him with hope in our hearts?

Only in this: we have a redeemer. Our good works cannot save us, but his will. He lived perfectly even though we haven’t. He gave his life so we might not loose ours. And now, when God remembers us, he remembers his Son.

So pray the words of David:

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.

And know this, that even the thief on the cross was bold to cry out: Remember me, when you come into your kingdom.

And Jesus did.

in Discipleship, General, Justice, Midweek Meditations /by

De Profundis

March 15, 2017
15 Mar 2017

Psalm 130
  Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

Out of the depths…

Out of the depths (De Profundis in Latin), I cry to you, O Lord!

A sense of place is immediately upon us. Figurative more than literal: Darkness. Sadness. Pain. Disappointment. Frustration. Longing. Brokenness.

This world is too weak to bear the burden of our hope. It fails us. We fail ourselves. We cry out.

So it has been for millennia. The unknown psalmist cries out as well. But cries out for what?

To be heard? To be known? To have the burden lifted? To receive the promise of a better day, a better future, a time when our hopes will not be crushed? What do we hope our petitions will bring?

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

Out of the depths…  This gives a sense of place, yes. But these words can have two meanings. Out of the depths – I am lifted. Now its something else. One seems hopeless, one the opposite. But why?

We place our hope in the Lord, not only because he has the power to lift us out of darkness. (He does.) But because he has entered the darkness with us. If there is a beauty to the cross, it is the fact that on it, God’s love shined so bright, it appeared as darkness for a while. There, he bore our: Sadness. Pain. Disappointment. Frustration. Longing. Brokenness.

And now he lifts us.

For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.

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