10w - 5th Sunday after the Epiphany

This is a 10 minute worship service for February 6th, the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany.  This worship service is designed for you to listen to on your Smartphone on your way to work or at home on the computer at the the start of the day. If you would like to receive a copy of this weekly 10 minute worship service in an mp3 format to listen to on ipod/phone/pad or other mp3 player, just email me at bollerud@gci.net and I will place you on the distribution list.

Opening Litany based on Psalm 112

Pastor: Let us all Praise the LORD.

Congregation: Those whose lives are steeped in awe of the Lord and who find delight in the ways of the Lord know that their lives are blessed. 

Pastor: their children and the generations to come will be blessed by the lives of the righteous and will be considered great in the land.

Congregation: They will live their lives knowing that true wealth and true riches surround them and that the righteousness of God will be with them forever. 

Pastor: they will live their lives blessed knowing that even in what seems like darkness, the light of God shines through the children of God who are gracious and compassionate.

Congregation: Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely and who conduct their affairs with justice. 

Pastor: Surely their righteousness will never be shaken and they will be remembered for generations.

Congregation: We too will live as the children of God and will have no fear of bad news; our hearts remaining steadfast, always trusting in the LORD. 

Pastor: with no fear, we will look to the Lord

Congregation: We will freely scattered our gifts to the poor, our righteousness will endure forever; and our horn will be lifted high in honor.

Matthew 5:13-20

Salt and Light

You are the blessed children of God
Blessed as the poor in spirit
Blessed as the meek
Blessed
As the children of God
Blessed
Now
Go
Be a blessing
(salt)
In this world
Let others know of the blessedness
(light)
Not only of your life
But more importantly
Thiers
Blessed
In spite of all the are
Were
Will be
Going through
Let the shinning glory of the Savior
Shine
Shine
Shine
To all those around you
Let them know that they are blessed
And called to live blessed
And called to pronounce blessing
And bring forth all the God flavors
And God Colors
And God sounds
In this blessed world
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine

seek justice and walk humbly before your God

Sunday February 6th, Isaiah 58: 1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right a and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Perhaps today the self righteous would cry, We have opposed abortion and supported gun rights instead of fasting and humbling of the self. Although what Isaiah describes is anything but humbling of the self, it is exerting of the self above the needs of others. Let us not be confused, abortion is not and never has had anything to do with God’s plan for the world, but then neither has subjugation of victims under the law while the perpetrators go free. It seems no one has suggested that the father of the child is to be responsible for raising the child in addition to the costs involved with bearing the child and some compensation for the pain and suffering involved in giving up the child. As someone who was a single father of three difficult children, I think putting the burden on the males would pretty much solve the problem. But more important than raising difficult children is how one cares for the workers. We worship capitalism and the push by many is for the free market to do its magic. In order to do its magic however it must ignore the needs of those who dedicate their lives to the cause, the workers. Shipping a job overseas is often seen as a financial decision. In labeling it as such it ignores the tremendous cost to the families, children and communities involved. Is this the kid of fast I have chosen? That the chairman of Goldman Sacks, Lloyd Blankfein has his wage tripled while worker after worker finds their house upside down in the mortgage market and worker after worker looses their job??? Is it not to loosen the chains of free market indifference and care for those who work for you? Is it not to support those who have suffered so long to find a job after the rich you support have given them all away? This is what the Lord requires of you, to show mercy, seek justice and walk humbly before your God.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

Monday February 7th, Isaiah 58: Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Many members of the tea party I have met have been very generous people. They are kind, loving and caring. Their Achilles heel is that they consider the government a “them” instead of a collective “us.” In considering the government a them they can easily be bought off by the likes of the Koch brothers and Dick Armey into believing they are helping one another. The reality is that in the current day and age, that in decreasing the power of the government, the collective us, we are increasing the power of the corporation which has great regard for profit and little regard for the “us” in this world. Most in the tea party unknowingly find themselves working and fighting against themselves and their own self interest. Satin often works that way, alas, We have met the enemy and he is us.

much more effective

Tuesday February 8th, 1 Corinthians 2: 1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. It is not about me fixing things; it is about letting God into your life and letting God be the fixer in your life. Many in the family of faith (members of the Church) feel awkward about ministering to others. Often it is because they feel “they” need to be the ministers, the carrier of the words. What we are called to do as the children of God is to simply “be” there. You don’t have to say much, or even anything, you simply have to be there and let the spirit of God work through your presence, your touch, you hugs, and yes, your words. It is in weakness that you are most strong, because it is in your weakness that God is most strong. So go, minister, and let the Spirit of God flow through you without the insistence and interference of You shining through. It is not only easier, it is much more effective.

Get out of the way!!!!!!!!

Wednesday February 9th, 1 Corinthians 2: It is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? We keep trying to come up with new ways of doing ministry. Most of the time what shines through is a whole lot of “I’s” and not much of the “thee’s.” when we talk about God, let us talk about God not what we are doing under God’s name. When it comes to being a part of God’s ministry there is only one way to do it…………. Get out of the way.

Super Bowl Seasoning

Thursday February 10th, Matthew 5: 13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. We are called to be the seasoning in the super bowl? The answer is Yes.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine the Super bowl without the presence of God in the world. Without all the blessings. Without all the gifts of the spirit. The Irony is that soooo many stay home on Super bowl Sunday instead of blessing the day with the presence of God. You want spice in your Super Bowl Sunday?!?!?!? !? Start it with worship, all else will fall into place.

this little light of mine

Friday February 11th, Matthew 5: 14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Don’t let Satin blow it out, I’m going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel NO, I’m going to let it shine. Shine all over the world, YES, I’m going to let it shine. We’re all saved by Grace, yes, I’m going to let it shine. I will respond with Praise, yes, I’m going to let is shine. I will nurture my soul, Yes, I’m going to let it shine. I will serve the world, yes, I’m going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…… Amen!Friday February 11th, Matthew 5: 14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Don’t let Satin blow it out, I’m going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel NO, I’m going to let it shine. Shine all over the world, YES, I’m going to let it shine. We’re all saved by Grace, yes, I’m going to let it shine. I will respond with Praise, yes, I’m going to let is shine. I will nurture my soul, Yes, I’m going to let it shine. I will serve the world, yes, I’m going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…… Amen!

right living

Saturday February 12th, Matthew 5: God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. 19-20"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom. So what is right living?!?!?!?! This O mortal is what the Lord requires of you… love justice, show mercy and walk humbly before your God. Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10w - the Presentation of our Lord

This is a 10 minute worship service for February 2nd, the Festival of the Presentation of our Lord.  This worship service is designed for you to listen to on your Smartphone on your way to work or at home on the computer at the the start of the day. If you would like to receive a copy of this weekly 10 minute worship service in an mp3 format to listen to on ipod/phone/pad or other mp3 player, just email me at bollerud@gci.net and I will place you on the distribution list.

10w for Epiphany 4

This is a 10 minute worship service for the week of January 30th, Epiphany 4, "You're Blessed."  This worship service is designed for you to listen to on your Smartphone on your way to work or at home on the computer at the the start of the day. If you would like to receive a copy of this weekly 10 minute worship service in an mp3 format to listen to on ipod/phone/pad or other mp3 player, just email me at bollerud@gci.net and I will place you on the distribution list.

Opening Litany based on Psalm 15

Pastor: LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

Congregation: The One whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous; The one who speaks the truth from his heart and utters no slander. It is the one who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on others.

Pastor: LORD, Who may live on your holy hill?

Congregation: It is the one who despises what is vile in humanity and honors those who fear the LORD; it is the one who keeps an oath even when it hurts. It is the one who lends his money without interest and the one who does not accept a donation to vote against the needs of the innocent.

Pastor: Such a person will never be shaken.

Congregation: Help us to walk in your ways O Lord.

The Presentation of our Lord

Luke 2:22-40

in the midst of our rituals
made up of what we feel
and our understanding
of what and who God is
we sometimes encounter
in spite of all that we place in the way
God
pure and simple
shining like a ray of joy
into our hearts
and our rituals
Our understandings
make sense in a new way
for we have seen
seen the one promised
to save the people
and bring life to the world
Anna and Simeon came to such a moment
a pureness of time
wrapped in a blanket
helpless
and they felt complete
so now dismiss you servant in peace
allow not this moment to lapse into a memory
for my eyes have seen salvation
prepared for all people
A light to guide all nations
for the glory of Your people
the memory
the moment
the world
Alive
and remembered.

The presentation of our Lord (2)

Luke 2:22-40

I sit and wait
wait for when the time will be
that I too may know Lord
that I too may feel
            may see
what this life is all about
the reason for our life
and why we are here
to see, know, feel the existence
of every person’s struggle
called life
some search the mountains
some the valleys
some search for the truth in their heads
some in the cosmos
in the end they al
we all
wait
until
we have exhausted all our own
(Lord)
looking no more to our selves
our books
our minds
our cosmos
or the other among us
(not let thy servant)
finding nothing
(depart)
to see the all
(in peace)
among us
Emmanuel

Matthew 5:1-12

In a world that is often cruel

I find myself on the outs

Not making the buck

(Blessed are you)

not having the things

I am told I must have

To be me

(Blessed are you)

and in the fast flowing lanes of this world

I am often in the slow lane

Stopping occasionally to smell the flowers

And see the creation

God had made

(Blessed are you)

and when the bus stops

and I never get the good seat

because I am helping someone who is having trouble

with old age

or weak limbs

I wonder at those who do

(Blessed are you)

---- and Christ said

---- let the little children come onto me

---- and forbid them not

---- for to such belongs the Kingdom of God

(Blessed are you)

Matthew 5:1-12

Blessed are we
Blessed in the midst of God’s love
Blessed in the midst of our world
Blessed in what we feel
          See
                    Do
     Blessed
Even in the times we find it hard
To see
             The blessing
Even then
We can know ourselves
As the children of God
Especially then
We can know
           See
                Feel
God’s presence in our lives
           Blessed
God’s love in our lives
Given by the One
Who came to save
Blessed are you
In the name of Christ

Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal

Sunday January 30th, Micah 6: (The LORD’s Case Against Israel and therefore against you and I) 3 “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. 4 I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. 5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.” There are some who were born on third base and think they hit a triple, and then there are the rest of us who have been walked to third base and think we hit a triple. Either way we fail to see the hand of God in our day to day endeavors. After all the blessings that the Lord has showered us with in our lives, in looking back we see the single set of footsteps in the sand and think we got there on our own. If we do happen to see two sets of footprints in the sand, we think it might be someone coming to steal what we have accomplished. The original temptation in the Garden was to eat of the tree and become like gods. It is a temptation that follows each one of us every day. But there are moments when God breaks through and we get a glimpse, just a glimpse, of all we have as a gift. There where God breaks through and we get a glimpse, just a glimpse all we have in a society has been built on the backs of someone else, many of whom are still alive and are the ones Jesus calls your neighbor and now waits for you to treat them kindly instead of trying to vote down their healthcare.

what does the LORD require of you?

Monday January 31st, Micah 6: 6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. The first part of this section of Micah could be translated as, how can I buy off the Lord and get him off my back so I can be about my business. But try as we might, it just doesn’t work. God won’t get off our back for the same reason that our parents or our spouse keep on our back, love. Instead of trying to buy God off with our actions and gifts we should be focusing on what the Lord wants from us in the first place. We are called to act justly, which means fairly without trying to give ourselves unfair advantage at the expense of someone else. Perhaps in here there could be discussion of a maximum wage as well as a living minimum wage. We are called to love mercy, which means that we will understand and act on the fact that those who seem to be on the bottom of the economic heap need a bit more of a leg up than those on the top of the economic heap. Perhaps here is where we should have had the discussion about passing the tax cut extension for the top 2%. We are called to walk humbly with our God, which means we need to deflate some of our own ego in order to let God have some room in there.

This foolish plan of God

Tuesday February 1st, 1 Corinthians 1: 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. The Greeks in Corinth (often referred to as the gentiles) took great pride in their philosophical prowess. Through wisdom and knowledge they could debate, argue and prove their points of view to most who listened, in their mind there was nothing else that was needed. The Jews prided themselves in being the chosen people of God who had the law and their history of understanding the law, in their mind there was nothing else that was needed. For Paul, it was all foolishness. As a Jew, a Pharisee of the Pharisees who had a pedigree better than most, and as an intellectual who had studied and steeped his life in the knowledge of the philosophical masters. But on that road to Damascus all that changed. What was truth, what was right, what was good, what made life meaningful all came from the God who in his wisdom and purity he, Paul, tried to wipe off the face of the earth. The fundamentalists in this world, whether they be religious, or scientific, whether they stick to their guns in areas social, physiological, philosophical, or metaphysical in the end just find themselves stuck to their guns and looking for victims on which to justify using them. It is when we give all that up that the scales fall from our eyes and we see all our childish rants of purity for what they truly are, and are able to embrace the pure light of Christ that comes and warms our hearts.

If you want to boast

Wednesday February 2nd, 1 Corinthians 1: 30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” It is when we have given up on all our intellectual and spiritual control that we open the door for Christ to come into our lives. That sounds easy enough, but there is a reason the first sin in the Bible is the temptation to be like god, knowing good and evil and all matter of things in-between. Martin Luther said the last thing to be converted to Christianity was a man’s wallet. Whereas I agree that it may be one of the last things converted, it is not the last. The last thing to be converted is the need to maintain control. Then again, maybe those two are more closely related than any of us want to admit. Child psychologists tell us that it is not uncommon to have difficulty potty training some children to have a BM in the toilet. They may be able to maintain staying dry at night but old number two is a different story. For some children it is related to giving up control and having control of their bowels is for them better than the alternative which is seen as not having control. It is only when they succumb to that control issue that they begin to experience the freedom using the toilet gives them. So it is with most of us, we hang onto out control in spite of the stink, all the time not quite grasping the freedom that awaits us on the other side where a loving, patient and coxing God awaits us.

proud owners of everything

Thursday February 3rd, Matthew 5: 3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. These first three blessings are conditions in life. Whether you find yourself at the end of your rope, find that you have lost everything, or find yourself just hopelessly sitting there with no place to go but up, you are not alone. In fact, whereas the world may call you a looser, Christ calls you blessed because at least when you start moving at least you are going up. And when you are going up the one who is giving you a helping hand is none other than Christ. So when you find yourself beat down with no place to go, look up, take Christ’s hand with the firm grip of prayer and start moving forward knowing Christ calls you blessed even if the world doesn’t. But then what do they know, most of them are on their way down.

your place in God's family

Friday February 4th, Matthew 5: 6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for. 8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. These next four blessings are for things that we do. In our life as a child of God we are in a continuous spiral. We go from prayer and the presence God to work in the kingdom that was motivated by that prayer and presence. Then we find ourselves driven from that work in the kingdom into the prayer and presence of God, where we are fed and nourished for the journey. In the process we find ourselves blessed. In our life it is when focus on the needs of others and caring for those needs that our life begins to take on meaning and the deepest needs of our lives fulfilled. We also find that when we let Christ in, when we open the door we have been holding so tightly shut, when we give up control to God in our lives that we begin to see God all around us in our life and in the lives of others. Filled with the Holy Spirit, filled with the prayer and presence of Christ we then have no choice, we become the voice, the hands and the heart of God in the world. When others notice they call us peacemakers.

give a cheer

Saturday February 5th, Matthew 5: 10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. Things don’t always go to plan, even for a child of God. Remember even Christ was hung on a cross, as his followers we shouldn’t always expect crosses and medals of honor hung on us. But when things are going askew remember you are not alone and though others might not get it, if you are on God’s side (which is vastly different than thinking God is on your side) then you can always console yourself that you are at least planting seeds.

Heatherlyn

Christ Our Savior Lutheran will by putting on a concert by Heatherlyn on Tuesday February 15th at 7pm.  There will be a free will offering to help support the "Kids in the Kitchen" project at Table of Grace Lutheran in Bethel Alaska.  A sampling of her music can be found at: www.heatherlynmusic.com

The concert will be carried live at Grace Notes Web Radio (the second of my links) at 7pm on the 15th, Anchorage time.

10W for the week of Epiphany 3

This is a 10 minute worship service for the week of January 23rd, Ep3, Tell the Story.  This worship service is designed for you to listen to on your Smartphone on your way to work or at home on the computer at the the start of the day. If you would like to receive a copy of this weekly 10 minute worship service in an mp3 format to listen to on ipod/phone/pad or other mp3 player, just email me at bollerud@gci.net and I will place you on the distribution list.

Opening Litany based on Psalm 27

Pastor: The LORD is my light, my salvation, the stronghold of my life; I shall not live in fear.

Congregation: When evil surrounds me, when others work against me, when the evil one sets out to devour me, I will not live in fear but will be surrounded by the confidence that comes from being a child of God.

Pastor: There is but one thing I ask from the Lord my God, that I may dwell in the presence of the Lord forever.

Congregation: There I will live in the presence of the beauty of the Lord day and night and know that in times of trouble the Lord will shelter me set my life upon solid ground.

Pastor: Then in times of trouble I will lift my head up high.

Congregation: I will serve the Lord with shouts of Joy. My life will be filled with singing and music for the joy of the Lord.

Pastor: I know the Lord will hear my voice and forever bring mercy into my life and my heart; I in return will constantly seek the face of the Lord in all I do.

Congregation: I will live my life confidence knowing you will never turn from me or forsake me, but will always be my savior, my Lord and my God.

The Conversion of St. Paul

Luke 21:10-19

In the name of Christ
We will all be remembered
not because of our greatness
but because
the little we have done
was in the name of Christ
When all the world comes crashing
down on all sides
even then
they will know
what we did was in the Name of Christ
When great armies come
and take the land
with power and might
they will know
what we did was in the Name of Christ
When all others fall away
and we stay
in love
they will know
what we did was in the Name of Christ
And in the end
Paul looked back
and saw the word of Christ
Spread throughout the land
unbounded by the divisions that power makes
and knew
what was done was in the Name of Christ

Matthew 4:12-23

Jesus Begins to Preach

all that was foretold in the scriptures
the Messiah
the place
the people
came together
and the words rang out
and change rippled through the land
(repent)
As the people began to hear the word
And began to realize the joy
(the Kingdom)
That was meant from the beginning of time
(is near)
For all people
Some who heard dropped what they we doing
(fishers)
And followed
Change rippling through the land
(of men and women)
Leaving behind centuries of sameness
And security
And allowed to unfold before them
       Change
                 Rippling through the land
And began to realize the joy before them
            The kingdom
                   Is near
That was for all people
To follow
From the beginning of time

look back and see the kingdom

Sunday January 23rd, Isaiah 9: 1 But suddenly there will be no more gloom for the land that suffered. In the past God made the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali hang their heads in shame, but in the future those lands will be made great. The areas the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali settled in and lived was along the northern and western shores of the Sea of Galilee. When the Assyrians conquered the area, they were among the first to fall. This was the Promised Land, it was believed that God gave it to the Hebrew people, and now these two tribes became the symbol of defeat, and with it the symbol of God’s displeasure. They were the scapegoats for what would eventually befall the rest of the tribes of Israel. God’s message in the midst of shame and defeat in our lives is to lift up your heads. Similar to the message to Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and you and I, Fear not. In the midst of the worst of times, fear not. In the midst of life falling apart, fear not. In the midst of fear inducing trauma, fear not, for the Lord is with you, and any kind of mess your life turns into, remember that God is with you and you are not alone, so fear not. With God you will find that the mess becomes message, and down the road a ways, you can look back and see that the Kingdom of God was indeed, near all the time. So live a life of Fear Not.

fourth son of Abraham

Monday January 24th, Isaiah 9: 4 Like the time you defeated Midian, you have taken away their heavy load and the heavy pole from their backs and the rod the enemy used to punish them. Midian was the fourth son of Abraham and settled in an area east of the Jordan River. This is the tribe to whom Moses fled and later took a wife. Later they became a scourge to the Israelites, raiding their lands and making life miserable, so much for the blood thicker than water idea. Some thought the Midianites were sent to be punishment from God for the Israelites misdeeds. When Gideon defeated them it was seen as a lifting of punishment and an offer of forgiveness by God. It is a reminder that God does not abandon us, and that God is with and works through those we would like to call enemies. Even when God seems most far away, we are not alone. God is always out ahead of you leading the way to live as a child of God. And God is in the midst of those we wish to call enemies planting seeds and waiting for us to see them as brothers and sisters through Christ. Our job it to trust in God even in the darkest of times and know that God is with us and is with them.

Who baptized

Tuesday January 25th, 1 Corinthians: 10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? The church in Corinth was in the midst of deadly game of one-upsmenship. Deadly because it divided the kingdom on earth; Deadly because that deadly game is always about the self and not about God; Deadly because self games always lead to death. When people and churches turn their attention upon themselves instead of God, there is trouble ahead. When people and churches, synagogues and mosques turn their attention to the kingdom of God, differences in doctrine, faith statements, natures and names for God are more about flavor than about division. Someday the faith communities of the world will learn that. Until then, there is conflict. For a bit of light in the midst of all the heat, go to www.charterforcompassion.org

saved by the cross

Wednesday January 26th, 1 Corinthians 1: 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. The ones who are perishing are the ones who are focused on the self and saving the self at any cost. The cost is often their soul. Their focus is on how they can win, get ahead, or sometimes even how their theology is right and others is wrong. For them the cross is a nice thing to wear, but salvation comes from good old fashion hard work and doing it the right way which is always their way. Grace is often a word they use, but salvation is still through work, effort, right belief etc. They will be saved in the end, in spite of seeing themselves as being right and others as wrong, but they will be saved by the cross of Christ not their efforts, and certainly not by their condemnation of others.

glory of God

Thursday January 27th, Matthew 4: 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This message, repent for the kingdom is near, is the message we are to bring to the world. God is never far off, God is never outside of our reach and more importantly, we are never outside God’s reach. The presence of Christ is good news for the world. In times past, Zebulun and Naphtali were given the good news in Isaiah that their time of shame and exclusion was over. The darkness they considered a way of life had come to an end and in them, and even through them, light would shine. Jesus works like that. It is not the bright shining lights of the world that bring the good news, but the dimly burning wicks that have been brought to light. Today that same good news comes to those whose lives are down trodden, and the message is to stand up, rejoice, the kingdom is near and the darkness is over. It is sometimes hard to see the light when you are busy shining your own light, but don’t worry, the batteries will soon give out and you too will fall into darkness, it is then that you too will be able to see the glory of God.

fishing

Friday January 29th, Matthew 4: 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. Jesus calls some away, they are the ones who are to follow into a different calling. There were many who were not called away from what they were doing. There are many who are called to continue thier fishing, or business or public service and to be a follower of Christ in that place. They are called to change lives in that place. They are called to announce the nearness of the Kingdom in that place. How, and where is Christ calling you? Who are the eager ears and yearning hearts in your area that are soooo tired of hearing of the wrath of God and the self-righteousness of God’s followers more than the grace of God? Today, most in our world have heard of Christ, which is not so much the issue as countering fundamentalists packaging the message has come in whether the message comes through Christianity, Islam or Judaism. William Sloane Coffin, when confronted in conversations about a non-belief in God, would ask the person to describe that God they don’t believe in. Most often he was able to tell them that he didn’t believe in that god either. Sometimes when we break the bubble of fundamentalism others are ready to hear about the God of love and grace.

it is near

Saturday January 30th, Matthew 4: 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. The Kingdom of God is near. It is near you at work, it is near you at play, it is in what you do, it is in what you say, it is part of your reaching out in love, because when you reach out, God comes down from above into your world. Christ comes to us all wherever you are near or whether you are far away, and helps us to spread the good news of grace, to every land, culture and race. So gather your friends from far and wide, don’t try to run and don’t try to hide, tell them God loves them and they are saved by grace and that this message is for the whole human race. And child of God, make sure you have fun as you go out and tell the good news to everyone.

10W for the week of January 16th, The Lamb of God

This is a 10 minute worship service for the week of January 16th, The Lamb of God.  This worship service is designed for you to listen to on your way to work or at the the start of the day.  If you would like to receive a copy of this weekly 10 minute worship service in an mp3 format to listen to on ipod/phone/pad or other mp3 player, just email me at bollerud@gci.net and I will place you on the distribution list.

Opening Litany based on Psalm 40:1-11

Pastor: I waited patiently for the LORD and the Lord turned to me and heard my cry. The Lord lifted me out of the slimy pit, the mud and mire and set my feet on solid ground.

Congregation; The Lord has given us a new song, a new hymn of praise. Many will see the Lord and put their trust in the God of Creation.

Pastor: Blessed is the one who puts their trust in the LORD and not in the proud who try to turn them aside to false gods.

Congregation: Many and marvelous are the wonders the Lord has done and the deeds the Lord has called us to do.

Pastor: None can compare with the Lord our God, I cannot help but speak and tell of the deeds of the Lord, though they be too numerous to declare.

Congregation: It is not Sacrifice and offering the Lord desires from us, but the Lord has opened our ears and hearts to our calling as the children of God, and we respond by saying, Here I am, ready to serve as a child of God.

Pastor: I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

Congregation: We will proclaim your saving acts to a world ready to hear of your Grace,

Pastor: Do not let our lips be sealed O LORD, but give us the words to speak.

Congregation: We will not hide your righteousness in our hearts, but will speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

Pastor: Do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the world around you.

Congregation: As we go forth into the world with the word of your Grace, may your mercy surround us and your love and faithfulness be upon us O Lord our God.

Confession of Peter

Matthew 16:13-19

There comes a time
when we must make a stand
when we must be who we are
and why
A time
when for one brief moment
all else ceases to be important
and that something more in life
that is at stake
takes center stage
At those times
Those moments
life swings through gentle arcs
to some other point
to some other time
and life goes on
except for that point
around which all of life swings
all of life lives
that time spoken to by Peter
For us all
Who do you say I am
Who in all that is
do you say I am
Who in all of time
do you say I am
Peter answered
The center point shifted
Life became somehow new
You are the Christ
The Son of the living God

John 1:29-42

Jesus the Lamb of God

Behold the Lamb of God
Behold
The one who was
            And is
                    And is to come
Behold the Lamb of God
Behold
The one on whom the spirit descended
And sat there
Like a dove
Behold
And follow
To places unknown
To worlds unseen
To God revealed
Follow the one who comes in the name of the Lord
Follow
And see changed before you
More than just a name
And upon this foundation
I will build my church
Behold
And follow
And be changed

telling secrets

Sunday January 16th, Isaiah 49: 5 the LORD made me in the body of my mother to be his servant, to lead the people of Jacob back to him so that Israel might be gathered to him. I love the following statement on God’s calling and how we are called to respond. You’re response to God’s calling need not be great, it need only reflect in some way the calling and guidance of God. “God acts in history and in your and my brief histories not as the puppeteer who sets the scene and works the strings but rather as the great director who no matter what role fate casts us in conveys to us somehow from the wings, if we have our eyes, ears, hearts open and sometimes even if we don’t, how we can play those roles in a way to enrich and ennoble and hallow the whole vast drama of things including our own small but crucial parts in it. “
Fredrick Buechner, “Telling Secrets” pg.32

life makes sense

Monday January 17th, Isaiah 49: "You are an important servant to me to bring back the tribes of Jacob, to bring back the people of Israel who are left alive. But, more importantly, I will make you a light for all nations to show people all over the world the way to be saved." This text from Isaiah is a call to each and every one of us. God has a plan for our lives, it is not miniscule and silly like what shirt will I wear today, but it is a deep and meaningful calling. Look deep, pray deep and answer for yourself, “how am I called to be a child of God today? Who am I called to talk to? What function will I serve in the Kingdom on earth?” All questions about your life and how you will live it as a child of God. But know this, when you find the path that God has set before you, all of life just seems to make sense.

what's that sound I hear

Tuesday January 18th, 1st Corinthians 1: 7-9 Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. Paul is talking to the church at Corinth. They were hung up on spiritual gifts and who had what and which ones were more important than other ones, etc. Paul’s message is that each gift is important and that every gathering of the body of Christ has all the spiritual gifts needed for that body of Christ gathered at that time. Our church has all the gifts needed for this time and place; your church has all the gifts needed for this time and place. It is often only a matter of coaxing these gifts out of those sitting in the pews. After years of TV indoctrination, the problem is not a lack of spiritual gifts, it is the couch potato Christian mentality that tends to keep the people in the pews looking for, and being, entertained. One of the destructive gifts from the current fundamentalists’ movement is the individuality that exists in any given congregation, exemplified by the question, “are you(singular) saved? Indicating that we might be saved from the fate of hell while someone else is not. We are never really saved only from, but rather we are always saved for. Paul was also dealing with this destructive individuality in Corinth. The questions swirled around spiritual gifts and who had them and which ones were better than others. They refused to see themselves as “a” body with many parts and many callings and many gifts. When the body sees itself as the “body,” rather than a bunch of individuals in competition, that is when things start to hum.

never forget

Wednesday January 19th, 1st Corinthians 1: And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. We are never alone in this life; God is with us, and most often in the form of our fellow brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. There will be a time when all this will come to an end, a time when God will restore the intention of creation, but until then, there is work to do, and lots of it and we are the ones called to do it. The work of the kingdom here and now is to work toward justice, as God sees justice, for all of creation. It is not just making things better for you and I, but more importantly, for them. The them are the ones we don’t see, don’t hear, and will most likely never meet. They may never utter the word Jesus or Christ or even be thankful for the grace shown. What is important is not their reaction or conversion, but simply that they are treated and seen as our brothers and sisters in Christ by us. After all this is not about us, but about the kingdom. Our job is to bring Justice, God’s justice to all of creation, and that includes all creatures in this creation God called good. Few of us would claim that our parents love us but not our brother or sister, no matter where our brother or sister has moved off to or how much contact they may or may not keep with them. We do however have little trouble claiming that rather sick and strange idea in the name of God, our father in heaven. The world abounds with various ideas of god loving us and not them, of godly friends and godless infidels. Time for the children of God throughout the world to begin to get to know and love their brothers and sisters in this creation, and remember, God is with you in the process. The one out there you used to call enemy, God calls your brother and calls us to do the same.

Big "G"

Thursday January 20th, John 1: 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." The Lamb of God, not the lion of Judah, not the mighty eagle or warrior king, not the mighty Caesar or Pax Romania, but the lamb, the one who gives, and dies, is the one who takes away the sin of the world. Not the sin of me only, or those who are good Lutherans, or those who believe like me, but the sin of the world. For the sin of the world is always to put the self first and to win and come out ahead at any cost. The sin of the world is to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and all the knowledge in-between and to be like a god unto ourselves. Our human sin, our original sin, is to fake our way into thinking that we don’t need god or that we can create god in our image or at least in our thought pattern and be satisfied with god with a little “g.” The Lamb calls us to a different reality, it is to follow the one who gives and gives. It is to recognize ourselves as the Children of God, brothers and sisters all, and to have the God, big “G” in our lives.

Son of God

Friday January 21st, John 1: 32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." The claim that Jesus is the Son of God is the claim that Caesar, or the powers of this world are “not” the son of god. Might and force do not rule the day. Armies, death and control do not rule the day, for a new day, a new dawn has arrived. The Spirit of God came down into the world and has stayed with the children of God. We are, and we never will be, alone. Through this one, this Jesus the Christ, the world will know the love of God as never before and calls the followers of God to share the news of that all giving, Lamb of God love with the world.

where are you staying?

Saturday January 22nd, John 1: 35 the next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" When you encounter the living Christ in your life, it is time to follow. Follow the one who is the light of the world. Follow the one who will bring life and forgiveness. Follow the one who forgives sins. Follow the one who brings hope to the hopeless. The accommodations may not be glamorous, but it is the ride of a lifetime, literally.

10W for the week of January 9, the Baptism of our Lord

This is a 10 minute worship service for the week of January 9th, the baptism of our Lord.  This worship service is designed for you to listen to on your way to work or at the the start of the day.  If you would like to receive a copy of this weekly 10 minute worship service in an mp3 format to listen to on ipod/phone/pad or other mp3 player, just email me at bollerud@gci.net and I will place you on the distribution list.

Opening Litany based on Psalm 29

Pastor: Give everything to the Lord all you heavenly beings. Give to the Lord all the glory and strength due the holy name of the Lord.

Congregation: We will worship the LORD in the splendor of the Lord’s holiness.

Pastor; The voice of the LORD is over the waters; full of glory it thunders over all the mighty waters of the earth.

Congregation: The voice of the LORD is powerful and majestic able to break even the mighty cedars of Lebanon.

Pastor: And yet, the Lord brings joy.

Congregation: The Lord makes Lebanon leap like a calf and Syria like a young wild ox.

Pastor: The voice of the LORD strikes like flashes of lightning and shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The powerful voice of the LORD twists the mighty oaks and can strip the forests bare.

Congregation: At the might of the Lord all the people cry Glory!

Pastor: The Lord sits enthroned as King forever over all creation

Congregation: The LORD gives strength to the people and blesses them with the ability to live in peace.

The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-17

Repent
For the Kingdom of God is at hand
Repent
And be baptized
Repent
And the kingdom of God appeared
The kingdom that would break in
The kingdom
(at that moment the heavens opened)
That would shake up all the kingdoms of this world
All the power and might
(the Spirit of God)
Of all the armies
(like a dove)
That have trampled in victory after victory
Over nation, tribe and people
(and a voice)
And established
And collected
And subdued
All
(this is my son)
Until now
(in whom I am well pleased)
Repent
And be baptized
The kingdom of God is at hand

justice will be done

Sunday January 9th, Isaiah 42: 1 Here is my servant! I have made him strong. He is my chosen one; I am pleased with him. I have given him my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He won't shout or yell or call out in the streets. 3 He won't break off a bent reed or put out a dying flame, but he will make sure that justice is done. Through our baptism, we join together with all the children of God as heirs of this calling. The prophets of old looked forward to the coming of the chosen one who would bring about true justice, God’s justice, in the land. In these later days, the spirit of God is upon you, upon me, upon our neighbors and brothers and sisters in this world. And our calling is this, wherever you are, whatever you do, whoever you are, in that place and time, live your life, your calling as a child of God, in such a way so that because you exist, there is a bit more justice into the world. No mighty spiritual armies here, no warriors for God, no solo spotlights, only the people of God reaching out to those in need. Instead of bruising or extinguishing, there is nurturing and support for the least, lost and lonely. This is the way God works, this is the way God calls us to live. It is God’s world. It is the Kingdom. This is now. It is here.

you have been chosen

Monday January 10th, Isaiah 42: (The Lord said) I made the earth and everything that grows on it. I am the source of life for all who live on this earth, so listen to what I say. 6 I chose you to bring justice, and I am here at your side. I selected and sent you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations. In our calling to be the voice and work of God’s justice in the world, we are not alone. It is not that God is standing on our side, but rather we find ourselves standing on God’s side. It is God who opens our eyes to the needs of others. It is God who tugs at our heart strings and urges us to act on behalf of justice in this world. You have been chosen by God and this day God has reaffirmed that choice. Go and be the child of God you were called to be. Go and do the work of God, forgiven and renewed, forgiving and renewing. You have been chosen by the God of Creation to bring God’s kingdom to all.

tribalism

Tuesday January 11th, Acts 10: 34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. We deplore the brutality of tribalism in the Sudan and Kenya and other far off parts of the world. Over the history of humanity tribalism has brought about the suffering and death of so many innocents. The thought of tribalism for many seems so distant, so primitive. We consider ourselves far beyond such uncivilized behavior. Yet, in churches throughout the land we hear of right belief or damnation. These messages all too often attached to the word of God are inclusion for some and damnation for many others. The message is loud and clear that if only others would be “saved” and learn to believe as I do then God would love them also. I even heard one local TV preacher lament the fact that his father was not saved and even though he was a good man who went to church all the time, he was burning in hell because he never said the believer’s prayer. It is tribalism, but instead of hacking each other to death with machetes, it is the word of God that is used to bloody those in other ideological tribes. Into Peters world and ours, comes the realization that God shows no favoritism but accepts all from every nation.

saying and doing

Wednesday January 12th, Acts 10: 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. And now God is with you also. Go therefore into the world, not even the distant world, but the one in which you live and love and work and bring the good news of Christ through word and deed to those with whom you live and love and work. In fact, without the deeds, the words are often not heard. Desmond Tutu once said that if an elephant has his foot on the tail of a mouse and you say you are neutral in that situation, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality. So even if you say you are against elephants stepping on mouse tails and walk away, the mouse is still captive and suffering and you are not living as God has called you to live. It is only when you free the mouse that the mouse will hear your words and believe them, it is also at that point that you begin to believe them also. Go be a child of God and do the Gospel as well as speaking it.

new life begins

Thursday January 13th Matthew 3: 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus, the Son of God, being baptized by John who was calling others out to repent and be baptized. It may seem strange, but there is something new here. Jesus ushered in a new era, a new baptism. No longer would baptism be just a washing away of the old, but would become a dedication to the new. Life is changed and new life begins and the community gathers and says you do not have to do this alone. New life begins, and it begins now, it begins for you.

all righteousness

Friday January 14th, Matthew 3: 15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. For Matthew it is important to show that Jesus fulfills all righteousness. Matthew casts Jesus as the new Moses who brings the new law to the people and frees them once again from all that enslaves them. As the children of God we fulfill all righteousness simple by being a child of God. For what shines through is not ourselves, but God’s righteousness. Let the memory of your baptism be a memory of washing away all that stands in the way of letting the light of Christ shine through.

well pleased

Saturday January 15th, Matthew 3: 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." At your baptism God claims you as a child of God. At your baptism, the community claims you as a fellow child of God. Jesus changed John’s baptism from a washing for repentance into a calling for service. In this service there are no lone rangers, we are all there as the community of believes called to help one another through this life. We welcome you to the Lord’s family; we receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ and a worker with us in the kingdom of God.