Connected

Most of us are connected in multiple ways.  Even the church is connected to the world and to each other in so many, many ways.  The first picture you see here is a welcome luncheon for new Rochester Chamber of Commerce members.  While I have been an individual member for over five years, recently the chamber made it affordable for the church to join as a business member.  We are able to make connections in new ways with a cross section of our community.  In some ways, Bethel is a business and has to be run like a business.  If we do not meet our monthly obligations, like all businesses, we would have to close the doors.  We need to be smart in our use of technology and in using media (like this blog?) to reach out to people.  Being connected in a chamber of commerce is one way to extend our reach.

The second picture is even more exciting.  On the same day of the luncheon our normal confirmation group came together in Bethel Hall.  More than 110 students.  Some 16-20 adult leaders who serve as small group leaders at the tables.  Four to five staff
members who devote their time so that our confirmation students are

afforded the best possible confirmation program. 

Have you ever been in a room with 110 excited 7th, 8th, and 9th graders?  The energy, even at 6pm, is palpable.  They may have just spent a long day at school, and they might have been to a sports practice or music group in the late afternoon.  Yet they show up faithfully, Wednesday after Wednesday, to learn about God's great love for them and our response in love to God.

The students are connecting, and they are connected.  This is just one of the programs the church offers to ensure that youth know they belong, that they are loved by God.

They are connected because you have helped to connect them.  You promised that you would support them in baptism.  You are making the promises come true.  I pray for you the connection that these youth feel week after week.  There is a God who wants to connect with you and offer his best.  We are the body of Christ.  Connected from head to toe.

Harmon Killebrew and Jesus

Last night Kathy and I saw our second Twins game at Target Field in Minneapolis.  Taking a different route into the stadium, we saw the statue of Harmon Killebrew--my favorite Twin as I grew up in the 1960's.  You might have guessed that since in the picture I am wearing a Killebrew jersey which I received for my birthday (a month early!).

Like so many children, I hoped that I would one day play professional baseball.  I matured earlier than classmates, and I could hit the ball a long ways.  I fashioned myself as a home run hitter like Killebrew.

In third grade we needed to do a report on what we "wanted to do when we grew up".  On the cover of my report were two pictures.  One of them was a picture of Killebrew.  I would play baseball in the summertime.

But that would leave many months of the year to pursue my other love--the church.  The other picture on that report was of a pastor.  From my earliest days of recollection, I felt called to be a pastor in the church.  From elementary school on, people would encourage me and affirm in various ways my pursuit of being a pastor.

This picture--the Head of Christ by Warner Sallman--was hanged over my bed, along with many other Sallman lithographs that I received from perfect Sunday School attendance.

There were many people I admired when I was young (including many Minnesota Vikings players starting in 1961).  So many teachers and coaches and friends and relatives were formative in my upbringing.  But Harmon Killebrew and Jesus were on a different plane than most.

I once met Harmon Killebrew in the Minneapolis airport.  He was kind to exchange a few words with me.  It is my privilege to encounter the Risen Christ every day.  Anywhere.  All times.  Harmon remains a hero in my book.  Jesus has turned into something much more real--a Savior and Lord.

Who are your heroes?

Sunset on Sabbatical

Sabbatical has ended, and I am officially sitting at my Bethel computer. It has been a wonderful three months. As the time away for refreshment and learning has come to an end, I have reflected on those months. I have come away with three major learnings, none of which will probably surprise you.

1) God has created a world of wonders. Kathy and I had the chance to travel widely in these months. We visited Florida for a couple of days prior to a short Caribbean cruise. A ten day trip to Israel was a highlight of the summer.
Twice we visited the summer home of my sister, Carolyn (the sunset picture is a view from her home at Ham Lake near Park Rapids, MN). Napa Valley and San Francisco were home base for a week. A weekend trip to Chicago helped to prepare for the wedding of our son, Chris, to Michelle this fall. And we finally made the trip to Door County, Wisconsin, staying at Little Sweden outside of Fish Creek for a week. I cannot begin to list the many experiences we had in these various places. I can only tell you that God's world is a marvel.

2) Family is a blessing. Kathy had some doubts that we could co-exist in a house (even with extensive travel) for an entire summer. I guess I can be pretty intense. But she was an excellent partner in all that we did. I am blessed with her presence for more than 36 years now. The birth of our second grandchild in July is an incomparable blessing--all life makes other blessings seem small. Joren grows in leaps and bounds these early weeks. We have had opportunities to spend time with all three of our children and their families at various places (Ham Lake, Little Sweden, Chicago). It is a great joy to be with them. It was good and reminiscent to spend a couple of weeks with my sister. And we have had even more time with our first grandchild, Jarek. My sister says that I am "smitten" with him. She is right. He will never remember this summer, but I will cherish it forever.

3) Bethel is the place I want to be. Kathy and I worshiped at many wonderful places this summer (including the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem). The churches were near and far, big and small. Most of the time the services were very good to excellent. Out of the 13 Sundays in those three months, we were away from Bethel for 12. The exception was the Sunday after Joren's birth when we had much family in town, and we all wanted to worship together. It would be at Bethel. And that is the best Sunday we had amongst the 13. It was a time of coming together with friends--people with whom we have celebrated and cried. It was the familiar and good voices coming from the pulpit and the pew. It was home.

So it is from home that I am composing this blog today--my work and church home. It is good to be back. The sun has set on sabbatical. The sun is rising in so many new ways.