The election season is behind us. The autumn chill is finally here. The fall term is more than halfway over. We just came out of two weeks of celebrating Holy Days in the church calendar. It is time to take a deep breath and reconnect to ordinary time.
Pastor Jon Anderson is going to guide us through two texts on this seventh week of our eight week fall series. He takes us to the scene in Ezra 3 when the priests dedicate the newly re-built temple. The crowd is grateful to be returned home after 70 years of exile in Babylon. They celebrate the fact that they have a building to call their own at which they can worship the one true God. Yet, there are people present who are old enough to remember Solomon’s beautiful temple that was destroyed so many years before. It was a celebration full of mixed emotions.
This is an appropriate text for our current moment at Luther Seminary. We have a mixed bag of emotions as we consider both our local, campus situation and as we consider the larger scope of ministry in the world. Regarding our campus situation, we look toward our new campus with expectation while we grieve the loss of our current campus. The coming year will be filled with many mixed emotions. At the global and ministry level we celebrate the work of the Gospel that is happening in so many vibrant places. Yet, we recognize the pain and suffering of millions across the world who feel the oppressive weight of war, greed, hatred, poverty, and famine.
We live in the constant mixture of the Kingdom on the left and the Kingdom on the right. We celebrate God’s grace and mercy while we watch injustice seemingly flourish.
Pastor Jon will follow up the Ezra reading with Jesus’ words in the sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. “Do not worry about your life…but strive first for the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness.” These are difficult words to embody. How do we not worry?
Take a deep breath.
May we live into God’s promises this week. Whether you are celebrating joyous occasions both personal and national, or are feeling the weight of suffering and pain, may we always remember that God is with us and will be with us through it all.
We have three spaces this week where we can gather around these texts and bring our joys and fears to God.
Tuesday
We will read the text and enter contemplative practice. I invite you to join us in the OCC meditation chapel or on Zoom to sit in centering prayer or contemplative sketching as we soak in the text for the week.
Wednesday
Preacher: Pastor Jon Anderson, Director of Rural Ministries. We will celebrate Holy Communion and enjoy fellowship in the Chapel Cafe. Join us in the Chapel of the Incarnation or on YouTube.
Thursday
Join together for Lunch Church in the Dining Room. Emily Rova-Hegener will lead us in a Brake Bread practice.