Easter: Just the Beginning

April 18, 2012

“You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified.

He has risen!”

-- Mark 16:6

 Friends of Atonement,

            What an Easter! 
             The builders and landscapers had worked extra hard to make our property look neat and lush, planting new trees and finishing up the parking.  We had a church packed with faces new and familiar, children hunting eggs, young people serving breakfast, and countless smiles.  There was a brightness in the air and a freshness on the breeze that morning.  Joy bubbled up in our songs, prayers, and the good news we celebrate: Jesus is alive, and his Spirit is with us!
            This year Atonement turns 25, and like most healthy 25-year-olds this congregation is vibrant and energetic.  I see retired members putting in the hours and effort for our ministries that they once did for their jobs.   I see members in the work force who may spend half the weekend doing a project at church.  All of you contribute in some vital way – with finances, time, and prayers – to build on the work God is doing here.  Thanks again for making a difference and for your many faithful contributions.
            As we look at our growing community, the Wal-Mart coming in down the street, the hospital being built down Bruce-B-Downs, the park and community college being planned for Wiregrass, we know God has plenty of work laid out for us for the next 25 years.  The angel proclaimed, “He is risen!” to stunned disciples who stood looking into an empty hole.  Little did they know that their life with Jesus was just beginning!  For us too, 25 years young, God is just getting hold of us, just now positioning us to reach the Wesley Chapel community that is to come. 
            We want to be ready as new people arrive and God sets before us new opportunities to share His love.   That’s why your council has called together a group of people who will organize and lead a capital campaign over the next few years.  Their job is to help us get financially equipped for the future.  Hopefully you have seen the plans for building another building out back to allow for large gatherings and storage space.  Further work also will be done on the current building to keep it in good shape.
            Jean Zabel (otherwise known as Noah’s grandma) has taken on the task of leading the capital campaign team.  Other members on the team are Wayne Stock, Walt Frank, Carol Erlwein, and Frank Reams.  They are deeply committed to helping our church reach future generations, and have chosen the theme, “Laying Foundations for the Children of God.”  They’ve also shown a great concern for accountability, that all the money used for and raised by the capital campaign be used wisely.
           It’s true that we’ve written lots of big checks lately to pay for the work being done around our property.  A couple weeks ago, our treasurer stumbled into my office, looking like he’d just seen a ghost. 
          “What’s wrong, Joe?”  I asked.
          “I just wrote out a $6000 check – for grass!”
It’s pretty incredible how much it costs for materials and labor, not to mention county permits.  But God has blessed us with a debt-free congregation.  We have covenanted to do all we can to stay out of debt, and He is providing us the means. 
           But it’s clear that now is time to begin looking toward tomorrow.  To keep all those young happy faces we saw Easter morning in church and involved, we need to continue welcoming, loving, and encouraging our children and young families.  We also continue “laying foundations for the children of God,” investing in the future of this family of faith we call Atonement.  As our risen Lord called Peter to “feed my lambs,” (John 21:15) Jesus asks us to share our best with those whose faith is fresh and tender.  We know it will mean more work, more sacrifice and commitment, but also more and more joy bubbling up in our hearts as we see the Spirit work and watch God’s kingdom grow.

Peace,

Pastor Scott

All Things New

Therefore since we are justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have gained access by faith

into this grace in which we now stand.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

— Romans 5:1-2

       We held our breath, and it happened.  The paving was done by Friday night, and Saturday morning there were cars parked all around the church.  We are witnessing the biggest renovation project since Atonement began, almost 25 years ago.  A new driveway, new landscaping, new plumbing and irrigation and a whole new look will greet our Easter visitors this year. 

             But all this is just external.  What really lifts my heart is the sense of welcome and hospitality that I see people offering.  Our April Friends board holds dozens of names of people we are praying for and promising to invite to church.  People are coming to me with ideas about how we can reach out to new people and be more open and user-friendly to first time visitors.  Folks who joined me at the Real Ideas conference last month came away with real enthusiasm for the ministries we are doing and real hope that we will continue to grow.  What an exciting and possibility-filled time this is to be part of Atonement Lutheran Church!
        This is not a place to come if you’re looking for peace and quiet.  Not only has my office been rocking to the music of bulldozers and backhoes, I see a steady stream of people who come to share stories of God at work in their lives.  They may be bringing an opportunity to share in a ministry, or simply a request for prayer.  I imagine things will keep getting busier from here on out as our congregation becomes more active and visible in the community, and our facility more attractive to visit. 
       We have some worries as well about all the changes.  Will the snowbirds taking off for the north this month return to find the same little Lutheran church they love?  For 25 years, Atonement has been a refuge for people seeking upbeat, positive worship in the Lutheran tradition.  The heart of that tradition is our teaching that God’s grace is the core of our relationship with Him.  It is God’s love that defines us, providing the  unchangeable basis of who we are and what our purpose is here on earth.  It is Christ’s gift of his very life that has finally nailed down our identity as God’s people — something no amount of failure or fault on our part can remove.
        That’s what Paul is saying when he tells us that we have peace with God, now that we have been justified by faith.  As God’s very own people, His love is the one unchangeable truth we can be sure of in a busy world that constantly shakes us up.  When he finally figured that out, Martin Luther rediscovered God’s love.  Since we were baptized, God’s Spirit has been constantly calling us to do the same.

      Once we see that Jesus brings us peace with God, it’s clear that all of us are called to grow in our love for God, to follow the commandments and regularly worship and receive the means of grace through confession and communion.  We are a people who live and believe in forgiveness and second chances, and we try our best to leave the judging up to God.  We live with the knowledge that we are, and in this life will always be, both saints and sinners at the same time.   We tell our faith stories and pray that the Spirit open the hearts of others who can hear and accept God’s grace for themselves.
      Close to 25 years, and despite all the new faces and the new look of the place, Atonement is still a place where people find faith lived out and celebrated through the unique and venerable Lutheran outlook on the Christian faith.  That faith always finds its focus on the good news that Easter has happened and Jesus still lives.  What do you know — some things never change!

Peace,

Pastor Scott

Following God

Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, O Lord!

May your enemies be scattered;
May your foes flee before you”

Whenever it came to rest, he said, “Return, O Lord

To the countless thousands of Israel.

— Numbers 10:35-36

There’s a big difference between Noah’s ark and the one that Moses had built.  Noah’s was a big boat.  Moses’ was a box — a container for the tablets of the Ten Commandments.  It was the holy object at the center of the holiest place where God came to meet with his people.  The ark signified God’s presence in the camp of the Israelites.  It reminded them of their special place in God’s heart, and of his love and care for them. 

         After their escape from Egypt, the Israelites are on their way to the Promised Land.  God had not only promised them this land, but had also promised to lead them into it and deliver it up, right into their hands.  God sent a cloud of smoke before them, which would settle in one place for a while telling them they should camp there.  If the cloud began to rise and move, they packed up and followed the cloud.  They were in a strange land, a wilderness, and wanted to make sure that they didn’t lose sight of God.  When the cloud began to rise and the Israelites set out on the next leg of their journey, Moses would call out: “Rise, O Lord!”  When the cloud settled somewhere, he’d shout, “Return, O Lord!”
             This picture came to mind as I sat in my office last week watching construction workers cut a big arc of concrete out of our front sidewalk.  All of a sudden, a dusty white cloud began to rise up, and I was reminded of that strange cloud that Moses and the Israelites followed.  The people of Atonement have been wandering in a wilderness of their own these past few years, waiting and wondering when a cloud will rise and signal a move forward.  We’ve waited for the county to come buy our frontage, waited for the road in front of the church to be widened, and waited for our own renovation and renewal to get started.  We have put up with a broken building, ragged landscape, and a parking area that is rough to say the least. 
             But that day last week, a cloud rose up over Atonement.  The Lord is leading us on.  The time has come to get straightened up, cleaned up, and to rise up and follow where our Lord shows the way.  In a couple weeks, we will see a transformed front to our site.  New pavement and curves, a new traffic pattern, a parking loop around the side and back of the church, and new landscaping will give us outstanding presentation and utility.  Our church will be immediately more accessible, usable, and attractive. 
       But there is more to come.  A new building is needed to deal with our current space concerns and need for a fully equipped kitchen.  A building fund is now in place to make this long-overdue addition possible.  We thank you for your patience and for your prayers and financial partnership as we rise up together to follow our God into the long-promised tomorrow.

Peace,

Pastor Scott

Are our wallets wet?

“As Jesus was coming up out of the water,

he saw the heavens torn apart

 and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.”

-- Mark 1:10        

Friends of Atonement,
           I was pretty young when I was baptized, and can’t say I remember what happened.  I take it on faith that water was poured over my head that day, and that the pastor announced that I belonged to God “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  But then what?  I imagine more prayers were prayed, the service concluded, and everyone went to the fellowship hall for coffee and cookies. 
          There’s an old story about a fierce race of people called the Goths, that when they went down into the river to be baptized, they held their sword arms up out of the water.  They would give most of themselves to God, but didn’t want to give up the fighting and pillaging that was so near and dear to their hearts.  A little bit of God was ok, but they wanted to make sure they didn’t get fully converted.
          Though it’s “just a story,”  people really do resist giving their whole selves to God.  There are parts of us we try not to get “too wet” with the grace of God.  For some of us, it’s our wallets and pocketbooks we’re holding up out of the river of life.  After all, that’s “our” hard-earned money, and we’ve got big plans for it. 
           When Jesus was baptized, he went all the way under.  Fully soaked in the cool waters of the Jordan River, he was fully committed to God’s will for his life and fully saturated by God’s promise of limitless life and love.  The Spirit of God was with him 100% as he spent his life caring for others and spreading good news. 
             Somehow I doubt that any clouds parted or heavenly doves flew down from the sky the day I was baptized.  But I do believe that same Spirit was there, soaking my soul in grace and forgiveness.  And that same Spirit was calling me to follow, to accept the mission of Jesus to care for others and spread good news.  And I believe that God claimed all of me, even the hand that swipes credit cards and writes checks. 
             And so I ask for help and guidance from that Spirit as I strive to live like a converted Christian with a converted wallet and bank account.  I don’t want to be the guy whose checkbook looks the same as any non-believer’s.   I don’t want to come to the end of the month and find that I spent more on fast food than I gave to the work of the church.  I want my offerings to be just that – offerings of my self to my Lord – a thank you from the bottom of my heart for the life and breath he gives me each day.  After all, if God could tear the heavens open to give me a Savior, can’t I tear into my earnings and give a good chunk of it back to him?

Peace,

Pastor Scott

Invitation to Lent

God knows the way that I take;

When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

My feet have closely followed his steps;

I have kept to his way without turning aside.

I have not departed from the commands of his lips;

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

— Job 23: 10-12

Job’s story just doesn’t make sense.  He is a good man who insists he has done no wrong, and yet every conceivable bad thing has happened to him.  His property destroyed, family members killed, and finally cursed by a dreadful disease, he leaves town and camps out at the local dump where he goes to be alone in his misery.  When his friends come out to cheer him up, they just end up criticizing him and making his pain worse than before by insisting that God must have had a good reason to do what He did to Job.  Assuming that God is punishing Job, they sit and speculate what kind of awful things Job must have done to deserve it.

There are those people think of Lent as a time when we’re supposed to “take our punishment” and  dig down deep into our souls to dwell upon the sin that we know is in there.  But we will seek a more profound, positive and productive way to live the season.  Lent is an invitation — our launching pad into the renovated lifestyle of the “God Movement.”  We who have been called by Jesus to live his love deeply in the world are invited to discover new ways of being.  We who are awakened to the awareness of our sin are invited into the circle of confession, repentance, and forgiveness that characterizes the life of the Spirit.  We who are baptized and claimed for God’s kingdom are invited to share our stories and embrace those who are hurting.  Lent helps us do all that. In it’s call to live a life shaped and disciplined by the cross, God’s presence is revealed in pain and suffering and we learn how to love those with the deepest need God’s blessing in their lives.

At the 10am services this Lent, I will present INVITED TO LIFE — a series of messages about the ways God invites us to live our faith.  We will hear stories such as —

• February 26    Fresh out of the ark, God invites Noah to live as God’s friend
• March 4         Abraham and Peter are invited to widen the scope of their faith
• March 11      Moses and the Israelites are invited to turn their beliefs into a lifestyle
• March 18      Jesus invites the world to walk the path of healing and eternal life
• March 25     The disciples invite visitors from a far country to come see the Lord

In addition to regular Sunday services and Ash Wednesday worship on February 22 followed by mid-week worship and soup suppers, Marcia Weil will lead a short Bible study each Sunday morning before the 10am service. 

Palm Sunday, which falls on April 1 this year, we will be turning April Fools day on its head.  We’re calling it APRIL FRIENDS DAY, making a special invitation to bring our friends and neighbors to worship at Atonement so that they may hear God’s personal invitation to  join the “God Movement.”  We want to do better than Job’s friends, who just sat around and put him down.  At the end of that story, God shows up and reveals his glory and majesty to Job and his friends.  We pray that our friends and neighbors can have that blessing of knowing God in their lives.  Let’s invite them all to experience the God who invites us all to life!

Peace,

Pastor Scott

Beyond church

...they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes, and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
                                       — Acts 2:46-47

There is God, lying in a manger.  Wrapped in cloth, sleeping peacefully.  Then waking, crying for food.  As the baby Jesus is held, cuddled, burped, and changed — so is God.  What  a mystery!  What a surprise!  What an honor — to find God right here among us, under the same roof and in our world.  But then, isn’t it his world?

             Our faith has always taught that God cares for and comes to his people.  Even before Christ came, this was the message of the prophets and the experience of the patriarchs.  This was the good news — that instead of turning away from us and leaving us to fend for ourselves against hunger and disease, against death and the devil, that we have a Savior, a Father, a friend and defender who fights with us and for us.  Instead of loneliness and isolation, we have the promise and the presence of a God who you’d never think would want to give up heaven for the meager delights of a world like this.  But here he is.  With us.  Immanuel.

So in this incredible time of year with the one and only Christmas story fresh in our minds and hearts, we are set to begin a new year by taking that message to the world.  The trees will come down, but the message of hope is “ever green,” always spring-like and fresh.  What new ways will we find to grow in God this year?  How will that Bethlehem baby become our living reality in 2012?

We think you may have some great ideas about how to share the good news in your neighborhood.  We have noticed that each subdivision, mobile home court or development has its own personality and its own special kind of community life.  Each little pocket of people presents its own challenge in how to reach those people, but we think you might have some great ideas on how to reach out to people in your own area.  We will be asking for your help in 2012 to get better organized to reach out. 

When the first Christians wanted to reach out to their friends and neighbors, they met together in homes each week in addition to attending formal worship at the temple.  Their house meetings were social gatherings where fellowship, prayer and bible study took place.  As I look at where the Christian community is strongest, it seems that home groups like these are the best way Christians can reach into their communities.  Some of you may be willing to host just such a gathering in your home or at some other meeting place in your community.

             Some of you may have other ideas for ways we can impact the many neighborhoods that make up the area we serve.  That area is huge and diverse, stretching from Zephyrhills to Lutz and from Dade City to New Tampa.  This year, we will be calling people together from different parts of this large area to brainstorm ideas and help us get organized for outreach.  I’m anxious to hear your thoughts and ideas, and to join you in blazing some new trails into our communities with the message of God’s love, grace, and peace.

A Year of Promise

“…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…”
-          Luke 4:19

            She called because she had been doing a fundraiser for a battered women’s shelter.  People had been very generous supporting her, and she had some donated items leftover.  She wanted to know if our church could use them.  “Now I want you to know, I’m not a Christian,” she told me.  She said she was a pagan who believed in God, and believed Jesus was a good guy but did not believe in the Christian religion.  “Then why are you calling us?” I asked.  “Because I see the work you do, and everyone knows your church helps people.”

            How great is that?  It seems we have a reputation.  It seems we are “on the map.”  People are sitting up and taking notice of Atonement Lutheran Church.  No longer quiet and camouflaged, no longer hidden back from the road, no longer so mysterious to most of the community, we are in the papers, on the news, and a part of what is happening.  What would you like people to be saying about your church?  That we are fun? …friendly? …dedicated to our community?  I’m hearing all of these things and more.
            God is good and we are finding new ways to share God’s love.  While the community changes and the look of Lutheranism in the Tampa Bay area shifts, our congregation is playing an important role as an active sign for our area that Jesus cares for everyone.  Welcoming all people of all ages and backgrounds shows each visitor that our faith is real.  Inviting friends and neighbors brings new people to the Lord’s table and gives them a chance to discover God’s love.  Keeping our facility open for meetings by community groups along with the outstanding work of the Helping Hands food pantry has made us known throughout the north Tampa area.  Having police cars out front with their lights on Sunday mornings hasn’t hurt either.
            Still in the spirit of Thanksgiving (shouldn’t we keep that spirit all year long?), let me share just a few things that I am especially thankful for this year:
Å      dedicated members working hard on council, serving groups, in the office and on ministry teams
Å      a creative Sunday school program with Jan Gerle, Julie Kaufmann, “Bitsy” the dog (reminding us all to Depend On God) and other helpers
Å      Audra Eldridge leading a delightful Kindermusik program Tuesday and Thursday mornings
Å      the talented Agnir family: Ruby our highly-qualified choir director
Å      a growing confirmation class full of smart, inquisitive youth
Å      our lively and colorful newsletter edited by Carol Reams
Å      assistance in ministry from Marcia Weil and our deacon candidates
Å      great partnerships with Peace Lutheran (Pastor Michael Birra), Resurrection House (Margarita Romo) and First Unity of Pasco (Pastor Enrique Amoros)
Å      new traditions, including a “Trunk or Treat” Fall Festival and our “Stock Our Shelves” Pancake Breakfast Extravaganza
Å      great partnerships with Luther Springs who staffed our Day Camp and hosted our Spring Safari Family Camp
Å      enthusiastic new members
Å      great help and partnership from Thrivent and our rep. Deb Kretchman
Å      outstanding youth leadership from Brenda Lenz and Cotta Ungerer, as well as help with confirmation from Laurie Chiaramonte and Carla Haberland
Å      consistently quality music from Ken and the choir
Å      the example and inspiration of our saints who have gone to glory

LOOKING AHEAD

            We know 2012 will bring some big changes.  There will be a few “dreams coming true” as our property begins a long-awaited transformation.  New landscaping and parking will give us a newer, fresher look.  Much-needed repairs on the building should keep it in shape for the future. But more than that, this will be a year where we have new opportunities to let our faith shine. 

            There will be chances to dedicate gifts towards a new building which will help us serve and reach more people for Christ.  This multi-use building will give us new space for worship, fellowship, and our food ministry.  Plans include a room with large, flexible space and a full commercial-grade kitchen, as well as more storage for Helping Hands.
            With a new year comes a perfect opportunity to grow in stewardship.  We can’t outgive God, who has given us all things.  Luther reminds us of a few of them in the Small Catechism.  In reply to the question, “What is meant by daily bread?” he reminds us what God gives us day by day:  “Everything that belongs to the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.”
            Moving into this new year, it’s the perfect time to prayerfully consider growing in your response to all that God has given you.  Our offerings are the way we give thanks – they are the gifts of our hearts to our ever-giving God.  Think for a moment - of all the money you make in a year, how much of it goes to maintain and support your own life, and how much do you give away to help others?  Many people don't know what percentage of their income goes to charitable giving, or what percentage they give to their church.  I hope you will take a moment and find that percentage for your own household.
            Then ask yourself some questions:  Does this percentage represent an honorable gift to my Lord and Savior?  Am I comfortable giving this amount?  Am I perhaps too comfortable giving this amount?  What would it take to move up a percentage (to move left one column) in my weekly giving?  What would it take to make a “leap of faith” to giving a tithe (10% column) or beyond?  Would 10% of my income be an appropriate amount to give, considering what God has done for me and my real needs?
            Your answers to these questions are very personal.  They are between you and God.  This year we have not asked people to make a pledge or turn in commitment cards.  Instead, we leave it up to you and God how much you decide to give financially in 2012.  I have been joyfully giving 10% of my income to the church for many years now, and find it a great way to honor God in my life.  By giving a 10% tithe, I tell my Lord “thanks” for all he gives.  Tithing is my constant reminder that I need HIM much more than I need that money.
            One more opportunity that I hope you will take this year, and this is something that could change your life even MORE than tithing.  Consider reading through the Bible with me, day by day and chapter by chapter.  I am planning to read the Bible every day this year using the Bible reading plan included on this website, and I invite you to join me.  If you stick to it, you will have read the whole thing by the end of the year.  If you miss a day, just pick up on the following day and catch up on what you missed when you can.  I have done this now for three years and every time I do, I learn something new and the Bible comes alive for me in new ways.
            Finally, I want to thank you for another year of friendship, ministry and love.  You have a unique place in this congregation and in our future together.  God gave you special gifts and I know you will find new ways to share them at Atonement.  This year you all reminded me (in such a sneaky way) that it was my 5 year anniversary at Atonement and my 20th as an ordained pastor.  It’s funny, because I feel like we’re just getting off the ground.  On behalf of your family of faith and my own family, I ask that God continue to bless our life together in Christ as we head into this year of promise, 2012.