“With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 (RSV)

When preaching on the parable of the mustard seed last Sunday, one of the stories that I told was the true tale of “The Man Who Planted Trees”.  This story from France tells how each morning this single man would get up and carefully plant one hundred acorns.  By his faithful labor over many years the landscape was transformed from dry desolation, to a place of new life and growth.  Much in the same way Jesus told how the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, starting very small but transforming its place.

As I reflect on “The Man Who Planted Trees”, along with other of Jesus’ parables, I’m also reminded that not only the kingdom sometimes come slowly, it also comes with many not so successful plantings.   The man who planted trees figured that only one of ten acorns planted would become a tree.  Jesus talks about seed scattered on both good and bad soil, and only some of them growing.

It makes we wonder, what marks will the world show of our ministry together here?  It is also a reminder that our task is to faithfully be about the work of planting seeds of love, mercy, kindness, and hope.  We shouldn’t be surprised that not everything works like we imagine.  Kingdom growth takes time, patience, and persistence, but it does happen, because the one who call us to this work is faithful.  So thank you for your time, patience and persistence.  Never quit trying good things, sharing new ideas, and doing compassionate works, and never fear, for God will provide the power to change the world around us.

Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

“O sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!”  Psalm 98:1a (RSV)

We’ve just celebrated “Worship through Music” Sunday, and I’m always so thankful for the musical gifts that are shared in the people of this congregation and I’m especially grateful for the leadership of Diane Dangerfield, Gary Doty, and all those who bring the best out of others in praise of God.

It is a good thing to sing songs of praise, not because somehow God needs our praise.  I don’t believe God’s self-image is in need of reinforcement.  God is not like the small child whom we praise for his or her accomplishments.  Rather our words, prayers, and songs of praise serve better purposes.

First, praise is our best counter to darkness, evil and self-centeredness in this world.  When you are caught up in praise you are drawn toward God and away from lesser concerns and troubles.  When we turn our minds, words and voices toward the Lord, we realize that we are not in charge, and that there is power far greater than the world.

Also, when we praise God with give testimony to others.  That is part of the purpose of gathering for worship.  We are there for each other, and our presence, our voice, our songs of praise bear witness to the good things God is doing in our lives, and in our world.

Finally, we are challenged by the distractions of the world around us every day.  There are many other songs being sung.  Some of those alternatives are attractive, and it is easy for church people to complain about how others wander away.  But complaint is seldom helpful.  It’s not helpful to belittle other’s choices, we simply need to sing a better song.  Other answers are attractive, but are they sufficient for life?  We need to sing the praise of the one who is always there for us, always ready to love, forgive, and bless.  We need to bear testimony with our presence, but much more with our joy in the one who comes to save us.  “O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things!”

The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.   The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.  The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.  The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:8-9; 14-18

There are many promises in this short piece of Psalm 145:  The Lord is good, compassionate, just, kind, loving, and near to us.  The writer pours out those words of promise, but in the midst is the reminder:  “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.”

That phrase, “in due season”, caught my attention as I read it again.  Perhaps, because as I write this the snow is falling once again, I feel anxious about the season.  I think we all get impatient.  We get ahead of ourselves and worry about things that haven’t happened yet, and may never occur.

Faith, at its very heart, is the trust that the Lord is ultimately the one who holds our future.  Instead of anxiety about what might be, perhaps we need to focus again on the things we know.  The Lord is gracious and merciful, good, just, kind, and loving.  Jesus, our Savior, has promised to be with us always.  Easter is the announcement of ultimate victory.  All of what we know about our God reminds us that we have many more reasons to be at peace, that to live in fear.  So, as the new season of spring finally arrives, rejoice in this day.

Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

The great news of Easter morning was first shared by the women who discovered the empty tomb, but the apostles, along with most of the world missed it.  They were preoccupied with their own assumptions and their own fears, so that when the good news of new life was right in front of them, they didn’t believe it.

I sometimes wonder if we still miss out on far too many of the great things our God is doing today as well.  There is a wonderful prayer which observant Jesus sometimes use on the Sabbath.  It begins:  “Days pass and years vanish, and we walk sightless among miracles.” That’s the issue for many of us.  We are so busy, so distracted, so full of our own assumptions and fears, that we walk sightless among miracles.  Every time I stop and look at my own life, I can get the feeling of years vanishing.  But when I ponder those days and years, I have been blessed beyond words.

When I walk down the street early each morning and hear the birds, watch parents bustling their children off to school, and see good, honest, hardworking people beginning another day, there are countless blessings.  When we see the world spring to life again in all its beauty, when we gather around a table with family and friends, and most of all when we come together to worship, sing and share the Lord’s supper, there are miracles we shouldn’t miss.

God’s Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

“Even now says the Lord, return to me with all your heart. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”

Joel 2: 12-13

During the past couple of weeks, our home in Madison has been filled with little steps. Maria and I have found much joy and excitement, as Andrew has been furniture cruising all around the house. He takes little steps moving around the furniture, and gaining confidence in his ability to balance while standing. When we hold his hands, it is truly amazing how fast he moves while walking! Each day that goes by, something new happens, each day Andrew gets a little stronger and more interested to go from crawling all around the house, to taking little steps and begins his life journey of walking.

Entering into this season of Lent, is much like taking a walk on a Lenten journey to Easter. The journey begins during Ash Wednesday, February 25 through Easter Sunday, April 12. It is a time to pause and reflect. It is a time to be in prayer and worship. It is a time to encourage one another as the family of God. It is a time to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus in our local communities, country and world.

I want to encourage you today, as you enter into this special time and season of the Christian journey to take “little steps” to pray, reflect, meditate, worship and to read in God’s word. Take time to reach out to old friends and make new ones. Mend some of those old fences that have been broken relationships in our lives.

Jesus will give you strength and encouragement for the journey. As we take “little steps”, he is with us. He is right by our side holding our hands, or carrying us. He loves us, each “little step” of the way on the journey.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40: 28-31

In Christ’s amazing love and grace,

Jim

“The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”

Ephesians 4:11-12

First I want to thank all of you who participated in our special meeting in February. We worked our way through a lot of items, and had good discussions and suggestions. It would be naïve to think that in all things we would be unanimous, but I hope than everyone felt that their opinion was heard and appreciated.

I know we spent a lot of time talking about buildings, property, and monetary gifts. Those are all important to our ministry here, and I’m so very thankful for all those who have supported this congregation with their gifts, as well as grateful to those who spent so many hours considering language about funds, particulars about property, and dreams for what we could do in the future.

At the same time I’m always concerned that we don’t think only in terms of buildings, budgets and property when we consider our ministry. Each one of us has been equipped by the Spirit with gifts for ministry, right here and now. We don’t need to wait for funds to be raised, or more space to be created. What makes ministry happen is the courage, energy, patience, love and compassion of God’s people in their day to day lives.

It doesn’t matter what your gift is. You might be good at teaching or construction, baking or leading Bible study, leading children’s games or planning budgets. Whatever you gift and interest is, bring it with you to the community of faith. We need all people and all their gifts. More than anything, we need each other in the body of Christ. When we gather for fellowship, worship, service, learning or whatever the occasion, Jesus promises to be in our midst, and the love he brings can bring joy, comfort, hope and meaning.

The matters of resolutions, investments, and eventual facilities are still important, but let’s be concerned with being the church all the while.

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

The time is fulfilled. Here Jesus begins his ministry of proclaiming the good news of a new kingdom. That is the message of these weeks of epiphany. Now is the time Jesus says. It was God’s time to act. Not that the conditions were particularly favorable, or that the people somehow deserved it more, but just that the time was now.

I think we need to recapture that spirit of ministry each day when we set out on our way. The time is now. The kingdom of God is at hand. These statements are as true in this year and this place as they have ever been. We don’t need to wait for more favorable circumstances. We don’t need to wait until someone else asks us to participate. We don’t even need to wait for anyone’s permission.

Each of us has received our commission: Go therefore and make disciples, teach, love one another, pray for one another, break bread with glad and generous hearts, rejoice together, comfort one another, serve the least as if they are Jesus himself, and the list goes on. There is never a lack of opportunities to be the church of Jesus Christ.

When does it all begin? Now. The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, rejoice, worship, work, love, serve, forgive, and always remember that the love of God in Jesus Christ is more certain than anything else in all creation. That’s the message of this season of the year. It is a time of new beginnings, the journey will be long, but this journey begins with the power of God’s Spirit, and moves through all of God’s people.

In Christ,

Pastor John Twiton

Early on Monday morning January 19, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Maria and I received a phone call from Venezuela from family that her mother Carmen had passed away in the early morning. She had spent the weekend in a hospital in Caracas fighting an infection and dealing with complications from many years of Diabetes and high blood pressure.
Maria and I want to say thank you to our friends and family at ELC for your prayers, cards and kind words. Maria’s mother Carmen was a very special person that held a deep Christian faith and commitment to prayer and service to the church and family during her lifetime. She was a wonderful mother and role model and she will be deeply missed. We are comforted by the words and promises of Jesus and that great cloud of witnesses in the past, present and future.
God’s timing is always perfect. We give thanks to God for the two weeks that we spent with family in Venezuela during Christmas and the New Year! We give thanks for the opportunity for time with family and introducing Andrew to his Grandparents and family in Venezuela!
As your Youth and Family Minister at ELC, I want to thank you for the many ways you have been the hands and feet of Jesus. As we enter into this New Year of 2009 take time to enjoy the day and be sure to tell the people in your life how much you love and care for them. In Psalm 118:24 it says, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Each day is a gift from the Lord!

Peace, Joy, Hope and Love in Christ,

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all theyhad heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:20

A new year begins with the sights and sounds of our Christmas celebrations still vivid in our memories. And I think it would be most appropriate to model those shepherds. They went back to their flocks, back to work, back to the ‘real world’ but they weren’t the same. They went back ‘glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.’

We all have to return to more ‘normal’ routines as well, but don’t let the everyday noise drive out the wonder of the star, the angels and babe lying in the manger. Even now I treasure the sights and sounds we have shared. I loved the Sunday School program, and hearing the youngest children sing of the ‘Friendly Beasts’, the men’s choir sing “O Holy Night”, hearing the Christmas bells ring, I keep humming the tune to “My Deliverer” and reliving the sights and sounds of all God’s children coming together for that morning.

I always love the candlelight of Christmas Eve, and hearing the voices of the congregation unite in the familiar old carols. It’s always fun to see families gather, and share the joy of Christmas morning, and few days of break from the regular routines. But most of all there is that story of the Word made flesh. There is the announcement a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This Good News changes everything. Let’s resolve to begin this New Year glorifying and praising God, and living each day knowing that the one who comes as the light of the world, will always be more powerful than the darkness of this present age.

Peace,

Pastor John Twiton

“When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.”   Luke 2: 39-40

HERE ARE SOME UPCOMING DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR.

January 7: Confirmation classes resume

January 11: Sunday school classes resume

January 11 and 25: Youth Group (7^th-12^th Grade)

* We meet at the Church House from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

January 25: Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Trip Meeting

* We will meet at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Our trip to the Boundary Waters will be Saturday, July 25- Friday, July 31. We will be working with Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry in Cook, MN to outfit and lead our trip. This trip will be open to all youth entering into 9^th grade and older. Any adults interested in going should plan to attend this meeting.

Wishing you all a blessed New Year 2009!

Peace, Love and Joy in Christ,