People of Hope,
 
           Many of you know one of my favorite pandemic church memories: The Sunday morning when, after spending all night trying to fix technical difficulties, I greeted you to online worship in my sweats from the couch of my office. The ironic theme of the sermon was “How do we keep awake when we’re exhausted?”

Recently, a friend – who has spent her career in refugee work – texted me, “it’s just exhausting to be awake in these days.” To be awake meant more than the waking hours of eyes open. To be “awake in these days” is to be alert and intimately aware of all the harm, injustice and hatred being spewed out in rhetoric and manifested in government action, particularly toward our immigrant communities, as well as so many more. To be awake in these days is to risk being burnt out from grief, rage and fear.

Our theme for Advent this year is “Keep Awake,” and here I am, asking a question I’ve asked before, “how do we keep awake when we’re exhausted?” If you heard last Sunday’s sermon, you heard the beginnings of an answer: in the midst of it all, keeping awake to Christ. We cannot take everything in at all times, and neither can we ignore it, but we can keep awake to where Christ is leading us. The Spirit awakens us to the movement of God here and now – for me, for you and for our communities – even as so much weighs on us, harms us and others, and exhausts us. Christ in the oppressed; among the rubble and detention centers; with the grieving and enraged. Yet, even here and now, Christ gives peace, joy, purpose and power to sustain and to keep awake. This is God’s promise.

But to be honest, y’all, I do not promise a clean answer to this question of keeping awake when we’re exhausted; there’s only reaching out to God in discovery. Through Advent, and always, there’s the invitation to Sabbath rest and to the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. There’s learning to trust God again. And again. There’s learning to risk again. And again. There’s learning to hope. There’s learning to live in community and in the kingdom of God while the powers of this world oppose it. So this Advent, we’ll be discovering together (again) how we keep awake in these days. 

Peace,
Pastor Liz
 

​Dear People of Hope,

Recently, at a council meeting, I learned that a member had been coming weekly on Saturdays to make sure the sanctuary chairs are organized. I laughed with joy, because while I had noticed that I had not needed to straighten the chairs in a while, I had no idea why! It was a reminder that so much happens in, among and through our congregation; I am so thankful for those things I may not see. 

And I am so grateful for those things I do see. I see what happens with regularity in our congregation — the communion that is put together every week; the sound system that gets turned on; the food that is offered during fellowship; the people who greet at the door and usher during service; the hospitality that is shown to all who enter; the discernment and brainstorming among council leadership; the food that is brought to Bibles studies and potlucks; the ones who run the video for people to join worship from home or while traveling; the game nights, Trunk or Treat and fun get-togethers that are created; the setting up of tables and chairs for these events; the musicians who lead us; the observing and responding to who needs help, or who could be checked in on, or who could use a cup of coffee and conversation during the week; the times that someone who needs food or a coat receives exactly what they need; the stocking of the food-shelf; the things that get fixed around the building; the ever-flowing ideas of what might be possible among us with God’s help; the small and giant ways this congregation is sharing God’s love, grace and hope.

I thank God for you. I thank God for the things I learn after the fact. I thank God for the things I may never know. I thank God for the ways so many jump in to help with the needs of the community. As we near our Annual Meeting, and celebrate what God is doing among us, I give thanks to God for the many gifts of our congregation. 

Peace be with you,
Pastor Liz

Dear People of Hope, 

I love when little kids begin to reach an age when they have sooooo many questions. They give one question after another until parents are exhausted. But a child’s curiosity can also open an adult’s curiosity — “I’ve never thought of that,” we might realize, and need to consult an expert, or Google. Those questions open up whole new worlds. 

Curiosity is a gift from God, and one that we can foster in our community. As we come to our faith, and to what it looks like to follow Jesus, we are invited to ask questions, too. To be curious. 

This month we are starting “Brunch and Learn.” Once a month we will have an opportunity to dig into a specific topic or area of our faith and life. Maybe even get into some things that we think we know, but maybe…we’re not so sure. After all, we can throw a lot of terms and ideas around on Sunday morning that we may not fully understand. Some of the questions and topics you shared in the question box may show up!

This month we’ll talk about how to read the Bible, and other Bible questions. We’ll meet with coffee and goodies on Saturday, October 18 at 10:00am. Bring your questions, bring what you’ve already learned about the Bible, and bring your curiosity. I hope you’ll join us!

Peace be with you,
Pastor Liz

​Dear People of Hope,

As many of you know, we are working with a graphic designer to create a logo for our congregation — an image that helps to communicate who we are. This is a practical task that will be most helpful for using on social media and our website, as well as posters or bulletins. In our current world, it helps to communicate with people who do not yet know us. It is a small tool within a larger mission of what we are to be about. We are gathered together by God, celebrating grace, and serving all. 

A logo is a form of communication, and communication is about sharing. Sometimes at the end of service, the last words we hear are “Go in peace, share the good news.” And we all shout back, “Thanks be to God!” In all that we do and who we are, we share the good news – God’s grace in Jesus! The power of the Holy Spirit in our lives! The gift of God for this present and for our lives! The work of God (justice, peace, hope, love) through the people of God.

What would you say is the “good news?” What has been the good news that God has given you in your life? Use all your senses – what does it look, feel, taste, smell, sound like? 

I invite you, as you hear those words “Share the good news” on Sundays, to let them sit with you a little longer than you may normally, before going to grab those yummy treats after service. What good news of God in your life do you have to share? Who can you share it with?

Our world is hungry for it. 

Peace,
Pastor Liz

​People of Hope,

I regularly pause throughout the year to meditate, pray and reflect on the weeks and months ahead of our congregation. Where might God be leading us? What is bubbling up to the surface to pay attention to? What may respond to the needs of our congregation? 

As I take such a pause while the summer winds down (let’s not talk about that too much!) I would like to hear from you. I am particularly curious about what’s on your mind – what are the questions, topics, conundrums and wonderings that are arising for you in this season? Is there a question about God, faith, life, our present world, and everything in between that keeps coming up for you?

I invite you to share those questions and topics with me. I may use them to help me develop future Bible studies or sermons. In the narthex (welcome area), there will be a slotted box; you are invited to write your thoughts on an index card and drop them in the box throughout August. You may drop as many cards in as you wish, and if you’d like me to know who it comes from, you can also write your name. 

I also invite you to pray with me for the sake of our congregation and community. Together, let us seek the guidance of the Spirit as she breathes in us. 

Peace be with you,
 
Pastor Liz
 

People of Hope,

Breathe in. Breathe out. I often hear these words while taking a yoga class. Sometimes I also hear, “don’t forget to breathe,” or “remember your breath.” At times, I will notice that I am breathing a lot harder than someone next to me. Struggling to hold a pose, I am gasping, while they continue on. And while it may be tempting to think that they have more oxygen than me, we are, in fact, practicing the same movements in the same room. They simply have more practice than me. 

In our journey of faith, sometimes we compare ourselves to others, wondering if, secretly, God gave them more spiritual oxygen, the Holy Spirit. But we don’t get more Holy Spirit than the person next to us, and we also don’t get less Spirit than the most spiritual person we know, or the wisest person we know, or even the most loving person we know. 

Instead, on this journey of faith (of life!), we learn to notice our breath. We practice breathing in and breathing out, while stretching our muscles a little longer — muscles of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, fruits of the Spirit. We learn to better notice the Spirit in our lives. We bring our mind and our body into one place with the Spirit; we notice that the Spirit is already showing up for us in our lives; we start paying attention more and more to our breath until we are stronger and stronger and stronger in knowing who we already are. And yes, we learn from one another.

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that you will practice noticing the Spirit breathing in you. Stretch your muscles this week. Do not compare yourself to the one next to you, but give thanks to God that you see something in them that you long for. You also have gifts of the Spirit that we need and long for. The Spirit is upon you, People of Hope. 

Your Sibling in Christ,
Pastor Liz

Dear People of Hope,

There’s a story that is often repeated, and it has probably been told in children’s sermons across churches — Mr. Rogers (of television fame) once explained to kids watching that when the world seems hard or bad things happen, look for the people helping. 

Look for the people helping. 

I am so grateful for the people helping — I am grateful for those who donated and put together care packages this Lent. I am grateful for the hands who helped to plant seeds for our garden and who made meals for our Wednesday nights. I am grateful for those who have called and emailed their representatives, lending their voices to the call for justice and peace. I am grateful for other congregations and community groups who lead, serve and help in their own specific ways. I am grateful for the many people in this city, this state, this nation, and this world who are stepping forward and stepping out. I am grateful for the unseen things that I know are done. 

Look for the people helping, and give thanks.

I give thanks for you, people of Hope. For we are people of HOPE. We hope in a God who helps, who is a “very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46). 

Look to the God who helps, and give thanks.

So, may our helping God bless you and keep you; may our helping God’s face shine upon you; may our helping God look upon you with favor and give you peace. 

And with God’s help, may we be a helping people.

With gratitude,
Pastor Liz
 

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it

These are the last lines of the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” A hope that God’s goodness would bind our wandering hearts. A hope that the fount of blessing would tune our hearts. 
Because here’s the truth: following Jesus ain’t easy. 
Every day I am inundated with distractions, fears, anxieties, desires, confusions, and doubts. I am often wondering and wandering as I go. Some days I am faithful and some days I am not. Some days I am excited and passionate to follow, and some days I am struggling to even know what little step to take. Sometimes I get it wrong; sometimes I get it right, and some days I’ll never know!
So, I take great comfort in the fact that the first disciples who surrounded Jesus were just like me. They were faithful and fickle. They were excited and scared. They were hopeful and doubtful. Peter, in particular, gives us many stories that reflect our journey of following. He takes big leaps of faith, and he makes big mistakes. He is a “wandering heart,” just like us. Seeking and searching. We hear our name called and follow with stumbles and faltering steps, and along the way, continue to discover the wideness of God’s goodness, grace and mercy.
I hope you’ll join us through this season of Lent as we step inside Peter’s story of faith. Each Sunday, starting March 9, we will hear a different part of Peter’s journey. As we go through this series, you are invited to use our set of daily devotional cards, made available in the narthex (welcome area). Through hearing Peter’s encounters with Jesus, may we encounter Jesus in our own lives and rediscover our own stories of faith. May we acknowledge our wandering hearts, not with judgment or condemnation, but with thanksgiving that God’s streams of mercy flow for us, tuning our hearts to sing God’s grace. 
I’m walking with you, fellow wanderer! Let’s see where Christ leads us. 

Peace,
Pastor Liz
 

People of Hope,

In her letter regarding the President’s recent executive orders concerning immigration, Bishop Eaton encourages us to join four callings: a call to prayer, a call to learning, a call to personal witness, and a call to public witness. (Bishop Tim of the Alaska Synod joined other Region 1 bishops in a similar statement found here). In truth, these are always our callings, but they do indeed feel pressing for us during this moment in our country. Because of this, I wish to raise them again for us, and perhaps add a fifth call.

Maybe you were like me in the past couple weeks and felt flooded by the news. I am greatly concerned for our neighbors who are Trans and immigrants/refugees, as well as the legalities of actions being taken at the federal level. And as I am flooded by the news, and by my emotions, the call to prayer becomes even more important. When we’re feeling flooded by events, it’s time to flood our lives in prayer! For me that looked like lighting candles and spending more time praying. For you, that might mean using your minutes in your commute or while washing the dishes. Perhaps it’s taking an extra time while first waking up, or just before you go to bed. Perhaps it’s logging off your phone earlier than usual, or taking that walk through creation. For all of us, it will look like gathering together in worship or in small groups and praying together. Where two or three are gathered, Christ is there. 

And then we must pray with our feet.

We are called to stay informed and learn so that we can move with wisdom and truth. We are called to be a personal witness in our relationships and encounters – to speak against dehumanization and speak truth. We are called to be a public witness by calling our representatives (Lisa Murkowski 202-224-6665, Dan Sullivan 202-224-3004, Nick Begich III 202-225-5765), and coordinating with others to address our government. This may mean we also need to connect with other organizations who have more knowledge and expertise. Amidst the flood of news, we may need to decide on a particular concern we feel God is calling us to learn and respond to, and trust that others are stepping forward in their callings in regards to other issues. All of this stems from our primary call to love God and to love our neighbor.

Finally, I would add a fifth calling for this moment and that is a call to community. This call is interwoven through each of the others. We do not do this alone. We do not do this as only the Lutheran Church of Hope. It is also a call to connect with one another, within our congregation and beyond, and to be reminded that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
 
Connect with someone in the congregation. Invite a neighbor to dinner. Play! Join us in our singing and our praying. Now is the time to lean in. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and the Spirit of the Lord is upon us.

With you in peace and love,
Pastor Liz

​It’s the new year! The time when we start diets after all our holiday eating; we sign up for gym memberships; we buy the perfect daily calendar and set of post-it notes, and we make promises to ourselves that we will struggle —or perhaps completely fail— to keep. It is the time for self-improvement. 

Or is it?

In these first few weeks of January, there is an overwhelming pressure to be a better version of ourselves than we were the year before, followed by some sort of financial expenditure that will solve all our perceived problems. We will be influenced by the internal and external pressures that demand that we become our “best selves.” Oh, the false promises we make ourselves and the false promises our culture makes to us! 

At the same time, it would be disingenuous of me to say that there isn’t a natural invitation to self-reflection at the start of the year. Or a fun and loose “goals” list. I love the idea of using the transition from one year to the next as a moment to pause and reflect: What did I learn from the previous year? What am I grateful for? What are my current hopes and longings? What is the invitation God is making? There is value in wondering, how would I like to begin this new year?  

This is the open space I much prefer — no demands, no promises, simply reflection and invitation. Throw some essential prayer in there, too. 

Last year, we heard from you that you hoped to continue having short small group series throughout the year. So, that is how we will start our new year! I invite you to join a 4-week small group starting the week of January 26th. The theme is “As I Am.” Just as we are, that is how we will all be showing up to each other and to God. No demand for resolutions. No improved selves. Simply an invitation to community, reflection, prayer, and hopefully some laughter mixed in. 

Here’s how I am showing up as I write this — I am easing back after a whirlwind December, and the details for our new series are still being ironed out. So mark your calendar and stay tuned! Let’s enter the year in intentional community with God and with each other. As I am, as we are. 

Peace be with you,

Pastor Liz