Our Father in Heaven

Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark 3:35

It is not really a question of how we are related by blood, (although one could scientifically make the argument that an atom never really dies or goes away – it is just more or less.  And in that we are all “of the same blood”). Our questions of family have more to do with links, roles and authority.

In much of the world the head of the family is often seen as the eldest male in the household.   In many places it is the female elder.   In our culture (which is very much based on the Greco-Roman model) we are used to the head being a male.  This was also true in the times when the Bible was put together.

And so we see the kings and public rulers and leaders in our scripture as mainly male figures with a few females such as Esther, Deborah, and Lydia in the mix.  AND considering Mary was a woman and the mother of Jesus – then God must be a male.  (We are very much people of reasoning – even when it comes to issues beyond reason).

So it should be no surprise that the name “Father” is missing in this text since we call God “Father” and God is present. The whole family, those who live out life in unity with the will of God, is present.  

Over the next 9 weeks we will be looking more closely at the Lord’s Prayer and how we can apply it – and live it out daily. 

As we pray – “Our Father”, we remember that it is all of us together, one family, praying – recognizing that we live this life together.  And if it is difficult (as it sometimes is) to call God “Father”, we might do well to remembering that God is bigger than our reasoning, God is bigger than our imaginations, and that God encompasses the “whole” of who we are.

We can come to this God – and pray with whatever image brings us closer to knowing the will and the love of God.  We can come to God knowing that God is already there – wanting us to know the expanse of love that God does have for us, each of us, and all of us. 

Welcome to the Family…

Pastor Erin

Sent Out - Life is Good

As you have sent me into the world,

so I have sent them into the world.

John 17:18

This last week was the last week of Easter.  The Gospels tell us that Jesus ascends into heaven.  And the disciples are told to wait in the city until the “advocate”  the “Spirit” comes to them.  These words from John are actually from the prayer that Jesus prayed in the garden before he was taken away.  Jesus prays that the disciples might know God’s presence and protection as they continue to share the good news of God’s love for us. 

Yesterday in our worship time together we had 15 kids (ages 5-11) share with us a musical about life being good.  The conflict in the musical was the realization that life is not always good.  There is sadness, and confusion, and pain and sorrow.  And while that is all true – there is also an overarching theme that God is good.  And that God cares for us.

As simple as that is – it is very easy to forget.  As we journey through our lives and see all the changes in the world and question where God is when there is death and tragedy, we can be blinded by stories that would have us believe that God has abandoned us.   We can forget that Jesus prays for God to be with us – we can forget that God continues to guide us and does so through our participation as the body of Christ in the world.

Easter stories are all about where Jesus shows up in the world around us.  And the more we are able to share those stories the more readily we see God at work; even when tragedy strikes.  God is all around us.  It doesn’t mean life will be easy – but it can help us see that this life that God has given us is good!

Where is life good in your world this week?

Pastor Erin

Coming up this week at Trinity

Thursday, May 21 - CPK Fundraiser: Click for FLYER

Monday May 25 Memorial Day  - Church Office Closed

What is in a Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all humankind.”

John 1:1-4

What a blessing to think about as we start the New Year.  We were reminded on Sunday by Pastor Dave that “Jesus is the creative life-giving word of God”.  And we are “inspired” by this life-giving word - we are filled with the desire to do something creative, be a part of God’s creative process.

I have been thinking about these “words” especially in light of the New Year.   Whether it is a part of your practice to create a new year’s resolution list, or to start a new project, or to completely ignore that pressure for a few months and wait for lent…there seems to be a certain energy and inspiration around this time of year to re-create our life journey.

Some good friends of mine have chosen a word (or 2) in past years in lieu of a New Years’ resolution; One word to live into (or live up to or re-discover) over the next 12 months.  Words like family, joy, hope, focus, slow, trust, brave, wise…which may inspire us to be present – one word at a time in our often rushed and busy lives. 

All year long we savor the Word of God…the life-giving words that come to us through Jesus, who is present from the beginning of time to the end of the age.  A constant word of life that we are blessed to slowly soak into our hearts and minds.   A word of life that we are not asked to fully understand, but a word that calls us to delight in each moment and each glimpse of abundant joy.

May the word of God bring light into your life,

Peace and Blessings

Pastor Erin

Prayer matters

^“And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.”

Luke 1:10

We are good at finding a focal point in many of our biblical stories.  This verse is from the narrative of Zachariah burning incense and learning that his wife Elizabeth would have a child (John the Baptist).  And while we sit and ponder his experience I think we might be remiss if we don’t take time to wonder about all those in the community who were outside of the temple.  What about all those who were praying for Zachariah and waiting for their own prayers to be answered?  What motivated them?  Who called them together?  What were their prayers about?

Prayer so often seem nebulous; a thought, a breath, a sigh.  How do we know? How do we know that we are being heard?  How do we know that it matters? How do we know…

My take on it is this – when we pause to focus on an issue or a concern or a celebration – when we make a conscious effort to name what is going on in the world, our minds are turned in that direction.  And our actions follow our thoughts and our minds. Maybe instead of asking if our prayers are making a difference in the world – we can ask if our prayers are making a difference in us. 

Do our prayers change how we relate to the world? Do our prayers bring peace? Prayer makes a difference because we, God’s created people, join together to bless the world

God’s work, our hands.

(Here are a few more places to read about why prayer matters)

http://www.truthortradition.com/articles/prayer-matters

http://www.todayintheword.org/titw_article.aspx?id=109877

Peace and Light

Pastor Erin

Advent...in us.

I have been feeling a little unimaginative this week…so instead of my own words about Advent please enjoy some inspiration from Madeline L’Engle

First Coming
by Madeleine L’Engle

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

May you know the peace and joy that already reigns in you.

Peace and Light

Pastor Erin