Hello Church,
As we get deeper into this new, strange world we live in, I consider my role in all of this. For sure, my personal life has taken on a sudden change. Joey is home from school but still 'going' to class via the computer. Hope is in some strange limbo with her activities as well. Kim is not working at all. This all equates with everyone being home a lot (which is what we are supposed to do).
While my personal life has shifted, I realize I am still a pastor and still working. So what about my job? How do I serve the church in the most effective way possible, given the extreme limitations on where I can go and who I can meet and how I can meet them? Staying connected is my goal... here is what I am doing it so far.....
First, I am diving into more on-line connections. In addition to this blog, I will be going live on Facebook on Thursday at 7:30 for devotion and prayer time. We'll see how it goes.
Second, there is the Sunday Morning podcast. Russ Bowman has helped out immensely and continues to provide music. We are recording on Saturday mornings. It's certainly a different context for me as I like to feed off of the congregation during my message. Now all I have is Russ... who mostly just points the camera at me, pushes a button and gives me a look as if to say, 'good luck with that'. (some day I am going to point the camera at him and see how he likes it).
Third, there is a lot of work being done in the background to help with the financial side of the church. Truth is, churches still have bills. Many churches struggle even when there is an offering every week. Emmanuel is not immune to the struggle, but there are a few who are mailing in their tithe (we encourage those who can, to do so.... PO 351, Batavia, OH 45103). We are also looking at other opportunities..... loan deferments, grants and forgivable loans.... pray for us as we pursue these.
Fourth, remember the chocolate Easter Eggs? We will be offering drive-thru pick up on this Saturday, 9:00-12:00. If that isn't good enough, please call Pastor Joe (463-7378). You can come and pick up your eggs without getting out of your car. And you can buy extra eggs if you so desire.
Fifth, I am always available for conversation. Never be afraid to call or text. If you want to meet in person (with social distancing rules in place), I am good with that too. We can't meet at Panera, but we can meet at the church building. You don't even have to have a major stresser or dilemma. In times like these, a normal conversation can take on more value than in 'normal' times.
Sixth, I am connected with a resourceful group of pastors (a private Facebook page) who are struggling with the same issues. We share ideas with each other and the success and failure of those ideas.
As I struggle with how my role will play out in this strange, new world, I welcome any feedback and suggestions. I very much want to be your pastor, even if from a distance.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, March 30, 2020
Monday, March 23, 2020
The One Place Where Traffic Is Heavier
Hello Church,
I have the joy every day to wake up in the morning, go downstairs and look out my big, front picture window. In years past I would see a small wooded area across our street. In recent years, the owner has slowly cleared out the trees and planted grass, readying the plot to sell to anyone who might want to build a house.
As such, I now get the view that was behind that wooded area: the cemetery.
This doesn't bother me as much as it would some people. In addition, I have been a distant observer of funerals and would at times hear the somber sounds of Taps. However, over the past couple of weeks I have noticed a new dynamic: heavier traffic. I have seen more cars slowly driving through or even stopping for several minutes. Some would get out and stare at a given tombstone. I admit that part of me wants to have conversations with them. How are they feeling? What are they thinking? Who are they missing?
I have had the opportunity to dwell on this new dynamic. I wonder why this is? Is it because other people have more free time and decide to visit their past? Is it because this pandemic has caused more people to think on their own mortality? Often times, when we get troubled, we do tend to get more philosophical about life.... and theological.
This is Lent. It is a time to especially focus on God. While pandemics don't need to happen in order for us to get this message, the truth is that troubled times do fill the church pews.... and bring more visitors to cemeteries.... and cause us to especially focus on God.
I hope you are healthy and safe. We will get through this. I pray that we get through this knowing that God is with us.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
I have the joy every day to wake up in the morning, go downstairs and look out my big, front picture window. In years past I would see a small wooded area across our street. In recent years, the owner has slowly cleared out the trees and planted grass, readying the plot to sell to anyone who might want to build a house.
As such, I now get the view that was behind that wooded area: the cemetery.
This doesn't bother me as much as it would some people. In addition, I have been a distant observer of funerals and would at times hear the somber sounds of Taps. However, over the past couple of weeks I have noticed a new dynamic: heavier traffic. I have seen more cars slowly driving through or even stopping for several minutes. Some would get out and stare at a given tombstone. I admit that part of me wants to have conversations with them. How are they feeling? What are they thinking? Who are they missing?
I have had the opportunity to dwell on this new dynamic. I wonder why this is? Is it because other people have more free time and decide to visit their past? Is it because this pandemic has caused more people to think on their own mortality? Often times, when we get troubled, we do tend to get more philosophical about life.... and theological.
This is Lent. It is a time to especially focus on God. While pandemics don't need to happen in order for us to get this message, the truth is that troubled times do fill the church pews.... and bring more visitors to cemeteries.... and cause us to especially focus on God.
I hope you are healthy and safe. We will get through this. I pray that we get through this knowing that God is with us.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, March 16, 2020
Calm Down, Be In Prayer and Let's Get Through This....
Hello Church,
The last week has been a whirlwind for me and I know for most, if not all, of you. The virus is changing how we go about our days and our government is working hard to get us information on what and how to get things done that will help us as much as possible.
We will each have our stories about pandemic. For me, I have struggled to process how fast this has happened and how to react as a religious leader.... even as circumstances have changed daily if not hourly.
To be honest, a week ago I was skeptical. I was leaning toward the 'over-reaction crowd' as I watched other areas of the world report numbers that were relatively low. A week later I fully admit my mind has changed. I'm thankful we have health professionals that stayed on top of it and leaders that continue to keep us informed.
If there is anything that has troubled me most, it is the lack of calm. My trip to Kroger was the biggest eye-opener. Shelves being emptied and stores needing to put a limit on certain items to allow everyone a chance to buy what they need.
I believe this speaks to our lack of calm and a lack of calm traces back to a lack of peace. This is a role that the church--and you as a Christian--can jump into. It is easy to believe in a loving, sovereign God when we nonchalantly go about our day without too many serious cares in the world. It is much more difficult to be a holy witness for a loving, sovereign God when we are troubled or even panicked. It is times like these that we can be an example of someone who believes in the everlasting.
So let's be calm. Listen to our leaders. Be in prayer for the world. Help one another out as you can. Ask for help when you need it. Most of all, put your trust in a loving, sovereign God.
I am available to help as I can. Let me know what I can do.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
The last week has been a whirlwind for me and I know for most, if not all, of you. The virus is changing how we go about our days and our government is working hard to get us information on what and how to get things done that will help us as much as possible.
We will each have our stories about pandemic. For me, I have struggled to process how fast this has happened and how to react as a religious leader.... even as circumstances have changed daily if not hourly.
To be honest, a week ago I was skeptical. I was leaning toward the 'over-reaction crowd' as I watched other areas of the world report numbers that were relatively low. A week later I fully admit my mind has changed. I'm thankful we have health professionals that stayed on top of it and leaders that continue to keep us informed.
If there is anything that has troubled me most, it is the lack of calm. My trip to Kroger was the biggest eye-opener. Shelves being emptied and stores needing to put a limit on certain items to allow everyone a chance to buy what they need.
I believe this speaks to our lack of calm and a lack of calm traces back to a lack of peace. This is a role that the church--and you as a Christian--can jump into. It is easy to believe in a loving, sovereign God when we nonchalantly go about our day without too many serious cares in the world. It is much more difficult to be a holy witness for a loving, sovereign God when we are troubled or even panicked. It is times like these that we can be an example of someone who believes in the everlasting.
So let's be calm. Listen to our leaders. Be in prayer for the world. Help one another out as you can. Ask for help when you need it. Most of all, put your trust in a loving, sovereign God.
I am available to help as I can. Let me know what I can do.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, March 9, 2020
Have You Licked The Floor Lately?
.... if you have, it might have tasted like butter....
Hello Church,
For those of you who haven't been caught up, Emmanuel had a minor tragedy in the kitchen. The fridge broke and melted a whole bunch of butter which spilled across the floor. The troops rallied, however, and everything is cleaned up and a new fridge has been purchased.
Which leads me to this week's consideration:
It takes people to be a church
I know. I know. This isn't a grand epiphany, but one that I want to voice. The church just doesn't accidentally exist and continue to exist. The church doesn't exist just because Jesus rose from the dead. The church doesn't exist because there is a pastor employed. The church doesn't exist just because there is a building in which to meet.
The church exists because there are people who have the Faith, love the Lord, and care about one another.
I invite you into another Lenten lesson: do you take for granted that Emmanuel will always be?
Emmanuel will not always be. It will cease to exist when people stop putting their Faith and love into it. Many a church people have made the mistake of assuming their little church on the corner will always be there. Yet doors close for good every year and then people wonder why. It starts with making reckless assumptions.
How are you embracing the Faith and putting love into the church? Many thanks go to those who made a vast effort yesterday to clean up the kitchen, but please consider the motivation behind the time and energy that it took them. We need to remember it takes real effort to make the church go, from everything from a preached sermon to a functional fridge. And it takes more than 5 or 10 or even 20 people. Emmanuel needs everyone to embrace the Faith and put love into the church. This is what creates effective ministry and how love expands out from the people of the church and into the community at large.
Embrace the Faith and put your love into the church.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Hello Church,
For those of you who haven't been caught up, Emmanuel had a minor tragedy in the kitchen. The fridge broke and melted a whole bunch of butter which spilled across the floor. The troops rallied, however, and everything is cleaned up and a new fridge has been purchased.
Which leads me to this week's consideration:
It takes people to be a church
I know. I know. This isn't a grand epiphany, but one that I want to voice. The church just doesn't accidentally exist and continue to exist. The church doesn't exist just because Jesus rose from the dead. The church doesn't exist because there is a pastor employed. The church doesn't exist just because there is a building in which to meet.
The church exists because there are people who have the Faith, love the Lord, and care about one another.
I invite you into another Lenten lesson: do you take for granted that Emmanuel will always be?
Emmanuel will not always be. It will cease to exist when people stop putting their Faith and love into it. Many a church people have made the mistake of assuming their little church on the corner will always be there. Yet doors close for good every year and then people wonder why. It starts with making reckless assumptions.
How are you embracing the Faith and putting love into the church? Many thanks go to those who made a vast effort yesterday to clean up the kitchen, but please consider the motivation behind the time and energy that it took them. We need to remember it takes real effort to make the church go, from everything from a preached sermon to a functional fridge. And it takes more than 5 or 10 or even 20 people. Emmanuel needs everyone to embrace the Faith and put love into the church. This is what creates effective ministry and how love expands out from the people of the church and into the community at large.
Embrace the Faith and put your love into the church.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, March 2, 2020
The Lenten Challenge 2020
Hello Church,
I always like giving away free stuff. This is mostly because of the cynical looks I get from others. Like 'what's the catch?' Yesterday every household got a free trash bag. One person said they didn't need one. Another said, 'I don't have to wear it, do I?'. Another gave me a really ugly look as if to say, 'NOW what are you up to?'
By the end of my sermon I knew it would all make sense. It is a part of the Lenten Challenge and even if you weren't there yesterday or even if you live far, far away, you can participate too.
Lent is 40 days (not counting Sundays), between Ash Wednesday and Easter morning. Each of the 40 days you are invited to go into your closet and pick out something nice or something you like or something you would prefer to keep and put it in the bag. By the end of Lent you should have 40 items in the bag.
Bring the bag to church on Easter (April 12) and we will donate it to a place where people who could use your nice things can get them.
It is in this way that we remind ourselves that Lent is a time when we especially focus on our need for God in our lives. We wealthy people can have a difficult time getting that reminder when we have so many securities around us..... food, a roof, transportation, nice clothes, running water, etc;
If your closet is too bare, go to the kitchen or the basement or wherever you have nice things. Give something up each of the 40 days. Every time you place your item in the bag, remember your need for God in your life.
I also encourage you to make it a daily activity. Doing it daily creates a constant reminder throughout Lent. Just putting 40 items in the bag at one time is sort of missing the season-long impact of such a sacrifice.
And then, when April 12th gets here, we will be reminded again that God is indeed wanting to be a part of our lives. And we will be much more joyful than anything the 40 items can bring us.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
I always like giving away free stuff. This is mostly because of the cynical looks I get from others. Like 'what's the catch?' Yesterday every household got a free trash bag. One person said they didn't need one. Another said, 'I don't have to wear it, do I?'. Another gave me a really ugly look as if to say, 'NOW what are you up to?'
By the end of my sermon I knew it would all make sense. It is a part of the Lenten Challenge and even if you weren't there yesterday or even if you live far, far away, you can participate too.
Lent is 40 days (not counting Sundays), between Ash Wednesday and Easter morning. Each of the 40 days you are invited to go into your closet and pick out something nice or something you like or something you would prefer to keep and put it in the bag. By the end of Lent you should have 40 items in the bag.
Bring the bag to church on Easter (April 12) and we will donate it to a place where people who could use your nice things can get them.
It is in this way that we remind ourselves that Lent is a time when we especially focus on our need for God in our lives. We wealthy people can have a difficult time getting that reminder when we have so many securities around us..... food, a roof, transportation, nice clothes, running water, etc;
If your closet is too bare, go to the kitchen or the basement or wherever you have nice things. Give something up each of the 40 days. Every time you place your item in the bag, remember your need for God in your life.
I also encourage you to make it a daily activity. Doing it daily creates a constant reminder throughout Lent. Just putting 40 items in the bag at one time is sort of missing the season-long impact of such a sacrifice.
And then, when April 12th gets here, we will be reminded again that God is indeed wanting to be a part of our lives. And we will be much more joyful than anything the 40 items can bring us.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
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