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Messages from Pastor Mark Borseth
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Pastor's Update, April 2021
“Prayer- Getting Heaven to and Through Me”
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ 2He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’ Luke 11:1-4
Religion gets us to focus on getting God’s attention so we can ask him to help us accomplish our agendas. The kingdom of God gets us to invite God to accomplish his agenda in, through and around us.
Why do I pray? Do I pray because what is going on in my life does not match my desires or expectations? Or, do I pray because what is going on in my life and around me does not match God’s desires or plans for me or for his world?
My prayer should turn my attention toward God and not toward myself. At the end of my prayer, I should be more aware of God’s presence and less focused on myself.
My prayer is not about me getting greater access to God for my sake. Rather, it ought to be about God getting greater access to me for his sake and the sake of his purposes for the world.
My prayer is not to convince God to give me what I need. Rather, it is to remind myself that when I focus on him, I will always have what I need.
My prayer is not to justify my behavior. Rather, it is to honestly confess the fact that I am a sinner and ask for forgiveness. When I pray, it ought to remind me that God loves me despite my sin and doesn’t hold my sin against me, so I have no right to withhold love or forgiveness from those who sin against me.
In short, prayer ought to look and sound a lot like the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. That will be the focus of worship between Easter and Pentecost (from now until March 23).
Focus for the Season of Easter (April 4-May 23): Prayer
From Easter to Pentecost, our focus for worship and Sunday sermons will be prayer. The goal is to help us as individuals and as a congregation to enter into a deeper prayer life.
There will be various opportunities to pray at different places, different times and in different ways as we go through this series. Stay tuned for more information.
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ 2He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’ Luke 11:1-4
Religion gets us to focus on getting God’s attention so we can ask him to help us accomplish our agendas. The kingdom of God gets us to invite God to accomplish his agenda in, through and around us.
Why do I pray? Do I pray because what is going on in my life does not match my desires or expectations? Or, do I pray because what is going on in my life and around me does not match God’s desires or plans for me or for his world?
My prayer should turn my attention toward God and not toward myself. At the end of my prayer, I should be more aware of God’s presence and less focused on myself.
My prayer is not about me getting greater access to God for my sake. Rather, it ought to be about God getting greater access to me for his sake and the sake of his purposes for the world.
My prayer is not to convince God to give me what I need. Rather, it is to remind myself that when I focus on him, I will always have what I need.
My prayer is not to justify my behavior. Rather, it is to honestly confess the fact that I am a sinner and ask for forgiveness. When I pray, it ought to remind me that God loves me despite my sin and doesn’t hold my sin against me, so I have no right to withhold love or forgiveness from those who sin against me.
In short, prayer ought to look and sound a lot like the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. That will be the focus of worship between Easter and Pentecost (from now until March 23).
Focus for the Season of Easter (April 4-May 23): Prayer
From Easter to Pentecost, our focus for worship and Sunday sermons will be prayer. The goal is to help us as individuals and as a congregation to enter into a deeper prayer life.
There will be various opportunities to pray at different places, different times and in different ways as we go through this series. Stay tuned for more information.
Pastor's Update, March, 2021
“Filters or Conduits?”
Is the way I think and live limiting what God has access to do in and through me, or is it maximizing what God can do?
Filters can be very helpful in keeping undesirables out, but they can also be very harmful by keeping what is good and desirable out. When my content filter on my computer keeps out pornography and viruses, it is good. When it blocks legitimate news and allows in malware, it is harmful.
We all have filters in the way we think and see the world. Some of those filters have to do with where we grew up, or the family in which we grew up. Some have to do with our religious preferences or lack of religion. Some have to do with our who our teachers have been and the curriculum we have studied. Some have to do with our personal experiences in life. The combined effect of these filters will determine what gets access to influence our lives, and what will be kept out.
When it comes to our relationship with God, the filters we have in place have a major effect on how much God is able to work in and through our lives. If I don’t believe in God, there will be no access for God to work. If I believe my relationship with God is based on my behavior, I will allow little access to God’s grace. If I believe God is angry and punishing, I will allow little access to God’s love and joy. If I believe my faith is all about what happens after I die, I will allow little room for experiencing God’s presence or power in this life.
Much of the ministry of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit is to remove the filters that limit God’s activity in our lives so our minds will become conduits for God’s activity in and through us rather than barriers keeping that activity out.
Jesus comes to show those who think that God is distant and angry that they have a loving Father who is close and active in their lives. He comes to reveal a relationship with God based on forgiveness and grace rather than judgement and works. He comes to reveal a Father looking for children rather than a master looking for servants. He comes to reveal the kingdom of God where we are invited to join God in what he is doing in the world rather than just trying to avoid getting stained by the world so we can get to heaven.
The Holy Spirit continues this work of removing unhealthy filters as he reminds us of what Jesus has said and done, and as he continues to lead us into the fullness of who God is, who we are and what our life is all about. He continues Jesus’ work by revealing the Father more fully and filling us with gifts and love to join the Father in what he is doing.
This Lent, we are focusing on how our thought processes can be more like conduits where the activity of God can flow unhindered than like filters which keep God’s presence and activity out.
Is the way I think and live limiting what God has access to do in and through me, or is it maximizing what God can do?
Filters can be very helpful in keeping undesirables out, but they can also be very harmful by keeping what is good and desirable out. When my content filter on my computer keeps out pornography and viruses, it is good. When it blocks legitimate news and allows in malware, it is harmful.
We all have filters in the way we think and see the world. Some of those filters have to do with where we grew up, or the family in which we grew up. Some have to do with our religious preferences or lack of religion. Some have to do with our who our teachers have been and the curriculum we have studied. Some have to do with our personal experiences in life. The combined effect of these filters will determine what gets access to influence our lives, and what will be kept out.
When it comes to our relationship with God, the filters we have in place have a major effect on how much God is able to work in and through our lives. If I don’t believe in God, there will be no access for God to work. If I believe my relationship with God is based on my behavior, I will allow little access to God’s grace. If I believe God is angry and punishing, I will allow little access to God’s love and joy. If I believe my faith is all about what happens after I die, I will allow little room for experiencing God’s presence or power in this life.
Much of the ministry of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit is to remove the filters that limit God’s activity in our lives so our minds will become conduits for God’s activity in and through us rather than barriers keeping that activity out.
Jesus comes to show those who think that God is distant and angry that they have a loving Father who is close and active in their lives. He comes to reveal a relationship with God based on forgiveness and grace rather than judgement and works. He comes to reveal a Father looking for children rather than a master looking for servants. He comes to reveal the kingdom of God where we are invited to join God in what he is doing in the world rather than just trying to avoid getting stained by the world so we can get to heaven.
The Holy Spirit continues this work of removing unhealthy filters as he reminds us of what Jesus has said and done, and as he continues to lead us into the fullness of who God is, who we are and what our life is all about. He continues Jesus’ work by revealing the Father more fully and filling us with gifts and love to join the Father in what he is doing.
This Lent, we are focusing on how our thought processes can be more like conduits where the activity of God can flow unhindered than like filters which keep God’s presence and activity out.
Pastor's Message, Feb 2021
The “Kingdom of God” Way of Thinking
Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Mark 8:34-36
The Christian life is counterintuitive:
-Power is made perfect in weakness
-The greatest is the servant of all
-We find our lives by losing them
Jesus’ disciples have just figured out who he is. Peter has given the right answer – “You are the Messiah (the king!)” Knowing Jesus is Messiah causes the disciples to start coming to a certain set of understandings and expectations of what it will mean for them part of the inner circle of the Messiah. He quickly shatters those expectations as he talks about suffering and dying and as he tells them greatness in his kingdom comes from serving others rather than being served and using power to lift up others rather than have them lift you up.
His invitation to his disciples is what we will be focusing on for Ash Wednesday and on Wednesdays during Lent - “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This Lent, we are going to invite God to help us think like heaven so we can more fully enter into what God is doing in the world. We will know we are making progress when we see doing things that seem counterintuitive as being normal.
When it is normal to rejoice in weakness, to love our enemies, seek to serve rather than be served, and to find our life by losing it for the sake of loving God and our neighbor, we will be on the right track.
It is only by the work of God in our lives that we can learn to think differently, and it is only by thinking differently that we will enter fully into God’s purposes for our lives.
Join us on Wednesdays in Lent to learn how to think like the Kingdom of God!
Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Mark 8:34-36
The Christian life is counterintuitive:
-Power is made perfect in weakness
-The greatest is the servant of all
-We find our lives by losing them
Jesus’ disciples have just figured out who he is. Peter has given the right answer – “You are the Messiah (the king!)” Knowing Jesus is Messiah causes the disciples to start coming to a certain set of understandings and expectations of what it will mean for them part of the inner circle of the Messiah. He quickly shatters those expectations as he talks about suffering and dying and as he tells them greatness in his kingdom comes from serving others rather than being served and using power to lift up others rather than have them lift you up.
His invitation to his disciples is what we will be focusing on for Ash Wednesday and on Wednesdays during Lent - “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This Lent, we are going to invite God to help us think like heaven so we can more fully enter into what God is doing in the world. We will know we are making progress when we see doing things that seem counterintuitive as being normal.
When it is normal to rejoice in weakness, to love our enemies, seek to serve rather than be served, and to find our life by losing it for the sake of loving God and our neighbor, we will be on the right track.
It is only by the work of God in our lives that we can learn to think differently, and it is only by thinking differently that we will enter fully into God’s purposes for our lives.
Join us on Wednesdays in Lent to learn how to think like the Kingdom of God!
Pastor's Update, Jan 2021
“This is Just the Beginning!”
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1
For the first part of 2021, we will be turning our attention to the Gospel of Mark. We will be doing daily readings (you are invited to journal if you would like), Pastor Mark will be posting daily devotions based on the readings, and Pastor Mark will be preaching though the Gospel of Mark from the beginning of January until Easter (April 4).
Just as with Acts, the purpose is to do more than just increase our intellectual understanding of what we are reading. This journey through Mark is meant to draw us into a greater experience of and participation with the God we read of in the Bible.
The Gospel of Mark begins with these words: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus…” What we will be reading in the book of Mark is not the full story of Jesus, it is the beginning of what Jesus started 2000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. The rest of the good news of Jesus is still being experienced and lived out today in the lives of followers of Jesus.
In the beginning of the good news of Jesus, we are invited to prepare the way for Jesus to have access to our lives, to believe that God’s kingdom is breaking into the world, to change the way we think, follow Jesus, and to be ready for him to baptize us in the Holy Spirit. That is just the first chapter of Mark, and is only the beginning of our journey with Jesus.
You are invited to immerse yourself fully into this journey through Mark. Read each day, journal your prayers and conversations with God each day, read Pastor Mark’s devotions each day, and hear the sermon based on the week’s readings each Sunday. The hope is that you will come out of this journey with a greater intellectual understanding of this book of the Bible, but also that you will find yourself more fully living out the rest of the good news of Jesus as he is given full access to your daily life.
If you would like a Scripture Journal for Mark (one page is scripture and each opposite page is blank journal paper), pick one up at church or have Pastor Mark deliver one to you. There is a suggested donation of $3 per journal. At that price, get some for your friends and family as well!
Mark Readings for January:
Jan 4 Mark 1:1-8
Jan 5 Mark 1:9-12
Jan 6 Mark 1:14-15
Jan 7 Mark 1:16-20
Jan 8 Mark 1:21-28
Jan 9 Mark 1:29-39
Jan 10 Mark 1:40-45
Jan 11 Mark 2:1-5
Jan 12 Mark 2:6-12
Jan 13 Mark 2:13-14
Jan 14 Mark 2:15-17
Jan 15 Mark 2:18-20
Jan 16 Mark 2:21-22
Jan 17 Mark 2:23-27
Jan 18 Mark 3:1-6
Jan 19 Mark 3:6-12
Jan 20 Mark 3:13-19
Jan 21 Mark 3:20-22
Jan 22 Mark 3:23-27
Jan 23 Mark 3:28-30
Jan 24 Mark 3:31-35
Jan 25 Mark 4:1-9
Jan 26 Mark 4:10-20
Jan 27 Mark 4:21-25
Jan 28 Mark 4:26-29
Jan 29 Mark 4:30-34
Jan 30 Mark 4:35-38
Jan 31 Mark 4:39-41
Prayer Vigil to End 2020 and Begin 2021 – Noon on December 31-Noon on January 3
2020 has been a challenging year for many of us, to say the least. Many of us are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and get into 2021. Some of us are optimistic it will be better in 2021, but some of us have much lower expectations. How can we end 2020 well and begin 2021 the same way? Let’s turn to God in prayer for ourselves, our church, our nation and the world. You are invited to join 72 hours of prayer from Noon on December 31 until Noon on Sunday, January 3. Here are the specifics:
Take 5 for Prayer at the Hours which Correspond to Your Birth Month – from Noon on December 31 until Noon on January 3, take 5 minutes or more to pray at each hour corresponding to your birth month (for example – Pastor Mark’s birthday is in May, so he will pray for 5 or more minutes at 5 AM and 5 PM)
Noon December 31- Noon January 1 – PAST - Pray to let go of the brokenness of 2020
Noon January 1 – Noon January 2 – PRESENT - Pray to fully engage what God has prepared for you in 2021
Noon January 2- Noon January 3 – FUTURE – Pray for yourself, your loved ones, your church and your country to fully move into the future God has prepared.
Sunday Worship Focused on Prayer – Sunday, January 3 at 10:15 – We will bring our 72 hours of prayer to an end as we gather for a Prayer Service to begin the New Year.
Epiphany Party – 5-7pm on Wednesday, January 6
Epiphany is the day we remember the revealing of Jesus to the Magi who had traveled from the East. We want to celebrate by gathering around a firepit on the church parking lot for food (hot dogs will be supplied, bring pre-packaged items to share), fellowship, prayer and Holy Communion. Bring a lawn chair and individually wrapped food to share (if you wish). May you begin 2021 with your own Epiphany through which you come to know Jesus in ways you have never known him.
(If you want to bring a broken branch from the ice storm to burn in the fire as we let go of 2020 and move into 2021, please do so!)
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1
For the first part of 2021, we will be turning our attention to the Gospel of Mark. We will be doing daily readings (you are invited to journal if you would like), Pastor Mark will be posting daily devotions based on the readings, and Pastor Mark will be preaching though the Gospel of Mark from the beginning of January until Easter (April 4).
Just as with Acts, the purpose is to do more than just increase our intellectual understanding of what we are reading. This journey through Mark is meant to draw us into a greater experience of and participation with the God we read of in the Bible.
The Gospel of Mark begins with these words: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus…” What we will be reading in the book of Mark is not the full story of Jesus, it is the beginning of what Jesus started 2000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. The rest of the good news of Jesus is still being experienced and lived out today in the lives of followers of Jesus.
In the beginning of the good news of Jesus, we are invited to prepare the way for Jesus to have access to our lives, to believe that God’s kingdom is breaking into the world, to change the way we think, follow Jesus, and to be ready for him to baptize us in the Holy Spirit. That is just the first chapter of Mark, and is only the beginning of our journey with Jesus.
You are invited to immerse yourself fully into this journey through Mark. Read each day, journal your prayers and conversations with God each day, read Pastor Mark’s devotions each day, and hear the sermon based on the week’s readings each Sunday. The hope is that you will come out of this journey with a greater intellectual understanding of this book of the Bible, but also that you will find yourself more fully living out the rest of the good news of Jesus as he is given full access to your daily life.
If you would like a Scripture Journal for Mark (one page is scripture and each opposite page is blank journal paper), pick one up at church or have Pastor Mark deliver one to you. There is a suggested donation of $3 per journal. At that price, get some for your friends and family as well!
Mark Readings for January:
Jan 4 Mark 1:1-8
Jan 5 Mark 1:9-12
Jan 6 Mark 1:14-15
Jan 7 Mark 1:16-20
Jan 8 Mark 1:21-28
Jan 9 Mark 1:29-39
Jan 10 Mark 1:40-45
Jan 11 Mark 2:1-5
Jan 12 Mark 2:6-12
Jan 13 Mark 2:13-14
Jan 14 Mark 2:15-17
Jan 15 Mark 2:18-20
Jan 16 Mark 2:21-22
Jan 17 Mark 2:23-27
Jan 18 Mark 3:1-6
Jan 19 Mark 3:6-12
Jan 20 Mark 3:13-19
Jan 21 Mark 3:20-22
Jan 22 Mark 3:23-27
Jan 23 Mark 3:28-30
Jan 24 Mark 3:31-35
Jan 25 Mark 4:1-9
Jan 26 Mark 4:10-20
Jan 27 Mark 4:21-25
Jan 28 Mark 4:26-29
Jan 29 Mark 4:30-34
Jan 30 Mark 4:35-38
Jan 31 Mark 4:39-41
Prayer Vigil to End 2020 and Begin 2021 – Noon on December 31-Noon on January 3
2020 has been a challenging year for many of us, to say the least. Many of us are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and get into 2021. Some of us are optimistic it will be better in 2021, but some of us have much lower expectations. How can we end 2020 well and begin 2021 the same way? Let’s turn to God in prayer for ourselves, our church, our nation and the world. You are invited to join 72 hours of prayer from Noon on December 31 until Noon on Sunday, January 3. Here are the specifics:
Take 5 for Prayer at the Hours which Correspond to Your Birth Month – from Noon on December 31 until Noon on January 3, take 5 minutes or more to pray at each hour corresponding to your birth month (for example – Pastor Mark’s birthday is in May, so he will pray for 5 or more minutes at 5 AM and 5 PM)
Noon December 31- Noon January 1 – PAST - Pray to let go of the brokenness of 2020
Noon January 1 – Noon January 2 – PRESENT - Pray to fully engage what God has prepared for you in 2021
Noon January 2- Noon January 3 – FUTURE – Pray for yourself, your loved ones, your church and your country to fully move into the future God has prepared.
Sunday Worship Focused on Prayer – Sunday, January 3 at 10:15 – We will bring our 72 hours of prayer to an end as we gather for a Prayer Service to begin the New Year.
Epiphany Party – 5-7pm on Wednesday, January 6
Epiphany is the day we remember the revealing of Jesus to the Magi who had traveled from the East. We want to celebrate by gathering around a firepit on the church parking lot for food (hot dogs will be supplied, bring pre-packaged items to share), fellowship, prayer and Holy Communion. Bring a lawn chair and individually wrapped food to share (if you wish). May you begin 2021 with your own Epiphany through which you come to know Jesus in ways you have never known him.
(If you want to bring a broken branch from the ice storm to burn in the fire as we let go of 2020 and move into 2021, please do so!)
Pastor's Update, Dec 2020
"The Word Becoming Flesh”
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
The message of Christmas is not that God has given us instructions to escape the world of flesh and blood to find our way to some spiritual dimension where he is. Rather, the message is that God entered into the world of flesh and blood to find us where we are at.
What if the written Word is not just giving us information to help us escape this world and get to heaven? What if it is meant to bring us into an encounter with God where heaven meets us here?
From January through Easter, we will be journeying through the Gospel of Mark. What will the purpose of this journey be? Just to gain intellectual understanding of a person who lived 2000 years ago? That is part of it, but there is more. It will also be an opportunity start encountering the Jesus we are introduced to in Mark’s gospel who is just as alive now as he was then.
About a year ago, I started reading a chapter from the Bible every day and taking time to journal my thoughts, my prayers and what I have been hearing from God. At first, it was mostly jotting down insights and intellectual reflections. Then, as time went on, I was writing more of what was on my heart and my conversation directed toward God. Finally, in the past couple of months, I have seen much of my journaling to be what I hear God saying back to me. Reading the Bible and journaling has revitalized my connection with God’s presence and my ability to hear his voice.
We will be ordering scripture journals for the Gospel of Mark which have readings on one page, and blank journal paper on the opposite page. You don’t need to order a journal to participate. You can use your own Bible and your own paper, but the cost to get a journal is pretty cheap. For a donation of $3 or more, you can get a journal. At that price, you can get some to share with your family and friends and invite them to join you in your journey through Mark.
If you would like a journal (or several of them), let Pastor Mark know by December 13. He will be ordering them on December 14. If you come to church, you can pick up your journals there. If you are not able to come to church because of Covid, Pastor Mark will deliver (if you are in the Yukon area).
May you experience what I have been experiencing as you read the Bible and take time to journal your thoughts, prayers and what you hear God saying to you. May the written Word become the living word, meeting you where you are in 2021.
Fellowship and Prayer
We have had some wonderful times of fellowship, prayer and Holy Communion in peoples’ yards and driveways and at restaurants with outdoor seating, but now that the weather is colder, we need to be more creative to meet in ways which make social distancing possible. Let Pastor Mark know if you have any ideas or would like to host a gathering. More info will be coming later.
Visits
Pastor Mark would love to visit you if you would like a socially distanced visit. Maybe in your yard or on your patio. Maybe in your house socially distanced. Maybe at a coffee shop or at the park. Let him know if you would like a visit.
Bible Study
For more information about plans for Advent and for early 2021, please see the Bible Studies section.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
The message of Christmas is not that God has given us instructions to escape the world of flesh and blood to find our way to some spiritual dimension where he is. Rather, the message is that God entered into the world of flesh and blood to find us where we are at.
What if the written Word is not just giving us information to help us escape this world and get to heaven? What if it is meant to bring us into an encounter with God where heaven meets us here?
From January through Easter, we will be journeying through the Gospel of Mark. What will the purpose of this journey be? Just to gain intellectual understanding of a person who lived 2000 years ago? That is part of it, but there is more. It will also be an opportunity start encountering the Jesus we are introduced to in Mark’s gospel who is just as alive now as he was then.
About a year ago, I started reading a chapter from the Bible every day and taking time to journal my thoughts, my prayers and what I have been hearing from God. At first, it was mostly jotting down insights and intellectual reflections. Then, as time went on, I was writing more of what was on my heart and my conversation directed toward God. Finally, in the past couple of months, I have seen much of my journaling to be what I hear God saying back to me. Reading the Bible and journaling has revitalized my connection with God’s presence and my ability to hear his voice.
We will be ordering scripture journals for the Gospel of Mark which have readings on one page, and blank journal paper on the opposite page. You don’t need to order a journal to participate. You can use your own Bible and your own paper, but the cost to get a journal is pretty cheap. For a donation of $3 or more, you can get a journal. At that price, you can get some to share with your family and friends and invite them to join you in your journey through Mark.
If you would like a journal (or several of them), let Pastor Mark know by December 13. He will be ordering them on December 14. If you come to church, you can pick up your journals there. If you are not able to come to church because of Covid, Pastor Mark will deliver (if you are in the Yukon area).
May you experience what I have been experiencing as you read the Bible and take time to journal your thoughts, prayers and what you hear God saying to you. May the written Word become the living word, meeting you where you are in 2021.
Fellowship and Prayer
We have had some wonderful times of fellowship, prayer and Holy Communion in peoples’ yards and driveways and at restaurants with outdoor seating, but now that the weather is colder, we need to be more creative to meet in ways which make social distancing possible. Let Pastor Mark know if you have any ideas or would like to host a gathering. More info will be coming later.
Visits
Pastor Mark would love to visit you if you would like a socially distanced visit. Maybe in your yard or on your patio. Maybe in your house socially distanced. Maybe at a coffee shop or at the park. Let him know if you would like a visit.
Bible Study
For more information about plans for Advent and for early 2021, please see the Bible Studies section.
Pastor's Update, Nov 2020
“Acts 29”
We have been going through the book of Acts for the last several months, so will it make any difference to us individually and as a church to have made that journey once we are done?
Acts begins in chapter 1 with the promise of the Holy Spirit coming to empower the group gathered in Jerusalem so they can be empowered to be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Acts 28 shows Paul in Rome after the good news of Jesus has been spread throughout that whole part of the world. So, if there were a chapter 29, what would it look like?
I hope we don’t just tuck away our journey through Acts as some new intellectual understanding and leave Acts the same way we were when we began the journey. I hope we leave with a hunger to have God write Acts 29 and beyond in and through us. I hope we seek to have the same encounter with the Holy Spirit the original 120 had, and I hope we make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to change the world the way he worked in and through that small group in Acts.
What about you? Is church a place you learn the right head knowledge and everything you need to do to go to heaven when you die, or is it a place you encounter heaven and enter into experiential knowledge of God as he works through you to better love and serve your neighbor?
My focus for the end of 2020 and into 2021 will be giving God access to write Acts 29 and beyond in and through us as individuals and as a congregation. May you join us on an uncharted journey into true Christian fellowship, intimacy with God, experience with the Holy Spirit, and a life which takes normal, everyday people and uses them to turn the world upside down.
Acts 29 Blessing and Commissioning: Sunday, November 22
The week after we finish going through the book of Acts on November 15, we will focus our Sunday service on what it would look like to live out the ongoing book of Acts in our lives, church and community. We will be doing a commissioning and blessing of those who want a greater experience of the Holy Spirit’s activity in their lives.
We have been going through the book of Acts for the last several months, so will it make any difference to us individually and as a church to have made that journey once we are done?
Acts begins in chapter 1 with the promise of the Holy Spirit coming to empower the group gathered in Jerusalem so they can be empowered to be witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Acts 28 shows Paul in Rome after the good news of Jesus has been spread throughout that whole part of the world. So, if there were a chapter 29, what would it look like?
I hope we don’t just tuck away our journey through Acts as some new intellectual understanding and leave Acts the same way we were when we began the journey. I hope we leave with a hunger to have God write Acts 29 and beyond in and through us. I hope we seek to have the same encounter with the Holy Spirit the original 120 had, and I hope we make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to change the world the way he worked in and through that small group in Acts.
What about you? Is church a place you learn the right head knowledge and everything you need to do to go to heaven when you die, or is it a place you encounter heaven and enter into experiential knowledge of God as he works through you to better love and serve your neighbor?
My focus for the end of 2020 and into 2021 will be giving God access to write Acts 29 and beyond in and through us as individuals and as a congregation. May you join us on an uncharted journey into true Christian fellowship, intimacy with God, experience with the Holy Spirit, and a life which takes normal, everyday people and uses them to turn the world upside down.
Acts 29 Blessing and Commissioning: Sunday, November 22
The week after we finish going through the book of Acts on November 15, we will focus our Sunday service on what it would look like to live out the ongoing book of Acts in our lives, church and community. We will be doing a commissioning and blessing of those who want a greater experience of the Holy Spirit’s activity in their lives.
Pastor's Update, Nov 4, 2020
Turn in Ballots from Congregational Meeting By Friday, November 6.
If you still haven’t turned in your ballot for our congregational meeting, please do so by November 6. Ballots will be counted on November 13.
Pumpkins Still available: Buy one Get One Free
Resurrection Lutheran Church Youth Group Pumpkin Patch has a lot of beautiful pumpkins and gourds left for fall decorating.
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!! Please help support our youth!
Fellowship, Prayer & Holy Communion: Wednesday, November 4, at 7pm at Marvin & Byrona’s (6409 Sandalwood Dr in OKC)
Join us for fellowship, prayer and Holy Communion in Marvin & Byrona’s yard on Wednesday night at 7 pm. Bring a lawn chair. We will be socially distancing.
Family Hayride & Treats: Saturday, November 7, at 6pm at the Hortons–-Postponed
The Hayride scheduled for Saturday has been postponed since Hortons still don’t have electricity or water. We are looking at rescheduling.
Sunday Schedule
-Worship at 10:15 at church or streamed on Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live/
-Prayer at 11:30 via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Birthday Party for Martin Luther: Sunday, November 8, at 3pm at Fassler Hall
Are you looking for socially distanced fellowship? What better option than joining us for a birthday party for Martin Luther (he would turn 537 on November 10)? We will meet at Fassler Hall, a German Restaurant/Beer Hall just east of St Anthony Hospital (421 NW 10th St in OKC) at 3pm. We will meet outside on their patio to assist in social distancing. Feel free to order food or drinks. We will have cupcakes to celebrate Martin’s birthday.
Acts Readings
November 4 – Acts 27:9-12; November 5 – Acts 27:13-20; November 6 – Acts 27:21-26; November 7 – Acts 27:27-32; Sunday, November 8 – Acts 27:33-44; November 9 – Acts 28:1-6; November 10 – Acts 28:7-10; November 11 – Acts 28:11-16; November 12 – Acts 28:17-20; November 13 – Acts 28:21-22; November 14 – Acts28:23-24; Sunday, November 15 – Acts 28:25-31
If you still haven’t turned in your ballot for our congregational meeting, please do so by November 6. Ballots will be counted on November 13.
Pumpkins Still available: Buy one Get One Free
Resurrection Lutheran Church Youth Group Pumpkin Patch has a lot of beautiful pumpkins and gourds left for fall decorating.
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!! Please help support our youth!
Fellowship, Prayer & Holy Communion: Wednesday, November 4, at 7pm at Marvin & Byrona’s (6409 Sandalwood Dr in OKC)
Join us for fellowship, prayer and Holy Communion in Marvin & Byrona’s yard on Wednesday night at 7 pm. Bring a lawn chair. We will be socially distancing.
Family Hayride & Treats: Saturday, November 7, at 6pm at the Hortons–-Postponed
The Hayride scheduled for Saturday has been postponed since Hortons still don’t have electricity or water. We are looking at rescheduling.
Sunday Schedule
-Worship at 10:15 at church or streamed on Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live/
-Prayer at 11:30 via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Birthday Party for Martin Luther: Sunday, November 8, at 3pm at Fassler Hall
Are you looking for socially distanced fellowship? What better option than joining us for a birthday party for Martin Luther (he would turn 537 on November 10)? We will meet at Fassler Hall, a German Restaurant/Beer Hall just east of St Anthony Hospital (421 NW 10th St in OKC) at 3pm. We will meet outside on their patio to assist in social distancing. Feel free to order food or drinks. We will have cupcakes to celebrate Martin’s birthday.
Acts Readings
November 4 – Acts 27:9-12; November 5 – Acts 27:13-20; November 6 – Acts 27:21-26; November 7 – Acts 27:27-32; Sunday, November 8 – Acts 27:33-44; November 9 – Acts 28:1-6; November 10 – Acts 28:7-10; November 11 – Acts 28:11-16; November 12 – Acts 28:17-20; November 13 – Acts 28:21-22; November 14 – Acts28:23-24; Sunday, November 15 – Acts 28:25-31
Pastor's Update, Oct 2020
“Open on the God-ward Side”
J.B. Phillips, British Bible scholar, speaks of his experience with the book of Acts in the following quote (bold italics mine):
“The newborn Church, as vulnerable as any human child, having neither money, influence nor power in the ordinary sense, is setting forth joyfully and courageously to win the pagan world for God through Christ…. Yet we cannot help feeling disturbed as well as moved, for this surely is the Church as it was meant to be. It is vigorous and flexible, for these are the days before it ever became fat and short of breath through prosperity, or muscle-bound by overorganization. These men did not make ‘acts of faith,’ they believed; they did not ‘say their prayers,’ they really prayed. They did not hold conferences on psychosomatic medicine, they simply healed the sick. But if they were uncomplicated and naive by modern standards, we have ruefully to admit that they were open on the God-ward side in a way that is almost unknown today.”
As I move into the last decade or so of my ministry career, I am asking some significant questions about what I want this stage of my ministry to look like. What is my primary goal for the years ahead? Is it to be the best preacher? That would be wonderful, but that is not it. Is it to build the biggest church? That would be exciting, but that is not the answer either. What I want to define this stage of ministry is simply this-- to be open on the God-ward side in a way that makes me available for God to do everything in and through me he wants to do.
As our society moves to be more and more secular, looking for humanistic answers to problems rather than to God, what I think the world needs the church to offer is a fresh invitation to learn how to be open on the God-ward side.
Much of my ministry training and experience has caused me to be more focused on the human-ward side, focusing on my efforts and my agendas toward human resources and activities rather than on God’s presence and God’s power. I have been trained to be a more polished preacher, the purveyor of the latest programs, the effective church CEO, the one who impresses people with my religious knowledge, but I have little training or experience with being someone who lives constantly aware of and engaged with God’s presence and power and, by living in that reality myself, helps others to have that same perspective and experience.
What I want is more than a new theological insight or a new program to focus on in the latter part of my ministry career. What I want is a new paradigm for life and ministry which will help me live “open on the God-ward side” with the effect of helping others do the same.
What might that look like?
*More time in prayer, and less time busy doing the work of ministry
*More time joining Jesus in what he is doing in the world, and less time in my office
*More risk-taking as I practice hearing God’s voice and doing what he is calling me to do
*More mentoring people to have the relationship I have with God and less teaching people to have the intellectual knowledge I have about God
I want to engineer a lifestyle and schedule that will help me live in this new paradigm. Will people like my new priorities? Maybe, but maybe not. After all, most church members have been raised in a paradigm defined by being focused on the human-ward side--using human effort to keep humans pleased--rather than the God-ward side--experiencing God’s presence and activity to live a life pleasing to God.
Pray for me as I seek this new paradigm, and pray about whether you want me to help you to start living according to that same paradigm--open on the God-ward side.
J.B. Phillips, British Bible scholar, speaks of his experience with the book of Acts in the following quote (bold italics mine):
“The newborn Church, as vulnerable as any human child, having neither money, influence nor power in the ordinary sense, is setting forth joyfully and courageously to win the pagan world for God through Christ…. Yet we cannot help feeling disturbed as well as moved, for this surely is the Church as it was meant to be. It is vigorous and flexible, for these are the days before it ever became fat and short of breath through prosperity, or muscle-bound by overorganization. These men did not make ‘acts of faith,’ they believed; they did not ‘say their prayers,’ they really prayed. They did not hold conferences on psychosomatic medicine, they simply healed the sick. But if they were uncomplicated and naive by modern standards, we have ruefully to admit that they were open on the God-ward side in a way that is almost unknown today.”
As I move into the last decade or so of my ministry career, I am asking some significant questions about what I want this stage of my ministry to look like. What is my primary goal for the years ahead? Is it to be the best preacher? That would be wonderful, but that is not it. Is it to build the biggest church? That would be exciting, but that is not the answer either. What I want to define this stage of ministry is simply this-- to be open on the God-ward side in a way that makes me available for God to do everything in and through me he wants to do.
As our society moves to be more and more secular, looking for humanistic answers to problems rather than to God, what I think the world needs the church to offer is a fresh invitation to learn how to be open on the God-ward side.
Much of my ministry training and experience has caused me to be more focused on the human-ward side, focusing on my efforts and my agendas toward human resources and activities rather than on God’s presence and God’s power. I have been trained to be a more polished preacher, the purveyor of the latest programs, the effective church CEO, the one who impresses people with my religious knowledge, but I have little training or experience with being someone who lives constantly aware of and engaged with God’s presence and power and, by living in that reality myself, helps others to have that same perspective and experience.
What I want is more than a new theological insight or a new program to focus on in the latter part of my ministry career. What I want is a new paradigm for life and ministry which will help me live “open on the God-ward side” with the effect of helping others do the same.
What might that look like?
*More time in prayer, and less time busy doing the work of ministry
*More time joining Jesus in what he is doing in the world, and less time in my office
*More risk-taking as I practice hearing God’s voice and doing what he is calling me to do
*More mentoring people to have the relationship I have with God and less teaching people to have the intellectual knowledge I have about God
I want to engineer a lifestyle and schedule that will help me live in this new paradigm. Will people like my new priorities? Maybe, but maybe not. After all, most church members have been raised in a paradigm defined by being focused on the human-ward side--using human effort to keep humans pleased--rather than the God-ward side--experiencing God’s presence and activity to live a life pleasing to God.
Pray for me as I seek this new paradigm, and pray about whether you want me to help you to start living according to that same paradigm--open on the God-ward side.
Pastor's Update, September 2020
“Who Will Surround You When You Fall?”
19But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. Acts 14:19-20
One of the most insidious things about our current Covid-19 pandemic is its ability to destroy community. Keeping isolated, keeping distant, not being able to see the faces of those around us, steals away one of the greatest gifts God intends us to have–-community. So much of what God wants to do in our lives is meant to happen in the context of community and not just happen to us individually.
In Acts 14, the Apostle Paul has just healed a man who was never able to walk in a place called Lystra. At first, the locals are amazed and see Paul and Barnabas as gods and want to burn sacrifices to them. But that all changes quickly when troublemakers come in and turn the crowd against them. The ones who had just been worshiped as gods are now being persecuted. Paul will be stoned to the point that the people who carry his body out of town think they are carrying a dead body. Some commentators even suggest Paul did die in the stoning. In any event, he is not likely to be getting up and walking away soon.
This could be the end for Paul, dead on the ground in what would be modern-day Turkey. But it is not the end. Why? Because he in not alone. His friends surround him (I assume in prayer), and this dead or mostly-dead guy gets up and walks away with them. What would have happened if he didn’t have that community to surround him?
I tend to be an introvert, but I have discovered I need to have a community of faith around me. I am thankful for the times I have been surrounded in love and prayer when I have fallen. In those times, it would have been easy to stay on the ground and give up, but the prayers and love of the community got me on my feet and back into God’s plans for my life.
Do you have anyone who you know would surround you with love and prayer if you were to fall? If the answer is “Yes,” take time to thank God for those people. If the answer is “No,” make it your highest priority to find such a community of faith. If you can’t find an existing group like that, start inviting people one at a time to form such a community.
I am thankful for a group of 4 pastors in Yukon who form such a group for me. Did that group just happen? No, I invited them one by one to join me. They said “Yes,” and now all of us are blessed. We know if we fall, we be surrounded in love and prayer, and we won’t be left behind dying on the ground. We will be picked up and put back into the fullness of God’s plans for our lives!
Building Community at the Most Unlikely (but Most Needed) Time
It seems odd to focus on building community during this pandemic, but this may be the most important time ever to make it a priority.
So often, we think church community is what happens at the church building on Sunday morning. That is part of Christian community, but that is not where we are going to be able to build community during this time. So, if we are not building Sunday morning community at church, what kind of community are we going to build? It is time to build community in our neighborhoods, workplaces and schools. Some members of these communities may be members of our church, but many will be members of other churches or have no church at all. Yet, now is exactly the time all of us need communities like this.
The Invitation:
Your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to intentionally gather a community around you during this time of Covid-19. It may be your neighbors, it may be your coworkers, it may be your classmates, it may be other members of RLC.
Suggestions:
1.Invite neighbors to bring lawn chairs and gather in your front driveway. Maybe light a fire in a firepit. Maybe have a cooler full of drinks set out. Maybe have everyone bring their own refreshments. Maybe invite some people from church to join you so they and your neighbors can meet each other.
2.Invite coworkers or classmates to go to the coffee shop or to have an appetizer or drink on the patio of a restaurant. Maybe invite people from church to join you so they and your coworkers or classmates can meet.
Agenda for your time together:
There is no agenda other than this:
What if you are nervous?
Consider inviting someone else from church to be there with you. Maybe invite Pastor Mark to join you so he can meet your neighbors or coworkers. He would be glad to ask if people have things they want prayer for. Then, you can do it the next time you get together.
What if we measured our church attendance not just by who comes to church each week, but by how many people we intentionally gather with during the week for fellowship, encouragement and prayer? Let’s start aiming to impact hundreds or even thousands each week as the congregation of RLC!
19But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. Acts 14:19-20
One of the most insidious things about our current Covid-19 pandemic is its ability to destroy community. Keeping isolated, keeping distant, not being able to see the faces of those around us, steals away one of the greatest gifts God intends us to have–-community. So much of what God wants to do in our lives is meant to happen in the context of community and not just happen to us individually.
In Acts 14, the Apostle Paul has just healed a man who was never able to walk in a place called Lystra. At first, the locals are amazed and see Paul and Barnabas as gods and want to burn sacrifices to them. But that all changes quickly when troublemakers come in and turn the crowd against them. The ones who had just been worshiped as gods are now being persecuted. Paul will be stoned to the point that the people who carry his body out of town think they are carrying a dead body. Some commentators even suggest Paul did die in the stoning. In any event, he is not likely to be getting up and walking away soon.
This could be the end for Paul, dead on the ground in what would be modern-day Turkey. But it is not the end. Why? Because he in not alone. His friends surround him (I assume in prayer), and this dead or mostly-dead guy gets up and walks away with them. What would have happened if he didn’t have that community to surround him?
I tend to be an introvert, but I have discovered I need to have a community of faith around me. I am thankful for the times I have been surrounded in love and prayer when I have fallen. In those times, it would have been easy to stay on the ground and give up, but the prayers and love of the community got me on my feet and back into God’s plans for my life.
Do you have anyone who you know would surround you with love and prayer if you were to fall? If the answer is “Yes,” take time to thank God for those people. If the answer is “No,” make it your highest priority to find such a community of faith. If you can’t find an existing group like that, start inviting people one at a time to form such a community.
I am thankful for a group of 4 pastors in Yukon who form such a group for me. Did that group just happen? No, I invited them one by one to join me. They said “Yes,” and now all of us are blessed. We know if we fall, we be surrounded in love and prayer, and we won’t be left behind dying on the ground. We will be picked up and put back into the fullness of God’s plans for our lives!
Building Community at the Most Unlikely (but Most Needed) Time
It seems odd to focus on building community during this pandemic, but this may be the most important time ever to make it a priority.
So often, we think church community is what happens at the church building on Sunday morning. That is part of Christian community, but that is not where we are going to be able to build community during this time. So, if we are not building Sunday morning community at church, what kind of community are we going to build? It is time to build community in our neighborhoods, workplaces and schools. Some members of these communities may be members of our church, but many will be members of other churches or have no church at all. Yet, now is exactly the time all of us need communities like this.
The Invitation:
Your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to intentionally gather a community around you during this time of Covid-19. It may be your neighbors, it may be your coworkers, it may be your classmates, it may be other members of RLC.
Suggestions:
1.Invite neighbors to bring lawn chairs and gather in your front driveway. Maybe light a fire in a firepit. Maybe have a cooler full of drinks set out. Maybe have everyone bring their own refreshments. Maybe invite some people from church to join you so they and your neighbors can meet each other.
2.Invite coworkers or classmates to go to the coffee shop or to have an appetizer or drink on the patio of a restaurant. Maybe invite people from church to join you so they and your coworkers or classmates can meet.
Agenda for your time together:
There is no agenda other than this:
- Enjoy being together
- Ask how the others are doing
- Ask if you can be praying for anything for them
- If you are brave enough, pray aloud. If not, pray for their requests later
What if you are nervous?
Consider inviting someone else from church to be there with you. Maybe invite Pastor Mark to join you so he can meet your neighbors or coworkers. He would be glad to ask if people have things they want prayer for. Then, you can do it the next time you get together.
What if we measured our church attendance not just by who comes to church each week, but by how many people we intentionally gather with during the week for fellowship, encouragement and prayer? Let’s start aiming to impact hundreds or even thousands each week as the congregation of RLC!
We publish the last six months of Pastor Mark's messages here. For older messages, please refer to the newsletters.