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Messages from Pastor Mark Borseth
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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!
Pastor's Update, July 31, 2020
Update on Borseth Family
Thanks for your prayers and for the cards, prayers and food during our quarantine. Nathan is better. Betsy got out of the hospital Thursday, but will need to remain in quarantine another week. Pray for Pastor Mark. He has had some minimal symptoms so he is awaiting the results of a COVID test.
Drive-Thru on Saturday, August 1 from 11:30-12:30
Come to the portico on the west side of the church to pick up Holy Communion and drop off offering and/or prayer requests.
Worship on Sunday, August 2 On-line Only
With Pastor and family quarantined, we will have at least one more Sunday without live worship in the church building. We will let you know if worship will resume in the building on August 9.
Check-in and Prayer will follow at 11:30 on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Acts Readings
Pastor Mark will be posting devotions based on these readings each day on the church Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/?ref=page_internal
July 29 – Acts 11:15-18
July 30 – Acts 11:19-21
July 31 – Acts 11:22-24
August 1 – Acts 11:25-26
Sunday, August 2 – Acts 11:27-30
August 3 – Acts 12:1-5
August 4 – Acts 12:6-10
August 5 – Acts 12:11-17
August 6 – Acts 12:18
August 7 – Acts 12:19-20
August 8 – Acts 12:21-23
Sunday, August 9 – Acts 12:24-25
Thanks for Your Giving
We have been starting off each month strong during this time of COVID. Let’s do it once again in August.
Thanks!
Thanks for your prayers and for the cards, prayers and food during our quarantine. Nathan is better. Betsy got out of the hospital Thursday, but will need to remain in quarantine another week. Pray for Pastor Mark. He has had some minimal symptoms so he is awaiting the results of a COVID test.
Drive-Thru on Saturday, August 1 from 11:30-12:30
Come to the portico on the west side of the church to pick up Holy Communion and drop off offering and/or prayer requests.
Worship on Sunday, August 2 On-line Only
With Pastor and family quarantined, we will have at least one more Sunday without live worship in the church building. We will let you know if worship will resume in the building on August 9.
Check-in and Prayer will follow at 11:30 on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Acts Readings
Pastor Mark will be posting devotions based on these readings each day on the church Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/?ref=page_internal
July 29 – Acts 11:15-18
July 30 – Acts 11:19-21
July 31 – Acts 11:22-24
August 1 – Acts 11:25-26
Sunday, August 2 – Acts 11:27-30
August 3 – Acts 12:1-5
August 4 – Acts 12:6-10
August 5 – Acts 12:11-17
August 6 – Acts 12:18
August 7 – Acts 12:19-20
August 8 – Acts 12:21-23
Sunday, August 9 – Acts 12:24-25
Thanks for Your Giving
We have been starting off each month strong during this time of COVID. Let’s do it once again in August.
Thanks!
Pastor's Update, July 22, 2020
We will not be worshiping in the church the next two weekends, July 26 & August 2.
We will be streaming worship services at 10:15 on both of those days via Facebook Live. Betsy and Nathan Borseth tested positive for COVID-19 and the whole family is in quarantine. Pastor Mark is working at home and will be recording sections of the worship at home.
Drive-Thru Greeting, Saturday, August 1 from 11:30am-12:30pm
Pick up communion, drop off prayer requests and offerings.
Reentry Series on Facebook Live – Tonight (Wednesday) at 7 pm
https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live/
No discussion or prayer on Zoom tonight at 7:30. We will resume in future weeks if there is an interest to do so.
Sunday Worship
On Facebook Live (no live worship at church) at 10:15 AM. https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live/
Prayer and check-in after worship via Zoom at 11:30 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Acts Readings
Devotions posted each day by Pastor Mark on Facebook.
July 22: Acts 10:19-23
July 23: Acts 10:23-29
July 24: Acts 10:30-33
July 25: Acts 10:34-43
Sunday, July 26: Acts 10:44-48 (Sermon Acts 10)
July 27: Acts 11:1-3
July 28: Acts 11:4-14
July 29: Acts 11:15-18
July 30: Acts 11:19-21
July 31: Acts 11:22-24
August 1: Acts 11:25-26
Sunday, August 2: Acts 11:27-30 (sermon Acts 11)
We will be streaming worship services at 10:15 on both of those days via Facebook Live. Betsy and Nathan Borseth tested positive for COVID-19 and the whole family is in quarantine. Pastor Mark is working at home and will be recording sections of the worship at home.
Drive-Thru Greeting, Saturday, August 1 from 11:30am-12:30pm
Pick up communion, drop off prayer requests and offerings.
Reentry Series on Facebook Live – Tonight (Wednesday) at 7 pm
https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live/
No discussion or prayer on Zoom tonight at 7:30. We will resume in future weeks if there is an interest to do so.
Sunday Worship
On Facebook Live (no live worship at church) at 10:15 AM. https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live/
Prayer and check-in after worship via Zoom at 11:30 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Acts Readings
Devotions posted each day by Pastor Mark on Facebook.
July 22: Acts 10:19-23
July 23: Acts 10:23-29
July 24: Acts 10:30-33
July 25: Acts 10:34-43
Sunday, July 26: Acts 10:44-48 (Sermon Acts 10)
July 27: Acts 11:1-3
July 28: Acts 11:4-14
July 29: Acts 11:15-18
July 30: Acts 11:19-21
July 31: Acts 11:22-24
August 1: Acts 11:25-26
Sunday, August 2: Acts 11:27-30 (sermon Acts 11)
Pastor's Update, July 17, 2020
Movie for tonight Postponed
We were going to watch The Apple Dumpling Gang in the yard tonight, but will reschedule after we get past the current COVID-19 spike.
Sunday, July 19
*10:15 AM - Worship at the church and on Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live/
*11:30 AM – Check-in and Prayer via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Prayers for the family of Joyce Stout
Joyce passed away on July 11 in Elk City. Please keep the Stout and Rudebusch families in your prayers.
Acts Readings
Daily devotions based on the readings are posted on the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial
July 17 – Acts 9:26-30
July 18 – Acts 9:32-35
July 19 – Acts 9:36-43
July 20 – Acts 10:1-8
July 21 – Acts 10:9-18
July 22 – Acts 10:19-23
July 23 – Acts 10:23-29
July 24 – Acts 10:30-33
July 25 – Acts 10:34-43
July 26 – Acts 10:44-48
Thanks for your Giving!
Despite the craziness of COVID-19, we continue to be able to pay our bills due to your faithful giving. Thanks!
Pastor Mark
We were going to watch The Apple Dumpling Gang in the yard tonight, but will reschedule after we get past the current COVID-19 spike.
Sunday, July 19
*10:15 AM - Worship at the church and on Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live/
*11:30 AM – Check-in and Prayer via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Prayers for the family of Joyce Stout
Joyce passed away on July 11 in Elk City. Please keep the Stout and Rudebusch families in your prayers.
Acts Readings
Daily devotions based on the readings are posted on the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial
July 17 – Acts 9:26-30
July 18 – Acts 9:32-35
July 19 – Acts 9:36-43
July 20 – Acts 10:1-8
July 21 – Acts 10:9-18
July 22 – Acts 10:19-23
July 23 – Acts 10:23-29
July 24 – Acts 10:30-33
July 25 – Acts 10:34-43
July 26 – Acts 10:44-48
Thanks for your Giving!
Despite the craziness of COVID-19, we continue to be able to pay our bills due to your faithful giving. Thanks!
Pastor Mark
Pastor's Message, June 30, 2020
Coming Up at RLC:
*Link to service from June 28
https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/videos/870770506767637/
*Reentry Series Wednesday night at 7:00 on Facebook Live with discussion and prayer following on Zoom
Topic for this week: “Praying in the Spirit, having God who lives in you, pray in and through you rather than just praying to a God who is out there somewhere.” Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
*Ice Cream and Fireworks in the Parking Lot: Friday, July 3 at 8:45pm
Bring your own lawn chairs to watch the Yukon Fireworks from our parking lot. We will not have our usual ice cream sundae bar because of Covid, but we will have individually wrapped ice cream containers for those who come. While you are here, pick up communion for Sunday and have Pastor Mark pray for or with you.
*Memorial Service for Michelle Wagner, Saturday, July 11 at 2pm https://www.yandaandsonfuneralhome.com/obituary/michelle-wagner
*Worship in the building and via Facebook Live, Sunday, July 5 at 10:15 am
Join us for worship live or online. We will have a check-in and prayer time via Zoom following at 11:30am. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
*If you want to access any of the recent worship services, Reentry series messages or daily devotions posted by Pastor Mark, you can find them at - https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live_videos/
*Thanks for your faithful giving during this crazy time. You can mail your offerings to church (675 W Vandament Ave, Yukon OK 73099), bring them to the church Monday to Friday from 9 am to Noon, or bring to worship on Sundays. There is an online giving option available. Ask Pastor Mark for more info on that.
*Acts Readings for the coming Week:
June 30 – Acts 7:1-16; July 1 – Acts 7:17-34; July 2 – Acts 7:35-43; July 3 – Acts 7:44-50; July 4 – Acts 7:51-53; Sunday July 5 – Acts 7:54-60; July 6 – Acts 8:1-3; July 7 – Acts 8:4-8; July 8 – Acts 8:9-13; July 9 – Acts 8:14-25; July 10 – Acts 8:26-29; July 11 – Acts 8:30-35; Sunday, July 12 – Acts 8:36-40
*Link to service from June 28
https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/videos/870770506767637/
*Reentry Series Wednesday night at 7:00 on Facebook Live with discussion and prayer following on Zoom
Topic for this week: “Praying in the Spirit, having God who lives in you, pray in and through you rather than just praying to a God who is out there somewhere.” Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
*Ice Cream and Fireworks in the Parking Lot: Friday, July 3 at 8:45pm
Bring your own lawn chairs to watch the Yukon Fireworks from our parking lot. We will not have our usual ice cream sundae bar because of Covid, but we will have individually wrapped ice cream containers for those who come. While you are here, pick up communion for Sunday and have Pastor Mark pray for or with you.
*Memorial Service for Michelle Wagner, Saturday, July 11 at 2pm https://www.yandaandsonfuneralhome.com/obituary/michelle-wagner
*Worship in the building and via Facebook Live, Sunday, July 5 at 10:15 am
Join us for worship live or online. We will have a check-in and prayer time via Zoom following at 11:30am. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
*If you want to access any of the recent worship services, Reentry series messages or daily devotions posted by Pastor Mark, you can find them at - https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live_videos/
*Thanks for your faithful giving during this crazy time. You can mail your offerings to church (675 W Vandament Ave, Yukon OK 73099), bring them to the church Monday to Friday from 9 am to Noon, or bring to worship on Sundays. There is an online giving option available. Ask Pastor Mark for more info on that.
*Acts Readings for the coming Week:
June 30 – Acts 7:1-16; July 1 – Acts 7:17-34; July 2 – Acts 7:35-43; July 3 – Acts 7:44-50; July 4 – Acts 7:51-53; Sunday July 5 – Acts 7:54-60; July 6 – Acts 8:1-3; July 7 – Acts 8:4-8; July 8 – Acts 8:9-13; July 9 – Acts 8:14-25; July 10 – Acts 8:26-29; July 11 – Acts 8:30-35; Sunday, July 12 – Acts 8:36-40
Pastor's Message, June 24, 2020
RLC Update for June 24, 2020
Greetings!
I hope this update finds you and your love ones healthy and safe!
Some things that are coming up at RLC:
Wednesday Reentry The theme is “Hearing God’s voice.” At 7pm on Facebook Live, followed at 7:30pm by discussion on Zoom.
If we are to join Jesus in his mission to bring healing, life, reconciliation and hope to the world, we need to be able to hear his voice and be led by the Spirit. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Friday Movie Night, June 26 at 8:45pm.
We will be having another socially-distanced outdoor movie on Friday, June 26 at 8:45 pm. Bring your own blankets and/or lawn-chair and join us in the back yard of the church. Likely movie is “Dr Doolittle”
Saturday Prayer Walk, June 27 at 4pm.
Pastor Mark is joining an ethically-diverse group of OKC-area Pastors and others in a prayer walk starting at Western and NW19th and going to the OKC Police Station. This is not political, this in not to loot, this is not to protest, it is to pray for God to bring unity and healing to our world. There will be enough free food for 500 people at the end of the walk. See this link for more info - https://www.facebook.com/Ok2prayokc/photos/a.1649997338580570/2625081347738826/?type=3&theater
Sunday Worship
Worship in person at the church or via Facebook Live at 10:15am, Sunday. Use the Zoom link above for Wednesday Reentry to join us for check-in and prayer at 11:30
Acts Readings (Devotions posted most days on church Facebook page)
https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/
June 24 – Acts 5:33-39,
June 25 – Acts 5:40-42
June 26 – Acts 6:1
June 27 Acts 6:2-7
June 28 – Acts 6:8-10
June 29 – Acts 6:11-15
June 30 – Acts 7:1-16,
July 1 – Acts 7:17-34
July 2 – Acts 7:35-43
July 3 – Acts 7:44-50
July 4 – Acts 7:51-53
July 5 – Acts 7:54-60
Blessings!
Pr Mark
Greetings!
I hope this update finds you and your love ones healthy and safe!
Some things that are coming up at RLC:
Wednesday Reentry The theme is “Hearing God’s voice.” At 7pm on Facebook Live, followed at 7:30pm by discussion on Zoom.
If we are to join Jesus in his mission to bring healing, life, reconciliation and hope to the world, we need to be able to hear his voice and be led by the Spirit. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
Friday Movie Night, June 26 at 8:45pm.
We will be having another socially-distanced outdoor movie on Friday, June 26 at 8:45 pm. Bring your own blankets and/or lawn-chair and join us in the back yard of the church. Likely movie is “Dr Doolittle”
Saturday Prayer Walk, June 27 at 4pm.
Pastor Mark is joining an ethically-diverse group of OKC-area Pastors and others in a prayer walk starting at Western and NW19th and going to the OKC Police Station. This is not political, this in not to loot, this is not to protest, it is to pray for God to bring unity and healing to our world. There will be enough free food for 500 people at the end of the walk. See this link for more info - https://www.facebook.com/Ok2prayokc/photos/a.1649997338580570/2625081347738826/?type=3&theater
Sunday Worship
Worship in person at the church or via Facebook Live at 10:15am, Sunday. Use the Zoom link above for Wednesday Reentry to join us for check-in and prayer at 11:30
Acts Readings (Devotions posted most days on church Facebook page)
https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/
June 24 – Acts 5:33-39,
June 25 – Acts 5:40-42
June 26 – Acts 6:1
June 27 Acts 6:2-7
June 28 – Acts 6:8-10
June 29 – Acts 6:11-15
June 30 – Acts 7:1-16,
July 1 – Acts 7:17-34
July 2 – Acts 7:35-43
July 3 – Acts 7:44-50
July 4 – Acts 7:51-53
July 5 – Acts 7:54-60
Blessings!
Pr Mark
Pastor's Message, June 19, 2020
RLC Update, June 19, 2020
Quick Reminders:
--Drive Through: Saturday, June 20 from 11:30-12:30
--Worship: Sunday, June 21 at 10:15 Live at church and on Facebook Live
--Check-in and Prayer: Sunday, June 21 at 11:30 on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
View Recordings of any service or devotion posted on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live_videos/
Wednesday Night “Reentry” Series:
Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm on Facebook Live. Followed at 7:30pm on Zoom for discussion and prayer (see Zoom Link above)
Prayer Invitation:
30 Days of Blessing in June:
In the midst of all of the craziness and division in our society, I have felt the need to respond not with more division and craziness but with blessing and love. Every few days I try to intentionally bless a different group of people as I feel led by God to do. I want to invite you to join me.
Blessing for June 19: Bless Your Enemies!
There is a lot of division today, and the temptation during times of great division is to see the other side as enemies you are more likely to curse than bless. Two verses to focus on:
Matthew 5:43-47 - 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
Luke 6:27-33 - 27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Think about those who make you angry, those who are hard to love and ask God how he wants you to pray for them and bless them.
Blessings!
Pr Mark
Quick Reminders:
--Drive Through: Saturday, June 20 from 11:30-12:30
--Worship: Sunday, June 21 at 10:15 Live at church and on Facebook Live
--Check-in and Prayer: Sunday, June 21 at 11:30 on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4637039774?pwd=VTNlSEJpR2svV2IvdXA4d3lyWVpRQT09
View Recordings of any service or devotion posted on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/rlcofficial/live_videos/
Wednesday Night “Reentry” Series:
Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm on Facebook Live. Followed at 7:30pm on Zoom for discussion and prayer (see Zoom Link above)
Prayer Invitation:
30 Days of Blessing in June:
In the midst of all of the craziness and division in our society, I have felt the need to respond not with more division and craziness but with blessing and love. Every few days I try to intentionally bless a different group of people as I feel led by God to do. I want to invite you to join me.
Blessing for June 19: Bless Your Enemies!
There is a lot of division today, and the temptation during times of great division is to see the other side as enemies you are more likely to curse than bless. Two verses to focus on:
Matthew 5:43-47 - 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
Luke 6:27-33 - 27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Think about those who make you angry, those who are hard to love and ask God how he wants you to pray for them and bless them.
Blessings!
Pr Mark
Pastor's Messages for April, May and half of June Were Published on the Home Page Due to Corona Virus Closure.
Pastor's Message, March 2020
“The Dust of Your Rabbi”
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
In Jesus’ day, kids would go to school to learn the Torah from about age 6-10. By the time they were done, they would have memorized the first five books of the Bible. For most this would be the end of their formal education and they would move on to learn their family trade. But the best of the best would move on to Talmud school.
Talmud school would be from about age 10-15. During that time the students would memorize the rest of the Jewish Bible (our entire Old Testament) and learn the oral traditions. For most this would be the end of formal education and they would move on to learn their family trade. But the best of the best of the best would move on Midrash school.
This next level of education would be different. It would not be focused on memorizing information, but on following and becoming like a person. If a Rabbi thought a prospective disciple had the ability to become just like him, he would invite that student to become his disciple. He would invite them to take his yoke, his way of life, upon themselves and learn from him.
A common blessing in Jesus’ day would have been, “May you be covered with the dust of your Rabbi!” Since discipleship was not learning knowledge, but learning to be like the Rabbi, the place to become like the Rabbi was to be close enough for his dust to get on you as you walked beside him. It is by staying close to the Rabbi and doing what he is doing that we become like him, so the ones with the most dust of the Rabbi in them are the ones who are the most blessed.
When Jesus calls disciples, he doesn’t choose from the best of the best of the best. He goes to the fishermen, tax collectors and others who weren’t good to have been chosen by the other rabbis and he invites them to follow him, to take his yoke upon them and learn from him.
He sees those who the other Rabbis have rejected and says to them, “Come to me, not because you are the best of the best of the best, but in your weakness and vulnerability, and I will teach you to go where I am going and do what I am doing.”
This Lent, may we take up his invitation to follow. May we stay close enough to him that we end up covered with the dust of our Rabbi, Jesus.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
In Jesus’ day, kids would go to school to learn the Torah from about age 6-10. By the time they were done, they would have memorized the first five books of the Bible. For most this would be the end of their formal education and they would move on to learn their family trade. But the best of the best would move on to Talmud school.
Talmud school would be from about age 10-15. During that time the students would memorize the rest of the Jewish Bible (our entire Old Testament) and learn the oral traditions. For most this would be the end of formal education and they would move on to learn their family trade. But the best of the best of the best would move on Midrash school.
This next level of education would be different. It would not be focused on memorizing information, but on following and becoming like a person. If a Rabbi thought a prospective disciple had the ability to become just like him, he would invite that student to become his disciple. He would invite them to take his yoke, his way of life, upon themselves and learn from him.
A common blessing in Jesus’ day would have been, “May you be covered with the dust of your Rabbi!” Since discipleship was not learning knowledge, but learning to be like the Rabbi, the place to become like the Rabbi was to be close enough for his dust to get on you as you walked beside him. It is by staying close to the Rabbi and doing what he is doing that we become like him, so the ones with the most dust of the Rabbi in them are the ones who are the most blessed.
When Jesus calls disciples, he doesn’t choose from the best of the best of the best. He goes to the fishermen, tax collectors and others who weren’t good to have been chosen by the other rabbis and he invites them to follow him, to take his yoke upon them and learn from him.
He sees those who the other Rabbis have rejected and says to them, “Come to me, not because you are the best of the best of the best, but in your weakness and vulnerability, and I will teach you to go where I am going and do what I am doing.”
This Lent, may we take up his invitation to follow. May we stay close enough to him that we end up covered with the dust of our Rabbi, Jesus.
Pastor's Message, February 2020
“What You See Makes a Difference”
Our first Sunday of worship in February 2020 is Groundhog Day. According to tradition, what the groundhog sees that day will affect what to expect will happen in the next 6 weeks. If the groundhog sees his shadow (a sunny day), there is still 6 more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow (a cloudy day) winter will end soon. In the same way, what we see as Christians will affect what we expect to happen in our lives.
Jesus came into a world where religious people had their eyes focused on the shadow of religion rather than the cloud of God’s presence. The shadow of religion predicted life would remain difficult for the foreseeable future as the appearance of new life still seemed distant.
Jesus came to bring the cloud of God’s presence to change the way they saw things. He told them to repent, to start seeing the world differently, because the kingdom of God (God’s presence and activity) had come. With the cloud of God’s presence, there would be no shadow. No shadow meant that new life would not be in the future, but had arrived with Jesus.
During the remainder of the season of Epiphany (up until Ash Wednesday on February 26), we will be inviting Jesus to help us see differently. Instead of remaining focused on the shadow which leads us to believe new beginnings are still way in the future, we will practice seeing the cloud of God’s presence with us now, inviting us to enter into new life now.
As we transition from Epiphany to Lent, we will be asking Jesus to use our new way of seeing God’s presence to invite us to live a different way now. To not wait until later to encounter God, but to learn how to see God in daily life. To see God in our workplaces, families, schools, social networks…yes, and even our church.
We will be intentionally worshiping together during Lent to help each other stop seeing the shadow of God’s absence and start seeing the cloud of God’s presence. We will be talking about what it means that God is present and active in our world today and what that means about how we live in the world, both individually and as a church (discipleship).
Pastor Mark will share more about what to expect during Lent at our congregational meeting on February 9. Please come for more than just to vote to approve payment for a new heating/cooling system. Come find out how this Lent can become the most transformational period you have ever experience in your life.
Our first Sunday of worship in February 2020 is Groundhog Day. According to tradition, what the groundhog sees that day will affect what to expect will happen in the next 6 weeks. If the groundhog sees his shadow (a sunny day), there is still 6 more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow (a cloudy day) winter will end soon. In the same way, what we see as Christians will affect what we expect to happen in our lives.
Jesus came into a world where religious people had their eyes focused on the shadow of religion rather than the cloud of God’s presence. The shadow of religion predicted life would remain difficult for the foreseeable future as the appearance of new life still seemed distant.
Jesus came to bring the cloud of God’s presence to change the way they saw things. He told them to repent, to start seeing the world differently, because the kingdom of God (God’s presence and activity) had come. With the cloud of God’s presence, there would be no shadow. No shadow meant that new life would not be in the future, but had arrived with Jesus.
During the remainder of the season of Epiphany (up until Ash Wednesday on February 26), we will be inviting Jesus to help us see differently. Instead of remaining focused on the shadow which leads us to believe new beginnings are still way in the future, we will practice seeing the cloud of God’s presence with us now, inviting us to enter into new life now.
As we transition from Epiphany to Lent, we will be asking Jesus to use our new way of seeing God’s presence to invite us to live a different way now. To not wait until later to encounter God, but to learn how to see God in daily life. To see God in our workplaces, families, schools, social networks…yes, and even our church.
We will be intentionally worshiping together during Lent to help each other stop seeing the shadow of God’s absence and start seeing the cloud of God’s presence. We will be talking about what it means that God is present and active in our world today and what that means about how we live in the world, both individually and as a church (discipleship).
Pastor Mark will share more about what to expect during Lent at our congregational meeting on February 9. Please come for more than just to vote to approve payment for a new heating/cooling system. Come find out how this Lent can become the most transformational period you have ever experience in your life.
Pastor's Message, January 2020
“2020 Vision – Jesus and the Holy Spirit”
18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:18
3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. John 3:3-5
It’s hard to not want to use sight imagery as we enter 2020, so that is exactly what we will be focusing on the first part of 2020 – seeing God, seeing the Kingdom, seeing who we are, seeing our purpose in the world.
If sin has blinded us to seeing God, the kingdom, ourselves, others or our purpose clearly, how do we have our sight restored? The quick answer – Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
How do we see God? John 1:18 makes it clear that we cannot see God by our own efforts. The only way we can see God clearly is by having Jesus open our eyes to see the Father.
How do we see the kingdom of God, what God is up to? John 3:3 makes it clear that it is not by our own efforts. We can only see the kingdom by being born from above, as a gift of God.
How do we see ourselves more clearly and accurately? It is by receiving Jesus and being led by the Spirit that we see we are children of God.
How do we see the calling Jesus is inviting us into? It is by following Jesus and baptism of the Holy Spirit.
How will we focus on improving our spiritual sight in 2020? The answer is simple – believing in, listening to and following Jesus, and being filled with and led by the Holy Spirit.
The season of Epiphany, we will be focusing on sight:
January 11-12 – Baptism of Jesus – Eyes open to see heaven, filled by the Spirit & Told Who We Are
January 18-19 – Invited by Jesus to Come and See
January 25-26 – Seeing and Being the Light in the Darkness
February 1-2 – Seeing in Jesus the Salvation of God which Frees us to be Ready to Die
February 8-9 – Being the Light of the World so others can see God more clearly
February 15-16 – Getting Rid of the Barriers to Seeing Clearly
February 22-23 – Transfiguration – Telling Others What You Have Seen
Then, in Lent, we will start moving from being able to see the Kingdom of God into entering into the Kingdom of God, what God is doing. Once again, how do we do this – Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:18
3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. John 3:3-5
It’s hard to not want to use sight imagery as we enter 2020, so that is exactly what we will be focusing on the first part of 2020 – seeing God, seeing the Kingdom, seeing who we are, seeing our purpose in the world.
If sin has blinded us to seeing God, the kingdom, ourselves, others or our purpose clearly, how do we have our sight restored? The quick answer – Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
How do we see God? John 1:18 makes it clear that we cannot see God by our own efforts. The only way we can see God clearly is by having Jesus open our eyes to see the Father.
How do we see the kingdom of God, what God is up to? John 3:3 makes it clear that it is not by our own efforts. We can only see the kingdom by being born from above, as a gift of God.
How do we see ourselves more clearly and accurately? It is by receiving Jesus and being led by the Spirit that we see we are children of God.
How do we see the calling Jesus is inviting us into? It is by following Jesus and baptism of the Holy Spirit.
How will we focus on improving our spiritual sight in 2020? The answer is simple – believing in, listening to and following Jesus, and being filled with and led by the Holy Spirit.
The season of Epiphany, we will be focusing on sight:
January 11-12 – Baptism of Jesus – Eyes open to see heaven, filled by the Spirit & Told Who We Are
January 18-19 – Invited by Jesus to Come and See
January 25-26 – Seeing and Being the Light in the Darkness
February 1-2 – Seeing in Jesus the Salvation of God which Frees us to be Ready to Die
February 8-9 – Being the Light of the World so others can see God more clearly
February 15-16 – Getting Rid of the Barriers to Seeing Clearly
February 22-23 – Transfiguration – Telling Others What You Have Seen
Then, in Lent, we will start moving from being able to see the Kingdom of God into entering into the Kingdom of God, what God is doing. Once again, how do we do this – Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Pastor's Message, December 2019
“Not ‘A Manual’ but ‘Emmanuel’”
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
Matthew 1:22-23
What was God’s response to the needs of the world? To send a manual for us to follow to solve our own problems, or to send Emmanuel, his very presence to be with us and to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves?
Teaching is a very important part of Christian ministry, but if our teaching makes the Christian life into the study of a manual to help us solve our own problems, we have missed out on the experience the teaching is meant to lead us into. If our intellectual study about God doesn’t lead us to an experience of God, we have missed the point.
In John 5:39, Jesus speaks to experts at Bible study and tells them that, even with all their study, they have been blind to the presence of God standing right in front of them as he says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
If your Christian life is focused on studying, learning and obeying a manual, let me invite you to meet the one the manual wants to invite you to experience, Jesus. Jesus comes to people who have depended on a manual for good religious living and gives them instead Emmanuel, God with them.
During December, my Sunday sermons will focus on creating space for and inviting in the presence of God. My desire is that you experience more than just information about God, but that you experience God himself as he comes to us in Jesus. Wednesday night Advent services will focus on baptism. Baptism symbolizes and effects more than just head knowledge about God. In baptism, we encounter the presence of God, and we are brought into the life of God. We will focus on being cleansed of the barriers preventing us from experiencing God’s presence, then on being brought into a relationship with God for our benefit, and finally on having the life of God fill us and flow out of us to bless others.
Take some time to stop learning the manual this Christmas to really experience Emmanuel, God with you and me.
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
Matthew 1:22-23
What was God’s response to the needs of the world? To send a manual for us to follow to solve our own problems, or to send Emmanuel, his very presence to be with us and to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves?
Teaching is a very important part of Christian ministry, but if our teaching makes the Christian life into the study of a manual to help us solve our own problems, we have missed out on the experience the teaching is meant to lead us into. If our intellectual study about God doesn’t lead us to an experience of God, we have missed the point.
In John 5:39, Jesus speaks to experts at Bible study and tells them that, even with all their study, they have been blind to the presence of God standing right in front of them as he says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
If your Christian life is focused on studying, learning and obeying a manual, let me invite you to meet the one the manual wants to invite you to experience, Jesus. Jesus comes to people who have depended on a manual for good religious living and gives them instead Emmanuel, God with them.
During December, my Sunday sermons will focus on creating space for and inviting in the presence of God. My desire is that you experience more than just information about God, but that you experience God himself as he comes to us in Jesus. Wednesday night Advent services will focus on baptism. Baptism symbolizes and effects more than just head knowledge about God. In baptism, we encounter the presence of God, and we are brought into the life of God. We will focus on being cleansed of the barriers preventing us from experiencing God’s presence, then on being brought into a relationship with God for our benefit, and finally on having the life of God fill us and flow out of us to bless others.
Take some time to stop learning the manual this Christmas to really experience Emmanuel, God with you and me.
Pastor's Message, November 2019
“Luther: Upward, Inward, Outward”
With Reformation Sunday the end of October and Martin Luther’s birthday on November 10, I want to take some time to learn from Martin Luther about how our mission statement, “Connecting: Upward, Inward and Outward” is really part of our Lutheran DNA.
Connecting Upward – Martin Luther wanted people to know they had direct access to God through Jesus and didn’t need to have a priest intercede between them and God. He wanted people to know their relationship with God was based on God’s grace coming to them rather than their works getting God’s attention. He wanted to give people access to read the Bible themselves by translating it into the local language, German.
Connecting Inward – Luther valued Christian community. He understood the commandments to be not just prohibitions to prevent people from doing wrong, but also saw them as gifts helping to increase honor, honesty and love which would create deep, authentic relationships. He understood the importance of the family as being the primary teacher of faith. He enjoyed gathering around the table with friends and students to have a beer, share fellowship and discuss issues of faith and life.
Connecting Outward – Luther understood that our baptisms do not just free us from what is wrong, they define who we are to be as we love and serve our neighbors. He saw vocations, from priest to handmaid, as callings from God to serve the neighbor. In short, he saw Christians as, “Free in Christ from sin, for the neighbor.” Lutherans have a strong tradition of caring for the poor and needy and engaging in their communities and the world.
May we learn from Luther to better live our lives “Connecting: Upward, Inward and Outward!”.
Connecting Inward Survey Results
Thanks for your input regarding our ministry of connecting inward with each other at RLC. We will be putting together a task force to help take what you have shared, prioritize what to do next and then help make those priorities a reality. If you would like to be part of this “ministry inward” group, you will experience the blessing of Christian community while helping RLC improve our Christian community. Here is a summary of results:
Survey results
ii.Yes- 6
iii.Possibly - 1
If you have further input, would like to be part of the task force, or would be willing to host or plan a fellowship event, let Pastor Mark know.
Connecting Inward in November:
Sunday, November 3 – Potluck after 10:00 joint service
Sunday, November 10 – Martin Luther Birthday Party at Fassler Hall from 3:00-4:30pm (see more in separate announcement)
Sunday, November 17 – Family Holiday Event following 10 AM joint worship
Thursday, November 21 – Senior Night Out
Tuesday, November 26 – Cluster Thanksgiving Service and Pie Fellowship at Lord of Life at 7:00PM (see more in separate announcement)
With Reformation Sunday the end of October and Martin Luther’s birthday on November 10, I want to take some time to learn from Martin Luther about how our mission statement, “Connecting: Upward, Inward and Outward” is really part of our Lutheran DNA.
Connecting Upward – Martin Luther wanted people to know they had direct access to God through Jesus and didn’t need to have a priest intercede between them and God. He wanted people to know their relationship with God was based on God’s grace coming to them rather than their works getting God’s attention. He wanted to give people access to read the Bible themselves by translating it into the local language, German.
Connecting Inward – Luther valued Christian community. He understood the commandments to be not just prohibitions to prevent people from doing wrong, but also saw them as gifts helping to increase honor, honesty and love which would create deep, authentic relationships. He understood the importance of the family as being the primary teacher of faith. He enjoyed gathering around the table with friends and students to have a beer, share fellowship and discuss issues of faith and life.
Connecting Outward – Luther understood that our baptisms do not just free us from what is wrong, they define who we are to be as we love and serve our neighbors. He saw vocations, from priest to handmaid, as callings from God to serve the neighbor. In short, he saw Christians as, “Free in Christ from sin, for the neighbor.” Lutherans have a strong tradition of caring for the poor and needy and engaging in their communities and the world.
May we learn from Luther to better live our lives “Connecting: Upward, Inward and Outward!”.
Connecting Inward Survey Results
Thanks for your input regarding our ministry of connecting inward with each other at RLC. We will be putting together a task force to help take what you have shared, prioritize what to do next and then help make those priorities a reality. If you would like to be part of this “ministry inward” group, you will experience the blessing of Christian community while helping RLC improve our Christian community. Here is a summary of results:
Survey results
- Do we need more ways to connect socially ?
ii.Yes- 6
iii.Possibly - 1
- What would you suggest?
- Paint & Pallet
- Group dinners
- Family outings
- Community outreach
- Small in-home discussion groups
- Bible study
- Social fellowship
- Small groups with no cliques
- Potlucks at church
- Evening socials at peoples’ houses
- Meetings for people interested in our church
- Location of events
- Church – 7
- Homes – 5
- Public places like restaurants – 7
- Day excursions to visit places of interest – e.g. – hiking, wineries, bowling
- How can we make sure people are not being forgotten?
- Tell church staff if you haven’t seen someone for a while – 7
- Having a team of people who call or write every church member or friend on regular occasions to see how they are doing – 5
- Having a team of people who call or write every missing church member or friend on regular occasions to see how they are doing – 1
- We are doing fine – 1
- One-page flyers to give to visitors, follow up with card
- How can we make sure everyone receives prayer if they desire?
- Prayer box – 7
- Community prayer time before or after service – 3
- Community prayer time during service - 1
- Extended prayer during service
- Have a regular prayer service each week – 2
- Have a team of people contact everyone on a regular basis and asking for prayer requests – 1
- Contact people who have not attended church services on two consecutive weekends (unless members/people have informed RLC of their absenteeism, e.g. – surgery, travels, vacation, etc.)
- What if we restructured Sunday morning to have an official prayer time/community time before, after or between services? Would you attend?:
- Possibly – 1
- Probably - 1
- Yes – if not during Sunday school – 1
- Yes – 3
- Depends on circumstances – 1
- Probably not - 2
- I you could suggest one thing to improve connection inward at RLC?
- We are doing great already – 1
- More family outreach experiences
- Social events
- Adult Table Game nights
- Communicate
- More confirmation things
- Be vigilant of peoples’ absenteeism, RLC members need to be proactive, not reactive
- Wine tasting at Fracel’s
- Be more open to new ideas
- Who should we have on our visit/homebound list?
- Pastor
- Committee members
- The church leaders
- New people
- Shut-ins, long term members in nursing homes, hospitals, independent living etc
- Hospitalized
- Elderly
- If we had a small group or multiple small groups focused on getting together regularly to check in with each other, pray and share fellowship, would you attend?
- Probably Not – 1
- Yes – 7
If you have further input, would like to be part of the task force, or would be willing to host or plan a fellowship event, let Pastor Mark know.
Connecting Inward in November:
Sunday, November 3 – Potluck after 10:00 joint service
Sunday, November 10 – Martin Luther Birthday Party at Fassler Hall from 3:00-4:30pm (see more in separate announcement)
Sunday, November 17 – Family Holiday Event following 10 AM joint worship
Thursday, November 21 – Senior Night Out
Tuesday, November 26 – Cluster Thanksgiving Service and Pie Fellowship at Lord of Life at 7:00PM (see more in separate announcement)
Pastor's Message, October 2019
“Intentionality and Creativity”
“for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” Luke 16:8
We use the best of our intentionality and creativity when courting the person we want to marry.
We use the best of our intentionality and creativity when we are trying to do well in academics, athletics and personal passions.
We use the best of our intentionality and creativity when confronted by health or financial crises.
What I hear Jesus asking in Luke 16 is this – “Why don’t my people use the best of their intentionality and creativity when it comes to their relationship with me?”
What if you feel disconnected from God rather than intimately connected? Just say that’s the way it is, or press in for intimacy? What can you do intentionally, how can you be creative in connecting with God?
What if you don’t feel like your life is blessing others and you are not following God’s calling in your life? Just say that’s the way it is, or press in for fruitfulness and faithfulness? What can you do intentionally, how you be creative in engaging others and making space for God to have more influence in your life?
As an American, I was raised to believe we as a nation can overcome anything and thrive. I was raised to believe American hard work, creativity and passion could accomplish anything. Why don’t I have the same confidence for the church? As a Christian, I look around and see a bunch of apathy and going through the motions, just trying to survive.
RLC is not just trying to survive or keep the doors open a little longer. Jesus is calling us to have a vital congregation within the church building that is powerfully transformative in spreading the kingdom of God in the world.
To get there we need to use our intentionality and creativity while pressing into knowing God and allowing him to send us into the world. Are you in? Or are you too busy doing what you consider more important?
“for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” Luke 16:8
We use the best of our intentionality and creativity when courting the person we want to marry.
We use the best of our intentionality and creativity when we are trying to do well in academics, athletics and personal passions.
We use the best of our intentionality and creativity when confronted by health or financial crises.
What I hear Jesus asking in Luke 16 is this – “Why don’t my people use the best of their intentionality and creativity when it comes to their relationship with me?”
What if you feel disconnected from God rather than intimately connected? Just say that’s the way it is, or press in for intimacy? What can you do intentionally, how can you be creative in connecting with God?
What if you don’t feel like your life is blessing others and you are not following God’s calling in your life? Just say that’s the way it is, or press in for fruitfulness and faithfulness? What can you do intentionally, how you be creative in engaging others and making space for God to have more influence in your life?
As an American, I was raised to believe we as a nation can overcome anything and thrive. I was raised to believe American hard work, creativity and passion could accomplish anything. Why don’t I have the same confidence for the church? As a Christian, I look around and see a bunch of apathy and going through the motions, just trying to survive.
RLC is not just trying to survive or keep the doors open a little longer. Jesus is calling us to have a vital congregation within the church building that is powerfully transformative in spreading the kingdom of God in the world.
To get there we need to use our intentionality and creativity while pressing into knowing God and allowing him to send us into the world. Are you in? Or are you too busy doing what you consider more important?
We publish the last six months of Pastor Mark's messages here. For older messages, please refer to the newsletters.