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Messages from Pastor Mark Borseth
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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.