“God of earthquake, God of thunder, shake us loose from lethargy! Break the chains of sin asunder, for earth’s healing set us free! Crumble walls that still divide us make us one in Christ our Lord, make us one in Christ our Lord” (ELW #400).

It seems in life, there is more that separates than unites. Just look at the world of politics if you need proof. Tea party or coffee party? Republican or Democrat? Conservative or Liberal? Pro-labor or pro-business? Prolife or pro-choice? One comes to expect some kind of division when it comes to politics. But do we expect that our political divisions will turn into demonization of our adversaries? I suppose there has always been a bit of that over the past couple of centuries in our country’s relatively young life. But what about the hateful rhetoric floating among elected leaders in Washington, Albany and yes even here in Monroe County? What about the extreme positions which do not allow for compromise?

Perhaps we have come to expect divisions in the arena of politics. But do we expect rhetoric of division in the church? Do we really think for a moment that in the church there is more that divides than unites? Certainly there have been actions and decisions that have modeled that. Since last year’s Churchwide Assembly, we have seen our share of divisive actions within the ELCA. And sadly, there is a movement within our denomination that advocates the creation of a new church body among those who were upset with last year’s assembly. Walls have been erected and dialogue has ceased.

And yet the words from the Herman Stuempfle hymn that we sang on the Feast of Pentecost still rings loudly in my ears. “Crumble walls that still divide us make us one in Christ our Lord.”Does “bound conscience” really trump the cross? Is my disagreement with anybody over anything more important than the cross, upon which Jesus died for all of us?

The proclamation of the gospel is our first calling. And what better place to do that than at the foot of the cross? For at that place God created a new reality of no more Jew and Gentile, no more slave or free.

Our mission of “building our future in the city for good” must not be distracted by divisions in Chicago, Syracuse or even within our congregation. Not when people are hungering for food, for healing or for meaning in their lives. Through our legacies of faithful worship, strong music and sacrificial service to the neighbor, it is clear that we have much to offer the city of Rochester. And what we have to offer is nothing less than freedom and healing, justice and peace, made possible by the One who makes all things new in the cross of Christ.

Regardless of your politics, your stance on social issues in the church or your feelings about our capital campaign, remember that you and I share in a greater mission: A mission summed up beautifully in that same Stuempfle hymn from Pentecost, “Drive us out from sheltered comfort; past these walls your people send! Sweep us into costly service there with Christ to bear the cross, there with Christ to bear the cross.”

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Doug

GATHERING SPACE
“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:1-2).

Over the course of many weeks, we as a congregation have been looking honestly and openly at our mission of sharing Christ and serving all people. Through the efforts of our outreach and facilities task forces, we have been given the opportunity to realistically assess our current and potential ministries and how our glorious building has been and continues to play a part in those ministries.

Two areas of concern that consistently emerged in months of discussions, involve the issues of accessibility and flow. How easy is it for first time visitors to find their way around our building on a Sunday morning? Those of us who are members of Incarnate Word have no problem finding the sanctuary and restrooms. We know exactly where and when to find adult fellowship time and adult forum. But what about those who are new to us? When first time visitors arrive for worship on a Sunday morning, do they expect to enter the sanctuary from the front where everyone gathered can watch them? They may hear about education and fellowship opportunities for young and old alike, but do interested visitors know how to find the places where these activities take place? Are they willing to descend two flights of stairs to gather in fellowship with people they do not even know, or is it easier for them to simply head for the parking lot?

The writer of Hebrews describes these folks who are unfamiliar to us as “strangers”. Not in terms of “stranger danger” but in terms of showing hospitality. In other words, those who are new in our midst provide the opportunity for us to make them feel welcomed and at home. Hence the idea of a “gathering space”.

This proposed gathering space would, most importantly, provide access - access to worship, to activities, and to our congregation as a whole. Imagine…

• A space on the western side of the building, filled with windows and natural light, open to both East Avenue and to the parking lot. 

• A driveway from East Avenue directing people to a distinct, recognizable entrance on the same level as the gathering space itself, with visible parking which is accessible from both East Avenue and Goodman Street.  

• A large open space where worshipers can gather prior to worship, to greet one another, reconnect with one another, and where visitors can be welcomed warmly and enter into the sanctuary without feeling as if they are on display.  

• A comfortable space where, following worship, coffee and refreshments are waiting to welcome long-time members and first-time visitors alike.  

•  A large, clearly visible and easily accessible space for Adult Forum located just off this gathering area.  

• A beautifully designed portion of the large gathering space that can be set up as intimate worship space for small gatherings.

The idea of a gathering space is not simply to add to the square footage of our building. This gathering space is designed to enhance community and hospitality. Martin Luther, in the Small Catechism writes: God “calls, gathers enlightens and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth…” Imagine a gathering space that reflects Luther’s words – a space that warmly and openly calls us to worship and brings us together as we come from all the places of our lives and gathers us for worship, fellowship and education. Imagine a space that speaks a warm, hospitable welcome to both friend and stranger.

We look forward to continuing our discernment and conversation about how we can use the gift of our building creatively and hospitably. We are called to share God’s Word in all that we do – not only on our lips, but with our lives, and – dare we say? – with our building as well.

This is an exciting time for Incarnate Word, but it may also feel a bit overwhelming. May we be open to God’s guidance as we look to our future, and may we know that God is present with us in all that we do.

In Christ,
Pastors Doug and Joanne

I Will Strive to Pray Daily

I Will Strive to . . . Pray Daily

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray...’ (Luke 11:1)

By now you have probably seen or have in your possession a wallet-sized card that begins with these words, “I will strive to . . .” There are a couple of ways in which you may have attained these cards. Two were included in the Commitment Sunday letter you received a few short weeks ago. One was also included in the holy Bibles that we began giving out to all in worship on Commitment Sunday. Here is what these cards are calling and challenging each of us to do as we walk the road of discipleship with Jesus.

I will strive to . . .

1. Pray daily

2. Worship weekly

3. Read the Bible

4. Serve at and beyond Incarnate Word

5. Encourage spiritual growth in others

6. Give of my time, talents and resources

In his book, Power Surge, the Rev. Michael Foss refers to these as the six marks of discipleship. Foss writes,

On the surface...[these marks]... may seem overly simple and obvious to the point that they seem to go without saying. Don’t be mistaken. They are simple and yet profound. And obvious though they may be, far more lip service than seriousness is paid to them in most congregations. (p. 89)

When was the last time you prayed? How much time did it take? Did it come easily? Was there wrestling involved?

A long time ago, some of Jesus’ followers had a hard time with this prayer-stuff to the point they came to him one day and said, “Jesus, teach us to pray”. I believe their question to Jesus is ours as well. How do we pray?

Let’s start with how we don’t pray. We don’t pray to get stuff. Nor do we limit prayer to some formula of “address, petition and benediction” led by and only by a pastor. Prayer is conversation. If you can converse with someone, you can converse with God. It’s that simple.

We know how to share our needs and our burdens, how to say ‘thank you’, how to say we’re sorry and how to ask for forgiveness. And we know how to listen when someone speaks these words to us.Martin Luther once wrote,

Prayer is understood to be not only oral prayer, but everything the soul does in God’s word - hearing, speaking, composing, meditating, and the like. (LW 52, 139-40)

Our problem is not in learning how to talk and listen to God. Our problem is in creating space and time to do so. In our hectic and rushed lives, do we make time to pray? We have quotas to meet, kids to get to practice on time, doctors appointments and the list goes on. Somehow all this rushing around just doesn’t seem right. It feels like something is missing. Could it be prayer? Could it be that in prayer we find ourselves returning in restful conversation to the welcoming arms of the One who put our lives in motion in the first place? Could it be in prayer that we re-discover God? Might it be in prayer that we re-discover our lives the way God intended them to be: In peace and wholeness? Let’s pray and find out.

Peace in the Risen Christ,

Pastors Joanne and Doug

Graphics (except header and photograph) © 2000 Communication Resources, Inc.