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Sermon of the week |
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SACRIFICE OF THANKSGIVING
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from his only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen
A mother wanted to teach her daughter a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church.
“Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself,” she told the girl.
When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given, the quarter or the dollar.
“Well,” said the little girl, “I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I’d be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did.”
Well ... that was probably not the lesson the mother wanted her daughter to learn!
Yet, it can be tricky for any of us to give our offering with a proper motivation. We can find it easy to give just what makes us cheerful to give; or give what makes us feel good about ourselves.
Then there are times when our giving might be motivated more out of guilt than anything else.
There are a host of human motivations that can effect our giving. Yet, what would be a more proper motivation? In what ways would God want us to be motivated in our giving?
These are questions that the people of Israel also wrestled with in Old Testament times.
And these are questions that are answered in dramatic fashion in Psalm 50.
The opening verses of Psalm 50 depict a scene of judgment.
This judgment takes place in the world’s largest courtroom. For actually, the courtroom is the earth itself. God himself summons the whole earth – from east to west – to the courtroom.
Further, God is also the judge for this trial. And it seems clear that God is not in the best of moods. Before God is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest is all around him.
And God the judge does not keep silent. God calls heaven and earth to be his jury.
The defendants are God’s own people, the people of Israel.
And God is not only the judge, but He is also the chief prosecutor.
God proceeds to make the opening argument. Actually, since it is God speaking, His opening argument will be the only one that needs to be made.
So, what is the charge against Israel?
Their alleged crime is basically bribery. The people of Israel stand accused of using their worship offerings as bribes to gain God’s favor. In a sense, they are using their offerings as bribes.
Then, God pokes holes in how ridiculous it is to think people have anything that even could be a bribe towards God.
In those ancient times, a primary offering was a burnt offering of various animals. God points out, though, that every animal and indeed everything in the earth first belonged to God. How can the people really think they can bribe God with what God had first given them?
God then tries to drive the point even further with what seems like sarcasm.
God asks if the people really think God gets hungry. God asks if the people actually believe God gets hungry for the flesh of bulls or thirsty for the blood of goats?
The all too obvious answer is no. Up in heaven, God is not going through hunger pains hoping someone will send him a well-done steak for an offering.
Psalm 50 completely rejects the notion that people with their worship and offerings can make an impression on God. We simply do not have anything that could bribe God into doing what we want.
Now, these ideas of the ancient Israelites may seem primitive to us today. Today, we certainly do not believe offering God the blood of a goat would earn us any favor with God. We would certainly like to think that today we are beyond such primitive beliefs. Yet, how far have we really advanced?
There is a cartoon that captures many of our attitudes toward God.
The cartoon shows a boy about to attempt a basketball free throw shot. But before he shoots, the boy prays. He prays, “God if you help me make this shot, I promise to stop skipping church to play basketball...”
Such bargaining with God is one way we can be like the ancient Israelites.
We can have this notion that God will do our will if only we promise to do something better, like worship, or offering, or how we treat other people.
Yet, all this does is treat God like a vending machine. We act like our good deeds are the coins that gain God’s favor.
But, of course, this is just a form of the bribery that led God to put Israel on trial.
Or, I think of an old friend of mine, who is a sincere, and devout Christian.
My friend had a belief about tithing that is not that uncommon. He believed that if he tithed – that is, if he gave 10 percent of his income to God – then God would make sure he would never want of money.
And indeed, there are places in Scripture where God promises to be generous to those who are generous. And God certainly encourages us to tithe.
But my friend seemed to take it too far. For my friend it was as if God actually owed him something because of his tithing. It seemed to be that he had turned tithing into a bribe to gain God’s favor.
So, is tithing actually a problem? Is offering actually a problem? Let us return to Psalm 50 to hear clearly the answer that God gives to us.
At first glance of this Psalm, it may seem God is rejecting all offerings. God seems to rebuke the offerings of his people.
Yet, a closer look reveals that the problem is not the offerings themselves. Instead, the real problem is the attitudes behind the offerings. God does reject any offering or sacrifice that comes with a bribe attitude. God rejects any offering that comes with an attitude of expecting payback from God.
At the same time, there is a sacrifice that God does call for: God calls for a sacrifice of thanksgiving. God wants us to make all our offerings with an attitude of thanksgiving.
And actually, the same reason we should not use offerings as a bribe of God, is the reason we should give offerings as thanksgiving.
Remember: we cannot bribe God with anything, because everything we have first came from God. Yet, precisely because everything we have first came from God, therefore we should give God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
The main message of Psalm 50, then, is clear: We must never separate offering from thanksgiving.
Out of this kind of understanding grows an offering prayer we find in both our blue and green hymnals. After our offering is collected, we pray:
“Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us – ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love.”
Yes, our offering must always pour out of our joy and thanksgiving for all God has first given us.
With Father’s Day coming up next week, I am reminded of when I was a kid and I would try to find a gift for my Dad.
I would buy my Dad something with my allowance. Or I would try to make something for my Dad with materials my parents had supplied.
Now, you see that anything I gave my Dad, my parents had in some way first given to me. My parents had either given me the allowance money to buy something or the materials to make something.
So, it would have been ridiculous if I had thought I was giving my Dad something he could not get on his own.
Instead, I was giving back a little of what I had received as a way of saying thanks. My Dad had done so much for me that I could never pay him back. All I could do is express my gratitude and thanks.
How, much more so should this be our relationship with our Heavenly Father. God has blessed us with everything we really need – including life itself.
So, let us respond to the gifts of God with sacrifices of thanksgiving.
With hearts filled with gratitude, you can generously be a cheerful giver.
Though, you can save the cattle for your own backyard barbeque.
Amen
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From Our Pastor |
Dear Members and Friends of Zion Lutheran ChurchTRUE WORSHIP? What is it that makes worship be worship? Is worship right words being said? Is worship certain actions? What is worship? With this month’s pastor letter I begin a multi-part series on the center of our life together as a Christian community: worship. Some months I will focus on certain actions of worship, such as sharing the peace and Holy Communion. Some
months I will draw from the lectures and workshops from the continuing education conference I attended this summer at PLU on faith practices, including worship.But I want to start this series by examining what makes worship to be worship. Gordon Lathrop, one of the speakers at the PLU conference, likes to sum up worship as three parts: Bath, Word, and Table. He is referring to Baptism, God’s Word, and Holy Communion.
Even when a worship service does not include a Baptism, the Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness is a reminder of Baptism. God’s Word is present in worship not just in Scripture reading: much of the liturgy language is drawn from Scripture (for example, part of the Brief Order is drawn from the letter First John), hymns are inspired by Scripture, and the sermon is God’s Word proclaimed. The presence of Jesus makes every worship service Holy Communion. Summing up worship as core things that we do has its roots in the New Testament. In Acts 2:42 we read this description of worship in the early Christian Church: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. So, it does seem that what we do is central to Christian worship. Without these core activities a gathering of Christians may be good Christian fellowship but it would not be fully Christian worship. Christian worship will have Bath, Word and Table. All the same, in the Bible we find a consistent and stern caution not to reduce worship to only our actions and rituals. In Psalm 50, God rejects empty rituals and sacrifices; instead God calls for “a sacrifice of thanksgiving.” In the fifth chapter of Amos, God declares judgment on his people for worshipping God while they are trampling on the poor. When the poor are oppressed, God declares, “I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.” God will not accept their burnt meat sacrifices or listen to their worship songs; instead, God calls the people to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” These themes are picked up in the New Testament. In the 13th chapter of Hebrews we find a call for “a sacrifice of praise.” And we hear this admonition: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” In the first chapter of his letter, James gives us this summary of true worship: “to care for orphans and widows in their distress.” What we can conclude is this: Word and Sacrament are the center of our actions in worship, but actions are in vain unless worship also includes offerings of thanksgiving for the sake of those in need. True worship then is Bath, Word, Table and Giving. In this way our God is glorified, those in need are provided for, and our own lives are renewed. 
Peace, Love, and Luther,
Pastor Duane | |
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Our Council President Speaks |
SEPTEMBER THOUGHTS FROM RUTH……...God is showering us with many blessings…as the rains begin again to nourish the dry, parched earth here in Eastern Washington, God’s love, grace and Word continue to nourish our congregation’s members and friends here in Deer Park. The Day Camp/VBS was a nourishing experience for all who were involved in THE TREK…children, and all the
volunteers learned and played together for a wonderful week in August. With the beginning of a newly formatted Sunday School and the continuation of Bible Classes and Confirmation Group on the September calendar this growth opportunity resumes as the 2008/2009 Sunday morning classes start on September 14th. Women of the congregation met together with a representative from the ELCA Women’s Organization. A second meeting is set for Saturday morning, September 20th at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall to begin to design how a women’s group at Zion can serve God and meet needs of women at Zion. Pastor Duane is leading/training a small group who will begin other small groups in our
congregation this fall. You will be asked to participate in an interest questionnaire to
determine what types of small groups will nourish our members and friends. The Church Council continues to discuss the Discovering Hope study of small congregations at each Council meeting. A planning meeting will be scheduled this fall to prepare a five year plan for the congregation. Your visions and hopes for the church will be important for our future – please think about this and share your thoughts with any members of the
Council. The summer has been a challenging time financially. Please prayerfully consider the
blessings God continues to give you and consider if you can increase your giving in support of the ministry here at Zion. A copy of the Council minutes is on the fellowship hall bulletin board with the Financial Reports for your information on this urgent situation…or talk to any Council member for an update on our needs. I look forward to the new fall season as we continue to be nourished by God and each other. Thanks for your love and support as we are the family of God in this place!!! Ruth | |
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Council Minutes |
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Church Council Highlights—August 12, 2008• Present: Ruth McCauley, Bob Schroeder, Kathy Roloff, Bill Thompson, Rex Schimke and Pastor Duane Anderson. Guests: Sharron Schimke and Bob Carroll. Absent: Ray Kamstra
• Devotions: Ruth offered devotions from Colossions 3: 15, 16.
• Minutes: Minutes approved as presented.
• Stewardship: Bob Carroll spoke to the council regarding stewardship and long-term strategic planning. The Council will schedule a weekend retreat to set goals and vision for the future and then train for in home visits to share that vision.
• Pastor’s Report: Lutherhaven Day Camp was a great success thanks to the wonderful counselors, volunteers and kids. Small group training has begun. Participants will then become leaders of other small groups.
• Treasurer’s Report: Expenses have exceeded income the last six out of seven months. The reserve is depleted and some payments at times must be delayed. We have one more month’s payment to get caught up with the pastor’s pension.
• Finance Report: Report will be filed for audit.
• Cemetery Report: The committee will try to develop a plan for dealing with garbage and trimmings that accumulate when burning is not allowed. They may schedule a fall clean-up day.
• Education: The “One Room Sunday School” materials from Augsburg have been selected for grades K-6 this year. We need to fill 1 teaching position and get substitutes for confirmation and other age groups. No “Second Sunday” this year for confirmation class.
• Property: The church roof and fellowship hall roof was damaged by wind storm. We will begin a roofing fund but Bob is having trouble finding a company to do repairs as most are booked one year out. Pastor’s porch needs an August paint party and the back door lock has been changed.
• Thrivent: Betty will coordinate distribution of school supplies. There is about $500 in matching funds available from Thrivent but the request must be made soon and must include our plan for raising funds.
• Old Business: Every member visits will be scheduled after council retreat. No report on Member Directory.
• New Business: August 16, 2 ELCA women will speak to the ladies of Zion about starting up a Women’s Group. It was msc that we begin a roof repair fund and apply for available Thrivent “Care and Congregation” funds to help. Bob Schroeder will seek new estimates.
• Next Meeting: September 9, 2008 at 7:00pm
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Year Round Stewardship |
Year Round StewardshipBeing a good steward is part of faithful living. Practicing and teaching involves understanding spiritual growth, gifts, lifestyle, finances and leadership while planning and communicating with others. Here are 18 most effective practices used by congregations strong in stewardship: 1. They hold a commitment that stewardship is important. Their vision planning includes stewardship. They are clear about their purpose and mission.
2. They give away a growing percentage of congregational income for ministries of the whole church.
3. They practice first fruits and proportionate giving for mission support (benevolence) for the whole church.
4. They build relationships with their members through personal contacts.
5. They provide multiple opportunities for giving and serving.
6. They foster spirit-filled giving and prayer development, emphasizing the connection between faith and money.
7. They identify, explore, and nurture spiritual gifts of members, helping them to fulfill their passions.
8. They develop an “asset-based” climate, using members’ assets rather than meeting needs.
9. They develop year round stewardship programs.
10. They ask boldly.
11. They thank profusely and often.
12. They engage in annual every member response programs for financial commitments, estimates of giving or pledges.
13. They provide programs for regular (undesignated) and over-and-above (designated) giving.
14. They use a program budget in addition to a line item budget.
15. They separate stewardship programs from budget preparation.
16. They provide quarterly reports on member giving to the membership.
17. They establish mission endowment policies.
18. They model first-fruits giving by sharing a percentage of their corporate income for ministry beyond the congregation. To learn more, visit: http://archive.elca.org/stewardship/
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Lutherhaven Day Camp A Success!!! |
THE TREK HAS BEGUN!Lutherhaven Day Camp was a great success for all involved. We had three great camp counselors: Laura Woodard, Jens Olsen, and Suzanna Lynch. There were 26 kids K-6 and 9 older youth helpers. The camp began for many of us early in the summer …cutting out footprints, mounting calendar pictures, making camp symbols, bringing in camping gear and trees (even some live ones thanks to Monte and Judy Robertson), and building a puppet theatre (Thanks, Bob Schroeder!) I was particularly moved by the great spirit of Jada and Shana (Helm grandkids), Sierra & Cheyenne (Roloff grandkids), Erin Smith and the Spray gang as they all covered the walls and halls with Trek symbols. This contagious spirit carried over into the camp singing and activities.
I was told by the counselors that our children generated the greatest sound for the group size of all the camps they had led, and were at the same time the best
behaved group overall. I want to personally say thank you again to all the youth and adult helpers who moved from station to station with the groups every day all day, playing the games too. Check out the pictures in the fellowship hall. (Great mop-head Carrie!) Even the weather cooperated for a fun water day with water balloon tosses, mop head races and slip-n-slide. And ask the kids about “Penguins Attention!” In the midst of all the fun the kids still learned the words to all their songs without seeing any written words, and can recite Psalm 23 with actions. Jesus is the Trek! John 14:6 An important part of camp was the daily snack, and sack lunches for the adults in the park. Bev and Amy led the kitchen crew. Joanna managed the daily check-in and out. Bruce Bjelland’s son brought in hay bales for the archery. Pastor Duane did a great job with the camera, recording all the fun and Joanne mounted all the pictures. There are so many that pitched in to help everywhere I can’t name them all. Thank You!!!!! What an inspiration to me! For the first time camp included an opening night dinner for the volunteers, a bowling night with the older youths, and a parent pot luck and Thursday night
program. The turnout was great! All things considered, the camp was money well spent!
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Zion Hill Cemetery |
CEMETERY COMMITTEEZion Lutheran Cemetery is located at Mason and Spotted Road near Clayton. It is the role of the cemetery committee to oversee the care and management of the property. This year the committee has worked hard to update the plot records and map of sites. The council adopted a fee standard, and committee members show available sites and explain the fees. A committee member marks off the grave site prior to any burial. The Council President issues and signs the contracts, secures the funds, and informs the committee and staff of sales. Records will be kept current. Other concerns of the committee include scheduling clean-up in the spring
before Memorial Day, and another day in the fall. Matters under consideration are trash management, moving the North fence to include all the property owned, refurbishing the entrance sign, and checking church records against the county records. Also under consideration is the placement of a marker to designate the original site of the church in Clayton. Current committee members are Rex Schimke, Mike Boggs, Betty Ouse and Ruth McCauley. If you would like more information or would like to serve on this committee, please contact any of the committee members.
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Choir & other news |
Choir begins its fall practices Sept. 10. Practice is usually every Wednesday from 7 until 8:30 pm in the church at 216 W. Crawford in Deer Park, WA. During Lent, choir follows soup supper(6pm)and worship services(7pm). We welcome all who like to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Come, Join us in praising and thanking God for all his blessings. | |
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Youth Education and Events |
Fourth, Fifth & Sixth
GradersWe’ll meet Sunday, September 21st in the Fellowship Hall following the
worship service and make plans for this year’s program. We hope you’ll plan to be there!
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Confirmation Students We’ll have a confirmation activity
Sunday, September 14th at 12 Noon *************** Thrivent Financial for Lutherans again provided a grant of $800 to Zion Lutheran for back-to-school supplies. The supplies were distributed to Deer Park students August 15th and 16th. We served 68 families with a total of 163 children. A big THANK YOU to Thrivent, the volunteers who gave out the supplies, VBS and those of you who donated items and especially to Betty Ouse who coordinated the whole event. | |
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Project MOVE |
Spokane County Youth Need Your Help!Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? If so, Project MOVE is looking for you! Project MOVE, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest, is a community based mentoring program for youth ages 16-21 , who are moving out of high school and have some form of disability. As we all know, the transition from high school to the adult world of independence is full of unknowns and can be scary at times. Many youth lose their school and community support systems, and struggle with where to go next. They need someone to encourage and support them in exploring their interests, abilities and goals. That’s where being a mentor comes in. Through Project MOVE, caring adults (18 & up) are matched with youth, to share ideas, experience and wisdom. There are no special qualifications to become a mentor, only a desire to spend time (only 4 hours a month) with a young person, helping them to realize their potential. Mentors are everyday people who enjoy sharing their knowledge and have a desire to see youth become successful, healthy participants in our community. They are people like you! You won’t be alone. Your personal Match Coordinator will ensure that you have the support and resources you need to be a great mentor! We need our faith community to step up and help address this need in our local area. Make a difference. Become a Mentor Today! For information, call Kerry Whitsitt—(509) 444-3088 ext. 219 or email
kerryw@community-minded.org. For detailed information, check the website at www.projectmove.org. Funded by a grant from the Department of Education, Project MOVE is a collaborative effort facilitated by Community-minded Enterprises and implemented by Washington Initiative for Supported Employment, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest, and the University of Washington’s Center for Disability Policy and Research. | |
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Scriptures/ Services |
September
Scripture Readings Sept 7: Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm 119:33-40
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20 Sept 14: Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103:[1-7] 8-13
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35 Sept 21: Jonah 3:10—4:11
Psalm 145:1-8
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16 Sept 28: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Psalm 25:1-9
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32 | | | | | | |
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