Category: Uncategorized

July 26, 2022

Dear Family of Our Redeemer’s

“LIVE GENEROUSLY”

It would be interesting to hear what the market research from Thrivent Financial has learned about the impact the above slogan has had on peoples thinking and behavior. I have seen their T-shirts with the now familiar slogan being worn in our community by people of various churches, not just Lutheran. The mind-set of generous living is certainly at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

As I prepare for the sermon this coming Sunday, July 31, the Gospel Reading from Luke 12:13-21, often called the Parable of the rich fool, portrays the natural tendency that all of us struggle with every day. Our first inclination is to live a selfish life rather than a generous life. Jesus calls the rich man a fool because he is focused on storing up treasures for himself but is not rich toward God. Jesus goes on to make it clear that all who live with that mindset are fools.

I recall a church member in one of the congregations I served who used every opportunity possible to encourage fellow parishioners to include the church in the distribution of their assets after they died. He, himself, had already made those arrangements in his will and felt strongly that it was the right thing to do to assure that the ministry of the Church, which had been so meaningful to him, could continue to fulfill its mission when he was gone. This same member would often remind people that he had never seen a U-HAUL TRAILER being towed behind a Funeral Hearse so that the treasures of the deceased could be buried with the body of that person. How do we manage the treasures that God has entrusted to us while we are living? What arrangements have we made for the distribution of money and property that is left behind when we die?

The contrast between a “rich fool” and one who is “rich toward God” is worthy of some consideration. In which category do you fit? In which category do I fit? What standard or model do we use to determine if we are living as a “fool” or a “faithful manager“?

The life of Jesus himself is always the “gold standard” for trying to live as faithful managers of our lives. What would Jesus do? What did Jesus do? He gave up all “privilege” and became a servant. He demonstrated that life is to be “spent” not “hoarded”. He poured out His soul in love for others. His total life sacrifice led to his death. But God raised Him from the dead. The total self-giving of Jesus continues to give life and empowerment to us. God’s living presence in each of us each day also enables us to be “rich toward God” instead of a ‘rich fool“. It is helpful to remember the song that was often used as part of our offering: “All that we have is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee“.

Blessings on your journey as a faithful manager,
Interim Supply Pastor, Fred Mai

June 21, 2022

Dear Family of Our Redeemer’s

As we move toward July, one of the big dates on the calendar that jumps out at us and that we celebrate with many loud noises is July 4–Independence day. The word freedom is used in many conversations to emphasize the importance of the observances and we feel a deep appreciation that we are the beneficiaries of this priceless gift in our daily living.

Freedom is certainly an important word in the Christian faith as well. Our most frustrating and depressing daily problem is that “we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves“. Even though there will be large celebrations and loud explosions throughout the land to proclaim our independence and freedom, we discover that we are not free. Jesus came to bring us a higher and more personal experience in all aspects of life when He announced: “If you continue in my word, you are my disciples indeed and you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free. . .So if the Son shall set you free, you will be free indeed”. (John 8:31, 32)

I am grateful to be living in the “land of the free and the home of the brave”. I have never experienced life in a world that controls who I am, what I can do, and how I can spend my life. My parents were immigrants and came to the United States because they were being controlled by authoritarian tyrants. “Give me liberty or give me death” was their universal cry. Life without freedom is considered “worse than death”. In these 21st century times, citizens in many authoritarian countries are risking and sacrificing their lives to preserve and spread freedom. We support and applaud their courage and commitment.

Yet, in spite of the blessings of living in the free world, there is need in our lives for truth and freedom that only Jesus can bring. The global trauma between nations, the widespread violence within our communities, the turmoil in climate conditions–these all point to a need for reconciliation and healing that the Son came to bring to a sick and dying world.

The truth and freedom that has been given to us through the Son is an even greater GIFT than the freedom and independence of July 4. Please notice the big “if” at the beginning of Jesus announcement in John 8:31. Our faith and life is shaped by our thinking. Even though the Son has already given us these gifts, we are not able to get the benefit of them if our thinking is still dominated by self help systems, fear, doubt, or worry. The word of Jesus shapes our thoughts, creates faith, brings peace, builds on the foundation of truth, and propels us on our way in joy. How important it is then, to “continue in Jesus Word. . . to know the truth. . . to know freedom. . . So if the Son shall set you free, you will be free indeed.“

Blessings on your journey of freedom and independence.
Interim Supply Pastor, Fred Mai

April 19, 2022

Dear Family of Our Redeemer’s

“EASTER CHANGES EVERYTHING!”

At a recent gathering that I attended, the person giving the opening prayer used the above words as he offered thanks for the powerful influence of Easter.  It was a reminder of what we know but take for granted, that the resurrection of Jesus is the most significant event of all times.  We worship on the first day of the week rather than the seventh because Jesus transformed all of life for all people when He rose from the dead.  Our church calendars give us fifty days of Easter to spread and celebrate this news before we move on to the next part of the Jesus story.  The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians put it this way:  “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. . . If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.  But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.” (I Corinthians 15: 17-20)

Do we live as if we really believed that this is true?  We know that life can be hard. There are some days that we struggle to keep going.  There are some days that we question whether we will make it.  At times, we may even wonder if we want to keep trying.  Is it worth the effort, or should we just surrender.

For twenty centuries the Church has been shouting: “Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!”  We have been encouraged by knowing that Jesus is alive and walks with us through each day.  Jesus living presence takes a sad day and turns it into a day of hope.  It makes us excited to think about the future instead of dreading what is to come.  It gives our journey purpose, energy, enthusiasm, strength, and joy to look ahead.  We are no longer afraid of tomorrow.  There is nothing that cannot be faced when we know that the living Jesus walks with us.  We are not alone today, tonight, or the next day.  We are not afraid to look down the road into the coming weeks, months, or years.  With the certainty that Jesus is living and shares each moment of each day and night, our outlook, disposition, personality and character is changed.  It is not too much to say that we are EASTER PEOPLE.

EASTER PEOPLE are excited about the future. We are set free from past mistakes and bad choices.  The heavy load of guilt and fear is taken away when Jesus is on the road with us.  The joy of His living presence awakens flowers along the path.  The sun shines brightly, revealing the beauty of the moment.  The night is transformed into the glory of another new day because He lives.  Our steps are lively and quick.  Our songs fill the air as we cherish the moment.

It has been so gratifying to open the doors of the church and welcome you back to “in-person” worship.  Our joy is multiplied when we are together.  Thanks for being part of this great journey at Our Redeemer’s.

Blessings on the Easter Road,

Interim Supply Pastor, Fred Mai

March 25, 2022

Dear Family of Our Redeemer’s,

“a time to weep. . .a time to mourn”.  Ecclesiastes 3: 4

“Jesus wept.”  John 11:35

There have been several funerals at Our Redeemer’s recently.  Members and friends who have been deeply attached in our community and congregation are no longer with us in this world.   We are feeling loss and sadness.  There have been many tears.  Trying to continue a meaningful life without their presence is not easy.   An emptiness persists.  Weeping and mourning will be part of our journey during the weeks and months to come. 

We are moving close to the time in the Church Year that we call Holy Week.  We have found hope, beauty, affirmation, mission, and love in this person who demonstrates “God with us”. The journey of Jesus among His friends and disciples will end in a very ugly and painful crucifixion.  There will be darkness in the middle of the day.  Sorrow, loss, tears, weeping and mourning will invade and dominate the lives of those who had found love, purpose, and meaning in their relationship with Jesus.  Unanswered questions and confusion will cast a cloud over the future. 

Our world is again experiencing a time that feels like it is the “day of crucifixion” all over again.  The millions of people who are suffering and dying in the Ukraine and other similar situations around the world causes us to weep and mourn.  Our tears flow in sorrow as these brothers and sisters experience horrendous suffering.  We share the pain with them. We pray for an end to the war.  There is no way that we can ignore what is happening in the world or pretend that it doesn’t hurt.  We weep! We mourn!

Where shall we find hope?  As dark as it was on that day we call Good Friday, when “God with us” was put to death, we have learned that God made all things new on the third day.  Easter has come!  Life will triumph over death!  Easter will come into our lives again and again.  Morning will break! 

In the meantime, it is truly “a time to weep. . .a time to mourn”.  All nations of the world are feeling the effects of the war.  It affects every part of the globe.  There have been generous and sacrificial efforts to help those who are wounded, suffering, hungry, lonely, dying,   Our Lutheran partners around the world are on the scene.  We can join them with our support.  We can pray without ceasing.  “May God bring peace and hope!

Blessings on your journey to new life and hope,

Interim Supply Pastor, Fred Mai

Dear Family of Our Redeemer’s,

We are standing on the threshold of Lent which begins on March 2 with ASH WEDNESDAY. When we are marked with the ashes of last year’s palms from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to begin the events of Holy Week, what does that “cross on your forehead” say to you and to the people who see it? The words spoken as we are marked, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”, may seem morbid and depressing. On the other hand, they can speak a truth that leads to freedom, resurrection and new life.

What does Lent mean to you in 2022? The focus and emphasis of Lent has changed over the past 50 years. The very painful, cruel, mean-spirited treatment of Jesus that led to his crucifixion is not to be minimized or ignored. It is an ugly story that we cannot ignore. We see and hear ourselves in the crowd yelling, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” when Jesus gets too personal with us about our lack of truth and honesty in our shallow views of life and discipleship. We deny our mortality. We white-wash our “what’s in it for me” motivation for being a follower of Jesus.

Confession and repentance are still very much at the heart of Lent. We ask for the light of God’s Word to shine on us so that we build our lives on the truth. The word of forgiveness is spoken from the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. In those words, we are freed to live. Our Lenten journey becomes a preparation for the new life of Easter. Aware of our mortality and our need for the new life flowing from Christ’s death and resurrection, we are open to the possibilities of faithful living as followers of Jesus.

What kind of person would you like to be when we emerge from the Good Friday tomb and find ourselves walking in the garden on Easter morning? I am praying that the light and truth that comes from our Lenten journey would make me into a more humble, honest, loving, hope-filled, generous, caring, faithful person. Set free from the destructive powers of sin, death, and evil I would hope to shine the light of Christ in dark places where people are hurting, confused, hopeless, fearful, depressed, lonely, hungry, and sad. I really do hope that Lent will make a difference in who I am and what my life is all about. I would hope that this journey with Jesus would not be just a bunch of empty words but be life-changing.

It is my prayer that for the people of God at Our Redeemer’s, the new life of Easter will shine brighter than ever before. God has given us this wonderful community of faith. “Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”.

Blessings on your Lenten journey toward new life,
Interim Supply Pastor, Fred Mai

Dear Family of Our Redeemer’s
There were two statements from the sermon resources I use that caught my attention while I was preparing to write this letter: 1) “The forces that diminish human life are rendered powerless by Jesus” 2) “Good news draws a crowd; the gospel is found in Jesus!”.

We heard from last Sundays Gospel reading that Jesus first public act recorded in Mark was the exorcism of a demon in the synagogue. This coming Sunday, the Gospel (Mark 1:29-39, see back of this bulletin) tells us that the mother-in-law of the disciple Simon was sick in bed with a fever: “He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.”

There are many forces in this world that diminish human life. Each of us can make a list from our own experiences: physical illnesses or handicaps, family crises, economic struggles, relationship breakdowns, threats to national and international security, political chaos, the pandemic, etc. Even though “Jesus came that we might have life and have it in all its fullness”, the destructive forces are still at work in our lives and in this world.

Where do you find strength and help as you struggle with the problems in your life? Where do you “discover hope”? There are messiahs of every kind claiming to have the answers. Many of the acclaimed solutions are “do-it-yourself” fixes that we are still trying to make work but with little success. We win some and lose some. We confess our failures and try again.

“The forces that diminish human life are rendered powerless by Jesus” “Good news draws a crowd: the gospel is found in Jesus!” The Christian faith is revolutionary and transformational. In our baptism, we are united with Christ. The Word has given us LIFE! We are empowered each day by the Spirit of God. The Word is made flesh within our bodies. Luther described our existence after Baptism as “Little Christs” , the presence of God still living and active in and through us in this world.

Have we caught the thrill and excitement of the Gospel? Of being disciples of Jesus? Of being called to bring Good News to hurting people? Of being connected with each other in this glorious mission? Of being the Communion of Saints? Of having the power and authority to change the world for the better?

Remember: “Good news draws a crowd: the gospel is found in Jesus!” You are a living Jesus!
Blessings on your “Jesus” journey,
Interim Supply Pastor, Fred Mai

Dear Family of Our Redeemer’s

When you receive this issue of The Spirit, we will be in the twelve days of Christmas.  We are invited to “keep Christmas” rather than to “spend Christmas”.  During those twelve days we are encouraged to rejoice, worship, adore, enjoy THE GIFT, praise God with the angels, sing, dance, and celebrate the SAVIOR in any way that our imagination can come up with. What an opportunity we lose if we go back to normal and return to business as usual.  The world is not the same since the Savior is born!  We are not the same since the Savior is born!  God has entered our broken world in a very real way and nothing can be the same as before.  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace'”. 

When a new life enters our homes, everything is changed.  When The Savior enters our homes, our world is  changed.  He brings all the gifts that His names describe.  Instead of bringing gifts to the baby Jesus,  He brings gifts to us.  The names of this Child that often stand out, Savior and Prince of Peace, are descriptive of important areas in our lives that God comes to us.  Savior: “He will save His people from their sins”, and Prince of Peace: “He will bring peace to His people”–these much needed gifts do indeed change everything.

Are you ready to enter the new year with a new vision?  New expectations?  New attitudes?  New hopes?  New faith?  New love?  Our future will be shaped by our perspective.  “What you see is what you get!”  Our church faith statement, “We walk by faith and not by sight”, is a positive affirmation instead of a negative resignation.  When we speak as if the future is out of our control and we don’t know what is coming, it can be an attempt to prepare ourselves for the worst.  We resign ourselves to a bumpy, hard road ahead.  This is not what God had in mind for us when He sent Jesus into our world and opens the door to a new year.  We can never hear it too often: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

As we step across the threshold into 2022, it will be helpful to use the above Bible verse as our creed.  Our faith and our attitude do indeed shape our lives.  It can awaken a sense of excitement if our vision is created by God’s Word.  “God is great! God is good! and God is able to give you a future and a hope”. 

Blessings on your journey into God’s open future,

Interim Supply Pastor, Fred Mai